A man, in the dead of night, kneeling on one knee, holding fresh flowers, appeared at the door.
And this man was the very one who was supposed to suppress him in the original story.
Gu Baiqing instinctively raised his foot to kick someone away.
But recalling the disciple had just suffered serious injuries, Gu Baiqing’s conscience stopped him and he forcibly withdrew his raised foot halfway.
“What are you doing?”
Gu Baiqing almost gritted his teeth, every word tinged with coldness. If this kid dared to have any ulterior motives…
Gu Baiqing really didn’t know how to respond.
He had never been confessed to by a man before! Young man, you better explain clearly!
Gu Baiqing looked fiercely and nervously at Mo Xuanli.
Mo Xuanli slowly raised his head, eyes filled with reverence and admiration. His gaze passed between the two plum branches, the reddish blossoms seeming to tint Gu Baiqing’s pale, stern face. Under the moonlight, it looked like a carving of jade ice—delightful to behold.
Mo Xuanli didn’t catch the almost murderous tone in Gu Baiqing’s question; those cold and biting words were instantly melted by his passionate heart into soft meaning. After all, his heart was burning with gratitude for his master.
This was no cold interrogation—just a simple question.
Mo Xuanli said excitedly, “Master, these plum branches… they were given during the contest. I planned to give them to you when the contest ended. Master, I hope you will accept this token of my heart.”
My Morning Snow, my Morning Snow!
Gu Baiqing’s cheek twitched; of course he realized, which made him even more afraid. This kid was hinting at something!
I just helped him get revenge during the day, and now he’s repaying ingratitude?
Gu Baiqing was trembling with anger, yet Mo Xuanli went on explaining his feelings without noticing.
“Master, I know this means nothing compared to what you’ve given me, but I swear by these plum branches that I will work hard to become stronger, as fast as possible. In the future, whenever you need me, I will guard you, be your right hand, solve any trouble for you. I only ask… for a little more time, so one day I can become your shield.”
Mo Xuanli almost trembled as he spoke these words.
He had once devoted himself to cultivation, desperately wanting to grow strong to survive, to be recognized by others, to rid himself of the demonic nature, to become a normal person and eventually an immortal. He longed for bonds with others and always treated people kindly, though he often felt out of place and lonely.
But his master appeared in his life and had never protected him like anyone else, never expecting anything in return, even unwilling to let him know certain things.
Such a person… such a good person, he would risk his life to repay.
Knowing his master’s spiritual power issues, he thought the only thing he could do was to cultivate quickly, become a weapon to protect his master, to keep his master safe, so that when his master had matters to attend, he would be the first one thought of—not little senior uncle.
But he was still too weak now, and only hoped his master wouldn’t despise him and would give him a chance to grow.
Gu Baiqing was stunned, dazed for a moment before blinking and asking dazedly, “Do you know what these plum branches mean?”
Mo Xuanli was stunned, his excited emotions calming somewhat. He said simply, “They are given to the most important person, symbolizing good luck and auspiciousness. Of course, I gave them to Master.”
Gu Baiqing looked at his disciple’s innocent expression and breathed a huge sigh of relief—he nearly couldn’t catch his breath from fright. Luckily, luckily, the disciple’s feelings had not gone sour.
Mo Xuanli looked at Gu Baiqing’s face as it subtly changed, and suddenly his mind clicked. He instantly recalled what Tang Yu had said earlier in the plum blossom grove, and finally understood the true meaning this might carry.
In an instant, Mo Xuanli’s face flushed red. He quickly withdrew the plum branches, dropped down on both knees, and bowed his head deeply.
“Master, I misunderstood. I thought the branches were just for important people, and that elders could receive them too. It was my mistake for not understanding clearly. I deserve punishment! I have dishonored you, please punish me.”
Gu Baiqing felt equally awkward, even a bit alarmed. In the original story, there was also a plum branch giving event. Because the contest had gone smoothly, three branches were directly given. Back then, neither master nor disciple fully understood the true meaning of the plum branch, so one gave, the other accepted.
Later, it became a small easter egg hinting at the ambiguous relationship between master and disciple.
Now… since both knew the meaning, regardless of the feelings behind the gift, accepting it was always awkward. Such a dangerous symbol needed to be handled carefully. If it took root in the disciple’s heart, that would be troublesome.
“It’s not a big deal. I thought maybe someone was playing a prank on you just now,” Gu Baiqing said calmly.
Mo Xuanli awkwardly shook his head, ashamed. “It was just that my mind didn’t immediately turn around. Honestly, I really haven’t been thinking about any romantic stuff.”
“Alright. Your victory is the best reply you can give me. The plum branch is just a formality. Don’t worry about it. There’s no vase in my room that can hold so many anyway—you can handle it yourself.” Gu Baiqing waved it off casually, then changed the subject, “But… running over here just to give me plum branches despite your condition—Mo Xuanli, are you joking with me? Don’t do such thoughtless things again.”
Mo Xuanli was embarrassed and knew his master was angry from the scolding. Flustered, he began, “Master, I… I was because—”
Suddenly recalling Second Senior Uncle’s warning, he forced himself to hold back the words he really wanted to say.
“For what reason?” Gu Baiqing asked suspiciously. Had he heard something? Is this the kind of reckless thing only young people in love would do?
Mo Xuanli could only say, “Because… the plum blossoms will wither tomorrow. When I woke up and felt much better, I acted on impulse.”
“What nonsense, unnecessary fuss,” Gu Baiqing frowned and scolded.
Mo Xuanli immediately lowered his head and admitted his fault. “I also wanted to talk to Master honestly. I really want to become stronger, especially while you’re in poor health. I swear no matter what trials you give me, I will accept them all, just to grow strong as fast as possible.”
Gu Baiqing figured the elders protecting the sect probably wouldn’t be so petty as to fuss directly to Mo Xuanli’s face. He treated his actions as still undercover. Thinking back to Mo Xuanli’s words… this kid was truly kind-hearted, a typical example of repaying a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude. As his master, Gu Baiqing felt he was the one getting the better deal.
“I’m not so fragile that I need you to worry about me, but since you want to get stronger, once you reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll arrange more training for you. Get up.”
Mo Xuanli stood and smiled, resolute: “I’ll follow all your instructions, Master.”
Such an obedient good kid. No worries about his learning at all.
“Go back and rest well, don’t run around again.” Gu Baiqing waved him off.
Mo Xuanli respectfully saluted immediately. Though he still had much to say to his master, he had already said what he wanted most—it was enough.
“Good dreams, Master.”
Watching Mo Xuanli turn and clutch the plum branches, Gu Baiqing suddenly felt a strange softening of heart—injured, yet still running over…
Gu Baiqing thought for a moment; a bit of positive encouragement was necessary. Suddenly he called out, “Mo Xuanli.”
Mo Xuanli turned, hearing his usually cold master speak in a slightly awkward tone, “I understand your good intentions, thank you.”
The night breeze blew, and the bright red maple leaves scattered everywhere.
Mo Xuanli looked at Gu Baiqing’s tall figure bathed in moonlight, as if surrounded by a faint radiance.
Turning and closing the door, Mo Xuanli’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
He placed the plum branches into a vase in his dormitory, then quietly leaned over the table watching until he fell asleep… the whole night until dawn.
Early the next morning, he prepared breakfast for his master.
Seeing the injured Young Master Mo everywhere, the child attendant was truly speechless and choked up. Then he watched Young Master Mo return to the Flying Crane Pavilion to recover. Yet despite the injury, all three meals a day were kept up. If Elder Luofeng hadn’t known, the servant would have suspected a gray scandal in the sect—master abusing disciple.
…
Two days later, Mo Xuanli was about to take the Foundation Establishment Pill and enter the Star Spirit Cave. Before leaving, he went to see his master. Seeing his master towering and unmoved, Mo Xuanli felt no disappointment, as if already used to it. After all, he knew his master’s heart was with him, and that was enough.
Perhaps because Mo Xuanli’s fame skyrocketed after the grand competition, or because of wanting to see the Star Spirit Cave, a group of junior disciples accompanied him up the mountain. The number of people seeing him off was twice as many as his so-called friends.
“Good luck! You’ll definitely be fine,” Tang Yu said excitedly.
“Of course. Xuanli is the number one in our Qi Refinement group, and he reached it in just one month. Foundation Establishment is just a small problem. Plus, he has a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill to help.”
“I heard the fastest record to Foundation Establishment in the Star Spirit Cave is Elder Luofeng—three hours, ten rounds—the most perfect Foundation Establishment.”
“I also heard from senior brothers and sisters that most people undergo three to four rounds of spiritual vein impacts. The more rounds, the greater the potential. Ten rounds is the highest level.”
“Xuanli is Elder Luofeng’s direct disciple. Maybe he can create a miracle too.”
Everyone got more and more excited. In the past, they definitely wouldn’t say this, but after the sect competition, round after round of battles, the final spectacular matches truly won everyone’s respect. Sometimes, when the jealous ones are too powerful, the others don’t even feel jealousy. Among peers, there was no one who didn’t admit Xuanli’s strength.
Everyone now regarded Mo Xuanli as a role model, a goal to strive toward. As his peers, naturally they hoped this leader would create even more miracles.
Mo Xuanli smiled as he accepted everyone’s blessings and entered the Star Spirit Cave. The Star Spirit Cave was located in a cave at the highest point of the Zixiao Pavilion. Inside was the center of the entire spiritual vein, the place with the most abundant spiritual energy.
An Elder at Nascent Soul stage was stationed to guard the cave. Seeing Mo Xuanli enter, he checked the issued token. His indifferent expression shifted slightly when he recognized Mo Xuanli as Elder Luofeng’s disciple, but he said nothing more, only pointed to a spot and said, “Go. If anything goes wrong halfway, I will intervene.”
Hearing this, Mo Xuanli felt somewhat uneasy. He feared that during Foundation Establishment he might reveal some traces of demonic nature.
Unconsciously, Mo Xuanli reached to pat his chest — where he still carried the withered plum branches he had taken from his room when leaving Luofeng Pavilion.
He couldn’t disappoint his master. His master was still waiting for him to return with good news.
As if suddenly empowered, Mo Xuanli came to the designated spot, sat cross-legged, calmed his mind, and entered meditation.
Spiritual power converged from all directions into his dantian, gradually enveloping Mo Xuanli. Suddenly, a force that made the hairs on one’s body stand up flashed briefly.
The cave guardian elder lifted his eyelids to look, but found nothing unusual — only a perfect cocoon of spiritual energy. Apparently, this was a talented youngster.
…
Two hours later, Luofeng Pavilion.
Gu Baiqing was listening to Luo Nianyi scold him for not cooperating with treatment.
Suddenly, he sat up straight.
He heard a pleasant voice ringing in his mind:
【Task 1: Successfully complete Foundation Establishment, unlock early Foundation Establishment cultivation. Task complete. Cultivation progress: Foundation Establishment 10%. Reward points: 100. Account balance: 109 points.】
Gu Baiqing gasped sharply. It was done — truly done!
And he was rewarded points. Gu Baiqing immediately felt like he had finally gotten paid just before starving. Overjoyed, tears welled up!
But why did the Foundation Establishment progress jump directly to 10%? Shouldn’t it have started from zero? Gu Baiqing asked the system in puzzlement. The system explained it was due to talent — some people’s initial cultivation level after improvement starts higher than others.
Gu Baiqing felt a warm glow inside. Not starting from zero meant the cultivation progress was effectively shortened. The protagonist was powerful indeed.
“What are you thinking? Why act like you’re not happy?” Luo Nianyi scolded unhappily. “It’s just to let you try the pill. The effect may not be certain, but what if it works?”
Snapping back from excitement, Gu Baiqing’s confidence solidified — after all, he was now someone who could pay the electricity bill at any time.
“I know my body’s condition well, but you don’t know the pill’s effects. So, senior sister, please let me be. My body currently cannot withstand your good intentions because of the lack of spiritual power.” Though the original body often secluded itself, he knew many things. The pills Luo Nianyi tested often caused more problems than good, and the problems were often hard to handle. Definitely not worth the risk.
“Ah, you! Even if you don’t trust me, you should trust your disciple. I discussed these pills with your disciple,” Luo Nianyi tempted.
Gu Baiqing didn’t buy it — given Mo Xuanli’s cautious nature, he wouldn’t do anything uncertain.
Seeing Gu Baiqing still refuse, Luo Nianyi got angry. “Your disciple worries about your body day and night, and you’re so uncooperative! How can you face him?”
“Then let him tell me himself,” Gu Baiqing retorted.
Luo Nianyi could only sadly pack away the medicine box and complain, “Why don’t you go watch your disciple cultivate? Back when I had disciples, I followed each of them. You’re too irresponsible. Only one disciple, and he’s so outstanding. How can you not keep an eye on him?”
Gu Baiqing smiled, “I believe he will complete it smoothly. Maybe he already has.”
“Impossible. You took three hours back then.”
“The student surpasses the master. What I teach won’t be bad.”
Just as the words fell, a lingering ripple of spiritual power spread to Luofeng Pavilion.
Both felt it simultaneously — actually, everyone in Zixiao Sect could sense it.
Luo Nianyi suddenly stood up in shock. “Ten rounds of spiritual vein impact?!”
Though it was just Foundation Establishment, ten rounds was absolutely rare. In the whole sect, only Gu Baiqing himself had ever reached it.
Luo Nianyi’s face changed dramatically. More than two hours but less than three hours, ten rounds — this was the best record since the founding of Zixiao Sect. As long as this kid trained diligently and nothing went wrong, his achievements would definitely not be lower than Gu Baiqing’s. After all, with this Foundation Establishment base, among peers in the entire cultivation world, no one could probably match him.
Luo Nianyi turned to rush off to witness the event but paused and sat back down.
Gu Baiqing looked at her in surprise, “You’re not going?”
“What for? With your disciple’s personality, he’ll definitely report to you first after success. We just wait here.” Luo Nianyi said, sounding a bit bitter. Such a talented disciple — how did they miss it at first? It was like a pearl hidden under dust.
She also recalled how even while recovering in Flying Crane Pavilion, Mo Xuanli kept studying medicine and trying to help Gu Baiqing’s body. That moved her. Such character, such talent, truly a perfect disciple! Jealousy — so much jealousy. Yet someone didn’t know how to cherish him.
“Honestly, you should treat Xuanli better, try to get closer, care more. He’s definitely not the kind to become arrogant from favor. If you treat him well, he’ll repay you doubly.”
Suddenly Luo Nianyi changed her tone, making Gu Baiqing’s hair stand on end.
Why did Luo Nianyi’s current role feel so much like the supporting character in a typical cliché story? Gu Baiqing quickly said, “Everyone has their own way to teach disciples. This is my way.”
“Little Xuanli is a very sensitive person. If you treat him like that, he’ll easily overthink.”
This sentence from Luo Nianyi was actually correct — precisely because Mo Xuanli was sensitive, one couldn’t get too close to him; otherwise, the original story’s unfortunate ending would happen.
Gu Baiqing quickly changed the topic: “Senior Sister, I really didn’t know you thought so highly of Mo Xuanli. Do you regret not taking him as your disciple back then?”
Gu Baiqing mentioned this casually, but unexpectedly, Luo Nianyi couldn’t help but spit out a bitter remark.
“Exactly. It’s our fault for not having vision back then. You got lucky stepping into dog poop. Not long ago, the three of us secretly talked and all wanted to take Little Xuanli as a disciple. Besides, you never wanted disciples, right? While Sect Leader Senior Sister is secluded, why not just let us have him? We all like him and would be willing to accept him as our direct disciple. Three masters for him to choose from. With his ability, he’s definitely capable of managing a pavilion in the future. It’s a pity to let such a good seedling suffer under you.”
Gu Baiqing listened, somewhat surprised — he didn’t expect these three to hold Mo Xuanli in such high regard.
Though he knew Luo Nianyi’s words had a lot of joking in them, the idea of changing masters suddenly lodged in Gu Baiqing’s mind.
Wait, why hadn’t he thought of this before? Without the master-disciple title, wouldn’t that avoid all the master-themed story clichés?
And he could still guide Mo Xuanli as an elder, handle the system’s daily check-ins and story missions — the master-disciple relationship wasn’t strictly necessary. This would be far more useful than making Mo Xuanli move out.
The more Gu Baiqing thought about it, the more excited he became, his heart beating faster. “Third Senior Sister, what you just said is true? You all really want to take Mo Xuanli as a disciple?”
Luo Nianyi was also stunned for a moment, blinking. “What do you mean? Haven’t you been seriously teaching him? If… it’s true, would you be willing?”
Gu Baiqing nodded without hesitation: “Of course. This is my first time taking a disciple. A good seedling like Mo Xuanli, I’m afraid I can’t teach well enough. If you all can take over and teach carefully, that’d be best. I don’t care much about the master-disciple title. I treat him as a junior anyway, and if I can teach in the future, I’m willing. Plus, I currently have a spiritual power deficiency. When Mo Xuanli’s cultivation is higher, teaching him might be even harder for me. I can see his unlimited potential and worry my cold personality might hold him back. Changing masters wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Luo Nianyi was stunned, staring at Gu Baiqing for a while to make sure he was serious. What he said made sense, so she said: “Although I was joking earlier, the three of us really would like to accept him. If you think it’s better, maybe…”
It wasn’t about competing for disciples with the junior brother, but genuinely for Mo Xuanli and Zixiao Sect’s future. Although their cultivation was not as high as Gu Baiqing’s, they had more experience in teaching disciples. Judging from Mo Xuanli’s current performance, he was definitely a candidate for the sect’s key training.
“Maybe we really should consider it, but of course, we need to ask Little Xuanli’s opinion.”
“He’s so obedient, he should… agree,” Gu Baiqing said, then suddenly hesitated. Remembering how Mo Xuanli had come wounded that night to deliver the plum branches, Gu Baiqing wasn’t so sure anymore — would the kid agree?
At this moment, just outside the door stood Mo Xuanli, who had just succeeded in Foundation Establishment. He had declined all celebration invitations and flown back directly on his sword to report to his master.
His heart felt like it had been grabbed tightly and went ice cold.
Master… doesn’t want him as a disciple anymore, wants to give him to someone else, wants to… sever the master-disciple relationship.
The next moment, Mo Xuanli’s pupils shrank, he lifted his leg and entered the room, smiling.
“Master, disciple has succeeded in Foundation Establishment and returned.”
