When Mo Xuanli spoke those words, his voice was as clear and smooth as jade striking jade, gentle and resonant.
Because of the height difference, Gu Baiqing had to lift his gaze slightly to meet his eyes, those naturally tender eyes shining with the most sincere light.
Such a man, so handsome, so magnetic, even Gu Baiqing had to admit, he was very attractive. Once he competed in the Immortal Convention, he’d probably have countless admirers.
Gu Baiqing’s mind drifted for a moment before he processed what the other had just said.
But the moment he understood, his brows furrowed, and his tone turned sharply displeased. “How could you think something like that?”
Mo Xuanli’s heart trembled. His eyes widened as his thoughts went into chaos, panic welling up. “Master, I…”
Gu Baiqing scolded in a stern, teaching tone: “Your future can only be decided by yourself. You can’t let anyone else dictate your life. I am only your master, you may respect me, you may listen to my teachings, but you must never rely on me completely in thought. That would mean you have no self. You are my disciple, not my puppet. When you’re lost, you can ask for guidance but you must always listen to your own heart.”
Gu Baiqing thought Mo Xuanli’s mindset was deeply concerning, likely shaped by his past experiences. If someone praised him, he thrived; if someone rejected him, he collapsed. That’s why, in the original novel, he started as a pure-hearted youth and ended up a demonic overlord.
In modern terms, he needed to develop an independent sense of self. To let his thoughts be imprisoned by another person’s will was terrifying.
If Gu Baiqing were a bad person, Mo Xuanli would have been utterly ruined.
He looked at Mo Xuanli with clear disapproval.
Listening to his master’s reprimand, Mo Xuanli opened his mouth several times, face flushed with embarrassment, unsure how to explain himself.
He… that wasn’t what he meant…
No, actually, it was what he meant…
He was willing to give up his own self, to let his master have complete control.
But what his master said also made sense…
He knew now that Master wouldn’t like that kind of dependence.
But what he’d wanted to say today was just that he wouldn’t form a Dao partnership with anyone other than his master. How had it turned into this…
“Pfft—”
A sudden laugh came from nearby.
Both Mo Xuanli and Gu Baiqing turned to see Jingzhan standing not far away, balancing on his sword.
“Sorry… I couldn’t hold it in,” Jingzhan said awkwardly.
Gu Baiqing frowned at his sudden appearance.
Jingzhan quickly explained, “Elder Luofeng, my brother requests your presence. He’s waiting in the side hall where the meeting was held earlier.”
Jingcheng wanted to see him?
Gu Baiqing nodded, then turned back toward Mo Xuanli, only to notice the younger man’s face was bright red.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Gu Baiqing asked, frowning.
Mo Xuanli stammered, “No, Master… go ahead. I’ll wait for you.”
Gu Baiqing nodded and left alone.
The moment he was gone, Mo Xuanli seemed to lose all strength, his whole body deflating with frustration.
“Brother, don’t blame me,” Jingzhan said quickly. “My brother sent me to fetch him, it wasn’t on purpose to interrupt your confession. But… what happened? With how close you two are, I thought he’d understand what you were hinting at. How did he end up completely missing the point?”
He went on, “Still, your master’s really something. What he just said, I’ve never heard any elder say that before. My family elders are always trying to control me, want me to live the way they think is right, all for my own good. I can’t even argue back. But your master, he’s really open-minded.”
Mo Xuanli sighed. “Master is very good.”
“Don’t lose heart,” Jingzhan grinned. “When he comes back, just grab him and say, ‘I like you. I want to dual cultivate with you.’ Simple as that.”
Mo Xuanli pictured it and immediately felt that such words would earn him a lightning bolt straight from the heavens.
“That would be disrespectful to Master… Besides, he has his concerns, and I have mine.” Mo Xuanli realized he’d been impulsive earlier.
Now that he knew about the five fragments, he could feel the future drawing near. Combined with the provocation from the Zong clan and Jingzhan’s constant teasing, his heart had been stirred. How could he not want to cross that line, to stay by his master’s side every day? But deep down, there was still that layer of reverence he couldn’t break through.
Seeing Mo Xuanli’s dispirited look, Jingzhan, an experienced flirt himself, wanted to help, but even he had to admit that the master-disciple relationship made things complicated. He couldn’t just give reckless advice. Still, in his view, if both sides felt the same, it’d be better to clear the air sooner rather than later. So he kept encouraging Mo Xuanli to confess.
On the other side, Gu Baiqing arrived at the side hall and met Jingcheng.
Regarding what had happened earlier in the meeting, Gu Baiqing naturally felt he should express his thanks, since Jingcheng had been helping Mo Xuanli all along.
Jingcheng smiled politely and said, “It was just dealing with the situation as it happened. I didn’t expect you to stick so closely to your disciple, your relationship really seems very strong.”
Gu Baiqing sat down and asked, “You’ve called me here, does this concern something?”
“Is there a problem with your body?” Jingcheng asked suddenly.
Gu Baiqing’s expression didn’t change. “What?”
Jingcheng said, “During that earlier situation, you didn’t act immediately with your power. You even bothered with all that talking, it’s unlike you.”
Gu Baiqing felt a little awkward. Indeed, he hadn’t wanted to use his power, and after all, he wasn’t originally from the cultivation world, so naturally he wouldn’t strike at the first provocation.
“Don’t worry, I’m not trying to pry. But if your power is compromised, then when we clear out the demons, I need to know exactly who in the entire Taixu Hall is capable of fighting.”
Gu Baiqing thought for a moment and said plainly, “Rest assured, at critical moments, I can handle it.”
Jingcheng nodded, expression serious. “The worst-case scenario for this operation is that when we expose the spies, it could provoke a large-scale attack from the demons. We need to be prepared for that.”
Gu Baiqing had no authority to comment further, since the situation was completely different from what he knew in the original story.
In the original text, there was no plan to root out spies, any attempt to identify the demons was only to force Mo Xuanli to reveal his true identity.
Jingcheng then shared many ideas about the plan. Gradually, Gu Baiqing realized that Jingcheng was a little not agitated, perhaps he hadn’t really come to discuss strategy, but rather needed someone to vent to, to calm himself down.
Tianyuan Sect hated the demons intensely. Everyone said it was because the demons caused the sect’s most promising talent to perish, though in reality, only the direct descendants of the Baili family knew the truth. That secret had fueled the sect-wide hatred for the demons.
If the Hidden Gods Clan’s actions against demons were destiny, and Wuxiang Temple’s were righteous extermination, Tianyuan Sect’s efforts were purely revenge.
Gu Baiqing listened quietly, his mind focused on one thought: whatever the reason, under no circumstances could Mo Xuanli’s identity be exposed this time.
Back on Zixiao Sect’s island, everything was busy. Gu Baiqing and Chu Fei were pulled aside by the talisman device for consultations.
Mo Xuanli went to visit Nan Zhi. When he arrived, he indeed saw Yun Yue persuading her to rest. Nan Zhi seemed preoccupied with the events in the Hidden Gods Clan, feeling she was still too weak, so she constantly trained. Seeing Mo Xuanli return, without waiting for him to ask, she immediately rushed over demanding sparring practice.
Mo Xuanli stood still, refusing to move, which frustrated Nan Zhi.
“You’re not obeying?”
“Senior Sister, once your injury heals, I’ll train with you as long as you want.”
By then, other young disciples who had heard of his return gathered around. Mo Xuanli also saw old friends like Tang Yu. Naturally, such excitement was both for Mo Xuanli’s growing fame and for curiosity about the True Dragon.
Facing the enthusiastic disciples, Mo Xuanli summoned Ao Hang.
Soon, a black dragon spiraled down, leaving the crowd stunned.
“What do you need me for?”
Mo Xuanli couldn’t exactly say they were just curious. He used the excuse: “The sect is arranging rooms; they asked if you need a separate one.”
Ao Hang, annoyed by all the gazes, glared around. The disciples were immediately frozen under the dragon’s pressure.
“No need. I’ll take Three Bean out to build our bond. Unless it’s important, don’t summon us.” With that, he transformed into dragon form and flew off.
Mo Xuanli smiled awkwardly at the crowd. Tang Yu stepped forward, “Brother, you’re impressive, truly not an ordinary contracted beast. You’ve had a hard time. But… isn’t Three Bean your master’s contracted beast? What bond are they cultivating?”
Mo Xuanli said seriously, “Ao Hang likes Three Bean, they’re a good match…. Don’t you think?”
“Ah?” Tang Yu didn’t understand.
Soon, the disciples began chattering excitedly, asking Mo Xuanli about his journey. He was stuck entertaining them until nightfall, when the young disciples led him to a courtyard specially prepared for Elder Luofeng. As master and disciple, they were naturally arranged to stay in the same courtyard.
Mo Xuanli paused. Though traveling had made him careless, now he worried whether Master would agree, after all, back at Zixiao Sect, he couldn’t even stay in Luofeng Pavilion.
Now, when they return to Zixiao Sect, would Master make him live elsewhere?
He decided to first prepare dinner for Master using the small kitchen, hoping to curry favor. Perhaps if Master was in a good mood, he could stay.
When he finished, Gu Baiqing returned, and the master and disciple ate together, just like before.
Suddenly, Mo Xuanli cautiously asked, “Master, this courtyard has three rooms. The middle one is yours, where should I stay?”
Gu Baiqing answered immediately, “Stay in the same room as me.”
Mo Xuanli was utterly stunned. After his earlier failed confession, now Master gave a suggestion that made his heart race. He widened his eyes in disbelief: “Master, you mean… during my time in Taixu Hall, I’ll be staying with you?”
“Mm, any problem?” Gu Baiqing felt a little awkward too.
After all, they had shared many intimate moments. Though Mo Xuanli had forgotten most, he clearly remembered helping Master in the Beast-Taming Manor bed…. It was still a bit embarrassing…
Normally, Gu Baiqing avoided staying in the same room with Mo Xuanli, refusing any possibility of cohabitation. But now, he had no choice, he didn’t know what the Hidden Gods Clan’s formation would do, and he had to keep a constant eye on Mo Xuanli.
“No… no problem,” Mo Xuanli immediately replied.
“Mm. I’ll be keeping an eye on you these days, make sure you cultivate properly. So, we’ll share a room,” Gu Baiqing said in a stern tone.
When Mo Xuanli heard that, he couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. So that was all it was. Still, being able to stay by his master’s side day and night made him happy nonetheless.
That evening, Mo Xuanli told Gu Baiqing about the remaining two fragments. Gu Baiqing could tell Mo Xuanli was excited, but he still shared what he’d learned at the Taixu Hall, everything except the parts bound by the blood oath. The moment Mo Xuanli heard about the “Demon-Summoning Array,” his face went deathly pale.
“There’s actually such a formation in this world?”
Pretending not to notice his pallor, Gu Baiqing said calmly, “This threatens the entire cultivation world. So you must protect your fragments. As long as the demon clan can’t gather them all, none of this will come to pass.”
Mo Xuanli’s expression turned distant. If the demons really succeeded, his whole life would be ruined. But Gu Baiqing couldn’t tell him that the danger was already much closer than he realized.
“I… I will never let that happen,” Mo Xuanli said in a low, firm voice. “Never.”
Gu Baiqing nodded. “That’s for certain.”
Mo Xuanli was silent for a while, seemingly digesting it all. Then he suddenly asked, “Master, you mentioned that the Immortal Baili once used the Demon-Sealing Mark to seal a demon?”
Gu Baiqing froze, he hadn’t expected that question. But seeing the trembling in Mo Xuanli’s pupils, he suddenly realized something.
Could it be… related to Mo Xuanli’s kin? Wasn’t he supposed to have lost them all?
“I’m not sure. Only that he used the seal once,” Gu Baiqing said slowly. If there really was such a case, then a demon must have been sealed away in another space, trapped in eternal slumber. Without the God-Slaying Sword, it was no different from death.
If it were connected to him, would Mo Xuanli want to unseal it?
Gu Baiqing’s thoughts grew heavy. He didn’t know what Mo Xuanli would do.
“If the Demon-Sealing Mark were to be undone…”
“Impossible!” Mo Xuanli suddenly burst out, agitated. “No matter if it’s the Summoning Array or the Sealing Mark, I will never let the demons succeed!”
Gu Baiqing looked at him in surprise. Had he guessed wrong? Could it not be his family?
Given Mo Xuanli’s temperament, if it were his family, he would surely long to have them back, how could he react with such rejection?
“Master.”
Just as Gu Baiqing was lost in thought, a shadow lunged forward. Sitting on the bed, he was instantly pushed down by Mo Xuanli’s embrace.
Gu Baiqing couldn’t see his face, his head was buried in his shoulder.
“Master… I’ll gather the fragments. When I’m healed, I’ll destroy even one of them if I have to. I won’t ever let the demons have their way, never. Master… Master, you’ll always stay with me, won’t you? You’ll help me, won’t you?” Mo Xuanli trembled all over, voice shaking, pressed against Gu Baiqing’s chest.
Gu Baiqing blinked, startled. Mo Xuanli rarely showed such raw emotion, it was like a sudden breakdown, as though he had recalled something truly terrifying. The Demon-Sealing Mark was just a hypothetical, yet he was this afraid?
A pang of pity struck Gu Baiqing. Maybe Mo Xuanli had lived through things even the original text hadn’t described. Hesitating a moment, Gu Baiqing finally lifted a hand to embrace him, wanting to comfort him—
But just then, a sound came from the doorway.
Someone pushed the door open and rushed in.
“Mo Xuanli—you… what are you two doing?!”
Gu Baiqing immediately pushed Mo Xuanli away and saw Chu Fei standing there, eyes wide in horror.
“Just slipped, that’s all. Little junior brother, ever heard of knocking before entering?” Gu Baiqing’s tone turned sharp.
Chu Fei blinked, realizing his senior was angry, and shrank a little. “You promised me we’d keep sparring after… so I came to find him.”
Then he muttered, “How do you even fall down at your age? You okay?”
Clearly, Chu Fei’s simple mind didn’t jump to any other conclusions.
Knowing Mo Xuanli was still off emotionally, Gu Baiqing tried to intervene. “You should go back. Xuanli, he—”
“Little Uncle, I’ll be out in a bit.” Mo Xuanli didn’t turn around, still half-leaning on the bed, his tone heavy.
Gu Baiqing understood then, he wasn’t agreeing to spar. He just wanted to vent.
Chu Fei, delighted, ran off right away.
Gu Baiqing frowned. “You—”
Mo Xuanli suddenly straightened up, bowed his head, and said, “Master, I’ll go now. Not sure how long it’ll take. If you’re tired, please rest first.”
Just as he turned to leave, Gu Baiqing reached out and caught his wrist.
Mo Xuanli froze, looking back.
Under the lamplight, Gu Baiqing finally saw his eyes, rimmed red, not from demonic taint, but from the verge of tears.
A sharp ache struck Gu Baiqing’s heart. He said softly, “Don’t worry. You’re my only disciple. How could I not care? Whatever you do, I’ll help you.”
Mo Xuanli’s gaze flickered. God Nine Transformations around his wrist seemed to react to his heart, the red string slipped from his arm and wrapped itself around Gu Baiqing’s wrist, as if binding the two of them together.
Mo Xuanli’s heart settled, and at last, he smiled. “Thank you, Master.”
“Go, have a good fight,” Gu Baiqing said with a nod.
Mo Xuanli nodded back and left.
That night, spells flared again and again above the floating island of the Zixiao Sect. Not only did everyone on the island stay up to watch, but even nearby sects sent people over early to gauge their competition. After that night, quite a few people abandoned the idea of challenging Mo Xuanli in the upcoming Immortal Convention.
