The Immortal Convention was grand and lively. The main arena was a floating island, with suspended stands above it, forming an aerial coliseum.
Barriers surrounded the island to ensure safety, preventing the matches from affecting the spectators or the lower realm.
Around the arena, spirit stones were piled high to power the formation at its center, this formation automatically suppressed each contestant’s cultivation to match the lower of the two, ensuring a relatively fair fight.
Still, unless a higher-cultivation fighter relied solely on pills or spirit stones, they would usually overpower the lower one through sheer combat ability.
Of course, there were also highly talented lower-level cultivators who could win against stronger ones.
This time, all young disciples were required to participate, even those outside the sword path, with separate divisions for each, an unprecedentedly grand event.
After Zong Lei’s opening speech and encouragement, the matches officially began.
The disciples drew lots to determine their opponents. Since the total number was odd, some got lucky and automatically advanced to the next round, one of them being Zong Xuezhen.
Everyone knew the “coincidence,” but no one bothered to argue; after all, the Taixu Hall had to be given some face.
Mo Xuanli and Li Xiuran also didn’t fight in the first round, as their drawn opponents forfeited on the spot.
Their matches would only happen on the second day. After the draw, Li Xiuran was called away by the Hidden Gods Clan, likely for more secret training.
Gu Baiqing wanted to take Mo Xuanli away as well, there were too many people here, and with Hidden Gods Clan members present, he preferred Mo Xuanli to stay out of sight as much as possible.
From the disciples’ stands, Gu Baiqing glanced at Mo Xuanli, who, sensing it, looked back. Understanding his master’s intent, Mo Xuanli flew over at once.
“Since you have no matches today, come back with me,” Gu Baiqing said.
“Yes, Master.”
Just then, not far away, Zong Lei approached with his son and daughter, smiling. “Disciple Mo truly is impressive, seems no one dares to spar with you. Since you’re free today, perhaps you could guide my children a little?”
“Father, I’m not going. I still have my own match. Let little sister go,” Zong Ziming said coldly, turning to leave.
“This child, no patience at all. Usually, he won’t even practice with his little sister. Elder Luofeng, may I borrow your disciple for a bit?” Zong Lei said, meaningfully.
Standing behind Gu Baiqing, Mo Xuanli’s once-pleasant expression turned blank.
Across from him, Zong Xuezhen shyly lowered her head.
Gu Baiqing knew Zong Lei was just finding an excuse to let the young ones “spend time together,” as he had mentioned before. Thinking it a trivial matter, he was about to agree just to leave quickly—
But then a voice came from behind him: “Apologies, I still have training. I truly don’t have the time.”
At that, the father and daughter’s faces stiffened.
“Then perhaps Xuezhen could just watch and learn. Your training must be valuable.”
“Young Master Mo, I’ll just observe quietly, I won’t interfere. It’s right before the tournament, I just want to learn a bit more.”
They tried once more to press the issue.
But Mo Xuanli remained unmoved. “I’ve already made plans with someone. It would be inconvenient to bring others along.”
“Oh? And who might that be? We’re all fellow cultivators here,” Zong Lei said, forcing a smile.
Mo Xuanli looked up and said, word by word, “My beloved.”
The words dropped like a thunderclap, leaving the father and daughter completely speechless.
Gu Baiqing, however, froze inside—beloved? What beloved…
But then he thought about it and immediately felt relieved, it must have just been an excuse. It seemed Mo Xuanli was determined to refuse without leaving the slightest room for opportunity.
“Young Master Mo, I didn’t mean anything else, I just—”
“My beloved would be unhappy if I brought another young lady along to an appointment. He would be angry, so let’s forget it. If Miss Zong wishes to improve, watching the matches is just as effective. Farewell…”
After saying that, Mo Xuanli gave them no chance to respond. He tugged on Gu Baiqing’s sleeve and said, “Master, let’s go.”
Gu Baiqing nodded politely to Zong Lei, then turned and followed his disciple out.
Once they exited the arena, Gu Baiqing gradually noticed something was off… Mo Xuanli was walking too fast, almost as if trying to shake him off.
“Xuanli?” Gu Baiqing called out.
Mo Xuanli paused for a moment but didn’t turn around. That was new.
When Gu Baiqing caught up to him, Mo Xuanli suddenly turned his head away, refusing to meet his gaze.
Was he… angry?
Now that was interesting.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Baiqing asked with a half-smile.
Mo Xuanli’s eyelashes trembled slightly, his tone carrying a faint pout. “Didn’t Master say you wouldn’t make decisions for me anymore? Just now, were you planning to agree on my behalf and send me to accompany Miss Zong? Master clearly knew what their father and daughter meant, why would you push me toward them?”
Gu Baiqing froze, momentarily speechless. This… this counted?
“I wasn’t trying to decide for you,” he said. “It’s just that, while their motives weren’t entirely proper, that young lady does seem to have taken a liking to you. I thought, perhaps, if you tried to spend time with her and truly couldn’t accept it, you could just be upfront and explain things clearly to her.”
Mo Xuanli stiffened, staring at him in stunned silence.
Though her father was unpleasant, the girl herself was decent enough. Yet Mo Xuanli showed no interest whatsoever, not with her, not with Si Chun before her. Not a flicker of struggle or curiosity. Was it because of his bloodline? Or some lingering influence from the original story? Mo Xuanli seemed at ease around men, but uneasy with women… That thought left Gu Baiqing deeply unsettled.
“I know you want to grow stronger, to heal yourself,” Gu Baiqing said, testing the waters, “but matters of affection don’t have to hinder that. If the girl truly cares, she’ll understand. Why not try being open to it? This tournament has gathered nearly all the young cultivators of the realm, perhaps you might meet someone truly fated for you.”
Maybe if there was one more person in his life, his nightmares wouldn’t be filled with only the word Master.
Having more people to support him emotionally… wasn’t that a good thing?
Suppressing the odd feeling in his chest, Gu Baiqing convinced himself this was the logical, reasonable way to think.
“Master, you….”
Mo Xuanli’s voice came out hoarse, almost trembling, but he didn’t finish. Then, seemingly overcome with frustration, he turned sharply and walked away.
Gu Baiqing was taken aback. His disciple was actually angry. He was completely at a loss as to why. In the past, if someone suggested setting him up or encouraging him to try, the most he’d feel was awkwardness, never anger.
After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Baiqing quickly followed. When he reached the chain bridge, sure enough, Mo Xuanli was still standing there. After all, without spiritual power, Gu Baiqing had to rely on him to cross.
Gu Baiqing gave a helpless smile. Even when angry, this child couldn’t truly act out, soft-tempered and mild as always.
Stepping forward, Gu Baiqing said, “Don’t be angry. It was my mistake, I shouldn’t have nodded for you. I should have asked your opinion first.”
Now that Mo Xuanli had pointed it out, Gu Baiqing did feel he’d been inconsiderate. People were always good at speaking reason, but following it perfectly in the moment, well, that was another story.
Of course, Mo Xuanli couldn’t stay mad forever. The moment Gu Baiqing coaxed him, his anger evaporated. Still, he couldn’t quite understand what his master truly meant. These back-and-forths left him anxious, he wanted to know what exactly their relationship was. The endless circling around each other was driving him mad.
Seeing his disciple no longer looking upset, Gu Baiqing joked with a smile, “Come on then, aren’t you supposed to have a date with your beloved?”
Mo Xuanli shot him a reproachful glance. “My only appointment is with Master.”
Gu Baiqing was just about to reply when—
A group of people crossed the chain bridge nearby.
A dopey-looking bird landed, carrying a messy-haired old man on its back, followed by a group of monks from Wuxiang Temple.
“Stop following me! I told you, I have nothing to do with you anymore! I’m not going back!” the old man shouted at the monks behind him. Then, turning his head, he spotted the master and disciple pair, and his eyes went wide. His expression stiffened. “You two… well, well.”
“Senior Half-Step Madman,” Mo Xuanli said, frowning in surprise. To see the man who had once prophesied his future again, could it be that the “Half-Step Immortal” who saved and guided him back then truly existed after all? After all, even Qian Yue had sensed that power.
Gu Baiqing, on the other hand, was astonished. This old man hadn’t appeared in the original text at all so why was he here again? Last time he’d spoken with Mo Xuanli, he’d even scared the boy into tears.
“Ah… I ran into an old friend. I need to catch up. You lot, go away, go away,” Half-Step Madman said, waving the monks off impatiently.
The monks from Wuxiang Temple didn’t dare press too much and backed off a little, though clearly unwilling to let him out of sight.
Half-Step Madman stepped forward awkwardly, his gaze sweeping over the master and disciple, filled with a complicated mix of emotions. “Long time no see. How have you been?”
“You know me?” Gu Baiqing asked. After all, he had used an alias back then.
Half-Step Madman gave a dry laugh. “Of course. You’ve always been sticking by your disciple, haven’t you? Seems you’ve done a fine job protecting him.”
As expected of a true expert, one brief encounter was enough for him to see through Gu Baiqing’s disguise back then.
Gu Baiqing didn’t bother to hide it anymore. “So, Senior, you’re from Wuxiang Temple? Then that means the Half-Step Immortal is also…”
“Not exactly,” Half-Step Madman said with a grin. “Our master was from Wuxiang Temple, that’s all… Look at me, so much hair, how could I possibly be a monk?”
“Right, how are those kids, Li and the others? I heard…” Half-Step Mad’s expression seemed a bit worried.
Mo Xuanli briefly explained the situation.
Half-Step Mad sighed. “What a mess… er, I mean the demon clan. Who knows what the future holds, headache.”
Just as he spoke, it seemed someone else was coming. Looking closely, it was the abbot of Wuxiang Temple. From afar, he was already calling out, “Martial Uncle!”
Half-Step Mad immediately looked pained. He hurriedly mounted his Ascending-Cloud Stork and cupped his hands to the two of them. “I’ll be off first. You two… take care these next few days.”
Mo Xuanli had wanted to ask more, but didn’t get the chance.
As Half-Step Mad flew off into the distance, his voice echoed back, “Boy, be careful! When I said ‘soon,’ I meant now—”
Mo Xuanli stiffened instantly.
Gu Baiqing turned his head to see people from Wuxiang Temple chasing after the old man, puzzled as to why he was running. But when he turned back, he was startled—
Mo Xuanli’s face had gone completely ashen.
“Xuanli?” Gu Baiqing had barely spoken when Mo Xuanli suddenly wrapped an arm around his waist. With a single turn, the next moment they were standing by the chained floating island of Zixiao Sect.
Gu Baiqing was taken aback. “What are you doing—”
Using Void Spirit Space consumed a huge amount of spiritual energy. It wasn’t something to use recklessly, they could’ve just flown back normally!
“Master, let’s leave.”
Gu Baiqing blinked, staring at him.
Mo Xuanli’s voice was tight with nerves. “Let’s go back to Zixiao Sect. We won’t participate in the tournament. We’ll go into seclusion and not come out for a while, all right?”
Soon…now…. that’s what Half-Step Mad had said, his words still rang in Mo Xuanli’s ears:
‘If you stray onto the wrong path, your master will die by your hand very soon after.’
He hadn’t gone astray, but… he was still afraid.
The Hidden Gods Clan was here, they were hunting demon spies. Would that implicate him somehow?
Mo Xuanli only now truly realized how dangerous things were. No, he couldn’t stay here any longer.
Gu Baiqing frowned. “This has to do with what that old man said to you earlier, doesn’t it? What exactly did he tell you?”
Mo Xuanli finally spoke, only half the truth, worried his master wouldn’t listen otherwise.
“He said… that my master might… die because of me. Sometime around now…” His voice dropped to a whisper on the word “die.”
Gu Baiqing was momentarily speechless. Well… considering this mission, his life was technically in Mo Xuanli’s hands. That old man really did have some skill, but he himself had no plans to die!
“Who do you believe? Him or yourself? Or me?” Gu Baiqing asked seriously.
“Master, if you don’t believe him, then fine, I won’t go. You leave instead.” Mo Xuanli grabbed Gu Baiqing’s arm, deadly serious.
Gu Baiqing frowned, a bit annoyed. “Neither of us can leave. Anyone who walks away now will be suspected of being a demon spy.” There was no plainer way to say it.
Hearing that, Mo Xuanli’s expression grew even darker. Sure enough, this trip was riddled with danger, something might happen to him, and worse, his master could….
Seeing how tense his breathing had become, Gu Baiqing reached out and gave Mo Xuanli’s head a firm pat.
Mo Xuanli froze.
“Behave. We’ll both be fine. I’m here,” Gu Baiqing said sternly. Inwardly, he was already thinking, once they got back, he was going to find that Half-Step Mad and see just what else the man thought he could predict.
Seeing Gu Baiqing so serious, Mo Xuanli knew there was no persuading him. He could only swallow his unease and think of another way.
“Can you let go now?” Gu Baiqing finally asked, unable to stand it anymore.
Only then did Mo Xuanli realize he’d been holding his master tightly the whole time.
He didn’t really want to let go. If danger was truly near, then he’d rather….
Suddenly, there was a sound nearby. Both of them instinctively stepped apart just as Yun Yue appeared, looking confused.
Gu Baiqing immediately felt awkward. Should he explain? It was just an arm around the waist, no need, right? No, there was need! Even if he’d gotten used to it, it must look wrong to others!
But before he could overthink further—
Yun Yue approached innocently, bowing. “Elder Luofeng, Senior Brother Xuanli, why are you two back?”
That… normal reaction? Maybe he really was overthinking.
Gu Baiqing, ever the caring senior, asked, “You didn’t go watch the matches?”
Yun Yue said awkwardly, “I was injured earlier and forfeited. I’m just resting on the island for now.”
Gu Baiqing nodded and was about to leave with Mo Xuanli.
When Yun Yue suddenly said, “Junior Brother Xuanli, I’m feeling a bit unwell. Could you take a look for me?”
Mo Xuanli blinked.
“Xuanli, escort your senior sister first, then come back to train,” Gu Baiqing said naturally.
Mo Xuanli hesitated, then nodded.
After Gu Baiqing left, Mo Xuanli stood there, eyes fixed on his master’s back. His unease had completely turned into restless urgency, he didn’t even bother to hide it in front of Yun Yue.
“Junior Brother?”
Mo Xuanli snapped out of it and quickly escorted Yun Yue back to her quarters.
“What’s bothering you, Senior Sister?” he asked.
“It’s nothing, really, I just wanted to ask you something.” Yun Yue smiled gently.
Mo Xuanli was puzzled. “What is it?”
“Earlier, Young Master Zong asked me who your sweetheart was. I didn’t know, but he sounded so serious that I figured you really must have someone you care about. Who is it? I’ve always seen you as a little brother, if you need, I can even help you propose!” Yun Yue smiled kindly.
Mo Xuanli froze slightly. As a little brother?
He did have a real sister but had few memories of her. They’d barely spent time together, and she hadn’t liked him much. He’d never dared get close. Later, because of him, she’d died, probably hating him to the bone.
Pulling himself from the memory, Mo Xuanli said softly, “Senior Sister, I won’t hide it. I do have someone I care about, but we haven’t confirmed our relationship yet. So for now, I can’t say who. But if one day… he agrees, I’ll want the whole world to know.”
Yun Yue looked deeply at Mo Xuanli. “You love him that deeply?”
Mo Xuanli hadn’t expected such a question. He thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes.”
Yun Yue’s lips curved slightly. “Not bad, our little Xuanli’s all grown up.”
Mo Xuanli looked a bit embarrassed.
Then Yun Yue suddenly took something out, it looked like a smooth pebble, yet also like a small red seed.
“What’s that?” Mo Xuanli asked, puzzled.
“It’s a little thing I developed myself, a gift for you,” Yun Yue said. “When you confess your feelings, hold it in your palm and pour spiritual energy into it. The deeper your love, the larger and more dazzling the red flower it will bloom into. It can serve as a gift for the other person and a sign of your true heart.”
Mo Xuanli’s curiosity was instantly piqued. “There’s such a marvelous thing? What’s the principle behind it?”
“What, trying to pry into my secret arts? No way.” Yun Yue laughed brightly. “Just use it without worry, it’ll bless you with success.”
Being blessed like that naturally pleased him. Mo Xuanli accepted the gift, thanked her, and then left.
Watching him go, Yun Yue couldn’t help but smile. “So bold, of all people, he falls for Gu Baiqing. Still, that’s fine. It might make you grow up faster. I hope you’ll like the gift I gave you.”
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