When Mo Xuanli returned to the courtyard he shared with his master, he saw Gu Baiqing sitting on a recliner in the yard, gazing blankly up at the sky.
The blessing he’d just received from his senior sister left him oddly unsettled. What should he do to ensure his master’s safety?
Soon, Gu Baiqing noticed him and asked about Yun Yue. Mo Xuanli simply said, “Nothing much.”
“All right then. Sit down,” Gu Baiqing said.
The daily lessons recorded in the system had grown fewer as Mo Xuanli’s cultivation advanced.
Today happened to be free, so Gu Baiqing figured he might as well give him a new lesson.
But Mo Xuanli refused. “Master, I just remembered something I need to look up in the old texts. May we have the lesson another day?”
“That’s fine,” Gu Baiqing replied easily. “Go ahead.”
Mo Xuanli turned and went into the nearby room and stayed there the entire day. Even when evening came and the other disciples came looking for him, he only said he was busy.
“What’s he so busy with?” Chu Fei wondered aloud. He’d thought he’d be training with Mo Xuanli these few days.
“No idea. By the way, how were the matches today?” Gu Baiqing asked with mild interest.
“All disciples who did well in the Void Spirit Realm trials performed well. Oh, and the two children of the Hall Master, they’re decent, but still far from Mo Xuanli’s level,” Chu Fei said lazily. “Boring. If it weren’t for that plan, I’d have left already.”
Gu Baiqing chatted idly with Chu Fei for a while until the air suddenly shook with the sound of a dragon’s roar.
A moment later, Ao Hang landed before them with a little cat in his arms.
“Master!” As soon as Three Bean saw Gu Baiqing, he wriggled to run over. Ao Hang was used to it and let him go, then asked, “Where’s Mo Xuanli?”
Gu Baiqing stroked Three Bean’s fur and smiled. “What brings you two back?”
Ao Hang looked displeased. “Mo Xuanli summoned me.”
Gu Baiqing blinked, then pointed the way.
Ao Hang didn’t even knock, he pushed the door open straight away.
Inside, Mo Xuanli was fully absorbed in drawing a formation.
When he finally finished, sweat covered his forehead, he looked utterly drained.
Ao Hang narrowed his eyes. With a wave of his hand, golden light surrounded Mo Xuanli.
“What’s going on?” Sensing his condition, Ao Hang’s face darkened instantly. He rushed to Mo Xuanli’s side, grabbing his wrist. “Why have you burned through so much energy? You didn’t even have a match today, don’t tell me…”
He glanced around. Every corner of the room glowed faintly with the remnants of formation lines. Clearly, he’d been practicing for a long time.
“It’s fine. I’ll recover by morning,” Mo Xuanli said, coughing lightly.
“Recover, my *ss.” Ao Hang started channeling spiritual energy into him. “Most spirit beasts drain their masters’ energy, you’re the other way around, draining mine! Don’t tell me you called me back just for this.”
“No,” Mo Xuanli said, his expression growing solemn as he steadied himself. “I called you because something might happen soon. I need you to stay by my master’s side and protect him. No matter who it is, no one can harm him, even me.”
Ao Hang looked utterly dumbfounded.
“If I… lose control, you must stop me. And if there’s no other way, kill me, I rather that than let me hurt my master,” Mo Xuanli said gravely.
Ao Hang stared at him. “Are you all right? Got a fever or something?”
“I’m serious. Just do as I say. Right now, only you can help me. Please.”
Seeing the firm resolve in his eyes, Ao Hang knew he wasn’t joking. “What exactly is going on? What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know. If I did, I could prevent it,” Mo Xuanli said, once again pleading.
After a pause, Ao Hang finally nodded. “Fine.”
Mo Xuanli finally exhaled in relief.
That night, he made an unusual request of Gu Baiqing, he wanted to test a newly developed formation on him.
Mo Xuanli explained that since Gu Baiqing’s cultivation was high, even without using spiritual energy he’d make a good test subject. He wanted to see whether his formation could trap someone of that level.
Gu Baiqing figured Mo Xuanli was simply worried about future threats and trying to prepare countermeasures, so he fully cooperated.
He understood formation arts himself but it was the first time he’d seen such a complex spell pattern lighting up on his own body. Halfway through, he couldn’t even follow it anymore.
He thought to himself his disciple really was a genius.
When it ended, Gu Baiqing asked about the result.
Mo Xuanli’s face was pale, his body weak. “Looks like it failed. I’ll keep studying it later.”
“Good things can’t be achieved in a rush. Just keep trying, don’t get discouraged,” Gu Baiqing comforted.
Mo Xuanli nodded. “Then I won’t disturb Master’s rest. I’ll go meditate.”
Gu Baiqing also nodded and turned to go back to bed. As he lowered his head, his dark hair shifted slightly to the side, revealing a crimson spell mark glowing faintly on his fair neck.
Mo Xuanli turned around, lifted his own collar, and looked down, the same pattern had appeared over his heart.
The next day, Mo Xuanli’s spirits were restored. He prepared carefully for the next round of competition. This opponent, however, came with a respectful heart, treating the match more as a learning opportunity, so the fight wasn’t intense. Mo Xuanli saw that and cooperated, exchanging a few moves before stopping when the other withdrew. His opponent was left utterly impressed, practically a little fanboy.
That display earned Mo Xuanli another wave of praise.
Over the next few days, some competitors forfeited; others simply wanted pointers. Naturally, there were also one or two who didn’t know their limits, those were promptly sent off the stage within three moves.
Balancing firmness with humility, strength with courtesy, Mo Xuanli’s conduct was flawless. He even made a few friends along the way.
Of course, there were also girls who secretly cast him longing looks, but he pretended not to notice and brushed them off smoothly.
Zong Xuezhen, however, remained persistent. Even though he had made things clear last time, she still refused to give up. Watching her try so earnestly, shy, yet determined, was almost pitiful.
Still, other sects caught on to the gossip, and teasing remarks about the matter often drifted toward the disciples of the Zixiao Sect.
By the final day of the tournament, Gu Baiqing still hadn’t seen Half-Step Mad again, nor had he noticed any formations being activated, which made him increasingly uneasy.
Just then, Ji Chuling came over to greet him, with an elder at her side.
Gu Baiqing seized the chance to ask, “Senior, have your affairs been settled?”
The patriarch of the Hidden Gods Clan, who was on friendly terms with Gu Baiqing, replied calmly, “You may rest assured, Daoist friend.”
Gu Baiqing kept his expression neutral, but inwardly, he had already made his deductions. Once the tournament ended today, disciples would start leaving tomorrow, meaning today would be his last chance.
Since he didn’t know the exact timing, he could only stay on guard at every moment.
While he was lost in thought, Mo Xuanli’s name was called. His opponent was Zong Xuezhen.
The seven finalists had already been decided: Li Xiuran, Mo Xuanli, Nan Zhi, Jingzhan, the Lei siblings, and Si Chun. They still had to compete further for ranking.
Who would have thought Mo Xuanli would be matched directly against Zong Xuezhen?
This arrangement… Gu Baiqing glanced at Zong Lei.
Zong Lei only smiled, hearing people around them whispering about how “well-matched” the two were. “I only hope Disciple Mo will show mercy. My daughter surely isn’t his match,” he said with an easy laugh.
Down below, the officiant had already called for the match to begin.
Zong Xuezhen’s every movement was gentle and graceful, her expression filled with tender affection. She had clearly dressed up for the occasion, radiant and beautiful.
“Young Master Mo, please guide me.”
Mo Xuanli clasped his hands politely, and in the very next second, struck.
Zong Xuezhen hadn’t expected him to attack without a word. Startled, her face paled, and she hastily raised her weapon. A chain of starlight instantly coiled around her, forming a protective barrier.
Mo Xuanli immediately leapt back, quietly observing.
Zong Xuezhen smiled faintly, about to introduce her weapon —
But before she could finish, the sword in Mo Xuanli’s hand transformed into a folding fan. It was the first time this form had appeared in the competition.
A few onlookers were baffled by the refined-looking fan, some even thought Mo Xuanli was showing mercy to the young lady, just like when he had fought a member of Chuixue Pavilion before, using a delicate-looking parasol.
Now a fan? He must be going easy on her.
Naturally, Zong Xuezhen thought the same.
“Young Master Mo, you needn’t hold back. I truly wish to have a proper match with you,” she said softly, eyes full of tenderness.
“Miss Zong, please.”
Mo Xuanli’s face was cold and stern. The moment his words fell, he raised the fan and swung.
A fierce gust swept out like countless invisible blades, so sharp the air itself seemed to slice. The spectators couldn’t feel the force, but they clearly saw the tiles on the platform rippling and lifting under the wind.
The starlight chain shattered instantly. Before Zong Xuezhen could react, the gale blew her clear off the stage.
Though she was unharmed, she had lost the match.
Zong Xuezhen froze in disbelief, then turned her head, fury barely hidden in her eyes.
But Mo Xuanli had already turned away toward the officiant.
The officiant himself was momentarily stunned, this was a match in the final rounds, one that should’ve been thrilling, spectacular…
In all Mo Xuanli’s previous matches, even against weaker opponents, he had at least exchanged a few rounds, unless the opponent had been outright rude.
Yet Zong Xuezhen had been defeated in a single move.
Didn’t that practically cast doubt on her own strength? Truthfully, her progress through the rounds had been remarkably lucky.
Hearing the murmurs from the stands, Zong Xuezhen’s face turned scarlet with humiliation. She spun around and ran off.
Such a public snub left the sect leaders on the viewing platform exchanging awkward glances, especially toward Hall Master Zong.
Jingcheng leaned over and whispered to Gu Baiqing, “Your disciple hasn’t awakened to matters of the heart yet, has he? Strong as he is, he shouldn’t treat a girl like that.”
Gu Baiqing sighed inwardly but felt no fault on Mo Xuanli’s part. Knowing the girl’s persistence, it was kinder to be decisive. Any hesitation or softness would only feed false hope and that would hurt her even more.
At first, Mo Xuanli had treated Si Chun the same way, though lately they’d grown more amicable, almost like friends.
“He has his own ideas. Sometimes, when something must be cut off, it’s best done cleanly,” Gu Baiqing said.
Jingcheng chuckled helplessly. “He and my brother are complete opposites. If only he were my little brother instead.”
“I’d rather he were like your little brother, carefree, unburdened, living happily day to day,” Gu Baiqing replied, glancing at him. “But if he truly were your little brother, I doubt you’d like him much.”
Jingcheng raised an eyebrow. “You should be proud. Everyone’s jealous of you for having such a disciple. A lot of people are saying they really lost out by not picking up that treasure back then.”
Gu Baiqing was speechless. Back then, it had been his disciple everyone envied, they’d said how lucky Mo Xuanli was to have a master like him. How had one tournament flipped that around?
The crowd continued to watch the matches. Soon, the remaining rankings were decided, and just as everyone expected, the first and second places came down to Mo Xuanli and Li Xiuran.
When the two of them stood in the arena, the entire audience erupted, cheers split almost evenly between them.
Li Xiuran’s performance throughout the tournament had been dazzling. Even with his cultivation suppressed, his inheritance of the Supreme Sword Intent and the Slaying-God Sword Intent made him the strongest among his generation on the path of the sword, even Mo Xuanli might not be able to defeat him. But then, Mo Xuanli’s versatility was unmatched.
The duel began in a blaze of intensity, blows exchanged fast and fierce, stirring the blood of everyone watching. Even Gu Baiqing on the stands couldn’t help sitting upright, his heart racing.
In the end, there was only one conclusion, the match was too close to call.
But since his mission was already complete, there was no need to worry further.
Still, this was a scene that hadn’t appeared in the original text, and Gu Baiqing couldn’t help but wonder, without the demonic path, could Mo Xuanli still defeat the Li Xiuran who, in the original, had ranked just below him?
As he pondered, the tone of the battle suddenly shifted.
The two no longer fought with such ferocity, though still dazzling, it now felt less like a duel for victory and more like a familiar sparring session.
They continued like that for a long time until, before anyone realized it, an entire hour had passed. The crowd had been so enthralled they’d forgotten the flow of time. When the two finally stopped, a murmur swept through the spectators — Who… who won?
Zong Lei called out to the officiant.
The officiant looked awkwardly between the two.
Then Li Xiuran slung an arm around Mo Xuanli’s shoulders, grinning like brothers, and declared loudly, “It’s a tie!”
The words stunned the crowd and then the arena exploded in cheers and applause even louder than before.
The match had been so extraordinary that no one could tell who deserved first place so why not make them both first?
After all, everyone admired them both.
Zong Lei could only go along with it, announcing the end of the tournament and the awarding of prizes.
The top three received not only entrance passes to Constellation Island but other valuable treasures as well.
Since Mo Xuanli and Li Xiuran had declared a draw, they simply took whatever suited each of them, leaving the rest for third place Jingzhan to snatch up happily.
“You two don’t want these? Great, I’ll take them! Perfect for wooing girls,” Jingzhan said with a grin as he stepped forward.
The three of them stood together, accepting the audience’s congratulations as a shower of flowers rained down upon them.
The cheers shook the floating island itself.
All the sect masters stood and applauded. Gu Baiqing looked at Mo Xuanli, surrounded by young disciples, and his heart swelled with satisfaction.
This honor, it was what Mo Xuanli had always been meant to receive. To see him now, embraced and respected by all, made Gu Baiqing almost wish the story could end right here.
In the midst of the crowd, Mo Xuanli turned back to look at him, raising a hand to wave with a rare, bright smile.
Gu Baiqing nodded, returning a faint approving smile.
By then, dusk had fallen, and the celebration banquet was to be held that very night.
The younger generation gathered with laughter and chatter, excitedly discussing the day’s thrilling battles. Mo Xuanli drank a little alcohol, exchanged a few words with acquaintances, and soon slipped away quietly.
When admirers came later to seek him out, finding him gone, they asked the ever-approachable Jingzhan.
Jingzhan grinned. “Him? He went off to keep his beloved company.”
As fate would have it, Zong Xuezhen was nearby and overheard. She had also come looking for Mo Xuanli though she’d embarrassed herself earlier that day, it gave her the perfect excuse to approach him again.
Acting sad, hurt, or angry, any of those would do to bring them closer.
Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found.
At that moment, Mo Xuanli was already sitting in the courtyard with Gu Baiqing, sharing small dishes and sipping celestial dew.
Since Gu Baiqing couldn’t drink alcohol, Mo Xuanli had prepared a fruit-infused celestial nectar for him. To Gu Baiqing, it tasted just like juice, refreshing and delicious.
As the night breeze stirred, Mo Xuanli rose to fetch a cloak for his master.
But he didn’t return for a long while.
Outside, strange noises began to ripple through the air. Though a cultivator couldn’t directly sense the Hidden Gods Clan’s formations, the disturbances outside said it all and the island of Zixiao Sect seemed to be caught up as well.
Gu Baiqing’s expression turned grim. He stood, went inside, and shut the door, as he did, faint runes flickered across the doors and windows.
It was a Demon-Repelling Formation he’d laid himself meant to prevent demonic infiltration. But if there was a demon inside, it would also make escape impossible.
At that moment, Ao Hang and Three Bean landed on the roof, keeping watch. They didn’t interfere, only guarded the two inside. Yet, because of Gu Baiqing’s formation, their perception was dulled.
“Xuanli.”
The room was deathly quiet. Gu Baiqing took a cautious step forward.
Suddenly, a shadow flashed toward the door and was immediately thrown back by the barrier.
Gu Baiqing’s heart lurched. When he looked up, he saw only Mo Xuanli’s back.
Black demonic energy coiled around him, staining his white robes darker, his very aura steeped in a suffocating bloodthirst. Even just that silhouette sent a shiver down Gu Baiqing’s spine.
A moment later, Mo Xuanli struck the door with his fist and the formation cracked apart.
The barrier, crafted by Gu Baiqing at the tribulation stage, couldn’t even withstand a second blow.
Gu Baiqing instantly channeled his spiritual power, lunging forward to press a hand against Mo Xuanli’s shoulder, lightning flared.
He couldn’t use too much force; if anyone discovered this, it would be impossible to explain.
He could only fight as though it were a confined scuffle inside the room.
Normally, that level of attack wouldn’t make Mo Xuanli faint, but it should at least immobilize him for a while.
But at that moment, Mo Xuanli showed no reaction at all, he only suddenly turned his head.
In that instant, his eyes, almost completely black and red, looked toward Gu Baiqing with hostility. It was as if he’d been provoked; his entire body radiated a heavy demonic aura, thicker and darker than any time Gu Baiqing had ever seen him fall into demonic influence before.
Meanwhile, the system’s numbers were soaring.
Seeing that Mo Xuanli was even harder to handle than when he’d advanced, Gu Baiqing immediately prepared to summon Morning Snow.
But before he could react, a powerful force slammed down on him—like an invisible hand pressing him violently against the door.
Gu Baiqing’s eyes widened in shock.
He had just activated his spiritual power. Even without using his full strength, his reaction speed should have been fast enough to prevent Mo Xuanli from landing a hit. He was in the Tribulation Crossing stage, how could he… not even react to being struck?
His mind went blank for a second. He had never encountered such power before.
He was just about to counterattack when Mo Xuanli’s hand clamped around his throat.
Gu Baiqing felt his breath cut off. He looked at Mo Xuanli whose face now bore no expression at all, so unfamiliar it ached to see.
