That tiny fragment of an image only left Mo Xuanli’s mind puzzled for a moment, as if something had flashed by, but he couldn’t piece together any real information from it. Once Gu Baiqing and the bride vanished, everything around them fell into blankness. Then a dense fog came rolling in.
“This fog is strange—it blocks our spiritual sight. There may be beasts taking the chance to attack, so be careful,” Gu Baiqing said, spoiling the plot.
The fog was so thick it refused to disperse; once enveloped, visibility became extremely limited.
Not long after Gu Baiqing spoke, Mo Xuanli noticed his surroundings growing unclear. Turning his head, he saw that his master, just two steps away, was about to vanish into the mist. Startled, he immediately moved closer and reached out.
“Master!”
Gu Baiqing looked down—and his brows twitched. So it really was following the plot; in the original, this was the hand-holding scene.
Gu Baiqing’s instinctive reaction was No.
Mo Xuanli also immediately remembered—his master seemed to have said before that he greatly disliked physical contact with others.
Mo Xuanli felt a wave of awkwardness, but quickly thought of another solution. He untied the cord from his forehead—an amaranth-colored forehead cord—and tied one end around his own wrist. Holding the other end respectfully in his hand, he looked at Gu Baiqing.
“Master, to prevent any accidents, perhaps we should…”
The forehead cord was just an ordinary magic item of Zixiao Sect, meant to stabilize divine sense. Naturally, it wasn’t easy to snap, and it was long enough to be usable. It was certainly better than holding hands.
Thinking this, Gu Baiqing simply reached out his hand. Mo Xuanli immediately stepped forward to help his master tie it on.
The dark purple braided cord wound loop after loop around Gu Baiqing’s pale, slender wrist—it looked unexpectedly pleasing to the eye. Finally, he tied a neat knot, and it was secure.
Suddenly, Gu Baiqing’s hand gave a slight tremor. Mo Xuanli looked up in puzzlement at his master, only to see him looking a little uneasy. Assuming his master didn’t like being bound, he said, “Master, please bear with it. In just a moment—”
“Don’t say things like that… ahem. Keep watch on the surroundings.”
Hearing this, Mo Xuanli naturally went on guard, completely missing the flush of embarrassment creeping up Gu Baiqing’s face.
D*mn it, why didn’t I think to just tear off a strip of cloth instead?!
It was only after tying it on that he remembered—the forehead cord… a small prop that appeared frequently in the early parts of the original story, so often that he’d ignored it. Now, with one hand bound, every tug from his disciple’s movements made him feel distinctly ill at ease.
“Master, look out!”
Mo Xuanli suddenly shouted, leaping forward in a bound. He blocked a spiritual attack aimed at Gu Baiqing with his sword.
But because the two of them weren’t used to being tied together, Mo Xuanli’s large movement pulled the completely unguarded Gu Baiqing toward him. At this rate, it would either be a collision into his arms or—worse—the kind of cliché “accidental kiss” scene. He even saw Mo Xuanli instinctively reaching out to catch him to keep him from falling.
Ha… just when you think you’ve dodged one, another one pops up. If it’s not hand-holding, you pull this kind of trick? Dream on.
Gu Baiqing’s waist strength was good; he forcibly stopped himself in place, body tilted nearly backward, then stepped back and frowned.
Mo Xuanli, of course, immediately apologized. “Master, I’m sorry—did I hurt you?”
Gu Baiqing could only answer with a cold face, “It’s fine. I just didn’t match your movement.” As he spoke, he impatiently tugged at the cord around his wrist, as though finding the binding quite vexing, yet unable to free himself.
Mo Xuanli lowered his head to look at the cord linking the two of them. With Gu Baiqing’s movements, it alternated between slack and taut, never coming completely loose. Remembering the sensation of the cord tugging at the other end during their earlier movements, something in his heart gave an odd thump.
Looking at his master’s completely bound wrist, Mo Xuanli’s gaze flickered, and a sudden thought leapt into his mind—
If they were bound like this… wouldn’t they be inseparable, unable to part no matter what? If there were such a magic item, if by “accident” the two of them were bound together, then even if Master wanted to send him away…
【Demonization Value +1】
“Mo Xuanli?!” Gu Baiqing, hearing the system’s alert, was startled.
Mo Xuanli seemed equally startled. When he lifted his head, his expression was all bewilderment. “Master? What is it?”
Gu Baiqing wanted to ask the same thing—what was going on now? It seemed like nothing had even happened.
Inside this illusion, his demonization value had already increased twice. Even though each time it was only by one point, the frequency was unnerving. The first time was understandable—it was likely because Mo Xuanli had been hurt by Gu Baiqing’s attempt to kill him.
But this time? Could the illusion still be affecting his mental state? Gu Baiqing couldn’t tell. He could only say, “Steady your mind—don’t let the spiritual power within the illusion affect you.”
Mo Xuanli quickly nodded, though a cold sweat broke out down his back. That fleeting thought from just now—he hadn’t even had time to think it through before his master interrupted him. But now that he thought about it, it must have been the influence of the illusion’s spiritual power. Otherwise, how could he possibly have such a rebellious thought?!
Although he wanted to stay by his master’s side forever, feared being sent away, he held deep respect for him. All he wished was to serve his master well and have Luofeng Pavilion feel like a true home—Master as a father, and his future Master’s wife as a mother—they would be a family, always together. That was the life he longed for. Binding his master… just thinking about it was wrong. It had to be the demonic beast’s spiritual power influencing him.
Thinking this, Mo Xuanli’s shame turned to anger—he swore to find that beast.
The spiritual power was dispersed by his sword, but another illusion nearly formed again. However, the two were alert, so the vision collapsed almost as soon as it appeared.
Several more attacks followed, each carrying a different illusion, but Mo Xuanli blocked them all in vigilant defense. The two worked in seamless coordination—even though Gu Baiqing did not strike, he did not hinder Mo Xuanli.
Still, the illusions before them were becoming more solid, showing that the enemy was intensifying its assault.
Mo Xuanli was struggling to keep up when suddenly, two loud roars echoed through the space.
One was like the lowing of a ox—most likely the Three-Eyed Azure Ox, a demonic beast native to the Demon Refining Tower. The other was weaker, like the cry of a cat—identity unknown.
In the original story, the two beasts that created the illusions ended up fighting each other, leaving one dead and the other injured, allowing Mo Xuanli to resolve the crisis.
From the sound of it now, the two must have already turned on each other.
Just as he was about to warn Mo Xuanli, two enormous surges of spiritual power clashed head-on, sending overlapping chaotic illusions crashing toward them.
Within the illusion, Gu Baiqing saw two different versions of Mo Xuanli.
One looked about six years old, smiling as he carried a bamboo basket into a sunlit courtyard. Looking closely, there was a small, injured calico kitten inside. The courtyard was that of an ordinary mortal home, and Mo Xuanli was merely an ordinary child.
On the other side of the scene was a ten-year-old Mo Xuanli, dressed in rags, looking like a beggar. He was running through the rain as if something were chasing him. Because he was running so fast, he suddenly stumbled and fell headlong into a muddy puddle. Gritting his teeth, he scrambled and crawled out, the wet streaks on his face making it impossible to tell whether they were tears or rainwater. It was as if he could only survive by running for his life.
Mo Xuanli’s gaze froze on this scene, but he quickly snapped back to himself, pulling on the forehead cord to draw Gu Baiqing back with him, then casting a spell to scatter the illusion. He was afraid that if the illusion continued, it would expose his secrets.
The continuous expenditure left Mo Xuanli looking rather grim. Though his spiritual power was inexhaustible, he had not yet fully mastered it. He could only keep pushing his limits—tiring, yes, but ultimately good for his growth. For that reason, Gu Baiqing did not intervene, only preparing to exchange for spiritual power at any moment if necessary.
Once both illusions dissipated, the mist throughout the space noticeably thinned, greatly increasing their range of spiritual sight.
Gu Baiqing knew that both demonic beasts were definitely injured now—perhaps one had even died. This was a good opportunity.
Mo Xuanli also realized the situation had changed—this was the moment to act. He calmed himself and used spiritual sight to search, quickly locking onto the aura of a demonic beast.
“Master, this way.”
The two of them wasted no time, heading straight toward the beast.
“Do not underestimate it. It should still have a formidable move it hasn’t used yet. No matter what happens later, you must remain calm,” Gu Baiqing reminded again. He remembered that the beast still had a particularly powerful technique—in the original account, even when the original Master was in full physical condition, he was knocked unconscious by it, showing just how dangerous it was. However, in the present situation, the two beasts had fought each other earlier than in the original story, so it was uncertain whether that move would still be used.
Following the aura, they finally saw, just beyond the mist ahead, a massive beast.
Its body was like that of a gigantic saber-toothed tiger, its fur patterned in black, white, and yellow. At the moment, however, the beast was unconscious on the ground, bloodied all over and clearly badly wounded.
“A tricolored illusion cat?”
Demonic beasts in the Demon Refining Tower were all recorded, and this one did not belong to the tower.
Gu Baiqing frowned slightly. “So this is the unexpected second one?”
The tricolored illusion cat was indeed an outstanding beast at creating illusions, but a true tricolored illusion cat should have three tails, its abilities enough to rival the three-eyed azure ox. This one had only a single tail, so its power should be weaker.
Mo Xuanli suddenly thought of Lin Jiaying’s spiritual pet.
“What is it?” Gu Baiqing noticed his change in expression. Mo Xuanli quickly explained—Lin Jiaying had a tricolored illusion cat that often ran away, and the last time they met, Lin Jiaying had angrily said she would throw it into the Demon Refining Tower if she caught it.
“Throwing it into the Demon Refining Tower should require an elder’s approval befo—” Gu Baiqing suddenly fell silent.
He remembered now. In the original account, it was only mentioned afterward that Fu Zhiyi had investigated the matter and punished those from the sect involved. But at that time, the original Master was injured, and Mo Xuanli was guarding him. The narrative had already shifted focus entirely to Mo Xuanli’s changing feelings toward Gu Baiqing. By the time the original Master woke up, the matter had been resolved, so the recordings he had were unrelated to the truth, and he never learned what had actually happened.
But indeed, the original Master never saw Lin Jiaying again afterward. In later plotlines, she was only mentioned once—when listing Mo Xuanli’s crimes, one was that he had cruelly killed Lin Jiaying and Elder Lin.
Clearly, with the mindset Mo Xuanli had after completely falling to the demonic path, he would never spare someone who had harmed his Master.
The two did not continue discussing Lin Jiaying’s matter, instead moving forward to inspect the tricolored illusion cat.
But as soon as they approached, the cat’s eyes snapped open warily. In an instant, killing intent clashed, the atmosphere taut as drawn swords. Mo Xuanli raised his sword, shielding Gu Baiqing behind him, facing the cat head-on. Yet just as the cat was about to bare its fangs, it suddenly froze. Its large, copper-bell-like eyes stared fixedly at Mo Xuanli, the pupils that had been thin vertical slits slowly widening until they became large and round like black jade. All its killing intent vanished completely.
At that moment, it looked entirely harmless.
The cat seemed agitated, trying to turn over, but its injuries were too severe. Unable to maintain its mature form, it flashed with light and, in the blink of an eye, the massive tiger-like body was gone. On the ground lay only a tricolored kitten, about the length of an arm, with a red cord around its neck holding a golden, round bell.
Gu Baiqing suddenly felt that the cat looked somewhat familiar.
Mo Xuanli, however, remained guarded, showing no sign of softening, his sword pointing directly at the cat’s throat. He demanded, “Where’s the other one?”
Suddenly, the kitten’s pupils shrank into vertical slits, its fur bristling all over. It spoke in human tongue, shouting, “Benefactor, behind you!”
At the same time, Mo Xuanli and Gu Baiqing both sensed spiritual power attacking from all directions.
Mo Xuanli once again pulled Gu Baiqing behind him, feet planted wide, hands forming seals. His sword rose upright into the air, and as his spiritual power rippled outward, the blade split into seven or eight afterimages. Following the movement of Mo Xuanli’s fingers, they slashed apart every attack with lightning speed.
Sparks of spiritual light scattered, and the shockwaves rippled outward.
Knowing the situation was urgent, Gu Baiqing also channeled spiritual power, expanding his spiritual sight to the maximum to locate the three-eyed azure ox.
With a thunderous moo, it seemed the ox had been pushed to desperation.
Gu Baiqing felt a massive surge of spiritual power approaching and already anticipated it. “Southeast, be careful.”
The words had barely left his mouth when Mo Xuanli braced himself—but at the very last moment, that spiritual power swerved sharply, coming at Gu Baiqing’s back from an extremely tricky angle.
Seriously, is it coming for me on purpose?!
Gu Baiqing cursed inwardly. There was no time to dodge; he could only gather his spiritual power to take it head-on.
But in the next instant, a purple-gray figure flashed in front of him, firmly shielding Gu Baiqing, and the spiritual energy pierced straight through Mo Xuanli’s body.
Gu Baiqing’s pupils trembled slightly—this kid really was holding onto his vow to protect him until the very end.
However…
Mo Xuanli’s cultivation was nowhere near the original Master’s. Alone, he couldn’t block the attack. As the residual spiritual energy spread, Gu Baiqing’s vision also went black.
Truth be told, Gu Baiqing had never understood this part of the plot—why would the original Master, the number one combat power of the Zixiao Sect, be knocked unconscious by a single blow from a mere illusion beast?
It wasn’t until he opened his eyes and saw the scene before him.
At this moment, Gu Baiqing was completely unable to move, confined in “Mo Xuanli’s” embrace. Yet the Mo Xuanli before him was extremely strange.
The corners of his lips were curved in a faint smile, his sword-like brows arched slightly, his demeanor tinged with wickedness. His long, slender fingers passed before Gu Baiqing’s face, sliding down his jade-like neck to the edge of his robes, undoing them one by one. When his cold hand touched skin, Gu Baiqing truly felt the chill.
“Master, you’ve always… been so cold to me. But I still can’t help thinking of you, looking at you, falling for you. So I’ve decided I won’t hold back anymore. If anyone is going to love you, it’s going to be me. From today on, I’ll be the rebellious, unfilial disciple who dares defy his master and ancestors.”
Mo Xuanli smiled as his hand crossed the line.
“Master, I’m going to have you. Don’t be afraid—I’ll be gentle, make you lose yourself, unable to escape. Once you’ve tasted your disciple’s ‘goodness,’ you’ll never forget it.”
Hearing these brazen, wolfish words, Gu Baiqing’s pupils shook violently, and it felt as if all the blood in his body had frozen. His greatest fear had still come to pass. He wanted to curse out loud, to beat this wicked disciple into the ground, but it was useless. He was like a puppet, unable to do anything, left to Mo Xuanli’s whims.
Suddenly, the system’s voice rang in his mind—Mo Xuanli was in danger. Only then did Gu Baiqing jolt awake and realize: the one holding him wasn’t Mo Xuanli. This was an illusion.
But even knowing it was false, Gu Baiqing was still badly shaken by Mo Xuanli’s words and actions.
The Three-Eyed Azure Ox’s illusions came in many forms, but the most terrifying was trapping someone in a vision of their deepest current fear.
And for Gu Baiqing, nothing was more dreadful than the thought that—no matter how much effort he put into keeping Mo Xuanli at arm’s length, breaking the script—Mo Xuanli would still, just like in the original story, fixate on him, use every method to possess him, and bend him. For a straight man like him, that was terrifying to death.
In the illusion, Mo Xuanli’s eyes grew heavier with lust, and he really did press down on him. Gu Baiqing’s scalp went numb, his whole body trembling. Illusion or not, the sensations were real—he could clearly feel Mo Xuanli’s restless body. Embarrassed beyond belief, Gu Baiqing wanted nothing more than to draw Morning Snow and destroy him on the spot.
For now, he could only grit his teeth, pretend to feel nothing, and frantically exchange for spiritual energy.
Just as Mo Xuanli’s face was slowly approaching, his breath brushing Gu Baiqing’s lips, one hand about to wander where it shouldn’t—
A sudden flash of lightning burst from within Gu Baiqing, shattering everything before his eyes.
He was different from the original Master, who hadn’t realized he was in an illusion. Gu Baiqing had imagined such scenes countless times when recording, so although it terrified him, once he recognized it was fake, he was immune. With his powerful Tribulation-stage spiritual energy, he broke the illusion instantly.
Gu Baiqing snapped his eyes open, back in the blank world, and drew a deep breath. That had scared him half to death—his purity had almost been lost.
But before he could catch his breath, a sharp, pitiful cat’s cry rang out. Looking up, Gu Baiqing saw two beasts, one large and one small, locked in battle in midair.
At last, he saw the Three-Eyed Azure Ox—a massive azure ox with a third eye on its forehead. Fighting it was the Tricolored Illusion Cat, barely managing to maintain its full form. Clearly exhausted, the cat crashed to the ground, struggling even to stand.
From its position, it was shielding both Gu Baiqing and the still-unconscious Mo Xuanli.
Seeing Gu Baiqing awake, the Three-Eyed Azure Ox roared in fury: “As a beast, you dare protect a cultivator! Death! Refuse to submit to me—death! I sentence you to become my meal!”
It opened its jaws wide to swallow the cat.
The cat, though unable to hold on, refused to concede. “If you want to eat me, I’m afraid you’ll break your teeth!”
By now, Gu Baiqing had pieced the situation together—clearly, he and Mo Xuanli were still alive because the cat had protected them. Thinking back to when it had called him ‘benefactor,’ he found it a little interesting.
The system’s warning must have been because it knew the cat couldn’t win against the Azure Ox.
Right now, Mo Xuanli was still unconscious, the cat guarding them was about to be killed, and the ox was eyeing them like prey. The remaining spiritual energy he could exchange for was pitifully small.
Only five points left.
D*mn it—not even enough to exchange for a “lifesaving pouch.”
Gu Baiqing cursed aloud. The situation was urgent. He shut his eyes, gritted his teeth, and made up his mind.
Bending down, he pulled the nearby Mo Xuanli into his arms and lowered his head. In that instant, it was as if he heard the sound of his dignity shattering.
Soft, warm lips. Faint breath.
Because he was so tense, the kiss was like a stamped seal—no extra feeling, just awkwardness.
But in the next moment, spiritual energy surged into Gu Baiqing like a flood.
The overwhelming power brought him no joy at all.
He—Gu Bai, also Gu Baiqing—had just given away his first kiss in both worlds… to a man. He wanted to cry. He had held out for so long, breaking every trope, not even letting the illusion win.
And now? He’d gone and delivered himself.
D*mn this world. D*mn its scripts. D*mn the Three-Eyed Azure Ox!
I swear I’ll roast you alive!
“Blazing Fire Roaring Thunder!”
Just as the Azure Ox was about to swallow the Tricolor Illusion Cat to boost its own power, it suddenly felt an overwhelming flash of lightning and roar of thunder before its eyes—far more terrifying than when it had faced heavenly tribulation.
In an instant, the entire space was filled with a scorching, fearsome thunder-element spell. Bolts of lightning as thick as the ox’s body materialized out of thin air, each one unleashing fierce sparks upon impact.
The Azure Ox had almost no time to react, not even to take a single step back, before blazing lightning and fire coiled around it, instantly engulfing it in black smoke.
When the lightning subsided, the charred ox gave off the aroma of steak before collapsing with a heavy thud—completely dead.
The Tricolor Illusion Cat was dumbfounded at the sight. Turning to look at the black-clad figure, it felt as though it were staring at a terrifying demon from h*ll, especially with that face—nearly blackened—still seeming to burn with fury.
Already badly wounded, the cat shrank back into its small feline form in fright, fur bristling when it saw Gu Baiqing approach.
Gu Baiqing ignored it and went straight to Mo Xuanli’s side. With the ox dead, he figured Mo Xuanli should be able to escape the illusion on his own.
But just as he leaned in to check, Mo Xuanli began to struggle violently.
“Master… Master…”
Gu Baiqing frowned. Could it be that Mo Xuanli’s greatest fear was also related to him?
“Master… please… I don’t want to acknowledge anyone else as my master. I only have you as my Master. I only recognize you. I’ll respect you, honor you—please… please don’t abandon me, Master, don’t cast me away…”
Gu Baiqing froze for a moment, feeling awkward. He hadn’t expected this to be Mo Xuanli’s deepest fear. He hesitated. Although the wedding banquet illusion had shown this child’s sincerity… when he remembered his own terrifying illusion, he still felt the urge to hand him over to someone else.
But… watching Mo Xuanli writhe in pain, perhaps… he should observe him for a while longer. If the boy truly had no improper thoughts—and better yet, fell for someone else—then Gu Baiqing as a master would have no objections.
Just as his thoughts wandered, Mo Xuanli suddenly went rigid, the veins on the hand gripping his sword bulging.
“Master… are you going to kill me too?”
This time, Gu Baiqing’s expression turned solemn, sword brows furrowing as he let out a silent sigh. He did sympathize with Mo Xuanli—someone so young shouldn’t have to bear the troubles brought by his birth. Those weren’t problems Mo Xuanli should have to solve. All Gu Baiqing could do was help him reach the Tribulation Stage as soon as possible and guide him toward proper cultivation to avoid demonic corruption.
“Hey, what are you spacing out for? Isn’t he your disciple? Hurry and save him—if you delay any longer, he’ll be in real danger,” the little demon beast beside him said nervously, plucking up its courage to approach.
Gu Baiqing glanced at the cat demon, which bristled again in fear of him. “The ox is dead. The illusion should be breaking. He’ll be fine.”
Seeing him take no action, the cat grew bolder, its tone turning arrogant. “That’s not true! You don’t understand. Illusion-type demon beasts will, at the moment of death, trap the last person they ensnared in an illusion with their lingering resentment. Once we die, the victim’s illusion becomes locked. You have to forcibly break the array inside, or not only will benefactor be in danger, but you’ll also have a hard time getting out.”
The original Gu Baiqing had never raised a spirit beast, so he knew nothing of such details. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he realized this was trouble and prepared to forcefully break the array with his remaining spiritual power.
But just as he laid his hand on it, the system popped up a warning—insufficient spiritual power to break it, recharging required.
Gu Baiqing’s face looked as if he had swallowed a hundred flies. In the original story, it was the aftereffects of the beast’s death that made Mo Xuanli lose control. Why was it different for him? He thought his willpower had kept him safe, but no—the beast had left an even nastier trick, one that wanted to trap them to death.
What, so if he didn’t step into the pit, they’d bury him alive instead?
Of course, Gu Baiqing couldn’t allow himself to die here. But everything seemed to be pushing him toward a certain choice. Fortunately… Mo Xuanli was still unconscious!
At this point, it felt like the jar was already broken—he’d done it once, so a second time didn’t really weigh on his conscience.
Still, earlier the cat had been fighting the ox and probably hadn’t seen. Now he just needed to figure out how to keep it from seeing again.
Gu Baiqing cast a glance at the cat, only to notice its eyes flicker guiltily—clearly hiding something.
In an instant, Gu Baiqing drew his sword, murderous intent flaring to pin the cat in place. Demon beasts were good at bewitching hearts and taking advantage—he shouldn’t be careless.
The cat leapt up in fright at his sudden move, blurting out angrily, “Stinking cultivator, what are you doing?!”
“I just remembered—you’re a demon beast. Why should I trust you? You and the Three-Eyed Ox don’t get along, so saving us might just be saving yourself. And earlier, you clearly appeared at the wedding banquet—if you meant to help us, why didn’t you do anything then?” Gu Baiqing said coldly.
Facing the oppressive aura of a Tribulation Stage cultivator, the cat trembled uncontrollably, not even daring to puff up its fur, though it still tried to act fierce.
“Stinking cultivator, don’t look down on demons. If I wanted to harm you, I would’ve let the ox eat you just now.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“But if you don’t act now, your disciple will be in trouble.”
“Is that so? But if you don’t explain yourself, you’ll be in trouble very soon.” Gu Baiqing’s face darkened, and Morning Snow began to glow in his hand.
In the end, the cat couldn’t take it. Grinding its teeth, it said, “Fine, I’ll tell you! The truth is… I came following my benefactor—he’s my benefactor.”
It pointed at the unconscious Mo Xuanli and began to tell its story.
“When I was little, my benefactor saved my life and even gave me a name—Three Bean. We demons repay our debts, and I’ve never dared forget a life-saving grace. But later we got separated, and when I finally tracked down his aura at the base of Zixiao Sect, I was forcibly captured and given to someone else. Because I refused to form a contract with her, I had to escape with all my strength to find my benefactor. But I was caught again, and this time, thrown in here.”
Gu Baiqing felt a rush of information hit him. Outwardly, he stayed calm, but his mind was running so fast it was practically on fire.
He remembered—hadn’t he once seen a vision of Mo Xuanli as a child, holding a tiny kitten? Now that he compared the image, the resemblance was uncanny.
Wait… could this be one of those “plot setups”? The male lead’s contract beast delivered straight to him? Was this tricolored Illusion Cat one of them?
But no—that couldn’t be right. He remembered the male lead had only one contract beast: an incredibly powerful black dragon, which he would encounter later, during his training outside the mountain.
Ah, yes—in the original story, one of the illusion beasts died and the other was injured. This “Three Bean” was supposed to die during an internal fight, but Gu Baiqing had saved it earlier out of a moment of soft-heartedness. That was why he was now hearing this whole tale.
Three Bean continued, “The Three-Eyed Azure Ox saw that I was the same element type, so it wanted to control me to work for it. I was too weak to resist and was forced to supply my power for its illusions. I planned to escape if a cultivator came in, and when I saw it was my benefactor, I followed into the illusion to wake him up so we could escape together. But he was lost in the illusion until you appeared. You cultivators always attack us on sight, so I ran away to avoid you mistaking me for some evil beast.”
So that flash of color he’d seen earlier wasn’t an attack—it had just slipped away.
It seemed he had accidentally altered the plot. Originally, these two probably wouldn’t have met again. Mo Xuanli might never have known a beast had come to repay him, endured hardships, and even died in an illusion trying to save him.
Thinking about it now, he felt a twinge of sympathy for this bristly little creature—it was, in its way, a loyal and righteous beast.
Gu Baiqing almost believed Three Bean completely, but still kept a trace of caution in his heart.
“I’ll believe you for now,” he said. “But my spiritual power is damaged. I already tried—I can’t break the formation. Since you’re skilled in this, is there another way?”
Three Bean’s face faltered—clearly, something was being concealed.
Gu Baiqing’s gaze chilled. He was about to act when Three Bean asked, looking pained, “Stinking cultivator, you’re not lying? You really can’t break it?”
Gu Baiqing looked at him with suspicion but nodded.
Three Bean sighed deeply, as if conceding the point. His tail drooped. After glancing at Mo Xuanli, he suddenly transformed into human form—a delicate, spiritual-looking youth with a pale face, blood at his lips, wearing patterned clothes adorned with tiny bells, the largest one hanging at his neck.
Looking reluctantly at Mo Xuanli, Three Bean then turned to Gu Baiqing. “Stinking cultivator, there is another way. The Azure Ox’s technique used both our demon powers as the array’s core. I’m weaker, so I have no control over it and can’t dissolve it. If you force it, I’ll just be injured. But if you can’t, there’s only one option left: kill all the beasts maintaining the array.”
Gu Baiqing’s expression shifted in shock.
“You already killed the Azure Ox,” Three Bean said. “Now, if you kill me, the array will collapse and benefactor will be saved. I… I didn’t say this before because I still wanted to live. I still wanted to repay him… and there are debts I haven’t settled. I…”
His voice choked as if death was already at his door. He removed the bell from his neck and placed it in Mo Xuanli’s hand. “This is my magic artifact for my benefactor. May it bring him good fortune. That way, I’ll have repaid my debt. And don’t you dare steal it, or I’ll curse you!”
Baring his teeth in mock threat, as if making final arrangements, Three Bean stepped under Gu Baiqing’s sword.
“Go on—quickly. I’m afraid of pain. For my benefactor’s sake, I’ll die willingly.”
Gu Baiqing hadn’t spoken the whole time, stunned by the situation. Exhaling deeply, he said, “If I kill you now, saving you earlier would’ve been for nothing. Think of another way.”
Three Bean froze, incredulous that such a lofty Immortal Lord would abandon his escape just to spare a little beast’s life.
Still, he didn’t believe there was another way and waited gloomily for Gu Baiqing’s decision.
Gu Baiqing, however, was already thinking. He’d merged all the original’s knowledge with his own; he could teach the male lead—surely he could solve this without some “plot token.”
Three Bean changed back into a cat, rubbing himself against Mo Xuanli with clear reluctance. They must have spent happy times together as children—the bright scenes in the illusion proved as much.
Obviously, Three Bean had come to repay Mo Xuanli, most likely by becoming his contract beast to guard him… Wait—contract beast.
Gu Baiqing immediately asked, “You said you can’t break the Azure Ox’s array because you’re weaker, so you have no control over the leftover demon power?”
Three Bean glared at him irritably. “Yes! How many times do I have to say it, stinking cultivator? If you’re going to kill me, hurry up— benefactor doesn’t look well.”
Gu Baiqing ignored the attitude. “If you became a contract beast and borrowed your master’s power, could you break it?”
Three Bean’s face went blank for a moment, then his eyes lit up—it could work. But… he looked at the unconscious Mo Xuanli, who couldn’t form a contract right now, then back at Gu Baiqing.
Clearly, Gu Baiqing had already thought of the answer: the two of them would form the contract instead.
Three Bean hated everyone except his benefactor, but he couldn’t figure out this cultivator—who had saved him, spared him, and now even proposed making him his contract beast despite his low rank.
Wasn’t this cultivator supposed to be a mighty immortal lord? And the benefactor’s master at that? Even if he wanted a contract beast, it should be a really powerful one—how humiliating would it be to take in something like him? Did he have a screw loose?
Three Bean’s gaze toward Gu Baiqing grew stranger and stranger. He had already told him—killing him was the simplest way.
But now… Three Bean didn’t have to die. With a contract, Gu Baiqing could control his life and death, meaning there was no need to fear the beast turning on him. Everything could be neatly resolved.
Three Bean agreed.
When Gu Baiqing went to place the spiritual imprint on him, he was met with a look as if Three Bean were about to be sullied—Gu Baiqing was truly speechless. Sure, once a contract was made, it was difficult to break unless one party died, but looking at it now, it felt like he was the one losing out.
A flash of light passed, and Gu Baiqing felt a strong bond—this was the link with one’s contracted beast. He’d once imagined what kind of spirit beast he’d take in once he regained his freedom, but he hadn’t expected to end up as a litter-box attendant. He did like cats, but the one before him clearly didn’t like him.
That look of disdain was way too obvious.
With the contract sealed, his spiritual power drained, Gu Baiqing felt his head grow heavy and light all at once. Thinking he was just tired, he didn’t react immediately. Morning Snow in his hand turned back into its small form and flew toward him—but this time, it came in so hard it nearly stabbed into his scalp, almost drawing blood. Gu Baiqing could practically feel its resentment—perhaps it really didn’t like him having another contracted beast.
His dizziness grew worse, and just as he was about to pass out, Three Bean broke the formation, and Mo Xuanli beside them stirred, about to wake.
But Gu Baiqing couldn’t hold on any longer. He suddenly remembered—if one forcibly channeled spiritual power from Mo Xuanli and exhausted it completely, it could trigger random side effects. He’d avoided it before, but of course it had to happen today.
The world before him darkened, and the last thing he saw was the male lead’s panicked rush to grab him in his arms.
Gu Baiqing really wanted to flip the middle finger at the heavens. D*mn it, it was all a setup.
So far this illusion trial had given him: check—the kiss; check—fainting in the disciple’s arms. Next… if Mo Xuanli dared to try anything while he was unconscious, Gu Baiqing would not only give him away to someone else but also have him castrated.
….
[First Mission Quest, Task 2: Complete the Demon-Refining Tower trial, advance to mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Task successful. Cultivation progress: Foundation Establishment mid-stage, 35%. Reward: 200 points. Account balance: 205 points.]
Gu Baiqing jerked awake—only to realize his body felt strange, as if submerged in hot water… and someone’s hand was parting his soaked clothing, which clung to his skin.
He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Mo Xuanli, face close enough to touch, head slightly bowed. His long, thick lashes trembled with unease, hiding his eyes, but his cheeks were clearly flushed.
The scene was just like something out of the nightmare illusion—startling Gu Baiqing into striking out with a palm of spiritual power.
Bang! Mo Xuanli was sent flying again, though this time he landed in the water, avoiding a second injury.
“Stinking cultivator! Why are you hurting my benefactor?!”
Hearing Three Bean’s indignant voice, Gu Baiqing finally came to his senses and looked around.
They were in Zixiao Sect’s Jade Healing Pool, and he was clad only in a white inner robe—one that was now nearly transparent. The familiar setup made him instinctively recoil; he had no fond memories of this from the original plot.
In the distance, Mo Xuanli climbed out of the water, while Three Bean—hating water—paced anxiously at the pool’s edge, calling for his benefactor.
“Master, this disciple has offended you. Please punish me,” Mo Xuanli said, still obedient and deferential, as if afraid to make him angry.
“Benefactor, what did you do wrong? Your third Senior Uncle came in just now and said your master needn’t wear his upper garment, told you to take it off for him, and you went to do it. Why is he hitting people?”
“Three Bean, mind your manners. That’s your master.”
Three Bean instantly fell silent but still glared at Gu Baiqing in dissatisfaction.
Realizing what had happened, Gu Baiqing rubbed his brow. “Forget it. You know I’m not used to being touched. I didn’t react well when I woke up just now.”
“This disciple understands. It’s my fault for not thinking of a better way. Master rescued me and was even injured for my sake, yet I didn’t care for you properly… I said I’d protect you, but I was too weak, fainted, and left you to face danger alone. I’m truly an unworthy disciple.” Mo Xuanli’s voice was filled with guilt.
Gu Baiqing was used to this attitude from him, but Three Bean looked shocked—apparently feeling his benefactor was far too humble before his master.
“What happened afterward?” Gu Baiqing asked, changing the subject.
Mo Xuanli, now wary of getting too close, kept his distance as he explained.
Once the illusion broke, the others easily found them. But because they still carried lingering spiritual energy from within the illusion, it could affect their bodies, so they were brought here to soak.
And so they had come.
After hearing this, Gu Baiqing wisely didn’t ask whether Mo Xuanli had undressed him—it was better not to confirm. He felt completely drained, likely from those side effects. Struggling was pointless; he could only drift with the current.
Leaning against the pool’s edge, he said, “I understand. Let’s soak a while longer before we leave. Oh—your cultivation advanced?”
“Yes, and it’s all thanks to Master.” Mo Xuanli’s face lit up with a smile.
Three Bean blinked in surprise. In his eyes, Mo Xuanli was just like… that dog the neighbors used to keep—treated indifferently and even beaten, yet still wagging its tail, apologizing and trying to please its owner.
The two exchanged questions and answers in harmony, and hearing Mo Xuanli’s steady breathing, Gu Baiqing guessed that with his improved cultivation, that palm strike earlier must have affected him far less than last time.
Gu Baiqing carefully recalled the entire process in the illusion, and when he remembered what Mo Xuanli had said at the end while trapped in the fear illusion, he felt that, as a master, he should at least say something.
“Although I didn’t explain in detail afterward, you should know that in the illusion, when I tried to kill you or forced you to kill me, it was only to break the illusion. I hope you won’t carry any lingering shadow from that.”
There was probably a shadow left, wasn’t there? After all, Mo Xuanli kept his bloodline secret, so in his heart, Gu Baiqing had plenty of reason to act against him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still see his master trying to kill him even in the depths of the fear illusion.
As for the other shadow… Gu Baiqing couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t come up again in the future if the master were replaced, so he decided not to bring it up.
What Gu Baiqing didn’t know was that after Three Bean had reunited with Mo Xuanli, it had already recounted every detail of what happened after Gu Baiqing fainted in the illusion, including two lines he’d murmured in his sleep.
Mo Xuanli naturally understood the reason behind his master’s current reassurance. He knew Gu Baiqing had misunderstood—what he saw in the fear illusion wasn’t actually caused by those earlier incidents. But still, having his master offer comfort made him happy.
However… what about the matter of fearing Gu Baiqing might replace him as a disciple?
If that thought weren’t still in his mind, then why didn’t Gu Baiqing address it as well? Sure enough, his master had never truly given up the idea of handing him over to someone else.
Mo Xuanli’s mood instantly plummeted. The joy of having been saved at the risk of his master’s own life evaporated. He could only obediently reply, “Disciple understands.”
Gu Baiqing fell silent, his mind wandering. Mo Xuanli also quieted, his mood tinged with sadness.
Sensing Mo Xuanli’s gloom, Three Bean hopped to the bank beside him and nuzzled his head. Just as Mo Xuanli reached out to stroke him, his body froze—his hand had brushed the bell around Three Bean’s neck.
After waking up and reuniting with Three Bean, Mo Xuanli had learned the bell’s secret.
Inside was a magic artifact—an unusual lens-like piece without a name. Three Bean explained that if worn over the eye, it could reveal anything, though it could only be used three times, and one use had already been spent finding him.
Its true power wasn’t simply seeing objects or people, but showing whatever the heart desired—including manifesting a person’s thoughts and feelings as visible images—though the spiritual power cost varied.
At first, Mo Xuanli felt the item didn’t have much use. But then he thought… maybe… he could use it to see how his master truly felt about him as a disciple.
After all, it was an unknown artifact. If he used it… his master wouldn’t know.
Still, he hesitated. Peering into another’s thoughts was deeply disrespectful. He shouldn’t…
Yet after a long internal struggle, the craving to know his master’s true thoughts grew until it crowded out all reason. He looked at his master, eyes closed in rest, his hand resting on the bank, the wrist still bearing marks from bindings.
In the end, Mo Xuanli couldn’t resist. He took the lens from the bell.
It rested over his right eye like a monocle, and spiritual power naturally guided him in how to use it. Through the lens, across the faint mist and the distance, he looked at Gu Baiqing.
His master treated him so well—why couldn’t he accept him staying by his side?
Was it really only for his future?
Even if his formal role as disciple changed, he would still repay Zixiao Sect, still learn alongside everyone. So what reason was there to insist he be replaced?
“Master, being able to call you my teacher is the greatest fortune of my life. I wish to remain by your side forever, to honor and care for you.”
He didn’t understand. He truly didn’t understand. Master, do you not want me to stay with you?
Since I cannot know your heart… please forgive me for trespassing into your thoughts. I’ll only look once.
Gu Baiqing, meanwhile, was thinking that the task was done, his points had increased—not bad. At least he’d gotten some gains for his… cough… sacrifice.
He didn’t want to dwell on it, but this familiar scene from the original plot made it impossible not to think. Just as he was trying to drive out the images in his mind, Mo Xuanli’s words hit him like a hammer.
Hearing that familiar line, Gu Baiqing jolted, his head filling with script flashbacks—Jade Healing Pool, the original master deceived into cooperating with his disciple’s ploy, the quiet night lit only by fireflies, hiding in the shadows to avoid being seen, oblivious to the disciple’s satisfied smile afterward.
“Master, being able to call you my teacher is the greatest fortune of my life. I wish to remain by your side forever, to honor and care for you.”
“You… don’t talk.”
“Master, you’re so good to me…”
