After Becoming a High-Risk Master, I Flipped the Script Chapter 165

The slender index finger now bore a silver ring set with pale blue gems, cool and striking in its elegance.

Mo Xuanli didn’t understand the difference between which finger it was worn on; he simply raised it happily to admire it, his eyes shining.

Finally, he lifted his hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the ring.

The gesture made Gu Baiqing’s already uneasy heart feel like it had been branded by heat.

He regretted it immediately. If only I hadn’t mentioned the resizing feature. Even though no one here knew the particular significance of giving someone a ring, Gu Baiqing still felt horribly self-conscious. It would’ve been fine if Mo Xuanli had just worn it on his wrists, silly-looking maybe, but far less nerve-racking.

Just as he was about to speak, Mo Xuanli lunged forward and hugged him tightly.

“It’s beautiful. I love it. Thank you, Master. I’ll wear it always, I’ll never take it off.”

Gu Baiqing was at a complete loss under the warmth of that embrace. All he could do was cry internally: It’s just a little magic tool! Once the lightning energy runs out, it’ll barely function!

But Mo Xuanli wouldn’t hear such words. To him, this ring wasn’t something that could be measured by usefulness. It was a token personally crafted by his master, infused with his lightning magic, his token of affection.

“When the energy runs out, Master can just recharge it again,” Mo Xuanli said cheerfully, holding Gu Baiqing even tighter. “Master treats me so well, so well I can’t even describe it. The heavens have not been unkind to me after all.”

He was so happy he nearly fainted.

Listening to those words, Gu Baiqing thought, according to Half-Step Mad’s setup, heaven had never been kind to him from the start.

And yet, just this small magic item could move him to tears of gratitude. Gu Baiqing didn’t even know how to describe this child’s pure-heartedness.

Steadying himself, he patted Mo Xuanli’s back like comforting a child.

“Xuanli,” he said softly, “your future will be even happier.”

Mo Xuanli’s face flushed red, his heart deeply stirred. To his ears, those words sounded like a promise, a promise that his master would make sure he was happy in the days to come.

Mo Xuanli let out a shy “mm,” his heart already filled to the brim. He couldn’t help but turn his head and place a light kiss on Gu Baiqing’s silk-like black hair, inhaling the faint scent of cold plum blossoms hidden within. That scent had long since become a kind of stimulus for Mo Xuanli, his whole body trembled with excitement, wishing he could melt Gu Baiqing right into himself.

But since he was taller than his master, Gu Baiqing didn’t notice what his little disciple was doing above him, thinking he had only turned his head slightly.

“Master, I… I didn’t expect your gift was something you had prepared long ago. Mine isn’t even started yet. Wait for me to return, I’ll make it and give it to you then.”

Mo Xuanli couldn’t suppress the guilt in his heart. His master had been so kind and thoughtful toward him, while he hadn’t done enough in return. He should’ve prepared something before bringing it up. In truth, he did have something in mind. While studying the materials from Constellation Island, he had found some interesting resources he wanted to use for his master’s gift. But because his peers had teased him about it, he’d mentioned it prematurely. Now, he’d have to wait until they reached Constellation Island to find the right materials and make the token of affection. The thought of not being able to exchange gifts at the same time left him a little disappointed.

“It’s fine. You coming back safe and advancing steadily is the best gift you could give me.” Gu Baiqing didn’t mind at all, his tone carried the same indulgent warmth of a parent telling a child, “As long as you get full marks, that’s the best present for me.” He honestly didn’t even know why they’d ended up doing something as childish as exchanging gifts in the first place.

By now, he’d had enough of the hugging, whether it was from being held too tightly or from the heat radiating off Mo Xuanli, Gu Baiqing only felt warm all over and gently pushed at him.

Mo Xuanli released the embrace, but didn’t really let go. His hands still rested on Gu Baiqing’s arms, and his eyes, sweet and syrupy like honey, clung to his master’s face with a tenderness that made it hard to breathe.

And Gu Baiqing had only one thought: This kid… truly lives up to his reputation as the one with “eyes full of emotion” and “the beauty’s bones.” Even when he wasn’t looking at a lover, just one of those intent gazes was enough to make someone’s knees weak. Whoever ended up with him in the future, one look from those eyes would be enough to topple them.

The atmosphere was just right, Mo Xuanli’s gaze grew hazy, and his body leaned in closer.

Gu Baiqing was just starting to wonder what was wrong when a voice called from outside:

“Junior brother, are you here? It’s time to go,” came Nan Zhi’s voice.

Everything came to an abrupt halt. The door was open, and as Nan Zhi entered, she immediately saw the two of them standing there in the hall.

Elder Luofeng turned his head toward her calmly, while the man behind him, Mo Xuanli, stood with a dark, sullen face, looking at her as though she’d ruined his entire world.

“What’s wrong? Let’s go! The flying vessel is waiting outside,” Nan Zhi said.

Mo Xuanli swore to himself that once this mission was over, he would take his master away somewhere, just the two of them, so they would stop getting… interrupted.

Now he couldn’t even get a goodbye kiss.

At the doorway, Gu Baiqing asked, “Where’s Chu Fei? Isn’t he going with you?”

Nan Zhi replied, “Master is assisting Second Martial Uncle in handling the demon clan affairs. The Taixu Hall sent a flying vessel to take us straight to Constellation Island, so Master doesn’t need to see us off.”

Gu Baiqing nodded, then turned to Mo Xuanli. “Do you have everything? Call Ao Hang over.”

Mo Xuanli sighed, in the end, he still had to leave this warm haven behind.

“Master, please be careful. Wait for me to return,” he said again, full of concern.

Nan Zhi, holding her heavy sword, looked at him speechlessly. Even when she said goodbye to Yun Yue, she hadn’t been this worried. Did he realize who he was fussing over? Elder Luofeng, for heaven’s sake! She was exasperated.

Gu Baiqing, growing tired of the repeated reminders, hurried him along.

At that moment, Ao Hang arrived. Although he had expected this arrangement, being told he’d have to follow Mo Xuanli still put him in a foul mood.

Meanwhile, Three Bean bounded over cheerfully, leaping straight into Gu Baiqing’s arms.

Gu Baiqing hugged the little creature and rubbed it affectionately. Three Bean immediately jumped onto his shoulder and started rubbing its face against his, trying to give him a lick, only to be simultaneously scolded by two voices.

Three Bean looked innocently between Mo Xuanli and Ao Hang. Both of them seemed to have an issue with him. What? He was just a little cat, okay?

Ao Hang frowned at Mo Xuanli. “I’ll just take him with me.”

Mo Xuanli actually looked like he might agree.

Three Bean shook his head wildly.

Gu Baiqing, seeing Ao Hang’s dark expression, gave an awkward laugh. “Ever heard the saying ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’?”

“What?” Ao Hang frowned.

“It means that when lovers part for a little while, they’ll feel even more affectionate and passionate when they reunite. Who knows, after three days apart, Three Bean might miss you terribly.”

“I will not,” Three Bean immediately protested.

But Ao Hang seemed to take it seriously, arching a brow with a hint of curiosity.

Meanwhile, Mo Xuanli’s cheeks turned red. That saying must be meant for me, he thought. Master’s hint.

And so the two pairs of “little lovers” went their separate ways.

Gu Baiqing didn’t go to see them off, he simply stood in the courtyard, watching as the flying vessel rose into the sky.

Onboard, Mo Xuanli barely greeted anyone, he just stood at the edge, staring down, his gaze locked on the figure below until it finally disappeared from sight.

The little black dragon coiled around his shoulders watched quietly as well.

Eventually, someone came over to ask him.

“What’s he doing?” Jingzhan asked Nan Zhi, who was sitting nearby with her eyes closed, resting.

She cracked one eye open and said lazily, “Who knows. He keeps looking back every few steps like a child leaving home for the first time who hasn’t been weaned yet.” Nan Zhi clearly held his behavior in contempt.

Those who knew the truth stifled laughter; those who didn’t could only sit there awkwardly.

When Mo Xuanli could no longer see Gu Baiqing and finally heard the noise around him, he turned and started greeting the others but it was obvious his mind was elsewhere.

Jingzhan grinned, stepping closer. “Can’t bear to part, huh? Well, the next three days and nights are gonna be rough for you. If you feel like crying, come to your big brother’s arms.”

Mo Xuanli shot him a look, thinking, They have no idea what I’m feeling. Master said ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ but right after falling in love, parting feels ten times harder.

“You shouldn’t say that. Young Master Mo must be worried about the situation on the floating island, after all, the matters with the demon clan haven’t been settled yet,” Zong Xuezhen stepped forward gently, sounding like she was defending Mo Xuanli, as if afraid others might pick on him and wanting to give him a reason to ease the tension.

It was a somewhat considerate gesture, but everyone present had basically figured out what the Zong family father and daughter were really about by now. Not only did she make no attempt to avoid suspicion, she actively spoke up to help. It seemed that despite Mo Xuanli’s aloof attitude, the other side hadn’t given up; if anything, they had become even bolder.

The others didn’t say much more, but Mo Xuanli spoke up directly, “No, it’s just that I’m reluctant to leave.”

Zong Xuezhen’s face stiffened a little at Mo Xuanli’s ingratitude.

Si Chun, however, was amused. “You really dare say that.”

Mo Xuanli smiled, and his hand hanging by his side moved slightly. His thumb brushed against the ring on his index finger, and a warm feeling suddenly surged in his heart.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Mo Xuanli said openly.

Zong Ziming looked at Si Chun and Mo Xuanli chatting and couldn’t help but step forward and tease, “True enough. It seems Young Master Mo has always been trailing behind his master’s back. All the rumors and stories related to you practically have Elder Luofeng’s shadow in them. If you suddenly leave, won’t you… be unable to accomplish anything impressive anymore?”

“Older Brother, don’t say that,” Zong Xuezhen immediately stopped him softly.

Everyone’s expression changed at once, wasn’t that sarcastically implying all of Mo Xuanli’s achievements came from Gu Baiqing?

Jingzhan was about to say something like “Don’t bark if you lost at the Immortal Convention,” when Mo Xuanli slowly said, “Is Young Master Zong jealous because I have the best master? Indeed, following my master, I can accomplish astonishing deeds. After all, my master’s reputation is magnificent, and I am his only disciple, something others can only envy.”

Zong Ziming was immediately speechless. “You…”

Before Zong Ziming could speak, Mo Xuanli sighed deeply, “It would be great if Master could come along, too.”

Those who knew the backstory found this both amusing and exasperating. Previously, Mo Xuanli had kept his feelings hidden, reluctant to express them. Now, he was openly boasting about his lovesickness? It seemed the longing was worsening and beyond cure.

Those who didn’t know thought Mo Xuanli was just deliberately trying to annoy Zong Ziming.

Zong Ziming wanted to retort but was interrupted by Li Xiuran, who was concerned about Mo Xuanli’s health after that day.

Mo Xuanli smiled, “I’m fine. By the way, Senior Half-Step Mad…”

“When I left, he was still sleeping, quite drunk,” Li Xiuran said helplessly.

The group talked for a while and then arrived at Constellation Island, where only those holding a token issued by Hall Master Zong could enter the barrier.

The flying vessel couldn’t enter; everyone dismounted from the flying vessel, flew down on their swords, and soon passed through the barrier to land on the island.

From the outside, it looked like an ordinary-sized island, but once inside, it felt like an endless primeval forest. No wonder so many good things were hidden here, Constellation Island itself was a secret realm containing spatial elements.

Upon landing, they immediately felt the dense spiritual energy. The spiritual springs here must be truly excellent.

Those with broad experience and outstanding talent felt quite satisfied soaking in the energy.

“There’s nothing here I want. My brother told me to focus on training, so I plan to go directly to the spiritual spring. What about you all?” Jingzhan asked about everyone’s plans.

“I’m looking for something. I’ll head north first, then go to the spiritual spring,” Li Xiuran replied.

“My senior sister and I also need to find something. We’ll go west,” Mo Xuanli said. “The plan is to gather everything first, then focus on training.”

Jingzhan smiled at Si Chun. Si Chun frowned slightly but still said, “I’ll go to the spiritual spring.”

“Luckily, there’s someone going the same way, or it would be too boring,” Jingzhan laughed, then glanced meaningfully at the Zong siblings.

Zong Xuezhen was about to speak, but surprisingly Zong Ziming said, “Little Sister, you should go to the spiritual spring with them. I have something I want to find.”

A flash of displeasure passed over Zong Xuezhen’s face, but she still obediently nodded in public.

Soon the group dispersed.

Originally, Jingzhan, Si Chun, and Zong Xuezhen were supposed to travel together, but after a while of hurrying ahead, one person was missing from behind.

Noticing this, Si Chun called for Jingzhan to stop.

“Could something have happened?”

“No way. Even if it’s weak, if attacked, he’d make some noise. Besides, there aren’t any strong beasts here.”

“Then how come…”

“Pfft, Si Chun, good thing you didn’t keep trying to chase my brother’s attention. With your brain, you’d probably be surpassed by a rival lover soon.”

“What did you say?!” Si Chun instantly flew into a rage and made a move.

Jingzhan quickly dodged. “Sorry, my bad. I meant they were too shy to follow Xuanli directly, so they probably made up a story about losing us to look for him. Otherwise, if they stayed by our side, how would they get close to Xuanli?”

Si Chun understood and was speechless but didn’t say anything more about it. Everyone has their own way of handling feelings. Since he was fine, they moved on.

Seeing Si Chun start hurrying again, Jingzhan felt bored, no juicy gossip to be had.

The two arrived first at the spiritual spring, which looked like a divided waterfall, with a pool beneath each branch. Practitioners sat in the pools, cultivated with the water from the spring without needing to enter full meditation.

Though it was late at night, the Constellation Island still glowed with faint spiritual light, never feeling dark.

Mo Xuanli and Nan Zhi quickly gathered what they needed as required by the sect. It was almost dawn, and following the main road, they planned to head to the spiritual spring.

On this necessary path, Zong Xuezhen had long been waiting.

She was injured in the leg, sitting under a tree looking somewhat disheveled, yet framed in a tragically beautiful picture; her bright red dress, fair skin, and the blood quietly flowing from her slender leg.

Frowning in frustration, Zong Xuezhen pricked up her ears at the sound of approaching footsteps. The corners of her lips lifted faintly then she waited quietly, like a hunter ready for her prey to step into the trap.

An injured, poisoned woman. A man skilled in medicine. The others conveniently sent away to gather herbs. Nightfall, silence, an isolated man and woman. When her poison flared up, she would “instinctively” lean in, seeking comfort. She didn’t believe for a second that Mo Xuanli would stay indifferent. And if even then he didn’t react then there must really be something wrong with him. Either he couldn’t perform, or he didn’t like women!

Zong Xuezhen listened eagerly as the footsteps drew nearer. She adjusted her expression and looked up, only to freeze in an instant.

“What are you doing here?” asked Nan Zhi, frowning, her heavy sword strapped to her back. “You’re hurt?”

Zong Xuezhen’s eyes darted around, but the man she was waiting for was nowhere in sight. “Senior Sister Nan Zhi, I was attacked by a beast. I’ve been poisoned… I can’t move…”

“You didn’t bring an antidote pill?” Nan Zhi asked, stepping closer.

Zong Xuezhen forced an embarrassed look. “It’s a special poison. The herb I need is nearby, but I can’t move to find it. Could you…? But there are still beasts around, it’s dangerous. Um, where’s Young Master Mo? I heard he knows medicine. Could you ask him to help me?”

Nan Zhi examined her wound, frowning slightly, making Zong Xuezhen more nervous by the second.

When dawn began to break, sounds stirred by the spirit spring. Li Xiuran had arrived.

“Huh?” Li Xiuran looked puzzled to see only two people there.

“It’s just the two of us. Stop looking around. How did it go?”

“Found everything,” Li Xiuran said as he waded into the pool.

Not long after, another figure appeared.

The three turned their heads and were startled to see Nan Zhi again, this time carrying an unconscious Zong Xuezhen on her back.

Nan Zhi walked over, laid Zong Xuezhen beneath a nearby tree, and left her there without another glance.

The three of them were stunned. Jingzhan immediately asked, “What’s going on? Why are you two together? And what happened to her?”

“Met her on the way,” Nan Zhi said calmly as she stepped into the pool. “She was injured and poisoned. Luckily, Yun Yue gave me an all-purpose antidote before I left, or I’d have had to forage for herbs. But the pill causes drowsiness, so she fell asleep. I brought her here.”

Jingzhan waved his hands. “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I mean where’s Mo Xuanli?”

Nan Zhi recalled, “After we gathered everything, he said there was something else he wanted to find on his own, so he told me to come ahead.”

Si Chun and Li Xiuran immediately understood what had happened. Jingzhan couldn’t help but laugh, glancing at the sleeping Zong Xuezhen with both amusement and pity. She’d tried to play a trick and ended up suffering the loss herself. What rotten luck.

By noon, Zong Xuezhen awoke, her face as dark as thunderclouds. She asked where Mo Xuanli was, but Nan Zhi didn’t know, she wasn’t his keeper. They could only wait.

By nightfall, neither Zong Ziming nor Mo Xuanli had returned. Everyone was starting to feel uneasy.

The chances of them running into danger were slim. More likely, what they were searching for was taking longer than expected.

But what could possibly be more important than absorbing the spiritual energy of the Spirit Spring? How could they mix up their priorities like that?

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