After Becoming a High-Risk Master, I Flipped the Script Chapter 176

Fu Zhiyi couldn’t hold back. “Even if the result turns out fine, you’re risking one of Zixiao Sect’s most gifted disciples! Are you all just jealous that we have a genius?”

“Then what about the Hall Master’s son, who’s wagering his life?” He Jingyuan shot back. “Just pick the second method! Isn’t he a genius? Maybe he’ll get lucky and break through! Others would kill for such a chance.”

“Then why don’t you take this ‘blessing’ yourself?” Fu Zhiyi retorted coldly.

“Enough!” another snapped. “How long are you going to stir up trouble? I think Zixiao Sect is just feeling guilty, you must’ve known all along he’s a hybrid, didn’t you?”

“Are you even speaking human language, you fool?!”

The crowd immediately tried to calm them down.

At this point, someone proposed, “In my opinion, regardless of the truth, Young Master Zong’s actions are for the good of the cultivation world. Even if it ends up being a false accusation, we still can’t just dismiss the concern. After all, Young Master Mo might become one of the key figures against the demon race, his safety and purity are crucial. So, why not let Young Master Mo choose the method himself? If he’s harmed, then Young Master Zong won’t need to die; he’ll simply bear equal punishment. In return, if Young Master Mo suffers injury, we will unite the entire cultivation world to heal him, whatever resources are needed, we will provide. Fair and just, and everyone can rest assured.”

This suggestion pleased everyone. It offended no one.

Zong Lei was the first to agree. “Very well. For the safety of the cultivation world, Taixu Hall supports this proposal. What say the rest of you?”

He Jingyuan of Tianzhao Sect immediately voiced support, followed by many other sects, all raising hands as if Mo Xuanli’s own consent didn’t matter at all.

Even Jingcheng of Tianyuan Sect and the Master of Wuxiang Temple expressed agreement.

Now all eyes turned to Zixiao Sect.

Fu Zhiyi glanced toward Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli on the stage. From Gu Baiqing’s expression, he had already sensed that something was wrong, and unease crept into his heart.

As the head of Zixiao Sect, he could no longer think only as an individual, he had to consider the survival of the entire sect.

If Mo Xuanli truly was a hybrid and it was exposed here, at least it would prove that Zixiao Sect hadn’t known in advance. Otherwise, if they tried too hard to shield him and someone exposed the truth later, the entire sect could be implicated.

Thus, Fu Zhiyi could only set aside personal sentiment for the greater good and comply with the crowd’s decision.

“Junior brother,” Fu Zhiyi said quietly, “since they insist on a test, then let them have their peace of mind. After this, if anyone dares question us again, just hit them.” He said this with some trepidation, afraid Gu Baiqing might really act recklessly, but at this point, they were already riding a tiger and couldn’t get off. To be honest, this was the least damaging solution they had. If Mo Xuanli’s innocence was proven, then the other side would be the ones who’d have to suffer the backlash.

Not only Fu Zhiyi, even Jingzhan and the others thought, if it were me, I’d just let them test me openly and slap their faces with the result. What’s there to fear?

Only Li Xiuran frowned slightly. But under the current proposal, he couldn’t find any proper argument against it, and could only glance toward the master and disciple.

Everyone was waiting for Gu Baiqing to speak. As long as he nodded, the last major obstacle would be gone.

But the next moment, Gu Baiqing chuckled lightly, his tone turning cold. “No.”

He rejected it outright, firm and unyielding. “I’ve worked so hard to raise my disciple to the Nascent Soul stage. And now, just because you all open your mouths, he’s supposed to endure such a calamity? Easy for you to agree but if my disciple goes through this so-called Hidden Gods Clan test, can any of you guarantee you’ll be able to repair the damage afterward?”

At those words, everyone looked at him like he was being unreasonable. In their eyes, they had already compromised enough.

Inside Mo Xuanli’s desolate heart, a thunderclap seemed to sound. He turned to his master in shock. He had thought Master would agree, after all, from his perspective, if he truly wasn’t a hybrid, this was the quickest way to clear his name. His master hated trouble and always preferred the simplest solution. So… why refuse?

Suddenly, Jingcheng spoke up. “Baiqing, there must be a limit even to protecting your disciple. I understand you can’t bear to see him hurt, but right now, we can’t say for sure who’s right or wrong. Young Master Zong has already proposed compensation. For the sake of everyone’s peace of mind, this is a reasonable course.”

Gu Baiqing was caught off guard, even Jingcheng, his friend, was standing on the opposite side. Though he knew the Tianyuan Sect bore deep prejudice toward hybrids, it still stung.

He clenched his jaw. “If it were your younger brother, would you say the same thing?”

Jingcheng froze. He didn’t want conflict either. “You know how dangerous hybrid blood is. If my own brother were suspected, I’d still allow the test. Any immortal-grade pill within Tianyuan Sect’s stores can be used to restore whatever losses Mo Xuanli suffers as long as he… is truly innocent.”

Jingzhan looked at Jingcheng, then at Mo Xuanli, but in the end said nothing.

Seeing the seriousness in Jingcheng’s expression, Gu Baiqing knew he meant it. Jingcheng would never show leniency toward anything involving hybrids.

Fu Zhiyi sighed. “If one is innocent, one remains innocent, junior brother…”

Gu Baiqing understood Fu Zhiyi’s reasoning but no. Those two “methods” of testing weren’t just cruel; to Mo Xuanli, they were unbearable torment. Why should his disciple be forced to suffer this, all for their baseless suspicion?

“Gu Baiqing, what exactly do you intend to do?” He Jingyuan snapped. “Don’t tell me you know he’s a hybrid and deliberately stalling! Are you trying to put the entire cultivation world in danger? Our comrades who were captured by the demons still don’t know if they’ll live or die, and you, you’re letting your attachment cloud your judgment! If he really is one of them and even managed to fool you, then you’re aiding and abetting evil!”

Aiding and abetting evil.

The four words pierced into Mo Xuanli’s mind like ice. The terror and panic he’d barely held in burst through his restraint, his throat tightened, and he nearly coughed up blood.

No. He couldn’t let his master keep protecting him like this. He’d gamble once, if it failed, he’d flee, even if it cost him his life. He couldn’t drag his master down with him.

Mo Xuanli slowly spoke, his voice trembling like someone standing alone at the edge of a cliff, buffeted by a freezing wind.

“Master… this disciple is willing—”

Before he could finish, Gu Baiqing seized his wrist and turned to the crowd. “Since none of you can rest easy, fine. I’ll take my disciple back to Zixiao Sect’s forbidden grounds. We’ll lock ourselves away in seclusion until the demon realm’s schemes are resolved. Will that be enough to ease your minds? In any case, my disciple will not be harmed!”

There are always more solutions than problems. He wasn’t stupid, why should he let this mob force a choice on him? Choose A or choose B? Sorry, who said I had to choose at all? He’d take Mo Xuanli, avoid their knives, change faces if he had to, cultivate quietly, find the fragments, and when the time came, return and slap every one of them across the face.

They didn’t trust him? Feared he might be a spy, a danger to the world? Fine then, he simply wouldn’t appear. No one could object to that.

No one had expected Gu Baiqing to find such an unexpected way out, everyone was stunned speechless.

For a long moment, they stood frozen, faces turning blue with frustration, until finally someone blurted, “How can that do…! You two are some of our strongest fighters, wouldn’t that weaken our side’s strength—”

But the words trailed off halfway.

What a joke. They wanted his help and still wanted to torture his disciple? How shameless could they be, wanting all the benefits and none of the cost.

But in the cultivation world, shameless people were not in short supply. One after another began objecting, twisting logic, arguing nonsense, or just outright dropping all pretense, accusing them of being “guilty and afraid.”

You could say the demon race harmed people openly, while the cultivation world did it from their moral high ground. Hard to say which was more disgusting.

Gu Baiqing, however, simply flicked his sleeve, lightning cracked through the air as he grabbed Mo Xuanli’s wrist and turned to leave.

“Senior brother, we’re going back to Zixiao Sect’s forbidden grounds.” He said it with absolute defiance, completely ignoring the others’ reactions. True to his reputation, the aloof man who only ever did as he pleased. Since words had failed, there was no point talking further.

Mo Xuanli stumbled as he was pulled along, trying to keep up. The ends of his master’s hair lifted in the wind, brushing against his cheek, a fleeting touch that left him dazed. They were really leaving?

His master was… willing to imprison himself just to protect him?

Suddenly, Mo Xuanli realized, maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing after all. On the contrary, something within him swelled, light and warm, like a balloon slowly filling with air.

Outside, the sky was brightening. The sun had begun to rise, its light streaming through the doors, spilling over the stone floor illuminating the path before them as they walked away.

Gu Baiqing’s sudden move caught everyone off guard, no one managed to stop him in time.

Just as he was about to step out the gate, mentally praising himself for his quick thinking, something suddenly halted behind him, he couldn’t pull forward.

When he turned back, he saw Mo Xuanli frozen in place, his face pale with shock as he looked down.

Under Mo Xuanli’s feet, ripples of spiritual power were spreading outward in waves.

Intricate lines and symbols unfurled in all directions, soon covering the entire floor of the grand hall.

“The Immortal-Trapping Formation!”

A formation said to be powerful enough to imprison even immortals, triggered by using the target’s blood as a medium. Its effect, however, was time-limited, lasting for one hour from activation, and could only be undone by killing the one who set it.

Gu Baiqing’s expression shifted as he raised his head toward the hall interior. The light from the array connected all the way to Zong Lei.

Some of those present kept calm, while others showed visible surprise.

Mo Xuanli’s blood, when had it been taken…

Perhaps, since the very day Mo Xuanli returned from the merfolk’s lands to stand trial, Zong Lei had already prepared this.

And the reason was obvious.

As everyone stared in stunned disbelief, a streak of bluish-violet lightning tore through the air. Before anyone could react, Zong Lei, who had been standing at the head of the hall, was struck and slammed into the ground with a resounding crash. The force shook the entire floor.

When the others looked again, Gu Baiqing was already standing over him, one foot pressing down on Zong Lei’s chest, the blade Morning Snow leveled at his throat. Though Zong Lei’s neck was protected by a layer of golden lightning, it was no match for Gu Baiqing’s sharper, bluish-violet current; the barrier splintered under pressure.

Zong Lei’s face was ashen, blood spilling from his lips, sweat beading down his forehead. Gu Baiqing, on the other hand, was calm as still water, his expression cold and unyielding.

He truly… detested others coveting his little disciple.

A murderous gleam flashed in Gu Baiqing’s eyes; all trace of emotion vanished as his grip unconsciously tightened.

“Junior brother!”

“Baiqing!”

Fu Zhiyi and Baili Jingcheng moved at once.

Two ropes of spiritual light shot out, coiling tightly around Gu Baiqing’s arms.

The other sect masters hurried to pull Zong Lei to safety. Off to the side, Zong Ziming was completely dumbfounded, his body trembling from fright.

So this was what it looked like when Gu Baiqing got serious, everyone present broke into a cold sweat.

Zong Lei could still feel the pressure on his neck. He clutched at his throat, glaring venomously at Gu Baiqing, though he knew deep down he was in the wrong. Secretly taking another’s disciple’s blood was an unforgivable taboo.

Trying to twist the story, Zong Lei said harshly, “I only took it after Ziming reported his suspicions, collected from the battlefield! I did it to prevent the boy from escaping if he was a half-breed! There was no intent to trap him! Elder Luofeng forced my hand. I’ll say it again, for the safety of the cultivation world, the test must be done!”

Gu Baiqing almost laughed from sheer rage. He really wanted to say to h*ll with it, even if he couldn’t win against all of them combined, he’d drag this Zong b*stard down with him!

But now even Fu Zhiyi and Baili Jingcheng were restraining him and, unexpectedly, Wuxiang Temple’s abbot also stepped forward. “Benefactor, calm yourself. Do not make a grievous mistake.”

Fu Zhiyi knew full well he might not be able to hold Gu Baiqing back for long. At his wit’s end, he turned toward Mo Xuanli. “Xuanli, why are you still standing there?”

Mo Xuanli’s behavior today was far too strange. Normally, a well-behaved disciple like him would have stepped forward long ago to undergo the test just to keep his sect and his master from being dragged into trouble. Not because being “sensible” meant he deserved the hardship, but because someone truly considerate would willingly take that loss.

Yet this time, Mo Xuanli didn’t. Which only deepened Fu Zhiyi’s suspicion.

Mo Xuanli had been staring blankly at Gu Baiqing, every move his master made seared itself into his mind like an imprint. He felt dazed, as though danger no longer mattered; the sight was mesmerizing.

Then Fu Zhiyi’s words snapped him out of it. He stumbled forward but before he could go far, someone grabbed his wrist.

It was Ao Hang.

“Xuanli, don’t—!” cried Three Bean.

“I can get you out,” Ao Hang said coldly. “It’s only an Immortal-Trapping Formation.”

Mo Xuanli froze, then gave a faint, bitter smile. What was the point of escaping? From the moment the formation flared to life, he knew all hope was lost. They would never let this matter go. There was no escaping this fate.

He handed Three Bean over to Ao Hang, then stepped forward again. A voice stopped him. “Xuanli, you don’t have to do this.”

It was Li Xiuran.

Mo Xuanli looked at him, Li Xiuran stood with Dingtian Sword in hand, battle-ready. Mo understood what that meant, but still continued forward.

He came before Gu Baiqing, then dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.

Gu Baiqing froze, panic flashing across his eyes.

“Many thanks for Master’s protection,” Mo Xuanli said clearly, “but this disciple is willing to undergo the test.”

“Xuanli!” Gu Baiqing called out at once.

But Mo Xuanli straightened his back, kneeling upright. “Master, I am willing.”

He couldn’t run anymore and he couldn’t let his master keep shouldering the blame for him.

He had already made up his mind: if the test truly exposed him, he would commit the unthinkable, turn against his master in pretense, just to sever their ties in the eyes of the crowd.

Seeing him like this, Gu Baiqing was struck speechless.

The Hidden Gods Clan’s envoy stepped forward to ask, “Young Master Mo, which method do you choose?”

He couldn’t choose the first one, he knew too well his own condition. The only option left was the second, the unknown one.

His hand reached up to his chest. Beneath his robes hung a small ring, his master’s gift. He no longer wore it, but he never left it behind.

Please, he thought silently. Grant me strength, keep me from losing control. 

And may the Half-Immortal’s seal hold.

“I choose the second, Eighteen Demon-Dissolving Nails.”

Gu Baiqing’s heart gave a sharp jolt. He’s really going to gamble on this? Would the Hidden Gods Clan Tribe’s secret art prevail or the Half-Immortal’s seal?

Before them, the Hidden Gods Clan Tribe produced eighteen slender, dagger-like nails. Each one floated in midair, gleaming coldly, radiating a murderous chill.

To drive those nails into Mo Xuanli’s body?

How painful would that be?

System, strategy satchels, save the scene, now!