To avoid fainting from spiritual depletion, Gu Baiqing had been using points from the system store instead of his own spiritual power. But this time, a single strategy satchel cost him 200 points, his heart practically bled. The rewards he’d earned from earlier missions were wiped out in an instant. Luckily, he still had a four-digit balance left, so he told himself he could still manage.
If Mo Xuanli’s identity were exposed now, it would basically mean Gu Baiqing’s mission had failed.
So even the strategy satchel seemed more serious than usual this time, it offered only one method.
The pouch’s suggestion was the same as before: Gu Baiqing should choose on Mo Xuanli’s behalf, the second option provided by the Hidden Gods Clan. Only that path held a chance of avoiding exposure. Clearly, even the system disapproved of his idea of fighting their way out.
But the “solution” it gave him made Gu Baiqing’s heart tighten and his face turn ashen.
Those eighteen Demon-Dissolving Nails would still have to pierce Mo Xuanli and even worse…
“Young Master Mo,” said the clan chief, stepping forward, “you may take a moment to prepare. Gather your spiritual power throughout your body, stabilize your Nascent Soul. That will help you better withstand the impact of the nails.”
Ji Chuling lifted her hand, wanting to stop her grandfather, but hesitated. She knew that before this, Zong Lei and several sect leaders had secretly discussed something with him likely seeking the Hidden Gods Clan’s support and her grandfather had agreed.
Ji Chuling understood, her grandfather wasn’t targeting Mo Xuanli specifically. If anyone here had been accused of being a half-blood, he would have insisted on testing them just the same. Even if the others were cowed by Gu Baiqing and the Zixiao Sect’s power and failed to carry through, the Hidden Gods Clan would never allow Mo Xuanli to walk away.
When it came to half-bloods, the Hidden Gods Clan was harsher than any other sect. It was only because others had already played the “villain” that her grandfather could now play the “voice of reason.”
In truth, half-bloods were far more dangerous than the cultivation world imagined. The Hidden Gods Clan had an ancestral commandment: Better to kill a thousand by mistake than let one slip through.
This was tied to ancient secrets.
Ji Chuling looked at Mo Xuanli. She truly liked him as a friend and now all she could do was silently pray that somehow, he might gain something beneficial from this test… otherwise, it would be too cruel.
Mo Xuanli nodded, sitting cross-legged on the spot. He steadied his consciousness and slowly closed his eyes, silently warning himself:
Do not resent. Do not be angry. Do not fear. Do not let dark thoughts arise. The demonic nature must not surface.
This was to save himself and more importantly, to protect his master. His master’s pure, untarnished name must never be tainted because of him.
Mo Xuanli’s mind gradually settled, until not even a trace of demonic intent stirred within him.
But the eighteen Demon-Dissolving Nails would not spare him simply because he kept his heart calm.
The clan chief slowly approached, and the eighteen nails floated into position, hovering above Mo Xuanli like a cluster of deadly icicles.
Before they even struck, God Nine Transformations sensed danger. It instantly transformed into its strongest defensive form, a great umbrella, and floated protectively above Mo Xuanli’s head.
The spectators gasped in awe at the sight of such a divine artifact.
Mo Xuanli raised his hand and drew God Nine Transformations back. It returned to its bracelet form, resting by his side. Yet the red cord entwined around it still writhed and struggled violently, as if crying out.
The clan chief frowned slightly at the sight, there was something oddly familiar about this artifact.
But he soon composed himself, raising a hand and saying solemnly, “The Demon-Dissolving Nails are extremely powerful. Please, everyone, step back.”
The crowd obeyed, retreating one after another.
Zong Lei, however, did not move back. Instead, he glanced around and exchanged subtle looks with several sect leaders. The Immortal-Trapping Formation, though invisible now that Mo Xuanli was within it, remained active. Zong Lei’s signal told them to help maintain the formation and supply it with spiritual power, something they had already agreed upon in advance. Among them were He Jingyuan of Tianzhao Sect and an elder of Rufeng Sect.
Together, they ensured that if Mo Xuanli were proven a half-blood, he would have no chance to escape. They weren’t afraid of Gu Baiqing retaliating, if Mo Xuanli’s mixed blood was confirmed and Gu Baiqing still shielded him, then he’d be opposing the entire cultivation world. They believed Gu Baiqing was simply being overprotective, not blind to right and wrong.
What they didn’t know was that Zong Lei had already prepared a hidden trump card within the formation. He wasn’t foolish enough to openly target Mo Xuanli without a fallback plan.
If his son’s report was true, success would come easily. If false, he would still force a confession from Mo Xuanli, defending Taixu Hall’s reputation and status and then make Mo Xuanli his pawn.
Zong Lei was already poised for action, waiting only for Clan Chief Ji to begin. But just then, someone stepped forward.
“Wait.”
The voice was cold and clear, Gu Baiqing.
Everyone winced at the sound. None of them wanted to cross Gu Baiqing again. If the wavering Zixiao Sect joined in, things would get even messier. They truly couldn’t understand Gu Baiqing’s thinking.
If it were their disciple accused of being a half-blood, and with an unclear background, they’d have immediately agreed to the test, not only to eliminate risk, but also to prove their sect’s purity, avoiding the taint of being an accomplice. If it turned out to be a mistake, compensation could always be arranged later. So why all this drama? Why act like only Gu Baiqing loved his disciple?
Of course, none dared say that aloud. If Gu Baiqing heard, he’d surely curse them: Easy to talk when it’s not your disciple! If the hammer hasn’t hit your head, of course you won’t cry. After all, who else but Zong Lei would wager his own son like this?
Suppressing his temper, Zong Lei said coldly, “Elder Luofeng, your disciple already agreed. What more do you want?”
“I have no objection,” Gu Baiqing said, voice low, “but I will do it myself. I said before, my disciple will not be harmed by anyone else. Clan Chief Ji, may I carry out the procedure in your stead?”
The words stunned everyone. Before they could even react, Mo Xuanli’s eyes flew open, staring at Gu Baiqing in shock.
“That won’t do, what if—” someone started to protest.
But Clan Chief Ji interrupted calmly, “It’s a simple technique. Everyone can watch and see that no trickery is involved. There’s no need to make an issue of it.”
Since Clan Chief Ji had already spoken, the others naturally couldn’t say anything more.
With a wave of the chief’s hand, the invisible spiritual thread was transferred to Gu Baiqing, allowing him full control of the eighteen Demon-Dissolving Nails suspended above.
Gu Baiqing looked toward Mo Xuanli. The young man’s face was blank, his dark eyes fathomless yet clean and clear, at this moment, they clearly reflected Gu Baiqing’s figure.
Mo Xuanli’s pupils trembled. He opened his mouth, then stiffened his neck and pleaded softly, “Master… could it not be you?”
Anyone else would do. Just not Gu Baiqing.
He couldn’t imagine how Gu Baiqing would feel, personally driving those nails into him, exposing him as a “half-blood.”
He didn’t want that—
Seeing Mo Xuanli like this, Gu Baiqing felt his chest tighten so hard he could barely breathe. For all his outward coolness, his true nature wasn’t that cold.
Truthfully, what he wanted most at that moment was to rush forward and hold Mo Xuanli tight, to erase the brokenness from his eyes.
His little Mo pup, his heart ached for him.
But… the method the system’s pouch had provided required that he do it himself.
There was a cultivation technique embedded in the system that would render the Demon-Dissolving Nails harmless, only the surface pain would remain.
Only if he performed it personally could that secret be preserved.
Yet, faced with Mo Xuanli’s expression, his hands trembled uncontrollably.
Even if the pain were only skin-deep, the wound to the heart would be far worse.
He wanted his Mo pup to smile in sunlight again.
Even though every path ahead was blocked, even though the system itself told him this was the only way, Gu Baiqing couldn’t help hesitating.
Was there really no other way?
Did his Mo pup have to suffer just because he was destined to be the “villain”?
Suddenly, Gu Baiqing recalled Half-Step Mad’s words: Mo Xuanli and Li Xiuran possessed nearly the same talent and fortune.
The difference was that Li Xiuran’s luck came from destiny, while Mo Xuanli’s came from tribulation.
Only through suffering could there exist one righteous and one evil. In the original story, Mo Xuanli had too much hardship, he grew stronger than Li Xiuran, breaking the story’s balance and causing it to collapse.
To h*ll with balance.
“Master…” Mo Xuanli’s voice was hoarse. “Let Clan Chief Ji do it, please.”
Gu Baiqing’s eyes flickered. He couldn’t hesitate any longer, hesitation would only harm Mo Xuanli more.
He drew a deep breath, face hardening, just about to act when the small red string of the God Nine Transformations bracelet suddenly arched toward him, making repeated bowing gestures, as if it were a person begging, pleading, for its master’s sake.
The sight made Gu Baiqing’s heart ache even worse.
At that moment, someone said, “The divine artifact may interfere. Why not remove the God Nine Transformations first?”
It was Zong Ziming who spoke but everyone thought he had gone too far. Even the Hidden Gods Clan hadn’t made such a demand; his words were obviously malicious.
When no one echoed him, Zong Ziming was about to shut his mouth when Gu Baiqing suddenly turned, facing him.
The cold, bone-piercing gaze froze Zong Ziming where he stood. Before he could react, all eighteen Demon-Dissolving Nails erupted like a storm of lightning-forged spears, striking toward him with killing intent.
Gu Baiqing’s move was too fast, no one could react in time.
Zong Lei was right beside him yet couldn’t even move to save him before screams burst through the hall. In an instant, all eighteen nails pierced into Zong Ziming’s meridians.
The nails carried thunder power, their might magnified, his entire body convulsed in agony, muscles twisting, and he collapsed to his knees with a roar.
The spiritual shockwave blasted everyone around back several steps, leaving only a circle of force restraining Zong Ziming.
“What are you doing?!” Zong Lei roared at Gu Baiqing in fury.
Gu Baiqing sneered coldly. “What? Did you forget your own words? You said he had to endure the same pain as my disciple. Why shouldn’t he go first?”
He admitted it, Zong Ziming had provoked him, and he’d lost control for a moment. Not only had he fired the nails, but he’d also added lightning force.
He’d said he’d make the brat drop three cultivation levels so he might as well do it all at once.
The degradation of cultivation, the meridian damage, the agony of thunder, let him have it all. How else could it be fair for his little Mo pup to suffer?
So what if Zong Ziming was writhing in pain, his Mo pup would soon endure physical pain and mental trauma. In comparison, his Mo pup was still the more pitiful one.
Gu Baiqing’s double standards were perfectly self-righteous.
Amid the chaos, he turned his back to Mo Xuanli, raising a hand. He curled his finger slightly, Mo Xuanli, still stunned by what had happened, didn’t understand at first.
But the God Nine Transformations reacted instantly, the red string wound itself around Gu Baiqing’s index finger, looping several times. Gu Baiqing brushed it gently with his thumb, teasing it a few times like a playful gesture before withdrawing his hand.
Mo Xuanli stared blankly at his own hand, then lifted his gaze, only to see Gu Baiqing turning slightly, glancing back at him.
When their eyes met, Gu Baiqing’s lips curved faintly.
Silently, he mouthed: “Trust your master. Don’t be afraid.”
Mo Xuanli trembled all over, as if a freezing pup on a winter’s night had finally seen the rising sun, warm light spreading over him, melting every shard of frost.
Gu Baiqing turned back just as Zong Lei, frantic, was trying to help his son endure the pain. Since things had already reached this point, Gu Baiqing might as well push through.
But Zong Ziming’s state was terrifying, his screams grew hoarse, blood poured from all seven orifices, turning darker and darker, veins bulging beneath the skin as black lines crawled over his body.
Everyone was stunned by the horrifying sight.
“What’s going on?!” Zong Lei shouted at Clan Chief Ji. “Weren’t you the one who said it would only damage his meridians at worst?!”
Clan Chief Ji merely frowned, his sharp gaze fixed on Zong Ziming.
Zong Lei rushed toward Gu Baiqing, shouting, “Did you secretly do something?”
Gu Baiqing had indeed done something, but it wasn’t enough to cause this. He looked at Zong Ziming, puzzled.
Zong Ziming’s condition was worsening rapidly. His entire head began to swell, the surface stretching until it turned translucent, as if something was about to protrude from his cheeks.
He roared even louder.
Just then, Clan Chief Ji suddenly shouted, “Watch out! Step back, it’s a demon!”
Everyone jumped back in shock, raising their defenses. Following Chief Ji’s warning, they saw black demonic energy seeping continuously from beneath Zong Ziming, like thick, sticky black sludge.
Half-kneeling on the ground, clutching half his face, Zong Ziming lifted his head abruptly. His contorted expression was terrifying, but his blood-red eyes were especially striking.
With a low roar, the eighteen Demon-Dissolving Nails were shaken loose. Zong Ziming tried to move, but the surrounding cultivators immediately trapped him with spells.
The moment the demon appeared, everyone united against the threat.
At first, everyone was stunned. No one had expected that the one with a supposedly pure lineage, the one pointing fingers at others, would turn out to be the demon.
Zong Ziming had already fallen to demonic possession, hidden right under their noses, no one had noticed!
Zong Lei was horrified. “What… how could this be? How could my son be a demon? Did you do something? He was fine before! How could he suddenly fall into this?!”
No one had anticipated such a development. Even Gu Baiqing was momentarily stunned, but then he immediately said, “A demon is a demon! Zong Lei, you and your son are really something, shouting ‘thief’ while being the real culprit. You deliberately targeted and framed my disciple! What are you plotting?!”
It was time to strike back.
Fu Zhiyi, seeing how the situation had turned, was momentarily stunned as well. He had been holding back for the sake of the bigger picture, but now he finally stepped forward. “Zong Lei, as the head of Taixu Hall, you actually allowed your demon son Zong Ziming to falsely accuse my sect’s disciple Mo Xuanli of being a half-blood, almost causing him to suffer injustice! You are truly despicable and shameless! So the disaster this time was actually aided from within by your son! His targeting of Mo Xuanli must be the demon clan’s revenge against him!”
With Gu Baiqing and Fu Zhiyi speaking together, and now that Zong Ziming’s demonic identity had been revealed, his previous accusations were no longer credible. Everyone understood that Mo Xuanli, who had killed several demons, disrupted many of their plans, and even recruited the merfolk, was indeed a target for the demon clan’s vengeance. Even if this trial had failed, the intent was to harm Mo Xuanli, sow discord between Gu Baiqing, Zixiao Sect, and the others, and exploit the cultivators’ inability to tolerate half-bloods. The demons’ cunning was evident.
Gu Baiqing waved his hand, summoning a wind of spiritual energy to lift Mo Xuanli behind him.
Mo Xuanli didn’t expect the tide to turn so sharply. God Nine Transformations transformed into a weapon, and in the blink of an eye moved forward to shield Gu Baiqing.
Gu Baiqing froze, confused, until he heard Mo Xuanli whisper, “Master, if your spiritual energy isn’t enough, just hold onto me.”
It seemed the boy had been silently worrying about his energy all along.
While they rejoiced on their side, the other side was furious.
Led by Fu Zhiyi, everyone immediately began to confront Zong Lei. Their attitude was even harsher than before toward Mo Xuanli, because now the truth was plain to see.
All those who had lost trust in Zong Ziming, previously confident in him, suddenly reversed their stance 180 degrees.
Zong Lei panicked, pointing angrily at his son, trying to portray himself as an innocent who had no choice but to act for the greater good of the cultivation world.
