Mo Xuanli immediately sat cross-legged on the top of the wall, releasing his maximum spiritual sense to sense the aura of all cultivators around him, but he did not discover that familiar spiritual power. Instead, he was noticed by some people with higher cultivation, who counterattacked unhappily.
Mo Xuanli let out a muffled groan and covered his chest. In the end, he had forced it too much. He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze dark. His sword-like brows were tightly furrowed as he looked solemnly at God Nine Transformations, which had already turned into a bracelet worn on his wrist. The red cord was crooked and seemed rather pleased with itself.
Why didn’t it attack?
Was it because the target disappeared and was hard to track?
Or was it… that person?
Once again unwilling to accept it, he sensed the master-disciple bond. If it had been blocked, he might have doubted a bit, but it was clearly in Zixiao Sect. Or was it that in order to follow him, that person would rather waste spiritual power and use complicated techniques to disguise himself and deceive him?
Mo Xuanli shook his head dizzily, feeling that his master would not bother with such thoughts for him. He stood high above others and regarded himself as an elder. If he wanted to come, he would come. How much of his own threat would he really take to heart? Perhaps he truly missed him too much and was always being overly suspicious.
“Big Brother Mo!” Lou Zixiao called out from below.
Mo Xuanli took one last look around and could only land.
“Who was it? Was there really someone controlling the medicine people to kill me?” Lou Zixiao asked nervously.
Mo Xuanli shook his head. “Didn’t catch them.”
“The only ones who can control medicine people are medical cultivators from our Immortal Medicine Valley.” When Lou Zixiao said this, her expression dimmed. Thinking of the place she regarded as home, where someone was repeatedly trying to kill her, she simply could not understand it. “Why…”
“Your sect doesn’t investigate the matter of the medicine people hunting you down to protect your safety, but instead wants to punish you first?” Mo Xuanli said coldly. Looking at the little girl’s bloodied back, he felt a trace of pity for someone of the same kind. With a wave of his hand, green light enveloped her, treating her injuries.
“No need, Big Brother Mo. If they see me recover so quickly, they’ll think I’m slacking off, and this won’t damage my bones or muscles anyway.” Lou Zixiao said awkwardly. “Oh right, wasn’t Big Brother Mo going with Big Brother Li to see the divine tree? Why did you come here?”
“I’ve already seen it. I was just walking around. I heard your cry and came over,” Mo Xuanli said as he withdrew his power.
In fact, when he approached the divine tree, it inexplicably made him feel uncomfortable, and he also needed to investigate Lou Zixiao’s situation, so he split up from Li Xiuran and acted separately.
Seeing so many restraints on Lou Zixiao, as well as the overturned wheelchair beside her, he suddenly spoke, “The base of the wheelchair is heavy. From the angle at which you were kneeling, unless you used spiritual power, it would have been impossible to push it. But your spiritual power was already locked, so the only possibility is that the person sitting in the wheelchair fell over by herself, and it would have taken deliberate effort to do so.”
Lou Zixiao’s expression changed drastically. She looked up at Mo Xuanli and said, “You… you saw it all?”
“I didn’t see it, but I can analyze it. Your master didn’t believe you, does he treat you badly?” Mo Xuanli said bluntly. Originally, Mo Xuanli thought that the person most likely to go to the trouble of concealing Lou Zixiao’s identity would be Lou Zixiao’s master. After all, based on last night’s observations, the people here treated Lou Zixiao with only ordinary feelings, and the only close relationship was probably this master.
As soon as Mo Xuanli finished speaking, Lou Zixiao suddenly said unhappily, “You don’t know anything. You can’t judge casually. Master… Master treats me the best in the world.”
Mo Xuanli was stunned for a moment, as if he saw his own reflection in Lou Zixiao. He then smiled rarely and said, “Then I’m sorry. I made a rash judgment.”
Only then did the puffed-up look on Lou Zixiao’s face subside. She did not know if it was because Mo Xuanli always gave her a sense of closeness, but she could not help saying, “Actually, Master really treats me very well. He rescued me from a pile of dead bodies. Although I can’t remember clearly anymore, I remember that when I was in unbearable pain, it was he who carried me out, and then he took me in as his disciple. My aptitude is poor, but he didn’t despise me. He taught me to enter the medical path, passed on medical skills to me, and would even take me to Xiayang City to sit in consultation, teaching me how to conduct myself. I… my body isn’t good and needs frequent treatment. It was all his painstaking effort in treating and saving me. Without him, I might have been gone long ago. He really is very good.”
When she said these things, Lou Zixiao’s eyes were sparkling.
Mo Xuanli listened, somewhat dazed and moved. However, when he heard Lou Zixiao say that her body wasn’t good, he paused. Lou Zixiao did not look like there was anything wrong with her body, so could this “poor health,” and Lou Xuan’s helping to treat her, be covering up the matter of her bloodline?
Mo Xuanli was just about to probe further when he saw Lou Zixiao’s smile gradually fade, and her mood also sank.
“It’s just that when it comes to Senior Sister’s matters, he gets very nervous. There’s nothing that can be done about it. Senior Sister’s condition is very bad, everyone has to be extremely careful. So about what just happened, I can understand it.” Lou Zixiao said she could understand it, seeming to use these words to comfort herself, as if deceiving herself and others.
Mo Xuanli could tell that she must have experienced this kind of thing many times to be able to say such words so smoothly to deceive herself.
Perhaps Lou Xuan, as a master, was not bad, but to Lou Xuan, perhaps this grandniece-disciple Lou Zihan was more important than his own disciple. So even when seeing an accident, the first thing he chose to believe was not his own disciple, but others, or his own eyes.
No favoritism, no shielding.
Mo Xuanli suddenly missed his master very, very much. Even though his master sometimes appeared very strict and seemed to treat him badly, once it came to serious matters, that person would show favoritism without any principles, shielding him. Even if sometimes he would still put on an act, Mo Xuanli could feel that person’s protection.
But… precisely because of this, he himself harbored improper thoughts and still could not obtain what he sought, because within that biased protection, there was no love.
Seeing Mo Xuanli lost in thought, Lou Zixiao thought she had said too much and said somewhat awkwardly, “Oh right, thank you, Big Brother Mo. It was you who saved me again. I really don’t know how to thank you.”
Mo Xuanli thought for a moment, then said, “Actually, I find you a bit familiar. Where are you from? Are your parents both cultivators?”
As soon as these words were spoken, Lou Zixiao’s expression became somewhat unnatural. “I… I was picked up by Master when I was two or three years old. Actually, I’m not very clear about my own situation either. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been living here.”
Mo Xuanli looked at her expression and felt that Lou Zixiao was very likely aware of her mixed-blood identity.
As the two were speaking, suddenly two young male disciples rushed in in a great hurry, shouting angrily, “Lou Zixiao, what exactly are you trying to do?”
As soon as the two entered, they raised their hands, looking as if they were about to make a move. But seeing that Mo Xuanli was also here, and that there were two medicine people on the ground, they immediately looked at him in surprise.
Lou Zixiao quickly said, “Senior Brothers, these two medicine people suddenly went mad and attacked me just now. Big Brother Mo happened to pass by and saved me, so he’s here.”
The two were extremely shocked. They stepped forward to take a look at the medicine people, then looked at Mo Xuanli. After muttering to each other for a while, they said to Mo Xuanli, “Then you can leave. Remember, this is the inner courtyard. Outsiders are not allowed to enter casually.”
Mo Xuanli nodded and did not intend to cause trouble. He lifted his foot and walked out. But before he could go out, he saw that the two male disciples actually used spiritual power to make a move.
Mo Xuanli’s expression darkened. He instantly flashed behind Lou Zixiao. A powerful spiritual aura blocked the two of them, preventing them from approaching even an inch.
“You—”
The movement from behind made Lou Zixiao turn her head to look. Understanding what had happened, her face immediately turned pale as she looked at the two senior brothers. “Senior Brothers, you…”
Mo Xuanli said coldly, “What are you two doing? Could it be that these two medicine people are your handiwork? Are you trying to harm a fellow sect member? As cultivators of the righteous path, I cannot turn a blind eye. Then I will capture you and take you to question your Valley Master.”
Facing a strong person, the two were still fearful, but since this was their territory, they could still be ruthless with their words.
“What the h*ll does it have to do with you? You’re an outsider, why haven’t you left, sticking your nose in! We’re just giving her a bit of a lesson. It has nothing to do with any medicine people. This d*mn girl caused Junior Sister Zihan to cough up blood and fall unconscious. How could we let her off lightly?”
“What, unconscious? That serious?” Lou Zixiao exclaimed in shock, her eyes full of worry.
“How can you be so vicious? Last night it was Martial Uncle Lou Xuan who used the master-disciple bond to look for you. It had nothing to do with Junior Sister Zihan at all. She never informed on you for going to Hehuan Pavilion. You ran around on your own and then blamed your fellow sect members.”
“I think you’re just jealous that your master treats Junior Sister Zihan well? How can you be so overbearing, Martial Uncle Lou Xuan doesn’t belong to you alone…”
Lou Zixiao’s face was deathly pale, her eyes already red from what was said.
“Oh, is that so? The master-disciple bond, then you should only know that she was at that inn. How did you know she had once gone to Hehuan Pavilion?” Mo Xuanli said coldly and directly.
As soon as these words were spoken, the two disciples immediately fell silent, looking awkward, as if they had been exposed.
But at this point, none of that was important anymore. The two of them seized on the matter of Lou Zixiao causing Lou Zihan to cough up blood and fall unconscious to accuse her, feeling that it was all her fault.
Even if Lou Zixiao wanted to say that she hadn’t laid a hand on her, no one would believe her.
Because her relationship with these people was truly shallow. Even though she had always lived in Immortal Medicine Valley, since childhood she had been taken by her master to cultivate alone, and a long period of time had also been spent on treatment. She had very little contact with other senior and junior brothers and sisters, so at most they would only see each other during festivals or assessments. The peer she was most familiar with was Lou Zihan, because Lou Zihan would often come to see Master, and Master would only refrain from driving people away when facing Lou Zihan.
It was just that… Lou Zihan was frail and often met with mishaps. Sometimes she truly couldn’t tell whether she herself was unlucky or whether Lou Zihan did it deliberately, because each time it was far too coincidental. Lou Zihan would also believe it was her doing, so she never spoke up for her. Thus, from childhood to adulthood, she was often unlucky, often suffering misfortune and punishment. Yet she had only this one peer she could be close to. After Lou Zihan had an incident, she was still willing to continue being close to her, so they were sisters, and also… an indescribably troublesome existence.
Everyone else pitied this sickly junior sister, and so conversely very much disliked this unsociable person who often dragged this junior sister into getting hurt. Naturally, they would not show her any mercy, let alone any trust.
“Just you wait, once the Valley Master comes out and knows about this, he’ll beat you half to death!” The brat saw Mo Xuanli standing there and knew he couldn’t gain any advantage, so he could only act fierce with his mouth, cursing as he left.
Not far after leaving, they ran straight into Lou Xuan.
The two hurriedly bowed in greeting.
Lou Xuan’s gaze turned cold. “You went to cause her trouble?”
The two immediately grew nervous. “Martial Uncle, we… didn’t…”
One of them said unwillingly, “Junior Sister Zihan is already unconscious. There’s nothing wrong with us teaching Lou Zixiao a lesson on Junior Sister’s behalf, is there?”
Lou Xuan’s expression instantly turned frigid, his refined demeanor sharpening.
The other person immediately said, “But we didn’t make a move, really didn’t. That Young Master Mo who came back together with her was also there, protecting her. We couldn’t make a move at all.”
Lou Xuan’s eyes flickered, then he said, “Zihan’s fainting has nothing to do with Zixiao. If you privately bully fellow sect members again, you’ll be handed over to the Discipline Hall.”
The two immediately bowed to indicate they understood, then watched Lou Xuan leave.
“That scared me to death. Little Martial Uncle really is the scariest.”
“What’s going on with Martial Uncle? Doesn’t he dote on Junior Sister Zihan the most? Why didn’t he vent her anger at all? If it weren’t for Lou Zixiao, would Junior Sister be like this?”
“Sigh, she is his only disciple after all, he has to protect her somehow. But I heard the Valley Master intends to have Little Martial Uncle marry Junior Sister Zihan.”
“Really? Even though our sect doesn’t have restrictions on seniority, it’s still kind of awkward, isn’t it?”
“What’s so awkward about it? Junior Sister Zihan’s body is poor. Little Martial Uncle’s medical skills are the most outstanding, and he has hopes of becoming the next Valley Master. I think the Valley Master’s intention is to find a good home for his granddaughter.”
The two chatted and gossiped as they walked. After turning a corner, they suddenly saw a figure crouched beneath a piece of artificial rock. If they hadn’t been walking slowly, they wouldn’t have noticed.
“You… you’re that one from just now. What are you up to, hiding here?”
Gu Baiqing looked at the two with a twitching mouth corner and sighed. “I accidentally twisted my ankle and am resting.”
“Mortals really are weak…”
Gu Baiqing looked even more depressed. Just now he had almost been discovered by Mo Xuanli. In that instant, he could only flee like lightning. With his speed, unless Mo Xuanli opened the Void Spirit Space, there was no way he could catch up, he wouldn’t even be able to see him.
But not long after, a powerful spiritual sense swept over. Gu Baiqing could only instantly shut down his spiritual power, and, d*mned luck, fell from midair and twisted his ankle.
However, having accidentally overheard a lot of things here just now did let him relax a bit. Mo Xuanli was still over there and didn’t continue chasing down, probably he hadn’t discovered anything. Luckily, he had run fast.
But since when had Mo Xuanli begun constantly protecting Lou Zixiao?
Gu Baiqing let his thoughts go blank and unconsciously reached out to touch his qiankun pouch.
On the other side, Mo Xuanli watched the people leave and said, “It’s quite hard for you here.”
Lou Zixiao gave a dry laugh and changed the topic. “You saved me again, Big Brother Mo. You might as well name a request otherwise I’ll never be able to repay what I owe you.”
Mo Xuanli glanced at Lou Zixiao, thought for a moment, and said, “Then I’ll note it down for now. Maybe in the future I’ll really have something I need your help with.”
“Really? Then I must make sure I’m useful.” Lou Zixiao was a girl who loved to smile. Sad matters could quickly disperse from her heart, and at this moment she was smiling innocently and brightly again.
Mo Xuanli looked at such a Lou Zixiao, feeling both envy and jealousy.
Because he knew that to have such an expression and state of mind, one must have had a happy childhood, and a growth period without constant fear and anxiety. Thinking this way, Lou Xuan must have treated her well; otherwise, one could not raise such innate optimism and cheerfulness.
If only he had been able to meet his master at a very young age then he too would have had such pure, bright eyes.
In that case… perhaps if he had been raised from childhood, he wouldn’t have developed such thoughts, and wouldn’t have put his master in a difficult position.
Thinking of this, Mo Xuanli couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It seemed that even imagining it, even if he had been kept by his master’s side since childhood, he probably still would have fallen in love.
In the end, he was still destined to make things difficult for his master.
Just as he was thinking, someone walked over from the entrance. At the first glance, sweeping over the two of them—one kneeling, one standing—there was even a faint sense of them being well-matched. At the second glance, the person noticed the medicine people on the ground, and their expression instantly changed.
Seeing Mo Xuanli look behind her, Lou Zixiao immediately turned around as well, instantly saying anxiously, “Master, Senior Sister, she…”
Almost at the same time, Lou Xuan spoke, “Another out-of-control medicine person attacked you?”
Mo Xuanli briefly explained the situation and then prepared to take his leave. After all, since her master had arrived, he offered his respects and got ready to leave. Before leaving, however, he still said one more thing: “Miss Lou is probably being targeted for some special reason. Once she is alone, it is easy for her to be attacked. Senior, it would be best to pay more attention to the young lady’s safety. The situation just now was extremely dangerous even if the young lady had spiritual power to protect herself. What’s more, there are other fellow sect members who would take the opportunity to bully her.”
After saying this, Mo Xuanli left without looking back.
Lou Xuan’s expression stiffened slightly. He raised his hand, and the restraints on Lou Zixiao disappeared.
Lou Zixiao looked at Lou Xuan in surprise, thinking she had been spared punishment. As a result, Lou Xuan waved his hand again, and another barrier descended, counted as protection, but also as another form of confinement. “Continue kneeling.”
Although Lou Zixiao felt somewhat dejected, she still asked, “Over at Senior Sister’s side…”
“The same as always,” Lou Xuan said.
Lou Zixiao still couldn’t help whispering, “I really didn’t push her…”
“It’s not important anymore.” Lou Xuan said lightly. He then lowered his gaze and looked at Lou Zixiao for a while. “Xiaoxiao, when the punishment ends, remember to perform well in the assessment. After you finish participating in the divine tree’s blessing, you can go out to travel.”
Lou Zixiao was somewhat dissatisfied, but upon hearing her master’s instructions, she still nodded. “I will. But… the divine tree’s blessing, can I not participate? I feel uncomfortable whenever I get close to that place.”
Lou Xuan’s gaze flickered. “It’s fine if you don’t accept the blessing. At the very least, go over there and take a look before you leave.”
As for the divine tree, Immortal Medicine Valley existed in reliance upon it, so naturally it had to be respected. Lou Zixiao nodded, having no objection, and agreed.
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