Gu Baiqing had just been thinking maybe Mo Xuanli could gradually break free of this “routine world” and walk back into romance. After all, in the original novel, even though Mo Xuanli saved many beauties, no major female lead ever truly liked him. At most, they swooned over his looks. Good girls never got the chance to know him deeply before exiting the stage.
If female characters were the ones to bring Mo Xuanli warmth, then his master would have nothing to do with it.
And if Gu Baiqing himself created opportunities…
Suddenly, Jingcheng’s words cut into his thoughts, leaving Gu Baiqing with a big question mark.
Tied by fate with Chuixue Pavilion?
“What do you mean?”
Jingcheng gave him a look of surprise and exasperation. “You… actually forgot her again? Really… cold and heartless. The other female cultivators were right—you really don’t have a heart.”
Gu Baiqing was stunned. He had fully inherited the original body’s memories—though they were as bland as plain water—yet as far as he remembered, there had never been any memory loss.
At this moment, the scene in the water mirror began to shift.
Though the situation had been reversed, continuing to tangle with the Greyrock Wolves would still be troublesome.
“Attack the largest one.” The disciples of Zixiao Sect, battle-hardened and tacitly coordinated, carried out Mo Xuanli’s commands without hesitation.
Very soon, the largest wolf was heavily wounded, and the remaining four immediately closed ranks around their leader to shield it.
The disciples of Chuixue Pavilion had also recovered their strength. Senior Sister Si Chun stared blankly at Mo Xuanli’s figure, her white teeth biting her lip before she quickly called for everyone to press forward and attack the other Greyrock Wolves.
Just as they were about to join forces, Mo Xuanli suddenly shouted: “Do not attack the others! Concentrate all power on the head wolf—kill it on the spot!”
The disciples of Chuixue Pavilion were taken aback. This young man had not only arrived in time to save them, but he also seemed resourceful. Why would he give such an order now?
“No! We should take advantage of the head wolf’s injury—while the others are busy protecting it, they’re less able to fight. If we strike the rest now, we can reduce their numbers. Otherwise, once they recover, the remaining four will be a huge problem. Please don’t give reckless commands.” Si Chun retorted coldly.
Mo Xuanli seemed to hear the hostility in her tone. He only glanced at her once and ignored her, simply leading the Zixiao Sect disciples in continuing their assault on the head wolf.
Si Chun choked, furious that he completely disregarded her advice. Just as insufferable as Gu Baiqing!
The other Chuixue Pavilion disciples were bewildered. They felt their Senior Sister was right—so why not listen? And what was going on with the Zixiao Sect people? They’d heard the leader was Senior Sister Nan Zhi, yet now everyone was obeying that young man’s reckless orders. Besides, wasn’t he only at mid-Foundation Establishment?
Even the spectators at the water mirror were puzzled.
“The head wolf is shielded. Attacking it further will be difficult. Wouldn’t it be better to go after the others one by one?”
“Exactly. What is he thinking? Greyrock Wolves are vengeful—if they watch their companions die, they’ll go berserk, making things even harder to handle.”
“But… look at Young Master Mo’s decisiveness. He must have thought this through.”
“Yesterday they even took down the Red Feather Dragon. Compared to that, Greyrock Wolves are nothing. Even if his strategy is wrong, they’ll probably still win.”
“Who says it’s wrong!” A disciple from a beast-taming sect spoke up excitedly. “You just don’t understand. Young Master Mo’s approach is exactly right! Greyrock Wolves are extremely vindictive. Kill one of the pack, and the head wolf will lead them in revenge. But if the one you kill is the head wolf—have you heard the saying ‘capture the ringleader first to subdue the bandits’?
“Once the head wolf is slain, the pack will be gripped by fear of the force that killed it. Losing their commander, no matter their remaining strength—even with an advantage—they will scatter and flee. They won’t regroup until a new wolf king is chosen, which takes quite some time.”
Because of this trait, killing the head wolf ensured several days without worry of retaliation. That was why the others had guarded it so desperately when it was injured.
If one wanted maximum efficiency and the most secure victory, concentrating on killing the head wolf was indeed the best option.
Once the beast-taming disciple explained, everyone immediately understood. Yet doubt lingered—how could a sword cultivator know beasts better than professional tamers? Yesterday, Mo Xuanli had specifically studied the Red Feather Dragon, which explained his expertise. But Greyrock Wolves? Unless… Mo Xuanli was deliberately targeting them too?
But Greyrock Wolves were known as the poorest of beasts. They had nothing worth coveting; thus, cultivators rarely hunted them unless forced into conflict.
Last night’s fight had only broken out because the Greyrock Wolves stubbornly defended the Deer Immortal Grass, refusing to let Chuixue Pavilion harvest it.
So… was this truly coincidence? Could Mo Xuanli really know so much about so many kinds of beasts?
The onlookers dared not speculate further—only continue watching.
In the end, the Chuixue Pavilion disciples still followed Senior Sister Si Chun in attacking the four other Greyrock Wolves, while the Zixiao Sect disciples obeyed Mo Xuanli.
At the very moment Nan Zhi personally struck down the head wolf, the other four froze, staring at their fallen leader. They no longer attacked.
The next instant, a sky-shaking howl burst out, as though some ritual was being performed. Then, without looking back, the four wolves bolted away.
Everyone was stunned—especially the disciples of Chuixue Pavilion. They felt as though all their efforts had been for nothing, turning blankly toward Mo Xuanli.
Beside the corpse of the head wolf, his purple-gray sect robes fitted neatly to his tall, straight figure—broad shoulders, narrow waist, carrying an extraordinary bearing no less than the most renowned of the younger generation. His refined, gentle face lifted the spirits at a glance, and under the morning light, he appeared clear and radiant, utterly detached from the blood-soaked slaughter behind him, like a chance encounter with a gentleman of an otherworldly paradise.
The younger girls couldn’t help but blush after a few more glances.
Si Chun, however, looked sour, though she still closed her umbrella and bowed to the Zixiao Sect disciples. “Thank you for your assistance.”
“You’re welcome,” Nan Zhi replied, leading the response.
“This isn’t a good place to talk. You’re all injured—why not find somewhere to rest and recover?” Yun Yue suggested gently.
Si Chun hesitated, then glanced at her companions’ conditions. Finally, she nodded in agreement.
Just as they were about to find a place, both Nan Zhi and Yun Yue turned toward Mo Xuanli, as if awaiting his decision.
Mo Xuanli pointed toward a cave not far off. “The Greyrock Wolves won’t be coming back for now. That cave will do for rest.”
“How do you know they won’t return? Greyrock Wolves are infamous for revenge, just now—” Si Chun began sharply, then broke off as she remembered the scene from moments ago. Her expression turned uncertain.
Yun Yue quickly explained with soothing words, adding, “All of this was told to us by our Junior Brother Mo—that’s why earlier we…”
Si Chun’s face instantly filled with embarrassment, but she still said: “So that’s how it is… I was ignorant. My apologies.”
Yun Yue waved her hand. “No, no, it’s just that Junior Brother Mo happens to know more clearly than the rest of us.”
Si Chun hadn’t actually been apologizing to Mo Xuanli, but Mo Xuanli didn’t care in the slightest. He never paid much attention to how other women treated him. Instead, he turned to Yun Yue and said: “Senior Sister Yun Yue, didn’t Third Senior Aunt want the Deer Immortal Grass? I think I know where it is. I’ll take you there.”
Yun Yue immediately smiled and stepped forward. “Alright. Then Nan Zhi, let’s meet up at the cave later.”
Nan Zhi nodded.
Just as Mo Xuanli and Yun Yue were about to leave, the youngest disciple of Chuixue Pavilion stepped forward timidly. “Um… we’ve also gathered Deer Immortal Grass before. I can guide you.”
Si Chun’s gaze flickered, but she didn’t stop her. Mo Xuanli turned back with a faint smile, pointing in a direction. “It should be by the stream over there, right? You’re still injured—no need to trouble yourself.”
The young girl blinked in surprise that Mo Xuanli knew the location, then her cheeks flushed red. Being treated so gently by such a handsome and considerate senior brother made her shy.
After Mo Xuanli and Yun Yue left, the others went into the cave to rest. Since it had been a friendly encounter, Nan Zhi and Si Chun began exchanging information about their experiences since entering the secret realm.
Naturally, the male disciples of Zixiao Sect crowded around the Chuixue Pavilion disciples. It was their first time seeing them up close, and these were none other than the famed “Four Little Fairies” of their generation—not only gifted in cultivation but also as beautiful as living jade statues.
Rumor had it that Miss Si Chun was as cold and elegant as a winter plum. Looking at her now as she conversed with Nan Zhi, she was indeed the most striking, but also the coldest.
The other three: Miss Wanlu was charming like a peach blossom of spring; Miss Yusu dazzling like a summer lotus; Miss Zhinuo pure and refined like an autumn chrysanthemum. Each had her own grace. And after a bit of conversation, it became clear that though they bore the pride of beauties, they did not look down on others.
Naturally, the main topic of conversation soon turned to Mo Xuanli.
Hearing of his exploits, the three young women gasped in amazement.
“Young Master Mo is incredible! Is he really only at mid-Foundation Establishment?” asked Wanlu, the youngest, who had earlier offered to guide them.
“Of course. But none of us in Zixiao Sect dare to treat him as merely mid-Foundation,” one disciple laughed. “Haven’t you heard of him before? Our Junior Brother Mo is actually rather well-known.” Though that reputation was half good, half bad.
“We at Chuixue Pavilion don’t have much contact with other sects,” explained Yusu, the most cheerful of the four.
That was something everyone had heard before. Since Chuixue Pavilion was composed entirely of women, they limited interactions to avoid their disciples being tricked by men of other sects.
“So he’s famous because of his strength?” Zhinuo, who had been tending to her sisters’ injuries with care, asked thoughtfully.
The Zixiao disciples exchanged glances. If one had to say where Mo Xuanli’s notoriety began…
Suddenly, an icy voice cut in: “No. He’s famous because he’s Gu Baiqing’s one and only personal disciple. After all, that cold-blooded man Gu Baiqing once declared he would never take a disciple—Mo Xuanli is the sole exception. Isn’t that right?”
The atmosphere in the cave shifted in an instant.
The three young women who had been chatting warmly immediately dropped their smiles, their faces turning frosty.
Nan Zhi noticed the change, her arms folded over her heavy sword, and asked Si Chun with an unreadable expression: “What’s this? Is there a problem?”
“I’d like to know that as well.”
Just then, a voice came from the cave entrance.
Si Chun looked up to see Mo Xuanli’s figure looming there, nearly blocking out the sunlight. An instant pressure made her instincts flare with caution.
He and Yun Yue had already gathered the Deer Immortal Grass and returned, and he had caught her words the moment he stepped inside.
Mo Xuanli’s expression was calm yet imposing. He did not enter but stood silhouetted against the light, his voice cold and distant: “The world calls my master Elder Luofeng. Only his peers or elders may address him by name. Miss Si Chun, as a junior, why show such disrespect to my master? If I have offended you in any way, you may direct your displeasure at me. But to speak slightingly of my master—this I cannot accept.”
“And what if you cannot accept it?” Si Chun sneered, rising with her umbrella in hand. “You saved us just now, and we are grateful. If you want repayment, say so—we do not wish to owe you. But to demand that I respect that man Gu Baiqing? Forgive me, I cannot.”
The blackness in Mo Xuanli’s eyes deepened.
Suddenly, one of the Zixiao disciples exclaimed: “Ah! I remember now—Fairy Ruiyao!”
At the mention of that name, several of the older disciples looked awkward. The four women of Chuixue Pavilion, however, immediately turned grim and stood as one, their bearing sharp as though ready to strike at any moment.
Si Chun fixed her gaze on Mo Xuanli and said coldly: “Heh. I knew you were only at Foundation Establishment and hadn’t planned to suppress you with cultivation, so I was willing to ignore you. But just now I saw your extraordinary techniques. If I suppress my cultivation and face you in a duel, that won’t count as bullying, will it? Mo Xuanli, dare you fight me?”
Mo Xuanli frowned. “And why must I fight you?”
“For the sake of our respective masters. You must fight me—sooner or later. Otherwise, I will take you, Gu Baiqing’s disciple, to be just as much a coward as he is. I’ll be waiting for you outside!”
With that, Si Chun led her sisters out of the cave to seek another place.
The Zixiao disciples exchanged helpless looks. “Ah, I’d forgotten about that grudge. No wonder Miss Si Chun showed such hostility to Junior Brother Mo.”
“It wasn’t against me,” Mo Xuanli said, his face like ice. “It was aimed at my master.” The insult to his teacher left him nearly unable to contain his fury. He frowned and asked, “Senior brothers, do you know what this is about?”
One of them answered awkwardly: “Eh… the truth is, your master and Miss Si Chun’s master—Fairy Ruiyao—once had… some entanglement of feelings.”
Mo Xuanli froze, eyes wide. “F… feelings? An entanglement? My master?”
“Yeah, and they almost even talked about marriage!”
Mo Xuanli’s whole body tensed up instantly, his expression collapsing. “How… could that be… My master, he clearly…” Could it be that before liking me, he once had someone else in his heart?
Mo Xuanli’s heart was in his throat, his ears pricked up to listen to his senior brothers’ recollections.
Actually, this matter happened a long time ago, and more importantly, who in Zixiao Sect would dare gossip about Gu Baiqing? So disciples who joined later basically hadn’t heard of it.
“Your master was a famed beauty across the land, and so powerful—wielding the divine weapon Morning Snow, practically unstoppable and invincible. How many women’s hearts did he move? It’s said that back then many fairies had feelings for your master. The most famous was the Fairy Ruiyao incident.”
Anyone who could be called a “fairy” naturally had the status, appearance, and cultivation to match.
“At that time, they happened to meet in a dangerous secret realm. Your master saved Fairy Ruiyao, and the two of them explored the realm together. When they came out, Fairy Ruiyao simply assumed their relationship was close. A few months later she had her sect leader come to propose marriage, saying she was willing to marry your master and become his dual cultivation partner. But the result…”
Seeing the grimaces on everyone’s faces, Mo Xuanli’s heartbeat sped up.
“The result was that when your master was called out by the sect leader, the very first thing he said upon seeing Fairy Ruiyao was: Who are you?”
Everyone shook their heads at once, expressing pity for the beauty.
Mo Xuanli inexplicably felt a wave of relief. He said, “Master didn’t know her?”
“He had completely forgotten her. According to your master’s own recollection, yes, he did save a group of people, and Fairy Ruiyao was just one among them. Afterwards they all just left along the same path, that’s all. With your master’s emotional intelligence—other girls might send him amorous glances and he wouldn’t even notice. After all, with his temperament, it’s impossible for him to ever be fiery-passionate toward someone. Since he didn’t explicitly refuse, others might take that as tacit approval.”
Hearing this, even Mo Xuanli felt secondhand embarrassment for Fairy Ruiyao. Most likely she had misunderstood something.
“Even though it was a misunderstanding, Fairy Ruiyao had already put on the veil for your master. That meant she was dead set on marrying him. You know the rule of Chuixue Pavilion—when a disciple meets their beloved, they put on a veil to show their intent, meaning they will only ever unveil themselves for that person in this lifetime. By that point, with both sects being well-matched, their spiritual roots compatible, becoming Dao companions seemed perfectly suitable. So the two sect leaders worked hard to push it along. But your master found it troublesome, directly refused, and after returning to Luofeng Pavilion, he set up a barrier. Wasn’t that a direct slap to Fairy Ruiyao’s face?”
“Fairy Ruiyao refused to believe your master was so cold and heartless, and tried to break into the barrier to explain herself. In the end, your master treated her as an enemy and struck her away with a single palm. It was really… extremely ungentlemanly.”
Everyone shuddered at the telling.
“In the end, the peerlessly beautiful Fairy Ruiyao became the laughingstock of the immortal world. Heartbroken, she developed inner demons and nearly fell into the demonic path—it took all the elders of Chuixue Pavilion to save her. Since then, Fairy Ruiyao has shut herself away for over ten years. Very little news about her circulates in the immortal world now. It’s said that her talent had once been enough to inherit the position of sect master of Chuixue Pavilion, but all for the sake of love she ruined herself, abandoned her sect, and left her disciples behind. I’d guess that girl Si Chun just now was her direct disciple—and since she was abandoned as a child, her hatred for your master is only natural…”
“What has that to do with my master!” Mo Xuanli finished listening, face dark, sword in hand, and walked out.
…
“If Fairy Ruiyao hears that you’ve forgotten her again, I reckon…” Jingcheng sighed.
Gu Baiqing’s mouth twitched. From Jingcheng’s fragmented words, he’d managed to recall it. In the original body’s memory, it hardly took up a fragment—it was only by thinking hard that Gu Baiqing pieced it together. Did this mean that in the original’s heart, this person wasn’t even worth remembering, or simply left no impression at all?
Gu Baiqing did feel some sympathy for the fairy, but in the end, the original body was innocent too. Still, to others, it probably looked like Gu Baiqing had wronged her—since, truthfully, her fate was indeed a bit tragic.
While he was musing, exclamations rose by the water mirror below.
“What’s going on? Wasn’t it supposed to be ‘the hero saves the beauty’? Why are Mo Xuanli and Si Chun fighting?”
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