After Becoming a High-Risk Master, I Flipped the Script Chapter 32

The Spotless Immortal Sprout brimmed with spirituality and aura. If added during weapon forging, it could animate lifeless objects, granting them intelligence. Though other spirit plants could achieve a similar effect, the amount of spirit and awareness they could bestow was fixed, and would never increase. Thus, the quality of the finished product depended entirely on the plant’s inherent ability and the forger’s skill.

But the Spotless Immortal Sprout was like a tender new shoot—once forged into a divine weapon, it could continue growing together with the spirit weapon. In other words, how powerful it could become depended on how powerful its master was. That made it the best possible material.

Sometimes cultivators personally came to harvest the Spotless Immortal Sprout when commissioning a forger, because if plucked by their own hand, the sprout would from the start recognize them as master. The bond between master and spirit weapon would then be even more perfect.

Yet because harvesting it was so troublesome, very few could both pick it themselves and forge a weapon. Any weapon created this way was destined to be a divine treasure.

Back in their youth, when Gu Baiqing and his group first entered the Void Spirit Secret Realm, they encountered the birth of an Spotless Immortal Sprout. After easily slaying the beast that monopolized it, everyone went up to try harvesting.

But at the time, rumor had it that harvesting required “immortal fate,” since no one had ever figured out a pattern.

Among their group, Gu Baiqing and Baili Jingcheng were the most gifted, so they tried first. Yet when they reached out, the Spotless Immortal Sprout was like an illusion, untouchable. No matter which sprout they tried, it was the same.

But when others reached out, they could touch it for real.

The two simply assumed they had no fate with the sprout. But then, right as others were about to pick, each suddenly blanked out for an instant, as if something was scanning their spiritual sense.

In the end, only two people successfully picked sprouts. The rest, just as their hands were about to pluck, saw the shoots instantly shrink back into the earth and vanish.

The two who obtained them were completely baffled. Everyone began speculating about what the picking conditions were.

Those who had touched it said they felt spiritual energy contact their consciousness, entering their sea of awareness, and then some memory fragments suddenly flashed in their minds.

As for the two successful ones—they were usually licentious and thick-skinned, and openly admitted that what had flashed in their minds were random erotic escapades. Not that they deliberately recalled them—those memories had just suddenly surfaced on their own.

Someone else shyly said he too had recalled some moments with his Dao companion, yet he failed. Another confessed to being young and restless, often looking at pictures and drawings, his nighttime fantasies frequent, though without a concrete image of a partner.

Those two shameless ones, though, took the discussion further and further, until they concluded that the difference was this: they played wilder, with scenes that were more explicit—certainly not the traditional “under the covers, lights out.” And since they themselves were handsome, and their partners were both real and beautiful…

The conclusion they came up with was not only bizarre but also unverifiable, so naturally no one had the nerve to say it out loud. Maybe those who had succeeded in picking it before also kept silent for the same reason—after all, if this rumor spread, it would turn into “whoever can harvest the Spotless Immortal Sprout is not a proper person,” and not just “not proper,” but a very high-level kind of improper.

Jingcheng half-believed, half-doubted that conclusion. The original body, however, hadn’t listened at all.

But Gu Baiqing, having read the original text, knew that this conclusion was true.

The so-called Spotless Immortal Sprout—“spotless” in name—was in fact filthy. It specialized in rummaging through a cultivator’s divine consciousness for those amorous, spring-heart-stirring scenes. And it rejected the ugly, rejected the vulgar, rejected the greasy, rejected the bland. Who knew what kind of principle that was. In short, it was utterly bizarre.

In the original, although Mo Xuanli hadn’t actually done anything with his master yet, in illusions he had entered the bridal chamber with an illusion of his master, taking advantage of him in all sorts of ways. And after falling into demonic ways, he had certainly already turned his master over and over again in his mind. Plus, given his and his master’s looks… the Spotless Immortal Sprout blushed red on the spot, and he succeeded in harvesting it.

But now, all that plot had been erased by Gu Baiqing. Mo Xuanli was nothing more than a pure-hearted, white-flower disciple who devoted himself to cultivation and respected his elders. He didn’t even have a close girl around him—how could he possibly harvest it?

Gu Baiqing had truly forgotten this detail. He was vexed, extremely vexed. Suddenly, he turned his head toward Jingcheng. He remembered that in the original text, only two people had succeeded in harvesting it. Apart from Mo Xuanli, there was only—

“Hm? More people are coming—it’s Baili Jingzhan and Xie Qingrong.”

Inside the secret realm, Jingzhan and Xie Qingrong arrived at the flower field, only to see Mo Xuanli and the others had already cut out half a path.

Jingzhan was stunned. “Mo Xuanli? What are you doing?” As he spoke, he turned to the man beside him. “Qingrong, if you saw this, you’d be so surprised your jaw would drop.”

The man was upright and elegant, face like carved jade, holding a slender black-and-white sword. He wore ink-stained white robes, with talismanic scripts drawn in special ink said to have protective effects. His bearing was refined and poetic. He was a disciple of Rufeng Sect. Standing beside little Baili, his presence was neither overwhelmed nor overbearing—gentle, as if he could encompass everything around him, yet still impossible to ignore. Most striking of all was the strip of white gauze bound around his eyes, covering them, though faintly behind it one could see that his eyes were closed.

Such distinct features could only belong to Xie Qingrong of Rufeng Sect.

Xie Qingrong’s expression carried a trace of helplessness. “They seem to be… cutting… white illusion-flowers?” After a pause, he added slowly, “What a clever method.”

Jingzhan was speechless. “You know again? Sometimes I really wonder if you’re actually blind.”

Xie Qingrong smiled faintly, just about to speak, when suddenly he raised a hand, yanked Jingzhan’s collar, and with two fingers caught a dart in midair.

With a flick, he returned it. “Chuixue Pavilion’s hidden weapon? I’ve meddled in others’ business, forgive me, ladies.” After saying that, he simply left Jingzhan behind and headed straight toward Mo Xuanli.

“Hey, are you even my brother anymore?!” Jingzhan shouted. But in the next instant, everything before his eyes turned water-blue—the four little fairies of Chuixue Pavilion had drawn their swords and were attacking.

“Wait, wait, let’s talk this out—”

“You’ve toyed with the feelings of several of our sisters from Chuixue Pavilion, what else is there to say?!”

“It was just playing and chatting together, mutual consent—how can you call that deceit? I was only being considerate, gentlemanly, wanting to make girls happy…”

Chuixue Pavilion’s disciples weren’t buying any of it. They wanted nothing more than to cut down this playboy. But Jingzhan’s other skills were uncertain; what was certain was his escape speed. His spiritual sword was the swiftest kind, and no matter how the four girls surrounded and intercepted, they couldn’t catch him.

While chaos broke out on that side, Xie Qingrong followed the cleared path into the flower field. He bowed to everyone. “I am Xie Qingrong of Rufeng Sect.”

Everyone returned the courtesy.

After Mo Xuanli introduced himself, Xie Qingrong smiled at him. “On the way here with Jingzhan, I heard him talking about you nonstop. That stirred my curiosity. Now that I see you, Elder Luofeng’s disciple truly is remarkable.”

Sensing the goodwill of the man before him, Mo Xuanli responded with a few polite words.

“I also wish to try harvesting the Spotless Immortal Sprout. May I count myself in on the work of clearing the path? I think I can be of use—it wouldn’t be taking advantage.”

Mo Xuanli smiled. “I never meant to monopolize this road. After all, whether one can harvest depends on destiny.”

“Then… leave the next step to me.” Xie Qingrong’s tone was warm.

Mo Xuanli was a little surprised. He watched as Xie Qingrong formed hand seals, spiritual power rippling. Ten strands of blue spiritual thread fell from his fingertips, sinking into the ground. The soil heaved and rose, gradually forming four plump, round little earth-men.

“Rufeng Sect’s unique summoning art?” Nan Zhi asked.

Xie Qingrong nodded. “A clumsy display. It was originally just for disciples to practice spiritual control, but I never expected it would have this use. All thanks to Young Master Mo’s clever idea.” At his gesture, the little earth-men trotted forward, diligently cutting flowers. And indeed, their work was faster than the group’s—they weren’t affected by the pollen at all.

With the little earth-men clearing the way and others handling Ghost-Hand Vine, the pace doubled. Before long, everyone reached the mound safe and sound.

Mo Xuanli had been watching Xie Qingrong carefully. He realized that this man truly couldn’t see with his eyes, but his control of spiritual sight was extraordinarily precise. It allowed him to perceive the flow of spiritual energy around him, essentially letting him “see” from another dimension. Combined with his intelligence, he could basically guess what the actual scene looked like.

Mo Xuanli hadn’t expected to meet so many talented and capable peers on this trip. He truly had gained new understanding of the competition among cultivators of the same generation.

He too had to work hard. He had to harvest the Spotless Immortal Sprout and forge his own weapon—otherwise, among these high-spirited rising stars, he’d soon be left behind.

His master was the strongest. He must not disgrace his master.

Just then, Jingzhan also dashed up the small path, immediately calling to Si Chun and the others chasing him: “Stop, don’t fight! This space is so narrow—if we start here, once the white illusion-flower pollen gets stirred up, we’ll all collapse right on the spot.”

“You… despicable!” Si Chun knew Baili Jingzhan was deliberately avoiding the fight, using mutual destruction as a threat. She was furious, but the moment she turned her head and saw Mo Xuanli watching them, she suddenly felt a bit self-conscious. “I won’t delay others. Once we’re out, you’ll pay for this.”

Jingzhan gave an awkward laugh and walked back to Xie Qingrong’s side. Xie Qingrong turned his head as if to look at him, but showed no expression. Jingzhan grew displeased. “Don’t you dare laugh at me! Who knows—when it comes to harvesting the Spotless Immortal Sprout, you might just have to rely on me.”

Xie Qingrong looked puzzled. “Rely on you? For what? Do you really think you have more destiny than everyone else here?”

Mo Xuanli’s gaze flickered as he looked toward Jingzhan.

Jingzhan gave a small smile, sweeping his eyes around the crowd. “From what I see, in the end it might only be me who has a chance.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the four little fairies of Chuixue Pavilion threw out their barbs: 

“Talking nonsense.”

“Empty sweet words.”

“Glib tongue, flashy face.”

“Utterly improper.”

The rest didn’t pay it much mind—after all, this matter was said to depend on destiny, but really it came down to luck.

“I’ll go with Yun Yue first,” Nan Zhi said, too lazy to waste words. She had noticed Yun Yue hadn’t been feeling well since earlier and wanted to let her try first, then take her out of the flower field to rest.

Everyone made way. Nan Zhi and Yun Yue stepped forward, channeling spiritual power into their hands. Nan Zhi reached for the sprout first, but her hand passed right through it. Those nearby looked on in surprise—this was the legendary phenomenon. Nan Zhi frowned, displeased. No matter how many times she tried, it remained an illusion. She could only step back.

Yun Yue fared the same. Both returned empty-handed and went straight to the edge of the flower field to wait.

Next, the Chuixue Pavilion fairies took their turns. Three couldn’t touch it at all. Only Si Chun managed to make contact—but before she could even rejoice, the sprout instantly shrank into the soil.

That was also a failure; she hadn’t earned the sprout’s recognition. Si Chun didn’t try again and was about to leave, when she noticed Jingzhan squinting at her, a half-smile playing on his lips.

“What are you looking at!” Si Chun snapped.

Jingzhan grinned slyly. “When your divine sense was probed just now, did something… come to mind?”

“What?” Si Chun’s face was blank.

“No… only that people really can’t be judged by appearances.” Jingzhan looked like he was about to burst with laughter, and buried his head into Xie Qingrong’s shoulder.

Si Chun gave him a look as though he were insane, then turned and left. But as she walked, a memory surfaced—the instant she had touched the sprout, she had recalled, years ago, stumbling across a senior sister of her sect secretly meeting a lover. That had been such a shocking sight for her young self that even later, no matter how she tried, she couldn’t erase it from memory. She hadn’t thought of it for a long time—yet it had resurfaced.

After that, the other disciples of Zixiao Sect went forward to try. Most could touch it, but all ended with the same result as Si Chun.

At last, only three remained by the small mound.

“Please, you first.” Mo Xuanli said politely.

It wasn’t just politeness—he was still mulling over Jingzhan’s earlier words, wanting to observe.

Xie Qingrong, unconcerned, went up to try. His hand passed straight through. His face darkened slightly. “It seems I have no fate with it.”

At the side, Jingzhan promptly let out a snicker. “Really accurate,” he muttered.

Mo Xuanli glanced at them, then, unwilling to risk failure for the sake of pride, spoke with earnest sincerity:

“Young Master Bailii, I… truly need the Spotless Immortal Sprout. If you have a way, I’m willing to exchange information with you.”

Jingzhan gave him a surprised look, then smiled. “I like your temperament. If I really did have a way, I’d tell you even just to make a friend. But there are some things others simply can’t help with. Otherwise, would my brother here also have failed?”

He pointed at Xie Qingrong. Mo Xuanli silently agreed.

“Let’s do it together. You’ll understand once you try why I couldn’t explain.” Jingzhan smiled.

Mo Xuanli’s heart tightened. He lowered his gaze to the tender green sprouts pushing out of the mound, feeling the aura they gave off. Slender stems, plump little leaves, swaying lightly in the wind as though overburdened. Because of the sprout’s special nature, there was no preparation he could make. At worst, he could only gather other spiritual plants of equal grade in the secret realm, then trade once someone harvested it. But that was never as good as claiming it himself.

Outside the water mirror, the onlookers were equally tense.

“Could it be a total wipeout?”

“The two left have good talent. If it comes down to destiny…”

“I don’t buy that destiny talk. Nan Zhi, Xie Qingrong, Si Chun—whose talent was lacking? Could it really be random? Has no one studied this?”

“The Spotless Immortal Sprout is extremely sentient. Maybe it’s just choosing its master, depending on whether it likes the one picking it.”

From above, Jingcheng coughed. “What do you think—”

“Your brother will definitely succeed.” Gu Baiqing’s mouth twitched. While watching the water mirror, he patted Jingcheng’s shoulder. “My disciple really needs this. If… your brother manages to harvest it, could we negotiate terms and buy it off him?”

Jingcheng was still embarrassed for his brother’s antics. Hearing Gu Baiqing dismiss Mo Xuanli outright, he was startled. “So you’re saying you already know your disciple…”

Gu Baiqing wore a pained expression, reluctant to speak. “No chance. He… ”

He hadn’t even finished when someone shouted from below: “They got it! Really got it—both of them!”

Gu Baiqing’s face changed. He shot to his feet, leaning forward to stare at the water mirror. The three-colored cat, Three Bean, tumbled right out of his lap.

In the water mirror, Mo Xuanli and Jingzhan still held the posture of plucking sprouts, and in their hands the Spotless Immortal Sprouts had turned red—signaling success.

Gu Baiqing’s eyes widened in disbelief. He muttered, “Impossible… this brat…”

“What’s wrong? Isn’t this a good thing?” Jingcheng also stood up, looking at Gu Baiqing in puzzlement. “As his master, it’s normal you might not fully know your disciple’s private matters. Why are you so shocked?”

Gu Baiqing had no mind to deal with Jingcheng. His thoughts were in turmoil, his expression shifting again and again. Since Mo Xuanli could obtain the Spotless Immortal Sprout, that meant he wasn’t as clueless as Gu Baiqing had thought. Then who could it be?

This was the question Gu Baiqing feared most. Could it be that things were invisibly circling back to that dreaded “master-disciple romance” plotline? Even though they hadn’t gone through the contrived setups of the original text, what if Mo Xuanli kept thinking about it every day… The thought jolted Gu Baiqing so much he shuddered from head to toe.

But it could also be… that there really was some girl who enlightened him. After all, they only met for an hour or so each day, and they never spoke about private matters. Could it be he had truly overlooked something? If there was really a girl, Gu Baiqing would laugh himself awake even in his dreams.

As he was brooding, Three Bean rubbed up against him. Gu Baiqing instantly saw hope, grabbed the cat by the scruff, and with a face so serious it was almost grim, asked, “Three Bean, tell me—does Mo Xuanli have a girl he likes in Zixiao Sect?”

Three Bean had been about to struggle, but was dumbfounded at the question. “A girl he likes?”

“Yes! Don’t you always follow him around? Could it be… there isn’t?” Gu Baiqing’s heart was practically leaping out of his chest as he asked.

Seeing his master’s stern expression, Three Bean thought it must be something very important. He carefully recalled for a while, then suddenly his cat eyes lit up.

“Oh right, Little Plum Branch.”

“Huh?” Which three characters? Gu Baiqing heard an unfamiliar name and was utterly at a loss.

So Three Bean recounted a bit of gossip he’d overheard from the disciples of Chunyang Pavilion: unrequited love, the other party playing hard-to-get like a scummy woman, toying with Mo Xuanli’s feelings. No one thought well of it, yet Mo Xuanli ran headlong into the wall and wouldn’t turn back, utterly devoted.

Gu Baiqing listened in disbelief. Was this still his well-behaved disciple obsessed with cultivation? Why did it sound more like the Mo Xuanli from the original text who went mad for his master? No, even worse—at least in the original he went mad; this sounded like a pitiful, desperate simp.

“Who is she? Under which elder?” To attract the male lead, she must be astonishingly talented. But he’d never heard of such a person in Zixiao Sect.

Three Bean shook his head. “I never asked Xuanli. He’s busy every day. I always thought it was just a rumor. You just asked me, and I suddenly remembered.”

Actually, based on Three Bean’s understanding of Mo Xuanli, all his time went into either cultivation or this master. He’d never once seen this so-called Little Plum Branch. Did such a person even exist?

Gu Baiqing fell into a daze as well. Little Plum Branch? Who? Could it be… there really was a girl who could save him? My heavens, that would be a goddess descending!

If only he knew who she was—he would use every method and scheme to help his disciple pursue her, bring them together, best if they immediately became Dao-companions, forged a Dao-companion bond, married in full ceremony, entered the bridal chamber, and had children within three years. Lock it down completely, so they’d be bound in love forever.

Then he could finally be at ease as a master.

The revelation hit Gu Baiqing so hard he grew excited, but afraid of a false joy he restrained himself, resolving to press his disciple for answers later.

Beside them, Jingcheng was dumbfounded by their talk. Since when had his friend become so concerned about his disciple’s love life? He couldn’t shake the sense that… Mo Xuanli’s presence to Gu Baiqing wasn’t just as a disciple, but something strangely more special.