The night was hazy. Outside the Jade Healing Pool, a waterwheel turned with a steady thumping sound. The night breeze carried the lingering fragrance of plum blossoms, soothing to the heart.
He saw himself and his master pressed against the shadow of the ornamental rockery. He saw his own body trembling with excitement, every fiber straining, as if trying to devour something, fuse it into his very bones and blood.
He saw his master’s long hair scattered, like strands of spilled ink. Moonlight poured down like gauze, draping over the flawless expanse of his master’s back. The curve of his slim waist shone like a halo of crystalline light.
Though ripples spread constantly over the water’s surface, it reflected like a mirror the unceasing movements of the two figures—yet his master’s expression could not be seen. Not until he pulled his master around, half-forcefully compelling him to comply again.
Only then could he see his master’s expression—hard to tell if it was pain or pleasure, a little helpless, a little indignant, yet still softheartedly bearing it all, indulgent without limits. Like shattered jade, like the luminous halo of the moon, like an elegant ink painting trembling in his eyes, tugging at his heart.
He saw the reddened corners of his master’s eyes, the washed-clear gaze trembling with tears, teeth biting down on his hand to stifle any sound. Fragile and helpless, pitiful and alluring.
Finally came the breathless, broken words: “Enough, Xuanli… enough.”
But he ignored his master’s words, kissing away the tears at the corners of his eyes, then reverently pressing a kiss to the faint blue lightning mark on his brow.
“Master…”
…
Mo Xuanli suddenly snapped back to himself, as if hearing the Spotless Immortal Sprout in his hand let out a gurgling laugh. The sprout swayed in the wind, a blush spreading from its roots until its whole body turned red. With hardly any effort, the sprout came free.
For a moment, Mo Xuanli didn’t know whether to feel joy or bewilderment.
But his body betrayed him—his face flushed crimson. Was he insane? Why would that scene suddenly come to mind? He had told himself to forget it—that it was his master’s private fantasy, a vision from within his master’s own mind. He should never have seen it, never kept recalling it. To do so was disrespectful. He should have forgotten it completely.
But why… when he remembered again, the image was even clearer, etched into his mind down to the details.
At this rate, it would become his heart’s demon.
As Mo Xuanli stood dazed, he heard Jingzhan beside him exclaim in amazement: “So you… hahahaha, I really underestimated you.”
When Mo Xuanli heard Jingzhan say this, his mind immediately grew muddled. All of Jingzhan’s earlier hints seemed to…
“Jingzhan, just what do you know?” Xie Qingrong also seemed unable to hold back anymore.
But Jingzhan handed the Spotless Immortal Sprout in his hand to Xie Qingrong and said, “Take it. I know you need this very much. No need to thank me, and don’t ask either. Even if I spelled it all out for you, it’d be useless—you wouldn’t be able to obtain it. And honestly… it’s not convenient to say. This isn’t a secret that concerns only me.”
Xie Qingrong caught the sprout, dazed for a moment, then finally let it go with a calm heart. “Forget it, I won’t ask. Thank you. Later, if there’s anything you need, tell me—I’ll be sure to repay you.”
“Then when those girls from Chuixue Pavilion want to beat me up later, you’ll have to help me.” Jingzhan immediately said in all seriousness.
Xie Qingrong was instantly exasperated. “It’d be better if you stopped provoking young ladies in the first place.”
Even so, Xie Qingrong still went on ahead to smooth the way, essentially preemptively shielding Jingzhan from Chuixue Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Jingzhan looked at the crowd outside the flower field, who were all shocked and buzzing with talk, and with one hand pulled Mo Xuanli close by the shoulder. Since the two of them now shared a secret, they could be a little more familiar.
“Mo Xuanli, what kind of image was it that could satisfy even the Spotless Immortal Sprout?”
Mo Xuanli had still been dazed, but at this sudden question, he instantly realized something, his face changing drastically. He looked at Jingzhan in astonishment.
“Heh, heh. You guessed right. The condition for the Spotless Immortal Sprout to choose its master is exactly that. But not just anyone can make it satisfied—it has to be something like a beauty, a fine scene, and a beautiful moment engraved in the mind. At first, when I looked at you, I thought you were still unawakened, and even if you were, you’d be the honest, straight-laced type—not enough to please the sprout… who’d have thought.”
Mo Xuanli’s face turned first white, then green, and finally completely red.
Jingzhan gave him a look of “don’t judge a book by its cover,” then asked with great curiosity: “Hey, hey? Was it real, or was it just in your imagination? Who was it? Did she come here with you? Nan Zhi? Or one of the other beauties? Maybe someone from Chuixue Pavilion? I noticed that Si Chun looked at you oddly—could it be you two have something?”
Now Mo Xuanli fully understood, and he was so ashamed he didn’t want to speak another word. “N-no… no…”
From his expression, Jingzhan could tell he’d guessed wrong. So he switched topics: “Your master…”
He hadn’t finished even three words before Mo Xuanli froze as if struck by lightning. His whole body stiffened, as though someone had jabbed a stick into his deepest, most hidden place.
Jingzhan’s hand was still on his shoulder, so he immediately sensed Mo Xuanli’s reaction. Turning his head, he saw the boy’s pupils trembling slightly. Jingzhan looked at him, puzzled, a thought just flashing by only to be crushed under an even stronger suspicion. “What? Afraid your master will find out you’re not wholeheartedly cultivating? That you’re already thinking of love between men and women while so young? Well, my older brother scolds me like that all the time too. Funny thing is, your master could never even touch this Spotless Immortal Sprout before.”
Mo Xuanli was startled. “Master tried this too?”
“Yeah. I was just about to say—since this is what you wanted, didn’t your master ever tell you the standard for being recognized by the Spotless Immortal Sprout? I only know because my older brother told me. He said when they explored the secret realm back then, the companions discussed it and came to this conclusion. They weren’t absolutely certain, but eight or nine times out of ten, it’s right. Your master should know. Did he forget? Or just think it was too awkward to say and decided to leave it to your luck?” Jingzhan’s eyes were full of curiosity.
Mo Xuanli was stunned, but after recalling, said, “When I mentioned that I needed this, Master didn’t show any special reaction, didn’t say anything either. Seems he wasn’t hiding it—probably just forgot.”
Jingzhan thought about it and agreed.
“But now your master surely remembers. He’s probably watching you through the water mirror right this moment.” Jingzhan chuckled. “When we get back, my older brother will definitely give me a veiled scolding. I wonder if your master will say something to you. Just the thought of it is funny. The standard for the Spotless Immortal Sprout—who would ever dare to say it out loud?”
Mo Xuanli’s heart pounded wildly. If Master remembered, then surely he’d know how Mo Xuanli succeeded. Would he be exposed…? Impossible. The things he saw—only he himself knew. Even Three Bean didn’t know. At most, Master would think he was just letting his thoughts wander, turning crooked, neglecting proper cultivation.
At that thought, Mo Xuanli felt a twisted sense of being misunderstood, but also breathed a sigh of relief. Better that than having it exposed that he’d peeked at his master’s private visions.
As the two of them left the flower field, Chuixue Pavilion’s people started quarreling with Jingzhan again, and Xie Qingrong hurried to mediate and persuade them.
Others gathered curiously around Mo Xuanli with questions, but like Jingzhan, he couldn’t explain how he had picked it. All he could say was that he didn’t know. When pressed too hard, he almost went mad from recalling things he shouldn’t, and finally escaped by using the excuse of going to save those still lying unconscious in the flower field—thus sparing himself from dying of shame.
Those who were rescued included some rogue cultivators and some disciples from other sects.
After waking, they were very grateful. They had all tried for the Spotless Immortal Sprout and failed, and since only one sprout could be picked per person, there was no way to ask Mo Xuanli or the others to help them. They could only set out adventuring again.
But among them, some did bring useful news.
For instance, the Immortal’s cave residence had already been found, and many had gone to seek its inheritance—but all had failed and come away.
And some had encountered the Qingyun Tiger. On the heads of some Qingyun Tigers, a flower would grow—that was none other than the Tiger Spirit Holy Orchid, the third thing Mo Xuanli was seeking.
After some discussion, since the cave residence and the tiger’s territory were far apart to the east and west, Mo Xuanli didn’t want to delay the group and planned to meet Nan Zhi again at the cave residence. But Nan Zhi outright refused, saying it was too dangerous, and insisted they act together. In the end, Mo Xuanli couldn’t persuade her. It was Xie Qingrong, breaking free from his brother’s romantic entanglements, who came over and said, “If you don’t mind, the three of us can travel together. Jingzhan needs to go into the Qingyun Tiger’s territory to look for something, so we can make a party of it.”
Mo Xuanli asked, “You two aren’t in a hurry to attempt the inheritance?”
Xie Qingrong, open-minded as always, replied, “That truly depends on fate with the immortals. If it isn’t meant for us, rushing ahead is meaningless.”
Seeing Mo Xuanli had two such capable companions at his side, Nan Zhi nodded in agreement.
In the end, Chuixue Pavilion no longer tangled with Jingzhan and instead set off with the disciples of Zixiao Sect toward the Immortal’s Cave. The three of them, meanwhile, headed separately toward where the Qingyun Tiger was said to be.
The Void Spirit Secret Realm was vast—even flying by sword, it took quite some time to reach their destination.
Mid-flight, a sudden tiger’s roar thundered across the land, carrying such a deafening force that it shook the spiritual energy of all three until it became unstable.
They immediately landed, choosing to proceed on foot.
The Qingyun Tiger’s combat strength might not equal the Red Feather Dragon they had encountered earlier, but it was still formidable. Its greatest weapon was its roar: those of lower cultivation could have their organs shattered by the sound alone. Even for Mo Xuanli’s group, encountering a roar at close range would mean heavy injury, and if panic set in, death under fangs and claws would follow.
Mo Xuanli handed each of them a Focus-Nurturing Pill. Jingzhan accepted it, surprised. “You really came prepared. This protects the heart meridians from shock—good stuff.”
“Since we know what we’re up against, it’s only natural to prepare beforehand. Unlike you—always going with the flow.” Xie Qingrong accepted the pill and then handed out talismans. “Clarity Talismans. Keep one in your robes—it can block one tiger’s roar.”
Jingzhan laughed. “You two really think of everything. Traveling with you gives me so much peace of mind.”
“What are you looking for here?” Mo Xuanli asked.
“Qilin Incense,” Jingzhan explained. “A kind of dried wood incense, extremely rare. But the Qingyun Tiger likes it and often rubs it into its fur. I just need to scrape some off its pelt.”
Mo Xuanli’s expression turned subtle. He didn’t comment, but Jingzhan immediately saw through him and snapped, displeased. “Don’t overthink it. Yes, this stuff can bring pleasure, but I’m not refining anything improper—it’s medicine. You’re the one with the dirty thoughts, hm! No wonder you could think of that right away…”
“Cough, cough, cough…” Mo Xuanli broke into a cough.
Xie Qingrong stepped in smoothly. “You can’t blame him for thinking that way. If it were anyone else, Brother Xuanli would have assumed it was for treatment. But in your case…”
Jingzhan was instantly silenced.
Mo Xuanli awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Actually, I want to collect some too. You can take yours first—once you have enough, I’ll gather some.”
Jingzhan’s expression turned sly. “Oh? And for…”
“To sell.”
Jingzhan’s mouth twitched, and Xie Qingrong looked surprised. True, Qilin Incense was rare and fetched a high price—but disciples of great sects didn’t usually collect it just to sell.
So… was Luofeng Pavilion that poor?
Outside the water mirror, Gu Baiqing also thought to himself that the most valuable thing on the Qingyun Tiger wasn’t actually the Tiger Spirit Holy Orchid, but rather the Qilin Incense clinging to its pelt. Though it had awkward uses, most of its value lay in medicine. It was definitely one of the “good things” he had jotted down in his little notebook.
But of course, in reality, things were never that smooth. Jianghu was treacherous.
In the mirror, the three soon encountered a running Qingyun Tiger.
It was battling two cultivators—one man already gravely wounded on the ground, the other woman barely holding on. Soon she was struck by the roar’s sonic waves, collapsing and coughing blood, on the brink of being torn apart.
Mo Xuanli’s group intervened just in time.
The Qingyun Tiger, seeing three more appear, flew into a rage. It roared again and again, clearly unhurt—the earlier two had failed to harm it at all. Likely they hadn’t been trying to hunt it, but had just stumbled into it by bad luck.
The three braced themselves. The first roar was the strongest—if they could withstand it and accustom their bodies, the rest of the fight would be manageable.
Though they were fewer in number, all three were experts. Without even needing Mo Xuanli’s directions, they fought with natural coordination. Jingzhan, wielding a spirit weapon, led the offense. Mo Xuanli, lacking in close-combat advantage, supported from range with formations and spells. Xie Qingrong dragged the two injured cultivators out of danger before rejoining the fray.
Soon, the Qingyun Tiger was a trapped beast, its spiritual roar losing power. Mo Xuanli reinforced the trap with formations.
Jingzhan flew forward, landing a crushing stomp that forced the tiger prone. He called down cheerfully to Mo Xuanli, “Brother Xuanli, I see the thing you’re after! Come up and pluck it!”
Mo Xuanli leapt onto the tiger’s back. Sure enough, nestled in its neck fur was a small orchid glowing faintly. He hadn’t expected such luck—he had been prepared for injury, but thanks to his two companions, their effortless coordination had made it feel smooth and natural.
“Much obliged!” Mo Xuanli said with a smile toward Jingzhan.
“We’re in this together—no need for thanks.” Jingzhan then called down, “Qingrong, do you smell it? Any Qilin Incense?”
“Yes, plenty,” Xie Qingrong answered from beside the beast.
“I’ll hold it down. You two handle the rest.” Jingzhan grinned and told the massive tiger’s head below, “Behave yourself. Do as we ask and maybe we’ll spare you.”
Even as he spoke, Mo Xuanli was about to crouch down to pick the flower when a chill swept across his back—fast-moving projectiles, many of them, hurtling their way.
At the same moment Xie Qingrong shouted a warning below, Mo Xuanli abandoned the orchid and shoved the still-unaware Jingzhan away.
Both were hurled to the sides by the force.
A thunderous roar shook the air as dozens of beast-hunting spears pierced into the spot where they had just stood—right into the Qingyun Tiger’s neck, its most vulnerable point.
The tiger collapsed, and in that instant, the little orchid withered away.
The Tiger Spirit Saint Orchid must be plucked while the Qingyun Tiger is still alive—that is the flower’s nature.
“Ah, sorry, I thought the one standing up there was one of our companions. When I made my move, I was even wondering why he didn’t know we were about to throw our spears, why he didn’t dodge? Turns out it was other cultivators who stumbled in. Seeing as you’re from a great sect… you’re not here to steal our prey, are you? We’re just a group of rogue cultivators, and it took us great effort to track down this Qingyun Tiger. We’d already heavily injured it and had our companions lure and capture it. You can’t swoop in at the end to take the prey from us—that’s bullying.”
As he spoke, more than twenty cultivators, their clothing mismatched, descended. The one in the lead had a ferocious look, a scar across his face, and a grin that made people itch to punch him.
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