After Becoming a High-Risk Master, I Flipped the Script Chapter 36

In the original text, Mo Xuanli first arranged things in Tiger Valley to get rid of Ma Chuan and his group, so he never ran into Qian Yue on the road.

The two only met at the Immortal’s Cave. Wuxiang Temple had a precept: nothing was more important than opposing the demonic clan.

So even though the two had hardly any prior connection, Qian Yue still went forward out of concern, speaking out his doubts.

But by then, Mo Xuanli had already stepped into the demonic path, and naturally was even more guilty and defensive than now. To him, Qian Yue’s concern only felt like probing. For the sake of gaining his Master, for the sake of survival, even though Qian Yue had yet to show hostility, Mo Xuanli had to strike first, extinguish the threat. Thus, he seized upon the moment of the demonic clan’s invasion of the Void Spirit Realm, and used them to kill Qian Yue.

And so, the one hailed as the most promising talent of the younger generation of the cultivation world fell in the secret realm.

But now, they had met early.

Gu Baiqing could not be certain whether this time Qian Yue would say the same words, since Mo Xuanli had not yet succumbed to demonization.

If he did say them…

“Meow.”

Three Bean let out a sound, and Gu Baiqing realized he had squeezed its tail too hard.

“Sorry.”

Three Bean stood up, stretched lazily, and rubbed against the uneasy Gu Baiqing. “What, are you upset because that monk seems strong? Hmph, not generous at all. You should trust the disciple you raised. Xuanli will certainly be the strongest in the future.”

Even Jingcheng beside them laughed at this. “So that’s why you’re upset.”

Gu Baiqing was speechless. “It’s not.”

But the interruption oddly lifted his mood. Yes, this Mo Xuanli was his disciple. He had already changed this child so much—he needed to trust him.

…

Qian Yue, seeing Mo Xuanli’s silence, assumed it was out of caution. After all, cultivators truly were reluctant to let others examine their bodies. After thinking a bit, he said: “If it is inconvenient, then should you ever feel unwell in the future, you may come to Wuxiang Temple.”

Mo Xuanli did not feel relief. Instead, his nerves tightened further. It felt less like being cared for and more like being targeted. His back went cold with fright. The memories of being hunted and abused in his childhood seemed to resurface again and again with every word Qian Yue spoke.

If he were discovered…

If he were caught…

No… it would be nothing more than death, nothing more than the nightmare realized.

But if… if his Master were to know everything, then all their bond as master and disciple, all their forbidden affection would turn into disgusting revulsion.

Mo Xuanli suddenly realized—that was something he could not bear.

From bitter to bitter is one thing, but from sweet turning to bitter is another entirely.

It seemed that death itself was no longer the point. Just the thought of his secretly caring Master one day looking at him with utter loathing—he could already feel a despair more terrifying than death itself.

That despair dragged his consciousness into an abyss, suffocating him, dragging him down.

His hand clenched tighter, his neatly trimmed nails breaking into his palm.

No… he had to make this man disappear. He could not allow…

Suddenly, Jingzhan laughed beside him: “Brother Qian Yue, you really care about Brother Xuanli, but you worry too much. His Master is none other than Elder Luofeng, Gu Baiqing. With him there, what demon or ghost could ever touch Mo Xuanli? He’s like thunder itself, striking down all demons and monsters.”

Dong—his mind resounded. Mo Xuanli’s chest felt struck. Elder Luofeng… Gu Baiqing… Master… In the pitch-black abyss, a light flared, and a hand reached out to him.

After Jingzhan finished, he laughed again. Xie Qingrong frowned and said, “What thunder and lightning nonsense? Saying that about Elder Luofeng in front of his disciple—be careful, or Brother Xuanli might turn against you.”

“It’s respect, respect. But truly, what are demons and monsters most afraid of, if not heavenly thunder? A lightning cultivator—nowadays Elder Luofeng dares claim second in the cultivation world, who dares claim first? Isn’t that right, Brother Xuanli?”

Light slowly returned to Mo Xuanli’s eyes. He seemed to grasp that hand, fingers interlacing… just like that night—warm, steady.

Just as Mo Xuanli drifted in that daze, Qian Yue slowly said: “So you are Elder Luofeng’s disciple. Then indeed it was this monk being overly concerned.”

In an instant, the ice and snow melted.

The heart that had been hanging finally settled back into place. Looking at Qian Yue, Mo Xuanli saw that the man truly no longer paid him any mind, his expression blank, as though nothing had ever happened.

All because he heard his Master’s name.

All because of his Master’s existence, he chose to trust him.

Mo Xuanli slowly loosened his tightly clenched hand, blood dripping down his fingers.

Master… Master… Master…

After a moment, Mo Xuanli suddenly came to his senses. What had he just been doing? What had he been thinking? How could he have thought of killing? He had sworn to walk the righteous path, sworn never to become like the demonic clan, slaughtering the innocent. How could he have entertained such an evil thought just now?

If he truly became like that, how would he still be worthy of being Gu Baiqing’s disciple, worthy of holding any place in his Master’s heart?

Mo Xuanli lingered in self-disgust for a while before finally calming down. His gaze gradually softened, and even the corners of his lips curved slightly.

“Still, thank you, Brother Qian Yue, for your concern.”

Qian Yue glanced at Mo Xuanli again. Just now, he had clearly felt the icy aura of someone pushing others a thousand li away, yet in the blink of an eye it was like spring warmth blossoming. Truly a strange person.

As he was thinking this, Jingzhan’s voice rang out, calling for Mo Xuanli.

“Look below—it’s golden koi.”

Mo Xuanli immediately halted. “You all go ahead—”

“I’ll go with you, it won’t take long.” Jingzhan smiled.

The two tacitly dove down, casting spells to blast the fish pond.

Qian Yue asked in puzzlement: “Golden koi… does it help with cultivation?”

Xie Qingrong chuckled. “No… but they’re very valuable.”

Qian Yue: … So, Mo Xuanli is short on money? The personal disciple of Luofeng Pavilion, Zixiao Sect, short on money… truly a strange person.

“With more people it’ll be faster, I’ll help too. Qian Yue, come along?” After Xie Qingrong spoke, he beckoned Qian Yue to join.

Expressionless, Qian Yue still came to the lakeshore and naturally joined in the work.

Thus, four of the cultivation world’s promising youths busied themselves catching fish at the koi lake.

Meanwhile, in the other water mirrors, scenes showed cultivators hurrying frantically toward the Immortal’s Cave.

Outside the water mirrors, people cast all sorts of subtle glances at the elders of Zixiao Sect.

Gu Baiqing sat calm and unruffled, taking out his little notebook and striking off another item.

…

It was rumored that the Immortal’s Cave held three great legacy techniques. Since it opened a thousand years ago, only one had ever been inherited—by Gu Baiqing. What he inherited was the purification of spiritual roots. Because of this, not only was his innate lightning aptitude exceptional, but refined even further, so that by the time he reached the tribulation stage, his lightning power rivaled heavenly thunder.

Thus, many once believed Gu Baiqing was the most likely, after Golden Immortal Baili, to transcend the heavenly dao and ascend. But then, to everyone’s shock, news came that Gu Baiqing had been struck unconscious by heavenly thunder—utterly inconceivable.

Now two inheritances remained within the Immortal’s Cave, but until they were obtained, no one knew what they were.

In the original text, only Mo Xuanli inherited one this time—an abnormal space-type technique. Once cultivated to perfection, it allowed him to tear open space and instantly move a thousand li away. Later in the story, whenever this skill was mentioned, everyone described it as defying the heavens in strength.

Yet Mo Xuanli used it almost exclusively on Gu Baiqing. For example, outside, when the disciple suddenly entered rut and the Master refused to “play in the wild,” what then? Instantly shift to a suitable location for the deed.

Often, it was just one slash through space—no matter where they were—then in the next instant, Gu Baiqing was pressed down on the bed by his rebellious disciple.

So no matter how powerful others described it, in Gu Baiqing’s eyes it was nothing but an enabling, utterly shameless technique.

As for the third inheritance—its nature was unknown, never mentioned in the original.

After finishing their fish-catching, the four finally arrived at the Immortal’s Cave, only to see two groups already clashing. Looking closer, it was Nan Zhi and Li Xiuran leading each side.

Mo Xuanli immediately slashed down with a flame-laced sword strike, blocking Li Xiuran’s attack. When their spiritual power collided, both felt the other’s growth—though only two days had passed in the secret realm, their strengths had already changed completely from when they first met outside. Both looked at each other in surprise.

Li Xiuran was first to withdraw, and naturally Mo Xuanli did not press on, instead landing beside Nan Zhi.

Li Xiuran cupped his hands. “Miss Nan Zhi, please don’t make things difficult. We’re all here for the inheritance trials—let’s save our time.”

“That’s time you need, not me! Hand over He Jing!” Nan Zhi snorted coldly. But Yun Yue stepped forward to hold her back, anxious: “Can’t you just listen to me once?!”

Glancing around, Mo Xuanli quickly spotted He Jing hiding not far away. He understood immediately—they had run into each other by chance, and Nan Zhi had lashed out. After all, this was already within the Immortal’s Cave domain, where even the outside water mirrors could not see inside—naturally a hotspot for conflict.

Seeing Yun Yue’s expression was still steady, Mo Xuanli exhaled in relief. He cast Nan Zhi a subtle look: too many people here, and with Li Xiuran protecting, it was inconvenient to act.

But once everyone entered the inheritance trial, some would emerge sooner, some later—so there was no need to rush. And whether to kill or not, it was best to first hear Yun Yue’s wishes, since it was her matter.

Here, Nan Zhi could not easily defeat Li Xiuran, and with Yun Yue restraining her, she could only stop. Turning to Mo Xuanli, she asked, “Was your journey smooth?”

Mo Xuanli nodded, pointing to the three others who had landed beside him. “Thanks to them.”

Nan Zhi nodded, thanked the three for looking after her junior brother, then said, “Go on to the trials—we all failed.”

Mo Xuanli didn’t think much of it, but the Zixiao Sect people immediately began cheering him on.

“Hey, any information you can share?” Jingzhan asked with his usual easy familiarity.

Nan Zhi, unwary, replied: “I don’t know which inheritance trial I faced. In short, I fought a phantom sword cultivator. I was defeated and sent out. Aside from Yun Yue, the rest of us were the same. Yun Yue’s was a bit strange.”

At being mentioned, Yun Yue lowered her head in embarrassment. “Actually, I fainted, so I don’t know what kind of test it was. When I woke up, I was already outside. I’m a medical cultivator, so perhaps I didn’t meet the requirements and wasn’t given a trial.”

Yun Yue’s information wasn’t useful, but the others’ could be summarized: one inheritance trial must surely relate to swordsmanship itself.

“It seems you must defeat—or at least satisfy—the opponent to obtain the inheritance,” Xie Qingrong said. “Thank you for the hint. I’ll go find my fellow sect members first.”

With that, Xie Qingrong excused himself.

“This will be difficult.” Jingzhan rubbed his chin, about to go find his own companions—when a noisy voice jeered: “Difficult for you, indeed. If an inheritance were to fall to a frivolous libertine like you, then that Immortal must truly be blind.”

Jingzhan narrowed his eyes and looked over, his voice cold: “If even I can’t obtain it, then you, this piece of trash, are just daydreaming all the more. Tell me, are you here just to make up the numbers for those who fail, He Zixiao?”

He Zixiao immediately raised his sword in fury, pointing it at him. “Who are you calling trash? I say you’re the useless one, always hiding behind Xie Qingrong, asking him to protect you!”

“He’s not here right now. Why don’t we test it out and see if I need anyone’s protection?” Jingzhan sneered.
“Oh right, you said before that you’d find me and Mo Xuanli in this secret realm. Well, here we are, and without your sister around to interfere. If you’ve got guts, come on. The best fighter on your side is Li Xiuran—bring him along too. I’ll have Mo Xuanli keep him busy, and I’ll personally beat you up. I guarantee I’ll beat you so badly you won’t be able to get out of bed for a whole year.”

As he spoke, Jingzhan started rolling up his sleeves.

He Zixiao instinctively ducked behind Li Xiuran. “No need for me to lift a finger. If you’ve got the ability… if you’ve got the ability, then each of you take turns fighting Li Xiuran!”

All bluster, but when it came to a real fight, he shrank back.

Jingzhan didn’t really care to tangle with a coward like this. With a cold snort, he turned and went to find his own sectmates.

Naturally, being ignored left Young Master He fuming with rage, while Li Xiuran could only sigh helplessly and urge his fellow disciples to hurry and enter the inheritance trial.

At the gates of the Immortal’s Cave Mansion was a blue barrier of light. Once you stepped inside, two paths would appear. But these paths weren’t fixed to any particular inheritance—they shifted randomly. What mattered was fate.

After the disciples of Tianzhao Sect had all entered, Mo Xuanli followed close behind.

Once he saw the two paths, Mo Xuanli chose one at random. After walking through a narrow passage, another glowing ring appeared ahead.

Suddenly, a voice rang out in his mind:

“Child, where is it you wish to go?”

Go? Mo Xuanli’s mind went blank, as if something had seized control. He couldn’t think too deeply—he could only focus on answering the question posed.

“Where do you most want to go? I’ll take you there. The ends of the earth, mountains and rivers, the most beautiful sights under heaven—I can send you to see them. Do you wish to experience it?”

Mo Xuanli was stunned, his eyes vacant. His lips parted slowly: “I want to go…”

The moment he spoke, one of his feet unknowingly stepped into the glowing ring.

When he opened his eyes again, there was the clamor of voices, a bustling atmosphere.

“Several of the ones I favor most have gone into the Immortal’s Cave Mansion. Do you think this time someone will obtain an inheritance?”

“Want to place a bet?”

“I bet on Li Xiuran… his luck this time has been so incredible, I swear even Heaven is helping him!”

“Then I bet on Mo Xuanli. He always manages to turn danger into opportunity—he’s got fate on his side.”

“I like…”

Where is this?

Mo Xuanli looked down. A crowd was gathered around a water mirror. The mirror reflected the outer scene of the Immortal’s Cave Mansion, showing cultivators entering and leaving, while in the distance floated the vast suspended forest—that was the Void Spirit Secret Realm.

What’s going on? How did he come out here?

No—that wasn’t it. He wasn’t using any spiritual power, yet he floated in the air. The wind passed easily through his body.

In a flash, he understood. This was the inheritance trial. But he couldn’t figure it out—what exactly was this trial testing? Why bring him here?

Hadn’t that voice said it would take him to the place he most wanted to go? The place he wanted to go was…

Mo Xuanli’s gaze suddenly froze. At nearly the same height, a short distance away, he saw… his master.

The moment his eyes locked onto him, the scene shifted again. When he opened his eyes, a handsome face of extraordinary bearing filled his vision, so close that the faint blue lightning mark at his brow was perfectly clear.

Mo Xuanli’s pupils trembled in shock. Right now, he and his master were staring straight into each other’s eyes, their noses almost touching, their lips nearly brushing.

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