Mo Xuanli had just finished sparring with Chu Fei. Exhausted, he collapsed onto the ground, panting, when Three Bean came over to tattle.
“Xuanli, I heard your Second Martial Uncle say he’s arranging for you to descend the mountain. We haven’t even seen each other for half a year, and you’re leaving again?”
Mo Xuanli froze, then remembered—it was indeed about time. After finding his life-bound sword in the Foundation Establishment stage, he was required to descend the mountain to cleanse evil and contribute to the sect’s tasks. Of course, there would be corresponding rewards.
In truth, every immortal sect arranged guardian disciples within their territories. Usually, these were outer sect disciples who reached thirty years old without being able to build their foundation. They could either leave and return to mortal life, or choose to guard various areas, handling common cases of demons and monsters disturbing ordinary folk. To locals, they would be regarded as Taoist masters. If they encountered something difficult, especially if related to the demon race, they would report to the sect, and then inner sect disciples would be dispatched to resolve it.
This was what was called “cleansing evil”—purging malign spirits within Zixiao Sect’s domain.
The domain of an immortal sect was generally vast, often encompassing the territory of an entire mortal kingdom. Thus, such tasks were plentiful and graded by danger. These tasks typically served as the first experience of descending the mountain for inner sect disciples.
Previously, Mo Xuanli had encountered the opening of the Void Spirit Secret Realm and had been exceptionally taken there, delaying his descent.
Now that everything had settled down, he was bound to go.
Only… he hadn’t served his master for five months, and now he was leaving again. He hadn’t even had time to cook for his master, to tidy up Fenglin… Mo Xuanli’s heart was filled with disappointment he couldn’t suppress.
He thought for a moment, quickly got up, wondering how many days he still had left on the mountain. He should prepare more tea and snacks for his master. But before he could act, fellow disciples, having already heard about God Nine Transformations, became so excited they boldly stormed Luofeng Pavilion, dragged him off, and said they wanted to celebrate.
Unable to resist their enthusiasm, Mo Xuanli was carried off.
He was detained for an entire day and night before being released. Finally breaking free and returning to Luofeng Pavilion, he found only Three Bean keeping watch. His master wasn’t there—he had gone to Qianren Pavilion.
At that moment, Fu Zhiyi was speaking with Gu Baiqing about modifying Mo Xuanli’s arrangements.
As expected, it matched the original text.
“Earlier I checked—Mo Xuanli’s strength is close to Foundation Establishment perfection. With his circumstances, entering Golden Core won’t be difficult. But if he wants to form a perfect core, he’ll still need Spirit Crystals and Spirit-Gathering Pills.”
Spirit Crystals and Spirit-Gathering Pills were exactly what the mission hints required. To successfully form a core, aside from one’s own cultivation, a large amount of spiritual energy was indispensable. Spirit Crystals were essentially the upgraded essence of spirit stones, continuously releasing the purest spiritual energy. They also came in different attributes. Since Mo Xuanli cultivated wind and fire, finding either attribute would aid him. Spirit-Gathering Pills, once consumed, could draw surrounding spiritual energy into the body.
Core formation could also be achieved with lower-grade pills and spirit stones piled together, but given Mo Xuanli’s talent, he naturally had to use the best and form the most perfect Golden Core, which would be far more beneficial for his future cultivation.
“Spirit-Gathering Pills are simple; you can assign them to Mo Xuanli at any time. But our sect has no Spirit Crystals left. These are rare opportunities. Just now, I received news that a wild spirit vein has appeared near Star-Stepping City. I plan to send people to investigate. If there are treasures, we can’t miss them. Conveniently, one of Mo Xuanli’s assigned tasks is also near Star-Stepping City. Why not let him go there as well? With some luck, he might find a rare Spirit Crystal that matches his spiritual roots. Wouldn’t that be a heaven-sent chance, aiding him in stepping into Golden Core?”
Gu Baiqing silently listened to Fu Zhiyi’s “task details” and nodded.
In the original text, when Mo Xuanli descended the mountain, Gu Baiqing absolutely had to accompany him for two reasons.
The first was the Gu poison he had been tricked into taking. Though Gu Baiqing felt deeply ashamed, for the safety of both master and disciple, he still had to follow closely at his disciple’s side.
But in their current master-disciple relationship, this point no longer applied.
The second reason was this one: the original plot had arranged for this segment, which led Fu Zhiyi to take the initiative in thinking it better for Gu Baiqing to accompany Mo Xuanli. Forming the Golden Core was the most important step in cultivation, so as a master, guarding his disciple’s side was entirely natural. Thus, even without the first reason, the second reason still stood.
Although Gu Baiqing had no desire whatsoever to end up traveling alone with Mo Xuanli, since the mission had already been issued, he had no choice but to go. After all, there were still key plot events requiring his presence. For the sake of escaping his sea of suffering as soon as possible, he could only resign himself and move forward.
So Gu Baiqing directly said, “I’ll go to investigate. With luck, I can guard him as he forms his Golden Core.”
But as soon as his words fell, Fu Zhiyi said, “Of course not! Your spiritual power is unreliable at times—how can you just go down the mountain? Especially to Star-Stepping City. Have you forgotten? You have an old grudge with the city lord there.”
Star-Stepping City, situated on the border between Zixiao Sect and Tianzhao Sect, was an independent territory. Its city lord came from a line of cultivators, considered a rogue cultivator lineage, with family-secret techniques—not easy to deal with.
As for the so-called “old grudge,” if the original body had heard this, he would’ve been completely baffled. After all, he couldn’t even remember the female lead, much less a supporting male character.
That’s right—the city lord of Star-Stepping City had once admired Fairy Ruiyao, even boasting that he was willing to offer an entire city as betrothal gift to marry her. Yet before his path of pursuit even began, it was cut short by Gu Baiqing. Seeing his beloved end up heartbroken and in seclusion, the furious city lord had even stormed to Zixiao Sect to challenge Gu Baiqing. But before he even set eyes on him, the moment he stepped into the Luofeng Pavilion’s grounds, he was struck unconscious by a single bolt of lightning.
It was only then that Gu Baiqing realized—in the original, the master’s spiritual power was perfectly fine, allowing him to run rampant across the cultivation world. Fu Zhiyi wouldn’t have cared about such petty old grudges. But now… Gu Baiqing suddenly realized his reasoning didn’t hold up. In their eyes, he might even become a burden to his disciple. So he had to grit his teeth and say, “Actually, I’ve already recovered most of my strength—it’s no hindrance.”
“Then let Third Junior Sister come and verify it.”
Gu Baiqing could no longer bluff.
“I know you’re worried about your disciple. If a Spirit Crystal is found, wait for him to return and then guard him yourself while he forms his core. What, do you plan for him to form it directly in Star-Stepping City?” Fu Zhiyi mocked.
But the original storyline’s progression was precisely that Mo Xuanli would step into the Golden Core stage in Star-Stepping City. Gu Baiqing couldn’t obstruct the advance of the main plot.
Feeling a headache, Gu Baiqing decided not to argue further. At worst, when the time came, he would just descend the mountain directly. Who could stop him?
Mo Xuanli, however, had no idea that Gu Baiqing was determined to accompany him. After all, a master descending the mountain with his disciple—other overly-doting masters had done that before. But his own master, though harboring other emotions, had always been strict in teaching.
“Since your first mission is in Star-Stepping City, we’ve already sent an external-affairs elder to investigate the spirit vein. If you need help, you can ask him. Afterwards, other disciples on training missions will join up with you to form a team.” Fu Zhiyi explained.
Mo Xuanli accepted the mission, unrolled the scroll, and found it quite substantial. “Second Senior Uncle… about how long does it usually take to complete these tasks?”
“At the least, more than a year, depending on your efficiency. Remember, in places where mortals live, you must not lightly use spells. Spells of cultivators are only to be used against non-human entities. Conduct yourself as low-key as possible, otherwise your Dao heart will suffer damage.”
Mo Xuanli nodded. This had always been a rule of the cultivation world. Especially for new disciples on their first experience outside, restraint was essential. Thus, they could not go flying about freely. If their actions caused too great an impact, they would also face punishment.
This was why in the mortal realm, tales of immortals far outnumbered true sightings. At most, people would only see a few Taoist masters living among them.
“All right then, descend the mountain. Be careful, and don’t be reckless. And remember—the matter of the Spirit Crystal especially requires caution.” After all, it was a rare treasure. Those well-informed were surely already gathering. But finding a Spirit Crystal still depended on opportunity.
At the mention of Spirit Crystals, Mo Xuanli’s eyes flickered. Spirit Crystals were stones that released pure spiritual energy. Could such a thing help with his master’s condition? If he obtained one, he must first let his master try it.
Resolving himself, Mo Xuanli prepared to descend the mountain.
When he went to Luofeng Pavilion to bid farewell, he found his master still sitting beneath the eaves, stroking Three Bean’s fur. At once, the sorrow of parting surged in his heart.
“Master, this disciple is to descend the mountain. My return date is uncertain—it may take over a year. I cannot remain at your side to serve you. Please, Master, take care of your health.”
Gu Baiqing nodded, his tone flat: “Go.”
Mo Xuanli froze. Just those words?
A wave of disappointment welled up in his chest. He was truly leaving for more than a year, and Master had not the slightest trace of reluctance?
Never mind the master-disciple bond—even the other emotions in his master’s heart, had they already faded after those five months of separation?
The thought unsettled Mo Xuanli.
Rationally, it should be a good thing. If they could return to a normal master-disciple relationship… but still—
Suppressing the disappointment in his heart, he comforted himself: If those feelings truly faded, then when he returned in a year or more, perhaps only pure master-disciple affection would remain between them. Then Master would no longer push him away in order to suppress his emotions. He could stay at his master’s side in peace, cultivate without guilt, no longer feeling as though he owed his master’s affections. That was good… yes, that was good…
At last, Mo Xuanli bowed deeply to Gu Baiqing and set off. Yet he overlooked one thing: Three Bean, who always clung to him, showed no reluctance at all when he was about to leave.
At the sect gates, many fellow disciples came to see him off. They brought gifts, gave reminders, imparted experiences. After much reluctance, Mo Xuanli mounted his sword and flew away. Only when he reached Zixiao Sect’s boundary marker did he descend, intending to walk to the nearest town to buy a horse.
Just as he landed, he saw a strange young man leaning against the boundary stele. The man wore close-fitting black robes, his hair tied high but without a hairpin to secure it. A storage pouch hung at his waist, but there was no sword. He lounged there at ease, as if admiring the scenery, yet also as if waiting for someone.
Mo Xuanli froze, slowly approaching. The man raised his head and glanced over, his eyes suppressing a trace of smug amusement, starry gleam flickering within. His face was refined and handsome, the features vaguely familiar, and on his brow… there was nothing.
Yet as Mo Xuanli drew closer, that faint, familiar scent of cold plum seeped out from his very bones, impossible to conceal.
Mo Xuanli stared blankly, feeling even God Nine Transformations tremble in resonance, just as his own heart trembled.
The man before him feigned a light smile. “Fellow Daoist, might I ask how to get to Star-Stepping City? I seem to have lost my way. If it’s convenient, could you point me in the right direction? If we’re heading the same way, perhaps we could travel together?”
“Master?” Mo Xuanli’s voice was full of disbelief, even blurred and unsteady.
The man’s expression stiffened, the corner of his mouth twitching out a forced question word: “Ah? Who are you calling, Fellow Daoist?”
“Master, what are you doing?” Mo Xuanli was so overjoyed that he barely heard his own voice, asking only by instinct.
Gu Baiqing cracked instantly, his ears flushing red, nearly unable to stop himself from shouting on the spot: “How did you see through me?”
He had clearly used Three Bean’s illusion to cover himself with a veil, so outsiders should only see a stranger’s face! How could he be exposed the very moment he descended the mountain?
And to think he had even said such a shameful pick-up line just now.
Gu Baiqing hesitated three seconds between denying to death or admitting outright. Finally, under Mo Xuanli’s second, resolute “Master,” he conceded defeat.
He tried to restore his cold composure, though his expression betrayed his gloom. From his pouch he pulled out Three Bean and tossed it to Mo Xuanli with a touch of spite.
“What’s this? In your eyes, your teacher’s face hasn’t changed? Could it be Three Bean’s illusion failed?”
Mo Xuanli held the dizzy little Three Bean, dazedly shaking his head. “It’s a different face. Though five parts similar to Master’s original appearance, it’s still completely different. Three Bean’s illusion was a success.”
“Then how did you recognize me?” Gu Baiqing asked, curious.
Mo Xuanli faltered. He didn’t know either—he just knew from the first glance. “It was… God Nine Transformations. It reacted just now. I also felt it was you, so… I was certain.”
Gu Baiqing touched his head in frustration, having forgotten about that little spirit God Nine Transformations.
“Fine. It’s not that I intended to deceive you. It’s just that your Second Martial Uncle forbade me from going down the mountain, so I had to change my face to avoid being recognized by the guards. I had planned to tell you straightaway—what I said earlier was just a momentary jest.”
Ah, tragic. He’d originally planned to bluff all the way through, exploiting a bug in the storyline: they would “happen” to meet as fellow travelers and journey together, sidestepping the master-disciple script entirely. But never did he expect the plan to collapse in the womb. If he’d known, he should have just followed secretly from the start.
“Why did Master come down the mountain? If Second Martial Uncle refused, then surely—” Mo Xuanli realized, anxiety flashing across his face.
At first, seeing Master waiting for him had made him so happy he nearly fainted. But now that he thought about it—how could Master travel with him? Unlike when they moved with the whole sect, now it would just be master and disciple alone. That was far too dangerous.
Gu Baiqing gave him a look, exasperated. “What’s this? Are you, as my disciple, going to oppose your teacher’s decision?”
This time Mo Xuanli showed no fear. “Please return, Master. It’s all this disciple’s fault for being too weak. If I were stronger, I could surely accompany Master. But right now, I haven’t even stepped into the Golden Core stage. I truly feel unworthy—Master, you—”
“There are countless mortals who never cultivate. Don’t they live just fine? Who says danger lurks everywhere? What, are you afraid I’ll drag you down? Don’t worry, your teacher—”
“Master!” Mo Xuanli’s tone suddenly sharpened. The brilliance flashing in his eyes startled even Gu Baiqing. But Mo Xuanli quickly realized his rudeness and apologized, flustered: “Forgive me, Master. I was only worried. And how could Master think that of this disciple? Never would I believe you’d drag me down. I only fear that if something happens, I’ll implicate you—”
Looking at Mo Xuanli’s tense expression, Gu Baiqing felt an odd discomfort in his heart.
“Relax. If Star-Stepping City were so dangerous, would your Second Martial Uncle dare send you there? He treasures you more than I do. The reason he forbade me from leaving was only fear that, should provocation or old grudges arise, I wouldn’t be able to handle it without my spiritual power. But look—besides you, who else can recognize me? Who would bother with a common rogue cultivator?”
Mo Xuanli’s expression eased slightly, as though he had accepted this.
Seeing this, Gu Baiqing spoke further to prevent overthinking. “And I’m not going to Star-Stepping City to accompany you out of worry. I truly have personal business there. Traveling together is only a matter of convenience.”
Mo Xuanli wasn’t saddened by this explanation, but asked directly: “What business? Can this disciple not help Master handle it?”
Gu Baiqing replied, “It must be handled by me alone. Don’t ask further. And whether I go or not hardly needs your approval, does it?”
He summoned his full teacherly authority, nearly overwhelmed a moment before. Hateful brat—his wings really had hardened, daring to argue back to him now.
Gu Baiqing’s resolute stance left Mo Xuanli with no choice but to sigh.
“This disciple understands.” If there truly was something, then at worst he would fight with his life, but he would never let Master come to harm.
Gu Baiqing, pleased with his victory, turned with a casual air and began walking ahead. Mo Xuanli followed behind, clutching Three Bean.
Three Bean was chirping away excitedly, but Mo Xuanli didn’t hear a single word. He only stared blankly at the figure of his Master ahead.
Suddenly, Master turned back and asked, “By the way, in the mortal world they don’t trade with spirit stones, but with money, right? Did you… bring any?”
Mo Xuanli’s eyes flickered, the corners of his lips lifting uncontrollably. He hurried forward two steps.
“I did, Master. Don’t worry, it’s more than enough.”
So now… he was truly traveling together with Master, just the two of them… this close, day and night. It was something Mo Xuanli had never experienced before, and he could hardly imagine it.
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