“Child, within you there is both a spiritual root and a demonic root. You are a mixed-blood. Your existence is something heaven and earth will never tolerate.”
“Immortal, kill me.”
“Child, do you wish to die?”
“No. I want to live. I don’t want to die. But like this, everyone wants to kill me. I don’t even… I don’t even have a home anymore. No one will care about me, no one will be with me. A life like this—I don’t want it. I’m so tired… it hurts… it feels unbearable…”
“Child, I can kill you. But I can also teach you how to survive.”
“Really? You can help me?”
“That depends on what you wish to become. A powerful demon, to protect yourself, or…”
“No, I don’t want to be a demon. I just want to be a normal person. It must be because I’m not normal that all of this has happened. It must be my fault. That’s why Father and Mother died… it’s all my fault. Immortal, please, please make me a normal person. I don’t want demonic blood. I don’t want it…”
The six-year-old child, clothes in tatters, body covered in wounds, knelt in the mud, knocking his head to the ground again and again.
At last, the immortal slowly spoke: “I have a way to make you a normal human, but everything will depend on your own resolve.”
The six-year-old had no idea of the dangers ahead. He only knew he had grasped a sliver of hope—and even if it killed him, he would not let go.
The old immortal told him: first, he must become a cultivator of the Tribulation stage. At the final great tribulation, when he was only one step away from ascension, the heavenly thunder would scour his body, a rebirth through fire and bone. Then, it could wash away his demonic bloodline, allowing him to ascend as an immortal. But this was only a chance, nothing more.
Because of his demonic blood, his chances of failure in the tribulation would be many times higher than others.
In truth, successful ascension was already as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. For a mixed-blood, it was nearly impossible. That was why the immortal said this method was like searching for a needle in the ocean—possible, but so vanishingly small it could barely be seen.
Yet, there was another way—a way that would succeed one hundred percent.
That was: when his cultivation reached the Tribulation stage, gather all the fragments of the Godslayer Sword, and refine them into the sword with his own body as the furnace. The primordial divine power it released could slay all gods, immortals, and demons under heaven. By harnessing that power, he could completely remake his body, shedding his mixed bloodline.
When he heard the second method, the six-year-old only understood it as something guaranteed to succeed, and was overjoyed.
Even when he endured the searing pain of the sealing spell, he did not shed a single tear—because his heart brimmed with hope.
The immortal sealed away his demonic root and demonic nature. To others, he would no longer appear as a being of both immortal and demonic aura.
That the immortal could do this much made the child place unwavering faith in his words.
Time flowed on, the little child grew into Mo Xuanli. He joined the Zixiao Sect, became an inner disciple, and at last had the means to investigate what the immortal had told him.
But when he scoured every record in the Zixiao Sect, he finally understood why the immortal had spoken first of the near-impossible chance of ascension.
Because the second method—the Godslayer Sword—was a thing of myth. No one had ever seen it.
The moment Mo Xuanli realized this, he knew he had no choice but to give up on that path. All he could do was strive to reach the Tribulation stage, then pray that Heaven, in its mercy, would grant him the chance to succeed in cleansing himself. Even a chance as slim as fishing a needle from the sea—that became his only way forward.
And now…
Li Xiuran slowly sat up, nodding once more. “I can hardly believe it myself, but it truly is the sword intent of the Godslayer Sword. I think that’s why a wild spirit vein suddenly appeared here. Once the sword intent was passed on, the wild vein lost its anchor and naturally disappeared.”
Said that way, it made sense. Wild spirit veins took countless ages to form. For one to appear fully shaped in seven or eight years was utterly unreasonable—unless there truly was divine intervention.
“But… the Godslayer Sword…” Ji Chuling’s expression shifted several times. Her lips parted, but in the end she did not continue.
If anyone here might have some connection to the Godslayer Sword, it was Ji Chuling. She was, after all, born of the Hidden God Clan. Yet to her ears, it all sounded inconceivable.
“In the ancient war, the gods wielded the Godslayer Sword to annihilate the Primeval Demons. That ended the war of gods and demons. The gods themselves fell one after another, the Primeval Demons vanished completely, and the Godslayer Sword’s divine power was exhausted. It shattered into eight fragments and fell into the mortal world. That is what the legends say. But tens of thousands of years have passed, and not a single fragment has ever surfaced.” Si Chun said: “That’s why everyone has always believed it to be nothing more than myth.”
Let alone the complete Godslayer Sword—or its sword intent. It was simply unimaginable.
Even Gu Baiqing was full of question marks. From start to finish, the “original text” never mentioned anything about the sword intent of the Godslayer Sword. As for the fragments—that much he knew.
One piece was secretly enshrined in Tianyuan Sect, unknown to outsiders. Another piece was right before their eyes.
At first, Gu Baiqing had thought that something as powerful as the Godslayer Sword must surely, in the end, fall into Mo Xuanli’s hands. Yet by the conclusion of the story, the fragments were never gathered, nor did the complete sword ever appear. The setting had simply been left unresolved—such a pity.
Gu Baiqing frowned slightly. Was this world automatically filling in the missing plot? Or was there another reason?
Meanwhile, inside Mo Xuanli’s heart surged waves like a stormy sea. He had always thought it impossible. But now, it was as if a glimmer of hope appeared before him.
The birth of the Godslayer Sword’s intent meant the fragments were no longer just an illusion. Mo Xuanli could not help but glance at Gu Baiqing.
If it truly existed—if it wasn’t just a legend.
If he truly could gather the fragments and forge the divine sword, then… he really could become a normal person. He wouldn’t need to gamble on Heaven’s tiny shred of mercy. By his own hands, he could seize control of his fate.
If he could purge himself of demonic blood… then perhaps, with his master…
“This is no blessing.” Ji Chuling suddenly spoke with grave seriousness. “My grandfather said: whenever the Godslayer Sword appears, it is always tied to the Primeval Demons. And the Primeval Demons are bound to calamities that engulf heaven and earth.”
Mo Xuanli’s face instantly turned pale, but very quickly the color returned, his gaze becoming calm.
“How could that be? The Primal Demon hasn’t existed for a long time,” Si Chun said.
Li Xiuran added, “This is only a strand of sword intent, at most one set of techniques from the Godslayer Sword. It can’t even be compared to the true Godslayer Sword. What’s more, it’s said that the Godslayer Sword was shattered into eight pieces—no one even knows what it looks like, what features it has, or whether it’s reappeared. To think of reassembling it into the true Godslayer Sword is practically impossible. Chuling, you don’t need to worry too much.”
“I don’t know either. That’s just what Grandfather said. So inheriting this thing may not be a good thing—it’s bound to drag people into trouble. Li Xiuran, come back to the clan with me to ask clearly. I won’t feel at ease otherwise,” Ji Chuling said anxiously.
Li Xiuran thought for a moment and nodded. “I want to ask as well. In fact, even though I accepted the inheritance, I can hardly use it. The only time I felt anything was the instant I inherited the spiritual vein—otherwise, back in the illusion realm I would have been able to help… Maybe it’s just that my cultivation isn’t high enough, and I can’t control it yet.”
“You already did very well in the illusion realm. It was my master who caused trouble for everyone. My apologies.” As she spoke, Si Chun lowered her head and bowed.
Ji Chuling and Li Xiuran hurried to say it was nothing—after all, it wasn’t Si Chun’s fault, and Si Chun had always been helping them.
“Your master…” Ji Chuling asked cautiously.
“The body has already been sent back to Chuixue Pavilion. I came today to bid farewell, and will return to explain everything in full detail.” Si Chun paused, then added, “Of course, private matters that are inconvenient to speak of—I won’t mention them. Please rest assured.”
Si Chun’s gaze swept over Mo Xuanli and Gu Baiqing. Ji Chuling seemed to think of something and stifled a laugh, while Li Xiuran raised a brow. “Some details really don’t need to be said.”
Gu Baiqing didn’t know what the others were imagining, but his heart skipped a beat as he suddenly remembered something important. His eyes flickered uneasily, then he finally gathered his courage and said, “Back in the passion-net illusion, I realized at the end that just deceiving her with words wasn’t enough—the surrounding ripples weren’t strong enough. So I had no choice but to resort to that.”
After speaking, he even feigned magnanimity and said to Mo Xuanli, “As your teacher, I was compelled by the situation then. It was only a soul-projection anyway, you needn’t mind.”
A soul-projection, not the real body. The first kiss was still… Gu Baiqing froze. Well, except back at the Demon-Refining Tower, when he might have stolen one for spiritual energy… Forget it. The matter of the first kiss couldn’t be explained clearly anyway.
It had been an awkward thing to begin with—better left unsaid. But he couldn’t leave behind such a hidden thorn; only by laying it out openly could he show he had nothing guilty in his heart.
Yet hearing Gu Baiqing’s pale explanation, everyone took it differently in their hearts.
Mo Xuanli knew perfectly well his master would find excuses afterward. How could he not care? Even if it was only a soul-projection, the touch and warmth were exactly the same. A kiss was a kiss. To brush it off afterward was, in a sense… irresponsible.
Li Xiuran naturally thought it was just a public excuse, meant to fool outsiders. Considering their special identities, it couldn’t be made public—understandable. He was more than willing to play along.
Si Chun, however, frowned slightly. Could it really be that Mo Xuanli’s feelings were only one-sided?
Ji Chuling, on the other hand, was all innocence. “See, I said so. There was supposed to be a confession, but then… Of course it turned out like this. Truly hard on you two brothers—ah, no, you two master and disciple. But as long as everyone came out safe, it’s fine. Don’t worry, we won’t speak of this outside. It will stay just between us.”
Little sister, how very considerate you are. For the first time, Gu Baiqing felt grateful toward the young girl.
After everything was said, Si Chun prepared to leave.
Gu Baiqing thought a moment, then told Mo Xuanli, “Go see her off.”
Si Chun was startled, Mo Xuanli frowned slightly, but in the end obeyed.
Ji Chuling stifled a laugh. “Those two actually look quite well-matched.”
Li Xiuran covered his forehead and called her back.
Gu Baiqing also thought they made a fine pair—handsome man, beautiful woman. Looking at Li Xiuran and Ji Chuling, and then his own disciple together with Si Chun—two pairs of lovers. A beautiful sight.
Pity he wasn’t cut out to play matchmaker; this was the only little trick he could think of.
Just as the two stepped out the inn doors, Si Chun said, “No need to see me off. I don’t require it.”
Mo Xuanli indeed stopped in his tracks, showing no hint of gentleness.
Si Chun turned back to look at him. She couldn’t see any unnecessary emotion in his eyes—he was probably just eager to hurry back to his master.
She couldn’t help asking, “Does your master know your feelings?”
Mo Xuanli froze. “What?”
Si Chun raised her brows. “He doesn’t? Then it seems you won’t have such an easy time being with the one you like.”
Mo Xuanli’s face slowly reddened. He opened his mouth, but didn’t know what to refute, or from what angle—everything she said seemed wrong, but he couldn’t find a rebuttal.
Watching his once composed and gentle face turn flustered and embarrassed, that shy look was truly enough to make a heart stir.
Si Chun grew indignant, finally saying, “Hey, Mo Xuanli, I hope you get what you want. Farewell.”
Mo Xuanli paused, cupped his hands in salute. Si Chun turned away decisively, tears brimming in her eyes, while Mo Xuanli acted as if he hadn’t noticed, watching her figure recede before he turned back inside.
As Si Chun walked away, she drew glances from many passersby.
For the young lady, as she walked, was removing her veil to reveal a face of peerless beauty—yet her tears flowed unstoppably.
In the end, the veil flew away on the wind, who knows where.
Since there would never again be a day when it was lifted away by the one she loved, she chose not to wear it anymore. To live unbound by love for a lifetime—perhaps that was best.
Back inside, Mo Xuanli returned to find his master sitting at the table in a daze, the dishes gone.
“Master? Have you finished eating? Was it to your liking?”
“Not yet. I was waiting for you to come back and eat together—wasn’t it prepared for two? Just now I saw the dishes had gone cold, so I asked the waiter to reheat them.” Gu Baiqing said naturally.
Mo Xuanli’s movements froze, but the corners of his lips couldn’t help but lift.
Master is waiting to eat with me. This feeling…
Mo Xuanli took a deep breath and sat down.
Gu Baiqing carefully studied his expression, and judging from how quickly he had returned, truly believed he had only seen the guest to the door. He couldn’t help but say, “Why did you come back so quickly?”
“Sent her to the door. She said there was no need to go further,” Mo Xuanli said naturally.
Gu Baiqing wanted to press his forehead, then couldn’t help but add, “She helped you in your heart-demon trial. You ought to thank her properly.”
At the mention of the heart-demon trial, Mo Xuanli’s expression grew slightly unnatural. “Mm. This disciple knows.”
“Was your heart demon troublesome?” In truth, he shouldn’t have asked—many people were sensitive about their heart demons. But Gu Baiqing felt his disciple wouldn’t mind, so he asked anyway.
Mo Xuanli looked at him. “In the future, it will certainly not be troublesome.”
Gu Baiqing raised a brow. That phrasing was odd. So now your state of mind might not be able to suppress it, but in the future it surely will?
Mo Xuanli could hold it back no longer. “Master, what do you think of the Godslayer Sword? Today Li Xiuran received the inheritance of its sword intent—do you think it’s possible someone will find the fragments of the Godslayer Sword?”
Gu Baiqing blinked, then suddenly found it amusing. Sure enough, his mild-mannered little disciple didn’t want to lose to others. Li Xiuran was his peer, always neck and neck with him. Now that Li Xiuran had obtained a strand of the Godslayer Sword’s intent, he must have felt himself on the losing side, and inevitably developed a competitive spirit. Still, it was rather hot-blooded of him.
As for the secret of the fragments, Mo Xuanli would discover it himself later anyway. But Gu Baiqing thought, revealing it now wouldn’t affect the plot. He tested by opening his mouth, and since the system gave no warning, he said: “I hadn’t intended to tell you, for fear it might disturb your state of mind. But now I’ll tell you a secret.”
Mo Xuanli was taken aback. He had merely wanted to share his excitement with his master, to discuss the sword fragments—how had it turned into a “secret”?
What secret? The Godslayer Sword? Or something else…
While he was still bewildered, Gu Baiqing suddenly reached out, his hand closing around Mo Xuanli’s wrist.
Mo Xuanli’s mind went blank.
