Chapter 131: Contaminated Plants

Rather than calling it a vine, it would be more accurate to describe it as a living creature that merely resembles one. It moved with an independent vitality, capable of latching onto any object it desired of its own volition.

The vine coiled upward around Ji Yao’s fingertip, its delicate, protruding feelers testing the surrounding air as if searching for another living host to cling to.

If that were all, it might have been harmless. But the vine was far from benign; in the short time it had been wrapped around her finger, the skin beneath it had already begun to show distinct, dark marks.

Ji Yao, however, was not so optimistic. When Mu Baiyun received the news, he should not have known about her plan to seek this out, yet he had come anyway. There must have been other reasons for his arrival.

"Senior Brother Yun, have you come to dissuade me?"

Mu Baiyun looked at Ji Yao again and shook his head. "I will not dissuade you, but I do have a requirement that you must agree to first."

"Please, speak, Senior Brother," Ji Yao said, anticipating what he was about to say.

"You may refuse to let others accompany you, but I will certainly be following you. Even if you do not wish it, I will go."

Mu Baiyun cut off Ji Yao’s attempt to interrupt and continued, "You should know the gravity of this situation. If any other sect had encountered this, they would have already dispatched a large number of scouts."

Ji Yao knew that he was already being considerate toward her; otherwise, given Mu Baiyun’s status, he could have acted entirely in the interest of the sect’s broader strategy, leaving no room for her to negotiate.

However...

"Senior Brother Yun, do you really intend to go out with me looking like that?" Although Ji Yao had accepted the reality, she couldn't help but offer a reminder.

Mu Baiyun was taken aback, failing to grasp her meaning at first.

Ji Yao looked toward the other two. Ling Ru was covering her mouth to hide a giggle, while Gu Qiu’s gaze darted between Ling Ru and her.

Ji Yao sighed and covered her eyes. Truly, men and women considered things from entirely different perspectives.

In the end, she had to face Mu Baiyun directly. Before his eyes, she rubbed her face, reverting her transformed features back to her original appearance, and then gestured toward his own face.

"Senior Brother’s face is too beautiful, and consequently, far too recognizable. Going out with you would make it difficult to avoid unwanted attention, and I fear I cannot handle the critical stares of others."

Perhaps the words were too blunt; Ling Ru burst into laughter. Gu Qiu, after hearing this, touched his own face and then studied Mu Baiyun’s visage carefully.

Mu Baiyun’s initial embarrassment was turned into a mix of amusement and helplessness by their antics. Though his expression remained stoic, his eyes were filled with resignation.

After finishing his study of Mu Baiyun, Gu Qiu stroked his chin and suggested, "Doesn’t Junior Sister have the Phantom Spirit Leaf? Why not just change into a face even better-looking than Senior Brother’s?"

This remark caused Ling Ru to stop laughing abruptly. She exchanged a look with Ji Yao, and then they both dissolved into uncontrollable mirth.

Before Ji Yao could explain, Ling Ru spoke for her: "Senior Brother Gu, are you actually trying to offer advice, or are you just jealous of Senior Brother Mu’s looks?"

Gu Qiu was unperturbed by being called out. He realized for the first time that being too handsome could be a burden, and that being plain like himself was actually an advantage.

In the end, Ji Yao employed techniques from her previous life to give Mu Baiyun a makeover.

"How is it? The effect isn't bad, right? As for your cultivation, there is no need to change it; it will serve as a deterrent against those with impure intentions."

Using makeup techniques, Ji Yao made Mu Baiyun’s face appear more weathered. She didn't tie his hair up meticulously, but instead held it back with a ribbon, letting a few strands fall by his temples, and dressed him in a muted, grey-toned long robe.

Combined with his usual expressionless face, when Gu Qiu and Ling Ru saw him again, they could no longer see his original delicate beauty. He looked like a rugged, wandering cultivator—his features were still decent, but no longer overly striking.

With the approval of Gu Qiu and Ling Ru, Ji Yao transformed back into the face she had in her previous life and donned similarly plain clothing. She instructed Gu Qiu and Ling Ru to remain behind and wait for their return before heading back to the sect together.

On the way out of the city, Mu Baiyun recalled the way Ji Yao had focused so intently while painting his face and styling his hair, and for some reason, he felt a strange warmth rising on his face.

Walking beside him, Ji Yao noticed his stiff movements and, thinking she understood the cause, offered some well-meaning comfort.

"Senior Brother Yun, you might be unaccustomed to it at first, but in time, with other things to distract you, you won't pay so much mind to these embellishments."

Upon hearing this, Mu Baiyun squeezed his hand, which was hidden in his sleeve. "Do not worry, Junior Sister. I will adapt as soon as possible."

Since both had changed their appearances, they could no longer use Ji Yao’s flying boat after leaving the city. Just as Ji Yao was hesitating whether to use her sword, Mu Baiyun produced a plain-looking gourd.

"Ahem!" Mu Baiyun said, trying to sound as natural as possible. "I bought this temporarily in Xuanjian City before coming here. Although it is only a low-grade spirit tool, it should be enough to carry the two of us."

Ji Yao raised an eyebrow in surprise. It was impossible to imagine the usually immortal-like Senior Brother of the Sword Sect piloting a gourd-shaped flying artifact.

She looked at Mu Baiyun’s disguise again and watched as he tossed the gourd into the air, causing it to enlarge. For some reason, she was reminded of the "Wine Sword Immortal." If he were to hang this gourd at his waist once it was put away, the resemblance would be even stronger.

Mu Baiyun, who had never used a flying spirit tool before, attempted to pilot the gourd using the same methods as sword flight. After finally steadying it, he turned back to see Ji Yao looking at him with a smile.

"What is Junior Sister smiling at?" No sooner had Mu Baiyun asked the question than he began to regret it.

It was just an offhand remark, yet it had landed him in an even more awkward position. He truly couldn't fathom what was going on in Junior Sister Ji’s head.

Ji Yao had replied, "If Senior Brother Yun wore women’s clothing, you would certainly be more beautiful than any of us."

Mu Baiyun stood at the front of the gourd, unmoving. From the back, his silhouette looked like a sturdy, weather-beaten pine—very reassuring.

Behind him sat Ji Yao. There was plenty of room, enough even for her to lie down, and Mu Baiyun had thoughtfully cast a protective barrier around her.

"Junior Sister, in which direction shall we head?" Mu Baiyun asked.

Ji Yao still didn't intend to reveal her and Situ Jing’s suspicions prematurely. "Let’s head northwest. We’ll search in that direction first; the summons I sensed originated from there."

Fortunately, Mu Baiyun did not press for details. He adjusted their course and flew toward the northwest.

Whenever they had flown for half a day, Ji Yao would ask to walk for a stretch. Mu Baiyun acted like a competent guard, following silently by her side, allowing her to move as she pleased without interference.

Only after they stepped down from the flying spirit tool again did Ji Yao bring up her true motives for the first time.

"Does Senior Brother Yun not want to ask why I am doing this?"

"Junior Sister must have discovered something, right?" Clearly, Mu Baiyun had his own judgment.

Ji Yao held out the slender, vine-like plant that was coiled around her fingertip and presented it to Mu Baiyun.

"Senior Brother, take a look and see how this vine differs from other plants."

Mu Baiyun looked at the delicate, jade-like fingers held before his eyes. The vibrant, verdant vine coiled around them made her skin appear even more fair and flawless.