Back to Before My Master Fell to the Demonic Path

Ji Qingxiao was once a master revered by all, but somehow she inexplicably betrayed the Immortal Sect and willingly fell into demonic cultivation. The sects regarded her as a disgrace and joined forces to hunt her down, determined to purge their ranks of this traitor. Amid flashing blades, Ji Qingxiao was gravely wounded and on the brink of death. She hid in a cave, clinging to life. Mu Yunying found her, treated her wounds, and tried to clear her name. Instead, she received a tearful reply, every word soaked in anguish: “Stay away from me. I hate all of you!” Mu Yunying couldn't understand what had driven her master to stubbornly choose the demonic path. Unfortunately, she never got an answer. Her master died, on a cold, snowy night, in a dark cave. Mu Yunying built a solitary grave for her. Then, one day, she awoke from a dream and somehow found herself back on the day she had become Ji Qingxiao's disciple. Ji Qingxiao was once again the aloof master, lofty and untouchable, and her life was no longer in danger. But Mu Yunying knew how her story would end. This time, she resolved to rise higher, make her master notice her, earn her trust, listen carefully to what was in her heart, and do everything she could to change the inevitable ending. Later, it was the same snowy night and the same cave. Ji Qingxiao's fingertips trembled. In that moment, the master who seemed untouched by worldly life became utterly human. And this time, she didn't push away the person before her. She said, “A Ying, I'm so lonely. Could you please not leave me?” Cultivation realms: Qi Refining (nine levels), Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Void Refinement, Body Integration, Mahayana, Tribulation Transcendence, Ascension Rarity of spiritual roots: single root > dual roots > triple roots > four roots > five roots An alternate-universe story with lots of original worldbuilding. The cover shows the two female leads: an aloof, untouchable master as the pursuer × a meticulous disciple as the pursued. One-on-one, happy ending. Synopsis written on July 11 and screenshot saved for reference. Please check out my other upcoming collection of stories featuring nonhuman love interests. Synopsis below: An upcoming collection of stories featuring nonhuman love interests. The “I” in each story is a different person, and the stories will be written in third person once the book begins. The stories will probably cover the following topics, though the list may change before publication. 1. [The damp, gloomy female ghost] My dead girlfriend came back. Her face had changed, and so had her personality. I could no longer understand what she said, and it was hard to figure out what she was thinking. But as before, she still had a head of glossy black hair. Gradually, I realized she seemed able to control it. Just like its owner, it liked to hook around my little finger. And it liked to tangle with me, too. 2. [My python lover] I returned from a trip to the remote mountains with more than a bright red camellia. I also brought back a little golden snake. I raised the camellia and the snake together. A few days later, the camellia withered. But the snake kept growing bigger and bigger 3. [Miss Mu, your tentacles are so soft] I'm a human orphan adopted by an octopus. That night, I got into her car and timidly followed her home. I called her Mom, but she shook her head and refused, ordering me to call her Miss Mu. I'm an insecure person, and what I crave most is the warmth of Miss Mu's embrace. Many years later, after I became an adult, I found one more thing to crave: her tentacles. I love being wrapped tightly in those tentacles, and I lose myself in their damp softness every time she strokes me. 4. [The god's devotee] I am the god's most faithful devotee. Every day, I pray with all my heart, begging the god to protect me. I am willing to sacrifice everything to the god, including my life. Then one day, the god truly descended. She came to claim my “devotion.” 5. [To be filled in] 6. [To be filled in] Theme: Love and responsibility, right and wrong, growing through repeated gains and losses, and protecting those we want to protect.