Chapter 159
Forget it, let it be.
This time, no matter what it is, she would simply ignore it.
【This time's Dingxia reward is:
Reward you with using your butt to hit Li Mo's hand.】
Ying Bing: “?”
Seeing this so-called ‘reward,’ the corners of her beautiful phoenix eyes twitched.
You call this... a reward?
The cold and dignified Empress Huang Tian was starting to lose her composure.
If the system had a physical form, it would probably be reduced to dust by her sword right now!
“I won’t do it, so this reward doesn’t exist.”
Ying Bing relaxed her brows.
She had completely lost interest in the system's evaluation rewards.
Because all the evaluation rewards were ridiculous!
As long as there were ranking rewards, that was enough.
Just then, a knock echoed through the door.
“Bing Tuozi, are you awake?”
“Time to get up and practice swordsmanship.”
Li Mo’s voice came from outside.
Right.
After obtaining the Shenxiao Tianxin Sword Manual, she hadn’t practiced yet.
Hmm, time to practice!
Ying Bing pushed aside the inexplicable system reward from her mind, her gaze returning to calm as she took Tian Shuang and opened the door.
As soon as she opened the door, their eyes met.
That face, illuminated by the morning light, was smiling brightly.
After observing her, his aura seemed to have changed slightly?
One had to admit, Li Mo was exceptionally handsome, perfectly combining the best traits of Uncle Li and Aunt Li. Especially when he smiled, it warmed the heart.
If he were to hit her...
Wait a minute.
Ying Bing was momentarily lost in thought.
What just popped into her mind?
Li Mo, oblivious, asked, “So, um... feeling better today?”
Some relatives definitely hadn’t left.
Some girls reacted quite severely, feeling pain that was unbearable.
“Hmm? Yeah...”
Ying Bing nodded instinctively.
What feeling better or not?
In any case, she wasn’t feeling too great right now...
Because that strange sensation seemed to be more than just psychological.
It was itchy.
Like a little ant crawling down her tailbone...
This had to be the work of that so-called reward!
“Well, since you’re feeling better, let’s go have breakfast first.”
“After breakfast, we can practice swordsmanship.”
Li Mo had no idea that Bing Tuozi was being insincere and turned to head downstairs.
When it was time for breakfast, he noticed something was off.
“Master is still sleeping in.”
In the courtyard, Li Mo scratched his chin, sitting down with a freshly steamed bun.
He took a bite, only to find Ying Bing still standing.
“Sit down and eat.”
Li Mo felt it was quite unusual.
When Bing Tuozi stood there, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
In fact...
Ying Bing felt even more uncomfortable.
She recalled that as soon as she sat down, that sensation surged even more.
“No, I’m fine standing.”
“Are you really okay?”
Seeing Ying Bing’s tense posture and flushed neck, Li Mo frowned and asked.
“I... can do it!”
Ying Bing took a gentle breath, her delicate hand gripping the sword hilt tightly.
Her mirror-like eyes regained their determination.
If her heart was free of distractions, then... what was this?
She had endured far worse!
When she achieved her law body, it seemed to anger the heavens, and a heavenly tribulation emerged, threatening to obliterate her into nothingness.
She had endured that pain too!
All because of her indomitable spirit!
“Come on.”
Ying Bing drew Tian Shuang, the blade gleaming like snow.
Her hair flew wildly, unable to conceal the light in her eyes!
Li Mo scratched his head.
What was up with Bing Tuozi’s sudden surge of competitive spirit?
In their sword exchanges, he usually learned more from her!
Hmm...
Could it be she wanted to test if he had made any progress?
“Of course, I’ll give it my all!”
Little Li stood up, still holding the bun.
He bore the weight of the Dugu Nine Swords (though he hadn’t mastered it yet).
But he would at least show Bing Tuozi a thing or two!
---
Chapter 165: Aha, this time I win!
In the courtyard of the Qiushui Pavilion.
The morning breeze rustled the leaves, and the ancient trees, which had stood for many years, seemed to be watching the young man and woman beneath them with great interest.
“Are we discussing the way or sparring?”
Li Mo asked with a smile, sword in hand.
“Both are fine.” Ying Bing’s fingers, gripping the sword, turned slightly pale.
She just wanted to start quickly.
Li Mo raised an eyebrow.
It seemed Bing Tuozi had made new progress in her swordsmanship, and had come to him for validation?
Then it looked like he had to get serious.
“Then let’s consider it sparring.”
“Since that’s settled, let’s begin...”
“Wait.”
“Hmm?”
Ying Bing let out a soft breath, her previously gathered momentum stalling again.
Li Mo chuckled, “Since it’s sparring, why don’t we add some stakes, like a reward or something...”
He still remembered how Bing Tuozi used to teach him swordsmanship; if he made a mistake, she would smack his backside!
The memory of that punishment was still fresh in Little Li’s mind!
I lost something, and I must get it back myself!
Little Li’s competitive spirit flared up.
Rewards...
Ying Bing bit her silver teeth lightly.
Right now, she really didn’t want to hear those two words!
“Alright!”
Her voice and the Tian Shuang sword came together.
As the sword was drawn, silence fell, and the overwhelming sword intent enveloped the Qiushui Pavilion, becoming the sole presence in that small world.
Li Mo’s mind trembled slightly.
This was a sword technique he had never seen before.
With his current perspective, he could tell that this sword technique was of extremely high caliber!
“Where did Bing Tuozi learn this?”
Li Mo didn’t dwell too much on the question.
He recalled the essence of the Dugu Nine Swords and moved with the sword.
But, how strange.
This sword technique was still too difficult for him...
“Hmm?”
Ying Bing frowned slightly.
Why had Li Mo’s swordsmanship suddenly dropped so much?
It was chaotic and lacked any artistic conception, his level was worlds apart from yesterday.
Clang, clang, clang—
The swords clashed.
In an instant, the Chi Xiao sword showed signs of decline.
Neither of them used anything beyond their sword techniques.
Of course, Li Mo couldn’t pull out a hammer to turn the tide; he could only struggle to hold on.
But Little Li wasn’t just being suppressed for nothing.
He could now use his martial arts insights while attacking.
Martial arts insights activated!
【Twenty years of martial arts insights successfully infused.】
【In the first year, you diligently memorized the essence of the Dugu Nine Swords, mastering it thoroughly.】
【In the seventh year, you realized that the true meaning you once saw was the sword path born from the sword demon’s defeat of all life, seeking the martial way with a mortal body that had never absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, contending with the heavens.】
【In the twelfth year, you still found yourself in a state of confusion regarding this sword technique, realizing your understanding of the sword path was still too limited.】
【In the twentieth year, you recalled the scenes of sparring with Ying Bing, and your heart stirred, as if a glimmer of inspiration had emerged.】
Little Li was overwhelmed with emotion.
Twenty years.
Not a single splash of water.
This was only due to his heightened perception after observing her and sparring with Bing Tuozi.
Otherwise, this insight would have been completely wasted, like trying to learn to paint.
“Let’s go again!”
Li Mo summarized his previous insights.
This time, his swordsmanship became even more chaotic.
No matter what high-level sword techniques he had learned before, it felt like he couldn’t use any of them.
In fact...
Even if he could, it wouldn’t matter.
Under Bing Tuozi’s overwhelming Tian Shuang sword, even the Sun Wheel Sword Manual would be crushed.
Clang—
Clang—
Bang—
Li Mo’s hand gripping the Chi Xiao sword felt a slight numbness.
This was terrifying!
His Extreme Martial Body was no joke.
To be sent reeling like this, one could only imagine how terrifying Bing Tuozi’s sword was!
Smack—
Suddenly, Little Li’s sword defense was breached.
The Tian Shuang sword reached out and smacked his backside.
Li Mo: “?!”
Guys.
This is getting a bit intense.
“Let’s call it a day for now.”
Ying Bing sheathed her sword calmly and spoke.
She had nearly familiarized herself with the first form of the Shenxiao Tianxin Sword; with a bit more refinement, she would have it mastered completely.
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