Chapter 161
Not only was there the punishment for that loser, but there was also this inexplicable reward!
She absolutely could not, and should not, lose!
In fact, Ying Bing still had no idea how Li Mo had managed to rank above her last time.
"How did he suddenly... get to hit me?"
"His swordsmanship has become strangely different."
"Is it because he’s touched the threshold of technique nearing the Dao?"
Ying Bing's thoughts surged in her eyes.
After a moment of reflection, she shook her head.
No, that’s not right.
He had indeed touched the threshold, but it was just that—a threshold.
Later, when she was free from external influences, he had no chance to exploit that strange swordplay.
"Little Master, there’s more in this chapter, please click the next page to continue reading; it gets even more exciting!"
Recently, she hadn’t seen him practice at all. So what was the reason behind it?
The reason was hard to pin down at the moment.
"All I can do is make myself stronger."
Ying Bing took a deep breath.
After all, the "Shenxiao Tianxin Sword" was a divine skill, vast and profound, representing the pinnacle of martial arts across the nine heavens and ten earths.
She couldn’t just skim the surface and expect to grasp it; she needed to continuously verify and practice.
But just now...
After sparring with Li Mo, she had identified some of her own shortcomings.
"My first move still lacks a certain fluidity..."
As she recalled her recent experiences, she couldn’t escape the memory of Li Mo’s final strike, which couldn’t even be called a sword move...
The images and feelings she wanted to dispel kept replaying in her mind...
...
In the following days, Little Li’s life became quite simple.
Observing the divine, honing his spirit, practicing swordplay.
Since that day, the ruler of ice had not left his rear end alone for a single day.
Of course, there were benefits; his "Dugu Nine Swords" was progressing toward a more mature stage.
One day, Li Mo’s consciousness sank into his dantian.
Under the illumination of the Xuan Dan, the little figure representing his spirit was adorned with mysterious and intricate divine patterns that flickered in and out of existence.
These were all engraved bit by bit after his observations.
Just a few days had passed, and the opened acupoints had been completely stabilized!
This was thanks to the daily drop of Yuan Shuang Bao Lu and the Huang Tian Nu Emperor’s Ascension to Immortality diagram.
"Everyone’s spirit can carry different forms and essences."
"Ice Ruler doesn’t just observe one form."
"I wonder what other divine forms I might develop in the future."
Li Mo let out a gentle sigh.
Before long, the door of Qiu Shui Pavilion was knocked upon.
A few familiar faces appeared.
"Li Shidi, we’re setting off for Yunzhou!"
Ouyang greeted him, carrying a large bag of painting tools.
Chapter 167: The Overbearing Empress Falls for Me
At the entrance of Qiu Shui Pavilion, several carriages pulled by exotic beast steeds were parked, and several peak disciples had already gathered there.
In fact, the speed of martial artists in the Observation of the Divine realm was even faster than that of the carriages.
But traveling under the sun and wind inevitably left one looking disheveled, which was not fitting for an occasion like the Martial Arts Summit...
"Senior Ouyang, you’re bringing all that with you?"
Li Mo stepped out of Qiu Shui Pavilion, feeling light and unburdened.
Among the seniors present, he was only familiar with Ouyang.
If a certain disciple from the Zhen Beast Peak were still around, he would have had another acquaintance.
"Xumi items are too expensive; I can’t afford them."
Ouyang sighed.
"Cough, did you spend all the money you earned recently?"
"You know my little business; I didn’t make much."
"Have you considered finding a bookstore to print in bulk? Your painting skills should sell well."
"I’m fine with it, but I’m afraid the laws of Dayu won’t allow it..."
"It doesn’t have to be that kind of... cough, that kind of book."
"Oh? What insights do you have, Li Shidi?"
As they bantered, they climbed onto the carriage.
Ouyang’s thirst for knowledge was off the charts.
Little Li was more than happy to share his advanced storytelling experiences.
After all, if Senior Ouyang made money, it would count as his investment.
Meanwhile, others by the carriages were also exchanging pleasantries.
"Senior Shen Yunfei, you secured a spot last time at Hengyun Sword City; this time it should be a sure thing, right?"
"How could I dare? It’s actually Xu Zhiqing, who has been in seclusion for years; she must have cultivated a profound sword intent by now."
"Alas, I’m afraid some of the top talents from the Qianlong List will also come to test their swords; just being able to witness their brilliance would make this trip worthwhile."
Suddenly, everyone fell silent.
Because not far away, a girl was approaching, holding a sword.
The true disciples inexplicably hushed.
They felt more nervous facing Ying Bing than they did facing the sect leader.
After all, the sect leader was of a higher realm and not their peer.
They had just been talking about the top talents of the Qianlong List.
And now, with her appearance, it made them think that the Qianlong List was nothing special...
...
Once Ying Bing arrived, the carriage began to move slowly.
On the way, Li Mo distanced himself from the convoy and made a stop at a hot pot restaurant.
Upon learning that she could travel the world with Big Brother Li, Jiang Chuchong was so excited that her mind went blank.
She immediately grabbed her little backpack, not even bothering to change her clothes.
Just as the two were about to leave the hot pot restaurant, Li Mo noticed that his hem was suddenly being tightly grasped by the little princess Jiang.
What was going on?
Rubbing the back of his head, Li Mo realized.
Mei Yun was frowning, her gaze sternly fixed on the two.
She had already written the words "Do I not exist?" on her face.
"How’s business at the hot pot restaurant lately?"
Li Mo asked awkwardly.
"It’s okay, about twenty taels of profit a month."
Mei Yun still frowned.
Li Mo glanced at the bustling restaurant inside, puzzled; when he opened the hot pot restaurant, he never bothered with the accounts.
Was the profit really that low?
"According to your recipe, the ingredients have to be the best, and after paying all the various taxes to the government..."
Mei Yun shook her head, not dwelling on those issues. She sighed:
"Honestly, I don’t want Chuchong to go with you to Yunzhou."
Recently, Chuchong had made significant progress in her swordsmanship, far beyond what Mei Yun had imagined.
In her day, the main lady was exceptionally talented, yet even she couldn’t compare to Chuchong.
Once Chuchong went to Hengyun Sword City, it would be hard for her not to stand out.
"Once you enter the martial world, many people become bound by it."
"Wherever there are people, there’s a martial world."
Li Mo instinctively chimed in.
Mei Yun pondered over this statement, narrowing her eyes.
Jiang Chuchong bit her lip, and even through the fabric, one could see the pleading in her grayish-white eyes:
"Aunt Mei..."
After a moment of silence, it seemed Mei Yun had come to a conclusion, and she sighed:
"Go if you must, but you have to promise me a few things."
She gave a long list of instructions before finally letting her go.
...
As night fell, the carriage traveled along the wide official road.
The understated yet luxurious carriage isolated them from the outside noise.
This made the interior even quieter.
Li Mo set down his teacup, and what caught his eye was Ying Bing’s perfect jade-like face, and not far from her, curled up and afraid of dirtying or breaking anything, was Jiang Chuchong.
Emmmm
Ouyang, who was busy sketching, was subconsciously overlooked.
"Ice Ruler, can we discuss something?" Li Mo suddenly spoke up.
"You say."
Ying Bing turned her head, her dark brows slightly raised.
Jiang Chuchong tilted her head in confusion, feeling something was off.
Since they boarded the carriage, Big Brother Li and this cold sister hadn’t said a word.
Li Mo helplessly said, "When we spar in the future, can we skip the part about hitting the forbidden zone?"
In an instant, Ying Bing’s fingers reflexively curled.
That tingling sensation at the base of her spine seemed to surge back.
"I’ve already... forgotten it, so how could I blame you?"
Li Mo: "...."
If you say that, my backside has something to say about it.
You’ve forgotten, but you still hold a grudge, huh?
"By the way, Li Shidi," Ouyang suddenly spoke up.
"Mm?" Li Mo turned back, almost forgetting there was someone else in the carriage.
Ouyang, holding his drawing board, looked troubled:
"You know, I’m only good at painting; storytelling really isn’t my forte."
Li Mo had suggested he create an illustrated book.
The literacy rate in the Dayu Dynasty wasn’t high, which created a barrier for the spread of stories.
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