Chapter 166
"Isn't it a stroke of genius to turn a massage technique into a supreme skill?
Ying Bing couldn't help but open her eyes, glancing at the booklet in his hand, which boldly proclaimed:
""Nián Huā Zhǐ"" .
With her knowledge, it was easy to discern the profound Zen meaning hidden within that name.
Could it be... a deep and esoteric martial art from the Buddhist tradition?
Otherwise, how could he display such awe...
Ying Bing's heart tightened.
It was strange.
She had never known what it felt like to be nervous.
But watching the boy alternate between astonishment and contemplative shaking of his head left her feeling a bit unsettled.
""Who even thought of this? It's incredible.""
""This skill is beyond anything else.""
Li Mo sighed after reading about Nián Huā Zhǐ.
To be honest, he had little interest in it at first.
But now, he couldn't help but want to learn a few moves.
""What are you looking at?"" Ying Bing couldn't resist asking.
When they were studying the supreme skill ""Rì Lún Jiàn Diǎn"" (日轮剑典), he had never been this amazed.
Not even a divine skill could compare?
According to the system's assessment, he was already stronger than her, and if he mastered this Nián Huā Zhǐ...
""Oh, you mean this?""
Li Mo shook the booklet in his hand.
""It's a supreme skill.""
""Specifically focused on massage techniques.""
Little Li felt a bit embarrassed.
He wasn't sure if this massage technique was considered proper or not.
After all, for the sake of effectiveness, it involved touching places that one typically wouldn't...
No wonder it was said that one should be cautious when using it on the opposite sex; it could easily lead to misunderstandings.
""Supreme skill...""
Ying Bing felt a wave of relief wash over her, only to realize something was off:
""Massage?""
She recalled the content of her next punishment:
""[Requesting the victor to touch...]""
Initially, she had no particular thoughts about this.
But not long ago, when they were sparring with swords...
Whenever she thought of that electric sensation coursing through her, her heart was a mix of emotions; the initial anger had faded, leaving behind an unusual feeling that lingered.
""This kind of martial art is just a waste of time to learn.""
""Don't worry, I'm just looking at it for fun.""
Li Mo smiled.
Was she worried he would get distracted from martial arts and become a jack of all trades?
Ice Cube was actually quite nice.
Wait.
Little Li noticed a hint of concern in Ice Cube's beautiful brows.
What was bothering her?
[Name: Ying Bing]
[Age: 16]
[Root Bone: Taiyin Yuehuang Body.]
[Realm: Observing the Divine One Aperture.]
[Fate: Red (bearing imperial bones, with Xuanbing as fate, Qiushui as spirit, possessing the appearance of a phoenix).]
[Evaluation: A life filled with tribulations, always able to turn misfortune into fortune. Though her feathers are not yet fully grown, when the winds and clouds change, she will surely soar high above the nine heavens and ten lands, a phoenix gracing the six realms and eight desolations.]
[Recent Encounter: Aspires to enter the top three of the Martial Arts Summit, to observe the Hengyun Sword Marks, and become the true number one among her peers.]
""Hmm?""
Li Mo instantly became alert.
Ice Cube was... nervous.
Was there someone among her peers that made her feel inferior?
And were there experts?
In an instant, Little Li became more cautious about their trip to Yunzhou.
...
Before long.
Looking up, they saw a grand and bustling city, its magnificence far surpassing the rebuilt Ziyang City, as if it had stood the test of time through the ages.
And now, Yunzhou City was even livelier than before.
""Wow...""
Jiang Chulong peeked out, her curiosity shining through like a little child.
She had never left the palace during her time in the imperial city.
After arriving at Ziyang City, she rarely ventured out.
When had she ever seen such a scene?
She was both curious and shy, carefully clutching Li Mo's sleeve.
""This city is so big; there must be plenty of delicious food.""
Li Mo smiled, ""I'll take you to eat something good later.""
""Great!""
Jiang Chulong cautiously lifted the corners of her mouth, ""Li Ge, you're so nice to me...""
Li Mo: ""...""
This silly girl was lucky to have met him first; if she had encountered a bad person, she might have been tricked into counting money for them.
He couldn't help but wonder how she had lived in the palace, being so easily trusting of others.
Due to the recent influx of martial artists, the guards at the city gate had increased significantly, enforcing strict regulations.
Everyone entering the city had to undergo inspection.
After the inspection, they paid a silver tael as an entrance fee and were allowed to pass.
""One person, one tael, wow...""
Brother Ouyang was shocked.
How much silver was that? It would take him years of hard work to earn that much!
""The martial spirit in Yunzhou is much stronger than in the Eastern Wasteland.""
Xu Zhiqing felt excited yet somewhat anxious.
In Ziyang City, she was considered quite the dashing figure with a reputation for chivalry, but here, she felt as insignificant as a drop of water in the ocean.
""There are indeed many sword-wielding individuals here.""
Li Mo nodded, tightening his grip on the Chixiao Sword.
Yes!
Who would dare say he wasn't a swordsman?
With the divine eye of fate activated, he would always look for worthy investments whenever he arrived in a new place.
""Whoa, the new edition of the Qianlong List is out!""
""Zhong Zhenyue! He's on the Qianlong List too. I heard he’s been helping his father, the Duke of Southern Town, fend off disaster beasts at the border. Will he come to Yunzhou?""
""He's ranked eighty-ninth? I remember the previous eighty-ninth was Bai Jinghong from Hengyun Sword City.""
""Bai Jinghong is now ranked eighty-first!""
The Qianlong List!
This was a prestigious list published by Yantian Sect, ranking the most outstanding talents across the nine heavens and ten lands based on their achievements.
The Martial Arts Summit was a stage for young martial artists to shine.
Thus, while there were other lists, none attracted as many spectators as the Qianlong List.
""I probably won't have the chance to make the list in this lifetime.""
Brother Shen Yunfei sighed; given his age, he could hardly be called a young talent anymore.
As he spoke, he glanced not far away.
Not just him, but the other disciples of Qingyuan Sect also looked over.
""Ying Bing, Li Mo...""
""After the Martial Arts Summit, how astonishing will they be when they reveal their talents?""
""In the future, they will be the true stars on the stage of the nine heavens and ten lands...""
As they were lamenting, someone suddenly exclaimed, ""It's Bai Jinghong!""
""And Cao Shaoxia, Wu Shaoxia!""
""The Three Heroes of Hengyun are here to observe the list!""
Suddenly, someone recognized the young man on the white horse, his expression cold and exuding an aura of mastery.
And that wasn't all.
Alongside Bai Jinghong were two other outstanding talents from the Qianlong List, even ranked higher than him.
People quickly made way, for they were not only prodigies but also the true disciples of Hengyun Sword City.
However.
Just as everyone was admiring their swordsmanship and extraordinary presence...
Bai Jinghong's gaze suddenly froze.
Thud—
Bai Shaoxia looked as if he had seen a terrifying beast, his pupils constricting.
Then, as if by reflex, his knees buckled, and he knelt down.
Everyone: ""???""
Li Mo: ""...""
He was holding the Starry Pillar, just about to put it away in the system space.
This was awkward.
What should he do when someone knelt before him in front of so many people?
Waiting online, quite urgent.
...
P.S.: Yesterday, the results suddenly dropped a lot because I wrote a side story, and I was dazed for a long time today, which made me late... I might have to stay up all night to finish another chapter, so you can check back tomorrow.
Sorry, dear readers, muah!
---
Chapter 173: The Yantian Sect's Journey to the Martial Arts Summit Begins
The bustling street suddenly fell silent.
Bai Jinghong, a prodigy on the Qianlong List and a true disciple of Hengyun Sword City, would not bow even before kings and lords.
Yet here he was, kneeling in the street without a moment's hesitation.
Was the city lord of Sword City here?
People turned to see two women and a man standing there.
The young man stood tall, with a handsome and gentle demeanor, while one girl wore ill-fitting clothes, her face delicate and spirited.
The other girl exuded a cold elegance, like an ice lotus on a snowy mountain, her every gesture hinting at authority.
""Who are they?""
""They seem much younger than Bai Shaoxia.""
""Could that girl be of extraordinary origin, to make Bai Jinghong bow down?""
""She seems even more stunning than the fairies on the Hundred Flowers Character List...""
...
It was well-known that those wandering the martial world were primarily interested in divine weapons, martial arts, and beautiful women.
Ice Cube's aura was so commanding that it successfully diverted attention from Little Li."
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