Chapter 168
Ouyang stood tall, his chin held high, a smirk on his lips that was harder to suppress than a gunshot. His voice boomed with enthusiasm.
“Li Shidi, you and Ying Bing Shimei are my benefactors!”
“.....”
It suddenly dawned on Li Mo that the recent investment feedback about the ‘Zhu Yan Dan’ (a beauty-enhancing elixir) was all thanks to Ouyang’s antics.
No wonder.
At that moment, a door swung open.
The rented courtyard fell silent.
Bing Tuozi stepped out, her dark, feathered cloak adding an air of mystery to her already noble presence.
How imposing she was.
Everyone else was dignified, but standing next to her felt like being a bodyguard.
If they were to score based on presence and appearance, there was no need for the Jiuzhou Summit; the title of Sword Hero could be awarded to her right away...
“Are you all not coming?”
Ying Bing turned back at the door, puzzled.
Li Mo, still dazed, blurted out, “Bing Tuozi, I have a question.”
“Isn’t it hot wearing mink in summer?”
“.....”
Ying Bing’s gaze swept over a certain someone’s backside before she strode directly to the carriage.
Jiang Chulong whispered, “Li Dage... that’s not... not mink...”
......
The streets were bustling with carriages and people, a cacophony of voices.
The Qingyuan Sect’s group was hardly noticeable among the crowd.
Not only was the ground lively, but the sky was also far from calm.
Some rode giant eagles soaring through the air, while others, skilled in a certain aerial martial art, walked on their swords, exuding an effortless grace.
In terms of their entrances, it was like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showcasing their unique talents.
“Was that just now one of the Hengyun Three Heroes, Wu Chushu?”
“Must be.”
“Wait, isn’t he supposed to live in Sword City? Why is he coming back from outside?”
“He’s a true swordsman; don’t meddle in the affairs of heroes.”
“If you can walk on a sword, you can do the same.”
....
The crowd buzzed with discussions, filled with admiration and envy.
“If it weren’t for my writing duties...”
Li Mo sighed, his divine eye reflecting the image of Wu Chushu as he departed on his sword.
He lowered his head and jotted down notes.
【Name: Wu Chushu】
【Age: 25】
【Root Bone: Ten Thousand Flower Sword Bone】
【Realm: Six Apertures of Divine Observation】
【Destiny: Blue with a hint of purple】
【Evaluation: Second seat of Hengyun Sword City in Langya Prefecture, ranked seventy-fourth on the Hidden Dragon List at a young age, known as the Gentleman of Ten Thousand Flowers.】
【Recent Encounter: Preparing to challenge Ying Bing to reclaim honor for Hengyun Sword City, but suffered damage to his sword heart, leading to inner demons.】
“.......”
At this point, Li Mo paused.
Suddenly, he didn’t feel so envious anymore.
In fact, he felt a twinge of sympathy.
Even if his Dugu Nine Swords reached a minor or major success, he had no confidence in defeating Bing Tuozi. The only time he had won against her was due to her... flaw, and since then, he hadn’t seen her make any mistakes.
Shaking his head, he continued to record.
He documented all the martial heroes with investment potential.
Among them were well-known figures like Wu Chushu, as well as those who were obscure yet powerful.
Suddenly—
Li Mo’s eyes flickered.
There was a young man sitting on a strange beast, looking ordinary, his aura unremarkable.
But in the divine eye, he was anything but ordinary.
【Name: Huang Donglai】
【Age: 25】
【Root Bone: None】
【Realm: Five Apertures of Divine Observation】
【Destiny: Blue with a hint of purple】
【Evaluation: Possesses a rare treasure that can deconstruct various martial arts; calm and low-key, he practiced diligently in his small hometown for ten years before gaining the confidence to venture out.】
【Recent Encounter: In his first battle after leaving home, he encountered Jiang Chulong and felt inadequate, so he returned to his hometown to train harder....】
Li Mo: “.....”
What a so-called Sword God of Shili Slope.
If you’re so steady, why not spar with others a few times before heading back home?
After recording for a while, Li Mo unconsciously remarked:
“We have quite a few talents in the Eastern Wilderness, don’t we?”
“Indeed, there are many,” Ying Bing replied softly, leaning on Tianshuang.
“That’s quite strange.”
“After all, it was once the capital of the Great Shang.”
“True enough.”
Li Mo pondered.
Once a flourishing place of a dynasty, now weakened, it was understandable that some talents would emerge from such a land.
Before long, they arrived at the mountain gate of Hengyun Sword City.
Nestled between two mountain ranges, the place boasted ten arenas.
An elder with a sword on his back first bowed to everyone before saying:
“Once you step onto the arena, you become the arena master. Anyone can challenge you, and the victor will take your place.”
“Three days from now, those still standing on the platform will have passed the sword trial.”
---
Chapter 175: It Begins and Ends
The vast Sword City lay between two mountain ranges.
The towering sword tower pierced the sky like a colossal sword, just as the sun was rising, casting its rays upon the tower and creating a massive shadow at the mountain gate.
Under that shadow, ten arenas were perfectly encompassed.
After the elder finished speaking, the crowd fell silent.
“Which hero will step up to give us a demonstration?”
“There were so many great heroes just now!”
.....
To step onto the platform now meant committing to three days of endurance, a daunting challenge.
Only those with immense confidence in their abilities would dare to take that step.
“I’ll give it a try first.”
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd.
Li Mo, who was just putting his pen down, looked up in the direction of the sound.
He saw a man clad in beast-patterned armor, his face resolute, wielding a long spear, flanked by dozens of personal guards, exuding an air of authority.
The Hengyun Sword Mark didn’t only lead to insights into swordsmanship.
This place was filled with swordsmen because the warriors of Yun Prefecture and beyond revered the practice of swordplay.
“It’s Lord Zhong Xiaohou!”
“Lord Xiaohou is magnificent! A true general!”
The crowd erupted with praise.
Li Mo couldn’t help but use his divine eye to take a look.
Hmm?
He raised an eyebrow.
【Name: Zhong Zhenyue】
【Age: 22】
【Root Bone: Iron Horse and Golden Spear Body】
【Realm: Five Apertures of Divine Observation】
【Destiny: Blue with a hint of purple】
【Evaluation: Son of the Southern King, joined the army at a young age, a straight-laced man.】
【Recent Encounter: On his way to Yun Prefecture, he was deceived by the Saintess of Xiyu Tower, Yin Mianmian, who didn’t even need to use her charm techniques to make him vow to marry her... Unintentionally helped Xiyu Tower seize the Hengyun Sword Mark, and was heavily punished by his father afterward.】
Li Mo: “....”
A naive, straight-laced rich kid meets a top-tier femme fatale, huh?
This could get complicated.
He wasn’t poisoned, nor was he enchanted by some chaotic martial arts; and he certainly wasn’t from Xiyu Tower.
Hengyun Sword City wasn’t Qingyuan Sect; they wouldn’t just believe whatever he said.
“Let’s take it one step at a time,” Li Mo shook his head.
He had two main tasks at hand.
First, to use the sword trial to refine the Dugu Nine Swords to a new level.
Second, to help Bing Tuozi and Princess Jiang observe the Hengyun Sword Mark.
Xiyu Tower had designs on the Sword Mark, but he hadn’t seen anyone from Xiyu Tower as an assassin through his divine eye.
However, as long as the Martial Arts Summit continued, they would eventually make their move.
“Bing Tuozi.....”
Just as Li Mo was about to speak, he noticed Ying Bing had already stepped onto the platform.
The crowd erupted in gasps.
“Isn’t that the Overbearing Empress? Liu Wuyan?”
“It’s her! She looks just like her!”
“Dude, have you been reading ‘The Overbearing Empress Falls for Me’ too?”
“Did the characters in that comic really reference reality?”
“Ugh... I wish I could be a dog for Sister Wuyan.”
“Empress Wuyan, invincible under heaven!”
“I raise the banner for the Empress; who dares to oppose her!”
.....
The atmosphere instantly became electrifying, even more so than when Zhong Zhenyue had taken the stage.
It felt like the scene was turning into a fan meeting.
Ying Bing frowned slightly.
She hadn’t expected that comic to be so popular.
First of all, she wasn’t named Liu Wuyan...
Yet, as she frowned, the cheers grew even louder.
Li Mo: “..... So, Ouyang Shixiong, did you base Liu Wuyan on Ying Bing?”
“I had no choice; with a gem like her, you know she’s too stunning for her own good. I racked my brain and couldn’t think of anyone else who matched the Empress’s aura better.”
Ouyang shrugged and added:
“By the way, Jiang Chen was based on you, Li Shidi. After all, art comes from life, right? You taught well.”
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