Chapter 273
"Are you saying this is just a training trip to catch up with you two?"
"Allow me to introduce this gentleman, Uncle Qu Sheng, the commander of Qingmu City," Zhong Zhenyue said, gesturing to the square-faced middle-aged man who had been eyeing them.
"I've long admired the names of the two young prodigies," Qu Sheng nodded slightly.
Zhong Zhenyue couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Li, you’ve ventured deep into the southern wilderness to hone your skills. I must admit, in terms of determination and courage, I’m already at a disadvantage."
"Hone my skills?" Li Mo shook his head and pointed at the icy figure beside him. "I came to find her."
Ying Bingqing spoke coldly, "Get him some stars."
That was her usual way of dealing with things—except when it came to a certain someone.
Zhong Zhenyue: "..."
Qu Sheng: "..."
It was quite awkward.
"Are you two planning to head back to Nanguan?" Qu Sheng suddenly asked.
"Exactly," Li Mo replied.
Qu Sheng fell silent for a moment before suggesting, "I recommend you stay in Qingmu City for a while. After all, it’s a major human city, a good place to avoid the dangers of the disaster beasts."
These two youngsters had already shown their potential, and he was keen to befriend such future powerhouses.
"Well..." Li Mo pondered for a moment.
He indeed needed a quiet environment to perfect his Seventy-Two Transformations and comprehend the Cloud-Somersault technique.
Sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the work of cutting wood.
Moreover, when he had seen that group of little ones earlier, he couldn’t help but think of Lu Fuying and the promise he had made to the little girl.
He glanced at Ying Bing, who nodded slightly.
"Thank you, Commander Qu."
After expressing his gratitude, Li Mo felt a bit embarrassed. "Uh, I have one more thing I’d like to ask for your help with, Commander Qu."
"Feel free to ask."
"When I passed through Baoping Town, I promised to help a family deliver a letter. I wonder if there’s a soldier named Lu Yi in your ranks?"
Qu Sheng's eyes widened in surprise, and after a moment, he looked somewhat pleased.
He agreed to help with the inquiry.
Zhong Zhenyue took a deep breath, his gaze bright with invitation. "I happen to be looking for someone too. Brother Li, why don’t you come back to the military camp with me?"
He remembered how Li Mo had guided many people back in Yunzhou.
And the girl beside him had an unfathomable mastery of martial arts.
He wanted to experience the military formation and see just how great the gap was between him and Li Mo.
"The soldiers can be rough, especially in the camp. They speak their minds, and I’m afraid it might offend you, Young Hero Li," Qu Sheng frowned.
Soldiers were all tough men.
Young Hero Li, with his refined demeanor and gentle disposition, could easily be mistaken for a delicate scholar or a pampered noble.
"We win people over with virtue," Li Mo replied with a carefree smile.
...
PS: There will be another chapter later. Please support me, heh heh.
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Chapter 295: The Disaster Beasts Are Approaching, System Rankings Reset!
Qingmu City was enveloped in a brief moment of tranquility, while thousands of miles away in Senluo Valley.
The valley, perpetually shrouded in miasma, was now blanketed in thick, cotton-like gray snow.
With winter's arrival, the place seemed increasingly devoid of light, with day and night indistinguishable, and directions lost. A biting cold wind howled through the valley, like the wails of nightmarish spirits.
Deep within the valley, a temple adorned with various mystical murals stood with its doors tightly shut.
If one looked closely, they might notice that the creatures depicted in the murals bore a striking resemblance to the various ferocious disaster beasts present.
"Those despicable Mingjiao clan, pretending to be oblivious while the Human Race's Hidden Dragon List has been released, still feigning ignorance about Wu Mo being human!"
A monstrous bird with multiple heads squawked noisily, its body still marred with unhealed wounds.
"Hahaha, back in the day, the Ghost Car clan fed on Mingjiao, and now they can’t even handle a fifth-grade Mingjiao," a beast resembling a large dog from the Howling clan laughed.
"Are you laughing at me? Your Howling clan once boasted about feeding on true dragons. What’s it like now? Almost got your tails handed to you by the Giant Whale clan."
"Damn it, I’m a Howling beast, not a dog! I’ve said it before, Wu Mo is human, but none of you fools understand demon speech."
"Stupid dog."
"Say that again!"
Clearly, one head couldn’t compete with five.
As the two disaster beasts were about to come to blows, the others merely sneered, not bothering to intervene.
"Hmph."
A cold snort, neither human nor beast, interrupted them, causing the two beasts to sulk.
"Master."
It was a figure wrapped in a black robe, with half of his face covered in strange tattoos.
The Master of the Beast Hall.
Surrounding him were various priests, each wearing bronze masks, representing different towns.
Before long.
Boom!
The heavy doors of the temple creaked open, and a figure clad in thin blood-stained garments stepped out.
"Master Han."
The disaster beasts, unusually obedient, lowered their heads in unison.
"Master Han, the precious arm you requested has been forged."
The Master of the Beast Hall produced a jade box containing a twisted, bluish-purple arm, its palm adorned with a mouth full of sharp teeth.
Han Zhen beckoned, and a chilling wind lifted the arm, floating before him.
He tore off his own shriveled arm, as if pulling off a dead branch, and tossed it aside, where it was devoured by the bluish-purple arm.
Moments later, blood vessels sprouted from the end of the bluish-purple arm, attaching themselves to his shoulder.
Han Zhen's eyes, seemingly burning with ghostly fire, swept over the gathered disaster beasts as he spoke softly, "You were once revered as deities, the totems of great clans, the pillars of dynasties, basking in supreme glory."
"And now, we can only cower in this bitter cold land of the southern wilderness, living off raw flesh and blood."
The bloodthirsty expressions of the disaster beasts momentarily turned dazed.
Once upon a time, they were the rulers of this realm, receiving the admiration and worship of the world, like gods.
But now.
It seemed they had become mere beasts?
"Now, the opportunity to revive the Divine Tree and welcome back our ancestral spirits is right before us!"
"Those demon beasts are ultimately a scattered bunch. Li Mo and Ying Bingqing's identities as humans are already clear; they have no reason to stop us."
"Are you willing to break through Qingmu City, reclaim the Divine Jade, and restore our former glory?"
In the frigid winds of Senluo Valley.
The thunderous roars drowned out the cries of the spirits, scattering the clouds above.
...
"Then I won’t see you off any further."
"Farewell."
Zhong Xiaohou didn’t quite grasp what had just happened.
This was his reserved private room.
He had just arranged to meet Li Mo the next day, excitedly planning to return to the military camp to train with his personal guards overnight.
His father often said that a truly invincible general relies not on personal valor but on leading and managing troops.
"Has the young lord's carriage changed?"
Li Mo watched the carriage disappear into the distance, feeling puzzled.
This carriage was decent for an ordinary family, but for Zhong Zhenyue's status, it seemed a bit shabby.
Perhaps it was due to a hasty departure.
Li Mo didn’t dwell on it.
He turned back into the inn, heading to the kitchen, as he hadn’t properly cooked for Bingqing in a while.
At first, the chef thought this kid was there to cause trouble until he pulled out the ingredients.
After simply preparing four dishes and a soup, he returned upstairs.
He removed the lampshade and replaced it with a glowing shell, then sat on the bed, gathering the light of the Jade Phoenix to practice.
As night fell.
While he was practicing, he suddenly heard the sound of splashing water.
Bingqing had taken off her socks and short boots, her long, graceful legs submerged in a wooden tub. Occasionally, she would stir the water, her pristine form seemingly untouched by dust, yet she often soaked her feet lately.
Splash—
A droplet of water splashed out, hitting Li Mo right between the eyebrows.
"Focus," Ying Bingqing said, her lips pressed together, her voice clear.
Who would stare at someone washing their feet?
"Bingqing, help me out."
"......"
Isn’t it strange?
He didn’t even need to open his eyes; just listening to the sounds conjured vivid images in his mind, even stirring an urge to perform the Flower-Picking Finger technique.
This occupational hazard was truly frightening; no wonder it was considered a secret art.
"Next time, don’t do this."
Ying Bingqing’s brows furrowed slightly.
Didn’t she remember saying this more than once?
"I promise next time!"
Li Mo’s eyes were resolute.
Ying Bingqing’s gaze deepened, and the air in the room suddenly turned cold, a shimmering aura flowing around her.
Before long, her attire transformed into an ice-blue ethereal dress, and frost-like flowers danced among her hair.
The already cold Bingqing now appeared even more aloof, distant, and exuding an air of purity.
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