Chapter 307
This method produces pills of exceptional quality, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Some elixirs, however, cannot be exposed to fire and can only be refined using this technique.
Take the Shēngshēng Chángshòu Wán (生生长寿丸) for example.
“A thousand years to complete, and by the time the pill is finally ready, the person is long gone.”
Li Mo shook his head. Although he had no use for such a thing, he understood its value.
Forcefully extending the cycle of life!
Ordinary longevity elixirs merely replenish the user’s vitality, offering no help to those truly nearing their end.
But this Shēngshēng Chángshòu Wán could confuse even Yama, the King of Hell, making him ponder over the accounts for three days and nights.
Li Mo carefully stored it away and continued to browse.
【Congratulations, host! You have successfully invested in Su Shen, saving him from the destruction of his city and the loss of his family.】
【Investment feedback: The Su family’s ancestral dumpling filling recipe.】
【Congratulations, host! You have successfully invested in Qing Hao, saving him from death in the city’s fall.】
【Investment feedback: Horse appraisal techniques.】
...
As he flipped through these high-fate investment feedbacks, Li Mo became increasingly convinced of his suspicions.
The feedback from investments was also related to his own realm compared to that of the investment targets.
While the golden and red fates were uncertain, the blue fate was clear: the greater the difference in realms, the more significant the disparity in rewards.
For white and gray fates, even if one saved a life, there would be no martial insights in return.
As he continued to scroll, Li Mo began to feel drowsy.
But in the next moment, his sleepy eyes brightened.
【Congratulations, host! You have successfully invested in ‘Ying Bing,’ permanently resolving her worries.】
【Investment feedback: Húntiān Fǎnzhēn Jìng (浑天返真镜).】
【Húntiān Fǎnzhēn Jìng】: “Can project the true spirits imprinted in the Guān Shén Tù (观神图) or various forms, allowing them to reappear in the world. Those vanished figures of renown, names from history, can become your opponents.”
“Heroic spirit of the world, forge your invincible heart!”
“Note: This mirror requires the power of all beings to activate.”
Li Mo couldn’t help but shudder, his hair standing on end.
So, he could use this mirror to directly engage with the beings within the Guān Shén Tù?
When he observed the Great Sage’s form during the chaos in the heavens, he had vaguely grasped the method of understanding that grand form.
The Monkey King’s way of observation was refreshingly unconventional, not merely sitting and copying.
One word: Fight!
Thus, the first divine ability he comprehended was the “Qítiān Dòuzhàn Yì” (齐天斗战意). Rather than being a mere divine ability, it was the fundamental method of observing that grand form and the true ladder to mastering those divine abilities.
But where could he find so many opponents?
At that time, Li Mo hadn’t yet found the answer to this question.
Now, the feedback from Ying Bing had provided the solution.
To engage with the beings in the Guān Shén Tù, to delve into the annals of history!
“So, as long as I have enough power from all beings, I can spar with the Great Ice Block?”
“Even... exchange blows with the Monkey King?”
Fresh blood seeped from the wound Li Mo had just bandaged.
His excitement stirred his blood.
What better way to hone his fighting spirit than to spar with the Monkey King himself?
After a moment, he calmed down and fell into deep thought.
Where could he gather the power of all beings?
From what he learned from Ying Bing, including his own experiences, this power should not be used lightly; caution was paramount.
What to do?
With these questions in mind, Li Mo drifted into slumber.
In a hazy dream, he seemed to hear many voices speaking.
“Grandpa! I told you my brother is a hero of the ages, a prodigy on the Qianlong List, but you didn’t believe me.”
“Mom, do people in the Central Plains eat dumplings when winter comes?”
“I’m not bragging, but when I followed Li Shaoxia out of the city, I didn’t think much of it at the time. Now, just thinking about it makes me shiver.”
“Old Zhao, my sworn brother, died in the chaos. We need to take care of his mother and two kids.”
“Do we even need to mention the military pay? It all came from Li Shaoxia’s own pocket...”
"......"
Whispers echoed in the haze.
Li Mo, in a daze, saw strands of pure white silk thread, weaving in from all directions. After delivering the murmurs, they did not vanish.
It was the power of all beings.
Yet, the warning from Ying Bing resurfaced in his mind, her expression grave and serious.
Relying on the power of all beings, one step forward, and there would be no turning back.
Heeding advice and filling one’s belly, Li Mo had always been prudent in this regard, never seeking his own demise.
Thus, he instinctively abandoned the thought of absorbing it.
.......
The next morning.
The snow that had fallen all night had stopped at some point, blanketing the vast Qīngmù camp in a layer of white, though the three suns had yet to break through the clouds.
Li Mo rose, his body aching all over. He tried to lift his arm, but his fist wouldn’t quite cooperate; he could move, but couldn’t clench.
He had recovered, but not fully.
At least he didn’t have to worry about struggling to unfasten his belt when nature called.
Li Mo’s throat was dry, and just as he was about to pour himself a glass of water, he suddenly heard footsteps outside.
With a quick motion, he lay back down.
“Ugh, why can’t I still use my hand... If only someone would feed me some water right now.”
The acting skills of the best male lead needed no elaboration.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t Ying Bing who came.
“Li brother, let me feed you.”
Huang Donglai, without a hint of suspicion, hurriedly poured a glass of water.
“It’s fine, I’m strong and capable. Why would I need someone else to help me drink water?”
“But Li brother, didn’t you say your arm couldn’t move?”
“Oh, I’m just resilient; I’ll recover after a bit of rest.”
“????”
Huang Donglai had come to ask Li Mo if he wanted to attend the victory banquet. Everyone in the Qīngmù camp was celebrating their great victory and their narrow escape from disaster. Commander Qu had decided to combine the victory banquet with the Winter Solstice celebration.
Li Mo nodded but then felt something was off.
Right.
What about Commander Qu’s investment feedback?
That commander, who had been appointed in a crisis and had become a divine general with an external appearance, was indeed a genuine light purple fate.
---
Chapter 334: For This Dumpling Wrapped in the Pill
The morning sky was gray, raising concerns about whether another heavy snowfall would suddenly descend.
The Qīngmù camp was bustling as soldiers busied themselves with various post-battle matters. The white ground quickly filled with all sorts of chaotic footprints and wheel tracks.
The kitchen was especially lively, with cooking utensils moved out into the open, fresh vegetables and ingredients being delivered by carts, and preparations for making dumplings in full swing.
The arrival of a certain figure made everyone pause their work and greet him loudly.
Li Mo, still not fully recovered, had come with Huang Donglai using their combined technique.
“Is the Qianlong List about to be released again?”
“Counting the days, it really is! Li Shaoxia, you’ve come down from the heavens like a god. At your age, who could rival you?”
“I think in front of Li Shaoxia, even our current prince might not be the top prodigy.”
“To be fair, that’s true. After all, the prince’s status is there; if Yantiangong doesn’t rank him first, it would be hard for the emperor to save face. Who knows if there’s any underhanded dealings?”
“Why do you think Huang Shaoxia carries Li Shaoxia so effortlessly?”
“Because he... is skilled?”
Before long, Li Mo and Huang Donglai arrived at the kitchen, where the generals were also bustling about.
Wu Lang was chopping vegetables with his thick-backed golden ring knife, while a guard, likely trained in using force against force, was working on the dough.
The most down-to-earth was Commander Qu, who was diligently preparing the dumpling filling.
“Uncle Qu, aren’t you going to dye your hair back?”
Li Mo, having released the combined technique, casually asked.
The gray hair, at first glance, made Qu Sheng’s deep and steady demeanor seem much more approachable.
It easily reminded one of a middle-aged family pillar, worn down by the struggles of life.
“I’m done with that.”
Qu Sheng squinted seriously, his hands never stopping: “I’m researching something very important.”
“Hmm?”
Li Mo immediately became serious; Qu Sheng rarely used the word ‘important.’
“And I’ve already employed the martial arts of guarding the door: one technique is the Chuiyun Palm, and the other is the Jinsizhan Cloud Knife, yet I still can’t grasp it.”
“Grasp what?”
“The dumpling filling.”
Qu Sheng brought over a plate of dumpling filling.
Li Mo: “.....”
This pork had endured far too much suffering it shouldn’t have.
“You put in too much cabbage, and the pork is too fatty. The best dumpling filling should be a mix of lean and fatty meat, finely chopped into bits....”
Li Da Chef couldn’t physically help out now, but he still offered technical guidance.
“This is also a skill, and it takes a lot of thought.”
“Why did the commander suddenly think of dumpling filling today?”
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