Chapter 323
Recently, the number of martial artists arriving in Qingmu City has clearly increased. After all, the city had witnessed such a significant event, and with two young talents ranked in the top five of the Qianlong List, their fame has spread far and wide.
"Is that the Cold Fairy?"
"No wonder she's only in her twenties; not only is she in the top five of the Qianlong List, but she also ranks among the top three on the Baihua Juesec List."
"Ask Heroine Ning from Wanyu Fortress; she's also quite impressive, but somehow, standing in front of her, I feel a bit diminished."
"What are they doing?"
At the entrance of the Jiawei Tavern, a group of martial artists was discussing the two who were about to face off.
With fame comes attention.
Every young hero on the Qianlong List attracts challengers—some seeking to test their skills and improve their martial arts, while others, with inflated egos, believe they are not inferior and wish to prove themselves.
After all, defeating someone ranked above you on the Qianlong List means you can take their place.
At this very moment, two figures stood at the entrance of the Jiawei Tavern.
One was Ning Liushu, ranked over fifty on the Qianlong List. She wore a jade-colored whip at her waist, standing ready, her brow slightly furrowed as she gazed at the girl opposite her.
The girl seemed to be in a world of her own, isolated from her surroundings.
Dressed in a flowing black dress, she cradled a long sword, her gaze cool and detached, as if the clamor of the outside world faded away in her presence.
She appeared indifferent to the duel ahead, as if she had reluctantly come out just to establish her presence, making any challengers think twice.
As dusk fell, her graceful silhouette stretched like a startled swan, casting shadows that danced across her features.
"If I win, my father will never force me into a martial arts marriage again. You..."
"Can we start now?"
"....."
As is well known, before martial artists engage in combat, they usually exchange a few words—perhaps some pleasantries or mutual provocations to test each other's resolve.
But the Cold Fairy disregarded these conventions, and yet it somehow felt entirely reasonable.
It was as if she never truly belonged to this world.
"Alright... please enlighten me!"
Whoosh—
As soon as Ning Liushu's words fell, she reached for her whip, only to find the figure opposite had vanished.
A chill crept up her back.
A sword sheath pressed against her lower back.
"Is that it?"
"I didn't even get a good look."
"The two sides didn't even release their divine intent... No, rather, it seems Heroine Ning didn't even have the right to release her divine intent..."
"How can that be? The 'Divine Hammer' Li Mo, who is the same age, is ranked above her?"
Hearing that familiar name, Ying Bing's heart stirred. She instinctively scanned the crowd but didn't spot that face. She pursed her lips and turned to enter the tavern.
The Cold Fairy ordered a barbecue with Li Mo's special sauce from the tavern owner.
Meanwhile, no one, including her, noticed a peculiar white cloud in the sky, different from the rest.
"That was close; I almost got discovered."
Li Mo let out a sigh of relief.
Of course, a birthday celebration should be colorful and vibrant.
He exchanged a glance with Shang Qinqing and quietly headed to a private room on the second floor to set the scene.
Below, Ying Bing easily won her duel, leaving onlookers in shock, yet she herself felt little joy from her victory.
As she ate her barbecue in silence, her gaze seemed distant.
"Miss Bing, are you troubled?"
The tavern owner's wife couldn't help but ask.
"No, I'm not," Ying Bing shook her head.
Just another birthday alone.
She had spent countless holidays by herself, long accustomed to it. What difference did today make?
"But I feel like you've changed a bit lately."
The tavern owner found it strange.
In the past, Miss Ying had always appeared cool and ethereal, but now she seemed more detached from the world.
It was as if a celestial being had descended to earth only to lose her earthly warmth and was about to float back to the heavens.
"Hey, hey, eating barbecue alone, huh?"
Hearing a familiar voice, Ying Bing immediately looked up, only to see Shang Qinqing leaning against the door.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
Shang Qinqing sat down with a smile, casually picking up a skewer of barbecue.
"No," Ying Bing replied, seemingly indifferent.
"Is he not coming back with you?"
"No, he still has some matters to attend to," Shang Qinqing shook her head.
Tsk, what had that kid Mo said before? That he would never deceive her, with such a resolute expression.
Then he turned around and told himself it was for what... colorful celebrations, a kind-hearted lie.
"Um..."
A delicate hand quietly pulled the barbecue plate in front of her back.
"?"
Shang Qinqing watched, momentarily speechless.
Not bringing back your beloved partner, and you can't even enjoy a skewer?
"You have to admit, you miss him."
"Ah, so that's it; it's because Li Shaoxia has been gone for too long."
The tavern owner’s wife, being experienced, quickly pieced it together.
"....."
Ying Bing's cheeks twitched, her expression as cold as ice: "This barbecue is quite fragrant."
"Little Bing, look at your big-headed doll; your hair is almost pulled out, shining bright."
Shang Qinqing persisted.
Ying Bing tilted her head.
The ice princess didn’t quite understand what you were saying.jpg.
"By the way, Li Shaoxia has been gone for so long without a word; there wouldn't be any accidents, would there?" the tavern owner pondered.
"!"
Ying Bing's eyelashes fluttered, nearly dropping the skewer in her hand.
Grinding her teeth, Shang Qinqing suddenly had a lightbulb moment.
She adopted a hesitant expression, as if saying, "I don't want to say this, but I have to tell you":
"After all, he did snatch food from the jaws of the Demon Sect..."
Ying Bing froze for a moment, her expression finally shifting.
Right, Li Mo had gone to gather the power of the living, and the power of the living in the Southern Wilderness had long been controlled by the Demon Sect in secret.
The Demon Sect was ancient, entangled in many affairs, as evidenced by how a mere Beast Hall could stir up trouble in the Southern Wilderness.
In her previous life, the so-called strongest among the Nine Heavens had some vague connection to it.
If they viewed Li Mo as a thorn in their side...
Ying Bing suddenly stood up.
"How is he now? Where is he?"
"Hmph, see, I told you so."
Shang Qinqing sighed:
"Pack your things and come back with me to the Qingluan Clan; you'll find out. After all my hard work, I can't even enjoy a skewer, it's really..."
But she didn't even finish her sentence.
Ying Bing had already lifted her skirt and rushed upstairs, pushing open the door to the private room.
In an instant, her eyes, filled with a mix of anger and confusion, froze as she took in everything in the room.
The soft glow of a few candles illuminated her serene eyes, the candles placed atop a cake, beside which stood a figure.
"You... aren't you..."
"Happy birthday! Surprised? Unexpected?"
Li Mo greeted her with a bright smile.
After a moment of shock, Ying Bing's gaze darkened as she looked at him:
"When did you come back?"
"Just now. I asked Clan Leader Shang to call you up."
Li Mo beckoned her to come over and blow out the candles, but he noticed something was off with the ice princess; her chest was rising and falling.
The instigator, Shang Qinqing, had quietly followed, initially wanting to share some sweetness, but upon glancing around, she realized things were a bit different from what she had imagined.
Oh no...
She had only acted on a whim.
Had she made things worse?
"Ahem, Li Mo, you should have just given her a surprise for her birthday; why make me help you deceive Little Bing? That was a bit much."
Li Mo: "???"
"Do we blow out the candles?" Ying Bing asked, looking at the cake on the table.
"Exactly, but before you blow them out, you can make a wish."
Ying Bing lowered her gaze and gently blew.
Whoosh—
The candles didn’t go out.
These damn candles were of surprisingly good quality; they had almost extinguished, but a gust of wind from outside blew in, reviving them from the ashes.
Not now, of all times!
"Ice Princess, you didn’t wish for something outrageous, did you?"
Li Mo asked, bewildered.
"I wish that you would never deceive me again."
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