Chapter 358
Your Highness has grown stronger.
People often gossip, claiming that the Crown Prince of Dayu, Jiang Yu, is only at the top of the rankings because of the dynasty's prestige, and that the Yan Tian Sect has placed him there.
But that’s not the case.
As the number one on the Qianlong List, Jiang Yu's strength is unparalleled. He has long left the second and third-ranked talents far behind; the gap between him and Xie Xuan is glaringly obvious.
“Li Mo.”
Mei Yun wanted to urge the young man to lower his head.
First, in terms of strength.
Jiang Yu, with his nine apertures of the Divine Observation realm, is unmatched across the land. It’s hard to say how they would fare in a direct confrontation, especially since Li Mo is only at the five-aperture stage.
As she thought of this, Mei Yun suddenly froze.
Beneath the Golden Dragon Imperial City, a tremendous divine might surged, all directed at one person.
Yet that person stood tall and unyielding.
Li Mo's expression was impassive, gripping a short-handled hammer that was crafted with exquisite artistry. Behind him, a shadow of divine intent burned fiercely amidst the overwhelming divine pressure.
This divine intent, though described as a divine general, was unruly; though beast-like, it stood defiantly against the fierce winds, unbending.
Instead of being suppressed, its power only intensified.
Jiang Yu's voice was devoid of emotion: “Who do you think you are, meddling in my affairs?”
Li Mo replied earnestly, “She’s an employee at my restaurant.”
At this, Jiang Yu laughed, then quickly composed himself and turned to Jiang Chulong.
“Come here.”
Upon hearing his words, Jiang Chulong instinctively felt a surge of panic.
In a daze, the image of that day, when a figure with a sharp knife and a dark expression had ordered her to come forward, resurfaced in her mind.
“No one can force you.”
But just then, Jiang Chulong heard a familiar voice ringing in her ears.
The scene suddenly blurred, transforming into the sunny smile of her elder brother, Li.
She lowered her head, no longer pursuing the girl in the pink dress. Her lips trembled for a long time before she closed her eyes and shouted:
“I don’t want to!”
Little Princess Jiang had never spoken so loudly before.
This outburst stunned Jiang Yu for a moment, and then anger finally flickered across his handsome face.
The already overwhelming divine intent became even more suffocating.
How strong is the number one on the Qianlong List?
What is the gap between him and Li Mo?
What would happen if they clashed?
In an instant, Li Mo thought of many things, yet he also thought quickly.
His answer was to tighten his grip on the hammer, channeling the power of the world, preparing for his strongest strike.
If things didn’t unfold as he expected, he would have to resort to the final move of the Fighting King’s Code.
Just do it!
But fortunately,
Genius Li didn’t miscalculate this time.
“Impudent!”
A thunderous voice echoed from the sky outside.
It was the protector who had been shadowing Jiang Yu.
Regardless of the outcome, in the eyes of that powerful figure, Li Mo—armed with a divine weapon, empowered by the world’s might, and accompanied by a strange divine intent—was already a threat to Jiang Yu.
His duty was to protect the prince, and thus, not even the slightest harm was permissible.
As soon as the other party spoke, even the heavens and earth seemed to change color, as if suddenly only black and white remained, and the air felt as if it had solidified into divine iron.
A wave of pressure descended, enough to render even those in the Inner Scene realm unable to move a finger.
As the heavens and earth bore down, a faint golden light shimmered around Li Mo, shielding his spirit and body, managing to withstand the pressure.
The duration of his indestructible state was not long.
But it was enough for him to utter a single sentence.
“The guest may be extraordinary, but my Xi Yang Yang Hotpot Restaurant is not to be trifled with!”
In the backyard, another powerful aura surged.
It was his external incarnation, activating the Shun Divine Spirit Pearl, doing what he was well-versed in.
Enhancing effects!
In the dimming world, a swaying blue lotus grew, untouched by dust, pure and clear.
Its roots delved into the chaotic void, with nine leaves resembling a canopy, the cycle of life and death endlessly revolving, as if it had traversed time and space.
At the center of the blue lotus sat a figure, its features indistinct, yet its presence was undeniably extraordinary.
Mei Yun: “??”
When did such a powerful being hide in the backyard of the hotpot restaurant?
Little Princess Jiang was equally puzzled but felt a sense of familiarity.
It seemed this scene had appeared in the stories her master told her.
Li Mo gently patted her head, placing a finger on his lips to signal her to remain silent.
“Where do you come from, sir?”
A thunderous voice erupted from the void, the protector behind the prince demanding an answer.
“From where I came.”
The figure at the center of the blue lotus replied calmly.
“Do you know what kind of karma you’ve invoked? Are you not afraid of being held accountable later?”
The thunder rumbled again in the sky, and the protector seemed to grow angry, ready to strike with fury.
“Ha.”
The figure above the blue lotus sneered:
“In my life, I need not explain myself to others!”
The blue light surged, and the figure seated on the blue lotus suddenly rose, unafraid to engage in battle!
A strange silence fell.
After a long moment of silence, the protector finally snorted coldly and slowly retreated, allowing the dimmed world to return to its original state.
Li Mo’s expression remained calm and composed, but he let out a deep sigh of relief in his heart.
Fortunately, the other party’s task was to protect the Crown Prince of Dayu, and they were hesitant to engage in a full-blown fight with someone of equal standing.
“We will meet again.”
Jiang Yu’s piercing gaze fell deeply upon him.
It was unclear whether he was looking at Li Mo or Jiang Chulong.
Li Mo continued to stroke Little Princess Jiang’s head, not paying much attention to whether Jiang Yu’s words were a threat or held other meanings.
He simply said softly:
“She has already repaid her blood ties; she owes no one anything.”
The figure that stepped outside, bearing the weight of the divine city, subtly swayed.
In the main hall of the Qingyuan Sect.
At this moment, the silence was so profound that a falling needle could be heard. The elders were still in a daze, overwhelmed by the multitude of events that had just transpired, leaving their minds somewhat scrambled.
Not to mention the Qingyuan Sect.
The confrontation with what appeared to be a seventh realm expert sent tremors throughout the entire Ziyang Prefecture, as if the very heavens and earth were on the brink of collapse.
“Was that the protector behind the prince just now?”
“The prince not only got into a dispute but even had a powerful figure from the realm of the Xuan behind him?”
“The other side doesn’t seem simple; judging by the aura, they don’t appear to be from the Demon Summoning Sect.”
“Could they be inheritors and powerful figures from a hidden sect?”
Some hidden sects have profound backgrounds, making it difficult for even the Yan Tian Sect to incorporate them.
It was clear that this matter had already exceeded the Qingyuan Sect’s control.
As they spoke, a cloud descended upon the main hall.
“Li Mo, I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried something might happen to you.”
Xue Jing’s heart finally settled when she saw Li Mo.
“Little Mo, were you at the hotpot restaurant just now?”
Shangguan Wencang asked gravely:
“What exactly happened?”
“I revealed my true self and seemed to have made a small show of strength,” Li Mo summarized after a moment of thought.
“??”
The elders recognized the words but struggled to piece them together into a coherent sentence.
“Show of strength? Whose face did you slap?”
“Jiang Yu’s.”
“????”
Chapter 393: More Serious than Actually Fighting for Office
The main hall fell into a profound silence.
The elders were first left in a state of confusion, then some became as restless as ants on a hot pan, while others fell into deep thought, contemplating whether it was too late to leave the sect.
“You slapped the Crown Prince’s face?”
Qian Bufan stared blankly, his eyes losing focus.
Li Mo cleared his throat: “Ahem, it’s more of a metaphor, not a literal slap.”
Before the elders could breathe a sigh of relief,
Li Mo continued, “It might actually be a bit more serious than a real slap.”
“??”
The elders felt a wave of darkness before their eyes, nearly choking on the breath they hadn’t released.
Shang Wu had already become a master of causing trouble, yet there was someone who could cause even more chaos than her.
Who taught you to be so much better than the original?!
The sect master, Shangguan Wencang, appeared relatively calm and asked:
“Can you be more specific about what happened?”
“Chulong was bullied by Jiang Yu’s sword attendant, so I stepped in to stop it, which led to the conflict,” Li Mo explained while holding a basket of ingredients.
“Chulong?”
The girl who served dishes at the Xi Yang Yang Hotpot Restaurant?
That girl was delicate and lovable, and upon hearing this, the elders could somewhat understand Li Mo’s actions.
Moreover, Jiang Yu didn’t have “Crown Prince of Dayu” written on his forehead. Seeing his precious flower being bullied, he certainly wouldn’t stand for it.
The elders often visited the hotpot restaurant and could tell that the girl was extraordinarily gifted. Coupled with Mei Yun’s presence, they could guess her remarkable background.
But they didn’t know the specifics.
Shangguan Wencang said solemnly, “Please elaborate further.”
Li Mo cleared his throat: “Chulong’s surname is Jiang too.”
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