Chapter 365
It wouldn't be accurate to say they were evenly matched, considering that behind Jiang Yu stood the Celestial Patrol, each member a standout in their own right. That middle-aged man with the bushy beard was particularly renowned as a formidable figure in the rankings.
Yet, the members of the Huàn Mó Jiào (Call of the Demon Sect) exuded a peculiar confidence, their aura not yielding in the slightest.
The tension between the two sides was palpable, as if a great battle was on the verge of erupting.
Instantly, the various factions and wandering heroes present became mere spectators, wary of being caught in the crossfire.
"How can the Holy Son of the Huàn Mó Jiào dare to challenge His Highness the Crown Prince? Where does he find the courage?"
"Hiss... It's hard to say. The Huàn Mó Jiào has a long-standing legacy; they might have some hidden strength."
"Do you think they will actually fight?"
"I hope so! If they both suffer, wouldn't that give us more opportunities?"
...
Not only the onlookers thought this way.
The people from the Dà Yú Dynasty were also stirred, and Jiang Yu narrowed his eyes.
Why did the members of the Huàn Mó Jiào seem so confident?
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Just then, a wisp of mist suddenly drifted in from a distance.
Two figures emerged from it—one clad in a pure white Changshan, the other in a dark black skirt that seemed to flow like shadows, resembling a pair of celestial beings descending to the mortal realm...
Well, perhaps that description was a bit exaggerated.
The Cold Fairy was simply too radiant.
Having aged a year, her cool, jade-like features and figure now carried an even stronger aura of a mature woman, drawing attention wherever she appeared.
No one would have guessed that the delicate lips of the Cold Fairy had once playfully called out "brother" to a certain immature brat...
"So why is she only ranked third on the Hundred Flowers List?"
"Is it possible that the Cold Fairy hasn't fully blossomed yet, and her third place is just to give her some room for growth?"
"That's a conspiracy! Or maybe the Yán Tiān Zōng (Yin Heaven Sect) is just blind!"
If little Li had heard that, he might have patted the speaker on the shoulder.
To be fair, it was true.
But he probably wouldn't get that chance, considering the Cold Fairy's hand was currently in his grasp.
"Why is everyone just standing around here?"
Li Mo initially felt puzzled, but then his expression turned serious.
"Could it be that there's some dangerous presence at the entrance of this great tomb? I sense a heavy feeling of crisis and killing intent."
"Mm..."
Ying Bing lowered her gaze slightly.
The killing intent didn't seem to be coming from the tomb itself.
Because as soon as they arrived, all eyes in the crowd turned toward the two of them.
And ultimately, they converged on Li Mo.
"So this is the reckless fool who dared to offend His Highness, relying on a bit of merit and showing no respect for rank?"
The silver-armored leader of the Celestial Patrol, with his bushy beard, asked in a deep voice.
Jiang Yu remained noncommittal, but his dual-colored eyes were fixed on the two, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"It’s them..."
Luo Yexian's expression was complex, a mix of admiration, anger, and even a hint of fear.
"Li Mo, Ying Bing!"
Tan Zhuyin's face darkened, his animosity toward them as fierce as his hatred for Jiang Yu.
These two were responsible for the death of Master Han, causing the sect's grand plans in the southern frontier to go awry.
Moreover, their rise on the Qianlong List had been even more astonishing than Jiang Yu's back in the day, surpassing him and posing a significant threat to his return to the top.
Luo Yexian, still shaken, said, "These two must carry great fortune... If they join the Wanxiang Xianzong (Ten Thousand Forms Immortal Sect)..."
"Were you once from the Xi Yu Lou (Drizzle Tower)?"
The Holy Son of the Huàn Mó Jiào looked at the cross-eyed figure, who seemed to be a bit clueless.
"Yes."
"Then, once you go down, find an opportunity to take them out. If you succeed, I will reward you."
"Huh?"
The cross-eyed man was momentarily taken aback.
One job, two rewards? Such a good deal?
Both factions cast unfriendly glances at Li Mo.
Other forces and wandering heroes... their hostility was also quite pronounced.
Most of it was directed at Li Mo.
"Li Mo, you really deserve to die!"
"He must be dragging him along against his will, right?"
"That’s definitely it!"
Faced with the judgmental gazes of many talented youths, Li Mo leaned back slightly, then tightened his grip on the Cold Fairy's other hand.
"Ice Block, you have to hold on to me."
"Mm?"
Li Mo said earnestly, "What if this is like the last time in the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm, and we get randomly teleported to different places? If we hold on tight, we won't get separated. It's for safety."
"For safety?"
Ying Bing narrowed her eyes, looking at the boy's serious demeanor.
She suspected that Li Mo wasn't really worried about any teleportation formations in the great tomb.
It was more likely that the immature brat was just being his usual self, using such an excuse in front of so many people...
With both hands held, they were almost hugging.
After a moment of silence, she gently nodded:
"…Mm, safety first."
---
**Chapter 401: Into the Tomb**
"???"
The atmosphere in the room fell silent for a moment as everyone watched Li Mo, oblivious to the world around him, take the Cold Fairy's other hand. The expressions varied, but most were in a state of shock.
For safety, huh?
This entrance to the underground palace hardly looked like it had any teleportation formations.
Among the crowd, the disciples of the Hengyun Sword City stood expressionless, quietly moving a bit further away.
"Junior Brother, shouldn't we go up and greet Young Hero Li?"
Wei Zhaoliu was taken aback; her hair had grown back to ear-length.
Well, with Ying Bing not around, she didn't need to keep shaving her head to make a point.
She turned to look at her fellow disciples, who had all turned into mere bystanders, and felt puzzled, as she thought Li Mo was quite a decent guy.
"Senior Sister, aren't you feeling full?"
Wu Chushu grinned, feeling a twinge of discomfort in his teeth.
"Why would I feel that way?"
"Can't you smell the sour stench of dog food? And you're still getting closer to it?"
"What's dog food?"
Wei Zhaoliu looked completely bewildered.
It was Bai Jinghong who understood this sword-obsessed senior sister better, saying seriously:
"Senior Sister, when you see Ying Bing make a move later, you won't be able to keep your hair."
"......"
Wei Zhaoliu fell silent for a moment, then nodded:
"You're right; it's indeed not the right time to go up and greet them."
Not long after, a gust of foul wind suddenly swept from the deep entrance of the underground palace, accompanied by a series of snarls that sounded anything but human.
"What is that sound?"
Those who heard it felt a chill run down their spines.
In an instant, many swallowed hard, staring at the dark entrance, feeling as if it could devour them whole.
"Let’s go in."
Jiang Yu was the first to step into the entrance of the underground palace.
Tan Zhuyin, initially hesitant to be the one to take the risk, now feared that Jiang Yu would get ahead of him.
So, casting a grim look at Li Mo, he led his people into the tomb.
"That sound... could it be zombies?"
Li Mo pondered while holding the Cold Fairy's hand.
"Zombies? That's not quite accurate," Ying Bing gently shook her head.
"Right, to be precise, it's a special kind of existence among zombies."
A voice suddenly came from behind.
Li Mo raised an eyebrow, feeling irritated by the voice; he was clearly a gentle and refined person, so why did just the sound of it annoy him?
"Young Hero Li, we meet again."
Tian Miao wore a pale smile.
"You... how did you get here?"
"I followed the guidance of the heavens to come to your side."
Tian Miao immediately began with her usual riddles, the kind that was quite infuriating.
"Young Hero Li, you might think the nickname on the Qianlong List is unflattering, but it was given by my master. She believes in cause and effect, and there must be a reason for it."
Li Mo narrowed his eyes. "You better have a good reason for seeking me out."
That's the thing about riddle-makers—they're incredibly annoying.
What was even more troublesome was that they weren't just all talk; they actually had skills.
"I wish to explore the tomb, so I want to join you," Tian Miao said earnestly.
"Then why not follow the Crown Prince? Why come with us?"
"No, it's better to follow you."
"Then give me a reason to let you tag along."
Li Mo feared he might lose his temper and give her a smack on the back of her head.
"I'm knowledgeable and well-versed in the principles of yin and yang, the five elements, feng shui, and mechanisms, and I can also predict fortunes."
Tian Miao pointed at the dark entrance:
"For example, those 'Bá' inside the tomb."
"Bá?"
Tian Miao spoke slowly, sharing ancient knowledge.
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