Chapter 381
If one were to rely solely on the upper realms, it would likely take at least sixty more attempts. The fighting spirit of Qi Tian Dou Zhan, if placed in the hands of another, would be akin to a bottomless pit.
Turning to glance at the empty space beside his pillow, Xiao Li felt that even the fatigue was worth it.
Just imagine.
One morning, waking up to find the icy lump beside you suddenly staring at you like a stranger—how terrifying that would be.
Yeah, I should try a bit harder.
But aside from striving to elevate his realm, he needed to prepare in other ways.
So, Li Mo went downstairs and found Qin Yuzhi in the courtyard, immersed in ancient texts, familiarizing herself with the employment landscape.
“Qin Jiao Zhu, is there any chance that Yunmeng Xian could awaken within you again?”
“Hmm? Not for now.”
Qin Yuzhi shook her head, then muttered softly, “Why are you two asking me the same question?”
“Same question?” Li Mo was taken aback.
“Yeah, aren’t you going to ask how I prevented Yunmeng Xian from showing signs of awakening?”
“Exactly.”
Li Mo realized that the other person asking was likely the icy lump.
Qin Yuzhi repeated, “Well, I had to do things that were completely contrary to Yunmeng Xian’s nature.”
“Could you be more specific?” Li Mo pulled out a small notebook.
“For example, Yunmeng Xian loves to play chess and control everything, so I deliberately played mahjong instead, which is all about luck. You never know if your next hand will be a winning one.”
When Qin Yuzhi mentioned the winning hand, she gritted her teeth.
She had only encountered it once in her life, and even that was in a dream that she hadn’t finished.
“And what else?”
“For instance, Yunmeng Xian enjoys deep slumber and a leisurely life, so I made it a point to sleep only once a month and work overtime every day. I’ll exhaust her!”
“…”
Xiao Li leaned back slightly.
No wonder she could oversee the construction of such a complex and grand Yunmeng underground palace. The model worker, the leader of the demonic sect—back then, it shouldn’t have been considered a demonic sect. If one had to say, it was more like a secure job.
“Playing mahjong and working overtime…”
Li Mo fell into thought.
Qin Yuzhi shook her head again. “This is just a way to prevent Yunmeng Xian; it might not apply to Ying Bing.”
“Her situation should be different from mine.”
“Do you have any clues about the preferences and temperament of the Nine-Colored Yuan Phoenix?”
Li Mo asked seriously.
Qin Yuzhi’s lips twitched slightly as she shook her head.
“Aren’t you from ancient times?”
“You’re separated from my era by thousands of years, and I’m separated from the era of the Yuan Phoenix by tens of thousands of years. Besides, even in the same era, how many people could come into contact with such an existence?”
“And my memories aren’t complete. Even if I’ve learned a fragment, I don’t know when I’ll remember it.”
Qin Yuzhi clicked her tongue, as if looking at a fool.
Xiao Li, the genius, rested his chin on his crossed hands, looking every bit the thinker.
What the Nine-Colored Yuan Phoenix would absolutely never do.
No clues, completely at a loss.
Should I start with playing mahjong?
Wait!
Li Mo suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
He recalled that in the icy lump’s dream, during the ancestral worship in the Ying family’s ancestral hall, the elders had once said.
The Ying family was created by their ancestors.
Yes, created, not merely procreated.
So, could it be possible!
“The Nine-Colored Yuan Phoenix has never been in love!”
“She doesn’t understand love!”
Li Mo slammed the table.
Qin Yuzhi’s eyes widened in shock, as if struck by lightning, and she plopped down onto the ground.
“Dude, do you even hear what you’re saying?!”
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Chapter 420: The First Sparrow God Competition at Qiu Shui Pavilion
The tail end of winter had not yet passed, and the morning sun shone brightly, illuminating the snow-covered peaks of Qingyuan Mountain.
In a second-floor room, a stunning girl, like the finishing touch to a snow-capped mountain scene, gazed out from the balcony, her jade-like face serene, seemingly admiring the snowy landscape.
But upon closer inspection, one would notice a hint of bewilderment in her tranquil eyes.
Just as she opened the window, she heard Li Mo exclaiming those two sentences.
“She’s never been in love.”
“She doesn’t understand love.”
Ying Bing’s thoughts drifted back to her past life.
It seemed that ever since her family had perished, she had severed all emotions, viewing others who were troubled by love as mere fools.
Heaven and earth are indifferent; the Dao is heartless.
She had always believed this, and later, upon reaching the pinnacle of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, it proved to be true.
Thus, as the master of the Gui Palace, she ordered her disciples to maintain purity of mind, focusing all their energy on pursuing the Dao.
Though the rules were strict, there were still disciples who repeatedly broke the prohibitions.
Once one got involved with love, it seemed they would become foolish.
From then on, she became even more convinced.
Love makes one foolish.
And so, her world became one of solitude, cold and desolate. She often found herself alone, admiring the snow, feeling a chill that was hardly comparable to the breath she exhaled.
Until her rebirth.
A smile, long faded by time, inexplicably entered her life, allowing the brilliant spring light to fall upon the snowy mountains.
And to make matters worse, she had a system.
To make matters worse, she had inexplicably lost several times.
Thus, one thing led to another, and gradually, she became accustomed to being led by him, eating the food he offered, and calling him “stinky little brother.”
She occasionally realized that she seemed to be a bit different from before.
But this change was oddly endearing.
Is this what they call being in love?
Ying Bing didn’t know. The words “emotion” and “love” had been separated from her by a thick layer of ice in her past life, and now they were as hazy as a dream.
So, she changed into a dress, descended the stairs, and sat beside Li Mo, who was pondering life on the threshold of the courtyard.
“What are you eating?”
“Hmm, youtiao. Want some?”
So, the two of them sat together on the threshold, feeling the chilly breeze, sipping soy milk, and munching on youtiao, watching the sun rise over the snowy mountains, the sky gradually becoming vibrant, adorned with fluffy white clouds.
Xiao Li, the love mentor, shared the same confusion.
When it came to giving advice to others, he was eloquent, pointing out the way with confidence.
But when it came to practical application, he was just as lost.
“Still drinking soy milk?”
“Yeah.”
Li Mo went to fetch another bowl, and upon seeing the icy lump curled up with her legs hugged, he felt a bit surreal.
“I want it hotter.”
“Isn’t this hot enough?”
Li Mo thought to himself, why is the icy lump craving something so warm today?
So hot, what’s the point?
He infused the soy milk with his true essence to heat it up, then scooped up a spoonful.
“Try this.”
“Hmm.”
Ying Bing, with an expressionless face, took a sip of the scalding soy milk, then gently exhaled a breath of warm air, revealing a glimpse of her soft, pink tongue seeking warmth.
“It’s not that hot to me.”
“Yeah, not hot.”
Li Mo, puzzled, drank the remaining soy milk from the spoon, savoring it.
Strange.
There was no sugar, yet it had a faint sweetness.
Li Mo scratched his neck, wondering why it had been itching lately.
The icy lump silently withdrew her gaze from his neck.
“Hmm? Aren’t we playing mahjong?”
Qin Yuzhi had set up the mahjong table, standing there with a look of surprise, her expression akin to that of a confused uncle.
“How did you two end up eating?”
“Want some too?”
“Not really hungry.”
Qin Yuzhi had slept for thousands of years, yet now she felt inexplicably full. Was it stubbornness?
Or was it because she was too eager to play mahjong?
Oh right.
Li Mo’s love battle (a name coined by Qin Yuzhi) wouldn’t have already started, would it?
Thinking of this, she became alert.
“You two aren’t playing love games, are you?”
“What’s a love game?”
Ying Bing tilted her head, having never played before.
“Newbie?” Qin Yuzhi squinted her eyes, revealing a hint of mischief.
That would require tuition fees, you know.
“Seems like we’re missing someone?”
Xiao Li finally remembered that there was still someone at Qiu Shui Pavilion, that girl who had downed several bottles of strong liquor and should still be asleep.
So, he pushed open the door to the beautiful master’s room and saw an indistinct figure sprawled on the bed, snoring with limbs flailing.
“Master!”
The blanket was flung aside.
“Hmm?”
Shang Wu, bleary-eyed, opened her eyes, exuding a lazy yet slightly menacing aura.
You’d better have a good reason for waking me, or you might be in trouble.
“Three players needed for mahjong.”
“Bold of you to ask me to play mahjong! I’m the top sparrow god of Qingyuan Sect, who almost plucked the feathers off a Qing Luan to make a winning hand!”
Shang Wu instantly perked up, striding with purpose. It had been ages since she last played cards.
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