Chapter 414
**Chapter 458: Riding the Clouds into the Imperial Capital, the Best of the Mortal Realm**
Emerging from the Autumn Water Pavilion, Li Mo made his way to Ying Bing's room and pushed open the door to her boudoir.
Bing was still wearing the moonlit dress from yesterday, her legs no longer adorned with the sheer black cloud fabric, revealing delicate pink toes that resembled tender buds.
Her hair, forgotten in last night's rush, cascaded around her mouth and neck, her eyes still a bit dazed.
The mischievous Bing from last night had inexplicably transformed into a more docile version.
“Chui Bao, stop messing around.”
Li Mo suddenly mumbled.
“.....”
Ying Bing felt the lingering warmth of yesterday's hammer in her palm and instinctively pulled her foot back, curling up slightly.
“?”
Li Mo sighed, “It really is Chui Bao. He’s been making a fuss in my... um, cave world, wanting to play with Xiao Yue.”
In truth, Chui Bao had been restless since yesterday, and today he was even more so.
It wasn’t Li Mo’s fault; given the circumstances yesterday, who could focus on a hammer?
Besides, bringing out Chui Bao was quite a hassle; he still needed the power of the world to function.
Xiao Yue buzzed a couple of times.
“Why don’t we let them play in the cave for a while?”
“Sure.”
Ying Bing nodded slightly, watching as the shadow of the moon vanished from Li Mo's palm, then she slipped on her shoes.
Li Mo took her hand, and together they rode a cloud out the door, soon arriving at the main hall of the sect.
“Elders, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Most of the elders of Qingyuan Sect were present, and Li Mo cupped his hands in greeting.
“We’re heading to the Qianlong Conference, so it’s only right to conserve our energy.”
Shangguan Wencang chuckled, showing no signs of displeasure at the wait.
The other elders shared similar sentiments, their expressions a mix of nostalgia as they looked at these two youngsters who had only joined the sect a year ago.
“We can’t accompany you to the Imperial Capital, but we’ve prepared some things for you.”
The elders didn’t follow to the Imperial Capital mainly because it wasn’t necessary; their presence there would be of little use.
In the inner realm, they were strong, but in the Imperial Capital, they might struggle to even secure a position as a guard for a noble family.
Moreover, if they were to compare strength now, they might not even match these two youngsters. Only Shangguan Wencang had to remain behind to oversee the sect.
What would they do there? Be a burden?
“Um...”
Elder Xue fumbled in his robes, preparing to speak.
“Elder Xue, the journey to the Imperial Capital is long; it’ll take at least ten days to half a month.”
Li Mo pulled out a jade box and a booklet from his sleeve:
“I’ve prepared some things for you to keep as a reserve.”
Elder Xue: “?”
Why is this kid using my words?
Just as he was about to wave his hand to refuse, the box was thrust directly into his hands.
The iron-willed Elder Xue opened it for a glance and silently tucked it away.
“Xiao Mo’s sincerity is appreciated; I shall not refuse.”
“Why are you accepting things from the juniors? Isn’t that a bit disrespectful?” Elder Hanhe huffed, unimpressed.
Then a few peculiar minerals caught his eye, and he was momentarily distracted.
“Elder Hanhe, thanks to your teachings in weapon forging, these materials might give you a chance to become a master forger.”
They were all materials used in crafting treasured weapons, even divine ones.
“.....”
Elder Hanhe’s expression froze, his mouth opened, but his mind told him this was wrong, yet his hands acted on their own.
Wait, when did he tuck all this away?
“Elder Qian, this box contains large denomination silver notes, and that one has Xuanjing. Your martial arts need a boost from fortune; I wish you a swift breakthrough.”
“Oh, and this longevity pill is for you, Sect Master. Don’t hesitate to take it.”
“Elder Su, I managed to get the Swordplay Technique from Tian Miao. You can learn from it; I hope to see you mastering it when I return.”
.....
Li Mo had already used his divine eye to assess the elders, deliberately leaving them with useful gifts.
The elders exchanged glances, a sense of bewilderment rising within them.
This... this isn’t right.
When a junior sets off on a journey, it’s customary for the elders to provide them with protective items and offer advice, isn’t it?
The atmosphere in the quiet hall became quite awkward.
“Thank you, Xiao Mo.”
Elder Xue cleared his throat, feeling somewhat justified.
He had refined precious pills, most of which he had left for Li Mo.
The quirky and prideful Elder Hanhe, after a long silence, pulled out a black iron token:
“With this token, you can participate in the Tianshan Weapon Forging Conference. If you have the time, do go and take a look.”
“Exactly what I intended.”
“This....”
Sect Master Shangguan took a couple of puffs from his pipe.
“Please take care of my disciple while I’m away; she tends to be rebellious during her teenage years.”
Li Mo said, handing a storage item filled with wine to Qian Bufan:
“Don’t give her all the wine at once; otherwise, she’ll finish it too quickly.”
“Got it.”
Qian Bufan scratched his head and tucked the storage item away.
“I have something to leave behind too.”
A familiar voice came from beside him.
Li Mo and the elders were taken aback, only to see the cool and composed Ying Bing pulling out a stack of booklets from her oversized doll.
“These are the oversights in the elders’ martial arts, along with corrections. With diligent practice, you can reach new heights.”
When did Bing prepare all this?
Li Mo was surprised for a moment, then suddenly felt quite pleased.
“......”
The elders couldn’t help but feel increasingly embarrassed.
Isn’t it said that children of the poor mature early?
Oh, compared to these two, Qingyuan Sect seems rather impoverished in every aspect...
“Wishing all the elders great success in martial arts.”
Li Mo cupped his hands in respect.
His words were filled with a strong desire for the elders to achieve greatness!
“Alright... alright, we will certainly work hard.”
“Indeed, I’m just over seventy; it’s the prime of my life!”
“Right! We must give the juniors a reason to be proud!”
“Youth has no price; the time to set off is now! Let’s go!”
The farewell scene was quite touching.
Yet, something felt slightly off.
Elder Qian, filled with enthusiasm, stepped out of the main hall, only to be pulled back by Elder Xue.
“What are you doing? Are you a potential dragon? You’re more like a turtle, aren’t you?”
Old Qian only realized what was happening when he was pulled back, his youthful spirit shattered.
“Well, we’re off then.”
Li Mo chuckled, taking Ying Bing’s hand, then looking at Qin Yuzhi.
After all, the Supreme Elder of Qingyuan Sect was merely a side job for Sect Master Qin; her main role was as an employee of the Wanxiang Immortal Sect.
She was essential for managing the power of all beings.
Clouds gathered beneath them, lifting the three of them into the sky.
“Return early!”
Shangguan Wencang, Elder Xue, Qian Bufan, and the other elders waved goodbye.
As they watched the two figures soar into the sky, their thoughts drifted far and wide.
Recalling when he first joined the sect, frail and sickly, now he stood tall against the wind, his back exuding a sense of strength. What remained unchanged was that sunny smile; compared to the weak young master he once was, he had truly become a gentleman.
The girl had also blossomed into a graceful figure, a cold and tall fairy, quietly standing by his side.
The biggest difference was that both of them had now made names for themselves across the heavens and earth.
Now, riding the clouds into the capital, they were set to compete for the best in the mortal realm.
Elder Qian murmured with great ambition:
“When will they set up a senior division for the Qianlong Conference...”
---
**Chapter 459: Journey to the Imperial Capital, Xie Xuan**
At the Happy Sheep Hot Pot Restaurant.
Spring had arrived, and the hot pot restaurant was bustling with business, with a long line of customers waiting to be seated.
Yet amidst the fragrant steam of the hot pot, there was no sign of the small figure with a cloth band around her eyes, wearing ill-fitting clothes often stained with grease.
Jiang Chuchong had changed into a satin skirt adorned with blue floral patterns, washing her face in the backyard. Aunt Mei had told her that this outfit was worn by her mother when she first entered the martial world.
In early spring, little Princess Jiang raised her face, blooming like a delicate white flower in the spring sun.
Her features were exquisite, with strands of hair cascading down, framing her face.
No one would have imagined that just a year ago, she was the frail little beggar on the muddy streets, on the brink of death.
“Stuttering Sister... Sister... you look so beautiful!”
Instead, it was the little beggars working in the restaurant who had become the stutterers.
“Aunt Mei, do I... do I look good?”
Jiang Chuchong asked cautiously, lowering her head.
“Like... like a princess...”
Mei Yun’s expression was complex, her eyes shimmering with tears. She wiped her eyes, brushing away the memories that threatened to surface.
At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside the hot pot restaurant.
It seemed they were calling for some cold fairy, a little tyrant.
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