The Seal of Bronze Creation: A Team-Building Mini-Game at the Autumn Water Pavilion

After agreeing to watch each other's backs in the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm, Li Mo descended the mountain under the setting sun.

He felt somewhat exhausted, his body weak...

Well, that was just an illusion.

Young Li knew he was actually stronger than before his ascent—the nine-petaled lotus in his dantian had now bloomed two petals.

Though it still paled in comparison to the sensation of having a Dragon-Tiger Golden Core, where one commanded the winds and clouds, with all their qi condensed into unity.

Once Senior Brother Xiaobao left, Li Mo felt his body grow heavier.

"With this experience, condensing my own Mystic Core in the future will be much easier."

Young Li was brimming with anticipation for his Mystic Core realm.

As he walked down the mountain, heading to the outer affairs hall to buy groceries, Li Mo checked the feedback from his recent investment.

[Congratulations, Host, for helping 'Tang Xiaobao' awaken his potential.]

[Investment Reward: Ancient Bronze Creation Seal.]

[Ancient Bronze Creation Seal]: "When used on a Divine Insight Diagram, it can elevate a diagram of upper-grade or lower by one tier."

"Creation Seal... something like a Heavenly Script Seal?"

Li Mo pondered.

He only had two Divine Insight Diagrams on him. One was the Golden Crow Sun Visualization Diagram, of the supreme tier—utterly incompatible with the Creation Seal.

The other was the Night Ghost Stone Carving, a lower-tier diagram.

Using it on that would be a waste of a treasure.

"With my dashing looks, practicing this thing would be an even greater waste."

Young Li decided to store the Creation Seal for now.

By the time he returned to Autumn Water Pavilion, dusk had settled.

As soon as he stepped inside,

a lingering chill greeted him, carried by the wind—enough to make an ordinary person shiver uncontrollably.

Clearly, a certain ice block had just finished training.

"Just a bit of frost, nothing more."

Li Mo strode in with his grocery basket.

His eyes landed on

a young woman sitting beneath a tree, playing chess.

She had dug out a chessboard from somewhere and was now playing against herself in her spare time.

Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows over her and the board.

Hearing footsteps at the door, her tall nose twitched:

"What's that... smell on you?"

"Hmm?"

Li Mo sniffed his sleeve and realized:

"The medicinal fragrance from Dan Ding Peak."

"By the way, why are you playing chess against yourself?"

Ying Bing glanced at Shang Wu beside her.

Right.

Their master didn’t seem the type to play chess.

Li Mo thought it might be time for some team-building activities.

This was necessary for maintaining good relations with his icy benefactor!

"Perfect timing—today we’re having a feast, so we can eat and play."

"Later, I’ll teach you all a type of chess even Master can learn."

Shang Wu looked up and rolled her eyes at him.

Translated politely: "You?"

...

Soon, a pot was set up in the courtyard.

A bubbling stew of pickled vegetables and tofu gurgled merrily.

"This is what you call a feast?"

Shang Wu’s lips curled.

She preferred hearty meat dishes.

"This just shows Master’s lack of refinement. Do you even know the saying—"

Li Mo hummed a tune as he sliced tofu:

"Eating pickles with hot tofu~ Even the emperor can’t compare to me~"

In truth, the pickled tofu wasn’t ordinary.

As everyone knew, Young Li wouldn’t pass up a prime investment opportunity just for a change of taste.

The tofu was ground from Exquisite Cardamom, and the pickles were made from Seven-Leaf Qi-Nourishing Grass—absolutely delicious.

Shang Wu mimicked the tune, took a bite of tofu, and her almond eyes lit up:

"Eating hotpot and singing does seem pretty fun, huh?"

"Master’s voice is oddly pleasant. Ever considered letting me be your manager? We could debut at the Pavilion of Blossoms."

"Hmph, no thanks. If I went, would there even be a competition for their top spot?"

"True, true."

Master and disciple bantered as they ate.

Ying Bing, whose nerves had been taut, found herself inexplicably relaxing again.

She had only learned of the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm today.

In her past life, she obtained the Blood Phoenix Essence by slaying Han Zhen, and that was during her Dharma Body realm.

But unlike before, this time the secret realm had stirred up a storm, drawing factions from all directions—and with that came countless variables.

"Ice block."

"Hmm?"

Li Mo’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Did you get it?"

"Get what?"

Ying Bing delicately placed a piece of tofu in her mouth.

"Gomoku. If you didn’t, I’ll teach you again."

Without waiting for her answer, Li Mo picked up a piece and demonstrated.

"Like this—five in a row, and you win."

"Isn’t this a child’s game?"

Ying Bing shook her head.

Seeing her lack of interest, Li Mo shrugged and continued playing with Shang Wu.

Their beautiful master had never lost a game of chance but never won a game of skill.

"Master, you’re terrible at this."

"Gah! I refuse to accept this!"

A slip of paper clung to Shang Wu’s brow.

Two minutes later:

"If you’re bad, just practice more... But losing to the Chess Saint of Qingyuan Sect is an honor in itself."

Li Mo’s dramatic side took over as he clasped his hands behind his back, striking a pose of invincibility.

"Little Bing, avenge me!"

Shang Wu called for backup.

She already had two slips of paper on her face.

Li Mo grinned and glanced over.

Though the ice block had called it childish, her eyes had been glued to the game.

"Want to play a few rounds?"

"You said it’s a kid’s game—prove you can beat me."

If anyone else had said this, Ying Bing would’ve ignored them.

She didn’t need to prove herself by winning.

But this was Li Mo.

"Fine."

She set down her chopsticks, her cool gaze locking onto him.

Li Mo: "!"

Strange—why was her competitive spirit burning so fiercely?

More intense than during the Nine Veins Tournament on the arena stage.

The ice block’s drive to win was baffling.

But Young Li was the 'creator' of Gomoku—how could he back down?

"Hmph, with just a flick of my wrist, I’ll send you fleeing in defeat!"

...

One minute later.

Li Mo stared at the board in disbelief.

Lost?

He, a Gomoku grandmaster! The grid paper he’d used in middle and high school could wrap around Autumn Water Pavilion three times.

And he lost the very first round?

"Seems we won’t be playing many rounds."

Ying Bing spoke softly.

A flicker of amusement passed through her moonlit, spring-clear eyes.

"Fine, fine. A bet’s a bet."

Seeing her expression relax, Li Mo cut a slip of paper.

"Go on, stick it."

"Hmm..."

Ying Bing took the paper, paused for a few seconds, then pressed it onto the spot between his nose and lips.

Li Mo: "?"