Ice Block Defeats Hidden Dragon with One Sword, The Unyielding Virtue of Kind-hearted Li

As Bai Jinghong stood in the center of the hall, murmurs spread through the crowd.

Those who hadn’t reached the Observation Divine Realm knew their limits and wouldn’t step forward just to embarrass themselves. Meanwhile, the young talents with some skill were reluctant to be the first to test Bai Jinghong’s strength.

The atmosphere grew tense as people whispered among themselves, each pushing the responsibility onto another.

"Not a single genius from the Eastern Wasteland Domain dares to face me?" Bai Jinghong said lightly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Then the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm shall belong to my Hengyun Sword City."

"This is too domineering! The secret realm is ownerless by nature!"

"Why should we follow your rules?"

The hall erupted in protests, discontent rising like a tide.

Bai Jinghong swept his gaze across the crowd, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, strength reigns supreme."

"Therefore, my rules are the rules. Understood?"

His words echoed, instantly stifling the heated atmosphere.

Silence fell—

Except for...

"Let’s eat some watermelon first. Don’t finish it all—we can use the leftovers to make popsicles."

"Watermelon-flavored?"

"Yeah, shaped like Patrick Star. Let me cut this first."

Li Mo pulled out a watermelon he had just picked from the fields, then unsheathed his Chixiao Sword, measuring it carefully before stabbing the blade straight into the fruit.

Noticing the stares from beside him, he turned to see Luo Yu and Luo Yao. The former looked exasperated, while the latter couldn’t tear her eyes away from the watermelon.

"You two want some?"

Young Master Li was nothing if not hospitable.

The crowd: "?"

Bai Jinghong: "?"

Here I am, testing my blade against the heroes of the realm, and you’re over there slicing watermelon?

Do I not deserve respect?

Just as he was about to speak—

"Your sword may be sharp, Bai Jinghong, but the halberd of my Gangdou Sect is no less formidable!"

"Let me have a try!"

Tie Qi slammed the table and rose to his feet, a long halberd gleaming coldly in his grip.

"Perfect timing!"

Bai Jinghong had no choice but to shift his focus.

The two clashed, divine intent colliding as they exchanged blows.

First strike—Tie Qi staggered back, his divine power no match for the sword’s edge. Second strike—the blade swept toward his legs like a ripple of water, yet he didn’t dodge.

Instead, his upper body abruptly separated from his lower half, his halberd swinging downward and forcing Bai Jinghong to defend.

Bai Jinghong clearly hadn’t expected this—Tie Qi, already half-disabled, had a trick like "splitting up" in his arsenal.

As he prepared to press the attack, Tie Qi grinned.

"Three moves—done."

Bai Jinghong: "......"

He sheathed his sword, his face dark.

Though Tie Qi had withstood three strikes, the onlookers were stunned. Even someone as strong as Tie Qi, also in the Observation Divine Realm, had been forced to rely on a gimmick.

The geniuses of the Hidden Dragon Ranking were truly terrifying.

"Tsk..."

The crowd sucked in a sharp breath.

"Tsk..."

Li Mo took a bite of watermelon, savoring it so much he gasped in delight.

Then he passed slices to Ying Bing and the Luo siblings.

Truly, spectators enjoying the show.

"You—"

Bai Jinghong narrowed his eyes, about to speak.

"I, too, shall test your skills!"

Luo Yu took a bite of watermelon and stepped forward.

This was the estate of the Fanyulin Sect.

Did Bai Jinghong think he could show off here without answering to him, the host?

With a flick of his wrist, his sword gleamed as he recited:

"Down the three-thousand-foot cascade it flies—Is this the Milky Way falling from the skies?"

As the words left his lips, sword light surged like a river, crashing toward Bai Jinghong.

This was Fanyulin’s signature technique—the Poetry Sword Art, empowered by scholarly spirit. Each poem was a sword technique in itself.

"Hmph. Flashy nonsense."

Bai Jinghong snorted.

Though Luo Yu had only just entered the Observation Divine Realm, Bai Jinghong no longer underestimated him. His sword moved like a fleeting shadow, instantly shattering the poetic imagery.

Just as he was about to disarm Luo Yu—

"Nice!"

"Looking sharp, Brother Luo!"

Li Mo, the ever-enthusiastic spectator, clapped loudly.

Whether the technique was strong or not was secondary—it was undeniably stylish. The disciples of Fanyulin were clearly experts at showing off.

He wanted to learn it.

The opportunity was fleeting.

In that brief moment, Luo Yu somehow restored the poetic essence.

The result?

Luo Yu, who should have only lasted two strikes, managed to withstand three.

"Your three strikes were decent."

"But you still need practice."

Sweat dripped from Luo Yu’s forehead, yet he wore a proud expression. With a wave, he recalled his disarmed sword and strode back to enjoy his watermelon, leaving without a trace—as effortlessly as a passing cloud.

"Congrats, Brother Luo! You blocked all three strikes!"

Li Mo grinned and praised him.

The Fanyulin disciples joined in, showering him with compliments.

The gathered martial heroes disliked Bai Jinghong’s arrogance, whereas Luo Yu was more tolerable—and since he was the host, flattery was the safe bet.

Cheers and admiration filled the hall.

This was the advantage of home turf.

"?"

Bai Jinghong’s face twitched, flushing red.

Wait, you barely survived three strikes—why are you acting triumphant?

He had clearly won, yet it felt worse than losing.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort rang out, and an invisible, razor-sharp sword intent swept through the hall.

Though he had yet to break through to the Inner Scenery realm, he could already release sword energy, making him appear as sharp as a blade.

This was a result of his observations of the divine sword within his sect. Everyone present felt as if a blade hung over their heads.

"You—take three strikes from me!"

He pointed directly at Li Mo's table.

But at that moment—

Ying Bing had just finished a slice of watermelon and raised her delicate face.

The young woman's brows furrowed slightly.

"Me?"

The crowd exchanged glances.

An expert of the Observation Divine Realm challenging someone at the Inner Breath realm by name?

This was practically bullying.

Ying Bing lowered her gaze for a few seconds, then dipped her jade-like fingers into her teacup again.

"This young master was referring to—"

Bai Jinghong had been about to clarify, but before he could finish—

A single droplet of water suddenly shot toward him.

It was a sight many would never forget in their lifetimes.

Though just a drop of water, it carried an overwhelming, domineering sword energy, amplified by dual Inner Breath layers, arriving before him in an instant.

Bai Jinghong's heart seized in terror. He summoned all his sword energy, surging like a raging river.

In terms of sheer volume, the two were like a river versus a droplet.

Yet that single droplet tore through the torrent, defying the current and obliterating it entirely.

Snap—

The water drop struck the tip of his sword.

Instead, the sword was sent flying backward, embedding itself into a pillar.

Now, the hall was truly silent.

Those who had witnessed that strike doubted their own senses—such a sword technique seemed unreal, as if it belonged in a dream.

And Ying Bing hadn’t even drawn her sword.

A mere drop of tea had crushed a prodigy of the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Bai Jinghong stood frozen, not even remembering to retrieve his blade.

His entire worldview had shattered.

Behind him, an elder’s eyes gleamed with intense light.

"If you hadn’t used sword energy, you would have lost more slowly."

Ying Bing’s voice was indifferent.

Many in the crowd didn’t understand the meaning behind her words.

"Ahem, true enough."

Li Mo nodded, clearing his throat.

Had Bai Jinghong fought seriously, using his full cultivation and techniques, he wouldn’t have been defeated in a single move.

Sword energy was born from will and intent.

Brother, of all things to compete in, you chose to challenge the future Phoenix Heavenly Empress in willpower?

That’s like Old Xue taking a mystic pill before visiting the outhouse—utterly reckless.

Though Ying Bing probably hadn’t intended to show off, the way she delivered that line sent a shiver straight to the scalp.

The vibe was just too perfect.

"The next Hidden Dragon Ranking will surely be overturned."

"Tsk tsk, a sixteen-year-old on the Hidden Dragon Ranking—has the Eastern Wasteland Domain ever seen such a monster?"

"She won’t just make the list. Bai Jinghong was ranked eighty-ninth, and he couldn’t last a single move against her. She’s easily top fifty."

"Had Bai Jinghong not relied on sword energy, he might not have lost so badly, but even at his peak, he couldn’t have matched her."

"And if she secures the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm’s fortune this time..."

After the initial shock, the crowd erupted into chaos.

Prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Ranking were known for defeating opponents above their level—yet today, one had been crushed by someone beneath him.

Just how terrifying was this girl?

At sixteen, she stood unmatched not just in the Eastern Wasteland Domain, but even in the Central Divine Continent.

Bai Jinghong had just boasted that no genius in the Eastern Wasteland dared face him—only to be humiliated moments later.

The so-called rules of the Cloud-Crossing Sword City were now as meaningless as a passing breeze.

Many wanted to approach Ying Bing and introduce themselves, but her aura—cold and unapproachable like the moon—was too intimidating.

"That young man beside her...?"

"That’s Li Mo. He’s also a master of mystic arms, known alongside Ying Bing as one of the Qingyuan Sect’s Twin Prodigies."

"Surely the Qingyuan Sect can’t produce two sword-path monsters of this caliber?"

"I know him—he’s the Great Philanthropist Li! The largest charity house in Purple Sun Prefecture was founded by him. They say he’s incredibly kind."

"I’ve heard too. They say this true disciple is easygoing—he even invited outer disciples to the Fanghua Pavilion once."

"Damn, this guy’s the real deal."

Surprisingly, many recognized our Great Philanthropist Li.

It couldn’t be helped—more and more people had received his aid, and word of mouth had spread.

As a result, Li Mo’s reputation was rock-solid.

"Seems his character is what earned him a place beside Ying Bing."

"What are they doing now?"

"Drawing on the table with tea—are they exchanging sword insights this way?"

...

"This is how you draw Patrick Star."

Li Mo sketched a starfish on the table, then added a square with holes:

"And this is SpongeBob."

"..."

Ying Bing studied the young man’s earnest expression and found him utterly childish.

Still, she gave a slight nod.

"Fine. Let’s do it."

She still owed him a debt, after all—one she hadn’t repaid yet.

And she refused to believe she couldn’t master cooking.

Crack—

Suddenly, thunder roared outside.

A disciple from the Blazing Jade Forest stumbled in, panic-stricken.

"Disaster has struck!"

"Yin Huacheng—he’s been killed!"