The Autumn Water Pavilion was spacious, yet its architectural style was rather compact.
With artificial hills and a winding stream running through it, finding a large open area was no easy task.
Li Mo pondered for a moment before a sudden flash of inspiration struck him.
"If we hollow out the artificial hill, it should be just perfect."
"That way, there’ll be cover too. Master and the Ice Block can soak in it later."
"I’m such a genius."
Little Li silently praised himself in his heart.
No sooner said than done.
He took out the Crimson Sky Sword and the Star Piercer, wielding one in each hand, and began digging away. The excavated stones were tossed directly into his World Seed, to be disposed of elsewhere later.
Efficiency was off the charts.
Clang! Clang! Clang...
Rustle! Rustle! Rustle...
"Hmm?"
"Kid, are you tearing the place apart?"
Watching Li Mo’s busy figure from behind, Shang Wu narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and muttered under her breath.
Ying Bing, meanwhile, was staring intently at the teacup before her.
The commotion in the distance sent ripples through the tea, causing the reflection of her phoenix-like eyes to waver in the liquid.
Disturbed from her peaceful nap, Shang Wu strode over to Li Mo with hands on her hips.
"What are you up to? Did the artificial hill offend you?"
"You could’ve just told me—I’d have smashed it with one punch..."
"Wait!"
Li Mo hurriedly stopped her.
"I want to hollow out the middle of the hill and build a hot spring."
"Then we can all soak in it later."
"Hot spring?"
Shang Wu tilted her head.
"Exactly! Think about it, Master—soaking in warm water while sipping some wine? What could be better?"
Li Mo grinned.
If the Ice Block and Master both used the hot spring, it’d mean another long-term, steady return on his investments.
Now that’s what you call an investment prodigy.
Shang Wu thought for a moment, already picturing herself lounging in the hot spring with a cup of wine in hand.
Pure bliss.
With a pleased smile, she patted Li Mo’s shoulder.
"Hmph, seems like you’ve learned a thing or two from me. Who knew you’d come up with such a luxurious idea?"
"How much of the hill are you planning to dig out?"
She flexed her delicate fist, suddenly energized.
After some quick calculations based on the Mistflower Eternal Spring’s dimensions, Li Mo replied,
"Just an entrance big enough for two people."
"Then hollow out the middle—about thirty feet in diameter should do."
"Easy."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than her dainty fist lightly tapped the artificial hill, sending it trembling violently.
Boom—
The force traveled through the rock, causing a section just large enough for two people to collapse inward.
Li Mo’s heart skipped a beat.
Once he cleared away the rubble, he realized the interior dimensions matched his specifications perfectly.
"Master, you’re amazing!"
"Just a bit of controlled force. It’s no different from hitting a person—nothing difficult."
Shang Wu casually lifted her chin, feigning nonchalance.
Li Mo nodded.
He could deliver a blow that shattered bones and ruptured organs without leaving a mark on the surface.
But pulverizing the core of a hill? That was still beyond him.
"Call me when you’re done."
Yawning, Shang Wu returned to her beauty sleep.
...
Over two hours later,
the "Hot Spring Hill" of the Autumn Water Pavilion was nearly complete.
After clearing the debris, Li Mo dug out a pool roughly thirty feet long and wide.
For added flair, he used the Crimson Sky Sword to carve intricate patterns into the interior walls and embedded luminous pearls into the ceiling for lighting.
With the leftover stone, he crafted a few stools and a table, placing them inside the pool.
"Extract the Mistflower Eternal Spring."
Li Mo silently commanded.
Instantly, a spring welled up at the center of the pool, bubbling with mist-shrouded water.
The depth was perfect—standing would submerge one up to the waist, while sitting would leave only the head above water.
Splash—
Li Mo swirled his hand through the water. The temperature was just right.
"Perfect."
After an afternoon of hard work, Craftsman Li wore a satisfied smile.
"Done?"
Two sets of footsteps approached from behind.
Turning, he saw Shang Wu and Ying Bing had both arrived. The former was practically vibrating with excitement, while the latter frowned slightly, lips pressed together.
"Tonight, we can enjoy the hot spring!"
"And this isn’t just any hot spring—it’s a spiritual spring!"
"Not only does it beautify the skin and detoxify the body, but it’s also gentle enough for sensitive skin!"
"Are you tempted, folks? Order now, and we’ll even throw in a free gift!"
Li Mo’s theatrical side took over as he launched into a lively sales pitch.
"Ooh, there’s a gift too?"
Shang Wu, in high spirits, played along enthusiastically.
"Absolutely!"
With a mysterious grin, Li Mo pulled three garments from his system space—hand-sewn by his mother and the maids at home.
That’s right!
Anticipating the possibility of shared soaking sessions, he’d asked his mother to prepare high-quality bathrobes in advance.
"With these, we can all enjoy the hot spring together!"
"Good thinking! My precious disciple never disappoints."
Shang Wu snatched one robe and handed another to Ying Bing.
Ying Bing stared at the hot spring and the robe, unmoving.
The warm mist swirled.
Something unreadable flickered in her eyes...
"I won’t be joining."
"Huh?"
Li Mo blinked in confusion.
Shang Wu, equally puzzled, asked,
"Why not? It’s so relaxing!"
"Not my preference."
Ying Bing shook her head and walked away.
"Alright... Well, you’re welcome to come alone later if you change your mind."
Li Mo shrugged.
If the Ice Block didn’t participate, he’d lose out on a long-term investment return.
Who doesn’t love a good soak?
Surely no one could resist once they tried it...
Maybe she’d come around after experiencing the joy firsthand.
...
Night fell.
[Congratulations, Host! Investment in Shang Wu’s "Exotic Beast Cuisine" successful.]
[Investment Reward: Purple Mist Ink of the Pine-Patterned Beast.]
[Congratulations, Host! Investment in Ying Bing’s "Exotic Beast Cuisine" successful.]
[Investment Reward: Fragrant Qilin Inkstone.]
Dinner had just concluded at the Autumn Water Pavilion.
Li Mo had acquired two premium pieces of scholar’s paraphernalia.
Lately, why was he always getting these kinds of rewards? It wasn’t like he was preparing for imperial exams...
Shang Wu had already changed into her bathrobe.
Well...
His mother had underestimated the grandeur of the beautiful master’s proportions. If not for the high-quality fabric, the seams might’ve given way.
To avoid disaster, Shang Wu undid two buttons and asked again,
"Little Ice, sure you won’t join?"
"No."
Ying Bing shook her head softly and headed to the kitchen to wash dishes.
Shang Wu pouted.
She’d been hoping for a splash fight with her icy companion.
Soon, master and disciple were submerged in the pool.
"Mmm~"
Shang Wu let out a contented hum, her peony-like face flushed a delicate pink, blooming even more vibrantly.
She glanced at Li Mo and said,
"Don’t soak too long, though. You’ve got training later."
"The Cloud Province Martial Arts Summit is counting on you and Little Ice to bring glory to our sect."
Wiping water from his face, Li Mo chuckled.
"Don't worry, Master, I won’t waste a moment."
He retrieved a vial of Earth Vein Spirit Milk from his system space.
Then, while Shang Wu was still stunned, he poured half of it into the bath.
Leaning back against the edge of the pool, he sighed in contentment, savoring the tingling warmth.
"So extravagant."
Even Shang Wu, who was often criticized by other elders for her lavish spending, couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.
Using such a precious treasure for a bath?
Li Mo smiled modestly.
"Your disciple has modest savings."
Shang Wu rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smirk.
"If Old Man Xue were here, he’d probably faint on the spot."
Not that Old Man Xue was present—but no matter.
She could always tell him about it herself next time!
After enjoying the bath for a while, Li Mo spoke up again.
"By the way, Master, does Jade Cluster Peak have any preserved Divine Observation Charts or Fundamental Diagrams?"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
spital. Good news: I've bound a system. Bad news: I'm still a baby. "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully the middle-aged for being poor — Divorce Comeback System." "Your marriage may have failed, but your luck in love has never run dry. Your childhood sweetheart, out of contact for twenty years, reappears. Her beauty remains, yet her eyes are brimming with tears." [Listen to the childhood sweetheart's sorrowful story.] Chen Zhi looked down at the diaper he was wearing, then at the little childhood sweetheart crying her heart out beside him, and fell into deep thought. Can anyone relate? I'm having a midlife crisis at an age where even rolling over is a struggle.
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive. I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life. A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path.
