"What do you mean by turning a hobby into a grand pursuit?"
Li Mo leaned back in a tactical retreat.
A faint ripple emanated from the World Seed.
The Pangu Starfall Hammer protested.
Lately, Li Mo had been focusing solely on sword practice, neglecting the hammer. The weapon's killing edge resonated with grievance—its sharp aura humming in discontent.
"Once there's a hammer trial event, I’ll let you shine and dominate the world!"
Li Mo made a solemn promise.
The hammer immediately settled down, happily accepting this empty promise.
A pang of guilt struck him.
Too easily obtained things are rarely cherished—such is human nature...
While lost in thought, Li Mo changed into the robe Jiang Chulong had made for him. The stitching was clumsy but earnest, and the fabric was of the finest quality.
"Let’s be honest—if I call myself a swordsman, who would dare object?"
Satisfied with his reflection, Li Mo pushed the door open and stepped outside.
The moment he exited, he saw Jiang Chulong crouched at the courtyard entrance, surrounded by a few scruffy stray cats nibbling at the leftovers she had set out.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned—and froze.
"L-L-Li... Li Dage... You’re... wearing..."
"Does it look good?"
Li Mo stood before her, grinning.
"Y-yes... like the sun itself."
Through the cloth wrappings around her eyes, her dazed gaze reflected the young man’s radiant confidence.
"Hah, where’d you learn such fancy words?"
"I heard people... praising my father... the same way..."
Jiang Chulong stole glances at him, then finally couldn’t resist reaching out to smooth the wrinkles on his robe.
"Thanks."
Li Mo ruffled her hair.
"Mmm..."
Jiang Chulong’s lips parted, but she found herself breathless.
The thought of Li Dage making a name for himself in this outfit made her head spin.
Was this how drunk patrons at the tavern felt?
But she hadn’t touched a drop...
"You should get some new clothes too."
Li Mo noticed Jiang Chulong was still wearing the plain outfit from when they ran the hotpot stall.
"N-no need... I’m happy... with this."
She clutched the hem of her garment, shaking her head hurriedly.
"We’ll go shopping when we have time. Yunzhou City is bustling—you might find something you like."
"With... Li Dage?"
Jiang Chulong murmured, already envisioning the scene.
Li Mo couldn’t help but chuckle.
Soon, his senior brothers and sisters were up as well. Ouyang shoved a stack of silver notes into Li Mo’s hands—royalties from the illustrated book.
A quick glance revealed each note was worth a thousand taels.
"‘The Domineering Empress Falls for Me’ makes this much money?"
"This is just the first installment!"
Ouyang puffed out his chest, his grin wider than an AK’s recoil, his voice booming with pride.
"Junior Brother Li, you and Junior Sister Ying Bing are my benefactors!"
"......"
Li Mo suddenly remembered the recent influx of "Beauty Preservation Pills" from investment returns—all courtesy of Ouyang.
No wonder.
Just then, a door creaked open.
The rented courtyard fell silent.
Ying Bing stepped out, her sword in hand, draped in an obsidian-feathered cloak that deepened her aura of icy nobility.
How to put it?
They were all respectable cultivators, but standing beside her, they looked like bodyguards.
If the Nine Provinces Summit judged by presence alone, the title of "Sword Prodigy" might as well be handed to her outright...
"Aren’t you all coming?"
Ying Bing turned at the gate, puzzled.
Li Mo blinked. "Ice Block, I’ve got a question."
"Aren’t you boiling in that fur in summer?"
"......"
Ying Bing’s gaze flicked to a certain part of his anatomy, then she wordlessly boarded the carriage.
Jiang Chulong whispered, "Li Dage... that’s... not fur..."
---
The streets teemed with carriages and chatter, a roaring river of life.
The Qingyuan Sect’s procession barely stood out.
And the skies were no quieter.
Giant eagles and exotic beasts carried riders across the heavens, while swordmasters who had mastered aerial techniques trod upon their blades—sheer, unbridled flair.
When it came to grand entrances, every genius had their own signature move.
"Was that Wu Chushu of the Three Heroes of Hengyun, riding his sword just now?"
"Must be."
"Wait, doesn’t he live in Sword City? Why’s he arriving from outside?"
"He’s a true swordsman. A hero’s business is none of yours."
"If you could ride a sword, you’d do the same."
Murmurs of admiration and envy swirled through the crowd.
"If only I didn’t have to write..."
Li Mo sighed. His Celestial Eye reflected Wu Chushu’s retreating figure as he jotted notes in his booklet.
[Name: Wu Chushu]
[Age: 25]
[Bone Structure: Ten Thousand Blossoms Sword Bone]
[Realm: Six-Aperture Insight]
[Fate: Blue tinged with Purple]
[Evaluation: Second Seat of Hengyun Sword City in Langya Province. Ranked 74th on the Hidden Dragon Ranking at a young age, titled "Gentleman of Ten Thousand Blossoms."]
[Recent Events: Intended to challenge Ying Bing to reclaim Hengyun Sword City’s honor, but suffered a shattered sword heart and demonic doubts.]
"......"
Li Mo paused mid-writing.
Suddenly, he wasn’t so envious anymore.
If anything, he pitied the guy.
Even if his Nine Swords of Dugu reached minor or major mastery, he wouldn’t dare claim victory over Ice Block. The only time he’d won with a sword was because of her... weakness. And he’d never seen her expose it since.
Shaking his head, he continued recording.
Every promising warrior—whether renowned like Wu Chushu or obscure but formidable—was cataloged for potential investment.
Then—
Li Mo’s eyes sharpened.
A plain-looking young man rode past on a strange beast, his aura utterly unremarkable.
But to the Celestial Eye, he was anything but ordinary.
[Name: Huang Donglai]
[Age: 25]
[Bone Structure: None]
[Realm: Five-Aperture Insight]
[Fate: Blue tinged with Purple]
[Evaluation: Possesses a mystical pearl that deconstructs martial techniques. Low-key and diligent, he trained in obscurity for ten years in his hometown before venturing out.]
[Recent Events: First duel outside ended in defeat against Jiang Chulong, convincing him he was still trash, so he retreated to train harder...]
Li Mo: "......"
What a "Sword God of Ten-Mile Slope."
If you’re this cautious, at least spar a few more times before giving up!
After more note-taking, Li Mo mused aloud,
"Our Eastern Wasteland Domain has no shortage of geniuses, huh?"
"Quite a few," Ying Bing agreed, resting a hand on Frost Sky.
"Odd, isn’t it?"
"It was once the capital of Great Shang."
"Fair point."
Li Mo nodded. A fallen dynasty’s heartland, now faded—yet still fertile ground for talent.
Before long, they arrived at Hengyun Sword City’s gates.
The venue nestled between mountain and water, with ten dueling platforms awaiting.
An elder with a sword strapped to his back clasped his hands in greeting.
"Step onto the stage as a challenger. The victor claims the platform."
"Three days later, those who still stand upon the stage as champions shall be deemed to have passed the Trial of Blades."
ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"
reezy rom-com) Good news: Jiang Liu is quite the ladies' man. Bad news: He’s lost his memory. Lying in a hospital bed, Jiang Liu listens to a parade of goddesses spouting "absurd claims," feeling like the world is one giant game of Werewolf. "Jiang Liu, I’m your first love." "Jiang Liu, you’re my boyfriend—she’s your ex." "Jiang Liu, we’re close friends who’ve shared a bed, remember?" "Jiang Liu, I want to have your baby." The now-lucid Jiang Liu is convinced this must be some elaborate scam... until someone drops the bombshell: "The day before you lost your memory, you confessed your feelings—and got into a relationship." Jiang Liu is utterly baffled. So... who the hell is his actual girlfriend?! ... Before recovering his memories, Jiang Liu must navigate this minefield of lies and sincerity, fighting to protect himself from these women’s schemes. But things spiral even further out of control as more people show up at his doorstep—each with increasingly unhinged antics. On the bright side, the memories he lost due to overwhelming trauma seem to be resurfacing. Great news, right? So why are they all panicking now?
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
u Chenyuan transmigrated into a female-oriented novel about a real and fake heiress, becoming the CEO elder brother of both. Unfortunately, the entire Lu family—including himself, the CEO—were mere cannon fodder in the story. Determined to save himself, Lu Chenyuan took action. The spoiled, attention-seeking fake heiress? Thrown into the harsh realities of the working class to learn humility. The love-struck real heiress? Pushed toward academic excellence, so lofty goals would blind her to trivial romances. As for the betrayed, vengeful arranged marriage wife… the plot hadn’t even begun yet. There was still time—if he couldn’t handle her, he could at least avoid her. "CEO Lu, are you avoiding me?" Mo Qingli fixed her gaze on Lu Chenyuan. For the first time, the shrewd and calculating Lu Chenyuan felt a flicker of unease.
