On the high platform, the elders' expressions shifted when they heard the words "Sword Pill."
Though none of the present elders possessed a Sword Pill themselves, they were no strangers to it.
Sharp enough to slice iron like mud, supple enough to coil around a finger.
The Sword City once had a predecessor of extraordinary talent but abysmal luck. Due to various misfortunes, he lingered in the Inner Breath Realm for decades, dissipating and rebuilding his cultivation seven times.
Throughout those decades, he never ceased his comprehension of sword techniques. The last time he observed the Hengyun Sword Scar, he transformed his own Mystic Core into a Sword Pill. Later, he even used the Hengyun Sword Scar as his divine intent, breaking through the limits of form to perceive the divine, directly ascending to the Inner Scenery Realm.
That predecessor was named Wan Wuchang—the former lord of Hengyun Sword City and the Martial Emperor's first teacher in the way of the sword.
"Elder Wan was a case of 'accumulating thin to erupt thick' (hardship leading to sudden brilliance). This kid doesn’t seem the same."
"The world is vast and full of wonders. Back then, Elder Wan’s talent was astonishing, yet he remained in the Inner Breath Realm at forty—something unheard of before."
"Everyone’s gifts are different. For him to condense a Sword Pill at such a young age, he must have his own unique insights."
Elder Zeng sighed, "To assimilate so many sword techniques into his own—I see countless hours of sweat and effort."
Several elders nodded in agreement.
They had witnessed many earth-shattering sword prodigies, but this Li Mo fellow intrigued them more.
"Though his temperament is a bit... flamboyant."
"Pfft, who was it again that hid their cultivation at an old age, disguised themselves, and sneaked into another sword sect’s new disciple trials?"
"A swordsman’s affairs—can you really call it showing off?"
"I’m more curious what he’ll comprehend if he observes the Hengyun Sword Scar."
Eighty percent of Hengyun Sword City’s martial arts originated from that single sword scar.
The scar was profoundly mystical—anyone could glean martial insights from it.
What each person comprehended would suit them perfectly, though it wasn’t necessarily sword techniques.
The higher one’s talent, the more profound the martial art they’d derive.
The elders were quite curious.
"By the way, there’s one more thing."
Elder Zeng cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention back.
"That Li kid sent me a letter through Jinghong."
"It concerns the 'Impending Storm Order' from the Drizzle Pavilion."
The other elders and stewards immediately turned solemn.
The Impending Storm Order signified a directive issued directly from the main pavilion.
The Drizzle Pavilion’s internal structure was loose—this was one of the few ways to mobilize its members.
"Those rats are profit-driven, but they operate covertly. Is the intel reliable?" an elder asked.
How did Li Mo know so much about the Drizzle Pavilion?
Elder Zeng paused, then nodded.
"It even pinpoints two of their hideouts and tracks the movements of their Holy Maiden."
The elders’ expressions darkened.
This was practically confirmation.
If even the Holy Maiden was involved, their ambitions couldn’t be small. They weren’t exactly the type for team-building outings—the Drizzle Pavilion’s defining trait was their mercenary nature. No gain, no action.
Yet the information at hand was still too sparse.
Their gazes turned to the side.
A woman with faint golden eyes sat quietly, her every movement blending seamlessly into nature.
If one blinked, they might even forget she was there.
"The Yantian Sect owes Hengyun Sword City a favor."
She finally withdrew her attention from Li Mo, and a flawless jade plate hovered before her.
"My first divination upon descending the mountain shall settle this debt."
Clatter—
The jade pieces on the plate swiftly rearranged themselves.
Studying the hexagram, she first frowned, then relaxed.
Elder Zeng felt the same unease as watching a traditional doctor hesitate before delivering bad news.
"Envoy, what’s the verdict?"
After a long silence, she spoke softly.
"Turn peril into safety."
......
The day waned.
The Sword Trial Assembly had concluded for the day.
There were many other dazzling duels—Senior Brother Shen Yunfei breaking through mid-battle, Senior Sister Xu Zhiqing refining her sword energy further.
Senior Brother Ouyang... didn’t even make an appearance.
He was too busy finishing the latest chapter of "The Domineering Empress Falls for Me," rushing to the printing house for a new batch.
The previous volume was already in high demand—this new chapter would likely sell out instantly.
Yet, the most unforgettable moment of the tournament remained the "Myriad Swords Return to Origin." The spectacle was too awe-inspiring.
No one had ever wielded a sword with such grandeur.
For a long time, it would dominate conversations in Yunzhou’s martial world.
"Young Hero Li will surely ascend the Sword Tower now."
"They say the Hengyun Sword Scar was left by an immortal—mystical beyond measure. The greater one’s talent, the more profound the martial art they’ll grasp."
"Tsk... I wonder what world-shaking technique Young Hero Li will comprehend?"
"Hmph! Young Hero Li is the reincarnation of a Sword Saint! Of course he’ll awaken some divine sword art!"
"Sword Saint? Sword Immortal!"
"I’ve got exclusive insider info—that Hengyun Sword Scar might’ve been a casual slash from Young Hero Li’s past life! Don’t tell anyone, okay?"
"Gasp! My lips are sealed!"
"Hey, buddy, I’ve got this exclusive scoop..."
......
As everyone knew,
martial artists loved to boast—it proved their insight surpassed the ordinary.
Which was why Li Mo’s fame didn’t just rise... it snowballed into absurdity.
In the carriage.
"Junior Brother Li, I’ve been sparring all day. I’ll head to an apothecary for some recovery pills, so I won’t return with you." Shen Yunfei lifted the carriage curtain.
"Take care, Senior Brother."
Li Mo grinned, his lips quirking.
"Oh, by the way—how did you know I performed Myriad Swords Return to Origin at the Martial Summit?"
Shen Yunfei: "..."
It was hard to believe this was the same dazzling junior brother from earlier.
He chuckled wryly.
"When you observe the Hengyun Sword Scar, you might stir up an even bigger commotion."
"Once I’ve recovered, I’ll come spar with you too."
With a cupped-fist salute, he departed.
Comprehending the sword?
Li Mo froze.
Beside him, Ying Bing spoke softly.
"This is why Hengyun Sword City stands unshaken."
"Those who prove themselves in the Sword Trial may ascend the Sword Tower. Reach the summit, and the sword scar awaits."
"Whatever martial art you grasp, you may keep—but a copy stays with the city."
Thus, geniuses owed the city a favor,
while the city gained more insights into the scar through them.
"Comprehending the sword scar..."
The previously elated Li Mo sobered, lost in thought.
Given his sword talent... what would he comprehend?
Em...
Oh no.
He’d barely settled into his swordsman persona—was his image about to crumble?
] 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.
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
For the sake of his unrequited love, his ex-girlfriend abandoned him at the altar, indirectly causing the death of his parents. Just when he thought his life was plunged into darkness, a clueless yet beautiful girl unexpectedly took him in. Looking back, he realized how many hidden gems had always been by his side. A childhood friend who had secretly loved him for over a decade, a stunning but socially clueless school beauty, a mischievous and playful girl who lived for chaos... His ex, filled with regret, pleaded: "I was wrong—can we go back to how things were?" Before he could respond, the girl stepped in front of Ye Shuang and coldly declared, "If you didn’t cherish him, then he’s mine now." Also known as: "After Losing My Job, I Was Picked Up by a Hidden Gem," "The School Beauty I Raised," and "Oh No, I’m Surrounded by Rich Girls."