The Omen of Turning Misfortune into Blessing: A Collapse of Public Image

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?

Recommend Series

As Long as I Outlast You All, I’ll Be Invincible

As Long as I Outlast You All, I’ll Be Invincible

end. Thus one must continue to cultivate, and become a saint or great emperor, in order to prolong one's life. Chen Xia, however, completely reversed this. Since his transmigration, he has gained immortality, and also a system that awards him with attribute points for every year he lives. Thus between the myriad worlds, the legend of an unparalleled senior appeared. "A gentleman takes revenge; it is never too late even after ten thousand years." "When you were at your peak I yielded, now in your old age I shall trample on you." - Chen Xia

Becoming the Emperor in a Female-Oriented Novel, and You Want Me to Kneel and Apologize?

Becoming the Emperor in a Female-Oriented Novel, and You Want Me to Kneel and Apologize?

rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!

Villain: Agree to Break Off the Engagement at the Start, the Heroine Breaks Down!

Villain: Agree to Break Off the Engagement at the Start, the Heroine Breaks Down!

young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."

The Bullet Chat Claims I’m Devoted, While I Level Up With My Alt Accounts

The Bullet Chat Claims I’m Devoted, While I Level Up With My Alt Accounts

e, Immortal Body, Transmigration, System, Progression Fantasy, Academy Setting, Third-Person Perspective. Alternate Title: Transmigrating into a High Martial World and Reading Live Comments. Bad news: I transmigrated. This is a terrifying high-martial world, and my original, pathetically weak body fell into a coma and never woke up. Good news: I got a Popularity Points system upon arrival. I can see live comments and even create an unkillable alternate identity. Starting out, the alternate identity has all stats at 1. The system tells me that to grow stronger, I must participate in the plot, gain popularity points to allocate stats and grow stronger, and ultimately awaken my original body. And so, carrying my original body on my back, I officially entered Huaqing Academy, where the story's protagonist resides. From that moment on, Chen Guan kicked the original plot to pieces. Live Comments: [Doesn't anyone find this mysterious coffin guy creepy? He can summon indescribable grey misty hands.] [Is this guy a hero or a villain? What kind of onion became a spirit?] [By the way, does anyone know who's in the coffin? Shouldn't the debt for saving his life be repaid by now?] [According to unofficial histories, the person in the coffin was Chen Guan's first love. Their love was once passionate and earth-shattering, but they were separated by life and death due to worldly circumstances. What a star-crossed pair.] ... Years later, the world knew of a demon god born from a coffin, shrouded in grey mist, impossible to gaze upon directly. His foremost divine emissary often wielded a scythe, reaping lives like the god of death. As war approached, facing former friends and a boundless sea of enemies, Chen Guan merely raised his scythe. "Would you like to dance as well?"