Viewing the Results at Longmen Gate: An Uninvited Guest

In truth, Little Li wasn’t particularly fond of riding carriages within the city.

But as everyone knew,

he and the "Ice Block" were no longer just famous.

Tossing a brick randomly in the city would likely hit several passersby who had read The Tyrannical Empress Falls for Me.

There was no chance of being known only by name without recognition.

On the day the Hidden Dragon Ranking was unveiled, it would probably be even livelier than the Martial Arts Summit. Being recognized would spell trouble.

The carriage moved lightly.

The wind from Fish-Dragon Street carried the clamor outside, while sunlight spilled into the compartment.

Li Mo glanced up and saw Ying Bing’s slender legs folded elegantly to the side.

Suddenly, those phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.

Smack!

The big-headed doll slapped a mosquito dead on the table.

Ying Bing’s delicate brows furrowed as she casually picked up a rag and began scrubbing the doll’s forehead, producing a squeaky grit-grit sound.

Only when it gleamed spotlessly did a flicker of satisfaction cross her eyes.

Li Mo: "......"

Are we sure this doll isn’t related to witchcraft or curses?

Why does my forehead feel oddly chilly...

Nearby, Princess Little Jiang was also meticulously polishing a broken sword she had picked up three days prior, her face earnest.

"Weren’t you planning to sell it for scrap?"

Li Mo chuckled and asked offhandedly,

"If you’re selling it, why bother cleaning it so thoroughly?"

"Th-these... aren’t for sale. They’re not... not scrap..." Jiang Chulong shook her head, then blinked.

"Besides... they’re still... alive..."

"Huh?"

Li Mo froze.

Over the past few days, he had indeed been receiving system notifications—

feedback from Princess Little Jiang’s martial insights, such as:

[Congratulations, Host! You’ve successfully invested in ‘Jiang Chulong,’ aiding her in comprehending a sword technique and nurturing the growth of her Wild Grass Sword Bone.]

So... this is how it happened?

She gained sword techniques from broken, discarded blades?

"......"

Li Mo slapped the Red Sky Sword.

You’re a proper mystical weapon, intact and everything.

Why can’t you step up your game?

Suddenly, another thought struck him.

"Hey, Ice Block."

Ying Bing lifted her gaze. "Hm?"

"During your lectures these days, haven’t you run into any challenges?"

"Such as?"

Li Mo pressed, "Many disciples of Cloud-Soaring Sword City practice different sword arts. What if they ask about techniques you’ve never encountered?"

"What difference does it make whether I’ve practiced sword techniques below divine-grade?"

"......"

Li Mo understood.

She meant she could learn them on the spot.

Those beautiful phoenix eyes held confusion—as if questioning why he’d even ask something so obvious, silently saying:

‘Can’t you do the same?’

Faced with the serene puzzlement on her jade-like face and the blank innocence in the other pair of gray-white eyes, Little Li fell silent.

If the Red Sky Sword could talk, it’d probably be slamming the table right now:

"Li, say something!"

......

Before long,

the carriage arrived at the end of Fish-Dragon Street, facing the shimmering waters of Dragon Gate Lake.

Every major city at the provincial level housed a Dragon Gate to announce the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

In the distance stood a towering, six- or seven-story-tall Dragon Gate, pristine white and intricately carved with archaic seal script, as if crafted from white jade.

Li Mo and his fellow disciples from the Qingyuan Sect alighted and chose an ideal viewing spot in a nearby tavern.

"Proprietor, this place is empty. Surely it isn’t fully booked?"

"My apologies, young master. A wealthy guest from the Eastern Wasteland Domain has reserved the entire venue..."

The innkeeper clasped his hands apologetically.

"In business, integrity comes first."

Li Mo pondered briefly.

"Is this tavern for sale?"

His system inventory still held four golden mountains—originally five, but one had been spent on investments three days prior.

As for silver notes? Far too many to count.

Precious oddities were another matter; their exact value was anyone’s guess.

A chest thudded onto the floor.

"This establishment sits on prime land, worth its weight in gold. The construction alone cost 300,000 taels of silver. Young master, surely you can’t—"

"This isn’t silver."

"A chest of gold? That might cover it..."

"Silver notes."

Thud—thud—thud—

The innkeeper and waiter’s knees buckled.

Why three thuds?

Li Mo: "...... Senior Brother Ouyang, we’re on the same side."

......

At the open-air banquet hall on the top floor,

the group settled in. Li Mo sat flanked by the Ice Block and Princess Little Jiang, with the Dragon Gate directly ahead—

the ultimate VIP viewing spot.

"Quite the spectacle," Li Mo remarked, gazing at the sea of people below.

"Naturally. The Hidden Dragon Ranking is far more relatable to the common folk than the Heaven, Earth, or Mortal Rankings."

"It’s among the most anticipated lists."

Ying Bing’s eyes reflected the Dragon Gate.

In this life, I’ve made it onto the ranking much earlier...

Li Mo sipped his tea and handed an apple to Princess Little Jiang.

Makes sense.

Eighth-realm experts were practically mythical, rarely seen.

Whether it was the Heaven Ranking’s seventh-realm Profound Holders or the Mortal Ranking’s fifth-realm Outer Scenery practitioners, all felt beyond reach for ordinary martial artists.

The Hidden Dragon Ranking, however, featured fourth-realm Insight cultivators—at least within the realm of possibility.

"Wait, ‘among’?"

"There’s also the Hundred Flowers Ranking and the Divine Arms Ranking,"

chimed in the waiter, smiling obsequiously.

"Young masters and mistresses radiate extraordinary aura. No doubt, a few Hidden Dragon prodigies will emerge among you!"

"Hidden Dragon Ranking..."

Li Mo watched the bustling crowd below, struck by a sense of unreality.

Could I make the list?

By raw strength, undoubtedly—

and likely near the top.

Despite being a second-aperture Insight cultivator, he possessed resources unimaginable for his realm.

Yet he vividly recalled the memories from his past life’s "fetal amnesia."

Back then, I was just an ordinary social outcast—average looks, average grades, average salary after graduation. Occasionally claiming I stayed single out of principle, when in truth, no one ever looked my way...

Now, his name might be known across the land?

Hard to wrap my head around...

Then again, maybe not.

"Wonder how reliable this Hidden Dragon Ranking is."

Li Mo shook off his thoughts.

"Ninety percent accurate."

"The Yantian Sect has existed far longer than even the Great Yu or Great Shang dynasties."

Ying Bing’s voice was soft.

She knew divination wasn’t mere superstition precisely because of the Yantian Sect’s various rankings.

Even assessments of her had been eerily precise.

"Then I’ll wait and see."

Li Mo smiled, though inwardly uncertain.

Even the Eye of Heavenly Fate couldn’t discern my destiny. The Yantian Sect might not fare better.

Accuracy wasn’t guaranteed.

"Mm..."

Ying Bing recalled the woman who’d read Li Mo’s fortune three days prior.

She’d recognized her—Tian Miao, the current Yantian Sect’s Wandering Disciple.

If Tian Miao personally came to divine his fate... perhaps there was some merit to it?

Four days.

In four days, the system would issue its own rankings...

Might the Hidden Dragon Ranking align somewhat with the system’s evaluation?

Ying Bing withdrew her gaze from him, turning back to the Dragon Gate.

Bang—

Just then, the waiter from earlier burst in.

The waiter looked miserable as he said,

"Young Hero, the guests who booked the place earlier have arrived, and they’re insisting on arguing with the owner of the restaurant."

"Then let them go find the owner."

"But right now... you are the owner..."

"Uh... Alright then, refund their money and give them a good spot instead..."

Li Mo was still speaking when footsteps echoed from the staircase—more than one set.

"The local sects in Yunzhou have no manners at all! How dare they take the spot I reserved!"

The voice sounded...

Kind of familiar?

.....

Today, I rode my e-bike to the internet café to write, but halfway there, the battery died. I had to push it for ages.

This struggling author couldn’t help but think—if only some generous readers would send me some encouragement right now T-T.