The Switch on the Ice Block

The broken window could no longer be closed.

The night wind blew in without restraint, shaping the curtains to its whims.

The girl stood sideways to him, her expression unclear.

Through her dark hair, the hollow of her collarbone seemed to cradle a pool of moonlight.

That slender waist, barely a handful, even bore the faint lines of an hourglass.

Were it not for the flicker of candlelight trembling on her lashes, one might have mistaken her for a jade sculpture.

Li Mo had once thought scenes of nosebleeds from sheer excitement were ridiculous—but now, he realized he’d wronged those storytellers.

Turns out, they might’ve been realistic.

"Is it... too dark in here?"

"Seems plenty bright to me."

"?"

Noticing the boy’s gaze, Ying Bing averted her eyes, feeling an odd itch—perhaps from her own hair.

So his interests weren’t limited to feet?

"Does your ‘full-service dragon treatment’ include staring at me like this?"

Ying Bing’s voice was soft.

"Please don’t question my professionalism."

Li Mo covered his nose and shook his head solemnly.

Humans naturally yearn for beauty.

He was merely appreciating the divine craftsmanship of Nuwa’s masterpiece—nothing more, nothing less.

"Lie down flat first."

"Fine."

What was bound to happen would happen. Might as well get it over with.

Her expression was calm; her earlier mental adjustments had clearly worked.

She just never imagined...

That her Sword Heart Clarity would one day be applied in such a situation.

Seeing Ying Bing so composed, young Li took a deep breath.

[Ten years of martial insights successfully infused.]

[Year One: Through relentless practice, you mastered all the acupoints of this technique. A single touch, and you could locate them with precision.]

[Year Four: Delving deeper into finger techniques, you discovered that certain acupoints and methods could synergize, producing effects greater than the sum of their parts.]

[Year Ten...]

[Your "Flower-Pinching Finger" reached initial proficiency.]

For a supreme martial art, Li Mo’s progress was surprisingly swift.

Just... abruptly so.

Glancing at the jade-like figure before him, Master Li felt a stir in his heart.

[Ten years of martial insights successfully infused...]

[Ten years of martial insights successfully infused...]

...

And so, "Flower-Pinching Finger" reached perfection. Even the massage grandmasters of the Imperial Capital would now offer him tea in respect.

Eighty years of backup insights remained.

No need to question it—backups existed for moments like this.

"My technique’s quite advanced. Tell me if it’s too much."

"It won’t be."

Ying Bing replied flatly without looking up.

Moments later.

Li Mo asked confidently, "Feel anything?"

"Average." Ying Bing closed her lovely eyes.

"?"

Young Master Li leaned back slightly.

This shouldn’t be possible. How could it just be "average"?

Hmm... Could it be that Ice Block here, tempered by years of lunar energy, had acupoints and meridians so resilient they barely registered ordinary stimulation?

The grandmaster of finger techniques, freshly perfected, couldn’t tolerate the word "average."

"How about here?"

"Mmm... average."

"Here?"

"Nothing."

"???"

From legs to shoulders, Young Master Li couldn’t fathom how such a silken, delicate body could withstand such pressure.

Surely he couldn’t resort to forbidden techniques...

Li Mo’s gaze drifted downward.

Ice Block seemed to notice, defensively crossing her arms—which only accentuated the curves.

"Turn over."

Li Mo wiped his nose.

Ying Bing glanced at the system prompt.

[Current contact area: 42%]

After turning, she shut her eyes tightly, finally exhaling.

But once her back was exposed, an unfamiliar sensation crept in.

"You... dripped something?"

"Divine Hundred-Fruit Oil."

"Oh..."

The fragrance was undeniable.

Yet she couldn’t explain why the first drop had felt scalding, only to fade instantly.

Her skin tingled faintly...

The electric-like touch seemed to intensify...

"Feel anything now?"

"No."

"Still nothing?"

"Nope."

Li Mo fell into deep thought.

Ice Block apparently came with a toggle switch.

"Really nothing?" His eyes narrowed skeptically.

"Nothing."

The moment Ying Bing spoke—

[Ding!]

[Detected host’s complete lack of sensation during contact.]

[System has considerately increased sensitivity by 50%.]

"?"

Her eyes flew open, dazed.

The same motions, yet entirely different sensations.

Why again...?

As Li Mo’s fingers brushed her skin, unknowingly, he found her weak spot.

"Hah..."

Ying Bing shivered slightly, the blush on her neck betraying her, her mind trembling.

Li Mo: "..."

Truly, the epitome of stubbornness.

No wonder she’d become the Phoenix Heaven Empress.

Time passed.

[Congratulations, host! Successful investment in "Ying Bing"—assisted in qi regulation.]

[You have unclaimed investment rewards.]

"Asleep?"

Seeing Ying Bing motionless, Li Mo felt oddly unsettled.

He left with practiced composure—though his steps were slightly stiff and hurried.

Only when the door shut behind him did soft, uneven breaths finally escape.

Ying Bing opened her eyes, her gaze complex, tinged with twilight hues. Pity Li Mo was already under the cold shower, missing the sight.

[Detected host has completed penalty conditions. Distributing rewards...]

[Reward 1: Azure Phoenix Wings]

[Azure Phoenix Wings]: "Channel true essence to lighten the body like a feather. Manifest with soul intent to soar the skies or reduce inner domain suppression."

[Reward 2: Moon Essence Crystal]

[Moon Essence Crystal]: "A fragment of the primordial moon, fallen during the perfection of lunar dao. A sacred treasure for soul enhancement."

[Reward 3: Demon-Slaying Gourd]

...

The system’s punishment was finally over.

Yet she suddenly lacked the will to even glance at the rewards, her limbs limp.

"This was the third penalty."

"Each one worse than the last..."

Changed into fresh robes, Ying Bing stared blankly at the moon outside.

She could no longer claim absolute confidence.

Not with three consecutive failures staring back at her.

So... what about next time?

What... would it be?