Late at night, the tavern was silent, save for the rustling of leaves and the splashing sounds of water in the courtyard.
Even the dogs were asleep at this hour, but Little Li couldn't sleep. This was supposed to be his dual cultivation time with the Ice Block (Ying Bing), yet now he couldn’t cultivate at all.
What kind of man could withstand such a trial?
After cooling off with a splash of water, he calmed down slightly and checked his system rewards.
[You have two unclaimed rewards.]
[Congratulations, Host. You have received an investment return: "Mithril Creation Seal."]
"This feedback came from Yin Mianmian."
A small, cold, and mysterious seal dropped into his palm, its surface swirling with elusive and profound energy.
Li Mo grew slightly more composed, though his expression turned odd.
Even the highest-tier divine intents were something he had never properly encountered before. In a long-standing sect like the Hengyun Sword City, glimpsing a mid-tier divine intent was already considered fortunate.
This Creation Seal truly lived up to its name—capable of upgrading divine intents and seizing the very essence of heaven and earth.
Yet, ironically, this seal’s feedback came from a formidable enemy. Truly, fate worked in mysterious ways.
"Pity I didn’t manage to keep her here today."
Rather than the reward, Little Li was more concerned about being targeted by a powerful assassin.
He then checked the reward from the Ice Block (Ying Bing):
[Congratulations, Host. You have received an investment return: "The First Scroll of the Kṣitigarbha Sūtra."]
"A Buddhist scripture?"
Li Mo was taken aback.
The Ice Block had previously provided rare treasures and exotic materials, but this was the first time a scripture appeared.
Coincidentally, Little Li was currently brimming with restless energy.
So, he took the scripture in his left hand. The words were legible, but their meaning eluded him. The material, however, was unusual—smooth and delicate to the touch, almost like satin...
"Wait, what am I thinking?"
Li Mo scolded himself inwardly, deciding that pairing it with the relic might yield better results.
He then retrieved a white jade relic.
The relic emitted a faint Buddhist glow, its texture warm and refined, resembling the finest mutton-fat jade, almost as if it were glistening with moisture...
Like droplets of Hundred-Fruit Celestial Nectar falling onto...
A moment later.
Little Li concluded that he had no affinity for Buddhism—this lifetime, at least.
"The aftereffects are too strong."
Li Mo clapped his hands, making his left hand smack his right to dispel the guilt in his heart.
The clap was loud—very loud.
Slap!
A nearby window swung open, revealing Ouyang with a disheveled bird’s nest of hair.
"Junior Brother Li, I was almost asleep. Why are you still up at this hour?"
"I don’t usually sleep at this time."
"Then what do you usually do?"
"Dual cultivation."
"......"
Ouyang’s smile froze, his eyelid twitching uncontrollably.
He knew Li Mo wasn’t lying.
So his fists clenched tighter, sweat dripping in the sweltering heat, trembling with frustration.
"Then, Junior Brother Li, why are you in the courtyard today?"
"Ahem, something happened earlier, so I needed to... cool down."
Li Mo didn’t elaborate, as even thinking about it would stir trouble.
A fight?
Otherwise, why the need to cool down?
Ouyang figured it was likely the case, and his heart eased a little.
"Junior Brother Li, I’ve been working on some... ahem artistic pieces lately. Since you seem cultured, care to take a look?"
"Artistic pieces?"
Little Li leaned back slightly.
Wait, hadn’t Ouyang already given up his side hustle?
"Senior Brother, why are you back to your old trade? Are you in some kind of trouble?"
"No? Didn’t I always say this was a hobby?"
"......"
Looking at Ouyang’s dark circles, Li Mo nodded.
"I can tell. Senior Brother is truly... passionate about his interests."
"It’s all about refining aesthetics. Let’s exchange ideas and improve together."
Ouyang took it as a compliment.
Under the pale moonlight, he spread open a sketchbook.
"So? Be honest." He raised an eyebrow.
"Ehhh... passable?"
Little Li was nothing if not blunt.
"?"
Ouyang glanced at the alluring, scantily clad paper beauties in the sketchbook, baffled.
"Junior Brother Li, don’t tell me this isn’t your type? Wait..."
He flipped a few pages.
"How about this one?"
"Barely acceptable."
"This?"
"Average... enough to challenge Brother Murong’s weaknesses, I suppose."
"Hold on, Junior Brother Li, look again. You call this average?"
Ouyang’s eyes widened. He stared at Li Mo, only to find the latter’s gaze utterly serene—no hint of feigned indifference.
Junior Brother Li genuinely felt nothing.
Mainly because...
His aesthetic standards had been raised too high by Ying Bing. Now, nothing compared to the Ice Block.
"Fine! Then I shall unveil my latest masterpiece!"
Ouyang suddenly channeled his true essence into the sketchbook.
Li Mo was stunned.
For a moment, the paper beauties in the sketchbook seemed to come alive, their movements uncannily realistic!
They could move?
"Impressive, right? Heh, after seeing your flipbook, I had an epiphany."
"If divine observation diagrams can move, why not apply the same technique to my sketchbook? That way, it achieves the same effect as a flipbook!"
Ouyang lifted his chin, declaring his words with pride, as if he had accomplished some grand innovation.
"Animation!?"
Li Mo gasped.
Combining divine observation techniques with... ahem artistic sketchbooks—this man was an unparalleled genius!
Yet something felt off.
"Shocked, aren’t you?"
"I’m more shocked by your research direction."
Li Mo shook his head and returned the sketchbook.
"But your aesthetics... could use some work."
"??!"
Ouyang turned to stone on the spot. Those words echoed in his mind like thunder.
Aesthetics... could use some work?!
......
The next morning.
The skies were clear, not a cloud in sight.
On the mountain path of Hengyun Sword City, Li Mo walked while munching on a steaming donkey meat burger. Ying Bing trailed not far behind, her head slightly lowered as she carried her sword in silence.
The two hadn’t exchanged a word the entire way.
Jiang Chulong tugged at her Big Brother Li’s sleeve, her grayish-white eyes flickering with confusion.
Today, Big Brother Li and Sister Ice seemed... off.
As if something invisible stood between them?
Before long,
They reached a fork in the road, where more Sword City disciples appeared. A group approached, likely returning from an external assignment.
"Just as the Drizzle Tower quieted down, another incident arose."
"Yeah, a turncoat general, instead of fleeing south, is now roaming around Yunzhou."
"Let’s hope he’s captured soon before any major chaos breaks out."
"Young Hero Li, Fairy Ying?"
The group posting notices greeted them warmly. The two were now quite renowned in Sword City.
Li Mo had donated a fortune to restore the Sword Pool’s formations.
Ying Bing’s lectures at the Sword Pool had earned her the reverence of many as a celestial being.
Even the blindfolded little girl (Jiang Chulong) had caught the attention of all the elders, who were now willing to impart the Sword Tower’s legacy to her without reservation.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Mo took a closer look at the wanted notice.
Chang Bolong.
A sixth-tier Internal Scene cultivator, a traitorous general of the Southern Army. Anyone who discovers his whereabouts and provides information will receive a reward of five hundred taels of silver. Those who capture or kill him will be awarded five thousand taels and granted entry to the Sword Tower to select martial techniques.
Such a bounty would surely stir many bounty hunters into action.
Li Mo, however, had little interest in the reward—he merely glanced at it casually.
Before long, they reached a fork in the road.
Li Mo was headed to the Sword Tower, while Ying Bing and Jiang Chulong were bound for the Sword Pool, so they had to part ways.
"What would you like to eat tonight?"
"Just buy whatever you feel like."
"Hmm..."
Li Mo walked forward a dozen steps before, as if compelled by some unseen force, he turned back.
There, he caught sight of the icy maiden's slender figure receding into the distance.
He chuckled to himself—it wasn’t as if they’d be separated for long.
With that, he strode confidently toward the Sword Tower.
What he didn’t know was that the moment he turned away again,
the young woman tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and, standing on the stone steps, suddenly glanced back, her gaze lingering on the proud, upright figure of the young man walking away.
Ying Bing’s eyes lowered briefly before she continued on her path to the Sword Pool.
Little Princess Jiang blinked.
Yep… something’s definitely off here.