Your hands are so cold.

The vast training ground was filled with thousands of soldiers, yet an eerie silence hung in the air.

Even the Whale's Breath Coral Stones, typically used in military formations, were present.

"Good heavens, these things are connected to the earth's veins—they can withstand impacts up to the ninth layer of the Inner Scenery Realm!"

"Did you not see it earlier? The coral stones turned red! That means Young Hero Li's formation strike just now reached the strength of the Outer Scenery Realm!"

"An Observation Divine Realm cultivator delivering an Outer Scenery-level strike... this is..."

"Bravo!"

The crowd of ten thousand erupted in cheers.

On the commander's platform, Zhong Zhenyue and Zhong Ling held their breaths, their eyes fixed on the scene with a mix of admiration and longing.

Amid the snowstorm on the training ground, the young man stood valiantly at the forefront of the army, like a deity descended from the heavens.

Beside him, a maiden as ethereal as a snow fairy played a killing melody with her delicate hands, her gaze never leaving his figure. Yet, there was a soft glow in her eyes, tender as water, breathing life into the winter day—as if the storm had cleared, the clouds parted, and the rain ceased.

"Will we ever be like that?" Zhong Ling murmured, biting her lip.

“We’re far from their level,” Zhong Zhenyue replied, his voice tinged with envy and self-doubt. “Forget everything else—even though we grew up together, we don’t have half the understanding they share.”

Zhong Ling ventured hesitantly, "Then... maybe we should start by building rapport."

"..."

Zhong Zhenyue froze, his mind involuntarily replaying Li Mo’s words from last night:

If your older sister wasn’t really your sister... would you still think of her as one?

Come to think of it... why did Zhong Ling look nothing like him?

Qu Sheng laughed heartily.

"Someone, bring forth my Snowstride Dragonsteed! Escort Young Hero Li back to the commander's platform!"

"Yes, sir!"

Defense Captain Wu Lang personally led the horse into the formation to retrieve Li Mo.

As the military formation gradually stilled, the young man stood tall and unyielding amidst the armored soldiers, basking in their reverence.

This feels incredible.

No wonder protagonists in novels loved showing off in front of crowds.

The only regret was that he wasn’t in full battle attire—that would’ve made the moment perfect.

Still, sensing the increasingly perfected divine essence of the Stone Monkey’s divine pattern within his dantian, Li Mo decided this minor imperfection wasn’t worth fretting over.

The Seventy-Two Transformations had reached completion.

Next was the Somersault Cloud—once mastered, his greatest weakness, speed, would be remedied.

And after that?

Wouldn’t he be able to use the Gilded Creation Seal to evolve the Wukong Seeking Dao Diagram into a Divine Form of the Great Dao?

Excitement surged through him, and he clenched his fist.

"This is the general’s personal steed. Please mount up, Young Hero Li."

Wu Lang presented a snow-white stallion, its coat flawless, with silver scales covering its joints.

"Very well."

Li Mo swung himself onto the horse, though his expression was tenser now than when he’d been at the heart of the formation.

Horses are so hard to ride.

They’re nowhere near as easy as riding a person.

Yet the crowd chose to overlook his discomfort.

The young man was already handsome and radiant, having just led the army with unmatched valor. Now, astride this rare and noble steed, who wouldn’t praise him as a dashing hero in his prime?

"Young Hero Li!"

Someone shouted first.

Then the entire training ground echoed with his name, a thunderous roar of admiration.

It was as if a legendary champion had returned triumphant, riding upon clouds of seven colors.

As the hoofbeats drew near, Ying Bing lifted her gaze slightly, her eyes fixed on his approaching figure.

She set aside her guqin, gently ruffling Hu Zi’s head, a mysterious glimmer flickering in her eyes.

"General Frost Fairy musters troops—the more, the better?"

"......"

Ying Bing paused while holding the big-headed doll figurine and murmured softly:

"A wife-blessing battle soul, bravest of the brave?"

Young Li Mo, whose horsemanship wasn't great to begin with, nearly fell off his steed.

Back at the command platform, the generals couldn't help but shower him with praise.

Qu Sheng even proposed presenting him with the snow-white warhorse "Treading Snow White Dragon" as a token of gratitude for his contributions to the Greenwood Barracks.

Young Li declined politely, claiming he already had a better mount.

Hmmmm.

Not a horse.

But the Somersault Cloud.

Though riding a cloud to charge through battlefields seven times might seem peculiar, it's still more normal than riding a horse.

......

In the blink of an eye, dusk approached as the sun finally emerged from behind the clouds after hiding all day.

The fading light painted the thin snow with a hazy glow, creating a canvas that vividly reflected the exotic charm of Greenwood City.

Their carriage departed from the still-bustling Greenwood Barracks, where training continued under bright lanterns.

'The system still has many unreceived rewards.'

'Haven't even had time to comprehend the Somersault Cloud yet.'

Li Mo lay in the carriage as waves of exhaustion washed over him.

No matter how strong his physique was, bearing forty units of armor and weapons inevitably left him feeling drained.

This weariness wasn't just physical - his battle spirit felt equally exhausted.

Completely spent.

And then.

Not far away, the "ice block" (Ying Bing) sat with lowered lashes, her flawless countenance mirroring the twilight-kissed snow outside the window as she penned her insights on military formations.

The scratching of her brush blended harmoniously with the crunching sound of carriage wheels on snow, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Li Mo's mind went blank, unwilling to think about anything else as he simply watched her quietly.

"If only we had Mistflower Eternal Spring here too."

"Hmm..."

Ying Bing glanced outside - after all, the hot springs were back at Qingyuan Sect, not here - and replied:

"Bathing during light snowfall should be quite pleasant."

"Bathing... our room's tub seems quite spacious?"

Li Mo figured with some rare ingredients added, that tub could roughly pass as a budget version of Mistflower Eternal Spring.

They could try it when they returned.

"......"

Ying Bing gave no indication of having heard, continuing to write without pause.

Though tomorrow Qu Sheng might find himself scratching his head in confusion.

What kind of formation was this "Li Mo Formation"?

And what military tactic was this "Bathing Momentum"?

"Hey, Brother Li!"

As they approached the tavern, they spotted the sugar painting stall again. Today few children gathered around it - only the vendor's grandson Hu Zi remained, who immediately noticed their ringleader.

"Brother Li, did you just come from Greenwood Barracks?"

"Sure did."

"It was so lively there today! They say geniuses from the Hidden Dragon Ranking were participating in military drills. Did you see them? Were they impressive?"

"Not bad. Slightly better looking than Wu Lang."

"??"

Li Mo glanced at the sugar painting stall and asked:

"Business slow today?"

"Yeah, it's too cold - the sugar keeps freezing before we can shape it. Grandpa went home to store the sugar properly, leaving me to watch the stall."

Hu Zi pouted, clearly disappointed about missing the barracks excitement.

"Why not sell sugar balls instead? Roll the sugar into balls wrapped in paper, sell them cheaper."

"Huh? How come neither Grandpa nor I thought of that? Brother Li, you're a genius."

Before long.

Since they were close to the tavern anyway, Li Mo got out of the carriage, enthusiastically discussing the making of sugar pills with Hu Zi.

Watching the young boy knead the sugar pills, Ying Bing's eyes flickered with helplessness before she lowered her gaze to review the military formation strategy she had just drafted.

But after just one glance, she froze.

To form the Li Mo Formation and achieve the "bathing posture," the most critical element was... imported sugar...

Ying Bing's serene eyes momentarily glazed over in confusion.

What had she written?

How had the system's punishment ended up in her notes??

As she sat there dazed, Li Mo laughed loudly:

"Haha, our first sugar pill is ready!"

"Brother Li, you're amazing!" Hu Zi showered him with praise.

Li Mo smirked, remembering that the "ice block" (Ying Bing) seemed to have a sweet tooth—though she’d never admit it, she’d finished an entire sugar figurine that day.

So he climbed back into the carriage and pressed the sugar pill into her palm.

"......"

Freshly made, the sugar pill was still warm.

If she put it in her mouth, it would surely melt quickly, turning into sweet, stretchy syrup.

Staring at the pill, Ying Bing’s lashes trembled slightly—she might have just realized why her military strategy had turned into such a mess.

"Your hands are freezing."

Li Mo frowned and casually tucked her slender, pale fingers—along with the sugar—into his pocket.

....

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