Exchange

We are now live at the scene of the Autumn Water Pavilion's first-ever diving competition!

Next up is the only contestant of this tournament—Little Li!

He has chosen an extremely difficult dive: four and a half somersaults with two and a half twists. However, it’s clear he lacks major competition experience...

Splash~

Little Li’s entry wasn’t exactly smooth.

If there were a post-match interview, he’d probably say it had nothing to do with his performance—the real reason was spotting a mermaid in the hot spring.

A mermaid!

Who could keep their composure after seeing such an enchanting creature?

Little Li couldn’t hold back at all. In fact, he was so captivated by the underwater scenery that he didn’t resurface immediately.

"Why aren’t you coming up?"

Ying Bing, snapped out of her thoughts by the splashing, stepped forward and lifted his head.

Their eyes met.

"Ice Block, you look... really pretty today."

Li Mo, who usually remained unfazed even in the face of the Demon Summoning Sect’s deputy leader or a Palm Mystic expert, suddenly found himself blushing and at a loss for words.

Straightforward as ever.

Blame it on the hot spring—soaking wet clothes clung tightly to the body, accentuating the Southern Border-style attire.

Amid the rippling waters, Li Mo caught glimpses of black fabric against pale skin.

Absolutely lethal.

The downside of an insatiable curiosity is that the more obscured the view, the stronger the urge to uncover the truth...

"Mmm..."

Ying Bing subtly retracted her feet a little, pretending to glance elsewhere.

She had been pondering how far she should take the "sparring" her system mentioned, especially since the images she’d glimpsed in Li Mo’s mind weren’t exactly... singular.

But before she could reach a conclusion, he’d dropped from the sky.

Almost reflexively, she muttered,

"It’s just bathwear... not that special."

"Why didn’t you change?"

The moment she asked, she regretted it.

"Oh, right. I’ll change now."

Little Li had only managed to kick off his shoes mid-air earlier. True to form, he treated Ice Block like family and immediately began undoing his robes.

"!"

Ying Bing spun around in a flash.

Splash—

"Done?"

"Mm."

She turned back, her expression as cool and detached as ever—though a keen observer might notice she’d momentarily... forgotten to breathe.

Because Li Mo hadn’t just changed clothes. He’d stripped off his upper garment entirely.

"Why tie your clothes around your waist in a hot spring?"

"To conceal the untamed spirit of my rebellious soul."

"......"

Ying Bing refused to look at him.

As everyone knew, Li Mo was a man of reason—but when reason failed, he was also versed in a bit of physics, and his physique was nothing to scoff at.

Now, clad in her combat gear beneath the bathrobe, she stood just a palm’s width away from him.

Her body, chilled from a day in the frigid pool, had spent so long steeling itself—only for all that resolve to crumble in an instant.

The Mistbloom Everlasting Spring fell silent.

Only the sound of flowing water remained.

After a pause, Ying Bing was the one to break the quiet:

"Was your trip to the Southern Border... smooth?"

"Only one hiccup."

"Did you run into the Demon Summoning Sect?" She’d already asked Qin Yuzhi once.

But Li Mo shook his head. "Nah. Just too many mosquitoes."

"?"

"Ice Block, seal."

Li Mo could no longer hold back. This was all to suppress the other presence within Ying Bing!

It was part of the plan!

"L-Let’s focus on cultivation first. Progress matters more..."

A tingling warmth surged in Ying Bing’s chest, but she forced herself to stay rational.

Observing the Moonlit Soul Intent was said to aid in achieving a state of serene detachment.

"Fine."

Li Mo nodded and reached out, gripping her hand.

They settled into the water together.

But wouldn’t you know it?

Footsteps echoed from the entrance of the Mistbloom Everlasting Spring.

Qin Yuzhi had overused her Dream Step technique today and was exhausted. Hearing Shang Wu rave about the hot spring’s comforts—and, more importantly, learning it was empty—she’d decided to unwind.

Splash—

A violent ripple.

"Who’s there?"

Qin Yuzhi tensed, only to see Li Mo leaning against the pool’s edge, arms draped casually over the rocks.

"Weren’t you heading back to your room?"

"I can always come back."

Li Mo mirrored Ying Bing’s deadpan expression.

"Pfft. I knew it. You came looking for Little Ice and struck out, didn’t you?"

Qin Yuzhi smirked, smug as if she’d cracked the case.

"Yep, you got me."

Li Mo gave her a thumbs-up. Truly a master detective.

But as she moved closer, he stiffened:

"What are you doing?!"

"Taking a bath. I’m already here."

"!"

Li Mo’s face paled as he sucked in a sharp breath.

"What’s the big deal? It’s not like I’m underdressed."

"Qin-jie, how about you come back tomorrow? Soak as long as you want. It’s awkward with me here."

"Ugh, fine. Don’t flatter yourself."

With an eye-roll, she turned to leave.

Li Mo: "......"

In a way, Qin Yuzhi wasn’t wrong.

As everyone knew, he’d been moments away from embracing a certain fragrant, soft Ice Block for dual cultivation.

But the moment Qin Yuzhi appeared, Ying Bing had instinctively submerged—lest Qin Yuzhi witness the scene and invade their dreams again.

As everyone also knew.

Water had its... benefits.

With her cultivation and martial prowess, Ying Bing had a thousand ways to counter those benefits. Yet in her haste, she’d opted for the most primal method:

Gripping something with her icy fingers.

Truly a twist-and-pull maneuver.

Gurgle—

Ying Bing resurfaced, her face a crimson storm beneath her usual frosty demeanor.

Was she afraid the current might sweep her away? Or was it that awkward, prickling tension...

Made her curl inward?

"!"

Li Mo’s eyes bulged, jaw slack.

He stared at Ying Bing, but all he saw was the flawless profile of the Frost Fairy—now holding her breath.

"Jiejie,"

"...Okay."

The clarity in Ying Bing’s eyes flickered. The warmth in her palm burned unmistakably now.

She yanked her hand behind her back.

Then, an abrupt chime rang in her ears:

[Congratulations, Host. Sparring complete.]

"?"

[Unfortunately, no injuries, bloodshed, or fatalities occurred this round.]

Ying Bing’s mind spun with doubt.