Fantastic Art Style of the Imperial Capital

"This is troublesome."

After hearing the full account of the matter, Du Wufeng fell into deep thought and let out a heavy sigh.

"Now that the competition has already begun, we can't just arrest everyone who brought instant noodles with them."

"I'll report this to the manor master, but no matter what, the competition must proceed as scheduled. For now, I'll have disciples keep a discreet eye on things."

The Weapon Forging Grand Prix had started as a small-scale event, but after being linked with the Hidden Dragon Tournament, it had drawn blacksmiths from all over the world like moths to a flame.

Now, even the eyes of nobles and royalty were closely fixed upon it.

There was no way to halt the competition outright—they could only investigate and settle accounts after the event.

Li Mo nodded. "The seasoning packets are probably normal, just meant to mislead. We should focus on those who eat the sauce packets straight."

"You seem to know a lot about this."

Du Wufeng raised an eyebrow.

"Just an ordinary bystander. But I think mixing the seasoning powder with crushed noodles isn’t bad—but no one in their right mind would eat the sauce packet raw."

Li Mo’s face remained as cold and unreadable as ice.

"Fine, go ahead and compete then."

Du Wufeng didn’t question his icy, righteous demeanor.

"Since some participants used banned substances, the preliminary results might not be accurate, but you’ll still advance. Go on."

"Alright."

Li Mo turned and left the inner courtyard of the Sword Forge. As he looked out at the sea of people, some of whom were eating instant noodles, his mood grew complicated.

There was no denying it—the Demon Summoning Sect was exceptionally skilled at taking the crooked path, and they did it with alarming speed.

In such a short time, even the Imperial Capital had been infiltrated.

For now, it was only some craftsmen looking for shortcuts who were using the substance, but what about later?

Those who took the Divine Strength Powder were practically guaranteed to become cripples in the future.

Could he, in the name of the Heavenly Venerable, make the Demon Summoning Sect stop? Obviously not. And yet, if they just distributed instant noodles normally—sending them to those in need—they could still harvest plenty of mortal energy. Why did they have to resort to such twisted methods?

"I hope this thing hasn’t spread as fast as I fear."

"At least before I can follow the trail..."

That was what Young Li was thinking.

But reality often runs counter to ideals...

The Demon Summoning Sect wasn’t the only wild card—the Imperial Capital itself was just as unpredictable.

While waiting for the preliminaries to begin, Li Mo couldn’t help but wonder why the Sword Manor hadn’t taken action yet.

Then he found out.

At high noon, under the blazing sun—a perfect day to show off one’s physique—a man in extravagant purple robes, his makeup exaggerated and clearly not a member of the manor, stepped onto the stage.

He raised a megaphone, his voice shrill and genderless:

"Honored competitors, distinguished audience, esteemed judges—welcome to the 13th Weapon Forging Grand Prix!"

"This event is exclusively sponsored by Heavenly Venerable Brand Instant Noodles..."

"......?"

Sitting in the audience, Li Mo wanted to grab the icy hand of his companion to steady himself.

Unfortunately, the ice block and Princess Little Jiang had gone to the Sword Tomb and wouldn’t return until after the preliminaries.

What the hell is this "exclusive sponsorship"?!

How could a product from the Demon Summoning Sect openly appear at the Imperial Capital’s Weapon Forging Grand Prix?!

Young Li had a bellyful of complaints but no way to voice them.

"Exclusive sponsorship, a host—why not just livestream the whole thing while you’re at it..."

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than the androgynous voice rang out again:

"Given the grandeur of this year’s Weapon Forging Grand Prix—with even Divine Smith Du, who has long retired from forging, emerging to craft a peerless sword for the Crown Prince—His Majesty, in his benevolence, wishes to share this joy with the people."

"Thus, the entire event will be projected across the capital via the Rivers and Mountains Scroll. Anyone in the Imperial Capital need only look up to witness the spectacle!"

Whoosh—

Like an unfurling screen, the Rivers and Mountains Scroll, which usually shrouded the imperial palace, rose into the sky under an invisible force, slowly spreading open.

The magnificent scroll stretched across the heavens, bathed in the golden light of the three suns, its surface rippling like a colossal screen reflecting the world below.

Images gradually flickered to life upon it.

"Who the hell approved this sponsorship?! Since when does our Heavenly Mountain Sword Manor need sponsors?! What? It was that old dog Nan Gong?!"

"I’ve said it before—Nan Gong is useless! How many times has he organized this event? Has anything ever changed? It’s the same old tricks! And I, Du Wufeng, have every right to say this! My Weapon Forging Grand Prix produced so many master smiths... What does he know about forging, holed up in his sword practice? He doesn’t have the skill, you understand?!"

Du Wufeng was in the middle of cursing out Elder Nan Gong, the organizer of the event, when he suddenly realized his voice was echoing across the heavens.

"?"

Divine Smith Du paused, then flashed a stiff, terrifying smile at the sky.

Clearly, the denizens of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths had no experience with livestreaming—leading to an unfortunate broadcast mishap...

"......"

Li Mo frowned, leaned back slightly, and suddenly felt at peace.

Compared to this, the Demon Summoning Sect’s advertisement didn’t seem so outrageous anymore.

Livestreams.

Sponsorships.

A roaring crowd...

And instead of blacksmiths, the competitors were all muscle-bound hunks...

The Imperial Capital was, by nature, a surreal place.

So no matter what happened next, he was prepared for it.

"First group of preliminary contestants, please take the stage!"

A group of burly craftsmen stepped forward, their oiled upper bodies glistening under the sun.

"Front double biceps pose!"

"Side chest pose!"

...

"Are you kidding me?!"

Young Li slammed his robe onto the ground.

"Brother Li? You’re here for the competition too? With that physique, you might not even pass the preliminaries. This year’s contestants are no joke, and the judges love big muscles."

Tie Qi emerged from the crowd of craftsmen.

Having once lacked legs, his upper body was especially thick and muscular.

"No problem."

Li Mo’s face remained as cold as ice.

Tie Qi blinked, then lowered his voice. "Brother Li, you’re not planning to use some secret technique or... banned substances, are you? Something feels off about this competition."

"Don’t take the wrong path."

Li Mo sighed. "I have a divine technique that can enlarge specific parts."

"????"

If anyone else had said that, Tie Qi might not have believed them. But this was Li Mo.

Just then, the host’s voice rang out again:

"Eighth group of contestants, please take the stage."

Li Mo and Tie Qi were in the same group, along with two others.

Aside from Tie Qi, one of them was the scrawny craftsman who had slipped through the gates earlier. He was now whispering with the fourth contestant.

"This Heavenly Venerable Brand is the real deal."

"Ninety-nine percent pure rarity—you think I’d scam you with trash?"

The skinny craftsman and his companion slurped down their noodles.

Suddenly, their veins bulged violently, their bodies swelling as if pumped full of air, their eyes turning blood-red.

Their faces twisted with ecstasy, reveling in the surging power that didn’t belong to them.

"Hm?"

The two turned and noticed Li Mo and Tie Qi standing before them.

"You... saw everything?"

Their voices carried a dangerous edge.

If someone saw them using forbidden drugs and reported it, all the Divine Power Pills they consumed would be for nothing.

"It seems what you bought were all defective... no, not even defective—just worthless trash."

Li Mo's eyes flickered as he sighed.

Now this is what you call an Oscar-worthy performance!

The two men: "?"

"You have no idea what true power even is."

As his words fell—

A surge of overwhelming blood qi erupted, the thunderous pounding of his heartbeat echoing like a storm.

By now, Li Mo's Heaven-Earth Manifestation could already cover the upper half of his body.