Xiao Li's New Nickname

The dazzling sunlight, filtered through the carriage window’s gauze, transformed into shimmering golden flecks dancing upon strands of hair.

Bathed in this luminous glow, Ying Bing’s bright and spirited eyes took on a faint golden hue—divine yet tinged with a hint of shyness, an ethereal beauty so mesmerizing it seemed like a special effect crafted just for her.

Little Li’s eyes were nearly blinded by the radiance.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Ying Bing unconsciously twirled a lock of her dark hair around her finger.

“Saving the world in my past life clearly wasn’t enough. Do I have to do it again in this one? Or maybe I’m just dreaming and haven’t woken up yet…”

Little Li’s brain short-circuited as he muttered to himself, hunched slightly, alternating between stealing glances at the “ice block” and bowing his head to question his existence.

Then, suddenly, his hand was gently lifted by her. A soft, warm sensation spread through his fingertips as Ying Bing pressed his palm against her flawless jade-like cheek.

She smiled faintly, her bright eyes gazing at the dazed fool before her.

“Childish.”

“……”

Li Mo leaned back slightly, feeling as though the air had been punched from his lungs.

It was like their first meeting, like a reunion after years apart, like a beautiful dream shattered only to be miraculously restored—as if waking from a springtime reverie into a world bathed in golden sunlight, where something intangible yet eternal rose with the wind, lingering even after the breeze had stilled…

“Ice block.”

“Hmm?”

“After we pass the Meridian Gate, let’s just stay in the carriage the whole time, alright?”

“Alright.” Ying Bing nodded.

Li Mo blinked. “But I haven’t even said why—”

“Then why?”

Little Li stared into those smiling, luminous eyes, and all the serious explanations he’d prepared vanished from his mind—because suddenly, they all felt hollow.

Well.

He’d picked up a bad habit from Shang Wu—possessiveness.

And it seemed he’d surpassed his teacher.

Outside the carriage, the clamor of the crowd roared like a storm raging in the clouds, despite the clear, sunny day. The Meridian Gate had become a gateway to glory, its shadow cast upon the grand tapestry of the empire—the latest rankings of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.

The Hidden Dragon Ranking was also displayed today, though the Hidden Dragon Tournament had already concluded.

“I wonder about the Hidden Dragon Ranking—”

“What era are you living in? Who cares about the Hidden Dragon Ranking? The Flower Ranking is where it’s at!”

“Like Young Hero Li’s new nickname, for instance.”

“Hiss… I said the same thing to my wife, and that’s the only reason she let me out today.”

Amid the packed crowd, a few “gentlemen” exchanged knowing nods and cupped-hand salutes, united in their refined tastes.

“Divine Hammer, Little Overlord, Wife’s Blessing—none of these are easy to shake off. But Young Hero Li did indeed make his swordplay the talk of the capital, leaving all in awe.”

“I was there. Did you know? Every sword he borrowed that day, though unchanged in material, became sharper, its edge infused with heightened sword energy.”

“Exactly! The best sword in our village is practically developing its own sword intent now!”

“So he’s become a benefactor to countless swordsmen?”

“That complicates things. Guess we’ll have to add a swordsman’s title to his list. But which of his existing ones can we bear to remove?”

“Hey, don’t forget—he’s now the owner of both the Everbloom Pavilion and Moonlit Breeze Pavilion. The man’s wealth is obscene. How can we leave that out?”

The teahouse patrons’ interest was thoroughly piqued, their attention momentarily diverted from the Flower Ranking’s beauties to the debate over the Hidden Dragon Champion’s nickname.

From the outer city to the Meridian Gate, the path was lined with teahouses, taverns, and ornate canopies.

Inside the carriage, Li Mo, still holding Ying Bing’s hand, caught snippets of the outside chatter.

His restless hammer spirit acting up, he forced himself to focus elsewhere.

“Oh right, Tian Miao sent me a message.”

“What did she say?”

“Her master approved adding ‘Sword Immortal’ to my titles.”

As he spoke, Li Mo glanced at the Hidden Dragon Ranking displayed high above the Meridian Gate, unable to hide the anticipation in his eyes.

“But today is the day you return the Celestial Sword.”

Ying Bing’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

“Ice block, don’t tell me you’re scheming to keep it?” Li Mo chuckled.

To his surprise, Ying Bing met his gaze coolly and gave a small nod.

Li Mo: “…”

Wait, she’s actually considering this?

“The sword has served its purpose in my hands.”

Li Mo showed no reluctance.

“That day, when I wielded it to summon ten thousand blades into the sky, countless swordsmen owed me a favor. No wonder Tian Miao said my swordsman title is well-deserved.”

Little Li the Swordsman remained true to his roots.

He’d always sought the spotlight, and what stage was grander than the Hidden Dragon Tournament?

The Celestial Sword had already given him everything he wanted.

“I wonder what the Yantian Sect has named me?”

Little Li the Swordsman was eager.

After all his efforts, the time had finally come to reap the rewards…

Meanwhile, the names on the Hidden Dragon Ranking scrolled past, reaching the top three. When the second place was revealed, the crowd erupted in gasps and chatter.

The title “Frost Fairy” was on everyone’s lips—she was now a legitimate dual-ranking runner-up.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she took both first places.”

“She’d need a few more years to surpass Her Majesty on the Flower Ranking, but the Hidden Dragon Ranking? Hard to say. Not that it matters—they’re not rivals anyway…”

“The champion’s here!”

The next moment, the Meridian Gate blazed with radiant light, the grand tapestry of the empire unleashing a spectacle of dazzling effects as majestic characters materialized:

[Hidden Dragon Ranking – First Place: Li Mo]

[Martial Arts: Nine Apertures of Insight, peerless mastery of body refinement rivaling divine weapons, divine hammer techniques, swordplay honed as if tempered a thousand times, capable of wielding the Celestial Sword. Likely due to Frost Fairy’s meticulous guidance, his forging skills are heaven-sent. His divine intent remains enigmatic, yet surpasses even his physical form.]

[Achievements: Slaughtered former Hidden Dragon Ranker Helian Wu (16th), bearing the makings of a divine general who commands the might of countless armaments. Beheaded the former dynasty’s Grand Preceptor amidst an army, dispelling the Blood God’s phantom and shaking the Southern Territories. At the Hidden Dragon Tournament, defeated numerous renowned prodigies, including Xie Xuan, Ning Que, and Crown Prince Jiang Yu… His duel with Frost Fairy was allegedly staged for the audience and thus discounted…]

[Titles: Wife’s Blessing Little Overlord, Sword Hero of the Masses.]

“His nickname changed!!”

“The hammer’s gone? Well, not many witnessed his hammer techniques…”

“This new title is unconventional, yet fitting.”

“Haha, Brother Li must be overjoyed.”

“Brother Li’s path of the sword has been treacherous. This is his rightful reward.”

Huang Donglai, Xiao Qin, and Murong Xiao stood at the back, watching the ranking with smiles of pride for their friend.

They all knew Little Li had always harbored an obsession with becoming a swordsman.

Now, crowned champion of the Hidden Dragon Ranking, his glory illuminated the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, his name sung across the realm. The diligent had finally been rewarded.

Exchanging glances, they silently agreed:

My brother is the Hidden Dragon Champion. How can we not celebrate his moment of triumph?

“Sword Hero of the Masses!”

The three of them shouted in unison.

Soon, others joined in the chorus of voices, a collective roar that could melt metal.

"Li Qun the Swordmaster!"

Within and beyond the imperial capital, the same name echoed under the sky as golden rain began to fall. This name would leave an indelible mark in the annals of the Great Yu Dynasty...

Yet they remained oblivious.

Amidst the deafening cheers ringing in his ears, the bronze carriage was so silent one could hear a pin drop.

Little Li the Swordmaster wore an expression of utter disbelief, his eyes blank with shock.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined... after all he had sacrificed...

"To hell with Li Qun the Swordmaster!"

"I might as well be called Furong the Blade King!"