With so many powerful figures in the Imperial Capital, what could possibly go wrong

Little Li gave a speech at the Hundred Flowers Grand Ceremony, expressing gratitude to his fellow townsfolk, the Great Yu Emperor, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and even the "ice block." It was all just memories from his past life watching ceremonies—completely devoid of genuine emotion.

As he finished his final words, the Celestial Map of Rivers and Mountains in the sky radiated a dazzling light, dyeing the layered clouds in its glow. Within it, winds rose and clouds surged, as if something momentous was brewing.

"The peace across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths is all thanks to young talents like you. This brings me great joy," Emperor Jingtai declared as he personally stepped onto the stage, his tone revealing the emperor’s immense satisfaction.

Li Mo hadn’t expected Emperor Jingtai to personally come forward and praise him.

"Come, present Young Hero Li with his honor."

With a wave of the emperor’s sleeve, a Sky Patrol Guard stepped forward, carrying a tray. The red cloth was lifted, revealing a gold-inlaid jade plaque inscribed with the words "Hundred Flowers" in bold, elegant strokes. Judging by the material... it probably wasn’t pure gold?

Symbolically, it was probably the equivalent of an honorary banner from his past life...

Just as Li Mo reached out to take it, Emperor Jingtai extended his hand first, personally placing the golden plaque into his grasp. Then, with a glance toward a nearby eunuch, the latter immediately understood and spoke with a smile:

"Young Hero Li, this is a great honor bestowed by His Majesty. You must carry it with you at all times. Losing it would be a betrayal of the emperor’s grace."

"Thank you very much."

Li Mo couldn’t discern anything special about the plaque, but he couldn’t afford to slight the emperor, so he tucked it into his robe.

"The Celestial City’s trial is about to open, Young Hero Li."

Emperor Jingtai smiled at him.

Li Mo froze.

He knew that—why would the emperor personally remind him?

But His Majesty wasn’t just informing him of the trial’s date. He was asking for something in return.

The Celestial Sword.

Ah, so the golden plaque was meant to shut him up in exchange for the sword.

"In that case, the sword should return to the Celestial City. A true gentleman does not keep what belongs to others—what is borrowed must be returned."

Li Mo nodded and unfastened the Celestial Sword from his waist.

The purple-robed eunuch smiled. This Young Hero Li was quick-witted. He reached out to take the sword, but when he tried to lift it, it didn’t budge.

Young Hero Li wore an expression of utmost righteousness, but his hand had other ideas.

"?"

Let go already!

The eunuch tugged harder.

Emperor Jingtai: "?"

In broad daylight, what kind of spectacle were these two making?

He cleared his throat and said,

"Young Hero Li, your talents shine bright, and you’ve contributed greatly to this grand ceremony. Is there anything else you desire as a reward?"

"Well, now that you mention it, there is one thing."

Li Mo finally released the sword, allowing the eunuch to take it, and chuckled awkwardly. "Your Majesty, we’ve hit it off so well, and you think so highly of me. I feel we share a deep connection. How about you take me as your sworn..."

Emperor Jingtai was momentarily speechless. This young man looked serious, but he had the audacity to play tricks even on the emperor—daring to suggest becoming his adopted...

"...brother."

Emperor Jingtai: "?"

Jiang Yu: "?"

The crowd: "???"

"Hahaha! You truly are a delight, no wonder the Frost Fairy favors you."

After a brief silence, Emperor Jingtai suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

Naturally, he couldn’t possibly agree to such a request. No one would take Li Mo’s words seriously—they’d just assume he was being playful.

The joke would pass, and he wouldn’t have to rack his brains over what else to reward Li Mo with—after all, he genuinely didn’t know what else to give him.

Li Mo was reluctant to part with the Celestial Sword, but he knew it had to be returned.

And if he were to ask for something else, he truly lacked nothing.

Might as well joke his way out of it.

Emperor Jingtai shook his head with a smile, took the Celestial Sword from the eunuch, and turned his gaze skyward.

Pointing the sword toward the heavens, the Celestial Map of Rivers and Mountains suddenly expanded.

Countless profound rays of light cascaded down as this divine artifact of heavenly fortune unfurled in the sky. The gates of the Celestial City emerged within it, swinging wide open, revealing a vast expanse.

The emperor tossed the sword, and it flew back into the Celestial City.

"Coinciding with this momentous occasion, the Celestial Trial shall commence. Let all living beings witness it together."

Emperor Jingtai’s voice boomed like a great bell, resonating from above.

Every sect and wandering warrior present was moved. The Celestial City contained peerless inner-world techniques, and its trials were rarely shown to outsiders—at most, the court would announce the rankings afterward.

Yet now, they were being allowed to witness it firsthand?

"Such is the power of a heavenly fortune artifact..." Murong Xiao marveled, then couldn’t help but ask:

"Divine Monk Huaikong, this seems to contain its own world. How does it compare to your Mustard Seed and Sumeru technique?"

"What Mustard Seed and Sumeru?" Divine Monk Huaikong blinked, feigning ignorance.

Murong Xiao: "..."

Well, the gap between Mustard Seed and Sumeru and the Celestial Map of Rivers and Mountains was probably astronomical.

A pity he couldn’t enter—he’d have to wait for the next Hidden Dragon Tournament.

"So this is the other half of the Phoenix Domain..."

Li Mo glanced back as he stepped down from the stage.

Even through the Celestial Map, he could sense the vast, majestic aura of its inner world. If his own pocket dimension could one day manifest like this, would it achieve such grandeur?

"Brother Li, take these."

Huang Donglai handed him a pouch filled with vials and jars, each labeled with tiny characters describing their uses:

"These are all my finest concoctions. They might come in handy."

"You even have the 'Beyond Recognition Powder'?"

Li Mo accepted the pouch.

"That’s actually the mildest one here."

"..."

In all honesty, Li Mo felt using these items might be a bit... morally questionable.

But after squeezing Ying Bing’s delicate hand, he still tucked the pouch away.

"The Celestial City is changing. Who knows what’s happening inside..."

Ying Bing frowned in thought.

"The person who wrote that letter couldn’t predict the future. Maybe the information was wrong."

Li Mo scanned the sky filled with Sky Patrol Guards and the gathered experts of various sects, all fixated on the Celestial Map. He felt slightly reassured.

With so many powerful figures here, right outside the imperial capital—what could possibly go wrong?

No sooner had he spoken—

A thick, inky black smoke suddenly erupted from the distant imperial palace, like apocalyptic flames shooting into the sky.

BOOM—

The deafening roar of a beast followed, shaking heaven and earth, unleashing a gale so fierce that martial artists below the third realm could barely keep their eyes open.

In an instant, a section of the imperial palace was swallowed. The earth-shaking commotion could be heard throughout the capital.

"Enemy attack!"

"Protect His Majesty!"

The clatter of armor rang out as hundreds of Sky Patrol Guards swiftly formed a protective circle around Emperor Jingtai.

The emperor remained composed. "What’s all this panic? First, determine where the disturbance is! In the imperial capital, no rebel could possibly overturn the heavens."

"The location has been identified."

The purple-robed eunuch was drenched in sweat.

"Such a small matter, yet you’re pale as a ghost. Speak—where is the trouble?"

"Your Majesty... it’s... your harem."