The Temptation of Immortality

The acting skills of the Best Actor at the Qingyuan Sect's first Golden Statue Awards were truly impeccable—so immersive that even the actor himself got lost in the role.

This was especially true for the Celestial Clan, who sat high above the clouds and lacked real-world experience.

When Li Mo led Mo City's rebel army to the Celestial City,

the gates had already been opened voluntarily.

Some Celestials seized the chance to flee, shouting things like, "I'll be back!"

But the stronger members of the Celestial Clan—Pojun, Leize, Feng Zhi, and others—waited at the entrance.

"They're here. Let's get ready."

"Hey, gotta admit, Li Mo really pulls off that imperial robe."

"Geng Lian, you stubborn fool, repent now!"

The towering Celestial Yantu, whose voice boomed like a mountain echo, had even tied up Geng Lian and presented him before the army.

"What's this?" Li Mo, mounted on his horse, tilted his head in confusion.

Yantu grumbled, "Since we're surrendering, it’s only fair I bring a defiant one as a pledge of loyalty, right? Cough... Geng Lian opposed opening the gates, so I captured him on the spot!"

Geng Lian fumed, "That’s bull! My role was supposed to be packing up and fleeing!"

"Ah, so you were secretly planning to loot the treasury. I caught you red-handed! He’s loaded—can’t let him escape."

Li Mo: "..."

Old Yan, you’re not even hiding your personal vendetta, huh? And now you’re improvising lines?

"Uh, detain him for now. Confiscate his money tree!" Li Mo waved his hand, issuing the decree.

"Oh, Your Majesty is truly wise!" Yantu acted as if he’d received an imperial edict, gleefully rummaging through Geng Lian’s belongings with righteous enthusiasm.

"..."

Pojun shot the two a deadpan look before stepping forward, solemnly presenting a sword case. With a mournful tone, he declared:

"The legacy of our ancestors... now ruined in my hands. I have failed my forebears."

"Now that fate has shifted and the divine mandate changes hands, take this sacred sword."

"All I ask is that you honor the legacy of Celestial City’s throne... and maybe appoint me as a grand general or something..."

A true veteran actor. Pojun knelt on one knee, offering the sword case—a symbol of Celestial City’s supreme authority—in one fluid motion.

It had to be at least two and a half years of practice to pull off such smooth theatrics.

With the Celestial Sword in hand and the surrender ceremony complete, the act was finally over.

Chunmang was already preparing to toss flowers and celebrate the successful wrap of their first rehearsal.

But when Li Mo opened the sword case, he paused.

"Wait, there’s no sword. Where’s the sacred blade?"

The case was empty.

Pojun scoffed, "None of us have ever managed to refine the Celestial Sword and wield its power. So of course it’s still in the main hall."

If he could’ve claimed the sword, would they even be doing this surrender rehearsal?

"We still gotta follow the formalities."

"Even if you touched the sword, you couldn’t lift it. Just go through the motions and move on. There’s more rehearsals after this."

Pojun waved impatiently.

He preferred real battles—now that was thrilling.

No more wasting time on surrender drills.

The atmosphere tensed. Dong Geyu, Qi Tiezhu, and the others stiffened, ready to launch the "siege rehearsal" ahead of schedule.

With the gates open and the Celestials unprepared, striking now would be a sure win.

This was the plan Li Mo had laid out earlier: at the first sign of trouble, they’d act on his signal.

But for now, Li Mo remained still.

He cleared his throat, removed his yellow robe to reveal a golden chainmail underneath, then solemnly placed a phoenix-winged crown on his head.

"I even prepared the full outfit."

Pojun’s eyes widened. "That armor—"

"Gotta see things through properly. I’ll lend it to you later."

(Assuming Pojun could even fit into it.)

"Ah, Li Mo, you’re always so meticulous." Pojun nodded, eyes gleaming with envy.

The other Celestials didn’t object.

The Celestial Sword had been returned by the Blood God, yet no one dared touch it—some out of fear, others doubting their ability to wield it. The first to try would become a target, so no one wanted to stick their neck out.

Thus, the sword had remained lodged in the main hall’s plaza ever since its return.

Letting someone attempt to claim it couldn’t hurt.

So Li Mo, followed by Dong Geyu and the others, passed through Celestial City’s gates and arrived at the main hall.

He took his time on the final stretch.

This was a delicate path—the closer to victory, the more cautious one had to be.

"In the courtyard, pear blossoms fall, another year passes~"

"Under the clear night, moonlight spills over palace steps~"

"In dreams, old melodies play; awake, tears stain rouged cheeks~ ♪♫..."

"Where’s this music coming from?" Leize frowned. Since when did Li Mo’s coronation come with a soundtrack?

He turned to find Feng Zhi singing, with Chunmang tossing petals as her backup.

"What is this song?"

"Uh, I heard Li Mo humming it once. He said he wanted it played during his coronation."

"This kid’s dedication is unreal. He’s really committing to the bit—even prepared a theme song."

"Honestly, between this tune and Li Mo’s triumphant look, it almost feels real."

"He’s gripping the sword now."

Whoosh—

Li Mo’s fingers tightened.

He pulled the sword free.

An old friend. The blade vibrated eagerly in his grasp, emitting a radiant glow as if thrilled to reunite.

"Long live His Majesty! Long, long live the Emperor!"

Dong Geyu was the first to shout, followed by the rest of Mo City’s forces.

"Long live the Emperor!"

Even the Celestials joined in, bowing in unison.

Then an elder Celestial blinked.

"Wait, Li Mo actually pulled the sword? That wasn’t in the rehearsal."

"..."

The bowing Celestials froze mid-motion.

Right. The script didn’t include this.

And—how could he pull the sword?

Now that he had it... did they even need to keep acting?

They’d been so engrossed in their roles that they’d missed the obvious.

Oh no.

Li Mo’s coronation was real.

"You—!"

"This was never a rehearsal! You were actually seizing the throne?"

"Wasn’t Li Mo supposed to be a spy?!"

"Open your eyes! He was spying on us!"

"♪ This life~ so endless yet halted at heaven’s edge~..."

"Feng Zhi, shut the hell up!"