Three Strategies: Superior, Middle, and Inferior

Li Mo swung his hammer with a mighty strike, sending the oppressive dark clouds scattering like a home run. Waves of exhaustion washed over him, yet beneath his tattered clothes, his skin shimmered with a radiant glow intertwined with tribulation light.

Clang—

The hammer treasure shrank from its massive form back into a small forging hammer, its intricate patterns dimming until it resembled the simplest of tools. Yet, the aura it exuded was enough to send shivers down one's spine.

It waited quietly, anticipating the new name its master would bestow upon it after its rebirth.

"Ten years to forge a sword, its edge untested by frost."

Gripping the hammer, Li Mo felt a surge of heroic spirit:

"You are my hammer treasure, and I am a swordmaster. We are the closest of partners. From now on, your nickname shall be... Precious Sword."

'Buzz?'

The hammer treasure's sentience had grown considerably, but it was still, fundamentally, a hammer. It couldn't fathom why a hammer would need a nickname—let alone one that included the word "sword."

But since its master seemed so solemn about it, the gesture must carry great significance.

So, the hammer treasure vibrated happily twice, accepting its new name.

"Mm, your formal name shall be Indestructible Tribulation Wish Hammer," Li Mo added offhandedly before turning and striding confidently into the main hall.

"Has it finally ended?"

"As long as you're unharmed, that's all that matters."

When Li Mo entered the hall, the crowd noticed not only the awe-inspiring hammer in his grasp but also the profound, unfathomable aura radiating from him.

He carried himself with unmatched vigor, his steps powerful and assured, as if boundless strength resided within his body and inner world.

"Sworn brother, let me take a look at your hammer treasure," Du Wufeng was the first to rush forward, having waited impatiently.

"?"

Li Mo found the phrasing a bit odd, but he knew the issue lay with him, not Du Wufeng.

So, he handed over the hammer treasure.

Buzz—

"Hiss..."

The moment Du Wufeng took hold of it, his Sixth Realm physique nearly buckled under its immense weight. His face flushed red as he strained to stay upright.

Li Mo smacked his forehead. "Ah, it's a bit shy around strangers. Try calling it by its nickname, Elder Du."

"Didn't I just do that?"

"That was its old one. Now, it's called Precious Sword."

"?"

A tiny question mark seemed to float above Du Wufeng's head, but he complied, softly calling out the nickname.

Only then did the hammer treasure grant him some leniency, lightening its weight slightly.

Turning to the others, who wore expressions of bewilderment and stifled laughter, Li Mo cleared his throat.

"As you can see, it's the hammer treasure's preference."

After all, I'm a swordmaster. Isn't it perfectly reasonable to have a 'Precious Sword'?

"From now on, no disciple of the Sword City is allowed to spar with Young Master Li in swordplay," Elder Xu muttered, his lips twitching as he instructed his fellow sect members.

The swordsmen nodded vigorously. Who knows what kind of 'Precious Sword' Young Master Li might pull out? If we end up getting smacked in the face by a hammer, who could we even complain to? Our ancestors in the afterlife?

"What was it like, facing the tribulation of heaven and earth?"

The elders of the Qingyuan Sect examined his condition and, finding no major issues, pressed for details about his ordeal.

Whether internal or external, such firsthand experience was invaluable to them.

Li Mo answered each question patiently. As they listened, their expressions shifted between awe and melancholy. The younger generation surges forward like tidal waves, but this one is too swift, too overwhelming.

Before they knew it, this junior had already left them far behind.

"Those first few heavenly tribulations were truly perilous. Had it been me, I doubt I could have withstood even the first strike."

"And that final tribulation appeared the most terrifying, yet it turned out to be all bark and no bite."

Li Mo chuckled silently at their discussions.

Only he knew the truth—the weakening of the final tribulation wasn't natural. An unseen will had intervened, sapping its power before it could descend.

Was it the heavens?

But heavenly tribulations were born from the Heavenly Dao itself. Why would it weaken its own judgment? Wasn't that contradictory?

Unable to make sense of it, Li Mo scanned the room and noticed someone missing.

Where’s the ice block?

For some reason, he felt she might be connected to this.

After exchanging pleasantries, the crowd gradually dispersed. Just as Li Mo stepped out of the hall, he was stopped by Zhong Qin.

"Li Mo, I’ll likely depart for the Imperial Capital tomorrow."

"Wasn’t the imperial decree still being finalized...?"

"I must be in the Imperial Capital now. You should prepare as well—the sooner, the better."

Zhong Qin patted his shoulder.

Li Mo nodded. He was also curious why Ying Bing had been withholding the decree. Had she already filled it out without telling him? Or was she still undecided?

After Li Mo left, Zhong Zhenyue gazed toward the direction of Qingyuan. The evening breeze seemed to carry whispers from the ancient tombs of the Great Shang Dynasty, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

At its peak, the Great Shang Dynasty had surpassed even the Great Yu in glory. Yet now, even its last remnants had faded into obscurity.

What future awaits the Yu Dynasty?

Meanwhile, Li Mo rode his somersault cloud back to Autumn Water Pavilion.

From afar, he spotted wisps of cooking smoke rising into the sky, the evening wind rustling through the banyan trees.

His parents had gone down the mountain on business, leaving only Ying Bing beneath the tree, quietly brewing tea as she waited for him. The moment she heard his footsteps, the tension in her jade-like features eased imperceptibly.

"Have you been home all day?"

"I was beneath Qingyuan, repairing the cycle of life and death formation. I also spoke with... an old acquaintance I’d rather not see. I heard you went to the Divine Armory Peak to forge a weapon. How is the hammer treasure?"

Ying Bing’s voice was soft and composed.

Then, as if catching herself, she added:

"Little Yue was worried. The hammer treasure is her best friend."

"Then tell Little Yue that the hammer treasure is doing great—so great it even learned Law Manifestation. I’ll show you later."

Young Master Li agreed magnanimously.

"I am a little curious..." Ying Bing began before cutting herself off, the tips of her ears tinged pink.

"I meant the quasi-divine weapon, not... that hammer treasure."

Her gaze flickered slightly, as if struggling to maintain composure.

"But the hammer treasure can use Law Manifestation. Which hammer treasure were you referring to otherwise?"

Li Mo feigned innocent confusion, as if completely oblivious to her implication.

See? All that effort to train the hammer treasure wasn’t wasted.

He was utterly unrepentant.

"Of course, it’s..."

Ying Bing narrowed her beautiful eyes, realizing she’d been led in circles.

Could the hammer treasure’s Law Manifestation even be shown?

After all, when the hammer treasure used Law Manifestation, it was usually when Li Mo was... enjoying himself.

Her eyes still narrowed, she stood up gracefully. "You must be exhausted. Wait here—I’ll prepare a meal for you."

A celestial beauty, cool and aloof, offering to cook for you—it was a fantasy most wouldn’t dare dream of.

Yet, in the height of summer, Young Master Li broke out in a cold sweat.

"Let me handle it!"

"You should rest."

As Ying Bing resolutely marched into the kitchen, Li Mo thought, This won’t end well! He hurried after her.

The ice block picked up a kitchen knife and cleanly cleaved a slab of pork in half, as if the act could quell the restlessness in her heart and make her as cold and detached as the blade itself...

Then she paused, at a loss for what to do next.

"Shall I teach you today?"

"Mmm..."

Hearing Chef Li's timely remark, she gave a silent nod, then felt warmth envelop her from behind as she leaned against a firm chest. The warmth of his breath brushed against her ear.

She was completely wrapped in Li Mo's embrace.

"Didn't you say you'd teach me...?"

"That's right—hands-on teaching."