Qingyuan Sect, a State-level Power

"Junior Brother Li, it's fortunate you didn't rashly consume that divine pill—the consequences could have been dire. Master has already deciphered its effects!"

At Qingyuan Main Peak, Li Mo was leading the ice-cold beauty by the hand when he bumped into Tang Xiaobao and Xue Jing.

Tang Xiaobao, sucking on a lollipop-like medicinal pill, wore an unusually serious expression.

Xue Jing, on the other hand, looked conflicted. After all, his disciple had mentioned that this pill was never intended for Li Mo himself—it was meant for Little Bing'er, and coincidentally, right before their engagement.

The old man couldn't shake the feeling that he'd become part of the couple's little game.

"What divine effect?" Ying Bing narrowed her beautiful eyes, casting a sidelong glance at the young man beside her.

"Senior Brother Xiaobao, try this one—it packs a stronger punch."

Li Mo leaned back slightly, pulling out a seven-marked pill skewered on a stick, hoping to shut him up.

But Tang Xiaobao was too worried to even think about the treat.

"It could cost lives—two, to be exact! And they’d definitely be one yin, one yang; one male, one female... which just so happens to be you and Junior Sister Ying!"

"Truly a divine pill—its effects are downright terrifying, beyond imagination."

Tang Xiaobao's face was the picture of solemnity.

He even turned to Xue Jing for confirmation. "Master, that’s what you said, right?"

"Well, yes, that’s the gist of it..." Xue Jing retrieved the crystal container holding the pill from his sleeve.

"Elder Xue, I’d appreciate your wisdom. I won’t take it, then."

Li Mo solemnly took back the crystal, his words cautious, his movements deliberate.

Then he felt the delicate hand in his palm give a little squeeze.

Ying Bing leaned in close, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean, 'cost two lives'?"

Li Mo averted his gaze. "I don’t know either. I’ve never taken this Dragon-Phoenix Embryo Divine Pill before. Maybe it’s just the literal meaning."

"Mm, that must be it. Good thing we didn’t recklessly consume it."

Seeing his clueless expression, Ying Bing nodded.

As for the Dragon-Phoenix Embryo Divine Pill, its true purpose was unknown to most. Ying Bing had never seen it in person but had stumbled upon a mention in ancient texts.

It was common knowledge that the stronger a warrior, demon, or beast became, the harder it was for them to bear offspring.

Thus, a Celestial Immortal once crafted a divine pill using dragon essence and phoenix embryo as materials...

However, since true dragons and phoenixes never coexisted, gathering both ingredients was near impossible. Only one batch had ever been successfully refined in history, making surviving pills exceedingly rare.

Who would’ve thought Li Mo would stumble upon one by sheer luck?

And she had almost eaten it—wouldn’t that have meant...

Wait.

Ying Bing’s brows furrowed as she studied the young man, who was now looking away with an air of feigned ignorance, and then at Xue Jing’s conflicted expression. Something felt off.

No one here had mentioned the pill’s name—Dragon-Phoenix Embryo Divine Pill.

So how did this little rascal know?

"Little brother, are you really clueless about the Dragon-Phoenix Embryo Divine Pill’s effects?"

"I’m just a humble chef. I know nothing about alchemy."

Li Mo delivered this lofty declaration with a straight face before promptly dragging Xue Jing into small talk.

"Elder Xue, it’s been so long! I’ve missed you terribly."

"We literally saw each other a few days ago..."

"A day apart feels like three years! If not for you, my first attempt at refining an arcane pill might’ve ended with me fumbling around in the dark. Who knows—it might’ve even made the Yantian Sect’s Jianghu Rankings! How novel! My dignified reputation would’ve been ruined."

"?"

Elder Xue leaned back slightly. This kid had grown bold—daring to threaten him now?

Xue Jing had never bowed to anyone in his life. Among the eccentric alchemists, he was known as the most stubborn. Did he look like someone who’d cave to this?

"Ah... haha, Little Mo, what was it you mentioned last time? Turning pills into popsicles? I’ve been thinking, and there might actually be some merit to the idea..."

Amid the small talk, the group arrived at the main hall.

...

"Nothing worthy to offer? Ah, no need to fuss—the thought alone is enough. A longevity lock is perfect, just right for a child. Though, could I trouble you for a pair?"

This was Li Mo’s response to Elder Hanhe’s engagement gift—all while maintaining his facade of knowing nothing about the Dragon-Phoenix Embryo Divine Pill.

"Elder Qian, I’d like to purchase some ingredients—extra spicy and sour, please."

This was Li Mo’s request while arranging the banquet menu—still playing the role of someone oblivious to the pill’s true nature.

"You’re all too kind. Come to think of it, I missed your weddings, just as I missed my parents’. I ought to make it up to you with gifts of my own."

Faced with presents from the Hengyun Sword City, Gangdou Sect, and other martial artists, Li Mo reciprocated with even rarer and perfectly suited gifts in return.

Not a trace of childishness remained—every move exuded propriety and grace.

For a moment, it was hard to tell who was actually getting married.

The crowd was thoroughly baffled.

"Young Hero Li seems awfully certain he’ll have two kids in the future."

"Shouldn’t we be giving him gifts? Yet here he is, handing things out instead! And his reasoning is oddly sound—he did miss my wedding... Wait, was he even born when I got married?"

"To think I’d live to drink tea brewed by Fairy Han herself. Hold on—they haven’t even finished the engagement ceremony, so why does it feel like she’s already the lady of the house?"

"Which brings us back to the question: between a true dragon’s bloodline and a true phoenix’s, which one...?"

"Enough with the questions! Aren’t you from the aquatic races? I heard you folks have a Magic Conch—go ask that instead."

Naturally, no one heard the notification chime in Li Mo’s ears or noticed Xue Jing’s hesitant expression.

But in any case, the guests left satisfied. Though they’d come as escorts, they ended up as honored attendees at a joyous occasion.

The ceremony was set for the New Year.

Truthfully, many initially thought the timing too rushed—neither was of typical marrying age. In other sects, youths of their standing would still be untested novices, not yet venturing into the world.

But Young Hero Li and Fairy Han were anything but ordinary. Their relationship defied expectations in ways few could’ve imagined.

Fairy Han had just secretly pinched Young Hero Li’s waist—could you believe it?

Too soon? Not at all.

At this rate, no one could tell whether the twins or the wedding would come first.

"Tsk, I’ve got a feeling the engagement, wedding, and full-month celebration might all happen back-to-back."

"Good point. Does that mean we’ll have to give gifts three times?"

"I’ve already run out of worthy presents. I can’t just offer something common, but what else is left?"

"The Eastern Sea’s exotic market is open. I might drop by later."

"Mind if I tag along...?"

"Ahem!"

A cough suddenly drew everyone’s attention.

All eyes turned to find the source—none other than the Southern Suppressing King.

Tang Xiaobao asked with concern, "Your Highness, are you unwell? I can spare a lollipop pill—it’ll cure any cold in no time."

Southern Suppressing King: "..."

So, out of all these people...

No one remembered they were originally gathered here to see him off?