Pearl Tower.
In the first private chamber on the third floor, ripples of an inner world emanated, faintly resonating with the lunar essence.
Those familiar with the "Shared Moonlight" technique would recognize this as a form of remote communication.
"Li Mo, what are you up to?"
Once the inner realm connected, the effect of Shared Moonlight grew stronger, as if the speaker were whispering right beside your ear.
"Designing wrappers for popsicles."
Li Mo glanced at the blueprint before him and cleared his throat.
"Popsicles need wrappers? Are you planning to sell them?"
"Not really. It's for my own consumption. Popsicles feel more ceremonial with wrappers. You should try it once I finish."
"Alright... I'll give it a shot."
Li Mo examined the Southern Border-style wrapper he had just sketched, his mind involuntarily conjuring images of pre-packaged, ready-to-eat ice blocks.
Strange. He hadn’t consumed any yang-attributed spiritual treasures recently, so why was his hammer artifact acting up again?
"?"
A wave of confusion suddenly transmitted through Shared Moonlight.
"!"
Oh no. When lunar-linked souls connected, emotions were subconsciously shared.
Young Li could tell that while the "ice block" hadn’t said anything, she missed him terribly.
And she might have sensed that he missed her too—along with the less-than-pure thoughts swirling in his head.
"Ying Bing, are you settling in well with your grandparents?"
Li Mo swiftly changed the subject.
"I’m happy. They even showed me the family genealogy."
"??"
Two question marks popped up in Li Mo’s mind.
The first: Who carries around a family genealogy when visiting?
The second: Why wasn’t she reacting?
Despite her icy, goddess-like demeanor, Ying Bing was easily flustered by intimacy. Just sharing a teacup used to make her fingers curl up in embarrassment.
Li Mo had always assumed that if she ever glimpsed his thoughts, she’d tremble in shock, too mortified to even call him "little brother."
So why was she so unfazed now?
What Li Mo didn’t know was that Ying Bing had already peeked into his mind’s "new world" through the system.
Besides, Shared Moonlight only conveyed emotions, not specific thoughts.
Was it really surprising for a childish guy like him to have naughty ideas?
"What kind of clothes are you designing?"
"......"
Li Mo paused briefly—geniuses were quick thinkers, after all:
"Last time we bathed, you weren’t wearing an undershirt, so I thought I’d tailor some for you."
"Black cloud gauze or pearl-white lotus silk?"
"Neither."
Li Mo grew wary. Why had the "ice block" suddenly gotten so sharp? She was almost spot-on.
"Then what is it?"
"I’ll tell you if you wear them."
"It’s not like I’m short on clothes..."
---
Half an hour later, sunlight poured in, illuminating the room.
The newly purchased mansion in Purple Sun Prefecture was spacious and serene, the morning quiet and undisturbed.
Ying Bing woke up in her room, biting her lip as she unscrewed the head of a big-headed doll and retrieved a few unwashed garments.
While the household still slept, she tiptoed to the water vat.
Gu Xueqin, just risen for the day, carried a basket of laundry only to find Ying Bing already busy by the vat.
"Little Ying, I’m about to wash clothes too—let me handle yours."
"Aunt Gu, I can manage. I’m almost done."
Ying Bing’s expression was calm and gentle, but a closer look would reveal her trembling lashes and reddened ears. She couldn’t possibly hand them over.
The fact that the Frost Fairy had drooled on her clothes was something even Li Mo couldn’t know.
"Little Ying, don’t be too dutiful... or that rascal will get complacent."
Gu Xueqin sighed.
"He... he is a bit..."
Ying Bing didn’t need to guess what style of "undershirt" Li Mo had in mind.
If she wore that during their next bath...
The system’s ranking might not arrive before the "punishment" was already completed.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Dawn gradually brightened, the massive pearl atop the tower radiating the first light of morning.
Today marked Pearl Tower’s auction, the climax of the Rare Treasures Bazaar. The southwest corner of the tower was chained open by sea beasts, unfolding like a music box baring its heart to the ocean.
The first floor displayed auction items for public viewing, while the second and third floors housed private chambers.
Qiao Ziyu arrived with his entourage, exhaustion etched on his face.
"Young Master, every dog in the market now thinks we’re the real fools. We truly can’t find it."
"Enough! Drop the subject!"
Qiao Ziyu clenched his fists, his face darkening.
Even a fool would realize something was amiss.
The Transcendent Remnant Bone was no ordinary artifact—how could it be snatched by a dog and vanish? Clearly, it had been a sham from the start!
But he dared not say it aloud.
Spending 200 mystic crystals on a gnawed pig’s trotter wasn’t just a financial loss—it was humiliating!
"I should’ve realized something was off from the 'haggling' scam. I let my guard down!"
As Qiao Ziyu fumed, three figures approached.
The leader was a tall, radiant young man, his inner world exuding a majestic aura.
The moment Qiao Ziyu saw him, his mind exploded with clarity.
It’s him!
From the haggling trap onward, he’d been played!
"Young Hero Li, what skillful maneuvering," Qiao Ziyu forced a strained smile, barely containing his anger.
"Hm? Have we met?"
Li Mo looked genuinely puzzled before feigning recognition. "Ah, the Young Master of the Luminous Gate! Found anything you fancy at the auction?"
Like a 200-mystic-crystal treasure, perhaps?
"......"
Qiao Ziyu’s jaw twitched. "Heh... What I desire, I acquire. If we happen to vie for the same item, I hope you won’t take it personally."
"Auctions thrive on competition. If it’s not coveted, it wouldn’t be here. May the best bidder win."
Li Mo smiled, unbothered by the veiled hostility.
"Ahem..." An elder from Luminous Gate coughed pointedly. "Rules aside, our sects are neighbors in this region. Let’s not sour relations."
Elder Qian nodded. "Well said. Have you eaten breakfast? Please, after you."
Ever the polite one, Elder Qian even offered a meal.
"No need. You first."
After a round of hollow courtesies, the Luminous Gate group entered first.
Glancing back, Qiao Ziyu seethed.
"The audacity! His counterfeit even fooled Pearl Tower!"
But without proof, complaining to the auction house was futile.
Munch, munch...
"Will you stop eating already?!"
Qiao Ziyu turned to see the elder still gnawing away.
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
g Yu was preparing for retirement when her organization decided to eliminate her. She transmigrated to a zombie apocalypse world. However, a tiny unexpected situation occurred: She somehow transformed into an adorable little girl?!
