What Li Mo Wants

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.