Several servants took the storage bags, sweating profusely, and poured the spirit stones into them with a clatter.
Mo Qi felt his heart bleeding. "You have to return them to me later, this is just an act!"
"I'm helping you perform, so please don't repay kindness with enmity."
The Li family felt utterly humiliated and ashamed.
Li Chunyu couldn't bear to stay any longer and said to Li Xingyuan, "Let's go."
Unexpectedly, Li Xingyuan, with his thick skin, rolled his eyes and came up with another idea: "Brother Mo is truly unfathomable, but fate is not something that can be bought with money."
Everyone basically knew what he was up to.
No one wanted to hear him continue.
Murong Shui quickly said, "My brother has made it very clear, fulfilling one of the two conditions is enough. Now that they have presented ten billion spirit stones, it is rightful and proper. Don't stir up trouble."
"Not at all," Li Xingyuan said with a fake smile, "I just feel that Brother Mo is no ordinary person, and he and Sister Yanran are a perfect match. They just need a beautiful legend. If he can pull out the Tianheng Sword, it would be even more perfect."
Murong Mu, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "There's no need for that. Who cares about a perfect match or a beautiful legend? I'm happy, and that's all that matters!"
Everyone nodded in agreement!
It seemed everyone was playing along.
Mo Qi also said, "Why pull it out? Isn't that tiring?"
Li Xingyuan said meaningfully, "I heard that whoever pulls out the Tianheng Sword and enters the cave dwelling will receive some good fortune."
Mo Qi looked at Murong Shui and said, "I'm willing to try."
Everyone's eyes turned to him in unison. "What are you thinking? Do you want good fortune? It's not that easy!"
In the current situation, Li Xingyuan had nothing more to say. As long as his mouth was shut, they could send him away. There was no need to create further complications.
After all, he was not a member of the Murong family and would not wholeheartedly support them.
Mo Qi smiled, "I just want to try. If I pull it out, won't it be adding splendor to the brocade? If I can't, it's nothing, just a failed attempt."
Li Xingyuan's mouth twitched. He thought, "As long as you fall into my trap, I'll make you look bad later."
Murong Mu wanted to say something but was glared back by Murong Shui.
Murong Shui thought, "Let's go along with him for now. If he doesn't cooperate, and his true colors are exposed on the spot, it would be a huge embarrassment."
Thus, led by Murong Shui, everyone moved to the back mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, there was the outline of a stone door, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't quite a door, as it was almost integrated with the surrounding rocks.
Vines hung down from the mountain, covering half of the stone door, and moss had grown on it.
Judging by its appearance, it seemed it hadn't been opened for many years.
Where was the sword? Mo Qi looked for a long time but couldn't see any sword at all.
Murong Shui stepped forward, pushed aside the hanging vines, and a sword hilt was revealed in the center of the stone, exuding an ancient charm. It was unaffected by the surrounding environment.
Murong Mu stared at Mo Qi, his eyes carrying a warning: "I don't think there's any need to try. No one has tried for many years because ordinary people can't pull it out!"
"Moreover, we don't know what's inside. The last time, it was pulled out by a thief. We don't know what they stole from inside, and I'm sure that thief must have met a terrible end." He then glared at Mo Qi, implying he shouldn't be a thief.
Unexpectedly, Mo Qi was completely oblivious. He walked forward quickly and said nonchalantly, "It's fine, I'm just trying. If I can't pull it out, I won't lose any flesh."
As he spoke, he placed his hand on the sword hilt and pulled hard.
It didn't budge at all.
Li Xingyuan laughed, "It seems you and Sister Yanran have no fate. I told you it wouldn't come out. If you had fate, it would have come out instantly."
"What does fate matter? It's all fake anyway," someone muttered softly.
"A melon forced to ripen is not sweet, and even heaven disapproves. You won't receive blessings," Li Xingyuan said with affectation.
The people around them showed no reaction to his malicious words, their eyes fixed on Mo Qi.
This surprised Li Xingyuan. "Could it be that this marriage isn't a forced one, but rather a performance for my benefit?"
But he had no proof.
"Whatever, let's see first."
Mo Qi took a deep breath, used all his spiritual power, and pulled with all his might. It still didn't budge.
Li Xingyuan stopped his taunts and mockery. Since they were all pretending to be married, why worry about fate?
After a moment of thought, he suddenly turned to Murong Shui and said, "Old Shui, I heard your son was supposed to get married today. Why don't I see your daughter-in-law? Can you swallow this?"
Murong Shui was furious and wanted to slap him twice, but he had to suppress his anger.
"My son doesn't have that fortune. Besides, this marriage was a bit forced. Miss Chao is unwilling, so we can't force her, right? Didn't you just say that a forced melon isn't sweet?" Murong Shui replied.
Li Xingyuan paused, then put on a show of great enthusiasm: "Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. What does Miss Chao's unwillingness matter? As long as Chao Jing agrees, it's fine. I think if we discuss it with Chao Jing, there's still a chance."
If outsiders kept bringing this up, it would be quite troublesome for him. Murong Shui fell into thought and suddenly had an idea, smiling, "No need to discuss it. Actually, my son is married today."
Li Xingyuan was taken aback. "What? Don't try to fool me."
"Because Mo Qi is my godson, and isn't it the same if my godson gets married?" Murong Shui said.
Li Xingyuan looked curious. "When did he become your godson?"
Murong Shui calmly replied, "I'll have him formally acknowledge me as his godfather later!"
Li Xingyuan almost choked on his saliva. He stared for a long time before giving a thumbs-up. "You're ruthless!"
Mo Qi pulled countless times, but to no avail, and he was almost ready to give up.
Suddenly, he had an idea. If he couldn't pull it out with spiritual power, could he try with mental power?
Thus, the Wushen Tongtian Nianli Jue (Divine Heavenly Mind Power Art) was quietly unleashed.
His mental power, like fine silk, gently touched the sword hilt and then slowly permeated along the sword body.
With a "bang," Mo Qi's heart skipped a beat, as if he had touched something.
Immediately, he felt the sword's agility, as if it had a life of its own, even possessing consciousness and the ability to perceive his perceptions.
At one point, he was overjoyed. "It seems there's hope!"
"Watch me pull it out now," Mo Qi said to Li Xingyuan.
Li Xingyuan laughed heartily. "You might as well blow it out!"
Mo Qi calmly replied, "If I pull it out, will you bark like a dog?"
Li Xingyuan readily agreed without hesitation.
Mo Qi thought for a moment, "Forget it. You're not trustworthy anyway, so why would I gamble with you? You said earlier that you would leave the Murong family and never return, yet you're still standing here brazenly."
Li Xingyuan's face turned ashen. He roared, "Who is untrustworthy? I said I would leave the Murong family, but I didn't say when. As long as I leave, I won't come back."
"Alright," Mo Qi nodded, "So you agree?"
"Of course, I agree. I'm afraid you won't succeed?" Li Xingyuan said, "But if you can't pull it out, you owe me ten billion spirit stones."
"There is no 'if'."
With a "clang," like a dragon's roar.
The Tianheng Sword shot up into the sky, drawing a beautiful arc through the air, and then landed in Mo Qi's hand.
Mo Qi held the sword, its brilliance flashing, reflecting on his face. He exuded a formidable aura, as if a celestial being had descended.
"Wow!" a chorus of exclamations erupted from the surrounding crowd.
After a brief moment of shock, Murong Yanran's face lit up with a sweet smile. "Is this… is this fate?"
Murong Mu, Murong Shui, Xiao Ruonan, and the others from the Murong family were all dumbfounded.
They couldn't help but wonder in their hearts: Could it be that these two truly have fate?
The condition proposed by Murong Mu was originally intended to reject some noble scions. He didn't believe anyone could pull out the Tianheng Sword. Therefore, the main criterion was the other condition: if someone was willing to spend a hefty twenty billion spirit stones, it would signify his deep love for Murong Yanran, and he would be willing to betroth her to him.
However, he never expected that Mo Qi would actually pull out the Tianheng Sword under everyone's watchful eyes!
And he did it while impersonating the groom.
If anyone were to say that the two had no fate, who would believe it?
Li Xingyuan looked like a defeated rooster, his head hanging low, his eyes vacant, and his heart ashen.
With a rumbling sound, the stone door slowly opened.
Murong Jing was eager to enter.
Murong Shui glared at him. "You didn't pull out the sword, so how can you be so bold as to enter first?"
Murong Jing pouted and retreated, hiding in the crowd.
Mo Qi peered inside. It was dark, and he couldn't see anything.
He heard there were treasures inside, so he decided to take a look.
He turned and handed the sword to Murong Shui, then strode inside. Murong Mu opened his mouth, about to stop him, but was held back by Murong Shui.
Li Xingyuan's eyes suddenly gleamed: If he could get some treasure from this trip, it wouldn't be a wasted effort.
Having made up his mind, Li Xingyuan flickered his body and darted into the cave.
Seeing this, Murong Shui shouted, "Li Xingyuan, this is private property, do not trespass! You are unworthy of being a Seventh Tier Officer."
Mo Qi heard Murong Shui's voice and looked up, seeing a streak of light flying towards him.
It was Li Xingyuan. He surmised that Li Xingyuan was already at the Human Immortal cultivation level. If he confronted him directly, he might not have a chance of winning, but a surprise attack might be different.
Moreover, at this moment, Li Xingyuan was heading directly towards him, completely unguarded.
Mo Qi flicked his fingers twice, and several streaks of arrow energy silently shot towards Li Xingyuan.
Li Xingyuan's movement technique was incredibly fast. In a blink, he was about to enter the cave, but he suddenly sensed spiritual energy flowing in the air. His speed was too great, and he couldn't dodge.
With a series of "swish" sounds, Li Xingyuan's abdomen, shoulders, and other areas were pierced, and his entire body fell to the ground.
"You ambushed me?" Li Xingyuan roared at Mo Qi, "You're seeking death!"
He was injured in multiple places, but this level of injury was not fatal to him. As long as he could catch his breath, he could counter-kill Mo Qi.
But Mo Qi wouldn't give him a chance to breathe.
Then, with a "clang," the Qiankun Ring (Universe Ring) expanded, emitting a brilliant light. Mo Qi held it in his hand, and instantly, his entire being seemed to be boosted, becoming incredibly majestic and powerful. A formidable aura suddenly expanded in all directions.
At that moment, it was as if Yuwen Yan had possessed him.