Holding the cold, fragrant "ice block" in his arms and feeling the astonishing elasticity of her waist, Li Mo pondered how to unleash the true power of the divine sword.
Currently wielding the Celestial Sword, he found it only slightly stronger than his previous weapon, the Profound Blade Chixiao. And most of the time, Chixiao made its appearances in the kitchen...
"Li Mo, divine weapons possess spirits, each with its own temperament," Ying Bing said softly, turning her gaze toward him.
"The Celestial Sword is named so because both heaven and mortals have the chance to wield it."
"It doesn’t prioritize swordsmanship talent?" Li Mo was taken aback.
Right—why would the "ice block" hand him a sword he couldn’t use?
"Its previous master had sword skills bordering on the Dao, creating a swordplay technique that, while not a divine art, surpassed one—the Art of Chess Swordplay," Ying Bing explained earnestly.
A faint glimmer of understanding pierced the fog in Li Mo’s mind.
"So, the more sword techniques I master, the greater my control over the Celestial Sword?"
"Mm, that’s your strength."Ying Bing gave a slight nod.
She had always found Li Mo’s swordsmanship talent peculiar.
If one said he was gifted, his swordplay lacked any spark of originality, following no personal style. Yet if one called him untalented, he mastered techniques with uncanny ease.
Perhaps "mechanical but precise" described him best.
"So that’s how it is. Perfect!"
Li Mo was overjoyed. With two thousand years of martial insights still at his disposal, he had more than enough to work with.
See? The "ice block" always gave him inspiration.
The thought of wielding a divine sword and making a name for himself as a dashing, wind-like hero filled him with excitement.
If the "ice block" were here, he’d definitely pull her in for a kiss...
Wait.
She was here—and currently in his arms.
Ying Bing glanced around.
The night was cool as water, the stream murmured softly, and the trees cast hazy shadows—a secluded spot with no one in sight.
"Li Mo, do you hear that buzzing sound?"
"?"
Having his line stolen left Li Mo feeling... abruptly bald.
"You attract mosquitoes easily. Your seal needs reinforcement."
Ying Bing looked down at him, her usually serene eyes now flowing like autumn water.
The moon was bright, the stars sparse, but tonight, the evening star shone exceptionally vivid. A few magpies fluttered up from the woods into the night sky, returning from their hunt to feed their chicks.
A warm, tingling sensation spread across his neck, leaving Li Mo momentarily dazed.
But after so long, even his lagging brain noticed something odd.
This "seal reinforcement" was taking an unusually long time.
Am I some kind of delicacy?
Does she need to savor me bite by bite?
Li Mo grew suspicious but lacked evidence.
"Ice block, it seems you’ve taught me more than just swords and divine weapons."
"Did you learn well?" Teacher Han Xianzi asked, as if conducting a solemn and serious lesson.
Whenever she instructed him, an air of sacred rigor enveloped her.
"You know I’m a slow learner—just like that bird that fell from the tree earlier."
Li Mo wore an expression of utmost righteousness, declaring himself both inept and studious, brimming with curiosity.
"Haven’t mastered it yet. A few more repetitions should do."
"Do I look like a fool to you?"
Ying Bing’s ethereally beautiful face remained stern.
"You look lovely either way."
"Fine then."
Li Mo gulped as the "ice block" leaned closer, her hair tickling his neck.
The next moment, a faint sting—her teeth had grazed his skin.
Bewildered, he touched his neck, fingertips brushing over tiny tooth marks. Looking down, he saw his usually aloof teacher wearing a faint, mischievous smile.
Oh no—it’s the bad ice block!
She’d just taken a bite out of him!
Realization struck, and Li Mo declared with righteous indignation:
"I’m biting back."
"How petty."
"A gentleman never falters in vengeance. As a man of honor, I yield to no one."
Ying Bing suddenly rose from his embrace, her gaze dripping with amusement as she looked down at him like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Next time, then. ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold.’"
"???"
"Enough fooling around. I’ve just broken through and need to consolidate my realm."
Ying Bing deftly gathered her hair with a jade hairpin, tying it into a neat bun.
"Need any help?"
Li Mo coughed lightly but didn’t immediately stand.
Ying Bing tapped his forehead lightly, as if reading his thoughts.
"No need. Focus on bonding with the Celestial Sword first."
"No matter how fast you learn, it still takes time. The Dragon’s Ascent Tournament is in half a month."
That night, above the bustling Step Cloud Pavilion, a somersault cloud soared over the crowd and landed atop the tower.
In the imperial capital, only nobles were permitted to fly—but taking the main entrance would invite too much trouble.
Today’s events alone could fuel storytellers under Heaven’s Bridge for dozens of retellings.
Back in his room as the tournament’s fourth seed, Li Mo examined himself in the mirror.
A string of faint red marks and a small bite adorned his neck.
Though he hadn’t activated his cultivation earlier, the "ice block’s" teeth were surprisingly sharp...
Shaking off distractions, he set aside thoughts of the divine sword—that would take time.
For now...
Li Mo checked his investment returns.
[Congratulations, Host. Successful investment in ‘Jiang Chulong’: one top-tier named weapon.]
[Return: White Dragon Form Diagram.]
A scroll appeared on the table, depicting a majestic white dragon—its aura imposing, commanding wind, thunder, and rain as if embodying the fury of the heavens.
Princess Jiang’s Dragon-Slaying Sword Art was progressing swiftly.
Her speed in defeating projections of true dragons grew with each attempt.
This diagram would likely yield White Dragon’s essence blood in the future.
Once obtained, three of the five dragon essences would be secured.
"By the Yellow Heaven above!"
Li Mo recited the missing phrase from his "eternal war against gambling and vice."
This was the ritual for opening the "ice block’s" feedback!
[Congratulations, Host. Successful investment in ‘Ying Bing’: forging a supreme named sword.]
[Return: Golden Chainmail]
[Golden Chainmail]: "Divine-grade. One of the Great Sage’s battle regalia. Gathers the power of all living beings to enhance defense exponentially."
[Note: Collecting the complete Great Sage’s Regalia forms a Destiny Artifact with unimaginable might.]
"How many pieces make up the Great Sage’s regalia?"
Li Mo entered his miniature world.
Two pieces of the regalia already rested in the vault of the Vast Immortal Sect.