The stars trembled, and the Rivers and Mountains Design rolled like turbulent waves, resembling a blazing bonfire, its immense pressure suppressing the imperial capital beneath the heavens.
That night, many were startled awake.
The Rivers and Mountains Design symbolized the Great Yu Dynasty's dominion over all realms—under the vast sky, every inch of land belonged to the sovereign.
Yet, to those with profound insight into the mysteries of the cosmos, the tremors in the design carried a faint trace of unease.
What... could this mean?
Li Mo suddenly understood why the heavens had reacted so violently.
The emergence of the Seventy-Two Transformations made everything make sense.
This was the cultivation method of the True Lord Erlang, the Illustrious Sage—some even claimed it originated from the primordial deity Pangu.
In myths and legends, debates raged over whether Erlang Shen or Sun Wukong was stronger, and much of it hinged on this very art.
"Better stash it away."
"With such a commotion, who knows what might happen next."
Li Mo didn't rush to study it. Instead, he tucked the golden page into his system storage.
Even if the Jade Emperor himself came knocking, he wouldn't find a trace of it.
Then he lay down to sleep, not even entering his pocket dimension.
Sure enough.
In the dead of night, he sensed an overwhelming, majestic presence sweep over the Step Cloud Tower—a pressure so terrifying it felt like an ant staring up at a giant from its tiny mound.
But the presence vanished as quickly as it came.
The next morning.
Li Mo woke as usual, pretending nothing had happened—though he hadn't slept a wink.
He retrieved the golden page and activated his martial insights, striving to master it as quickly as possible.
Instantly, his 2,000-plus years of martial insights dwindled to 1,955.
[Fifty years of martial insights successfully infused.]
[Year 22: Over these years, you diligently summarized your learnings and finally grasped the true essence of the art.]
[Year 38: This method requires enduring tribulations to temper the body. It cannot be mastered through secluded study alone. You began researching each type of calamity in detail.]
[Year 50: You mastered the first method to invoke tribulations and forge the Indestructible Dao Body.]
[Seventy-Two Transformations: Beginner.]
Li Mo wiped the sweat from his brow. This was even harder to comprehend than swordsmanship.
But there was good news.
The Seventy-Two Transformations could be refined using the Divine Treasure Hundred Refinements, at least for the first chapter.
As for other methods...
Li Mo couldn't think of any yet.
But where there's a will, there's a way. Maybe the system's feedback would provide one.
"For now, I’ll stick to blacksmithing..."
Overwhelmed by the influx of information, Li Mo's head spun.
He pushed the door open and stepped out—just as Ying Bing descended the stairs. Their eyes met, both frozen like a pair of bewildered geese.
Well, Li Mo looked dumber.
Ying Bing averted her gaze, though her peripheral vision lingered on him.
"You... didn't sleep either?"
"Nope. Woke up from the ruckus outside."
Li Mo yawned, still groggy from the martial insights.
"Should’ve dual-cultivated last night."
"...I want breakfast."
"Sure, I'll go with you."
Ying Bing's face remained expressionless, though her heartbeat quickened slightly.
"!!"
Li Mo's pulse also raced, his body visibly stiffening.
Luckily, the "ice block" wasn't planning to cook.
"I want to watch."
"It's fine, wait in the hall. I’ll be quick."
"Take me with you."
Ying Bing lowered her eyes, her slender fingers lightly tugging at Li Mo's sleeve.
Call her aloof and domineering, yet here she was, softly pleading while gripping his clothes.
Call her gentle, yet she left no room for refusal.
Li Mo found himself utterly defenseless.
And so, with a heavy heart, he took her hand and led her to the kitchen.
The kitchen buzzed with activity.
"Huh? That prodigy ranked fourth on the Hidden Dragon List is here again?"
"Strange. They say a gentleman stays clear of the kitchen, yet he’s here every day. What’s the appeal?"
"Maybe it’s a hobby? His ingredients are rare even in the capital..."
"First time seeing a Hidden Dragon genius obsessed with cooking..."
Li Mo peeked into the kitchen.
Instantly, the cooks and helpers fell silent. One chef even mistook vinegar for soy sauce without realizing it.
Couldn’t blame him.
Amid the smoky bustle of the kitchen, an ethereal fairy had descended.
Li Mo ignored them and headed to his purchased cooking station, pulling out ingredients for breakfast.
Splash—
Ying Bing stood quietly, watching.
Watching the boy prepare the ingredients.
Watching him heat the oil.
The flames roared, their crimson glow illuminating his face. Ying Bing suddenly thought—calling him a "boy" no longer seemed fitting.
The stubborn face from her memories was reshaped by the firelight.
Now, his features bore the sharpening lines of maturity.