Morning.
Qiushui Pavilion.
“Still a bit off from the Xuan Dan Realm, huh?”
Li Mo shook his head.
Most folks in the Inner Breath Jade Liquid Realm, even with top-notch talent, struggle at the Xuan Dan Realm, hanging around for three to five ages is pretty common.
But at this rate, he was already at a level many could only gaze at from afar.
“Seven Laws of Heaven and Earth, guess I’ve mastered the Sixth Law.”
“Swashbuckling swordsmanship… mmm, looking even cooler!”
Little Li was now unmatched with just his sword in the Internal Breathing Realm.
After finishing his meal, he glanced at the second floor’s room.
“Combining two types of internal breath, tsk tsk.”
Shang Wu squinted her eyes:
“Even without mastering the Xuan Dan, her internal breath strength is enough to take down most at the Xuan Dan Realm, making those in the Observation Realm tremble.”
“…..”
Li Mo fell silent for a moment.
He was pondering if this Ice Chunk could count as double cultivation with himself?
If so, he wouldn’t have to practice the first layer of “Phoenix Cry in Tianze” with her anymore.
Well… the second layer might still be somewhat necessary.
But that would be after stepping into the Observation Realm, anyway.
Pulling himself back to reality, Li Mo started checking his supplies for the trip.
While checking, he casually asked:
“Master, are you not planning to go to Qinghe County this time?”
Last time, seeing Shang Wu just a bit serious, he felt a wave of safety with her presence.
“Hmph, not going!”
Shang Wu huffed lightly, obviously not too thrilled:
“Those old geezers said I work too hard, so this time they won’t let me tag along.”
Li Mo probed carefully:
“Could it be that they’re worried you’d start a brawl with other sect folks?”
“Come, come, before we head out, let’s see if you’ve regressed, my dear disciple.”
Shang Wu planted her hands on her hips, ready to give her precious student some special treatment.
Fortunately, at that moment, Ying Bing came downstairs.
Li Mo ducked into the cart, dodging a b*llet.
………
The Qingyuan Sect making its way to Qinghe County was quite the spectacle.
The elders and enforcers from various peaks basically rallied together.
Leading the charge were three elders since there were all sorts of powers mixed in, not just local from the Eastern Wilderness but also some from nearby foreign domains.
So the team leaders this time were Yin Huaxuan and Elder Qian Bufan, along with Xue Jing.
One was powerful and familiar with various strange beasts, while the other was skillful… and could eat.
As for Xue Jing, he was there to prevent any accidents with the disciples.
The disciples themselves were also primarily elite selections.
For instance, the top disciple of the last generation, the true inheritor from Ruyi Peak—Ouyang.
The leading disciple among them was Yin Huacheng, son of Yin Huaxuan.
The rest had all gone through a selection process within Qingyuan Sect; this time, there was no age limit, and every disciple at the Observation Realm and below could participate.
In the end, thirty were selected.
Most were true inheritors from the Observation Realm, with only one from the inner gate.
Xiao Qian.
During the selection, he had a sudden outburst of powerful energy and defeated his opponents unexpectedly.
Standing among the many true inheritors, Xiao Qian certainly stood out.
“Where are Li Mo and Ying Bing?”
Qian Bufan stood at the front of the group.
After glancing at the sun, he showed a hint of confusion.
“The sect’s action seems to be a bit delayed.”
Yin Huaxuan frowned, saying this as he looked to the side.
“Don’t worry, after entering the secret realm, I’ll make sure they listen to my orders.”
Yin Huacheng smiled and cupped his hands.
Just as he finished speaking, a familiar sect leader’s carriage appeared, making its way down the hillside at a steady pace.
The curtain lifted.
“You two little rascals, why are you late?”
Qian Bufan lightly coughed, casually asking.
After all, he couldn’t expect an Ice Chunk to socialize effectively.
Li Mo grinned:
“Had a little last-minute practice on some key points, Elder Qian, please forgive us.”
“Fire pot is on me.”
“Okay.”
Qian Bufan nodded, the smile on his face growing wider.
After scanning their auras, that smile suddenly morphed into surprise.
“You two have improved so much? Wow, wow!”
He noticed clearly.
These two little rascals were surprisingly close to the Xuan Dan Realm.
Though Ying Bing was further from it than Li Mo, she practiced two types of internal breath and was making just as much progress.
Qian Bufan withdrew his gaze, seriously saying:
“This time in the bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm, the situation is complex, and there are many factions.
“You two must stick close to us along the way.”
“Yeah, the safety of Little Mo and Little Ice Girl is the top priority; the treasures of the secret realm come second,” Xue Jing also nodded in agreement.
“Once in the secret realm, I ask my junior brothers and sisters to follow my arrangements and avoid unnecessary trouble.”
Yin Huacheng’s casual voice rang out.
Who’s this person? Talking all high and mighty?
Li Mo couldn’t help but look him over, spotting the handsome yet shadowy first disciple of the Beast Peak.
“Elders, we intend to act separately.”
Even if one were to think about it, it was clear the bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm was very important for Ice Chunk.
She was surely going solo.
Li Mo planned to venture into the secret realm for some investments, without following the main team, and the two would regroup later.
So, obeying their arrangements was clearly out of the question.
“Humph, most entering the secret realm are at the Observation Realm.”
“You two are merely in the Internal Breathing Realm, lacking experience; without my protection, you’ll struggle.”
Yin Huacheng’s tone was not exactly friendly.
But he insisted on keeping them within his sight.
What’s with this senior brother? All high and mighty today? So surly?
Li Mo felt a tad confused.
“You?”
Ying Bing tilted her head slightly.
Glancing at Yin Huacheng, her tranquil eyes showed not a flicker of emotion.
Even noticing an ugly dog on the roadside would probably spark more of a reaction.
Ignoring him.
That’s the biggest mockery right there…
Yin Huacheng reacted strongly, his face shifting hues, looking terrible as if he’d been hit hard.
He recalled a cliff incident where this very pair had looked at him with those same eyes…
Li Mo: “……. Cough, Senior Brother, look at you, all flustered.”
Come on, not that serious.
By the way, isn’t Ice Chunk’s mocking aura supposed to only work on the villains?
Could it be…
Qian Bufan and Xue Jing exchanged glances, sensing the silence in each other’s eyes.
What they meant by safety was probably outside the secret realm.
Inside the secret realm…
Observation Realm?
Experience in the jianghu?
They must not know how the trials of the abyss ended…
They were seriously concerned that once these two little rascals detached from the main group, they would put on masks and turn into Huai Shan San Sha…
Gee, and with Xiao Qian around, this Huai Shan San Sha would actually have its full crew.
“No organization, no discipline.”
Yin Huaxuan turned to call upon the other two elders to say something.
“Fine, if you want to go solo, then go solo.”
Qian Bufan lightly coughed.
Xue Jing nodded in agreement: “I second that.”
Yin Huaxuan was momentarily taken aback, not expecting the two to go along so easily.
“Humph, then I wish you both great success in the secret realm.”
With his face in ruins, Yin Huacheng flicked his sleeve and left.
Watching his retreating figure, Li Mo raised an eyebrow, a flicker of obscure light flashing in his eyes.
Destiny Eyes activated!
__
PS: I’m a first-rank author now, hehehe.
Big thanks to all the audience lords; when I started this book, I really didn’t expect the response to be so great. It’s my first time delving into fantasy literature, and while there are some details I could handle better, I promise to put in more effort to perfect every plot point from here on. Mwah!
