The pool water rippled, steam rising like a mystical shroud.
In the not-so-great Foggy Eldertree Spring, silence hung in the air.
Little Li was squatting by the pool, blissfully unaware as his snack plopped into the water with a splash.
Ying Bing, on the other hand, was wide-eyed, staring at the illusory panel in disbelief.
【Eastern Wilderness Top Ten—Rank 7: Ying Bing.】
【Eastern Wilderness Top Ten—Rank 1: Li Mo.】
She suspected she was dreaming because, honestly, how could this be real?
This time, the two were on the same level.
At this very moment, she was so much stronger than in her past life.
Thanks to the bl**d Phoenix Essence.
Thanks to her ability to wield various martial arts to their extremes.
Even the sight of the Bronze Divine Tree should have given her an edge by now.
And don’t forget about the rare item, True Phoenix Feather, courtesy of the system rewards.
Yet, here she was, defeated.
“Why?”
Ying Bing’s mind was a mess; she just couldn’t wrap her head around it.
Forget about the Eastern Wilderness; she believed she was the queen of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths! Reigning among the young titans newly entering the Observation Realm, no one should stand a chance against her!
Let’s not even get into other methods.
She’d seen it all in the bl**d Phoenix Secret Realm.
Seriously.
Who else in the world had experienced the transformation into an Observation-level deity and was perfectly attuned to their own body’s capabilities?
She hadn’t seen him in the Observation Realm.
Wasn’t Li Mo just lucky, with a little cosmic help?
That meant he’d just had a boost in his Consciousness Soul; it didn’t mean he had actually manifested a deity form!
No deity form, yet he was still stronger than her?
‘Is the system malfunctioning?’
That thought popped up in Ying Bing’s mind.
【The system adheres to the principles of absolute impartiality and fairness; power comparisons are completely based on the host’s highest current level.】
【In ten d*ath battles, the host has only won three.】
【One victory was due to wardrobe malfunctions causing a hard control effect on Li Mo, making it a narrow win.】
Ying Bing: “…..”
A sidelong glance revealed Li Mo, dazed and with slightly pink ears.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Just an old problem… you know… high bl**d pressure.”
Li Mo cleared his throat awkwardly.
Little Li’s bl**d pressure looked high, but it was actually quite stable.
He was trying to focus his gaze elsewhere because, let’s be honest, staring at the Ice Chunk all day wasn’t the best idea.
Strangely enough, his eyes seemed to have a mind of their own.
“Hmm…”
Ying Bing bit her lip and slowly sunk back into the pool, feeling a cocktail of emotions brewing inside her.
The system’s judgement seemed rather reliable.
Could it be… that this fourteen-year-old, hyper-pressure-prone boy was indeed somehow at her level?
But surely that sounded even more absurd than the system being faulty!
【Congratulations, host! You just ranked 7th in the Young Heroes Ranking!】
【Rewarding…】
【Detected that the host activated the ‘Loser Punishment’; all rewards will be stored in the system’s space until the punishment remains to be fulfilled.】
【The punishment includes: Bathing with ‘Li Mo’.】
【Requirements: Wear the system-issued sexy suit.】
If it were anyone else, they’d probably be cut down the moment they entered the Foggy Eldertree Spring.
But him…
After all, they had already shared a bed, so bathing together wasn’t so hard to accept.
But wearing that sort of outfit…
If only she could burn that embarrassing outfit without a second thought!
【Ding!】
Great.
Just then, a notification sounded.
【Detected that the host is in a fitting environment for the scene; punishment will now commence.】
【In ten seconds, the host will automatically be changed into the corresponding attire. Countdown begins…】
【Ten…】
【Nine…】
【Eight…】
Tick-tock went the countdown.
At this moment, Ying Bing’s eyes lost their spark, her mind swirling with chaos.
“Hmm?”
Li Mo, unsure where to look, focused intently.
He noticed Ying Bing curling her fingers by the pool’s edge, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
Ice Chunk, did your vibe suddenly shift?
“Are you sick? Your face is so red…”
Li Mo stood up with a splash, walking over.
He placed his hand on Ying Bing’s forehead.
Feeling the warmth, Ying Bing looked up dazed.
【Five…】
【Four…】
【Three…】
The countdown continued overhead, shimmering above the boy’s head like some mystical alarm.
Ying Bing: “!”
Li Mo: “(⊙ˍ⊙)”
It was obvious.
Ice Chunk’s neck was as red as a ripe pomegranate.
Li Mo opened his mouth to say something but was caught off guard as Ying Bing suddenly leapt up, covering his eyes with her hand.
The motion was swift, almost like she had mastered some magical technique.
And then…
Little Li’s eyes were plunged into darkness.
Her soft, warm, trembling hand completely blocked his vision.
“What’s happening?”
“Y-you can’t look at me!”
Was Ice Chunk seriously feeling unwell?
Was she having one of those days where she didn’t want to talk?
Li Mo heard a tremor in her voice.
Then, he sensed something was off.
He had squinted his way through and vaguely caught a glimpse of some elegant white and mesmerizing black making an appearance on Ice Chunk’s troublesome figure…
“If it’s not convenient, I can step out?” Li Mo spoke softly.
“You can’t… leave either.”
Her voice, like jade dropping on stone, betrayed an attempt to remain calm.
Li Mo: “??”
This was perplexing.
He knew Ying Bing was naturally proud and strong-willed. She didn’t want anyone to see her vulnerable side, which was why she suggested he leave.
To avoid another embarrassing incident like before.
But…
Not letting him look and not letting him go? What kind of confusion was this?
“So… are we just going to stay like this?”
“Close your eyes and sit down.”
“……Okay.”
Li Mo sighed dramatically inside.
The sounds of water splashing echoed.
He could tell that Ying Bing was maneuvering behind him.
Splash!
Suddenly, it sounded like she stumbled and nearly fell.
“You alright?”
“I’m fine, just a little slippery; you… don’t turn around.”
“…..”
…..
So, Little Li sat in the pool, contemplating life.
He knew Ice Chunk hadn’t gone far.
From time to time, he could feel her slightly erratic breathing brushing against his back, tickling him…
Great.
He had initially wanted to practice his martial arts.
But now? Not a chance.
Behind him, her bathrobe had mysteriously vanished.
The water twinkled under the light, revealing some mysterious yet beautiful scenery.
This outfit was even more embarrassing than being completely n*ked…
Ying Bing’s slender fingers were curled so tightly that she couldn’t even unfurl them, her body refusing to listen to her.
“I nearly… just barely…”
“The system… even had rules for the distance between us…”
Ying Bing mentally replayed the earlier events.
She had risen from nothing to the peak of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
But she had never experienced something like this!
Now her heart was in a state of turmoil.
She herself didn’t understand.
Was she not supposed to be unfazed like a rock in a storm?
【Bath countdown: Two minutes.】
【As everyone knows, the most beneficial time to soak in hot springs is two minutes!】
And two minutes?! Seriously?!
