Yunzhou.
In the vast expanse of Nine Heavens and Ten Earths!
According to geography, the Nine Heavens are divided into nine states, with Central State directly governed by the Da Yu royal family—truly a place where heroes are born and the land supports the talented.
But the rest of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths once had their glorious days too.
Take Yunzhou, for instance.
Yunzhou is filled with swordsmen! Before the appearance of the Tianshan Sword Manor, it was the true holy land of swordplay within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Even the Da Yu Martial Emperor studied at Hengyun Sword City back in the day!
After handing over a few Misty Rain Tower assassins to the authorities, the Qingyuan Sect people traveled through the Silent Sea Forest.
…
Time flies.
In the blink of an eye, half a month has passed.
At a campsite by a stream outside Yunzhou City, a hundred miles away.
“Turns out breaking into the Observation Realm isn’t as easy as pie.”
Inside his simple tent, Li Mo was sizing up the little guy in his Dantian.
The little guy had complex mystical patterns on him, but now there were only seven! He still had a long way to go before completely analyzing how that Ice Chunk ascends to immortality.
Of course, he could also attempt to open his second meridian now; his consciousness soul had enough strength to support it.
But the stronger the consciousness soul, the more expansive the meridians he could open.
Little Li had the qualifications, no doubt.
Naturally, each step needs to be taken to its utmost potential.
After breakfast, he routinely went to Ying Bing’s tent next door.
“Wait for me a moment.”
Inside the tent, Ice Chunk’s voice sounded calm, accompanied by strange, inexplicable vibrations.
Not really like breaking through.
Could it be because of that sword technique?
Lately, the two of them had been verifying each other every day. Li Mo practiced the Dugu Nine Swords while Ying Bing was going over her newly learned divine skill-level sword techniques to fill in the gaps.
Li Mo could feel Ice Chunk improving rapidly, and her sword technique was no low-grade stuff.
Could it be related to the sword technique?
Whatever.
He’ll find out soon enough with his Heavenly Mandate divine eye.
“Let’s see if there’s any investment opportunity.”
Li Mo shrugged, then went to make breakfast.
Brother Li was in charge of cooking.
Other senior brothers and sisters busily stoked the fire and washed the pots, all in an orderly manner.
Before long, a pot of wild vegetable stew was ready.
“Li Shidi, have you written that letter regarding the Misty Rain Tower affair?”
“Yeah, once we reach Yunzhou City, it’ll be handed over to the disciples of Hengyun Sword City.”
Li Mo nodded and served Little Jiang a bowl of soup.
Hengyun Sword City in Yunzhou is like Qingyuan Sect in Ziyang Mansion.
For anything major, it’s safer to let the host handle it.
Moments later.
Jiang Chulong suddenly perked up, looking back in surprise.
“What’s wrong?”
Just as Li Mo was puzzled, a melodious sound of swordplay reached their ears, startling all the birds in the forest into a frenzy.
Everyone sprang to their feet.
Li Mo followed Jiang Chulong’s gaze.
He saw that tightly shut tent moving without wind.
“I’m fine,” came a serene voice like jade.
Inside the tent, Ying Bing slowly opened her eyes, and there was something ethereal nestled in her gaze.
The first three forms of the Shentian Heart Sword had almost no loopholes left.
As she grasped the essence of the divine skill sword technique, her heart grew increasingly tranquil.
However,
Just as she was about to step out…
【The host has completed the last punishment.】
【The third round of comparisons will start in thirty days; I’m sure the host is eager.】
【Would you like to activate the loser’s punishment? After activation, rewards will be even richer.】
Ying Bing’s footsteps stuttered.
Her brows furrowed in consideration.
The first time, she didn’t hesitate at all, thinking it was a walk in the park—practically begging the system to shower her in rewards.
The second time, she felt last time had just been an accident…
And this time?
Images of her recent matches with Tian Shuang and Qi Xiao flashed before her eyes.
In swordplay, he hadn’t beaten her since that one time.
In terms of realms, she analyzed the ultimate forms—one was Taiyin and the other a phoenix shape.
As for that divine weapon, it could easily be countered with True Phoenix Feather.
To this day, Ying Bing still had no clue how Li Mo managed to outpace her last time.
Oh right.
The Horizontal Cloud Sword Marks.
With the sword marks, the Shentian Heart Sword could reach new heights.
“Losing isn’t frightening.”
“What’s frightening is losing the heart to seek enlightenment.”
That was a principle Ying Bing had understood long ago.
Also the purpose of that divine skill sword technique.
【Loser’s punishment activated.】
【Punishment conditions confirmed.】
【Condition: “Request the victor for a caress.”】
【Requirements: “At least eighty percent of the body surface area, okay~”】
Click.
A big-headed doll suddenly found herself in a tight grip by a delicate hand.
She… suddenly felt regret.
A request for a caress?
She couldn’t even imagine herself asking for that kind of thing!
Absolutely can’t lose…
This time, she definitely… cannot lose…
The sword marks… she must comprehend them…
“Ice Chunk, come out for breakfast! We’re preparing to head into the city.”
Outside.
Li Mo looked at the tent, which had been silent for quite a while, growing curious.
“This tent hasn’t made a peep for ages, why hasn’t Ice Chunk come out yet…”
“Maybe she finished comprehending her martial arts?”
“Yeah.”
Jiang Chulong cautiously nodded.
“That’s strange…”
Just as Li Mo was puzzled, a notification sound buzzed in his ear.
【Congratulations, host, you’ve invested in ‘Ying Bing’ to help her comprehend sword techniques.】
【Investment feedback: ‘Finger of Flower Petals’】
Hearing that name, it sounded like some kind of finger technique mastery?
But given how little time he had to practice with a hammer or a sword, who had time for finger techniques?
Li Mo took a sip of soup and was baffled as to why the system would give such a reward.
【’Finger of Flower Petals’: “Ultimate level finger technique, like having divine assistance, can accurately stimulate all body acupoints, truly a magical technique for relieving fatigue!”
“Warning: Do not use on the opposite s*x, or you might get reported.”
Pfft—
Li Mo sprayed all his soup out.
What the heck?
Ultimate skill with such a grand name, and you tell me it’s a massage?
“What’s wrong, Brother Li?” Jiang Chulong hurried over to pat his back.
“Cough cough, nothing, just thought of a brilliant martial art…”
Li Mo wiped his mouth.
Massage be damned! What’s with that last sentence in the introduction?
Is this massage even serious?
