Late at night, the tavern was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves and the sound of splashing water in the courtyard breaking the silence.
At this hour, even the dogs were sleeping, but Little Li couldn’t sleep. He was supposed to be cultivating with Ice Chunk, but he couldn’t focus on that now.
How could any cadre withstand such a test?
After cooling off for a while, he calmed down slightly and checked his system rewards.
[You have two rewards to claim.]
[Congratulations, Host, you have received an investment feedback: Silver Spirit Seal]
“This is a feedback obtained from Yin Mianmian.”
A small, cold and mysterious seal landed in his palm, emitting a fluid yet obscure aura.
Li Mo felt somewhat uneasy as he became calmer.
He had never truly seen extreme divine intent, and even observing higher forms in a long-established sect like Hengyun Sword City was already considered fortunate.
However, the Silver Spirit Seal lived up to its reputation by upgrading divine intent and seizing the essence of heaven and earth.
Unfortunately, this small seal’s feedback came in the form of a formidable enemy. It could only be said that fate was strange and ironic.
“What a pity I couldn’t capture it today.”
More than the reward, Little Li did not want to be remembered by a powerful assassin.
He then checked the rewards given by Ice Chunk:
[Congratulations, Host, you have received an investment feedback: The First Chapter of the Earth Store Sutra]
“Buddhist scripture?”
Li Mo was slightly taken aback.
Ice Chunk had previously provided many rare treasures and exotic items, but scriptures were new.
Coincidentally, Little Li was feeling very agitated at the moment.
Thus, he held the Buddhist scripture in his left hand, recognizing the characters but unable to understand them. The scripture felt special, smooth and delicate, like satin, with a peculiar texture…
“Wait, what am I thinking?”
Li Mo blamed himself inwardly, thinking that perhaps combining it with a sarira would yield better results.
So, he took out the Jade Sarira.
The sarira emitted a faint glow, its texture smooth and warm, like fine jade, almost shimmering with moisture…
It was like drops of Heavenly Fragrance Oil had fallen upon it…
Moments later.
Little Li confirmed he lacked any root of wisdom and had no connection with Buddhism in this life.
“The aftereffects are too strong.”
Li Mo clapped his hands, making his left hand slap his right to dispel guilt.
The applause was quite loud.
Clap—
From a nearby window, Ouyang stuck his head out with messy hair:
“Junior Brother Li, I was about to sleep, why aren’t you resting?”
“I don’t sleep late either.”
“What do you do late at night?”
“Cultivating.”
“…”
Ouyang’s smile froze, his eyelids twitching.
He knew Li Junior Brother wasn’t lying.
So, he clenched his fists tighter, sweating profusely despite the heat, shivering slightly.
“Junior Brother Li, what were you doing in the courtyard today?”
“Cough, something happened just now, so I needed to calm down.”
Li Mo didn’t want to go into details because even thinking about it made him upset.
Were they arguing?
Otherwise, why would they need to calm down?
Ouyang felt it was quite plausible, so he didn’t feel too bad:
“Junior Brother Li, I just drew some good stuff. Since you’re also into art, shall we take a look?”
“Good stuff?”
Little Li leaned back slightly.
Wait, wasn’t Ouyang Junior Brother no longer relying on side jobs for money?
“Why are you going back to your old profession? Are you facing some difficulties?”
“No, I’ve always said this is my hobby.”
“…”
Seeing Ouyang’s dark circles, Li Mo nodded:
“It’s clear you’re very passionate about it.”
“If we can improve our aesthetics, let’s exchange ideas and progress together.”
Ouyang took it as a compliment.
Under the light of Taiyin, Ouyang spread open a sketchbook in the moonlight.
“How is it? Be honest,” he raised his eyebrows.
“Hmm, not bad?”
Little Li was quite sincere.
“?”
Ouyang glanced at the figure in the sketchbook, wearing revealing clothing, puzzled.
“Junior Brother Li, don’t you like this style? Just wait…”
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So he flipped through the pages.
“What about this one?”
“Not bad.”
“And this one?”
“Average… but it should be enough to challenge Brother Murong’s weakness.”
“No, Junior Brother Li, look again. This is average?”
Ouyang widened his eyes, staring intently at Li Mo, who looked completely unperturbed.
Junior Brother Li was genuinely unaffected.
Only…
His standards had been raised by Ying Bing, making everything seem inferior compared to her.
“Looks like I’ll have to use my latest creation!”
Ouyang suddenly infused his true energy into the book.
Li Mo was stunned.
Suddenly, the paper figures in the book, wearing revealing outfits, started moving, becoming more lifelike!
Moving?
“Amazing! Hmph, I got inspired after seeing your comic strips last time.”
“Since Guan Shen’s diagrams can move, if I apply the techniques used to create Guan Shen diagrams to this sketchbook, it can achieve the same effect as a comic strip!”
Ouyang lifted his chin, speaking with conviction, as if he had accomplished something remarkable!
“Animation!?”
Li Mo gasped.
Combining the techniques for creating Guan Shen diagrams with realistic comic strips… indeed, a genius idea!
But something seemed off.
“Surprised?”
“I’m more surprised by your research methods.”
Li Mo shook his head and returned the sketchbook to Ouyang:
“But there’s still room for improvement in terms of aesthetics.”
“??!”
Ouyang turned to stone on the spot, the words echoing in his mind like thunder.
Aesthetics… still need improvement?!
…
Next morning.
The sky brightened, with no clouds in sight.
On the mountain of Hengyun Sword City, Li Mo held a steaming donkey meat pie, eating as he walked. Ying Bing was nearby, slightly lowering her head, holding her sword as she walked slowly.
Both remained silent throughout.
Little Jiang pinched her Big Brother Li’s sleeve, her gray eyes flickering strangely.
The atmosphere between Big Brother Li and Sister Bing was odd…
It seemed there was something she couldn’t see blocking them?
Soon.
They reached a fork in the road, with more disciples of the Sword City appearing. Several people approached, looking like they were returning from external affairs.
“Misty Rain Tower just settled down, and now there’s trouble again.”
“Yes, you’d think after defecting, he wouldn’t run to the South Border, but instead to our Yunzhou.”
“Hope they catch him soon to avoid any major disturbances.”
“Hero Li, Immortal Ying?”
The few people who posted notices greeted them, recognizing them as famous members of the Sword City.
Li Mo donated generously to repair the Sword Pool formation.
Ying Bing’s lectures on the Sword Pool were revered by countless people.
Even the little girl with a cloth over her eyes received attention from all elders, willing to display the Sword Building’s heritage without reservation.
After a brief exchange, Li Mo read the wanted poster clearly.
Chang Bolong.
Sixth Heaven Inner Scenery, Southern Army Defector. Anyone providing information about his whereabouts would receive a reward of one hundred taels, while capturing or killing him would earn one thousand taels, with the option to choose martial arts from the Sword Building.
Such rewards could attract many bounty hunters.
Li Mo wasn’t particularly interested in the bounty, just taking a glance.
Soon, they reached the fork in the road.
Li Mo headed for the Sword Building, while Ying Bing and Little Jiang went to the Sword Pool, so they had to part ways.
“What do you want to eat tonight?”
“You can buy whatever you want.”
“Um…”
Li Mo walked a dozen steps forward before turning back involuntarily.
Behind him, he saw Ice Chunk’s graceful silhouette.
He chuckled to himself, not needing to separate for long.
So Li Mo walked decisively toward the Sword Building.
In that moment, he didn’t know…
When he turned back, the young girl gathered her black hair, looking back from the steps, capturing the upright figure of the young man in her eyes.
Ying Bing’s gaze lingered for a moment before she headed toward the Sword Pool.
Little Jiang blinked.
Indeed, something was off…
