Buzz——
In the ancestral hall, the divine tree seemed to come alive, withered wood springing back to life as if it had just discovered spring, and even the bare branches sprouted fresh buds.
In that fleeting moment, everything in the hall seemed to freeze.
Shang Guan Wen Cang and the grand elder were left with expressions of shock, frozen in place by the radiance, while the divine tree continued to grow unabated.
When it finally flourished with lush branches and leaves, all the bronze layers peeled away.
The Bronze Divine Tree was a heavenly fate tool.
It was also a manifestation of the great path.
It felt as if, from far back in time, the whispering of the leaves had unconsciously unleashed a phoenix form, with divine bird spirits swirling around, gently landing on the tree branches, as if they had finally found their homeland.
The remnants of power within this heavenly fate tool swirled in a hazy mist.
Ying Bing’s black hair danced lightly in an invisible breeze, illuminated by her translucent skin that resembled icy jade.
Inside her, the ancient and vast aura of the Bronze Tree was about to catalyze a transformation in her consciousness soul.
It even reached the peak of her past life’s phoenix form synthesis.
At last, the Bronze Divine Tree rumbled and collapsed.
“What is this…?”
Ying Bing was taken aback, extending her delicate hand.
A tiny spark of spiritual light flew into her palm from amidst the rotting remains.
It was a seed.
The Bronze Divine Tree had faced its decay while simultaneously leaving behind a seed for continuation.
When it was planted again, it would surely grow into another Bronze Divine Tree.
Meanwhile, the system notification chimed in her ears.
【Notification: Countdown to this ranking event: one hour.】
…..
Outside, the Qinyuan Mountain range seemed to tremble slightly.
Unfortunately, the shaking went unnoticed by everyone since it was in the desolate Qunyu Peak.
A certain Qunyu Peak master opened her eyes at Qiushui Pavilion, scratched her head as if sensing something different, but didn’t give it much thought.
Shang Wu was more concerned about what delicious food awaited in the evening.
“Hey? Little Ice Girl isn’t back yet?”
Li Mo peeked out, hearing sounds from the courtyard.
“She went to the main peak.”
Shang Wu yawned, “We’re about to go to the Imperial Capital, I bet the sect leader and grand elder are getting ready to equip Little Ice Girl with their secret techniques.”
“Tsk tsk, you should have seen how excited those old fogies were…”
The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were bustling with activity, and it was rare for Qingyuan Sect to be able to send someone; most were just there to fill quotas.
The Dragon Gate meeting in the Imperial Capital was one of them.
With two hidden dragons in the top five of their sect, it wasn’t just smoke wafting from their ancestor’s tomb—it was more like the tomb was on fire!
“Master, does our Qunyu Peak have any secret treasures?”
Li Mo wasn’t lacking in means; he was just curious.
“Of course, we do.”
Shang Wu’s expression turned serious, almost as if she were discussing sacred matters.
“Really? What is it?”
“That would be… beautiful as a flower, powerful, and understanding… it’s ME!”
Shang Wu pointed at herself, looking full of pride.
Li Mo: “…..”
You can’t be serious about tying yourself up as a treasure, right?
Though… it’s not entirely out of the question, but I’d strongly recommend against it.
That was the Imperial Capital, the heart of the Da Yu Dynasty, where the strongest of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths gathered. If Master got into trouble there, it would truly be inescapable.
“How about I save some good wine and food for you as a backup?”
“Oh-ho, growing up, are we?”
“….. A poor kid takes charge early, you know.”
Just then, footsteps were heard at the courtyard entrance as Ying Bing returned to Qiushui Pavilion.
Little Ice Girl’s aqua-green dress fluttered in the wind, the big-headed doll at her waist swaying, her skin appearing even more radiant and fair, as if illuminated by the moon of Jiangnan water towns.
“I told you that outfit would look great!”
“Mm… don’t you think it does?”
Ying Bing seemed to just snap back to reality, her gaze calm as she offered a faint smile.
A friendly reminder: The upper right corner has functions like “Switch Between Simplified and Traditional”, “Adjust Font Size”, and “Change Reading Background Color”.
Ice Girl seemed to have changed in some ways?
After dinner, Li Mo observed her appearance and felt something was still off, so he activated his Heavenly Destiny Divine Eye while she went upstairs.
The divine eye pierced through layers of mist.
He could vaguely see the aura around Ice Girl.
【Name: Ying Bing】
【Age: 17】
【Root Bone: Taiyin Moon Phoenix Body.】
【Realm: Observation Realm, Seven Qi.】
【Heavenly Fate: Red (Carrying imperial bone, with the premonition of mysterious ice, autumn water as spirit, resembling the Phoenix Sky)】
【Evaluation: Fateful trials ahead, always finding good fortune amid calamity. At this moment, the feathers are plump; when the winds and clouds change, she will surely soar among the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, embracing the realms of the universe.】
【Recent Encounter: Obtained the seed of the Bronze Divine Tree, further perfecting the divine bird manifestation, also a window of opportunity to supplement the Heavenly Phoenix Domain, but hidden dangers lie within the fortune.】
“Ice Girl.”
“Hmm?”
Ying Bing looked up, only to see Li Mo, who was all serious:
“Is the moonlight beautiful tonight?”
“……. Quite beautiful.”
“Then let’s go, to the rooftop.”
“？”
Shang Wu watched as the two hadn’t even eaten their late-night snack but already held hands and went upstairs. She felt suddenly that the whole table of food didn’t seem too appetizing anymore.
…..
The moon hung high in the sky.
The rooftop of Qiushui Pavilion was filled with silvery light.
“Little Moon said she was bored being alone.”
“？”
Li Mo looked at the grand sword, which seemed to be in a deep slumber, and it definitely didn’t resemble how Hammer Treasure wanted to run wild.
He hesitantly took out Hammer Treasure, and the hopeless fellow buzzed with excitement like a hunting dog.
Compared to Hammer Treasure, Little Moon seemed to be still half asleep…
Ying Bing’s gaze drifted elsewhere. Lightly tapping the sword blade, she said softly, “Go.”
Li Mo: “…..”
What’s going on here? Even gentlemen need to be cautious!
His intention was to check the seed of the Bronze Divine Tree.
It wasn’t out of curiosity, but rather out of concern for its influence on Ice Girl, since it was a heavenly fate tool that might have some connection to the grand phoenix ancestor.
Though… why was it so tough?
The moonlight was silver; the two sat on the rooftop, the cool fragrant breeze occasionally brushing across his face.
“Ice Girl, I feel like the last time we embraced, the dual cultivation effect seemed really good.”
As soon as he said it, Li Mo was stunned.
No Hammer Treasure around!
Without Hammer Treasure, what would he say if Ice Girl asked him what was in his pocket?
Ying Bing turned back, her lips slightly parted, her serene eyes sparkling.
Her consciousness soul had just accepted the seed of the Bronze Divine Tree, and it was indeed unstable at the moment, especially with the system rankings approaching.
“Is that so?”
“Definitely! The grand phoenix ancestor wants to influence you, right? You hug me, and I radiate righteousness, so she wouldn’t dare act rashly.” Li Mo pushed a serious face.
Ying Bing looked cool and aloof, but inside, she found it amusing: “Really?”
“Absolutely, absolutely!”
“Then I’ll trust you this once.”
Ice Girl’s heart trembled; she pulled him up, the Taiyin hanging behind her as if it could illuminate the exquisite figure beneath her water-colored dress, her flowing black hair glimmering, and her beauty softening.
Tonight’s moon wasn’t just beautiful, it seemed particularly serene.
The cool fragrance enveloped Ice Girl as she sat in Li Mo’s embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Is this… alright?”
Ying Bing’s gaze seemed unfocused, yet she couldn’t hide the blush creeping up her face.
She definitely didn’t realize just how captivating she was at that moment.
……
P.S.: The little author hasn’t had a break for ages; I’m applying for two updates today, just to recharge a bit and shuffle thoughts around.
Seeking moments of rest! (extends bowl)
