After a whole morning, Little Ice Chunk’s eating broadcast came to a close, the Hundred Yi Festival was bustling with smoke rising from the kitchens, and the aroma wafted through the air.
The Imperial Kitchen was probably the busiest place in the entire royal capital. Dishes were being carried out one after another, delivered to the banquet tables.
When the palace maid lifted the curtain of the food cart, Li Mo was completely unaware.
He couldn’t see or hear anything.
The renowned sword master and wife-booster, currently with his eyes shut, resembled a fish on a chopping board—floppy and helpless.
Little Ice Chunk was right next to his ear, giving him an immersive ASMR experience.
Who wouldn’t feel dizzy from that?
“Ice Chunk.”
“Hmm?”
“Feet…don’t move around.”
Just moments ago, Ice Chunk had stealthily wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into her embrace.
Was that a cross-body hold? (Not really)
Perhaps due to some strange hormonal atmosphere or simply out of habit, as Ying Bing earnestly dealt with the childish ghost, she unconsciously stretched out her snow-like feet clad in pearl-tipped silk and let them rest on his treasure hammer.
The moment Li Mo spoke, she finally came to her senses.
“Out there…”
Ying Bing’s tone softened, her autumn-water-like eyes glancing to the side, expressionless as she tucked her hair behind her ear. But when her fingertips brushed the damp spot on her ear, her eyelashes couldn’t help but flutter.
Right, the two of them were outside, only separated from the lively Hundred Yi Festival by a carriage.
What had she just been doing?
“Then let’s settle things when we get back.”
Li Mo exhaled heavily, his voice noticeably rougher now.
“…”
Facing the childish ghost’s provocation, Ying Bing’s red lips parted, yet she found herself at a loss for words.
If things were this outrageous outside, what awaited them at home?
She could only blame him—every time he drew punishment, she had to see some weird stuff, making her obliviously unaware of anything wrong…
Since it had come to this, they might as well eat first.
She picked up her bowl, ready to taste the food from the Imperial Kitchen.
Huh?
“This is…?”
Ying Bing paused, noticing a small piece of paper tucked beneath her bowl.
“It looks like there’s something written on it.”
Li Mo took it, unfolded it to get a better look, his brow knitting together.
The message was concise:
【The Empress has abnormalities, changes among the celestial beings; do not follow the past, please be cautious—neither of us owe the other anything.】
“Who sent this?”
Li Mo blinked, eyes wandering.
But outside, the sea of people was overwhelming, like searching for a needle in a haystack—no amount of clairvoyance could help; the chaos of information was enough to make one dizzy.
“The sender of the message should mean no harm.”
Ying Bing pondered for a moment, then looked towards the City of Divine Beings.
She recalled the events of the previous life, the happenings during the last Qianlong Conference, but shook her head moments later.
At that time, she was still in Ziyang Mansion, only knowing that Jiang Yu was in charge of the celestial beings.
Moreover, this time, many circumstances had changed since the last. What once was a light breeze had now turned into a storm.
For instance, the other half of the Heavenly Phoenix Domain.
“It only says there are changes among the celestial beings, yet it doesn’t specify what those changes are…”
A warm reminder: If you’re enjoying this book, to avoid losing track of it next time, remember to add it to your bookshelf!
Generally speaking, most people are stumped by riddles, but luckily, Li Mo is not just anyone.
He could directly see Little Ice Chunk’s recent encounters!
If Little Ice Chunk’s recent experiences were fine…
Then it wouldn’t matter what changes occurred in the City of Divine Beings; let it change however it wants!
【Name: Ying Bing】
【Age: 17】
【Root Bone: Taiyin Moon Phoenix Body.】
【Realm: Guan Shen Nine Orifices.】
【Destiny: Red (bearing imperial bl**d, with Ice as fate, Autumn Water as spirit, possessing the aspect of the Heavenly Phoenix).】
【Evaluation: Life full of calamities, always able to turn misfortune into fortune; despite currently not being fully fledged, when the winds of change occur, will surely soar high above the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, Phoenix descending to gather the Eight Desolations.】
【Recent Experiences: Inside the City of Divine Beings, bound by the other half of the Heavenly Phoenix Domain, trapped within the city until the fifth realm four years later, when they can finally break free.】
“Four years?!”
Li Mo’s expression turned serious in an instant.
In four years, Little Ice Chunk and the childish ghost could go get soy sauce!
“What’s wrong?”
Ying Bing was confused by his sudden reaction.
“Ice Chunk, what is the City of Divine Beings really like? How does it compare to your Heavenly Phoenix Domain?”
Li Mo switched into battle mode.
He figured that since they were both part of the Heavenly Phoenix Domain, Ice Chunk should have some understanding of the City of Divine Beings.
Clearly, heading to the City of Divine Beings was an unavoidable arrow set on the bowstring; once the Hundred Yi Festival was over today, the celestial trials would commence.
They needed to understand as much as possible before going in.
Ying Bing lowered her head slightly and said:
“The Heavenly Phoenix Domain is a kind of paradise, but more real than any paradise. It’s like… your little world, just more complete. To be precise, it’s a microcosm of the Imperial Capital in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.”
“The City of Divine Beings is actually divided into three layers: Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. The inner city is Heaven, the middle city is Earth, and the outer city is Humanity. Each city has its own natural disasters, and outside the city lurk demons eyeing the human inhabitants…”
“Three-tiered city, dangerous scenarios outside…”
Little Li’s DNA inexplicably stirred.
Ying Bing continued: “The longer someone keeps the City of Divine Beings alive, the higher the evaluation given by the Heavenly Phoenix Domain. But… I don’t think it’s completely like that.”
She shared everything she knew with Li Mo, while he diligently took notes.
Based on the information Ice Chunk provided, he summarized several key points.
Unknowingly, the Hundred Yi Festival was drawing to a close, and he halted his recording when a purple-clad eunuch’s voice came from above, calling Little Li to the stage to give a speech.
