Half a moment later, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped in the Imperial Capital, and the three suns reappeared from behind the clouds.
Yet, the once bustling and lively venue was now filled with an air of solemnity. The field was under strict surveillance by the Sky Patrol, and anyone who seemed suspicious was immediately detained.
Scholars and officials from various schools remained silent, for even the dimmest could sense how tense the atmosphere in the royal city had become.
Most people were still unaware of what had happened in the Jiangshan Yizhi Map and why both sides had suddenly ceased their actions.
They did not know how the situation would unfold…
The Jiangshan Yizhi Map still hung high in the sky.
The City of Divine Beings remained open.
Using fine wine, Li Mo managed to control his female master, making her stay calm and not bite anyone. He then went on to verify Huang Donglai’s identity, allowing him some time to think.
“Since we’ve made a pact, will the selection for the Heavenly Trial change?”
“Huh? Brother Li, you still want to enter the City of Divine Beings?”
Huang Donglai looked serious, took out the antidote, and handed it to the eagerly waiting Zhu Tou Lan Tian before continuing:
“This matter involves the court, the Huanmo Sect, and the eighth realm, with intricate and rapidly changing dynamics. One misstep could lead to disaster.”
“Oh, right, why didn’t you run away?”
Li Mo came back to his senses. Huang Donglai was still here.
Lan Tian silently turned her gaze, examining this overly steady Flying Poison Double-Sided Turtle.
Huang Donglai scratched the back of his head, cautiously surveyed his surroundings, and finding no one watching, sighed:
“If it were any other time, I wouldn’t be in the Imperial Capital.”
“Me neither.”
Li Mo nodded in agreement.
Following his gaze, Huang Donglai saw Ying Bing not far away and opened his mouth but said nothing more.
At that moment, the purple-robed eunuch who had presided over the gathering emerged from the crowd.
He bowed deeply:
“Brave Li, Miss Ying, please follow me.”
This eunuch was from Emperor Jingtai’s retinue; there was no need to explain further.
Emperor Jingtai wants to see me and Ice Chunk?
Li Mo didn’t ponder too much. After exchanging glances with Ying Bing, he nodded and followed the purple-robed eunuch.
This was his first time entering the royal city.
The entire royal city was formed by towering palaces, now with guards every five steps and sentries every ten.
As they moved forward, the exotic flowers and strange grasses, the purple wisteria dripping with rosy light, and the forget-me-nots floating with starlight were endless.
Li Mo wasn’t intimidated; unlike the other palace attendants who kept their heads down, afraid of seeing anything, he curiously looked around.
Ying Bing, however, kept her eyes straight ahead, coldly observing.
Suddenly, she noticed something and saw a wooden stick by the roadside.
“Hmm?”
Li Mo felt something poke his waist.
Turning around, he saw Ying Bing holding a long wooden stick, her smiling eyes bright and vivid.
“Wow, Ice Chunk, where did you find this Divine Sword!”
“Just picked it up by the roadside.”
“Let me play with it.”
Little Li’s eyes lit up. He took the ‘Divine Sword’ and made a cool Ice Chunk face.
With a melancholic tone, he said, “Long journey ahead, only the sword as company,” and started practicing in the imperial garden, executing a series of moves with intense slashes.
“Oh dear, Brave Li, Young Master Li!”
“Hmm?”
“These are rare and precious flowers and plants from all over, gathered here. If you ruin them, the emperor will be furious when he finds out…”
“What kind of meeting is this with carrots?”
“??? Young Master Li, how old are you, still playing such games!”
The purple-robed eunuch was sweating profusely, helplessly looking to the side.
Cold Immortal, why don’t you say something, do something about him!
But then he remembered that the ‘Divine Sword’ was found by Ying Bing for him.
Cold Immortal, if you won’t deal with him, why act so immaturely together?
Before the purple-robed eunuch could catch his breath, he looked up and nearly fainted, his soul almost leaving his body.
In the Peony Pavilion of the imperial garden, Emperor Jingtai, wearing a dragon robe and removing his ceremonial hat, had his hair tied up with a black gold crown. Standing there with a stern look, he scrutinized Li Mo.
Opening his mouth, he said:
“Warm reminder: In the top right corner of the page, there are functions such as switching between traditional and simplified Chinese, adjusting font size, and reading background color.
Setting
Traditional Simplified
“You’re here.”
“…”
And as Xiao Li Swordman and Emperor Jingtai made eye contact, they did not tremble in fear nor stop their antics.
Instead, they also stood coldly:
“Do you know I would come?”
Emperor Jingtai was stunned and sighed:
“You shouldn’t have come.”
“But I still came.”
Purple-robed Eunuch: “?”
What’s going on here?
“Since that’s the case, you must have confidence in defeating me. Attack.”
“Alright, watch my sword!”
Purple-robed Eunuch: “????”
Wait, did the emperor really mean for you to attack?
What’s happening now? Should I shout for help?
At this moment.
Xiao Li Swordman leaped into the air, the divine sword shimmering, its whereabouts unknown. This move was exquisite, seemingly falling from the heavens.
However, his two palms were like a web of heaven and earth, converging like rivers into the sea.
Fear—
Emperor Jingtai used his bare hands to catch a blade!
They exchanged glances, and surprisingly, Emperor Jingtai spoke first with a smile:
“Where did you find this fine sword? Why don’t you give it to me?”
“It was always yours, just that it was in the imperial garden. Ying Bing helped me find it.”
“…”
Emperor Jingtai looked at Li Mo and Ying Bing.
One sunny, one serene, yet together, they seemed oddly harmonious.
His smile carried a complex emotion: “Forget it, keep it. I’ve already possessed it, but it doesn’t belong to me, and it’s better in your hands.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Xiao Li Swordman was completely unreserved, happier than receiving a royal medal.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you didn’t hurt yourself, did you!”
The purple-robed eunuch hurried over anxiously.
“I’ve been wandering the world, not an unknown figure. It’s been a while since I’ve fought, so let me stretch my legs.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty’s martial arts skills surpass ordinary people.”
Li Mo gave a thumbs-up.
Emperor Jingtai returned to his seat, his expression turning serious:
“With you two fighting for Da Yu, I can rest assured.”
“Why did you choose us?”
Ying Bing seemed to have seen something in Emperor Jingtai and asked her question.
This was also something Li Mo was curious about.
The struggle in the City of Divine Beings had escalated to involve Da Yu and the revived bl**d God, not just a simple reward for the top three contestants or a test.
Da Yu was strong with many talents, but they were only at the third realm.
Emperor Jingtai fell silent for a moment and said:
“There’s no harm in telling you. Elder Yan Tian recommended you. At first, I thought it was too heavy a burden for you.
But just now, I realized Elder Yan was right; you are perfectly suited!”
“If the City of Divine Beings could be unlocked simply by having a higher realm, it wouldn’t have lingered in the Jiangshan Yizhi Map for so long.”
Is the difficulty and challenge of the City of Divine Beings unrelated to one’s realm?
Li Mo considered this possibility.
“Go wait in the Mountain River Hall, don’t disappoint me.”
“I will not fail you.”
Li Mo became serious.
