Seeing the direction pointed by Ke Mo’s finger, Shangguan Wencang almost unleashed his martial arts to give a massive smack down. That wasn’t just some demon-slaying business; it was like cleaning out the neighborhood!
The Huanmo Sect and the Lingxi Gate were clearly up to no good, a bunch of peas in a pod.
“You, the future of the Qingyuan Sect, are you saying they called you in as backup?”
“Master, you don’t know….”
Ke Mo cleared his throat lightly, signaling the old sect master to calm down.
“What on earth is going on?” Shangguan Wencang suppressed his headache.
“At first, I was forced into this situation. I had to go preach in the South Border to gather the power of all beings, so I disguised myself as the Black Earth Immortal and had the monster clans cooperate with my little act.”
“Isn’t that where the Huanmo Sect gathers the power of all beings?” Wencang’s headache intensified along with his confusion.
The power of all beings was the foundation of the Huanmo Sect.
Throughout history, those fighting for the path were out for bl**d. Preaching on their turf? Talk about having a big pair!
“Exactly.”
“Wait, then wouldn’t they want you dead or alive?”
“At first, I just wanted to gain the trust of the people in the South Border. Who knew the Huanmo Sect would fall for it too?”
Ke Mo shrugged, helplessly saying, “I just went along with the flow, claiming I was a celestial being from the Wanxiang Xianzong and even took them to see the treasure house of the Wanxiang Xianzong, which, well, was just a bit of my own savings.”
“…….”
Shangguan Wencang fell silent, scratching the back of his head with his pipe.
Yeah, I knew you were loaded.
Didn’t expect you to be such a braggart.
What’s more surprising is that the Huanmo Sect really bought it.
“To be fair, seeing this little guy’s savings with my own eyes, I believe whatever he says.” Qian Bufan wiped the drool off the corner of his mouth.
“So how should we deal with this?”
With the Huanmo Sect’s biggest helper right here, Shangguan Wencang had to ask for his opinion.
“Pride goes before a fall. To destroy them beforehand, we must first let them inflate.”
“Look at you, acting all smart. Where’d you learn this stuff?”
Shangguan Wencang felt this was a little familiar but couldn’t place it.
Ke Mo replied, “The art of fighting, quite useful, Sect Master should study it.”
Shangguan Wencang recalled.
Not only had he seen it, but he had also experienced it firsthand.
“…….” Shangguan Wencang remained quiet for a moment, then said, “You might want to elaborate on your plan.”
“To let them inflate, I must first ensure they think I’m a huge asset. You see, I’m all alone, and my monster friends from the South Border are pretty easy to spot.”
“So?”
“So I want the elders of the Qingyuan Sect to work for me, making them believe the advantage is on my side, and storming the Qingyuan Sect will be a piece of cake.”
Shangguan Wencang raised an eyebrow: “?”
Isn’t that just like going home?
“I’ll think it over. You head back for now,” he said, waving his hand while holding his forehead.
Once Ke Mo left, he pondered for a while.
“Little Mo always has such wild ideas; they sound completely off the beaten path, but upon thinking, the effectiveness might unexpectedly be decent…..” Elder Qian felt it was worth considering.
Besides, he wasn’t foreign to such shenanigans; he had been a killer before, so what’s a little more?
“I know, uh…..”
Shangguan Wencang sighed, “I’m just wondering, being a top rank on the Yushu Zhilian list, how does he still fit that title with his current situation?”
……
Two days later.
The announcement of the Yushu Zhilian list caused quite a stir in the martial world.
After all, the Beauty Ranking is released every year, and it’s not like the Qianlong List, where changes aren’t so frequent. Since Ying Bing topped the list, it seemed like there were no longer any surprises for the others.
But this Yushu Zhilian list? It was a first.
To be fair, Little Ke’s looks weren’t bad, but when you glanced across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, he seemed quite average.
“Li Mo actually took the top spot?!”
At Qiushui Pavilion, Shang Qin Qing held the latest Nine Heavens and Ten Earths wind and cloud record, eyes wide.
“I feel like the real-life version isn’t quite like the one in the drawing…” Qin Yuzhi remarked, looking thoughtfully at the portraits.
The illustration made him appear much more handsome.
Like it’s been edited or something.
“I mean, that’s an Ouyang painting!”
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang from outside, followed by the sound of jingling bells.
It was Tian Miao.
She was followed by a girl in a light yellow dress, her bright eyes sparkling with intelligence, looking a year or so younger than Tian Miao.
“No wonder it looks like the female overlord is falling for the male lead…” Shang Qin Qing realized, “So that’s why he appears more handsome!”
“Li Shao Xia in real life is definitely more dashing than in the painting,” the girl piped up, refusing to back down.
Tian Miao sighed, “I told you when we were on our way, but you didn’t believe me. These two often hang out with Li Mo; how do you not trust them?”
“Senior Sister, you don’t get it. There’s something called charisma.”
“As the first on the Qianlong List, the most spirited person in the realm, looks no longer matter. Even if he’s just a pig-killer, he’s still charming!”
Tian Miao had no idea what to say.
Honestly, if Li Mo got to first place, her junior sister had to bear a huge share of the credit.
“Hmm?”
Seeing the starry-eyed admiration of the girl, Shang Qin Qing and Qin Yuzhi exchanged wary glances.
The girl continued, “Plus, he really is the kind of guy who attracts girls but is incredibly devoted. Him and the Cold Fairy share a deep bond; they’re willing to sacrifice everything for each other. The first on the Yushu Zhilian list has got to be the most devoted person in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths! So what’s wrong with me changing the first place to Li Shao Xia?”
Shang Qin Qing and Tian Miao relaxed, smiling at each other.
Ah, kindred spirits. No problem there.
“Little Tian Miao, is this your junior sister?”
“She goes by Tian Xun.”
“Come here, little girl; here’s some sunflower seeds from the South Border. Make yourself at home!”
Tian Xun, looking rather clueless, was initially flattered but quickly adapted to their enthusiasm.
After sizing each other up, she asked, “Aren’t Li Shao Xia and the Cold Fairy staying here?”
“Oh, they recently bought a house in the Ziyang Mansion with some family. I can take you to see them,” Shang Qin Qing said, smacking her lips.
They were a family, and she couldn’t just crash there; she had been craving this for several days.
Just then, Ying Bing arrived outside, looking for Shang Qin Qing and Qin Yuzhi to inform them about Li Mo’s plans.
Upon arriving, she found Tian Miao and Tian Xun too.
Tian Xun’s eyes lit up, dashing towards Ying Bing, holding the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths wind and cloud list.
“Cold Fairy, can I interview you on your thoughts about the Yushu Zhilian list?”
“Hmm….. Alright.” Ying Bing nodded.
“Do you think this one is handsome?” Tian Xun showed her the portraits on the Yushu Zhilian list, one by one.
“Average.”
Ying Bing examined each one, her expression cold throughout, occasionally frowning.
When she flipped to the first one, it looked familiar; she momentarily failed to recognize it.
“This one’s okay.”
“This one is Li Mo.”
“Well, this one is quite handsome.”
Ying Bing stated earnestly.
Tian Xun beamed, looking at Tian Miao with a sparkle in her eye, as if to say, “See? The Cold Fairy gave her esteemed approval.”
“…..” Tian Miao’s mouth twitched.
Did you ask her for any credible opinion?
