74 - Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’

## Chapter 74: Gaining Points Through Connections, Boos from the Crowd, There's Some Shady Business! (1/2) This competition drew everyone's attention. It was the first time that the sect master's true successor took the stage. Ying Bing stood alone with her sword, exuding an aloof and distant aura, akin to a celestial snow lotus, naturally becoming the focal point of all eyes. Many below the stage were utterly transfixed. Her talents were the subject of much speculation, but her unparalleled beauty was without dispute. She had even garnered a fan base within the sect. "Go Bing Bing!" a disciple shouted. One voice turned into two, three became a chorus, and soon the sentiment spread like wildfire. As a result... The disciples of the Qingyuan Sect erupted in thunderous cheers. On the high platform, Shang Wu stood up with no concern for her image, waving her fists and hands enthusiastically. Elder Han He twitched at the corner of his mouth, wondering what on earth was going on. As an elder, the head of a peak, having no semblance of dignity was just unbecoming. "Go Bing Bing!" exclaimed Elder Su from Luoxia Peak, his voice resonating loudly. Han He was speechless. Ying Bing was competing against your disciple, remember! The high platform was bustling with excitement for a time. As for the other major and minor sects, they were even more attentive. Many were present because of the ethereal glow that had drawn them to the mountain. That opportunity might very well land in Ying Bing's hands. The scene was momentarily chaotic. Across from her, Xie Lani had a bead of cold sweat trickling down her forehead, not because the crowd supported Ying Bing, but because of Ying Bing herself. Gritting her teeth, she proposed: "Junior Sister, I want to make a wager." "If I win, I ask you to give up the Tian Shuang Sword." "And if I lose..." "Alright." Before Xie Lani could finish her sentence, she was met with a crisp voice of agreement, Ying Bing accepting without even hearing what Xie Lani would risk in return. This left Xie Lani feeling somewhat displeased. "In that case, Junior Sister, please make your move," Xie Lani urged. "You first," Ying Bing finally looked her way. Xie Lani understood this wasn't courtesy. Ying Bing meant that if Xie Lani attacked first, she wouldn't have a chance to retaliate. Such arrogance. Li Mo felt a chill run down his spine as he took a deep breath. Yes, this was the feeling. "Be careful, Junior Sister!" Xie Lani stopped speaking further, her swordsmanship reaching its apex. She attacked with unpredictable sharpness, aiming to suppress with her richer inner strength from the Jade Liquid Realm. She was angry but didn't underestimate her opponent. Anyone who could master a mystical weapon had to possess superior swordsmanship. However, she still had an advantage—a higher realm and richer combat experience. In that instant, she considered many strategies: forcing Ying Bing into retreat, sealing off her escape routes, and systematically overwhelming her. Yet, all these thoughts were redundant. The tightly woven sword light that could even injure those of the same realm was effortlessly evaded by a slender hand, navigating through the sword techniques as if plucking a leaf in a garden. The Snake Spirit Sword technique came to a halt because her soft sword was caught between two pale, slender fingers. Clang— With a flick of a finger, the sword’s edge recoiled, grazing its owner's sleeve, narrowly missing her chest. Xie Lani stood frozen, her pupils contracting as she held her breath. She instinctively looked at the girl just one sword-length away, only to find those mirrored eyes still as serene and undisturbed as ever. Her opponent had shown mercy. Otherwise, they would not have missed by that hair’s breadth. Silence enveloped the crowd. ..... The high platform was similarly silent. Everyone anticipated Ying Bing's victory but never imagined it would be achieved with such ease. Facing an opponent of higher rank, she hadn’t even drawn her sword, merely using a trace of inner strength at her fingertips. "Is her sword called Tian Shuang?" murmured Fen Yulin, his previous arrogance gone. The middle-aged scholar beside him didn’t reply, simply reflecting, "Whenever the Qingyuan Sect is in decline, they always produce such prodigious talents..." As for the elder’s reactions, no need to elaborate here; Li Mo had a broadcast. "This woman is terrifyingly powerful!" "Gasp......" "What are you doing?" Ying Bing raised her brow, noticing Li Mo's varied tones and exaggerated reactions. Li Mo replied, "I'm playing the role of a properly shocked bystander." Ying Bing: "?" ..... After savoring some tea, just as Li Mo was about to excuse himself for a restroom break, the voice of Elder Qian Bufan rang out: "Next match." "Lin Jiang of Ruyi Peak versus..." "Li Mo of Qunyu Peak!" Finally, the good news had arrived—it was his turn. The bad news was his urgent need for relief. Coincidentally, his first opponent was an acquaintance. Indeed, the moment Elder Qian finished announcing their names, all eyes turned to Li Mo, scrutinizing him. Debate about him had long simmered within the sect. Some praised him as righteous and compassionate, a true gentleman. Others argued his strength couldn’t rival Ying Bing's, questioning the moniker 'Qingyuan Sect's Twin Stars.’ Critics said he was nothing but a pretty face, possibly a consort to Elder Shang Wu... Of course, such claims were mere jealous rumors. Seasoned disciples knew Elder Shang Wu herself was so financially strapped she couldn't afford to keep a consort. In any case, opinions varied, but everyone was eager to see the true capabilities of this supposed prodigy. Under such scrutiny, Li Mo couldn't very well announce his need for a bathroom break; so he took the stage and whispered, "Brother Lin, let's make this quick." "Alright," Lin Jiang replied. And so, as soon as Lin Jiang stepped onto the stage, he went straight to the edge. In the second following Elder Qian’s command to 'begin,' he jumped off the platform. "I concede," Lin Jiang declared without hesitation, afraid that a moment's delay would allow Li Mo to make a move. The disciples were stunned. "Huh?" Elders: "??" Other sects’ spectators: "???" There’s definitely something shady going on here! Both participants were at the Blood Qi Realm; no fighting, just immediate concession. Are we, the audience, fools? Lin Jiang, how could you do this to us? Demand a refund! ## Chapter 74: Gaining Points Through Connections, Boos from the Crowd, There's Some Shady Business! (2/2) Demand a refund! Oh right, we didn’t pay anything. Never mind then. But there’s definitely something fishy—a big problem! The rules allowed for concession and falling off the stage counted as a loss, yet this bizarre scenario was unprecedented. Notable sects from all over Ziyang Prefecture were present. Even Elder Qian Bufan felt embarrassed and returned to the others to discuss. "How should this be judged?" "Should we have them fight again?" "Look at Lin Jiang—does it seem like a rematch would be meaningful?" The elders were at a loss. Elder Qian suddenly had a suspicion. "Niece Shang Wu, did you secretly threaten Lin Jiang to concede?" The other elders turned to her. It was indeed something she would do. "Watch your words!" Shang Wu snapped back. "Would I bother threatening a mere disciple? Such hassle. It would be easier to ask Elder Qian to blow a black whistle directly, wouldn't it?" Shang Wu was visibly upset, "You can question my integrity, but doubting my intelligence is infuriating." Elders: "....." What’s with that bold confidence? So, Elder Qian had no choice but to announce: "Li Mo wins!" "Boos...." The audience made their displeasure known. Li Mo remained silent for a moment, then chuckled bitterly, "Brother Lin, quick indeed, but... did it have to be this quick?" "I’m not stupid," Lin Jiang retorted, shaking his head like a rattle drum. One thing he remembered vividly: during the sect trial, Brother Li had turned the formidable Wang Hu into a cripple with a single punch. Even the shell of the spiked turtle couldn’t withstand it… the man was a walking disaster. Fighting Brother Li would mean courting disaster. Conceding now allowed him to conserve energy for later matches. Fighting meant disregarding any ranking aspirations at the Summit of the Nine Peaks. If Brother Li got carried away, it’d be better to consider what dishes to serve at the banquet...