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

Chapter 78: The Decisive Battle, Leaving Everyone Speechless The elders, lost for words, exchanged glances filled with shock. Just having Shang Wu, a prodigy with an innate battle saint physique in the Qingyuan Sect, was challenging enough. Now there could be a second... The elders collectively leaned back in their chairs in disbelief. The only consolation was that, despite his prowess in combat, Li Mo usually maintained a pleasant demeanor and was kind-hearted. His heavy-handedness this time was due to provocation. "Elder Xue, this child is your grand-disciple, correct?" Qian Bufan asked in a grave tone. "Hmm... Li Dalong was once my direct disciple," Xue Jing replied, his eyes complicated, "but he returned to his hometown after sustaining an injury." "Then you must visit Qiushui Pavilion more frequently," Qian suggested. "Indeed, the education of disciples' thoughts is very important." The elders had already begun devising spiritual cultivation lessons for Li Mo. "That's my disciple!" Shang Wu retorted, twitching her delicate nose. "A bunch of old geezers questioning my teaching abilities just now." The elders fell silent. Li Mo's methods in body refinement and swordsmanship had nothing to do with her—they were purely a testament to his extraordinary talent, right? True, reaching such heights under Shang Wu's guidance further underscored Li Mo's potential. It was unfortunate his talents had initially seemed overwhelming. "Obtaining the Akashèd Sword, his prowess in swordsmanship must be impressive," an elder remarked. "With a level of body refinement like that... perhaps he and Xiao Bing'er can truly give us a fierce contest." "Hahaha, our Qingyuan Sect produces true phoenixes and is about to produce a hidden dragon." Based on Li Mo's performance in the arena, at the mere age of sixteen, coupled with remarkable swordsmanship, he was undeniably a prodigious talent! The elders cast amused glances at members of the other sects. Did they think Qingyuan Sect had declined? Were they sweating nervously now? "By the way, Old Qian, perhaps you should go up and call for a pause," one elder suggested. "Oh, I meant to do that ages ago. You know, old age makes one forgetful," Qian replied. The contest concluded, leaving no suspense as to the outcome; it was profoundly memorable as the first time in the Jiufeng Martial Meet someone had to be carried off on a stretcher. Had Wang Hao not been convulsing, onlookers might have thought he was finished. Many gazed at Ying Bing, who sipped her tea indifferently, unfazed. Having tutored Li Mo in swordsmanship herself, Ying Bing was aware. For someone of Li Mo's swordsmanship caliber, his body refinement was merely an added bonus. With that revelation, everyone understood; with them living together, knowledge of each other's capabilities was natural. The Jiufeng Martial Meet continued, but subsequent matches lacked excitement. Ying Bing's battles could be summed up succinctly: "I started, and they went down in one move." Meanwhile, someone else didn’t even engage. In the semi-finals, Li Mo's opponent was unexpectedly familiar—an acolyte of Elder Xue from the Dan Ding Peak who had previously hosted Li Mo and Ying Bing at the clinic. "Heh, Brother Li, we've crossed paths again," the acolyte chuckled sentimentally, "Back then, you hadn't even opened your meridians. I was already in the Jade Liquid Realm. Who would've thought you’d stand opposite me now?" Although appearing youthful, the acolyte was older, having suffered an ailment that kept him eternally youthful in appearance. "Senior Brother," Li Mo nodded slightly. "Hm?" "If we're to face off, you should step onto the platform first," Li Mo remarked, gazing at the acolyte still standing below the arena with mild resignation. "Oh, I just recalled—I’ve left a brew on at Dan Ding Peak," the acolyte stammered, "I'll take my leave, not to interrupt." Hurriedly leaving, the acolyte cast glances between Ying Bing and Li Mo, ultimately giving Li Mo an encouraging thumbs-up. "Do your best, Brother Li. I’m rooting for you." Li Mo blinked, slightly confused. Well, it seemed he didn’t have to lift a finger this time. Now, the final match was imminent. Before him, Ying Bing stood at the steps, her light blue dress highlighting her graceful figure, eyes deep as a silent spring, emotions finally stirring within. Never had Ying Bing imagined, in the Jiufeng Martial Meet, she would face Li Mo—the boy who faded into anonymity in his previous life. This life, however, he had unhesitatingly leaped from Qingyuan with her, granted her the Yuan Huang Xiapò with such generosity, and then displayed startling swordsmanship talent, nearly rivaling Jiang Chulong. Because of him, her life in this incarnation had changed remarkably. Daily, she relished delicious meals and had someone to discuss swordsmanship with, play chess against, and occasionally hear new, intriguing phrases from his mouth. This feeling... wasn’t bad? "Thanks to you, I’ve grown much stronger," she said. "I won't hold back." Li Mo grinned. Rewards from his practice sessions with the ice-cold maiden were needless to say. Their daily interactions offered him the chance to realize his dream—becoming a dashing swordsman. "No need to thank me, thank your own efforts," Ying Bing replied, an imperceptible smile curving her lips. "Show me how much you've improved." "I promise a surprise for you," Li Mo said, his smile pure and bright. Facing off against a master swordsman was exhilarating. "If you've progressed well, it will please me," Ying Bing added softly. The sword skills he honed—she had taught him. Any achievement of his would naturally delight her. Winning or losing wasn’t the point at all. Spectators: "?" Elders: "?" Aren't you supposed to be fighting? The fact that neither traded insults nor taunted was rare enough, but now they’re mutually expressing happiness for each other’s progress? Should we leave? Fortunately, they didn’t prolong their dialogue. Li Mo gripped the Akashèd Sword tightly, his breathing becoming smooth and steady. Ying Bing fastened her hair into a high ponytail, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. The battle commenced. Young Li made the first move; the tip of the Akashèd Sword trembled, condensing the fierce aura into tangible form, akin to arrows of crane feathers, each with the power to penetrate metal and stone. He hadn’t squandered his time recently. To facilitate communication between two destined women, he scoured the library for books on sword principles, investing nearly half of his martial insights therein. On his path toward attaining proficiency in technique, he had taken a significant step forward. "Using the aura of fierce weapons instead of internal energy." Ying Bing praised softly. The pristine brilliance of the Frost Sword flickered by, without resorting to internal energy. Yet the lively sword flowers precisely dissolved the sharp aura attacks effortlessly, with energy to spare. The swirling sword flowers nullified the crane feathers, rebounding towards Li Mo. In the next moment, Li Mo vanished from his position—Wind Shadow Step. "The Seeking Flower Sword Style can elevate momentum akin to storm and tempest," Ying Bing's crisp voice echoed. Li Mo contemplated. Both were at the pinnacle of swordsmanship, yet why...? Abruptly, he stopped grappling with Feathery Firecrane Sword intent, instead tracing back to its origin, recalling the original "Raging Inferno Sword Art." Raging flames consuming all? Spectators in silence watched. Were these two strong? Absolutely. Both Li Mo and Ying Bing’s swordsmanship was beyond imagination. But... Where was the competitive intensity for the martial meet’s top spot? Was this a showdown? Clearly, it was a sparring session! Wasn't Li Zhenchuan the one who brutally pummeled Wang Hao earlier? And Ying Zhenchuan, weren’t you the unbeatable presence who struck down foes effortlessly? You weren’t like this before! Are we being played with?! © All content is copyrighted by its respective owners or authors.