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

Chapter 83: The Thoroughly Perplexed Ice Cube, Punishment Begins Tomorrow The realm of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands is vast and full of wonders. Yet, this is merely the ranking within the Eastern Desolate Domain. It does not include the Great Yu Dynasty nor those exalted sects; it's merely a fraction of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. At this very moment, Ying Bing's mind went completely blank. However, the system did not pause for her bewilderment and confusion. [Eastern Desolate Domain Talent Ranking First: Li Mo.] The rest of the writing silently appeared. Li... Mo? These two words echoed in Ying Bing's eyes like waves crashing in a storm. Her mind involuntarily recalled the youth's demeanor as refreshing as the spring breeze, his busy figure in the kitchen, his trustworthy words by the Qingyuan... How could it be him? How can it be him? Indeed, Li Mo had changed significantly from her past understanding. His character had improved, seeming warm and refreshing. His talent had heightened, allowing him to discuss swordsmanship with her, and he had obtained some inheritance. But today, he had clearly just lost to her! On the arena, Ying Bing hadn't been completely serious; she mainly wanted to see how strong he had become. The result was indeed surprising. However, Li Mo's strength clearly still lagged behind hers by a considerable margin. Moreover, since they had both entered the Qingyuan Sect, they spent almost every day together. She hadn't witnessed him encounter any fortuitous situation. In the same realm, perhaps there was someone who could match her, but that would undoubtedly be a person of significant repute. Why? Why is it him? At this moment, the image of the youth was veiled in a heavy shroud of mystery. The air felt as if it had solidified. Ying Bing's emotions were complex—shock, confusion, doubt, unwillingness... Being surpassed by someone else—so this is what it feels like? [Comparison complete, rewards will now be distributed.] [The host is ranked second.] [Reward One: Three bottles of Imperial Flowjuice.] [Reward Two: One True Phoenix Feather.] [Reward Three: One Cold Marrow Jade Bed.] The system's rewards were exceedingly rare treasures, remarkably suited for her use, undeniably precious. For instance, Imperial Flowjuice. It is the essence of heaven and earth, born from the sky, dispersing upon hitting the ground; it can turn plants into spirits, emboldens beasts with wisdom, and when humans consume it, it purifies and accelerates martial advancement dramatically. Every jiazi, in certain areas of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, Imperial Flowjuice descends. As for its specific locations, only the Evolution Sect knows. Therefore, only a few outside the sect possess this item. Then there's the True Phoenix Feather. True Phoenix, True Dragon, and the like once dominated the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, yet now they're exceedingly scarce. Whenever they appear, they embody immense destiny. According to the rules of heaven and earth, neither phoenix nor dragon is allowed to exist more than nine at a time in the world. In most instances, the sum of these mystical beasts doesn't exceed a handful. A phoenix feather is its life essence; once integrated, it bestows numerous mystical abilities akin to a dragon's reverse scale. Compared to dragons, the phoenix family is even rarer and has been extinct for a long time. As for the Cold Marrow Jade Bed, she had one in the Gui Palace in her previous life. Resting upon it significantly enhances cultivation efficiency. It's unquestionable that even in her past life, such rewards were not commonplace. But... [Detected that the host has activated the Loser's Punishment.] [The system will temporarily retain all rewards, awaiting the host to complete the punishment conditions before distribution.] [If the challenge fails, the system will automatically unbind, destroying all rewards.] [Current punishment condition: Share a bed for a month with someone who surpasses you.] [The challenge begins tomorrow.] Complex emotions surged within her heart. Ying Bing gazed at the rewards and punishment conditions, lost in thought. When she chose to increase the rewards and activate the challenge, she never imagined she would truly face a day of punishment. Because of her intense emotional fluctuation, the suppressed Taiyin power within her suddenly slipped out of control. The room grew increasingly frigid, chilling enough to freeze thoughts, halting all contemplation. Her ice-laden eyelashes fluttered briefly, and finally, her eyelids drooped shut. Ying Bing's consciousness plunged into darkness, succumbing to dreams. ... In the dream. Over a vast ocean, there was no sight of sun, moon, or stars. Only wild lightning danced, painting the world in mere black and white. Towering waves surged, forming a boundless vortex, swallowing everything into obscurity. In a haze, Ying Bing recalled being here before. The Abyss. In her past life, after countless searches, she found this place, which held the last chance to become immortal—a site where many legendary figures, including the Taizu Martial Emperor of the Yu Dynasty, vanished. [Who wishes to become immortal, venture here to face tribulations.] This was the sole presence upon the sea's surface—an enormous stone stele reaching the clouds. She had been here, along with the other eight from the Nine Heavens. They collectively vanquished the Abyss' guardian and embarked together on the Immortal Ascension Path within the Abyss. But she failed. At this moment, Ying Bing finally remembered why she failed her tribulations. "A flaw in the heart." ... Morning. Sitting on a frozen mat, Li Mo slowly let out a breath, his lips curling upwards involuntarily. He was immersing his mind deep into his dantian. Initially as thin as strands of hair, his inner energy had now grown tenfold, enough to fill his entire dantian if dispersed. With a mere thought, the energy would shift according to his will, sometimes taking various forms. Li Mo opened the door and walked towards the frozen lake, striking it with a fist. Omnipresent energy seeped through the thick ice layer. After a moment, he gently tossed a stone onto the ice. Crack, crack— The once frozen stream instantly fractured and resumed its flow. "Not bad," Li Mo commented with satisfaction. Probably, if it were before, accomplishing this would have taken him much more effort, right? "Has the ice cube not awoken yet?" Li Mo glanced curiously at the room upstairs. Normally, by this time, Ying Bing would be sitting at the stone table, sipping tea. But given last night's ruckus, he figured she might need more rest. "Hmm?" Shang Wu squinted her almond eyes, scratching her flawless shoulder, and dazedly walked out. Seeing the courtyard's scene, she looked confused. "It's the ice cube," Li Mo remarked nonchalantly. "Oh, oh," Shang Wu nodded lazily, stomping her foot on the ground. An oven-like heat swept across. Her radiant Master mode was exceedingly effective. Then, she turned her gaze towards her precious disciple. "Uh? Master, is there something you need?" Li Mo was puzzled. "Ahem! From today on, your Master here will teach you seriously." Yesterday, the elders held a critical meeting with her, passionately accusing her of being unworthy of teaching. Shang Wu thought it over and agreed. Her disciple had been left to his own devices for nearly a month. As a Master, she indeed needed to impart some knowledge to him. Maybe if she had taught Li Mo earlier, her dear disciple wouldn't have lost to Ying Bing, leading her to lose so much money. So, starting today, she decided to earnestly guide her precious disciple, helping him reach the internal energy stage soon. She even took special effort to review books on overcoming barriers in the Qi and Blood realm, as she'd simply broken through with a drink back then—certainly not a method for her precious disciple. For once, Shang Wu was truly serious. "Today, I'll teach you how to gather inner energy." "But Master, I'm already at the inner energy stage." "You little...!" "??" ----- PS: Apologies, apologies, my grandparents specially came to visit, and I was out dining with them, which delayed the updates.