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

Chapter 89: The Third Layer of "Phoenix Singing in the Heavenly Marsh" "Dual cultivation?" As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere became subtly tense. Creak, creak— What was that sound? Li Mo was momentarily stunned and looked down, only to find Ying Bing gripping the Tian Shuang Sword so tightly it was creaking. Emmmm. If he hadn't been the one who said it, the sword might have already slashed his way. He lifted his head again and met Ying Bing's scrutinizing gaze. Li Mo: "!" Could it be he's being looked down upon? Blame it on those unscrupulous opportunists in the martial world who always portray the sinister practices of harvesting yin to supplement yang as dual cultivation, making people easy to misunderstand. "Isn't practicing our sword techniques together also considered dual cultivation?" "This is proper martial arts." Li Mo added. "What do you mean by proper?" Ying Bing tilted her head in confusion. In fact, she was pondering where exactly in the Eastern Wastelands Li Mo had obtained his legacy. Why does it even involve dual cultivation martial arts? After thinking for a moment, Ying Bing mused, "This type of martial art requires extremely high standards for both parties." "We may not be able to cultivate it. Let me see it first." "Okay." Li Mo nodded and took out several sheets of pale-golden paper from his bosom. Ying Bing sat at the stone table, placed the Tian Shuang horizontally on her knees, and lowered her gaze to read. Gradually, her expression seemed surprised. She couldn't discern the grade of the martial art. "Yeah, I stumbled upon it by accident." "I'll come to your room tonight." "Huh?" "Aren't you the one who wanted dual cultivation?" "..." Her straightforward agreement was unexpected for Li Mo. He sighed to himself, marveling at her bold and decisive nature. Speaking of dual cultivation... could it also be considered a form of investment? Leaving the martial arts manual behind, Li Mo noticed Shang Wu leaning against the back door, beckoning him with a finger. Her gesture was clear: "Come out and take a beating." Li Mo sighed and headed out the back door. After he left, Ying Bing's hand holding the pages slowly tightened. She wasn't inexperienced. This indeed was a legitimate dual cultivation martial art. But even so, they usually were practiced by partners. In Guigong, disciples were strictly forbidden from falling in love. In the past life, quite a few disciples secretly practiced similar martial arts and were caught by her. But now, she... That peculiar feeling in her heart. Made her instinctively want to curl her fingers. However, if she didn't use this excuse, she wouldn't know how to fulfill the punishment criteria. After all, Li Mo wouldn't drunkenly enter the wrong room every day... It's fine. This is to quickly regain the top ranking... Also to repay his kindness... Yes, that's it, nothing else... Moreover, she could also figure out what physique Li Mo had to produce such peculiar internal energy. Thinking this, Ying Bing earnestly lowered her head to continue reading. ....... Outside the courtyard. Flames once again enveloped the piece of land. Even though Li Mo felt uncomfortable within the field, he didn't try burning it with internal energy this time; staying here tempered his internal energy. Besides, as long as his master paid a little attention this time, plugging the gap, his previous trick wouldn't work. Looking up, he saw Shang Wu, sitting cross-legged on the wall. "Today will still be about teaching you how to fight." "But today's lesson, you could say, is the real deal." "Come on, make your move." She beckoned with a finger. For once, in his often carefree master's expression, Li Mo noticed a hint of seriousness? He couldn't help but focus his mind. Hmm. He started with the Wind Shadow Step. Then used the Star Stick. And was flicked away by his master's finger. Just as he thought everything was going according to plan, he was struck by those flame-filled apricot-shaped eyes. Suddenly, Li Mo's chest felt tight, as if struck by lightning, as if a divine mountain crushed down, and he was but a blade of grass trampled underfoot. Darkness engulfed his vision. He died. No, not truly dead. Merely experiencing death intensely. That chilling aura lingered in his consciousness long after he woke, refusing to disperse. "You woke up faster than I expected." Shang Wu remained seated on the wall, legs crossed, swaying leisurely. "Just now..." "Sword cultivators have sword intent, clubs aren't just for bashing people." Shang Wu jumped down. "Weapon's killing sharp intent?" Li Mo tentatively asked. "Not entirely." The fire in Shang Wu's eyes dimmed: "You're like someone unaware of the treasure he has." "Same routine, learn while you fight." "..." Li Mo was silent. Wouldn't he end up incapacitated for a day? ....... Night fell. Another day of combat training concluded. "Now I know why master never had disciples before." "Anyone else would have grass three yards high on their grave by next year." Utterly exhausted, Li Mo sank his mind into his dantian. He had to admit, if one could endure Shang Wu's training methods, the results were remarkable. His internal energy had strengthened a bit. But that wasn't the key point. If he were to face his previous self, with almost equal internal energy, he was confident he could win within ten moves. Both his cultivation level and combat skills showed significant progress. Give him another month or so, perhaps he could reach complete Qi Condensation? Dragging his weary body into the courtyard, Li Mo noticed the "Phoenix Singing in the Heavenly Marsh" he left with Ying Bing calmly resting on the stone table from earlier. Clearly, Ying Bing had simply discarded it after reading. "I haven’t read it myself." Heating up his meal, he read while eating. This martial art had no grade and was divided into four layers. The first layer emphasized the blending of breath. The second layer, the fusion of consciousness. The third layer... the unity of spirit and body. "Could this unity of spirit and body mean..." Li Mo paused momentarily. [Ten years of martial insight successfully infused] [First year...] .... Before long, he finished the simulation. Hmm, strangely, he comprehended it quite quickly. Li Mo opened and closed his mouth, forgetting to swallow his food. This martial art could be practiced by the same sex, but they'd never reach the third layer. It required practitioners to be intimately familiar with each other. At that moment, spirit, energy, and soul could achieve a brief perfect fusion. Hiss... While the same sex wasn't impossible... That wasn't the focus! Ying Bing hadn't realized this layer, had she? "Li Mo." A familiar voice called from upstairs. Ying Bing stood by the window. "Come up." "Okay." Li Mo felt a tinge of apprehension. Squeak— He pushed open the door and met Ying Bing's serene gaze. Li Mo felt a bit uneasy under her stare: "How much of that dual cultivation martial art have you learned?" "Just barely mastered the first layer, planning to continue tomorrow..." "That's good, the first layer is sufficient." Li Mo felt slightly relieved in his heart. At that moment, the familiar chill emanated from Ying Bing. In the darkness. The girl patted the bedside, her voice cool: "Take off your clothes and come over."