After returning to Myriad Medicine Hall's base in Qingshan Town, Mo Lin became like a drop of water vanishing into the sea. He swiftly concealed all the sharpness he had displayed in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and blended perfectly into the atmosphere of this mercenary gathering place.
During the day, he mostly stayed behind closed doors, like an ordinary lone traveler who preferred peace and quiet.
Yet beneath that calm exterior, he was the most patient hunter, silently lying in wait in the shadows. His sharp gaze peered through the gaps in the window, carefully observing his target's movements.
He knew Xiao Yi Xian's secret well—this seemingly frail and highly respected physician would, every so often, use gathering herbs in the mountains as an excuse to visit the mysterious cave that concealed the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture.
These quiet days were merely the brief calm before the storm.
Outside the window, Qingshan Town bustled day after day. Mercenaries shouted, vendors hawked their wares, and the bloody stench of magical beast materials mingled in the air.
Mo Lin sat cross-legged on a crude wooden bed, motionless in body, while his mind had long since sunk into that vast golden-blue Sea of Consciousness.
On the glacier at the center of the Sea of Consciousness, his phantom body was as solid as reality. In his hand, he held an ice-blue longsword formed from pure Spiritual Power.
The blade was crystalline and radiated a chilling cold. Again and again, he repeated the thrusting motion, his mind wholly immersed in the intent of Emperor Sword: Peerless Ice Extreme, trying to grasp that mysterious sensation of condensing ultimate cold and sharpness into a single point.
"Before the intent arrives, the sword has already stalled. Your thoughts are still cluttered, and your understanding of the true meaning of 'ice' remains at superficial resemblance. You have yet to touch its essence." Snow Empress's cool voice rang through the Sea of Consciousness like an icy spring striking jade, pinpointing the obstruction in Mo Lin's sword intent.
She stood quietly at one side of the glacier, dressed in white surpassing snow, her aura ethereal. Though she was merely stating the facts, she carried an innate authority that inspired confidence.
"Hmph, you're so stupid! Xue'er has demonstrated it so many times! Be ruthless! Be fast! Your intent must be like this Empress's scorpion tail—one strike, one kill! Watch closely!"
On the other side, Ice Empress gave a sharp cry. Her phantom flickered, and a jade-green sword intent filled with dominance and fierceness instantly slashed out. Though it possessed no physical form, it carried a chill that seemed capable of freezing souls, briefly carving a clear mark across the calm surface of the Sea of Consciousness.
Although her style differed greatly from Snow Empress's pure coldness, the resolve and sharpness erupting in that instant truly gave Mo Lin considerable inspiration.
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Snow Empress. Little Sister Bing'er's demonstration... was distinctive and deeply memorable." Mo Lin dispersed the longsword in his hand and respectfully bowed toward Snow Empress, then turned toward the puffed-up Ice Empress with a somewhat helpless smile.
After spending these past days together, he had already figured out the temperaments of these two "tenants."
Snow Empress was like a strict, rational mentor, while Ice Empress was a fiery-tempered, extremely tsundere little ancestor. Yet she was not bad by nature, and was even somewhat... innocently adorable.
Aside from cultivating behind closed doors, Mo Lin had not truly cut himself off from the world. At suitable times, he would "coincidentally" appear at taverns or trading markets frequently visited by Mu Li, the young leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
Time and again, he displayed his exquisite and powerful control over ice-element Dou Qi before Mu Li.
When Mu Li personally witnessed Mo Lin casually wave his hand at a suddenly charging, violent first-rank magical beast, unleashing a torrent of freezing air that turned the beast into a lifelike ice sculpture in an instant, his desire to recruit him finally reached its peak.
At such a young age, Mo Lin possessed such strength. If he could be brought under their command, he would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset.
Thus, during a seemingly accidental "encounter" at a street corner, Mu Li piled a warm smile onto his face and took the initiative to approach him. With sincere words, he invited Mo Lin to join their next herb-gathering expedition into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Officially, they were offering a high salary to hire this young expert as a guard, especially emphasizing that he would ensure the absolute safety of the highly respected Miss Xiao Yi Xian.
Mo Lin laughed inwardly, knowing the fish had taken the bait.
Outwardly, however, he revealed just the right amount of hesitation. First, he modestly said that he was used to traveling alone and might find it difficult to adapt to the restrictions of a team, then tactfully mentioned the importance of freedom.
Only after Mu Li eagerly sought his talents, repeatedly guaranteed that he would never restrict his freedom, and promised generous compensation did Mo Lin finally nod "reluctantly," as though moved by the other's sincerity.
This performance of advancing to retreat, along with Mo Lin's entire interaction with Mu Li, did not escape a pair of eyes that remained ever watchful.
Xiao Yi Xian stood by the second-floor window of Myriad Medicine Hall. With the meticulous observation unique to a physician, she took in every interaction between the two men below.
She looked at Mo Lin's youthful yet unreadable face, her willow-like brows slightly furrowed.
This young man who had appeared out of nowhere possessed unfathomable strength, yet his actions carried a maturity unsuited to his age.
He appeared to have accepted Mu Li's invitation, but the occasional glint that flashed through the depths of his black eyes made her feel a faint unease.
Was he really approaching Mu Li only for the reward? Could his appearance disrupt the plan she had prepared for so long? The string of vigilance in Xiao Yi Xian's heart tightened unconsciously.
On the night before their departure, moonlight was cold as it streamed through the window lattice into the small room.
Rather than cultivating as usual, Mo Lin relaxed for once. Leaning against the window, he gazed at the savage outline of the Magical Beast Mountain Range in the night.
Yet within the Sea of Consciousness, he took the initiative to start a casual chat.
"Come to think of it, we've known each other for some time now. Calling you 'Snow Empress' and 'Ice Empress' all the time would be far too conspicuous in this world, and it makes us sound distant." Mo Lin's spiritual phantom stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression. "How about I give you names suitable for use here? After all, if the opportunity arises in the future, perhaps you can appear as my 'younger sisters.' It would be more convenient."
He deliberately stressed the words "younger sisters," carrying a hint of teasing.
"Younger sisters?! Who wants to be your younger sister? You disrespectful bastard!" Ice Empress immediately bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her jade-green eyes widened round, and even her phantom trembled with anger.
Snow Empress's reaction was much calmer. Her cool gaze swept over Mo Lin as she said indifferently, "It is merely a name. As long as it facilitates our actions, that is enough. If you wish to do so, then do as you please."
Ignoring Ice Empress's protest, Mo Lin grinned at Snow Empress. "Look, Snow Empress, your temperament is cold as snow, and your grace is unmatched. How about Mo Xue? Just Xue as your given name—simple and fitting. Taking my surname would make us sound like family."
"Mo Xue..." Snow Empress softly repeated it, then gave a slight nod. "It will do."
"Hey! What about me? What ugly name are you planning to give this Empress?" Though Ice Empress complained that it would be ugly, a trace of undisguised curiosity and anticipation flickered in her lively eyes.
Mo Lin deliberately drew out his words and looked Ice Empress's phantom up and down, lingering especially on her symbolic twin ponytails before slowly saying, "You... have a temper that erupts like a volcano at the slightest provocation, while your personality is as cold and hard as ten-thousand-year ice. Mo Bing would suit you perfectly!"
"Mo Bing?!" Ice Empress froze for a moment before understanding. She stamped her feet in fury, her virtual twin ponytails seemingly about to stand on end. "You're the one who's cold and hard! Your whole family is cold and hard! What kind of terrible name is that? It's awful! This Empress refuses!"
"You refuse?" Mo Lin shrugged carelessly. "Fine, then. Whenever I need to address you in the future, I'll just say 'hey' or 'you.' It's only a codename anyway."
"You...!" Ice Empress's little face puffed up like a bun. Her virtual fingertip pointed at Mo Lin, but she could not think of a more effective retort. She could only glare fiercely at him, looking as though she had suffered the greatest injustice in the world.
At the side, Snow Empress's cool lips curved upward almost imperceptibly before the expression vanished. In her uniquely calm tone, she said, "Bing'er, Mo Bing does indeed directly reflect your nature. It is quite fitting."
With even Snow Empress saying so, Ice Empress immediately deflated like a punctured balloon. She turned her face away and muttered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, "...Whatever. Anyway... anyway, it's just a codename for convenience!" She had reluctantly accepted her new name.
Mo Lin laughed inwardly. Done. With the names "Mo Xue" and "Mo Bing," it would be much more natural to mention them in certain situations later.
The next morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the thin mist had yet to fully disperse. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group had already assembled outside Myriad Medicine Hall, the clashing of weapons mixed with low murmurs of conversation.
Mu Li wore a brand-new fitted outfit with a longsword at his waist, looking spirited and full of vigor. Xiao Yi Xian still wore a plain, elegant dress and carried an exquisite medicine basket on her back, standing quietly at one side of the group like an orchid in an empty valley.
Yet when her gaze met that of the approaching Mo Lin, she quickly looked away and lowered her eyes. Her long lashes concealed the complex emotion deep within them.
Mo Lin remained as relaxed as ever, as though their impending journey into the peril-filled Magical Beast Mountain Range was not a dangerous expedition, but a leisurely outing.
He even greeted several unfamiliar mercenaries with interest.
At Mu Li's command, the group slowly set out toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range in the distance, shrouded in clouds and mist like a crouching giant beast.
Mo Lin walked in the middle of the group. His gaze seemed to casually sweep over the surrounding environment, but from the corner of his eye, he never once lost sight of the slender, graceful figure ahead.
The show was finally about to begin.
And right on time, Mo Bing's lively complaint rang out in his mind. "Hmph! You really do look convincing! Who knows what bad scheme you're plotting in that head of yours! You're annoying just to look at!"
Mo Lin chuckled inwardly and replied with a teasing hint in his tone, "Little Sister Mo Bing, this is called getting into character. Acting is also part of strength. Next, keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully. Big Brother will let you... see what high emotional intelligence looks like."
Before you continue