Hibernation and Bait

After returning to the Myriad Medicine Pavilion stronghold in Green Mountain Town, Mo Lin blended in like a drop of water into the ocean. He quickly concealed all the sharpness he had displayed in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, perfectly integrating into the atmosphere of this mercenary gathering place.

During the day, he mostly kept to himself, appearing as an ordinary, peace-loving lone traveler.

However, beneath this tranquility, he was the most patient hunter, lying in wait in the shadows. His sharp gaze, peering through the gaps in the window, meticulously observed the target's movements.

He was well aware of Xiao Yi Xian's secret—this seemingly frail and respected physician would, at regular intervals, use gathering herbs in the mountains as an excuse to secretly visit the hidden cave containing the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture.

The quietness of the past few days was merely the brief calm before the storm.

Outside the window, the hustle and bustle of Green Mountain Town continued day after day, the shouts of mercenaries, the calls of vendors, and the pungent smell of monster beast materials mingled in the air.

Mo Lin sat cross-legged on a simple wooden couch, his body still, but his mind had already sunk into the vast, golden-blue sea of his spiritual energy.

On the ice field at the center of his spiritual sea, his phantom image solidified as if real, holding a long sword forged from pure spiritual power, shimmering with an ice-blue hue.

The sword was crystal clear, exuding a chilling aura. He repeatedly practiced stabbing motions, his mind completely immersed in the artistic conception of "Emperor Sword: Peerless Ice Extreme," trying to capture the profound feeling of condensing ultimate coldness and sharpness into a single point.

"The intent has not arrived, yet the sword falters. Your thoughts are still cluttered, and your understanding of the true meaning of 'ice' remains superficial, failing to touch its essence," Snow Emperor's cool voice echoed like ice springs striking jade in his spiritual sea, pinpointing the stiffness in Mo Lin's sword intent with a single sentence.

Her figure stood still on one side of the ice field, clad in snow-white robes, her demeanor ethereal. Though she merely stated facts, her words carried an undeniable authority.

"Hmph, you're so slow! Xue'er has demonstrated countless times! Be fierce! Be fast! Your intent should be like my scorpion's tail, a single strike to kill! Watch!"

Ice Emperor, on the other side, let out a sharp cry. Her phantom image flickered, and a jade-green sword intent, filled with dominance and ferocity, was instantly unleashed. Though formless, it carried a chill that seemed capable of freezing the soul, briefly "splitting" the calm surface of the spiritual sea with a clear mark.

Although her style was vastly different from Snow Emperor's pure coldness, the decisive sharpness that erupted in that instant indeed provided Mo Lin with considerable inspiration.

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Snow Emperor. Sister Bing'er's demonstration... was unique and deeply impressive." Mo Lin dispersed the long sword in his hand, bowed respectfully towards Snow Emperor, and then turned to the pouting Ice Emperor, a hint of helplessness in his smile.

Having spent these past few days together, he had already figured out the temperaments of these two "tenants."

Snow Emperor was like a strict and rational mentor, while Ice Emperor was a fiery and tsundere little ancestor. However, her nature wasn't bad; she was even somewhat... pure and adorable.

Aside from his secluded cultivation, Mo Lin wasn't entirely cut off from the world. He would choose opportune moments to "accidentally" appear in taverns or marketplaces frequented by Mu Li, the young leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

Time and again, he would showcase his exquisite and powerful control over ice-element Fighting Energy in front of Mu Li.

When Mu Li personally witnessed Mo Lin casually wave his hand, unleashing a torrent of biting cold that instantly turned a rampaging first-tier Mo Beast into a lifelike ice sculpture, his desire to recruit Mo Lin reached its peak.

So young, yet possessing such strength; if he could be brought under his wing, it would undoubtedly be a great asset.

Thus, during a seemingly casual "chance encounter" at a street corner, Mu Li, with a warm smile, approached Mo Lin and earnestly invited him to join their next herb-gathering expedition into the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

The stated purpose was to hire this young expert at a high salary as a bodyguard, with a particular emphasis on ensuring the absolute safety of the respected Miss Xiao Yi Xian.

Mo Lin chuckled inwardly, knowing the fish had taken the bait.

On the surface, however, he displayed just the right amount of hesitation. First, he humbly stated that he was accustomed to working alone and might find it difficult to adapt to team constraints, then subtly mentioned the importance of freedom.

Only after Mu Li, "eager for talent," repeatedly assured him that his freedom would never be restricted and offered generous compensation did Mo Lin finally agree with feigned reluctance, as if moved by the other's sincerity.

This performance of playing hard to get, along with Mo Lin's entire interaction with Mu Li, did not escape a pair of perpetually vigilant eyes.

Xiao Yi Xian stood by the window on the second floor of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, her physician's keen observational skills taking in the entire interaction between the two below.

She looked at Mo Lin's young yet inscrutable face, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

This mysteriously appearing young man possessed unfathomable strength, yet his actions exuded a maturity unbefitting his age.

He seemed to have accepted Mu Li's invitation, but the fleeting glint in his dark eyes occasionally made her feel a vague sense of unease.

Was he approaching Mu Li merely for the reward? Would his appearance disrupt her own long-planned scheme? The string of vigilance in Xiao Yi Xian's heart tightened involuntarily.

The night before their departure, the moonlight was clear and cold, casting its glow through the windowpanes into the small room.

Mo Lin did not cultivate as usual. Instead, he relaxed for a rare moment, leaning by the window and gazing at the ferocious silhouette of the Monster Beast Mountain Range outlined against the night sky.

In his spiritual sea, however, he initiated a casual conversation.

"Speaking of which, we've known each other for some time now. Constantly calling each other 'Snow Emperor' and 'Ice Emperor' in this world is rather conspicuous and feels too distant," Mo Lin's spiritual phantom stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. "How about I give you names suitable for use here? After all, if there's an opportunity in the future, you might appear as my 'sisters,' which would be more convenient."

He deliberately emphasized the word "sisters," with a hint of playfulness.

"Sisters?! Who wants to be your sister! You disrespectful oaf!" Ice Emperor immediately bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her jade-green eyes widened, and her phantom image trembled with anger.

Snow Emperor's reaction was much calmer. Her cool gaze swept over Mo Lin, and she said indifferently, "Titles are just that, convenient for action. If you wish, then so be it."

Mo Lin ignored Ice Emperor's protest and grinned at Snow Emperor. "Look, Snow Emperor, your demeanor is as cold and pure as snow, your beauty unparalleled. How about 'Mo Xue'? Just the character 'Xue,' simple and fitting. It shares my surname, making it sound like we're family."

"Mo Xue..." Snow Emperor repeated softly, nodding slightly. "Agreed."

"Hey! What about me? What awful name are you going to give this Emperor?" Although Ice Emperor grumbled about it being awful, a hint of unconcealed curiosity and anticipation flickered in her lively eyes.

Mo Lin deliberately drew out his words, looking Mo Lin up and down, lingering for a moment on her symbolic twin ponytails before slowly saying, "As for you... your temper is like a volcano, exploding at the slightest touch, and your personality is as cold and hard as ten-thousand-year-old ice. Calling you 'Mo Bing' is quite fitting!"

"Mo Bing?!" Ice Emperor was stunned for a moment, then reacted, stamping her feet in anger. Her virtual twin ponytails seemed to stand on end. "You're the cold and hard one! Your whole family is cold and hard! What kind of terrible name is this! It sounds awful! I refuse!"

"Refuse?" Mo Lin shrugged indifferently. "Alright then, when I need to address you in the future, I'll just have to say 'Hey' or 'You,' since it's just a codename anyway."

"You...!" Ice Emperor's little face puffed up like a bun in anger. Her virtual fingertips pointed at Mo Lin, but she couldn't come up with a more effective retort, only glaring at him fiercely, looking as if she had suffered immense injustice.

Snow Emperor, on the side, subtly curved the corner of her cool lips, a fleeting movement, and said in her characteristic calm tone, "Bing'er, the name Mo Bing does point directly to your true nature and is quite fitting."

Even Snow Emperor said so, and Ice Emperor immediately deflated like a leaky balloon, turning her face away and muttering in a voice as faint as a mosquito's, "...Whatever! Anyway... it's just a codename for convenience!" She reluctantly accepted the new name.

Mo Lin chuckled inwardly. Done. With the names "Mo Xue" and "Mo Bing," it would be much more natural to refer to them in certain situations from now on.

The next morning, as dawn broke, the thin mist had yet to completely dissipate. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group's team had already assembled in front of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, the clashing of swords and low conversations mingling together.

Mu Li, clad in brand-new, sharp attire and with a long sword at his waist, appeared spirited and full of ambition. Xiao Yi Xian, as always, wore a simple, elegant plain-colored dress, a delicate medicine basket on her back, and stood quietly to the side of the group, like an orchid in a secluded valley.

However, whenever her gaze met Mo Lin's as he approached, she would quickly look away, lowering her eyelids, her long lashes hiding the complex emotion deep within her eyes.

Mo Lin maintained his usual relaxed and carefree demeanor, as if the journey into the perilous Monster Mountain Range about to begin was not a dangerous expedition, but a casual outing.

He even took the time to greet a few unfamiliar mercenaries with great interest.

At Mu Li's command, the group slowly set off, advancing towards the Monster Mountain Range in the distance, shrouded in clouds and mist, resembling a colossal beast in repose.

Mo Lin walked in the middle of the group, his gaze seemingly sweeping casually over the surroundings, yet the corner of his eye never left the slender, graceful figure ahead.

The show was finally about to begin.

And in his mind, Mo Bing's energetic complaint sounded right on cue: "Hmph! He's putting on quite a show! Who knows what wicked schemes he's cooking up in his head! I can't stand looking at him!"

Mo Lin chuckled inwardly in response, a hint of teasing in his voice, "Little sister Mo Bing, this is called getting into character. Acting is also part of strength. Next, you'll have to keep your eyes wide open and watch closely. Brother will show you... what high emotional intelligence looks like."