Emperor Jingtai Catches a Blade Bare-Handed!

Half an hour later, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped in the Imperial Capital, and three suns reappeared from behind the clouds.

However, the once bustling and lively event was now filled with a chilling atmosphere. Everyone present was subject to inspection by the Heaven Patrol Guard, and anyone found suspicious would be arrested.

All the civil and military officials and gatekeepers remained silent, for even the most foolish among them knew just how tense the atmosphere was in the capital.

Most people are still unaware of what happened in the Map of Mountains and Rivers and why the two sides suddenly stopped fighting.

And who knows how things will develop next...?

The Map of Mountains and Rivers still hangs high in the sky.

The Heavenly Human City remains open.

Li Mo used fine wine to forcefully control his beautiful master, telling her to behave and not bite people indiscriminately. After that, he helped Huang Donglai verify his identity before he had time to think.

"Now that an agreement has been made, has there been any change in the selection of those to participate in the Celestial Person Trial?"

"Ah? Brother Li, you still want to enter the Heavenly Human City?"

Huang Donglai, with a solemn expression, took out the antidote and handed it to the expectant Lan Tian before saying:

"This matter involves the fate of the nation, the imperial court, the Demon Summoning Cult, and the power struggle between the Eighth Realm. It is a complex and unpredictable affair, where a single misstep could lead to utter destruction."

"Hey, right, why didn't you run away?"

Li Mo came to his senses; Old Huang was still here.

Blue Sky subtly shifted its gaze, scrutinizing the overly composed Flying Poison Two-Faced Turtle.

Huang Donglai scratched the back of his head, cautiously looked around, and, finding no one spying on him, sighed:

"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be in the Imperial Capital."

"Me too."

Li Mo nodded in agreement.

Following his gaze, Huang Donglai saw Ying Bing not far away. He opened his mouth, but didn't try to persuade her anymore.

At this moment, the purple-robed eunuch who had just presided over the grand event stepped out from the crowd.

He bowed deeply.

"Young Hero Li, Miss Ying, please."

These eunuchs were Emperor Jingtai's men; it goes without saying who invited them.

The Emperor Jingtai wants to see me and Ice Block?

Li Mo didn't think too much about it. After exchanging a glance with Ying Bing, he nodded and followed the purple-robed eunuch.

This was his first time entering the imperial city.

The entire imperial city is made up of towering palaces stretching out, and now there are guards every five steps and sentries every ten steps.

The further you go, the more Rare Flowers and Exotic Herbs appear: wisteria vines drooping with the glow of the sunset, and forget-me-nots floating with starlight—the sights are endless.

Li Mo, on the other hand, was not intimidated. Unlike the palace servants around him who kept their heads down as if afraid of looking at something too much, he curiously looked around.

Ying Bing, however, kept her eyes straight ahead, her gaze cool and aloof.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she saw a wooden stick by the roadside.

"Um?"

Li Mo felt a poke in his waist.

Looking back, I saw Ying Bing holding a straight, long wooden stick, her bright eyes sparkling with laughter.

"Holy crap, Ice Block, where did you find this divine sword?!"

"I just picked it up by the roadside."

"Let me play with it quickly."

Little Li's eyes lit up, and after receiving the 'divine sword,' he put on a cold, Ice Block expression.

With a lonely expression, he said, "The road ahead is long, and only my sword will accompany me," and then began to perform a double EQ combo in the Imperial Garden, followed by a Gale-like, breathless slash.

"Oh my, Young Hero Li, Little Ancestor Li!"

"Um?"

"These are all rare and precious Rare Flowers and Exotic Herbs brought from all over the world, a veritable treasure trove. If we waste them like this, His Majesty will surely blame us..."

"What kind of radish meeting?"

"Young Hero Li, how old are you? Why are you still pulling this stunt!"

The purple-robed eunuch was sweating profusely and could only look to the side for help.

Cold Fairy, say something! Do something about him!

But then he remembered that Ying Bing had picked up the 'divine sword' for him.

Cold Fairy, you can ignore him if you want, but why are you being childish with him?

Before the purple-robed eunuch could catch his breath, the scene he saw when he looked up almost made his soul fly out of his body.

In the Peony Pavilion of the Imperial Garden, Emperor Jingtai, dressed in a dragon robe, with his crown removed and his hair tied up with a black gold crown, stood there with a serious expression, his hands behind his back, scrutinizing Li Mo.

He began by saying:

"You've come."

"..."

However, after exchanging glances, Little Li the Swordsman and Emperor Jingtai did not bow in fear or lower their heads to stop their antics.

Instead, he stopped in his tracks with a cold expression.

"You knew I would come?"

Emperor Jingtai was taken aback, and sighed:

You shouldn't have come.

"But I still came."

Purple-robed eunuch. "?"

What kind of show is this?

"In that case, you're probably confident you can defeat me. Make your move."

"Alright, take this!"

Purple-robed eunuch. "????"

No, His Majesty ordered you to act, are you really going to cut down the enemy?

What's going on now? Should he shout for protection?

At this time.

The young swordsman Li leaped into the air, his divine sword ethereal and unpredictable, a move of unparalleled brilliance, seemingly descending from the heavens.

However, the two palms were like a net from heaven and earth, with all rivers flowing into the sea.

Afraid--

Emperor Jingtai caught a blade barehanded!

The two exchanged a glance, and it was Emperor Jingtai who spoke first with a smile:

"Where did you find this fine sword? Why not part with it and give it to me?"

"It originally belonged to His Majesty, but it had always been in the Imperial Garden. Ying Bing helped me find it just now."

"..."

Emperor Jingtai gazed at Li Mo and Ying Bing.

One is sunny and cheerful, the other is quiet and serene; yet, when they are together, they appear surprisingly harmonious.

His smile held a hint of complexity, "Fine, you keep it. I've already possessed it, but it no longer belongs to me. Keeping it here won't change that."

"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty!"

Young Swordsman Li was completely unceremonious, even happier than if he had received a gold medal bestowed by the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, are you alright?"

The eunuch in purple robes rushed up in a panic.

"Back in my day, I wasn't some nobody wandering the martial world. It's been a while since I've fought, so I'm stretching my muscles."

"Indeed, Your Majesty's martial arts skills are extraordinary."

Li Mo gave a thumbs up.

Emperor Jingtai sat back down, his expression becoming serious.

"With you all fighting for the Great Yu, I can rest assured."

Why choose us again?

Ying Bing seemed to have noticed something in Emperor Jingtai and asked her question.

This was also something that Li Mo was somewhat curious about.

The struggle in Heavenly Human City has now escalated to involve the Great Yu and the resurrected Blood God. It is no longer simply a reward for the top three members of the Hidden Dragon, or perhaps a test.

The Great Yu is filled with powerful figures, but no matter how talented they are, they can only reach the third realm.

Emperor Jingtai was silent for a moment, then said:

"It's alright to tell you about this. It was Granny Yantian who recommended the two of you to me. At first, I also felt that this responsibility was too heavy for you."

As he spoke, a smile appeared on his face again:

"But just now, I realized that what the old woman said was right; the two of you are a perfect match!"

"If the Heavenly Human City could be unlocked simply by reaching a higher cultivation level, then it wouldn't have been lingering in the Map of Mountains and Rivers for so long."

Are the difficulties and trials of Heavenly Human City unrelated to one's cultivation level?

Li Mo had considered this possibility.

"Go to the Mountain and River Palace and wait there. Don't disappoint me."

"I will not fail in my mission."

Li Mo also became serious.