The Pact with Ice Block: See You in the Finals

"My dear apprentice has been exhausted every day lately, he's hardly ever home."

"I wonder what they've been busy with."

Shang Wu muttered to herself as she watched the busy figures in the kitchen.

The master was completely unaware of Little Li's progress.

"He must be practicing his sword."

Ying Bing withdrew her gaze.

These days, she became increasingly certain that Li Mo's ability to ask those questions last time was not a fortuitous opportunity.

Because every day, Li Mo would ask new questions about swordsmanship, many of which were extensions and deeper explorations of the questions from the previous day.

What does this tell us?

This shows that he did not slack off; after the discussion, he practiced and studied diligently.

That's why I leave early and return late every day.

"He works so hard!"

Shang Wu blinked, looking somewhat bewildered.

"He worked very hard."

A hint of admiration flashed in the beautiful eyes reflected in the teacup.

If you were to ask her what she relied on to ascend to the heavens in her previous life.

Unbelievable physique?

Unparalleled talent?

No, for those who are truly qualified to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, those are merely icing on the cake.

Only by persevering.

This is the most precious treasure that every person who goes against the current in the long river of martial arts can easily obtain, and also the most easily lose.

"Oh? He's made great progress lately."

Shang Wu's face flushed red, and her almond-shaped eyes shone brightly as she said, "Then this time at the Nine Peaks Martial Tournament, it's time for our Jade Cluster Peak to earn everyone's respect!"

Actually, saying "look at me with new eyes" isn't quite accurate.

Jade Cluster Peak simply hasn't participated for many years...

Shang Wu had been eyeing the rewards from the Nine Peaks Martial Tournament for a long time.

Based on the disciples' rankings in the martial arts competition, the sect will provide substantial resource rewards, including but not limited to martial arts techniques, elixirs, and rare treasures...

"I wonder what kind of reward the champion of this martial arts competition will receive."

The more Shang Wu thought about it, the more outrageous it seemed.

The champion of the martial arts competition is the current chief disciple of the Clear Abyss Sect.

The rewards were incredibly generous.

"Reward..."

Ying Bing poured herself a cup of tea, her thoughts drifting far away.

I can't quite remember the other rewards.

However, there is one criterion that all the top three finishers in previous martial arts competitions have achieved.

That would qualify one to choose a Supreme Lore.

Thinking of this, Ying Bing gently stroked the Heavenly Frost Sword.

The first owner of the Heavenly Frost Sword possessed Supreme Lore Swordsmanship, as did the owner of the Crimson Firmament Sword.

Those two Supreme Lore Swordsmanship complement each other, resonate with each other, and corroborate one another.

To be precise, this is actually a Swordsmanship.

The "Sun-Moon Interaction Sword Art" originated from the Heavenly Mountain Sword Villa.

This was originally a martial art that allowed two people to communicate through swordsmanship and improve together.

Throughout the Clear Abyss Sect, many have attempted to recreate the power of the combined swordsmanship, but all have failed. The root cause of this failure is that they have all been focusing on the trivial and neglecting the essential.

"Dinner's almost ready, come lend a hand!"

At that moment, Chef Li's voice came from the kitchen.

Ying Bing put down Heavenly Frost and went into the kitchen.

We're having hot pot tonight. The broth is already prepared, and Li Mo is facing away from the door, chopping the side dishes.

"Li Mo."

"Hmm? By the way, you haven't been eating spicy food lately, have you?"

Li Mo was very focused, not even turning her head.

"If you don't eat, what's your current cultivation level?" Ying Bing asked.

Li Mo remained silent for a moment, then tentatively said:

"The peak of the late-stage Blood-Qi Realm?"

Ying Bing: "?"

You said you've reached the Blood-Qi Realm Perfection, why are there so many suffixes?

Actually, Little Li has his own difficulties.

Others who Blood-Qi Realm of Perfection only have twelve meridians, but he has now opened up thirty-five main meridians.

Clearly, this cannot be equated with the normal Blood-Qi Realm.

"Then I won't put any chili peppers in it. We'll have a clear broth hot pot tonight."

Li Mo was also somewhat curious and asked, "How's your progress?"

"I will be able to Internal Breath tonight."

"Let's add some spice, it's not hot pot without chili peppers."

Ying Bing's calm tone suggested an unwavering certainty, without any indication of any possibility of failing to break through to the next level.

Little Li was not surprised by this answer.

That was just Ice Block's usual performance.

"As expected, you won't stay in the Inner Breath Realm for long. How are the preparations for the Nine Peaks Martial Tournament going? I'll add extra garlic, I love garlic."

"I will win the Nine Peaks Martial Tournament."

"You can make yourself a garlic dish."

There's something slightly off about the scene.

Amidst the shocking information, there were topics about whether or not to add chili peppers or garlic to hot pot.

Neither of the parties involved felt anything was amiss.

"You've made great progress lately."

Ying Bing spoke softly, casting the minced garlic into a small bowl with the glow of the sunset.

"It's nothing compared to you."

As a Little Li has always upheld the traditional virtue of humility.

"No need to be modest, I can feel your progress."

Ying Bing's eyes reflected Li Mo's busy figure as she said softly, "Among your peers, apart from me, your swordsmanship is unparalleled. You have a chance to compete for a ranking."

Li Mo paused for a moment, then smiled nonchalantly:

"Why bother arguing about those things?"

"You don't actually want to meet me in the finals, do you?"

Little Li really wasn't interested in competing for rankings.

He doesn't lack the sect's rewards.

I hope you make it into the top three.

Suddenly, the sound of jade falling to the ground rang out.

Clang--

Li Mo paused for a moment, then turned around.

The young girl stood at the doorway, holding a hot pot. Moonlight shone down from behind her, bathing her fair skin in a soft glow.

A night breeze rustled the clothes her mother had sewn, causing them to ripple.

Okay, see you in the finals.

Li Mo nodded.

"Um."

Ying Bing lowered her eyes and nodded.

Only after the footsteps faded into the distance did Little Li turn around, looking at the chipped kitchen knife in his hand and muttering:

"Wouldn't it have been a bit of a mood killer to ask why?"

Well, I don't know why Ice Block has any expectations of him.

But since I've already agreed, I'll just do it.

His swordsmanship skills weren't as high as Ice Block thought, but if all else fails...

He pulled out a hammer.

The pleasant dinner time at the Autumn Water Pavilion has come to an end.

They each returned to their rooms.

Li Mo then went out in the dark.

He was already very tired today, but he planned to practice more. After all, he was getting closer and closer to the Inner Breath Realm, and he was a little excited, wanting to know what kind of world that was.

Night deepened.

Glug glug--

The water in the stone pool suddenly boiled, and the medicinal power of the Ten Thousand Year Earth Vein Spirit Milk flowed into his body like starlight, following the rhythm of his breathing.

In Dantian.

Nourished by the abundant Earth Vein Essence, the last lotus seed was finally planted.

The thirty-six lotus seeds within his body were all perfectly round and radiant, exuding a precious light and surging with a dragon-like power of Qi and Blood and qi.

Li Mo did not stop.

Using the remaining Earth Vein Essence, he began to attempt to improve his Internal Breath.

According to the description of the Fire Heart Lotus-Birth Technique.

Once the lotus seed breaks through, takes root, and sprouts, it absorbs and releases Qi and Blood, transforming it into Internal Breath; this signifies success.

However, Li Mo, who had never encountered a bottleneck before, frowned this time.

"I can't convert my Qi and Blood into Internal Breath?"

"The Earth Vein Essence, accumulated over ten thousand years, is useless? No... that doesn't seem to be the case..."

He opened his eyes, and a fleeting, blazing starlight flashed in Li Mo's pupils. He pondered as he sensed it.

The effects of the Earth Vein Essence remain powerful; this is not the issue.

The problem lies with him.

He was unable to condense his Qi and Blood into Internal Breath.

The Qi and Blood through the thirty-six main meridians are incredibly abundant.

Even the founder of the Fire Heart Lotus-Birth Technique probably never imagined that a freak with thirty-six lotus seeds would appear, so he never considered this possibility.

"Higher Vehicle mental techniques are not enough."

"I do have one more Ancient Bronze Heavenly Book Seal."

Li Mo thought for a moment and took out an Ancient Bronze Heavenly Book Seal that he had obtained from Princess Little Jiang.