In the small world.

The crimson dragon's roar pierced through metal and shattered stone, yet the one locked in a fierce battle with it was merely a young girl with a cloth tied over her eyes.

"Heavy Sword Intent is the essence of the Dragon-Slaying Sword Art. Do not be constrained by mere techniques."

"Only when your Sword Intent is strong enough can you stand fearless against the dragon's might."

The Heavenly Venerable Teacher fulfilled his duty diligently, having already prepared the teaching materials with insights into martial arts.

Seeing Princess Little Jiang's immediate progress, Li Mo finally snapped out of his thoughts.

He turned his gaze inward, observing the miniature figure within his dantian. The Lunar Divine Mark shone particularly brilliantly, as if silently telling him:

"Curated by the Joyful Ancestor—try it and you'll know!"

Coupled with the Stone Monkey Divine Mark, his seventh aperture now showed signs of nearing completion, with only the slightest gap remaining.

Unintentionally, it seemed he was on the verge of breaking through again.

"I wonder what divine ability I'll gain this time..."

But then Li Mo shook his head.

That tiny gap, though seemingly insignificant, would normally take months for an Observation Divine Realm martial artist to bridge.

He might be faster, but only marginally so.

Just then.

A sharp sword cry echoed in his ears, accompanied by the furious roar of the crimson dragon—a roar filled with unmistakable resentment.

Thud—

As Li Mo looked up, he saw what resembled a sprouting peach blossom branch piercing straight into the dragon's brow.

The dragon's vertical pupils flickered with a trace of terror before its body dissolved into the power of all living beings.

At the same time, a notification sounded:

[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invested in 'Jiang Chulong,' teaching her the Dragon-Slaying Sword Art and aiding her in slaying the crimson dragon.]

[Investment Reward: Crimson Dragon Heartblood.]

[Crimson Dragon Heartblood]: "The essence blood from the heart of a crimson dragon. Can be used for alchemy, martial arts refinement, or forging weapons."

[Note: If you forge a weapon using the heartblood of five dragons—crimson, yellow, white, black, and golden—an unexpected surprise awaits.]

"Forging a weapon with five dragon heartbloods?"

Li Mo was stunned. Where did this system pick up such a bad habit of speaking?

What exactly is the surprise? Couldn’t you just say it clearly?!

Could it be the creation of a divine weapon? He already had Hammer Treasure, but he was still missing a divine sword...

"Teacher, I... I did it!"

Princess Little Jiang's eyes behind the cloth were brimming with excitement as she dashed over.

"Well done."

The Heavenly Venerable Teacher calculated that Jiang Chulong had defeated the crimson dragon much faster than when she had taken down the Golden Crow.

This proved that the little princess's combat talent was inherently exceptional.

"No lessons today. Go rest."

"But... I still have a question."

Jiang Chulong hesitated, curiosity gnawing at her.

"What is it?"

"Do you know... what surprise Brother Li Mo prepared for me?"

The timid princess couldn't hold back her eagerness.

Li Mo thought for a moment. "It's something that will let you remove the cloth without your eyes being harmed by sunlight."

"Wow..."

Jiang Chulong left the small world in high spirits, heading off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Li Mo sat by the bed, regulating the nearly overflowing soul energy in his apertures.

The next morning.

Oddly enough.

The peaks of the Qingyuan Sect outside had begun melting to varying degrees. Elder Hanhe's words held some truth after all.

Li Mo woke up early—or rather, he hadn't slept at all. Though he didn’t need to visit the Divine Weapon Peak today, he still headed straight to the kitchen.

"You're about to break through again?" Tian Miao, passing by, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

She had been wondering if she might catch up to him in the next Hidden Dragon Ranking, given her own gains from the Cloud Dream Palace.

Now it seemed hopeless...

"Maybe. Who knows? It might happen accidentally."

Li Mo replied casually.

He wasn’t trying to boast—his genuine breakthroughs could be counted on one hand.

"...You shouldn’t say that outside." Tian Miao clenched her fists.

"Why?"

"You’ll get beaten up."

Li Mo chuckled, heating the steamer without a care. "No worries. Plenty of people will want to beat me up in the future. A few more words won’t change that."

"Can you see your own destiny?" Tian Miao frowned. Even she couldn’t decipher Li Mo’s fate.

"Nope."

Li Mo shook his head. "Do you think Ice Block could become the top beauty on the Hundred Flowers Ranking someday?"

Tian Miao scowled. "You can drop the word 'could.'"

"Exactly. So naturally, many will want to kill me."

"?"

Just then, Qin Yuzhi walked into the kitchen, bleary-eyed. Spotting Li Mo, she paused.

"Did you... dual cultivate with Little Ice last night?"

"Huh? What? I can’t hear you over the clattering!"

Li Mo shook the pan noisily.

"..."

Qin Yuzhi and Tian Miao fell silent. This was clearly an "accident on purpose."

They turned to look at the cold and aloof Sword Fairy practicing her forms in the courtyard at dawn.

She too...

was on the verge of a breakthrough.

In fact, she was even closer than Li Mo!

After all, Li Mo’s Indomitable Battle Intent could only be honed through combat, unlike the convenience of observing the Jade Phoenix Divine Form.

"Little Tian Miao, your divination was spot-on. You’ve mastered the Yantian Sect’s arts well."

Qin Yuzhi couldn’t help but sigh.

"What?"

"Before even getting married, she’s already bringing him fortune. Imagine what’ll happen after..."

Tian Miao nodded.

Technically, nicknames weren’t her decision—she could only offer suggestions. The final version on the Hidden Dragon Ranking was up to her master.

But lately, having eaten his food and accepted his favors, she had planned to subtly hint to her master about tweaking Li Mo’s nickname.

Now, it seemed unnecessary—at least "Wife-Fortune Battle Soul" could stay...

---

Time flew.

"My apertures are full."

The glow of the Jade Phoenix Divine Form in the chamber dimmed once more. Ying Bing sat by the bed, waiting quietly.

To better merge the Lunar Divine Intent with the Hundred Avians Phoenix Form, preparations had to begin upon entering the seventh aperture—both had to break through together.

So she waited for Li Mo.

Strangely enough, breakthroughs during dual cultivation were smoother.

And he was close too.

Pro Gamer Ice Block decided to carry him along.

"If he misbehaves again this time..."

Ying Bing’s gaze darkened as she picked up Moonlit Yin, fingers gliding along the blade.

Hmm. She’d hang Moonlit Yin by the bed later...

Just as she thought this.

[Notification: Seven days remaining until the next ranking.]

[Punishment for the loser: Plant forty-nine strawberries.]

"So fast..."

Ying Bing murmured to herself.

At that moment, Li Mo stepped into the chamber and immediately spotted the Sword Fairy cradling her breathtaking divine sword.

"Ice Block, why are you holding your sword?"

"I..."

Ying Bing lowered her eyes briefly before replying coolly:

"Little Yue said she wants a friend too."

"You carry Hammer Treasure with you all the time, don’t you?"