“This is called battle attire?”

Ying Bing lowered her gaze, staring at the garment on the table, lost in thought.

It was a Southern Border-style outfit—no, even more garish than that, just a tad tackier. This time, it was a skimpy bunny girl ensemble, blending purity and allure with an icy elegance...

And it fulfilled Li Mo’s gentlemanly fantasy of crafting stockings from Wuyun silk.

As a seasoned immortal, Ying Bing wasn’t unfamiliar with such attire.

She had even worn something similar while bathing.

But the question was...

What kind of “battle” required wearing this?

[Would you like the system to auto-equip it for you?]

“No...”

Remembering the system’s knack for taking things out of context, the cautious Ying Bing only uttered a single word.

[Understood. Reminder: This reward must be claimed by the end of today.]

[Next time, the system will not auto-equip it. The host must personally wear it when encountering the victor.]

“?”

The autumn waters in Ying Bing’s phoenix-like eyes froze, replaced by a visible question mark.

First, she had no idea how to wear this outfit—the more elaborate the design, the more complicated the process.

And second...

Did this mean she’d have to put it on in front of him?

“......”

......

Meanwhile, deep in the Southern Border’s Senluo Valley.

The unyielding mist hung thick as ever, the wind sharp as blades, as if the changing seasons held no sway over this place.

“How is this possible?! I killed him with my own hands!”

Zhu Renji’s crossed eyes bulged in disbelief.

“Then who the hell is this ‘Divine Hammer Little Tyrant’ on the Hidden Dragon Ranking? A fake?!”

Luo Yexian snorted coldly, his expression dark.

“Young Master, say something! You saw it yourself—I reduced him to nothing but a wisp of smoke, leaving behind only a single strand of hair!”

Zhu Renji’s face was a picture of shock.

“I saw it,” Tan Zhuyin, the Demon-Summoning Saint, replied with a face like still water. “But all I know is that I entrusted this matter to you, and you failed.”

“Now he’s alive, and not only have we squandered the Southern Border’s collective spiritual energy, suffered heavy losses, but we also came away from Lanke Mountain empty-handed!”

“This...”

Zhu Renji wasn’t stupid—he understood the Saint’s implication.

The Demon-Summoning Sect’s expedition to the Yunmeng Underground Palace had been a complete disaster.

Two Dharma Kings were severely injured, the forces they brought were decimated, and they had even tapped into their foundational resource—the collective spiritual energy—without gaining anything in return.

The main sect would undoubtedly demand answers, and someone had to take the blame.

Zhu Renji’s survival instincts kicked in, elevating his IQ to an all-time high:

“Young Master, it’s not a total loss.”

“Oh?”

“The bead! That bead we fought so hard for!”

“Don’t even mention that—it only makes me angrier!”

Tan Zhuyin pulled out the stone bead from his waist, tempted to hurl it to the ground but unable to bring himself to do so.

“What the hell is this useless thing?!”

“Young Master, if it’s truly a divine artifact, it must be extraordinary. Maybe we just haven’t figured out how to use it?”

“Why not consult the Immortal Elder Brother?” Luo Yexian suggested.

“Hmph! A bunch of fools! Worthless trash!”

A cold snort suddenly rang out from behind. Already seething, Tan Zhuyin spun around, his voice dripping with menace:

“Who dares insult this Saint?!”

Then his tone instantly shifted:

“Deputy Sect Leader!”

The newcomer was dressed in white, with a long, flowing beard—he looked more like a humble scholar than a demonic cultivator.

But anyone familiar with the Demon-Summoning Sect would recognize him as one of its three infamous deputy leaders—Yuwen Cuojin.

“Call me Sect Leader Yuwen.”

“Of course, Deputy Sect Leader Yuwen.”

“A mere Observation Deity Realm cultivator has thrown an entire branch of our sect into chaos, causing such catastrophic losses.”

Yuwen Cuojin’s voice was low and dangerous. “Saint, how do you plan to explain this to the main sect?”

“......”

Tan Zhuyin raised the “worthless stone bead” in his hand.

“You’ve all been deceived. And you call yourselves demonic cultivators? I’m embarrassed for you!”

Yuwen Cuojin was tempted to smite them all on the spot.

“After so many deaths, after surrendering the collective spiritual energy, all you brought back was a useless rock? When will you wake up?”

“But the Immortal Elder Brother has never failed us...”

“Fine. Then summon him. Let me see what makes him worthy of the title ‘Immortal’!”

......

In the Qingyuan Mountain Range, the ice and snow had melted.

Spring had arrived, and with it, the season of rebirth...

And the end of hibernation.

Following the Divine Armory Peak’s lead, Dan Ding Peak had also entered a strategic partnership with the canteen. Under Chef Li’s expert guidance, they prepared boxes of seasoning packets using materials provided by Dan Ding Peak and shipped them to the Autumn Water Pavilion.

Strangely enough...

These boxes went in but never came out.

Soon, the courtyard was packed to the brim.

During this time, Sect Leader Qin hadn’t been idle—night after night, she hosted feasts in town after town, imprinting these flavors into the dreams of the Southern Border’s people.

“Time to set off.”

In the courtyard, Li Mo patted the Hollow Myriad Colors Pagoda. The little pagoda had now accumulated seventeen layers.

They were nearly halfway to projecting the Great Dao’s divine form.

These weren’t just seasoning packets—they were vessels for the soon-to-be-harvested collective spiritual energy.

Of course, it wasn’t just about the spiritual energy. Li Mo’s system space was stocked with supplies to be distributed alongside these packets.

He intended to see this through with utmost dedication.

While waiting for Qin Yuzhi, Li Mo used one of the seasoning packets to cook a bowl of instant noodles and slurped it down by the doorstep.

The taste couldn’t compare to his past life’s version, but it had a unique fragrance.

For the people of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, this was nothing short of a culinary revolution.

“Is it good?”

A familiar, clear voice sounded behind him.

Without even turning, Li Mo knew who it was—though today, her voice carried a hint of... unnatural tension?

Today, the “ice block” wore a moonlit painted skirt in pale red, its layered hues resembling clouds brushed by moonlight, the hem swaying with an intoxicating allure... Wait?

What kind of flower was black?

Maybe such flowers existed, but Li Mo, with his limited worldly experience, had never seen one—until today.

That touch of black lent an air of enchantment to her usual ethereal grace...

“Try it.”

Li Mo set the bowl on the table, then quickly sat down—preemptively, lest his “hammer” startle her or the surrounding flora.

“Mmm...”

Ying Bing lowered her eyes, lightly adjusting her skirt.

She tied up her hair, picked up the chopsticks Li Mo had used, and took a delicate sip of the noodles, her lips glistening.

It was hard not to recall the shape of that mosquito-bite seal on her neck...

And as everyone knew, black floral fabric was usually special—smooth and sleek, with just a teasing gap left in the skirt’s sway.

Noticing Li Mo’s gaze growing unfocused, Ying Bing’s neck flushed faintly. This time, she’d learned her lesson—she didn’t bother tugging at the skirt that loved to slide down. Instead, she crossed her legs, barely managing to cover it.

But the “ice block” clearly didn’t know the phrase “half-hidden behind a pipa.”

A true gentleman’s imagination was a dangerous thing. That hint of concealment only fueled a near-maddening thought:

“Just show the damn picture already! Damn it!!”

Watching the aloof and ethereal Cold Fairy, her moonlit red dress embroidered with black flowers, quietly eating the noodles he had made for her, Li Mo wore the expression of a righteous gentleman. "Ice Block, I'm heading to the Southern Border."

"Mhm, be... careful," Ying Bing reminded softly.

Li Mo's mouth moved faster than his brain: "When I come back, I’d like to... see a beautiful moon, and maybe reinforce the seal while I’m at it."

"?"

Those two things sounded completely unrelated.

"You know how it is—the Southern Border is humid, full of mosquitoes."

The Little Tyrant of the Divine Hammer, whose perfected physique was as refined as a famed artifact, spoke with a guilty yet stubborn tone.

"Then... you could take a dip in the Mistflower Ageless Spring. It soothes mosquito bites."

The Ice Block spoke coolly, but her eyes remained fixed on the bowl of noodles, as if it held some profound mystery.

"Are you saying we should reinforce the seal while bathing?"

Li Mo’s eyes lit up, and he gave a thumbs-up. "Ice Block, you’re so clever!"

"......"

Ying Bing’s beautiful eyes twitched with the urge to roll at him.

Calling me clever, yet treating me like a fool?

Suddenly, she spoke with utmost seriousness:

"Then close your eyes now. Before you leave, I’ll reinforce the seal for you first."

"Really?"

Poor Little Li hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. It wasn’t even New Year’s—why were gifts dropping one after another?

He obediently shut his eyes, and soon felt a cool touch on his neck.

But it wasn’t wet...

Huh?

Li Mo opened his eyes in confusion, only to see the Cold Fairy studying him, her autumn-water eyes narrowed with a teasing glint.

The wicked Ice Block had merely pinched his neck lightly with her delicate fingers.

Truly, the inside of the Ice Block’s clothes was black—figuratively speaking.

"Hurry along. I need to visit the Frost Pool too."

"Alright."

With the Imperial Capital trip looming, Li Mo figured the Ice Block was preparing some measures.

"Be good."

Ying Bing, like a triumphant yet aloof black cat, floated out of the Autumn Water Pavilion, her robes fluttering in the spring breeze and clinging to her tall, graceful figure.

Only at the doorway did she glance back, murmuring softly:

"Come back soon. If you’re late... the moon won’t be as pretty."

"!"

Li Mo’s head snapped up.

The little gentleman, who desperately wanted to hear the Ice Block call him "big brother," beamed like sunshine:

"Can we make it a dual reinforcement then? Sister."

"......"

Ying Bing’s lashes trembled slightly.

If she really were a black cat, her tail would’ve shot upright like it had been electrocuted.

She left without another word—yet somehow, it felt like she’d said everything.

Not long after, Qin Yuzhi emerged from the side room, yawning. She’d already worked a night shift in her dreams, and now her unscrupulous boss was dragging her into daytime labor.

A hint of morning grumpiness clung to her.

"Oi, let’s go already, Sect Master Li!"

If not for her voice being less gruff, she’d have rivaled Shang Wu.

"Wait a sec."

Li Mo remained seated.

"You’re the one who told me to clock in on time. What’s your deal now?"

"I’m feeling a bit too smug right now."

"???"

Qin Yuzhi looked baffled.

Had language in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands changed so much in her millennia-long slumber? She recognized the words, but they made no sense.

......

Your support via "charging" is much appreciated, -3-