The hot spring was shrouded in mist, tracing the shape of the moonlight.

Frost Fairy's hair and skin glistened with dewdrops, so close that she seemed like a shy moon within reach. Her attire followed the customs of the Southern Border—both ethereal and alluring in its purity.

"Why do you keep staring at me?"

"So your outfit doesn’t go to waste."

"Then why are you covering your nose?"

"The mosquitoes in the Southern Border seem poisonous... Hiss, could that be some kind of terrifying calamity beast?"

Little Li Gentleman's tone was as unyielding as a hammer forged from steel.

He believed his willpower should be the same.

But alas, that was an illusion.

What lay beneath her bathrobe remained a mystery for now, but the slender legs beneath it were clearly clad in something even thinner than dark mist silk.

Who could resist this?

Even Ultraman would be flashing red!

"Your hand..."

"They have a mind of their own."

Little Li sat by the pool’s edge, encircling the ice block in his arms. He felt a fragrant softness, cool to the touch, more vivid than the natural scent of the Mistflower Everlasting Spring—subtle yet serene.

To be fair, Little Li felt he was exercising remarkable restraint.

Now that he was actually holding her, he became a bit more composed.

Because it all felt surreal.

This wasn’t their first embrace, but the circumstances were entirely new.

Ranked second on the Hundred Flowers List—with the first’s credibility in question—she was an unattainable dream for countless young talents, as mysterious and distant as the cold moon reflected in water.

Yet now, he had fished her out.

Her oval face flushed, her body pliant. She shifted slightly before giving up, melting into his arms like boneless silk, her delicate hands looping around his neck.

"Ice Block, you’re not as cold today."

"Maybe because of body tempering..."

"Really, sis?"

"Because... you’re burning up."

Ying Bing lowered her face, but her forehead pressed against his scorching chest.

The Empress Palace Mistress’s mind was in disarray.

How had her disciples and the people of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands seen her? She’d witnessed the looks in their eyes.

Men or women—it made no difference.

The same reverence and fear.

Yet even she never imagined a day would come when she’d nestle against a feverish chest, listening to a steady heartbeat, unwilling to overthink.

Ying Bing was experiencing this for the first time, yet to her surprise...

She didn’t dislike it at all. In fact, she wanted to stay longer.

Well, it was to maintain her resolve, to prevent Ying Huang from gaining an advantage...

"Ice Block, was body tempering tough?"

Li Mo’s voice reached her, followed by the glow of the Lunar Soul.

If they didn’t dual cultivate soon, the moon would set!

"A little."

In the past, Ice Block would’ve dismissed it as nothing.

"Why the sudden focus on tempering lately?"

"We’re heading to the Imperial Capital soon. Every bit of strength counts—I don’t want to lose."

Ying Bing didn’t elaborate further.

Li Mo... probably wouldn’t understand what the System truly was.

And this time, it wasn’t just about surpassing him.

Jiang Yu, ranked first on the Hidden Dragons List, and Xie Xuan, second, were talents who could outshine an entire era. In her past life, she had defeated them at nineteen.

This time, she wasn’t entirely confident.

Before reaching the Imperial Capital, she aimed to reach the Nine Apertures of Divine Observation and refine her physique.

To push her chances of victory to 120%.

"Oh right, half of the Heavenly Phoenix Domain is in the Imperial Capital."

Li Mo also needed to distract himself. The hot spring was making him feel lightheaded.

"Could the top prize at the Hidden Dragon Summit be the other half of the Heavenly Phoenix Domain?"

"Impossible."

Ying Bing shot him a faintly exasperated glance.

"Only the top three get a chance to enter the Celestial City’s realm, and even then, contact with the Heavenly Phoenix Domain’s true form isn’t guaranteed."

"Hmm, top three... should be doable."

Li Mo answered without hesitation.

Ying Bing looked up at him, recognizing that familiar resolve.

He wanted to place in the top three—to retrieve the Heavenly Phoenix Domain for her.

Something so difficult, yet he’d decided in an instant.

"So, we’ll need to train seriously from now on. Our opponents will be all the young geniuses across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands!"

Little Li’s voice brimmed with heroic fervor.

Ying Bing paused, her cool gaze softening as she echoed,

"Let’s work hard... together."

"Deal! Time for a massage then." Little Li the Masseur itched to begin.

"?"

Li Mo’s expression was solemn as he wiped drool from his lips.

"Post-tempering relaxation is essential."

"Massages relieve fatigue, prevent injuries, and consolidate tempering results. So many benefits—trust me, I’m a professional."

"Li Mo, what’s so fun about legs?"

Ice Block’s composed eyes flickered.

"Sis, how can you say that? They’re clearly worth a whole... Wait, no—this isn’t about ‘fun.’ Don’t insult my integrity and professional ethics."

Little Li seized the damp, sheer dark mist silk clinging to her slender legs—

And began kneading, unhurried yet thorough.

Thus, Harmony of Yin and Yang proved itself an exceptional martial art. The effects of dual cultivation were outstanding.

And strangely, the more unorthodox the approach, the better the results.

Of course, this was only possible with immortal spiritual energy keeping the technique from devolving into outright heresy.

Alas, joy was fleeting.

The next morning, they had to visit the main peak’s grand hall. Before leaving the Qingyuan Sect, their elders had final instructions.

As dawn approached, $2i Mo carried Ice Block back to her room, tucking her in with care. Truly, a masseur of impeccable dedication.

Only then did he retreat into his miniature world.

Little Li’s temper flared today, so he sparred with various extreme forms to hone his divine intent.

An hour later, $2eated on the Yin-Yang Training Grounds, he reflected.

"Both Ice Block and I need to make the Hidden Dragon top three."

"Meaning either Jiang Yu or Xie Xuan must be pushed out."

"If I can defeat the Great Sage’s projection before then, my odds will soar to... a thousand percent!"

---

The next morning, sunlight poured in.

Elders had already gathered in the main peak’s grand hall (except Shang Wu), including even a Grand Elder—Qin Yuzhi.

The Cult Master wore the look of someone dragged into work against her will, lost in thought.

Something was off.

Last night, while sleepwalking, why hadn’t she glimpsed Xiao Bing’er and Li Mo’s dream bubbles?

Had neither of them slept?

...