The Martial Arts Summit concluded, and a new Sword Prodigy emerged.
Today, Yunzhou City was livelier than ever, sparking widespread discussions across the martial world. Even Elder Zeng of the Five Elements Swordsmen remarked that this summit had left an indelible impact on Hengyun Sword City—and indeed, the entire Martial Arts Summit itself.
Yet, no matter how bustling the outside world was, a certain small courtyard remained a haven of tranquility.
Li the Chef had now mastered the art of multitasking, wielding a wok in each hand.
Inside his dantian, the sword pellet spun deftly, channeling the sharp, lethal aura of weaponry with precision as it controlled two spatulas stir-frying simultaneously.
"Alchemy and cooking share uncanny similarities," he mused.
"Could I be a hidden genius in pill refining?"
Li Mo decided to return to the mountain and test this theory with Elder Xue.
Elder Xue would surely welcome him.
"Chulong, why didn’t you go to Baohuan Tower?"
Baohuan Tower was the most luxurious restaurant in Yunzhou, its value estimated at one percent of Li Mo's wealth.
After the summit, a grand banquet was inevitable—a gathering of heroes.
Naturally, it was also an opportunity for Yunzhou to witness the brilliance of the summit's top ten, especially the Sword Prodigy, who represented the pinnacle of the younger generation's swordsmanship in Yunzhou.
"Huh?" Jiang Chulong blinked, momentarily stunned.
Elder Zeng had encouraged her to go, praising Baohuan Tower as lively and fun.
The little princess had initially hoped to scavenge for discarded treasures.
But upon hearing Li Mo wouldn’t attend, she lost all interest.
Was she still unaccustomed to such bustling places?
Amused, Li Mo popped a piece of chicken into her slightly agape mouth.
"Maybe it’s because my cooking tastes better than Baohuan Tower’s."
"Mhm!" she nodded eagerly.
In the distance, the clouds blushed a magnificent rose-gold as the last rays of the setting sun exhaled their final breath, gifting the scorching summer evening with a cool breeze.
The night wind whispered.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Ying Bing, lost in thought, turned around.
A simple yet exorbitantly priced meal—four dishes and a soup—was laid out on the table.
He was as gentle as ever, his tone laced with humor.
Jiang Chulong rested her chin on her hands, swinging her legs, listening intently.
There was no trace of the self-awareness befitting a young prodigy who had just shaken Hengyun Sword City and the martial world, a future dragon in the making.
It felt as though you could push open the door of any peaceful household and witness such a scene.
The pensive furrow between her brows unwittingly softened.
Some truths, she already knew.
Without experiencing the warmth of mortal life, how could one’s journey be complete? And how could one even dream of immortality?
She ought to maintain a calm heart toward all things.
Noticing a crease in Li Mo’s collar, she reached out and smoothed it gently.
The Ice Block was fixing his collar?
The Empress had always been aloof, untouchable, her gaze making you feel like an ant beneath her feet.
Was it because the Ice Block couldn’t tolerate imperfections? Yeah, that had to be it!
Pushing aside his unease, Li Mo turned back to Jiang Chulong.
"We could build a swing in the yard."
"Yeah. With a push, you’d soar really high."
"Wow... that sounds so fun... Li Mo... you’re amazing..."
A voice like polished jade chimed in.
Jiang Chulong tilted her head in confusion.
Li Mo leaned back slightly.
Turning, he met those frosty eyes—now glimmering with curiosity.
"Ice Block?" he ventured.
Had the Hengyun Sword’s mark left some side effect?
He couldn’t fathom the Ice Block sitting on a swing, laughing like a blooming flower.
So bizarre it unsettled him.
The food slipped from his chopsticks, splashing into the soup and staining his clothes with grease.
The more he pondered, the weirder it felt...
"Sure, you can join."
"Your clothes are dirty."
Ying Bing noticed the stains.
Li Mo removed his outer robe and set it aside.
"Uh... I’ll wash it later—"
Before the robe could touch the stool, a slender hand intercepted it.
She rose gracefully and headed for the well.
Watching her roll up her sleeves and scrub the fabric, Li Mo’s jaw hung open.
The Ice Block not only fixed his collar and wanted to swing but was now voluntarily doing laundry?
Why did he suddenly feel sweat trickling down his back?
Baffled, Li Mo whispered to Jiang Chulong:
"Chulong, is your Ice Sister okay?"
"Um... I don’t... know medicine... but she doesn’t... seem sick..."
Jiang Chulong pursed her lips, the question marks above her head multiplying.
She probably couldn’t figure it out—her CPU might overheat.
Suddenly, a riiiip caught her attention. Her eyes darted to the source, and she nearly burst into tears.
Of course. The Ice Block wasn’t cut out for chores—a natural-born domestic disaster.
"The robe... the robe..."
"Chulong, that’s not the one you made for me."
The little princess felt slightly better.
If the robe was ruined and Li Mo wouldn’t wear it, she could claim it for herself.
Snapping back to reality, Jiang Chulong murmured timidly:
"Ice Sister’s... spiritual intent... seems to be growing... faster than usual?"
Not far away, under the moonlight, the young woman washed clothes. If you ignored the fact that she’d shredded them, the scene was almost serene and picturesque.
So dreamlike it made Li Mo question if he was awake.
The Ice Block was unusually caring for others, and by combining chores with moon-gazing, she’d boosted her spiritual intent.
Li Mo suddenly found sword techniques far simpler than deciphering the mind of the Phoenix Heaven Empress, the Ice Block.
Before long, Ying Bing returned, holding the freshly "washed" robe. She gave it a firm shake and hung it on the clothesline, mimicking what she’d seen.
Staring at the tattered remains of what could barely be called clothing, Li Mo took a deep breath.
"No need. It’s my duty."
Ying Bing turned toward her room, then paused.
"Tonight... come find me."