The sun hung high in the sky.
The neatly arranged training ground now resembled a field plowed several times over, with the personal guards scattered about like haphazardly planted seedlings.
"Zhenyue, are you alright?"
Zhong Ling hurried down from the commander's platform.
She helped Zhong Zhenyue to his feet and examined him closely, only relaxing once she confirmed he was merely shaken, with no visible injuries.
The guards, too, were unharmed, silently rising to their feet.
Zhong Zhenyue let out a bitter laugh, chiding,
"Now you understand Brother Li's strength, don't you? The top ten of the Hidden Dragon Ranking aren't to be measured by ordinary standards."
"Eleventh, actually..."
She was in the Observation Divine Realm. So was Zhong Zhenyue. Yet, despite their combined efforts and the support of a hundred guards, they had been utterly crushed by a youth of the same realm.
Though they shared a spot on the same ranking, the difference in their strength was like night and day.
"What got into you today?"
"I couldn't imagine anyone being so far beyond your reach, so I wanted to see for myself..."
Zhong Ling rarely admitted defeat to her younger brother.
She approached Li Mo, her expression earnest.
"I was wrong earlier—narrow-minded and dismissive of you. I won't call you 'Wife-Luck Battle Soul' anymore."
"No need for such formality. A fight can be the start of a friendship."
Li Mo glanced at her with his Heavenly Fate Eye and nearly laughed.
[Bone Structure: None.]
[Realm: Observation Divine Realm, Four Apertures.]
[Fate: Blue (Born frail, life fraught with hardship)]
[Evaluation: Adopted daughter of the Southern Suppressing King. Raised alongside Zhong Zhenyue, deeply devoted to him. A master of military formations, having studied them since childhood.]
[Recent Events: Followed Zhong Zhenyue to Greenwood City, intending to help him challenge 'Li Mo.']
Well, that explained it.
No wonder the siblings didn’t share a single facial feature—they weren’t related by blood.
Zhong Ling hadn’t chased after Zhong Zhenyue from the southern border to Greenwood City out of sisterly concern. She’d done it out of something far more personal.
Glancing at Zhong Zhenyue’s utterly oblivious expression, Li Mo couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Zhong Ling.
"I’ll return to studying military formations more diligently. I hope to assist Zhenyue in challenging you again someday."
"Of course. Truthfully, I’m the one who benefited today."
Li Mo agreed without hesitation.
Without Zhong Ling, he wouldn’t have mastered the Yazi transformation, nor would his sluggish progress in "Extreme Weapon Slaughter Body" have shown the slightest improvement.
And he’d even gained some investment feedback.
He’d welcome more challenges .
Just then, Qu Sheng entered through the training ground gates, his eyes brimming with admiration as he looked at Li Mo.
"It seems I worried for nothing. If Young Brother Li could venture deep into demon territory and return unscathed, how could a mere Greenwood Camp be anything but smooth sailing for him?"
The soldiers and Zhong Ling exchanged startled glances.
They had assumed the Hidden Dragon Ranking exaggerated—after all, "venturing deep into the southern border" could simply mean Greenwood City itself.
But this young man had actually returned from demon-held lands.
Strength, courage, and audacity—he had it all.
"You flatter me. I merely exploited a loophole. It’s nothing compared to Commander Qu’s duty of guarding the border."
"I practice a form-shifting martial art. At higher levels, I can mimic the appearance of demons."
This wasn’t exactly a secret.
Li Mo figured Qu Sheng had likely already gleaned as much from military reports. After all, how else could a mere Observation Divine Realm cultivator stir up trouble in demon territory without some kind of disguise?
"You can even transform into calamity beasts?"
"No wonder I felt like I was facing a real monster earlier. So it was Young Brother Li’s form-shifting technique."
"To think form-shifting could reach such heights..."
"Well, that’s why he’s a prodigy."
The guards couldn’t help but murmur among themselves.
Had anyone told them such a thing before, who would’ve believed it?
"The ability to mimic calamity beasts..." Zhong Ling’s eyes gleamed with interest.
Zhong Zhenyue glanced at her before turning to Li Mo.
"Brother Li, though I’ve trained extensively, I’ve had few chances to face calamity beasts with powerful bloodlines. It’s all been theoretical. Would you be willing to simulate a calamity beast’s form? It would give me and the troops invaluable experience."
Li Mo nodded. "No problem."
"As for payment..." Zhong Zhenyue hesitated, looking toward Qu Sheng.
"No payment necessary."
His immediate agreement caught everyone off guard—Qu Sheng included.
Every bit of experience against calamity beasts meant fewer lives lost on the battlefield. And given how unique Li Mo’s martial art was, he could’ve named any price he wanted.
"You’ve helped me search for someone without asking for compensation. Besides, I’m not exactly strapped for cash. Gold and silver mean little to me."
"That’s not the same..." Zhong Zhenyue faltered.
Li Mo grinned. "A favor for a favor—it’s exactly the same."
Investing in Greenwood Camp meant investing in eighty thousand soldiers.
And all it cost him was a bit of time as a sparring partner.
Truthfully, even without the investment feedback, he’d have agreed.
Qu Sheng stared for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter.
"Young Brother Li, you’re truly the most fascinating young man I’ve ever met. Since today’s a day off, why not join me in my tent for a simple meal?"
"Another time, perhaps. I should return to the tavern."
With the day’s training over, the soldiers of Greenwood Camp scattered—some seeking entertainment, others returning to wives and children for a warm reunion.
Even the guard who drove Zhong Zhenyue’s carriage had the day off, his family waiting for him outside the camp.
"Father always says, 'Start a family, then build a career.' When will I ever..."
Zhong Zhenyue gazed wistfully at the scene.
Li Mo glanced at Zhong Ling beside him and couldn’t help but think the guy was blind to his own good fortune.
Zhong Zhenyue turned back, touched.
"At least I’ve got Brother Li here with me. You said you’re returning to the tavern—does that mean you’re joining me for a drink?"
"That’s a dangerous question, Old Zhong."
Following Li Mo’s gaze, Zhong Zhenyue froze.
Beneath a tree, the Azure Phoenix Maiden leaned against the trunk, a large-headed doll in hand, her robes fluttering in the breeze. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and spotted the approaching carriage.
"What are you doing here?"
Li Mo hadn’t expected the ice block to come looking for him.
"You haven’t cooked today."
"The tavern’s chef isn’t bad..."
"It’s not the same as yours."
Li Mo fell silent for a moment before nodding solemnly.
So she’d been training all day and skipped lunch?
Damn it—that meant missing out on potential investment feedback. What a waste!
"Brother Li, is your cooking really that good?"
Zhong Zhenyue’s expression was deadly serious.
Of course, the clueless straight guy would focus on the wrong thing.
"You’ll find out soon enough. Join us for dinner tonight."
Li Mo pulled Ying Bing into the carriage as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She sat beside him, her gaze flickering briefly as they passed the candy stall from yesterday before looking away.
Zhong Ling pressed her lips together, watching the two, then glanced at Zhong Zhenyue’s hand.
"Hmm? Sister Ling, are you challenging me to an arm wrestle?"