Li Mo's plan wasn't complicated, especially with a group of demon kings and powerful demons cooperating in his performance. These senior demonic beings, if placed among humans, would be existences at the Fifth Realm of Outer Scenery or even the Sixth Realm of Dharma Body.
How could he make the local populace believe in him?
Simple—just perform a divine manifestation in public.
He was all too familiar with this. After all, he hadn’t read all those novels for nothing. Young Li was well-versed in every possible way to awe mortals with his grandeur.
When the time came, he’d give the southern border folk a taste of his "peerless swagger," ensuring they’d worship him as their new "god." Once the moment was ripe, he’d gradually fade himself out.
After finalizing the details of the plan, dusk began to fall.
The demons exchanged glances, marveling at how the peerless Heavenly Flood Dragon truly lived up to his genius reputation—his proposal was nothing short of divine inspiration.
"Senior demonic elders, you may eat your fill and rest at the Jiawei Tavern."
A while later, Li Mo bid farewell to the demons and prepared to return to the tavern with Ying Bing.
With his arms hanging limply, he walked alongside Ying Bing down the snow-packed streets. The constant foot and carriage traffic had compacted the snow into ice, making it slippery underfoot.
Every now and then, someone would take a hard fall, landing flat on their backside and struggling to get up.
The southern border had never seen snowfall this heavy before.
Children played on the streets—some rode makeshift sleds pulled by their big yellow dogs, while others slid around or engaged in snowball fights, even role-playing as famous figures.
"My turn to be Young Hero Li!"
"I’ve already played the Disaster Beast twice today!"
"Hurry up, give me the sword!"
Li Mo’s eyes lit up as he watched the children squabble over a straight branch nearby.
"What a fine sword—truly a divine blade!"
Ying Bing glanced at the Red Sky Sword at his waist, her cool eyes flickering with exasperation.
"A man remains a boy at heart"—this saying was embodied perfectly in young Li.
Earlier, he’d carefully extracted a sheet of ice from a water barrel, handling it so delicately as if afraid it might shatter. Yet the moment he got it out intact, he smashed it onto the ground with glee, grinning as he asked her if that wasn’t impressive.
If she didn’t rein him in soon, he’d probably dash off to go ice-skating.
Ying Bing extended her small hand.
Though itching to play, Li Mo ultimately chose to hold (or be held by) the "ice block’s" hand.
Her palm was soft, cool, and fragrant, gradually warming in his grip—giving him the courage to occasionally slide forward a little.
Whenever he slowed down, Ying Bing would notice his intentions, shoot him a faintly exasperated look, and then pull him along for a short glide.
This was actually kind of fun?
Ying Bing glanced back at him. This boy, nearly seventeen, was about to become a renowned hero of the world. Soon, the Hidden Dragon Ranking would spread his deeds across the heavens and earth.
Yet here he was, letting her lead him by the hand, grinning like an overgrown child.
A strange, ticklish feeling stirred in her chest.
As if something had taken root and sprouted…
Perhaps… maybe… it was just because she’d worn the Lunar Fairy Dress for too long. Her Yin energy had always been abundant, and now it felt a little restless…
Within the miniature world.
The once-hazy mist had nearly vanished. Seven celestial bodies, including a sun and moon, along with various meticulously crafted landscapes by the Heavenly Venerable himself, painted a thriving and extraordinary scene.
The space had now expanded to half the size of a city.
By the time Li Mo broke through to the Inner Scenery Realm, it might even rival Yunzhou City in scale.
Once he reached that stage, he could project this miniature world as a domain—one capable of enveloping an entire city!
Just imagining it felt absurd.
But at the moment, the Heavenly Venerable wasn’t pondering domains.
"Earlier… what was that ice block secretly tidying up?"
On their way back to the tavern, Ying Bing had suddenly remembered something and made him wait outside.
Young Li found it odd.
Through the door, he’d caught her stashing something into her puppet—clothing, perhaps?
"Could it be… worn southern-style garments…?"
At this thought, the Heavenly Venerable shuddered, his gaze growing increasingly profound.
"Master… what… what are you thinking about?"
A timid voice interrupted.
Princess Jiang Chulong had just entered when she saw her Heavenly Venerable teacher standing there with an inscrutable expression.
Was he contemplating some profound cosmic truth?
"These matters… those who understand, understand."
"Those who don’t, wouldn’t even if explained."
The Heavenly Venerable sighed and shook his head, dismissing his thoughts.
The little princess obediently dropped the subject, further convinced of her assumption.
Her master’s thoughts were too profound—even if told, she wouldn’t grasp them.
Besides, she had something more pressing:
"Master, Aunt Mei… Aunt Mei wants to take me… away from Purple Sun Prefecture."
"But… but Big Brother Li hasn’t returned yet."
"With the southern border so dangerous now… is he… is he alright?"
Strangely, Jiang Chulong’s stutter had lessened as she asked this.
Had news of the southern border’s turmoil reached Purple Sun Prefecture?
Did that mean the elders of the Qingyuan Sect knew as well?
The victory report from Greenwood City likely hadn’t made it back yet—they must be worried sick…
The Heavenly Venerable softened his voice, patting the little princess’s head.
Jiang Chulong bit her lip, her trembling gaze faintly visible behind the cloth strip.
"Since when have I ever lied to you?"
The Heavenly Venerable chuckled before adding,
"Besides, soon enough, the Hidden Dragon Ranking will update. The world will know—and so will you."
Jiang Chulong exhaled in relief, pressing a hand to her chest before whispering,
"Master… who am I sparring with today?"
"Today’s opponent is… a little different."
The Heavenly Venerable smiled mysteriously and produced a Divine Contemplation Painting.
This was a reward from his investments—depicting a young general who had dominated battlefields, infused with the essence of warfare.
It was of the Upper Form grade.
Currently, the Tower of Ten Thousand Empty Colors had only filled slightly over one of its thirty-six layers with the power of sentient beings—just enough to project an Upper Form.
The gathered energy flowed from the pagoda into the Mirror of Chaos and Truth.
A beam of light shone upon the painting, and a figure stepped out from it.
Clad in ancient armor and wielding a massive glaive, the figure’s aura hovered around the Contemplation Realm.
"This man was the heir of Prince Helian during the Great Shang era."
"This projection contains a fragment of his strength and the essence of his techniques."
"Your lesson today is to defeat him!"
"He’s only the first. You’ll face countless opponents hereafter—you must overcome them, forge your own sword path, until your sword bone is reborn!"
According to the insights from the Eye of Providence…
Little Princess Jiang was fifteen now.
And the moment she stepped into the Contemplation Realm would mark the rebirth of her sword bone!