Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’ Chapter 713: The Fragile Ice Block

"You're awake. How do you feel?"

Li Mo observed Huang Donglai as he sat up abruptly from his near-death state, yet he remained cautious. This wasn't some video game where a level-up resulted in a full health restoration. After all, the man had consumed a massive portion.

"I... reached the Inner Realm?"

Huang Donglai briefly inspected his inner world. Rather than the typical joy of a breakthrough, his heart was filled with the lingering dread of a narrow escape. Had the pressure of the moment not been so intense, he doubted he would have the courage to attempt it again, even if given a second chance.

"What a shame, Young Master Huang. Since you only finished one bowl, you barely managed to cross into the first layer of the Inner Realm. Had you finished the whole thing, you might have reached the same level as Young Master Li," Tian Xun remarked, her face beaming with pride.

"......"

Huang Donglai inwardly mused that if he had actually finished that pot, he wouldn't have just reached the Inner Realm; he likely would have ascended to the heavens instantly. With that thought, he glanced back at the stew, intending to store it away. If he ever crossed paths with a truly irredeemable and monstrous villain, he could use this barbaric concoction against them.

Wait??

"Why is the pot empty?" Huang Donglai asked, visibly stunned.

Tian Xun chuckled, "Young Master Li picked it up and drained every drop. Who would have guessed? He looks like such a refined gentleman, yet his eating habits are so unpolished."

She assumed it was simply because the dish was delicious and aided his Cultivation. She couldn't blame him for devouring it so hungrily.

"Brother Li, you!" Huang Donglai’s eyes bulged, looking as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning.

Young Master Li, standing with his hands behind his back, offered a faint and somewhat melancholy smile:

"It was merely a bit of stew."

"Oh, don't worry. Sister Bing has mastered the recipe, and there are still ingredients remaining. If you want more, just ask her to cook it again next time," Tian Xun said, laughing lightheartedly.

To her, it seemed Young Master Huang hadn't eaten his fill and was surprised that Young Master Li had been so greedy with such a massive appetite.

Young Master Li gestured that his capacity was more than enough for such a task.

Noticing the strong bond between Young Master Li and his companion, Tian Xun stepped aside and scribbled in her notebook: 'In private, Young Master Li is actually a compassionate, easy-going, and humble individual.'

One could say...

While the logic behind her observation was entirely flawed, her final assessment wasn't completely wrong.

However, the perceptive Ying Bing watched the two men and frowned, sensing that the bowl of stew wasn't quite what it seemed. Even if the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was exceptionally pure, what was all this talk about an inner world?

"Old Huang, what kind of enlightenment did you use to form your inner world?"

"Well..."

Huang Donglai stole a glance at Li Mo, cleared his throat, and began, "Is autumn not approaching? When the grasses wither and all life fades, it represents the transition from peak prosperity to inevitable decline. That realization sparked a sudden moment of inspiration."

Li Mo gave him a mental thumbs up. As expected of a professional storyteller, his martial insights were perfectly scripted.

"Show us a move." Ying Bing had witnessed inner worlds that captured the desolation of autumn winds, but Huang Donglai’s felt distinct.

Unable to decline, Huang Donglai raised his hand and released a gentle palm strike.

The resulting wind surged forward, causing all vegetation in its path to shrivel. Even the trees in the courtyard, which were only lightly brushed by the force, shed their leaves instantly. The trees seemed drained of their life force, turning gray and brittle before collapsing with a heavy thud.

"Incredible power!" Tian Xun exclaimed, recognizing its lethality from just a glimpse.

Ying Bing narrowed her gaze, "It doesn't feel like..."

Li Mo took her hand to divert her attention, "Old Huang's inner world hasn't been named yet, has it? It deserves something appropriate."

"That is true."

Huang Donglai wasn't particularly concerned about the name, but since Li Mo had brought it up, he listened.

"'When my flower blooms, a hundred others wither.' How about 'Hundred Flowers' Slaughter'?"

Young Li threw out a stolen line with great flair, causing Tian Xun's eyes to sparkle. She added 'eloquent' to her notes on Young Master Li.

Huang Donglai, however, shook his head in disagreement. "It sounds impressive—perhaps too impressive. It would put enemies on guard immediately. Besides, 'flowers' sounds more like a feminine technique."

"Then come up with one yourself, Old Huang."

"I prefer grass. It is found everywhere. Let's just call it 'Hundred Grasses' Withering'."

Still feeling it lacked something, Huang Donglai added a prefix. "Since I found enlightenment while eating that meal, let's call it 'Stew·Hundred Grasses' Withering'!"

Li Mo: "..."

It was certainly a grounded name, considering its potential for agricultural work. Yet, 'Stew·Hundred Grasses' Withering' sounded strangely terrifying.

Once the meal was over, Murong Xiao, Qin Yuzhi, Shang Qinqing, and Tian Miao, who had been waiting outside the courtyard, finally ventured inside.

"Senior Sister, where did you all go? You missed the food!" Tian Xun pouted.

Tian Miao’s lip twitched slightly, "What a tragic loss that was."

"This humble monk already dined elsewhere," Murong Xiao added quickly, terrified that Tian Xun might cook another pot. He wasn't ready to meet the Buddha just yet.

"Murong, I have entered the Inner Realm. If you had returned sooner, you might have gained some insight from the process," Huang Donglai said. Though his complexion was pale, he smiled at his friend.

Witnessing a breakthrough to the Inner Realm was indeed a rare learning opportunity.

Master Murong maintained a serene, sage-like expression:

"My apologies, this humble monk was... preoccupied. Alas... why must life be a constant chase for worldly power? Even after the Inner Realm, there is the Outer Realm. There is always a taller mountain and a wider sky."

"One's life should not be dedicated solely to higher Cultivation. We should seek more meaningful pursuits, such as performing acts of virtue."

Tian Xun looked impressed by his words. "As expected of a high monk from the Suspended Temple. Your speech is truly steeped in Buddhist wisdom."

"I just hope those 'pursuits' you were busy with didn't involve anything scandalous."

Young Li looked at Murong's peaceful face, knowing full well that tomorrow would be yet another 'first day' of his vows of abstinence. Those 'acts of virtue' likely involved 'saving' women in the entertainment districts...

"Farewell everyone, see you tomorrow."

Tian Xun, oblivious to the hidden meanings in their talk, waved goodbye excitedly. She had gathered a wealth of material to write about tonight.

Li Mo cleared his throat softly. "The trip was exhausting, so get some rest. There are plenty of interesting stories in the Qingyuan Sect to cover. You don't need to follow me around constantly."

Tian Miao gave Li Mo an apologetic nod and quickly dragged her junior sister away from the dangerous area.

"Little Bing said you had an important matter to discuss. What is it?" Shang Qinqing asked, recalling the reason for her visit.

Once Tian Xun and Tian Miao were out of sight, Li Mo laid out his strategy to Shang Qinqing and Qin Yuzhi.

"When we go undercover in the Demonic Cult, we must be incredibly vigilant. We cannot afford any mistakes."

"Our cover story is that we hail from the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect—a terrifyingly powerful hidden Sect protected by an Immortal and filled with ancient treasures. We must act with the arrogant grace of those from a superior realm. I will be relying on you two to project that authority."

Li Mo realized he didn't have many people he could truly trust with such high-stakes missions.

"I will take the role of the Upper Immortal. Clan Leader Shang, you will act as my accompanying divine beast. Sect Leader Qin, you shall be my personal guardian. The Elders of the Qingyuan Sect will serve as my attendants."

"I haven't had a good workout in a while. I'm in," Shang Qinqing agreed without hesitation.

"I am used to being a Sect Leader, never a guardian," Qin Yuzhi muttered, lost in thought. Infiltrating the Summoning Demonic Cult... she wondered if she needed to suppress her natural aura.

"What about me?" Huang Donglai chimed in.

"Brother Li still needs a mount, doesn't he?" Murong Xiao teased.

Li Mo shot him a look before turning back to Huang. "Old Huang, you will infiltrate the Demonic Cult from their side and act as our internal contact when the time comes."

As he spoke, he handed Huang Donglai another storage artifact packed with defensive treasures. Since Li Mo was planning to cultivate the Eight-Nine Profound Art, these items were redundant for him, but they were vital for Old Huang’s safety in such a perilous mission.

"I understand, foster father," Huang Donglai said, his title for Li Mo changing the moment he felt the weight of the treasures.

"And me? What's my job?" Murong Xiao asked, realizing he was the only one left out.

"You will continue your 'good deeds,' accumulating merit for us so our plan succeeds smoothly," Li Mo said, patting his shoulder with mock sincerity.

Everyone had a specific role; the plan was professionally organized. This was definitely not the sort of thing they wanted Tian Xun recording in her notebook.

After a few more minutes, the finer points of the operation were finalized.

"By the way, where is the Ice Block?" Li Mo realized that Ying Bing had left to pour tea but hadn't come back.

He stood up to search for her, then suddenly went rigid.

In the distance...

Smoke was once again drifting from the kitchen's chimney.

A stray bird flew through the edge of the smoke trail, instantly went stiff, and plummeted to the ground like a broken toy.

Not good!

Li Mo’s expression twisted in horror as a terrifying realization hit him. He sprinted toward the kitchen.

Ice Block! You can't eat that stuff alone!