Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’ Chapter 716: Isnt This Just Bullying an Honest Person

"The weather is truly wonderful today."

As Ying Bing opened the door, the gentle breeze carried the morning light inside, bathing her flawless, jade-like skin in the shifting colors of the dawn.

She felt remarkably spirited, having finally moved past her recent bout of illness. A rare sense of peace flickered within her deep, silent eyes. Appearing like a divine fairy descending to survey the mundane world, she bore little resemblance to the frail and frigid woman she had been just days prior.

"Sister Bing, has your recovery reached its completion?"

Though Tian Xun was nineteen and technically older than Ying Bing, she didn't see it that way.

Ying Bing’s tall, slender frame and the aloof elegance in her expression—coupled with her breathtaking beauty and the stifling pressure of her natural talent—made Tian Xun completely overlook their age gap.

In her interview notes, she had even scribbled: "Proposal: The Beauty Rankings should officially begin at second place from this point forward."

"Mhm."

Ying Bing gave a brief, subtle nod.

"It is surely thanks to Young Master Li's tireless devotion over these last two days. I noticed he rarely left your side, Sister Bing, and didn't even stop to change his robes."

"...Mhm."

The eyelashes of the cold beauty fluttered. Her mind drifted to 'Little Li’s' specific method of 'devotion' and the details of the System’s punishment. She couldn't help but forcefully massage the forehead of a large-headed doll nearby before her face smoothed back into its usual composure.

"It was... very thorough care indeed."

She shot a pointed, meaningful look at Li Mo as he stepped out from the kitchen area.

"..."

Li Mo’s stride faltered for a second, and he let out a soft cough.

Young Li’s emotions were tangled. He was relieved the ice block had recovered from her illness—or more accurately, her food poisoning—but a part of him felt a bit wistful.

He found himself wondering when he might again witness the ice block in such a fragile, weak, and easily dominated state...

"It’s a good thing she healed so fast. Otherwise, with my youthful energy, I might have been the one to give in first," Li Mo remarked to Tian Xun with a nod.

"Now I finally comprehend what Sister Shang and Sister Qin meant."

A look of eager excitement crossed Tian Xun’s face as she bowed her head to write in her small notebook once more.

Scrawled across the paper were phrases like 'deeply affectionate' and 'mutual respect'...

The daily life of the Wife-Boosting Little Tyrant and the Cold Fairy: Confirmed.

Her fascination was that of a young girl, caught in that innocent yet curious age regarding romance, watching a beautiful scene that usually only existed in legends.

"Time for breakfast."

Li Mo caught a glimpse of the notes from the corner of his eye. Feeling a shiver run down his spine, he quickly shoved a steamed bun toward Tian Xun.

Young lady, things are likely, probably, perhaps... not at all what you’re imagining.

Naturally, there was no point in explaining this to her. Even if he did, she wouldn't be able to include it in her report, and even if she wrote it, it would never pass the censors. The 'good stuff' in Ouyang’s last picture book had been a bit too explicit, and he had nearly been hauled off by the guards.

Ultimately, this was for the benefit of Tian Xun’s career.

Besides, Li Mo had no time to manage her interviews. He simply let her record whatever her eyes perceived.

Currently, his mind was occupied by more than just the Ascension Ceremony; the Summoning Demon Cult and the Lingxi Sect were lurking like predators, and the looming engagement banquet was of utmost importance.

The following day.

As a crisp autumn wind swept through, martial artists from every corner of the jianghu began to gather at the Qingyuan Sect. The rise of a Province-Anchoring Sect was a monumental shift in the power balance of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, drawing visitors from every direction.

Even the Buddhist Sect of the Western Regions, the Penglai Immortal Isle from across the sea, and the Northern Sealed Sky Blade School had sent their people.

On the surface, it was a gesture of respect toward a new Province-Anchoring power. In reality, they were there to investigate this sect built upon the Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum, hoping to gauge its true strength beyond just the younger generation.

Many arrived with great fanfare, while others slipped in quietly.

Assassins from the Fine Rain Tower, demon tribes from the Southern Border, and various demonic cultists were among those moving in the shadows.

At any Ascension Ceremony, a display of martial skill was an essential tradition.

The plaza before the main peak’s Great Hall was currently buzzing with activity.

For now, it was the younger disciples testing one another; the time for the Elders to share their insights on the Dao had not yet come.

"Brother, take this!"

Ouyang Shuimo swung his ink brush, painting dark streaks through the air.

The ink manifested into soaring birds and prowling tigers—vivid mythical creatures that radiated a heavy, powerful aura.

Across from him, however, stood a swordsman with a melancholic face. He merely whispered a faint "Not bad," before a flash of cold blade light appeared and vanished in an instant.

The ink-wash beasts shattered into nothingness.

Ouyang had no choice but to cup his fists and admit defeat.

In truth, the Qingyuan Sect was struggling in these junior matches.

The primary reason was the absence of Li Mo and Ying Bing from the competition. Without those two, the new generation of the Qingyuan Sect lacked the foundation to compete with the elite disciples of the great sects.

It gave the onlookers the impression that the Qingyuan Sect lacked the true prestige of a Province-Anchoring powerhouse.

Ouyang, a top disciple representing his peak, hadn't even lasted three exchanges against a descendant of the Sky Blade Tang Clan.

"I'll give it a go!"

Xiao Qin leaped onto the stage. A single swing of his sword conjured a massive gale. Had it not been for the protective arrays surrounding the platform, the surrounding landscape for miles would have been stripped bare.

The sorrowful swordsman’s eyes brightened at the challenge.

"So the Qingyuan Sect has talent other than Li Mo and Ying Bing. Come, let us fight for three hundred rounds!"

The two clashed repeatedly on the stage, drawing a constant roar of approval from the spectators below.

Ouyang watched in awe, clicking his tongue. "That Tang Liu was an unknown, yet his strength is undeniable. Junior Brother Xiao is actually holding his own against him."

"Old Xiao has undergone significant Cultivation progress lately."

Li Mo nodded, a popsicle sticking out of his mouth.

"The world’s heroes are truly as plenty as fish in a stream," Ouyang remarked, a hint of sadness in his voice.

Well, this made him feel slightly better. It wasn't that he was incompetent; it was simply that his opponent was a monster.

After his sigh, he turned to Li Mo with a serious expression.

"Junior Brother Li, despite your current fame, you must always remember that there is always a higher heaven above, and a stronger man beyond. No matter how much you advance your Cultivation, you will eventually meet a peer who is your equal, or even someone with a higher realm. You must be prepared to fight those stronger than yourself."

Ouyang’s head was full of the romantic novels he read, which always followed this pattern.

No matter the protagonist's strength, new geniuses would always appear. The hero would then achieve a breakthrough in the heat of battle, defying the odds to emerge victorious.

The weak overcoming the strong was the heart of every great story.

"Senior Brother Ouyang makes a valid point."

Li Mo was neither vain nor prideful, and Ouyang’s words actually sparked a bit of fighting spirit in him.

Just then, on the platform, Old Xiao finally lost by a hair’s breadth to the young swordsman.

"I yield."

The sorrowful swordsman gave a smile that looked more like a sob. The Tang Clan had ruled the Northern Seals for generations, and though he hadn't joined the Hidden Dragon Conference, he clearly remained at the pinnacle of his age group.

The praise of the crowd and the nods from the Elders filled him with a massive sense of ego.

He circulated his Qi, grounding it in his Dantian, and shouted:

"Who is next?!"

"Brother, how does he have the nerve?" Over with the Penglai Sect group, Ning Jue looked physically pained.

"When people start boasting, they lose their wits. Just keep eating..."

Ning Que waved him off, showing zero interest in the duels or the posturing.

Because he had just seen...

"I'm coming!"