Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’ Chapter 8: His Vision Is Himself The First Purple Destiny

“Did he reach the peak as well?”

“If I wasn’t struggling just to keep my balance, I’d swear the Heavenly Ascent Steps were broken!”

“But if he actually made it to the summit, why wasn’t there a grand spectacle?”

“Who cares about that? He climbed with such ease—his bone structure has to be significantly better than Grade C.”

The surrounding crowd erupted into a flurry of whispers and doubt.

Just moments before, Ying Bing had triggered a magnificent vision—a hundred birds gathering in homage.

In contrast, Li Mo’s arrival at the top was met with total silence, devoid of any miraculous phenomena.

“It’s impossible! Completely impossible! He must have used some kind of trickery!”

Wang Hu, who was still lightheaded after tumbling down dozens of stone steps, felt like he might faint from pure fury. Seeing the shameless brat who had blindsided him reach the summit was too much to bear.

He gnashed his teeth so violently they nearly cracked; he wanted nothing more than to rush up and drag Li Mo down personally.

Unfortunately, he lacked the strength to even stand upright.

“Cousin! That treacherous, low-born brat has no right to join the Clear Abyss Sect!”

“Be quiet! His fate is for the Elders to decide.”

Wang Hao, though feeling equally humiliated, quickly silenced his cousin’s reckless outbursts.

The boy’s evaluation was a matter for the Sect’s leadership.

As mere candidates, they had no authority to challenge the integrity of the entrance trials.

Nevertheless, Wang Hao shared the belief that Li Mo had relied on some dishonest tactic.

According to the Sect’s historical records, the truth was undeniable.

The fifth-generation patriarch of the Clear Abyss Sect had once summoned a heavenly river falling three thousand feet. The sixteenth-generation patriarch had caused ten thousand trees to bloom in an instant.

Even the current Sect Master, Shangguan Wencang, had caused every sword in the vicinity to tremble in awe during his trial.

Every individual who had ever reached the summit had manifested a legendary phenomenon.

...

While the aspirants below were still struggling, the Elders on the viewing pavilion had fallen into a deep silence.

As masters of the Observation Divinity Realm, they possessed vision far beyond that of ordinary mortals.

To their eyes, the youth in the crow-crown actually did display something incredible.

A figure stood behind him, its back turned toward the world of men.

At first glance, the silhouette appeared plain, yet it left a haunting impression on the soul.

One moment it looked like a fisherman casting a net... then a scholar reading by a flickering lamp... then a powerful general entering the imperial palace...

The image seemed to shift in the blink of an eye.

Yet, when they focused their gaze, it returned to its simple form—a youth dressed in fine robes.

Was that Li Mo’s own reflection?

Had he somehow projected his own essence upon the Heavenly Ascent Steps?

What kind of strange power was this?

The Elders traded looks of confusion, finding only shared bewilderment in each other’s eyes.

This was completely outside the scope of their experience.

However, one fact remained certain:

This boy was far from ordinary.

“Since he has successfully reached the hundredth step, he meets the requirements for a true disciple. What is the consensus?” Xue Jing asked in a level voice, casually brushing away a strand of his beard he had accidentally pulled out in his astonishment.

“I agree.”

“Indeed. He is worth keeping an eye on.”

Han He paused as he set down his tea, looking hesitant.

“However, the ancestral laws state that those who reach the summit are candidates for the Sect leadership—the future masters of Qingyuan Mountain.”

“How can we have two successors at once?”

It was a rare dilemma; the Sect had not seen two candidates reach the peak simultaneously in over a hundred years.

The group of Elders turned their attention toward the Sect Master.

After a brief silence, Shangguan Wencang gave his decree:

“Ying Bing shall become my personal disciple. Li Mo will be designated as a true disciple.”

The Elders found this decision reasonable.

One had shown the reflection of a common man.

The other had summoned a majestic, mysterious phoenix that shone like the moon.

The latter clearly possessed the greater potential for Cultivation.

...

Clang—

The heavy ring of a bell vibrated through the mountain peaks.

The tall stick of incense in the bronze vessel had finally turned to ash—the hour was up.

As the time expired, some felt a sense of relief, others accepted their fate, and a few were consumed by bitterness.

Regardless, the results were now final.

Out of the thousands who had started, only seven or eight hundred remained to move forward.

The Elders representing the various peaks descended from their high platform.

With a single stride, Shangguan Wencang brought the restless crowd to a halt.

“Outer disciples, report to the Outer Court Affairs Hall to collect your identification tokens and resources.”

“Inner disciples are permitted to choose a peak to join. Every peak has its own unique techniques and martial arts. You have three days to make your choice.”

“Whether you are in the inner or outer court, do not become lazy. Your future paths are still yours to write.”

The Sect Master’s voice was filled with a weight that calmed the hearts of everyone present.

Li Mo scanned the faces of the Elders until his eyes stopped on one.

Xue Jing gave him a subtle wink.

Ah...

It all clicked into place now.

Li Mo had always wondered how a simple street doctor could have obtained something as precious as a Pure Yang Pill.

“Ying Bing will be accepted as my direct disciple,” Shangguan Wencang declared.

Even though it was expected, a wave of excitement still washed over the crowd.

To be personally taught by the Master of the Clear Abyss Sect!

It was a total transformation of status in a single moment.

Just a short while ago, they were all equals in the trial. Now, a massive divide had been created. Such was the unpredictable nature of fate.

“Li Mo, Lin Jiang, and Murong Xiao also show the potential of true disciples.”

“Who among the Elders wishes to take them?”

The position of a true disciple was highly coveted—each Elder was limited to only five such students.

“What a shame. My spots are already taken.”

“Lin Jiang, with your Mantis Legs, Snake Spine, and Magpie Shoulders, you are a perfect fit for my polearm techniques. Do you wish to join me?”

“Tsk, this Murong Xiao is quite the catch—he possesses the blood of an auspicious beast! A truly fine talent!”

Lin Jiang was quickly recruited.

Murong Xiao caused a brief conflict between three Elders before Han He eventually claimed him.

Li Mo focused his gaze on the two of them.

[Name: Lin Jiang]

[Age: 16]

[Bone Structure: Mantis Legs, Snake Spine, Magpie Shoulders]

[Realm: Qi-Blood Realm (4 Meridians)]

[Fate: Blue]

[Evaluation: High talent but lacks patience. Likely to crumble under extreme stress. Can become great if disciplined.]

[Recent Circumstance: Just became a true disciple; currently searching for a high-quality weapon.]

...

[Name: Murong Xiao]

[Age: 16]

[Bone Structure: Crying Drake Physique]

[Realm: Qi-Blood Realm (5 Meridians)]

[Fate: Blue]

[Evaluation: A hybrid of human and river drake. Possesses a kind heart but is plagued by predatory instincts. Could become a hero or a monster.]

[Recent Circumstance: Struggling to control his bloodlust; searching for spiritual peace.]

“Hiss...”

Li Mo took a sharp breath.

The bloodline of an auspicious beast?

A human father and a drake mother?

Murong Xiao’s father must have been a true legend—even the famous Xu Xian would have to show him respect.

He noted their new positions in his mind.

“Wait, what about my turn?”

Li Mo suddenly realized that the Elders were looking at him with hesitation in their eyes.

“The boy has talent, certainly, but how does one actually train him?”

That was the question lingering in the air.

For a long time, no one spoke.

Then, a lazy, slightly slurred voice broke the quiet:

“Hey, kid... *hic*... do you want to be my student?”

Li Mo turned around.

A woman wearing elegant palace robes stood there, her hands on her hips as she tried—and failed—to look serious.

She had noble features, and her loose clothing couldn’t hide her impressive figure.

Standing there, she looked like a peony in full, wild bloom.

“Of course.”

After a brief pause, Li Mo gave a respectful bow.

“This... Nephew Shang Wu, she...”

Xue Jing started to interject, but he was immediately silenced by Shang Wu’s sharp glare and the sight of her small, pale fist clenching.

“Ahem, joining her is... a fine choice. From this day on, you are the only student of the Ninth Peak.”

Xue Jing changed his tune instantly, his face showing no trace of his previous hesitation.

“Greetings, Master.”

Li Mo stepped forward to formally accept his new mentor, though he was secretly confused.

Why were all the other Elders looking at him with such pity?

Curious, he used his Heavenly Destiny Eye to inspect her:

[Name: Shang Wu.]

[Age: 27.]

[Bone Structure: Southern Blazing Lotus Body.]

[Cultivation: Inner Scenery Seventh Heaven.]

[Destiny: Purple.]

[Evaluation: The youngest Elder in the Clear Abyss Sect. Her personality is questionable, but her power is absolute—she comes from a very high background.]

[Recent Circumstances: Completely broke and thirsty for wine; currently plotting how to trick the other Elders out of their silver. Has a strange interest in the Sect Leader’s disciple, Ying Bing.]

Li Mo: “?”

It was no wonder the other leaders were looking at him strangely.

By any standard, Shang Wu didn’t look like a proper master.

And... it wasn’t his “incredible talent” that got him in—it was her curiosity about Ying Bing?

Looking at those evaluations...

Li Mo was starting to wonder if a Purple Destiny was really that prestigious.

“Well, it’s the first time I’ve seen one,” he thought to comfort himself.

“Even if she doesn’t teach me anything, the investment should still be worth it.”

He finally relaxed.

“Heh, you’re with me now. If anyone gives you trouble, just say my name.”

Shang Wu slapped him on the shoulder—perhaps checking his bone structure—with a force that made Li Mo gasp. Her physical strength was terrifying.

Nearby, Ying Bing, who had already been settled, watched the woman in palace robes and the overwhelmed youth.

“So he ended up in Shang Wu’s group...”

Ying Bing gave a tiny, almost invisible nod.

If Li Mo could master even a small portion of Shang Wu’s techniques, he might actually make a name for himself in the Purple Sun Prefecture.

Of course, compared to the geniuses of the Eastern Wasteland Domain, he still wouldn’t be much—unlikely to ever reach the system’s top rankings.

“Four true disciples in one year... The Clear Abyss Sect is entering a golden age.”

“Come along, follow me to finish your registration.”

The short, stout Elder smiled warmly at the group.