Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’
Chapter 196: Quick, I want to smirk

Hengyun Sword City, inside the Sword Tower.

Through the efforts of generations of disciples, the interior of this towering sword-like mountain had been hollowed out almost entirely. Among its chambers was the Library Pavilion.

The martial techniques left behind by those who had comprehended the sword marks were all stored here. The deeper one ventured, the fewer the techniques became. The front shelves mostly held mid-tier martial arts.

Following the two Dharma Body experts, the group passed through rows of lengthy stone bookshelves.

"So many rewards haven't been claimed yet. Tonight’s going to be a big task."

"I love tasks like this..."

Li Mo was in high spirits.

The Martial Arts Summit had been fruitful for him. He had gained proficiency in the Nine Swords of Dugu, condensed a Sword Pill, and, most importantly, had indulged in the thrill of being a swordsman without any mishaps.

He had also comprehended a hammer technique, and the system’s rewards had been overwhelmingly generous.

There was even a grand prize from the "ice block" that he hadn’t opened yet...

"Ah—!"

Li Mo suddenly sucked in a sharp breath.

"Brother Li... what... what’s wrong?"

Princess Jiang Chulong panicked.

Ying Bing also snapped out of her thoughts and glanced over.

Li Mo wore an agonized expression:

"Quick, snap me out of it. I can’t stop myself from smirking."

Jiang Chulong: "???"

Ying Bing: "..."

The "ice block" had her own way of handling things. She calmly unclipped the oversized doll from her waist.

Expressionless, her slender fingers gripped the doll’s head and twisted it sharply.

Li Mo sobered up instantly.

Along the way, they passed sections storing mid-tier, high-tier, and even supreme-tier martial arts.

One by one, the others stopped to submit the techniques they had either comprehended or prepared for exchange.

Only Li Mo and his two companions continued onward, escorted by the two Dharma Body experts to the deepest part of the Sword Tower.

This was where divine techniques were kept.

The white-haired Dharma Body expert turned to face them, his gaze filled with emotion:

"Since the founding of Hengyun Sword City, only two individuals have ever set foot here."

"You mean... the two of you... seniors?"

Princess Jiang Chulong asked innocently.

White-haired expert: "..."

Elderly sage-like expert: "..."

Are we not people?

The girl’s naive and pure words were as sharp as her sword.

"Dharma Body experts possess abilities akin to immortals. How could they be measured by mortal standards?"

Li Mo patted Jiang Chulong’s head before cupping his hands respectfully toward the two experts.

"Seniors, please continue. This place must hold extraordinary significance?"

The white-haired expert gave Li Mo an approving glance before explaining:

"Those two individuals were Wan Ze, the Sword Saint of Yunzhou, who once reached the Palm Profound Realm, and the one who originally left the sword mark."

Li Mo was taken aback.

Hadn’t the sword mark been passed down since ancient times?

But then it struck him—if even he could inexplicably become a "Sword Immortal," then the rumors circulating in the Yunzhou martial world were best taken with a grain of salt...

"As expected."

Ying Bing’s eyes lowered slightly, her head giving an imperceptible nod.

"You are perceptive."

The elderly expert chuckled.

"The other person who came here and left the Hengyun sword mark on the mystical stone was none other than the Martial Emperor the Great Ancestor!"

Li Mo’s eyes widened.

Did that mean the original seal on the stone was the Emperor’s own handwriting?

After thousands of years of retelling, had it been mythologized into the work of an immortal?

"So what I saw... was Great Ancestor?"

Jiang Chulong murmured, half-understanding.

"No need to worry."

The white-haired expert shook his head with a smile.

"Even the Great Yu Imperial Family likely no longer remembers this. Besides, a figure as mighty as the Martial Emperor would surely be broad-minded. Even if he knew later prodigies had altered his sword mark, he’d probably feel..."

Mid-sentence, he suddenly recalled what Li Mo had left behind.

He quickly amended:

"Well, compared to the Martial Emperor, you should be more concerned about the Rain Pavilion’s retaliation. They hold grudges fiercely and strike unpredictably. Unlike an emperor who’s been gone for millennia, they’re right at your doorstep."

Li Mo: "..."

What a comforting thought.

"Proceed."

"You may leave behind the martial technique you’ve just comprehended for future generations or submit one of equivalent rank."

The elderly expert brought out various recording tools—jade slips, paper and brush, or engraved walls—all available.

The latter half of his statement was mere formality.

In all the world, how many could truly master divine techniques?

Those without the destined affinity could gaze upon divine techniques forever and still gain nothing.

Take the sword mark left by the Martial Emperor on the mystical stone. For thousands of years, it had remained in Hengyun Sword City, yet no one had ever truly claimed it.

Martial arts chose their practitioners, and such individuals were exceedingly rare.

Jiang Chulong and Ying Bing both chose the engraved walls—specially crafted treasures capable of preserving one’s image.

Ying Bing pondered briefly before unsheathing Frost Sky.

The same ethereal, breathtaking sword technique from before.

Seeing it again, the two Dharma Body experts couldn’t help but marvel:

"Such a sword technique, like an immortal’s stroke—what is its name?"

"Name..."

Ying Bing’s brows furrowed slightly.

Divine Thunder Heavenly Heart?

No, this sword was vastly different now. She had created it after gaining insights from Li Mo’s soul resonance.

To give it a fitting name... she truly couldn’t think of one at the moment...

"Ethereal as an immortal’s descent—how about ‘Heaven’s~Descending~Immortal!’?"

Li Mo delivered as usual.

"Heaven’s Descending Immortal?" The white-haired expert mused.

"It’s ‘Heaven’s~Descending~Immortal!’" Li Mo emphasized.

Ying Bing’s mind settled.

Suddenly, after hearing those four words, no other name seemed to compare.

How did he come up with it?

He always said art imitated life—but where had he seen an immortal?

Soon, Jiang Chulong followed suit and completed her recording.

When it was Li Mo’s turn, he hesitated:

"Seniors know me—it’s not that I wish to withhold anything."

"But that technique cannot be recorded in words. And if I were to demonstrate it... I truly can’t."

Right now, he could barely execute the full sequence of "Seven Determinations of Heaven and Earth" only because of his robust physique. Otherwise, he’d need the World Seed’s empowerment.

Ying Bing sheathed her sword, her gaze flickering.

So... he couldn’t use that divine technique now?

Did that mean it wouldn’t count toward his ranking in future assessments?

The two Dharma Body experts exchanged glances.

Fair enough.

Divine techniques varied—some refined the self, while others unleashed immense power, unusable until one reached a certain level.

Given the spectacle of "Heaven and Earth Bowing," his words were credible.

The white-haired expert deliberated before speaking:

"If not for your foresight, Hengyun Sword City would have suffered greatly. Making an exception for you wouldn’t be unreasonable..."

"I dare not ask seniors to break rules for me. Besides, ‘all for one, one for all’ is the very spirit of the Martial Arts Summit."

Li Mo smiled modestly.

A favor from Hengyun Sword City wasn’t something to be cashed in so lightly.

He still wanted to study the mystical stone—using up their goodwill now would make future requests awkward...

"I have three proposals to present for the elders' consideration."

"The first is rather straightforward—I could offer some material compensation, treating this opportunity to study the mystic stone as purchasing a qualification from Sword City."

The white-robed young man chuckled dismissively:

"Sword City has no lack of petty coins. How much could you possibly offer?"

"Just... a modest amount."

Young Li bashfully extended two fingers in a humble gesture.

As all cultivators know, a mustard seed may contain a universe.

Thus, the space between fingertips isn't always as insignificant as it appears.

...

Seeking spiritual stone donations—many thanks and virtual bows! (OrZ)