Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’
Chapter 261: Summoning Wind and Rain, the Name of the Heavenly Flood Dragon Echoes Across the Southern Frontier

"My name is Wu Mo, a foreign serpent from the Eastern Wasteland Domain."

Li Mo, the young Mingjiao, stood on the stage introducing himself.

As everyone knew, he was the Best Actor winner at the Qingyuan Sect's first Golden Statue Awards.

Holding the pearl he had just bought at a high price, he spoke with deep emotion:

"Since childhood, I’ve been a serpent, raised in unfamiliar human lands. My father was severely injured when I was very young, and my mother’s health was ruined giving birth to me..."

"But when I heard our Mingjiao kin were in need, I journeyed thousands of miles to the Southern Border."

"All because I have a dream!"

Gasps erupted, and some demons couldn’t help but exclaim.

Traveling thousands of miles to the Southern Border?

No need to ask—it must be the dream of revitalizing the aquatic clans!

The demons present were deeply moved.

Faced with such a tragic backstory—a serpent who had never even met his own kin yet braved countless hardships to contribute—who wouldn’t be profoundly shaken?

"Rare, truly rare! Our aquatic clans need such a sincere Heavenly Serpent!"

Wu Qing seemed to recall something, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes as she stood and led the applause.

Soon, the judges' table erupted in clapping.

If the judges were applauding, how could the other aquatic clans stay idle?

Thus, with just an introduction, Li Mo won a thunderous ovation, as if he had already secured victory.

"He hasn’t even demonstrated his bloodline power yet!"

The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader slammed the table, his immense strength causing it to collapse.

What use was a pretty speech?

If his bloodline power turned out weak, wouldn’t it just be a joke?

His fellow aquatic clansmen at the table looked bewildered.

Seriously, buddy.

No one could outpace you at feasting—fine.

But why flip the table after you’ve already eaten your fill?

"Your conviction is commendable! But competing for the Celestial Jade is perilous. Belief alone isn’t enough—show us your bloodline power."

Wu Qing and the other Mingjiao elders grew eager to see what Wu Mo could do.

If such a devoted clansman also possessed remarkable bloodline power, he could be groomed for greatness!

"Of course."

Li Mo nodded calmly, then transformed into his demonic form—a serpent several zhang long.

His scales were the color of storm clouds, and his fierce serpent head revealed the purity of his bloodline!

Gasps of awe spread through the crowd.

Wu Mo’s bloodline was this pure?

The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s two heads raised their brows simultaneously, clearly caught off guard.

But he quickly regained his composure.

Even a pure-blooded Mingjiao couldn’t compare to the Xiangliu clan.

How could he possibly surpass the Qingluan Goddess?

"Brother Li doesn’t seem to have practiced controlling water vapor..."

Murong Xiao grew slightly nervous.

He knew Li Mo wasn’t a true demon but relied on a transformation technique.

What if he slipped up?

The gathering included fifth-grade great demons and even fourth-grade demon kings. If his human identity was exposed, the consequences would be dire.

But Li Mo had no intention of doing this himself.

Wind and Rain Summoning Talisman—activate!

Boom—

Thunder rumbled as the already gathered storm clouds darkened further, churning with impending fury.

"Achoo!"

Li Mo sneezed.

A gale erupted, lightning tore through the clouds, and the first breach for the coming downpour was made.

Plop—

The first raindrop fell, followed by a deluge as if a great river had burst its banks. The world was swiftly drowned in a white curtain of rain.

The torrential downpour left countless demons dazed and drenched.

"He summoned this storm?"

"This is a Mingjiao? I’d believe he was a dragon!"

"He never even received our clan’s teachings, yet he can do this?"

"Without guidance, he must have put in tremendous effort."

"Our Mingjiao clan finally has a true Heavenly Serpent!"

"Wu Mo isn’t married yet, right? Wonder if he likes shrimp-headed women..."

The aquatic clans by the lakeside, including the Mingjiao kin, erupted in excitement.

Some were already scheming to persuade Li Mo to mate with their clan’s women.

Such potent bloodline power, if inherited by descendants, would be extraordinary.

Even more terrifying—

He could not only summon storms but also make them cease!

The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s two heads exchanged glances, stunned and unable to suppress a hint of unease.

No.

No Mingjiao, no matter how strong their bloodline, could rival the Xiangliu clan.

And Wu Mo was still so young.

Strong bloodline ≠ strong combat ability...

"Wu Mo, the judges unanimously award you full marks!"

Fish in the lake swiftly arranged themselves into the number '10.'

"Thank you for your guidance, elders."

Li Mo clasped his claws together in a humble bow—the very picture of a cultured, well-mannered serpent.

Wu Qing and Murong Feng exchanged a glance, then asked him to meet them privately after the preliminaries.

Li Mo gladly agreed.

Then came the long preliminaries.

By nightfall, the twelve standout aquatic demons began the combat trials.

This wasn’t about ranking but letting the judges observe their performance in battle.

And guess what?

The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader and Li Mo finally crossed paths.

Stepping onto the arena, the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader declared:

"You’re young, so I won’t bully you with bloodline power. Let’s test raw strength instead."

Booing erupted from the crowd.

Demons relied on both bloodline power and physical might.

But clearly, Wu Mo’s strength lay in his bloodline. Challenging him to pure strength was like an adult arm-wrestling a child.

No shame at all.

Li Mo sighed inwardly in relief.

His control over water vapor was weaker than an average Mingjiao’s. The earlier storm had nothing to do with him.

He’d been trying to avoid exposure—only for this two-headed Xiangliu to offer the perfect solution.

Proof that more heads ≠ more brains...

"Sure."

"Heh... I’ll let you strike first. Show me what you’ve got."

The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader grinned smugly.

"You asked for it."

Li Mo grinned back.

The Nine Serpent Dragon Strength Pill... tasted wonderful.

......

Days later.

News of the Mingjiao clan’s Heavenly Serpent from Blackwater Marsh spread like wildfire across the Southern Border’s major demon clans.

With the Celestial Jade’s return at the turn of the sexagenary cycle, every clan was fixated on who would claim it—a matter of utmost importance.

The stronger a clan’s genius, the higher their chances.

Moreover.

This Mingjiao Heavenly Serpent, like the Qingluan Goddess, had done the unthinkable.

He’d reduced the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s heads by one.

By smashing it to pulp.

Word spread swiftly, reaching the ears of every major clan.

The Qiongqi Clan, the Roc Clan, the Golden-Haired Hou Clan, the Luwu Clan, and...

The Qingluan Clan.