Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’
Chapter 279: All Consequences, We Share Blessings and Misfortunes

At the heart of the Divine Jade, neither sun nor moon could be seen—only the radiant glow of the Jade Phoenix Goddess. If any demonic beings were present here, merely sensing its aura would purify their bloodline. This was the spark left behind by that woman for all future generations. As long as the Jade Phoenix Goddess existed, the vanished clans would not be truly extinct.

It was the hope the Nine-Colored Primordial Phoenix had left for all races.

"Perhaps... I shouldn’t be its master?"

Ying Bing lowered her delicate head, her jade-like face reflecting the dazzling light. Her lashes trembled slightly as she avoided looking at the Jade Phoenix Goddess.

"Huh? Who else is worthy besides you? Point them out, and I’ll cut them down."

Li Mo’s eyes widened.

Who had the audacity to compete with the "Ice Block" for this treasure and ruin his grand investment plan?

Then—

He met the young woman’s serene, deep gaze as she lifted her eyes.

Li Mo froze for a moment before pointing at his own nose.

Honestly speaking—

Aside from being wealthy, possessing unparalleled hammer techniques, mastering culinary arts across all cuisines, and being somewhat handsome... what else was he?

The Jade Phoenix Goddess wasn’t just a divine artifact—it carried the weight of destiny. He didn’t think he could bear it.

The Ice Block, on the other hand, was different. With her crimson destiny, the title of Phoenix Heaven Empress, and brilliance rivaling even the cheaters of fate, she was the obvious choice.

"Mhm."

Ying Bing stared at him intently, her eyes reflecting his stunned expression.

She remembered that day beneath the Matrimony Tree, when they had chatted idly. Li Mo had been preoccupied with sending a letter to Fu Yingzi, worried about finding the little girl’s father.

He had spoken of his travels—the corrupt officials who twisted truth into lies, the shape-shifting town guards, the mother and daughter clinging to each other for survival, the food eaten by common folk in the Southern Border.

But never once had he mentioned the Celestial Jade from beyond the heavens.

"...Ice Block."

"Hm?"

"Is there a chance... that it doesn’t matter which of us safeguards the jade?"

Li Mo spoke with utmost seriousness.

"......"

The words echoed in Ying Bing’s ears, freezing her jade-like face for a fleeting moment.

Her lips pressed together lightly, lost in thought.

Well.

What Young Li was thinking was—since they could connect their spirits through dual cultivation and share their souls, the two of them could jointly oversee the myriad races’ true spirits within the Jade Phoenix Goddess.

There was no need to fuss over who owned it...

Why wasn’t the Ice Block saying anything?

"Fine."

"Haha, that’s more like it—"

"All karma, all fortune and misfortune—we share them."

The Ice Block suddenly spoke with grave solemnity.

Just like the day she had declared they would go to the Southern Border to "pick stars."

Li Mo studied her flawless face but couldn’t discern what she had been thinking. Yet the softness in her eyes carried an unshakable resolve, as if no amount of time could ever erode it.

It’s so hot in here.

Does the Jade Phoenix Goddess double as a miniature sun?

Young Li suddenly found it hard to meet her gaze. Clearing his throat, he said,

"Then let’s put the Jade Phoenix Goddess away quickly."

"Mhm. Open your spirit—it’ll be faster."

The mysterious feather pattern between Ying Bing’s brows glowed faintly as her soul’s aura filled the space. The tiny figure within Li Mo’s dantian reacted similarly, but the Stone Monkey Divine Mark responded even more intensely.

The Stone Monkey Divine Mark contained numerous divine abilities, and now it seemed to resonate with the Jade Phoenix Goddess—specifically, the Seventy-Two Transformations.

The true spirits he had gathered along his journey suddenly stirred to life, swimming within his dantian. Their memories surfaced vividly in his mind.

Then—

An old friend emerged under the guidance of the Jade Phoenix Goddess.

The Rift-Sea Dragon Whale.

The translucent dragon-whale, its bloodline power intertwined like stars, revealed its essence without reservation.

It emitted an ancient, deep-sea hum before plunging into the Stone Monkey Divine Mark, becoming one of the Seventy-Two Transformations.

"Seems the Seventy-Two Transformations will soon be complete."

Li Mo’s soul felt swollen, but his heart swelled with satisfaction.

He decided to take a break and test out his new Rift-Sea Dragon Whale transformation.

So, he swallowed a drop of Dragon Whale essence blood.

Seventy-Two Transformations—activate!!

A surge of primordial power flooded his body, comparable to the first time he had wielded the World’s Might.

In simpler terms—he felt like he’d gained a ton of muscle.

Li Mo looked down at himself and realized he had suddenly become much burlier. If his previous build could be likened to a cheetah, now he resembled a bear.

Black patterns rippled across his arms, pulsing with raw strength.

He checked himself in a mirror.

"Wow, I look terrifying now."

"My vibe suits wielding a hammer... Wait, why am I thinking about that?"

Dragon Whale Li Mo touched the horns on his head and realized his skull felt heavier, his thoughts sluggish.

This transformation wasn’t meant for prolonged use.

Too much of it might rot his brain...

Oh, right.

Where’s the Ice Block?

He turned to look.

The Jade Phoenix Goddess would ultimately remain in her care, and she was bound to gain something extraordinary from it.

At first, Young Li had wanted to check on Ying Bing’s progress—but the moment his gaze shifted, he forgot his original intention.

As everyone knew, the feathers of avian races turned into clothing after taking human form.

Her dress had transformed into a gradient of metallic blue-green, matching the sheen at the ends of her hair. Her figure had grown even more statuesque.

Her profile remained flawlessly fair, but her eyes now shimmered like emerald waves, exuding a breathtaking, untamed allure.

The once cold and aloof girl had become a stunning, icy beauty.

Hmm.

Before, locking eyes with her had felt like staring into an abyss—indifferent, as if she might stab him at any moment.

Now, it felt like she was looking at trash?

"...Could you stop staring at me?"

"?"

"I feel like your eyes are insulting me."

Li Mo’s already-empty brain nearly short-circuited.

Ying Bing arched a delicate brow, tilting her head slightly.

Insulted by a look?

But she was merely absorbing the true spirit of the King Peacock...

"You’re the one who keeps looking at me."

"My eyes have a mind of their own—you know that. Also..."

Li Mo found the Dragon Whale transformation incredibly inconvenient. He tried reverting but realized it wasn’t working.

It never occurred to him that his lack of focus might be the reason.

"Tch."

The Ice Block’s expressionless face suddenly curved into a smirk.

Narrowing her eyes, she stepped barefoot onto his instep, grinding her foot against it.

The moment she did it, she froze.

This... wasn’t something she’d normally do.

"How about now?"

"Ouch—!"

Plip—

A drop of crimson fell onto her jade-like foot, shattering like red crystal.

Well.

This proved that the demons’ earlier speculations weren’t entirely wrong.

If this wasn’t "seeing blood," then what was?

......

"Why hasn’t the outcome been decided yet?"

"Could they have wounded each other badly? That would be disastrous."

"I really think we should check on them. What if something went wrong?"

"Divine Monk Huaikong? Divine Monk Huaikong?"

The demon kings and elders grew increasingly anxious.

If both sides were truly injured, none of them wanted to see that.

"Where am I going?" Divine Monk Huaikong murmured with a dazed expression.

The trouble was—

the monk's memory was failing him.