[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal":3,"chapter-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-159":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},596682,846,"Chapter 159: The Second Ranking Announcement: Seriously Questioning My Life","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-159",159,"\u003Cp>Li Mo was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the artificial rockery, a hole had somehow appeared—likely the handiwork of their master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knew, the moon in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands was exceptionally large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight cascaded like a waterfall into the Mistflower Eternal Spring, causing the clear pool to shimmer with an ethereal glow, dreamlike and surreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, to be precise, what truly felt dreamlike wasn’t the moon or the pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing, her dark hair loosely tied, was soaking in the hot spring, her neck long and graceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spring was still quite warm, and having just circulated her energy to unblock her meridians, her jade-like skin was tinged with a faint blush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her robe clung to her body, and amidst the rippling reflections of the water, glimpses of her figure were faintly visible yet hazy, like peering through a veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li wasn’t much of a talker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You came back... quite early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing lowered her gaze, wiping her arm with a towel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were times when people tried to occupy themselves with trivial actions—like when a teacher checked homework, and you hadn’t brought yours...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo nodded. Despite the rising steam, his throat felt inexplicably dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I was chasing a bird and ended up in Yin Huaxuan. A few swings of the hammer, and it was done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words faded, only the sound of splashing water echoed in the rockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell am I even saying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li frantically reviewed his words in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your hammer must be quite impressive, then,\" Ying Bing remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for the compliment,\" Li Mo replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\" Ying Bing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\" Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the awkwardness, Li Mo casually added, \"That really wore me out. I was thinking of coming back to soak and relax...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing fell into an inexplicable silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, she realized the Mistflower Eternal Spring had been built by Li Mo—it was his to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, after a dangerous battle, wanting to unwind in the spring was perfectly reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would you like to join me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words left her lips before she could reconsider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never invited anyone to bathe with her before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo was bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected the ice block to blurt out such a thing after such a solemn pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is... that alright?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, if you mind the water being used...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not at all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s expression was resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mind? If anything, he’d prefer no one else even caught a glimpse of this spring. Though it was self-renewing, it couldn’t handle the thirst of too many onlookers...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his determination, Ying Bing turned her head slightly away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here I come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After changing into a bathrobe, Li Mo plunged into the pool with a splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ripples reached her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of the corner of her eye, Ying Bing noticed his robe wasn’t properly tied, revealing a glimpse of his upper body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During their dual cultivation sessions, they often lay side by side at night, and it had never felt like anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why did sharing a bath suddenly feel different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never faltered even when traversing the Immortal Path in the Abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just act natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahhh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo exhaled in contentment, then grew curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the pool was spacious, they weren’t far apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the usual icy aura around Ying Bing was absent. Today was the peak of the Lunar Star’s radiance—last time, she had turned the entire Autumn Water Pavilion into a winter wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve made another breakthrough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm. Opened a new meridian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this exchange, silence settled over the Mistflower Eternal Spring once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing steadied her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seized every second to meditate under the moonlight, clearing her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the countdown was ticking away relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wanting to disturb her, Li Mo turned his attention to the two rewards his system had just provided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Congratulations, Host. Successful investment in ‘Xu Zhiqing,’ preventing her injury.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment reward: Two strands of Soul-Cleansing Bodhi Fruit.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Congratulations, Host. Successful investment in ‘Miao Jinyin,’ preventing her injury.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment reward: One jar of Spirit-Concentrating Lotus Tea.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both treasures were beneficial to the soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, why two?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother Ouyang probably wouldn’t have been hurt anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed this perpetually broke, painting-obsessed senior brother was stronger than he appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo retrieved two floating trays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Placing one treasure on each, he nudged one toward Ying Bing, letting the ripples carry it to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was so focused on her cultivation that she didn’t even notice the tray drifting closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she was focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The countdown was nearly at its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>00:00:03...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>00:00:02...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>00:00:01...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The countdown hit zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar system chime echoed in her ears once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Scanning all prodigies within the Eastern Wasteland Domain...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Comparing combat prowess...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing’s brows furrowed slightly as she watched intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, she wouldn’t have felt even a hint of tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time had already thrown her off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could only hope things would return to normal this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she secured first place, the rewards might even be something they could share—everyone would be happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ding—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Results of the Second Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Ranking announced.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Rank 50: Yu Zhao.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Rank 44: Lin Jiang.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Rank 30: Murong Xiao.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Rank 10: Han Zhen.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rankings had shifted slightly from last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qingyuan Sect disciples Li Mo knew had all risen in rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, the names on the list remained largely the same, just reordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhen, who had previously held fourth place, had nearly fallen out of the top ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed his injuries from last time had taken a toll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her past life, Han Zhen had first made a name for himself at the Cloud Province Martial Arts Summit, securing a top-three position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, the sudden disturbance in the Cloud-Crossing Sword City—where the artifact bearing the Cloud-Crossing Sword Mark went missing—had likely been his doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these were just speculations; she had only heard rumors and hadn’t witnessed it firsthand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the Qingyuan Sect’s nine peaks could only send one elite disciple to participate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she pondered, the ranking announcements neared their conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Rank 5: Huang Donglai.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Rank 4: Zhong Zhenyue.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain Prodigy Rank 3: Shang Li.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Munch munch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How does this thing even grow... tastes so damn good...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo chewed vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered if he should share the Soul-Cleansing Bodhi Fruit with Princess Jiang Chulong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she’d eventually reach the Observation Divine Realm—laying the groundwork early couldn’t hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden, violent disturbance in the water snapped him out of his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo blinked, looking up—only for his pupils to tremble in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the hell did the ice block suddenly stand up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she have no idea how lethal her figure was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never seen Ying Bing so visibly unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li immediately went on high alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing's gaze was fixed on the rankings invisible to outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain's Top Talent, Second Place: Ying Bing.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain's Top Talent, First Place: Li Mo.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her slightly dimmed eyes slowly shifted to the young man standing not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had been overshadowed by him again?!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Shamelessly asking for a little encouragement, mwah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there are typos, dear readers, please kindly point them out.\u003C\u002Fp>",1258,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","dc8ecfe7b4997d7790f7eb3f7545dbf8def25093dc0096cae952f471f685b355","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-160","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-158",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]