[{"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-186":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},596709,846,"Chapter 186: Heavenly Ascent Stone Steps Kendo Plus Edition","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-186",186,"\u003Cp>After breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage set off under the morning light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A towering structure resembling a colossal sword—the Sword Tower—refracted dazzling rays under the sun, casting a radiant glow upon the misty clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood solitary, as if the sole existence between heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing gazed absentmindedly at the scenery beyond the carriage curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Sword Tower is seamless, truly a masterpiece of nature's craftsmanship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Li Mo's voice reached her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned, and her eyes reflected his figure once more, causing a faint ripple in her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It has stood on the land of Yunzhou for ages. Legend has it that long ago, a second-grade calamity beast, the Qiongqi, wreaked havoc upon the world. As it rampaged through Yunzhou, a massive sword formed from mountain rocks descended from the heavens, crushing it beneath its weight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sword is now the Sword Tower we see today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was this the work of human hands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo gazed at the Sword Tower, as if he could glimpse the earth-shaking power of that single strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How incredible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Chulong blinked, her lips parting slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll surely achieve the same one day. Perhaps after witnessing the Hengyun Sword Mark, you'll even comprehend that very strike.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo nodded with conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He harbored no doubts about the future of the Phoenix Heavenly Empress and the Natural Sword Body, as judged by his Heavenly Eye of Destiny!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Can I really do it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Chulong pressed her lips together, but seeing the determination in Li Mo's eyes, she clenched her fists and steeled herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hengyun Sword Path...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing's eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her past life, she had seen Jiang Chulong wield it—a technique that dominated the Seventh Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By her original plan, she should have already attained a heart as clear as a sword's edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage fell into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Li Mo's eyes, the usually icy-faced Ying Bing now bore two distinct expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was the play of sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half her face was bathed in radiance, resplendent and divine, while the other half lingered in shadow, complex and melancholic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn't know the reason, $2er state of mind was clearly troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she even lost confidence in comprehending the Hengyun Sword Mark?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What to do...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young genius Li Mo racked his brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This morning marked the final day of the Sword Trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had long exhausted their two chances to step onto the stage, yet the gathering of Yunzhou's heroes only grew larger, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take, for instance, the stage of a certain \"Little Li the Sword Immortal,\" where that infamous sign still stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And below it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before his arrival, a long line had already formed, resembling a ticket queue for a concert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li the Sword Immortal is here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp-eyed onlooker shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless heads turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the weight of so many stares, the initial novelty had long faded for Li Mo, leaving only overwhelming pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Hero Li, when will you claim the title of Yunzhou's greatest swordsman?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even the Holy Maiden of the Drizzle Pavilion fell to Li the Sword Immortal's blade!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd showered him with praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What they didn't know was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a fleeting moment, Li Mo even considered throwing a match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who on earth spread these rumors?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was nothing but setting him up for a fall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clasped his hands toward the crowd:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Holy Maiden of the Drizzle Pavilion is not dead, nor did she ever cross swords with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any minor achievements I've made are purely by luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we're comparing, Ying Bing and Jiang Chulong are far more likely to shine brightly in the path of the sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li spoke with utmost sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the people below the stage thought he was feigning modesty and showered him with another round of flattery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo let out a light sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He activated his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye, observing everyone present while engaging in the spar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his gaze paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was an unremarkable-looking woman on a nearby dueling platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments ago, she had narrowly won and become the new platform champion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Yin Mianmian]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 23]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Constitution: Heavenly Enchantress Fiend Body]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cultivation Realm: Eight-Aperture Insight]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fate: Purple]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evaluation: A saintess of the Misty Rain Pavilion, ranked sixth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. She has slain several Hidden Dragon prodigies, unknowingly groomed as a cultivation furnace by the Misty Rain Pavilion Master. Her hobby is watching men fight to the death.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Recent Activity: Ordered numerous Misty Rain assassins to blend into the crowd and hype Li Mo’s reputation as a Sword Immortal.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Yunzhou City, even the entire Hengyun Sword City, was under strict lockdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she still dared to show up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, Li Mo moved his lips but made no sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, on another platform, Bai Jinghong suddenly stiffened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morning passed swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, the sword trial finally neared its conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the high platform, the elders gazed at the ten figures standing on the dueling stages, their eyes burning with intense emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them might be the strongest martial prodigy they had ever witnessed in their lifetimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ten young heroes of this sword trial have now emerged victorious,\" Elder Zeng announced, tucking a painted album into his robe before descending to the center of the arena. His gaze swept across the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in a perfunctory manner, he announced the names of the ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, Ying Bing, and Jiang Chulong were, of course, no surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Three Heroes of Hengyun\"—Bai Jinghong and his two companions—also made the list, having defended their positions in their second round on the platforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Huang Donglai and Zhong Zhenyue, there were two unfamiliar faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Elder Zeng formed a sword seal, his expression serene as his robes billowed dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winds surged, and clouds gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Layers of mist converged, forming floating stairways that connected the summit of the Sword Tower to the mountain gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step was imbued with various sword intents from within the tower, every one resonating deep within the hearts of those who beheld them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo leaned back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did this look familiar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His worst fears had come true...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came Elder Zeng’s voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ascend these steps to reach the peak of the Sword Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The first method is to climb the steps formed by the sword tower’s mist that I have summoned. This is also how our sect tests a disciple’s state of mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The more one earns the recognition of the sword intents within the tower, the greater their talent. Typically, only true disciples can reach the summit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the test for inner disciples of Hengyun Sword City to determine if they were worthy of becoming true disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that these ten had made it to the top of the Martial Arts Summit, they should, in theory, all be capable of ascending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t this just the Stairway to Heaven Sword Dao—PLUS edition?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happens if someone falls?\" Huang Donglai asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing dangerous. The elders will be watching.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what if the elders get distracted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could the elders possibly get distracted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just saw you secretly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\" Elder Zeng raised an eyebrow, and Huang Donglai promptly shut up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having come this far, no one would back down now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Jinghong and his two companions had climbed the Sword Tower two years prior and had experience, so they took the lead without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li... Li... Brother Li...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Chulong's face turned pale as she tightly clutched Li Mo's sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo was puzzled—how could the little Princess Jiang fail to endure the trial?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her small frame trembled faintly with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I'm... afraid of heights.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Then lean on me. If you can't see, you won't be afraid. But following me might slow us down a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo couldn't help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let the little princess bury her face against his back as the two stepped onto the cloud-covered stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A test of sword intent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he wanted to move faster, it wouldn't be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his foot touched the stair, an immense pressure weighed down on him. Jiang Chulong, however, seemed to relax slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, where's the ice block?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's probably already far ahead...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo scanned the distance but saw no trace of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing still stood alone in the same spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>",1429,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","2455f55575cd5d1a0ccd3b544c87f0f84c47964956d7e76afded949261132bb2","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-187","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-185",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]