[{"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-261":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},596971,846,"Chapter 261: Summoning Wind and Rain, the Name of the Heavenly Flood Dragon Echoes Across the Southern Frontier","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-261",261,"\u003Cp>\"My name is Wu Mo, a foreign serpent from the Eastern Wasteland Domain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, the young Mingjiao, stood on the stage introducing himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knew, he was the Best Actor winner at the Qingyuan Sect's first Golden Statue Awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the pearl he had just bought at a high price, he spoke with deep emotion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But when I heard our Mingjiao kin were in need, I journeyed thousands of miles to the Southern Border.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All because I have a dream!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps erupted, and some demons couldn’t help but exclaim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Traveling thousands of miles to the Southern Border?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to ask—it must be the dream of revitalizing the aquatic clans!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons present were deeply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rare, truly rare! Our aquatic clans need such a sincere Heavenly Serpent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Qing seemed to recall something, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes as she stood and led the applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the judges' table erupted in clapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the judges were applauding, how could the other aquatic clans stay idle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, with just an introduction, Li Mo won a thunderous ovation, as if he had already secured victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He hasn’t even demonstrated his bloodline power yet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader slammed the table, his immense strength causing it to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What use was a pretty speech?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his bloodline power turned out weak, wouldn’t it just be a joke?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fellow aquatic clansmen at the table looked bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously, buddy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could outpace you at feasting—fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why flip the table after you’ve already eaten your fill?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your conviction is commendable! But competing for the Celestial Jade is perilous. Belief alone isn’t enough—show us your bloodline power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Qing and the other Mingjiao elders grew eager to see what Wu Mo could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If such a devoted clansman also possessed remarkable bloodline power, he could be groomed for greatness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo nodded calmly, then transformed into his demonic form—a serpent several zhang long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His scales were the color of storm clouds, and his fierce serpent head revealed the purity of his bloodline!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps of awe spread through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Mo’s bloodline was this pure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s two heads raised their brows simultaneously, clearly caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly regained his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a pure-blooded Mingjiao couldn’t compare to the Xiangliu clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he possibly surpass the Qingluan Goddess?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li doesn’t seem to have practiced controlling water vapor...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao grew slightly nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Li Mo wasn’t a true demon but relied on a transformation technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if he slipped up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gathering included fifth-grade great demons and even fourth-grade demon kings. If his human identity was exposed, the consequences would be dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Mo had no intention of doing this himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind and Rain Summoning Talisman—activate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder rumbled as the already gathered storm clouds darkened further, churning with impending fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Achoo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sneezed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gale erupted, lightning tore through the clouds, and the first breach for the coming downpour was made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The torrential downpour left countless demons dazed and drenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He summoned this storm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a Mingjiao? I’d believe he was a dragon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He never even received our clan’s teachings, yet he can do this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Without guidance, he must have put in tremendous effort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our Mingjiao clan finally has a true Heavenly Serpent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wu Mo isn’t married yet, right? Wonder if he likes shrimp-headed women...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aquatic clans by the lakeside, including the Mingjiao kin, erupted in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were already scheming to persuade Li Mo to mate with their clan’s women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such potent bloodline power, if inherited by descendants, would be extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more terrifying—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not only summon storms but also make them cease!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s two heads exchanged glances, stunned and unable to suppress a hint of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No Mingjiao, no matter how strong their bloodline, could rival the Xiangliu clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Wu Mo was still so young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong bloodline ≠ strong combat ability...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wu Mo, the judges unanimously award you full marks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fish in the lake swiftly arranged themselves into the number '10.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your guidance, elders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo clasped his claws together in a humble bow—the very picture of a cultured, well-mannered serpent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Qing and Murong Feng exchanged a glance, then asked him to meet them privately after the preliminaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo gladly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the long preliminaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By nightfall, the twelve standout aquatic demons began the combat trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t about ranking but letting the judges observe their performance in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And guess what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader and Li Mo finally crossed paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping onto the arena, the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader declared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re young, so I won’t bully you with bloodline power. Let’s test raw strength instead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Booing erupted from the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons relied on both bloodline power and physical might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But clearly, Wu Mo’s strength lay in his bloodline. Challenging him to pure strength was like an adult arm-wrestling a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No shame at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sighed inwardly in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His control over water vapor was weaker than an average Mingjiao’s. The earlier storm had nothing to do with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been trying to avoid exposure—only for this two-headed Xiangliu to offer the perfect solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proof that more heads ≠ more brains...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh... I’ll let you strike first. Show me what you’ve got.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xiangliu Young Clan Leader grinned smugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You asked for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo grinned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Serpent Dragon Strength Pill... tasted wonderful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News of the Mingjiao clan’s Heavenly Serpent from Blackwater Marsh spread like wildfire across the Southern Border’s major demon clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stronger a clan’s genius, the higher their chances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Mingjiao Heavenly Serpent, like the Qingluan Goddess, had done the unthinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d reduced the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s heads by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By smashing it to pulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Word spread swiftly, reaching the ears of every major clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qiongqi Clan, the Roc Clan, the Golden-Haired Hou Clan, the Luwu Clan, and...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qingluan Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>",1121,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","a451fa8f18069ef7a95972f2d9f9daffbe92b4d5945e98f8f976fb05739f7594","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-262","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-260",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]