[{"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-30":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},596553,846,"Chapter 30: The Trial Begins, the Summoner Cult Reappears","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>From the carriage, one could already see Rare Beast Peak in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rare Beast Peak was the final summit of the Qingyuan Mountain Range and the closest to the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, a vast crowd gathered, with inner and outer sect disciples clearly separated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exception, they were all new disciples who had yet to participate in the sect’s trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the sect master’s carriage came to a stop, it instantly became the center of attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that the sect master’s true disciple, Ying Bing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk... this junior sister’s looks are downright unfair.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep it down. I heard from Qian Bufan’s true disciple that she’s already opened eight meridians in the Qi-Blood Realm. She was even rewarded with a set of Black Cloud Silk inner armor for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long has she been here? Eight meridians already? What a monster!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who’s that next to her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True Disciple Li Mo. They entered the sect together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I know him! True Disciple Li is a really good guy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the chatter, Li Mo’s lips twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks, but I prefer doing good deeds anonymously. No need to hand out \"nice guy\" cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moonview Cliff... seems to be deep in the trial grounds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scanning the map, Li Mo located the place where Ying Bing had agreed to meet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper one ventured into the trial grounds, the stronger the beasts became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonview Cliff was remote, requiring passage through territories of late-stage and even peak ninth-rank beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without some real skill, reaching it would be impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One hour...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo glanced at Ying Bing, who had taken the lead at the front of the crowd, and silently bolstered his own resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t underestimate this transmigrator’s cheat abilities!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo noticed a familiar gaze locked onto him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy still wore his usual arrogant expression, but a sickly pallor lingered between his brows, casting a shadow over his entire demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting Li Mo’s eyes, he slowly drew a finger across his throat in a slashing motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s his problem now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo rolled his eyes but instinctively sensed something off about Wang Hu’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, he activated his Heaven’s Eye and scanned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Wang Hu]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 16]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Physique: Tiger Arms, Panther Waist]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Realm: Qi-Blood Realm, Eight Meridians]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fate: Black]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evaluation: Moderately talented. With diligent training, he might achieve something in the future. However, his narrow-mindedness, vindictiveness, and arrogance make him prone to extreme paths.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Recent Misfortune: Beast Seed deeply implanted. Strayed too far down a dark path. His own essence-blood can no longer sustain him, forcing him to consume beast blood. Gradually losing sanity.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beast Seed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s brow arched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What puzzled him wasn’t Wang Hu’s fate, but the fact that he had come into contact with the Demon Summoning Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the sect trial, outer disciples weren’t allowed to leave the mountain unless they withdrew from the sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wang Hu had stayed within Qingyuan Sect the whole time, where had this Beast Seed come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This trial might not be as straightforward as it seems.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo pondered for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, when the Child of Destiny is involved, things going smoothly would be the real anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the usual tropes, the ice block (Ying Bing) would probably turn the tide at a critical moment, maybe even pull off a desperate counterattack?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he knew now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo rushed straight to where the elders were seated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu, who had been dozing off, rubbed her sleepy eyes at her disciple’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time to eat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll treat you after the trial. There’s something important I need to report.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo explained his suspicions, though he covered up the Heaven’s Eye with a plausible excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words \"Demon Summoning Cult\" left his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing and Qian Bufan immediately straightened, their expressions turning grave. Even Shang Wu’s drowsiness vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you certain it’s the Demon Summoning Cult? This is no joking matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Bufan’s voice was low, his brows furrowed with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My father served as a county captain and once captured a cultist. The aura feels similar, though I can’t be entirely sure. But given the severity, I thought it best to report it. Better a false alarm than negligence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s reasoning was sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo is always thorough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing pondered briefly before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nine out of ten, that Wang Hu kid has practiced the cult’s forbidden art—Hundred Beasts Blood Refinement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daring to extend their claws into our Qingyuan Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Huaxuan, elder of Rare Beast Peak, shot to his feet, looking ready to drag Wang Hu in for interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yin Hua, always so hasty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing stopped him, then gave Li Mo an approving glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll handle it. Return to the trial and proceed as normal. Act as if nothing happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo complied without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Xue probably had his own plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Qingyuan Sect, if even the elders couldn’t resolve an issue, overthinking it wouldn’t help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Bufan stood before the assembled disciples, hands clasped behind his back as he announced the trial rules:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ordinary beasts do not count toward points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth-rank early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage beasts are worth 1, 3, and 15 points respectively.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, there are also peak ninth-rank beasts—worth 100 points. But unless you possess strength comparable to the Inner Breath Realm, don’t attempt them lightly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Upon slaying a beast, or in emergencies, fire a signal arrow. An inner sect deacon will come to assist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Qian Bufan returned to his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples collected their signal arrows and selected weapons before the thousand-strong crowd marched into the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yin Hua, junior brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Huaxuan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blew a bone whistle, and from Rare Beast Peak, hundreds of birds took flight—some diving into the woods, others circling overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short while later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A signal arrow shrieked across the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, an inner sect deacon returned, dragging the corpse of a black leopard the size of a calf. Its eyes were wide as saucers, its ferocity frozen in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fatal wound was a single, clean slash to the throat—so precise that not a drop of blood spilled, the wound instantly sealed by frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ying Bing, one point.\" Qian Bufan marveled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many disciples can kill ninth-rank beasts, but to do it so flawlessly, without wasting a single ounce of strength—that’s rare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Huaxuan’s eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if I suppressed my cultivation to the Qi-Blood Realm, I couldn’t match that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing clicked his tongue in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Ying never had combat experience before, did she?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu’s almond eyes sparkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First time killing a beast, and it was like slaughtering a chicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many prodigies, despite their strength, faltered when facing beasts, their prowess reduced to a fraction under pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some thrived in battle, growing stronger the fiercer the fight—like herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu called it the \"Innate Brawler Constitution.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why hasn’t my dear disciple made a move yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The master propped her chin on one hand, her drowsy eyes half-lidded as she teetered on the edge of sleep once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another signal arrow pierced the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, one ninth-rank early-stage beast slain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strange beast dragged back by the inner sect steward left the elders deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at it for a long while, Xue Jing finally spoke hesitantly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this thing... a Wingfang Serpent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, if Old Xue hadn’t just used the scales of a Wingfang Serpent for alchemy, he wouldn’t have recognized what this mess even was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"serpent corpse\" had its head blown apart, fangs shattered, and every bone in its body broken, causing the long serpentine body to crumple into a heap—like a soda can crushed underfoot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A complete opposite of Ying Bing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Bufan, resting his hands on his round belly, fell into contemplation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Disciple Shang Wu, wasn’t Li Mo practicing sword techniques?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s also mastered the Six Harmonies Fist,\" Shang Wu shrugged, as if to say this wasn’t her fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Huaxuan picked up a fragment of a fang:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The fangs are the toughest part of a Wingfang Serpent, yet they were shattered along with its body in a single punch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That kid’s current level isn’t inferior to Ying Bing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And he’s also trained in some kind of body-forging technique?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing felt his scalp tingle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of the elders disagreed—with their discerning eyes, they could deduce much from the battle’s aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the outcome of the fight against a ninth-tier early-stage beast, Li Mo’s performance was no less impressive than Ying Bing’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the elders opened their mouths, unsure whether to praise him or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fighting style was far too reminiscent of a certain someone...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qingyuan Sect already had Shang Wu to deal with—wasn’t one enough?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a second one appeared, wouldn’t that be disastrous?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Old Xue, you fool—why didn’t you take Li Mo as your disciple back then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?? My true disciple quota was full! Elder Qian had openings—why didn’t he take him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wanted to, but Disciple Shang Wu got there first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You fool!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it too late to steer him away from this... misguided path?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders sighed in dismay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu abruptly stood up, one hand on her hip, the other clenched into a fist, knuckles cracking ominously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, if you want to poach my disciple, go ahead. Whoever beats me gets my precious apprentice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell dead silent.\u003C\u002Fp>",1583,"2026-05-30T17:18:59.992Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","533fbcf7ab1b02024f0f72b1204ab23da0857d6da3ce25d06c82a53e12c587c2","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-31","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-29",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]