[{"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-75":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},596448,846,"Chapter 75: Securing a Spot in the Top 8, Elder Qian Definitely Placed Some Bets","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>Lin Jiang's intention was roughly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he couldn't win anyway, $2e might as well concede outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely logical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo was momentarily speechless, at a loss for how to refute, and could only respond with a mix of amusement and exasperation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My thanks for your mercy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many thanks, Brother Li, for going easy on me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jiang let out a relieved sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, $2ade Cluster Peak claimed its first victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match was supposed to showcase skill and foster camaraderie, but to the spectators, it seemed like nothing but camaraderie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's definitely something fishy going on here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know Lin Jiang—he’s the type to fight even against a late-stage ninth-rank demon beast during sect trials.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something’s off. Nine out of ten, no, ten out of ten—something’s not right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the buzzing discussions of the inner disciples from Divine Arms Peak, $2ang Hao’s gaze turned icy as he watched the young man descend leisurely from the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Wang Hu joined Ruyi Peak, he had never reappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because of his familial ties to Wang Hu, Wang Hao himself had been interrogated for three days by Ruyi Peak’s law-enforcement disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only then that Wang Hao learned the truth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hu had been linked to the Demon Summoning Cult, a group strictly forbidden by the Great Yu Dynasty. Any sect discovering its members was to execute them on sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother Wang, it’s your turn,\" a fellow disciple reminded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snapping out of his thoughts, Wang Hao stepped onto the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent was a core disciple at the Jade Marrow stage of Inner Breath cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Wang Hao’s displayed cultivation was also at the Jade Marrow stage, he was far older and his martial foundation far more solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle raged fiercely, neither side yielding, until Wang Hao emerged victorious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, instead of retracting his aura, his sharp eyes swept over Li Mo like blades, $2is hostility and challenge unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wang Hao’s demeanor, Li Mo actually felt relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least he wouldn’t have to worry about lacking opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If every match ended with his opponent jumping off the stage to concede, this Nine Peaks Tournament would be utterly pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, $2urely he wouldn’t face conceding opponents in every match, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the infamous Murphy’s Law, $2he more you dread something happening, the more likely it becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the stage, two familiar faces stood in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao smiled sheepishly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shot a suspicious glance at Elder Qian, who was in charge of the draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Qian took a subtle breath, equally puzzled. How had he managed to draw another of this kid’s acquaintances?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao was also a rising star in the Qingyuan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only at the Blood Qi stage, his half-demon physique and refined body-tempering techniques had already allowed him to defeat several higher-ranked opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By all accounts, he was stronger than Lin Jiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a bit of luck, he could even make it to the top sixteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the elevated platform,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Murong Xiao, the Prodigy of Purple Sun Prefecture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Surely he’ll give this match his all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white-robed young master watched Murong Xiao with both admiration and competitive fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the current top disciple of Blazing Jade Forest, he too bore a half-demon heritage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The title of \"Prodigy of Purple Sun Prefecture\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should rightfully be his!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over at the Crimson Whale Gang, the Blood-Robed Young Master remained silent, though his eyes had narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Ying Bing, he couldn’t gauge the depths of that youth’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Han He, what do you think?\" Qian Bufan’s question drew the attention of the other elders toward the Divine Arms Peak elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knew, $2lder Han He was rigid, stubborn, and above any form of match-fixing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this duel had to be fair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, to their surprise, Han He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Murong Xiao is no match for Li Mo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His admission was blunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Murong Xiao’s master, Han He surely knew his disciple’s capabilities. Yet he didn’t hesitate to declare his defeat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That could only mean one thing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo possessed strength even Han He acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seems my grand-disciple might just surprise us all,\" Xue Jing chuckled, turning his gaze to the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, $2lder Qian’s voice soon rang out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Murong Xiao concedes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, victorious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the elders didn’t comment, their expressions thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the spectators—both Qingyuan disciples and outsiders—were baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of exclamations erupted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Murong Xiao conceded too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you hear how he kept calling him ‘Brother Li’? Must be letting him win out of friendship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren’t the elders going to intervene?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rumor has it Li Mo’s connections run deep, but this is ridiculous—using social clout to reach the top 32?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there’s match-fixing, Elder Qian would know. Bet he’s got money on this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the growing skepticism, $2i Mo took a deep breath. \"Brother Murong, you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li, you’ve broken through again, haven’t you? I’m afraid you might not hold back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao shuddered, recalling Li Mo’s display in the training hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d thought an earthquake had struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least give me a few moves for appearances’ sake,\" Li Mo sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... I still want to aim for the top 16...\" Murong Xiao muttered, aggrieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That massive Whale Breath Coral Stone had been discolored from a single punch—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo hadn’t even used a martial technique. Just a casual strike packed the force of a Jade Marrow expert, and the residual killing intent alone made Murong Xiao’s scalp tingle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he’d broken through? No chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three matches in, top 32, without lifting a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Call it networking? Not exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was the justice in this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morning matches concluded with Elder Qian’s announcement of a break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more rounds followed, $2hittling the top 32 down to the final eight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who emerged were exceptional—each with unique strengths, showcasing abilities that made this year’s tournament the most competitive in memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were veterans like Wang Hao, whose age barely met the cutoff but whose combat experience was vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also prodigies like Murong Xiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then there was Ying Bing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dominating every match with absolute superiority, ending fights in moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though... someone had been even faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namely, a certain \"socially gifted\" Jade Cluster Peak core disciple who hadn’t thrown a single punch yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, the afternoon promised thrilling clashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyuan Main Peak, dining hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, Murong Xiao, Xiao Qin, and Lin Jiang sat together at a table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the three shovel food into their mouths, Li Mo sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now the whole sect says I’m coasting on connections.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some even accuse me of match-fixing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any ideas why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full morning of competition, zero fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All this pent-up energy with nowhere to go—it was frustrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li, if I’d fought you, I might not have advanced,\" Murong Xiao said awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jiang nodded emphatically, as if he’d narrowly escaped disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li, the Hundred Flowers Dew Ointment probably can't bring the dead back to life...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo's lips twitched slightly before he turned to the side:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Xiao, what about you? You're at the Inner Breath Realm—you should at least humor me with a spar, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qin, his eye bruised and his nose stuffed with blood-soaked paper, looked dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at himself with a bandaged hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Xiao had terrible luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had run into another true disciple at the Jade Liquid Realm of Inner Breath and engaged in a real man's 1v1 duel. By the end, both were wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely scraped out a hard-fought victory, but his right hand was temporarily out of commission from the injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next round, he ran into Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>",1303,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","136bfde2ed21643e17115a4fd707202a1274144f89e9d8f00d59e628f1ee6779","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-76","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-74",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]