[{"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-83":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},596456,846,"Chapter 83: The Utterly Chaotic Ice Block: Punishment Begins Tomorrow","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-83",83,"\u003Cp>The vastness of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths holds wonders beyond imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this is merely the ranking list of the Eastern Wasteland Domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It excludes the Great Yu Dynasty, excludes those transcendent sects—it is but a fragment of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Ying Bing's mind was blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system would not pause for her bewilderment or confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eastern Wasteland Domain's Top Talent Ranking, First Place: Li Mo.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining characters silently appeared before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two characters reflected in Ying Bing's eyes, stirring a tempest within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbidden, her mind conjured images of the young man—his gentle demeanor, his busy figure in the kitchen, his words of trust on Qingyuan's peaks...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could it be him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could it possibly be him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True, Li Mo had changed from what she once knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His temperament had softened, becoming as comforting as a spring breeze. His talent had soared, now worthy of discussing sword dao with her. He had even obtained some inheritance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just lost to her today!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the dueling platform, Ying Bing hadn't even fought seriously—she merely wanted to gauge the extent of his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The results had surprised her, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Mo's abilities still paled in comparison to hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, ever since they entered Qingyuan Sect, they had been inseparable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right under her nose, she had witnessed no further fortuitous encounters for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the same realm, there might exist those who could rival her, but they were all figures of renown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the image of that young man was shrouded in profound mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air seemed to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing's emotions were in turmoil—shock, confusion, doubt, resentment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was how it felt to be overshadowed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Comparison concluded. Commencing reward distribution.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Host ranked second in the standings.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward One: Three vials of Emperor's Nectar.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Two: One True Phoenix Feather.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Three: One Jade Bed of Frozen Marrow.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system's rewards were all exceedingly rare treasures, perfectly suited to her needs—each invaluable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the Emperor's Nectar, for instance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This essence of heaven and earth is born from the skies and scatters upon the ground. Plants that absorb it become spirits; beasts that consume it gain wisdom. For humans, it purifies the body, allowing martial arts to advance by leaps and bounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only once every sixty years does Emperor's Nectar descend in certain parts of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And only Yantian Sect knows the exact locations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, beyond Yantian Sect, few possess this treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was the True Phoenix Feather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True Phoenixes, True Vermilion Birds, and True Dragons—once rulers of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—are now exceedingly rare. Each appearance carries immense destiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the unseen laws of heaven and earth, no more than nine of these auspicious beings may exist simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, most times, their numbers don't even exceed a handful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Phoenix's feather is its lifebound treasure. When fused with one's body, it grants wondrous abilities—akin to a True Dragon's reverse scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to dragons, Phoenixes are even rarer, having vanished from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Jade Bed of Frozen Marrow—she had owned one in her past life, within the Moon Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meditating upon it doubled the efficiency of cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without question, these rewards were extraordinary even by the standards of her previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Detected host has activated the \"Punishment of the Defeated.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[System will temporarily withhold all rewards until host fulfills the penalty conditions.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Failure to meet conditions results in system unbinding and destruction of all rewards.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Current penalty condition: Share a bed for one month with the one who surpassed you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Challenge begins at dawn tomorrow.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Complex emotions churned within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing stared blankly at the rewards and penalty terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she had chosen to increase the stakes and accept the challenge, $2he never imagined she would actually face punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intensity of her emotions caused the suppressed Lunar Qi within her to run wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room grew colder still—so cold that thoughts froze and minds stilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her frost-laced eyelashes fluttered before her eyes finally closed heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing's consciousness faded into darkness, sinking into dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boundless sea stretched endlessly beneath a sky devoid of sun, moon, or stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only lightning danced wildly, painting the world in monochrome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towering waves surged, forming a vortex of unimaginable scale, swallowing all into oblivion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazily, Ying Bing recalled this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Abyssal Return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her past life, she had searched relentlessly for this—the final sanctuary holding the secret of ascension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also where countless legendary figures, including the Martial Ancestor of the Great Yu Dynasty, had vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Those who seek immortality, enter and face tribulation.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the only thing standing upon the sea—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a towering stone stele piercing the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been here before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Sovereigns of the Heavens had gathered here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, they slew the guardian of the Abyssal Return and stepped onto the Path of Ascension within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Ying Bing finally remembered the reason for her defeat in the tribulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A heart... incomplete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated upon a frost-hardened meditation mat, Li Mo exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He focused his mind inward, into his dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within, the wisp of internal energy—once thin as a strand of hair—had grown tenfold. If dispersed, it could fill the entire dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, the energy obeyed his will, coalescing and scattering, morphing into various shapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo pushed open the door and stepped outside, walking to the frozen lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single punch, his internal energy seeped into the thick ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, he tossed a small stone onto the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frozen stream shattered instantly, its waters flowing once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo was pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, this would have required considerable effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the ice block still not up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced curiously at the room upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Ying Bing would already be sipping tea at the stone table by this hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing the state of the Autumn Water Pavilion, he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After last night's commotion, she probably needed extra rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu stumbled out, rubbing her sleep-heavy eyes and scratching her flawless shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking in the scene in the courtyard, she blinked in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was the ice block,\" Li Mo said offhandedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ohh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu nodded lazily, then stomped her foot lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A furnace-like heat radiated outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Little Sun\" effect of her beautiful master was remarkably effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned her gaze to her precious disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh... Master, is something wrong?\" Li Mo asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem! Starting today, this master will be properly instructing you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, the elders had held a... spirited discussion with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several had become quite emotional, declaring her unfit to be a teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu had reflected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd left her disciple to his own devices for nearly a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a master, she really ought to teach him properly. Had she done so earlier, perhaps her precious disciple wouldn't have lost to Ying Bing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then she wouldn't have lost so much money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, starting today, she decided to diligently instruct her precious disciple, guiding him to step into the Inner Breath realm as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prepare, she even made a special trip to the Scripture Pavilion to review the texts on how to break through the Qi-Blood realm. After all, she had originally stumbled into her own breakthrough after getting drunk—there was no way she could let her beloved disciple follow such an irresponsible example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rare for Shang Wu to be this serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, I will teach you how to condense Inner Breath.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Master… I’ve already reached the Inner Breath realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You little—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"??\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1308,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","e2c66a9f03843782f3d16d12050c2f9d24f2fb4833fbdd0479a78e7ef381977b","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-84","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-82",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]