If there were no common enemy, the infighting between the Celestial Clans and the Earthly City's noble families would undoubtedly drain the resources of Tianren City. Providing them with a shared adversary—one that would make them wary of each other without resorting to open conflict—was beneficial for Li Mo. This was precisely why he had decided to raise the banner of rebellion.

As for the position of Emperor, he didn’t particularly care. His true goal was to complete the trial as perfectly as possible.

"But if both the Celestial and Earthly Cities unite against us, we won’t stand a chance."

"Er Niu bought us time. He showed them that mortals can surpass the Celestial Clans. And with the Ice Block standing guard, they won’t act recklessly."

Li Mo chuckled, recalling Er Niu’s letter.

Dong Ao still hesitated. "But how do we take control of the Celestial City? The mortals in the Human City support us, but convincing them to rebel is..."

"I know. They’ll side with the winner."

Li Mo nodded. "So we must make them believe we’ve already won."

"Ah? How?"

"Naturally, by relying on me—the undercover agent."

"??"

"I’ve already drafted a detailed rebellion plan. Take a look and see if there’s anything you’d like to revise."

"..."

A damn rebellion plan? Xiao Li, were you plotting this all along?

Indeed, he was.

This was also a crucial step for Li Mo to achieve his Inner Realm.

...

On the same day the meeting concluded, Mo City sprang into action.

First, in the Human City, all Blade Catchers were dispatched to villages and towns to recruit promising candidates and teach them Mo City’s martial arts.

Mortals in the Human City took pride in joining the Blade Catchers, so this part was easy.

However, convincing them to openly oppose the Celestial Clans and the Earthly City was unrealistic. Moreover, with the impending Heavenly Calamity, even the most foolish mortal wouldn’t believe Mo City could unify Tianren City before disaster struck.

Thus, Mo City’s recruitment pitch wasn’t about rebellion—it was about preparing for the coming calamity.

The most outstanding among them might even be selected to study in the Celestial City and ascend further.

But the Celestial Clans received a very different message.

Li Mo "secretly" risked his life to leave Mo City and enter the Celestial City. As someone who now held a high position in Mo City, he could also swagger into the Earthly City and the Celestial City with ease.

Passing through the Earthly City, he first met with Old Li.

Old Li knew his plan. When he realized Li Mo wasn’t just spouting nonsense—and that the sky was literally about to fall—he nearly struck Li Mo’s name from the family registry.

Fortunately, Xiao Li was quick. He not only saved his place in the registry but also snatched the brush from Old Li’s hand.

He even threatened to remove Old Li’s name instead if he didn’t hear the full plan.

Old Li had no choice but to comply, agreeing to gather the leaders of the major martial families at the Li household at the appointed time.

"Alright, Dad, I’m off to the Celestial City."

"Get out already! If you keep loitering, I’ll have a heart attack."

"Right, right, I’m leaving..."

"Hey! Put the family registry down! Scram! If you don’t leave now, I’ll turn you in myself!"

A prodigal son’s return, a father’s tearful farewell—a truly touching scene.

If one ignored Old Li’s belt and his muttering about "family disgrace."

"Sigh... I didn’t want to drag the family into this unless absolutely necessary."

"But when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken..."

Li Mo didn’t find it odd. His father’s projection seemed to share the same temper as the real Old Li.

The earlier outburst was just an act.

Shaking his head, he proceeded to the Celestial City.

As the Celestial Clans’ top undercover agent in Mo City, Xiao Li entered the Celestial City with shocking ease.

Even the Celestial guard, born with an auspicious white aura, treated him with respect and personally escorted him.

"Brother, the atmosphere in the Celestial City seems a bit... off?"

Strolling through the mist-shrouded, jade-paved streets of the Celestial City, Li Mo casually asked.

"Shh... Brother, you wouldn’t know."

The guard lowered his voice, his expression mysterious.

"The Heavenly Divine Sword has returned. Pojun, Lei Ze, Yantu... many of those born with purple auspicious auras want to claim it and become the new Emperor. Who knows when this matter will be settled..."

"I see."

Li Mo nodded.

Before he could ask more, the guard continued, "I’ve heard Mo City has grown rapidly lately, and even mortals have emerged who can wield the Divine Sword. Do you think they’ll try to seize it?"

"I’m here precisely to deliver intelligence on that."

Seeing Li Mo’s guarded response, the guard knew better than to pry further.

With a respectful salute, he introduced himself as Hengguang and quickened his pace.

Soon, they arrived at the central palace of the Celestial City.

The Divine Sword was embedded in the palace’s pillar, wreathed in bloodied miasma.

Lei Ze and other Celestial Clansmen stood nearby, maintaining a tense distance from one another. None dared to pull the sword.

The sword was tainted. Whoever touched it would be cursed with blood karma, paving the way for another’s victory.

Thus, none would risk it themselves—nor allow others to try.

"You’ve returned. How fares the Human City?" Pojun was the first to question him.

"Thriving!"

Li Mo tensed slightly. He noticed an elderly man with silver hair and closed eyes, holding a mirror that reflected his image.

Though the elder’s eyes were shut, he was clearly scrutinizing Li Mo—likely using the mirror to verify the truth of his words.

Li Mo’s heart tightened. The Celestial Clans’ situation was indeed precarious if even he was met with such suspicion.

"In what ways?"

"Many mortals have mastered Mo City’s martial arts. Some even boast about storming the Human City to ‘taste the power of the Celestial Clans.’"

"?"

The Celestial Clansmen exchanged bewildered glances. Something about this didn’t sound right.

They hadn’t issued any invitations—how could mortals enter?

And why was Mo City expanding its Blade Catchers?

Yet the words couldn’t be false, for the silver-mirrored elder gave no warning.

Li Mo pressed on, "Moreover, many villages have found slips of paper inside the bellies of carps, boars, pheasants, and other beasts. Like this one."

He presented a slip.

Lei Ze took it and read aloud, his face darkening:

"The Azure Heavens are dead; the Phoenix Heavens shall rise?"

"Prosper the Mortals; the King of Mo City reigns?"

"!!!"

The Celestial Clansmen’s expressions shifted—some alarmed, some confused, others disdainful.

Feng Zhi scratched her head, about to speak, but Li Mo shot her a look.

Caught between confusion and loyalty to her brother-in-law, she chose silence.

Yan Rong stepped forward. "Where did these slips come from?"

"The people of Mo City planted them."

The very architect of this plan—Xiao Li himself—answered with utmost gravity.

"The people of Mocheng may be plotting rebellion, which is why I didn’t send a message but came in person to inform you. I hope you, esteemed officials, will take this matter seriously!"

"???"

The silver mirror remained utterly unresponsive.

Of course.

As the instigator of this uprising, Little Li had just blatantly exposed himself—clearly, he had no issues with his sanity!