Chapter 100: Dragon Fang Bodhi, Hundred Mile Soul Lock

Chapter 100: Dragon Fang Bodhi, Hundred Mile Soul Lock

The spring rain seemed to turn turbulent, evaporating under the scorching heat, rising and forming a hazy mist.

In the air, a trail of energy lingered, resembling the remnants of a wrathful dragon's furious dance.

At the entrance of the Qin Manor.

A terrifying divine essence burst forth like thunder, countless lightning serpents intertwined, and an extremely cold deathly aura permeated the surroundings!

The Initial Divine Foundation cultivator wearing a gray mask had his brow pierced, and the terrifying inertia of the arrow pinned him firmly to the red lacquered door studded with copper nails.

Blood gushed from the back of his head like a blooming lotus.

At that moment, a faint "crack" sound echoed.

The gray mask shattered, breaking into two pieces and falling to the ground, revealing a middle-aged man's face, pale from years of avoiding sunlight.

His eyes still held the terror of impending death.

Just one arrow...

An Initial Divine Foundation cultivator was instantly killed!

Boom!

The silence lasted only for a moment.

A terrifying aura suddenly rose from within the Qin Manor.

"How dare you!"

The deafening voice was like a thunderclap, causing a shockwave that evaporated the spring rain as it struck the ground.

Li Che, wearing the Devil Face, immediately suppressed his aura after firing the arrow and activated the Sleeping Dragon Elephant of the Vajra Elephant Dao Fruit to its maximum potential.

His entire body seemed to transform into a straight black line, blending into the rain and hugging the wall as he fled.

After changing alleys several times, he finally stopped and stood motionless behind a wall, holding his breath and slowing his heartbeat to the extreme.

His gaze fixed on the sky above the Qin Manor, a gigantic virtual shadow appeared like a mirage, formed by the concentration of divine essence, and its mere presence suffocated onlookers.

The virtual shadow wore a golden armor, its scales resembling golden dragon scales, and its sleeves fluttered in the wind. It had four arms, muscular and knotted, with veins like dragon serpents and slender serpentine dragons coiled around its body.

The serpent had nine heads, twisting and winding around its body, its skin purple, and its intense divine essence of worry resembling a storm, nearly dispersing the falling spring rain.

Divine Sage!

Li Che's eyes narrowed slightly, and his heartbeat steadied.

This was the realm above the Divine Foundation, the Divine Sage!

The Temple Deity, in its concentrated form, was like the presence of a deity, possessing divine power, and thus, it was the realm of the Divine Sage!

This was an extremely powerful realm.

The Qin Family, with a heritage spanning hundreds of years in the capital city, was a Divine Sage clan, not only possessing the Divine Sage lineage but also having a living Divine Sage ancestor presiding over it!

This was the foundation of their clan.

Li Che's mind had already connected with the Chess Sage's Dao Fruit and was preparing to use the power of the Thunder City Chess Sage to teleport away.

Of course, the prerequisite was for him to be exposed...

Boom!

Countless raindrops exploded, and a powerful force, almost tangible, swept across the long street like a radar scan.

Li Che could clearly sense the invisible distortion of the raindrops, forming a series of rising water waves.

This was the Divine Sage's consciousness, scanning the ten-li-long street in an instant...

However, when Li Che sensed the consciousness sweeping past his body, he seemed to notice something and retreated, scanning the area again.

Li Che remained motionless, blending into the wall.

The consciousness swept away and then returned, only to leave again.

After about five or six breaths, the consciousness returned once more.

After four or five such back-and-forth sweeps, it finally left.

Li Che couldn't help but feel speechless: "This old man, Gu Lao Deng..."

However, Li Che's heart was also filled with excitement. After reaching level 3, the Sleeping Dragon Elephant's breath-suppressing ability allowed him to barely evade the Divine Sage cultivator's consciousness.

This realization alone was a significant gain, even if he had acted as the Devil Face.

As for the other gains...

Li Che remained standing still, not only to prevent the Qin Family's Divine Sage ancestor from detecting him with his consciousness but also because he was using the Heaven and Earth Chessboard ability of the Chess Sage's Dao Fruit.

In his eyes, black lines danced and intertwined, forming a chessboard grid that spread out.

With Li Che's position as a chessboard star, the grid expanded, covering the entrance of the Qin Manor as Li Che zoomed in on the scene.

He did not dare to intrude into the Qin Manor due to the oppressive divine essence of the Divine Sage cultivator.

However, this was already enough.

Through the Heaven and Earth Chessboard perspective, Li Che clearly saw the situation at the entrance of the Qin Manor.

Three figures emerged from the Qin Manor at an astonishing speed, their powerful vital energies intertwining and filling the air.

Two men and one woman; the men were middle-aged, dressed in luxurious attire, and the woman was graceful and elegant, with a beautiful face and a graceful figure.

Li Che's gaze instantly focused on the woman.

When the woman saw the gray-faced man shot by the arrow, her expression turned as cold as still water, and her slender, fair fingers clenched into a fist, radiating a terrifying killing intent.

Li Che, wearing the Devil Face mask, hugged the wall.

His expression remained unmoved.

Beneath the mask, his eyes reflected the woman's exquisite beauty.

He memorized her.

Qin Yuqing, the Jade-faced Poisonous Fiend.

Devil Face, I remember you.

The next moment, Li Che lightly touched his toes, wearing a devil face, as if merging into the spring rain, disappearing silently.

...

...

At the Qin Manor, a thick, bloody smell permeated the air.

The air was filled with the charred scent of electrical arcs and the scorching heat of dried spring rain.

Three noble figures stood at the door, gazing at the pinned corpse.

Two middle-aged men looked at the woman, "Yuqing, is this your person?"

Qin Yuqing's dark hair gently brushed her pale, tender cheeks, and her well-maintained face flashed with coldness.

"Yes."

"I sent him on a mission, and he must have discovered something. He was probably returning to report, but was shot dead in front of the manor."

"Damnable audacity! To dare treat our Qin Manor as nothing?!"

Qin Yuqing's eyes beneath her willow brows exuded sharp killing intent, and the divine foundation perfection's divine essence intertwined, bringing forth gusts of chilling wind and wailing ghosts.

She felt an intense urge to kill! The gray-faced scout she sent to monitor the carpenter was dead. This was a provocation, but who was behind it?

Was it the foul carpenter from Thunder City?

Or someone from another aristocratic family? Or perhaps the Temple Enforcement Command or a Divine Sect branch?

There were indeed too many forces in the capital city that could target the Qin family.

It was too chaotic... It was hard to guess at once.

Qin Yuqing bit her full lips, her eyes flashing with thoughts. People said she was a crazy, venomous woman who enjoyed tormenting others and listening to their cries of pain.

In reality, she always had a method to her actions, never leaving any evidence, and she planned meticulously before acting, aiming for a sure kill without giving her targets a chance to struggle.

"By sensing the lingering divine essence, we can analyze the divine essence of the attacker... It's the wrath divine essence."

"Using an arrow to kill with certainty, a divine foundation initial realm cultivator, must be a divine archer, proficient in archery, to have the confidence to kill with one shot, leaving no chance."

One of the middle-aged men closed his eyes, then opened them, and in his pupils, a faint red color swirled, as if the air itself was drawn in, forming a vortex.

"A divine archer? With the wrath divine essence, cultivators who meet such conditions are rare, even in the capital city. Even if disguised, divine essence cannot lie... Could it be the 'Heart Monkey Temple' or the divine archer from the Public Ram Clan?"

The other middle-aged man frowned, speculating.

"An arrow shot from several miles away, piercing a divine foundation cultivator, shattering their inner landscape... This accuracy, this power, this killing intent... Not an ordinary divine archer, which family in the capital city secretly raised such a terrifying divine archer?"

"Why target our Qin family's cultivator? Is it a show of force? Or, Yuqing, have you left loose ends in your recent actions?"

Facing her brothers' questions, Qin Yuqing showed impatience, "Impossible, if I acted, it would be clean..."

"This divine archer might not be targeting me, but our Qin family!"

Qin Yuqing was dissatisfied with her brothers' doubts, which showed a lack of trust in her abilities.

Qin Yuqing clenched her fist and forcefully pulled out the wooden arrow deeply embedded in the wooden door. The arrow had a screw-like pattern, made from spirit wood, with a snake-like design.

On it, there was lingering divine essence...

Wait!

"This is..."

Qin Yuqing's eyes suddenly narrowed, as if struck by lightning on a clear day.

"The Tri-Eye Wrathful Lord's divine essence?!"

"The divine essence born from the Strange Shrine of the Tri-Eye Wrathful Lord in Thunder City?"

Qin Yuqing was somewhat incredulous.

Her two brothers, Qin Haonan and Qin Leixiao, also looked startled, their faces growing strange.

"The Tri-Eye Wrathful Lord's divine essence? It's indeed..."

"Yuqing, could it be your ex-husband from Thunder City..."

Qin Haonan couldn't help but speak.

Qin Yuqing's face contorted instantly, "Impossible, shut up!"

"That useless man is dead, long dead! His body can't even be found!"

"It can't be him!"

Her clenched fist shattered the wooden arrow into powder, and her eyes were filled with madness, distorting her beautiful face.

"Who is it then?"

"The Tri-Eye Wrathful Lord... Who else could refine such divine essence?"

"That foul carpenter from Thunder City is definitely suspicious... My scout was sent to investigate him, and he was killed, shot dead in front of the manor?"

"Li Che... must be involved!"

...

...

Li Che put away his devil face and, holding an oil-paper umbrella, returned to the bustling street.

His shoes soaked in the wet bluestone pavement, Li Che walked and pondered, recalling the beautiful woman's face he had glimpsed through the Heaven and Earth Chessboard.

It was probably Qin Yuqing.

But what was her cultivation level?

Earlier, through the chessboard, he had sensed that her vital energy was undoubtedly powerful, and her divine essence was vast, likely reaching the divine foundation advanced realm.

"A core true transmission of the Golden Crack Sect, her cultivation is definitely not low. As one of the five major sects in Golden Light City, it may not compare to a Divine Sect branch, but the core true transmissions, elixir resources, and martial arts techniques are abundant. Her vital energy cultivation... is very likely at the essence energy master level."

"The First Generation Divine Art Bodhimanda Barrett... with a body made from Dragon Fang Yellow Cypress Wood, possessing vast spirituality and divine essence, further refined with fine carvings, and infused with Bodhi Blood Tears and Spirit Wood Raven Craft bullets..."

"Can it kill a master?"

Li Che's eyes shimmered with a flowing radiance.

Of course, he knew that there would be a significant gap between Masters.

There was bound to be a vast chasm between Qin Yuqing and Li Qing Shan. For instance, when Liu He and others mentioned Li Qing Shan, they spoke with respect, addressing him as Senior Qing Shan. But when they talked about Qin Yuqing, they simply called her "that venomous woman."

This indicated that even if Qin Yuqing was a Master, she was not a powerful one...

So...

"Let's give it a try."

"It would be best to shoot and kill her. If not... I should be able to make her behave a little."

"A smart person, upon learning of a hidden threat, would naturally act with more caution and prudence, daring not to cause trouble easily."

Having just arrived in the capital city, Li Che didn't want to stir up too much trouble.

But in this life, he had to tread carefully, like walking on thin ice. He feared not thieves, but those who harbored ill intentions...

Qin Yuqing...

The thought of such a venomous woman made Li Che's hair stand on end. The mere idea of his daughter encountering a great calamity caused his heart to shatter.

Therefore, to obtain a piece of peace and tranquility, Li Che could only take a gamble.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had already regained his composure.

In the hazy spring rain of the south, the willows swayed in the gentle breeze, creating a dreamy scene.

Li Che, dressed in a black shirt, did not possess the elegance of a white-robed scholar, nor did he resemble a Confucian scholar from a traditional painting.

Yet, he exuded a refined and gentle aura, blending seamlessly with the spring rain.

The Heaven-Enraged Bureau in the capital city had a dedicated building.

The day before, Liu He and Hai Chuan Ying had informed Li Che of the bureau's exact location.

In the hazy spring rain, along a tributary of the Nine-Dragons River, stood a nine-story pagoda amidst the spring breeze. Its eight-treasure eaves and the two dragons arching over a pearl atop the tower were impressive. The black roof tiles were laid out neatly and meticulously, and the spring rain flowed down the edges, resembling a jade curtain.

Li Che walked towards the Heaven-Enraged Bureau to inquire about the requirements for becoming a Guest Scholar.

As he entered the building, he shook off the rainwater from his oiled paper umbrella and stored it in his Universe Spirit Jade space before stepping inside.

Contrary to his expectations of a bustling government office, there were no hurried figures or slacking officials. Instead, the place was filled with dazzling treasures.

Transparent crystal frames housed silk-lined shelves, displaying various items.

Li Che's gaze swept across the room, taking in the elixirs, weapons, divine wood carvings, and more.

Wooden signs categorized the items neatly.

Li Che was stunned. Was this the Heaven-Enraged Bureau... or a supermarket?

"Sir, is there something you wish to purchase?" a soft voice asked from the side. A fragrant breeze wafted by, and Li Che turned to see a graceful young woman standing beside him. Her skin was as white as jade, and her eyes held a thousand unspoken words.

Li Che was startled. How had he not noticed this woman's presence upon entering the bureau?

The woman smiled at Li Che and said, "The first floor of the Heaven-Enraged Bureau offers only tenth-grade items, but there are also ordinary items of lower grades. Please tell me your needs, and I can assist you."

Li Che shook his head and bowed, saying, "I'm here to inquire about the Guest Scholar examination for the Heaven-Enraged Bureau."

A look of surprise flashed across the woman's face.

Before she could respond, a hearty laughter echoed through the room.

"Hahaha! Master Li, you're here? We've been expecting you."

Liu He, dressed in his official uniform, with the Temple Guard badge hanging from his waist, approached with a smile.

After their conversation the previous day, Liu He had developed a favorable impression of Li Che. Although Li Che was from Thunder City, he was well-versed in social etiquette, and with Senior Qing Shan's recommendation, his first impression was excellent.

The graceful woman glanced at Liu He and nodded, "Guest Scholar Liu, won't you introduce us?"

"Miss Shangguan, this is Li Che, a master woodcarver from Thunder City. He has been recommended by Senior Qing Shan and is here to participate in the Guest Scholar examination for the Heaven-Enraged Bureau."

Liu He didn't beat around the bush and directly revealed Li Che's identity.

"I am Shangguan Qinghong. It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Li," the woman said with a smile, her face lighting up. Recommended by Senior Qing Shan?

"Alright, Guest Scholar Liu can get back to work. I heard you took on a big project, carving a 'Eight-Armed Hell Lotus Wrathful Third Prince Temple Deity Statue.' It's not an easy task, Master Li. I'll take care of your reception."

Shangguan Qinghong spoke with a smile.

Liu He's expression froze, and he shook his head helplessly. He knew that Shangguan Qinghong was here because of Li Qing Shan's connection.

But he didn't mind and turned to Li Che, "Master Li, I wish you success in the examination. I'll take you to Yun Fang Fang to drink and listen to music another day."

Shangguan Qinghong playfully kicked Liu He, who laughed and left.

"Master Li, don't hang out with him. Yun Fang Fang isn't a decent place," Shangguan Qinghong said, her demeanor turning dignified as she spoke to Li Che with a sweet voice.

Li Che smiled, his eyes glimmering.

With the surname Shangguan... could she be from the Shangguan family, one of the five prominent clans in Golden Light Prefecture?

Shangguan Qinghong led Li Che to a room within the building, where a hot stove boiled water, filling the room with a rich tea aroma.

"Master Li, please have some tea. This 'Dragon Spine Tea' is grown with water from the Nine-Dragons River. It's sweet to the taste and warms your insides like a dragon's fiery breath, containing a hint of divine essence, making it exceptionally delightful."

Shangguan Qinghong had been reading and drinking tea in the room before coming out to receive Li Che, as she had sensed his arrival.

Today was her shift, and reading and drinking tea was the most comfortable way to spend her time.

Shangguan Qinghong was an official member of the Heaven-Enraged Bureau, certified by the court, unlike Liu He and Hai Chuan Ying, who were Guest Scholars who had passed the examination.

"Master Li, you're from Thunder City?"

Shangguan Qinghong poured a cup of tea for Li Che, his slender fingers coming together as he pushed the teacup towards Li Che.

"Thunder City isn't peaceful. I heard the Mayor has gone mad, gathering the blood of a thousand infants to steal the Divine Essence of a thousand woodcarvers. He intends to sacrifice the entire city's common folk to promote the Strange Shrine to the Nine Stars... Fortunately, Senior Green Mountain shattered his scheme with his ram-horned hammer."

"It's indeed not easy for Master Li to come from Thunder City to the Capital City."

Shangguan Qinghong glanced at Li Che.

"My daughter has an excellent Divine Child essence, and Senior Green Mountain values her. That's why she left Thunder City early, avoiding a calamity."

Li Che smiled.

Shangguan Qinghong's expression froze.

"What? Master Li has a child?"

Li Che's hand holding the teacup paused; he was already twenty-two... Was having a child... abnormal? Shangguan Qinghong's posture, which she had been maintaining, suddenly relaxed, and she slumped in the grandmaster's chair like a delinquent girl.

Now that he was a married man, there was no need to pretend.

"That's truly a pity." Shangguan Qinghong took out various dried fruits, melon seeds, and jerky from the tea table's drawer and started eating without any reservation.

In front of a married man, what image was there to maintain?

Anyway, he wouldn't marry her.

Li Che: "..."

However, at this moment, Shangguan Qinghong's demeanor became even more relaxed.

The conversation between the two became more harmonious.

"Brother Li, this is your assessment token and also serves as an identity token for traveling officials. Tomorrow, when you come to the Heaven-Enraged Bureau, you can use it. The Guest Scholar assessment requires prior preparation and the Supervisor's approval and seal. I'll go and report this to them."

Shangguan Qinghong handed Li Che a wooden token, which was surprisingly crafted from Spirit Wood.

A jade-like glow emanated from her fingertips, and information immediately appeared before their eyes.

...

【Divine Armament (Upper Rank): Heaven-Enraged Bureau Third Rank Token】

【Craftsmanship: Made from the 9th-tier Spirit Wood 'Southern Fire Pine', capable of storing Divine Essence and Internal Energy. Extremely durable, it can be used as a brick and is a symbol of identity.】

【Holder: Heaven-Enraged Bureau Third Rank Guest Scholar and Official】

...

Li Che played with the token, his eyes lighting up. "Southern Fire Pine wood?"

Shangguan Qinghong looked at Li Che in surprise. "Brother Li has a sharp eye to identify the type of Spirit Wood used for the token. That's truly impressive."

"After Brother Li passes the assessment, you can input your Divine Essence or Internal Energy into it, making it a symbol of your identity."

Li Che nodded and put away the token.

Shangguan Qinghong then informed Li Che about the next day's assessment details, after which Li Che took his leave.

At the carved window, Shangguan Qinghong held a handful of melon seeds, cracking them as she watched Li Che's black silhouette merge into the rain under his umbrella. Her eyes flickered.

"Crack! Crack! Someone was shot dead in front of the Qin Manor... It shouldn't be him, right? I didn't sense any Divine Foundation or Vital Energy, just a mere blood exchange."

"A Divine Foundation at the initial stage was killed with a single arrow. Crack! Crack! The Qin Manor's Poisonous Fiend has kicked the iron plate."

...

...

After leaving the Heaven-Enraged Bureau, Li Che went to the Fragrant Pavilion, packed some wine and dishes, stored them in the Eternal Origin Divine Jade, and headed home.

Along the way, the spring rain pattered, creating a muffled sound on the oiled paper umbrella.

As he reached the entrance to Flower Listening Lane.

Li Che took a step, and the puddles on the ground instantly rippled, causing the Dao Fruit of the Chess Sage within his chest to throb. The Heaven and Earth Chessboard unfolded before him.

In the crisscrossing grid of the chessboard.

Several auras rose from the ground, shining like stars in his perception.

"One, two, three... Suddenly, three more Gray-faced spies appeared. Well done, Poisonous Fiend."

Li Che's expression remained unchanged as he held his umbrella and strode into Flower Listening Lane.

Three figures wearing gray masks stood nearby, their eyes glinting with a faint light, their auras restrained as they continued their surveillance.

The next day, the spring rain continued.

Li Che taught his wife, Zhang Ya, some more advanced Open Meridian movements and then used his Pure Heart Divine Essence to help her refine her body.

He also instructed Xi Xi in martial arts as usual and helped her enhance her body's condition by refining her Divine Essence. After that, Li Che left the small courtyard.

As he exited Flower Listening Lane, the three surveillance auras reappeared.

Li Che didn't mind and continued walking towards the Heaven-Enraged Bureau with his umbrella.

Under the watchful eyes of the three Qin Manor spies, he entered the Heaven-Enraged Bureau.

The next moment.

Li Che clenched his fist around the Thunder City chess piece, and in the instant he stepped into the Heaven-Enraged Bureau while restraining his breath, he disappeared without a trace.

...

...

The workshop courtyard.

The spring rain continued to fall.

Many pieces of wood were soaked.

Li Che sat in a chair, taking out the 'Dragon Fang Bodhi' crafted from Dragon Fang Yellow Cypress Wood. He carefully polished the patterns on it.

After thoroughly polishing it.

Li Che tore through the air with his five fingers, grabbing a Devil Face mask and covering his face with it.

He put on a bamboo hat, pulling the brim low.

Crack!

Accompanied by the sound of metal friction and collision, a slender gun barrel made from the 7th-tier Spirit Wood Dragon Fang Yellow Cypress was embedded into the gun body.

Li Che held the Namu Divine Worker Bodhi Barrett at an angle, loading the only Dragon Fang Bodhi bullet into it.

In an instant, a scorching heat and a roar like a raging dragon filled the air, ready to unleash its power!

A hundred miles away, the Hundred Mile Soul Lock!

With a tap of his toe.

The Devil Face became like a ghost, silently merging into the fine spring rain.

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end