Chapter 104: Overpraise and Crow Grenade

Chapter 104: Overpraise and Crow Grenade

"Has this boy ever been to the Third Prince Temple outside the city?" The Deputy Supervisor's white robe fluttered in the wind, and he gazed at the divine statue quietly placed on the tea table.

Although it was only a Ten Domain Level statue, the divine essence within it was incredibly weak.

For a woodcarving master, a single wood carving could convey the sculptor's intended message through their craftsmanship, lines, and textures, creating a profound artistic expression.

A master was a master because they had perfected their skill, and to seek further breakthroughs, they could only achieve them through innovative presentation and expression.

Some ink wash painting masters, with just a few strokes, seemed to create chaotic splashes of ink at first glance, but upon closer inspection, revealed a unique beauty and profound artistic expression.

Woodcarving was no different.

Sheepian Liancheng and Gui Yun Li were both left dumbfounded by the Deputy Supervisor's words.

"Deputy Supervisor, are you referring to the 'Eight-Armed Hell Lotus Wrathful Third Prince' Mysterious Temple outside the city?" Gui Yun Li couldn't help but ask.

The Deputy Supervisor, dressed in white, had a delicate appearance and looked like a handsome young man in his late teens. At this moment, he gave Gui Yun Li a displeased glance, "Little Gong, don't be all chest and no brain..."

"Outside the city, there are other prince temples?"

Upon hearing this, Gui Yun Li's face turned red, and she looked down at her ample chest. The Deputy Supervisor was indeed fond of speaking half-truths.

"He definitely hasn't entered that temple and hasn't seen the temple deity..."

"His vital energy cultivation is just blood replacement, and his divine essence is only at the level of stream cultivation. He can't even enter the Deceptive Temple, let alone the Mysterious Temple..."

"Even if we were to brave the temple deity's pressure and enter the Mysterious Temple, we might not be able to reach the temple platform and see the statue of the Eight-Armed Wrathful Third Prince."

Sheepian Liancheng, standing nearby, spoke up in a deep voice.

"That's indeed the logic."

"Even if he's hiding his cultivation, it's impossible to hide that much."

The Deputy Supervisor nodded and walked up to the wood carving. He raised his finger and gently caressed the carving's grooves.

With his eyes closed, every inch his finger moved across the carving seemed to give him a peculiar sensation, as if his hair was standing on end.

"This wood carving test was set by me. I spent a few breaths of time roughly carving the rough draft, but this boy not only perfectly continued my carving ideas and techniques but also incorporated his own understanding and feelings in the latter half."

"He must not have seen a true divine being, but he can imagine and create one that closely resembles the real thing."

"This boy... is like me."

The Deputy Supervisor slowly opened his eyes, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

He continued, "This boy has the qualifications to be a Distinguished Guest Scholar."

This statement shocked both Sheepian Liancheng and Gui Yun Li.

The praise was too high!

Guest Scholars were usually divided into three ranks: Third Rank, Second Rank, and First Rank. A First Rank Guest Scholar in the Celestial Surveillance Agency of a prefecture city held a position even higher than that of a Junior Inspector.

Even in the Celestial Surveillance Agency's Treasure Tower of other prefecture cities, or even state cities, a First Rank Guest Scholar could still hold their position.

But they were only Junior Inspectors in the Treasure Tower of the Celestial Surveillance Agency in Golden Light Prefecture. If they left Golden Light Prefecture and went to other prefecture cities, their status would naturally be lower, and if they went to state cities or even the Majestic Divine Capital, it would be two or three ranks lower!

Gui Yun Li shook her head in disbelief, her small chest heaving with indignation.

"Deputy Supervisor, you're... overpraising a newcomer! Just because Li Qingshan recommended him doesn't mean you should overpraise him with your strange flattery!"

Sheepian Liancheng snapped out of his daze, his face darkening.

Oh dear, Little Yun Li, how could you speak to your superior like that? Could you not have chosen your words more carefully? You need to grow some brain cells to go with that meat!

As expected, the Deputy Supervisor frowned, "Overpraise? Am I overpraising a newcomer just because Li Qingshan recommended him?"

"Little Yun, do you remember how many regulations there are in total for official personnel in the Celestial Surveillance Agency's Treasure Tower, as stipulated by the Chief Inspector and Deputy Inspector of the Celestial Surveillance Agency in the Divine Capital?"

Gui Yun Li's face turned pale, and she lowered her head in frustration, forgetting that this old man possessed a mind-reading divine art similar to his.

"Thirty times, and if there's a single mistake, you'll be fined ten Divine Crystals from the Ten Domain."

Gui Yun Li lowered her head in defeat, forgetting that this old man possessed a mind-reading divine art similar to his.

"Deputy Supervisor, I still have to say that such high praise for a Distinguished Guest Scholar is inappropriate and overly flattering for a newcomer!"

Gui Yun Li had high hopes for Li Che, a talented woodcarving master with a friendly demeanor and a gentle temperament, and she quite liked him.

However, saying that Li Che had the qualifications to be a Distinguished Guest Scholar would be too much for this young man.

After speaking, Gui Yun Li quickly slipped away, holding the hem of her white robe.

The Deputy Supervisor was speechless.

He turned to Sheepian Liancheng.

"Deputy Supervisor, your insight is truly remarkable. What you said makes sense. Upon seeing him, I also believe that this boy's future is limitless, and he indeed has the qualifications to be a Distinguished Guest Scholar!"

Sheepian Liancheng shouted in agreement, unlike Gui Yun Li, who was all chest and no brain, with a head full of iron.

What was the point of provoking your superior? Sheepian Liancheng was all about...

Flattery, and gold worth ten thousand taels!

"I advise you not to spread this around, calling it overpraise... I'm afraid she'll blurt it out first."

The Deputy Supervisor felt exhausted. His two subordinates, one with an iron head and the other with excessive flattery...

They were truly a mixed bag.

Sheepian Liancheng understood the situation and nodded solemnly, "Deputy Supervisor, your concern is well-founded, and it's no wonder you're the Deputy Supervisor. I, as your subordinate, am sincerely..."

"Shut up and go back to work."

Sheepian Liancheng made a long bow, his hands hanging down, and slowly retreated.

Inside the tea room, the aroma of tea lingered in the air.

The atmosphere was as tranquil as ever.

The Deputy Supervisor caressed the statue with his fingers, and in a daze, he seemed to see a figure stirring the vast sea with crimson silk...

"Li Qingshan's recommendation..."

"With such talent, instead of sending him to the Divine Sect, he was sent to the Celestial Surveillance Agency as a Guest Scholar... for what reason? In another five years... it will be the time when the Four Guardians' Wrathful Third Prince Temple's Deceptive Temple trembles, forming a mysterious disaster..."

"The Corpse Deity Sect..."

"It's a season of troubles."

Deputy Inspector retracted his hand from the statue, closed his eyes, and massaged his temples.

Suddenly, his fingers paused, and his slender eyes opened.

"Or perhaps... this guy Li Qingshan is suspecting the Divine Sect's Branch Sect?"

...

...

After the rain, the sky cleared, and the rare sunshine peeked through the heavy lead clouds, shining upon the mortal realm, reflecting a shimmering scene.

Li Che left the Celestial Surveillance Agency's Treasure Tower, feeling elated.

Having become a Third Rank Guest Scholar of the Celestial Surveillance Agency, he enjoyed the agency's resources and acquired many good things.

Most importantly, he had obtained the tiger's skin, a formidable deterrent that made various powers in the Prefecture City wary. It was enough to protect his small family and ensure their safety for some time.

For Li Che, this was more than enough.

He didn't ask for much; he only wanted peace and tranquility, a calm and stable life.

He quietly watched his daughter grow up and cultivate successfully.

This was the simple and pure wish of an old father.

Li Che was in high spirits as he left the Celestial Surveillance Agency and strolled down the wide street of the Prefecture City, spacious enough for ten carriages to drive side by side after the rain.

He inhaled the fresh air and basked in the spring breeze that refreshed his mind.

Li Che planned to go to the Fragrant Pavilion to order a table of fine wine and cuisine, then return to celebrate. Especially the Fragrant Pavilion's roast duck, he wanted to order a few more for Xixi and his daughter-in-law, as they both loved it.

However, Li Che didn't let his guard down, as Qin Yuqing was, after all, killed by him.

Although he was confident that he hadn't left any clues related to himself, even if the Qin Family were to find him, without evidence, they wouldn't dare to act against him with his identity as a Guest Scholar of the Celestial Surveillance Agency.

But nothing is absolute. What if the Qin Family had another venomous woman like Qin Yuqing? Someone who would stop at nothing to kill him, even if it meant slaying every dog that passed by?

Therefore, Li Che had to remain vigilant and couldn't afford to relax.

Even in the Prefecture City, this world wasn't safe, and perhaps for a long time, he would have to tread carefully like walking on thin ice.

Oh yes, Li Che's heart stirred, and the Chess Sage's Dao Fruit trembled, the Heaven-Earth Chessboard's influence spreading.

As expected, the three Grey Mask spies from the Qin Mansion who had been tailing him had disappeared without a trace.

After Qin Yuqing's death, these three had probably returned to the Qin Mansion to report the situation.

Coincidentally, they had provided him with information about Qin Yuqing.

After all, he had shot and killed Qin Yuqing in a different direction from the Treasure Tower of the Celestial Surveillance Agency.

After ordering the food and drinks, Li Che didn't immediately return to his own courtyard but went to another courtyard he had purchased, the workshop courtyard.

He sat in a chair, boiled some hot water, and brewed a pot of tea.

Amidst the spring breeze, he took a sip of the fine tea, and his mood became even more delightful.

Then, he began to organize his gains from becoming a Third Rank Guest Scholar of the Celestial Surveillance Agency.

His heart stirred.

...

【Name: Li Che】

【Bond: Li Nuan Xi (Daughter)】

【Dao Fruit: Divine Art (lv3, 68%), Dragon Elephant Vajra (lv3, 13%), Pure Heart (LV2, 18%), Chess Sage (LV2, 7%)】

【Primordial Technique: Divine Art · Thousand Analysis Hands, Dragon Elephant Vajra · Ascend Tower】

...

Huh? Li Che glanced at the feedback from the Dao Fruit, only to see the Divine Art 【Dao Fruit】 increase in maturity by 20% all at once.

He was slightly stunned, could the feedback from the statue he had carved in the Celestial Surveillance Agency be so significant? No, it should be because he had completed the "Namo Divine Art Bodhi Barrett" and also carved that statue.

Although Li Che had carved Ten Domain Level wooden sculptures before, such a substantial increase in maturity was unusual, and there must be a reason for it.

Could it be related to the image he had envisioned and then incorporated into the wooden sculpture—the figure with feet on the golden wheel and crimson silk dancing across the four seas? Li Che's eyes flashed, and his heart stirred with excitement. If this were the case, he might have found a way to rapidly increase the maturity of his Divine Art Dao Fruit.

However, he didn't rush to experiment, as it was already late, and he might not have time to carve another Four-Armed Wrathful Third Prince Divine Nature Wooden Sculpture.

He clenched his fist and retrieved his other gains from becoming a Third Rank Guest Scholar from the Heaven-Earth Jade space.

A crystal stone that shimmered with faint light fell into his hand.

A sense of warmth emanated from the crystal stone.

"Divine Crystal... The Divine Essence obtained from the Deceptive Temple can only be purchased with Divine Crystals, not with mundane objects like gold and silver, as Elder Qinghong said."

Holding the crystal stone, what truly stirred his emotions was the Divine Essence contained within the Divine Crystal...

It seemed to be the same pure white Divine Essence as the 【Pure Heart】! "Are they of the same origin? Both are pure and flawless Divine Essences?"

Li Che's eyes narrowed, and the next moment, his divine sense surged out, drawing the Divine Essence from the Divine Crystal. However, as his divine sense touched the Divine Essence within the Divine Crystal, the 【Pure Heart】 in his chest suddenly started to beat rapidly!

It was like a hungry existence, abruptly opening its mouth wide.

The Divine Essence from the Ten Domain Divine Crystal...

Was incredibly smooth and was all drawn into the 【Pure Heart】.

【Dao Fruit: Pure Heart (LV2, 20%)】

Li Che: "!!!"

Without even using the Thousand Analysis Hands, he directly absorbed the Divine Essence from the Divine Crystal, swallowing it in one smooth motion!

The maturity of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit increased directly by 2%!

This was incredible!

A Ten Domain Divine Crystal increased the maturity by 2%, so if he had forty more, wouldn't the Pure Heart Dao Fruit mature to lv3?

A shortcut!

Li Che's eyes lit up in the small courtyard, or perhaps... this was the correct way to unlock the 【Pure Heart】 Dao Fruit!

In Thunder City, he had no access to Divine Crystals, so he could only cultivate diligently, absorbing the Divine Essence between heaven and earth to nurture his Pure Heart.

But in the Prefecture City... with more resources, things were different.

Unfortunately, a Third Rank Guest Scholar's monthly salary only included ten Ten Domain Divine Crystals.

It would take a year to gather forty Divine Crystals...

Li Che exhaled, "No matter, we'll take it slow, no rush."

With his emotions settling, Li Che felt calm and composed.

"Moreover, now that I'm a Third Rank Guest Scholar, I should be able to earn Divine Crystals through Divine Wooden Sculptures..."

Li Che smiled, feeling that the future was becoming increasingly brighter.

"Now, my Pure Heart Divinity has reached a state of Nature Cultivation Like a River. To condense the Pure Heart Divine Foundation, I'll likely need to reach level 3..."

In the past, Li Che had no idea how long it would take, but now with the Divine Crystal, the process will undoubtedly be much faster.

Taking out the second Divine Crystal, Li Che activated his Pure Heart to absorb it.

Within just three or four breaths, all the Divinity within the Ten Domain Divine Crystal was devoured, leaving behind only a dim and lifeless crystal.

"This is just a Ten Domain Divine Crystal. There are still higher-quality Divine Crystals..."

Li Che couldn't help but feel even more eager.

Especially the process of absorbing Divinity from the Divine Crystal was so smooth and silky, causing Li Che's pores to relax, and he felt incredibly comfortable.

The absorbed Divinity not only entered the Pure Heart Dao Fruit but also cleansed and purified his physical body!

Three Divine Crystals were quickly devoured by Li Che.

The maturity of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit reached 24%, and such rapid progress made Li Che's mood even more cheerful.

Looking at the three empty crystals, Li Che felt a momentary sense of loss.

"Without Divinity, the Divine Crystal loses its monetary function and becomes an ordinary crystal."

"However..."

Li Che suddenly thought of something and picked up a Divine Crystal, deep in thought.

He unleashed the Divinity within his Three-Eyed Wrathful True Lord Divine Foundation.

To his surprise, this Divinity with belonging seemed to be blocked and shielded on the crystal, making it much more challenging to release and manipulate.

"An empty Divine Crystal shell is a decent material for conducting Pure Divinity. If it's infused into the Spirit Wood Raven, it can be detonated to enhance its explosive power..."

"Additionally, if the crystal is ground into powder, it can even create a field that weakens an opponent's Divinity..."

Ideas began to flood Li Che's mind.

His eyes glimmered slightly, and he understood why Divine Perception Cultivators were so powerful—it was due to the oppressive Divinity Rank.

If Divinity were restricted, and one relied solely on Vital Energy Cultivation in battles...

Li Che possessed the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, which was unmatched in its horizontal refinement, and with Ascension...

He could easily crush ordinary Divine Meridians, but he might struggle against Grandmasters.

The main issue was that his Martial Dao Cultivation was still at the Mystic Vein stage, which was relatively weak. He needed to quickly advance to the Divine Meridian stage and even strive for the True Qi Master stage.

If horizontal refinement couldn't suppress the opponent, within the Divine Crystal field, the opponent's belonging Divinity would be weakened, but Li Che... could still utilize the Pure Heart Divine Ability.

"It's a small trump card."

Li Che smiled.

With a twist of his fingers, he crushed the incredibly resilient Divine Crystal into fine fragments. He then took out the Nine Luminaries Blood-Bathed Shock Lance and, after some tinkering, ground it into a fine powder like lime.

"I can combine this with the Spirit Wood Raven's craftsmanship, hiding the Divine Crystal powder within. During battles, I can throw it out, causing it to explode and form a crystal powder field..."

"Ha... Let's call it the 'Crow Grenade'."

...

...

As the sky darkened, Li Che returned home.

Xixi sat idly under the eaves, no longer interested in playing with her twisty car. She had lost her enthusiasm.

She wanted to set off fireworks, but her father would definitely not allow it.

Xixi looked up, and her small face was filled with a melancholy that didn't belong to her age.

"I really want to go back to school."

Xixi missed her days at Xu Family Divine Cultivation Academy.

When Li Che returned, he saw Xixi deep in thought under the eaves and couldn't help but take out the sugar-coated skewers he had purchased.

Xixi's eyes lit up at the sight, and she dashed towards her father.

Li Che picked her up and handed her the sugar-coated skewers. If Xixi could have these every day, she wouldn't be so eager for school to start.

As night fell, the Fragrant Pavilion's waiter delivered a bountiful meal.

Old Chen, surprised, held the wine flask, "You've been ordering food outside again? Such extravagance! Living in the Prefecture City isn't easy; you should save some money."

His wife, Zhang Ya, was also taken aback but, seeing the table filled with delicious dishes, assumed her husband had something to celebrate.

Li Che had also invited his Elder Brother's family. They lived in a small courtyard not far from their own. Li Che had bought the place for his Elder Brother and Cousin to stay.

With Li Che's current wealth, it wasn't a big deal, especially since his Elder Brother's family had raised him, and this was nothing compared to their kindness.

His Elder Brother, Sister-in-Law, and Cousin Li Zhengran's family all came to the banquet.

After most of the banquet, Li Che raised his cup and announced that he had become a Third Rank Guest Scholar of the Celestial Surveillance Agency.

After the announcement, everyone was left stunned.

Old Chen almost choked on his wine, "Celestial Surveillance Agency? Third Rank Guest Scholar?!"

"Li Che, you're eating the government's food now?!"

Elder Brother Li Liang was overjoyed, filled with excitement. As a scholar, he was the most thrilled about Li Che's entry into the Celestial Surveillance Agency.

This was entirely different from Li Che becoming a woodcarver at Xu Family Woodcarving!

After all, it was a court-affiliated organization. Although Guest Scholars weren't considered officials, they were still semi-official.

Elder Brother, a scholar, had a deep obsession with becoming an official!

"Good, good, good!" Elder Brother was so excited that he drank several cups of fine wine one after another, and soon his eyes became moist with emotion...

My younger brother, you've made something of yourself!

After Li Che's announcement, he peeled a roast duck leg for Xixi and quietly drank and ate.

In the candlelight, the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.

Li Che smiled warmly, but soon his brows furrowed.

Through the perception of the Heaven Earth Chessboard, he sensed two powerful auras rapidly approaching.

Soon, there was a knock on the courtyard gate, and everyone fell silent.

"I'll go, I'll go..."

"I'll open the door."

Elder Brother wiped the corner of his mouth and, swaying slightly, stood up to open the door.

Li Che, appearing beside him at some point, gently pushed him back into his chair.

"Take your time with the wine, Elder Brother. I'll go."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end