Chapter 117: Xi Xi's Territorial Expansion and Li Qingshan's New Sect

Chapter 117: Xi Xi's Territorial Expansion and Li Qingshan's New Sect

The collaboration of Great Prosperity?

Li Che's eyebrows arched as he glanced at Li Qingshan.

He sensed an unusual implication in the air. This collaboration with Great Prosperity might suit his taste, as the change in address from "Li Che, kid" to "Ox Demon" indicated that the cooperation Li Qingshan mentioned was with the Ox Demon, not with Li Che's current identity.

Li Che could guess that Li Qingshan wanted to collaborate with the Ox Demon, but he wondered what aspect of cooperation they had in mind.

Taking a sip of hot tea, he chewed on the green tea leaves that had just entered his mouth, their bitter taste spreading across his tongue.

Li Che smiled and said, "Senior, please speak frankly. I'm very interested in this Great Prosperity you mentioned."

Who wouldn't be interested in prosperity?

The current Li Che was in great need of resources. If he could obtain a few more Octagon Divine Essence Crystals, Nine Star Martial Pills, Supreme Martial Arts, or other forms of wealth, it would be an excellent thing.

Li Qingshan also narrowed his eyes as he looked at Li Che.

To be honest, the shock Li Che brought him was no less than Xi Xi's Bone Tempering Mastery at three years old.

After all, Li Che had only cultivated for three years, and it had been a short time since he truly stepped into the Martial Dao and began nurturing his Divine Essence. The time he spent was not much different from Xi Xi's Bone Tempering Mastery.

A twenty-two-year-old Spirit Child, in just three years, had gone from a beginner in the Martial Dao to a level where he could kill True Qi Masters.

How terrifying was that?!

This talent, if converted to a genuine Spirit Child, would be equivalent to a three-year-old Spirit Child killing a True Qi Master!

With this comparison, Li Che's daughter, Xi Xi, didn't seem as monstrous.

Of course, Li Qingshan knew that this calculation wasn't entirely accurate.

But there was no doubt that Li Che and Li Nuoxi, this father-daughter pair, had terrifying talent!

Li Qingshan pondered carefully but couldn't fathom the reason, as it didn't make sense...

Xi Xi's talent was understandable, given Li Che's monstrous abilities, and it was plausible for his daughter to be similarly gifted.

But why was Li Che's talent so monstrous?

Bloodline inheritance? Late bloomer?

Before, Li Che was just a clumsy fellow who worked as a mover in a woodcarving shop, earning a meager living of several dozen large bronze coins per day.

How could he achieve such a sudden reversal?

Could it be... that there truly exists a moment of enlightenment, where one soars into the clouds like a soaring dragon?

Perhaps Li Che had obtained some kind of powerful inheritance.

Li Qingshan wasn't interested in such matters. Everyone had their own opportunities, and he wouldn't covet them. He, Li Qingshan, also had his own opportunities.

Li Qingshan retracted his peculiar gaze, took a deep breath, and said, "Ox Demon..."

"I am aware of everything you've done since arriving in Jin Guang City. All I can say is... well done for killing!"

"The various powers in Jin Guang City are a mixed bag, each with their own thoughts. It's good to kill them and scare them, so they won't be so full of themselves, always thinking of causing trouble."

Li Qingshan took a sip of tea and broke into a cold smile.

"You killed the Fish Gang, and those under them are all related to the Corpse Deity Sect... There's no need to explain their background."

"Jing Wudao has placed his treasure on the Corpse Deity Sect. He plans to use the Corpse Deity Sect to advance into Jin Guang City, hoping to gain great benefits in the future, and he might even obtain the Corpse Deity Sect's 'Cursed Bronze Corpse' refinement method, refining his physical body to the level of a 'Cursed Bronze Corpse'."

Li Che's heart trembled slightly. "Cursed Bronze Corpse?"

He activated his Ascend State, using the Temple Deity Chess Piece to unleash power capable of killing a Cursed Iron Corpse, but the opponent's resilience had already exceeded his imagination.

How terrifying was a Cursed Bronze Corpse?

Li Qingshan narrowed his eyes. "A Cursed Bronze Corpse is no ordinary foe. A lower-grade Cursed Iron Corpse possesses the strength of a True Qi Master. If it's an upper-grade Cursed Bronze Corpse, it can even rival a complete Martial Artist, and it's even more challenging to deal with than a complete Martial Artist because their physical bodies are unparalleled. They are invincible and impervious to pain, like the most perfect death warriors. Once they achieve the Cursed Bronze Corpse level, they are comparable to a Great Master!"

"A Great Master?!"

Li Che took a deep breath.

In the Essence Pulse Martial Dao, after opening the essence pulse, one becomes a True Qi Master. By refining Martial Dao's true intent and merging it with oneself, the perfect fusion of true intent and essence pulse forms a more powerful true qi, enhancing one's killing prowess.

A Great Master, on the other hand, condenses the Divine Aura, making them even more formidable. Every move they make carries the power to split mountains and sever rivers!

"Yes, a Great Master with a pure Divine Aura... They have attained enlightenment in their Martial Dao path, comprehending the true nature of heaven and earth. Every Great Master, even without relying on Divine Essence, can easily escape the divine pressure of a Divine Essence Cultivator and flee for their lives."

"Any Great Master, even without cultivating Divine Essence, can dominate a region, becoming a giant among experts. They have no fear of Divine Physiognomist Cultivators and can easily defeat them."

"Normally, in terms of pure Martial Dao cultivation, a Great Master with a pure Divine Aura is roughly equivalent to a top-tier Divine Physiognomist Cultivator. However, when compared to a Divine Essence True Person, they are significantly weaker."

"After all, to become a Divine Essence True Person... One's physical body must also refine the Divine Aura, reaching the realm of a Great Master."

"Only a Great Master can become a True Person."

Li Qingshan spoke softly, his eyes gleaming with a hint of yearning and pursuit.

"Unless one cultivates to the realm of unity with heaven and earth within the Great Master realm, it's impossible to contend with a Divine Essence True Person solely through pure Martial Dao."

The pure Essence Pulse Martial Dao against a Divine Essence True Person! Such a realm was awe-inspiring, stirring hearts and minds.

"Of course, in this era, pure Martial Dao Great Masters are extremely rare. Most will also cultivate Divine Essence, as comprehending heaven and earth through Divine Essence is much easier and more comfortable."

Li Qingshan laughed, his eyes carrying a hint of sigh.

"To step into the realm of Great Masters purely through personal enlightenment is extremely rare."

He snapped back to his senses and turned to Li Che, returning to the main topic.

"When you killed the members of the Fishermen Gang, most of them were those who had received the Corpse Curse Seal. Can you see who has been marked with the Corpse Curse Seal?"

Li Qingshan's gaze burned intensely as he looked at Li Che, or rather, Niu Mo.

Li Che furrowed his brows and then relaxed, nodding.

"I can sense it... and that's why I killed them."

"The Corpse Deity Sect is targeting my daughter. All those who have received the seal are not innocent. They must be eliminated without mercy."

There was a chilling killing intent in Li Che's words.

Li Qingshan laughed heartily, stroking his beard.

"Very good."

"To sense the Corpse Curse Seal, it seems you have an innate sensitivity to corpse qi. Normally, when a cultivator receives the Corpse Curse Seal, they enter the Niwan Palace, and their divine essence is concealed. It's impossible to see through them, and they appear no different from ordinary people..."

"The fact that you can see through them is the foundation for us to achieve great prosperity!"

Li Qingshan narrowed his eyes, a sharp intent bursting forth. He didn't care how Li Che had sensed it; he only needed Li Che to confirm that Niu Mo was indeed killing those marked with the seal, and it wasn't a coincidence.

"Senior, how do you want to cooperate?"

Li Che narrowed his eyes.

"It's not just the Fish Gang secretly colluding with the Corpse Deity Sect, marking and controlling corpses. The other major gangs, the five great families, and the five great sects... all of them might have traitors, even... the Divine Sect's branches!"

"This city is filled with filth, and corpse qi is rampant, making people nauseous."

"You point out the filth, and we'll take care of it."

Li Che instantly understood.

This was to confirm those marked with the Corpse Curse Seal and then... hunt them down?!

"The idea is good, but it might be difficult."

"Take the Fish Gang, for example. Their leader, Jing Wudao, has received the Corpse Curse Seal. If you and I try to clean them up, we might end up being cleaned up instead."

Li Che spoke frankly.

Alone, he could take action and escape using Flying Thunder, making it hard for even a divine physiognomist to capture him.

But if he acted with a partner...

If he ran, his partner might not be able to escape.

Although Li Qingshan was powerful, facing a true divine physiognomist would be challenging.

"Do you think it's just the two of us acting? Do you think we have no partners... pfft, no companions?"

"When we clean up, we'll start with those in the Phantom State..."

A flash of defiance appeared in Li Qingshan's eyes. "Moreover, give me one more year, and divine physiognomists..."

"How so?"

...

Mu Po abandoned Li Qingshan and moved into Li Che's courtyard to stay with Xi Xi.

Li Qingshan had no choice but to follow the wishes of his old lover, as he had just returned to the city and had many matters to attend to.

Li Che had no objections to Mu Po staying in his home.

After all, it was just a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks.

Moreover, with Mu Po, a strict teacher from the divine cultivation academy, around, her presence could deter any rebellious behavior.

With the sect assessment approaching, it was a good time to cram.

Unlike Lao Chen, who constantly called Xi Xi 'Little Xi', triggering her rebellious nature.

The two would bicker and argue, with 'Little Xi' and 'Old Chen' shouting back and forth.

The following days returned to normalcy.

Li Che resumed his regular life.

During the day, he went on duty at the workshop, and after his shift, he practiced martial arts, cultivated, and carved in the courtyard, secretly honing his skills.

With the Fish Gang's destruction, the once-powerful gang became desolate as its leader, Jing Wudao, fled.

The various powers in the city divided and devoured the Fish Gang's remnants, leaving it in name only, completely annihilated.

Perhaps it was the Fish Gang's destruction that brought intimidation, or perhaps it was the remaining influence of the divine physiognomist battle, along with Li Qingshan's return and his reputation.

The entire city became peaceful.

Outside the Flower Listening Lane, no more forces were monitoring.

For a moment, Li Che felt a bit uncomfortable with the empty lane.

However, he habitually set up the Heaven and Earth Chessboard to ensure feedback in case of any abnormalities.

...

...

The spring breeze caressed the willows, bringing warmth.

Ten days passed silently.

In the workshop courtyard.

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard isolated the area.

Li Che sat in the center of the courtyard, his brows emitting a faint glow.

Wood shavings from the wooden carvings lay scattered, but an invisible wave had blown them away.

Li Che's black hair fluttered, and his Niwan Palace emitted a faint light.

The milky white Divine Essence enveloped various divine essences like a vast net, separating them.

"Wuuuuu—"

Countless wailing ghosts filled the air, their shadows intertwining, crying endlessly, as if the gates of hell had opened, and countless wronged souls returned!

Boom—!

Accompanied by a mighty wave of qi, a ripple spread out in concentric circles.

The impact on the isolated barrier of the Heaven and Earth Chessboard caused a splash like a wave.

Behind Li Che, a ghostly aura rose, accompanied by the grinding sound of the Seven Emotions Divine Foundation with a wailing tone!

Divine Foundation erupted with divine light, stirring up a wave of nauseating divine essence fluctuations.

Opening his eyes, Li Che exhaled a turbid breath, his gaze as calm as a still well.

"The Wailing Town Ghost" Divine Foundation, is also complete!"

A smile curved on Li Che's lips.

The Pure Heart Divine Essence surged forth, merging into the Wailing Town Ghost Divine Foundation.

The Niwan acupoint between his eyebrows opened.

In an instant, two robust Divine Foundation auras rose.

It was the Suspended Thought Flowing Sword Divine Foundation and the Mind Shocking Sturdy Divine Foundation!

"It's done, it's all done..."

"After casting the Pure Heart Divine Essence into a Divine Foundation, casting the other Divine Essences into Divine Foundations is not overly challenging. The power of the Pure Heart Divine Foundation can essentially neutralize the conflicts and repulsive forces brought about by other Divine Foundations."

Li Che exhaled, and a light shone between his eyebrows.

He had cast four Divine Foundations of the Seven Emotions.

Anger, Sadness, Thought, and Shock!

Adding to the all-purpose Pure Heart Divine Foundation.

Li Che's Niwan inner landscape now had five Divine Foundations!

Boom—

The powerful divine essence surged like a tide, pounding against the inner landscape walls, continuously expanding the inner landscape space, allowing the Divine Foundations to accommodate more freely!

Li Che's Niwan inner landscape space was now almost ten times larger than that of an ordinary cultivator who had cast a single Divine Foundation.

This brought about Li Che's powerful divine consciousness.

Extremely formidable!

Most importantly, Li Che could sense a unique change—his divine essence pressure... incredibly strong and terrifying!

His eyes clashed, and a five-colored flowing light seemed to flash within them as he forcefully pressed down with his five fingers.

Boom—

A mighty divine essence pressure was released, and the air in the entire courtyard seemed to be instantly emptied, creating a huge, sunken cavity.

"Huff—"

"With just the all-purpose Pure Heart Divine Foundation, the pressure from the four Divine Foundations of the Seven Emotions is enough to immobilize cultivators in the Divine Foundation realm, and even those in the Post-Divine Foundation realm would break into a sweat."

"It's probably enough to rival the divine essence pressure of a Void Phase cultivator."

Li Che's eyes shifted, and a gleam of brilliance appeared.

"With just four Divine Foundations, if I can cast the complete Seven Emotions Divine Foundations, perhaps..."

"I might be able to rival true Divine Physiognomist Cultivators in the Divine Foundation realm!"

Li Che raised his head, and the Niwan between his eyebrows suddenly dimmed.

In an instant, the four Divine Foundations returned to the Niwan inner landscape, and the Pure Heart Divine Essence calmed and disappeared without a trace.

"Joy, Grief, and Fear, there are still three Divine Essences yet to be cast into Divine Foundations."

"Now we can proceed."

While Li Che lacked the divine essence methods for Grief and Fear, it wasn't a significant issue. With his current abilities, finding Li Qingshan would be a matter of time.

However, finding a high-level cultivator was somewhat challenging.

Li Che also wanted to modify his Divine Foundations, but after learning about the process, he realized that modifying them was much easier than casting them, mainly because obtaining the divine essence methods was the tricky part.

Over ten days, Li Che diligently cultivated without rest, and his harvest was not merely casting three Divine Foundations.

In terms of martial arts, his breakthrough was significant.

Taking out a pill enveloped in deathly energy, Li Che swallowed it.

Gudong!

The pill dropped into his stomach, emitting a muffled sound. Under his divine consciousness control, his stomach walls writhed, and a mighty force crushed the pill, releasing a torrent of pill energy.

Li Che stood, his essence erupting like the roaring of a dragon and elephant.

With his self-created ultimate skill, Dragon Elephant True Vigor, now at the Small Accomplishment level, his essence surged and thundered, accompanied by the power of the dragon and elephant. Even without activating the Ascending Dragon Posture, Li Che could unleash the strength of a dragon and an elephant, resembling the divine power of a divine eagle! Taking a step, countless essences gathered behind him, transforming him into a soaring sparrowhawk with outstretched arms.

In the void, Li Che flickered with countless afterimages, raging through the courtyard!

Finally, he landed lightly, his toes touching the green bricks and kicking up a circle of expanding dust.

"Cloud Hawk Sky Soaring, mastered!"

This body technique divine essence martial art was finally mastered by Li Che, giving birth to a transformative intent, which merged into his divine pulse essence, causing his divine pulse essence to transform once more!

Now, Li Che had mastered the transformative realm in martial arts, including White Tiger Chaos Wind Fist, Eight Continuous Bone Shattering Spear, and Cloud Hawk Sky Soaring, achieving three transformations of his divine pulse essence!

With his current abilities, Li Che was already qualified to challenge the Great Master realm.

However, Li Che was ambitious. After all, possessing the Dragon Elephant Vajra enhancement martial art talent, he aimed to complete the Nine Transformations of the Divine Pulse and then challenge the Great Master realm!

Maitreya Golden Robe, Hundred Ghosts Thunderbolt Arrow, Python Dragon Cannon, Corpse Deity Death Smoke Pointer, Wrathful Three Blade Knife, and Thousand Hands Divine Eagle—these were the remaining six martial arts of Li Che. Except for the Thousand Hands Divine Eagle, which was still at the Master level, the others had reached the Great Master level.

Especially the Corpse Deity Death Smoke Pointer, as it was supported by a large number of 9th-grade upper-class Corpse Deity Death Energy Condensing Pills and Li Che's extraordinary martial arts talent.

In just ten days, Li Che cultivated to the Great Master level!

Although the death energy pills were exhausted, and reaching the Transformative realm within a short time was challenging, Li Che considered this progress very encouraging.

After crushing the martial pills, the surging death energy surged towards Li Che's skin. Li Che circulated the "Dragon Elephant True Vigor" technique, suppressing the encroaching death energy to temper his physique, with astonishing results!

Even more effective than the ordinary dragon blood martial pills!

"The Corpse Deity Sect, renowned for its 'Corpse Curse Technique', has indeed delved deeply into the research of physical bodies. This death energy pill... for those who can suppress death energy, it's simply excellent!"

"Unfortunately, the Corpse God Envoy and Liu Jinsong's supply of Death Solidification Martial Pills have been exhausted... We need to find a way to restock.

Li Che restrained his blood and energy, and the lingering shadow left by his Cloud Hawk Sky Soaring technique slowly disappeared.

"Senior Brother Li Qingshan... What about the great prosperity you mentioned? Why haven't you started yet?"

"If we don't take action soon..."

"I might just have to go solo."

...

February 21st, the Spring Equinox.

The Eternal Origin Sect's opening ceremony.

A light drizzle shrouds the sky, and a divine bird arrives, day and night blending into one.

On the Spring Equinox, the wheat sprouts, and the water flows swiftly.

A spring rain brings warmth, accompanied by the chilly tail-end of spring, and the drizzle carries a hint of coldness.

Today is a significant day for the entire Jin Guang City.

The wide official road of the city, capable of accommodating ten horse carriages side by side, is experiencing a traffic jam.

Oil-paper umbrellas bloom like flowers on the long street.

The wide official road of Jin Guang City, leading all the way to the Eternal Origin Sect's branch mountain gate, is congested for over ten li.

The road is packed with people, all the way from the thirteen cities of Jin Guang to the sect's mountain gate.

The clamor is almost deafening.

In every swaying horse carriage, there are parents filled with hope and anxiety, and children both excited and nervous.

Listening to the Flower Listening Lane.

The small courtyard.

Zhang Ya hurriedly dresses Xi Xi, who is about to fall asleep, in the new clothes she just bought, and braids Xi Xi's beautiful hair.

In the courtyard, Old Chen strolls with a smoking pipe, pacing back and forth, his hands clasped into fists behind his back, filled with tension.

Uncle Li and his wife, Li Zhengran, have also arrived. Auntie, Li Zhengran's wife, holds Li Chengzhou's hand, her face equally tense. Li Zhengran's body, once marked by the Corpse Curse Seal, has been restored by Li Che using the Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal.

Now, the entire person has recovered, and with Li Che's help, he found a decent job, his spirit rejuvenated, and his condition has greatly improved.

Mupopo is also pacing, her tension no less than Zhang Ya's.

Li Che sits in a chair, watching with a smile.

"It's okay for Chengzhou to be nervous, but Xi Xi doesn't need to worry."

Li Che is quite interested.

After all, Xi Xi is an exceptional Spirit Child, basically guaranteed to enter the inner sect, whether it's the inner sect or the true transmission.

So, today's assessment is mostly a formality, although Li Qingshan mentioned there would be a test.

But Li Che is quite confident in Xi Xi's education.

This little girl, when it comes to actual combat, is absolutely formidable.

If she doesn't consider martial ethics, using the small-caliber Namo Gatling Gun, she's like a punch to the South Mountain Old Age Home and a kick to the North Sea Kindergarten.

She's undoubtedly the brightest star in this sect assessment.

However, Li Che heard from Li Qingshan that this assessment won't be easy for Xi Xi.

After all, Xi Xi's age is among the youngest in this assessment.

The hidden geniuses of the five great clans and five major sects, the oldest being eight years old, might have already undergone blood transformation.

So, Li Che can't guarantee that Xi Xi will definitely win, as Xi Xi's age is indeed young.

But as Li Qingshan said, Xi Xi's Bone Tempering Mastery at three years old is exceptional... She's guaranteed to enter the inner sect.

As for the sect's true transmission, the chances are over seventy percent!

The sect's true transmission disciples are the personal disciples of the Divine Physiognomist, the core of the sect, receiving preferential resource allocation!

Li Che watches as Xi Xi, who just got her hair done in the house, strides out with a swaggering Tiger Step.

His little Xi Xi Emperor is finally about to embark on her conquest.

As Li Che helps Xi Xi onto the horse carriage.

Li Che quietly reminds Xi Xi that unless absolutely necessary, she shouldn't use the small-caliber Namo Gatling Gun, as it's bullying younger kids, but it's fine to use against older ones.

She can even combine it with the Wooden Raven for a more explosive effect.

In the competition, if it's a choice between Xi Xi getting injured or her opponent's child getting injured, Li Che, as a parent, doesn't hesitate to choose the latter.

Rubbing Xi Xi's head, Li Che's gaze softens.

"Safety first, the assessment second, winning or losing in the competition doesn't matter..."

"Don't get injured, just stay safe."

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end