Chapter 117: Xixi's Imperial Expansion and the Divine Sect's Spring Equinox

Chapter 117: Xixi's Imperial Expansion and the Divine Sect's Spring Equinox

A collaboration of great wealth and honor?

Li Che raised his eyebrows and glanced at Li Qingshan.

He sensed an unusual implication in Li Qingshan's words. This collaboration of great wealth and honor might be very appealing to him, as the address had changed from "Kid Li Che" to "Demon Ox," indicating that the partnership Li Qingshan mentioned was with the Demon Ox, not with Li Che's current identity.

Li Che could also guess what aspect of cooperation Li Qingshan wanted with the Demon Ox identity.

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

Li Che smiled and said, "Senior, please speak frankly. What great wealth and honor are you talking about? I'm very interested."

Who wouldn't be interested in wealth and honor?

At this moment, Li Che was in great need of resources. If he could obtain a few more Eight Extremes Divine Crystals, Nine Stars Martial Pills, or supreme martial arts techniques, it would be even better.

Li Qingshan also narrowed his eyes at Li Che.

To be honest, the shock Li Che brought to him was no less than Xixi's bone tempering at the age of three.

After all, Li Che had only been cultivating for three years. The time he spent truly stepping into the martial path and beginning to cultivate his sacred energy was not much different from the time it took for Xixi to complete her bone tempering.

A twenty-two-year-old Spirit Child, in just three years, had gone from a beginner in martial arts to the point of being able to kill a grandmaster.

How terrifying was that?!

This talent, when converted to a genuine Spirit Child, was equivalent to a three-year-old Spirit Child killing a grandmaster!

When compared like this, Li Che's daughter, Xixi, didn't seem so monstrous.

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

But without a doubt, Li Che and Li Nuanxi, this father and daughter... their talent was absolutely terrifying!

Li Qingshan pondered carefully but couldn't understand the reason behind it, as it was illogical...

Xixi's talent could be understood, as Li Che was a monster, and it made sense for his daughter to be one as well.

But why was Li Che's talent so monstrous?

Was it bloodline inheritance? Late blooming?

Before, Li Che was just a humble worker at a wood carving shop, earning a meager living of several dozen Great Jing Tong bronze coins per day.

How could he suddenly achieve such a reversal of fortune?

Could it be that there really was a sudden enlightenment, like a Roc taking flight and soaring into the clouds? Perhaps Li Che had obtained some kind of powerful inheritance.

Li Qingshan wasn't interested in such things. 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 and took a deep breath, "Demon Ox..."

"I know everything you've done since arriving in the prefectural city. All I can say is... well done!"

"The powers in the prefectural city are a mixed bag, each with their own agenda. It's good to kill some of them to scare the others, so they won't always be plotting and causing trouble."

Li Qingshan took a sip of tea and let out a cold laugh.

"You killed the Fishing Gang, and those under their command were all related to the Corpse Deity Sect..."

"Jing Wudao has placed his bets on the Corpse Deity Sect, planning to be the vanguard for the Corpse Deity Sect's advancement into Golden Light Prefecture, hoping to gain great benefits in the future. He even wants to obtain the 'Cursed Bronze Corpse' refinement method from the Corpse Deity Sect, to temper his physical body to the level of a 'Cursed Bronze Corpse'."

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

He entered the Ascension State, using the Temple Deity Chess Piece to unleash a strike that could kill a Cursed Iron Corpse, but the opponent's resilience had already exceeded his imagination.

How terrifying were these Cursed Bronze Corpses?

Li Qingshan narrowed his eyes, "Cursed Bronze Corpses are not ordinary. Even a low-grade Cursed Bronze Corpse possesses the strength of a grandmaster. If it's a top-grade Cursed Bronze Corpse, it can even rival a grandmaster perfection warrior, and it might be even more difficult to deal with than a grandmaster perfection warrior. This is because their physical bodies are unparalleled, impervious to pain, and they are like the most perfect death warriors. Once they achieve the Cursed Bronze Corpse state, they can even rival a great grandmaster!"

"A great grandmaster?!"

Li Che took a deep breath.

In the Qi Meridian Martial Path, after opening the meridians, one becomes a True Qi Grandmaster. By refining and merging True Qi with one's body, the perfect fusion of True Qi and the physical body forms a more powerful killing force.

A great grandmaster, on the other hand, condenses Divine Essence, making them even more formidable. Every move they make has the power to split mountains and sever rivers!

"Yes, a Divine Essence Grandmaster... That's a martial arts expert who has comprehended their martial path and understood the true meaning of heaven and earth. Every great grandmaster, even without relying on sacred energy, can easily escape the sacred energy pressure brought by a Sacred Crystal Master, ensuring their survival."

"Any great grandmaster, even without cultivating sacred energy, can rule over a region and become a top-tier expert. They can easily defeat a Divine Form cultivator and even kill them."

"Normally, in terms of martial arts standards, a pure Divine Essence Grandmaster is roughly equivalent to a top-tier Divine Form cultivator. However, when compared to a Sacred Crystal Master, they are much weaker."

"After all, to become a Sacred Crystal Master, the physical body must also condense Divine Essence and reach the great grandmaster realm."

"Only a great grandmaster can become a Sacred Crystal Master."

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

"Unless one cultivates to the realm of unity between heaven and man within the great grandmaster realm, they can rely solely on pure martial arts to battle a Sacred Crystal Master."

Pure Qi Meridian Martial Arts against a Sacred Crystal Master!

Such a realm was awe-inspiring, stirring the hearts of all who heard it.

"Of course, in this era, pure martial arts great grandmasters are extremely rare. Most will also cultivate sacred energy, as comprehending heaven and earth through sacred energy is much easier and more comfortable."

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

"Very few can reach the realm of a Grand Grandmaster purely through their own insights and understanding."

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

"You killed the Fishing Gang, mostly targeting those under their command 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, the Demon Ox.

Li Che furrowed his brows, then relaxed and nodded.

"I can sense it... which is why I kill them."

"The Corpse Deity Sect has set its sights on my daughter. All those who have received the seal are not innocent. They must be killed without mercy."

Li Che's words carried a chilling murderous intent.

Li Qingshan laughed, stroking his beard.

"Excellent."

"To be able to sense the Corpse Curse Seal, it seems you are naturally sensitive to the Corpse Qi. Normally, a cultivator who has received the Corpse Curse Seal would conceal it deep within their Niwan Palace, making it impossible to see through. In daily life, they would appear no different from ordinary people..."

"The fact that you can see through it is our advantage and the foundation for our cooperation to bring great fortune!"

Li Qingshan narrowed his eyes, and a sharp intent flashed in his gaze. He didn't care how Li Che sensed it; he only needed Li Che to confirm that the Demon Ox was not blindly killing the Fishing Gang cultivators. Instead, he genuinely had the ability to identify the Corpse Curse Seal, and that was enough.

"Senior, how do you plan to cooperate?"

Li Che narrowed his eyes.

"It's not just the Fishing Gang secretly colluding with the Corpse Deity Sect to mark and refine corpses. The other two major gangs, the five great clans, and the five major sects... all of them might have traitors who have sided with the Corpse Deity Sect!"

"This Capital City is filled with filth and Corpse Qi, making people want to vomit."

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

Li Che instantly understood.

So, he was supposed to identify those marked with the Corpse Curse Seal and then... kill them?!

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

"For example, the Fishing Gang's Guildmaster, Jing Wudao, has received the Corpse Curse Seal. If a true Divine Form cultivator like him is our target, we might end up being the ones cleaned up."

Li Che spoke frankly.

Alone, he could act swiftly, using the Thunderstrike Chess Sage's technique to teleport and escape. Even a Divine Form cultivator might not be able to catch him.

However, if he acted with a companion, his escape might not guarantee their safety.

Although Li Qingshan was powerful, facing a true Divine Form cultivator would be challenging.

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

"Of course, we'll start with the Phantom Realm cultivators..."

A rebellious glint flashed in Li Qingshan's eyes. "Moreover, give me another year, and the Divine Form..."

"And then what?"

...

...

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

Li Qingshan felt a deep sense of sorrow, but there was nothing he could do. He had just returned to the Capital City, and there was too much to handle, so he had to follow his old lover's wishes.

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

It was just a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks.

Moreover, with Mu Po's strict teaching, Xixi would be more diligent in her martial arts training. After all, as a teacher at the Divine Cultivation Academy, Mu Po's authority could intimidate Xixi. This was an excellent opportunity to catch up on her studies before the sect examination began.

Unlike Old Chen, who constantly called Xixi 'Little Stinker,' which made Xixi develop a strong rebellious attitude.

Xixi no longer listened to Old Chen's words, and the two of them often bickered and argued, calling each other 'Little Stinker' and 'Old Stinker.'

In the following days, everything returned to normal.

Li Che resumed his regular lifestyle.

During the day, he worked at the Heaven-Enraged Bureau, and after his shift, he went to the workshop courtyard to practice martial arts, cultivate, and carve. He secretly honed his skills.

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

The Fishing Gang's influence in the Capital City was divided and devoured by the various powers, leaving the gang in name only, but in reality, it was completely annihilated.

Perhaps it was due to the intimidation brought by the Fishing Gang's downfall, or maybe it was the lingering prestige of the Divine Form battle, along with Li Qingshan's return and his reputation.

The entire Capital City became much more peaceful.

Outside Listening Flower Lane, no forces were keeping watch anymore.

For a moment, Li Che felt a bit uncomfortable looking at the empty Heaven and Earth Chessboard.

However, he habitually set up the Heaven and Earth Chessboard to monitor the surroundings. If anything unusual happened, it would provide feedback.

Stability was Li Che's top priority in this life.

...

...

The spring breeze caressed the willow trees, bringing warmth.

Ten days passed silently.

Inside the workshop courtyard, the Heaven and Earth Chessboard enveloped the area, isolating various scents.

Li Che sat cross-legged in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by wood shavings from his wood carvings, which had been blown into the corners of the courtyard by an invisible gust of wind.

His thick, jet-black hair fluttered, and a faint light emanated from his Niwan Palace between his eyebrows.

The milky white Pure Heart Sacred Energy seemed like a large net, separating the various sacred energies.

"Wuuu—"

It was as if countless ghosts were wailing incessantly, and countless ghostly shadows intertwined, crying without end, as if the gates of hell had opened, and countless wronged souls were returning from the underworld!

Boom—!

Accompanied by an invisible surge of powerful energy, concentric ripples spread out.

The impact on the Heaven and Earth Chessboard's barrier caused a splash, like a wave crashing against it.

Behind Li Che, a sinister ghostly aura suddenly rose, accompanied by the grinding sound of the Mo Pan Divine Foundation, infused with the sound of wrathful cries.

The Divine Foundation erupted with divine light, stirring up a wave of sacred energy that made one's nose tingle.

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

"The Wrathful Cry Exorcism Divine Foundation is complete!"

A smile curved Li Che's lips.

The Pure Heart Sacred Energy surged forth, merging with the Wrathful Cry Exorcism Divine Foundation.

The Niwan Palace opened at his brow.

In an instant, two more powerful Divine Foundations rose, the Suspended Thought Flowing Sword and the Heart Astonishment Shocking Strength.

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

"After forming the Pure Heart Sacred Energy Divine Foundation, forming the other Sacred Energy Divine Foundations becomes much easier. The power of the Pure Heart Divine Foundation can essentially balance the conflict and repulsion of other Divine Foundations."

Li Che exhaled, and a light shone from his brow.

He had formed four Seven Emotions Divine Foundations: Anger, Sadness, Thought, and Shock.

Along with the versatile Pure Heart.

Within Li Che's Niwan Palace, five Divine Foundations swirled.

Boom—

The powerful Sacred Energy surged like a tide, continuously expanding the inner space. Each floating Divine Foundation released its Sacred Energy, expanding the space to accommodate the Divine Foundation Wheel more freely.

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

This gave Li Che an incredibly powerful Divine Sense.

Extremely powerful!

Most importantly, Li Che felt a unique change—his Sacred Energy pressure was extremely strong and terrifying.

His eyes flickered with a five-colored glow, and his five fingers clenched and pressed down forcefully.

Boom—

A mighty Sacred Energy pressure erupted, emptying the air in the courtyard in an instant, creating a massive, sunken void.

"Huff—"

"Without the versatile Pure Heart Divine Foundation, the Sacred Energy pressure from just the four Seven Emotions Divine Foundations is enough to immobilize a Mid-stage Divine Foundation cultivator and make a Late-stage cultivator break into a cold sweat."

"It can probably rival the Sacred Energy pressure of a Phantom Realm cultivator."

Li Che's gaze flickered with a radiant light.

"With just four Divine Foundations, if I can form the complete Seven Emotions Divine Foundations, perhaps... I can rival a Divine Form Realm cultivator in the Divine Foundation Realm!"

Li Che raised his head, and the light from his Niwan Palace suddenly dimmed.

In an instant, the four Divine Foundations returned to his inner space, and the Pure Heart Divine Fruit pulsed. The Sacred Energy aura dissipated without a trace.

"Joy, Worry, and Fear—three Sacred Energies are yet to form Divine Foundations."

"Now I can begin."

For the Sacred Energies of Worry and Fear, Li Che still lacked the Divine Foundation techniques, but it wasn't a big issue. With his current identity, he could just ask Li Qingshan for them.

It was the higher-level ones that were a bit tricky.

Li Che considered gradually modifying the Divine Foundations, but after learning about it, he realized it was much easier than forming new ones. The main challenge was obtaining the Divine Foundation techniques.

Over ten days, Li Che diligently cultivated without rest, and his achievements were not limited to forming three Divine Foundations.

His greatest breakthrough was in martial arts.

He took out a pill surrounded by deathly energy and swallowed it.

Gulp!

The pill dropped into his stomach, making a muffled sound. Under the control of his Divine Sense, his stomach walls contracted, crushing the pill's coating. The potent medicinal properties surged forth.

Li Che stood up, his blood and energy erupting like the roar of a dragon and elephant.

With his self-created supreme art, Dragon-Elephant True Strength, now at the Small Accomplishment stage, his blood and energy surged with the power of the dragon and elephant. Even without activating the Ascend stance, Li Che could unleash the strength of a dragon and an elephant, akin to the might of a divine being.

He took a step, and countless streams of energy intertwined behind him, resembling an eagle spreading its wings and soaring upwards.

Li Che's body flickered with countless afterimages as he darted through the courtyard.

Finally, he landed lightly, his toes touching the bricks and raising a cloud of dust.

"Cloud Eagle Cloud Soaring Leap has reached the Transformation Realm!"

This body technique, infused with Sacred Energy, had finally reached the Transformation Realm for Li Che, fostering a transformative intent that merged with his Divine Pulse energy, transforming it once again!

Now, Li Che had mastered the Transformation Realm in three martial arts: White Tiger Chaotic Wind Fist, Eight-Linked Bone Shattering Spear, and Cloud Eagle Cloud Soaring Leap. He had achieved three transformations of his Divine Pulse energy!

With these achievements, he was now qualified to challenge the Grandmaster Realm.

But Li Che was ambitious, especially with the Dragon-Elephant Vajra, a path fruit that enhanced his martial arts talent. He wouldn't settle for breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm with the lowest-tier Divine Pulse.

His goal was to achieve the Nine Transformations of the Divine Pulse and then challenge the Grandmaster Realm.

Maitreya Golden Robe, Hundred Demons Thunderbolt Arrow, Python Dragon Cannon, Corpse God Death Smoke Finger, Wrathful Three Edged Blade, and Thousand-Hand Divine Carving—Li Che had six remaining martial arts. Among them, the Thousand-Hand Divine Carving was still at the supreme art level, while the others had reached the master level.

Especially the Corpse God Death Smoke Finger, which, with the support of a large number of top-grade Nine-Star Martial Pills, and Li Che's extraordinary martial arts talent, had reached the master level in just ten days.

Although the Death Qi Martial Pills were exhausted, making it challenging to reach the Transformation Realm in a short time, Li Che was still delighted with his progress.

The crushing of the Martial Pill released a surging torrent of death qi that battered against Li Che’s skin. Li Che circulated the Dragon Elephant True Strength to suppress the death qi’s erosion, using it to temper his body with astonishing results!

It was even more effective than ordinary python blood Martial Pills!

"The Corpse Deity Sect, truly lives up to its reputation as the sect that created the ‘Corpse Curse Technique’. Their research on the physical body is indeed profound. This death qi pill… is simply excellent for martial artists who can suppress the death qi!"

"Unfortunately, the death qi condensed Martial Pills obtained from the Corpse Deity Envoy and Liu Jinsong have been exhausted… I need to find a way to restock."

Li Che reined in his qi and blood, the lingering afterimage of the Cloud Eagle Cloud Soaring Leap slowly fading away.

"Senior Li Qingshan… you promised great fortune, why hasn’t the action started yet?"

"If we don’t act soon…"

"I might just go solo."

...

...

February 21st, Vernal Equinox.

The Divine Sect opened its mountain gate.

Fine rain misted, as mystical birds arrived, and night and day were of equal length.

With the spring rain, the wheat sprouted, and the fertilization and watering were crucial.

Each spring rain brought warmth, but it was accompanied by a late spring cold, and the drizzling rain carried a chill.

Today was a major event for the entire Golden Light Prefecture.

The wide blue stone road in the Capital City, capable of accommodating ten carriages side by side, was congested.

The streets were bustling with vehicles and throngs of people.

Oiled paper umbrellas blossomed like spring flowers along the long street.

The wide official road of the Golden Light Prefecture, stretching for over ten miles to the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect Branch Sect mountain gate, was jammed.

A dense crowd from the thirteen cities of the Golden Light Prefecture gathered today, converging outside the Divine Sect mountain gate.

The noise was almost deafening.

In each swaying carriage, there were hopeful and anxious parents, along with excited and nervous children.

Whether they could pass the Branch Sect’s entrance examination and enter the Divine Sect for cultivation had a significant impact on their future.

Besides the selected spirit children, there were also parents who were not content, bringing their children to participate in the examination, as well as those deemed to lack spirit child talent but possessed martial talent, hoping to give it a shot.

A diverse crowd mixed and formed a human tide on the official road.

Listening Flower Lane.

Small courtyard.

Zhang Ya hurriedly dressed the drowsy Xixi in the new clothes she had just bought, carefully styling her hair into a pretty braid.

In the courtyard, Old Chen paced back and forth, his hands clenched into fists behind his back, extremely nervous.

Uncle’s family also came. Cousin-in-law Liu Chunming held Li Chengzhou’s hand, her face filled with tension, while Cousin Li Zhengran, whose Corpse Curse Seal had been shattered by Li Che using the Eight Trigrams Corpse Curse Seal, had regained his vigor. With Li Che’s help, he found a good job and was in excellent spirits.

Mu Po was also pacing, her anxiety no less than Zhang Ya’s.

Li Che, however, sat in a chair, smiling warmly.

"Chengzhou can be nervous, but my Xixi won’t be."

Li Che found it quite amusing.

After all, Xixi was an exceptional spirit child, virtually guaranteed entry into the Divine Sect, whether it be the Inner Sect or the True Transmission.

So, today’s examination was mostly a formality, even though Li Qingshan mentioned there would be tests.

But Li Che was very confident in Xixi’s education.

In terms of practical combat, this girl was incredibly strong.

If she didn’t adhere to martial ethics and pulled out a miniature Namah Amaterasu Gatling, she would be like a boxer punching the elderly home in the south and kicking the kindergarten in the north.

She would undoubtedly be the brightest star in this sect examination.

However, Li Che had heard from Li Qingshan that this sect examination would not be easy for Xixi.

After all, Xixi was one of the youngest in this examination.

The geniuses secretly cultivated by the Five Great Clans and Five Major Sects were as old as eight, and some might have already entered the Blood Exchange stage.

Therefore, Li Che couldn’t guarantee that Xixi would win for sure, given her young age.

But Li Qingshan had said that Xixi achieved Bone Tempering Mastery at age three, a talent that ensured at least entry into the Inner Sect.

As for the True Transmission, the chances were over seventy percent!

True Transmission…

Entering Li Qingshan’s door didn’t count as True Transmission. Each True Transmission disciple was personally taught by a Divine Sage Cultivator and was a core member of the sect, receiving preferential treatment for cultivation!

Li Che watched as Xixi, who had just styled her hair, strutted out of the house with a proud tiger-like gait, his gaze warm.

His own little empress, Xixi, was finally about to start her journey of expanding her territory.

While helping Xixi into the carriage, Li Che secretly instructed her not to use the miniature Namah Amaterasu Gatling unless absolutely necessary, as it would be bullying the younger kids, but it was fine to use it on older kids.

He also suggested using the wooden crows for explosions.

If given the choice between Xixi getting hurt or Xixi hurting other kids,

As a parent, Li Che would unhesitatingly choose the latter.

Ruffling Xixi’s hair, Li Che’s gaze was gentle.

"Your safety comes first, the examination second. Whether or not you compete is not important…"

"Just don’t get hurt, stay safe and sound."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end