Chapter 159: The Foundation of the Netherworld's Rise, Night Exploration of the Ghost Temple, and th

Chapter 159: The Foundation of the Netherworld's Rise, Night Exploration of the Ghost Temple, and the Zhong Kui Statue

A daughter brings a friend home to play.

This is usually a normal and common occurrence.

However, the friend that the daughter brought home has a temple deity sealed within her body, which is definitely unusual.

Li Che is currently facing such a situation.

Turning into the kitchen, Li Che's expression turned solemn. A temple deity is sealed within the body of a little girl.

Through his Star Extracting Pupil, he can clearly see the divine nature of the temple deity within the girl, which is incredibly intense, and the rank of this deity is not low.

At the very least, it is of a higher rank than the Eight Extremes Fiery Eye Shocking Sacred Monkey Temple Deity he had just absorbed.

Li Che's expression grew somber. This means that with the little girl staying by Xi Xi's side, it's like having a ticking time bomb.

No one knows when it will explode.

However, Li Che observed that the girl's condition seems normal, and she doesn't appear to be under the control of the temple deity.

"So, this temple deity... is it sealed within her body?"

"Could this be the doing of those ancient aristocratic families?"

Li Che contemplated the possibility.

This little girl, Yun E, is from the Lingnan Dao City, a descendant of a thousand-year-old aristocratic family from Dao City, with an extremely rich heritage.

Therefore, it's highly likely that the ancient family sealed the temple deity within the girl's body.

"Perhaps... this is in preparation for the temple deity resonance?"

Similar to how Xi Xi has the Purple Flame Snake Spear Fire Tipped Spear hidden in her arm, the temple deity sealed within this girl might also be a preparation for entering the Third Prince's Mystic Temple?

Li Che couldn't help but think of this reason, and indeed, it is highly probable...

However, sealing a temple deity within a little girl's body, her parents must have had great courage. If the temple deity were to go berserk... the girl's consciousness might be instantly killed.

"Regardless, we can't underestimate these geniuses from Dao City. If both of them are like this, what about Ji Mo Li's son?"

"Since Ji Mo Li is eyeing this Mystic Temple, he certainly won't let his younger son participate in the temple deity resonance without any preparation..."

Li Che suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

Originally, he thought that with Xi Xi obtaining the mythical weapon Fire Tipped Spear in the Golden Heavenly King's Temple, she would be safe.

During the temple deity resonance, she should have been the sole standout.

But now it seems he was too quick to rejoice.

Even with the Fire Tipped Spear in hand, it doesn't guarantee that she can completely overwhelm all geniuses.

"Moreover... Xi Xi is currently unable to utilize the mythical weapon Fire Tipped Spear."

Li Che's eyes narrowed.

"It seems I need to find a way to help Xi Xi master the Fire Tipped Spear, even if it's just preliminary mastery... that would be great."

"When everyone is involved, as a parent, I can't help but get involved too..."

As Li Che thought, he walked into the kitchen.

His wife, Zhang Ya, was preparing the ingredients seriously. After all, Xi Xi had brought a new friend home, as a good mother, show off her cooking skills.

"Husband, you're back?"

When Zhang Ya saw Li Che, she immediately raised her spatula and showed a happy expression.

Knowing that Li Che was going to observe the temple deity at the Mystic Temple today, her heart couldn't help but feel anxious. After all, the Mystic Temple is a terrifying place for ordinary people.

Now that her husband has returned safely, her hanging heart naturally relaxed.

Li Che took out the packed meal, telling his wife not to cook, but Zhang Ya insisted on showing off her skills in front of Xi Xi's friend.

Li Che couldn't help but feel helpless.

Without saying anything, he rolled up his sleeves and joined in the cooking.

Ever since they became wealthy, Li Che rarely cooked. Back when he was a mover at the woodcarving shop, he often did the cooking.

Now, cooking with his wife, he found a sense of nostalgia.

The couple prepared three dishes, including Xi Xi's favorite sweet and sour spare ribs and braised pork. Li Che made ginger braised pork, a hometown dish from his past life's memories.

They also served the packed dishes from the restaurant and invited the children to eat together.

Mu Popo and Li Qingshan, who had just escaped, arrived with Lu Chi, looking disheveled and eager for a meal.

When Li Qingshan saw Li Che safe and sound, he couldn't help but sigh in relief.

But his heart was still filled with shock.

Li Che... had killed Wen Longshan!

No, to be precise, Li Che and Ma Mian had joined forces to kill Wen Longshan. Even with a two-on-one advantage, this was by no means an easy feat.

Li Qingshan was even more astonished by Li Che's rapid growth.

He believed that with this, their future adventures with the Ox Demon would be even more exciting.

They laid out a long table, covered it with a clean tablecloth, and placed the steaming dishes on it.

Little Fatty's stomach growled as he smelled the food, even though he had just finished eating his own packed meal. His stomach seemed like a bottomless pit.

Compared to the well-mannered and well-behaved Yun E, Little Fatty Zhou Peng was like a beggar who had starved for generations, constantly stuffing food into his mouth.

Xi Xi couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. After trying to compete with Zhou Peng in eating speed, she quickly gave up.

Li Che and Li Qingshan clinked their cups and drank.

"Senior Li Qingshan, I saw something interesting at the Heart Monkey Temple outside the Mystic Temple today," Li Che said with a smile.

Li Qingshan paused mid-drink, not understanding why Li Che was telling him this.

But he wasn't stupid, and he quickly caught on.

"You mean... there's something dirty there? Something we need to clean up?" Li Qingshan narrowed his eyes and asked softly.

The 'dirty' thing Li Qingshan referred to was naturally the Corpse God Sect's evil followers.

Li Che nodded, confirming Li Qingshan's guess.

Li Qingshan's eyes flashed with killing intent. "Let's do it."

With just a simple toast, the two of them had made a plan.

After the meal, Li Qingshan took Mu Popo for a walk to aid digestion.

The children played in the courtyard, and Zhang Ya resumed her martial arts training. Life began to return to a harmonious rhythm.

Li Che sat under the eaves for a while before entering the study with a smile.

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard enveloped the room, blocking all prying eyes.

Li Che sat cross-legged in the study, researching the Bodhimanda Lotus Main Battle Tank and the ultimate technique, the Divine Mechanism Nine Seals.

Li Che was still very interested in this ultimate technique.

He believed that the potential of this technique far surpassed ordinary ultimate techniques, so he was willing to invest more effort into researching it.

"My Dragon Elephant Dao Fruit has already reached level 3, and its maturity is as high as 90%. With a few more battles, it should be able to break through to level 4..."

Li Che couldn't help but feel excited.

Compared to the Pure Heart Dao Fruit, the Chess Sage, and the Immortal in Painting, the progress of the Dragon Elephant Dao Fruit closely followed the Immortal Worker.

After the battle at Dragon Mountain, the Dragon Elephant Dao Fruit received a significant boost.

"So... this trip to Heart Monkey Temple might be able to elevate the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit to level 4, and the divine ability prototype will be promoted to a divine ability!"

Li Che's eyes shone, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited.

It was mainly because the appearance of the Grand Master beside the Young Marquis had put a lot of pressure on Li Che.

Therefore, it would be good to have some more foundation for the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit.

With more foundation, he would have more confidence.

Just in case, if he ever had to face this Grand Master, he would also have the capital to make a move.

After pondering for a while, Li Che's mind suddenly stirred.

He brought his two fingers together and tore through the air.

A shining mirror fell out of the Heaven-Earth Jade.

It was the Thousand Mile Divine Exchange Mirror with a round back! Li Che's expression became strange.

He picked up the round mirror and glanced at it, and instantly, a stream of light shone forth, forming words in front of the mirror.

"Xuan Jiu, Fire Eye Shocking Sacred Monkey Temple, the sect's hunting plan is about to begin, don't take any private actions."

Li Che almost laughed out loud.

What a sincere way to send a message.

After thinking about it, Li Che concluded that when he was staying at Heart Monkey Temple, the other party must have sensed the Thousand Mile Divine Exchange Mirror.

He was surprised, and after putting the Divine Exchange Mirror into the Heaven-Earth Jade, they could sense each other.

However, it should only work when they are very close to each other.

"The Corpse God Sect's evil people at Heart Monkey Temple... want to take action against the Fire Eye Shocking Sacred Monkey Strange Temple? Hunting plan? Hunting what... the temple deity?"

Li Che was surprised.

They didn't know that he had already killed Xuan Jiu, so this message should be credible.

"Hunting the temple deity?"

"Does the Corpse God Sect have such a method?"

Li Che's expression became solemn.

He examined the Thousand Mile Divine Exchange Mirror and slowly infused his divine perception into it, only to find no response.

This thing seemed to be infused with the Corpse Curse Seal and required death Qi to activate.

If someone else obtained it, they wouldn't be able to operate it.

But Li Che was different...

With a thought, he raised his finger, and death Qi swirled and spread from the Corpse God Death Smoke Finger.

He used the death Qi to write on the mirror.

"I was seriously injured, when will we take action? Do you need my help?"

In the Heaven and Earth Chessboard.

The Corpse Curse Seal vibrated, spreading out a wave.

The written information was sent!

Li Che didn't mind if his identity was exposed, but he also didn't mind being a pawn.

...

...

Heart Monkey Temple.

Master Xuan Li, who was sitting cross-legged in the room, absorbing death Qi and corpse Qi, suddenly opened his eyes.

He took out the Thousand Mile Divine Exchange Mirror from his embrace, and there was feedback of light on the mirror.

The light flickered and wove into words.

A smile appeared on Xuan Li's face, "If there's no reply for too long, it means the mirror has been obtained by someone else, and it can't be activated with death Qi and the Corpse Curse Seal, so naturally, there can be no reply."

"Now there's a reply... it means Xuan Jiu should still be alive, and as I expected, he's seriously injured."

"Although I don't know why he's hiding in the Heaven Foretelling Bureau's team..."

"But Xuan Jiu should have his own plan."

"After all, something like the Corpse Curse Seal can't be faked, and once the seal is given... that person is one of our sect members!"

"The Divine Exchange Mirror can't be activated by just anyone."

Xuan Li exhaled.

Then, he chuckled, "Xuan Jiu... as expected, his skills are not refined, no wonder he's only a lower-level Seventh Element Corpse God Envoy after half a lifetime, the silver aura he condensed is unstable, and he was easily broken by the Deputy Inspector, causing him to be seriously injured..."

"Embarrassing."

His eyes flashed, and he shook his head, "But for the subsequent plan, if Xuan Jiu, a Seventh Element Corpse God Envoy, joins, the hunting plan will be easier."

Death Qi appeared on his fingers, and he wrote on the Divine Exchange Mirror again.

"Xuan Jiu, are you seriously injured? Do you need a Death Qi Condensation Pill? I have a Seventh Element Death Qi Condensation Pill here, take it and quickly recover from your injuries, then cooperate with us in the hunting mission."

The other side of the Divine Exchange Mirror remained silent for about ten breaths.

Xuan Li smiled and seemed to see Xuan Jiu's conflicted expression through the mirror, eager yet reluctant due to face-saving.

After a while.

The Divine Exchange Mirror sent back a message.

Embarrassedly.

"Okay."

Xuan Li smiled.

He replied, "Don't be shy, the most important thing is for you to recover from your injuries so we can complete the mission."

"Prepare to receive."

Then, he took out a black jade bottle from the Heaven-Earth Jade.

He placed it on the Divine Exchange Mirror...

He pinched a seal.

In an instant, black smoke rose from the Divine Exchange Mirror, enveloping the black jade bottle.

...

...

In the study.

The candlelight flickered.

Li Che looked at the message on the Divine Exchange Mirror in surprise.

The Corpse God Sect's Corpse God Envoys were so passionate and loving towards each other? Knowing that he was seriously injured, they immediately sent a precious Seventh Element Death Qi Condensation Pill.

But most importantly, Li Che was surprised that the Divine Exchange Mirror could even transmit items through space?!

Black smoke billowed, like a small-scale black death Qi vortex created by a space-time corpse technique.

Slowly, the black smoke on the mirror Li Che was holding dissipated.

A black jade bottle appeared.

After scanning it with his divine perception and confirming that there were no hidden tricks or poison needles, Li Che picked up the jade bottle.

"A Seventh Element Death Qi Condensation Pill... it's really..."

Li Che smiled.

How generous.

Another message appeared on the mirror, "Keep it safe, quickly recover from your injuries, and I'll call you when it's time for action.

"Li Che replied enthusiastically, "Good."

He then placed the Divine Exchange Mirror on the desk.

His essence qi and divine nature surged within him, transforming into divine ink, which he then poured onto the Pure Heart painting paper.

A lifelike Divine Exchange Mirror appeared in his hand, replicated by him.

During the replication process, he had the help of the Star Extractor Pupil, which allowed him to understand the principles and make slight adjustments to the process.

This modification ensured that the Divine Exchange Mirror was not limited to death qi and corpse curse seals.

Instead, it was altered to require Li Che's divine essence chess piece to activate.

This made it a unique mark belonging solely to Li Che.

As long as the user fused their divine perception or essence qi with the divine essence chess piece, they would be bound to a fixed identity, preventing others from activating or controlling it.

"This thing... is quite useful for communication in the Netherworld."

Li Che smiled.

With his Immortal in Painting abilities and divine essence chess pieces, he could make these items last for a long time, unless they were forcibly destroyed.

Communication was essential for an organization's growth and strength.

The Corpse God Sect had the Thousand-Mile Divine Exchange Mirror.

As for the Netherworld... they could simply replicate it.

"However, the ability to deliver goods cannot be replicated, as it requires the cultivation of space and corpse techniques to possess this function."

Li Che shook his head.

But being able to transmit messages was enough.

After replicating a few more Divine Exchange Mirrors, Li Che felt satisfied and stopped.

...

...

After helping his wife, Zhang Ya, with her bone-strengthening posture, the next day, Li Che opened his eyes to the warm sunlight, a rare day without snow.

Seeing his wife, Zhang Ya, lazily curled up in bed, Li Che took out a Divine Exchange Mirror and handed it to her.

After teaching Zhang Ya how to use it, she immediately started playing with it, delighted.

"Beep beep beep, husband, please respond!"

"Husband did a great job, and wife is very satisfied!"

...

Li Che received the message through the Heaven and Earth Chessboard.

Seeing the various playful messages from Zhang Ya, he couldn't help but smile.

After breakfast, Li Che sent Xi Xi, Yun E, and the chubby Zhou Peng to practice on Jin Guang Peak.

Sang Guanyin stood gracefully on the mountain path, waiting for Li Che.

"Goodbye, Daddy, take care of Xi Xi!"

After bidding farewell to Xi Xi, Li Che descended the mountain as the little girl waved her arms excitedly.

He first went to the temple at the summit of Thunder Peak, where Li Qingshan was located.

Li Qingshan was still stabilizing his divine appearance.

When Li Che appeared, a sharp gleam flashed in Li Qingshan's eyes.

After a brief chat about their upcoming actions, Li Che handed him the Divine Exchange Mirror and taught him how to use it.

"This... is the Thousand-Mile Divine Exchange Mirror of the Corpse God Sect? This is a Seventh Stage Divine Weapon... How can the Netherworld casually give this away?"

Li Qingshan's extraordinary vision left him astonished.

The Thousand-Mile Divine Exchange Mirror was a unique weapon of the Corpse God Sect, usable only by those with the corpse curse seal.

The Netherworld, where Ox Demon and Horse Face resided, suddenly gained a higher status in Li Qingshan's mind.

"Tonight, I'll go and scout out the situation at the Heart Monkey Temple. I want to see how many experts from the Corpse God Sect are there."

Li Che spoke softly.

Li Qingshan was eager to try it out, but he didn't have a means of escape like Horse Face's incredible skill.

If the Heart Monkey Temple was filled with Corpse God Sect experts, and a Seventh Stage Corpse God Envoy was present, he might be surrounded and left with regrets.

After asking Li Qingshan to pay attention to messages from the Divine Exchange Mirror, Li Che descended the mountain.

As usual, Li Che went to work at the Heaven Foretelling Bureau's Treasure Tower.

When it came to work, Li Che was serious.

He worked from nine to five, never missing a day.

The next two days were peaceful and ordinary for Li Che.

During the day, he worked, letting his Immortal in Painting clones complete carving tasks and earn rewards.

Meanwhile, he cultivated various ultimate techniques, strengthening his internal organs. As for the foundation-building cultivation, he distributed divine essence crystals to his clones, ensuring their cultivation needs were met.

Li Che felt overwhelmed with his busy schedule.

Even with his clones, he remained occupied.

But this busyness, accompanied by a gradual sense of strength, filled his heart with contentment and fulfillment.

...

...

After the young marquis, the youngest son of Ji Mo Li, entered the city, he maintained a high profile only on the first day.

After settling into the City Lord's Mansion, he became quiet.

It seemed like he had completely immersed himself in cultivation, preparing for the Temple Deity Resonance.

During this time, the five great families and the five major sects all sent people to establish connections, but they were all turned away by the young marquis.

No one knew what the young marquis was doing.

They assumed he was focusing on the Temple Deity Resonance and didn't want to be disturbed.

"Then we'll wait for the young marquis to complete the Temple Deity Resonance and obtain the Temple Deity inheritance before offering our congratulations."

Qin Cang, the head of the Qin family, respectfully bowed and retreated into the snowstorm.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion.

Snow fell on the Leisure Pavilion.

The entire garden was covered in a white blanket.

The young marquis, wearing a crane cloak, sat in the pavilion, with a charcoal stove keeping him warm and dispelling the cold.

An elderly one-armed man sat quietly beside the young marquis.

The young marquis was named Ji Haihui, a name given by his father, the Prince of Peace, Ji Mo Li.

The City Lord, Su Huanli, dressed casually, also sat in the pavilion.

The young marquis studied the information intently.

It was all the information Su Huanli had gathered about the Third Prince's Strange Temple after becoming the City Lord.

It was related to the Temple Deity Resonance and whether he could obtain the Temple Deity inheritance.

The young marquis treated it with utmost seriousness.

He had been reviewing these materials for days.

"Tying twin braids, wearing a red bellyband, and wrapping red silk around the body..."

"Do I have to dress like this too?" The young marquis put down the materials, his face turning slightly red.

The image was somewhat embarrassing to imagine.

"For the Temple Deity Resonance... it's best to resemble the Temple Deity as closely as possible. The young marquis has been cultivating the fire-attribute ultimate gun technique since he was young, all for this moment."

"It's all to better resonate with the Temple Deity."

Su Huanli smiled gently, "To achieve resonance with the Temple Deity, we must not be stingy."

The young marquis, upon hearing this, nodded in agreement, his youthful face showing understanding.

"My four older brothers all achieved a 90% resonance with the Temple Deity and received their inheritance... They are now the four most formidable generals under my father."

"I want to follow in my brothers' footsteps and share the burden with my father!"

"I will become the sharpest spear under my father's command, invincible and unstoppable!"

The young marquis' eyes shone with determination, "So, this time, I must achieve resonance with the Temple Deity. I will strive for a 90% match!"

"I must obtain the set of divine weapons of the Third Prince of the Temple Deity!"

The young marquis' fighting spirit soared.

"The competition isn't that fierce. Although the Third Prince's Strange Temple is one of the Four Guardians' Strange Temples and possesses great divine strangeness, the top-notch divine children in the Divine City are all eyeing the Three Purities Strange Temple."

"To resonate with the Three Purities Strange Temple and receive the inheritance..."

"If they don't compete with me for this Four Guardians' Strange Temple, it will be a relief. As for the Divine Child sent by the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect in Lingnan Dao City, they are not to be feared."

The young marquis sat in a chair, his palm near the stove, gently rubbing his hands.

"It's the Divine Child from Jin Guang Prefecture that we should pay more attention to."

The young marquis spoke.

Su Huanli was taken aback, not expecting the young marquis to be wary of the local Divine Child.

"My father said that we should stay alert and pay attention to the local Divine Child. With the resonance of the Strange Temple imminent, a Divine Child born at this critical juncture may possess great divine fortune."

"Such a Divine Child is more likely to be favored."

Su Huanli's expression changed slightly, and he nodded in agreement.

"Senior Brother Su, please arrange for us to visit Jin Guang Peak. I want to take a good look at this Divine Child from Jin Guang Prefecture."

"To see if this girl is worth my attention."

The young marquis spoke calmly.

Su Huanli raised an eyebrow, but his expression didn't change much.

He and Nanli Huo had basically fallen out, with one being the prefecture lord and the other the branch sect leader.

If he were to visit the Jin Guang Branch Sect, Nanli Huo would likely refuse.

But it wasn't a big problem.

Su Huanli glanced at the quiet, one-armed old man sitting beside the young marquis, who was as withered as an old tree.

He was a Grand Master.

If Nanli Huo didn't play along, he would only lose face.

...

...

A pill was swallowed into the stomach.

As it slid down the throat, the powerful stomach walls contracted, crushing the pill coating and releasing the potent medicinal properties.

Inside the Fire Eye Shocking Sacred Monkey Strange Temple.

The airflow followed, and Li Che's body was enveloped in a whirlwind, like a tornado.

His true energy flowed through his meridians, circulating and transforming through his entire body, and then spreading more delicately, permeating his five viscera and six entrails.

Refining the five viscera and tempering the six entrails.

Li Che strolled in the temple, and with each step, there was a burst of sound.

He demonstrated various ultimate techniques, including the Azure Thunder Body, the Lu Xuan Sword Scripture, and the Eight Dragons Stirring the River, seamlessly integrating and transforming them at will.

Eventually, he transformed into the Ten Thousand Transformation Dragon Elephant, with a dragon-like shadow forming behind him. As Li Che punched and swept, the temple vibrated with a buzzing sound, causing waves of energy to shoot out!

"The Ten Thousand Transformation Dragon Elephant, reaching the unity of ten thousand transformations, becomes the Dragon Elephant True Power!"

Li Che slowly finished his work, completing his daily refinement of the five viscera and six entrails, taking a small step forward in the Grand Master realm.

Feeling the boiling blood qi in his meridians, Li Che's body trembled, and the sweat on his skin evaporated, forming a hazy white mist.

After extracting the divine essence from the Fire Eye Shocking Sacred Monkey Temple Deity on the altar, Li Che's body shook, and he had already torn open the Heaven-Earth space.

He took out the black robe, bamboo hat, and cute ox mask and covered his face.

"Heart Monkey Temple."

"A force related to the Corpse God Sect..."

"Death is not to be feared."

Accompanied by a deep and low voice.

The towering figure, as if a mountain of darkness, disappeared into the night.

Only the Strange Temple remained, with flickering candlelight illuminating the lonely Fire Eye of the Sacred Monkey Temple Deity on the altar.

...

In the snowy night, darkness enveloped everything like thick ink.

The blackness was so dense that one couldn't see their hand in front of their face.

Li Che, wearing the cute ox mask, appeared outside the temple.

[Dragon Elephant Vajra] The Dao Fruit was operating at its peak!

Sleeping Dragon Elephant!

His breath was completely restrained, as if merging with the wind and the deep, dark night.

Li Che moved silently, sticking to the corner of the wall and entering the Heart Monkey Temple without a sound.

In his chest, the [Chess Saint] Dao Fruit trembled.

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard instantly expanded, covering the entire temple.

The Heart Monkey Temple occupied a vast area, but under the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, it was still completely covered.

As Li Che tapped the Seven Elements Corpse Curse Seal, streams of energy rose.

Since he hadn't fully refined the Seven Elements Corpse Curse Mother Seal, his perception was a bit blurry. He had come tonight to assess the strength of this Corpse God Sect stronghold.

Using the unparalleled breath-restraining technique of the Sleeping Dragon Elephant, Li Che entered the temple without a trace.

He strolled through the darkness, not leaking a single breath.

It was as if he had erased his presence from the world.

Silently, within the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, Li Che recorded the identities of all the heretics in the temple.

Suddenly, Li Che paused.

"Hmm?"

He sensed a familiar aura.

It was Fa Kong, the monk who had purchased the wooden carving from him after he became a Third-Class Guest Minister.

And there was the wooden statue of Zhong Kui, the Demon-Subduing General, carved by Li Che himself.

In his perception, the Zhong Kui statue seemed to radiate a faint light in the endless darkness of the eerie temple, like a beacon in the night.

Through the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, Li Che observed the scene clearly.

His eyes grew colder.

He exhaled and whispered, "Senior Brother Li Qingshan, it seems like..."

"This time, the Ox Demon won't be able to bring you along for the fun."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end