Chapter 188: Spoiling His Own Daughter, Xi Xi Emperor's First Kill [Seeking Monthly Votes]

Chapter 188: Spoiling His Own Daughter, Xi Xi Emperor's First Kill [Seeking Monthly Votes]



Crack! Crack!

In the vast sky, lightning snakes slithered, and violent winds howled!

Though an invisible force kept them apart, the torrential rain poured down, washing and smashing, creating a continuous sound like a string of firecrackers exploding in everyone's ears.

On the Listening to Wrath Cliff Rock, numerous carriages stood tall.

The dragon horses with dragon bloodlines were restless and agitated, but they dared not move too much, only stamping their hooves in place from time to time.

Many of those present fell into silence, deep in thought.

After all, the situation they had just glimpsed during the temple deity's resonance was somewhat shocking to many of them.

It was somewhat unexpected.

The cultivators from the Golden Light Mansion who had come to watch the spectacle were somewhat dejected.

Their high hopes had been placed on the Golden Light Mansion's sixtieth god child, Li Nuoxi, but his performance in this temple deity's resonance seemed less than ideal.

He hadn't even taken a single step, let alone resonate with the temple deity.

On the contrary, Qin Fenghuo from the Qin family, who wasn't favored, had risen against the odds and forced his way into the forefront during this temple deity's resonance.

For the cultivators of the Golden Light Mansion, this temple deity's resonance, which took place in their own mansion, was a matter of honor.

The mansion's god children and spirit children naturally had to demonstrate a higher degree of resonance.

This was a competition for glory.

Nan Li Huo and Daoist Priest Wang frowned, both shocked by Xi Xi's temple deity resonance performance.

It seemed they couldn't quite understand.

"But... Xi Xi's temple deity resonance wasn't ideal, why is Qin Fenghuo able to perform like this?"

Nan Li Huo's white hair flew, his brows furrowed in confusion.

Perhaps something had happened to Xi Xi.

However, Xi Xi's talent was evident, being the sixtieth god child with an extremely high divine nature talent.

As for Qin Fenghuo, he was merely an exceptional spirit child, not yet reaching the sixtieth god child status, so how could he catch up to the god child sequence?

As for Lu Chi, Nan Li Huo and the others seemed to have some inside knowledge, but they didn't make too many comments.

"There's something wrong with Qin Fenghuo."

Nan Li Huo stated with certainty.

Daoist Priest Wang waved his whisk and rolled his eyes, "Can't it be that this child's temple deity resonance is high?"

"Temple deity resonance... Divine nature talent doesn't explain everything."

Nan Li Huo shook his head, "Impossible."

"The Qin family doesn't have this level of temple deity resonance."

Daoist Priest Wang smiled, "You're just being biased."

Nan Li Huo's gaze suddenly shifted towards the Qin family's carriage where it was parked.

The figure seated within the carriage was vaguely visible through the curtain, gently swaying in the breeze.

Although he felt something was amiss, Nan Li Huo didn't react, his gaze shifting back to the mysterious temple on the river, obscured by the thick mist.

Despite the dense mist, the mysterious temple stood out prominently in the center of the river.

It was as if nothing in the heavens and earth could conceal the existence of the mysterious temple.

"Huff!"

"Suck!"

Li Cheng sat on the carriage's shaft.

His eyes flickered slightly, as if a hidden radiance was weaving at the bottom of his eyes.

At this moment, his mind was immersed in the heavens and earth chessboard.

Through the flying thunder chess piece left on Xi Xi, he was observing Xi Xi's situation after the mysterious mist had enveloped her again.

Regarding Xi Xi's near-zero resonance during the previous temple deity's resonance, he wasn't worried at all.

Li Cheng knew why Xi Xi had no resonance.

It was because Xi Xi had stubbornly resisted the temple deity's resonance, unmoved and even challenging the temple deity.

Such behavior would make it strange if there was any resonance.

However, it was just a matter of missing an opportunity.

Sometimes, resonating with the temple deity required only an emotion, an action, or an attitude.

So, Li Cheng wasn't concerned.

Moreover...

Even if there was no temple deity resonance, what of it?

Xi Xi's arm held a Four Imperial Divine Weapon, the Purple Flame Serpent Spear Flame Tip Spear.

Therefore, even without the temple deity's resonance... it wouldn't affect Xi Xi much.

Li Cheng's mind immersed in the heavens and earth chessboard, a vast and intricate chessboard, where the scene was reflected and presented.

He saw Xi Xi moving a brick.

A golden brick.

"This golden brick..."

Li Cheng's heart stirred slightly.

Due to the distance, he couldn't use his star-gazing eye to discern the composition of the brick.

However, there was no doubt that this thing... was undoubtedly one of the Third Prince's divine armaments, and its power was extremely formidable!

Li Cheng watched as the Purple Flame Serpent Spear Flame Tip Spear cleverly released flames, helping Xi Xi burn and move the golden brick.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

This Purple Flame Serpent Spear Flame Tip Spear... truly...

It had become much more obedient.

It had learned to seek benefits for its master.

It still needed to be disciplined, three days without a beating, and it would climb onto the roof.

This Fire Tip Spear, after being disciplined, had matured.

If it were still the Fire Tip Spear that had just entered Xi Xi's arm, though it recognized Xi Xi as its master, it would bully her due to her lack of connections.

Facing this precious golden brick, it probably wouldn't show any respect.

Xi Xi would have a hard time subduing it.

So, Li Cheng was pleased with the Fire Tip Spear's performance.

However, Li Cheng's eyes soon sharpened.

Because he saw Ji Hahui's appearance...

Holding a pitch-black sword, just looking at it made his primordial spirit feel sharp and terrifying, emerging from the mysterious mist.

Li Cheng's expression turned cold in an instant.

Just by looking at the situation, he knew what Ji Haihui intended to do.

And Li Cheng also guessed what the Third Prince wanted to test Xi Xi on.

"This isn't a test for Xi Xi..."

"It's a test for me as a father."

Li Cheng's face was calm.

Unfazed by the waves.

Because, from the very beginning, he had the answer.

His own daughter.

His precious daughter! As a father, if he couldn't protect his daughter, but instead pushed her into the abyss, was that something a father should do?

What grand scheme, what righteousness, in Li Cheng's eyes, none of it mattered.

He was just an ordinary father, only hoping that his daughter wouldn't be bullied.

Moreover, had his daughter done anything wrong?

Although Xi Xi loved fighting and setting off fireworks, due to her divine child status, her spiritual intelligence had developed early, making her smarter than other children.

But she was also playful and gluttonous...

Yet, she understood right from wrong, knew the importance of things, and had the ability to think and empathize...

So, even if Xi Xi had truly made a mistake, there must have been a reason, and as a father, Li Cheng only needed to believe in and protect his daughter unconditionally.

Xi Xi was different from the Third Prince.

He, Li Cheng, was also different from the Divine King.

His eyes flickered.

Looking at Xi Xi, who had defeated Ji Haihui with a golden brick, blood spraying everywhere, cursing wildly and arrogantly vowing to kill Xi Xi's entire family.

Li Cheng suddenly laughed.

He had clearly heard the Third Prince's temple deity trying to bewitch Xi Xi, and it was very real.

It was a kind of divine power erosion.

The Third Prince's temple deity wanted to erode Xi Xi in this way.

Looking at Xi Xi at this moment, tears streaming down her face, struggling with anger and worry about the safety of her father and mother.

Li Cheng's heart ached.

"My daughter doesn't need to carve bones and cut flesh."

"Because, even if she truly made a mistake, all righteousness and grand schemes are insignificant compared to her well-being."

"As a father, I will always stand in front to protect her."

Li Cheng spoke softly.

"Dad is here."

"Dad promised to always protect you."

"We even made a pinky promise."

...

...

"Dad!"

Xi Xi's eyes still glistened with tears, gripping the Fire Spike Spear and the golden brick, but suddenly, she became excited.

Her eyes sparkled as she listened to her father's words.

Her heart instantly felt like a balloon filled with happiness!

Dad is here!

Dad has always been here!

Xi Xi's confidence surged, and she lifted her chin, her eyes shining brightly once again.

She no longer felt conflicted and tormented.

She stopped crying because Dad said that if anyone hurt her, she could hurt them back.

If anyone wanted to kill her, she could kill them! Xi Xi didn't have to endure injustice!

Boom!

At this moment, Xi Xi's spirit became incredibly excited, as if it were boiling and burning.

Her gaze locked onto Ji Haihui, whose face was contorted with rage, his will completely controlled by the Dragon God's bloodline.

"Little slave!"

"I'll kill you!"

Xi Xi's anger raged, and all she wanted to do was kill Ji Haihui!

Because this little slave threatened her and her parents, and if it were before, she might have hesitated.

But now Dad is here!

Dad told her she could fight without restraint, because Dad was here!

Xi Xi believed in Dad!

So...

Kill him!

Bang—!

The red bib flapped in the wind, and Xi Xi took a powerful step forward, causing the mysterious mists to surge and churn!

Xi Xi's body began to radiate a dazzling brilliance!

She seemed to have transformed into the scorching sun!

The Fire Spike Spear roared, and purple flames coiled around it, like a long silk ribbon, enveloping her entire body.

In the distance!

Ji Haihui's eyes turned crimson, and his skin seemed to grow fine scales. His face became hideous, with fangs protruding, and his back bulged as if fins were about to tear through his flesh!

There was a deep rumbling sound, like muffled thunder, emanating from within his body, as his muscles rubbed against each other, and his bones twisted and collided!

At this moment, Ji Haihui completely entered the state of the Dragon God, his aura soaring, surpassing the Mystic Vein and Divine Vein, reaching the level of a Sect Master!

Buzz—!!

Ji Haihui's eyes instantly turned into a clear purple, and his pupils emitted a golden glow, like scattered golden ink, twisting and writhing as it spread, forming three petal-like shapes within the purple irises.

"Die—!!!"

Ji Haihui unleashed his mind, allowing the Dragon God's bloodline to control his physical body, and roared.

The powerful air currents surged, and the divine nature and blood energy that spread across his body surged like the waves of a river, lashing out fiercely!

Whoosh—!

Like a crawling creature, using all four limbs, he began to sprint at high speed!

The dragon's tail swung, and Ji Haihui's figure disappeared in an instant! When he reappeared, he leaped with tremendous power, and the dragon claw covered in purple scales slammed down, shattering the air as if a group of dragons were dancing!

The burst of power at that moment seemed to tear through the mysterious mists below!

Roar, roar, roar!

The dragon's roar echoed, dispersing the mists, and beneath the surging river, dragon shadows seemed to appear!

It was a pure display of the Dragon God's power, a surging and overwhelming force, tangible and spreading in that single claw attack!

Ji Haihui's body even showed signs of a different kind of distortion, indicating that his physical body couldn't bear the rampaging state of the Dragon God's bloodline.

However...

Xi Xi wasn't afraid, nor was she hopeless!

The golden brick in her hand slammed forward, directly towards Ji Haihui's attacking claw!

Boom, boom, boom!

The collision was too fast to imagine for a four-year-old or five-year-old child.

It was far more intense than a typical clash between ordinary people!

In an instant, the wind howled like a pulled carpet, constantly shaking, rising like waves, spreading out in all directions!

Three zhang, five zhang, ten zhang!

The mysterious mists around them rose like upside-down mushroom clouds, soaring several zhang into the sky!

"Li Nuoxi—!!!"

"Die!"

A hoarse roar erupted from Ji Haihui's twisted face, his killing intent reaching its peak.

Even, it could be said that it was a killing intent born from obsession, almost merging with his instincts!

Kill, kill, kill!

The dragon claw clashed with the golden brick, instantly exploding, but at this moment, Prince Ji Haihui seemed to be oblivious to pain!

The dragon tail whipped around, resembling a sharp divine whip, and struck directly at Xi Xi's head!

Pa, pa, pa!

The wailing sound of the explosion kept blasting, shattering the air with bursts of force.

Xi Xi's Purple Flame Serpent Spear Flame Tip Spear suddenly thrust forward, its speed equally astonishing!

Li Cheng had personally taught Xi Xi spear techniques, imparting his understanding of spear arts to her. After all, from the moment Xi Xi's arm revealed the Purple Flame Serpent Spear Flame Tip Spear, Li Cheng knew that Xi Xi was destined to excel in spear combat.

The Li Family's Eight Continuous Bone-Crushing Spear, improved by Li Cheng, had become an advanced martial art, and Xi Xi had mastered it to at least the level of a master.

The spearhead spewed flames, fiercely striking the dragon tail.

The dragon tail instantly exploded!

It was shattered into pieces by the strike!

The Purple Flame Serpent Spear Flame Tip Spear was one of the Four Imperial Divine Weapons, and although Xi Xi couldn't fully control it yet, its power was still formidable.

Moreover, the spear had been refined by Li Cheng.

Xi Xi could even unleash a bit of its might!

The dragon god's bloodline created a formidable illusion, and Prince Ji Haihui even possessed the dragon clan's sturdy scales.

But in the face of Xi Xi's Flame Tip Spear, it was incredibly fragile!

After two unsuccessful attacks, Prince Ji Haihui's Three Flower Dragon Pupils spun rapidly, and his limbs slammed onto the ground. His body spun at high speed, clenching his fists and using his body's inertia to deliver a powerful punch.

It was as if countless dragon shadows were swirling around him.

Prince Ji Haihui, with the full power of the dragon god's bloodline, unleashed the Martial Saint's ultimate technique, the Ten Thousand Dragons Suppressing Deity!

It was indeed terrifyingly powerful!

But Xi Xi had one of the Four Imperial Divine Weapons!

She blocked the punch with her long spear, and the impact caused her body to tremble.

Bang!

Bang, bang, bang!

Prince Ji Haihui seemed to be in a frenzy, constantly swinging and pounding with his fists, as if countless dragon shadows were roaring and pouncing towards her.

Each punch was like a powerful crossbow bolt, fired in rapid succession.

Even Xi Xi was being suppressed, forced to continuously block with her spear.

Clang, clang, clang—

The sound of the collision was like the clash of fine iron weapons. The dragon tail, having reformed, whipped down again.

Prince Ji Haihui, completely consumed by the dragon god's bloodline, was now in a state of wild frenzy.

His qi and blood, along with his robust physique, made him resemble a demonic beast.

In terms of cultivation, Prince Ji Haihui was already stronger than Xi Xi, and with the dragon god's power enhancing him, he became unstoppable. Although Xi Xi held one of the Four Imperial Divine Weapons, her own strength was too weak to unleash its full power.

Xi Xi also felt a bit annoyed.

The Purple Flame Serpent Spear Flame Tip Spear seemed to sense Xi Xi's anger!

The fire it transformed into suddenly coiled and roared loudly!

That silent roar seemed about to explode at any moment!

The next instant...

Countless wisps of smoke were torn apart.

Accompanied by the clanking sound of chains.

Then, a golden wheel spun rapidly, emitting endless flames!

It was as if a phoenix was entangled by countless chains, and with the response of the fire serpent, it spread its wings and took flight.

Countless wisps of smoke were torn asunder!

The phoenix's cry exploded!

In an instant, it shot out from the midst of the mysterious fog.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Prince Ji Haihui, who was in the midst of striking with his fists, was instantly swept away, colliding with the phoenix.

Golden Wheel!

The flames burned, and the golden fire wheel spun endlessly.

Second round, Hell Lotus Flame Wind Radiant Wheel!

Boom, boom, boom!

Xi Xi held the Flame Tip Spear, standing on a golden light wheel.

In an instant, she vanished from her original spot like lightning.

Her speed wasn't exceptionally fast, but she had successfully created some distance.

Xi Xi panted, putting away the golden brick, and then clenching her five fingers, she held a massive pink mechanism close to her chest!

It was the pink mechanism specially made for Xi Xi... the Immortal Craft Fire God Gatling Cannon!

Xi Xi, having created some distance, stood unsteadily on a Flame Wind Radiant Wheel. Although she was not used to flying, her eyes gradually shone with splendor.

Prince Ji Haihui possessed the bloodline of the dragon god and the Martial Saint.

Xi Xi, lacking their bloodline, had no choice but to rely on divine weapons and mechanisms!

Bang, bang, bang!

The six Fire God Angry Dragon Cannon barrels suddenly heated up, emitting a dazzling pink glow.

Then, they spewed out roaring blue light!

Under the high-speed rotation, the terrifying cannonballs instantly exploded!

Prince Ji Haihui, having fully activated the dragon god's bloodline, became incredibly fast. However...

With the help of the Flame Tip Spear, Xi Xi summoned the second golden light wheel, and although it was a single wheel, she quickly adapted, and her flying speed was not slow.

Bang, bang, bang!!!

An explosion suddenly occurred!

Smoke billowed, and a terrifying shockwave ravaged the area!

Prince Ji Haihui, covered in dragon scales, was instantly blasted, his blood surging as the powerful force flung him away.

Dada-dada-dada—

Xixi, riding on her unicycle, unleashed a fierce attack!

Blue light spewed forth!

Tongues of fire raged!

Snowfall Ravens burst out one after another, engulfing Ji Haihui!

Brilliant fireworks of firelight blossomed and exploded in place!

Divine Nature raged and surged, accompanied by Ji Haihui's agonizing howls!

After a full hundred shots—

Xixi's face turned slightly pale, and she halted her Fire God Cannon's onslaught.

She panted heavily, her cheeks glistening with sweat.

So tired...

But setting off these fireworks was so much fun!

Xixi's excitement grew within her.

She was enjoying fireworks more and more!

The Mysterious Mist churned, and the will of the Third Prince's Enigmatic Temple seemed to fall silent.

Perhaps, it hadn't expected that Xixi would defeat Ji Haihui by awakening his Dragon God bloodline in such a manner.

It was still waiting for Xixi to give up, to start whispering again, and to have Xixi accept its power.

Smoke and dust churned, and suddenly, a gust of wind surged through the Enigmatic Temple.

Piercing through the gunpowder smoke.

Revealing Ji Haihui's torn flesh and blood flowing all over the ground.

The Dragon God's aura... was forcefully extinguished by Xixi.

Ji Haihui fell to the ground, his chest heaving violently.

His eyes lost their light completely.

He had lost, even after going all out and allowing the Dragon God bloodline to take over his body.

He had still lost.

Ji Haihui's face contorted.

He slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on Xixi.

"Li Nuoxi..."

"You dare not kill me, right?"

However—

Intense flames blazed.

Xixi, barefoot on her unicycle, towered over Ji Haihui, her eyes narrowing!

In the instant Ji Haihui's eyes widened.

Xixi's Flame Tip Spear thrust downward with force!

Pfft!

The spear pierced through Ji Haihui's forehead, leaving a hole in his brow.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment, as if time had stopped.

Ji Haihui stood motionless, like a wooden chicken.

The pain in his forehead, the dissipating consciousness, and the fading life force.

It finally woke him up.

He broke free from the Enigmatic Temple's deity's influence, his body trembling uncontrollably.

But life had given him no more time.

Darkness consumed his consciousness.

He...

Died.

...

...

The wind howled.

The City Lord's residence.

A luxurious carriage stood quietly.

Inside, Su Huanli and the Shadow Guard True Man sat motionless.

Suddenly, the Shadow Guard True Man's body, shrouded in darkness, began to shake violently.

Su Huanli seemed to sense something, and his face turned deathly pale.

"No... no..."

"Impossible..."

"How is this possible?!"

A low roar escaped Su Huanli's mouth.

He rushed out of the carriage.

But the Shadow Guard True Man was faster!

Boom—!!!

As soon as he exited the carriage, the Divine Essence True Man's overwhelming pressure instantly swept and expanded, a Divine Essence Golden Core appeared, radiant as the sun!

"Little Prince—!!!

A shrill roar.

The Shadow Guard True Man's low growl continued.

Daoist Priest Wang and Lu Yao, both Divine Essence True Men, instantly unleashed their auras.

The Temple Guardian's Zhu Chongyang's Divine Aura soared into the sky, tearing through the clouds, his robust body entwined with Divine Aura like chaotic currents.

"Shadow Guard! What are you doing?!"

Zhu Chongyang shouted coldly.

Lu Yao and Wang Kuyu, the Divine Essence True Men, suppressed the Shadow Guard's aura.

But on the Wrathful Cliff Stone, the wind and rain raged, the atmosphere tense!

Everyone was so restrained that they couldn't even breathe.

Because this was a clash of Divine Essence True Men!

Su Huanli also rushed out of the carriage, staring at the churning Mysterious Mist on the Nine Dragons River, his body trembling slightly, suddenly understanding something, his eyes filled with dread.

"Dead...

"The Little Prince is dead!"

"Someone killed the Little Prince!"

The Shadow Guard's roar, like thunder, struck the cliff stone!

Shocking the powerful figures from various factions, their hair standing on end, their faces changing.

What?

The Tyrant of Pacification, Ji Magic Li's son...

Dead?!

...

...

Boom—!!!

The Flame Tip Spear pierced Ji Haihui's forehead, shredding his inner essence and brain matter. Suddenly, purple flames erupted, transforming into a mad and greedy purple serpent, devouring all the Divine Nature's purple aura from Ji Haihui's body.

Pfft!

Xixi withdrew her Flame Tip Spear, its tip still dripping with crystal-like blood.

Xixi panted heavily, her eyes slightly dazed, her small hand trembling as she held the spear.

Xixi... had killed someone.

This was Xixi's first time taking a life, and she felt a bit lost, but thankfully, Teacher Niu Niu had taught her.

So, she remained relatively calm, though her heart was turbulent.

She even forgot to collect Ji Haihui's Heaven and Earth Jade.

But killing was killing, and Xixi was not wrong!

Boom-rumble—!!!

At the moment of Ji Haihui's death, the entire Mysterious Mist churned, and a roar suddenly rose.

In the wake of Prince Ji Haihui's lifeless corpse, two terrifying auras suddenly rose, one transforming into a majestic and powerful figure, standing tall like a towering mountain. The other aura took the form of a sinuous dragon, accompanied by countless streams of water cascading down.

"Roar!!!!"

"My son!!!!"

The piercing roar erupted from the dragon's mouth.

An overwhelming sense of oppression descended, slamming down on Xi Xi, causing her to wobble even as she stood on the Golden Light Wheel. She seemed to be swaying in the midst of a violent storm, unable to maintain her balance.

The Golden Light Wheel transformed into a fiery light, merging with Xi Xi's feet.

Xi Xi landed on the Mysterious Mist.

The surrounding mist erupted with a force akin to raging waves and thunder.

In this moment of might, Xi Xi, small as she was, seemed like a speck of dust, insignificant.

The majestic golden figure and the colossal dragon illusion stood tall.

They brought an overwhelming sense of oppression to Xi Xi.

It was as if they were forcing her to kneel and surrender.

"Hahaha... The show begins!"

"Dare to curse me!"

"Let's see if you dare come!"

"You definitely won't dare, because if you do, you'll die!"

"Everyone will die unless Xi Xi carves bones and cuts flesh, severing ties with me to appease my wrath!"

"Otherwise, everyone will die!"

Within the Mysterious Tower, the voice of a mischievous child echoed with laughter.

A towering figure, like a mountain, emerged from Prince Ji Haihui's corpse, its five fingers clenched. In an instant, the Hell Lotus Dark Sword trembled in its grasp.

Although it resisted...

The sword shot out, seized by the towering figure.

In that instant, the aura seemed to solidify into a tangible form.

"Ji Mo Li!"

"My son is dead!"

"My son is dead, are you satisfied?"

"I want her dead! Otherwise, I'll make the entire Golden Light Mansion pay the price!"

The dragon illusion roared.

The majestic golden figure held the Dark Sword, paying no heed to the frenzied dragon illusion.

His eyes narrowed, a cold and emotionless gaze.

"Carve bones and cut flesh."

A calm voice resonated from the figure's mouth.

He tossed the Dark Sword in his hand.

As long as Xi Xi used the Dark Sword to carve bones and cut flesh...

...she would achieve the highest level of Temple Deity resonance, earning the Temple Deity's gift of inheritance.

The power and inheritance of the Temple Deity would be transferred to the Dark Sword, consumed by it, and thus, belong to him.

Prince Ji Haihui's mission to the Four Virtues Enigmatic Temple was...

...successfully completed.

It was as if a son had died, but to him, it was merely a means to an end, a pawn in his grand scheme.

Everything was just a part of his plan to fulfill his purpose.

He knew there was a Dragon God bloodline within this Third Prince Enigmatic Temple, and he was certain that coming here would result in death.

However, he still dispatched Prince Ji Haihui to this place.

Humming—

The thrown Hell Lotus Dark Sword slowly floated before Xi Xi.

A majestic and domineering figure stood tall, his gaze cold and indifferent.

"Hold the sword and commit seppuku."

"Cut flesh and carve bones."

"Atone for your sins."

His words carried an undeniable command.

Xi Xi, small as she was, stood firm in the face of the raging storm and thunder, her body leaning forward, her black bellycloth tightly hugging her belly, her fists clenched, and her eyes staring defiantly.

Suddenly, the overwhelming pressure vanished without a trace.

Xi Xi was taken aback.

She looked up.

And there, in front of her, was a familiar and broad-shouldered figure, appearing at some point without her noticing.

He shielded her from all the wind and rain.

His ink-colored long robe billowed, striking the air with a cracking sound.

Li Cheng maintained his five-finger chess piece grip.

He appeared calmly before Xi Xi.

Blocking the wind and rain, he stood like an impenetrable wall.

Fulfilling a father's promise to his daughter.

"Daddy!"

Xi Xi called out softly.

"I'm here."

Li Cheng reached out, smiling as he ruffled the little girl's hair.

"Daddy is here."

In the little girl's radiant and adoring smile.

Li Cheng turned around.

He extended his hand, grasping...

...the Martial Saint Illusion's Hell Lotus Dark Sword, sent for Xi Xi to commit seppuku and cut flesh and carve bones.

"The sword is good."

Li Cheng remarked.

His brow slightly twitched.

In his chest, he reached the LV4 level of the Chess Sage Dao Fruit.

His heart thumped.

Li Cheng unceremoniously incorporated this Four Imperial Divine Weapon into the Heavens and Earth Chessboard.

The sword was indeed exceptional.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end