https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-23-Ox-Demon-s-Realization-the-Spirit-Infant-s-Divine-Nature/12983885/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-25-Showcasing-Skills-on-Par-with-Heaven-and-Earth-Revisiting-the-Midwife/12983887/
Chapter 24: Dao Fruit's Transformation, the Budding of Divine Abilities (Tuesday, Pursuing the Chase
Chapter 24: Dao Fruit's Transformation, the Budding of Divine Abilities (Tuesday, Pursuing the Chase!)
"A prime candidate for the Divinity Method?" Li Che's eyes narrowed, but he wasn't overly surprised.
He had long wondered about the uniqueness of the Spirit Infants and what made them so important to the Spirit Infants Sect.
It must be related to divinity.
"The Spirit Infants Sect's methods are probably cruel and despicable. If Xixi falls into their hands, she'll be raised like livestock. Once she grows up and her divinity becomes rich, they'll forcefully devour and extract it..."
"Becoming a captive Spirit Infant is definitely not a good thing..."
Old Chen took a sip of wine and shook his head, speaking in a low voice.
It's definitely not a good thing, Li Che was well aware, which was why he had been cautious since Xixi's birth.
Frowning, Li Che contemplated countermeasures, wondering how many years it would take for him to single-handedly destroy the Spirit Infants Sect...
He had the support of a Dao Fruit linked to his daughter, and as they grew, they would gradually become stronger.
Gently caressing Xixi's head, the little girl blinked innocently, her eyes sparkling with purity and innocence.
Old Chen sighed, "Actually, there is a way to deal with the crisis posed by the Spirit Infants Sect."
Li Che glanced at Old Chen, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, signaling for him to continue.
"Spirit Infants are rare, but they do exist. The Spirit Infants born to commoners are pitiful, Old Chen explained. "They are like lambs, often struggling to survive childhood. They are targeted at a very young age, not just by the Spirit Infants Sect, but also by other sects that have inherited teachings from strange temples. They all keep an eye out for Spirit Infants to hunt."
Old Chen's expression turned solemn.
"However, if she can make it to four years old, there's a chance for her to survive."
Li Che's face showed a hint of surprise. "Is there a reason for this?"
Old Chen smiled, "It's simple. The court will take action."
The court?
Li Che's expression changed slightly, as if he had almost forgotten about the court.
Thunderstrike City was essentially divided among several powerful noble families in the inner city, who held authority, rendering the court and government offices virtually powerless. They only managed civilian affairs and were not taken seriously by the noble families.
Old Chen took a sip of old yellow wine and shook his head, "Young Li, don't underestimate the court. A skinny camel is bigger than a horse, and the Great Vision hasn't withered yet. Although the court is in decline, it remains one of the most powerful forces in the world. Even those great martial sects wouldn't dare ignore the court."
"Thunderstrike City is mainly remote, and the strange temple's isolated location further distances it from the court's control. It's not completely lawless, but it's somewhat removed from direct court jurisdiction."
"Look at how the government offices are like empty shells, but the powerful families and clans wouldn't dare truly ignore them."
"Every four years, the court conducts a selection and inspection. If a Spirit Infant is found with divine potential, the court will recruit and nurture them. Now, the authority for this selection and inspection has been delegated to the major noble families in Thunderstrike City."
Old Chen glanced at Li Che as he spoke.
Li Che nodded slightly, "So, as long as Xixi safely reaches four years old, and the selection reveals her divine talent, she can enter the Xu Family for cultivation, practice the Divinity Method, and gain their protection. She'll be safe and worry-free, right?"
"Exactly," Old Chen confirmed with a smile.
"If the court regains control over Thunderstrike City, the noble families will still have to return the selected divine children to the court..."
Li Che frowned, "Why would the families agree to send them back?"
Old Chen took another sip of wine, "The court wouldn't be unaware of this... So, what do you think is the hidden purpose behind this decree?"
"The Great Vision court isn't ignoring the situation; they're just too lazy to manage it. Strange temples are sprouting up like bamboo shoots after rain, and almost every city has one or several of these temples. If the court tried to manage them all, they'd be overwhelmed, so they delegate the authority to the powerful families and clans in each city, letting them deal with the strange temples."
"You can see how the government is like an empty shell, but the powerful families and clans wouldn't dare truly ignore them, right?"
"These divine candidates are naturally used to replenish the families' talent pool."
Hearing this, Li Che couldn't help but realize the truth.
Old Chen narrowed his eyes, "Additionally, the Divine Sect conducts a selection every four years to check for divine children, taking them back to the sect for cultivation. It's like competing with the court for talent. But the Divine Sect's requirements are even higher. Those who meet their standards are usually the carefully cultivated disciples of the powerful families and clans."
Li Che was naturally clueless about the cultivation forces in this world, but as he listened to Old Chen, he began to understand.
"Entering the Divine Sect for cultivation would be ideal, but their selection requirements are too high..."
Old Chen sighed, shaking his head with a complex expression in his eyes.
Li Che sensed a story behind his words, so he poured a cup of wine, held Xixi in his arms, and blinked curiously, his curiosity burning like a raging fire.
But Old Chen rolled his eyes and continued drinking, not uttering another word.
Li Che felt slightly disappointed, so he asked, "Old Chen, do you have any martial skills for sale? If you do, sell me a few, please."
Old Chen had just taken a sip of wine and almost choked.
"Do you think martial skills are like cabbages? A few... In the strictest sense, martial skills are far more precious than skin-polishing techniques and pulse-opening methods. I do have some in my study, but not many."
Li Che's eyes lit up at this, and his interest in Old Chen's study grew even more.
"Martial skills have distinct styles, and the martial skills of the various noble families are naturally not passed on directly. If you learn them and use them, you'll be held accountable. Forget it... What type of martial skill are you looking for?"
Old Chen pounded his chest and took a deep breath before replying impatiently.
"I can do any of them, as long as I can practice them... Which one do you recommend?"
Li Che held Xixi in his arms, and the father and daughter smiled in unison.
...
...
Time passed, and a month later...
In Thunderstrike City, at the Spring Wind Alley.
In a tightly closed courtyard, the accumulated snow had almost completely melted, and the scorching air currents intertwined like dragons, shaking the loquat tree planted in the courtyard.
Li Che's upper body was bare, and beneath his bronze-colored skin, it seemed as if surging vital energy was roaring, thundering and pounding against the skin membrane, creating a muffled sound like a drumbeat, like thunder after the clouds.
Each of his large sinews appeared on his body, writhing and taut, like tightly drawn bows.
Boom! The force erupted, instantly causing the remaining snow to explode into a hazy mist.
Li Che slowly retracted his inner strength and vital energy, opening his eyes, which shone through the haze like two sharp blades slicing through the fog.
His entire body relaxed, and his black hair flew wildly.
Putting on a thin shirt, Li Che swung his arms, a smile curling on his lips.
His eyes narrowed, and a prompt appeared.
【Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (lv1, 50%)】
Twisting his neck, his spine reverberated, and a powerful aura flowed through him.
"One month, and I've opened up the large sinews, achieving perfection in the Xu Family's Sinew Opening Technique... Not bad, faster than I imagined. Indeed, everything is inseparable from my diligence and hard work."
Raising his hand, the force surged, and nine snake-like inner forces swirled around his palm.
"The Year of the Snake Inner Force has also reached the second level, barely enough to be released externally."
"Indeed, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit greatly enhances my martial arts cultivation..."
"【Celestial Craft】 enhances my woodcarving skills, while 【Dragon Elephant Vajra】 improves my innate martial talent. Great! I wonder what the third Dao Fruit will bring."
Li Che couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation for the third Dao Fruit that would accompany Xixi's second birthday.
"I've successfully mastered the White Tiger Storm Wind Fist, a mid-level martial skill, to a small extent. This type of fierce martial arts is incredibly easy for me to learn."
"However, one martial skill is indeed not enough. After completing the woodcarving transaction with the Shi Family's son tomorrow and obtaining the gold leaves, I'll make another trip to the market square to see if I can get another martial skill to enhance my offensive capabilities."
Li Che, wearing a thin shirt, started practicing his fist techniques right in the courtyard. His punches whistled through the air, like a fierce tiger tearing through the wind, sending up a flurry of snow that continuously melted into water under his vital energy and fell to the ground as ice.
After completing a set of fist techniques, Li Che finally retracted his force, feeling satisfied.
The White Tiger Storm Wind Fist, at a mid-level of mastery, was incredibly powerful.
But... it wasn't enough.
Returning to the inner room, Li Che cleaned his body with hot water, bought a box of osmanthus cakes that his wife loved, and then returned to the woodcarving shop.
Putting on a cowhide apron, Li Che sat in a chair, with a woodcarving he had spent a month meticulously crafting in front of him—the "Nine-Headed Guanyin Wrathful Cry Ghost-Suppressing Statue."
Picking up his tools, Li Che's 【Celestial Craft】 slightly trembled, and he calmed his mind, entering a state of focus to complete the final touches.
In the workshop, only the sound of sandpaper remained.
As the last step was completed, a flash of light suddenly appeared before Li Che's eyes.
The next moment, a prompt appeared.
【Dao Fruit: Celestial Craft (lv3, 0%)】
【Dao Fruit lv3, Shed Again, Obtain Divine Ability Seed "Celestial Craft · Thousand Analyzing Hands"】
PS: Please support by reading on Tuesday, as it's crucial for getting recommended next week. Don't abandon the book, thanks!
(End of Chapter)
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