Chapter 277: The Book of Life and Death

Chapter 277: The Book of Life and Death

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The sky was a clear azure, the sun's brilliance casting its glow over the world. The recent rains had washed away the dust, leaving the air crisp and fresh.

Outside the Temple of Heavenly Pavilion, a bustling crowd gathered, blocked by the Divine Guards. Various minor clans and second-rate powers, lacking connections, were unable to obtain entry tokens and could only watch from a distance.

Fortunately, the three-li area provided a clear view of the temple's activities. Many martial artists and Divine Essence Cultivators found this distance manageable, allowing them to witness the temple's proceedings, including the wooden platform erected before it and the presence of many powerful cultivators from major sects.

The Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's Grandmaster was conducting the Direct Transmission Test, with the last three stages now in place.

Li Nuoxi, the third on the Young Dragon Record of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's outer sect, stood among them.

Yun E, a direct descendant of the Yun Family, was also present.

Jin Taishai, a young witch from the Wu Shen Shan, was there too, her status as a descendant of the Wu Shen Shan making this event even more significant.

All eyes were on these three children, their importance drawing the attention of the crowd.

Jin Taishai and Yun E, both in their adolescent years, stood out. However, Xixi, at just five years old, still had her baby fat, looking more like a little bean sprout.

Beside them were other Divine Essence Cultivators who had participated in the first and second stages of the test, including Gong Shu Wen Tian, whose Heart Nature was filled with sorrow.

Gong Shu Wen Tian couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sorrow when he thought about Xixi's transformation during the second stage. It was a powerful and terrifying change, leaving him in awe.

Fortunately...

Xixi's transformation was so profound that it shattered Gong Shu Wen Tian's Heart Nature. But within three days, he felt his broken Heart Nature beginning to mend.

This was much faster than the expected month-long recovery period.

Meanwhile, Xuan Yue from the Xuan Fu Divine Sect, Gu He from the Tian Dan Divine Sect, and others who had participated in the test, found places to sit and observe, eager to discover who would become the Grandmaster's Direct Transmission Disciple.

This test, with its significant outcome, naturally attracted much attention.

Jin Taishai's unique identity as a young witch from the Wu Shen Shan made her potential selection as the Grandmaster's Direct Transmission Disciple even more noteworthy.

If she were chosen, it would shake the entire Great Jing Dynasty.

Xixi stood there, a puppy in her arms, looking adorable.

Yun E, with her exquisite and cool makeup, seemed like a solitary figure, her entire being exuding a cold and lonely aura, as if she had been secluded from the world.

Jin Taishai wore a junior witch's robe, her face painted with patterns, her whole body exuding a wild and untamed aura. Her purple hair danced in the wind, and her eyes reflected a confident gleam under the sun.

Zhang Ya, as Xixi's mother, had the right to enter the inner area and sat in the sect's designated zone.

Jiao Shaoqiu personally escorted Zhang Ya to her seat, and even Mu Po Po, who had watched Xixi grow up, came to witness this crucial moment.

However, Mu Po Po scanned the area but didn't find Li Qingshan's figure.

"That old man Li Qingshan, I wonder where he's gone off to..."

...

...

The ancient sound of a bell rang out, its source unknown, resonating through the air.

The previously noisy temple grounds fell silent, everyone holding their breath and focusing on Fang Hanshu, the Inner Sect Grand Elder of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect, dressed in scholarly robes.

Fang Hanshu, exuding a profound scholarly aura, slowly closed his book.

His calm gaze silenced the crowd, daring no one to speak.

"The Grandmaster has entered the Temple of Heavenly Pavilion, suppressing its anomalies. The third stage of the Temple Guardian Test has been set up, and since the Grandmaster is currently inside the temple, I, Fang Hanshu, will preside over this stage of the Direct Transmission Test."

Fang Hanshu spoke in a deep voice.

As the Inner Sect Grand Elder of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect, many held him in awe.

Fang Hanshu's cultivation was unfathomable. When Huang Jianjiu unleashed his despair, Fang Hanshu had also taken action, easily suppressing the Huang Family's Elder, despite his formidable martial prowess as a Two-Opening Martial Saint.

This demonstrated Fang Hanshu's incredible power.

Fang Hanshu's intervention in the Huang Jianjiu incident was what truly made him famous.

"Elder Fang, may we inquire about the specific rules for this third stage of the Direct Transmission Test?"

Yun Sanxiao, the Yun Family's Ancestor, asked softly.

All eyes turned to Fang Hanshu, his expression unchanged.

"The rules are quite simple," Fang Hanshu replied, not prolonging the suspense as the third stage was about to begin.

"In this Four Imperial Strange Temple of Heavenly Pavilion, the Grandmaster has opened three paths. Each Direct Transmission Candidate must choose one of these paths."

Fang Hanshu stood with his hands behind his back, his scholarly robes billowing.

Behind him, the Nine Chi Evil Suppressing Demon Pacifying Heavenly Pavilion's strange fog churned, dense and opaque, with extremely low visibility.

The fog seemed to envelop a mysterious world, isolated from the outside, like entering a new realm.

Fang Hanshu pointed, and Divine Essence burst forth, inscribing the rules in the sky.

"The Temple of Heavenly Pavilion's rank pressure is incredibly formidable. You must use your own methods to overcome the rank pressure emitted by the temple and proceed on the path."

"Along the way, you will encounter Temple Guardian Corpses, demons, and evil beings. Your task is to slay these Temple Guardians and demons."

"The Temple Guardians and demons on the three paths have been suppressed and subdued by the Grandmaster. You must slay them as you advance, and as you do, you will accumulate Divine Essence."

"Additionally, the first candidate to reach the Strange Temple will receive five chi of Divine Essence, the second will get three chi, and the last one will receive none."

"The time limit is three incense sticks. Once the three incense sticks are burned, the test will end, and the final amount of Divine Essence obtained will determine the Direct Transmission Disciple."

Everyone's eyes lit up as they gazed at the rules written in the sky with Divine Essence.

"Rest assured, the temple-guarding spell zombies and demonic entities have all been screened by the Sect Master. The strongest among them... is merely at the level of a silver essence aura temple-guarding spell silver zombie."

"For you, the pressure might be great, but... since you dared to choose to guard the temple, you must have some trump cards up your sleeves."

"So... on your respective temple paths, show us your true strength and determination."

A calm voice echoed from Fang Hanshu.

"Any objections?"

Fang Hanshu looked at Xi Xi, Yun E, and Jin Taishai.

Xi Xi gave a proper salute, saying, "None."

Jin Taishai and Yun E also said in unison, "No objections."

"Then choose your paths to enter the Strange Temple. Whether you are martial warriors or divine cultivators, you all must eventually walk this path. Consider this as your early trial."

Fang Hanshu said calmly.

Xi Xi nodded repeatedly, finding the logic impeccable. The temple path... wasn't it just a path for fighting?

The Emperor Xi Xi's temple path would be invincible!

"Regardless of the trump cards you use on this temple path, we will only judge by the final Dao Essence results."

"Currently, Yun E has twelve feet of Dao Essence, Li Nuansi has eleven feet, and Jin Taishai has five feet... This is your starting Dao Essence. After three incense sticks burn, we will see the final height of your Dao Essence. The higher, the better."

Fang Hanshu said solemnly.

As he finished speaking, he flicked his finger.

Instantly, three beams of light shot up, swirling rapidly in the air.

"Choose."

Fang Hanshu said.

Xi Xi, Yun E, and Jin Taishai almost simultaneously reached out to select the light orbs.

Xi Xi crushed the light orb, revealing a small piece of paper with the number "2" written on it.

Yun E's paper had the number "3."

Jin Taishai's paper had the number "1," indicating the path they would take into the Strange Temple.

After confirming his path, Jin Taishai did not hesitate. His gaze swept over Yun E and landed on Xi Xi, his lips curling into a smile, revealing white teeth.

"Little girl... remember our bet!"

Jin Taishai's eyes glinted with a fierce light, his smile bordering on madness.

He would not lose!

As long as the Sect Master of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect, Lu Taibai, did not interfere, with the backup plan set by the Great Shaman, he could not possibly lose!

Xi Xi placed her hands on her hips, her small belly protruding. The puppy hidden in her shirt was pushed out by her belly, its dark eyes staring at Jin Taishai for a moment before snorting and laughing.

Jin Taishai's gaze fell on the black puppy, his brows furrowing.

"A spirit divine beast? This is your trump card?" Jin Taishai sneered, as he felt no terrifying divine aura from the puppy.

Jin Taishai shook his head, his wide Junior Shaman robe billowing in the wind.

His entire body's blood and qi surged, and in one step, he transformed into a straight arrow, rushing into the foggy entrance marked "1."

"Xi Xi, good luck..."

"However, today... we are opponents. Don't hold back; give it your all."

Yun E, though cold, still patiently said a word of encouragement to Xi Xi.

Xi Xi nodded repeatedly, and then Yun E floated away.

Xi Xi looked at the path marked "2" on the Strange Temple, her small body trembling with excitement.

"Doggy, let's go!"

Xi Xi was incredibly excited. Her fingers clenched, and the next moment, the pink immortal craft Blood Fire Bodhi Gatling gun appeared in her hand. With a few bounces, her small body shot into the fog.

The fog swirled, swallowing the three children's figures.

Thereafter...

The entire plaza erupted in excitement.

Li Che sat in the grandmaster chair representing the Divine Carving Ridge elder, his eyes slightly lowered. When other elders asked him questions, he responded with a gentle smile.

Because the Li Che sitting in this chair was merely the [Painted Immortal] Li Che.

This [Painted Immortal] Li Che carried a significant amount of divine essence, ensuring its stability.

Unless a force comparable to a divine essence golden core cultivator's fetal breath transformation was unleashed, nothing would happen to this avatar.

As he watched Xi Xi enter the Strange Temple, beginning the third and final test,

Li Che slowly retracted his gaze.

...

...

The breeze rustled on the official road, the spring wind blowing fiercely.

The sunlight was bright, and the mountains were lush with spring.

Li Che slowly opened his eyes, standing straight like a spear on a willow tree full of new green leaves. The willow flowers bloomed, and cuckoos chirped softly.

The spring breeze blew across his face, causing his black hair to flutter and snap in the air.

In his pupils, the image of the avatar Li Che watching Xi Xi enter the fog dissipated.

Although he had come to intercept the queen consort, Li Che still kept an eye on his daughter's situation.

Li Che did not want to miss any parent-child activities involving his daughter.

Without the [Painted Immortal] avatar, Li Che could not ensure his presence at both the parent-child activity and the interception of the queen consort on the official road.

As for Xi Xi entering the Strange Temple and embarking on the temple path...

Li Che had already given her all the trump cards he could. With the help of the Big Black Dog, disguised as a puppy, Li Che was not at all worried about Xi Xi's situation.

Li Che imagined that with the Big Black Dog's assistance, there would be no mishaps.

This bet was almost impossible to lose.

His gaze was deep, like a still, lifeless pool of water.

Cold, lethal intent slowly spread from Li Che's body. For the Dragon Queen Consort, Li Che harbored intense killing intent.

After the Dragon Queen Consort entered the Heavenly Origin Dao City, she began targeting Xi Xi, even demanding that Xi Xi be married to her deceased son, Ji Haihui, in a spirit marriage...

This was a direct provocation to Li Che's most sensitive nerve.

Your son was a yellow-haired boy when alive; you want him to be one even in death?!

However...

Li Che's gaze hardened. After learning that You Liqing had been killed, the queen consort wisely hid in the Dao Lord Mansion.

The Dao Lord Mansion was guarded by Dao Lord Yue Huanglong, who was too powerful. Li Che had once concealed his aura using the "Sleeping Dragon Elephant" technique and wandered around the City Lord Mansion when the queen consort was injured.

In the end, he chose to abandon the assassination attempt.

Yue Huanglong's strength... Li Che felt it was no weaker than the Three-Flower Realm Martial Saint Feng Zhiqi of the Temple Control Office!

Such a powerful opponent...

Li Che was unwilling to provoke for now.

But now, the queen consort had chosen to leave the Dao Lord Mansion and attempt a secret escape.

Now, it was indeed the perfect time to leave, as everyone's attention was drawn to the third round of the Sect Master's personal selection. Leaving at this moment would truly allow one to disappear without a trace, and the danger would be reduced to an extreme... However, there might also be a catch, as if they were digging a pit, waiting for someone to fall into it."

"The Peace Rebellion Consort... She's using herself as bait, fishing for something."

Li Che's clothes fluttered in the wind.

"But..."

"Even if it's a trap, even if you're fishing for something... I will still kill you."

"The only pity... Mo City has not been fully repaired yet, so it can't be used for now..."

"I'll drag you into Mo City, and with Huang Jianjiu, You Liqing, and the Vajra Ape Mechanized Beast ganging up on you, no matter how well you calculate, you will still die."

Li Che raised his head, his hair wildly curled, and his fingers clenched together, fiercely waving at the air, tearing through it. A cute and adorable bull mask fell into his hands.

His fingers spread wide, and he placed the mask over his face.

His fingertips slid across the mask, and in an instant, golden currents of electricity surged from his eyes, crackling.

The bones made a loud cracking sound, the muscles bulged, and his body inflated like a balloon, expanding with explosive force!

The tight-fitting clothes suddenly bulged out.

His fingers tapped his forehead.

The Heavenly Pivot Chessboard instantly spread out, expanding and covering the area in all directions.

"Hmm?"

"There's indeed an ambush..."

"The Hunter God Pavilion and... the Corpse God Sect?!"

"And also... the Su Clan!"

Within the expanding perception of the Heavenly Pivot Chessboard, thick black energy rose, revealing the figures hidden in the dense forests along the official road.

This was the manifestation of killing intent, and as soon as it appeared, Li Che could pinpoint their locations.

"A Constellation-level assassin from the Hunter God Pavilion and a Demi-God Corpse?!"

This was equivalent to having two Martial Saint-level powerhouses.

They had unique methods to conceal their auras, but their killing intent had exposed their positions.

"They really do take me seriously..."

"Perhaps they guessed that Huang Jianjiu is also involved with the Netherworld? That's why when facing the Netherworld, they deployed two Martial Saint-level powerhouses."

Behind the Niu Mo mask, Li Che smiled faintly.

A Martial Saint-level powerhouse was a top-tier force in any sect.

It was a top-tier force in this region, and many states, counties, and cities had cultivators who might never encounter a Martial Saint-level existence in their entire lives.

Apart from the two Martial Saint-level powerhouses, Li Che also sensed numerous Three Flowers-level experts hiding nearby...

They were the Divine Guard Army's Commander, on par with the former You Liqing.

Additionally...

There were also powerful cultivators from the Su Clan! It had to be said that the ambushers... were truly formidable! With this, Li Che could confirm that the Peace Rebellion Consort was indeed using herself as bait to lure the Netherworld.

"She's really daring..."

"Since it's like this, the Netherworld has taken your life."

Li Che snapped his fingers.

Instantly, black chess pieces exploded one after another on the towering figure of Zhao Fangzhou, crackling and twisting.

One, two, three...

The disheveled Netherworld Sword Immortal Huang Jianjiu, clad in golden armor, swallowed the Martial Saint's Divine Capture, the Martial Saint You Liqing, the Blue Bird, Long Tai, the Black and White Impermanence Xue Du Fu, the Shadow Guardian True Man, and Niu Shisan, all with their Divine Capture activated, surrounded Li Che.

Each of them had their own unique posture.

"Master!"

The seven figures with Divine Capture respectfully clenched their fists towards Li Che.

Li Che nodded, and his thoughts were transmitted.

The next moment, several black shadows twisted and dispersed.

Behind the towering figure of Niu Mo, a thin horse-faced man dressed as the Immortal in Painting, carried a collapsing avalanche blood fire Bodhi Barrett, his toes barely touching the leaves.

He silently disappeared into the wind.

...

...

In late spring, the third month, the grass grew in Jiangnan, flowers bloomed on trees, and birds chirped in groups.

On the official road outside the Primordial Dao City, the wheels of a magnificent carriage crushed the dust, raising a cloud of dust. The wind blew, and the sound echoed endlessly.

Inside the carriage, it was serene, blocking out all external sounds.

The Dragon Queen Consort, Ao Yuhxin, leaned against the soft carriage, gently closing her eyes. Inside, a charcoal stove boiled hot water, bubbling. The little dragon girl, Ao Qingqing, skillfully threw in a few tea leaves, causing the tender spring tea to brew.

The fragrance of tea filled the carriage.

"Auntie... Are we really leaving like this?"

"Hmm."

The Dragon Queen Consort lightly responded without opening her eyes.

After a moment, the princess opened her eyes and looked at Ao Qingqing, her eyes filled with pity, guilt, and pain.

Ao Qingqing paused while pouring tea, instantly understanding.

"Auntie..."

Ao Qingqing pursed her lips.

After experiencing the test of her heart, it seemed she had gained insight, but unfortunately, for Ao Yuhxin, Ao Qingqing's insight was too slow.

Ao Qingqing couldn't become a personal disciple of the Sect Master, so staying in the Primordial Dao City was no longer an option.

"If a battle breaks out later... You must escape if you can, and survive."

"Auntie must take you out of the city. Only then will it not seem too deliberate, and the cautious demons of the Netherworld will be lured out..."

The princess gently brushed Ao Qingqing's face.

"Auntie... it's fine..." Ao Qingqing shook her head.

The wind howled outside the carriage.

Suddenly.

The Dragon Queen Consort's eyes reflected light, and she looked at Ao Qingqing's freshly poured cup of tea.

The tea...

Ripples formed one after another.

"Indeed..."

"They're here..."

The Dragon Queen Consort's eyes widened suddenly, as if countless blood vessels were spreading across her body.

At the same time.

Terrifying and overwhelming killing intent swept in, instantly enveloping the carriage.

All sounds disappeared, and the world became serene, leaving only the surging killing intent like a golden lotus erupting from the ground. Ao Yuhxin sat motionless in the carriage, her entire body trembling uncontrollably, as if every inch of her flesh was being pierced by the killing intent.

The intense pressure and suffocating feeling made Ao Qingqing struggle to even breathe.

The Netherworld...

The Netherworld!

Could there be such terrifying and intense killing intent?!

As if there were some blood feud that would not rest until one side was utterly destroyed!

The Netherworld... wants to kill Aunt so much?

A

Without a doubt, Aunt left Heavenly Origin Dao City to give the Netherworld a chance to strike?

Last time, feigning severe injuries didn't attract the Netherworld. This time, she secretly left the city, pretending to take advantage of everyone being distracted by the disciples' assessment, planning to escape quietly.

But in reality, she was using a more sophisticated method to lure numerous Netherworld assassins!

Using herself as bait...

But this is too dangerous!

Bang—!

Just as Ao Qingqing was stunned by the terrifying killing intent, the carriage wall suddenly exploded, sending splinters and debris flying everywhere!

The fierce wind from outside instantly rushed into the carriage through the broken gap!

A straight, crimson lightning bolt appeared almost instantly in front of the Dragon Queen Consort!

It was a...

long, water-drop-shaped mechanical bullet!

Like an exquisitely crafted mechanical masterpiece!

Mechanical sniping!

The Netherworld—Horse Face!

So fast!

So terrifying!

This sniping couldn't be avoided, absolutely couldn't be avoided!

Ao Qingqing's mind couldn't even react before the blood-fire bodhi bullet appeared. If it had targeted her, her head would have been pierced, and her life extinguished!

Time seemed to freeze at that moment!

Boom—!!

Fury flashed in the Dragon Queen Consort's beautiful face.

Her fingers bent, as if forming a cage, covered with fine blue dragon scales that shimmered like crystal.

The Dragon Claw extended, reaching for the terrifying bullet filled with piercing power shot by the Netherworld's Horse Face!

Creak, creak...

The bullet kept spinning in the center of the Dragon Claw!

The piercing sound of friction and the sound of dragon scales breaking sent chills down Ao Qingqing's spine, making her unable to move.

In an instant!

A terrifying surge of qi and blood exploded with a sharp cry!

A fierce wind rose, stirring the qi and blood like a raging fire!

Ao Qingqing felt her body slammed against the carriage wall by the powerful shockwave, and then the wall shattered into pieces, sending her flying out of the carriage, rolling on the ground in a mess!

The explosion's flames shot into the sky!

The thunderous roar was like a tidal wave, with the air currents and flying debris from the shattered carriage scattering everywhere!

Ao Qingqing coughed up blood but, ignoring the pain in her body, she dumbly got up and saw that the luxurious carriage was completely gone.

A powerful mental force spread out in ripples, stirring the air as if it were a lake's surface, rippling up and down!

"Roar—!!!"

A loud, furious dragon roar echoed!

Countless fine dragon scales shimmered, and a ten-zhang-long dragon shadow coiled upwards, as if a mythical true dragon had materialized in reality!

"Ox Thirteen—!"

"Come and die!!"

The Dragon Queen Consort, Ao Yuhxin, soared upward, her long hair hanging down, her azure eyes filled with killing intent, her roar like a dragon's cry, echoing like thunder after a cloud!

As the Dragon Queen Consort's roar echoed,

Boom—!!

The ground seemed to shake!

Dense blood light erupted from the side of the road!

The qi and blood rose like smoke into the sky, like a terrifying, blazing furnace roaring with fury!

A towering, mountain-like figure, as robust as a bull, wearing a cute ox mask, shot out like a bolt of lightning!

In mid-air, he took a step!

Eight Qi Steps in the Void!

He took three consecutive steps, leaving a trail of domineering afterimages in a parabolic arc!

The calm was shattered!

Roar—!!

The blood light bloomed like the sun and moon, extremely brilliant. The Ox Thirteen's body grew taller, his eyes bursting with golden lightning and sandalwood, his long hair hanging down to his waist like a waterfall, fluttering like a cloak.

Like a god or demon breaking free from a cage, his fist generated a Dragon Elephant!

Ten Thousand Transformations Dragon Elephant!

A divine martial art!

Under the Ox Thirteen's mask, Li Che remained extremely calm. The moment the blood qi surged, one hundred and eight true auras erupted and raged, and the Dragon Elephant Heavenly Trigram was instantly activated, hidden within the true auras, forming a fist with the five fingers!

The Dragon Queen Consort's azure eyes, like mirrors, stared intently at the Ox Thirteen, whose qi and blood surged to the heavens!

She was waiting for the Ox Thirteen to take the remaining five steps!

However, as the Ox Thirteen took his fourth step, he clenched his fingers...

and vanished.

Reappearing, he shot out from the exploding carriage, swapping positions with the Teleportation Chess Piece hidden in the carriage, which had been shot by Horse Face!

With a knee spring, he appeared in front of the Dragon Queen Consort, enveloped in the dragon shadow, like a bolt of qi and blood lightning!

One hundred and eight true auras instantly transformed into two hundred and sixteen true auras!

And within them was a fully activated divine power, the Dragon Elephant Heavenly Trigram!

Without a word, he delivered a punch filled with killing intent!

Like a sudden, world-shaking thunderclap after a cloud!

He struck hard, hammering down with his fist!

The Dragon Queen Consort was greatly alarmed. This Ox Thirteen was truly... treacherous!

Despite the seemingly straightforward punch, it had turned into an ambush!

She roared, her scales flaring out, hot air surging from beneath them, their light flashing, and her Dragon Deity Bloodline fully activated!

But the Ox Thirteen was too fast!

Before the sound of the punch even exploded, the fist had already landed!

Like a heavy hammer hitting a drum!

An invisible shockwave rippled out instantly, spreading in all directions!

Bang—!!

The Dragon Queen Consort, along with the ten-zhang-long azure dragon shadow, was hammered into the muddy road, softened by days of spring rain!

Mud and sand surged, like waves, and the entire ground trembled like a carpet, sending ripples of mud and sand in all directions!

The precious Blood Dragon Horse didn't even have time to scream before it was shattered by the aftershock.

Amidst the flying mud and sand,

a hoarse, deep voice, filled with fierce killing intent, slowly echoed.

"Ox Thirteen..."

"Today, I will slay the dragon!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end