Chapter 293: Sword Opens the Heaven Gate, Tai Bai Killing Star, New Yama of the Netherworld [Seeking

Chapter 293: Sword Opens the Heaven Gate, Tai Bai Killing Star, New Yama of the Netherworld [Seeking Monthly Votes]



Swish, swish—

The immensely powerful sword intent and sword qi intertwined and rampaged through the flesh, destroying the flesh tissues and extinguishing the terrifying wills contained within.

Countless cries of anguish, anger, pain, and roars echoed incessantly.

Corpse qi and death qi rose from the shattered, white jade-like flesh, only to be completely annihilated by the sword qi.

The corpse qi and death qi dissipated like melting ice, evaporating into nothingness, shrouding the area where the flesh had fallen in a dense fog.

Li Che wore a cute and adorable ox demon mask, his black and sturdy hair strands wildly whipping and lashing the void as if they were whips.

His black robe fluttered in the wind, and his robust body was wrapped in qi and blood like a coiling dragon.

Still maintaining the posture of placing a chess piece, he had already been teleported to this location through the lock of the Heavenly Chessboard.

Originally, the Thunderbolt Chess Piece required an anchor point, but now, with the Chess Saint Dao Fruit having evolved to Level 5, Li Che no longer needed an anchor point. As long as the Heavenly Chessboard could sense the location, he could teleport there using the Thunderbolt Chess Piece.

However, for places that were visible to the naked eye, such as the interiors of buildings, where the line of sight did not reach, even the Heavenly Chessboard could not reveal the internal structure.

In such cases, the Thunderbolt Chess Piece was still needed.

For instance, to enter the interior of the Mysterious Temple, Li Che had to use the Thunderbolt Chess Piece as an anchor point.

But Li Che was already very satisfied; this effect was truly remarkable.

Moreover, after the evolution of the Chess Saint Dao Fruit, the restrictions and blockades in space were significantly reduced, allowing him to break through them more quickly.

This made Li Che even more unhindered.

Swish, swish, swish—

These pieces of flesh were incredibly heavy, containing terrifying and vast amounts of energy. Even though they had been slain and were dead, they were still extremely formidable.

Their corrosive power was immense.

Li Che glanced around, his physical body trembling as he withstood the formidable pressure of these pieces of flesh, which rivaled that of a Heaven Gate Saint. He executed the Eight Qi Steps of the Void, leaving countless afterimages as he dodged the falling flesh.

His target was the treasure bead.

In the instant the bead fell, he appeared, fingers spread wide, and lunged toward the bead.

Snap—

He firmly grasped the bead, which contained the Corpse Deity Realm, resembling a transparent gem with a black vortex inside, like a work of art.

Under the ox demon mask, Li Che's eyes narrowed sharply.

Heavy!

This was Li Che's first thought!

Incredibly heavy, extremely heavy, even with his current strength, he felt a tremendous weight when he grabbed the bead!

Boom—!!

The ground instantly caved in, sinking deeply, and dirt and dust erupted, rising like a wave several zhang high!

"So heavy!"

Li Che was inwardly shocked.

However, he did not let go of the bead!

Divinity, Dragon Elephant Heavenly Energy!

Li Che's physical body grew taller, and a fierce and turbulent energy surged throughout his body, as if the shadows of a dragon and an elephant appeared behind him, their roars shaking the heavens and earth!

His muscles trembled, and his bones creaked, as blood beads like crystal collided and exploded, generating tremendous force, which steadily increased on Li Che's body!

With unparalleled and rapidly growing strength, he forcefully lifted the bead!

Li Che's entire body was filled with raging qi and blood, like a collapsing sun, and the surrounding dust seemed to be instantly cleared away by the scorching heat and the raging Dragon Elephant Heavenly Energy, sweeping in all directions!

In the midst of the violent gusts, Li Che's hair danced wildly, and his bones resonated, his eyes flashing with intense brightness!

He lifted it!

He held it!

So heavy!

But... Li Che felt as if all his strength had been released in that moment!

With a mental command, the bead was immediately torn through the space of the Heavenly Earth Jade and thrown inside.

"Phew—"

After retrieving the bead, Li Che felt the oppressive sensation suddenly vanish from his entire body.

Relieved!

The bead contained the Corpse Deity Realm, like a small inner world, which, while not truly as heavy as a world, was certainly very heavy.

The ground was littered with corpses, each one creating a deep pit as they fell, and in these pitted areas, corpse qi and death qi continued to twist and spread, but were cut down by the sword qi contained within.

Even in death, the sword qi and the corpse qi of the Fourth Imperial Lower Rank Corpse Deity Envoy continued to clash.

However, it was obvious that Lu Tai Bai's sword qi was far more powerful, completely overwhelming the opposition.

"Pity... I don't have the Heavenly Earth Jade anymore... otherwise, I would have really cleaned up."

Under the mask, Li Che's eyes couldn't help but show a hint of regret.

Regarding the Heavenly Earth Jade... Li Che had an extraordinary obsession with it.

However, he didn't force it.

Lu Tai Bai... was likely an old hand, a Hunter Pavilion Hunter King, and taking the Heavenly Earth Jade after a kill was something he was undoubtedly very adept at.

Li Che's attempt to find a loophole from such a seasoned killer was nothing but a dream.

This bead containing the Corpse Deity Realm... being able to find a loophole and obtain it was already a testament to Li Che's keen eyesight.

Buzz—

Suddenly, Li Che felt his hairs stand on end.

Countless sword lights raged and intertwined, silver hair floating like seaweed, and invisible sword qi rising from the ground to the sky.

Lu Tai Bai's white robe flared out behind him, and a three-foot-long silver Tai Bai sword floated beside him.

His eyes seemed to be filled with abundant sword qi.

From a distance of about a hundred meters.

Lu Tai Bai looked indifferently at the Ox Demon standing amidst the shattered remains of the Four Emperors Corpse Deity Envoy he had just killed.

His silver hair danced, as if a sword immortal had descended upon the world.

The air solidified, froze, and the icy sword intent raged, locking down every corner.

Li Che, wearing a mask, felt an even more terrifying pressure than when the Four Emperors Corpse Deity Envoy had emerged from the Corpse Deity Realm. The overwhelming martial will, spanning the heavens and earth, was the strongest resonance between heaven and man, coalescing into an extremely sharp sword intent that fell from the sky.

Li Che's brow twitched, as if the Star Gazing Eye were about to open and peer out.

Faintly, Li Che seemed to see that Lu Tai Bai was glowing, radiating an intense light! Even more brilliant than the mushroom cloud, which was still glowing brightly from the explosion in the distance. Behind that radiant light, there seemed to be a gate!

The Heaven Gate!

A Heaven Gate Martial Saint!

Li Che took a deep breath, even he felt the oppressive force as if the heavens and earth were crushing down.

The [Dragon Elephant Vajra] Dao Fruit in his chest roared, dragon cries and elephant trumpets echoed, and the vajra hammer pounded.

That terrifying oppressive force slowly shattered, like ice breaking!

"Tai Bai Sect Master... it's an honor to meet you."

Li Che, wearing the Ox Demon mask, pushed the Dragon Elephant Vajra to its limit, concealing his aura.

A low voice, accompanied by the slowly dissipating mushroom cloud, echoed through the air.

Too strong!

This was the first time facing Lu Tai Bai with his aura unleashed.

Lu Tai Bai hadn't even used his divine cultivation, just showcasing his Heaven Gate Martial Dao, and it was already this terrifying!

"Ox Demon from the Netherworld."

Lu Tai Bai's eyes were filled with rampant sword qi, as if he had transformed into a sword himself.

The three-pointed double-edged blade in Li Che's arm trembled slightly.

"Long have I heard of your reputation, and today, seeing you... indeed, you are extraordinary."

"To face the aura of a Heaven Gate Martial Saint with the cultivation of a Great Master and still remain so composed, that's truly remarkable."

Lu Tai Bai looked deeply at the Ox Demon, his eyes seeming to try to see through the mask.

However, there seemed to be a powerful force around the Ox Demon, blocking Lu Tai Bai's gaze, preventing him from seeing through it.

Unless Lu Tai Bai directly suppressed the Ox Demon and removed the mask himself, he wouldn't be able to see his true face.

"Sect Master flatters me," Li Che bowed.

"Why has the Netherworld come? What is your purpose in entering the Heavenly Origin Dao City? And who is beneath that Ox Demon mask?"

"This mask isn't made from the Starwood of the Hunt God Pavilion, yet it can hide your aura so perfectly. I'm suddenly very curious... I want to see the face beneath your mask."

Lu Tai Bai's sleeves fluttered, his silver hair swayed, and he smiled faintly.

Li Che's eyes behind the mask slightly narrowed.

Then he shook his head: "Sect Master, I'm sorry, I have no intention of removing my mask."

"As for the face beneath the mask..."

"You guess."

As he spoke, Li Che's mind moved, and he directly placed a Thunderbolt Chess Piece on the Heavenly Chessboard with his divine spirit.

Space began to ripple, and Li Che was instantly enveloped by the force of teleportation, vanishing in a flash.

Lu Tai Bai didn't stop him. Although he was curious about the face beneath the Ox Demon mask, he didn't feel the need to force him to stay.

After all, the Netherworld seemed to have a good relationship with Xi Xi. If things got tense, being targeted by a force as elusive and mysterious as the Netherworld would indeed be troublesome.

Even Lu Tai Bai had to admit that.

So far, the Netherworld, though not showcasing any Heaven Gate Martial Saints or Great Deity cultivators, was indeed quite difficult to deal with.

For example, tonight, the Corpse Deity Sect used the power of the Corpse Deity Realm to hide in the divine realm, which was nearly impossible to detect, even for Lu Tai Bai, because the Corpse Deity Realm was a small inner world left behind by a divine tribulation cultivator, existing independently.

Unless it revealed its location, it would be impossible to find it hidden in the void's chaotic currents.

Looking at the Ox Demon who had vanished into thin air, feeling the fluctuations in the space...

Lu Tai Bai's eyes, filled with rampant sword intent, narrowed slightly.

"Such a strange technique..."

"Silent teleportation, a divine secret art? But that doesn't seem right; there wasn't even time for divine intent to guide it. A divine symbol? That doesn't fit either, no divine symbol appeared... The Netherworld... truly intriguing."

Lu Tai Bai smiled.

A powerful soul scan swept over the area, and his silver eyebrows raised slightly.

"Oh? The Corpse Deity Orb hidden in the Corpse Deity Realm is gone?"

"Could it be that the Ox Demon took the Corpse Deity Orb?"

Lu Tai Bai couldn't help but laugh.

"That thing... is utterly useless. Not only can it not be opened, but it's also extremely heavy. Even if opened, it would only lead to a Corpse Deity Realm filled with death qi and corpse qi, which can only be accessed by Corpse Deity Sect cultivators. The Dao essence within cannot be captured without death qi and corpse qi..."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have only taken the Heaven Earth Jade from this Four Emperors Corpse Deity Envoy and left the Corpse Deity Orb behind.

That thing was a treasure to the evil practitioners of the Corpse Deity Sect.

But to ordinary cultivators, it was just junk.

Lu Tai Bai didn't quite understand why the Ox Demon would pick up a piece of junk.

"However, by taking it, the Corpse Deity Sect has lost one of their Corpse Deity Realms, which is no small loss," Lu Tai Bai nodded.

Then, he tapped his foot, and his entire body transformed into a sharp sword light, soaring into the sky.

The mushroom cloud began to slowly collapse inward.

Lu Tai Bai's gaze swept over the dense forest, and he glanced at it indifferently. In the next moment, he snapped his fingers, and a brilliant silver sword light blossomed in his palm like a silver lotus!

Five sword lights whistled and raged, sweeping through the forest!

...

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Chapter: The Divine Carving Ridge

Although he knew the explosive force of the sword energy would surely attract the pursuit of others, he had no choice but to expose his whereabouts.

However, what more could he ask for after surviving under the sword energy of Lu Tai Bai, even with a severed arm and shattered chest?

He turned and dragged his broken body, intending to flee the area.

The terrifying sword energy and intent raging within his wounds forced him to mobilize all his death and corpse energies to resist! With a turn of his body, he felt his strength drained, and he collapsed weakly to the ground.

However, he quickly got up, coughing up thick blood, and was about to accelerate his escape.

But...

His body suddenly stiffened.

He abruptly looked up.

In the distance, he saw a towering figure amidst the ruins torn apart by sword energy. The figure was as sturdy as a tower, with long black hair dancing wildly behind him, and his muscular body exuded a terrifying and roaring explosive power.

"The Netherworld..."

This Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse of the Corpse God Sect narrowed his eyes.

"Are you...asking for death?!"

A mere Great Master-level Ox Demon...

Dared to pursue and kill him, a Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse of the Corpse God Sect?

Even though he had lost an arm and suffered severe injuries from Lu Tai Bai's sword energy, it wasn't something a Great Master could handle!

At this moment, if he exerted all his strength, even a First-Opening Martial Saint might not be able to stop him.

Li Che, wearing the Ox Demon mask, had faint golden smoke in his eyes, like sinking incense, slowly dripping and flowing.

"You...are injured..."

Under the Ox Demon mask, Li Che's mouth curled up in a smile that couldn't be suppressed.

His voice...gradually became bolder.

As his words ended, Li Che's side seemed to twist and distort, and a figure emerged from the darkness.

The three individuals who had been instantly crushed by the Four Imperial Corpse Deity Envoys appeared out of thin air.

The disheveled Netherworld Wine Sword Immortal Huang Jian Jiu, carrying a sword box on his back, along with the golden-armored You Li Qing, and the Dragon Girl clinging to You Li Qing.

Huang Jian Jiu narrowed his eyes, and with a palm, he slammed the sword box down. The sword energy vibrated and hummed.

"You blasted my father ten times, didn't you?!"

The Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse of the Corpse God Sect's blood-red eyes suddenly shrank! Huang Jian Jiu?!

And the other two...they were also Martial Saints! Three Martial Saints!

Damn!

Bang!

The Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse didn't hesitate; he stomped the ground, causing it to explode, and with the powerful recoil, he shot forward like an arrow, intending to escape.

However...

Suddenly, a chessboard with crisscrossing lines appeared in the sky, slamming down and completely enveloping him!

In the next moment, a city of ink-black color materialized above the chessboard.

Dark and profound, the city was as if it had emerged from the netherworld.

It was like a Fengdu Ancient City rising from the depths of the underworld!

Creak, creak...

The city gates slowly opened.

As a Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse, he was pulled into it.

"No—!!!"

...

...

Chapter: Heavenly Origin Dao City

Eight-Corner Double-Eave Imperial Observatory Tower.

The Director, Stone Buddha Hong, leaned against the railing, listening to the wind, and under the moonlight split by sword energy, he placed a chess piece on the chessboard.

"What a fine White Plume Sword Dao, a single sword that slays a Quasi-Corpse Deity of the Corpse God Sect..."

"Lu Tai Bai has become even stronger."

Stone Buddha Hong shook his head, full of emotion.

"The Corpse God Sect...I didn't expect them to send so many powerful individuals to Heavenly Origin Dao City and even bring a city from the Corpse Deity Realm. Unfortunately, they encountered the Netherworld."

"Even hiding in the chaotic void currents, they were dug out."

"The Corpse God Sect...where did they offend the Netherworld? Why won't they stop?"

Stone Buddha Hong smiled and placed another chess piece on the chessboard.

Five chess pieces formed a line, and his smile widened.

...

Chapter: Dao Lord Manor

Numerous buildings stood tall, their roofs resembling umbrellas, and the black tiles of the leisure pavilions were neatly arranged.

Dao Lord, Fat Buddha Ao Lie, stood with his hands behind his back, his face covered in layers of fat, and his eyes narrowed, making it hard to see his features.

"What a stunning sword. Opening the Heaven Gate, a sword that slays a Quasi-Corpse Deity..."

"With Lu Tai Bai's strength...perhaps the Divine Carving industry will slowly revive, and the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect, which was once renowned for its Divine Carving industry...if they regain their previous business and have Lu Tai Bai, the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect...may truly reach its peak of splendor!"

Fat Buddha Ao Lie murmured.

And all of this...happened during his tenure.

Dajing arranged various Dao City Dao Lords to suppress the Divine Sects, counterbalance them, and prevent unexpected incidents like the emergence of the Qitian Temple.

He didn't want the Divine Sects to gain too much local power, but Fat Buddha Ao Lie not only failed to suppress them but also allowed the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect to grow stronger...

It was indeed...very annoying!

...

Chapter: Heavenly Origin Dao City

On a roof with multiple eaves.

Ji Li Shou, wearing a Constellation Killer mask, and Long Zi Ao Lie, also wearing a Constellation Killer mask, stood in black robes and straw hats, their clothes fluttering in the night wind.

Both of them fell silent, stunned by Lu Tai Bai's stunning sword.

"Lu Tai Bai, the Fifth-ranked Killing Star on the Great Immortal List, is indeed extraordinary."

"Perhaps only my father's personal arrival can suppress him."

Ji Li Shou spoke in a deep voice.

(End of Chapter)Chapter: The Dragon's Might and the Immortal's Plan

Dragon Prince Ao Lie nodded, acknowledging the power before him, "Indeed, formidable... Even among the Dragon God lineage, only the top-tier Sealed Dragon Kings could match such strength."

"No wonder you're a figure renowned on both the Divine List and the Heaven's Gate List!"

"It's understandable that the Divine Sects fear and suppress the Divine Emperor..."

Prince Ao Lie exhaled, his voice carrying a sense of awe.

"The assassination... Should we proceed with Li Che's plan?" Ji Li Shou asked calmly.

Prince Ao Lie narrowed his eyes, gazing at the mushroom clouds spreading across the sky, and slowly exhaled.

"For Brother Li Shou, and for the Prince's plan, I can endure."

"Revenge for the Dragon Clan can wait ten years..."

...

...

As the eastern sky brightened with the morning's glow, the mushroom clouds that had rumbled throughout the night began to dissipate.

The clear sunlight showered down from above, illuminating the awakening world.

Thunder Listening Lane.

Independent Workshop Courtyard.

Li Che's fingers clutched the Thunder Chess Piece, returning from Ink City.

His grip tightened around the broken body of a Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse, a formidable foe akin to a Second Opening Sea of Qi Saint.

Even when severely wounded by Lu Tai Bai's sword energy and continually corroded by it, this Demi-God Corpse unleashed an incredibly powerful battle prowess at its last breath.

Under the siege of three Martial Saints—Yellow Sword Wine, You Li Qing, and Dragon Girl—it held out for an entire night.

Finally, when Li Che saw that the Demi-God Corpse was truly exhausted, completely devoid of resistance against the torment of sword energy, he donned the Ox Demon mask and unleashed his full might.

He burst forth with unparalleled force, taking control of the battle.

The dense death and corpse energies spread, and Li Che tossed the Demi-God Corpse's body to the ground.

In his heart, Li Che couldn't help but feel awe. If this Demi-God Corpse had been at its peak...

Li Che knew he might not have prevailed. Lu Tai Bai's sword energy had crippled it, and even in its weakened state, it had endured an entire night before being defeated.

Li Che now held the Heaven Earth Jade taken from the Demi-God Corpse.

The curve of his lips couldn't be contained.

Indeed, only by obtaining the Heaven Earth Jade could his mood be lifted, and tonight's mission be considered a success.

Li Che's fingers spread wide, and he glanced at the Demi-God Corpse, now a mass of rotten flesh.

"Bind Deity!"

A deep hum filled the air, as if an invisible wind stirred, carrying the wails of lost souls.

Slowly, the Demi-God Corpse began to move, its rotten flesh writhing on the ground.

A Bind Deity emerged from the realm of shadows, reconstructing its physical form.

Its jet-black flesh glowed faintly, emitting a subtle light, and two flower patterns blossomed on its body.

At its peak, the Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse opened its crimson eyes, revealing an infinite rage and ferocity!

"Ox Demon!!!!"

It began to struggle violently.

How miserably it had died!

It held no grudge against Lu Tai Bai, for he was beyond its capacity for hatred. Instead, it was the Ox Demon, the Ox Demon being the target of its wrath for using underhanded tactics to wear it down.

Even in its final moments, the Ox Demon cautiously unleashed the power of four Divine Seeds!

Such a despicable move!

Surrender was never an option. Not in this lifetime!

"Roar!!!"

However, just as the Bind Deity finished its cry, Li Che sighed, "Indeed, the gap is vast, and the probability of surrender is indeed low."

"Since it's like this..."

"Kneel."

Li Che's fingers clenched tightly.

Boom!

The Bind Deity's head exploded.

"Little ones, it's mealtime."

Li Che snapped his fingers.

Instantly, Bind Deities emerged from behind Li Che, filling the courtyard.

Xue Dufu, Ying Wei Zhenren, Long Tai, and Qingniao...

Yellow Sword Wine, You Li Qing, and Dragon Girl's eyes flashed with understanding.

"Thank you, Master!"

The Bind Deities respectfully bowed.

Then, they rushed towards the Two-Flower Demi-God Corpse, tearing, devouring, and feasting! Of course, the majority would go to Yellow Sword Wine, You Li Qing, and Dragon Girl, while the others might struggle to consume enough to transform into Martial Saint-level Bind Deities.

The Bind Deities indulged in their feast.

Li Che, filled with anticipation, sat in the courtyard and took out the Heaven Earth Jade from the Demi-God Corpse.

He focused his mind on it.

He began to inspect it.

"This is... a Fifth Rank Upper Position Divine Essence Crystal! It's actually... Upper Fifth Rank!"

Li Che couldn't contain his joy, for even a single crystal held immense significance.

"There are five Fifth Rank Middle Position Divine Essence Crystals, not a large quantity, but of exceptional quality!"

"As for the pills, they are Death Qi Cultivation Pills, and their Death Qi and Corpse Energy are much more concentrated than lower-rank pills, making them less suitable for consumption."

Li Che continued his inspection, finding no surprises in martial arts or divine essence.

However, some unusual materials caught his attention.

A piece of wood shimmering with starlight landed in Li Che's hand.

"Fifth Rank Upper Position Spirit Wood, Starwood!"

At the same time, Li Che also grabbed a mask made from Starwood, its surface etched with various intricate lines!

"Starwood..."

"And a Star Killer Mask..."

Li Che's eyes sparkled with anticipation, his lips curling into a bright smile.

"The Lord of the Netherworld... Here he comes."

---

End of Chapter.

Chapter end