Chapter 324: The Dog Lord's Fury, a Claw Breaks the Temple, and My Daughter's Independence

Chapter 324: The Dog Lord's Fury, a Claw Breaks the Temple, and My Daughter's Independence

Snowflakes danced in the air, coating the world in a serene, glass-like stillness. The restaurant glowed with a warm, amber light, reflecting off the snow and creating an orange-yellow hue, like a layer of flour dusted over the snow, ready to be fried in a hot pan.

The restaurant owner held a lit cigarette, its smoke rising straight up like a lingering fragrance, and with a slight tremble, the soft ash fell away.

The snow fell in a chaotic flurry, obscuring the surroundings.

At this moment, the owner's heart was not at peace, unlike the calm facade he presented.

He felt a familiar aura emanating from Li Che's body.

His expression became complex.

The large black dog, excited, wagged its tail vigorously, but now it came to a complete stop, as if drained of energy. The once lively tail drooped lifelessly.

The dog's dark eyes, like black dates, fixed on Li Che, and its nose sniffed the air, clearly sensing that familiar scent.

It was indeed the familiar scent, like a woman emerging from the darkness.

A black lotus blooming in the endless night, its petals burning with flames, warning all to stay away.

Unfortunately, it wasn't her.

The dog heaved a human-like sigh, bored, and lay down again, sprawling on the ground in front of the restaurant, illuminated by the orange glow of the street lamp.

Li Che, clad in a black robe, stood with his dark, robust hair dancing in the wind.

He emerged from the depths of the dark Thunder Listening Lane.

Li Che had just triggered the Dream Butterfly technique, and in the dream, he saw a vision of Xi Xi, possibly from another time or the future—a grown-up Xi Xi.

Let's call her Da Xi Xi for now, the Xi Xi of the future.

Even through the dream-like vision, Li Che could clearly sense the blood connection between them.

He was certain that this grown-up Xi Xi, with her icy coldness and intense murderous intent, who had slaughtered an entire ancient temple, was his daughter.

The blood connection could not be faked.

Li Che's heart filled with pity.

He didn't know what Xi Xi had gone through, but he knew it was connected to him. He hadn't fulfilled his duties as a father, failing to protect her and allowing her to experience hardships.

Otherwise, why would she say, "You ask me, but who do I ask?"

The helplessness, sadness, despair, and disappointment in those words made Li Che's heart tremble. It felt like an invisible force was squeezing his heart.

"Is he here?" the owner asked, sitting in a chair with a detached gaze.

He extinguished the cigarette, exhaling a white cloud of breath into the snowy world.

Then, he took out some cigarette paper, a dry sachet, and used a bamboo clip to extract tobacco, which he rolled into a slender cigarette.

Instead of smoking it himself, he tapped it on the back of his hand and offered it to Li Che, who was emerging from the darkness.

The owner's eyes seemed to hold a lingering image—a vision of a beautiful figure creating a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood in an ancient temple.

"Want one?" the owner asked casually.

Li Che took the cigarette and lit it, and in that moment, everything was understood without words.

Li Che sat in a chair at the restaurant's entrance, and the two men, one in black and the other in white, sat in silence, smoking. The burning cigarette paper crackled softly, like thunder in the vast quiet.

"She taught me how to smoke," the owner said, gazing at the falling snowflakes creating a glass-like world.

Li Che glanced at him, "Her?"

"An old acquaintance," the owner replied.

Li Che had a hunch that this acquaintance might be Da Xi Xi, as he had seen her in the owner's dream.

But Li Che didn't reveal this.

Li Che stood up, his black robe embroidered with golden lotus flowers fluttering in the snowy night.

"Boss, may I borrow your dog?" Li Che asked.

The owner raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise on his handsome face.

He hadn't expected Li Che to come without eating, and he had hoped Li Che would order some food for Xi Xi.

Xi Xi had just advanced to the Divine Countenance Realm and had experienced a startling event.

Although Xi Xi had slept through it all, she must have been frightened.

So, it wouldn't hurt to have some delicious food to calm her nerves.

The dog lay in front of the restaurant, its black, glossy fur reflecting the dim yellow light of the street lamp, looking dejected.

"Xi Xi advanced to the Divine Countenance Realm today and encountered some trouble. She was targeted by a scheme," Li Che explained.

"Although it wasn't specifically aimed at her, she was still affected by it."

"So, I'd like to borrow your dog to deal with the person who schemed against Xi Xi."

The owner of the Great Yuan Divine Sect's gate, the Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda, had suddenly activated, resembling the anger of a heavenly king. Seven Buddha figures appeared.

They...

Dared to be angry? Using her daughter as a tool to plot against the Third Prince of the Temple Deity, their scheme had endangered her daughter's life, making it seem insignificant.

This filled Li Che with murderous intent and rage towards the Buddhist sect.

"Scheming against Xi Xi..." The owner's handsome face rarely showed such a narrowed gaze.

He seemed to know everything.

Holding the cigarette between his lips, he looked at the dog, which seemed to have regained its energy, raising its head.

"What do you mean?"

"Woof!" The dog barked.

Li Che turned to the owner.

In fact, Li Che felt something strange and wondered why this highly intelligent dog didn't speak.

With its strength surpassing even the legendary Demon King...

Those mutated demons, influenced by the Temple Deity's divine nature, could speak and even transform into human form.

So, Li Che was puzzled as to why the dog couldn't do the same.

Perhaps it could, but chose not to?

"Deal."

...

...

Tai Bai Peak.

Gradually, silence descended.

Xi Xi successfully broke through the Divine Countenance, but consolidating her realm was still a daunting task.

Lu Tai Bai, rarely stern towards Xi Xi, wanted her to grasp the feedback from the Divine Countenance's opposing force, allowing her physical body to undergo transformation and enhancement.

This opportunity was too precious.

Even after experiencing the Prison Lotus Small Cavern World, despite Lu Tai Bai's strength, his heart still carried a hint of heaviness.

After all, according to the Third Prince, if Xi Xi's physical body wasn't strong enough, when she breaks through the Divine Essence Golden Core or the Divine Embryo, the Prison Lotus Dao Essence's power would still be triggered...

The power of the Prison Lotus would shatter Xi Xi's physical body, like carving and scraping flesh from bones.

Most terrifyingly, the Prison Lotus Dao Essence would leave an imprint on Xi Xi's soul.

This was what Lu Tai Bai worried about the most.

"Prison Lotus..."

Lu Tai Bai exhaled softly.

He was different from Li Che; at his level, he had encountered much more than Li Che.

Li Che's rise was too rapid, and he was unaware of many secrets about cultivation.

However, Lu Tai Bai had been researching the Prison Lotus, but like Li Che, he didn't know much.

The Prison Lotus was associated with many Deceptive Temples.

Yet, despite the long research by cultivators, the secrets of the Prison Lotus remained unsolved, even after many Deceptive Temples were plundered.

The Great Inspector at the Capital Celestial Surveillance Office had been researching the Deceptive Temples, seemingly uncovering some secrets about the Prison Lotus.

Lu Tai Bai's eyes flashed, determined to help his personal disciple and the Young Master of the Great Yuan Divine Sect.

This trip to the Capital for the Peach Blossom Festival might be an opportunity to seek the Great Inspector and learn the secrets of the Prison Lotus.

Perhaps he could help unravel the Prison Lotus Dao Essence's curse-like power within Xi Xi.

Indeed, in Lu Tai Bai's view...

The Prison Lotus Dao Essence was like a curse.

Once triggered, it would harm Xi Xi.

"Also... that Deceptive Temple of the Third Prince, plundering that temple and obtaining the 'Prison Lotus' might be the only way to save Xi Xi."

Lu Tai Bai sat cross-legged beneath the Ancestor's statue, his silver hair fluttering.

In the distance, Xi Xi also sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, her eyes closed, her body writhing.

Lu Tai Bai spoke in a deep voice, "Calm your mind and qi, sense the feedback from the Divine Countenance's divine nature power, feel the transformation brought by the divine nature spreading throughout your body, grasp this feeling, and spread it to every part of your body, tempering every corner of your body."

Lu Tai Bai gradually became more focused on enhancing Xi Xi's physical body.

Xi Xi sat on the meditation cushion, drenched in sweat, her entire body seemingly consumed by black flames.

But Xi Xi gritted her teeth and didn't give up, persisting with determination.

Xi Xi also wanted to become stronger.

Only then could she protect her father and mother and earn a peach for her mother at the Peach Blossom Festival!

Lu Tai Bai felt gratified seeing Xi Xi's determination.

Such a good child.

Among his many personal disciples, she was the most normal, truly bringing him great joy.

Lu Tai Bai immersed himself in deep thought.

"Also, the Golden Heavenly King Pagoda, that Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda... is related to the Buddhist realm, and I didn't pay much attention to it. I even thought the Heavenly King Pagoda had been completely plundered, but now it seems I was too young."

"Perhaps, this Heavenly King Pagoda... could it be a scheme from the Western Buddhist Land?"

Lu Tai Bai's eyebrows slightly furrowed.

He was indeed a bit worried.

Even the Ancestor's Dao Essence had been stimulated.

Could it really be related to the Western Buddhist Land? Thinking about the Heavenly King Pagoda's scheme against the Third Prince's Temple...

Lu Tai Bai couldn't help but feel solemn, not daring to be negligent.

...

...

In a world of ice and snow, a black-robed figure walked slowly from the depths of Thunder Listening Lane, wearing a bamboo hat.

It was Li Che, and in his chest, the big black dog had transformed into a puppy, like a newborn, sticking out a cute head, its eyes as black as jujubes.

Li Che reached out and patted the puppy's head, but the puppy showed displeasure.

How dare you!

Get your filthy hands off me! But Li Che felt the excellent touch and couldn't resist rubbing a few more times.

This was a privilege he had gained due to the scene he saw through Dream Butterfly. His mood, previously low because of the scene, instantly brightened.

Li Che now understood the embryonic technique of Dream Butterfly.

Perhaps, each transformation of the Dao Fruit would trigger a Dream Butterfly.

Like a butterfly traveling through time, it landed beside Empress Xi Xi, witnessing the scene, and through a dream-like feedback, it appeared in Li Che's dream.

Therefore, if Li Che wanted to see Empress Xi Xi again, he might have to wait for the next transformation of the Dream Heavenly Master Dao Fruit.

Currently, the Dream Heavenly Master Dao Fruit was at level 3, meaning he had to reach level 4 to trigger the next Dream Butterfly effect.

Li Che eagerly anticipated the next Dream Butterfly, curious about what future scene of Empress Xi Xi it would show him.

The Demoness...

In the ancient temples, the Buddhist cultivators called Xi Xi the Demoness, filled with anger and fear.

Apparently, Xi Xi's slaughter wasn't her first time.

After passing through the Heavenly Origin Dao City, Li Che arrived at the Great Yuan Divine Sect's gate.

The Heaven-Earth plaque hung above the entrance archway.

Li Che, wearing a bamboo hat, looked up at the plaque...

Earlier, the plaque had activated, seemingly suppressing the rebellious Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda with the Ancestor's power...

"The Heavenly King Pagoda in the Golden Light Manor seemed to have been smashed by me... and with Summoning, it was completely annihilated."

Li Che's eyes flashed.

The Summoning Deity Power of the Heavenly King Pagoda was thoroughly devoured by the Divine Form of the Law of Heaven and Earth Spiritually Bright True Ape, leaving it completely dry and brittle.

However, since the Temple Deity was only of the Upper Rank Sixth Department level, with Li Che's current strength, he was able to easily suppress the other party.

The feedback from the Summoning Deity was also immense, allowing the Spiritually Bright True Ape, who had already reached the Embryonic Breathing Transformation, to have an even more abundant Divinity!

However, Li Che was not satisfied.

Originally, Li Che had some reservations about the Temple Deities in the Enigmatic Tower, except for when he wanted to collect the Seven Emotions Divine Seeds, he would frequently use the Summoning Deity Power.

After that, he rarely used it.

Besides being wary of the green fingers that stretched across the Enigmatic Tower, he also wanted to prevent frequent use of the Summoning Deity Power, which might attract the attention of powerful beings in the world.

It was even possible for him to become the enemy of the world.

Because every time the Summoning Deity Power was used, the Temple Deity would be summoned and completely disappear, and after the Enigmatic Tower collapsed, it would vanish without a trace from the mortal realm.

Even the Divinity would completely dissipate.

The cultivation of Divinity in this world was closely related to the emergence of the Enigmatic Tower.

Li Che's actions were equivalent to disrupting the cultivation of Divinity in this world.

Naturally, he would not be tolerated by the people of the world.

Although this world had Martial Arts, in the current world, Divinity and Martial Arts coexisted and complemented each other, which was the common understanding.

The main reason...

Divinity cultivation could prolong life and make the lifespan of cultivators much longer than that of Martial Arts!

The lifespan of a Great Realist with Embryonic Breathing Transformation could even surpass that of a Sea of Qi Saint! Therefore, the path of Divinity was a cultivation method that all cultivators would support.

The puppy poked its head out of Li Che's embrace, as if it had sensed the powerful strength and will contained within the Heaven and Earth Plaque, but it turned away with disdain, twitching its dog mouth.

Li Che sensed for a moment and did not detect any abnormalities in the Ancestor within the Heaven and Earth Plaque.

So he took the puppy and entered the mountain, passing through the gate of the Great Yuan Divine Sect.

Following the snowy path up the mountain, he saw that the trees and vegetation were covered in thick snow, and some branches were even coated with a layer of ice, looking crystal clear and beautiful.

"Elder Li!"

Compared to the Dao City, there were quite a few disciples braving the wind and snow, cultivating and moving about within the Enigmatic Tower.

They all showed great respect towards Li Che.

Not only because Li Che was the father of the Young Master of the Sect, but also because Li Che himself was an elder of Shendiao Ling.

Many disciples would obtain their Divine Cranes for cultivation from Li Che.

Li Che nodded gently.

However, after a moment, Li Che's aura seemed to completely disappear, blending seamlessly with the heavens and earth.

Sleeping Dragon Elephant!

His aura was completely restrained!

Unless Lu Tai Bai personally used his powerful Divine Soul to investigate, Li Che could come and go freely within the Great Yuan Divine Sect, unnoticed by anyone.

Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda.

A Golden Palace stood between the mountains.

From afar, the golden light was dazzling, perhaps suppressed by the Ancestor's Dao Essence within the Heaven and Earth Plaque.

The entire pagoda's radiance became very dim.

Li Che stood hundreds of feet away, gazing at the Golden Heavenly King Pagoda, appearing as tiny as an ant.

The might of this Heavenly King Pagoda was far more powerful than the one at Golden Light Manor.

However, it was understandable, as this Heavenly King Pagoda was the Enigmatic Tower of the Upper Rank Five Elders.

Li Che mainly sought stability, and the Enigmatic Tower of the Upper Rank Five Elders... Compared to the Deceptive Mansion of the Two-Hearted Great Sage, the Guardian Cursed Corpse King in the Enigmatic Tower of the Two-Hearted Great Sage.

So, Li Che sought stability and called upon the Dog Lord for assistance.

Li Che wanted to resolve the matter quickly without causing too much disturbance...

To suppress this Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda and complete the Summoning Deity! Li Che estimated that by completing the Summoning Deity of this Heavenly King Pagoda and feeding the Law of Heaven and Earth Spiritually Bright True Ape, he would be able to transform into a Divine Embryo!

At the front of the Enigmatic Tower, the wind howled fiercely.

The dazzling golden light shone, and the faintly dim Buddha light flickered uncertainly.

Li Che pushed down his bamboo hat and walked through the snow, leaving no traces.

There was no one guarding the front of the Enigmatic Tower.

The Great Yuan Divine Sect took a hands-off approach to the Enigmatic Tower within the mountain gate.

Because the Heaven and Earth Plaque with Dao Essence was suppressing it.

Any abnormality in the Enigmatic Tower would trigger the Dao Essence within the Heaven and Earth Plaque, which would then go to suppress it!

Li Che raised his hand and rubbed the puppy in his embrace.

"Quickly resolve it."

The puppy's nose twitched, and it grunted.

It seemed to be saying that the Dog Lord must be fast!

Li Che smiled.

Taking a step forward, he walked towards the Golden Heavenly King Pagoda.

The door of the Golden Palace was not closed and remained open.

Li Che even saw several disciples inside, sitting cross-legged, cultivating and trying to create a Divine Form, with the Divine Cranes in front of them.

However, Li Che's arrival did not attract the attention of these disciples.

With Li Che's Sleeping Dragon Elephant technique, it was impossible for these people to see through him.

Li Che looked at the Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda Divine Crane placed on the altar.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

Raising his hand, he touched his brow.

Divine Ability -

A brilliant golden light burst forth from his vertical pupils, illuminating the Golden Heavenly King Pagoda.

Buzzing -

The Divinity within the entire Enigmatic Tower seemed to undergo a subtle fluctuation.

The next moment, Li Che saw the dazzling Divine Shrine node.

"Divine Shrine?"

"It's still just the Enigmatic Tower, pretending to submit. It's just a deception."

Li Che said coldly.

When the Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda shook with anger and was suppressed by the Ancestor's Dao Essence, it meant that this Enigmatic Tower had not been completely suppressed and conquered. The Divine Shrine... was still just the Enigmatic Tower.

These Temple Deities...

Were actually very cunning and had their own will! By shrinking the Enigmatic Tower and transforming it into a Divine Shrine...

They could deceive the heavens and relax the vigilance of the Great Yuan Divine Sect...

"Could this Enigmatic Tower have other schemes?"

Li Che frowned.

He was truly afraid of being schemed against.

Although the one being schemed against was the Third Prince, in reality, from the moment Xi Xi obtained the Purple Flame Spear Flame Tip Spear, he had been the target of their schemes.

Li Che also liked this Divine Sect, not only because of its atmosphere but also because this Divine Sect had protected the growth of his family.

In the mysterious temple, a plot was brewing, but Li Che had other plans. Today, he would summon her!

A thunderous boom echoed as Li Che's body trembled, electric arcs crackling and transforming into the Heaven's Mantle Armor, which then surged into the Divine Shrine.

The puppy, nestled in Li Che's embrace, narrowed its eyes, seemingly amused.

This mysterious temple...

Was it plotting against Dog Lord's Xi Xi?

Li Che mumbled to Dog Lord, describing Xi Xi's predicament, making him seethe with anger.

Xi Xi was still so young and adorable...

These ugly temple deities were already causing trouble!

This was intolerable!

...

...

A dazzling golden light filled the Divine Shrine, accompanied by pervasive Buddha light.

No, it should be called the Enigmatic Mansion.

As Li Che descended like a bolt of lightning, his eyes turned cold and merciless. Without hesitation, he unleashed his full power!

But to be safe, Li Che extended his fingers, and a black and white mask of the King of Hell appeared, falling into his hand. He pressed it against his face.

Black and white, the Yin and Yang, dawn and dusk!

Dragon Elephant Vajra!

The King of Hell ascends!

Dragon Elephant Heaven's Pole!

Heaven's Thunder Armor!

Boom!

Divine Seed Talisman—Explode!

The moment Li Che stepped into the Divine Shrine, he activated his ultimate state! Behind him, one Divine Seed Talisman after another detonated, transforming into swirling vortices of Qi and blood.

It was as if five crimson suns were rising, their radiant Qi nearly filling the entire world. The blood energy surged like a thousand-foot-high wave, akin to an unstoppable avalanche on a ten-thousand-foot snow mountain.

Terrifying Qi spread in all directions, causing the air to ripple with countless folds.

Li Che's eyes gleamed with a golden light, and faint golden smoke wafted from his pupils.

Thinking of his daughter facing the threat of the Prison Lotus Dao Essence, Li Che's heart filled with boundless rage.

And then he recalled the dream vision...

In the dream, Xi Xi stood atop an ancient temple, her voice filled with despair and loneliness as she uttered, "Who do I turn to when you all seek me?"

Li Che's fury surged.

With a stomp of his foot, a terrifying force erupted from his toes, causing spider-web-like cracks to appear, shattering the ground within a hundred feet of the Divine Shrine.

In his guise as the King of Hell, Li Che's hands, already holding the Heaven's Thunder Armor, reached for the Golden Palace.

Black and white, the Yin and Yang, dawn and dusk!

Dragon Elephant Vajra!

The King of Hell ascends!

Dragon Elephant Heaven's Pole!

Heaven's Thunder Armor!

"You there, little brat!"

"How dare you be so bold!"

Li Che, in the guise of the King of Hell, wore the Heaven's Thunder Armor, and with a sweep of his blood-red cape, he caught the Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda thrown by the Golden Heavenly King.

Seven Bodhimandas floated, their Buddha light illuminating the truth.

It was as if seven true Buddhas had emerged, their light dimmed by the Ancestor's suppression.

Yet, the seven Buddhas still exuded a terrifying aura!

Li Che's eyes narrowed slightly.

However, beneath the King of Hell mask, his expression remained calm.

"Dog Lord."

After speaking, the adorable puppy nestled in Li Che's embrace extended its tiny, cute paw from his collar.

With a light pat—

Boom!

In that instant, Li Che seemed to witness the scene from his dream.

The ground cracked, and boiling lava erupted, igniting scorching flames like blood rushing through veins.

Then, the land, covered in lava rivers, rose into the sky, creating a terrifying and scorching wave that seemed to herald the end of the world, bringing forth endless destruction.

A massive creature slowly rose, extending a claw.

One claw.

It struck down.

...

...

The entire palace shattered, as if torn apart by a terrifying force.

Thick smoke billowed endlessly.

The Golden Heavenly King and the Seven Treasures Bodhimanda Wishful Heaven King Pagoda melted into golden liquid, the seven Bodhimandas shattering into countless fragments.

It was a scene of devastation.

Li Che, in his ascended state, had his black hair falling to his waist.

Step by step, he strode over the remnants of the palace and the temple deities, his presence overwhelming.

At this moment, Li Che had only one thought...

Heh, we are truly powerful.

The Enigmatic Mansion stirred with a gust of wind, and dense, eerie mist surged from its depths, as if the breaking of the Golden Palace had lifted some restriction.

Perhaps this restriction was what created the Divine Shrine in the first place.

Li Che stood amidst the ruins.

Beneath the mask, his eyes conveyed a mix of complexity and awe as he looked at the puppy in his embrace, who seemed to have completely suppressed its aura, not daring to reveal a trace, curled up into a ball of "Invincible Dog."

Indeed...

It was because he wasn't powerful enough.

If Li Che were strong enough...

His daughter...

Wouldn't need to seek help.

First update, a bit late due to some evening matters, there will be another update later, Li will continue writing, striving to finish it early, everyone please don't stop with the monthly tickets, recommendations, and following, without recommendations, Li relies on everyone's following to survive! Thank you!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end