Chapter 328: Xi Xi's Dragon Marrow Hell Lotus Bone Soup and the Three Thousand Year Old Xi Wangmu Pe

Chapter 328: Xi Xi's Dragon Marrow Hell Lotus Bone Soup and the Three Thousand Year Old Xi Wangmu Peach Blossom

Dark clouds churned, and the snow roared,

The great river surged, waves piled high.

Snowflakes as large as hands fell from the clouds.

Within the Heavenly Origin Dao City, there were numerous strange temples, and even within the Heaven and Earth Grand River, there were strange temples spanning its width. Thus, the river's flow, even in the midst of winter, never froze over.

The nine-story Yellow Dragon Sacred Wood Pavilion Treasure Ship,

Cut through the river, creating a booming wave.

Like a colossal beast, it pressed down on the river's surface,

Dividing the water on both sides, and as the treasure ship sailed, an invisible shockwave spread, parting the river.

The icy river water splashed and merged with the floating snowflakes in mid-air,

Beating the snowflakes into a flurry of flying snow.

Inside the treasure ship's pavilion, in a spacious room,

Intricately carved wooden windows were closed, adorned with exquisite patterns.

The roof, constructed with interlocking wooden joints, exuded ancient charm.

This was a room specially prepared for Li Che, a place for him to practice his wood carving skills.

The room was filled with many precious Spirit Woods, all prepared by the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect for Li Che to practice with.

Gongshu Jingjun, upon learning of Li Che's journey to the Divine Capital, started preparations a month in advance. She collected many rare Spirit Woods, intending for Li Che to refine his Divine Carving skills during the journey, and to secure the Extraordinary Guest Scholar position in the Heavenly Astronomical Bureau upon arrival.

The Extraordinary Guest Scholar position was unique, and those who held it were undoubtedly half-saint level experts in their respective fields.

However, becoming a half-saint did not guarantee obtaining the Extraordinary Guest Scholar status.

Each Extraordinary Guest Scholar position was decided by the Great Inspector and the two Deputy Inspectors at the headquarters of the Heavenly Astronomical Bureau.

If even one Deputy Inspector disagreed, the Extraordinary Guest Scholar position could not be granted.

Nevertheless, Li Che was merely giving it a try, and if he could become an Extraordinary Guest Scholar, it would certainly be a pleasant surprise.

It was said that only Extraordinary Guest Scholars had the qualification to apply for Fourth Imperial Rank Spirit Woods.

The Heavenly Astronomical Bureau and the significance of the Divine Capital and the need for skilled craftsmen like Li Che.

- Highlight the demand for Extraordinary Guest Scholars and the unique opportunities it presents.

The Heavenly Astronomical Bureau and the Temple Administration Bureau, as the two top-tier forces under the Great Jing Dynasty, were undoubtedly among the top three Divine Sects.

Being official forces, they were backed by abundant resources and the support of the court, ensuring their strength.

Even without mentioning the first General Administration and the renowned Great Inspector at the Heavenly Astronomical Bureau, the other two General Administrators and the two Deputy Inspectors were already top-notch experts in the world.

For instance, Tie Shan Cai's father was the second General Administrator in the Temple Administration Bureau, a figure on both the Divine Chart and the Heavenly Gate, renowned as a powerful cultivator.

A charcoal furnace quietly burned inside the room, raising the temperature and creating a spring-like warmth.

The treasure ship swayed slightly, but the impact was not significant, and for a martial expert like Li Che, even on the water's surface, he could move as if on solid ground, naturally avoiding seasickness.

Sitting in a grandmaster chair, Li Che toyed with the carving knife in his hand, his gaze fixed on the Divine Carving in front of him, taken out from a jade box.

The Divine Carving was in a state of disrepair, covered in cracks. It was the past Dharma body of the Great Mage Huang Mei from Little Lingyin Temple.

Lu Tai Bai's sword energy was too domineering, shattering the Divine Carving into countless pieces. He collected the sword energy that had seeped into the wood carving and reassembled it, restoring the Divine Carving.

This was the reason why Lu Tai Bai did not immediately allow the Hell King to take the Divine Carving of Huang Mei, who was severely injured by his sword energy in the past.

Li Che, without hesitation, held the carving knife, its tip glinting in the light.

His eyes flashed with determination.

The other divine sects have all been somewhat affected.

"Yue Huanglong must have allied with other powerful figures... The Hunter Sect? The Corpse God Sect? Or Ji Moli's side? Or perhaps Little Lingyin Temple?"

Li Che frowned, counting the forces that had grudges against Xi Xi.

He didn't realize it until he counted, but there were quite a few forces that held grudges against Xi Xi.

This little girl... she really draws hatred.

Unlike her father, who is honest and kind, getting along well with everyone.

Li Che closed his eyes slightly.

In his mind, he couldn't help but recall the scene of the Dream Butterfly flapping its wings, revealing the image of the older Xi Xi.

The next moment, he opened his eyes, and his pupils were filled with murderous intent.

These forces that can threaten his daughter...

They all have to die!

Perhaps sensing Li Che's intention, the Dao Fruits in his chest began to beat violently.

"Venerable Dragon King..."

Li Che narrowed his eyes.

He raised his hand and pointed at his brow.

The flesh split open, spreading to the sides, and the Star Plucking Eye shone brightly!

Buzz—!!!

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard instantly rushed to his head, circling above the Nine-Layer Yellow Dragon Sacred Wood Treasure Ship, then suddenly expanded.

It grew with the storm, covering the heavens and earth!

A hundred feet, a thousand feet!

A hundred miles, a thousand miles!

Li Che's eyes opened and closed, as if he were seated at the center of the chessboard, at the heavenly position.

He waited.

For the Dragon King.

...

...

In the Divine Capital.

The Great Jing Divine Capital.

The center of power and politics of the Great Jing Dynasty.

Perched on the earth, covered in ice and snow, yet unable to obscure the brilliant light of the Divine Capital that illuminated the sky.

The Divine Capital was extremely prosperous, surpassing any other Dao City.

Streets crisscrossed, with broad avenues paved in blue stones. Even in the midst of heavy snow, the flow of people was endless, bustling and crowded.

In a garden, snow fell, covering the entire garden in a thick layer of white.

A youth, draped in a crane-feather cloak, stood in an octagonal pavilion, his hands behind his back, gazing at the snow-covered, glittering roof.

He seemed lost in thought, perhaps reminiscing about something.

Buzz—

An old man in black robes walked out of the snow, his silver hair flying in the wind.

"Your Highness."

Ink Elder looked at Lu Chi, who had grown significantly taller, gradually revealing the bloodline of the royal family.

Lu Chi snapped out of his daze and looked at Ink Elder, his face expressionless.

"The Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's team for the Peach Blossom Festival has set out and should arrive in the Divine Capital in about half a month."

"Li Nuanyi is among them."

Ink Elder told Lu Chi the news he had obtained.

He knew that Lu Chi had been waiting for this news.

A glimmer of light appeared in Lu Chi's originally expressionless eyes.

"Are they here?"

Lu Chi's eyes brightened, and the expression on his face seemed to thaw, revealing a smile.

"Half a month to reach the Divine Capital... Finally, I can see this little girl again."

Lu Chi's eyes softened.

But soon, a pained expression appeared on his face.

Thinking of the words Xi Xi used to sever ties with him, his heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife.

"It's my fault... It's all my fault..."

"I wonder if we still have a chance to be friends?"

A hint of pain appeared in Lu Chi's eyes.

He slowly exhaled.

"This vast Divine Capital, though it is the place where I was born and raised, here... I have no friends."

"Not one."

"Everyone wants my life... how could there be any friends?"

Lu Chi muttered.

Ink Elder stood beside him, sighing softly.

"Ink Elder, did they set out by water, traveling up the Grand Canal to the Divine Capital?"

Lu Chi asked.

Ink Elder nodded: "To reach the Divine Capital from Lingnan in half a month, they must have taken the water route..."

"Is it safe?"

Lu Chi looked at Ink Elder.

Ink Elder hesitated for a moment before replying, "It should be safe... after all, Lu Tai Bai, a great deity, is personally escorting them."

"However..."

Lu Tai Bai frowned: "However, what?"

Ink Elder thought for a moment and said, "I received word that the Dragon God Clan has dispatched a Venerable Dragon King, possibly to seek justice for the dead dragon child."

"Additionally, from Little Lingyin Temple, Yellow Eyebrow Great Mage has left the Buddhist tower, leading a team of temple children to the Divine Capital. It's unknown whether they will change course midway to meet the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's team."

"Furthermore, Pacifier King Ji Moli has also set out for the Divine Capital."

Ink Elder spoke solemnly, one sentence after another.

Lu Chi, even just hearing the intelligence, felt a wave of terrifying pressure like dark clouds rolling in.

"This Peach Blossom Festival in the Divine Capital... seems to be unprecedentedly lively."

Lu Chi muttered.

Ink Elder's silver hair flew in the wind as he said, "This Peach Blossom Festival is not just a festival. The eleven divine sects of Great Jing, except for the Southern Sea Bamboo Grove and the Heavenly Master Dao Zifu, whose leaders may not come, the other nine divine sects' leaders will all be present."

"To discuss the detailed plans for attacking Qi Tian City."

"The Great Inspector has divined that the Strange Temple of Qi Tian City is about to awaken... Therefore, he has summoned the leaders of the divine sects to clear out the myriad demons occupying Qi Tian City before the temple awakens."

"With the leaders of the various divine sects personally present, they will naturally attend this Peach Blossom Festival. The Empress, upon learning of this, has increased the rewards for the festival, even offering the [Three Thousand Year Xi Wangmu Peach] as a prize..."

"Thus, this Peach Blossom Festival, whether it's the young dragon competition or the hero competition, will be incredibly fierce. Besides the pride of the divine sect leaders, it's also for those two [Three Thousand Year Xi Wangmu Peaches]."

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The reward..."

Mo Lao spoke in a deep voice.

Lu Chi took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing involuntarily.

With so many powerful cultivators gathered, there was bound to be trouble.

Lu Chi had been paying close attention to the events in Heavenly Origin Dao City.

"I hope it doesn't affect Xi Xi..."

Suddenly, Lu Chi looked at Mo Lao, who seemed to have something to say but held back. Lu Chi's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Mo Lao, is there something else?"

Mo Lao thought for a moment and said, "I have received another piece of information, but I can't guarantee its authenticity."

"Speak," Lu Chi urged.

Mo Lao replied without hesitation, "I just received news that Lu Tai Bai's former third disciple... might be heading to the Grand Canal to attack the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's treasure ship with the Venerable Ancient Dragon King of the Dragon God Clan."

Lu Tai Bai's third disciple?

Lu Chi was stunned, then suddenly realized something.

"The one who betrayed Lu Tai Bai and the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect, the Sect Master's personal disciple?"

Mo Lao nodded, sighing.

"This person... is a dual genius in martial arts and divine nature. With his innate Martial Saint's root bone and the Purple Qi of the Heavens, Lu Tai Bai cherished him like a treasure and even cultivated him as the future Young Master of the sect. Unfortunately..."

"I don't know why he betrayed Lu Tai Bai."

"He even turned against Lu Tai Bai, becoming mortal enemies, a blood feud..."

Lu Chi was unaware of the reasons behind the betrayal.

His expression turned slightly grim.

"As Lu Tai Bai's former disciple, with his understanding of Lu Tai Bai, the fact that he dares to confront Lu Tai Bai directly... it's clear that he has a plan to deal with Lu Tai Bai."

"This person has defected to the Corpse God Sect. By directly confronting Lu Tai Bai, his target is most likely Li Nuo Xi."

Xi Xi is the target?!

Just as Lu Chi was about to ask more questions, a guard clad in armor appeared in the garden, knelt down, and said, "Your Highness, the Noble Consort has arrived."

...

...

Whoosh—

On the vast surface of the Grand Canal, waves surged, forming a dense misty tide! The enormous nine-layered Yellow Dragon Sacred Wood treasure ship sped up significantly after entering the Grand Canal from the Heaven and Earth Grand River.

Compared to the Grand Canal, the river's surface was wider, allowing the Yellow Dragon Sacred Wood ship to sail more freely.

D

The snow in the sky seemed to melt, turning into large raindrops that tore through the air and poured onto the Grand Canal, creating a deafening sound. The raindrops exploded on the river's surface, causing countless splashes.

The raindrops hitting the deck of the Yellow Dragon Sacred Wood ship bounced like droplets on a hot pan, constantly moving.

Only the crew members in straw hats and raincoats remained on the deck, pulling ropes and running back and forth.

In the intricately carved and painted rooms, the curtains fluttered gently in the wind.

...

Lu Chi stood up from his chair, ending his cultivation for the day. He slowly strolled out of the room and made his way to the balcony of the Yellow Dragon Sacred Wood ship's pavilion.

He gazed at the pouring rain, which seemed to intentionally alter the weather, creating a heavy downpour.

Even Divine Embryo Cultivators with powerful Heavenly Earth Souls could not escape the influence of this torrential rain.

The appearance of this heavy rain was meant to affect the Divine Embryo Cultivators' Heavenly Earth Soul's perception and investigation.

However, for Lu Chi, this influence could be ignored.

After all, Lu Chi was using the Heaven and Earth Chessboard for perception, not the Heavenly Earth Soul.

Under the perception of the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, the killing intent 800 li away could not escape detection.

Dense death energy and corpse energy seemed to transform into a ferocious death energy evil dragon, coiling and surging over the figures on the chessboard.

Li Che felt the steam rising from the surface and listened to the thunderous rain pounding on the deck. He exhaled slowly.

"The Corpse God Sect..."

He sensed the terrifying yet familiar aura emanating from the Heavenly Chessboard.

Li Che was all too familiar with the aura of the Corpse God Sect's heretics.

"It's you again..."

"You're truly relentless, unafraid of death!"

Li Che's voice turned cold.

"The Corpse God Sect, facing off against the Demoness Ji Mo Li, has managed to dispatch so many powerful cultivators to the Grand Canal."

"The Corpse God Sect must have pulled some serious strings to leave Jizhou..."

Li Che narrowed his eyes.

"The Pacifier King, Ji Mo Li..."

"Have you lost your mind?"

Li Che seriously suspected that Ji Mo Li might be colluding with the Corpse God Sect.

Otherwise, how could the Pacifier King, the most powerful feudal prince of the Great Jing Dynasty, allow the heretics of the Corpse God Sect to mobilize so easily?

Not even a hint of pressure? What kind of Pacifier King are you?

At the very least, judging by the frequent appearances of the Corpse God Sect's heretics, Li Che felt...

Ji Mo Li...

There was definitely something wrong.

Leaning on the railing, watching the rain, the world was quiet, leaving only the sound of the pouring rain.

Li Che stood with his hands behind his back and turned to leave.

He arrived at the hall of the pavilion.

The hall was bustling because the children had gathered there to play due to the rain on the deck.

Li Che immediately spotted Xi Xi, and he was slightly startled.

But he saw Xi Xi furrowing her brows, racking her brain, and playing a game of Five-in-a-Row with the Great Inspector Hong Shi Fo, who was treating it like a life-or-death battle.

They took turns placing their pieces, neither willing to concede.

Hong Shi Fo, who had not stayed in the Celestial Surveillance Office, accompanied the group to the Divine Capital.

Ever since Hong Shi Fo had played a game of Five-in-a-Row with Xi Xi, he had been eager to play again, and he came every day to challenge her.

"Daddy!"

Xi Xi, with her head tilted, deep in thought, spotted Li Che and her eyes lit up. She quickly stood up and waved, but her little belly stuck out, and she accidentally knocked over the game board, scattering the pieces on the ground.

"Oh no, the game board fell! Xi Xi the Great was about to win, what a pity. Let's start over, let's play again!"

Xi Xi exclaimed with a look of regret.

Hong Shi Fo's beard trembled, and he pointed at Xi Xi with his finger, which was shaking.

His 'Four-in-a-Row Kill' and 'Twin Dragons Playing with the Pearl' were ruined!

This little girl...

She was indeed a worthy opponent for Hong Shi Fo! Even the way she knocked over the game board was similar!

However, Hong Shi Fo also genuinely felt the frustration of playing against someone who was as skilled as him.

Li Che raised the corners of his lips and walked over to ruffle Xi Xi's hair.

"Don't bully the Great Inspector, that's enough."

Li Che said with a smile.

Xi Xi immediately grinned, her bright smile lighting up her face as she placed her hands on her hips. "Oh, I understand!"

Hong Shi Fo blew his beard and glared at Li Che. "Li Che, you're talking nonsense! How could I possibly be bullied by this little girl?"

"Come on, little girl! Let's play another 300 rounds! Whoever loses won't eat dinner tonight!"

Hong Shi Fo shouted, calling Xi Xi to play another game of Five-in-a-Row.

"Hmph! Bring it on!"

Xi Xi's eyes, and my language is explicit.

Li Che rubbed Xi Xi's head.

Within his chest, the Chess Saint Dao Fruit trembled slightly, and in the next moment, a warm current seemed to flow into Xi Xi's body.

The Chess Saint Dao Fruit, being called the Chess Saint...

It was only natural that it wasn't just a high-morality Dao Fruit.

Li Che smiled meaningfully and pitied Hong Shi Fo before heading towards Lu Tai Bai's room.

After Li Che left, Xi Xi's fighting spirit rose again as she resumed playing against Hong Shi Fo.

Her plump little hands reached into the chess box, and her original chicken claw-like grip on the pieces subtly changed...

Her thumb and index finger automatically and elegantly picked up a piece, moved it horizontally across the board, and with a 'pat' sound, she placed it firmly on the center point, exuding an overwhelming aura!

Xi Xi's eyes lit up. This was the feeling she was looking for!

Oh, her hands had a mind of their own!

Hong Shi Fo's face turned solemn, his experienced eyes narrowing.

He felt a sense of oppression as if a mountain was pressing down on him.

He looked at the pieces in the chess box, which seemed to be trembling slightly!

Facing Xi Xi, this little girl...

It was like facing the national chess master, the Chess Saint!

Oh, for heaven's sake!

...

...

Li Che saw Lu Tai Bai polishing his Tai Bai Sword.

Apparently, Lu Tai Bai was also aware that the treasure ship's journey along the Grand Canal was not entirely safe, and he was already cleaning his sword, ready for battle.

"This time... the Tai Bai Sword will be stained with blood."

Lu Tai Bai kept his head down, focusing on polishing the sword without looking at Li Che, but he spoke, clearly addressing Li Che.

"The Netherworld has sent news... Eight hundred li away, there are heretics from the Corpse God Sect waiting, and their lineup is not weak. Based on the concentration of death energy and corpse energy... their formation is stronger than the Corpse God Sect's formation that was previously hiding in the Corpse God Realm outside the Divine Carving Ridge."

Li Che spoke in a deep voice.

In front of Lu Tai Bai, Li Che didn't bother pretending.

Lu Tai Bai raised his head, his eyes flashing with a mysterious light. "Eight hundred li away?"

At such a distance, the Netherworld could clearly gather intelligence? Even Lu Tai Bai couldn't help but marvel at the Netherworld's intelligence capabilities, which were among the best in the world.

The Corpse God Sect's actions were undoubtedly secretive, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

However, the Netherworld had seen through their ambush.

“It seems like there's a Corpse God...”

Li Che contemplated, sensing the terrifying and majestic death energy and corpse energy beyond the 800 mountains and rivers in the Heavenly Earth Chessboard, and his expression turned solemn.

“A Corpse God?”

Lu Tai Bai narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Additionally...”

Lu Tai Bai paused, his hand on the Tai Bai Sword.

“I also received news that the Dragon God Clan sent a Venerable Dragon King, but for some unknown reason, this ancient Dragon King hasn't appeared yet.”

“Also, there are two figures following our treasure ship from three hundred li away. Sect Master... you should be able to guess who they are, right?”

Lu Tai Bai gripped the hilt of his sword, and with a hum, the long sword moved, his eyes revealing a peculiar light.

“The Dragon God Clan's Venerable Dragon King, coming for the sake of Ao Yu Xin or the deceased Dragon Child, Ao Lie... The Dragon God Clan shouldn't be so indecisive. Nowadays, the Dragon God Clan is already in decline, and they're still betting on a Dragon Child, sending a Venerable Dragon King for this?”

Lu Tai Bai smiled coldly.

Li Che was a bit puzzled, not quite understanding what Lu Tai Bai meant by 'betting'.

It seemed that the Dragon God Clan's elders, coming for the sake of Ao Yu Xin or Ao Lie, were actually betting on something.

Li Che contemplated, immersing his mind into the Heavenly Earth Chessboard, pushing it to its limits. If Boss and Dog Smash were to make a move, it wouldn't be unusual for the Chessboard to be unable to sense them, so he'd have to switch to a different method.

He initiated a sweeping-style probing, bit by bit.

Finally...

Li Che, five hundred li away on the Grand Canal, saw a vast expanse of crimson silently blooming from another world, an intense and terrifying sight.

...

...

Boom! The raging waves surged endlessly, the scorching vital energy intertwining and raging on the river's surface. Within a few hundred zhang range, the river water was dyed a bloody red.

A lone boat drifted on the river's surface.

The surging waves crashed towards the boat, but before they even reached it, they automatically calmed down, the surface becoming tranquil without a ripple.

On the boat's deck, a small stool, and a white-clad figure.

Boss held a roll of paper, using bamboo tweezers to take out tobacco from his waist satchel, spreading it evenly, then rolling it into a cigarette. He tapped it lightly on the back of his hand.

"Doggy, be gentle, don't gobble up the dragon marrow alone. That stuff can make a portion of 'Dragon Marrow Hell Lotus Bone Soup' for Xi Xi. If you ruin the dragon marrow, you won't get to eat well."

Holding the cigarette in his mouth, Boss was about to light it when he saw a mountainous black dog in the distance, brutally tearing at a terrifying dragon corpse, its suppressed pressure radiating intensely.

He quickly called out.

The black dog, its body covered in lava-like patterns, paused at Boss's call, its dog claws raised, scratching its head.

Then, carefully, it used its claws to break off the massive dragon head, like a waterfall, the dragon blood pouring into the canal, boiling hot, sizzling as it evaporated the canal water into white mist.

The dog's claws hummed, shooting out sharp claws.

On the river's surface, it skillfully scraped scales, cut open the belly...

Suddenly, the dog's movements paused.

The jet-black eyes, like black dates, raised, staring at the sky above.

The dog tilted its head.

Its teeth bared, revealing two rows of perfectly aligned...

Teeth stained with strands of old dragon meat.

First update, end of the month, everyone please use your remaining monthly tickets, this month's PK didn't make it, seems like I'll have to run naked, let's reach 500,000 words, but still no recommendations... sigh, everyone please use your recommendations and monthly tickets to comfort me, there's a second update tonight, you can read it tomorrow, recently I can't stay up late, I'll write it first, if it's too late to finish, I'll supplement and post it tomorrow, thanks!

(End of Chapter)

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