https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-37-Spirit-Nurturing-Crane-Spirit-Child-as-Bait/12932853/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-39-Malicious-Plot-Unveiled-Display-of-Cultivation/12932855/
Chapter 38: Seeking No Justice, The Ox Demon's Reappearance
Chapter 38: Seeking No Justice, The Ox Demon's Reappearance
Amidst a heavy snowfall, the streets of the Outer City were blanketed in thick, pristine snow, yet the resilient commoners braved the harsh weather to work and set up their stalls, striving to earn more copper coins to buy firewood and survive this deadly winter.
As Li Che made his way to the rented courtyard on Rain Listening Lane for his cultivation, he walked through the long street in his cotton-padded clothes and hood, witnessing numerous households hanging white silk and wailing, their cries echoing through the snowstorm.
These were families who had lost their sons, as the Spirit Infancy Sect's activities had intensified over the past month.
After being driven out of the Inner City, the sect members were like wolves among sheep, showing no restraint and instead becoming more aggressive.
Even the Yang Family, a prominent Inner City clan, had their courtyard in the Outer City raided, resulting in the abduction of their Spirit Child.
The entire city's atmosphere had become increasingly bizarre and oppressive.
Although Thunder City had an official government, the head of the Outer City's yamen, Zhao Chuanxiong, was a follower of the Spirit Infancy Sect. How could ordinary citizens dare to resist?
Who would stand up for them and seek justice? No one.
The major families in the Inner City had only expelled the Spirit Infancy Sect, seemingly afraid to completely offend them.
This was mainly because the sect had deep roots and connections, even rumored to be linked to the mysterious Weird Sect, possibly involving influential figures in Thunder City.
"According to Old Xu, the Spirit Infancy Sect has targeted the Spirit Children of the noble families in the Inner City. Those are the very foundations of their power..."
"But those families only expelled the sect without declaring an all-out war, clearly fearing something."
As Li Che walked through the deep snow, he noticed a frozen woman, numb and motionless, burning spirit money at her doorstep.
On the long street, a group of Spirit Infancy Sect members marched in formation, chanting slogans with fervent excitement on their faces, contrasting sharply with the numb and hopeless woman.
"This damned world, this damned Spirit Infancy Sect... My son, my child..."
The woman stared blankly at the departing sect members, then burst into loud, tearful wails, her voice piercing through the cold.
Li Che stood motionless, coldly observing the fervent sect members trampling through the street.
He slowly closed his eyes.
He couldn't help but think that if he hadn't obtained the Dao Fruit, he might have been as numb and powerless as this woman.
Upon reflection, he seemed to empathize with her plight.
In this world, no one stood up for them and sought justice.
No one.
Li Che opened his eyes, knowing he couldn't either...
Because he had a family, a lively and adorable daughter, and many responsibilities to consider.
Unbeknownst to him, Li Che found himself back at the rented courtyard on Rain Listening Lane.
In the courtyard filled with swirling snow, he sat down on a bamboo chair and took out a thin wooden board and a carving knife he always carried with him.
With careful and focused strokes, he began to carve.
As the knife scraped against the wood's surface, creating a rustling sound, wood shavings fell like snowflakes, carried by the wind.
A cuteness bull mask slowly took shape.
Xi Xi, Li Che's daughter, was born in the year of the Ox, so he often wore a cuteness bull mask.
As he covered his face with the mask, Li Che raised his head, and beneath the mask, his eyes radiated coldness and wildness.
There were things Li Che dared not do.
But the Ox Demon could.
There were things Li Che couldn't do.
But the Ox Demon could.
There was a recklessness Li Che dared not pursue.
Yet the Ox Demon could!
"The Spirit Infancy Sect members are already on my list... It's time to settle the score."
The Ox Demon muttered.
The entire city had become too oppressive under the Spirit Infancy Sect's influence.
Grandpa Ox Demon is here to relieve some pressure!
Seeking no justice, only recklessness!
...
...
Thunder City's Inner City.
Golden Radiance Pavilion.
Curtains fluttered in the wind.
Within the suspended pavilion, a charcoal stove glowed red, providing a comfortably warm temperature.
Si Mu Bai sipped his tea, while across from him sat several figures wearing child masks. Despite the warmth from the stove, the atmosphere remained chillingly cold.
"That Ox Demon, we didn't bother him, but he's started acting again... Over the past half-month, he's repeatedly struck, killing several of our Spirit Infancy Sect members searching for Spirit Children within the city!"
"Twisting their heads, severing their hands, and using signature crossbow arrows to pin their corpses to the walls... His methods are extremely cruel!"
"Is this his way of seeking justice?
Do you fancy yourself as the Ox Demon Hero? It's utterly ridiculous... In this world, those who dare to claim the title of hero... never meet a good end!"
A chilling voice emanated from a smiling child mask, grating like a bone-scraping knife against a white wall.
Si Mu Bai looked at the masked figures, each concealing a nefarious character, and couldn't help but sigh softly.
"Rest assured, this Ox Demon... will die."
"Please, all four of you, come over. I need your assistance with this matter."
As his words trailed off, Si Mu Bai gestured to one side.
His assistant, the Blood Exchange Warrior Guo Zhan, immediately lowered his stance and approached.
"Go ahead, let Zhao Chuanxiong take care of it..."
"My Spirit Nurturing Crane only lacks a Superior Spirit Child ingredient, I can't delay any longer..."
...
...
In the Rain Listening Lane, within a small courtyard.
Having just killed a member of the Spirit Infancy Sect, the Ox Demon, with the help of the 'Sleeping Dragon Elephant' and 'Vajra Transformation' abilities of his Dao Fruit, returned and settled down.
After tidying up, Li Che sat cross-legged and began his daily cultivation of divinity.
The Pure Heart Dao Fruit pulsated slightly, and in a heartbeat, his divinity, as if drawn by a sprite, converged from the heavens and earth. Like a slender stream, it flowed into his body and gathered within the Pure Heart.
[Dao Fruit: Pure Heart (LV1, 3%)]
Li Che opened his eyes, furrowing his brows, and exhaled slowly.
"Although the Pure Heart Dao Fruit can absorb divinity from the heavens and earth, due to the lack of a Divinity Law, my efficiency in absorbing divinity is extremely low..."
"It's taken me this long to barely push the maturity of the Dao Fruit to 3%... and the speed is getting slower and slower."
"I really need to get my hands on a Divinity Law for research."
Li Che pondered.
This thought had been lingering in his mind for a long time, and now it was becoming increasingly intense.
Unfortunately, Divinity Laws were not available for purchase in the marketplace, and there were no channels to obtain them.
Such Divinity Laws were considered prized possessions, even within the noble families of the Inner City.
Even if one became a Woodcarving Master and gained the recognition of these families, they would still need to undergo extensive trust assessments before being granted a Lower Rank Divinity Law.
"So, to acquire a Divinity Law, I must find a way through these noble families..."
Setting aside the Divinity Law for now.
Li Che's gaze intensified.
[Dao Fruit: Lion Elephant Vajra (LV1, 90%)]
Li Che stared in disbelief at the Lion Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit before him, which had risen from a maturity of 70% to 90% in just half a month.
"Fighting... killing... can it also accelerate the maturity of the Dao Fruit?"
Li Che muttered to himself.
In the half-month since the Ox Demon's reappearance, Li Che, with the help of the 'Sleeping Dragon Elephant' and 'Vajra Transformation' abilities of his Dao Fruit, had killed numerous criminals from the Spirit Infancy Sect.
Most of the battles were one-sided, and even those at the Bone Tempering Realm couldn't last more than a few exchanges against him.
Unexpectedly, this pleasant surprise had accelerated the maturity of his Dao Fruit.
Li Che couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
And with the increased maturity of his Dao Fruit.
Li Che's Bone Tempering cultivation had officially reached perfection.
"Bone Tempering Perfection... For external cultivation, I still lack a Blood Replacement Technique. Additionally, I've been stuck at the third level of inner force for a long time, and without an Upper Rank Inner Force Technique, breaking through to the fourth level is difficult..."
"Divinity Law, Blood Replacement Technique, Upper Rank Inner Force Technique... Sigh, where can I find these?"
Li Che rubbed his temples, feeling a slight headache.
As the master woodcarver of Xuji Woodcarving Shop, his wealth was substantial.
But money couldn't buy everything he desired.
After tidying up.
Li Che braved the wind and snow, heading towards Xuji Woodcarving Shop.
His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of obtaining a Divinity Law and a Blood Replacement Technique.
As he walked.
Upon reaching the entrance of Xuji Woodcarving Shop.
Li Che sensed something amiss with the atmosphere.
At the door, two squads of patrol officers stood, wearing red and black uniforms and with knives at their waists.
And from within the woodcarving shop.
The patrol officer Zhao Chuanxiong, whose name was on Li Che's little book, escorted a person out of the shop.
Seeing the figure being escorted by Zhao Chuanxiong.
Li Che's face darkened instantly.
"Old Chen?"
PS: Tuesday is a crucial day for the PK, determining the recommendations for the second round. Please show your support by reading to the last chapter! Your clicks are much appreciated! - Li Che
(End of Chapter)
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