Chapter 485: Xi Xi's Sudden Calamity on the Path to Martial Saint, an Inevitable Fate Sealed by Heav

Chapter 485: Xi Xi's Sudden Calamity on the Path to Martial Saint, an Inevitable Fate Sealed by Heaven and Earth

Within the imperial mausoleum, the hall was brightly lit.

Gleaming pearls adorned the ceiling, casting an intensely radiant glow that dispelled the darkness.

On the altar, ancestral tablets were carefully arranged, with wisps of smoke rising and candles flickering.

The emperor's cold words echoed through the mausoleum, instantly chilling the atmosphere to an extreme, as if piercing through everyone's hearts.

Even the eunuch, Lian Gonggong, bowed deeply, not daring to lift his head or breathe heavily, sensing the emperor's anger in that moment.

The Second Calamity Venerable, concealed within his black robe, slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile of disdain flashing across them.

The emperor was clearly forced into a corner, for otherwise, according to his usual temperament, he might have tried to delay matters further.

The emperor was reluctant to produce the Gathering Immortals Mystical Banner, as such a divine weapon held immense importance for the imperial family and could not be lost.

Initially, the emperor had been stalling, wanting to see if the Netherworld Emperor Gui, whose life was nearly extinguished, would truly perish. But after three months... he was still alive.

Moreover, Lu Taibai's invitation to the grand ceremony, conveyed through sword intent, made the emperor feel that his imperial dignity had been tarnished, leading to his decision.

"Your Majesty... you've finally made a decision."

The black-robed venerable slowly rose from the ground, and a terrifying pressure emanated from him, causing the void to distort uncontrollably as if on the verge of shattering.

The dragon embroidery on the emperor's golden-yellow robe seemed to come alive, and his eyes, filled with divine essence and Dao essence, swept a cold glance at the black-robed venerable.

He showed no reaction to the pressure, his face as calm as still water.

"Your Excellency, please do not hinder the plans of the Supreme One."

The emperor spoke indifferently.

The black-robed venerable laughed, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Destroying the Qianyuan Sect is not a difficult task. The Supreme One will likely agree."

"You may send a message to inquire." The emperor crossed his arms.

The black-robed venerable narrowed his eyes, and in the next moment, he formed hand seals, causing his divine essence to stir. Faintly, divine essence runes woven from his power appeared around him, forming a unique divine essence formation.

After a moment, the black-robed venerable opened his eyes, "The Supreme One, Xuan Zhen, has agreed."

For the Supreme One, possessing the Gathering Immortals Mystical Banner meant being able to temporarily block the will of heaven and earth, allowing them to descend upon the mortal realm with immense power, capable of crushing almost anything.

After all, with the suppression of the will of heaven and earth in the mortal realm, even a Second Calamity Venerable struggled to appear, let alone a Supreme One. Who could possibly stop them?

Therefore, the black-robed venerable was not surprised that Xuan Zhen agreed to this matter.

Moreover...

Above the Qianyuan Sect was the daughter of the Hell Lotus!

The emperor's request was practically a gift for Supreme One Xuan Zhen.

The emperor waved his hand, "Lian Gonggong, prepare yourself. I have the Gathering Immortals Mystical Banner ready. Accompany this venerable and ensure that you personally witness the Supreme One receiving the banner!"

Lian Gonggong's face turned solemn, "This old servant is willing to devote his life to ensure the safe delivery of the Gathering Immortals Mystical Banner to the Supreme One!"

The emperor nodded, satisfied. Lian Gonggong had been his trusted confidant for many years.

The emperor trusted Lian Gonggong to handle this matter!

Boom!

The emperor's fingers intertwined, and a sword light seemed to cut through the void. A purple sandalwood box slid out of thin air, held aloft by the emperor. Inside was the Gathering Immortals Mystical Banner.

The emperor's gaze fell upon Lian Gonggong.

Lian Gonggong immediately felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.

As he took the purple sandalwood box, he felt as if his divine body was about to shatter under the immense pressure.

Lian Gonggong tightly held onto the box and bowed deeply.

...

...

The green mountains seemed like floating hairpins, shrouded in clouds.

Qianyuan Sect.

Within the Elders' Court.

Li Che sat in the courtyard, a hot stove boiling water. Green tea leaves were scattered into the bubbling water.

As the tea leaves unfurled, they rose and fell with the boiling water, releasing a rich aroma into the steam.

Zhang Ya, having been away for a long time, was busy cleaning.

Li Che's heart stirred, and his consciousness sank into the Heavenly Chessboard. The chessboard rumbled as the pieces shifted and transformed.

Then, an image appeared, showing the secret meeting between Lian Gonggong, the emperor, and the black-robed venerable in the imperial mausoleum.

Li Che's gaze fell upon the purple sandalwood box held by the emperor.

Lian Gonggong struggled to hold the box, feeling as if even the box might slip from his grasp, and his divine body was on the verge of shattering.

"Something's not right," Li Che frowned slightly, instantly sensing the anomaly.

His mind moved, and the Martial Immortal's will, situated within the Heavenly Chessboard, expanded. Then, the Gathering Immortals Yellow Banner swiftly flew towards him, and he grasped it in his hand.

However, the banner showed no response to the purple sandalwood box.

Li Che couldn't help but smirk, "What a cunning emperor, hiding it so well."

Even his own trusted servant was being deceived.

But the emperor's deception was pointless, as Supreme One Xuan Zhen would know the truth as soon as he received the wooden box.

After all, only by possessing the Gathering Immortals Banner could one block the will of heaven and earth and leave the inner city of Qitian...

Therefore, this deception was meaningless.

As expected, when the black-robed venerable turned to enter the Wiles Pavilion, the emperor stopped Lian Gonggong and handed him a jade box.

Lian Gonggong, being the emperor's confidant, instantly understood.

The emperor didn't distrust the Supreme One; he distrusted the black-robed venerable.

It had to be said that the emperor was cautious and shrewd, but unfortunately, everything was happening right under Li Che's nose.

Li Che's fingers tightened around the Gathering Immortals Yellow Banner, causing it to tremble.

Apparently, the emperor had placed the Gathering Immortals Mystical Banner in the jade box given to Lian Gonggong.

Even if someone tried to steal the banner, their target would undoubtedly be the divine weapon in the purple sandalwood box, giving Lian Gonggong enough time to crush the divine seal and teleport the jade box away.

Indeed, the emperor had played it safe, keeping a backup plan.

Li Che nodded in admiration, and the emperor's caution earned the approval of Li Che, known for his cautious nature.

The Martial Immortal's will spanned the Heavenly Chessboard, keeping a close watch on Lian Gonggong's situation.

The Wiles Pavilion's path opened, and the black-robed elder found a dragon carriage drawn by two Divine Tribulation Grand Masters. On the carriage was a purple sandalwood box, and the terrifying aura emanating from it left the black-robed elder with no doubt that it contained the Gather Immortals Mystical Banner.

After all, the black-robed elder couldn't fathom why the Emperor would deceive the Supreme Elder.

The Emperor seeking help from the Supreme Elder and then deceiving him would serve no purpose, as the Supreme Elder couldn't leave the inner city of Heaven City and destroy the Qianyuan Sect.

Thus, the black-robed elder harbored no suspicions towards the Emperor.

A convoy of carriages shattered the eerie mist and headed towards the boundless and infinite foggy lands of the Wiles Pavilion.

Eunuch Lian, dressed in purple, quietly followed the convoy without causing any disturbance.

Buzz—

The celestial chessboard gradually became hazy, even with the Thunder Chess Piece embedded in Eunuch Lian's body. As the chessboard's perception grew, the image became increasingly blurred.

Perhaps it was due to the Wiles Pavilion's remote location, or maybe it was the thickening mist that obscured its surroundings.

Fortunately, he could still vaguely perceive what was happening.

Li Che didn't rush over immediately but maintained his observation, waiting for the convoy to move further away before planning to seize the flag.

Li Che continued to perceive with his Martial Immortal's will.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ya, who had just finished cleaning the courtyard and shared a cup of hot tea with Li Che, accompanied him up Taibai Peak.

Xi Xi's three flowers blossomed, and the heavens responded with thunder.

Li Che sensed that Xi Xi was about to break through to the Martial Saint realm.

"Indeed, as I imagined, Xi Xi still has a persistent obsession in her heart. She wants to return home in glory, and now that she's back in the Qianyuan Sect, this obsession is being released, allowing her to break through the bottleneck of the Martial Saint realm."

Li Che smiled, his deep understanding of martial arts as a Martial Immortal allowed him to interpret Xi Xi's current state.

Over the past year, Xi Xi had been fed countless nourishing elixirs by her master, and with the dream cultivation of the Immortal Fruit, she had gained the feedback of the Long Xiang Jin Gang Dao Guo.

So, Xi Xi's physical foundation was not far behind Li Che's.

...

...

Crack! Crack!

The sky towered above, filled with leaden clouds, and within them, thunder snakes writhed and twisted.

The crisp autumn air brought a sudden chill as thunder rumbled.

Taibai Peak.

As if locked in by the will of heaven and earth, a terrifying aura enveloped the entire mountain.

The grand plaza in front of the Taibai Palace.

Scorching heat surged forth, as if a flame burned within, enveloping the entire mountain in its fiery embrace.

Lu Taibai stood in the Taibai Palace, his eyes widening in astonishment.

Eight years old...

Eight years old!

She's about to break through to the Martial Saint realm!

This little girl's growth is astonishingly rapid!

Is she the daughter of the Hell Lotus? No wonder she's destined to lead the Hell Lotus camp and become the commander of the gods!

You must know, Xi Xi is not a reincarnated Temple God, but a cultivator relying on her innate talent. To break through to the Martial Saint realm at eight years old is an almost unheard-of feat in history.

Not only Lu Taibai but even the founder, Lu Qiankun, was startled, emerging from the Qiankun Small Cave Heaven to witness Xi Xi's breakthrough.

Countless Qianyuan Sect elders, such as Zhao Fangzhou, Feng Zhiqi, and Ding Zi, were all shocked beyond words.

They knew Xi Xi had returned because the Sect Leader, after breaking through the Divine Tribulation, intended to pass on his position to her.

But who could have imagined that Xi Xi's cultivation would reach the Martial Saint realm?

An eight-year-old Martial Saint was unheard of!

Li Che and Zhang Ya also arrived at Taibai Peak and watched from a distance as Xi Xi sat cross-legged on the grand plaza.

Xi Xi sat on the ground, a fiery maple tree swaying behind her, its countless leaves shimmering like a sunlit pond.

Three dazzling flowers of essence, spirit, and soul bloomed on Xi Xi's head and shoulders! The fiery flowers spun like golden lotuses!

Intense heat radiated from her body as she opened her eyes wide and exhaled deeply.

Her small frame seemed to transform into a blazing sun, emitting a terrifying heat capable of suppressing any evil spirits.

Crack! Crack!

Xi Xi raised her head and howled, stretching her arms as her muscles snapped and crackled!

Boom!

A deafening explosion erupted, and a mighty ripple of blood energy spread out, tinged with red and gold, around Xi Xi!

Xi Xi's eyes blazed like two beams of golden light piercing the heavens.

The little girl leaped up, landing on the grand plaza, and a powerful martial will burst forth. In full view of everyone, she began to practice martial arts, her heart filled with understanding.

She clenched her fists, her muscles rubbing together as she pushed with one punch and whipped with one kick. Her movements were neither rushed nor slow, allowing the martial will to gradually merge with her body.

The connection to the heavens was forming, as if linked to the celestial realm!

It was as if a furnace had exploded around Xi Xi, leaving her face flushed with excitement and her body trembling.

Today, she would break through to the Martial Saint realm!

Xi Xi's eyes gleamed with fiery light, and she remembered her past trials, being hunted by the Tiandan Divine Sect's Martial Saint, Furukawa. Back then, she had been powerless against the Martial Saint.

But now, things were different.

Xi Xi believed that after breaking through to the Martial Saint realm, she could defeat Furukawa with a single move!

The three flowers burned, releasing a golden glow of extreme splendor. Xi Xi took a step forward, and her insufficient qi surged, causing her entire body to glow!

The heavens responded, constantly affirming Xi Xi's martial arts.

A mighty divine essence began to surge and gather, and the Ten Thousand Transformations Dragon Elephant taught by Li Che, now mastered by Xi Xi, infused every move she made with unparalleled dominance.

Boom!

Invisible waves of energy, blazing with intensity, swept across the grand plaza, causing the red maple leaves to rustle and fall, covering the sky like an endless sea of fire.

Countless sparks of light burst forth, and in the heavens, infinite divine essence began to boil, flowing towards the direction of Taibai Peak.

In the Divine Origin Dao City, every Wicked Temple within the Dao City was trembling.

Boom, boom, boom, boom!!!

In an instant, the entire sky above the city changed, filled with endless blood-red hues. The Shen Xing essence swirled and intertwined like smoke, gathering towards Taibai Peak, encompassing the small figure below.

Within each Wicked Temple, columns of Shen Xing light soared upwards, resembling towering pillars supporting the heavens.

This extraordinary phenomenon startled everyone in the city, including the powerful cultivators from the Wiles Pavilion who had been hiding within the Dao City. Their hearts raced with excitement.

"Such an anomaly... Is someone breaking through to become a Martial Saint?"

"Who is breaking through to Martial Saint with such a grand spectacle?"

"Numerous Wicked Temples are shaking, and Shen Xing pillars are rising! Good heavens... Is the master of the Wiles Pavilion breaking through a boundary?"

Many powerful cultivators felt their hearts tremble.

Among these towering Shen Xing pillars, there was even the mysterious Three-Eyed True Lord's Wicked Temple on the Qianyu Meishan, which they had been keeping an eye on. How could this not stir their emotions? They even worried that this situation might cause the Temple God of the Mysterious Dao's Three-Eyed True Lord to revive prematurely!

"We can't let the Hell Lotus girl succeed in her breakthrough! We can't let Li Nuoxi succeed!"

A powerful cultivator furrowed his brows, a sinister thought forming in his mind.

On Taibai Peak, a sea of blood churned.

Xi Xi raised her head, gripping the Purple Flame Serpent Spear with one hand, while the Hell Lotus Flame Wheel spun beside her, and the Heaven Thread danced wildly.

"Ahhhhh!"

Xi Xi lifted her head and let out a long howl, her small figure defiantly facing the heavens. Like a young tiger roaring in a valley, countless Shen Xing essences intertwined and coiled around her.

Gradually, they formed a spherical shape, completely enveloping Xi Xi within.

"Husband... What's happening? Why is Xi Xi being enveloped by Shen Xing like a ball? These Shen Xing essences seem to be coming from the various Wicked Temples in the city!"

Zhang Ya's heart raced with anxiety. This phenomenon didn't seem like a typical Martial Saint breakthrough. Even Lu Taibai and Lu Qiankun, who had experienced the Divine Tribulation, couldn't determine the cause.

Zhao Fangzhou, Feng Zhiqi, and Tang Xiejia, all Martial Saint-level cultivators, stared in utter astonishment.

"Our Martial Saint breakthroughs are not like this!"

"The human pill is offered, and when it cracks open, the essence is released, marking the success of the breakthrough!"

"This..."

"I've never heard of such a thing!"

...

Li Che stood motionless, his brows slightly furrowed. Indeed, Xi Xi, as the daughter of the Hell Lotus, was experiencing a unique Martial Saint breakthrough.

A terrifying amount of Shen Xing essence, akin to nine mighty rivers bursting their banks, surged and intertwined, enveloping Xi Xi's body.

She resembled a bright red fireball.

Thump, thump, thump—

The fireball quivered and bounced incessantly.

With each bounce, it was as if a heavenly drum was being struck.

"Ah— Let me out!"

Xi Xi's furious voice reverberated, and her fire spear repeatedly stabbed at the surface of the Shen Xing ball, creating intense, distorted protrusions.

This situation shocked everyone.

It was as if Xi Xi had transformed into a ball of flesh, nurtured by the heavens, and only by breaking free from this flesh could she be reborn.

Li Che's brows furrowed further, and the next moment, the flesh on his forehead tore open.

The Star-Plucking Eye shone brightly, emitting a golden light that illuminated the flesh ball.

Inside the ball, Xi Xi roared in anger, continuously stabbing with her fire spear. The terrifying power unleashed a deafening blast as it struck the Shen Xing-formed pearl, causing it to deform and emit endless clanging sounds.

On Xi Xi's body, countless Shen Xing patterns appeared, intertwining and covering her entire being. Her eyes turned crimson, as if her will had been reduced to pure fury.

Endless Shen Xing essence continued to merge into her physical body, cleansing and transforming it, causing a drastic change in her appearance.

Li Che also noticed that the Hell Lotus divine pattern on Xi Xi's forehead flickered and shone with black light. Black flames burned forth, resembling dark patterns that entwined around her flesh.

"The Hell Lotus Curse..."

Li Che's eyes narrowed.

He exhaled slowly.

...

...

Xi Xi felt as if she had been immersed in an endless dark world.

Ding-dong.

It was as if a drop of water had fallen, instantly flooding and expanding.

Ripples formed, growing increasingly terrifying, turning into a terrifying wave that surged in all directions like a tsunami.

Xi Xi opened her eyes. In the distance, a massive black lotus platform spanned the infinite darkness, emitting a black light. Yes, in the midst of this dark space, it emitted a black radiance...

An invisible force drew Xi Xi forward, and she found herself standing on the enormous lotus platform.

On the black lotus platform, a red egg lay motionless.

It was quiet, without any ripples.

"Xi Xi, do you feel resentment? Despair? Facing the slaughter of your parents, the killing of your close friends, and the destruction of your sect, do you feel lost and hopeless?"

"Do you feel pain when you see the mountains of corpses and seas of blood before your eyes?"

A gentle voice echoed from within the red egg.

"Huh?"

Xi Xi tilted her head.

Her eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment. What was this egg talking about? Why should Xi Xi feel sad?

Her father and mother were alive and well, Yun'e and Zhou Peng were full of life, and the sect... It hadn't been destroyed; it had become even more powerful. The sect leader even dared to challenge the emperor. The sect was doing great!

"You egg, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you cursing Xi Xi? You're a bad egg!"

Xi Xi frowned, annoyed.

"Xi Xi, don't pretend to be strong. Face reality and accept it... We need to become stronger. Only then can we fight back."

The voice from within the egg continued to resonate with sincerity.

"Come, open your heart and accept my power..."

"We will return all the wrongs done to you by heaven and earth, and all the torment you've endured in this world!"

The voice from the egg was resolute.

Xi Xi's eyes suddenly became blurry, as if she had been bewitched.

In her mind's eye, countless scenes flashed before her...

Her father and mother met a tragic end, her friends were killed, and her sect was shattered, with rivers of blood flowing...

Xi Xi raised her palm, clenching her heart, feeling an endless pain in her chest as if a myriad of swords had pierced and torn through her.

"No... How could Father, so strong, possibly die?!"

"You liar, you're deceiving Xi Xi!"

Xi Xi shouted in anger.

"You still yearn for power, don't you..."

The will within the egg seemed to sense something amiss, and its voice echoed eerily.

Xi Xi's eyes instantly revealed a struggle.

But her steps were uncontrollable, and she walked towards the egg on the black lotus platform, step by step.

She spread her five fingers, as if to touch the egg.

Xi Xi stepped onto the lotus platform, and as her palm touched the egg's surface, it rippled like water.

"You yearn for power, and I can give it to you, making you infinitely strong..."

"This heaven, this earth, these gods, none can stop you... You can destroy everything that has hurt you, everything that has caused you pain, and annihilate it all!"

The voice echoed eerily.

Xi Xi's face was filled with struggle, and her palm slowly sank into the egg's shell.

On the black lotus platform, the egg's surface slowly revealed a pair of eyes.

The eyes gazed deeply at Xi Xi.

In Xi Xi's mind, scenes of being chased by the Tiandan Divine Sect's War Saint Gu Yangxuan flashed, and she also saw Yun'e and Zhou Peng leaning against a tree, their vitality drained.

Tears flowed from her eyes, turning into a blood-red color.

She wanted to become stronger!

This was her obsession!

Xi Xi's mind relaxed, and her entire arm seemed to be swallowed by the egg's shell.

Suddenly, a warm hand, as warm as the blazing sun, pressed against her head, and the bone-chilling cold from all directions was instantly dispelled.

The struggle in Xi Xi's eyes vanished, and she looked up in a daze.

She saw Li Che, his face filled with a gentle smile.

"Father..."

"Little girl, your parents are not dead. Yun'e, Zhou Peng, Jin Taishui, they are all alive and well, waiting for you to break through the War Saint realm. The Divine Sect is thriving, awaiting your inheritance as the Sect Master..."

"He is deceiving you. You don't need to be so sad, angry, or in pain. You just need to be happy. With Father here..."

"Until you see Father truly fall... don't be sad, don't let any pain deceive you."

"Because..."

"With Father here, you won't suffer."

Li Che's voice was gentle, like the sun dispelling the darkness, driving away the gloom in Xi Xi's eyes.

"Ah... yes, yes, yes! Father is right! This liar is deceiving Xi Xi!"

Xi Xi's eyes lit up, and she was slightly angry.

Li Che's fingers pressed against Xi Xi's head, and the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit trembled. Within the Seven Aperture Crystal Mind, the Immaculate Heart's divine nature surged like a tide, cleansing Xi Xi's body.

It was as if he was wrestling with the power within the egg.

Slowly, he pulled Xi Xi's arm, which had been swallowed by the egg's shell, out bit by bit.

"Ahhhh!"

Inside the egg.

An incredibly sharp voice suddenly exploded!

Endless black energy surged from all directions, and Li Che's War Saint will, shining in this endless darkness, was like a lone firefly in a vast ocean, a solitary lamp on a boat in the boundless sea.

Strong and proud.

When Xi Xi's last fingertip withdrew from the rippling egg's shell...

The screams from within the egg completely changed, even becoming sharper and more frenzied.

"Who are you?!"

"Who are you, really?!"

The voice from within the egg assaulted them like countless arrows.

However, Li Che's War Saint will and the vibrating Seven Aperture Crystal Mind blocked all the shocks and temptations.

"You can't stop it. Even if you stop it this time, there will be a next time... Fate is unchangeable, and no one can alter destiny!"

"Everything has its fate, the stars, the heavens, the earth, the gods, and humans too... Even you have a fate!"

"Predestined fate cannot be changed!"

"She will inevitably walk the path of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. She will become the one chosen by heaven and earth..."

"Executioner!!!"

Boom!!!

The endless darkness vanished in an instant.

The egg, resting on the lotus platform, returned to calmness, not making a sound.

Xi Xi breathed heavily.

Li Che's War Saint will also became incredibly dim, as if it might fade away at any moment.

His brows furrowed, and his eyes revealed a hint of gravity.

This egg...

What is it?!

Is it truly...

The Hell Lotus Curse?!

Suddenly, Li Che looked behind the egg.

A girl with long, straight black hair, wearing a black dress, walked out, her eyes filled with complexity.

"Big sister!"

Xi Xi was delighted.

Li Che looked at the girl, his eyes complex.

"Is the will within the egg... you?"

Li Che asked.

The girl with long, straight black hair had dark eyes and a cold expression. She shook her head.

Not her?

Li Che took a deep breath. He knew that Xi Xi had the awakened will of the Great Xi Xi within her.

So, what was this damn egg that tempted Xi Xi?

If he hadn't appeared, Xi Xi might have already been deceived by the egg, entering the shell and undergoing an unpredictable transformation.

As Li Che pondered, his mind stirred slightly.

His wavering War Saint will, like a flickering candle flame, sensed a wave of attention.

He placed his palm on Xi Xi's small head, his gaze steady, looking at the graceful figure who had walked out from behind the egg on the lotus platform.

The girl with long, straight black hair had a cold and numb expression, like an unmelting iceberg.

But as she looked at Li Che, her dark eyes seemed to stir, as if the ice had shattered, and emotions surged like waves in her throat.

"Father..."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end