Chapter 545: The Dark Heavenly Court Wants to Use the Heavenly Alchemy Spirit Pill, but My Disciple Li Che Isn't Cheap

Chapter 545: The Dark Heavenly Court Wants to Use the Heavenly Alchemy Spirit Pill, but My Disciple Li Che Isn't Cheap

The three Divine Beings sat atop the mountain, engaged in a conversation.

Li Che’s Heaven and Earth Chessboard had completely captured and listened to their secret talks and plans.

With the enhancement of the Chess Saint Dao Fruit’s six transformations, the chessboard’s concealment had become even more powerful, as if the entire world were a chess game, and all those under its cover were mere pawns.

How could pawns ever know they were pawns, being spied upon and manipulated?

To resolve the joint plot of the three Divine Beings, Li Che believed the best and most stable method… was to bind them as his Bound Deities.

Bound Deities of Li Che’s were the simplest solution.

Because, once they became his Bound Deities, they would possess absolute loyalty.

"One Path-Severing, two Path-Merging…"

"This lineup isn’t weak. Dealing with them won’t be easy. I’ve just broken through to the Mystic Immortal realm; I’m not sure if I can defeat them…"

Li Che pondered.

Although he had a plan, the enemy’s lineup wasn’t weak. Dealing with such a formidable lineup without causing a commotion wasn’t an easy task.

If he provoked Ji Shaohao, the first-generation descendant of the Eternal, the problem would become much more complicated.

"All I want is to reunite with Xixi quietly."

"Don’t force my hand."

Li Che slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his sharp gaze seemed to emit two beams of light, like divine spears.

"Moreover, transforming this Path-Severing Divine Being into a Bound Deity… is quite necessary. Perhaps through this Path-Severing Divine Being, I can learn things I’ve always wanted to know but couldn’t find out."

"Xiaosuda, after all, is the reincarnation of a Divine Being from the previous divine wave. She has been away from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths for too long and knows nothing about what’s happening here now."

Li Che indeed needed a guide.

And this Path-Severing Divine Being fit the bill perfectly.

Besides, this Path-Severing Divine Being had already triggered the Path of Death.

...

...

The Mystic Ascension Mountain stood on the plain, with mist swirling around its midsection, giving it a shy, half-hidden appearance.

At the foot of the mountain, chaos reigned.

The four Divine Wagers had all been won, making Cloud Peak Village famous!

This middle-ranking Ancient Clan village at the Mystic Ascension Mountain’s base had become a focal point, with astonishing results!

Undoubtedly, such remarkable and glorious victories meant that Cloud Peak Village had earned a substantial amount of resources!

Yun Huang and Yun Lei, the two prodigies, had become famous, drawing attention from the prodigies of various ancient villages gathered at the Mystic Ascension Mountain.

"Is it the fifth Divine Wager? Each village has five Divine Wager slots. Will they still participate in the fifth one?"

"Probably not… or even if they do, the difficulty will certainly increase. They’ve already defeated the four upper-ranking ancient villages…"

"Do they really want to challenge the Two Saints Ancient Village?!"

...

The surrounding voices were a cacophony of speculation, with many finding it hard to believe.

Amid the waiting, Village Chief Yun He of Cloud Peak Village, accompanied by the renowned Yun Huang and Yun Lei, arrived at the White Jade Arena of the Three Purities rank.

"Are you truly challenging the prodigies of the Three Purities lower-ranking ancient village?"

The Dark Heavenly Court divine officer overseeing the Three Purities White Jade Arena was a Divine Being who had ignited the Divine Flame, with deep, penetrating eyes, as he questioned Yun He.

"Yes, Divine Officer, our two children from Cloud Peak Village want to test the strength of the Three Purities ancient village’s prodigies!"

Yun He replied.

The divine officer didn’t stop them. After all, if they lost, Cloud Peak Village’s two prodigies would only be giving away resources.

He, the divine officer, would receive additional compensation, so why not let it happen?

The White Jade Arena was quickly activated.

News of the prodigy from the middle-ranking ancient village challenging the Three Purities lower-ranking prodigy spread.

Yun Huang, following Li Che’s instructions, ascended the White Jade Arena.

Opposite her stood a towering figure in armor, nearly two meters tall, not at all like a prodigy.

Without much talk, the confrontation erupted instantly. The prodigy from the Three Purities lower-ranking ancient village exuded a powerful aura, like a raging storm!

His goal was simple: to completely overwhelm Yun Huang with his divine rank aura, leaving her no time to react or resist.

As long as he suppressed her aura, his chances of winning this Divine Wager would be around seventy percent!

Boom—!!

The divine auras collided, like two waves surging and crashing!

Yun Huang’s face turned slightly pale, her body trembling, her robes flaring in the wind!

The immense pressure almost made her body sink, making it difficult for her to hold her ground.

But Yun Huang didn’t give up. Her eyes burned with fierce combat intent.

She understood that her teacher wanted her to continue fighting, hoping she would gain something valuable from this battle.

In her mind, she recalled the many martial arts techniques Li Che had taught her. Yun Huang, facing the overwhelming pressure, let out a long roar and charged forward.

As expected, the battle was a one-sided slaughter...

Yun Huang... was being overwhelmed by the prodigy from the Three Purities Ancient Village.

The opponent was too strong. Though only nine years old, he had already reached the Divine Fetus stage of the Fourth Divine Transformation.

Even with all her might, Yun Huang could not turn the tide despite using the Bloodweeping Phoenix Withering Arrow technique Li Che had taught her to its fullest extent.

She was repeatedly thrown back, blood splattering, on the brink of death.

But Yun Huang still struggled to her feet, swaying.

Li Che's gaze was deep as he stood with his hands behind his back below the arena, his black robes fluttering in the wind.

It was no surprise that the prodigies from the various ancient villages were far superior in combat quality compared to those in the mortal world.

Because of the Divine Wager, these children had become very mature, understanding the risks of battle and the consequences of failure.

A single defeat in a Divine Wager could mean a year's worth of resources for their village would be lost.

Thus, in every Divine Wager, the children would give it their all, almost burning themselves out.

"Keeeee—!!!"

A piercing phoenix cry echoed across the entire arena.

Fiery light surged, and divine energy boiled with terrifying speed!

On the arena, Yun Huang's crimson hair flew wildly, her divine energy rising rapidly. She broke through her shackles, her Divine Essence Golden Core shattered, and the Divine Fetus emerged. Countless flames erupted in a ring, and a mighty divine aura rolled out!

"Ancient Village bloodline!"

"Bloodline awakening?!"

"Did this little girl actually awaken the ancient bloodline flowing through the villagers in the midst of this desperate battle?!"

...

Shouts of surprise erupted.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Three streaks of light swiftly descended from the sky above Mystic Ascension Mountain.

The Path-Severing Divine Being overseeing the event and two Path-Merging Divine Beings looked at Yun Huang with burning eyes, excitement, and greed.

Yun Huang's combat intent soared, and her overall cultivation improved dramatically after her bloodline awakened and her cultivation broke through.

Even though the gap between her and her opponent still existed, she managed to turn the tide with the perfect synergy of the Bloodweeping Phoenix Withering Arrow technique!

She successfully defeated her opponent!

Victory was hers!

But after winning, Yun Huang fainted, the divine phoenix bloodline settling back into calm.

Li Che ascended the arena and carried Yun Huang down, feeling the intense gazes of many onlookers.

Among them, the Path-Severing Divine Being from the Dark Heavenly Court was the most intense.

Next, Yun Lei took the stage. Yun Lei, who practiced the Ancestral Dragon Slaughter Technique, fought with all his might, just like Yun Huang. However, not everyone could achieve a breakthrough under such immense pressure and transform themselves.

Yun Lei clearly failed.

He ultimately lost to his opponent, becoming the first contestant from Cloud Peak Village to suffer a defeat.

Li Che intended to pay the wager, but Yun He stopped him.

"Mr. Mo, there's no need for you to pay the Divine Wager. I'll take care of it. It's just a loss, and it will help Yun Lei learn humility and grow."

Yun He forced a smile, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes.

This time, Cloud Peak Village had won enough resources to cover the loss from this cross-rank Divine Wager. Even after paying, there would still be a surplus!

So, Yun He didn't want Li Che to suffer a loss.

Li Che shook his head and insisted on paying the wager. He wasn't short on divine crystals, and Cloud Peak Village truly needed these resources to improve their situation.

The rules of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were clear, and they had to adapt to them.

With Yun Lei's defeat, Cloud Peak Village's five Divine Wagers were over.

Yun Huang maintained a perfect record, Yun Lei lost one match, and Yun He, the steady old veteran, also maintained an undefeated record against his Six Ministries Ancient Village opponent...

In the rest area.

Yun He's smile was forced. Some good friends from the Five Elders Ancient Villages came to congratulate him, but he didn't show much joy.

Cloud Peak Village had passed the selection and would participate in the Thousand Villages Divine Wager!

In the entire Mystic Ascension Heaven, only seventy-two villages would participate.

Cloud Peak Village's achievement of securing a spot was truly remarkable, even historic!

Yun He was genuinely happy about it, but Li Che remained calm.

He knew that an even greater storm was on the horizon.

Sure enough.

After Cloud Peak Village confirmed their spot in the selection.

A Path-Merging Divine Being slowly approached, his divine aura overwhelming.

Yun He's expression changed slightly. What had to come, finally did... He respectfully bowed: "Venerable Divine Officer."

"Your Cloud Peak Village performed well this time. The two prodigies showed great skill, and the Grand Divine Officer was very impressed. He would like to see them."

"Follow me", the Divine Being of the Path-Merging Realm commanded, his gaze deep and his divine aura surging around him. His eyes, shrouded in divinity, carried endless coldness and ruthlessness.

Yun He, a seasoned old fox, instantly paled.

"Lord Divine Officer, I—"

But before he could finish, the Divine Officer raised a hand to silence him.

"Just follow the Grand Divine Officer’s orders."

"Though you’ve passed the selection, whether you can participate in the Divine Wager still depends on the Grand Divine Officer’s whim."

Another Path-Merging Divine Being warped out of space, his gaze falling on Yun Huang and Yun Lei.

"Follow me."

Yun Huang and Yun Lei’s faces turned grim.

Yun He’s complexion turned ashen, the veins on his neck bulging.

He wanted nothing more than to rush in front of Yun Huang and Yun Lei, protecting the two children. Yun He had a vague suspicion that after Yun Huang awakened the ancient village bloodline, she might have caught the eye of a Path-Severing Divine Being...

A prodigy with awakened ancient village bloodline... incredibly valuable!

The Dark Heavenly Court was notorious for its research on ancient village bloodlines. Among them was an Eternal Divine Being, famous for alchemy, who loved studying these bloodlines the most. Many of the Dark Heavenly Court’s divine officers specifically sought out ancient village cultivators who had awakened their bloodlines, buying or forcibly taking them to be studied and used in alchemy.

Yun He had thought that since Yun Huang’s bloodline awakened in front of everyone, she wouldn’t be targeted.

But he hadn’t anticipated that the divine officers of the Dark Heavenly Court…

cared nothing for rules!

cared nothing for the guilt that came with acting in plain sight!

Li Che patted Yun Huang and Yun Lei’s heads, signaling for them to follow.

"Don’t worry, nothing will happen to you."

Li Che said with a faint smile.

Indeed, nothing would happen to Yun Huang and Yun Lei. Ignoring the lightning chess pieces Li Che had left on them, the mere fact of their awakened bloodlines made them incredibly valuable. The Grand Divine Officer wouldn’t harm them; he would nurture them, keeping them as gifts for the Eternal Divine Being’s alchemy.

After the Path-Merging Divine Being took Yun Huang and Yun Lei away, another one’s gaze coldly locked onto Li Che, Yun He, and the others.

In Li Che’s mind, Little Su Da recounted the Dark Heavenly Court’s dirty deeds regarding those who awakened ancient village bloodlines.

Li Che fell silent.

No wonder Yun He hadn’t shown much joy when Yun Huang’s bloodline awakened; this was the reason.

Li Che, Zhang Ya, Little Su Da, and Yun He followed the Path-Merging Divine Being up Mystic Ascension Mountain.

The mist grew thicker, and the divine aura became more intense.

In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, where divine aura was scarce, Mystic Ascension Mountain had a concentration far exceeding its surroundings, undoubtedly due to the Divine Carving Array.

The surroundings grew increasingly quiet, and an invisible pressure continued to descend.

Yun He, a Divine Tribulation Venerable, felt as if a mountain were pressing on his back, making his breathing labored and his steps heavy.

"Lord Divine Officer, I can’t go on... this old man’s bones are too weak."

Yun He called out.

The Path-Merging Divine Being halted, slowly turning. A divine platform appeared behind him, divine flames burning brightly, casting auspicious light and emitting the aura of the Great Dao, as if forming a Great Dao Disk within the radiant light.

This was the symbol of the Path-Merging Realm, where the power of the Great Dao from the Great Dao River was integrated into the divine platform and the physical body.

The terrifying divine might did not dissipate but grew even more intense.

"Since you can’t go on... then you should take the path to the afterlife."

The Path-Merging Divine Being said coldly.

"Lord! Why?!"

"Our Cloud Peak Village... has earned a spot in the Divine Wager, witnessed by many ancient villages in the Xuanxiao Heaven!"

Yun He’s face turned ashen.

He hadn’t expected that the Dark Heavenly Court’s Divine Beings…

would be so brazen, treating the lives of ancient village cultivators as nothing.

Killing them as if they were livestock!

"Just a single spot. Other villages can take it. Many would be glad to see Cloud Peak Village lose its place."

The Path-Merging Divine Being chuckled. "As for why... do you, the village chief of a Five Elders Village, think you deserve an explanation from a Dark Heavenly Court divine officer?!"

Rumbling—!!!

Countless divine auras burst from the Path-Merging Divine Being’s body, transforming it into a fiery red, hot and scorching. The divine aura fused with his blood and qi, erupting outward!

With a single step, his body’s divine blood and qi surged like dragons and snakes, coiling around his body. Muscles piled up like tubers, veins bulging and trembling like dragons!

This Divine Being, who had merged the Martial Path with the Divine Path, revealed an overwhelmingly powerful divine physique!

Divine energy exploded around him, materializing like substantial matter, surging like waves!

Twisting the void, it boiled furiously!

Boom!

Just the impact of his aura left Yun He unable to move a single finger.

The gap between a Second Tribulation Divine Being and a Path-Merging Divine Being was simply too great.

Yun He felt utterly desperate.

He turned to look at Li Che, his eyes revealing a deep sense of regret.

He didn't mind dying, but he felt guilty for involving Li Che...

However, when Yun He looked, he was stunned.

Li Che's black robes fluttered, and his jet-black, sturdy hair whipped like black lightning.

"Mr. Moche..."

Yun He murmured.

Li Che's face was composed, showing no signs of being suppressed.

The overwhelming aura of the Path-Merging Divine Being seemed like a gentle breeze to him, causing no ripples or disturbances.

Zhang Ya held Li Che's arm, and the little fox perched on his shoulder.

Yun He opened his mouth slightly.

Li Che nodded gently, "It's fine... Don't worry."

Just like he had said to Yun Huang and Yun Lei.

Li Che used the same words to reassure Yun He.

And in that moment, Yun He understood.

The Path-Merging Divine Being's eyes narrowed, sensing something unusual. He felt an intense sense of danger emanating from Li Che.

His expression changed abruptly.

He couldn't help but recall what the Grand Divine Officer had said...

The Young Emperor had once led many Path-Severing Divine Beings to search in the direction of Cloud Peak Village...

Could it be...

Boom—!!!

The Path-Merging Divine Being hesitated not a moment, his foot tapping the ground of the mountain, intending to shatter the void and escape.

But his face turned pale.

Because he felt the space behind him suddenly become incredibly strong!

"You..."

Li Che's eyes glowed faintly, and he took a slow step forward.

The aura around him shifted, and a vast, surging divine energy began to flow out like a tide.

Rumble—

It was as if a divine mountain rose from the ground, and the boundless divine energy surged like waves, flooding the plain and creating a thousand waves!

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard shot up into the sky, locking down the surrounding void.

This Path-Merging Divine Being couldn't tear through space to escape...

"Damn it!"

The Path-Merging Divine Being's eyes changed.

Feeling the terrifying divine aura emanating from Li Che, the sheer volume of divine energy gave him a sense of unfathomable depth!

Roar—!!

It was as if a true dragon roared!

One after another, vast divine energy vortices exploded behind the figure standing there!

Seeing this, the Path-Merging Divine Being's heart sank.

Dealing with the villagers of the Ancient Village...

He had thought it would be like kicking cotton, but he had kicked a steel plate with sharp spikes!

...

...

Yun Huang and Yun Lei walked side by side, their moods heavy.

Led by a Path-Merging Divine Being, they reached the summit of Mystic Ascension Mountain.

The entire summit was above the sea of clouds, and as far as the eye could see, there was only rolling white cloud flow, making it impossible to see the base of the mountain.

A brilliant sun rose above the sea of clouds, radiating light and splendor.

Yun Huang and Yun Lei were deeply moved by this sight, their small worries dissipating like smoke.

"Very good, indeed, the ancient village bloodline has awakened..."

"Excellent, awakening the ancient village bloodline at the age of nine—Eternal will surely be extremely satisfied. It has been a long time since such a good ancient village bloodline was offered for His research."

The Path-Severing Divine Being sat on the summit, his eyes opening, the brilliant light making it almost impossible for Yun Huang and Yun Lei to look directly.

A terrifying divine aura surged, causing the sea of clouds to roar in anger.

The pressure felt like a massive divine mountain was crushing down on Yun Huang and Yun Lei's backs.

"The Lord Lao the Eternal captured a Revived Divine Being from the Prison Lotus Camp, the Heaven-Equaling Demon Monkey, intending to refine it into a batch of 'Great and Lesser Divine Pills.' If successful, the Great Divine Pill can help the other two Earth Eternals in our Dark Heavenly Court advance to Heaven Eternals... The Lesser Divine Pill can even increase the chances of a Nirvana Divine Being achieving Eternity by seventy percent!"

"And the ancient village bloodline... is the key ingredient for this batch of Great and Lesser Divine Pills!"

The Path-Severing Divine Being's gaze was intense as he spoke.

His voice thundered, causing the sea of clouds to churn.

Without any pretense, Yun Huang and Yun Lei's faces turned deathly pale.

"Children... It’s truly no small feat for you to have emerged from Cloud Peak Ancient Village and even awakened the village’s ancient bloodline. However, Cloud Peak Ancient Village is one of the Five Elders' Ancient Villages. According to my investigations, the village’s resources have reached their limit and can no longer support the cultivation of the next generation of geniuses."

"So, child, if you are willing to become a medicinal ingredient, I can grant Cloud Peak Village one hundred One-Leaf Dao Essence Divine Crystals and three hundred Lower Three Purities Divine Crystals. What do you say?"

The Path-Severing Divine Being gazed intently at Yun Huang as he spoke.

When his words were done, radiant light swirled around him. One-Leaf Dao Essence Divine Crystals, with leaves growing inside, and Lower Three Purities Divine Crystals, shimmering with divine mist, floated around him like stars in the sky, incredibly bright and captivating.

Yun Huang and Yun Lei were instantly stunned by this grand display.

They had never seen so many Dao Essence Divine Crystals and Divine Crystals in their lives, and it was a shock to their worldview.

Yun Huang was even a bit tempted...

If her life could bring such resources to the village...

The Path-Severing Divine Being’s lips curved into a smile as he watched Yun Huang and Yun Lei, the amusement in his eyes unmistakable.

He knew exactly how to manipulate the hearts of these independent and strong children from the ancient village.

These children were single-minded in their desire to secure resources for their village.

All he had to do was dangle a little bait, and he could lure them into willingly selling themselves.

As for the resources he promised...

Ha, in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, Dao Essence Divine Crystals and Divine Crystals were incredibly precious.

Would he waste them on this trash village of the Five Elders?

Besides, once these children entered Lord Lao the Eternal’s alchemical furnace, they would never know if the resources ever reached their village.

"Sis! No!"

Yun Lei suddenly came to his senses, grabbing Yun Huang’s hand and shouting desperately.

"He’s lying to us!"

"The village chief told us... these Dark Heavenly Court Divine Beings are the most cunning. They won’t give the resources you earn to the village! They’ll keep them for themselves!"

"Sis, don’t believe him!"

Yun Lei’s face was flushed red.

Yun Huang’s expression was incredibly complex. She knew it was true, but what choice did she have now?

If she refused...

None of them would survive.

The Dark Heavenly Court’s rule over the Xuanxiao Heaven was absolute.

Even the Two Saints Ancient Village, with its Eternal guardian, had to retreat in the face of the Dark Heavenly Court’s divine forces. How could they possibly resist?

"If I agree... can you ensure that our village chief and my teacher can live safely?"

Yun Huang gritted her teeth and asked. At just nine years old, she faced the darkness, her legs trembling, but she was brave enough to state her terms.

The Path-Severing Divine Being sat atop a green stone on the mountain peak, surrounded by a vast, profound divine aura.

His deep, burning eyes gazed at the stubborn, upright girl, who seemed like a phoenix about to spread her wings. He paused for a moment, a slight smile curving his lips.

Although he didn’t know if the other villagers had been dealt with, it didn’t stop him from agreeing.

He knew how to appease children.

"Fine, I agree."

Yun Huang’s fiery red hair fluttered in the wind. She stared at the Path-Severing Divine Being, feeling tears well up in her eyes, tears of blood, a result of the immense pressure she had endured.

"Also... the resources should include ten Two-Leaf Dao Essence Divine Crystals!"

"My brother, he also has the bloodline in his veins. Although he hasn’t awakened yet, he will soon!"

"We are twin siblings with the ancient village’s bloodline! Using us both for alchemy would be even more beneficial!"

Yun Huang panted heavily, cruelly stating her own value.

The Path-Severing Divine Being’s eyes narrowed, and the pressure intensified.

"Are you trying to haggle with me?"

Yun Huang’s body swayed, nearly collapsing.

Yun Lei fell to the ground, his teeth gritted, and a fiery red glow erupted from his body. A flaming phoenix seemed to rise from the ashes under the immense pressure!

"Fine, fine..."

The Path-Severing Divine Being’s anger turned to amusement.

"Fine..."

"I agree to your terms!"

The terrifying pressure vanished instantly.

Yun Huang and Yun Lei felt as if they had been pulled out of the water.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with sorrow, never imagining that their journey for the Divine Wager would end like this.

"We... have failed our teacher’s training."

"We couldn’t help our teacher reunite with his daughter..."

Yun Huang was filled with guilt.

"Teacher... I’m sorry."

Yun Huang clenched her fists, bloodshot tears welling in her eyes.

Suddenly, a warm, large hand covered her head.

It was as smooth as jade, filling her with a sense of security.

Yun Huang looked up and saw a figure in black robes, his presence gentle and calming.

Li Che gently stroked the heads of Yun Huang and Yun Lei, two children who were both stubborn and mature.

"Ten Two-Leaf Dao Essence Divine Crystals... to take you away?"

"My disciples are not so cheap."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end