Chapter 545: The Obscure Heavenly Court Aims to Use the Heavenly Spirit Refinement Pill; My Disciple, Li Che, Is Not Cheap

Chapter 545: The Obscure Heavenly Court Aims to Use the Heavenly Spirit Refinement Pill; My Disciple, Li Che, Is Not Cheap

The three deities 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 current enhancement by the Chess Sage Dao Guo of the Six Transcendences, the Heaven and Earth Chessboard’s stealth had become even more powerful, as if the entire world were a chessboard, and all those under it were mere pawns.

How could a pawn know that it was a pawn, being observed and manipulated by others?

To resolve the common plot of the three deities, Li Che believed the best and most stable method... was to turn them into soul summons.

His soul summons, the simplest solution.

Because, once they became his soul summons, they would possess absolute loyalty.

"One Path-Cleaver, two Path-Fusions..."

"This lineup is not weak. It won’t be easy to deal with. I’ve just broken through to Mystic Immortal; I wonder if I can defeat them..."

Li Che mused.

Although he had a plan, the enemy’s lineup was not weak. It would not be easy to decisively defeat them without attracting attention.

Once Ji Shaohao, the descendant of the first Immortal, got involved, things would become much more complicated.

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

"Don’t force my hand."

Li Che slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his sharp gaze seemed to emit a divine spear-like radiance.

"Moreover, turning this Path-Cleaver deity into a soul summon... is quite necessary. Perhaps through this Path-Cleaver deity, I can learn some things I’ve always wanted to know but couldn’t."

"Little Su Da is the reincarnation of a god from the previous God Tide. She has been away from Jiutian Shidi for too long and knows nothing about what has happened there."

Li Che indeed needed a guide.

And this Path-Cleaver deity fit the bill perfectly.

Besides, this Path-Cleaver deity had already triggered the path of death.

...

...

The entire Xuan Mountain stood on the plain, with mist swirling around its midsection, giving it a shy, half-covered appearance.

At the foot of the mountain, chaos reigned.

Four Divine Gambling Battles, all victorious, and Cloud Peak Village had become famous!

This middle-rank ancient village of the Five Elders, located at the foot of Xuan Mountain, had become a focal point, with astonishing and glorious achievements!

Without a doubt, such remarkable and brilliant victories meant that Cloud Peak Village had earned a wealth of resources!

Yunhuang and Yunlei, the two prodigies, had become famous, drawing the attention of prodigies from various ancient villages gathered before Xuan Mountain.

"The fifth Divine Gambling Battle, each ancient village has five slots. For this fifth battle, will they still participate?"

"Probably not... or even if they do, the challenge will surely be even greater. They’ve already defeated the Four Higher-Rank ancient villages..."

"Could it be that Cloud Peak Village wants to challenge Sanqing Ancient Village?!"

...

The surrounding voices were noisy and filled with speculation, disbelief evident in everyone’s tone.

Amidst the waiting, Village Chief Yunhe, along with the renowned Yunhuang and Yunlei, arrived at the white jade platform of the Sanqing rank.

"Are you really going to challenge the prodigies of the lower-rank Sanqing Ancient Village?"

The Obscure Heavenly Court divine official presiding over the Sanqing rank white jade platform was a deity who had ignited Godfire, his gaze deep and unfathomable, as he questioned Yunhe.

"Yes, Divine Official, our two children from Cloud Peak Village want to test the strength of the prodigies from Sanqing Ancient Village!"

Yunhe replied.

The divine official did not stop them. After all, if they lost, the two prodigies from Cloud Peak Village would merely be giving away resources.

He, the divine official, would also receive a commission, so why not let it happen?

The white jade platform was quickly activated.

The news that a middle-rank ancient village prodigy was challenging a lower-rank Sanqing prodigy spread.

Yunhuang, following Li Che’s instructions, ascended the white jade platform.

Opposite Yunhuang stood a towering figure clad in armor, nearly two meters tall, hardly resembling a prodigy.

Without much ado, the confrontation erupted instantly. The prodigy from the Sanqing rank ancient village had a formidable aura, like a raging storm!

His goal was simple: to use his absolute divine rank aura to completely overwhelm Yunhuang, giving her no chance to react or resist.

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

Boom—!!

The divine auras clashed, like two surging waves!

Yunhuang’s face turned slightly pale, her body trembling, her robe fluttering in the wind!

The overwhelming pressure almost made her sink to her knees, barely able to hold herself up.

However, Yunhuang did not give up; her eyes burned with fierce determination.

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

Recalling the many martial arts Li Che had taught her, Yunhuang faced the immense pressure, let out a long howl, and charged forward.

As expected, the battle scene turned into a one-sided rout...

Yunhuang... was overwhelmed by the prodigy from Sanqing Ancient Village.

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

Even with all her might, Yunhuang, using the Blood-Crying Divine Phoenix Withering Arrow technique Li Che had taught her to its fullest extent, still found herself at a disadvantage.

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

Yet, Yunhuang still managed to stagger to her feet.

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

It had to be said that the prodigies from the various ancient villages of Jiutian Shidi were, in terms of combat quality, far superior to those in the mortal world.

Due to the Divine Gambling Battles, these children had matured very early, understanding the risks of losing and what it meant.

A single failure in a Divine Gambling Battle could result in the village losing a year's worth of resources.

Therefore, in every Divine Gambling Battle, the children would give it their all, almost burning themselves out.

"Screech—!!"

A piercing phoenix cry echoed throughout the arena.

Scorching Flame Light flickered, and divine essence boiled up at an alarming rate!

On the arena, Yunhuang's crimson hair flew about, her divine essence rising rapidly. She broke through the shackles, her Divine Essence Pill shattered, and her Divine Embryo emerged, surrounded by a ring of Flame Light, radiating an overwhelming divine aura!

"Village bloodline!"

"Bloodline awakening?!"

"This little girl actually awakened the ancient bloodline flowing through the villagers in the depths of despair?!"

...

Shouts of surprise instantly erupted.

Buzzing—buzzing—buzzing—buzzing—

Three beams of Radiant Light rapidly descended from the sky above Xuanshan Mountain.

The Path-Cleaver god and two Path-Fusion gods, who were overseeing the event, looked at Yunhuang with burning eyes, a mix of excitement and greed.

Yunhuang's fighting spirit soared, and her overall cultivation rose dramatically after her bloodline awakened and her cultivation broke through.

Despite the gap between her and her opponent, she managed to counterattack with the Blood-Crying Divine Phoenix Withering Arrow, successfully defeating her opponent!

She won the battle!

After the victory, Yunhuang fainted, her divine phoenix bloodline calming down.

Li Che stepped onto the arena and carried Yunhuang off. During this process, he felt numerous scorching gazes, the most intense of which came from the Path-Cleaver god of the Obscure Heavenly Court.

Next up was Yunlei. Like Yunhuang, he was fully committed to his training in the Zulong Zhaifa Technique, but not everyone could break through under such immense pressure and force a transformation.

Yunlei clearly failed.

He ultimately lost to his opponent, becoming the first contestant from Cloud Peak Village to suffer a defeat, much to everyone's regret.

Li Che intended to pay the gambling debt, but Yunhe stopped him.

"Mr. Mo, there's no need for you to pay the Divine Gambling Battle's debt. I'll take care of it. It's just one loss, and it will help Yunlei learn to be more humble and grow."

Yunhe 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 the overranked battle, with some left over.

So, Yunhe didn't want Li Che to bear the loss.

Li Che shook his head, insisted, and paid the debt. He wasn't short of divine essence crystals, and Cloud Peak Village truly needed these resources to improve their village.

Jiutian Shidi's rules were such that they had to adapt to them.

With Yunlei's defeat, Cloud Peak Village's five Divine Gambling Battles were all over.

Yunhuang maintained a perfect record, Yunlei lost one match, and Yunhe, the steady elder, also kept his undefeated record against the opponents from Liu Si Ancient Village...

In the rest area.

Yunhe's smile was forced. Some of his close friends from the Five Elders Ancient Village 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 Gambling Battle!

In the entire Xuanxiao Sky, a total of seventy-two villages would participate.

For Cloud Peak Village to secure this spot was a significant achievement, even a historical best!

Yunhe was genuinely happy about this, while Li Che remained calm.

He knew that the real storm was yet to come.

Sure enough.

After Cloud Peak Village confirmed their spot in the selection...

A Path-Fusion god approached slowly, his divine aura spreading out, vast and mighty, creating an overwhelming pressure.

Yunhe’s expression changed slightly. What was to come, inevitably, had arrived… He respectfully clasped his fists and bowed. "Divine Official, sir."

"Your Cloud Peak Village performed well this time. The two prodigies you have are exceptional, and the Great Divine Official is quite impressed with them. He wishes to meet them."

"And you… follow me."

The Path-Fusion god’s eyes were deep and profound, his powerful divine essence surging around him. The eyes hidden within his divine essence were filled with endless coldness and severity.

Yunhe, a seasoned man, instantly changed his expression.

"Divine Official, sir, I—"

However, before he could speak, the Path-Fusion official raised his hand to stop him.

"Follow the Great Divine Official’s orders."

"Though you have passed the selection, whether you can participate in the Thousand Villages Divine Gambling Battle still depends on the Great Divine Official’s decision."

Another Path-Fusion god then appeared, distorting space, and his eyes fell on Yunhuang and Yunlei.

"Follow me."

Yunhuang and Yunlei’s faces turned extremely pale.

Yunhe’s face became ashen, the veins on his neck visibly throbbing.

He wished he could rush to Yunhuang and Yunlei’s side and protect the two children. Yunhe had a vague suspicion that after Yunhuang awakened the ancient village bloodline, she might have caught the eye of a Path-Cleaver god…

Awakening the ancient village bloodline made a prodigy incredibly valuable!

The Obscure Heavenly Court was most famous for its research on ancient village bloodlines. Within the Obscure Heavenly Court, there was an Immortal god known for his alchemy, and this Immortal god loved to study ancient village bloodlines.

Therefore, many officials of the Obscure Heavenly Court specifically sought out ancient village cultivators who had awakened their bloodlines, forcibly buying or taking them to be used in the Immortal god’s alchemical research.

Yunhe had thought that since Yunhuang awakened her bloodline in front of everyone, she wouldn’t be targeted.

He never expected that the officials of the Obscure Heavenly Court…

Cared nothing for rules!

Cared nothing for the moral implications of being watched by many eyes!

Li Che patted Yunhuang and Yunlei’s heads, signaling for them to follow.

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

Li Che smiled faintly.

Yunhuang and Yunlei would indeed be fine. Not only had Li Che left a Thunder Chess Piece with them, but their awakened bloodline alone made them incredibly valuable.

The Great Divine Official would certainly not harm the two children; he would only nurture them to be presented as alchemical gifts to the Immortal god.

After the Path-Fusion god took Yunhuang and Yunlei away, another Path-Fusion god’s cold gaze locked onto Li Che, Yunhe, and the others.

In Li Che’s mind, Little Su Da revealed some of the Obscure Heavenly Court’s despicable practices regarding those who awakened ancient village bloodlines.

Li Che fell silent.

No wonder Yunhe didn’t show much joy when Yunhuang awakened her ancient village bloodline. The reason was right here.

Li Che, along with Zhang Ya, Little Su Da, and Yunhe, followed the Path-Fusion god up into the Divine Mountain.

The surrounding mist grew denser, and the divine essence became more concentrated.

In the Jiutian Shidi, where divine essence was naturally sparse, this Divine Mountain had a far higher concentration of divine essence, undoubtedly due to the divine phoenix array formation on it.

The surroundings grew increasingly quiet, and an invisible pressure continuously pressed down.

As a Second Disaster Divine Tribulation Venerable, Yunhe felt as if a mountain was pressing on his back, making him gasp for breath and struggle to take each step.

"Divine Official, sir, I can’t go on… This old man’s bones can’t handle it."

Yunhe called out.

The Path-Fusion god stopped, slowly turned around, and a Divine Platform phenomenon appeared behind him. Godfire burned upon it, casting auspicious rays, and the aura of the Great Dao seemed to condense into a Great Dao Disc within the rays.

This was the symbol of the Path-Fusion realm, where the power of the Great Dao, which connects to the Great Dao River, is integrated into the Divine Platform and the physical body.

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

"Since you can’t go on… then it’s time for you to leave."

The Path-Fusion god spoke indifferently.

"Sir! Why?!"

"Our Cloud Peak Village… has earned a spot in the Thousand Villages Divine Gambling Battle, witnessed by many ancient villages in the Xuanxiao Sky!"

Yunhe’s face turned ashen.

He never expected that the gods of the Obscure Heavenly Court…

Would be so brazen, treating the lives of ancient village cultivators as nothing more than livestock!

"A mere spot? Other villages can take your place. Many villages would be happy to see Cloud Peak Village lose its spot."

The Path-Fusion god smiled faintly. "As for why… does the Obscure Heavenly Court need to explain our actions to the village chief of a mere Five Elders Village?!"

Boom!!!

Countless divine essences burst forth from the Divine Fusion god's body, turning his flesh a blazing crimson, scorching hot. The divine essence merged with his blood and qi, surging out in a torrent!

He took a step forward.

On his body, the divine blood and qi rampaged like dragons and snakes, weaving through his flesh. Muscles, resembling tubers, piled up, veins bulged, and they trembled like dragons!

This Divine Fusion god displayed an overwhelmingly powerful Divine Martial Body!

He was a god who had merged Martial Arts with the Deity Path!

The divine essence exploded and spread around, forming a tangible substance, surging like waves!

It twisted the void, boiling with intensity!

Boom!

Just a surge of his aura, and Yun He lost the strength to move even a finger.

The difference between a Second Tribulation Divine and a Divine Fusion god was immense.

Yun He was utterly despairing.

He turned to look at Li Che, his eyes filled with regret.

It didn't matter if he died, but he had dragged Li Che down with him...

However, when Yun He looked, he was stunned.

Li Che's black robe fluttered, his jet-black, rugged hair danced like black lightning.

"Mr. Mo Che..."

Yun He murmured.

Li Che's face was calm, showing no sign of suppression.

The Aura of Power displayed by the Divine Fusion god seemed like a gentle breeze before him, causing no ripples.

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

Yun He's mouth opened slightly.

Li Che nodded gently, "It's fine... No worries."

Just as he had reassured Yun Huang and Yun Lei.

Yun He instantly understood.

The Divine Fusion god's eyes narrowed, sensing something unusual. He saw an intense sense of danger emanating from Li Che.

His face changed abruptly.

He couldn't help but recall the words of the High Divine Official...

The Young Emperor had once led many Path-Cleaver gods to search in the direction of Cloud Peak Village...

Could it be...

Boom!!!

The Divine Fusion god, without hesitation, tapped his toes on the mountain's surface, attempting to shatter the void and escape.

However, the Divine Fusion god's face turned pale.

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

"You..."

Li Che's gaze was deep, and he took a slow step forward.

His aura changed dramatically, and a vast divine essence flowed out like a tidal wave.

Boom!!!

It was as if a divine mountain rose from the ground, with boundless divine essence surging from its surroundings, flooding the plain in a torrent, raising a thousand waves!

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard instantly shot up, hovering overhead, sealing the surrounding void.

This Divine Fusion god could not tear through the space to escape...

"Damn!"

The Divine Fusion god's eyes changed.

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

Roar!!!

It was as if a true dragon roared!

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

The Divine Fusion god, seeing this...

His heart sank to the bottom.

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 thorns!

...

...

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

Led by a Path-Cleaver god, they arrived at the peak of the Mystic Mountain.

The entire peak rose above the sea of clouds, with white cloud currents rolling as far as the eye could see, obscuring the view of the mountain base.

A Great Sun rose above the sea of clouds, radiating brilliance, shining brilliantly.

Yun Huang and Yun Lei were stunned by the sight, their small worries dissipating like smoke.

"Good, you have indeed awakened the ancient village's bloodline..."

"Excellent, awakening the ancient village's bloodline at the age of nine, Immortality will be extremely satisfied. It has been a long time since we have had such a fine ancient village bloodline to offer for His research."

The Path-Cleaver god sat atop the mountain, his eyes opening, the radiant light making it almost impossible for Yun Huang and Yun Lei to look directly.

The terrifying divine might surged, making the sea of clouds roar like a beast.

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

"Laojun Immortality has captured the Revived god of the Prison Lotus Camp, the Heavenly Monkey, to refine it into a batch of Great and Lesser Heavenly Spirit Pills. Once refined, the Great Heavenly Spirit Pill will help the other two Earth Immortals of our Obscure Heavenly Court advance to Heaven Immortal... The Lesser Heavenly Spirit Pill can even increase a Rebirth God's chances of achieving Immortality by seventy percent!"

"And the ancient village's bloodline... is the essential ingredient for this batch of Great and Lesser Heavenly Spirit Pills!"

The Path-Cleaver god's eyes glowed, and he spoke.

His voice thundered, making the sea of clouds churn.

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

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

"So, child, if you are willing to become a medicinal ingredient, I, the divine official, can allocate one hundred One-Leaf Dao Essence Crystals and three hundred Lower Sanqing Divine Essence Crystals to Cloud Peak Village. How does that sound?"

Path-Cleaver God looked at Yunhuang with a burning gaze.

When he finished speaking, Radiant Light intertwined around him. Dao Essence Crystals with leaves growing inside and Divine Essence Crystals shimmering with divine mist floated around him, like stars dotting the night sky, extremely bright and captivating.

Yunhuang and Yunlei were instantly stunned by the grand gesture.

They had never seen so many Dao Essence Crystals and Divine Essence Crystals in their lives. It was almost overwhelming.

Yunhuang was even a bit tempted...

If her life could bring so many resources to the village...

Path-Cleaver God’s lips curled into a smirk as he watched Yunhuang and Yunlei, his derision evident.

He knew exactly how to manipulate the independent and strong-willed children of the ancient village.

These children were single-mindedly focused on earning resources for their village.

All he had to do was dangle a little bait, and he could lure them in, making them willing to sell themselves.

As for the resources he promised...

Heh, in the Nine Heavens and Ten Realms, Dao Essence Crystals and Divine Essence Crystals were exceedingly precious.

How could he waste them on this dilapidated Five Elders' ancient village?

Anyway, once these children ended up in Laojun Immortality’s alchemy furnace, they would never know if the resources actually reached their village.

"Sis! No!"

Yunlei suddenly came to his senses, grabbing Yunhuang’s hand and shouting desperately.

"He’s lying to us!"

"The village chief told us... these Obscure Heavenly Court gods are the most cunning. They won’t give the resources you earn to the village! They will hoard them!"

"Sis, don’t believe him!"

Yunlei’s face turned bright red.

Yunhuang’s expression was incredibly complex. How could she not know?

But in their current situation, did she really have a choice?

If she refused...

None of them would survive.

The Obscure Heavenly Court’s rule over the Xuanxiao Sky was absolute tyranny!

Even the Two Saints Ancient Village, with Immortality as their guardian, had to retreat in the face of the Obscure Heavenly Court, a congregation of gods. How could they possibly resist?

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

Yunhuang clenched her teeth and asked.

At just nine years old, she faced the darkness head-on, her legs trembling but her resolve unwavering as she presented her conditions.

Path-Cleaver God sat atop the mountain peak, surrounded by an overwhelming divine aura.

His deep, bright eyes fixed on the stubborn little girl standing tall, like a phoenix spreading its wings, and he paused, a slight smile curving his lips.

Although he didn’t know if the miscellaneous people of Cloud Peak Village had been dealt with, it didn’t stop him from agreeing.

He knew how to placate children.

"Very well, I, the divine official, agree to your terms."

Yunhuang’s crimson hair fluttered in the wind. She stared at Path-Cleaver God, feeling tears well up in her eyes, which were tinged with blood from the strain of looking directly at him.

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

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

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

Yunhuang took deep, ragged breaths, cruelly asserting her worth.

Path-Cleaver God’s eyes narrowed, and the pressure intensified.

"Are you trying to haggle with me?"

Yunhuang’s body swayed dangerously.

Yunlei collapsed to the ground, gritting his teeth and roaring. A Flame Light surged from his body, and a Flame Phoenix seemed to rise from the ashes under the immense pressure.

"Fine, fine..."

Path-Cleaver God’s anger turned to amusement.

"Fine..."

"I, the divine official, agree to your terms!"

The terrifying Aura of Power suddenly vanished.

Yunhuang and Yunlei felt as if they had been pulled from the depths of water.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with sorrow. They never expected their journey for the Divine Gambling Battle to end like this.

"We... have let our teacher down."

"We failed to help him reunite with his daughter..."

Yunhuang’s heart was heavy with guilt.

"Teacher... I’m sorry."

Yunhuang clenched her fists, blood-colored tears welling in her eyes.

Suddenly, a warm hand covered her head.

It was smooth and comforting, bringing her a sense of peace.

Yunhuang looked up and saw a figure in a black robe, Li Che, gently stroking the heads of the two stubborn and mature children.

"Ten Two-Leaf Dao Essence Crystals... and you think that’s enough to take my disciples?"

"My disciples are not so cheap."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end