https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-547-Identity-Exposed-Siege-on-the-Daughter-of-the-Prison-Lotus-Long-Distance-Couple-Finally-Reunites-with-Their-Daughter-Request-for-Monthly-Votes-Part-2-/13467391/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-548-Let-Xixi-Know-Her-Father-is-Always-Here-the-Bitter-Sea-Siege-of-the-Prison-Lotus-Begins-Part-2-/13467393/
Chapter 548: Let Xixi Know Her Father is Always Here, the Bitter Sea Siege of the Prison Lotus Begins (Part 1)
Chapter 548: Let Xixi Know Her Father is Always Here, the Bitter Sea Siege of the Prison Lotus Begins (Part 1)
"Xixi… Husband, it's Xixi!"
Below the teleportation platform.
The area was bustling with people, heads craning to see.
Crowds of cultivators from the ancient villages gathered, their eyes bright with curiosity and excitement, all focused on the platform where the Prison Lotus Maiden stood.
Everyone was immensely curious about the Prison Lotus Maiden. Her name was well-known throughout the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and the legends surrounding her had been passed down through the ancient villages for generations.
After all, the Prison Lotus Maiden symbolized slaughter and death, embodying the Cosmic Will. She was the executioner sent by the Cosmic Will, carrying out terrifying massacres during the divine waves.
Thus, the name of the Prison Lotus Maiden was known to everyone in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Not only because her identity was tied to the grand wager of the Thousand Village Divine Battle, but also because any Prison Lotus Maiden who grew to maturity would eventually slay an immortal.
To be able to slay an immortal, one must be a formidable immortal-level powerhouse. In other words, the Prison Lotus Maiden… might be the closest thing to an immortal that the people here could encounter.
Zhang Ya and Li Che also appeared in the crowd. Li Che concealed his aura, using the Heaven and Earth Chessboard to mask his presence.
His eyes filled with joy, excitement, and tenderness as he looked at Xixi, her head held high, full of youthful vigor.
The little girl… might not yet know that she had become the target of the three major divine factions.
To provoke Xixi and force her to turn dark, these factions were continuously harming the people around her.
The couple stood quietly in the crowd, watching Xixi appear.
Their hearts felt a bit more at ease.
At this moment, Li Che realized that forcing a reunion with Xixi would only put their family in danger. With their current strength, they couldn't face the three major divine factions without risking their lives.
On the contrary, as long as Xixi's destiny had not yet been fulfilled, she would be safe.
The numerous immortal divine beings of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths would not, and could not, allow Xixi to come to harm.
If the Prison Lotus Maiden were to die, the divine wave she was meant to bring to an end would continue, preventing the ninth divine wave from arriving, and the immortal divine beings' plans would be completely thwarted.
Therefore, Xixi's safety was not a concern.
In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, she might be the safest person.
Xixi placed her hands on her hips, eyes squinted. At nine years old, she already bore a resemblance to a young woman, her beautiful face marked by a burgeoning spirit.
She scanned the crowd, completely unafraid of the intense gazes.
Behind her were the prodigies from Earth Village.
Li Che had also gathered intelligence on Earth Village, an ancient village from the Beidou Heaven, one of the Three Pure Villages. It was a powerful village with several Nirvana Kings as its protectors.
It was a top-tier ancient village under the jurisdiction of the Two Saints.
Thus, the prodigies from Earth Village were all remarkable. Including Xixi, five prodigies had come to participate in the divine battle.
The oldest was fifteen, the youngest was Xixi at nine. There were three prodigies at nine years old, one at fifteen, and one at twelve.
A boy and a girl walked out beside Xixi. The boy was handsome, and the girl was gentle. They wore peculiar clothing, animal skin armor, and had patterns painted on their faces.
After they spoke to Xixi, the leader of the Earth Village team stepped forward.
He was an old man in animal skin clothing, his white hair contrasting with his robust, muscular build, exuding explosive power.
Li Che glanced at him and recognized him as a Sever Dao divine being. He had three faint Sever Dao marks, indicating he was a Third Sever Realm powerhouse, not a First Sever Realm divine being like Xuan Li.
The Sever Dao realm had three stages: Sever Body, Sever Origin, and Sever Soul. Only those who had severed all three could touch Nirvana.
"This person must be the leader of the Earth Village team mentioned in the inn's intelligence, a Third Sever Realm near-king, Tuoba Ye."
Li Che mused.
Typically, ancient villages wouldn't send a Third Sever Realm leader.
Most often, it would be a First Sever Realm divine being.
Clearly, Earth Village was aware of Xixi's identity and had taken her very seriously, sending a powerful protector.
On the teleportation platform, Xixi was about to leave with the team.
Suddenly, she paused, feeling her blood boiling.
Her face turned bright red, her eyes wide, as she scanned the crowd.
"Xixi, what's wrong?" the boy in animal skin clothing asked.
Tuoba Ye also turned to look.
"I think… I felt my parents' gaze."
"My parents… could they have come to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?"
Xixi felt a burning sensation all over her body.
Her gaze was intense as she continued to scan the crowd.
"Entering the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths from the mortal world is not easy. Your father is an extraordinary martial immortal in the mortal world. If he had arrived here, it would have caused a great stir, and it would have been impossible to hide."
Tuoba Ye said.
"Moreover, the immortals of the three major divine factions wouldn't easily allow your father to enter the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths."
"Perhaps you're mistaken."
"You haven't seen your parents in a long time, and you might be missing them too much."
Tuoba Ye rubbed Xixi's head and sighed.
"The Prison Lotus Maiden… what a cruel identity for a child, both a curse and a torment."
In fact, Tuoba Ye was not willing to easily get entangled with the Prison Lotus Maiden.
However, after rescuing Xixi and learning of her identity as the Prison Lotus Maiden, the bond between the village and Xixi had already become inseparable.
Tuoba Ye, however, was not worried about Xixi's safety. Just like what Li Che knew, Tuoba Ye and the elders of Earth Village were also aware of the situation.
That was why Earth Village was willing to take in Xixi, allowing her to represent their village in the Divine Children’s Gambit to earn resources.
Xixi rubbed her eyes and pursed her lips.
She felt a bit lost.
Was it really a mistake?
Could the feeling of blood connection be wrong?
For so many days, Xixi had never experienced such a sensation, but today, the familiar gaze amidst the countless people made her soul tremble.
"Also... Xixi, listen. Even if it really is your parents ascending to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, do not easily acknowledge them."
Tuoba Ye transmitted his words sternly.
Xixi, upon hearing this, immediately understood and nodded.
In the crowd.
Li Che wrapped his arm around Zhang Ya's waist and chuckled softly, "Xixi's perception is truly sharp."
"She must have sensed our gaze, but she can't find us."
Li Che sighed.
He had already made the decision to not reunite with Xixi for the time being.
Helping Xixi from the shadows was far better than revealing himself and becoming a target for the gods, a tool to force Xixi to turn dark.
Earth Village had a Nirvana King as its guardian, giving it the confidence to stand its ground.
Unless an Immortal intervened, Earth Village had the courage to resist.
But it was different for them as a couple.
"Xixi has indeed grown up..."
"If it were the old Xixi, she would have started shouting the moment she sensed our presence."
Zhang Ya said softly.
"Little girl has been through so much; growing up was inevitable", Li Che smiled lightly.
With Zhang Ya, he instantly vanished and returned to the inn.
It wasn't the right time to meet. As parents, they couldn't become a burden to their child.
Silently protecting and quietly supporting was what they should do now.
Many things are only learned and understood after becoming parents.
Inside the inn.
After Li Che returned, he sought out Yun Huang and Yun Lei.
"Teacher."
Yun Huang and Yun Lei were still very respectful to Li Che. After witnessing his strength, their admiration and zeal only grew stronger.
This admiration and zeal were different from that of a Bound Deity; they were a result of his personal charisma and formidable power.
"Have you seen the Prison Lotus Maiden?"
Li Che looked at Yun Huang and Yun Lei, speaking slowly.
Upon hearing this, the two were immediately surprised, and their eyes filled with burning determination.
"Teacher, rest assured. We will strive to defeat the Prison Lotus Maiden in the Thousand Villages Divine Children’s Gambit! I heard that the stakes for defeating her are already thirty times higher!"
"Defeating the Prison Lotus Maiden will triple the stakes!"
Yun Lei said, his eyes burning with determination.
"The stakes don't matter. I mainly want to prove that my disciples are not weak! Even the Prison Lotus Maiden is nothing to fear!"
Li Che looked at Yun Lei with a half-smile.
Yun Huang seemed to have sensed something, her face slightly stiff, and she kept giving Yun Lei meaningful glances as he spoke passionately.
But Yun Lei didn't understand, still basking in his own enthusiasm.
"The Prison Lotus Maiden... is my daughter."
Li Che said calmly.
As the words fell, the room fell silent.
Yun Huang's eyes widened in shock, and Yun Lei, who had been talking nonstop, suddenly felt as if a large hand had clamped around his throat.
What?
What are you saying, Teacher?!
The Prison Lotus Maiden... is the daughter Teacher has been searching for, the one he specially trained us to find in the Thousand Villages Divine Children’s Gambit?!
How dramatic is that?!
Yun Lei felt a bit embarrassed, remembering his earlier boasts, as if a hand was lightly slapping his face.
Should he win or not against the Teacher's daughter?
He felt numb.
Li Che smiled lightly, looking at Yun Lei with a half-smile. This little guy was more outgoing than Yun Huang.
Yun Huang was more mature and steady, being the older sister.
"If you can win, then do so. Don't hold back. Face Xixi with all your strength."
"Xixi doesn't need your mercy."
Li Che said calmly.
Yun Lei nodded vigorously.
Yun Huang, however, sensed a different meaning and her gaze sharpened, "Teacher... did you call us here to help Xixi reduce some of the pressure in the Thousand Villages Divine Children’s Gambit?"
Li Che looked at Yun Huang with appreciation. This girl was indeed smart.
She truly deserved to be his most admired disciple.
"Yes."
"Xixi's situation is special, and the challenges she faces are great... you've seen the stakes at the inn, and you know the situation Xixi is in now."
"Most likely, all the Divine Children in the Thousand Villages Divine Children’s Gambit are aiming to defeat Xixi."
Yun Huang nodded solemnly. Putting herself in Xixi's shoes, she would feel overwhelming pressure.
"So, for the upcoming Thousand Villages Divine Children’s Gambit, I allow you to use... the Divine Art Mechanisms."
Li Che's words made Yun Huang and Yun Lei's eyes light up.
The Divine Art Mechanisms Li Che taught them had opened a new world for them.
However, in previous gambits, Li Che had never allowed them to use these mechanisms.
Now, in the Thousand Villages Divine Children’s Gambit, he was finally loosening the restrictions, finally unsealing their potential?
Yun Lei's entire body trembled with excitement, his face flushed with enthusiasm!
Li Che's mind moved.
Yun Huang and Yun Lei instantly disappeared, taken to Ink City Purgatory by him.
After its previous decay, Ink City Purgatory had begun to rapidly repair itself.
Although the city was still in ruins, it could now accommodate outsiders.
Li Che was in the Ink City Purgatory, training Yun Huang and Yun Lei with divine art mechanisms. He upgraded their Divine Art Gatling, Barrett, and Wooden Crow using the level 8 Divine Art Dao Fruit.
This was Li Che's goal.
By having Yun Huang and Yun Lei use these divine art mechanisms, he could pass hidden messages to Xixi.
He wanted Xixi to know one thing...
Daddy is here!
Indeed, Li Che did not plan to reunite with Xixi or reveal himself. However, he had to give Xixi, who was facing the world as an enemy, some confidence and encouragement. He wanted her to know that he was there, always there.
...
The Divine Gambling Battle of a Thousand Villages was located in Divine Treasure City.
This city, under the jurisdiction of the Black Mount Sumeru of the Buddhist sect, was vast and majestic, enveloped in countless rays of Buddha light, filled with the nature of Buddha.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
All the cultivators from the ancient villages participating in the Divine Gambling Battle of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths gathered in Divine Treasure City through the teleportation platforms. The city was so large that the influx of so many cultivators did not burden it at all.
Within these three days, Xixi, as the Prison Lotus Maiden, had become a hot favorite in the Divine Gambling Battle. The prodigies from all the ancient villages were rubbing their hands in anticipation, eager to challenge her.
The odds of defeating the Prison Lotus Maiden had already reached a staggering sixty to one!
In other words, if one could personally defeat the Prison Lotus Maiden in the Divine Gambling Battle of a Thousand Villages, they would receive sixty times the resources they bet!
What a tremendous fortune!
Who could resist such wealth?!
Therefore, within the entire Divine Treasure City, the prodigies eager to participate in the Divine Gambling Battle of a Thousand Villages were all rubbing their hands in excitement and anticipation, ready to fight to the death and secure the Prison Lotus Maiden's first defeat!
Inside the inn.
Li Che sat quietly, holding a piece of divine wood and slowly carving it, with the divine nature of heaven and earth continuously condensing upon it.
Yun He, the village chief of Cloud Peak Village, returned with news about the rules of the Divine Gambling Battle of a Thousand Villages.
"Mr. Mo Che, the rules for this year's Divine Gambling Battle are different from the past. It's not a tournament on a stage", Yun He said, his expression very serious.
Li Che did not stop his hands, continuing to carve as he asked, "This year's Divine Gambling Battle will take place in a grotto within the Divine Treasure Sky. A total of 1,300 ancient village teams are participating."
"Based on the village's rank and the stakes they put up, they will receive Divine Treasure Warrants. Each Divine Treasure Warrant represents a portion of resources..."
"Those who can leave the grotto with their Divine Treasure Warrants intact will receive an additional Divine Treasure Warrant. The resources they can exchange for are determined by the stakes their village put up."
Yun He explained.
Li Che pondered, "In other words, as long as one has a Divine Treasure Warrant and leaves the grotto, they will basically profit from participating in the Divine Gambling Battle."
"If one defeats another village team in the grotto and obtains their Divine Treasure Warrant, they can exchange it for resources after leaving the grotto?"
Yun He nodded, confirming that was the general idea.
"This rule... seems to be aimed at Xixi."
Li Che's heart stirred slightly.
Because, losing one match wasn't a big deal, just losing a Divine Treasure Warrant. There was still a chance to regain and reclaim the Divine Treasure Warrant.
However, if Xixi lost her first match, to regain a Divine Treasure Warrant, she would have to continue fighting, which could lead to a second or third loss...
After all, the gambling houses in the entire Divine Treasure City had already raised the odds for Xixi's third defeat to ten to one!
Whoever could secure Xixi's third defeat would receive ten times their bet!
"Such rules have appeared before in the Divine Gambling Battle."
Yun He said.
"Under these rules, it's easy to create a wealthy ancient village team."
Indeed, if a village team could dominate, they could collect all the Divine Treasure Warrants from everyone else.
It would be like completely plundering resources!
Li Che nodded. It might be too early to say the rules were aimed at Xixi. Perhaps the rules were always like this.
After all, under these rules, competition would become very intense.
"Also, this Divine Gambling Battle is divided into two battlefields, one for the Divine Realm and one for the prodigies, both taking place in the same grotto."
Yun He pursed his lips, looking at Li Che with a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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