Chapter 569: Carving Monkeys Holding the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, a Divine Armament Concealed in the Weapon Rack

Chapter 569: Carving Monkeys Holding the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, a Divine Armament Concealed in the Weapon Rack

Boom!

The thunderous explosion echoed incessantly!

Countless fragments of divine wood flew in all directions, like a massive avalanche, dust and debris scattering everywhere, splintering in all directions!

Ba She’s smile froze on his lips, and his wildly waving arms seemed to be filled with cement, completely stiffening in place!

He had failed!

The weapon rack he had carved, containing the spirit of the Heaven-Touching Temple Deity, had exploded directly, crushed by the Ruyi Golden Cudgel!

This blow was unbearably harsh for Ba She.

It seemed he was on the verge of success, steadily holding the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, but with a sudden roar, his divine carving could no longer bear the force and exploded!

Ba She’s massive frame swayed, almost losing balance.

“No way!”

Ba She’s face turned pale, a low growl escaping his throat, filled with disbelief and anger!

Even Ba She had failed…

This divine carver from the Mystic Cavern, who had emerged victorious from the fierce competition among divine carvers there, representing his faction at this banquet, was a testament to his formidable skills.

But no matter how skilled he was, when it came to the peak of the Heaven-Touching Temple Deity, a being powerful enough to rival a Heavenly Immortal…

Ba She still tasted the bitter taste of failure.

In the private room, Jin He Wang sipped from his golden goblet, shaking his head slightly. "He was too careless. It’s not that easy."

"The qitian monkey has a fiery temper, and his Divine Armament isn’t easy to handle."

"Ba She is still too young. His divine carving skills are good, but his understanding of the qitian monkey is insufficient."

Jin He Wang’s words echoed in the room, making Fu Shaohui’s face turn even more grim.

It was as if Jin He Wang’s words were a slap in the face.

Fu Shaohui also knew divine carving, but he had not delved deeply into it.

Shi Shaokai, the young emperor, a formidable divine carver himself, clasped his hands together, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"The Ruyi Golden Cudgel has gone berserk. Ba She thought it had stabilized, but he didn’t realize that the Ruyi Golden Cudgel seems to have a mind of its own, striking a fatal blow when Ba She relaxed his guard."

"But… why is the Ruyi Golden Cudgel so cunning?"

Shi Shaokai was puzzled by this.

Jin He Wang chuckled lightly. "That’s why we set up this banquet, to have many divine carvers work together to carve a weapon rack that can soothe the temper of a Divine Armament…"

This was the purpose of Jin He Wang’s banquet. Otherwise, why would he gather so many people and offer such a high reward?

He only wanted the divine carvers to carve and simulate the essence of the qitian monkey.

Unfortunately, such a requirement was not easy to meet.

Jin He Wang exhaled, and a powerful sword aura surged forth once more.

He bound the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, which had shattered Ba She’s divine carving, once again.

The suppression of a Nirvana Heavenly King was indeed formidable, making it difficult for the Ruyi Golden Cudgel to break free.

Although he couldn’t refine the Divine Armament, Jin He Wang’s strength as a Nirvana Heavenly King was unquestionable.

In the arena, with Ba She’s failure, the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Many divine carvers who had their carvings shattered by the monkey’s roar breathed a sigh of relief.

If even Ba She had failed, they didn’t need to feel too disheartened.

Jin Miluo soon completed his carving, a massive statue, towering and hollow inside, depicting the image of the Heaven-Touching Temple Deity.

Jin Miluo’s carving was simple, perfectly replicating the moment when qitian broke through the alchemy furnace.

Hum!

Jin Miluo’s feet touched down, and he appeared on top of his massive divine carving.

He had hollowed out the center of the wood, and the carved scene seemed to vibrate slightly, coming to life, as if awakening under the impact of divine energy.

"Jin He Wang!"

"Let this humble monk give it a try."

Jin Miluo spread his arms and let out a long roar!

Boom!

From the massive divine wood, countless fragments cascaded down like a sandstorm.

All the divine carvers who were paying attention to this moment felt a sense of dizziness.

Jin He Wang flicked his finger.

The sword aura hummed and dissipated, and the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, which had been restrained, vibrated once more.

It shot toward Jin Miluo’s divine carving.

There was a hole in the center of the carving, designed to receive the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel, like a leaf, gently landed inside the carving, in the hands of the qitian statue carved within.

Whistling sounds filled the air.

The atmosphere instantly calmed down.

However, a muffled sound rumbled from the ground.

Many eyes turned to see Jin Miluo’s divine carving trembling, the vibrations spreading through the ground!

Jin Miluo’s expression was grave, and a powerful divine spirit thought surged forth, his Path-Cutting Realm cultivation revealed, stimulating the divine energy within the carving, like a coiling dragon, completely enveloping the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

Jin Miluo chose to embed the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, as if carving a sheath for the cudgel itself.

Inside the private room.

Li Che's carving knife paused slightly, and he lifted his head to glance at the scene unfolding in the hall.

It had to be said, Jin Miluo truly had a vivid imagination, choosing to use this method to create a weapon stand.

But...

The outcome would be the same.

No matter how lifelike the carved Qitian Temple Deity might be, whether the Ruyi Golden Cudgel would remain calm or rebel was entirely up to Li Che. This was the privilege of being the master of a Divine Armament.

However, in reality, Li Che didn't exert much effort. Just like the divine wood carved by Ba She, it could not soothe the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

In the end, it would still be shattered by the cudgel, and Li Che was merely accelerating this inevitability.

This time, Jin Miluo seemed to show some signs of success.

Jin Miluo's understanding of the Qitian Monkey's habits and temperament far surpassed that of Ba She.

Li Che couldn't help but think of a certain Immortal from the Black Xumi, the Golden Cicada!

The Golden Cicada with its eyes embroidered with cicada patterns also represented the Black Xumi, yet it possessed the power to influence the situation.

"Interesting, but not much."

Li Che's carving knife swirled, tearing open a cut on the wooden sculpture, continuing to transform the Divine Armament, cutting the divine wood, and forming a precision mortise and tenon structure.

During the carving, Li Che glanced at the massive Buddha statue carved by Jin Miluo, which resembled a grand shrine.

A single glance, as if capturing Li Che's Divine Spirit Thought.

The feedback was instantaneous.

In the moment Jin Miluo relaxed, the Ruyi Golden Cudgel immediately began to sway and vibrate.

Humming sounds filled the air.

The massive wooden sculpture trembled, and cracks began to spread like a spider web.

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel instantly began to expand, one turning into two, two into three, and then into hundreds and thousands!

Densely packed Ruyi Golden Cudgels instantly burst the shrine-like divine sculpture!

Jin Miluo stood beneath the shattered sculpture, palms together, and sighed lightly. Countless fragments cascaded down like a waterfall.

"Failed..."

Jin Miluo sighed, shaking his head, feeling regret as he was showered by the fragments of the shattered divine wood.

The divine wood sculpture by the Black Xumi also failed...

This caused the entire Drunken Eight Trigram Treasure Pavilion to fall into a deathly silence.

Could it be...

No one would succeed at this banquet?

Jin He Wang also sighed and took a sip of wine.

This year's divine wood sculptors... weren't up to par!

Shi Shaokai frowned.

It shouldn't be like this...

The Black Xumi and Qitian actually had some connections, and Jin Miluo had a significant relationship with that Immortal...

Logically, Jin Miluo should be the most knowledgeable about the Qitian Monkey among the divine wood sculptors present.

But he still failed...

"Seems a bit strange..."

Shi Shaokai remarked.

Fu Shaohui, however, sneered, "What? Is it normal for the Mystic Cavern's Ba She to fail, but strange for Jin Miluo to fail?"

Shi Shaokai glanced at the irritable Fu Shaohui and chose not to argue.

Fu Shaohui was always like this, with the typical bad temper of a demon. If he really argued with him, it would turn into a never-ending bickering.

Ji Shaohao, on the other hand, felt relieved and relaxed his entire body.

As Xuanyuan Hao and Dongyang failed to calm the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, the two divine wood sculptors from the Second Holy Ancient Village also failed.

This banquet seemed to enter an awkward and strange situation.

Jin He Wang swirled his golden goblet.

"It's normal. Before the banquet, I had anticipated such a scene. It's possible that everyone might fail."

"If we can't get a weapon stand, then so be it."

Jin He Wang shook his head, not caring much. At worst, he would repress it into the chaotic void.

When the Qitian Monkey is refined into the Qitian Divine Pill by the Laojun Immortal, the Ruyi Golden Cudgel...

Would naturally be shaped to his liking!

"Everyone has failed..."

A smile crept onto Ji Shaohao's lips.

If everyone fails, and Cang Che also fails... then there would be nothing strange about it.

At this moment, Ji Shaohao even wondered if Li Che had already realized he couldn't succeed.

So, he might have secretly gathered some resources.

This way, Li Che wouldn't be at a loss, having white-gloved five precious divine woods!

Such high-quality divine woods were extremely valuable resources!

"Brother Shaohao, the divine wood sculptor from the Obscure Heavenly Court... has completed his carving."

"He actually used the mortise and tenon structure!"

Fu Shaohui squinted his eyes in surprise.

Shi Shaokai, palms together, looked rather grim, still pondering Jin Miluo's failure.

Hearing Fu Shaohui's words, Shi Shaokai couldn't help but look over.

The moment he did, he was momentarily stunned.

Because he saw a hand!

This divine sculptor from the Obscure Heavenly Court... actually carved a hand!

It was made from five types of divine wood, each type carved into a finger, extending to the palm, and from the palm, they were joined together using mortise and tenon joints.

The hand was in a clenched fist shape...

"This has nothing to do with the qitian monkey, does it?"

"What is he doing?"

Inside the treasure pavilion.

Many divine sculptors had noticed Li Che.

Or rather, Li Che was the only one still sculpting, so almost everyone's attention was on him.

When they saw what Li Che had sculpted, everyone was dumbfounded.

Bashi, Jin Miluo, Xuanyuan Hao, Dongyang, and other divine sculptors all had peculiar expressions in their eyes.

What a... strange guy.

"No, something's not right!"

Suddenly, Jin Miluo seemed to sense something and his face turned to one of shock!

...

...

Li Che, of course, was not bothered by everyone’s gazes.

He had completed his sculpture, using five types of divine wood, each one utilized.

And Li Che did not sculpt the qitian deity.

As the current master of the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, a Divine Armament, he naturally did not need to sculpt qitian.

However, Li Che chose another method.

The fist sculpture was assembled using mortise and tenon joints, a technique from the Nine Joints of Heavenly Craft he practiced.

When combined, the five types of divine wood seemed to merge seamlessly, with no signs of rejection or discomfort.

Their divine properties were interconnected.

"Jin He Wang."

Li Che walked to the railing and gave a slight bow to the booth where Jin He Wang was seated.

Jin He Wang narrowed his eyes and flicked his finger, releasing the sword qi that bound the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel immediately began to vibrate.

With a hum, it shot out.

Li Che clenched his hand, grabbed the weapon stand, and hurled it out.

The weapon stand, shaped like a clenched fist, soared up, and the Ruyi Golden Cudgel precisely inserted itself into the fist-shaped stand.

"Hum hum hum hum—"

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel vibrated intensely, creating countless illusions, as if the air itself was about to shatter.

Many people, seeing this, began to shake their heads, certain that Li Che would fail.

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel was too rebellious and could not be tamed.

How could this divine sculptor from the Obscure Heavenly Court, who didn't even sculpt the qitian deity, possibly tame the Ruyi Golden Cudgel?

A pipe dream!

To think that sculpting a fist-shaped weapon stand would really grip this Divine Armament staff?!

Crack—

Suddenly, someone heard a cracking sound, and saw a crack appear on one of the fingers sculpted from divine wood.

The crack spread, and then with a bang, it exploded, the wood chips scattering like mist.

But to everyone's surprise, Li Che's weapon stand did not completely shatter.

The exploded finger, after shedding the wood chips, revealed an inner world!

It was densely carved with tiny monkeys!

Each little monkey was stacked, protecting the Ruyi Golden Cudgel!

The vibration of the Ruyi Golden Cudgel seemed to slow down a bit.

Bang—

Another finger exploded, and the same scene repeated, with countless wood chips falling and revealing more carved monkeys!

The third, fourth, and fifth fingers!

The five fingers, each made from different types of divine wood, exploded one by one, revealing five different types of spiritual monkeys.

Inside the booth.

Jin He Wang suddenly stood up!

Shi Shaokai's pupils dilated, his gaze sharp.

"What?!"

"Is this possible?!"

Shi Shaokai's heart trembled, taking a few steps forward, utterly shocked.

Fu Shaohui and Ji Shaohao were both bewildered.

Especially Ji Shaohao.

"Uh... It seems... it might work?"

"The Obscure Heavenly Court's divine sculpting... is about to rise?!"

Ji Shaohao suddenly felt like laughing!

He never thought... that the Cang Che Immortal Hand would actually succeed!

Not only did he get five types of divine wood for free, but he also gained a sense of pride and triumph!

"Now I understand... with qitian suppressed, his resentment intertwined, the Ruyi Golden Cudgel has been infected, and even the qitian deity might not be accepted..."

"But by sculpting a stack of monkeys... it seems to touch the inner softness, making the stubborn Ruyi Golden Cudgel soften."

"Excellent technique! Excellent thinking!"

Jin He Wang laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming!

What a surprise.

He never thought it would actually succeed!

Jin He Wang looked at Li Che, the divine sculptor whom he had not paid much attention to earlier.

Now it seemed that the one who could solve his banquet problem would definitely have a place among the eighty-one arrayed divine sculptors.

Inside the treasure pavilion.

Everyone waited for a long time.

Then they saw the Ruyi Golden Cudgel in the five-fingered weapon stand, completely still, with no further movement.

This meant that among the many divine sculptors present...

Only the Cang Che Immortal Hand had succeeded!

"Surprisingly, it was the divine sculptor from the Obscure Heavenly Court who succeeded..."

"Never in a million years did I think that the Obscure Heavenly Court could produce such a talented Divine Sculptor."

"Using monkeys to build the weapon rack, it's as if the will of the Ruyi Golden Cudgel has returned home..."

"Amazing! Ingenious! And successfully executed!"

...

Praises echoed continuously.

Jin Miluo clasped his hands together, admiring it with genuine respect.

Ba She snorted coldly, crossing his arms, clearly dissatisfied.

"Just a trick. When it comes to skill, he's not a match for me."

Bang—

Dust and smoke billowed up.

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel quietly settled into the weapon rack.

A figure appeared in an instant—it was none other than Jin He Wang.

He narrowed his eyes, hands behind his back, carefully examining the now settled Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel, no longer restrained by his sword qi, stirred a deep longing in Jin He Wang's heart. It was truly exquisite.

Fu Shaohui watched from the Vip box with fiery eyes. His innate Divine Armament had been taken by Ksitigarbha. If he could use this Ruyi Golden Cudgel as his own...

Unfortunately, Fu Shaohui shook his head, dispelling the thought.

Because Jin He Wang also needed this Divine Armament. How could he possibly compete with a Nirvana Heavenly King?

"Ha-ha-ha! Excellent!"

"Very good!"

Jin He Wang examined it closely, his immensely powerful Nirvana will surging out, sweeping over the five-fingered weapon rack. After confirming there were no issues, he finally laughed heartily.

"This Lower Rank Second Saint Divinity Crystal belongs to Cang Che Immortal Hand!"

Hum—

A vast surge of divinity erupted like a flood.

The Divinity Crystal Jin He Wang tossed out shone like a blazing sun.

Li Che quickly caught the Divinity Crystal, unable to take his eyes off it, his face beaming with delight.

This was a Lower Rank Second Saint Divinity Crystal!

One of the most top-tier Divinity Crystals, extremely precious!

Li Che naturally treasured it dearly.

He wondered if this Lower Rank Second Saint Divinity Crystal could help Xi Xi advance to the God Realm?

Indeed, Li Che was quite excited about it.

However, he didn't hand over the Divinity Crystal to Xi Xi right away. Instead, he carefully stashed it away.

Countless envious and resentful gazes fell upon Li Che, but he paid them no mind.

"Cang Che Immortal Hand, please join me in my Vip box for a chat!"

Jin He Wang lifted the weapon rack, along with the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, and smiled as he invited Li Che.

Li Che didn't refuse, following Jin He Wang into the Vip box.

Inside, several pairs of eyes turned toward him.

"Ha-ha-ha! Cang Che Immortal Hand, you truly live up to being the most talented Divine Sculptor in the Obscure Heavenly Court. You haven't disappointed me, Young Emperor!"

Ji Shaohao's face lit up with warmth and enthusiasm when he saw Li Che.

Fu Shaohui snorted coldly, and Shi Shaokai's face darkened.

Li Che remained humble, finding a seat and quietly enjoying the food, even sneaking a portion to take away.

The food in this Heavenly King's Vip box was truly exceptional, with many dishes containing extremely precious medicinal herbs.

As Li Che savored the food, he also packed a portion for Xi Xi.

Even Li Che, with his Mortal Saint Body, felt a slight enhancement from the energy of the medicinal herbs in the food.

Jin He Wang, having achieved his goal for the banquet, was in high spirits and treated Li Che with great kindness.

In addition to the Lower Rank Second Saint Divinity Crystal, he also gave Li Che three Upper Rank Three Pure Ones Divinity Crystals.

"You've helped me solve this problem, allowing me to examine the Ruyi Golden Cudgel in a calm state, which is of great help on my path to Immortality..."

"This reward is nothing compared to what you've done for me!"

Jin He Wang laughed heartily.

After admiring it for a while, Jin He Wang unleashed his sword qi, tearing through the void, and stored away the Ruyi Golden Cudgel and the weapon rack.

The banquet gradually drew to a close. After exchanging toasts, the guests bid farewell to Jin He Wang.

Ji Shaohao led Li Che and Xi Xi back to their courtyard.

Ji Shaohao's smile never left his face. He was truly elated today.

Fu Shaohui and Shi Shaokai couldn't argue with him and had to endure his gloating.

Especially Shi Shaokai, the proud monk who had always looked down on the divine sculpture techniques of the Obscure Heavenly Court.

Today, he had finally learned his lesson!

"Cang Che Immortal Hand, thank you!"

"I never expected you to exceed my expectations!"

"This Eight-Leaf Dao Essence Crystal... is yours!"

Ji Shaohao kept his word, taking out the Eight-Leaf Dao Essence Crystal and handing it directly to Li Che.

"You've really hit the jackpot this time. You earned a Lower Rank Second Saint Divinity Crystal from Jin He Wang. Just this Divinity Crystal alone could elevate the Canglan Ancient Village from the Four Sovereigns Middle Rank to the Three Pure Ones Middle Rank!"

Ji Shaohao said.

Li Che took the Dao Essence Crystal, which was suffused with the essence of the Dao. He could see the eight leaves rotating and blooming within, like a dream.

The value of the eight-leaved Dao Essence Crystal was on par with a lower-grade divinity crystal from the Two Saints.

Li Che indeed made a huge profit, but it was through his own abilities.

Ji Shaohao encouraged Li Che a few times, expressing his anticipation for Li Che's performance at the Divine Craftsmanship Immortal Hand Assembly, before leaving the room.

Xi Xi blinked her large eyes, gazing at Li Che expectantly.

Without even needing Xi Xi to pout, Li Che directly handed her the lower-grade divinity crystal from the Two Saints.

Xi Xi's desire for the Dao Essence Crystal was not particularly strong, as her essence was the Prison Lotus Curse.

The Prison Lotus Curse was essentially a top-tier Dao Essence Crystal.

By comprehending the Prison Lotus Curse and absorbing the overflowing curse energy, she was already satisfied.

Therefore, Li Che, without hesitation, directly fed the invaluable eight-leaved Dao Essence Crystal to Old Yellow.

Old Yellow's fleshy body swallowed the eight-leaved Dao Essence Crystal, and the energy within became increasingly terrifying.

Li Che couldn't bear to watch.

With the lower-grade divinity crystal, Xi Xi immediately went into seclusion to cultivate.

Li Che sat in the room, his eyes gleaming as he slowly exhaled.

This banquet was truly a bountiful harvest for Li Che.

Besides the delicious delicacies infused with the energy of medicinal herbs, there were also the divinity crystal from the Two Saints and the eight-leaved Dao Essence Crystal.

But these were not the main points!

The main point was that ...

King Jin He had allowed him to touch the Ruyi Golden Cudgel!

It was his Ruyi Golden Cudgel!

Raising his head, Li Che's eyes erupted with a brilliant light, almost illuminating the entire room.

Inside his body, his blood and qi surged, and his powerful physical strength began to digest the medicinal energy absorbed during the banquet!

Rumbling—

His blood and qi surged like waves, pounding against his bones, causing his skin to vibrate and the air to ripple, as if the void itself was about to tear apart!

Li Che's physical body was truly formidable!

As Li Che refined the energy, he also adjusted his state.

His eyes shone with a fierce determination!

"Carving the weapon rack..."

"It's a great opportunity to get close to the Ruyi Golden Cudgel."

During the banquet, Li Che had thought long and hard about how to retrieve the Divine Armament from a Nirvana Heavenly King.

However, no matter what plan he considered, he couldn't avoid dealing with King Jin He.

Carving the weapon rack provided Li Che with a simple and brutal solution!

"Since there's no way around it... I'll just go directly!"

"As long as I retrieve the cudgel quickly enough... even a Nirvana Heavenly King won't be able to react in time!"

Li Che's eyes were sharp.

He raised his hand and touched his brow.

Instantly, the Heaven and Earth Chessboard spread out, enveloping the entire courtyard.

Li Che immersed himself in the room, breathing deeply to bring himself to his best state.

Time passed slowly.

Unbeknownst to him, three days had passed since the banquet.

And Li Che had completely digested the medicinal energy from the delicacies.

With a slight movement of his mind, the Thunderfly Chess Piece hidden in the weapon rack revealed its true form.

After obtaining the weapon rack, King Jin He had retrieved the Ruyi Golden Cudgel and did not send it back into the chaotic void.

Instead, he placed it in his palace.

He sat opposite the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, constantly observing and using his Heavenly King will to cleanse it.

Under such close surveillance, it was almost impossible for anyone to take the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

But it wasn't entirely so.

Li Che had waited three days to start preparing, in order to observe King Jin He's habits and find the best opportunity to retrieve the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

He also needed to ensure that he wouldn't ruin his chances of participating in the Divine Craftsmanship Immortal Hand Assembly.

From his observations, King Jin He needed to go deep into the Doutian Palace City daily, seemingly to visit Laojun Immortal and arrange the assembly.

Only at that time would King Jin He send the Ruyi Golden Cudgel into the chaotic void.

Hum—

Through the Thunderfly Chess Piece, Li Che sensed King Jin He leaving his palace.

He sent the Ruyi Golden Cudgel and the weapon rack into the void.

Li Che's eyes snapped open.

He took out a White Jade Compassionate Mask and placed it on his face.

His eyes shone like a Great Sun!

"This is it..."

Li Che spread his fingers wide, slowly clenching them.

At the moment of complete clenching, a white chess piece appeared in his palm.

His entire body instantly teleported to the location of the chess piece!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end