Chapter 575: Activating the Fifth Heaven and Earth Ancient Rune, He Not Only Touched Nüwa but Also Caressed

Chapter 575: Activating the Fifth Heaven and Earth Ancient Rune, He Not Only Touched Nüwa but Also Caressed

He actually got to touch this Azure Ox Sculpture?!

What a stroke of luck!

Li Che never expected the second round of the trial to be so considerate! Indeed, for Li Che, this rule was almost tailor-made. His Divine Engineer Dao Guo had already reached a level of mastery in analyzing wooden sculptures.

Originally, using the Star-Plucking Eye to observe a divine sculpture crafted by a deity like Nüwa would have been extremely difficult, even with the power of the Heaven and Earth Ancient Rune, it would have been impossible for Li Che to see through it.

But, if he could touch it...

That would be a different story!

Once he could touch it, Li Che could directly use his physical contact to conduct a subtle analysis through the Divine Engineer Dao Guo. Not only could he analyze Nüwa's divine sculpting techniques, but he could also see through what the sculpture contained!

However, at this moment, no one dared to make a move except Shi Shaokai. Even Fu Shaohui, another Young Emperor, remained still, watching from a distance, his body radiating demonic energy as he narrowed his eyes.

It seemed he wanted to see if Shi Shaokai could gain any insights by touching the Azure Ox Sculpture.

If he could, others might not hesitate to make their move.

"Touching?"

"Since this divine sculpture is a masterpiece of Nüwa, how could it be so easily touched?"

Fu Shaohui crossed his arms, his body emanating a sinister demonic aura, and he laughed coldly, a hint of derision in his voice.

Fu Shaohui had truly met Nüwa, though he was not a descendant of Nüwa, he was a descendant of the Immortality Crane Emperor and had interacted with Nüwa. This might be his advantage!

Li Che also suppressed the excitement of the Divine Engineer Dao Guo, his gaze focusing as he watched Shi Shaokai step toward the Azure Ox Sculpture.

Shi Shaokai displayed the Golden Cicada Pattern, as if an ancient golden cicada was spreading its wings behind him. His spotless monk's sandals stepped forward, causing invisible waves of energy to ripple through the ground.

The Azure Ox Sculpture was placed in the central area. As Shi Shaokai approached, his steps became slower and slower.

It seemed an invisible barrier had appeared before Shi Shaokai, trying to block his path!

Shi Shaokai frowned, his body bursting with brilliant golden light, a powerful and concentrated divine aura radiating from him. It was as if a Great Dao River was swirling around him, and Dao-severing patterns appeared one after another.

His body, which had been halted by the barrier, began to vibrate and tremble, his fluttering monk's robe freezing in place, becoming incredibly sharp and hard.

He pushed through the barrier with sheer force, continuing his steps forward!

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

But even with his Dao-severing cultivation, after taking hundreds of steps, he was halted once again.

The cicada patterns on his eyes trembled continuously, and a hint of pain appeared in his gaze.

No one knew what he had experienced or seen.

Why was he in pain?

The divine sculptors furrowed their brows, their eyes fixed, but they could not perceive what was happening between Shi Shaokai and the Azure Ox Sculpture!

Fu Shaohui, with his arms crossed, his explosive physique radiating demonic energy and covered in demonic patterns, seemed to have expected this. He deeply mocked Shi Shaokai's current predicament!

Let the bald monk put on a show!

How easy do you think it is to touch Nüwa's sculpture?!

Li Che was also very curious about what was hindering Shi Shaokai. What was blocking him?

However, the environment was too complex, and even the will of a Celestial Immortal was sweeping through. If Li Che were to use the Heaven and Earth Chessboard to observe at this moment, he might be detected by the Celestial Immortal.

Li Che had to be cautious with the Celestial Immortal. Even at his peak, Qitian could only barely match a Celestial Immortal.

So, Li Che settled down, waiting quietly. He definitely intended to try touching the sculpture, even if there were strange barriers. He wouldn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance his Divine Engineer Dao Guo!

The Golden Crane King flapped his wings, countless sword auras swirling around him like a waterfall.

His face was cold and stern as he watched Shi Shaokai step forward.

The loss of the Ruyi Golden Cudgel to Ksitigarbha left the Golden Crane King feeling disheartened, and now he viewed everyone with suspicion!

He had no good expression for anyone!

Boom, boom, boom—!

A mysterious wave of energy rippled through the air, as if the power of the Heaven and Earth Will was colliding and impacting.

Shi Shaokai's face turned grim, his monk's robe tightly adhering to his body. His feet were like steel nails, firmly planted on the ground, but he could not stabilize himself and was pushed back by the powerful force!

A deafening cicada cry exploded!

Behind Shi Shaokai, it seemed as if an ancient golden cicada had unfurled its wings, buzzing and resonating like a sharp blade slicing through the air.

It cleaved through the barrier as if it were nothing!

Shi Shaokai's face turned crimson, as if he was bearing a pressure far beyond his capacity.

He began to move forward again, taking one step at a time, actually managing to withstand the mysterious force and reach the Azure Ox Sculpture.

He clasped his hands together, then slowly raised them, trembling as he reached out toward the Azure Ox Sculpture, trying to touch it.

Everyone's gaze was drawn to this moment.

Shi Shaokai's trembling fingers seemed to become the focal point of the entire world.

Finally, his fingers made contact with the Azure Ox Sculpture.

The eyes of the Azure Ox Sculpture shifted, deep and vast like a star-filled sky, scanning Shi Shaokai.

Shi Shaokai's eyes shut in agony, and two streams of blood tears flowed from them, tracing down his cheeks.

He seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon, unable to maintain his stance.

The cicada pattern vanished, and he stumbled backward, taking several steps before finally stopping with a heavy stomp.

Huff, huff, huff—

In the silent atmosphere, only Shi Shaokai's heavy breathing could be heard.

Those around him couldn't help but sigh.

It seemed that he had failed. Indeed, touching the divine sculpture of Nüwa wasn't that easy.

However, Shi Shaokai had done remarkably well. Even though he only managed a slight touch, it still counted as a success and surpassed many others.

After Shi Shaokai was pushed back so far, other divine sculptors began to move, determined to try and see if they could gain insight by touching the sculpture.

Otherwise, trying to understand this Azure Ox Sculpture and carve Nüwa's likeness would be a daunting task!

After Shi Shaokai was pushed away, Jin Miro also moved forward.

However, his performance was even worse than Shi Shaokai's. He only managed to walk a hundred meters before being forcefully knocked back by the powerful impact.

He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with a sense of awe.

But...

That fleeting glimpse brought a glimmer of joy to Jin Miro's eyes.

He clasped his hands together and began to approach the Two Saints Ancient Village's divine wood, starting to carve.

On the other side, Shi Shaokai also began to carve. Clearly, even that brief touch, though short, had yielded unexpected results!

The divine sculptor from Mystic Cavern, Ba She, also moved forward, his demonic aura rampant. He managed to walk a greater distance than Jin Miro but still couldn't touch the Azure Ox like Shi Shaokai.

One by one, the divine sculptors couldn't resist, realizing that this method worked, and they all began to try to approach and touch the sculpture.

This didn't seem to be about their cultivation level.

For example, Dongyang, the divine sculptor from Taiyi Ancient Village, whose cultivation was far below Shi Shaokai's, still managed to reach the Azure Ox Sculpture and touch it.

Dongyang's face was filled with joy.

"I see it, I see it!"

Without a doubt, in that moment of touch, he perceived Nüwa!

Though the image was blurry, it at least gave him a direction, no longer leaving him in the dark.

Dongyang's performance sparked a frenzy among all the divine sculptors.

One after another, they tried to approach the Azure Ox Sculpture.

However, they all failed. No one, besides Dongyang, managed to touch the Azure Ox Sculpture like Shi Shaokai.

Xuan Yuanhao from Dihong Ancient Village, who was originally given high hopes, ended up performing at the same level as Jin Miro.

"It's my turn."

Fu Shaohui descended gracefully.

Behind him, a surging demonic aura condensed into patterns covering his entire body. At this moment, the Immortality Crane Emperor's bloodline within him was awakening.

Fu Shaohui's eyes were filled with determination. He was full of hope, as his path to enlightenment, the Divine Armament Demon Saint Halberd, had been taken by Ksitigarbha. Now, he could only place his hopes on the Immortality Pill.

This was his only chance!

So...

He had to succeed!

"Nüwa! Feel the Crane Emperor bloodline within me, help me!"

Fu Shaohui gritted his teeth, a low growl emerging from his throat.

A piercing cry echoed, and in the next moment, countless strands of demonic aura erupted from his back, intertwining to form a massive bird shape!

The bird let out a long cry, flapping its wings, as if the aura of Immortality began to spread.

Deep within the Tian Gong City, three Immortals with seven-colored auras revolving behind them cast their gazes.

"It's the first descendant of the Immortality Crane Emperor from Mystic Cavern. He must be desperate to have even stimulated his bloodline."

"For this Divine Sculptor Conference, he is truly giving it his all."

"It seems his path to enlightenment, the Divine Armament, was taken by someone. Without it, this young man has no choice but to fight."

...

The three Immortals smiled faintly as they conversed.

"However, Nüwa has always been fair and impartial. This young man... relying on his Immortality bloodline to perceive the skills hidden by Nüwa, he will likely be disappointed."

Laojun Immortal spoke.

Upon hearing this, the three Immortals also cast their gazes.

As expected.

Fu Shaohui's condition was not much better than Dongyang Artisan's.

In the end, he even fared worse than Shi Shaokai, failing to even touch the Azure Ox Sculpture, let alone make contact with his fingertips.

This was mainly due to Fu Shaohui's inferior skills in divine carving. The foundational flaws, even with the help of his Immortality lineage, were hard to overcome.

"Ah!"

Fu Shaohui was repelled, landing on the ground, his face twisted in extreme displeasure.

A dense aura of demonic energy surged from his body, like rolling smoke, twisting and morphing into the shape of a bird, the oppressive Aura of Power of the Immortality lineage spreading continuously.

"Why?! Why, Nüwa?!"

"I am the young emperor of the Mystic Cavern, a descendant of the Immortality Demon!"

Fu Shaohui was in agony, roaring in frustration.

His divine carving skills were already subpar, unable to match those of Shi Shaokai or Dongyang Artisan. To excel in this round, he naturally needed to touch the sculpture for a longer time.

But...

He did not receive any favor from Nüwa!

However, after a bout of furious roars, he realized that his rage was futile. He had to come to terms with it and moved to the Two Saints' divine wood, starting to carve based on the faint impressions in his mind.

Even Fu Shaohui had failed.

For a moment, the artisans' spirits calmed, no longer harboring illusions. They focused on trying to approach the sculpture, using their subtle perceptions to complete their carvings.

On the Bronze Wall.

Ji Shaohao took a deep breath, his eyes flickering.

His gaze fell on the motionless Li Che.

"Why hasn't Cangche Artisan moved? Isn't he going to try touching the sculpture? Clearly, he needs to approach the Azure Ox Sculpture to sense the Nüwa statue..."

Ji Shaohao was growing anxious.

The hope of success was a powerful temptation.

Li Che's actions were completely affecting his mood, making it hard for him to remain calm.

"He's moving! Cangche Artisan is moving!"

Cangyuan, who had been watching, finally let out a sigh of relief.

Xixi's eyes sparkled, watching intently.

Zhaoyuan the Great Immortal stroked his beard and smiled. "Cangche's talent is excellent. He won't avoid touching the sculpture; he's likely adjusting his state of mind."

"After all, the performance in the first round is crucial for the second round's evaluation."

Ji Shaohao nodded in agreement.

With the Divine Carving Immortal speaking, he knew he couldn't be impatient and quieted down.

His gaze was fixed on Li Che, who had started moving.

In fact...

Ji Shaohao wasn't the only one paying attention to Li Che.

Shi Shaokai, Fu Shaohui, Bashe, Jin Miro, and Dongyang Artisan from the Two Saints Ancient Village, among others, all cast their gazes.

Li Che's performance in the first round was worthy of their attention.

Everyone was curious about what this divine carving artisan from the Obscure Heavenly Court could achieve.

Was his success in the first round, the test of Earth Vein Fire, just a coincidence or luck?

Li Che could clearly feel the eyes on him, but he didn't care.

He walked his own path, indifferent to others' observations.

Besides, this test seemed to be invisible to outsiders.

Everyone was simply stepping through the air, moving closer to the Azure Ox Sculpture.

Li Che did the same.

With each step, the ground trembled slightly, and invisible ripples spread, impacting his body.

Li Che looked at the Azure Ox Sculpture and saw it emit a faint glow.

This light formed a slight barrier.

The barrier was not strong.

Li Che continued to step forward, and as he progressed, the light grew denser, and the barrier became increasingly formidable!

The light seemed tangible, as if woven from countless fine golden threads.

However, Li Che felt a unique sequence within the light.

The light surged like soft seaweed, impacting his body, like a gentle breeze obstructing his path.

But Li Che's eyes narrowed, and his mind vibrated, his divine will spreading out like an invisible hand, gently pushing forward.

Instantly, the golden radiant light parted like seaweed.

Each golden thread seemed to respond to his will, becoming controllable.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

As the golden light parted, Li Che felt the surge of the Heaven and Earth Will.

This Heaven and Earth Will was the true obstacle preventing his progress.

However, Li Che closed his eyes briefly, sensing the power of the Heaven and Earth Will. Then, his eyes snapped open, revealing a peculiar expression.

"The Nine Heaven and Earth Ancient Runes?"

Li Che's eyes flickered.

Yes, the power emitted by the Heaven and Earth Will was indeed transformed from the ancient runes of the Nine Heaven and Earth Ancient Runes.

Li Che's divine will surged, slowly weaving the golden light into an ancient rune he had once comprehended!

As the ancient rune formed!

Instantly, the brilliant golden light from the Azure Ox Sculpture vanished.

A clear path lay before him, free of any obstruction.

If Li Che wished, he could step forward and appear before the Azure Ox Sculpture, raising his hand to touch it effortlessly.

He didn’t need to resist the power of the Heaven and Earth Will contained within the light, unlike others who had to struggle.

Li Che didn’t need to use brute force; it felt as if everything was falling into place naturally.

However, Li Che was not satisfied.

His mind flickered, and he began to circle around the Azure Ox Sculpture, taking steps as if an invisible thread connected him to the sculpture, pulling him in a circular path.

When Li Che changed his position, a familiar, blinding golden light erupted once more!

The familiar obstructive force descended again!

Rumbling!

Like a tidal wave, it surged over him, pressing his black robe tightly against his body.

Li Che’s eyes sparkled, and a smile curved his lips.

His mind flickered, and his divine will transformed into a large hand, beginning to trace the ancient runes of the Heavens and Earth that he had once comprehended.

He changed his position four times, circling around and pausing each time to successfully trace four ancient runes.

Without stopping, Li Che’s heart pounded with excitement as he moved to the fifth position.

The people around him were baffled.

“What is he doing?”

“Circling around to find the right position and then break through?”

“Ridiculous. If you can’t get in, you can’t get in. Circling around won’t help. If it did, I’d swallow this Two Saints Lower Divine Wood right here and now!”

The divine artisans watched Li Che’s peculiar actions with strange expressions, and some even made vows.

In fact, even Shi Shaokai couldn’t understand what Li Che was doing.

“The Azure Ox Sculpture releases the power of the Heaven and Earth Will, which seems to contain some kind of pattern and order. To get close, you must resist the order contained within the Heaven and Earth Will.”

“Simply changing positions won’t help.”

Shi Shaokai shook his head.

Seeing Li Che change positions five times without advancing a step, he realized that Li Che had no hope.

If Li Che was blocked at five positions, there was no point in trying more.

“Ultimately, his cultivation is too weak. While cultivation isn’t everything, it is the foundation. Without sufficient cultivation, it’s impossible to get close to the Azure Ox Sculpture and glimpse the essence of Nüwa!”

Shi Shaokai softly recited a mantra.

He no longer wasted time on Li Che and began to grasp his carving knife, starting to carve on the Two Saints Lower Divine Wood.

The others did the same, seemingly no longer interested in Li Che.

They believed Li Che’s failure was a foregone conclusion, and this position was his limit.

But Li Che paid no attention to their gazes.

How could they understand his joy at this moment?

The Nine Ancient Runes of the Heavens and Earth!

The fifth rune!

Li Che sensed it!

The technique that the Heaven and Earth Will had erased reappeared in his mind when he touched the fifth rune, filling his thoughts.

Without hesitation, Li Che began to trace the fifth ancient rune on the Heaven and Earth Chessboard!

Buzzing—

Li Che’s Mystic Immortal Will emerged within the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, his fingers slicing through the air like knives.

It seemed as if he was cutting through the sky itself. The fifth ancient rune was incredibly powerful, perhaps due to the cumulative effect of the first four runes.

Under Li Che’s tracing, the fifth rune almost drained his Mystic Immortal Will completely.

The entire Heaven and Earth Chessboard trembled, struggling to bear the force.

But Li Che’s black hair fluttered, and his eyes shone like a galaxy of stars!

He continued to construct and trace within the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, regardless of the consequences.

Buzzing—

Radiant light seemed to emerge before him.

The Chess Sage Dao Fruit’s maturity was rapidly increasing as Li Che traced the fifth ancient rune!

[Dao Fruit: Chess Sage (Lv8, 40%)]

[40%, 50%, 60%…]

The pressure from the fifth ancient rune exceeded the Heaven and Earth Chessboard’s capacity. However, this extreme pressure also provided a form of refinement and enhancement to the Chess Sage Dao Fruit.

The fifth ancient rune…

It was indeed difficult!

Li Che’s Mystic Immortal Will hummed and shook, as if it might shatter at any moment.

But Li Che seized this rare opportunity and refused to give up.

If he missed this chance, he didn’t know when he would have another opportunity to trace the ancient runes of the Heavens and Earth.

This time, it was because Laojun’s Immortality desired to harness the power of the Earth Vein Fire, requiring an array imbued with the power of the Heaven and Earth Will, that Nüwa had embedded this power within the Azure Ox Sculpture.

So...

Li Che must make the most of this opportunity!

The fifth Heaven and Earth Ancient Rune!

Boom—!!!

The entire Heaven and Earth Chessboard seemed to be ravaged by terrifying blade energy!

Heaven's Vengeful Blade!

It was as if a mesmerizing light interwove and flickered, just like the Heaven's Vengeful Blade that had once slashed towards the boss, reappearing in this moment!

The entire Heaven and Earth Chessboard seemed to be cleaved by the terrifying blade energy, as if a rift as deep as an abyss had opened up!

It felt as if it couldn’t withstand this power and was about to collapse and shatter!

Li Che’s Mystic Immortal Will seemed to blur, as if about to dissipate in the wind.

Forming the fifth Heaven and Earth Ancient Rune had almost drained all the power of his Mystic Immortal Will, which now combined the power of three paths.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The Heavenly Guillotine floated above the chessboard.

On it, five ancient runes were illuminated!

Li Che’s Mystic Immortal Will sat cross-legged at the center of the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, eyes completely closed.

After a long while, he opened his eyes.

The five ancient runes hovered around him.

...

...

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

Li Che’s gaze was sharp, as if a terrifying long blade had slashed out in front of him, severing everything!

Before him, the golden light instantly dissipated, everything becoming clear!

Li Che’s black robe flapped in the wind, his jet-black hair cascading like a flowing cape behind him!

Li Che stared directly at the Azure Ox Sculpture, a smile curling the corners of his lips.

He took another step to the side.

Li Che, who had been stationary for a long time, took another step, naturally drawing the attention of many people.

When everyone saw Li Che stepping towards the sixth position, they all shook their heads silently and continued to focus on their carving.

This show-off...

Changing six positions wasn’t enough; what was he trying to do?

However...

A look of regret soon appeared on Li Che’s face.

After changing to the sixth position, the terrifying Heaven and Earth Will barrier no longer appeared.

It seemed as if the Heaven and Earth Will had sensed and eliminated it.

Li Che sighed softly, "There are still three Heaven and Earth Ancient Runes..."

Where can I go to gain insight into them?

If there’s a chance, could I seek them from Nüwa herself?

This thought crossed Li Che’s mind, and he couldn’t help but laugh softly.

It was too unrealistic.

Because he was destined to stand against the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortals.

Nüwa... how could she support an enemy standing on the opposite side?

Forget it.

Li Che stretched, his bones cracking with a series of pops.

Warm-up over.

Li Che took another step, his firm footsteps echoing like the tolling of a bell.

Thud. The entire square seemed to tremble violently.

Shi Shaokai, who was carving, suddenly raised his head, his chisel pausing, the cicada patterns on his eyes reappearing.

Fu Shaohui’s demonic aura surged, nearly spiraling out of control, as he stared intently.

Did he break through the barrier?

This Cangche Artisan actually succeeded in advancing after changing six positions?!

All eyes were on Li Che.

The divine carvers like the Python, Jin Miro, and Xuan Yuanhao looked at him with disbelief and regret!

It’s not...

Possible?

Just by changing positions, he found a breakthrough?

Many carvers pounded their chests in frustration. Such a narrow path, and Li Che had found it, squeezing through!

Damn!

Shi Shaokai’s eyes burned like Golden Flame, the cicada patterns blazing as he stared intently.

Li Che moved forward unimpeded.

When he walked effortlessly to the Azure Ox Sculpture,

Under the gaze of everyone, filled with disbelief,

He slowly raised his hand and placed it on the Azure Ox Sculpture.

Not just a finger, but his entire palm!

Even...

Li Che’s palm gently caressed the sculpture, moving over its surface.

"Impossible!"

The surrounding crowd erupted in a cacophony of voices, the noise reaching a fever pitch!

Fu Shaohui, the young emperor of the Mystic Cavern, lost control of his demonic aura, which exploded into a towering pillar!

As Li Che’s palm covered the Azure Ox Sculpture and gently caressed it,

In his chest,

Divine Engineer Dao Guo began to vibrate violently, like a heart pounding like thunder, the sound spreading like ripples, crashing against the ox.

Slowly...

The Azure Ox Sculpture began to change.

It transformed into a graceful wooden sculpture of a woman with a snake's body!

Suddenly, Li Che felt his heart nearly stop, as if a terrifying gaze had easily pierced through the barriers of heaven and earth, falling upon him.

Nüwa!

Li Che took a deep breath.

However, his gaze froze when he looked at his hand, which continued to caress the wooden sculpture.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end