Chapter 88: The Yellow-Haired Girl is My Daughter? The Twenty-Two-Year-Old Spirit Child's Identity i

Chapter 88: The Yellow-Haired Girl is My Daughter? The Twenty-Two-Year-Old Spirit Child's Identity is Revealed

The morning sun, a rare sight in the winter, pierced through the dark clouds, casting a gentle and fine light.

Under the eaves, icicles formed from the frozen winter rain began to melt under the sun's warmth, shrinking to the size of a thumb.

Ten li outside Thunder City.

A bamboo forest stood there.

Deep within the forest, a bamboo house could be found.

This was a residence Li Che had found outside the city, a quiet place free from disturbances.

At least, it was sufficient for now.

Li Che wore a black martial outfit, his muscles bulging beneath the taut fabric, revealing even the fine veins that resembled coiling pythons.

His vital energy steamed with heat, swirling and surging within the bamboo courtyard.

It was as if a living python of vital energy was coiling and roaring.

His stomach churned, refining and crushing the Python Blood Combat Pill he had consumed, extracting its potent medicinal power, and transforming it into vital energy that coursed through the Minor Circulation Meridian Technique.

His fingers curled like hooks, and a gust of chaotic wind rose, as if a White Tiger roared from behind Li Che!

White Tiger Gale Fist! This middle-tier martial skill, now refined by Li Che to the point of perfection, had been further improved by him and had become an advanced martial skill with formidable power.

Every move and technique was filled with the fierce and domineering nature of the White Tiger. Another skill, the Xu Family Eight-Linked Bone-Shattering Spear, had also been refined by Li Che to perfection, becoming an advanced martial skill!

The LV3 level Lion Elephant Vajra had greatly enhanced his martial talent.

Not only was he unparalleled in transmutation, but he also had a unique understanding of martial arts. It was as if he could grasp the essence of any martial art at a glance, quickly achieving a basic level of proficiency within a day.

This was the power of an LV3 level transmutation talent!

A martial skill or technique, from the beginning, goes through stages of basic understanding, minor achievement, major achievement, mastery, and perfection, which can be understood as levels of proficiency.

At the perfection level, the power of the martial skill reaches its peak, and beyond that lies the true essence of martial arts.

This was what Li Qingshan had told Li Che.

To cultivate the true essence of martial arts, one needed to possess martial skills of the caliber of "True Intent Secret Techniques."

"Although the White Tiger Gale Fist and Xu Family Eight-Linked Bone-Shattering Spear have been refined to advanced levels, there is little hope of cultivating the true essence of martial arts or reaching the level of secret techniques."

Additionally, divine nature martial skills cannot cultivate the true essence of martial arts; only pure vital energy martial skills can derive the true intent.

As his vital energy gradually subsided, the crushed pill was slowly digested.

It transformed into a rushing stream of energy, strengthening Li Che's organs, and giving birth to an inner qi as powerful as a coiling dragon.

Boom!

With each strike and movement, Li Che's practice of martial arts accelerated the flow of vital energy and the dissipation of the pill's medicinal properties.

After finishing the White Tiger Gale Fist, Li Che clenched his fingers, and the air silently tore apart as he spat out a strange long spear with blood-colored engraved patterns—the Ninth Star Supreme Divine Weapon, the Blood-Engraved Astonishing Spear!

As he wielded the divine weapon, gusts of wind and rippling air currents surrounded him.

A mournful yet awe-inspiring sound echoed through the forest, seemingly unending.

Divine weapons, even without imbuing them with divine nature, possessed hardness, toughness, and sharpness far beyond ordinary weaponry.

As a blood python roared and burst forth, eight consecutive shattering sounds reverberated through the air, and Li Che finally sheathed the Blood-Engraved Astonishing Spear.

"The last Python Blood Combat Pill... it's enough. My martial cultivation has reached the peak of qi meridians, and my inner qi is as powerful as a python. I only need the Profound Meridian Technique to break through smoothly."

Li Che exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Without hesitation, he swallowed the last Python Blood Combat Pill.

With this, he had consumed all the pills obtained from the Yang Family Treasury, spending tens of thousands of silver to successfully push his cultivation to the peak of qi meridians.

As the medicinal properties of the last pill were completely refined and absorbed by his body, the entire courtyard was filled with scorching heat.

Li Che opened his eyes, and they shone with brilliance.

"With my physical foundation solidified, even without activating the Furious Vajra, I can easily defeat ordinary profound meridian martial artists..."

"It seems I can now attempt to forge the Three-Eyed Wrathful Lord's Divine Foundation..."

...

...

Forging a Divine Foundation was not a matter of mere enthusiasm.

According to the Divine Foundation Technique taught by the Temple Deity, numerous preparations were required.

It was more akin to a ritual.

Li Che compared the Heart Shocking Iron Fist Divine Foundation Technique obtained from the Yang Family Patriarch, and aside from the different preparations, the rituals were similar.

The most crucial aspect was the need for three divine nature objects, such as wood carvings, jade carvings, or paintings.

Wood carvings were particularly recommended, preferably carved from spirit wood.

Among the Yang Family Patriarch's collection, there was a wooden block made from a spirit wood called "Spirit Willow." Although it was the same type of spirit wood as "Blood-Red," their values differed greatly; "Spirit Willow" was larger and much more affordable.

The Divine Foundation Technique also provided the design for the wood carving.

Li Che himself was a master woodcarver, so this task was not a problem. As for the other requirements of three sacrificial animals and five sacrificial animals, he just needed to prepare the blood.

After calming his vital energy and revealing only his perfected bone refinement cultivation, Li Che changed into a clean black martial outfit, exuding elegance and warmth. He held the Thunder City chess piece and returned to the predetermined anchor point—the study in his own courtyard.

Today was a significant day for Thunder City.

City Lord Cao Guang was hosting a banquet at the Golden Splendor Pavilion to recruit spirit children for the Divine Sect. The major aristocratic families of Thunder City would bring their spirit children for the Divine Sect's envoy to assess and potentially recruit.

In previous years, aside from the Divine Sect, the official court of the Great Jing Dynasty would also recruit spirit children.

However, as the Temple of the Strange Calamity expanded its influence, the court abandoned the recruitment of spirit children from various regions, leaving it to the aristocratic families to cultivate them. The Divine Sect, however, continued to send envoys for recruitment.

Some aristocratic families might hide their outstanding spirit children, but most small aristocratic families and ordinary commoners still hoped that their children would be accepted by the Divine Sect and change their fate.

The Divine Sect held an extraordinary position in the hearts of the Great Jing people.

However, it was unknown how many spirit children would be present in Thunder City this year.

In the inner room, his wife, Zhang Ya, was braiding Xi Xi's hair.

After waiting for a while, Li Che, along with his wife, Zhang Ya, who had finished dressing up, took Xi Xi and left the house.

Li Qingshan and Lu Chi had already departed for the Golden Splendor Pavilion, as they represented the Divine Sect and could not accompany Li Che's family.

Old Chen was also not idle; he carried his large wine gourd and followed behind, eager to join the festivities.

Upon leaving the alley, they saw Li Che's uncle's family, who had also moved to the inner city, waiting in the cold wind.

The uncle still wore his scholar's robe, with a padded coat underneath, smoking a tobacco pipe.

Uncle Li Zhengran and his family waited nearby, and Li Che's nephew, Li Chengzhou, was already three years old. Compared to Xi Xi, he was a bit more serene and had a fair and tender appearance, already showing signs of exceptional beauty.

Upon seeing Li Che's family, Uncle Li Zhengran immediately broke into a smile. Thanks to Li Che's connections, their family was living quite comfortably within the inner city.

As soon as Xi Xi stepped out of the alley, she wriggled free from Li Che's hand and ran to Li Chengzhou's side.

"Brother Chengzhou!"

Xi Xi familiarly held Li Chengzhou's hand.

Li Chengzhou's fair face suddenly turned bright red, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss.

"Brother is so handsome." Xi Xi stared at Li Chengzhou.

Li Chengzhou struggled a bit, instinctively, and moved closer to Aunt Liu Chunming.

"Chengzhou, don't be afraid. Sister will play with you." Aunt Liu Chunming quickly comforted him.

Xi Xi didn't mind and approached with a playful smile.

Li Che paused, feeling a bit speechless.

This little girl... she's already a beauty at such a young age?

You weren't like this when dealing with Lu Datou.

Li Che pursed his lips, then suddenly realized something.

Wait, despite all the precautions... Huang Mao is actually my daughter?!

Along the way, the inner city residents, who had been scared to go out due to the Yang family's extermination, unexpectedly appeared in large numbers, all holding their children and heading towards Golden Splendor Pavilion.

When they arrived at the Golden Splendor Pavilion, it was already crowded with people.

Li Qingshan had arranged for Lu Chi to wait outside, and upon seeing Li Che's group, he led them into the Golden Splendor Pavilion and seated them at a table covered with red cloth.

"Why are there so many people?" Li Che was slightly surprised.

"The number of children in Thunder City seems to be more than I imagined."

Li Che had originally thought that after the Spirit Infancy Sect incident, the number of children in Thunder City would have greatly decreased.

Lu Chi looked at Xi Xi holding Li Chengzhou's hand, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant. He seemed to have never received such treatment before.

Hearing Li Che's words, Lu Chi shook the Nezha braid on his head and said, "Don't be fooled by the number of children here. There are actually very few spirit children..."

"The Spirit Infancy Sect is looking for spirit children, not ordinary children. They won't be interested in those who aren't."

Lu Chi's words were straightforward.

Everyone sat down to enjoy the feast, which was hosted by City Lord Cao Guang using public funds. Li Che was delighted to enjoy the free food.

Although he had acquired the vast wealth of the Yang family, there was still a unique joy in getting something for free.

Halfway through the feast, City Lord Cao Guang gave a brief speech, and then Li Qingshan stood up with a casual demeanor, his gaze sweeping across the Golden Splendor Pavilion and the bustling crowd outside.

He saw numerous children blinking curiously.

Some even brought their infants still in swaddling clothes, hoping to try their luck.

Li Qingshan remained unperturbed by this scene and said calmly, "Next year, on the spring equinox, the Eternal Origin Divine Sect will open its doors and accept spirit children. All children aged three and above from the cities under Golden Light Prefecture will be tested. Those identified as spirit children will be eligible to join our sect."

"On the spring equinox next year, the entrance examination for the sect will be held in Golden Light City, with separate tests for the inner and outer gates."

Li Qingshan's voice wasn't loud, but it echoed throughout the Golden Splendor Pavilion, reaching almost everyone's ears.

In an instant, the crowd stirred.

"Of course, in addition to spirit children, those with exceptional martial arts talent will also have the opportunity to go to the capital city and participate in the sect entrance examination."

Li Qingshan added.

The atmosphere below became increasingly enthusiastic, but Li Qingshan shook his head slightly.

He glanced at City Lord Cao Guang, who was smiling broadly, but Cao Guang's expression remained unchanged, still filled with a smile.

"Children aged three and above can enter the Golden Splendor Pavilion. I will examine them to determine if they are spirit children or have exceptional talent. Those who do not meet the requirements should not enter the pavilion."

After Li Qingshan finished speaking, City Lord Cao Guang waved his hand, and Divine Catcher Zhang Xiangyang immediately made arrangements. Children who met the requirements were ushered into the Golden Splendor Pavilion.

The surroundings became quiet.

"I will use the Eternal Origin Divine Sect's Divine Nature Inspection Technique to observe. Those with the spirit child's divine nature will emit purple light. One ray of purple light indicates a lower-grade spirit child, three rays a middle-grade, six rays an upper-grade, and nine rays a supreme-grade spirit child..."

"Parents, please pay attention. The sect's selection of spirit children is fair and just."

Li Qingshan said calmly.

As soon as he finished speaking, City Lord Cao Guang's expression changed slightly, and the smile on his face froze, becoming somewhat gloomy.

It was clear that Li Qingshan was doing this intentionally. Traditionally, the sect's recruiters would use the Divine Nature Inspection Technique discreetly to select spirit children, but Li Qingshan wanted to make a big scene, seemingly to embarrass Cao Guang.

After all, most of the spirit children in Thunder City had been captured by the Spirit Infancy Sect.

The remaining children were not spirit children.

When the Divine Nature Inspection Technique was used, there were only one or two spirit children, and the City Lord of Thunder City might feel embarrassed and awkward.

However, Li Qingshan paid no attention to Cao Guang's expression.

If you dare to do this, what do you need a thick skin for?

"Everyone, watch closely."

After speaking, Li Qingshan formed hand seals, and his eyes instantly glowed with a purple aura.

A surging energy swept through the entire Golden Splendor Pavilion.

Everyone looked around in amazement.

However...

Inside the Golden Splendor Pavilion, only four places emitted purple light.

Why are there so few?

There were at least several hundred children present, but only four places emitted purple light? Cao Guang, although aware of the result, still instinctively looked towards the four places where the purple light burst forth.

Coincidentally, the four rays of purple light were all concentrated on one table.

When he saw this, his expression changed completely.

He first saw Xi Xi, with nine rays of purple light, radiating purple brilliance.

A supreme-grade spirit child?

A supreme-grade spirit child?! Cao Guang had always thought Xi Xi was only upper-grade, but he had misjudged!

If he had known that Li Che's daughter, Li Nuanxi, was a supreme-grade spirit child, he would have personally intervened before Li Qingshan's arrival!

A supreme-grade spirit child... is the best offering!

And next to Li Nuanxi, there was another dazzling light, even surpassing the nine rays of purple light.

Another supreme-grade spirit child?!

Cao Guang's expression darkened, and right under his nose, he had missed two supreme-grade spirit children?

However, his gaze shifted.

Cao Guang's eyes froze...

Under the swaying nine rays of purple light was Li Che, who was eating heartily.

This old man of twenty-two...

...

...

The atmosphere in the room seemed a bit strange.

Many people also noticed the purple light flickering on Li Che.

"Is the Divine Nature Inspection Technique malfunctioning?

(End of Chapter)How could Master Li also possess the purple light of a Spirit Child, and even nine strands of it?"

"Yeah, isn't it said that a Spirit Child's divinity must be nurtured from birth?"

"Once a person reaches adulthood, the innate divinity is assimilated by the divinity absorbed from the world, so they can no longer be considered a Spirit Child."

"Could it be that Master Li just became a Woodcarving Master, and his innate divinity is still in its infancy?"

...

The continuous buzzing of whispers filled the air.

Li Che's expression showed a hint of helplessness, revealing his true identity as a 22-year-old Spirit Child.

Li Qingshan never mentioned this part.

In response to the doubts raised by many present, Li Qingshan confidently stated that the Divine Sect's Divine Nature Inspection Technique could not possibly be wrong.

This meant that Li Che truly possessed the divinity of a Spirit Child.

The Xu family's ancestors, Xu Heli, and the rest of the Xu family looked at Li Che with peculiar gazes. A 22-year-old Spirit Child... This was as difficult as finding a 22-year-old virgin!

However, they were merely surprised, and their doubts remained.

Their attention soon shifted back to Li Nuanxi.

A top-grade Spirit Child...

The Xu family had missed this!

If they had known that Xi Xi was a top-grade Spirit Child...

The Xu family's ancestors took a deep breath, and their eyes glowed with excitement.

The difference between top-grade and superior-grade was almost like heaven and earth.

Apart from Li Che and Xi Xi, the other two strands of purple light from the Divine Nature Inspection came from Lu Chi and Li Chengzhou.

Lu Chi was a superior-grade Spirit Child, and Li Chengzhou... had only one strand of purple light. Although it was of lower grade, he still qualified as a Spirit Child.

He was a fish that had slipped through the net right under the City Lord's nose.

This caused City Lord Cao Guang to take a second look, surprised that Li Chengzhou was also related to Li Che.

For a moment, City Lord Cao Guang felt a sense of gloom.

"All of you, come up. With the divinity of a Spirit Child, you are guaranteed to enter our Divine Sect. Next February, during the spring equinox, the Golden Light Prefecture will hold an entrance examination. As Spirit Children, you must join the Divine Sect, so this examination is more about determining your disciple status."

"As for those who only pass the martial arts root bone test, they will need to stand out during the entrance examination to avoid the possibility of being eliminated."

Li Qingshan gathered the selected Spirit Children together and spoke briefly.

Then, Universe Spirit Jade pieces began to vibrate, and jade pendants floated out, landing on the chosen Spirit Children.

Li Che happily accepted one of them.

Li Qingshan glanced at him but didn't say anything more. He had to acknowledge the Spirit Children identified by the Divine Nature Inspection, even if it pained him to do so.

"This is a lower-grade Universe Spirit Jade, containing the essence of the universe. It can store and retrieve objects out of thin air, but it requires a certain induction time. This is your identity token as a disciple of the Divine Sect. Once you enter the Golden Light Prefecture, you can use this token to participate in the entrance examination."

Li Qingshan explained.

"Additionally, inside, there is a bottle of Nature Nourishing Pills, ten in total. Take one every five days to accelerate your temperament cultivation. There is also a Turtle Warrior Pill, which strengthens the foundation and nurtures vital energy."

Upon hearing this, Li Che's eyes lit up. Being a Spirit Child had such benefits?

He took a satisfied look at the items inside the Universe Spirit Jade.

Li Che's smile grew even brighter.

The people around him looked at him strangely, but Li Che remained unbothered.

He had earned these rewards through his own abilities, so why should he feel ashamed?

For those who only passed the martial arts root bone test, Li Qingshan was not as generous. He only gave them identity tokens and sent them away.

After all, among these children, there was no extraordinary root bone talent that caught Li Qingshan's eye.

The banquet came to an end.

Many woodcarvers who were familiar with Xu Ji Woodcarving Shop gathered around.

"Congratulations, Master Li! Both father and daughter have proven to be Spirit Children!"

"Master Li, congratulations! From now on, you will soar to the heavens after entering the Divine Sect!"

"A family of two geniuses, both top-grade Spirit Children. What a wonderful story!"

Li Che greeted these woodcarvers, his former colleagues, with a smile.

Then, he waved his hand grandly, announcing that he would host a banquet with a hundred tables at the Golden Splendor Pavilion to celebrate his daughter's entry into the Divine Sect!

No red envelopes required, all guests were welcome.

Celebrating his daughter Li Nuanxi's acceptance into the Divine Sect!

...

...

Night fell.

Under the eight-cornered, multi-eaved tower of the City Lord's Mansion.

Cao Guang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the brightly lit Golden Splendor Pavilion, where the banquet was in full swing. The darkness of the night swallowed the light, making his expression hard to read.

After a moment,

Soft footsteps sounded from behind him.

It was Cao Qingyuan and Cao He.

"Li Che's daughter... is actually a top-grade Spirit Child! We missed it... We relied too much on the Xu family's assessment."

"It's normal. It's difficult to distinguish between top-grade and superior-grade Spirit Children. Without the Divine Sect's Divine Nature Inspection Technique, it's easy to get confused when relying solely on experience."

Cao Guang exhaled.

The second master of the Cao family, Cao He, narrowed his eyes, and a ruthless glint flashed across his aged face. "Do you want me to take action? Should I personally abduct Li Nuanxi?"

"I know there's Li Qingshan, but I'll only abduct the Spirit Child. If I fail, I'll leave."

Cao Guang was tempted. The allure of a top-grade Spirit Child was too great.

As for Li Che's 22-year-old top-grade Spirit Child, Cao Guang still had his doubts.

How could any man's shelf life be so long?

Therefore, Li Nuanxi was a greater temptation for him.

But he held back.

"Forget it. Even if Li Qingshan's divinity is not present, he is still a Martial Arts Grandmaster... There's no need to provoke him."

"Li Qingshan won't stay in Thunder City for long. He still needs to go to other cities to recruit Spirit Children."

"The Li family will definitely follow him."

"For now, let's not create unnecessary trouble. It's best to play it safe and ensure the smooth hosting of the Thousand Buddha Feast. Let's wait for them to leave... If we miss out on a top-grade Spirit Child, then so be it."

"Qingyuan, how is the task I assigned to you going?"

Cao Qingyuan respectfully clenched his fists, "Father, I have successfully brought back two middle-grade Spirit Children from the neighboring city. The Spirit Children's blood and bones are now complete..."

"Excellent. Now that the Spirit Children's blood and bones are complete, once Li Qingshan, this big trouble, leaves Thunder City, the Thousand Buddha Feast can begin..."

In the darkness, Cao Guang's eyes gleamed with greed, ambition, and anticipation.

End of Chapter

Chapter end