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 Exposed [Seeking Monthly Votes]



Morning.

The warm winter sun, rarely breaking through the dark clouds, showered down a fine and gentle light.

Under the eaves, the winter rain froze into a row of icicles, which began to melt slightly under the sunlight, reducing them to the size of a thumb.

Ten miles outside Thunderstrike City.

A bamboo forest.

Deep within the bamboo forest stood a bamboo house.

This was a residence Li Che found outside the city, a quiet place where he wouldn't be disturbed.

At least, it was sufficient for the time being.

Li Che wore a black martial outfit, his muscles bulging beneath the tight-fitting garment, revealing prominent veins like coiled pythons.

Qi and blood boiled, emitting waves of heat that surged through the bamboo courtyard.

It was as if a living, breathing blood python was coiling and roaring within.

In his stomach, the swallowed Python Blood Martial Pill was crushed and refined, extracting its potent medicinal power, transforming it into qi and blood, and circulating it through the Small Heavenly Cycle Meridian channels.

His five fingers hooked like claws, and with a fierce grasp, a gust of wind rose, as if a White Tiger roared from behind Li Che.

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

Each move and posture was filled with the domineering and fierce might of the White Tiger! Another skill, the Eight-Linked Bone-Shattering Spear from Xu Ji, had also been improved by Li Che to perfection, becoming an advanced martial skill!

The LV3-level Dragon Elephant Vajra provided an immense boost to martial talent!

Not only did it enhance his physical strength, but it also granted him a unique understanding of martial arts. It was as if he could grasp the essence of any martial art at a glance, and within a day, he could achieve a basic mastery! This was the LV3-level talent for physical refinement!

A martial skill or technique, from the beginning, needed to go through stages of basic mastery, great mastery, grandmaster, and perfection, which could be understood as proficiency.

At the perfection stage, the power of the martial skill reached its peak, and beyond that was the true intent of martial arts.

This was what Li Qingshan had told Li Che.

To cultivate the true intent of martial arts, the required level of the martial skill was the 'True Intent Secret Art'.

Although Li Che had improved the White Tiger Gale Fist and Xu Ji's Eight-Linked Bone-Shattering Spear to advanced martial skill levels, there was little hope of cultivating the true intent of martial arts or reaching the level of a secret art.

Additionally, divine nature martial skills could not cultivate the true intent of martial arts; only pure qi and blood martial skills could derive the true intent of martial arts.

The qi and blood slowly subsided, and the crushed martial pill was gradually digested.

It transformed into flowing energy, strengthening Li Che's internal organs and generating an inner energy akin to a coiled dragon.

Boom!

With each strike of Li Che's moves, the practice of martial arts accelerated the circulation of qi and blood, hastening the release of the pill's medicinal properties.

After finishing the White Tiger Gale Fist, Li Che clenched his five fingers, tearing the air silently, and spat out a strange long spear with blood-colored engraved patterns—the Nine Luminaries Superior-tier divine weapon, Blood-Inscribed Shocking Spear!

As the divine spear danced in his hands, fierce winds scattered, and the air trembled! A wailing sound, like a shocking roar, reverberated through the mountains, unceasing!

Divine weapons, even without imbuing divine nature, possessed exceptional hardness, toughness, and sharpness, surpassing ordinary weapons.

As a blood python roared and burst out, the air continuously transmitted eight shattering sounds, and Li Che finally sheathed the shocking spear.

"The last Python Blood Martial Pill... it's enough. My martial cultivation has already reached the peak of the qi pulse, and my inner energy is as robust as a python. I only need the Profound Pulse Technique to break through the realm smoothly."

Li Che exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.

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

Thus, all the pills obtained from the Yang Clan's treasury had been consumed, costing tens of thousands of taels of resources, and successfully pushing his cultivation to the peak of the qi pulse.

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

Li Che opened his eyes, and his gaze shone brightly.

"My physical foundation is now solid. Even without activating the Wrathful Vajra, I can easily defeat ordinary profound pulse martial artists..."

"It seems I can start attempting to forge the Three-Eyed Wrathful Vajra Divine Foundation..."

...

...

Forging the 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 like a ritual.

Li Che compared the Heart-Shocking Firmness Divine Foundation Technique obtained from Yang Lao, and aside from the different preparations, the rituals were all the same.

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

However, wooden carvings were more encouraged, preferably carved from spirit wood.

Among Yang Lao's collection, there was a wooden block, a type of spirit wood called Spirit Willow, which, although similar to Bloody Meat Red spirit wood, had a significantly lower value. The Spirit Willow was larger in size but much cheaper.

The shape of the wooden carving was also provided in the Divine Foundation Technique.

As Li Che was a master woodcarver, this task was not troublesome. As for the other three sacrificial animals and five sacrificial animals' blood, he just needed time to prepare them.

After suppressing his qi and blood, revealing only his Bone Tempering Perfection cultivation, Li Che changed into a clean black martial outfit, exuding elegance and warmth. He held the Thunderstrike Chess Piece and returned to the designated anchor point—the study in his courtyard.

Today was a significant day for Thunderstrike City.

City Lord Cao Guang, as the Summoner for the Divine Sect, was hosting a banquet at the Golden Radiance Pavilion. The various noble families of Thunderstrike City would bring their spirit children for the Summoner to assess and potentially recruit them into the Divine Sect.

In previous years, besides the Divine Sect, the Great Jing imperial court would also recruit spirit children.

However, with the expansion of the Mysterious Temple's calamity, the court abandoned the recruitment of spirit children from various regions, leaving it to the noble families to cultivate them themselves. The Divine Sect, on the other hand, did not give up and often sent Summoners.

Some noble families might even hide their favored spirit children, but most of the smaller families and ordinary commoners hoped that their children would be accepted into the Divine Sect.

The Divine Sect held an extraordinary status in the hearts of the Great Jing populace.

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

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

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

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

Old Chen wasn't idle either; he carried his large wine gourd and followed behind, intending to join the festivities.

After leaving the alley, their uncle's family, who had also moved to the inner city, was already waiting in the cold wind.

The uncle still wore his scholar's robe, with a cotton-padded jacket underneath, smoking a dry tobacco pipe.

Uncle Li Zhengran and his family waited on the side, and his nephew Li Chengzhou was already three years old. Compared to Xixi, he was a few years older and had a fair and tender complexion, already showing signs of handsomeness.

Upon seeing Li Che's family, Uncle Li Zhengran immediately broke into a smile. Thanks to Li Che's connections, their family was living an extremely comfortable life within the Inner City.

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

"Brother Chengzhou!"

Xixi playfully pulled Li Chengzhou's hand.

Li Chengzhou's fair face suddenly turned red, and for a moment, he seemed a bit flustered.

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

Li Chengzhou unconsciously struggled a bit and moved closer to his aunt, Liu Chunming.

"Don't be afraid, little brother. Sister is just playing with you." Liu Chunming quickly comforted him.

Xixi didn't mind and giggled as she wobbled closer.

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 you were with Lu Datou.

Li Che pursed his lips, then suddenly looked surprised.

Wait, despite all the precautions... Huang Mao is actually my daughter?! Along the way, the inner city residents, who had been scared into staying indoors due to the Yang family's extermination, suddenly appeared in droves, all holding their children and heading towards Golden Radiance Pavilion.

Upon arriving at Golden Radiance Pavilion, the place was unexpectedly packed with people.

Li Qingshan had already arranged for Lu Chi to wait outside, and upon seeing Li Che's group, he led them into the pavilion and seated them at a table covered with a red cloth, known as the Eight Immortals Banquet Table.

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

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

Li Che had originally thought that after the Spirit Infants Sect incident, the number of children in Thunderbolt City would greatly decrease.

Lu Chi looked at Xixi holding Li Chengzhou's hand, and his expression turned slightly unpleasant. It seemed like he had 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 Infants Sect is looking for Spirit Children, not ordinary children. They won't even give them a second glance."

Lu Chi's words were straightforward and to the point.

As everyone sat down for the banquet, which was hosted by City Lord Cao Guang and paid for by the public funds, Li Che happily indulged in the free food.

Although he had amassed the vast wealth of the Yang family, the joy of sudden wealth was one thing, and the joy of getting something for free was another.

Halfway through the banquet, after City Lord Cao Guang gave a brief speech, Li Qingshan stood up gracefully, his gaze sweeping over the Golden Radiance Pavilion and the bustling crowd outside.

He saw many children blinking curiously, filled with wonder.

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

However, Li Qingshan remained unperturbed by this scene and calmly said, "Next year, on the spring equinox, the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect will open its doors and recruit Spirit Children. All children of the families under the jurisdiction of Golden Radiance Prefecture who are three years old and above will be tested, and those identified as Spirit Children will be accepted into our Divine Sect."

"On the spring equinox next year, the entrance examination for the Divine Sect will be held in Golden Radiance Prefecture, with separate tests for the outer and inner gates."

Li Qingshan's voice wasn't loud, but it echoed throughout the Golden Radiance Pavilion, both inside and out, reaching the ears of almost everyone present.

In an instant, the crowd stirred.

"Of course, in addition to Spirit Children, those with exceptional martial roots will also have the opportunity to go to the prefecture city and participate in the entrance examination for the Divine Sect."

Qingshan added another sentence.

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

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

"Children aged three and above can enter the Golden Radiance Pavilion. I will examine them to determine if they are Spirit Children or have martial roots. 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 immediately, Divine Catcher Zhang Xiangyang went to make arrangements, bringing in the children who met the conditions into the Golden Radiance Pavilion.

The surroundings became quiet.

"I will use the Divine Sect's Spirit Perception Technique to observe. Those with the Spirit Child's Divine Nature will emit purple light. One ray of purple light indicates a low-grade Spirit Child, three rays indicate mid-grade, six rays indicate high-grade, and nine rays of purple light indicate an exceptional Spirit Child..."

"Parents, please pay attention. The Divine Sect's selection of Spirit Children is fair and just."

Li Qingshan spoke calmly.

As soon as his words fell, City Lord Cao Guang's expression changed slightly, and the smile on his face froze, turning a bit gloomy.

It was obvious that Li Qingshan was doing this on purpose. Traditionally, the Divine Sect's envoys used the Spirit Perception Technique to secretly select Spirit Children, but Li Qingshan was making a big scene, clearly intending to embarrass Cao Guang.

After all, most of Thunderbolt City's Spirit Children had been captured by the Spirit Infants Sect.

The remaining children were not Spirit Children.

After scanning with the Spirit Perception Technique, there were only a few Spirit Children, and Cao Guang, the City Lord, might feel a bit embarrassed and awkward.

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

Since you dared to do this, you shouldn't care about face. "Everyone, watch closely."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Qingshan pinched his fingers into a seal, and his eyes instantly glowed with a purple aura.

A surging aura surged out, filling the entire Golden Radiance Pavilion.

Everyone looked around in surprise.

However...

Inside the Golden Radiance Pavilion, only a few places emitted purple light.

Why are there so few?

There were at least hundreds, if not thousands, of children present, but only four places emitted purple light? Although Cao Guang knew the result, he still instinctively looked towards the four places with purple light.

Coincidentally, all four places with purple light were at the same table.

Upon seeing this, his expression changed.

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

An exceptional Spirit Child?

She's actually an exceptional Spirit Child? Cao Guang had always thought Xixi was only high-grade, but he had misjudged her!

If he had known that Li Che's daughter, Li Wanxi, was an exceptional Spirit Child, he would have personally intervened before Li Qingshan's arrival!

Exceptional Spirit Children are the best sacrificial offerings! And next to Li Wanxi, there was an even more dazzling light, not inferior to the nine rays of purple light.

Another exceptional Spirit Child?!

Cao Guang's expression turned ugly. How could he have missed two exceptional Spirit Children right under his nose?

However, as he looked over, Cao Guang's eyes froze...

The owner of the nine rays of purple light was Li Che, who was enjoying his meal.

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.

"Did the Spirit Perception Technique make a mistake?

How can Master Li also possess the purple light unique to Divine Children, and with nine of them at that?"

"Yeah, isn't it said that the divinity of Divine Children must be nurtured from birth?"

"After a person reaches adulthood, the divinity nurtured from birth will be assimilated by the divinity acquired from the heavens and earth, so they can no longer be considered a Divine Child."

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

...

Murmurs of surprise filled the surroundings, never ceasing.

Li Che's expression showed a hint of helplessness, exposing his secret.

His identity as a 22-year-old old Divine Child had finally been revealed.

Li Qingshan never mentioned this part.

In response to the doubts raised by many present, Li Qingshan confidently stated that the Spirit Perception Technique of the Divine Sect would never be wrong.

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

Xu Family's ancestors, Xu He Li, and the rest of the Xu Family members looked at Li Che with peculiar gazes. A 22-year-old old Divine Child... This was as difficult as a 22-year-old virgin!

However, it was just a moment of surprise, and they still maintained their skepticism in their hearts.

Their gazes fell mostly on Li Wanxi.

An exceptional Divine Child...

The Xu Family had missed it!

If they had known that Xixi was an exceptional Divine Child...

Xu Family's ancestors' breathing quickened slightly, and their eyes glowed with fervor.

The difference between exceptional and superior was almost as vast as the sky and the earth.

Aside from Li Che and Wanxi, the other two purple lights of Spirit Perception emerged from Lu Chi and Li Chengzhou.

Lu Chi was a superior Divine Child, while Li Chengzhou... had only one purple light, making him a lower-grade Divine Child.

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

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

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

"You who possess the divinity of a Divine Child are guaranteed to enter our Divine Sect. Next February, during the spring equinox, the Golden Light Prefecture City will hold an enrollment exam. As Divine Children, you will definitely enter the Divine Sect, and this exam will primarily determine your disciple status."

"As for the others who only passed the martial talent test, you will need to stand out during the enrollment exam to be accepted. There is a chance of being eliminated."

Li Qingshan gathered the selected Divine Children together and said briefly.

Then, the Heaven-Earth Jade shook, and jade pendants floated out, falling towards the chosen Divine Children.

Li Che happily accepted one.

Li Qingshan glanced at him but didn't say more. He had to acknowledge the Divine Children identified by the Spirit Perception Technique, even if it meant shedding tears.

"This is a lower-grade Heaven-Earth Jade, containing the essence of heaven and earth. It can store and retrieve objects from thin air, but it requires a certain induction time. This is your identity token as a Divine Child of the Divine Sect. Once you enter the Golden Light Prefecture, you can use this token to participate in the enrollment exam."

Li Qingshan explained.

"Additionally, there is a bottle of Nature-Nourishing Pills inside, totaling ten pills. Take one every five days to accelerate your cultivation. There is also a Turtle Warrior Pill, which strengthens the foundation and nourishes the qi and blood."

Upon hearing this, Li Che's eyes lit up. A Divine Child... with such benefits?

He took a satisfied look at the contents inside the Heaven-Earth Jade.

Li Che's smile grew more radiant.

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

He had obtained these items through his own abilities; why should he feel embarrassed?

As for those who only passed the martial talent test, Li Qingshan was not as generous. He only gave them identity tokens before sending them away.

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

The banquet came to an end.

Many woodcarvers from Xu Family's Woodcarving Shop gathered around.

"Congratulations, Master Li! Both father and daughter are certified Divine Children!"

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

"A family of dual talents, both exceptional Divine Children. Truly remarkable!"

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

Then, he waved his hand grandly, announcing a banquet at Golden Radiance Pavilion to celebrate his daughter that evening.

No red envelopes were required; all guests were welcome.

Celebrating his daughter Li Wanxi's entry into the Divine Sect!

...

...

Night fell.

At the City Lord's Mansion, beneath the eight-cornered, double-eaved tower.

Cao Guang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the brightly lit Golden Radiance Pavilion, where the banquet was in full swing. The darkness swallowed the light, casting a shadow over his expression.

After a moment, faint footsteps approached from behind him.

It was Cao Qingyuan and Cao He.

"Li Che's daughter... is actually an exceptional Divine Child! We missed it... We trusted Xu Family's assessment too much."

"It's normal. It's difficult to distinguish between exceptional and superior Divine Children. Without the Spirit Perception Technique of the Divine Sect, it's easy to get confused when relying solely on experience."

Cao Guang exhaled.

Cao He, the second young master of the Cao Family, narrowed his eyes. A flash of ruthlessness crossed his aged face: "Do you need me to take action? Should I personally capture Li Wanxi?"

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

Cao Guang was tempted by the allure of an exceptional Divine Child.

However, he still had doubts about Li Che's 22-year-old old exceptional Divine Child.

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

Therefore, the greater temptation for him was Li Wanxi.

But he managed to restrain himself.

"Never mind. With Li Qingshan there, even if his divinity is gone, he's still a Martial Arts Master... There's no need to provoke him."

"Li Qingshan won't stay long in Thunderstrike City. He still needs to recruit Divine Children in other cities."

"Li Che's family will definitely follow him."

"For now, let's not create unnecessary trouble. Let's play it safe. The smooth hosting of the Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet is the most important. Let's wait for them to leave... If we miss the exceptional Divine Child, then so be it."

"Qingyuan, how's the task I assigned to you?"

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

"Good. Now that the Divine Children's blood and bones are complete, once Li Qingshan, this big trouble, leaves Thunderstrike City, the Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet can begin..."

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

...

At the eight-cornered, double-eaved tower.

Heavy breathing, mixed with greed, ambition, and anticipation, filled the air.

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(End of Chapter)

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