Chapter 92: The Old Man's Sheep Horn Hammer, Escaping Death

Chapter 92: The Old Man's Sheep Horn Hammer, Escaping Death

Hero?

Aunt Mu was slightly startled, "In this world... heroes don't live long."

The carriage, with its soft cushions, was comfortable even when jostling along the road. Li Qingshan held Aunt Mu's hand, her skin now wrinkled and rough, a far cry from the smooth and tender touch of her youth.

But Li Qingshan couldn't help but caress her slender fingers.

"Heroes indeed don't live long."

"But that guy is different... If we don't consider his killing methods, he's a hero."

Li Qingshan smiled.

Aunt Mu instantly understood whom Li Qingshan was referring to.

She couldn't help but recall the time when Xu Ji Divine Academy was attacked, and in her moment of utter despair, she had planned to take down the Yang Family with her...

A towering figure stepped forward, shattering the Yang Family's plan to seize the Spirit Child, rescuing those innocent children.

Ox Demon, a ruthless man with a fierce appearance, was a hero.

At least, in Aunt Mu's eyes, the Ox Demon who saved the children was a hero!

"The Ox Demon? Does he dare to get involved in the Thousand Buddha Feast?"

Aunt Mu furrowed her brows and couldn't help but ask.

For the Thousand Buddha Feast, Cao Guang had prepared for too long, several years, whether it was developing the Spirit Infancy Sect, capturing Spirit Children, or spending a fortune to invite woodcarvers from various races to create Spirit Infancy Wood Sculptures...

Years of planning, all for a single Thousand Buddha Feast.

Aunt Mu wasn't stupid; she knew that Cao Guang was undoubtedly preparing for his own power advancement.

Cao Guang might be planning to borrow the power of the Temple Deity to advance his Divine Appearance through this Thousand Buddha Feast.

Sacrifices were common in this world.

In her youth, Aunt Mu had traveled across the country and witnessed countless sacrifices.

In riverside fishing villages, they would use young girls or children, along with Three Sacrificial Animals and Five Domesticated Animals, to worship the River God.

In mountain villages, they would also worship the Mountain Lord and Mountain God.

In desert sandcastles and oasis kingdoms, they would worship the desert deities.

And there were even more sacrifices to the Strange Shrine, although the Strange Shrine's divine nature would influence all sides, giving rise to evil spirits, and Shrine Guardian Corpses would wreak havoc everywhere.

However, the Strange Shrine still housed a deity, a dead deity, but a deity nonetheless.

Many powerful cultivators, through sacrifices and worship, gained strength beyond their own, achieved transformation, and advanced in their cultivation. They didn't care if the deity was strange or evil.

Aunt Mu knew that Cao Guang was also performing such sacrifices.

But what could she do?

She couldn't stop him; she was just an old woman with a weakened divine nature, depleted vital energy, and one foot already in the grave. She was just an ordinary person who had never cultivated a Divine Foundation.

Li Qingshan seemed to know what Aunt Mu had experienced and smiled, "Why wouldn't he dare?"

"Do you think he'll die? That kid's survival skills... are quite impressive."

Li Qingshan thought of Li Che's breath-concealing technique and the endless supply of Tang Family hidden weapons that could kill Divine Foundation Cultivators.

Even though the Thousand Buddha Feast was something Cao Guang had been preparing for years and even if Cao Guang had prepared backup plans.

But...

The Ox Demon might not die.

The Ox Demon's methods, at first glance, didn't make him a good person. How could someone who had caused trouble for a thousand years die so easily?

"Besides... isn't there me?"

Aunt Mu looked at Li Qingshan, who was just as shameless and proud as he had been back then, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Do you know the Ox Demon? Do you know his true identity?"

Aunt Mu asked curiously.

Who was the Ox Demon?

She was curious, and it seemed like Li Qingshan knew the Ox Demon's real identity.

Suddenly, the horse neighed, and the sound of hooves trampling through the muddy ground became more urgent, mixed with the wind and rain, and the patter of snowflakes on the carriage, creating an irregular rhythm. Li Qingshan, who had been lazily holding Aunt Mu's hand, didn't answer her question.

Instead, he abruptly straightened up, his eyes gleaming.

"Here they come."

Li Qingshan lifted the curtain and looked out at the dark sky, then gently let it fall back into place.

Aunt Mu was startled.

The next moment, Li Qingshan lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, and with a light tap of his toes, he landed on top of the galloping horse's head, much to the carriage driver's horror.

Even as the horse ran, its head bobbed up and down, and its wet mane flew wildly in the wind.

But none of this affected the Green Robe Elder in the slightest.

The wind and rain lashed at the old man standing atop the horse's head, like the opening scene of a grand play.

Wuuuuu—

The heavens and earth seemed to reverberate with a heavy wail.

Or was it the low roar of a terrifying beast?

Countless raindrops exploded, forming white, hazy waves.

On top of the wave, there was a pitch-black sheep horn hammer!

The hammer's sharp spike protruded from its center, like a short spear, ready to pierce the sky.

In the distance, a figure emerged from the rain-shrouded earth, wielding this hammer. After throwing it, he bowed respectfully and then melted into the rain like water.

The old man raised the hammer, and it shot towards him, only to be caught firmly in his grasp.

A vast divine nature surged from the hammer, transforming into a ferocious beast charging towards the heavens and earth.

In an instant, the rain seemed to pause.

"The Sheep Horn Hammer... only brings out one aspect of my divine nature, but it's enough."

"Dealing with these crooked melons and cracked gourds... is more than enough."

Li Qingshan gripped the Sheep Horn Hammer, his green robe fluttering, and his hunched back slowly straightened.

He stretched lazily, as if filled with vigor, towards the heavens and earth.

Aunt Mu, sitting in the carriage, was stunned.

In that moment, the hunched figure seemed to transform in her eyes, becoming the young man from her memories, striding through the rivers and lakes on his white horse.

She saw the young man, full of vigor and innate divine strength, in his green robe.

That year.

The young man was full of ambition, and his jade-like beauty was unmatched.

...

...

Thunder City.

In the City Governor's Mansion, beneath the eight-cornered eaves.

The wind and rain raged, shrouding the heavens and earth in a haze. In the distance, the cold mountains were enveloped in mist, like a landscape painting with ink splashed across it.

Cao Guang had changed into a clean, embroidered silk robe, adorned with gold and silver, and stood on the city tower with his hands behind his back.

His gaze was deep, as if hiding a sharp weapon.

A figure appeared, its aura fluctuating, with a knife at its waist, brewing a powerful blade aura. It was Cao Guang's son, Cao Qingyuan.

"Have you found Second Uncle's body?"

Cao Guang looked up at the rain curtain in the sky and said indifferently.

Cao Qingyuan's face turned cold, and a hint of sorrow flashed in his eyes. He shook his head, "We haven't found it. The night rain washed away most of the traces. We couldn't find Second Uncle's body, only a few pieces of scattered flesh..."

"Scattered flesh..."

Cao Guang's lips trembled, and his face twitched.

It's confirmed...

How ruthless!

Li Qingshan!

Horned Heaven Smashing Hammer... Li Qingshan!

Cao He must have encountered Li Qingshan's vicious attack and was instantly smashed to pieces, leaving only scattered flesh.

According to the rumors from the capital city, this Horned Heaven Smashing Hammer Li Qingshan is extremely ruthless. He is violent and brutal, and his opponents are either smashed to pieces or beaten to a pulp...

Cao He... his body is completely destroyed.

"Second Uncle..."

Cao Qingyuan was filled with sorrow.

But Cao Guang turned around, his eyes cold and sharp, and his face, accompanied by the rolling thunder in the dark clouds, even looked a bit ferocious.

"What are you grieving about? Prepare the Thousand Buddha Feast. Do you think Li Qingshan has been in Thunder City for so long, and suddenly leaving is for no reason?"

"He's giving us a chance to perform the sacrifice. He will definitely come back. Once the sacrifice is complete, he will return and kill!"

Cao Guang's face turned icy cold, and he spoke words that startled Cao Qingyuan from between his teeth.

"He... is he pretending to leave?"

"He knows that as long as I don't perform the sacrifice, and with his current state of only being able to use his vital energy, even with his master's cultivation, he can't kill me."

Cao Guang said coldly.

"So, he must have brought divine energy from the Divine Sect's mountain gate... He's going outside the city to collect divine energy, and at the same time giving us a chance to perform the sacrifice..."

Cao Guang closed his eyes as he spoke, and his body trembled slightly.

"If I don't perform the sacrifice, and Li Qingshan obtains divine energy... I'm not even a match for his hammer. I'll be smashed to pieces, and everything will be over."

"He's forcing me..."

"Openly and secretly... he's forcing me!"

Cao Guang's words were like thunder in Cao Qingyuan's ears, startling him so much that his body trembled, and he couldn't help but take two steps back.

"Does he know that if we perform the sacrifice, the temple deity will fully awaken..."

"Does he dare to face the fully awakened strange shrine deity?!"

Cao Qingyuan's voice rose in volume.

Cao Guang exhaled, and his voice turned slightly bitter, "Perhaps... he never took us seriously..."

"Who does he want to smash... I've seen someone even more arrogant than Li Qingshan..."

Cao Qingyuan paused.

"How can this be considered arrogance... I've seen someone even more arrogant than Li Qingshan..."

Cao Guang shook his head.

Cao Guang's thoughts returned, and he glanced at Cao Qingyuan indifferently.

"I've guessed his purpose. Since Li Qingshan is so crazy, I'll follow his madness."

"We'll perform the sacrifice today. Once the grand sacrifice is complete, if my cultivation breaks through the realm, Li Qingshan may not be able to do anything to me."

"Although he's a top ten cultivator in the Divine Foundation, most of his divine energy is left in the strange shrine of the Divine Sect's mountain gate to observe the temple deity... He can't mobilize more than one-tenth of his divine energy."

"With one-tenth of his divine energy, what's there to fear?"

Cao Guang's body exuded a domineering and wrathful divine energy, slowly twisting and flowing out, instantly filling the entire floor of the tower!

"Moreover... since I know his purpose, how could I not prepare a little surprise?"

"Li Qingshan, a divine warrior with innate divine strength and a master's flesh."

"My sect... loves this the most."

Cao Guang's mouth curled into a sinister smile, as if he wanted to devour someone.

Cao Qingyuan was enveloped in a chilling aura.

Suddenly, a sound like thunder that could capture souls reached his ears.

"Pass it on..."

"Thousand Buddha Feast."

"Perform the sacrifice!"

...

...

The wind and rain tilted, pounding heavily on the carriage.

The sound of hailstones falling to the ground filled the air.

Inside the warm carriage, Xi Xi's initial excitement faded, and she soon grew bored of the journey. As the carriage swayed, she snuggled into Zhang Ya's embrace and fell asleep.

The charcoal stove burned, warming the carriage and dispelling the chill brought by the rain and snow.

Lu Chi, with his Nezha braid, stared with wide eyes.

Li Che gently covered the sleeping mother and daughter with a blanket, then turned to Lu Chi.

"Take care of them."

Li Che said.

Lu Chi immediately understood what Li Che wanted to do.

"It's very dangerous..." Lu Chi said anxiously in a low voice.

"My master should have sent that hammer that smashed countless people... If he holds that hammer and strikes with all his might, one person is enough."

"Don't be a hero!"

Li Che gave Lu Chi a strange look, "Hero? I've never wanted to be a hero..."

"Then you..." Lu Chi opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

But Li Che slapped his head, stopping his words.

"It's fine. I just have some personal matters to attend to. If there's any danger, I'll definitely escape faster than your master. Even if your master dies, I won't..."

Lu Chi was speechless. Thank your master for me.

"My master is very powerful..."

He muttered in dissatisfaction.

Li Che gently lifted the curtain, and with a gentle movement, he smiled, "Senior Li Qingshan is indeed powerful..."

"But when it comes to escaping, I'm better."

After speaking, Li Che left the carriage.

Outside, the wind and rain howled, and the dark clouds in the sky were blown away by the wind.

The slanting rain mixed with snow hit the helmet, making a loud clattering sound.

Li Che opened the umbrella and stepped onto the carriage shaft. The escort leader, Qian He, noticed and immediately pulled the reins.

"Master Li... the weather today is not good, and I don't know why it suddenly turned stormy."

Qian He pulled the reins, and his clothes were already soaked by the rain.

However, as a Blood Exchange Warrior, he didn't mind the slight chill.

"The wind and rain are intense, Master Li, please don't go out. It's not good to get wet in the rain."

Li Che smiled and said, "It's fine. I'm going to that carriage to carve some divine energy wood sculptures, which I'll sell in the capital city. They say it's not easy to live in the capital, so it's better to be prepared early, especially with a family to support."

"I'll also practice my wood carving skills. After all, the Divine Sect still relies on this craft."

Upon hearing this, Qian He immediately became respectful.

Indeed, masters were not born with just talent; diligence and hard work were also essential.

Li Che, who possessed Vital Energy cultivation, effortlessly leaped onto another carriage.

"Qian, when I'm crafting the Divine Nature Wood Sculpture, I prefer not to be disturbed. If it's not urgent, you can discuss it with Master Chen."

Li Che spoke solemnly.

Qian He hurriedly nodded.

Subsequently, Li Che entered the carriage filled with wood.

The world instantly became quiet, and the raging wind and rain were completely blocked out.

Li Che exhaled a breath of turbid air.

He didn't directly utilize the Flying Thunder Chess Piece anchor point he had left in Flying Thunder City to return there.

Leaning back in the soft carriage chair, he pointed his sword at the air, tearing it open.

The Universe Spirit Jade obtained from killing Cao He last night slid out.

With a quick flick of his finger, the Divine Nature on the Universe Spirit Jade was directly crushed, and everything hidden within was revealed to Li Che's perception.

Compared to Yang Family's Divine Foundation Yang Jing, "Horse Face Man" Cao He was much more pitiful.

The Universe Spirit Jade contained mostly ordinary weapons, and the silver coins amounted to only a few hundred taels, with only ten gold leaves. This wealth was indeed meager and didn't match the assets of a Divine Foundation Cultivator.

In terms of martial arts, there was an unexpected surprise.

"Great Jing Temple Supreme Nirvana Mystic Pulse Technique!"

This was... a superior Mystic Pulse Technique!

Li Che's eyes lit up. With his Vital Energy cultivation, he had already reached the peak of Qi Pulse.

Unfortunately, he lacked a Mystic Pulse Technique.

According to Li Qingshan, if he wanted to learn the Mystic Pulse Technique, he would have to enter the Divine Sect, which meant he would have to wait until next year's February equinox.

But now...

An unexpected harvest!

"Great Jing Temple Mystic Pulse Martial Art... It seems this Horse Face Man indeed came from the City Governor's Mansion, and there are only a few Divine Foundation Cultivators in the Mansion."

Li Che guessed the man's identity.

He wasn't surprised, just more certain.

Li Che didn't immediately cultivate this Mystic Pulse Technique.

After retrieving his Universe Space, Li Che continued to take inventory.

In terms of Divine Nature Techniques, only the "Great Jing Temple Nine Stars Wrathful Bodhisattva Divine Foundation Technique" was somewhat impressive. However, for Li Che, who had already forged his Divine Foundation, this technique seemed mediocre.

"This is..."

Li Che's heart suddenly stirred.

A black jade bottle appeared in his hand.

"Martial Pill? Only one?"

Li Che raised an eyebrow.

Using his Thousand Analyze Hand, his palm turned jade-colored.

He poured out the pill, which fell into his hand, emitting an extremely strong medicinal scent mixed with a pungent bloody smell that instantly filled the entire carriage.

At the same time, information about the pill was also immediately analyzed by the Thousand Analyze Hand.

...

Martial Pill (Lower Grade, Ninth Tier): Great Jing Heaven-Enraged Black Dragon Pill

Craftsmanship: Extracting the impure blood of the eighth-tier demon, the Black Dragon, and mixing it with ten types of herbs, the pill is refined by the unique pill formula of the Heaven-Enraged Bureau's pill master for two hours, producing nine pills per batch. The pill's nature is extremely strong, with a stench upon opening and a slight sweetness when consumed.

Usage: For Qi Pulse Warriors and above.

...

Li Che's breathing quickened, and his eyes sparkled.

"A pill from the Great Jing Heaven-Enraged Bureau?!"

He suddenly understood why Cao He's Universe Spirit Jade contained so little money, which was completely inconsistent with the wealth of a veteran Divine Foundation Cultivator.

It seemed that most of his money had been spent on purchasing this pill.

A ninth-tier lower-grade pill was worth thousands of gold! Most importantly, it came from the Heaven-Enraged Bureau, ensuring its quality. Although Great Jing was not as prosperous as its peak, the reputation of the Great Jing Heaven-Enraged Bureau still guaranteed quality.

Whether it was the produced pills, talismans, or Divine Nature Wood Sculptures, they were all unparalleled in Great Jing.

It was rumored that the Heaven-Enraged Bureau gathered the most talented wood carving masters in the Great Jing Dynasty.

After the once-flourishing Tang Family Mechanism Clan was destroyed, most of the mechanism masters were incorporated into the Heaven-Enraged Bureau.

Li Che's eyes flickered, thinking of the Heaven-Enraged Bureau...

The Capital City seemed to have a branch of the Heaven-Enraged Bureau as well.

"I wonder... if the Capital City's Heaven-Enraged Bureau has a complete and detailed Tang Family Mechanism Secret Techniques."

Li Che pondered.

Looking at the pill in his hand, Li Che frowned. He had originally thought that his wealth was substantial, ensuring a carefree life, but now it seemed he had been too presumptuous.

"To achieve pill freedom, I need to earn more money."

"The City Governor's Mansion..."

Li Che's eyes flickered slightly. Fortunately, the path to earning money was neither near nor far.

He flipped his hand, put the pill into the black jade bottle, and returned it to his Universe Space.

With a quick flick of his finger, a cute ox mask slid into his hand, which he covered his face with.

His five fingers clenched tightly.

In an instant, the air seemed to ripple slightly.

When Li Che opened his eyes, he had already returned to the study in the inner city courtyard.

The empty study was quiet and still.

It exuded a sense of emptiness and loneliness.

Li Che sat upright in the wooden chair. Under the cute ox mask, his eyes shone with brilliance.

He then put on the elastic black clothes and took the helmet hanging on the door.

Bang!

The door opened wide.

The raging wind and rain howled in, blowing Li Che's black robe and sleeves wildly.

Li Che's body swelled, stretching the elastic black robe. The serpent sinew on his back undulated, and countless raindrops were repelled, creating a mist of splashing water.

Dark clouds and mist intertwined, and lightning snakes writhed in the clouds.

Li Che raised his head, and rain and snow fell on his mask.

Sensing the unique atmosphere of the entire city, his eyes focused.

"Has the Thousand Buddha Feast begun?"

"However..."

Li Che's body trembled, and the Lion Elephant Vajra shook violently, gathering all his Vital Energy, not even slightly inferior to the ultimate Tortoise Breathing Technique.

Bang!

His toes lightly tapped the green brick floor, and instantly, a spray of water erupted silently.

His entire body shot towards the direction of the Xu Family Courtyard in the inner city.

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end