Chapter 106: Divine Carvings and Veiled Intrigues

A resounding proclamation, a dazzling display of divine might.

He is honored with titles such as Rear-Guard Colonel, Inspector of the Nine Provinces and their Islands, Commandant of the Summer Forces, and Protector Deity.

The Demon-Exorcising, Ghost-Slaying Grand General, the Iron-Faced Divine Lord of Zhongnan, and the Demon-Cleansing Celestial Venerable.

This is the Zhong Kui Sacred Decree.

When it comes to ghost-suppressing, Li Che thinks this deity is perfectly suited.

Anyway, it lets him unleash his creativity—an ideal opportunity to carve out the many deities swirling in his mind…

Perhaps, just as he once carved the Third Prince’s red scarf that shook the four seas, he could further enhance the maturity of his [Xiangong] Dao Fruit.

“By the way, Li—don’t forget to practice that book, ‘Dajing Qin Tian Seven Element Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique.’ Even though it’s just the first volume, you must achieve a basic level if you hope to advance to Second-Class Guest Official!”

Shangguan Qinghong, seeing Li Che accept the task, quickly moved to leave while urging him on.

Li Che was stunned. That Divine Eagle Technique… he had yet to study it.

After all, since he wielded the [Xiangong] Dao Fruit, Li Che believed that the Divine Eagle Technique was of little value—it’s just carving, isn’t it?

With the unparalleled craftsmanship provided by his [Xiangong] Dao Fruit, the Divine Eagle Technique hardly held any advantage for him.

After a pause, Shangguan Qinghong said, “You can’t view the Divine Eagle Technique as mere wood carving—it was invented by the Grand Supervisor of the Eight-Treasure Tower at the Imperial Watch. Not only this technique, but also the Divine Pill Technique, Divine Weapon Technique, and many others are his creations…”

“Therefore, it plays a crucial role in evaluations. Even if you can carve the Nine Luminary Divine Wooden Sculpture, a subpar mastery of the Divine Eagle Technique will doom your Second-Class Guest Official assessment.”

Li Che took this to heart and resolved to study it carefully.

Once the task was assigned, Li Che immediately left the Imperial Watch.

Leaving early wasn’t a major issue—after all, as a Guest Official, Li Che wasn’t subject to rigid duty protocols.

It made sense that, having accepted the task, Li Che would go to the Workshop to carve wood.

He began at the timber depot, collecting a piece of red spiritual wood needed for the Zhong Kui wooden deity statue, and then returned to the Workshop Courtyard in the Capital.

After securing the door, Li Che carefully placed the wood aside. At that moment, his [Chess Sage] Dao Fruit shuddered, triggering the Cosmic Chessboard to expand and envelop the surrounding space.

Any nearby disturbance would be immediately apparent to him.

Li Che didn’t start the sculpture at once.

Instead, he commenced his daily martial training.

After becoming a Third-Class Guest Official, Li Che received a resource—a pill called ‘Dajing Qin Tian Nu Xuan Jiao Blood Martial Pill,’ crafted from authentic Nu Xuan Jiao blood rather than mixed blood.

Its potency was exceedingly high; Shangguan Qinghong even feared that Li Che’s body might not endure it, urging him to crush the pill and take it in three installments.

But Li Che’s unparalleled physical conditioning meant he could easily handle it.

After swallowing a pill, his stomach churned, breaking down the pill’s casing and releasing its overwhelming medicinal power.

Huu—

Hiss—

In the courtyard, Li Che stood in the spring breeze, eyes shut, absorbing and replaying the Divine Martial Art ‘Fen Nu True Lord Three-Blade Saber.’ The next moment, he opened his eyes and clenched his fist…

The Nine Luminary Divine Weapon, Liuxue Stun Spear, suddenly burst forth from Qianyuan Space, landing squarely in his hand. With a fierce jolt, the spear howled like an enraged beast!

Then he gripped the spear with both hands, wielding it as a Three-Blade Saber, and launched into a dazzling dance.

With the transcendent talent boosted by his [Dragon Elephant Vajra] Dao Fruit, Li Che rapidly grasped his martial techniques—even Divine Martial Arts came easily to him.

For now, he focused on the ‘Fen Nu True Lord Three-Blade Saber’ as his main martial art.

Enthralled, his spear danced faster and faster, unleashing streams of surging energy that tore through the courtyard with every swing.

Huu—!

With a sudden surge, he thrust forward, slicing a slender beam of light over a meter long through the air. His entire body radiated heat, as a veil of white mist cloaked him amid the brisk spring chill.

“The Fen Nu True Lord Three-Blade Saber… is fully perfected!”

Li Che exhaled, a subtle smile playing on his lips, as the nine thick tendons along his spine gradually settled.

Inside his dantian, the martial pill was refined by his potent stomach acids. The surging medicinal power churned into vital energy, propelling through his limbs and forming a swiftly pulsating, mysterious inner qi that surged from his crown to his feet.

Crackle—pop!

Li Che’s body resonated with creaks and cracks, as if his bones were clashing like raw metal.

His physical structure was formidable. The [Dragon Elephant Vajra] was gradually reshaping his flesh, meridians, and bones, evolving him into a ‘Dragon Sinew, Elephant Bone Vajra Body’!

His divine meridians… were accelerating.

Closing his eyes to sense his inner qi, he felt his entire body become crystal clear, with his meridians fully connected, allowing him to circulate his qi around a small loop in a single thought!

“The Divine Meridian Technique demands that a martial art be cultivated to its ultimate state, integrating its essence into everyday practice—not merely in combat. When every motion is imbued with divinity, that’s true Divine Meridians!”

Li Che’s eyes flickered as, at the Divine Meridian stage, his qi and blood began to transform with his inner vision.

The degree of transformation in his qi and blood would dictate the strength of his Divine Meridians, and ultimately, his might as a Grandmaster.

Thus, the realm of Divine Meridians is of utmost significance in martial arts.

A Grandmaster must master a true ultimate martial art that harmonizes with and governs their Divine Meridians.

Only after internalizing its true essence, blending it seamlessly with their qi and blood, can one attain true Qi Grandmaster status!

Li Che lifted his hand, unleashing inner qi from his fingertips with remarkable killing power.

This was the hallmark of his Xuan Mai: his inner qi could be projected outward. Though it reached merely about ten feet, its destructive power was formidable.

“Now, with a high-quality Nu Xuan Jiao Blood Martial Pill at my side, in just half a month I should achieve perfected Xuan Mai, qualifying me to challenge the Divine Meridians…”

Li Che sheathed the Liuxue Stun Spear and stretched, like a string of ever-exploding firecrackers.

Sharpening his focus, he drew in his qi and blood, as his sturdy frame melded into his flexible garment—only its subtle lines hinting at his exceptional build.

After his martial training, Li Che turned his attention to the cultivation of Divine Techniques.

Upon reaching the Divine Foundation stage, the Three-Eyed Fen Nu True Lord Technique, once fully stabilized, began to automatically draw divine essence from the world to fortify his being.

Additionally, the three Divine Techniques—[Chin Ku Zhen Gui], [Xin E Jing Gang], and [Xuan Si Liu Jian]—had matured enough to prepare for the establishment of a Divine Foundation.

As for [Chaos of Joy and Confusion], Li Che’s lack of focus on it meant its development was slower.

But there was no hurry; he could address that once the other three techniques had established his Divine Foundation.

After reinforcing his divine cultivation for a short time,

Li Che finally sat back down, brewed a cup of hot tea, and retrieved the first volume of ‘Dajing Qin Tian Seven Element Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique.’

Flipping through its pages, he found the Grand Supervisor’s words.

Then he opened the text proper and read it carefully.

As he read, Li Che became deeply absorbed, his face shifting with wonder and awe.

Closing the book, Li Che rested his eyes.

“The Divine Eagle Technique… isn’t just wood carving—it’s a fusion of a divine secret art and Divine Martial Arts!”

“Divine Secret Technique is of the Seven-Element rank—that is, the Divine Eagle Technique…”

“And Divine Martial Arts are the ultimate discipline, named ‘Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle’!”

“Both Divine Secret Technique and Divine Martial Arts need to reach the same standard; only then can mastery be deemed sufficient…”

“After countless trials, success comes effortlessly…”

Li Che had always been in search of a true ultimate art—and now, it was being handed to him on a silver platter.

With a true ultimate art in hand, he now had the opportunity to break through to Martial Dao Grandmaster level!

Deep within his chest, the [Dragon Elephant Vajra] pulsated, as if stirred by his inner resolve.

In his mind, every detail of the ‘Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle’ divine martial art streamed through him.

Moments later, Li Che opened his eyes.

“Truly a genuine ultimate art—I ran through it mentally three times and still couldn’t grasp it… Seems I need to run through it a few more times!”

Li Che marveled; even elite martial arts could be grasped after three mental run-throughs, yet this one eluded him.

After all, the transcendent talent conferred by the [Dragon Elephant Vajra] Dao Fruit was undeniably exceptional.

Li Che abandoned carving altogether, his mind entirely absorbed in mastering this ultimate art.

……

……

A gentle spring breeze stirred as willows swayed softly.

Time seemed to rush by like pebbles rolling swiftly in the breeze.

In just half a month, Li Che’s days grew exceedingly regular.

By day, he would spend an hour at the Imperial Watch before heading to the Workshop Courtyard to carve the ‘Fierce Zhong Kui Ghost-Suppressing Statue,’ all while training in his ultimate art and absorbing the Divine Secret Technique.

Unfortunately, Li Che’s natural talent for Divine Secret Technique was rather average—half a month passed before he barely managed to grasp the basics.

In contrast, he managed to grasp the basics of ‘Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle’ by the second day of training.

A soft spring rain pitter-pattered; early spring was a season of relentless rain and lingering melancholy.

Inside the Workshop Courtyard.

With a burst of qi and blood, Li Che suddenly extended his arm, unleashing countless phantom images in layers that made it impossible to discern the real from the illusory.

Boom—!

Clenching his five fingers, he struck forcefully. Like a palm slamming onto a taut drum, it unleashed a deafening boom, and the air beneath seemed to sink several inches.

The power in that strike, if it landed on an ordinary Xuan Mai fighter, would shatter their organs!

Even a Divine Meridian warrior would struggle to endure it, likely ending up critically injured.

However, landing such a strike is the real challenge—the opponent isn’t a lifeless wooden statue standing still.

Huu—

A torrent of qi and blood erupted like a roaring furnace, as countless phantom arms converged upon him in layers, reminiscent of the Thousand-Armed Guanyin—mysterious and entrancing.

Li Che’s eyes shone brightly as he exhaled a puff of murky air.

“The ultimate art, Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle… I’ve achieved the initial breakthrough!”

“However, things will only become more difficult—the grand mastery is what truly matters, with its power rivaling that of a top-tier martial art refined to the ultimate level.”

Within the courtyard, the surging currents of air gradually subsided.

Li Che then sat back at the workbench and resumed carving.

After half a month, the Zhong Kui deity statue was nearly finished; it wasn’t that he was reluctant to speed up, but rather…

Whenever the carving mirrored the mental image of Zhong Kui too closely, every stroke became excruciatingly challenging.

He recalled how smoothly he carved the Third Prince, attributing it to the congruence with the divine nature of a temple god in the tributaries of the Jiulong River…

However, the ‘Fierce Zhong Kui Ghost-Suppressing Statue’—nearly at the Nine Luminary level—was essentially complete, requiring only some finishing touches.

With one final cut that swept away delicate strands of wood shavings,

the divine essence of heaven and earth began to converge continuously.

The Zhong Kui statue, crafted from Tenth-Rank Spiritual Wood and Red-Blood Spirit Sandalwood, began to emit a faint, blood-red glow…

The surrounding wind howled mournfully and relentlessly, as if an anguished cry reverberated, while a massive, spectral figure with a leopard head, intense eyes, an iron visage, and twisted hair flickered in and out of view.

Satisfied, Li Che stepped back a few paces.

His eyes gleamed as he beheld the divine wooden carving, its form gradually aligning with the mental image, leaving him somewhat dazed.

“Demon-Exorcising, Ghost-Slaying Grand General, with fierce eyes suppressing spirits—impenetrable by all ghosts!”

Li Che brushed off the wood shavings, his focus returning as a wide smile graced his face, clearly satisfied.

A stirring of his heart.

【Dao Fruit: Xiangong (LV3 78%)】

Good job!

In one burst, its maturity surged by 10%, affirming his earlier hunch.

When his carving merged with the divine image in his memory, it indeed enhanced the Dao Fruit’s maturity.

Good news indeed…

Seeing his [Xiangong] Dao Fruit inching ever closer to Level 4,

Li Che’s heart quickened with excitement.

What new metamorphosis would Level 4 Xiangong unveil?

In fact, Li Che knew that his bond with XiXi meant that as his daughter reached one year safely, he would be granted a Dao Fruit.

The number of Dao Fruits would only grow, and with abundance, he couldn’t possibly use them all indiscriminately.

He would need to choose a few to specialize in as his main focus for advancement.

After placing the Zhong Kui statue into Qiankun Space, Li Che donned clean black clothes and left the Workshop Courtyard.

Leaving the Workshop Courtyard, Li Che immediately sensed that he was being watched.

“Qin Family, Qin Haonan…”

“And also the Temple Guardian Division… deities Hong Yong and Shi Lei.”

Li Che maintained his composure, his heart remarkably calm.

These three… had been shadowing him for over half a month.

After he met Chief Envoy Zhang Lianhao from the Temple Guardian Division, two deities began tailing him the very next day.

Yet, they were unaware that under his Cosmic Chessboard, while they trailed him, Li Che was monitoring them from an even higher plane.

Realizing they were only watching him, Li Che decided not to make a move.

Luckily, his regimented schedule over the past half month had dispelled any concerns of the Qin Family and the Temple Guardian Division.

In the Capital, Li Che upheld a policy of benevolence: if no one bothers him, he wouldn’t bother others.

He only wanted to wait in peace until XiXi could participate in the Divine Sect’s entrance assessment—that was all.

Back in the courtyard, dusk had fallen.

Li Che paused—beyond the courtyard, not only were Qin Haonan and the Temple Guardian deities watching him, but many other eyes in the alleys were also scrutinizing.

These were local gangs from the street where Tinghua Alley lay.

The Capital was far larger than Feilei City, where even there, gangs collected protection fees and exploited the people.

Not to mention the Capital, where gangs thrived—several of which were formidable forces not to be taken lightly.

The Capital boasts three major gangs: the Fisher Gang, the Black Jiao Gang, and the Beggar Gang.

For instance, the Fisher Gang, since Jingguang City was established beside the Jiulong River and a tributary runs through the Capital, making water resources bountiful.

Thus, many pursued fishing, and the Fisher Gang naturally grew powerful.

The gang tailing his courtyard wasn’t one of the big players like the Fisher Gang—it was the ‘Black Snake Gang,’ which boasted a settled Divine Foundation figure.

This gang had infiltrated the area outside Tinghua Alley, disguising itself as various merchants and patrons—many small stalls had even changed hands.

Li Che wasn’t sure who the Black Snake Gang belonged to, as gangs in the Capital were like commodities, always changing hands.

In fact, Li Che was puzzled; since Qin Haonan from the Qin Family was personally monitoring him, there was no need for an additional gang to do so.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Che mused,

“Could it be Jin Lie Men?”

Jin Lie Men, one of the five major clans in the Capital, ranks somewhat lower than the Divine Sect Branch, which is backed by the Patriarchal True Sect—truly a giant in the field.

In the Capital, only the Temple Guardian Division and the Imperial Watch can stand toe-to-toe with the Divine Sect Branch.

Jin Lie Men is merely equivalent to the five major families.

Li Che believed that since coming to the Capital, he had only stirred up the Qin Family…

And Jin Lie Men was partially involved, given the rumors about Qin Yuqing and the Grand Elder of Jin Lie Men being entangled…

Therefore, it was understandable that they would investigate him.

After all, gangs were merely the tools of the Capital’s elite, reaping the people’s wealth like a scythe.

Li Che’s senses were constantly probing these gangs—it was possible they were wary of his status as an Imperial Watch Guest Official, as well as XiXi’s standing as a prospective disciple of the Divine Sect.

They only secretly spied, merely monitoring him without intent to act.

Without a trace of emotion, he returned to the courtyard.

There, XiXi was sparring—her qi surging, her divine essence fluctuating, and her small body displaying formidable strength.

Li Che was startled. ‘Oh my, that little girl… has undergone Bone Tempering?!’

She’s only a few years old?

At three years old, without even taking any pills, she’s already begun Bone Tempering?

Moreover, her divine essence has matured to a level as steady as a flowing stream…

Such martial and divine talent…

Had he not possessed a Dao Fruit, he’d truly be overshadowed by her!

No wonder—she is my daughter after all!

A smile played at Li Che’s lips.

Old Chen, puffing on his dried tobacco while advising XiXi, had fallen silent. “In all my years, I’ve never seen such a marvel…”

Lu Chi also arrived. Watching the bone-tempered XiXi, he kept patting his head and pouting.

Is this the exceptional prodigy?

No… Even an extraordinary prodigy wouldn’t advance this quickly.

Lu Chi is nine now—what was he doing at three?

Oh, he was still nursing.

At that time, his divine essence wasn’t even forming steadily…

It just goes to show how infuriating comparisons can be.

Fortunately, it was XiXi who was clearly ahead.

Seeing Lu Chi smile, Li Che knew that the little guy had been coming by every day to keep up appearances since he learned about the Temple Guardian Division’s investigation.

Then, recalling the gang watching him, Li Che casually brought up the subject of Jin Lie Men.

“Jin Lie Men? They’d never dare mess with you. You were recommended by our master—Grand Elder Jin Xuan wouldn’t even dream of touching you…”

“Not to mention the might of the Divine Sect. Even our master nearly smashed Grand Elder Jin Xuan’s head with a goat-horn hammer back in the day. This guy is like a mouse before a cat when our teacher is around…” Lu Chi said, patting his head with a smile.

Li Che was taken aback—if that’s so, then the Black Snake Gang must have been organized by Jin Lie Men?

So, which faction was behind the watchers outside?

Li Che furrowed his brows; the situation was indeed perplexing. With Qin Haonan personally tailing him, it likely wasn’t the Qin Family—even his Cosmic Chessboard had detected Qin Haonan probing this gang…

So, who was behind this gang?

Li Che’s gaze darkened slightly, and a degree of seriousness began to set in.

Zhang Ya had finished cooking, and she had set the meal out in the courtyard for the family dinner.

Perhaps due to the effects of Bone Tempering, XiXi’s appetite had surged— the little one clutched a huge bowl and ate nonstop.

Li Che clinked cups with Old Chen, sipping their wine in pure contentment.

A warm, gentle spring breeze drifted over, comforting and soft.

Suddenly, Li Che’s expression changed as his brows furrowed.

Because outside, his cousin-in-law was approaching briskly.

Her face showed deep concern.

“Sister-in-law, what’s the matter?”

After Zhang Ya opened the door, she immediately noticed that Cousin-in-law Liu Chunming’s expression was troubled.

Liu Chunming fixed her gaze on Li Che and said, “A Che, your cousin… hasn’t come home for two days and two nights now…”

Li Che set his cup down and furrowed his brows.

Cousin Li Zhengran?

The Divine Chess Piece he had placed on Li Zhengran showed no signs of endangerment.

No life-threatening danger…

Then why hasn’t my cousin returned for two days and two nights?

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