Chapter 126: Whispers of the Golden Pagoda

The night wind howled.

Atop Golden Light Peak, a biting chill prevailed while swirling mists persisted like endless ribbons.

Inside the temple’s main hall.

After Nan Lihuo etched divine markings onto XiXi’s forehead, he rose gracefully, rolling up his sleeves and executing intricate hand seals. His deep, resonant incantations echoed throughout the hall.

Little XiXi sat on her meditation cushion, feeling the divine mark between her brows suddenly grow searing hot—as if set ablaze.

Curious, she fought the urge to reach out and touch it.

‘You possess divine essence. Allow your master to draw down the sacred radiance from the pagoda upon you. Relax, XiXi—once the pagoda shines upon you, the teachings will be bestowed.’

‘Every disciple through the ages has received the Temple Spirit’s gifts. The boon—be it skill or object—depends on destiny, innate talent, and compatibility.’

‘Close your eyes.’

Nan Lihuo intoned.

Obediently, XiXi closed her eyes while secretly wondering what delightful gift the pagoda might bestow upon her.

She hoped it would be something both fun and tasty.

Suddenly, a warm glow bathed XiXi in light.

The pagoda atop the ritual altar, under the watch of the Temple Spirit, trembled slightly as countless divine essences surged forth, coalescing in midair into a radiant structure reminiscent of solid gold.

The pagoda spun rapidly, casting shimmering light all around.

It was as if dense storm clouds were torn apart, with brilliant post-rain sunlight piercing the darkness and converging into beams that illuminated XiXi.

With her eyes closed, XiXi felt only a comforting warmth.

So soothing that XiXi felt…

…as if she had returned to her father’s embrace.

Time ticked away slowly.

Before she knew it, the time equivalent to two incense sticks had passed…

Bathed in the golden radiance, XiXi’s initial amazement faded—even a yawn escaped her.

The comforting warmth, paired with the serene surroundings,

made her drowsy.

Inside the main hall.

Nan Lihuo frowned.

In the distance, Sang Guanyin and Liu Yangyuan also exhibited subtle changes on their faces.

‘Why is it taking so long?’

The two exchanged puzzled glances.

Having both undergone a pagoda transmission, they were well aware of the process.

Back then, both had completed the transmission and received the Divine Appearance Method and divine weapons in less than half an incense stick’s time under the pagoda’s glow.

Nan Lihuo’s eyes narrowed—a weight of seriousness mingled with a spark of excitement and anticipation.

Suddenly…

The golden pagoda trembled as if an ancient bell were being struck.

In an instant,

all the divine essence within the temple seemed to awaken.

It was as if an ancient presence slowly opened its eyes and cast its gaze upon them.

‘Innate divine essence—pure and flawless.’

‘It is destined for the Seven Treasures Reliquary Auspicious Golden Pagoda.’

As if an ancient deity’s gaze flickered open and closed, its lips parted slightly while chanting divine sounds.

Rumbling—!

The next moment, the golden light enveloping XiXi suddenly transformed, unleashing an immensely powerful suction force.

Startled awake from her drowsiness, XiXi discovered that her body was floating.

She panicked, flailing her arms and legs in terror.

‘Sister Yinyin, Sect Master… help me!’

Sang Guanyin’s face was etched with urgency; a burst of divine essence spurred her to hurry over.

However,

Nan Lihuo’s eyes gleamed as he gently gestured, immobilizing Sang Guanyin.

‘Do not move—XiXi is safe.’

‘This is the activation of the divine chamber hidden within the golden pagoda…’

‘Only those with pure divine essence may enter.’

‘It is the great opportunity destined for XiXi.’

……

……

The night wind was crisp.

Li Che was unaware of the events unfolding atop Golden Light Peak.

He had placed numerous Divine Chess Pieces on XiXi; the moment she faced danger, he would sense it.

Now, with no alerts, it signified that XiXi was safe, allowing Li Che to return to his own affairs.

Li Che calmed his aura, donned his conical hat and Cute Cow Mask, and silently slipped away from the Workshop Courtyard.

It was as though he had merged with the darkness, moving along the wall as he crossed Long Street.

Following the address given by Li Qingshan, Li Che glided forward along the ethereal Cloud Yao Ladder, his steps as if treading on flowing clouds and gentle breezes.

His speed was incredible, moving silently like a soaring hawk darting across the expanse.

A prearranged courtyard.

Li Che, graceful as a startled swan, vaulted over the high wall and landed in the courtyard.

Barely touching down, his body erupted in goosebumps as a muffled ‘thump’ resonated. Beneath his black robe, his form seemed to swell suddenly, with sinewy muscles roaring like coiled dragons.

An overwhelming aura of vital force filled the air.

Clenching his fist, the Liuxue Stun Spear landed in his hand, exuding an eerie, bloody scent.

Within the 【Chess Sage】 Dao Fruit, only five Temple Spirit Chess Pieces remained; he had pinpointed one, ready to detonate it the moment he activated his Ascending Stance.

This would grant him just enough time to break free using the Feilei Chess Piece for a swift escape.

That was why Li Che was so tense…

because within the courtyard stood a Divine Appearance!

There sat a young man wearing a green half-peacock mask at a stone table, leisurely sipping tea while a small stone stove boiled water.

‘You’ve got some nerve. But since you’re here, how do you expect to leave if I don’t let you?’

A light chuckle emerged from the peacock-masked youth.

Though alert, Li Che relaxed—this was an ally, someone from his own circle.

Surprisingly, Li Qingshan’s associate turned out to be a true Divine Appearance cultivator!

A genuine Divine Appearance, not merely a semblance!

Li Che’s heart stirred as the 【Chess Sage】 Dao Fruit quickened, immediately analyzing the man’s aura.

‘Deputy Director of the Imperial Watch… Lin Xiu!’

During the Divine Sect’s entrance examination, the upper echelons of Jingguang Mansion’s powers were almost entirely surveyed—Li Che recorded nearly every aura using the Cosmic Chessboard.

Furthermore, after Li Qingshan inquired about everyone’s identity with Shangguan Qinghong, he could now, with his divine perception, ascertain their true selves.

Even though Lin Xiu had attempted to mask his divine aura, it was clear he wasn’t adept at concealing it.

‘Huh? Why aren’t you afraid?’

Lin Xiu, wearing a half-peacock mask, squinted and smiled as he asked.

Li Che, donning his Cute Cow Mask, remained silent.

Then Li Qingshan arrived—hunching slightly, with a Horned Hammer tucked in his sleeve and clad in a Cat Face Mask—gliding over effortlessly.

‘Oh, you two are early.’

Li Qingshan chuckled.

‘Introduce yourself, Cat Face.’

Lin Xiu replied.

‘Alright, Peacock, this is Ogre—the one who caused chaos in the Qin Family.’

Li Qingshan introduced them.

Li Che: ‘……’

‘Cat Face, Peacock… Surely you both know each other’s identities. What’s with all this role-playing?’

These two must be quite the characters.

While Li Che’s disguise was genuine, these two seemed to don masks just for fun.

Especially Li Qingshan—the moment his Horned Hammer appeared, it was as if even his undergarments would give him away.

As for Lin Xiu, the Divine Appearance cultivator, he made no serious effort to hide his identity.

‘Ogre…’

‘Interesting, very cautious, with remarkably sharp perception.’

Lin Xiu remarked with a smile, ‘My Breath Convergence in Jingguang City is second to none—nobody can claim the top spot…’

Li Qingshan shot Ogre a glance; Lin Xiu, always boasting.

In Li Qingshan’s eyes, Ogre’s method of Breath Convergence was truly exceptional.

‘You’re right,’ Ogre agreed.

Ogre never argued—if he had to compete, he’d rather kill.

‘Our targets: the Shangguan Family—the patriarch, Shangguan Zhengheng, along with Shangguan Lei Long and Shangguan Yun Long—all of whom bear the Corpse God Sect’s Undead Curse Seal.’

‘The patriarch of Divine Appearance is untouchable. Killing a Divine Appearance isn’t so easy.’

‘Hence, tonight’s mission is to eliminate the three, excluding the Shangguan patriarch.’

‘All Five Major Families have members with the Undead Curse Seal, but you can’t hit them all at once… we must plan slowly and act deliberately.’

‘Shangguan Zhengheng is an easy kill—his lechery is notorious, and he’s often found at Yunfang Fang. We can simply assassinate him there.’

‘But Shangguan Lei Long and Shangguan Yun Long are not so easily dispatched—they reside within the Shangguan mansion year-round…’

‘However, having just returned from Scorpion Forest, the perfect moment to strike has presented itself.’

Li Qingshan murmured as his tea-stained fingers lightly traced patterns on the stone table.

Finally, he flicked away the droplets.

‘If we can force Lei Long and Yun Long into unleashing their corpse curse techniques, it will confirm their collusion with the Corpse God Sect—leaving the Shangguan patriarch with no choice but to grit his teeth in defeat.’

‘Of course—provided Ogre’s judgment is correct and that both share the Undead Curse Seal!’

Lin Xiu, still in his peacock mask, glanced coolly at Ogre.

In this operation, there would be one Divine Appearance, one with a perfected divine foundation capable of dispatching a false appearance cultivator, and one—Ogre—able to eliminate a nearly depleted false appearance.

The Divine Appearance held the command, Li Qingshan executed the kill, and Ogre provided the assessment.

Each of the three had clearly defined roles.

However, Lin Xiu doubted Ogre’s analytical ability—after all, by what means did he detect the Undead Curse Seal on his foes?

Could it be that Ogre himself bears such a seal?

Even though Ogre was brought in by Li Qingshan, Lin Xiu remained suspicious.

Yet Ogre’s track record was undeniable—he had exposed and slain every Corpse God Sect disciple within the Fisher Gang who bore the Undead Curse Seal.

His actions had instilled terror in the Fisher Gang, eventually contributing to the downfall of a major faction in the capital, which was then divided among rival forces.

This proved that Ogre’s abilities were indeed formidable.

Li Qingshan shot Li Che a glance and then laughed, ‘Peacock, trust me this once.’

Hearing this, Lin Xiu closed his eyes once more, remaining silent.

He and Li Qingshan were of the same era; however, unlike Li Qingshan—only now stepping into Divine Appearance—he had long since transcended the boundaries of false appearance to consolidate his true power.

Yet he had once roamed the martial world alongside Li Qingshan, sharing in the thrill of vengeance and honor.

The trust that should exist was indeed present.

He didn’t trust Ogre, but he held unwavering faith in Li Qingshan.

The atmosphere grew momentarily tense.

‘May I ask—how shall we divide the spoils after the kill?’

Ogre’s gruff voice shattered the silence.

‘This… is very important.’

‘Let’s settle the money first so that our future collaboration can proceed smoothly.’

Lin Xiu was taken aback, ‘Spoils?’

He then sneered, ‘Spoils mean little to me, but we shouldn’t toil for nothing—so it shall be evenly divided.’

Li Qingshan shrugged, ‘Since I summoned you to stir things up, I won’t claim extra—let’s split it equally.’

As the head of the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Zhengheng undoubtedly possessed valuable assets; likewise, Shangguan Lei Long and Shangguan Yun Long, as false appearance cultivators, were not exactly without means.

While a major household head and two false appearance cultivators might not carry all their wealth on them, nothing they had was trivial.

For Lin Xiu, this meant little, but for Li Qingshan, it was rather substantial.

‘Split it evenly?’

Li Che’s eyes gleamed as he proposed, ‘I have a friend—an archer of exceptional skill. Under special circumstances, if he intervenes with his shot, he’ll claim a share of the spoils; if not, then nothing. How about that?’

Li Che looked toward Li Qingshan.

Li Qingshan’s eyebrows twitched beneath his Cat Face Mask.

‘Your friend?’

Li Che nodded emphatically, ‘Yes.’

‘An archer whose prowess can threaten a false appearance cultivator—capable of harming them.’

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiu’s eyes gleamed beneath his peacock mask, ‘Is that the mysterious archer who slew Qin Yuqing of the Qin Family?’

Ogre nodded.

Li Qingshan tapped the stone table with his finger, ‘In that case, your friend will serve as our final safeguard… in case of any mishaps.’

‘By the way, Ogre, what is your friend’s name?’

Ogre adjusted his conical hat, ‘He’s called…’

‘Ma Mian.’

……

……

‘Shangguan Zhengheng—insatiably lustful, abducting wives and daughters, acting with ruthless brutality.’

‘He has kidnapped hundreds of women, hiding them in private quarters, with dead bodies carried out daily…’

‘It is suspected he practices the Six Desires Divine Essence of the Corpse God Sect…’

Lin Xiu clutched a sheet of paper detailing every crime committed by Shangguan Zhengheng.

‘The misdeeds of Shangguan Zhengheng over the years are truly numerous… he is nothing short of a human pile driver.’

Lin Xiu’s gaze was icy and devoid of emotion.

Shangguan Qinghong was his disciple and Shangguan Zhengheng her biological father, yet he had no intention of holding back.

For Shangguan Qinghong had long plotted to assassinate her own father.

Alas, her cultivation was not particularly advanced.

He handed over the list of crimes to Ogre.

Ogre skimmed the document; beneath his Cute Cow Mask, the record of Shangguan Zhengheng’s misdeeds shone through. He closed his eyes before handing it to Li Qingshan.

When he reopened his eyes, Ogre’s gaze was cold and devoid of emotion.

‘It’s time to kill.’

A ferocious aura emanated from Ogre, prompting Lin Xiu to take a longer look.

Recalling Ogre’s relentless hatred for evil, Lin Xiu smiled—if he weren’t so vengeful, he’d never have single-handedly slain the Corpse God Sect members within the Fisher Gang.

Li Qingshan barely glanced as he returned the document to Lin Xiu.

‘Why fetch the Temple Guardian Division with these documents?’

‘Just kill them outright!’

‘In a life-or-death crisis, if one employs the Corpse Curse Technique, they’d surely unleash extra means for survival—wouldn’t that leave evidence?’

‘Besides, I trust Ogre—I’m convinced that he can take down every Fisher Gang member bearing the Undead Curse Seal without error!’

‘I trust him.’

‘Act!’

With those words, the three in the courtyard vanished in an instant, each invoking their Breath Convergence to silently merge with the darkness.

Li Che activated the Sleeping Dragon Elephant mode of his 【Dragon Elephant Vajra】, concealing his aura to the extreme. He moved through the darkness as if invisible, his senses completely dulled.

Lin Xiu: ‘Huh?!’

‘He can’t be sensed?!’

He’s vanished!

Ogre… has disappeared!

Although Lin Xiu was a Divine Appearance cultivator, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of alarm.

He hadn’t expected Ogre’s Breath Convergence to be so potent—his own convergence talisman paled in comparison.

‘Fortunately, Li Qingshan’s convergence techniques, as steady as a nightlamp, provide the backup.’

Lin Xiu let out a soft laugh.

‘You know my Breath Convergence isn’t the best… quickly, summon a convergence talisman!’

Li Qingshan replied with a plaintive tone.

……

……

Yunfang Fang.

As the most lavish spending den in the capital, Yunfang Fang was a place where, for Shangguan Zhengheng—the head of the Five Major Families in the Shangguan clan—even an entire night’s expenditure was trivial.

The opulent floating private box, with the gently flowing Jiulong River nearby, displayed shattered moonlight and glittering waves.

Wary of the busy women below, he lounged lazily on a soft beast-skin chair.

His eyes glimmered with a steely light as a fierce intensity emerged.

‘Li Che…’

‘That luck-driven country bumpkin! To think he sired a divine prodigy—it fills me with envy!’

‘The true transmission of Qinglei into the Divine Sect was supposed to be a sure thing, yet it was muddled up by a mere three-year-old girl!’

Shangguan Zhengheng closed his eyes and exhaled.

‘It’s absurd—what excuse does that country bumpkin Li Che have for fathering a prodigy? How could a mere blood-exchanging warrior, a mere indulgent wretch, produce a divine child?’

‘It must be due to an excellent maternal condition…’

Shangguan Zhengheng’s eyes grew distant as he thought of Li Che’s wife.

Li Che’s talent was average; producing a prodigy likely hinged on his wife’s qualities.

‘It seems… an opportunity must be found…’

He stretched languidly and draped himself in a luxurious thin robe; though over a hundred years old, he still appeared remarkably youthful.

Reaching the window, the night wind from the river brushed against him, carrying a refreshing chill.

Shangguan Zhengheng stood with his arms crossed, his hair billowing and his eyes shimmering.

Soon, he would ascend to the very top echelon within Jingguang Mansion.

For now, his cultivation was merely at the false appearance stage, with the shadow of Divine Appearance looming above.

Once he truly achieved Divine Appearance, he would be free to do as he pleased.

Rules are often made for the weak; despite being the head of the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Zhengheng was still constrained by regulations and his own limitations.

Thus he mused.

Suddenly, a premonition flared in his heart.

Glancing at the river where Jiulong had split into tributaries, he noticed a small boat gently swaying among many flower boats.

It was roughly a hundred zhang away.

On that solitary boat, a slender, graceful figure suddenly leapt to their feet and raised a divine crossbow.

……

……

On the rooftop.

Li Che, wearing his Ogre Mask, blended into the darkness, his eyes growing ever colder and unmoved by emotion.

The Cosmic Chessboard expanded.

It had already locked onto Shangguan Zhengheng’s position.

Tonight, Li Che’s intent was clear—to kill Shangguan Zhengheng, the man who once intimidated XiXi beneath the arena, a grudge he had long borne.

And tonight, he had yet another reason to finish him off.

How dare that man even set his sights on YaYa!

Anyone who dares harm Li Che’s family will pay with their life!

He waited for Lin Xiu and Li Qingshan to make their move; as for him, he planned to deliver the finishing blow to ensure Shangguan Zhengheng would truly perish.

Ogre was dead serious about killing.

Hmm?

However, Li Che did not receive the anticipated move from Lin Xiu and Li Qingshan.

Meanwhile, the concealed pair, Lin Xiu and Li Qingshan, also paused momentarily.

Their eyes behind the masks were eerily calm as they spotted a solitary boat on the riverbank—with a divine crossbow aimed directly at Shangguan Zhengheng.

An overwhelming murderous intent and deep-seated hatred surged from that boat.

It turned out

they weren’t the only ones planning to kill Shangguan Zhengheng.

Someone else was orchestrating an assassination!

Li Che sensed a familiar aura emanating from the expanding Cosmic Chessboard, and his expression grew strangely peculiar.

‘This aura…’

Lin Xiu’s eyes beneath his peacock mask narrowed as he sighed, ‘This little girl…’

……

……

The divine crossbow, crafted from spirit wood and encrusted with divine talismans, was an immensely lethal weapon.

Within the Divine Guard Army, it was a heavy weapon designed to take down master-level warriors.

But now, reinforced with extra talismans and specially designed bolts, it had transformed into a talismanized version with power amplified severalfold.

A graceful female assassin wearing a Squirrel Mask, with dark, vengeful eyes, fixed her gaze on Shangguan Zhengheng, who stood at the window of the Yunfang Fang private box!

‘You bastard! Die——!’

A hateful growl erupted from beneath the mask!

Her open hand unleashed a surge of divine essence that slammed onto the divine crossbow, as if awakening a ferocious river dragon!

In that instant, the divine crossbow boomed in an earth-shattering crack.

Shriek!

Sound waves erupted!

The bolts roared as they tore through the air in a wild, turbulent burst.

The once-tranquil river churned into tumultuous waves, as if split in two; the divine crossbow’s bolts whistled forth while water splashed violently aside.

With burning talismans and surging divine essence, the bolts sped up relentlessly!

They streaked through the sky, leaving a trace a hundred zhang long—as if cleaving the river in two!

In mere moments, they neared within three feet of Shangguan Zhengheng’s face.

The surging divine talismans and essence continuously amplified the crossbow’s explosive penetration.

This was a long-planned execution!

However, Shangguan Zhengheng’s eyes narrowed, and the figure at the window suddenly flashed a glimmer of copper!

‘Assassination? Do you think I dare to step out at night on my own?’

A torrent of formidable Qi burst from his body as his hooked fingers tore through the cold wind, launching a forceful strike ahead.

And then—!

A terrifying sound wave exploded, reminiscent of an ancient copper bell tolling for millennia!

Combined with the talismans, the divine crossbow could easily pierce an ordinary false appearance cultivator, leaving them severely injured!

But then, a black mark of corpse energy flickered on Shangguan Zhengheng’s brow as he stepped forward; his arms—dense with coiled dragon muscle and steel—snatched the bolt like a dragon ensnaring its prey!

The force unleashed by the divine talismans was completely subdued by his imposing false appearance aura!

Throughout the pavilion, sections exploded with a deafening roar as violent gusts scattered wood splinters and debris.

Shangguan Zhengheng’s jet-black hair flew wildly as his eyes gleamed with a vicious snarl and murderous intent.

‘A woman?’

Gazing at the graceful figure beneath the Squirrel Mask on the boat, Shangguan Zhengheng let out a greedy roar.

Boom—!

With a powerful thrust, he seized the spent bolt—its talismans burnt out and force expended—and, bathed in a copper hue, charged forth, sending columns of water surging as he sprinted hundreds of zhang across the river toward the boat.

To him, the river’s surface was as smooth as solid ground.

On the boat.

The female assassin in the Squirrel Mask was visibly startled.

‘Copper Corpse?!’

Without hesitation, she slammed her palm against the boat’s edge, triggering her talismans and launching the vessel like a speedboat.

Not even the talismanized crossbow could kill Shangguan Zhengheng.

We must find another chance!

‘Wanna leave?’

Shangguan Zhengheng’s eyes flashed red, his body radiating a copper sheen as his muscles roared; he clenched his fist and twisted forcefully.

That spear-like bolt was hurled away by him.

It streaked toward the boat at incredible speed.

Yet…

After hurling the bolt, Shangguan Zhengheng’s pupils suddenly contracted; he realized that his wildly dancing hair had collapsed and refused to rise.

It felt like a terrifying pressure akin to a collapsing mountain…

striking him with overwhelming force.

Shangguan Zhengheng, who had been striding powerfully over the waves, abruptly froze—as if turned to stone on the river’s surface!

‘Perfect, you’ve come out for me then.’

He felt his entire false appearance freeze from within, rendering him immobile and unable to unleash his power!

That was the oppressive might of a divine rank!

From Divine Appearance!

Sweat beaded on Shangguan Zhengheng’s forehead.

‘Divine Appearance… Divine Appearance!’

‘Which Divine Appearance intends to kill me?!’

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