Chapter 127: Divine Confrontation: Clash of Fates

Divine Appearance…

Sweat on Shangguan Zhengheng’s forehead seemed frozen in place, clinging rigidly to his face.

An unseen force emerged between heaven and earth, slowing and stalling even the air’s flow.

Shangguan Zhengheng stood on the river’s surface, the waves surging as if he could sense the hidden currents below.

The chilling night wind brushed across his cheeks.

It felt as though every drop of blood in his body was freezing solid.

Yet a ferocious glint soon ignited in his eyes.

Why would a Divine Appearance strike?

Could it be that his secret had been exposed?

Impossible!

He had always maintained a low profile, never resorting to the Corpse Curse Technique in public. Outwardly, he was simply the dashing patriarch of the Shangguan family.

With the Patriarch of Divine Appearance backing him, which skilled cultivator of Divine Appearance would dare launch an attack?

It makes no sense!

But Shangguan Zhengheng refused to surrender without a fight.

His furious roar seemed to set the entire river ablaze. The blood within him turned ice-cold, as if every trace of warmth had been drained away, leaving only the lifeless chill of a corpse; his coppery flesh became ever more pronounced.

“Oh? Still struggling?”

A calm voice echoed from all directions, its pressure surging like a tidal wave that swallowed everything.

Spreading his arms wide, Shangguan Zhengheng trembled violently, his neck twisting before he threw back his head and unleashed a guttural roar.

With sheer force, he tore through the oppressive aura imposed by the Divine Appearance cultivator!

That suffocating divine pressure left him gasping for breath!

A murky, copper glow pulsed from his flesh as the stench of death seeped from every inch of his skin—so thick it was nauseating.

Facing the attack of a Divine Appearance cultivator, Shangguan Zhengheng’s eyes became bloodshot.

A palm-sized, spirit-infused wooden carving suddenly materialized—and he crushed it without hesitation.

In an instant, overwhelming divine energy surged forth!

“You want to kill me?”

“It’s not that easy!”

Shangguan Zhengheng sneered coldly.

When the shattered carving exploded, countless bursts of divine energy shot skyward, accompanied by a howling, turbulent wind. Like an inflated balloon, the energy coalesced into a complete form of Divine Appearance.

A perfectly defined Divine Appearance materialized high above, its overwhelming terror bursting forth like a blazing, intense sun.

Lin Xiu’s cold laugh drifted across the heavens.

He wasn’t surprised that Shangguan Zhengheng had crushed the divine wooden carving without a moment’s hesitation.

In the face of true Divine Appearance, an illusory form could never bridge the gap in their ranks.

If Shangguan Zhengheng dared toy with his opponent using his nascent Cursed Copper Corpse, he’d likely be beaten into submission.

For a noble family patriarch, it was only natural to possess a Divine Appearance Wooden Carving painstakingly forged by a Divine Appearance cultivator as a lifeline.

After all, aristocrats aren’t the Fisher Gang—when Fisher Gang deputy Liu Jinsong was killed, he couldn’t even produce such a carving.

A Divine Appearance Wooden Carving takes a cultivator a year to infuse with divine essence—a costly lifeline that drains enormous energy.

A Divine Appearance cultivator can forge at most three such carvings; any more would compromise their own divine power.

Even though the head of the Fisher Gang was a Divine Appearance cultivator, why would he craft a divine carving for a subordinate with no close ties?

That’s why Liu Jinsong had no carving to save his life back then.

Li Qingshan had anticipated this and summoned Lin Xiu—a Divine Appearance cultivator—to bolster his forces!

With the backing of his Patriarch’s divine power, he managed to counter the overwhelming aura that Lin Xiu had brought forth.

Though Shangguan Zhengheng winced inwardly, he finally broke free of his constraints!

Boom!

With a heavy, resounding stomp—as if a thousand-pound boulder slammed into a vast lake—he triggered a cataclysmic upheaval.

Amid tumultuous, raging currents, a grim-faced Shangguan Zhengheng, his body transformed into a Cursed Copper Corpse, forcefully shattered the towering waves.

“Let’s finish this quickly—what are you waiting for?!”

“Hurry up before the old man from the Shangguan family shows up and makes things worse.”

A calm voice cut through the clamor.

As he took a heavy step forward, a murderous gleam erupted in his eyes.

That voice—he already knew whose it was.

“Li Qingshan!”

“It’s you… Li Qingshan!”

Shangguan Zhengheng trembled as droplets exploding from the river were shattered into vapor by his overwhelming force.

A shroud of mist rose from the river, swirling.

“How dare you?!”

His roar reverberated through the air.

Then, in an instant, the roar abruptly stopped!

The mist was torn apart by a charging figure—a hunched form that straightened in a flash as bolts of lightning intertwined around it!

A Goat-Horn Hammer slipped from Li Qingshan’s sleeve, swinging fiercely. Amid the interlacing lightning, a spectral deity with eagle-like wings, a blue face, and vicious fangs emerged behind Li Qingshan!

“How dare you?”

“How dare you practice the Corpse Curse Technique and push it nearly to the level of the Cursed Copper Corpse!”

“Shangguan Zhengheng! How many innocent lives have you ruined?!”

Li Qingshan’s Cat Face Mask shattered in an instant, revealing an aged face laced with cold ruthlessness and murderous intent!

Anyone associated with the Corpse God Sect must die!

Thud!

Shangguan Zhengheng crossed his arms just as the Goat-Horn Hammer crashed into his body; his nearly complete Cursed Copper Corpse roared out like an ancient bell.

Rippled shockwaves burst outward in concentric circles…

His body was catapulted as he slammed onto the river; his legs tore through the water, raising two surging white waves, and a delighted smile spread across his face.

“Horned Hammer, that’s all you’ve got…”

“It’s been blocked!”

Joy surged in Shangguan Zhengheng’s heart.

Li Qingshan’s Horned Hammer was renowned for its might in the Capital.

It had slain countless experts, yet now… he was using his own flesh to block it!

His body had nearly reached the stage of a Cursed Copper Corpse—just a hair’s breadth from mastery. Though he fell short by that slim margin, it made little difference.

Li Qingshan…

I can’t kill him now!

“Hahaha, the Horned Hammer is all bark and no bite!”

Shangguan Zhengheng laughed uproariously, then immediately turned and fled without hesitation.

He bolted toward the Shangguan residence.

He had no intention of engaging Li Qingshan in a bloody duel; after all, above him, a true Divine Appearance cultivator—held back by his Patriarch’s Divine Appearance Wooden Carving—still stood guard.

Though the wooden carving was his Patriarch’s divine embodiment, it couldn’t hold out for long!

Retreat was the wisest choice.

Even if his practice of the Corpse Curse Technique were exposed, with his Patriarch’s backing, at worst he’d be forced to relinquish his headship and leave Jingguang Prefecture.

What could Li Qingshan do to him anyway?

As a dignitary of the Capital, he still wielded significant power—even if Li Qingshan obtained his incriminating evidence.

If evidence alone could seal his fate, there wouldn’t be so many miscarriages of justice in this world!

Though it was unknown how Li Qingshan uncovered his use of the Corpse Curse Technique and summoned a Divine Appearance cultivator to kill him, as long as he could escape, hope remained.

Naturally, Li Qingshan wasn’t about to let Shangguan Zhengheng escape. He knew that if Zhengheng survived, given the ties between the Five Major Families and the City Lord’s Residence, punishing him would be nearly impossible.

Next time, landing the killing blow wouldn’t be so simple!

“Stay with me!”

Enraged, Li Qingshan roared as countless bolts of lightning intertwined around him!

Thunder boomed as his eyes blazed, “Goat-Horn Exorcism!”

Thud!

Once again, Shangguan Zhengheng was blasted into the air, the impact on the river churning massive splashes.

But Shangguan Zhengheng coughed up blood, his eyes gleaming even more as he declared, “Li Qingshan… you can’t kill me now!”

“You’re not a true Divine Appearance cultivator! I’ve perfected the Cursed Copper Corpse— you can’t kill me now! Hahaha!”

Li Qingshan remained silent.

His body trembled, bones quivering as three-headed demonic dragons roared into life—the martial masterpiece, Eight Dragons Overturning the River!

Surging spiritual energy erupted, parting a tide that rose like a towering curtain several yards high!

Clutching the Horned Hammer, he struck once more!

When one blow wasn’t enough, then two, three…

Soon enough, I’ll break you to pieces!

……

……

Crash—!

The river’s surface was torn apart.

Meanwhile, the battle on the other side erupted in a fleeting yet astonishing burst of fury.

Yet the very first crossbow bolt that Shangguan Zhengheng hurled—nearly overlooked by everyone—spewed forth at a terrifying speed, blasting toward a small boat that resembled a speedboat!

A girl wearing a Squirrel Mask on the boat frantically activated divine talismans, boosting the craft’s speed even further!

However, Shangguan Zhengheng—an illusory cultivator who had mastered the Cursed Copper Corpse of the Corpse God Sect—was unmatched in power. The crossbow bolt he launched even rivaled the speed of the bolt fired from her divine talisman crossbow!

The sound waves dazzled, leaving white scars on the river’s surface.

A dark shadow, like black lightning tearing through the river, thundered forth!

It shot straight toward them!

“I’m doomed!”

Under her Squirrel Mask, Shangguan Qinghong turned pale, her eyes reflecting a desperate despair.

Sure enough…

It still wasn’t enough?

She had planned to assassinate Shangguan Zhengheng countless times.

Though he was her biological father, she loathed him, yearning to kill him herself.

She had witnessed her mother being ‘sacrificed’ by Shangguan Zhengheng!

That memory haunted her like an inescapable nightmare!

She could never imagine someone being so utterly evil—watching her mother’s flesh slowly dissolve made her heart bleed, and in that moment she swore to kill him.

As for Shangguan Zhengheng, he cared nothing for his daughter; after committing his crimes before her eyes, he swaggered away.

He even let her live, allowing her to grow up, all to serve later as material for his sacrificial rituals.

Fortunately, Shangguan Qinghong was later noticed by Lin Xiu and taken to the Imperial Watch, freeing her from that demon.

Yet her desire to kill that monster never faded.

Tonight, upon learning that Shangguan Zhengheng had spent his first night in months at Yunfang Fang, she began planning and taking action.

The divine talisman crossbow she had prepared was her most formidable killing move.

It was the only method—given her cultivation—that could threaten Shangguan Zhengheng.

Her mastery of divine talismans was taught by Lin Xiu, a true maestro at the Divine Appearance stage. Not only did Lin Xiu take pity on Shangguan Qinghong, but she also recognized her innate talent.

“In the end… is it still not enough?”

“Do villains really get to live unchecked forever?”

Seated in the small boat, Shangguan Qinghong shivered as the blast of the Divine Crossbow, infused with Shangguan Zhengheng’s [Overwhelming Terror], washed over her.

As the Divine Crossbow neared, the oppressive aura of illusory form left her nearly paralyzed.

She could only watch helplessly as death closed in.

Crack, crack—

As the bolt approached, surging shockwaves battered even her Squirrel Mask; its surface split with cracks before exploding with a resounding blast!

It revealed Shangguan Qinghong’s once delicate beauty, now marred by a pallid, tragic expression.

Instead of killing Shangguan Zhengheng, it sealed her own fate.

Outraged, Shangguan Qinghong was not angry at her impending death—but that she couldn’t kill that beast, Shangguan Zhengheng!

However.

Just when she thought she could not escape the deadly path of the Divine Crossbow…

The sounds of wind and thunder reached her ears, followed by endless ghostly wails and the creak of a bowstring straining to its limit, lamenting under unbearable load…

Startled, she turned and saw a slender figure on the distant river.

Wearing a Horse Face Mask, he strode across the waves, bow drawn and arrow aimed!

Boom——!

The moment the arrow left the Xuan Lei Jiao Angry Bow, a burst of wind and thunder exploded around it!

Shangguan Qinghong heard an unending cacophony of ghostly wails, furious dragon roars, and clashing wind, thunder, and lightning.

Whoosh—!

Hundred Ghosts Crying Wind Thunder Arrow!

The arrow streaked forward like a torrent of light.

It collided with the Divine Crossbow bolt that Shangguan Zhengheng had hurled back!

The divine essences of both projectiles clashed and exploded violently!

Boom!

An invisible shockwave rippled outward in concentric circles, as the surging river rose high on both sides, splattering countless droplets like shattered water-powder.

That arrow completely derailed the Divine Crossbow’s trajectory, grazing Shangguan Qinghong’s fair cheek before whistling away into the distance.

It vanished silently into the river, plunging straight to the riverbed.

“Hmm?”

Shangguan Qinghong panted heavily, her chest heaving as terror clung to her eyes.

She wasn’t dead…

The crossbow bolt had been deflected by an arrow!

That arrow was a lifesaver!

She felt her body give way as she collapsed onto the boat, gasping uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, the slender figure in the Horse Face Mask had already boarded.

“May I borrow your boat.”

Ma Mian said coolly.

“Senior… thank you for saving my life!” Shangguan Qinghong exclaimed, her eyes wide with gratitude.

Yet Ma Mian offered no reply.

Standing on the boat, his eyes behind the Horse Face Mask were deep and piercing.

In the next moment, he retrieved the Namo Celestial Craft Barrett, which had been significantly upgraded since the time he shot Qin Yuqing.

Its power was now far greater than before.

But this time, the target was far more formidable than Qin Yuqing.

Shangguan Zhengheng—a cultivator of illusory form with his body forged into a Cursed Copper Corpse…

“A precise kill might prove difficult,”

“But at this distance, it might be worth a try.”

Ma Mian murmured softly and produced, as if it were a work of art, a Dragon Tooth Bodhi Bullet.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Qinghong was left dumbfounded, drawing a deep, astonished breath.

It was as if she suddenly recognized who he was!

The divine archer who killed Qin Yuqing of the Qin Family from dozens of miles away!

So it wasn’t Ogre who killed Qin Yuqing after all!

Case solved!

Shangguan Qinghong felt as if she had uncovered a monumental secret!

Ma Mian…

The one who killed Qin Yuqing was none other than Ma Mian!

What is he up to now?

Shangguan Qinghong felt almost starstruck as she stood up, barely daring to breathe.

She watched as Ma Mian inserted that peculiar hidden weapon into an odd contraption.

It was neither quite a bow nor exactly a crossbow…

Not even a divine talisman crossbow could kill Shangguan Zhengheng, so could this seemingly unimpressive contraption in Ma Mian’s hands really be effective?

The story of Qin Yuqing being shot from dozens of miles away had spread like wildfire, yet Shangguan Zhengheng was on another level entirely.

“Senior, shall we try enhancing the power of the divine talisman?”

Shangguan Qinghong inquired tentatively.

The eyes beneath the Horse Face Mask finally shifted and fixed on her.

“Divine Talisman?”

Li Che’s heart stirred slightly.

But in the end, he simply shook his head.

Sniping was a serious matter—with so many factors at play. Tampering with a divine talisman could have unforeseen effects.

If it reduced the damage, it would be counterproductive.

Moreover, fusing a divine talisman with the Barrett might require extensive testing and adjustments.

It wasn’t as simple as just using it.

Li Che declined Shangguan Qinghong’s kind offer.

Then he held his breath and focused intently.

Ignoring Shangguan Qinghong, Li Che—wearing his Horse Face Mask—slowly exhaled, gathering his spirit and energy into a single, coiled force.

His murderous intent toward Shangguan Zhengheng burned with unprecedented intensity.

This was an immense threat.

This man not only threatened his daughter XiXi,

but had also set his sights on his wife in the most inappropriate way.

He deserved nothing less than death!

With Li Qingshan and Lin Xiu, two formidable experts, holding him at bay, today was the perfect opportunity to kill Shangguan Zhengheng.

Li Che would not let the chance slip by.

So he decided to employ his most formidable technique…

“Sniper, Ma Mian!”

“Ready and steady!”

……

……

With a sudden flourish of his Xiangong Barrett, Ma Mian half-crouched at the bow, as rippling water made the boat bob violently.

Divine energy emanated from Ma Mian, and in an instant the rocking boat solidified as if set in concrete.

An intense murderous aura radiated from him in every fiber.

Within his chest, the Chess Sage Dao Fruit trembled and pulsed.

In an instant, the Cosmic Chessboard unfolded, using the still boat on the Jiulong River as its star point, its lines intersecting and expanding in all directions.

Within the chessboard, waves of energy were unmistakably potent.

Lin Xiu’s Divine Appearance shone brilliantly like a scorching sun, while Li Qingshan’s aura glowed with steady white light. In contrast, Shangguan Zhengheng’s aura was dark and ominously intense, exuding a deep black energy.

Clearly, Shangguan Zhengheng harbored an exceptionally fierce intent to kill Li Che.

Well, how about it—you wanted to kill me…

I want to kill you too.

It’s a mutual, all-out showdown.

The Xiangong Barrett was etched with numerous patterns resembling runes on divine talismans, capable of channeling divine power!

That was also why Li Che’s improved Xiangong Barrett had leaped to a higher level of power!

Then, suddenly, heaven and earth fell silent…

Only the sounds of breathing and shifting respiration remained.

In the distance.

Li Qingshan and Shangguan Zhengheng—now a Cursed Copper Corpse—were locked in a deadly chase.

With his head covered, Shangguan Zhengheng sprinted toward the riverbank, undoubtedly aiming to dash back to the Shangguan Residence for the Patriarch’s protection.

Meanwhile, Li Qingshan intended to strike while he retreated.

Thus…

Li Qingshan held nothing back.

Yet the stubborn, unyielding nature of the Cursed Copper Corpse far surpassed that of the Cursed Iron Corpse, shrugging off Li Qingshan’s blows as if they were nothing.

However, Li Qingshan did not give up easily; he swung his Goat-Horn Hammer again as countless, web-like arcs of lightning converged.

With a savage swing, it crashed down like an enraged dragon, brutally slamming into the body of Shangguan Zhengheng—now a Cursed Copper Corpse.

Though Shangguan Zhengheng’s flesh contorted grotesquely, his formidable toughness and resilience kept him alive.

He was propelled like a cannonball, crashing onto the river and sending cascading splashes erupting in an explosion.

As the final ripple faded, Shangguan Zhengheng flipped over, coughing up blood while his coppery flesh glowed with dense, deathly energy.

He was about to escape once more.

But just as he regained his stance after the flip,

Ma Mian, five hundred zhang away, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

That was the moment!

Within the Cosmic Chessboard,

a dark Temple Spirit Divine Chess Piece suddenly materialized before Ma Mian, exploding with a resounding bang into dense black mist that melded with the Dragon Tooth Bodhi Bullet, causing it to emit a trail of black smoke.

Its momentum kept climbing!

Divine Perception locked onto Shangguan Zhengheng’s aura within the chessboard!

“This shot…”

“Four Pillars Divine Foundation… erupt together!”

“I’ll send you…”

“To meet the King of Hell!”

With each breath, Li Che brought silence to heaven and earth.

“Boom.”

He slammed down the trigger of the mechanism!

In an instant, the furrow on Ma Mian’s Horse Face Mask split open, and within the inner vista of the clay orb, the Four Pillars Divine Foundation almost simultaneously manifested behind him.

Divine energy… overwhelming and all-encompassing!

【Three-Eyed Furious True Sovereign】, 【Chin Ku Zhen Gui】, 【Suspended Thought Sword】, 【Xin E Jing Gang】!

Anger, sorrow, contemplation, astonishment!

The Four Pillars Divine Foundation, like a grinding mill and simultaneously blooming like a hellish mandala, unfurled behind Ma Mian, as surging divine energy flowed almost simultaneously into the Xiangong Barrett.

There came a sound like a charging hum—‘duh—’—as energy continuously gathered!

Shangguan Qinghong’s legs buckled and she slumped into the boat, her wide eyes now devoid of divine light as she stared blankly at the emerging Four Pillars Divine Foundation…

One person…

How could a mere mortal possess the Four Pillars Divine Foundation?!

Is this a human?

Is this a human?!

Boom————!

A horrifying explosion shattered the air; the crimson Barrett intertwined five colors—not only those of the Four Divine Foundations but also the black divine essence from the Dragon Tooth Bodhi of the Temple Spirit!

It spread like a peacock fanning its tail at sunrise!

An immensely powerful shockwave roared out from the barrel, surging behind the Dragon Tooth Bodhi in a sweeping torrent.

The entire boat bucked violently, nearly shattering under the terrifying recoil, with countless cracks splintering across its surface.

The boat was propelled like a speedboat, hurtling backward over a hundred meters!

Curtains of water erupted around it, cascading down rapidly!

A dazzling flash of golden light burst in and out—and then…

A searing, brand-red Dragon Tooth Bodhi surged forth!

Enveloped in five-colored divine light!

It tore through the sound barrier, bursting out into space!

……

……

Shangguan Zhengheng laughed heartily, his body exuding a coppery glow as thunder was flung off his flesh.

He once again blocked one of Li Qingshan’s blows, filling him with immense satisfaction!

Though he couldn’t defeat Li Qingshan,

Li Qingshan couldn’t break his defense—he couldn’t kill him!

As long as he didn’t court death and instead focused on fleeing back to the Shangguan Residence for the Patriarch’s protection, he would survive!

Suddenly.

A world-shattering explosion!

It erupted suddenly from a distant boat!

He caught a glimpse of the Four Pillars Divine Foundation rising from the boat…

And he saw an astonishing burst of radiant golden light!

Then…

Hair stood on end!

Eyes bulged in fury!

The threat of death loomed over him, engulfing everything!

His entire body—in his Cursed Copper Corpse state pushed to its limits—burst forth with a resplendent ancient bronze glow, dense with the aura of death!

He suddenly stepped down forcefully, as if transforming into a massive bronze bell.

But just as the coppery glow began to circulate…

A sharp pain shot through his chest!

That suddenly appearing five-colored divine light…

It pierced his chest in less than a heartbeat, tearing through the formidable defenses of his Cursed Copper Corpse!

A piercing, mournful scream.

His flesh exploded in a burst of bloody mist!

Chunks of blood, like tears from a Bodhi tree, rained down noisily, splattering the ground!

At that moment…

Shangguan Zhengheng finally heard a sound tearing through the air like a thunderstorm!

Wearing his Cat Face Mask, Li Qingshan suddenly appeared at the side of Shangguan Zhengheng, whose shattered Cursed Copper Corpse erupted in bloody mist.

He swung his hammer at the unprotected head!

Smash—!

His skull exploded, blood and flesh flew, and brain matter splattered everywhere!

At that moment, Li Qingshan was overcome with horror, his hand gripping the hammer trembling slightly.

“Damn!”

“So this is Ogre’s friend… Ma Mian?!”

“What a fast shot!”

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