Chapter 135: Divine Intrigues and the Cursed Seal

Creak—

The massive temple door crashed open.

Clad in white robes with his jet-black hair billowing, Nan Lihuo strode out of the main hall. The ground seemed to shrink beneath his feet, with every step covering several meters.

Outside the hall, Yuan Bo and an anxious Sang Guanyin both turned their eyes toward Nan Lihuo.

‘Young Master.’

Yuan Bo, his back bearing a fleshy lump, bowed respectfully with his fists clasped.

Nan Lihuo nodded, then turned to Sang Guanyin and said, “Give me a detailed account of what happened.”

Sang Guanyin hurriedly recounted every detail of the month’s assessment, careful not to omit a single fact.

Standing with his hands behind his back, Nan Lihuo listened quietly, his expression calm and gentle.

Once he had listened intently, his brow furrowed and a flash of severity flickered in his eyes.

‘Truly brazen,’ he remarked.

‘Using a child as a weapon—unthinkable. Yet it appears that Shangguan Qinglei, harboring deep resentment, couldn’t resist the lure and ended up serving as a tool for the Corpse God Sect.’

Nan Lihuo spoke in a low, grave tone.

‘Is XiXi alright?’

Sang Guanyin nodded. “She’s fine. Elder Zhang intervened in time to block the treacherous move of the Corpse God Sect—but mysteriously, the Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal vanished into thin air…”

Nan Lihuo raised an eyebrow. “It seems someone acted in secret. With methods like Zhang Qingzheng’s, the seal wouldn’t just disappear on its own. Knowing his nature, he’d likely absorb it into his own body.”

‘Are there other experts within the Divine Sect that we don’t know of?’

Nan Lihuo pondered thoughtfully.

Suddenly.

On the vast plain atop Golden Light Peak.

Someone raced in—none other than Liu Yangyuan, accompanied by a cultivator from the Healing Chamber.

‘Reporting to the Sect Leader, Shangguan Qinglei… has been killed,’ he announced.

‘His organs, flesh, and bones were all dissolved into blood—such a brutally cruel method!’

The Healing Chamber cultivator bowed with his fists and spoke gravely.

After his words fell silent, the atmosphere around the temple turned chillingly severe.

A dreadful, reality-warping pressure erupted from Nan Lihuo.

‘Good… what a villain!’

Silencing witnesses with murder—such treachery…

‘Master, Elder Zhu has eliminated the Shangguan Family. He is now locked in combat with Shangguan Jie, the Patriarch of Divine Appearance from that family…’

The third disciple, Liu Yangyuan, his remarkably handsome face marked with solemnity, said.

‘Let her have her fun. She’s been holding in her anger for ages—XiXi was destined for Hongyun Peak, but I intercepted her. I was itching to vent anyway. The Shangguan Family has practically handed themselves over.’

‘With Shangguan Zhengheng in front and Shangguan Qinglei behind, the Shangguan Family… clearly has no proper upbringing.’

Nan Lihuo replied in a nonchalant tone.

‘It’s good they weren’t killed.’

Though Nan Lihuo appeared affable, he was, in truth, fiercely protective.

‘Shangguan Qinglei was silenced… Who stands to gain from his murder?’

Nan Lihuo narrowed his eyes.

‘Let’s go check on XiXi. The Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal is no trivial matter—if its influence takes hold, it could affect one’s life forever.’

Nan Lihuo murmured softly.

Sang Guanyin nodded silently from the sidelines.

Yuan Bo quietly slipped away into the darkness, continuing to guard the temple.

Meanwhile, Liu Yangyuan was sent to keep watch over Zhu Hongdou, to prevent matters from worsening—if Zhu really got into a headlock, things would be dire.

Liu Yangyuan’s expression stiffened.

‘Master, me? You want me to stop Elder Zhu?’

After all, he’s the Explosive Hongdou Elder—when his temper flares, even stray dogs wouldn’t escape a few kicks…

Could it be that the master truly expects Liu Yangyuan to intervene?

Does he no longer want this disciple?

Reluctant and full of reservations, Liu Yangyuan, seeing Nan Lihuo already depart, had no choice but to steel himself and proceed.

…

…

Rumble—

A soul-shaking roar seemed to echo through the air.

Across the Cosmic Chessboard, all the Unsullied Heart chess pieces trembled violently in that moment.

Li Che’s heart surged with turbulence, struggling to find calm.

He hadn’t expected that the Heavenly King Divinity, drawn from the Golden Divine Hall, would be…

so vehemently righteous!

Before Li Che could even activate it, the Divine Chess Piece shot forth, suppressing the White Bone Palm.

It dissolved the lifeless and corpse energies, exuding an overwhelming dominance that restored clarity to the world!

‘Heavenly King… truly worthy of his title; he tolerates no impurity!’

Li Che smiled.

His gaze swept over the shattered remains of the White Bone Palm.

Where the broken bones and dissipated corpse energy once clung, they had reformed into a Corpse Curse Seal.

It bore an uncanny resemblance to the Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal, yet its aura was darker and far more terrifying—like a black hole suspended on the board, devouring all light and warmth.

The Black-Gold Heavenly King Divine Chess Piece appeared unfazed by the remaining Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal.

Thus, the Corpse Curse Seal hovered within the Cosmic Chessboard.

Li Che hastily deployed his Unsullied Heart Divinity to subdue it.

Rumble—

The Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal was indeed far more challenging to subdue and tame than the Eight Extremes variant.

The surging, jet-black divine energy shattered one Unsullied Heart Divinity after another.

Yet Li Che persisted, continuously piling on Unsullied Heart Divinity to gradually refine and subjugate the seal.

Slow though the process was, there was hope that complete refinement and suppression could eventually be achieved.

‘Once I fully subdue this Corpse Curse Seal, its shockwave—like that of the Eight Extremes seal—might broadcast curse energy to unmask other Corpse God Sect powerhouses…’

‘The Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal can track anyone marked by it. Then, the hidden Corpse God Sect expert within the Divine Sect will have nowhere to hide!’

Li Che’s eyes flashed. This was the leverage he had been waiting for!

Had the hidden Corpse God Sect expert within the Divine Sect not targeted XiXi, he wouldn’t have exposed his own weakness for Li Che to exploit.

Li Che longed to complete the subjugation of the Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal immediately, but his own cultivation was not yet sufficient.

Although he felt anxious, Li Che knew that such matters could not be rushed.

Centering himself, Li Che opened his eyes.

Sitting quietly in his room with his fingers drumming softly on the sandalwood furniture, he remembered something and retrieved Shangguan Qinglei’s Qian Kun Jade.

His potent divine perception tore through the Jade’s barrier effortlessly.

Immediately, he sensed the treasures stored within.

There wasn’t much, nor anything particularly valuable—after all, it was just the Qian Kun Jade of a seven-year-old child.

He gave it a quick scan, checking for any clues left by a hidden mastermind.

The opponent had been meticulous, leaving no trace behind.

After finishing his search, Li Che rose, his joints crackling with each movement.

Surprisingly, his vitality was even better than he had imagined.

‘Huh… my divine perception seems to have grown stronger?’

‘Controlling Unsullied Heart chess pieces on the Cosmic Chessboard while countering the White Bone Palm formed from lifeless and corpse energy—could that be bolstering my divine perception?’

Li Che was taken aback, filled with doubt.

After all, the strength of one’s divine perception was intrinsically tied to the robustness of the divine foundation—the stronger the foundation, the greater the perception.

Cultivating the divine foundation inherently honed one’s divine perception.

The more refined the divine perception, the easier it would be to break through to Divine Appearance.

Yet now, Li Che had discovered a method to refine his divine perception independently.

‘In refining and subduing the Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal, my divine perception will grow even stronger…’

Li Che smiled. Admittedly, this was an unexpected silver lining to the whole operation.

Though the true culprit remained elusive, the threat posed by Shangguan Qinglei’s explosive actions, as well as that from the White Bone Palm, had been neutralized.

Li Che’s mood lightened just a little.

Rather than remain sequestered, he opened his door and left the room.

In the distance, Li Qingshan sat observing the divine display, his entire presence exuding the authority of his realm. He was but a step away from breaking through to Divine Appearance.

Noticing Li Che emerging from the room, Li Qingshan’s eyes flickered as countless sparks danced in them and a formidable, purging aura rippled outwards.

Li Che glanced from afar as Li Qingshan slowly reined in his thunderous divine display, letting it gradually fade.

Li Qingshan exhaled deeply, his breath rumbling like thunder.

The force of it was truly awe-inspiring.

Smiling, Li Qingshan walked over to Li Che and asked, “Taken care of?”

Li Che nodded, understanding that Li Qingshan was referring to the Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal—and he made no attempt to hide anything.

His ability to subdue and detect the Corpse Curse Seal was the foundation of their cooperation, leaving no need for secrecy.

‘But fully subduing it will take time; the Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal is indeed formidable.’

Li Che stated.

Li Qingshan nodded as expected. “Your ability to subdue the Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal already exceeds my expectations. Take it slow and steady—be sure not to let it contaminate you. The consequences would be dire.”

Li Che understood Li Qingshan’s implication.

‘Don’t worry; I’m on top of it,’ he replied.

Li Che responded calmly.

Fixing his gaze on the distant Seven-Gen Divine Statue, Li Qingshan murmured, “I’m on the verge of transcendence.”

‘Soon enough, I should break through to Divine Appearance…’

‘Yet in Jingguang City and throughout the Divine Sect, many would oppose my breakthrough.’

With his hands casually clasped behind him, Li Qingshan strolled as the mountain breeze played with his robes, outlining his silhouette.

‘Could it be… that they’d deliberately act to thwart your breakthrough?’

Li Che, startled by Li Qingshan’s remark, began to speculate.

‘It’s safe to say that someone would definitely try to interfere…’

‘Whether within the sect or outside, even the Five Major Schools in Jingguang City—and the Five Major Families as well—have all felt my force.’

‘They are undoubtedly the ones who oppose my breakthrough to Divine Appearance…’

‘Once I attain Divine Appearance, they’ll have no good days left.’

Li Qingshan stretched lazily, exuding an air of nonchalance.

Then, glancing at Li Che, he smiled, “So, what do you say? Interested… in lending me a hand?”

‘Bring Ma Mian with you… I need his sniping skills.’

‘Once I attain Divine Appearance, I’ll reward you with an Eight Extremes Divine Crystal.’

Li Qingshan was magnanimous.

Li Che remained silent, his expression implying that if Li Qingshan perished mid-way, the promise of the divine crystal would be nullified.

Although Li Qingshan risked getting something for nothing, Li Che’s eyes flickered—an Eight Extremes Divine Crystal was more than enough to secure Ma Mian’s cooperation.

Indeed, the Eight Extremes Divine Crystal was a prized item, though not easily obtained—it was as hot as it was valuable.

Li Qingshan’s push toward Divine Appearance would keep him firmly within Zheng Lei Peak, that is, inside the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

And those who dare breach the Divine Sect Mountain Gate…

They would hardly be weaklings—in fact, they’d either feign strength or be embroiled in fierce divine battles.

Li Che began to ponder—should he get involved in this matter?

‘Just ask Ma Mian to take one shot. If it fails, whether successful or not, I’ll pay him, and after that shot he can stand down without further fuss.’

Li Qingshan stated gravely.

Ma Mian’s precise shot pierced Shangguan Zhengheng’s cursed copper-clad body—such a terrifying, penetrating force would trouble even Li Qingshan.

After all, his body wasn’t as resilient as a cursed copper corpse.

Li Qingshan considered that if he were in Ma Mian’s place, facing such a fearsome, mechanized onslaught…

Unless one is well-prepared, a sudden attack might prove unbearable.

They might not die outright, but a hit would undoubtedly leave them grievously injured!

Thus, having Ma Mian on your side would certainly be more reassuring.

Although Ma Mian was a friend of Li Che’s, if someone offered a higher price for covert sniping, he might well switch sides.

That’s why Li Qingshan broached the subject early with Li Che—to secure Ma Mian’s schedule.

‘Your breakthrough will undoubtedly occur within the Divine Sect… With the Sect Leader present, isn’t breaking through to Divine Appearance dangerous?’

Li Che hadn’t expected Li Qingshan to worry about Ma Mian ending up with the opposition.

Furrowing his brows, Li Che voiced his doubts.

Was Li Qingshan being overly pessimistic?

Inside the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, experts abounded—and with figures like Nan Lihuo present, Li Qingshan’s breakthrough to Divine Appearance seemed the safest bet, unless he failed himself.

Li Qingshan shot Li Che a long, meaningful look. “Isn’t XiXi also under attack in the Divine Sect?”

‘What makes you think my breakthrough to Divine Appearance is guaranteed safety?’

Li Che fell silent.

Indeed, even with Sect Leader Nan Lihuo around… why would it necessarily be safe?

Taking a deep breath, Li Qingshan, hands clasped behind him, gazed at the myriad lights of the capital city at the foot of the mountain.

‘Moreover…’

‘What makes you so sure that our Sect Leader is entirely innocent?’

Li Qingshan’s words hung in the air.

Li Che’s eyes suddenly narrowed, as if struck by a falling thunderclap, deafening in its shock!

…

…

When Li Qingshan and Li Che returned to the courtyard,

XiXi, after Zhang Ya promised to prepare more than ten delectable dishes—braised pork, sweet and sour fish, mouth-watering chicken, and more—finally shed her dejection and burst with vitality.

In the small courtyard, she grabbed Lu Chi, placed her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest and little belly like an empress, and looked down disdainfully upon her inferiors.

‘Lu Chi, you little runt, let’s have a battle!’

‘XiXi’s all grown up!’

With fierce determination, XiXi challenged Shangguan Qinglei. Yet she seemed to crave even more—after all, that underling’s deceit hadn’t given her the complete satisfaction she longed for!

Thus, she sought out Lu Chi.

Granny Mu and Zhang Ya watched from the sidelines, a little resigned; but seeing the vivacious XiXi, they relaxed, relieved that she hadn’t been affected by Shangguan Qinglei’s Corpse God Sect Seven-Gen Corpse Curse Seal.

Lu Chi, with his large head, scratched it while looking at XiXi with a mix of exasperation and fondness.

‘XiXi, how do you want to fight?’

‘Let’s be clear—no using your mechanical cannons and no divine weapons. It’s simply a contest of skill, agreed?’

Though Lu Chi was merely an inner disciple, he had entered the sect years before XiXi.

While his natural talent as a Prodigy was average, his resonance with the Temple Spirit was commendable—having long been a disciple of Li Qingshan, his skills had remained unchanged.

Now at eight years old, Lu Chi’s martial cultivation had reached the level of Triple Blood Exchange, and his divine cultivation had advanced to Yangxing Ruhe, nearing the Divine Foundation realm.

Lu Chi never expected that three-year-old XiXi could so quickly match his pace.

Three years old, really…

XiXi is only three years old!

Lu Chi recalled what level he himself had at age three.

Hmm…

At that age, one couldn’t even properly control one’s bladder or bowels!

‘Come on, Lu Chi, you little wretch!’

XiXi’s eyes burned with determination. As the empress-to-be, she intended to conquer all her inferiors with sheer strength—not mere beauty!

Ever since XiXi dreamt of becoming the Empress and subjugating even her own father, she had set her sights on ruling at a tender age.

A butterfly fluttered onto XiXi’s shoulder, its wings trembling nervously, flapping like a small dog baring its teeth at a stranger.

The much-anticipated showdown between XiXi and Lu Chi ultimately never erupted.

For Nan Lihuo, clad in white, arrived gracefully accompanied by Sang Guanyin.

‘Sect Leader, Master!’

Upon seeing Nan Lihuo, XiXi immediately relaxed her fists and, in an obedient yet comical manner, cupped her hands in salute.

‘Come here, XiXi, let your master take a look.’

‘I was in seclusion and didn’t foresee this—it’s my fault,’

Nan Lihuo said gently.

With a single step that seemed to compress space, he appeared beside XiXi.

Bringing his two fingers together into a sword-like point, he touched XiXi’s forehead; his formidable divine perception circled around her before withdrawing.

‘All is well—she hasn’t been tainted by the Corpse Curse Seal. That’s good news.’

Nan Lihuo exhaled in relief.

Sang Guanyin, who had been tense, finally relaxed as well.

If Master says there’s no problem, then surely there isn’t—after all, his cultivation as a Primordial Immortal, standing atop the Divine Appearance pinnacle with an awe-inspiring divine perception, was beyond what she could imagine.

He is on par with the top experts: the Governor of the Temple Guardian Division, the Inspector of the Imperial Watch, and the Master of Jin Guang Mansion!

In the distance.

Li Che and Li Qingshan arrived together.

Upon seeing Nan Lihuo, Li Che’s step faltered for a moment as he recalled Li Qingshan’s suspicions, his brows narrowing slightly.

But he quickly composed himself, his face softening into the same warm expression he reserved for Nan Lihuo.

Li Che hesitated again, subconsciously touching his face.

Li Qingshan, ever the veteran, remained utterly at ease before Nan Lihuo—even if he did harbor doubts.

Nan Lihuo glanced at Li Qingshan and Li Che without much concern; after all, Li Che was the one Li Qingshan had brought back from Feilei City, a connection easily understood.

‘Master Li, I overlooked this. While in seclusion, I never imagined that someone from the Corpse God Sect would be so mad as to use a child for an assassination attempt. It’s truly unforeseen.’

Nan Lihuo replied warmly, his voice soothing as a gentle spring breeze.

Yet Li Che couldn’t shake a sense of discomfort. Though he always smiled kindly, once he donned his Ogre Mask, he turned into someone wild, arrogant, frenzied, and vicious…

Could it be that Sect Leader Nan Lihuo is the same kind of person?

That gentleness… is nothing but a façade.

‘Sect Leader in seclusion? That’s no excuse—the despicable thugs of the Corpse God Sect are to blame! For Shangguan Qinglei to be corrupted within the Divine Sect… Master, this matter must be taken seriously!’

‘We, as parents, are extremely concerned for XiXi’s safety.’

Li Che said earnestly.

Nan Lihuo nodded. “Rest assured, I will investigate this thoroughly.”

Li Qingshan snorted from beside him, “Thorough investigation… as if that would be so easy.”

Nan Lihuo shot him a sharp glance.

Li Qingshan quickly forced a smile and stepped closer. “Master, how about letting me handle this?”

But…

Just as Li Qingshan finished speaking,

a terrifying and overwhelming aura of divine perception rolled in from beyond Zheng Lei Peak.

‘Li Qingshan, are you trying to steal my assignment for the Liuying Peak Enforcement Hall?’

‘But did you even ask if Liuying Peak agreed?’

A cool, detached voice replied.

A young man with jet-black hair flowing, carrying a luminous sword that suppressed its divine nature—Elder Xu Jiuying of the Liuying Peak Enforcement Hall—arrived gracefully in flowing white.

Trailing behind him, streams of sword energy dripped like chains, binding a middle-aged man as if escorting a prisoner.

Note: This chapter has undergone numerous edits and stands at 5000 words. Writing so openly truly tests one’s passion—daily support through votes and growing readership keeps the fire alive. Old Li humbly asks for your support! As usual, posted first and revised later.