Chapter 147: Tempest of Divine Resolve

Jin Guang Mansion – Zheng Lei Peak.

Above the clouded heavens, dark clouds amassed as vivid blue bolts of lightning roiled across the sky.

Falling flakes of snow were instantly evaporated by the lightning, dissolving into mist high above.

Within Zheng Lei Peak lay the small courtyard where Li Qingshan resided.

It had long been sealed off.

No one was permitted to come near; the area exuded an overwhelming divine pressure.

Even cultivators with flawless divine roots struggled to breathe, feeling an all-encompassing heaviness.

Somehow, countless traces of divine essence seemed almost tangible—as if coalescing into the form of a deity.

A temple towered.

Inside the temple, the statue of Zhen Lei Zhu Xie was enwrapped by countless lightning serpents descending from the firmament.

Li Qingshan, clad in a blue robe, sat cross-legged on his meditation mat.

The inner realm of the mud pellet on his brow incessantly radiated a subtle glow.

His whole form appeared as if chiseled into a divine statue.

He hadn’t yet coalesced his ephemeral form; he planned to leap directly into the realm of divine image!

Li Qingshan had been painstakingly cultivating his [Zhen Lei Zhu Xie] divine root for a long time.

His current Six-Si divine root was extraordinarily formidable, ranking seventh in Yunzhou’s Divine Root Chart.

Originally, he intended to build directly upon his Six-Si divine root to form a condensed Six-Si divine image.

But his body could not bear the strain, forcing him to settle for forming a Sevenfold divine image instead.

Later, he planned to slowly nurture his divine image and elevate its level even higher.

Gradually opening his eyes, Li Qingshan’s gaze flickered as if arcs of lightning surged within.

“If I dawdle even a bit… cultivation demands struggle and risk; being too cautious might cost me my chance.”

Li Qingshan muttered to himself.

He exhaled and stood up.

Countless bolts of lightning surrounded him, tugging at his form as if ready to ignite his fury.

Almost there—he could sense that his divine image was about to take shape.

He shook his head slightly, “I wonder if I’ll successfully condense it…”

“Likely many wouldn’t want me to condense it without hesitation—it’s too risky.”

“But even if I fail, it’s alright. I’m satisfied—before condensing my divine image, I went to Feilei City and found Mu Mu. My heart holds no regrets.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Li Qingshan paced around the mountain-top temple.

A chilly breeze whispered, hinting at the harsh winter.

Falling snow dared not come near, as surging lightning within the temple generated an invisible repelling force.

Suddenly.

Li Qingshan spotted a figure wielding a snake-head cane and carrying a lunch box, slowly ascending the stone path halfway up the mountain.

It was the elderly Granny Mu, whose youthful charm had long faded, yet Li Qingshan’s eyes brimmed with warmth at the sight.

Granny Mu reached the shrine and, upon spotting Li Qingshan resting, cheerfully raised her lunch box.

The two elders sat on stone chairs by the temple as Granny Mu brought out steaming dishes from her lunch box.

“My cooking isn’t great—I picked up a few tricks from Xiao Ya. Bear with it. I’ve never forgotten how you used to tease my cooking,” she chided, glaring at Li Qingshan.

Li Qingshan rubbed his hands and chuckled.

“Back then, your skills were truly poor—your grilled fish turned to charcoal, and your boiled fish? You’d toss an entire live fish into the pot. When I lifted the lid, that fish even flipped its tail playfully.”

Recalling the old days, Li Qingshan couldn’t help but laugh.

Granny Mu glared, clearly irritated.

“We adventurers aren’t chefs—I’m not running a restaurant!”

Li Qingshan burst into laughter, and the two began eating and drinking together.

Though the food was average, Li Qingshan ate with genuine relish.

“By the way, today the Beggar Gang is no more… taken down single-handedly by Ogre, with all its leaders slaughtered. I even heard they colluded with the Corpse God Sect.”

“Sigh… I heard the Temple Guardian Division rescued over a thousand pitiful maidens from Jin Fang Courtyard; it’s simply unbelievable…”

Granny Mu’s indignation flared; in her youth roaming the martial world, she had a chivalrous heart and couldn’t stand such injustices.

Li Qingshan banged his chopsticks on the table and pounded his chest, overwhelmed with grief.

He had been left out again!

That Ogre, once again, had gone ahead and hogged everything without him!

He went off alone to achieve great things behind his back!

What happened to the ‘Qingxiu Niu Ma’ duo?!

We need the complete ‘Qingxiu Niu Ma’ combo—not just half of it!

Granny Mu had heard of his teaming up with Ogre and couldn’t help but laugh at his dejected stance.

“You should just focus on condensing your divine image properly…”

“Otherwise, Ogre won’t even include you in his schemes.”

Li Qingshan sighed. Indeed, focusing on condensing his divine image was crucial now—there were many things he once couldn’t do.

Once he broke through his divine image, he’d be free to act without restraint.

For instance, the recent Beggar Gang incident…

He’d heard about it before, though it involved far too many parties—the Beggar Gang was just one aspect among the Five Major Families, Five Major Sects, and a host of dignitaries.

Li Qingshan planned to wait until he perfected his divine image before taking them on.

Unexpectedly, Ogre had already struck first.

“Never mind, we’re all on the same team. As for the ‘Qingxiu Niu Ma’ duo, Ogre’s feat is essentially equivalent to mine.”

Li Qingshan consoled himself.

“So, you must succeed in breaking through your divine image; then you’ll be able to do many things you once dared not attempt.”

Granny Mu propped up her chin and softly said,

“I believe in you. You’ll definitely make it.”

“Back then, so many of us roamed the martial world together… now, it’s just you and me.”

Li Qingshan fell silent.

In the perilous martial world, some perish while others vanish…

“So, survive,” Granny Mu gently touched his cheek and urged.

Li Qingshan nodded.

“You must promise me,” she said.

“I promise.” Li Qingshan grinned, raised his hand, and gently pressed a point on Granny Mu’s brow—causing her to faint.

Quietly, he finished every morsel of food, leaving not even a single grain behind.

Lu Chi dashed over, panting.

“Master.”

“Take Granny Mu to XiXi’s home and come along. Until I break through and perfect my divine image, don’t go anywhere—stay at XiXi’s place.”

Li Qingshan said firmly.

Lu Chi was momentarily taken aback.

“Is it really that serious?”

“With my talent, is condensing a divine image truly so difficult?”

Li Qingshan stood up; his joints crackled noisily—a mere movement that felt as if it stirred the very thunder of the heavens.

“If I fall, I’ll adopt you into the Sect Leader’s fold. Your performance in Temple Spirit Resonance was outstanding—you should have joined his ranks, but you insisted on training under me.”

“I haven’t taught you much all these years… Your origins, I won’t probe. As long as you are my disciple even for a day, you’re mine for life.”

His eyes softened as he looked at Lu Chi.

He patted Lu Chi on his large head.

“Go on, Lu Da Tou.”

Hearing these words, which sounded like final farewells, Lu Chi’s eyes filled with tears.

“Master… you must live.”

“Wait for your devoted disciple to repay your kindness.”

Lu Chi knelt, his expression resolute.

Li Qingshan laughed disdainfully, “Bullshit! Of course I’ll live. Who’d ever want to die?”

“And if I were to die, you’d be adopted under the Sect Leader—then you’d become XiXi’s little junior brother, alright?”

Lu Chi’s face stiffened and his eyes flickered.

“Isn’t that the advantage of being right at the water’s edge…?”

Li Qingshan burst into a laugh, exasperated.

“You cheeky brat, are you getting excited?”

“Rolling ball!”

“You’re such a suck-up—filial to a fault!”

They watched as Lu Chi led Granny Mu away.

Li Qingshan stood atop the mountain, hands folded behind his back.

He knew.

Many in Jingguang City did not want him to break through to the divine image.

Especially after that whole Ogre incident.

Ogre’s reckless arrogance had already infuriated the dignitaries and elites of Jingguang City.

If another like Li Qingshan, capable of unbridled arrogance after attaining a divine image, emerged…

Those people would never tolerate it.

Li Qingshan stood with his hands behind his back, bathed in the winter’s cold wind.

Suddenly, his face twitched.

“Why hasn’t Li Che contacted me yet? And what did Ma Mian say? He won’t… stand me up, will he?”

…

…

Snow-laden blossoms adorned the mountainside, while icy beads clung to the green willows.

In the heavy snowfall of winter, the long street lay in a cold, serene silence.

The willows lining the street were festooned with brilliant, translucent ice beads.

Within the small courtyard of Luohua Alley,

it was surprisingly bustling with shadowy figures.

In the courtyard,

Li Che sat cross-legged at the center, clutching an Eight Extremity Divine Essence Crystal as he meditated.

The mud pellet on his brow shimmered faintly.

Within his chest, the [Pure Heart] Dao Fruit pulsated fiercely, unleashing a powerful suction that wildly drew out the divine essence from the Eight Extremity Divine Essence Crystal.

It then channeled that essence into the Dao Fruit, infusing the suspended divine root within his inner realm.

As one Eight Extremity Divine Essence Crystal was completely drained,

the crystal turned into transparent stone. Li Che opened his eyes, from which a faint white mist seemed to emanate.

He glanced at the stone and gripped it tightly—his muscles roaring as searing waves of energy radiated from him, stirring up mounds of snow.

Instantly, the crystal crumbled into powder.

“Divine Essence Crystal powder can suppress divine power… When purging the high-ranking Beggar Gang members in Jin Fang Courtyard, they used powder bombs whose explosion stifled the surge of divine energy…”

“That left several cultivators with ephemeral forms unable to even resist, overwhelmed by the assault.”

“Thus, there is vast potential in developing Divine Essence Crystal powder. Coupled with the nascent divine ability [Great Avalanche] and integrated into the Guanyin Lotus Bomb, its explosion would not only suppress enemy power but also restrain a cultivator’s own divine essence…”

“It’s simply vicious and sharp.”

Li Che clicked his tongue in admiration of his own idea and carefully stored away the crystal powder.

These were precious research resources that must not be wasted.

In a flash of inspiration, shimmering lights danced before his eyes.

【Dao Fruit: Unsullied Heart (Lv3 12%)】

He exhaled a mouthful of turbid air. After drawing divine essence from an Eight Extremity Divine Essence Crystal, he could only boost maturation by 5%.

The effect was greatly diminished—it seemed the [Pure Heart] Dao Fruit’s appetite was becoming increasingly picky.

“If I could obtain a Sevenfold Divine Essence Crystal, the initial extraction would be phenomenal.”

Li Che couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

Now, his only path to a Sevenfold Divine Essence Crystal was to collaborate with Nan Lihuo to ambush City Lord Su Huai Li.

In the courtyard, Li Che practiced martial arts and studied the new ultimate technique, “Lü Xuan Sword Classic” — expecting to master it in a few days and eventually integrate it into “Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant.”

Gradually, the surging Qi in his body subsided as his sturdy frame calmed.

“Swordplay…it doesn’t seem to suit me.”

Ogre transformed into an Angry Gaze Vajra stance, his height reaching 2.2 meters. A halberd suited him perfectly, whereas wielding a sword felt as clumsy as Zhang Fei embroidering.

He preferred wielding a halberd.

After practicing a while longer, Li Che left the small courtyard in Luohua Alley.

He left behind eight [Painted Immortal] clones in the courtyard; seven of them possessed a single divine root to help nurture their vitality.

Not sparing any expense, he handed each clone a Nine Luminary Divine Crystal.

As for the Eight Extremity Divine Essence Crystal, Li Che intended to keep it for himself to enhance the maturation of his [Pure Heart] Dao Fruit. Though its effect was reduced, its slow, steady improvement was invaluable.

One [Painted Immortal] clone was assigned to aid in developing the [Guanyin Lotus Main Battle Tank] according to a specific mechanical design.

“There isn’t enough spirit wood… To manufacture the [Guanyin Lotus Main Battle Tank], a vast amount of high-quality spirit wood is needed.”

“Of course, once produced, it can be replicated using the [Painted Immortal] Dao Fruit—but the upfront research investment is necessary.”

“We must select the type of spirit wood carefully; only the most resilient will do.”

Li Che consolidated his sudden research insights.

“Spirit wood… to obtain high-grade spirit wood, I must visit Shendiao Ridge. Senior Qingshan always said he’d take me there—once he condenses his divine image, he’ll show me the way.”

Despite the channels available to the Imperial Watch for spirit wood, high-grade variants can only be sourced from Shendiao Ridge.

In fact, according to Shangguan Qinghong, even the Imperial Watch’s spirit wood comes from Shendiao Ridge.

Having arranged his work and set his [Painted Immortal] clones to diligent labor, he casually strolled to a modest alley diner to pick up a boxed meal.

He returned inside the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

First, Li Che went to Golden Light Peak to pick up XiXi after school.

At Golden Light Peak’s Grand Plaza, heavy snow swirled.

Little XiXi, scarcely a child, practiced martial arts on the plaza; her energy roared, and it seemed as if minute, blood-tinted flood serpents swirled about.

Around her neck, the Qianyuan Vajra Ring whirled and howled, deftly manipulated by XiXi.

In addition, she clutched a mysterious, golden short sword—a Nine Luminary Divine Weapon.

Combined with the ultimate technique “Xuan Lei Jin Guang Sha Swordsmanship,” her moves sent winds and snows swirling, with flashes of golden light splitting the air and an imposing demeanor.

From afar, Li Che watched quietly as a smile crept onto his lips while observing XiXi train.

His little one was also growing stronger by the day.

And her martial talent… truly seemed extraordinary.

This ultimate technique… she had already begun its initial stage!

At only four years old, she was already an initiate of a profound ultimate technique!

Truly, she bore the bearing of a master of renown!

Li Che thought to himself.

After XiXi finished her sword practice, she saw Li Che quietly waiting in the distance.

“Daddy—!”

The little one beamed happily and began dashing off on her stubby legs.

Her final leap was like a ball kicked with force—whoosh, she shot toward Li Che.

Li Che laughed heartily and, with one swift grasp, caught the little girl.

Now possessing the physique of a Furnace Master, catching a charging XiXi was nothing at all.

“Go say goodbye to Sister Yinyin.”

Li Che playfully scratched XiXi’s little nose as he spoke.

In the distance, Sang Guanyin, dressed in a graceful goose-yellow gown, stood serenely in the snow, waving farewell to XiXi.

He returned to Zheng Lei Peak with XiXi.

Along the way, XiXi chattered incessantly, as if she had endless stories and boundless energy.

Back in the courtyard, Li Che noticed that Granny Mu had dozed off.

Li Che raised an eyebrow as Lu Chi offered an explanation.

Nodding, Li Che said, “Then settle in for the next couple of days; we’ll revisit this once Senior Qingshan has broken through his divine image.”

It would only be a day or two, after all.

Li Qingshan had deliberately knocked Granny Mu unconscious to spare her worry and distraction.

Yet, he wasn’t concerned that she might hold a grudge once she awoke.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ya practiced martial arts in the courtyard. Ever since undergoing Bone Tempering, she could no longer tolerate even slight force from her husband and so redoubled her efforts with fierce determination.

Training demands a goal—once one has it, motivation surges.

Li Che took out the boxed meal and called everyone to eat together.

…

…

Two days passed amidst incessantly swirling snowflakes.

The next night, deep into the darkness,

the roiling, clouded sky above Zheng Lei Peak was crisscrossed by countless lightning serpents that intermittently illuminated the heavens with brilliant light.

Occasionally, the brilliance turned the night into day.

After dinner, Li Che entered his study.

Then, using his [Painted Immortal] Dao Fruit, he crafted two replicas—one of which remained in the study to carve wood sculptures.

The other transformed into Ogre and dashed toward the peak of Zheng Lei Peak.

As for himself, he gripped a Feilei Chess Piece and appeared in the courtyard of Luohua Alley.

His black ink robe fluttered in the fierce snowy wind.

In the courtyard, eight [Painted Immortal] clones were engrossed in cultivation and research, creating a lively, bustling scene.

Li Che looked up, watching the drifting snowflakes.

Amid the roar of thunder, countless lightning bolts spanned the sky, radiating scorching light and heat.

Each flake melted as it fell.

They transformed into warm raindrops that pelted the earth with soft patters.

A drop fell on Li Che’s cheek, tinged with a crackling electric sensation.

“This is…”

Li Che’s eyes shifted subtly, and he tensed up.

“Six-Si Divine Image?”

“Isn’t it the Sevenfold [Xuan Si Lei Zhen Zhu Xie] Divine Image?!”

“Senior Qingshan… so unwilling to form the Sevenfold divine image yet opting to attempt a breakthrough into the Six-Si divine image?!”

Li Che exhaled deeply.

“Really… not at all stable.”

“But…”

“That’s our Senior Qingshan for you.”

“In life…”

“Who wants to lead a humdrum existence?”

…

…

Golden Light Peak.

Melted snow became warm raindrops, within which seemed to hide vibrating arcs of lightning.

They fell from the heavens and descended to earth.

Nan Lihuo, his white hair billowing, reached out and caught a raindrop—it miraculously hovered in his palm.

Within the drop, arcs of lightning darted like an enraged thunder serpent.

“So Li Qingshan indeed refuses to form the Sevenfold divine image and opts for the Six-Si instead…”

“After long observation, transcending the ephemeral form and entering the divine realm… he still chooses the Six-Si path.”

“Impressive resolve.”

Nan Lihuo smiled gently.

Next to the temple, a Taoist strolled along with a chubby kid who kept smacking his mouth, both intently watching raindrops descend from the sky.

“Junior brother, Jin Guang Mansion has produced a capable one. I’ve even heard of Li Qingshan in Daocheng,” the Taoist remarked.

“Ranked seventh on Yunzhou’s Divine Root roster, he’s quite a remarkable figure for Daocheng,” another added.

The Taoist chuckled.

“Munch, munch…”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the chubby kid chewed on some dried mutton, the crunch audible.

“Stop eating—mind your image!” the Taoist scolded, glaring.

The kid paused immediately, nodded earnestly, and pursed his lips as he mumbled.

The sound of his chewing softened considerably.

Nan Lihuo laughed, “Senior brother’s disciple… you’re quite amusing.”

The Taoist composed himself, stroking his beard as he said, “Not bad. Prodigy, why not try triggering the Temple Spirit Resonance with the Third Prince?”

Nan Lihuo nodded.

“Senior brother, are you willing to take action tonight?” Nan Lihuo suddenly asked, glancing at the darkened sky.

The Taoist replied hoarsely, “Junior brother, aren’t you putting me in a tough spot?”

At that moment, the chubby kid—who had somehow grabbed a large flatbread—took a bite and mumbled a single word.

“Coward.”

The Taoist was visibly infuriated.

Nan Lihuo waved his hand with a smile, “Alright, I won’t trouble you further. But we haven’t seen each other in years—senior brother, help me head to the Eight-Armed Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple and assist Xie Jing in guarding it. That can’t be too much, right?”

The Taoist stroked his beard and nodded, “Guarding the Bizarre Temple is fine, but having to fight and kill… you know how I feel, junior brother.”

“Senior brother, I don’t fancy that,” replied the junior.

Nan Lihuo shrugged and nodded, saying no more.

This Taoist was Senior Brother Wang Ku Yu, hailing from the Qianyuan Main Sect Mountain Gate in Lingnan Daocheng.

He had come with Daocheng’s prodigious youths to partake in the Temple Spirit Resonance ritual.

Nan Lihuo truly wouldn’t let the Taoist be put in a difficult position.

“I fear tonight will be far from peaceful.”

If Li Qingshan chose to breach the Sevenfold Divine Image, there might be interference and disruption—but it wouldn’t be overly drastic.

If unworkable, those factions might simply back down.

But Li Qingshan intended to form the Six-Si divine image…

Once his Six-Si Divine Image was complete, he might suddenly transcend into a post-divine state.

Then, all the various forces…

would surely erupt into chaos.

…

…

City Lord’s Residence.

Su Huai Li squinted, feeling the evaporating rain moisture on the ground as his eyebrow arched.

“What a gutsy Li Qingshan—you really have nerve.”

Archer Wen Longshan held a raindrop, sensing the thunder hidden within it.

“The Six-Si Divine Image… daring indeed. Can his body withstand such divine power?”

“Maybe without any sabotage, his body would simply be pulverized by that divine force.”

Wen Longshan smirked.

“The Six-Si Divine Image… even he has only reached the level of breaking through the Sevenfold divine image.”

“Li Qingshan’s cultivation of Jin Guang Branch’s Eight Dragons Overturning the River has advanced to the point where he can condense a Three-Headed Qi-Blood Xuan Jiao. It’s a major achievement—if only barely worth a try…”

Su Huai Li remarked.

“Whether he succeeds or not, I don’t want Li Qingshan to ever truly prevail.”

Wen Longshan clenched his fist and, in an instant, a radiant Divine Bow materialized in his grasp.

“As you command.”

The next moment, Wen Longshan’s form blurred and vanished.

…

…

That night was eerily silent; the entire Jingguang City seemed to sink into a deathly stillness, an oppressive atmosphere engulfing the whole metropolis.

Even the caged dogs dared not bark.

At the Shangguan Family Mansion,

the ancestral patriarch, Shangguan Jie, dressed in black, stood in the courtyard—with his hair turned completely white.

In such a short time, he was utterly exhausted.

Shangguan Zhengheng had died; Shangguan Qinglei was also gone. Just days ago, the second-generation heirs mingling in Jin Fang Courtyard—the prospective head—were slain by Ogre…

Suffering… why does it always chase the Shangguan family?

“Li Qingshan…”

Shangguan Jie exhaled slowly and pulled out a grotesque demon mask, placing it over his face.

“You dream of breaking into the divine image… keep dreaming!”

“If you dare kill my kin, you’ll pay with your life!”

Meanwhile,

masters of the divine image from other families, the Five Major Sects, and the Black Jiao Gang—all wearing masks and dark attire—were on the move.

This masked trend of crime, along with Ogre’s infamy, had finally spread from Feilei City to Jingguang City.

…

…

Outside Jingguang City,

the Jiulong River churned restlessly, as if a hidden monster was about to break free.

In its lower reaches, the raging water roared incessantly.

Suddenly, a thick black aura emerged, slowly gathering into a swirling vortex of smoke.

A figure stepped out from the vortex.

Clad in a white uniform robe billowing in the wind, his face was hidden behind a mask emblazoned in blood with a large “7”.

It was a Sevenfold Corpse God Envoy.

“Li Qingshan…”

The eyes beneath the corpse envoy’s mask flickered.

“He must die. If he dares to step into the divine realm with his Six-Si Divine Image, he’ll undoubtedly become a hindrance to my cult’s operations in Jingguang City.”

Next, the Sevenfold Corpse God Envoy squatted on the river’s surface.

He retrieved a blood-colored jade bottle from the Qian Kun Jade.

Inside, a searing energy surged wildly, with tyrannical divine fluctuations radiating out.

An unseen ripple, centered at his feet, spread ceaselessly.

Then…

The envoy placed the blood-colored bottle on the river’s surface.

With a dull thud…

the bottle was suddenly yanked into the water by overwhelming force.

The Sevenfold Corpse God Envoy tapped the surface with his toe, sending ripples outward.

Then he soared dozens of zhang high above the river.

But then he saw…

Beneath the raging river,

a huge, slender figure twisted and wound its way upward.

Accompanied by the shattering sound of the bottle, deep, rich blood surged from the riverbed!

Bang—!

The river burst open!

A massive, grotesque jiao head emerged!

“Roar—!”

The deafening roar of the jiao dragon reverberated.

Its thunderous cry echoed along the Jiulong River.

Then.

The jiao dragon plunged back into the river, stirring tidal waves as it charged toward the Eight-Armed Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple in the upper river.

Dragons and the Third Prince…

as if an ancient blood feud buried in flesh and bone had been ignited!

…

…

Luohua Alley.

Inside the workshop courtyard,

Li Che wiped his Xiangong Barrett with a clean white cloth,

and counted one Bodhi Dragon Tooth bullet after another.

After finishing his count,

he straightened up, wrapped a black robe around himself, clenched his fist, and donned his Ma Mian mask.

He then put on his bamboo hat, lowering its brim.

The black robe tore through the drizzle, scattering droplets.

In the next moment, it vanished without a trace.

Soon, Li Che reappeared atop a towering tree outside Jingguang City, still wearing his Ma Mian mask.

He gripped his Xiangong Barrett in one hand.

His mind clear and calm, he looked toward the roaring Jiulong River several miles away.

Just as Senior Qingshan had predicted, the day he broke through his divine image would trigger an uprising at the Bizarre Temple,

drawing formidable experts like Nan Lihuo and Xie Jing away.

Li Che paid no heed to those matters.

The battlefield over there…

was beyond his current concern.

His job was simple—get paid for helping Li Qingshan break through his divine image. The Bizarre Temple affair was not his problem; pressing matters demanded his focus.

Suddenly, his fingers spread open and pounded down forcefully,

as if slapping an invisible chessboard.

Deep within, the [Chess Sage] Dao Fruit trembled violently.

Next moment…

Using the tree branch where he half-squatted as the lower-right star of an intricate chessboard, patterns interwove to envelope the entirety of Jingguang City!

It resembled a celestial chessboard suspended above the capital!

Under his Ma Mian mask, Li Che slowly closed his eyes.

On the chessboard, waves of energy flickered like blazing flames.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open, locking onto a specific direction.

There, atop the pavilion of the City Lord’s Residence, stood the divine archer Wen Longshan, resembling a spear in his posture.

He also noticed a twisting aura before Wen Longshan’s eyes, forming a gaze as sharp as an eagle’s, along with…

a curved bow, drawn like a full moon amidst thunder.

A crimson, intertwined arrow was aimed from afar at the peak of Zheng Lei Peak.

Under his Ma Mian mask, Li Che’s eyes were cold and desolate.

He slowly raised his Xiangong Barrett.

High Virtue Chessboard.

Heaven and Earth, guide!

While the mantis catches the cicada, the oriole lurks behind.

“If you target Qingshan, I’ll snipe you!”

His unruly hair suddenly whipped upward.

He aimed directly at the mud pellet on Wen Longshan’s brow.

After adjusting his aim in a split second,

he fiercely pulled the trigger.

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