Chapter 156: Echoes of Explosive Fury

The lingering aftershock of the explosion stirred up wild winds in the winter forest.

It was like a relentless shockwave bouncing between the tree trunks.

Fierce gusts whipped up clothing, hair, snowflakes, and falling leaves.

Wen Longshan’s body burned with searing pain as the explosion of that dreadful hidden weapon shattered his flesh, broke his bones, and cracked his organs to varying degrees.

He couldn’t fathom how this hidden weapon could unleash such terrifying explosive power!

At detonation, its inherent divine nature blazed, raging a thousand times stronger than usual.

That wild, horrific divine barrage not only ravaged his martial body,

but also battered his Divine Perception.

It was a hidden weapon that delivered a double blow!

The Tang Clan’s mechanical armor is renowned across the world…

Sure enough, the reputation was well-deserved.

Yet Wen Longshan racked his brains, unable to determine which mechanism of the Tang Clan’s devices this was.

The killing power was simply dreadful…

surely among the top ten mechanisms of the Tang Clan, right?

It should be…

It must have been famed throughout the world long ago, right?

Blood uncontrollably streamed from Wen Longshan’s nose and mouth.

His internal organs were in ruins; reaching Grandmaster level not only forges the body,

but refining the organs is equally vital.

When one perfects a supreme technique enough to manifest true intent, that essence can be integrated into the organs, making them resilient and unyielding.

Only by perfecting both inner and outer realms without flaw can one qualify as a Grandmaster!

Wen Longshan’s organs had long been tempered with the true essence of the Crimson Flame Divine Arrow.

But under this mechanical onslaught, each suffered varying degrees of damage.

Wen Longshan knew his end was near.

Especially now…

The presence of that steadfast Ogre before him was unnervingly calm.

He felt the overwhelming divine aura emanating from the Ogre—a force so intense it could freeze one’s soul, its oppressive divine nature paralyzing movement.

That was… Temple Spirit level!

At the pinnacle of Jin Guang Mansion in the Divine Sect, it seemed the divine aura inside the Golden Divine Hall—specifically from the 【Sevenfold Shéli Ruyi Golden Pagoda】—had been activated!

Wen Longshan let out a grim laugh.

A solitary snowfall landed on his scorched, disheveled face, sending a chilling shiver through him.

He unexpectedly felt cold.

“Ogre…”

Wen Longshan murmured lowly.

“I’ve always been afraid of pain… that’s why I took up archery—to stay far away and wound enemies with my arrows, without having to face them head on…”

“That was my original reason for learning archery…”

His lips trembled as he slowly raised his head.

With great effort, he opened one pained eye to gaze at the black-haired, wildly flowing, and fearsome figure of the Ogre clad in golden armor.

“Ogre…”

“Easy now.”

Li Che, wearing the Ogre Mask, spoke curtly.

Clenching his fist, he summoned the Jiao Bone Wind and Thunder Halberd into his hand, its massive form trembling.

He swept it in a sudden, wide arc!

Thud—

Even as Wen Longshan’s head, wracked with pain, soared skyward, his face twisted in agonizing contortions.

“Relax.”

“I’ll be quick.”

With a vigorous swing, Li Che flung the halberd, shaking off the blood as he stashed it into his Qiankun Space.

Beneath the Ogre Mask, a furrowed brow suddenly burst open!

Divine Technique…

Star Plucking Gaze!

It was as if a tangible, focused beam of sight erupted from his brows.

One after another, divine chess pieces at the Divine Vision stage floated into view.

The count… astonishingly reached ninety-two!

Ninety-two divine chess pieces of the Divine Vision stage!

Having surpassed ninety pieces meant Wen Longshan’s divine cultivation was nearly at the pinnacle of Divine Vision—just one step from entering the Primordial Phase!

“A bountiful harvest!”

Li Che smiled as he gathered all ninety-two divine chess pieces.

Having evolved from the embryonic form of his Divine Technique, his Thousand Analysis Hand had ascended into Star Plucking.

He could now absorb divine chess pieces from the fallen without activating Tower Ascension.

Naturally, aside from the chess pieces, Li Che didn’t hesitate to collect Wen Longshan’s Qiankun Jade and Divine Bow as well.

All were spoils earned by his own prowess with the Ogre.

……

……

Snow swirled thickly as a biting wind cut like a knife.

A carriage raced along the snow-covered main road.

Horses whinnied loudly.

Several steeds circled the carriage rapidly, while the black-robed cultivators aboard maintained solemn expressions.

Boom—!!

Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed from afar.

Despite the distance, the expanding divine aura startled even the blood-tainted, beastly horses, shaking them visibly.

The one-armed coachman atop the carriage frowned as he watched the source of the divine shockwave approach.

The carriage curtain fluttered open.

The Little Prince, seemingly sensing something amiss, stepped out in confusion.

“Grandpa Dufu, what on earth happened?”

The Little Prince asked with a frown.

Xue Dufu, the one-armed coachman, tugged at the reins, his weathered face set in grave determination.

As protector of the Little Prince, Xue Dufu would not allow any unexpected mishaps.

“It appears cultivators are clashing—the divine aura is incredibly intense.”

“But I’ve never sensed such wild divine force. What level of cultivator could possibly withstand this?”

“Could it be… a Grandmaster?”

Xue Dufu murmured softly.

Jingguang Prefecture…

A Grandmaster?!

His aged, murky eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp gleam, as if a gleaming knife had slashed through the void.

“Grandpa Dufu, you go check it out.”

The Little Prince stood with his hands behind his back and said coolly.

“I must first ensure your safety. Although news of your entry into Jingguang City has just spread, those with sinister intent may already be lying in wait.”

The Old Man said gravely.

The Little Prince grinned proudly, “Don’t worry, Grandpa Dufu. With my father’s might, hardly any riffraff would dare attack me.”

“They can’t withstand my father’s wrath.”

“My father is the King of Suppression.”

The Little Prince’s pride swelled, as even the wind and snow seemed to heat up.

“Alright then… just wait and see, Little Prince.”

Xue Dufu knew the Prince surely had a safeguard in reserve.

Many might try to kill the Little Prince, but success was far from easy.

Moreover…

He’d be back soon.

Bang…

The One-Armed Old Man stood, lightly tapping his toe as an invisible surge of air erupted, tearing through the swirling snow.

A terrifying surge of blood and Qi, like a colossal dragon roaring and snaking through, erupted around him.

His speed was blinding—not leaving a trace in the snow, but stomping it with dominating force.

Within moments, his steps blasted the snow into a chaotic eruption.

Countless clouds of snow were thrown into the air.

The One-Armed Old Man dashed into the dense forest with lightning speed.

Suddenly,

Squinting, his powerful gaze pierced nearly ten miles ahead, spotting a figure as imposing as a towering mountain amid the forest.

Before that figure, a decapitated, headless corpse slumped helplessly against a tree.

Thick, boiling blood flowed relentlessly, melting the accumulated snow on the ground.

“Standard military armor—the uniform of a Yunzhou Divine Guard officer. Divine Arrow Officer Wen Longshan?”

The One-Armed Old Man’s eyes narrowed.

With a resounding bang, a surge of Qi and blood cascaded onto his back, explosively forming an impact wave.

He moved so fast it was as if he had become a bolt of lightning.

Too fast!

He thundered like the fury of heaven!

Fingers clenched as if to crush the very air around him.

Yet when the One-Armed Old Man arrived,

he discovered that the towering figure wearing a Cute Cow Mask and a bamboo hat had vanished into thin air.

The One-Armed Old Man landed.

His surging Qi heated the forest like a furnace, raising the ambient temperature.

The Old Man calmly observed the lifeless Wen Longshan.

His brows furrowed deeply.

But in his mind, the image of that adorable Cute Cow Mask was etched forever.

……

……

Jingguang Prefecture, Luohua Alley.

Inside a small courtyard.

Bang…

An invisible ripple of air spread outward like undulating waves, exploding in every direction.

The hulking figure of the Ogre suddenly appeared in the courtyard.

He stood motionless for a moment, his chest rising and falling violently.

“Who is that…?”

Li Che removed his Ogre Mask, revealing a face etched with utmost seriousness.

Barely having charged in from over ten miles away, he felt an oppressive crisis closing in.

It was a…

a Grandmaster!

Absolutely a Grandmaster!

After all, Li Che was a martial prodigy who had attained the Divine Meridian Nine Transformations, capable of suppressing formidable Qi to invoke sheer terror…

Only a Grandmaster could exert such pressure!

“How could a Grandmaster be in Jingguang City?”

Li Che frowned.

Then he recalled words spoken before the Nan Lihuo mission.

Wen Longshan had left the city to fetch the young son of King of Suppression Ji Mo Li; it appeared this Grandmaster was the guard escorting him.

Indeed, given the King of Suppression’s status and strength, sending a Grandmaster to accompany his son was entirely logical.

“Is it for the Temple Spirit Resonance?”

Li Che mused.

This time, the ‘Temple Spirit Resonance’ at the Bizarre Temple of Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince attracted far more participants than he had imagined.

Not to mention the prodigies from Daocheng—just the gifted ones from Yunzhou’s prefectures were gathering.

Remember, only the most talented prodigies from these regions would dare participate in the Temple Spirit Resonance.

“XiXi’s competition is far tougher than I thought.”

Li Che thought of his daughter, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

But…

What no one knew was…

His daughter XiXi held an immense trump card.

Li Che even began to look forward to the moment during the Temple Spirit Resonance when XiXi would unveil the 【Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear】.

Of course, Li Che knew that XiXi wasn’t yet capable of wielding the Fire-Tipped Spear, so he couldn’t afford to be complacent.

Stroking his chin, Li Che pondered how to help his daughter master the spear.

Yet, after some thought, he was utterly at a loss.

This mythical weapon, concealed within XiXi’s arm, remained completely dormant, showing not a hint of life.

Truly a mythical weapon—it clearly had a mind of its own.

Mainly because XiXi was still too young.

“But… the Third Prince is just a kid too.”

Li Che muttered.

They’re all kids; why shouldn’t my daughter be able to master the Fire-Tipped Spear?

He didn’t dwell on it further.

Li Che blamed everything on his own inadequacy.

After all, he wasn’t a strong enough father.

Once Li Che confirmed via his Feilei Chess Piece that the carriage he shared with Gong Yunli and Li Qingshan had no mishaps,

he wasn’t in a rush to return.

Instead, he sat cross-legged in the courtyard, bathed in soft, white falling snow.

He took out Wen Longshan’s Qiankun Jade and that crimson, intricately patterned Divine Bow!

His brows, under the heat of his Star Plucking Gaze, warmed noticeably.

Instantly, details about the Divine Bow flooded his mind.

【Divine Weapon (Sevenfold Upper Grade): Crimson Flame Shattered Star Bow】

【Craftsmanship: Forged from Heavenly Flowing Flame Crystal Stone, with Jiao Dragon Tendon soaked in a unique secret method for enhanced durability—its arrows fly like flowing flame and can shatter stars!】

【Wielded by: Qi-Blood Grandmasters and above; Divine Vision post-stage cultivators and above】

A Sevenfold Upper Grade Divine Weapon—the Divine Bow!

This was Wen Longshan’s Divine Bow!

Li Che’s eyes sparkled. As an archer, he was no stranger to the art—he had mastered the Chenkū Baigui Fenglei Arrow technique too.

But his skill paled in comparison to Wen Longshan’s.

“What a fine bow!”

Li Che stood up in the courtyard.

Inside his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit trembled slightly.

He drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and mimed pulling the Divine Bow empty.

Qi surged through him; his molten Grandmaster physique roared like an enraged dragon.

Creaking and groaning…

The muscles in his arms twisted like steel rods, unleashing explosive power.

Intense heat suddenly rose in the courtyard.

The bow ignited with red flames, like a fiery, roaring dragon taking shape.

Li Che’s eyes flashed brightly as his black hair whipped wildly.

It was as if a phantom dragon manifested behind him, roaring!

Though the Sevenfold Upper Grade Divine Bow was formidable, Li Che managed to draw it.

“What a fine bow!” he exclaimed again, unable to take his eyes off it.

Truly the perfect weapon for an archer—a priceless treasure.

Now, with the Li name on his side, the field was set!

His Divine Perception tore through Wen Longshan’s Qiankun Jade as he meticulously cataloged his gains.

“One Sevenfold Divine Crystal, ten Eight Extremity Divine Crystals, eighteen Jiuyue Divine Crystals… Is this the fortune of a Divine Archer? Absolutely abundant!”

Li Che was astonished!

How did Wen Longshan amass such rich resources!

Even though he hadn’t reached the Primordial Phase, these resources were clearly meant for his own breakthrough!

“Besides the Divine Bow, there’s also an Eight Extremity Tiger Roar Blade—quite acceptable.”

“Pills are ordinary; they’re all merely Jiao Blood Martial Pills, ranging from Eight Extremity to Jiuyue grades.”

“A superior true intent ultimate technique!”

“The Crimson Flame Divine Arrow Technique, paired with the Crimson Flame Shattered Star Bow—is that its ultimate art?!”

Li Che’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Including this ultimate art, Li Che now mastered six ultimate techniques!

There was swordsmanship, transverse refining, mechanical art—and now archery!

Balanced development indeed.

Li Che smiled, deciding not to study archery further for now but to seize the opportunity to learn gradually.

Reviewing the battle, everything had unfolded just as he had planned.

Wen Longshan had cooperated flawlessly, falling into trap after trap.

“Mainly because Wen Longshan never expected that the eagle soaring high above would catch my attention.”

“Taking down that eagle was like blinding him in one eye.”

“Wen Longshan, like a headless fly, kept falling into my traps.”

Li Che exhaled deeply.

Combined with Divine Crystal Powder, Jian Shou Qing Powder, and the mechanics of the crane tactic—and with Wen Longshan’s bloodthirsty assault on Ma Mian—it all spiraled into giving Li Che a huge opportunity with the 【Great Avalanche Guanyin Lotus Bomb】.

“But truly… for the 【Great Avalanche Guanyin Lotus Bomb】 to decisively hit a Grandmaster or a post-Grandmaster at the peak of Divine Vision is incredibly difficult.”

Li Che frowned, careful not to be blinded by victory.

“I must intensify my research on 【Guanyin Sitting Lotus Main Battle Tank】…”

Li Che remained cautious, reflecting on his own performance.

This world was extraordinarily dangerous—errors were not an option.

After all, Li Che was not alone now—he had a family.

A wife and a daughter…

His life was intertwined with theirs.

If he fell, how heartbroken would his wife and daughter be?

Li Che could not bear the thought of their sorrow.

It would mark him as a weak husband and father.

A sudden flash of insight passed before his eyes.

Images of fleeting brilliance danced before him.

【Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (lv3 90%)】

Seeing the maturity of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, Li Che’s mood lifted instantly.

“Just a bit more until the lv4 Divine Technique embryonic form ascends… so close.”

Sure enough, only a tense, high-level battle could spur the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit’s rapid growth.

It stimulated its brisk development!

Exhaling deeply, Li Che expanded his senses; upon detecting the position of the 【Painted Immortal】 clone in the carriage with Gong Yunli,

he took control of the clone and announced he’d step off for some fresh air.

In that moment, the Feilei Chess Piece hidden within the clone was firmly grasped by Li Che, completing the transfer.

As for the battle between Nan Lihuo and Li Qingshan, Li Che did not involve himself.

Through the Cosmic Chessboard, he clearly sensed that both had begun to retreat.

Nan Lihuo wasn’t keen on a prolonged skirmish with City Lord Su Huai Li.

Without a sure chance to kill Su Huai Li, Nan Lihuo chose to bide his time.

While Nan Lihuo maintained a gentle smile, it concealed a venomous intent like a snake.

Li Qingshan, on the other hand, fought with no hesitation; the three top generals of the Divine Guard Army coordinated flawlessly.

After breaking through his Divine Vision, Li Qingshan—though endowed with post-stage power—was clearly overwhelmed.

Just a few moves in, he crushed his Escape Talisman and vanished in an instant.

Li Che’s gaze shifted; his black ink shirt fluttered in the cold wind.

He returned to the carriage where Gong Yunli was still nibbling on preserved fruit, his cheeks puffing like a little squirrel.

Shangguan Qinghong’s habit of snacking had clearly rubbed off on him.

Noticing Li Che’s look, Gong Yunli abruptly asked, “Ah Che, would you like some seeds?”

He offered a packet of sunflower seeds to Li Che.

Li Che smiled warmly and waved him off, turning to watch the swirling snow outside.

Having just slain Wen Longshan, his heavy heart felt light; even the snowy scene seemed full of life.

Gong Yunli noticed Li Che’s uplifted mood and asked, “Lord Gong, are we near Xinyuan Temple?”

Li Che replied, “We’re almost there. We’ll settle at Xinyuan Temple before heading to the Bizarre Temple.”

Gong Yunli explained.

“Xinyuan Temple, one of Jingguang City’s five major sects, boasts formidable strength.”

“And the Bizarre Temple has their support to keep things in check.”

Li Che nodded in agreement.

Yet he couldn’t help but recall the monk who had bought his Zhong Kui Statue.

He was puzzled—after all, the monk hailed from the Buddhist sect, known for exorcising demons; why would he need a wooden Zhong Kui carving?

A fleeting doubt arose in his heart, but he didn’t dwell on it.

The carriage rumbled on through the snowy landscape.

It tore through the wind and snow as it pressed onward.

……

Divine Sect, Jin Guang Peak.

Inside the Divine Temple, Nan Lihuo’s earthy halo suddenly dissipated as he leaped from underground.

The powerful divine aura continued to surge.

He sat on the stone steps of the grand hall and removed the White Fox Mask from his face.

His expression grew heavy with sorrow.

He grieved—the secret agent placed in the City Lord’s Residence had been killed, and City Lord Su Huai Li had crushed his head before his eyes.

Nan Lihuo’s heart ached deeply.

His solemn mood was also due to the failure of this plan…

Hmm?

Nan Lihuo’s expression suddenly turned strange.

“It seems… it wasn’t a complete failure…”

“Wen Longshan is dead.”

“Killed by that Ogre with the Cute Cow Mask!”

Nan Lihuo recalled how Su Huai Li had erupted in fury, causing the battle’s rhythm to falter and granting him a chance to escape.

The news of Wen Longshan’s death had reached Su Huai Li.

“Wen Longshan… such a troublesome Divine Archer…”

“And he was killed by that Ogre with the Cow Mask?!”

Nan Lihuo shook his head.

What a surprising twist.

They had thought the plan doomed to fail,

but the outcome was unexpectedly wonderful.

“How did that Ogre with the Cow Mask manage it?”

Nan Lihuo’s heart trembled.

Wen Longshan was no weakling—a Sevenfold Divine Archer, nearly invincible within a hundred zhang range.

Even though Ma Mian wielded long-range mechanical shooting techniques, within a hundred zhang he stood no chance against Wen Longshan.

And as for the Ogre…

Ogre might not be able to stop Wen Longshan; though a Divine Archer, his martial cultivation was robust.

Moreover, his mastery of the ultimate art, the Crimson Flame Divine Arrow Technique, had reached Grandmaster-level pinnacles, refining his organs to near indestructibility.

He was just one step away from entering the Transformation Realm!

Once a Divine Archer’s true realm emerged, his killing intent would be utterly terrifying!

On the battlefield, it was like a life-harvesting machine!

Nan Lihuo sat on the long stairs in the desolate hall as a soft laugh escaped him.

“City Lord Su Huai Li… is probably beside himself with anger.”

Nan Lihuo’s smile was impossible to suppress.

The angrier Su Huai Li became, the more delighted Nan Lihuo was.

After a while, Nan Lihuo no longer worried about how the Ogre with the Cow Mask managed to kill Wen Longshan.

“That Ogre from the Underworld…”

Originally, he was only meant to assist—to ensure Wen Longshan’s death was foolproof.

But now…

“They really charge extra, huh.”

……

……

Nan Lihuo changed into a crisp white robe befitting a sect leader and stepped out of the sealed Divine Temple.

Daoist Wang Kuyu suddenly paused, looking at Nan Lihuo with a puzzled expression.

He thought, ‘He’s back already?’

Was everything finished?

It seemed he wasn’t sent to assassinate Ji Mo Li’s youngest son—what exactly had he done?

Wang Kuyu shook his head; soon, they would know what Nan Lihuo had accomplished.

After all, if a sect leader mobilizes, it’s never a trivial matter.

News would soon spread throughout the Capital.

Nan Lihuo strolled with a spring in his step, clearly pleased—Wang Kuyu’s glance confirmed that the plan was complete and the target had likely been eliminated.

Otherwise, Nan Lihuo’s smile would not have been so satisfied.

Nan Lihuo looked over the wreckage of the Grand Plaza and then spotted the headless Daocheng prodigy Zhong Liushou receiving treatment from Elder Zhang Qingzheng.

He paused for a moment, then quickly understood what had transpired.

“XiXi, that little girl… was incredibly rude.”

Nan Lihuo smiled gently, his amusement barely contained.

Out on the Grand Plaza…

XiXi, hands on her hips and her little belly out, stood beside the Wooden Spirit Crane, her wide eyes scanning the area.

“Who’s next?”

XiXi, like a young tigress, exuded overbearing confidence.

In the distance…

Hai Chaosheng’s eyes gleamed with excitement and admiration.

Gongyang Xiu and Gong Yuanliang couldn’t help but applaud.

“Sister XiXi, shattering the ancient world with unmatched force!”

Gongyang Xiu blushed and shouted excitedly.

A hush fell over the entire Grand Plaza.

XiXi’s little face flushed slightly.

“She’s done it!”

“She’s done it!”

A mere push was enough—being unrivaled was sufficient—and XiXi couldn’t help but feel a bit shy.

But… Sister XiXi?

Little Xiu’s words sounded remarkably nice.

“Who’s next?” XiXi puffed out her chest even more.

Her glance swept over all the prodigies in Daocheng, lingering a moment longer on the chubby kid munching on a bun.

When her eyes reached the chubby kid’s face, she quickly looked away, unwilling to let her gaze linger.

Her diverted gaze finally settled on Yun’e beside the chubby kid.

At the sight, XiXi’s eyes lit up brightly.

“What a beautiful sister!”

……

……

The carriage bounced along in the icy snow, swaying and jostling.

Gong Yunli, leaning out of the window, pointed toward the distant Xinyuan Temple and softly said to Li Che,

“Ah Che, Xinyuan Temple has arrived!”

Li Che stirred from his brief rest and slowly opened his eyes.

He turned his head, gazing out the window.

There, shrouded in the icy wilderness, stood an ancient temple.

An ancient temple amid snow—the sight was almost poetic.

Li Che was admiring the scene.

Suddenly…

The Mud Pellet Palace at his brow began to heat up abruptly.

A divine pattern flashed across his skin.

That was…

Divine Technique [Star Plucking Gaze]!

Transmuting the illusory into truth, vanquishing evil!

In the very next moment…

Li Che’s eyes shrank in response.

Yet he saw the ancient temple, calm and serene amidst the storm of wind and snow.

In an instant…

A chilling, ghostly aura shot high into the sky.

A new month begins.

Support for monthly tickets, recommend votes, and follow-up reading! Everyone, keep reading! We’ve just passed five thousand average subscriptions—rumor has it that six thousand marks great quality. Let’s give it a push! Old Li thanks you all!