Chapter 157: The Haunting of Xinyuan Temple

Li Che’s eyes narrowed.

A heat burned at his brow as he subconsciously activated the 【Star Plucking Gaze】 technique.

Star Plucking Gaze: [Infinite Analysis, Soul-Quenching, Void-Returning, Evil-Exterminating]!

In Li Che’s view, no wickedness could ever hide; his Star Plucking Gaze revealed every trace of evil.

For that reason, Li Che had never doubted its judgment.

In his eyes, the once serene Xinyuan Temple, cloaked in snow and wind, now exuded a ghastly aura.

There was no way his vision was deceiving him.

It had to be something wrong with the temple itself.

“So ghostly, so deathly—could this Xinyuan Temple actually be a haunted temple?”

Li Che furrowed his brow.

Or perhaps there were specters hidden within?

Beyond that…

“Could it be linked to the Corpse God Sect?”

A stirring of realization lit up within Li Che.

He couldn’t help but think that, and verifying it wouldn’t be difficult.

Inside his chest, the 【Chess Sage】 Dao Fruit pounded fiercely; the next moment, his spirit immersed itself into the Cosmic Chessboard.

The sprawling, interlaced lines of the chessboard spread instantly, enveloping the heavens and earth and shrouding the ominous Xinyuan Temple.

Then, his spirit hovered on the Cosmic Chessboard as he lightly flicked a finger towards the largely refined Seven-Element Corpse Curse Seal.

One Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit slammed into it with a thunderous force, suddenly exploding!

And then a second one…

It was as if an ancient, colossal bell had been struck forcefully!

Invisible black ripples, like booming sound waves, radiated from Li Che’s body in all directions.

A black tide surged relentlessly toward Xinyuan Temple, all under his intense, uncanny gaze.

Under the mighty sway of heaven and earth, the temple was sealed—one mark, two marks, three marks…

Countless bursts of Corpse Curse Seal energy broke forth.

Even Li Che couldn’t help but stare in astonishment.

Suddenly, he realized where those top experts of the Corpse God Sect who had withdrawn from the Capital had hidden.

It turned out…

they were all concealed within this very temple?

Of course…

This Xinyuan Temple might just be one of the Corpse God Sect’s outposts outside the Capital.

But isn’t that a curious twist?

Li Che smiled.

Far from being frightened, he grew even more excited.

He could almost feel his inner anticipation, as if his hidden hands were rubbing together eagerly.

As the old saying goes, after searching in vain, sometimes you stumble upon it by accident.

Slowly, Li Che dispersed the Cosmic Chessboard and withdrew his spirit; the burning sensation at his brow from the Star Plucking Gaze faded back into silence.

“Gong, isn’t this Xinyuan Temple… rumored to be a branch of the once-glorious Qitian Temple?”

Li Che inquired, turning the conversation toward the temple.

Gong Yunli scoffed, “Xinyuan Temple is merely polishing its own image. In its prime, Qitian Temple was a colossus that spanned the six realms and twelve provinces—no exaggeration calling it the world’s number one sect.”

“Though, due to the disturbances at the Bizarre Temple and some human factors, Qitian Temple declined and fragmented into three major sects…”

“In truth, the three splinter sects share only superficial ties with Qitian Temple.”

“Qitian Temple was too powerful, while the three are simply too weak.”

“That contrast alone shows just how severe the loss of true Taoist lineage has been,” Gong Yunli remarked.

“Unlike the Imperial Court, sects hold their Tao lineage in utmost regard—a legacy that spans millennia is not something to boast about lightly.”

Li Che nodded.

Qitian Temple was a behemoth spanning six realms and twelve provinces, but what of Xinyuan Temple?

It was merely a minor sect under Yunzhou’s Jin Guang Prefecture along the Lingnan Path.

The weak have their own sorrow.

If Xinyuan Temple were colluding with the Corpse God Sect, there was only one possibility: the sect had completely eroded this feeble temple.

Either way, it was hardly good news.

Li Che and Gong Yunli fell silent as their carriage trotted through the swirling snow, approaching the vast Grand Plaza before the temple.

They dismounted; the biting wind and snow howled around them.

Gongyang Liancheng stepped over, joining Gong Yunli.

Li Che and several master carvers stood quietly in formation, awaiting further instructions from Gongyang Liancheng and Gong Yunli.

In order to proceed to the Fire-Eyed Astonishing Spirit Ape Temple, two guides were required.

Apart from the 【Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple】 under Jin Guang Mansion, there were two other major Eight Extremity Bizarre Temples: the 【Fire-Eyed Astonishing Spirit Ape Temple】 and the 【Iron Crutch Joyous Ascetic Temple】.

All these Eight Extremity Bizarre Temples had been suppressed by the Imperial Court, and were now under the Temple Guardian Division.

Entering any Bizarre Temple required a temple entry permit.

Originally, Gong Yunli had applied for the permit from the Temple Guardian Division several days earlier.

However, the chief messenger stationed at the 【Fire-Eyed Astonishing Spirit Ape Temple】 reported that the eerie disturbance at the temple had persisted for some time.

Thus, the day for the divine inspection was postponed—and it had finally been confirmed now.

Gongyang Liancheng’s expression turned solemn as he checked the list, then nodded.

“Everyone is assembled. Prepare yourselves—we’re heading to the Bizarre Temple to inspect the temple spirit.”

“This is a rare opportunity for all of you, so make sure you seize it.”

Facing a multitude of third-rank officials, Gongyang Liancheng showed none of the ingratiating manners he once reserved for Deputy Inspector Lin Xiu, instead displaying considerable official authority.

In the distance, two elderly monks slowly emerged from within the temple.

Gentle-mannered with kindly brows and white beards, they were clearly venerable.

“Master Xuanli, Master Xuanyuan…”

Gongyang Liancheng clasped his fists in salute and greeted the two with a warm smile.

“Master Xuanli is the abbot of Xinyuan Temple. His support has been invaluable to the Temple Guardian Division’s stabilization of the Bizarre Temple.”

Gongyang Liancheng introduced this to Li Che and the other third-rank officials.

One after another, the officials returned the salute.

The old monk pressed his palms together, smiling kindly, “You are all master carvers. If you can glean any divine inspiration from the temple spirit, it will be a testament to the hard work of Xinyuan Temple and the Temple Guardian Division in subduing the Bizarre Temple.”

Li Che, mingling among the officials, also saluted.

Yet in his heart, he was alert—testing whether these masters of divine perception from Xinyuan Temple had any links to the Corpse God Sect.

Hmm?

Just then, the Seven-Element Corpse Curse Seal, which had been suppressed within the Cosmic Chessboard, trembled violently.

Li Che raised an eyebrow and immediately summoned a dark-gold Heavenly King Divine Chess Piece.

It forcefully suppressed the seal.

Through the Cosmic Chessboard, Li Che also caught sight of Masters Xuanli and Xuanyuan of Xinyuan Temple…

Their bodies emanated an aura so deathly and corpse-like that it seemed ready to burst forth like vengeful demons from the depths of hell!

Incredible!

Li Che was momentarily stunned, silently admiring the formidable display.

Were these perverse souls of the Corpse God Sect masquerading as monks?

A flicker stirred within Li Che’s heart, yet his expression remained impassive—the years had honed his ability to remain as calm as a still pond.

Ordinary people could never detect the subtle traces of the Corpse Curse Seal. That was precisely why the vile members of the Corpse God Sect had been able to infiltrate high-ranking circles within Jin Guang Mansion.

For even after bearing the seal, they could conceal their inner evil without detection.

So, even if they bore the mark, what harm was there?

But ever since the Ogre appeared in Jin Guang City, everything had changed.

Ogre could actually detect those marked members of the Corpse God Sect—what a devastating blow that was for these evildoers.

The two masters were unaware that Li Che had already seen through their kindly facades.

Nor did Li Che expose them.

Revealing them now would be far too unwise. With his possession of the Feilei Chess Piece, he was safe to leave at will.

But the others wouldn’t be so fortunate—not even Gongyang Liancheng and Gong Yunli, for instance.

They might very well be left behind.

Thus, Li Che decided not to expose them outright; instead, he left behind a Feilei Chess Piece to mark a coordinate, planning to contact Li Qingshan when the time was right…

…to take down this stronghold of the Corpse God Sect once and for all!

Li Che had long harbored a deep-seated grudge against the Corpse God Sect.

Adhering to the principle of killing wrongdoers without mercy.

Since he had discovered the sect’s base, Li Che would never let them off easily.

Perhaps even now, the Corpse God Sect was scheming to abduct XiXi!

Just the thought made Li Che want to tear the sect limb from limb.

Masters Xuanli and Xuanyuan smiled warmly as they watched Gongyang Liancheng and Gong Yunli, along with the master carvers, head deep into the temple’s rear.

The two elderly monks exchanged a glance, the laughter in their eyes fading instantly.

Master Xuanli suddenly sat up straight, his eyes no longer betraying any age, but instead glinting with a sharp intensity.

“Just now… my 【Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle】 seems to have reacted…”

“It appears that Xuan Jiu is nearby!”

Master Xuanyuan, his bald head gleaming, wiped his brow and asked in disbelief, “Xuan Jiu… isn’t he still alive?”

“How could he die? He only got injured by that old fellow from the Imperial Watch. It’s not so easy to die… after all, he’s a half-step Cursed Silver Corpse.”

Xuan Jiu had refined a trace of Silver Guts into a half-step Cursed Silver Corpse.

Master Xuanli was convinced that Xuan Jiu wouldn’t perish so easily.

“So you suspect that Xuan Jiu has hidden his identity among those third-rank officials from the Imperial Watch?”

Master Xuanyuan furrowed his brow.

Master Xuanli nodded, watching the slowly receding figures trudging through the deep snow along the mountain path.

His eyes gleamed with a steely light.

“Xuan Jiu must not ruin our plan.”

Master Xuanyuan’s frown eased. “Perhaps Xuan Jiu intends to use the Temple Protection Incantation within the Bizarre Temple to restore his Silver Guts… Why not send him a message and warn him not to disrupt our plan?”

Master Xuanli nodded in agreement.

……

……

A piercing, howling snowstorm battered along the mountain path for a while.

All were cultivators; those able to become master carvers were by no means weak, and the harsh environment did little to slow their pace.

In roughly the time it took for half a stick of incense to burn, Li Che and his group arrived at the foot of the imposing Grand Plaza before the Bizarre Temple.

The Fire-Eyed Astonishing Spirit Ape Temple!

Perched midway up the mountain, it dominated the entire slope.

Here, Li Che even noticed remnants of old village sites.

Clearly, the Bizarre Temple had originally sprouted from a village; as the settlement fell, the temple expanded to colossal proportions.

Dense grey mist churned amid the blizzard, making the temple appear as if it were suspended in another realm.

The divine servants of the Temple Guardian Division had erected barriers around the perimeter, prohibiting any cultivator without a temple entry permit from entering.

Its defenses were far less imposing than those of the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple.

The Eight Extremity Bizarre Temples had long since spawned their own eerie anomalies; in this case, the chief messenger only gave a cursory inspection before granting passage.

After lighting three sticks of incense in a small censer, the messenger strode forward, holding the censer firmly.

Miraculously, the dense mist of the anomaly seemed to part like draped curtains, revealing a broad plain leading straight to the towering temple.

The temple boasted intricately carved beams, upturned eaves, and black tiles laden with thick white snow, evoking a sense of decay; its walls were engraved with various depictions of monkey figures.

It was exactly as it had been the first time Li Che encountered the Bizarre Temple.

A tremendous, irresistible pull emanated from within, yet Li Che was no longer the naive kid he once was.

Not to mention that his body had reached the realm of the Furnace Master.

Even the formidable divine perception condensed by his Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation was enough to let him easily shrug off the temple’s eerie allure.

“The anomaly is the most dangerous part of the Bizarre Temple. It is widely believed to be its self-protective measure…”

“Once you break through the anomaly, you can dispel the mist and behold the divine temple.”

The chief messenger of the Temple Guardian Division, clutching the censer, calmly explained,

“The anomaly is treacherous. If you haven’t mastered the Bizarre Temple and get caught up in it, you risk being drawn into the temple spirit’s illusion—potentially falling into a counterattack by the Temple Protection Incantation creatures…”

“The incantation constructs of the Eight Extremity Bizarre Temple can rival even the Corpse God Sect’s Cursed Copper Corpse.”

“It is said that the Corpse Curse Technique itself was derived from the Temple Protection Incantation.”

After a brief explanation,

the group trekked along nearly a kilometer of misty path until they reached the temple’s entrance.

“This is as far as we accompany you. Once inside the Bizarre Temple, you must proceed on your own.”

“As you inspect the temple spirit, gauge your own limits.”

“If your divine perception or inner strength can’t hold up—withdraw while you still can.”

“Otherwise, once the temple spirit takes hold of your mind and you become one of the Temple Protection Incantation corpses, it will be too late to regret it.”

The chief messenger, Qi Yanghao, placed the burning censer at the temple entrance.

“Everyone, enter now.”

“You must exit before the three incense sticks burn out!”

Qi Yanghao, the chief messenger of the Temple Guardian Division, said gravely.

The third-rank officials solemnly acknowledged, each giving their assent.

Li Che complied along with the others, crossing over the censer and stepping into the Bizarre Temple.

Meanwhile, Qi Yanghao stood at the entrance with his arms folded, a knife at his waist.

The moment the incense burned out, he would grab the censer and lead the retreat.

Then…

the anomaly would close; those third-rank officials wishing to leave would have to rely on their own skills.

The cardinal rule for guarding a Bizarre Temple was clear: if you could avoid fighting the Temple Protection Incantation corpses and demonic beasts, do so…

For too many skirmishes would risk awakening the temple spirit and inciting a riot!

As for the fate of these officials…

That was no longer his concern. The time limit had been set.

Those greedy enough to try to glean more from the temple spirit would pay dearly for their avarice.

……

……

Li Che and the other third-rank officials stepped into the Bizarre Temple.

Compared to the Lingying Temple outside Feilei City, this Spirit Ape Temple was far more spacious.

Around them, white candles were lit one by one, their simple light piercing the darkness of the temple.

Yet, in truth, this Spirit Ape Temple was not particularly large.

With so many officials inside, it felt rather cramped.

On the altar stood three statues.

One was an imposing statue of the temple spirit, while the other two were slightly smaller.

Yet, without exception, all bore the visage of monkeys.

The majestic temple spirit, depicted as a primate clad in armor with eyes as golden as molten fire, sat cross-legged atop a lotus pedestal.

One glance was enough to sense the lively, almost tangible spirit drawn from the wooden carving.

Li Che found a spot and sat cross-legged like the others, focusing his divine perception on the temple spirit.

By studying the divine essence within the statue, he mentally mimicked the intricate carving techniques to enhance his own skills.

One official raised his hand and performed the Great Qing Tian Seven-Whorl Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique.

The atmosphere instantly heated up as everyone concentrated on appreciating the temple spirit.

After a short while, Li Che understood the essence of the divine observation:

to perceive and capture the spirit of the temple.

Who had carved the temple spirit’s wooden statue?

It was said that the statue had mysteriously appeared along with the Bizarre Temple.

It contained a unique carving technique.

The profession of master carver arose because one could emulate the temple spirit’s artistry—honing one’s innate divinity by capturing and mimicking that essence.

Thus, in this world, the path of divine cultivation had evolved alongside martial prowess.

With his Star Plucking Gaze, Li Che instantly mastered the carving technique of the temple spirit.

For him, the imitation was effortless.

However, items of a technical or research nature—like the 【Great Avalanche Guanyin Lotus Bomb】 or the 【Guanyin Lotus Main Battle Tank】—even with the Star Plucking Gaze, required step-by-step experimentation.

Gradually, the surroundings fell silent.

“Hoo—”

“Sigh—”

All around, an eerie silence prevailed.

It seemed that everyone had become lost in their own contemplation of the temple spirit, their minds adrift.

Only Li Che’s thoughts flickered with life.

After ensuring that all had succumbed to silence,

Li Che rose, dusted off his ink-black robe, and placed a hand on his brow.

He then gently traced downward.

“Star Plucking Gaze!”

Infinite Analysis, Soul-Quenching!

His brow split as if torn in two, flesh and blood seemingly rent apart.

One of his eyes spun frantically while a faint golden mist seeped from its pupil.

Having advanced his Thousand Analysis Hand into the Star Plucking Gaze, he could now draw the temple spirit’s divine essence without even stepping onto the altar—just by locking gazes with the temple spirit.

Whooo—

Luminous beams shot forth, landing upon the Fire-Eyed Astonishing Spirit Ape.

In the very next moment,

Li Che saw the temple spirit’s statue seem to revive.

The spirit ape’s fiery eyes scanned the surroundings; as if echoing a primal wail through the cosmos!

For a moment, Li Che’s vision blurred,

as though the very essence of the world shifted—from the external realm to the intricate lines of the Cosmic Chessboard.

In that instant, the heavens themselves grew ominous.

……

……

Boom!

Outside the Bizarre Temple,

the censer stood silently as three incense sticks burned steadily, with smoke rising in a straight column.

Suddenly,

Qi Yanghao jerked his eyes open. Clasping his arms, his gaze turned steely as he fixated on the rising plume of smoke.

He noticed that the smoke, first swaying to the left, then twisting to the right,

as if torn apart by opposing currents!

Qi Yanghao’s hair literally stood on end. Glancing to both sides,

he saw that the separated anomaly mist was slowly closing in!

Within the anomaly, vague images of the Temple Protection Incantation corpses and various bewildering illusions could be seen!

“Something’s not right!”

“Why is the anomaly closing early?!”

“Weren’t we supposed to wait until the incense burned out?”

Qi Yanghao was horrified.

His heart pounded furiously!

The Bizarre Temple was in revolt!

An unanticipated uprising without any warning!

Keep in mind that in previous years, the Imperial Watch’s officials had always followed this procedure when entering the temple!

“This is bad!”

Qi Yanghao rushed to the censer.

He bellowed at the officials still inside the temple who were engrossed in their meditations.

“Awaken!”

“Fall back!”

But the officials seemed completely entranced, lost in peculiar hallucinations.

His shouts had no effect whatsoever!

“Damn it… what is happening?!”

Qi Yanghao’s face twisted in dismay.

But there was no time to hesitate.

He didn’t even have time to grab the censer—he bolted out, his blood and spirit surging as he raced towards the converging anomaly mist.

Whoosh—

In the final moment, as the anomaly mist from both sides slammed together like colossal waves,

Qi Yanghao burst out.

In the distance,

Gongyang Liancheng and Gong Yunli’s expressions drained of color as they rushed over.

“What happened here?!”

Gongyang Liancheng, wiping dust from his robe,

stood, patted off the dirt clinging to his attire, and rested a hand on his sheathed knife.

His eyes were cold as ice.

“What more could happen?”

“The Bizarre Temple…”

“It’s in revolt.”

……

……

Amidst shouts, clashing metal, and explosions!

Li Che opened his eyes to a scene of ruins—a palace collapsing into rubble, countless stones flying as structures crumbled.

The ground was littered with the corpses of monkeys…

Scattered everywhere, the stench of blood pervaded the heavens and earth.

Li Che unconsciously looked upward, witnessing above the firmament

a great red cloak billowing, a figure with two soaring plumes atop his head, clad in gilded mystical armor and wielding a golden divine staff—a force that seemed capable of overturning the very skies.

Opposite that figure, thick, rolling black clouds harbored countless silhouettes, their aura overwhelming, oppressive, and stifling!

They were too far away to catch any conversation.

All that could be discerned was the desolate, echoing laughter of the heavens!

A sorrow so deep, a grief so endless…

Li Che merely glanced up for a moment.

He wished he could see more,

but he couldn’t—not because he couldn’t,

but because his current vantage point was shifting as he turned, fleeing like a bolt of lightning.

It was as if he carried the determination of that golden staff-wielding giant, destined to survive…

A vast sense of desolation overwhelmed him; his eyes blurred, shattering his view.

Countless bursts of fiery embers arose, transforming into weeping flames like tears!

They resembled a sorrowful, tearful spirit ape leaping across the wilderness.

“Qi Tian—”

“Qi Tian!!!”

Amidst his ears,

endless cries of fervent, ecstatic, howling spirit apes erupted in a deafening clamor!

Boom……

Countless perspectives shattered altogether.

Li Che felt a sharp pain.

The spirit ape possessing his view spun wildly before crashing hard to the ground.

He had already reached the base of the mountain.

Struggling, he staggered toward a weathered…

a cracked, scorched stone stele.

With great effort, he raised his bloodstained hand, pressing it against the stele.

Slowly, a streak of blood emerged—a mark as if engraved in the very soul of the spirit ape.

For upon the stele, three characters were inscribed.

“Huaguoshan.”

Tap, tap…

Flames glistened like tears in his fiery eyes.

“But henceforth…”

“There will be no more Huaguoshan.”

“There will be no more Qi Tian.”

……

……

The vision shattered into fragments.

Li Che’s brow, marked by the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit’s Star Plucking Gaze, radiated endless heat.

His eyes slowly opened and closed.

Somehow, his cheeks had become wet with tears.

Li Che stood in stunned silence.

He touched his damp cheek.

It felt as if he hadn’t yet recovered from the harrowing visions he’d witnessed.

What was that?

The relentless fixation of the temple spirit?

Yet he hadn’t intended to behold the temple spirit’s obsession…

He had solely planned to absorb the temple spirit’s divine chess piece.

Why?

Why could he perceive the remnants of the temple spirit’s fixation?

Was it because of the 【Star Plucking】 technique?

Li Che couldn’t understand it, and chose not to dwell on it.

Then, suddenly,

the 【Chess Sage】 Dao Fruit in his chest pounded once more!

His spirit plunged back into the Cosmic Chessboard, and there,

among the intricate lines of the board,

floated silently a…

monkey mask.

It seems I’ve written for too long—time to revise. Send those monthly votes and recommendation votes, so that Old Li can find some clarity!