Chapter 189: Clash of Divine Might

Boom!

The roaring surge of the river burst into everyone’s ears.

Rain pelted from the vast sky, falling like countless speeding bullets, clattering without end.

Even the Stone of Listening to Fury caught the unceasing roars.

It was the furious howls of six Black Armor Blood Guards unsheathing their Zhanma Dao, exploding in everyone’s ears like rolling thunder.

Every cultivator in Jingguang Prefecture turned pale.

The six Black Armor Blood Guards brought by Little Prince Ji Haihui were all masters at the pinnacle of their art, their vital energies honed to extreme perfection by the same cultivation method.

Their energies interlinked, collectively equal to any top-level Divine Practitioner!

Even their spiritual presence was utterly terrifying!

After all, they had merged into one!

Their roars cascaded relentlessly like trembling thunder!

Every martial fighter felt their vital energy surge uncontrollably, while many divine cultivators sensed their own divine essence wavering!

Divine Guardian levitated as three imposing figures blocked him.

Lu Yao, Wang Daoren, and Zhu Chaoyang of the Temple Guardian Division.

Two Divine Practitioners and one top-level Grandmaster—such a lineup slowly calmed Divine Guardian.

But everyone could feel the rage.

Amid the anger were hints of terror, despair, and sorrow!

“Calm down,” someone commanded.

“The Temple Spirit Resonance isn’t over. No one knows what’s happening inside…”

Wang Kuyu said in a deep voice.

With Elder Jiao Shaoqiu inside Bizarre Temple, Wang Kuyu now needed to step up.

After all, he was the only openly recognized Divine Practitioner of the Divine Sect.

As for the Grandmaster bodyguard who had always protected Elder Jiao Shaoqiu,

he was completely inactive at the moment.

That bodyguard wouldn’t act unless Elder Jiao Shaoqiu was in danger.

Still, his very presence bolstered their confidence.

Even Divine Guardian, however powerful, couldn’t face two Divine Practitioners and two Grandmasters alone, right?

“Little Prince is dead!”

“Qianyuan Divine Sect!”

“None of you can escape responsibility. You must give the Prince an explanation!”

Divine Guardian trembled all over.

He never imagined Little Prince would die—especially with all his survival measures and the trump card left by Old Li!

Yet, the fact remained: Little Prince was dead.

Before departing, they had all imprinted their divine perceptions on him, while the Black Armor Blood Guards left behind their vital essences…

The moment Little Prince fell, they instantly received the news.

And once he was dead, their awareness became even sharper.

Despair…

Divine Guardian—a revered Divine Practitioner—found fear surging within him.

He couldn’t fathom how he would explain this to the Prince upon returning to Jizhou, or face the Queen Consort…

It was as if the heavens were collapsing!

A crown prince had fallen; the Prince would surely explode in wrath!

Not only Divine Guardian, but all six normally stoic Black Armor Blood Guards were now visibly shaken.

They seemed to feel the Prince’s eruptive fury—as terrifying as falling stars!

“Qianyuan Divine Sect… you must answer for this!”

Divine Guardian said in a low tone.

Wang Kuyu’s heart sank.

Lu Yao and Zhu Chaoyang exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with alarm.

Damn…

It seems it’s true!

This isn’t just for show!

Has Little Prince Ji Haihui truly died in this very Temple Spirit Resonance?

“Temple Spirit Resonance was never 100% safe. Every child entering its trial is warned of the danger.”

“If Little Prince insisted on participating and something went wrong… how could we blame the Divine Sect?”

“Maybe he died at the hands of the Temple Protection Incantation?”

“After all, Little Prince carried the bloodline of the Dragon God. Could any guardian of the Temple Protection Incantation despise Dragon blood?”

Nan Lihuo remarked coolly.

His expression was indifferent, though inwardly he almost burst into laughter.

Ji Haihui is dead?

Did Ji Mo Li’s youngest son truly perish?!

Heaven does have eyes!

Nan Lihuo felt as refreshed as if he sipped chilled watermelon juice in midsummer—the sensation invigorated every pore!

“Shut up!”

“Nan Lihuo, shut up!”

Su Huai Li roared fiercely.

He glared at Nan Lihuo, murderous intent radiating from his eyes as if no longer concealed.

The brutal killing intent and wild determination surged at Nan Lihuo like a crashing tidal wave!

Yet Nan Lihuo only laughed heartily.

He deserved it!

Nan Lihuo’s instigation troubled Wang Kuyu greatly.

He was only here on a mission. If he helped the Divine Sect produce a new King Ping Luan as an enemy…

he would surely face severe criticism upon returning to the Sect—and even be sent to contemplate on a mountain!

No…

How could Little Prince die?

At worst, a little prince should die!

Normally, a prince’s heir is called the Crown Prince, unless he qualifies for hereditary succession, then he is known as a little prince.

This means Ji Haihui’s status in Old Ji Mo Li’s eyes was far from ordinary!

Divine Guardian seethed with killing intent, and the six Black Armor Blood Guards drew their blades.

“I will tear apart this eerie mist! I must see how Little Prince truly met his end!”

Boom——!!!

A Divine Essence Golden Pill floated as it burst with blinding light and heat!

A majestic divine aura surged like a tidal wave!

“Do you intend to kill the other divine children?”

But when Divine Guardian boldly attempted to tear through the eerie mist,

Lu Yao and Zhu Chaoyang were infuriated!

Wang Kuyu immediately acted as well.

In an instant, winds and rains surged, the mighty river roared, and the surrounding flora bowed down!

Three Divine Essence Golden Pills floated, gleaming like the brilliance of the sun and moon!

Simultaneously, the six Black Armor Blood Guards clutched their Zhanma Dao with both hands, their murderous intent coalescing into the phantom form of a Black Armor Divine General, rising mightily!

Zhu Chaoyang let out a snort of anger from his nostrils.

In a flash, it was as if thunder shattered the firmament!

The grandmaster’s form radiated extreme light and heat as he stepped forward, his aura overwhelming!

One man’s presence suppressed the six Black Armor Blood Guards.

On the Stone of Listening to Fury, tensions were sky-high.

It felt as if a massive battle could erupt any second!

……

……

Boom——!!!

Within the Cosmic Chessboard,

Interwoven lines of the board gave rise to an ancient, ink-black long sword, resembling a black hole, that suddenly emerged!

Countless sword lights erupted, each as dark as ink’s deep hue, obscuring all light!

Buzz——

The sword’s chant trembled, as if resisting, as if shaking to tear apart space and escape!

Sword qi burst forth inside the Cosmic Chessboard like a hellish lotus in bloom!

Yulian!

Boom——!!!

In an instant,

Countless white Unsullied Heart Divine Chess Pieces swept in at Li Che’s command, moving like a meteor shower toward the Yulian Yin Divine Sword!

They sought to suppress this sword just as one would subdue the Seven-Yuan Corpse Incantation Mother Seal!

Crackle, crackle——

Each white Divine Chess Piece burst upon impact!

They turned into a dense, overwhelming divine mist that shrouded the board.

Yet a single slash of sword qi seemed capable of slicing through the void itself!

It was as if the Four-Yu Divine Weapons were rebelling on their own!

Within the Cosmic Chessboard,

Li Che’s primordial spirit sat cross-legged, floating in midair.

His eyes opening and closing, his gaze flickering with light and shadow!

Li Che watched indifferently.

Why did he act to seize the Yulian Yin Divine Sword…

Because Li Che sensed that the source of the Martial Saint phantom’s power lay within this sword!

It seemed Ji Mo Li had planned this all along.

The moment Ji Haihui died, the sword would activate the Martial Saint bloodline within him, summoning the phantom stored within.

If the sword wasn’t sealed, the Martial Saint phantom’s power would skyrocket to unspeakable levels!

Even Li Che would have a headache if that happened.

So when Li Che acted, his target was the Yulian Yin Divine Sword.

Had Ji Mo Li already refined these Four-Yu Divine Weapons?

Li Che guessed not.

But even if he had… so what?

Once inside the Cosmic Chessboard, fate belonged to Li.

“Bastard.”

Li Che’s primordial spirit spoke coldly.

Watching the Yulian Yin Divine Sword struggle and erupt with overwhelming sword qi as if trying to tear the board apart, he roared.

He raised his hand and tapped his brow.

Countless Unsullied Heart Divine Chess Pieces fell like a heavy net!

In an instant, they formed a dense web, ensnaring everything.

And Li Che dared to drag this Four-Yu Divine Weapon into the Cosmic Chessboard with the utmost confidence not from the chess pieces alone,

but also…

Qi Tian Face!

Another mythic weapon!

Li Che’s primordial spirit surged forward, manipulating Qi Tian Face as it closed in on the Yulian Yin Divine Sword!

Sure enough,

Qi Tian Face trembled.

It was as if an ancient presence had awakened from slumber, like the purest stone in the world, shattering with a mighty blast!

Qi Tian Face shot up in a flash, transforming into a stream of light that fiercely covered Li Che’s primordial visage!

Eyes closed, then opened!

In his eyes shimmered a brilliant, golden flare, as if an exquisite blaze burned intensely within!

With Qi Tian Face on his primordial spirit, Li Che’s aura soared.

He appeared directly above the Yulian Yin Divine Sword.

His hair-ruffled hand pressed down heavily, his backside slamming down.

The Yulian Yin Divine Sword…

After a brief struggle, it gave up resisting.

Just like back in Bizarre Temple when it flopped after being struck twice by the Fire-Tipped Spear.

This was one sword that loved to give up.

With a simple gesture, Unsullied Heart Divine Chess Pieces hovered around the Yin Divine Sword.

Gradually, the Yin Divine Sword quieted down.

It stopped moving, stopped struggling.

At that moment, Qi Tian Face detached from Li Che’s primordial spirit and floated peacefully, unmoving.

Li Che’s eyes flickered.

He seemed to be savoring the feeling of donning Qi Tian Face.

That sensation deepened his understanding of the Martial Saint Technique, Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun!

……

……

Within Bizarre Temple, the mists roiled and surged.

Li Che’s eyes shimmered as he maintained his grip on the Yulian Yin Divine Sword.

In his mind, the image of his primordial spirit donning Qi Tian Face and subduing the Yin Divine Sword flashed like lightning.

His face grew strangely composed—this outcome was unexpected.

Li Che had only planned to use the power of Qi Tian Face combined with Unsullied Heart Divine Chess Pieces to suppress the Yin Divine Sword.

But it went so smoothly.

Could it be that Qi Tian Face, spending so much time within the Cosmic Chessboard, finally softened and conformed to Li Che’s form?

At last, Bizarre Temple fell silent.

XiXi blinked her big eyes, clutching the Fire-Tipped Spear tightly, thrilled beyond measure.

Watching Li Che grasp the Yulian Yin Divine Sword and retract it with such authority, her eyes sparkled!

No wonder she called him ‘Daddy’—he’s simply dominating!

That sword? It just gets snatched away!

Not even sparing an enemy’s divine weapon!

And Ji Mo Li’s Martial Saint phantom… seemed to fall silent.

As the link between the Yin Divine Sword and the Martial Saint phantom was severed, the phantom’s imposing aura plummeted in one swift collapse.

Eventually, it bottomed out at a level not far above that of a half-step Grandmaster.

Li Che’s eyes twinkled as he smiled.

“Now, they’ve all reached the same level.”

Ji Mo Li’s Martial Saint aura, lacking the backup of the Yin Divine Sword’s power, had now dropped to roughly half-step Grandmaster strength.

And it was still falling.

The Martial Saint phantom’s aura flickered slightly, its gaze fixed on Li Che with a mix of complexity.

“Where’s the sword?”

The Martial Saint phantom growled.

Its voice boomed across Bizarre Temple:

“It now bears the name Li.”

Li Che replied.

He dropped his arm, his hair flying as he shielded XiXi behind him, facing the Martial Saint pressure head-on.

Yet, to Li Che, the Martial Saint aura meant nothing oppressive.

It was merely that…

Li Che looked at the vague Martial Saint phantom; he knew it was a mighty, imposing figure, though its features remained indistinct.

This man… was none other than the famed King Ping Luan, Ji Mo Li.

A Martial Saint, a divine progeny among deities!

Yet before Li Che, there was only a wisp of Martial Saint intent—remarkably formidable!

Li Che was curious…

Could the far-off King Ping Luan, Ji Mo Li, perceive what was happening through this stray Martial Saint intent?

And if this stray intent were completely snuffed out…

Would King Ping Luan, Ji Mo Li, still know what occurred during the Temple Spirit Resonance?

Li Che always acted with solid caution.

He was the most steadfast shield for his daughter, but he wasn’t about to recklessly charge in.

A Martial Saint—and a divine progeny at that—was simply beyond Li Che’s reach to provoke!

Yet now, it wasn’t the true form that had appeared.

It was only a wisp of Martial Saint intent!

If Ji Mo Li wanted to know what had transpired, perhaps he would have to reclaim that sliver of intent.

Li Che’s eyes flashed.

Within Bizarre Temple, the eerie mists surged once more…

XiXi had indeed killed Ji Haihui, but the only ones who knew the truth were Li Che, that Martial Saint intent, the Dragon God phantom, and… the Temple Spirit Third Prince watching the play.

Others might have sensed something, but none truly understood what had transpired.

The mists were so adept at blocking perception that even Divine Practitioners found it hard to extend their senses within this Four-Yu Bizarre Temple’s mist.

Li Che was special—he possessed the Dao Fruit [Chess Saint] at LV4, granting him extraordinary perception.

Hence, few knew XiXi had killed Ji Haihui.

Li Che’s eyes flickered as his mind reached a decision.

“How arrogant!”

That vague Martial Saint intent seemed to perceive the wild will burning in Li Che’s heart.

In a flash, his lips parted, his tongue unleashed like thunder!

Roaring thunderous sounds erupted like an enraged dragon’s roar!

Countless swirling mists coalesced into a dark vortex!

Boom——!!!

Invisible crushing pressure descended fiercely upon Li Che!

The Martial Saint intent’s eyes shone with unyielding brilliance—although only a wisp, its authority was domineering!

“You dare suppress me?”

“Rustic fighter, what nerve!”

In a cool tone filled with unrivaled boldness, the intent raised its hand; its indistinct fingers clenched and, in an instant…

Countless darts of light converged, forming into a long-handled umbrella spear!

A long-handled umbrella spear… its form was vague,

but its menace was undeniable!

Its appearance made the mist seem unable to bear its weight, as if on the verge of collapse!

Even as a divine weapon, it possessed an overwhelming aura!

Li Che’s eyes narrowed…

The Martial Saint’s might was that formidable!

Even a wisp of intent could not be underestimated when subduing the Yulian Yin Divine Sword!

That long-handled umbrella spear was clearly a top-tier divine weapon completely mastered by Ji Mo Li!

The Martial Saint intent was so perceptive; the slightest hint of Li Che’s battle spirit was detected!

Although the connection between the Martial Saint intent and the Yin Divine Sword had been severed, its indomitable pride remained!

How could a mere rustic fighter attempt to subdue a Martial Saint intent?!

Clenching the long-handled umbrella spear, with a swift twist, torrents of air tore through the surrounding currents.

The Martial Saint intent lowered its eyes indifferently and stepped forward boldly!

Each step was like the pounding of a drum!

Boom——!

Explosive energy waves dispersed in all directions!

As the umbrella spear whirled, the sound of cloth tearing filled the air, and the spear’s tip emerged, distorting the void as it burst apart; the raging airflow transformed into countless dragon silhouettes!

A myriad of dragons lay in submission!

The Martial Saint Technique unleashed by the Martial Saint was entirely different from what Ji Haihui had used!

One was heaven, the other merely dust!

Roar!

Thousands of dragon roars erupted mightily, shaking the heavens and earth!

It was like an ancient, long-forgotten bell atop a sacred mountain being struck with overwhelming force!

The spear’s strike was both dominating and majestic!

Its pace wasn’t fast, yet within a mere 500 zhang of Li Che, the currents split apart!

That strike, that thrust, perfectly fused the Martial Saint Technique ‘Wanlong Fushen’!

Li Che couldn’t even begin to describe the profound meaning of that blow!

It was as if he commanded all dragons of the world—daring to subdue even the gods with such majesty!

It was a decree, a display of supremacy, awe-inspiring and… domineering!

Boom——!!!

Waves of air emptied, currents soared!

Transforming into the roars of myriad dragons, raging and wild!

Li Che’s dark robe fluttered as his muscles screamed, his spine trembling like a deep, resonant dragon’s roar.

He was mistaken!

A Martial Saint, even if his aura had weakened to a Grandmaster’s level, was incomparable to any mere Grandmaster!

His eyes burned like fire!

He did not lack the courage to act because of that domineering Martial Saint intent!

Yet even XiXi, feeling the force deflected by Li Che, shuddered slightly as her wide eyes filled with awe.

It was so terrifying…

Just like the Big Bad Wolf from fairy tales!

Her eyes betrayed her worry!

“Daddy…”

“Daddy… can you really beat him?!”

Sensing XiXi’s doubt, Li Che glanced back and laughed.

“You little stinker, never underestimate your old man!”

As his words fell,

Li Che burst into hearty laughter, striding forward with blazing determination as if he were aflame!

That Martial Saint intent…

Li Che felt the fervor in his chest as his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit pulsed in excitement, almost ready to burst!

Anticipation and thrill!

Each heavy step seemed to make the entire Bizarre Temple churn and shatter!

His back muscles tensed, releasing terrifying power in every fiber.

Boom—bang——

His mortal form grew sturdier, and his body was tempered by the might of the Dragon Elephant Vajra—unmatched!

He hadn’t even used the power of the Temple Spirit Chess Pieces!

Simply by harnessing the Dao Fruit, he unleashed every ounce of his physical might!

Because XiXi was behind him, Li Che held back from completely deforming his body; he only grew slightly larger, enough to fill out his clothes.

He wouldn’t scare his daughter!

Bones and sinews harmonized, as his furnace-like energy and blood roared—turbulent as a vast ocean!

Ferocious true qi roared and surged!

Dragon Elephant True Might!

Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant!

Li Che’s eyes shone intensely, as if covered by Qi Tian Face; in that instant, his understanding deepened!

His spirit stirred as his vital energy intertwined in a dazzling display.

Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound roared mightily!

The Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Spear fell into his grasp as his clawed fingers tightened, channeling surging energy into his hold!

That vital energy entwined around the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Spear, transforming it into a red-gold treasure stick!

With a tremor, the long stick quivered, its silhouette interlacing as if it birthed countless forms in its fluctuations!

Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound exploded mightily!

A sweeping strike!

It was as if thunder burst upon its shadow!

The stick’s silhouette stretched endlessly!

Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant, combined with the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun!

The killing move…

Hun Yuan Yi Gun!

……

……

Boom—rumble——!!!

The long-handled umbrella spear and the Hun Yuan Yi Gun clashed fiercely!

It was not merely a clash of weapons, but a fierce contest of flesh, a collision of force and vital energy!

The ground trembled and the mountains shook!

The eerie mist rushed to engulf them, only to be forcefully dispelled in all directions by their overwhelming might!

The entire Bizarre Temple shuddered as if it had been struck!

Within several miles of their confrontation, the mist below collapsed as if sucked into the churning Jiulong River!

The river burst apart with a deafening roar!

Dozens of water columns shot skyward like missiles!

In an instant!

On the Stone of Listening to Fury,

Martial masters about to engage were stunned!

They turned their eyes toward the suddenly agitated Bizarre Temple as a towering water column erupted!

Roiling vital energy surged, boiling with intensity!

“Is that… a Grandmaster?!”

“Are there Grandmasters dueling within Bizarre Temple?!”

The carriage guard standing at the cliff’s edge stiffened, his eyes suddenly ablaze, as the grandmaster’s aura roared like a furious tiger!

Zhu Chaoyang appeared, frowning and clenching his fist, his gaze fixed intently.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh——

The eerie mists roiled as if hundreds of dragon silhouettes danced wildly!

A single collision could trigger such horrifying results!

In the raging winds, the mists swirled and howled, battering the Stone of Listening to Fury with violent gusts!

Sand and stones flew, debris tore through the air!

The crashing waves pounded the shore with relentless fury!

The unstoppable might sent horses and beasts into terror as they neighed in panic. Chaos erupted among the crowd.

Cultivators from Jingguang Prefecture and martial fighters from afar were struck with horror.

Many cultivators who had sent their prodigies into Temple Spirit Resonance turned pale…

How could the Temple Spirit Resonance lead to such a horrifying clash?

What will happen to the children?!

Even the competing Divine Guardians stared into Bizarre Temple in awe.

“It’s the Prince!”

Amidst the all-consuming collision aura,

Divine Guardian sensed a familiar presence that struck deep into his soul.

It was the aura of the Prince!

Was it the faint Martial Dao intent left in Little Prince’s body?

That which had ignited his Martial Dao intent…

The one who killed Little Prince…

will undoubtedly perish!

……

……

The eerie mists roiled as the terrifying roars of dragons surged.

Above them,

the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel spun furiously, scattering countless sparks!

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu sat cross-legged, his white hair flying as his withered face revealed a trace of astonishment.

“This is… Wanlong Fushen…”

“At least a master’s level of Wanlong Fushen true intent!”

“Is it Ji Mo Li’s Martial Saint intent?”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s ancient, rugged face trembled slightly.

His dry, bitter lips closed, the taste of bitterness spreading.

Ji Haihui…

has truly been killed.

Even King Ping Luan’s Martial Saint intent had been forced out—and the killer could hold his own against it!

After all, it was Ji Mo Li’s Martial Saint intent…

Who in Jingguang Prefecture could stand against it?!

Who could?!

Those children in Temple Spirit Resonance?

They were certainly not the ones responsible.

So who then killed Ji Haihui?!

Could it really have been the Temple Protection Incantation guardian?

At that moment,

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu felt an overwhelming urge to part the eerie mists and truly witness the battle.

He longed to see the truth.

But…

he couldn’t.

Ji Haihui was dead.

And there were other children involved in the Temple Spirit Resonance.

……

……

Boom boom boom boom boom——!

Explosive, swirling blasts of energy formed a cyclone midair!

The clash was but a fleeting moment!

Two silhouettes were hurled away.

Li Che retreated several swift steps, each footfall shattering the eerie mists around him.

He stood before XiXi, his imposing figure unwavering.

Yet his body exuded surging heat, warping the very air around him—a testament to the unparalleled physique forged by the Grandmaster and the empowering surge of his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit!

It was as if the roaring sound of surging blood through his meridians resounded from within!

XiXi’s cherubic face, flushed by the heat, was as cute as a little monkey’s bottom!

She scurried back a few small steps, dazed as if intoxicated.

“Daddy…

Daddy… you’re so strong?!”

Feeling his little jacket of adorable flesh, XiXi’s bewilderment was evident.

Li Che wiped a drop of blood from his lip.

His eyes shimmered.

It appeared his Grandmaster strength was even more formidable than he had imagined.

In the distance,

the vague figure of the Martial Saint intent staggered, trailing behind in the eerie mist.

After that earth-shattering ‘Wanlong Fushen’ strike, his aura had plummeted to the depths of the valley.

On that indistinct face, a pair of piercing eyes burned fiercely.

It was the invincible symbol of Grandmaster-level Martial Saint intent!

His Wanlong Fushen…

was blocked by a mere rustic fighter.

“What an unparalleled physique!”

“Who are you, you reincarnated wild god?!”

“I… will find you!”

As the words fell,

there came a dull thud!

In an instant, Ji Mo Li’s Martial Saint intent exploded with a massive boom!

It shattered like droplets of flesh scattering in the wind, the burst energy absorbed by the swirling mists until only searing determination and dwindling aura remained.

Li Che didn’t even glance at the exploding Martial Saint intent.

Clenching his fist,

the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound roared in unison!

Countless streams of energy intertwined, as the roars of Dragon Elephant mingled!

In an instant, the long spear burst forth like a blood-red meteor piercing the void!

It shattered the lingering Dragon God phantom in the distance with unmatched force!

With unstoppable momentum,

it struck like a nail pinning the phantom within the eerie mists!

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