Chapter 191: The Martial Saint’s Test

Myriad Dragons Subjugate the Divine!

Martial Saint Technique!

Li Che’s eyes glitter as he clutches a sheet of golden foil paper, feeling within it an indomitable, eternal will.

It carries a Martial Saint will too, though different from the one Ji Mo Li clashed with amid the eerie mist moments ago.

The former is hidden in the bloodline of Ji Haihui, while this latter is a martial legacy left on the golden foil.

He squinted slightly, absorbing the surging, potent force of will.

Li Che made no attempt to activate it.

He knew that igniting this Martial Saint will was no easy feat.

It required the Wanlong Fushen technique to be cultivated to perfection.

And once perfected…

This Martial Saint will sealed within the golden foil would aid Ji Haihui, elevating the technique to master level.

Clearly, this was a test left by Ji Mo Li for Ji Haihui.

But now, this trial…

has fallen to Li Che.

“This Martial Saint is truly generous…”

Li Che smiled softly.

His eyes sparkled as he recalled that he had mastered more than one Martial Saint technique—not only his self-devised Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant but also the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun he acquired at the Fire-Eyed Astonished Spirit Ape Bizarre Temple. Both were honed to perfection.

He had even grasped the killing move “Hun Yuan” from the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun.

Thus, if he wished, Li Che could even use the profound state of the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun to stimulate the Martial Saint will preserved by Ji Mo Li.

But… it was pointless.

Forcing its activation would only squander the opportunity.

“Martial Saint Technique… all five aspects are complete!”

“Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun, Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant, Thousand Mountain Solitary Blade, Lingxu Baqi Steps, and now Wanlong Fushen!”

Li Che clutched the golden foil paper, his eyes shimmering and lips curving into a faint smile.

With the true essence of the Martial Saint, he refined his internal organs, ultimately birthing divine might…

So that he could attain the realm of a grandmaster and begin solidifying his martial will to step into the echelon of Divine Grandmasters!

With his heart surging, Li Che paced his breathing to regain calm.

Then he quietly began to study the cultivation method for Wanlong Fushen recorded on the golden foil.

It was a technique primarily based on fist work, though it could merge with spear, sword, saber, or staff techniques…

All arts could be integrated!

Li Che’s breath deepened as every pore expanded, his heart pounding fiercely.

He felt invigorated.

The more he studied, the deeper he was immersed—as if his blood were ablaze.

His emotions stirred inexplicably.

For within this Martial Saint technique, Li Che sensed a strange familiarity; he saw echoes of Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant.

Yet this was no ordinary martial art—it fused with divinity…

It seemed to include both the divine essences of emotion and desire.

Based on the divine essences of the seven emotions and six desires, different formations materialized into varied martial arts.

They could manifest as fist techniques, saber techniques, or sword techniques…

And this root—the divine essence of the seven emotions!

Indeed, Wanlong Fushen not only possessed the divine essence of the seven emotions but also that of the six desires…

Merging both to form an integrated martial art.

It was a perfect fusion of divine technique and martial prowess!

Take the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun, for instance—arguably the purest Martial Saint technique, untouched by any divine essence.

It was solely about martial skill, governing the circulation of chi and blood, and even the intricate control over tendons, bones, and muscles!

At this moment, the feedback from his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit greatly boosted his martial insight, though he had not yet fallen into a state of sudden enlightenment.

Yet even from the description on the golden foil, Li Che gleaned profound insights!

Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant was a fusion of many martial methods, with no intention whatsoever of blending the divine essences of emotion and desire.

In truth, Li Che was far better suited to this path than anyone else.

For he had forged the Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation.

“Did Ji Mo Li really forge a Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation?”

Li Che’s eyes shone brilliantly as he reasoned backward, certain that Ji Mo Li, creator of Wanlong Fushen, could not have established the Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation—not without merging the Six-Desire Divine Foundation as well.

What an enormous undertaking!

“Probably… by relying on the formidable divine cultivation and insight of a Divine Prenatal Master, one could master a primary divine art, while the others, refined for self-cultivation, merely need to evoke that divine flavor.”

Leaning back in his carriage, Li Che contemplated deeply.

“But I… can be different.”

“Because I have the Unsullied Heart Divine Essence, which can smooth out the conflicts between divine foundations, allowing me to forge the Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation—accomplishing what others cannot.”

“Senior Qingshan once told me that the Seven Treasure Divine Sect of the Dragon Abyss Path could nurture multiple divine foundations, but still it couldn’t achieve a Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation.”

“Thus, ones like me must be exceedingly rare—if they exist at all…”

“Clearly, I am far more suited for Wanlong Fushen than Ji Mo Li!”

Li Che’s lips twitched into a faint smile as he realized that he might be better suited to the Martial Saint technique than Ji Mo Li.

After all, he could achieve heights that Ji Mo Li could not!

“Six-Desire Divine Foundation…”

“The cultivation method for Six-Desire Divine Essence isn’t unheard of, but few dare to tread that path. Compared to the Seven-Emotion Divine Foundation, the influence of Six-Desire is far more perilous—one misstep and you risk becoming a slave to desire!”

“Those Corpse God Sect experts, for instance, practice the Six-Desire Divine Essence…”

Li Che’s mind raced. Having slain countless experts from the Corpse God Sect, he had collected a fair share of Six-Desire techniques…

His gaze fell upon the Cosmic Chessboard.

In an instant, Li Che’s primordial spirit surged forth, and he initiated the Wanlong Fushen fist technique!

Even though his true body could not perform the deduction, his primordial spirit could still cultivate the Wanlong Fushen technique!

No grandmaster technique is easy to learn—and Martial Saint techniques are ten times more demanding than ordinary grandmaster skills!

Many extraordinary fighters spend their lives mastering a single art; some take years just to break through the initial stage…

But Li Che was different. With his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, as it matured and evolved,

his raw aptitude for martial refinement soared, and his martial insight far exceeded that of ordinary people.

The more compatible a method was with his innate talents, the faster he progressed—some techniques could be grasped in a day, and modest mastery achieved in three days.

Such was the extraordinary transformation granted by his Dao Fruit.

In truth, Li Che’s aptitude for divine cultivation was no less impressive…

Although the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit wasn’t primarily for enhancing divine aptitude, it subtly boosted it nonetheless.

Li Che often complained about his mediocre divine aptitude; compared to his martial talent, it was indeed average.

Yet when compared with others, his divine potential was nothing short of genius.

A twenty-three-year-old prodigy is no laughing matter.

To forge the Seven-Whorl Seven-Emotion Divine Foundation in mere moments—even with the arduous effort of his Painted Immortal clone—

Li Che’s own divine talent was undeniably exceptional.

But in this perilous world, one must remain humble, understate one’s own strength, and always regard opponents as formidable.

Only then can one truly respect one’s foes,

and protect one’s loved ones with all one’s might.

Boom—!

It was as though billowing clouds of smoke had begun to swirl!

Within the Cosmic Chessboard, Li Che’s primordial spirit mapped out the Wanlong Fushen fist technique!

Thump, thump, thump—

One white Unsullied Heart Divine Chess Piece after another exploded, transforming into swirling, mist-like dust.

“Wanlong Fushen—formidable as myriads of dragons, with the divine essences of both emotion and desire as their nature, flesh constituted of chi and blood, and power as their bones. Myriad dragons roar, mesmerizing all in their path, magnificent and overwhelming…”

As he struck, Li Che’s primordial spirit absorbed the core principles and theories of Wanlong Fushen!

With every punch, countless white, unsullied divine streams roiled across the Cosmic Chessboard.

“Roar—!!!”

Li Che’s primordial spirit planted its feet firmly, fingers clenching as torrents of energy surged. His fists crashed with rhythmic precision.

His fists flowed like a masterful brush, inscribing his will upon the swirling cloud-map!

Behind the clouds, the roar of dragons echoed as colossal serpentine forms thrust forth, dispelling the mist in a flash of thunder!

Yet, since this was but a manifestation of his primordial spirit, it lacked the true integration of chi and power.

Nevertheless, every thread of divine essence stirred, interweaving with the divine emotion to form a dragon’s shape – infusing those lurking stormy dragons with a vibrant, life-affirming pulse!

Thwack—!!

A fist landed with the force of a dragon’s roar, the shadows of dragons winding to cover the Cosmic Chessboard, causing reality itself to seem to distort!

“Divine essence merged with the dragon’s form—a single divine essence can yield myriad forms: joy, ecstasy, madness, sorrow… each emotion shifts and evolves!”

Li Che suddenly understood.

With his Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation integrated into a dragon form, he could swiftly progress from the beginner stage to a modest breakthrough in Wanlong Fushen.

As for true perfection… that would require further cultivation.

His spirit receded from the Cosmic Chessboard.

Atop the carriage, amidst the lashing wind and rain that sent his inked robes fluttering,

Li Che opened his eyes—his gaze as bright and fierce as burning light, with hints of a dragon swirling within his irises.

“Wanlong Fushen suits me well… Ji Mo Li may be a Martial Saint, and though he created this art, he understands nothing of Wanlong Fushen.”

Li Che laughed.

Moreover…

the seamless fusion of Wanlong Fushen with Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant was nothing short of perfect!

“Now that Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant is complete, merging it with Wanlong Fushen might even elevate me to a master level!”

“It would bring forth the true essence of Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant!”

Li Che’s eyes shone brilliantly.

“Five Martial Saint techniques temper one’s inner organs, yet they must be allocated wisely…”

“That warrants further study—no rush for now.”

Li Che exhaled deeply.

He felt elated; this Martial Saint technique had greatly inspired him,

and for the first time, he truly leveraged the strengths of his Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation.

Moreover, as his divine cultivation advanced, the power exhibited by this art would become ever more fearsome!

“Perhaps I should even attempt to forge a Six-Desire Divine Foundation.”

“I already have a Painted Immortal clone—let it toil away steadily.”

……

……

Time passed moment by moment.

The rain in the firmament grew ever more violent, as if the scorching torrents from the Jiulong River were melting away all the snow above.

At Stone of Listening to Fury, all factions fell silent, quietly awaiting the ripping apart of the eerie mist and the outcome of the Temple Spirit Resonance.

Li Che, too, sat calmly in his carriage; once he saw that everyone was safe, he resumed his study of Wanlong Fushen.

Simultaneously, he began attempting to integrate Wanlong Fushen with Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant.

Suddenly.

A thunderous boom resounded.

Li Che, still seated in his carriage, blinked awake.

He shot a piercing glance toward the vast river surface, shrouded in swirling mist.

Inside the carriage, Zhang Ya and Shangguan Qinghong poked their heads out.

“Husband, is the Temple Spirit Resonance about to bear fruit?”

Zhang Ya’s face was etched with worry.

Earlier, the unsatisfactory results of XiXi’s Temple Spirit Resonance had stuck in her throat.

And later, the explosive impact of grandmaster-level qi from the mist made her heart sink even further.

She hadn’t heard what transpired in the mist, but there were even murmurs that the Little Prince was dead.

“Yes… it should be time for the outcome,”

Li Che replied warmly.

Shangguan Qinghong, equally anxious, asked, “Che, why aren’t you worried about XiXi at all?”

Li Che shot Shangguan Qinghong a sidelong glance. Was he not worried? He had already intervened personally.

Besides, by monitoring XiXi’s real-time status within the mist, he knew whether she was in danger.

With that assurance, his heart remained at ease.

“Of course I worry, but sometimes worrying achieves nothing,”

Li Che smiled gently.

Zhang Ya quickly climbed out of the carriage and clutched Li Che’s shoulder.

“Husband… the mist is clearing!”

Her words shifted both Li Che’s and Shangguan Qinghong’s attention.

Not only Li Che, but cultivators from various factions also stared in awe.

One after another, they gazed upward.

On the cliffside:

Nan Lihuo, hair flying and arms folded, abruptly opened his eyes, fixing his gaze on the swirling mist.

Boom—!

A tremendous surge of qi thundered.

Divine Guardian stepped forward, shrouded in dark shadows, appearing at the edge of the cliff. In the darkness, his eyes fixed intently upon the mist!

Su Huai Li and six Black Armor Blood Guards likewise watched, their expressions a mix of zeal and trepidation.

The death of Little Prince Ji Haihui filled them with guilt, yet the appearance of the Martial Saint will replaced their anxiety with frenzied enthusiasm.

It underscored the terrifying presence of Ji Mo Li, the Martial Saint King of Suppression!

Nan Lihuo, Wang Kuyu, Li Qingshan, Zhu Hongdou and others from Jin Guang Branch furrowed their brows as they scrutinized the events within Bizarre Temple,

eager to discern what was really taking place.

Rumbling like heavy lead clouds rolling and clashing, a sound akin to thunder echoed like an ancient bell!

“They’re coming!”

Divine Guardian, a Divine Practitioner whose primordial spirit had transformed, sensed the slightest change in the mist and stirred with intense emotion.

Boom—!

Flames surged as if a fire phoenix emerged from deep within the mist,

then transformed into the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel!

The fire blazed brilliantly!

In a high-speed spin, it cleaved through the mist from the cliff’s edge,

drawing the drenched, obscuring veil apart like curtains on a stage!

Everyone’s eyes trembled as they scrambled out of their carriages,

fixated on the gradually parting mist at Bizarre Temple.

The river roared as surging waves smashed into each other, shattering into heaps of frothy white spray.

The mist unfurled in a distinct “Person” pattern, revealing a crystal-clear scene.

About three hundred zhang from Bizarre Temple, scores of prodigies who had come to partake in the Temple Spirit Resonance appeared one by one!

Compared to the first dissipation of the mist,

this time the scene was far more distinct!

And this was essentially the final outcome of this Temple Spirit Resonance.

At the starting point three hundred zhang away from Bizarre Temple, many prodigies had yet to set foot; one by one, they collapsed, drenched in sweat, dejected—with some even weeping bitterly, gritting their teeth in sorrow

for their inability to resonate with the Temple Spirit.

From about a hundred zhang away on the road leading to Bizarre Temple, there were elite prodigies from far and wide.

Members such as Gong Yuanliang, Gongyang Yu, Huang Sixiang, and Hai Chaosheng were scattered among them, along with prodigies from Su Huai Li’s Jin Guang Branch of Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Huang Sixiang pushed far ahead, followed by Gongyang Yu, Gong Yuanliang, and Hai Chaosheng.

They sat cross-legged, divine essence surging as they received the Temple Spirit’s bestowal.

This was the third tier—those with a modest level of Temple Spirit Resonance, receiving gifts mostly in the form of divine techniques and esoteric arts like the Seven Yuan and Eight Extremes.

The mist continued to part; another hundred zhang ahead was the second tier.

To everyone’s surprise, the prodigies of the second tier came from Daocheng.

In order, they were Tang Ren brought by Lu Yao, followed by the true heirs from the Divine Sect—Zhong Liuxiu, Zhou Peng and Yun’e. Yun’e pushed the farthest, nearly a hundred zhang away.

Yet they still couldn’t advance to the first tier.

They too sat cross-legged, accepting the Temple Spirit’s gifts.

Lu Yao heaved a sigh of relief at the sight—at least Tang Ren had made it into the second tier.

Wang Kuyu flicked his Dust Whip with a grimace.

“Only the second tier… what a pity.”

Chubby Kid Zhou Peng and Yun’e, for whom he had high hopes, only made it into the second tier instead of the first—quite disappointing.

Although their resonance with the Temple Spirit wasn’t bad, it was merely average.

The Temple Spirit’s bestowals might grant them Six-Senior-level divine techniques.

Finally, the mist gradually parted and slowed, revealing the first tier.

However…

When everyone’s eyes settled on the first child who emerged in the first tier,

a shiver of cold swept over them, chilling them to the bone!

Divine Guardian’s eyes narrowed; even his body cloaked in shadows trembled. His primordial spirit stirred, as overwhelming divine ranks surged and churned!

“Ah—!!!”

“Little Prince!”

A low roar escaped Divine Guardian’s lips.

Though they had sensed it beforehand, the revelation of this truth was a soul-crushing shock—like a razor-sharp blade plunging straight into the heart, blood oozing out!

The six Black Armor Blood Guards trembled and howled as they gripped their Zhanma Dao, collapsing on the cliff, their hearts shattered!

Around a hundred zhang from Bizarre Temple,

a bloodstained corpse lay cold and lifeless.

Its body was covered in fine dragon scales; though it no longer resembled a human, it had transformed into a half-man, half-dragon—undeniably, it was Ji Haihui, the son of the Suppression King!

At that moment, every eye was fixed on this corpse.

For a moment, the entire Stone of Listening to Fury fell silent, punctuated only by the low roars of Divine Guardian and the six Black Armor Blood Guards.

Su Huai Li stood in stunned silence, his face drained of color.

He was dead…

Truly slain…

The son of his teacher had fallen in Jingguang City.

The very city under his jurisdiction.

Su Huai Li’s eyes seemed devoid of light; this matter… was enormous.

His body quivered uncontrollably, with every hair on his skin standing on end.

Lu Yao, Wang Kuyu, and Zhu Chaoyang all drew a deep breath.

“He’s really dead?”

Who, indeed, was responsible?

A terrifying surge of qi raged—a vehement outburst from an enraged Divine Practitioner.

Zhang Ya clutched her mouth.

“He… really is gone?”

Shangguan Qinghong’s face changed dramatically as she murmured, “Big trouble is coming…”

She understood the significance of Ji Haihui’s identity.

Master Xue Dufu’s death in Jingguang City was significant in itself, but the loss of a prince’s heir…

That was monumental!

After all, he was the strongest general of the present era, the son of the Martial Saint King of Suppression, Ji Mo Li.

Just the thought made Shangguan Qinghong’s scalp tingle.

Yet, in the ensuing silence, most eyes turned toward the first tier ahead.

In front of Ji Haihui, an unexpected figure stood.

A figure enveloped in flames of three colors.

The prodigy brought by Zhu Chaoyang—a divine child from the Divine Capital exuding a thousand feet of purple qi!

Tie Shancai!

This divine child’s expression shifted constantly as he sat cross-legged, engulfed in dancing tri-colored flames, gyrating as if scorching the mist with sizzling heat!

Clutching a banana leaf fan in his hand, his face contorted in pain!

And his body was entwined by a vast, coiling aura of Temple Spirit divine essence!

Undoubtedly, he was undergoing the Temple Spirit’s bestowal and even… inheritance!

Indeed, those who reached the first tier had a chance to obtain the Temple Spirit’s gifts and even inheritance!

These gifts were nothing short of Five-Elder-level divine techniques—or even the inheritance of the 【Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince】 lineage and divine weaponry from the Temple Spirit!

Achieving first tier meant a Temple Spirit Resonance exceeding 70%!

However…

Zhu Chaoyang’s brows suddenly furrowed.

He seemed dissatisfied with Tie Shancai’s level of Temple Spirit Resonance!

“At the very end of the first tier?”

If one ignored the fallen Ji Haihui, Tie Shancai’s resonance was at the very tail end of the first tier!

One must remember…

Tie Shancai is a prodigy of Divine Capital—a divine child of thousand-foot purple qi!

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Chaoyang continued to watch ahead.

Nan Lihuo, Wang Kuyu, Li Qingshan, Zhu Hongdou and others from Jin Guang Branch were all filled with curiosity.

Before Tie Shancai, an utterly unexpected figure had appeared.

Every face changed in shock.

“How could it be him?”

“Qin Fenghuo?!”

“Qin Fenghuo of the Qin Family? Just an outstanding prodigy? He hasn’t even attained the true inheritance of Jin Guang Branch!”

Murmurs of disbelief and suspicion arose from many gathered at Stone of Listening to Fury.

At this moment, Qin Fenghuo sat cross-legged on the river, dark circles under his eyes, a slight smile on his lips as an aura of imposing divine essence slowly formed his indistinct figure.

Boom—!

In Qin Family’s carriage, a massive surge of qi boomed forth.

Then, all became silent.

But a sense of disappointment gradually spread.

“What a pity.”

Qin Fenghuo ranked third.

Yet, his mere presence was enough to stir up a commotion.

Truly a typical comeback story.

Meanwhile, Nan Lihuo, Wang Kuyu, Li Qingshan, Zhang Qingzheng and others from Jin Guang Branch furrowed their brows, confusion and doubt flickering in their eyes.

How could it be Qin Fenghuo?

They could not fathom it.

Then, another wave of astonishment swept over them.

This time, it was sheer pandemonium.

They had spotted a bloodstained, chubby-headed boy.

The boy’s eyes were closed, his body marred by blood, with tear tracks running down his face.

Silence fell as everyone beheld him—an oppressive, suffocating atmosphere, as if they could not guess what he had endured.

“Lu Chi…”

Li Qingshan’s hunched figure trembled as his face fell into a daze.

On the cliffside.

Inside the carriage.

Even Li Che watched in shocked disbelief at what Lu Chi had gone through.

“Little Chi… what on earth did he endure?!”

Zhang Ya and Shangguan Qinghong both covered their mouths, their eyes reflecting terror and heartbreak.

His entire body was stained with blood, as if riddled with countless wounds…

As though he had been dismembered and flayed!

Li Che’s heart trembled; he exhaled in disbelief, “So ruthless.”

He could only guess what Lu Chi had experienced.

An act of repaying one’s parents by carving out every bit of flesh!

What XiXi had never done, Lu Chi had!

And the reason he reached such a high level of Temple Spirit Resonance was precisely because… he was ruthless!

“Why such a choice?”

Li Che was bewildered.

He couldn’t understand.

His eyes narrowed and his brows furrowed.

For such a choice meant severing everything—obliterating all personal sentiment in the act of carving flesh!

It seemed Lu Chi had abandoned his days as a Yellow-Haired Kid?

Murmurs arose as many in Jin Guang Branch recognized Lu Chi’s identity.

Li Qingshan’s disciple, who had participated in Temple Spirit Resonance in the previous session.

By all accounts, one would expect the second attempt to be even more daunting.

Yet, Lu Chi had ranked second!

And who was first?

Who could it be?!

Every face trembled as they eagerly looked toward the final part where the mist was vanishing.

Slowly, the mist tore apart, and the ancient Bizarre Temple emerged at once.

There, at the foot of the steps of the 【Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince】 Bizarre Temple nestled in the center of the river,

a tiny figure sat cross-legged atop a black lotus pedestal.

The lotus slowly rotated, oozing a dense, overwhelming aura of the Temple Spirit that wove itself into the small figure!

The world fell silent, save for the roar of crashing waves!

Moments later,

a resounding uproar filled the air!

“Whoa—!!!”

“It’s her!”

“It’s her indeed!”

“Our very own Jiazi Prodigy of Jin Guang City!”

Seven thousand words! It seems we’re nearing a million! So far this month I’ve written 260,000 words. Our second release hasn’t even hit PK yet—everyone, show your support! Monthly votes, recommendation votes, keep reading, and don’t stop! Old Li will keep updating—I’m aiming for 450,000 words this month!