Chapter 193: Mysteries at the Bizarre Temple

XiXi’s words carried a hint of boastfulness.

When a child gets something special, they can’t help but show off. Although more mature than her peers, XiXi was still only a four-year-old girl.

Her remark quickly spread, and the expressions of Nan Lihuo, Wang Kuyu, and the others darkened.

“Eight-Armed, Three-Faced, Unbreakable Divine Fetal Technique?”

Nan Lihuo’s face shifted subtly.

It was as if thunder had struck near his ear!

Divine Fetal Technique!

And a method powerful enough to instantly elevate one to the Divine Fetal Realm at the Three Pure level!

XiXi insisted it was a Three Pure technique, and there was no exaggeration—such things are hard to fake.

But…

How could a Bizarre Temple of the Four-Yu level possibly house a Three Pure-level Divine Essence technique?!

Both Nan Lihuo and Wang Kuyu were visibly shaken.

They paid little mind to XiXi’s boastful tone, or worries that it might attract schemers.

Even if it really were a Three Pure Divine Essence technique, it was a gift from the Temple Spirit—it could only be cultivated by one in perfect resonance with it.

No one else could hope to train it; it was exclusively XiXi’s.

Thus, even if her technique was indeed Three Pure level, hardly anyone would covet it.

What truly unsettled them was that XiXi had acquired a Three Pure Divine Essence technique from a Four-Yu Bizarre Temple!

Li Che noticed the darkening expressions on both Nan Lihuo’s and Wang Kuyu’s faces.

He furrowed his brows.

“Sect Leader, Senior Wang… is there something wrong?”

Li Che couldn’t help but ask on XiXi’s behalf.

Wang Kuyu stroked his beard and replied quietly, “There is something strange, indeed. Of course, XiXi is fine—acquiring such a technique is an enormous stroke of fate for her…”

“What’s baffling is how XiXi managed to obtain a Three Pure technique…”

“After all, this ‘Eight-Armed, Yulian Furious Third Prince’ Bizarre Temple is only of the Four-Yu level, not Three Pure.”

Wang Kuyu’s expression grew grave.

Nan Lihuo also looked uneasy as he gazed at the tremendous energy—a sight reminiscent of a Yulian blossoming amidst hellish depths—that emanated from the temple, making his heart skip a beat.

“If XiXi truly possesses a Three Pure technique…”

Wang Kuyu shot a glance at Li Che before returning his gaze to XiXi.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly, his voice trembling slightly.

“It implies…”

“That the upper limit of this Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple may…”

“Very possibly be at the Three Pure level instead of Four-Yu!”

Boom—!

A thunderous roar echoed above the river like rolling storm clouds!

Li Che’s eyebrows arched in surprise, his eyes glimmering with astonishment.

Recalling the bizarre visions revealed by his Star Plucking Gaze, he felt a jolt of recognition.

Three Pure… a Bizarre Temple?

“Of course, it’s only a possibility… perhaps this Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple could even evolve into a Three Pure Bizarre Temple.”

Nan Lihuo shook his head and stated gravely.

No matter how you look at it, this wasn’t good news.

XiXi and her little companions were completely unaware of the adults’ concerns.

One after another, they excitedly showered praise on Young Emperor XiXi.

Especially Hai Chaosheng, Gongyang Xiu, and Gong Yuanliang—who fawned over her so intimately that even XiXi began to get carried away.

After all, their compliments sounded so delightful.

In the distance…

Tie Shancai had found Zhu Chaoyang, his face full of resentment and displeasure.

He was dissatisfied with his performance in the Temple Spirit Resonance—being outdone by three prodigies and spirit children from Jin Guang Mansion.

What frustrated him most was that he hadn’t even seen a trace of the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear.

That couldn’t be right!

His mother had personally consulted the Grand Inspector; how could the calculations be off?

The Grand Inspector had declared that the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear would appear in this Bizarre Temple.

That’s why he had traveled such long distances to participate in this Temple Spirit Resonance.

But in the end, he ended up empty-handed!

Tie Shancai was nearly exploding with anger; he crossed his arms defiantly, his face set in a scowl.

“The Fire-Tipped Spear should harmonize perfectly with my Samadhi Fire. If it truly exists, it would be drawn to me. Otherwise, there are only two possibilities.”

“Either the Grand Inspector miscalculated and the spear isn’t in this temple, or his calculations were right but someone else beat us to it.”

Tie Shancai explained his reasoning methodically.

Zhu Chaoyang looked on with a resigned shake of his head.

“And then?”

“What’s your plan?”

Tie Shancai, with his small, almost carrot-like head, declared, “I lean toward the second possibility. So, I plan to stay in the Capital a bit longer.”

“I must find that Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear!”

“I will definitely find it!”

Tie Shancai’s words made Zhu Chaoyang frown. “That’s far too dangerous.”

“Besides, it’s still uncertain if the spear has truly been taken. Even if you do find whoever has it, do you really expect to just snatch it away?”

Zhu Chaoyang inquired.

Tie Shancai tilted his head toward the Grand Master.

“Why not?”

…

…

Snap, snap!

In the midst of a raging storm—wind, rain, lightning—the skies darkened.

The Temple Spirit Resonance had finally drawn to a close.

Caravans began their journey back from the banks of the Jiulong River to Jin Guang City.

Inside a carriage, Li Che cradled XiXi in his arms as she chattered nonstop about her exploits during the Temple Spirit Resonance.

“Mommy! That Temple Spirit was so wicked—it wanted to cut meat and carve bones! How mean, trying to force me to abandon Mommy and Daddy!”

XiXi clenched her tiny fists, still fuming at the memory.

She couldn’t imagine how terrifying and painful life without her parents would be!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ya immediately scooped XiXi into her arms, pressing her cheek against the little one’s chubby face and gently rubbing it.

“My precious XiXi, you truly are my little treasure!”

Zhang Ya’s heart ached for the little girl who had to endure such hardships during the Temple Spirit Resonance.

Of course, Zhang Ya also pitied the Third Prince, imagining how dreadful his ordeal must have been.

XiXi nestled closer to Zhang Ya and reached out to embrace her, starting to complain about Lu Chi.

She declared that she would sever all ties with Lu Chi from that day forward and never be friends again.

“Mommy, don’t ever cook tasty food for Lu Chi again! Don’t ever let him come over for treats!” XiXi said with firm resolve.

So young, with such a simple view of things.

Zhang Ya paused at her words.

Meanwhile, Li Che reached over and ruffled XiXi’s head, saying, “Alright, Daddy promises you.”

Yellow-Haired, cut one.

Li Che was naturally pleased.

Lu Chi isn’t even playing with XiXi?

My daughter isn’t even interested in him!

Li Che unconditionally sided with his daughter, even though he knew Lu Chi had likely chosen to carve bones for a higher-level Temple Spirit Resonance.

But…

What did that have to do with XiXi?

Who do you think you are to treat my daughter with cold indifference?

Li Che considered himself generous for not having smashed Lu Chi’s head—mercy extended out of respect for Li Qingshan.

The neighing of horses rang out as the carriage brought by Shangguan Qinghong sped through the torrential rain toward Jin Guang City.

Clinging to Li Che like a koala, XiXi asked, “Daddy… Little Fatty Zhou Peng said that because I did so well in the Temple Spirit Resonance, I’ll soon go to Daocheng with the Elders, right?”

Li Che paused, ruffling XiXi’s hair gently as he said, “XiXi has grown incredibly strong; there’s so much within you that must be honed in Daocheng. You need to become even stronger.”

XiXi’s long lashes fluttered as she pouted, “But will Mommy and Daddy come too?”

“Little Fatty Zhou Peng said that neither Mommy nor Daddy can accompany you to the Divine Sect in Daocheng. Even Yun’e agreed, saying that parents cannot enter the Mountain Gate of the Divine Sect.”

“Then, wouldn’t I be so lonely traveling so far all by myself?” XiXi asked pitifully.

Li Che’s heart melted as he embraced her, saying, “Don’t worry. Wherever you go, we will follow. How could we let you face it alone when you’re still so little?”

XiXi blinked happily.

“Really?”

She looked up at her mother, “Really, Mommy?”

Zhang Ya broke into a warm smile, “Really, really. I can’t bear to be apart from you.”

Zhang Ya trusted that her husband would handle everything; her faith in him was absolute.

Li Che nodded confidently and gently.

XiXi cheered, “Daddy and Mommy, pinky promise—no lies!”

She extended both little pinkies and interlocked them.

“Daddy, Mommy, and XiXi.”

“Pinkies forever, unbreakable!”

Boom!

The sky darkened as a thunderclap rumbled from behind the clouds!

The speeding carriage carried the three of them,

vanishing into the deepening rain.

…

…

“XiXi is destined to cultivate in Daocheng under the Qianyuan Main Sect—it’s her proper path.”

As soon as they returned to the Jin Guang Branch, Li Che sought out Nan Lihuo about the matter.

Nan Lihuo led him to Elder Jiao Shaoqiu.

Having been away from the Divine Sect’s Mountain Gate for too long, Nan Lihuo couldn’t offer Li Che a definitive answer.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s withered face showed a trace of resignation as he said, “XiXi has acquired a second Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel…”

“XiXi staying in Jin Guang City is too dangerous. Moreover, she now possesses a Three Pure Divine Essence technique—even if others cannot cultivate it, its existence might attract dangerous eyes.”

“Also… her Temple Spirit Resonance achieved a 90% success rate, refining the Yulian Divine Pattern and amassing formidable Temple Spirit energy. This will help her cultivate the 【Eight-Armed, Three-Faced, Unbreakable Divine Fetal Technique】 faster…”

“However, such Temple Spirit energy is double-edged; it brings benefits but also risks. If it goes awry, it may erode XiXi’s consciousness.”

“Thus, for XiXi’s safety, we must depart for Daocheng and enter the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Mountain Gate as soon as possible.”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu said with solemn authority.

“As for you two, according to the Qianyuan Main Sect’s rules, a residence will be provided for you in Daocheng. However, you are not allowed within the Mountain Gate.”

“This is an age-old rule of the Divine Sect: family members of disciples cannot enter the Mountain Gate, though they may live in Daocheng and meet once a month.”

Li Che frowned, “Is there no exception?”

“XiXi is only four years old—we cannot bear to be separated from her.”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu fell silent.

Indeed, XiXi was very young, yet many prodigies as young as three or four were sent to the Divine Sect by their families to train in seclusion.

Only by parting from their loved ones could a child become independent and mature quickly…

“Actually, there is another option.”

At that moment, Wang Daoren flicked his Dust Whip and spoke up.

Li Che turned to him and asked with clasped fists, “XiXi’s father is a master carver. I’ve heard you are now a Second-Rank Guest Official of the Imperial Watch.”

“So, if Master Li Che passes the carver’s exam at the Divine Sect’s Shendiao Ridge, he could become a member of the Divine Sect and naturally remain within the Mountain Gate.”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu rolled his eyes, “How could it be that simple? The Divine Sect’s Shendiao Ridge gathers the top master carvers from all along the Lingnan Path…”

“Li Che aspires to become their master carver… and that challenge is far tougher than lower disciples seeking a true transmission outside the Divine Sect!”

“A Second-Rank Guest Official of the Imperial Watch simply doesn’t measure up.”

Noticing Li Che’s interest, Elder Jiao Shaoqiu refrained from further discouragement.

After all, it was a potential solution, albeit an extremely challenging one—almost hopeless.

But once Li Che tried and failed… nothing more could be said.

In Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s eyes, it was normal for prodigies to leave their families and train at the Divine Sect.

Only by parting with their parents could they quickly grow independent.

“If Master Li Che wishes to try, I’ll recommend a slot for you,” Elder Jiao Shaoqiu offered.

Li Che clasped his fists in gratitude.

…

…

Drip, drip.

Raindrops fell from the towering sky onto the red surface, instantly evaporating into vapor!

“Hooch—!”

“Ssshh—!”

Inside the Luohua Alley of the Private Workshop Courtyard at Jin Guang Mansion,

Li Che’s body felt like a branding iron—every fiber trembling. His clenched fingers shook so violently that the air burst apart, stirring a whirlwind throughout the courtyard!

It was as if countless serpents of energy coiled around him.

His bones and sinews grated, each taut tendon cracking like a snapping whip!

The molten energy surged like a roaring tidal wave!

The Cosmic Chessboard enveloped the courtyard, cutting off all external perceptions.

This shield allowed Li Che to freely focus his energy for cultivation.

Inside his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit pounded as if charged with electrifying currents!

Empowered as if by divine aid, he entered a moment of sudden enlightenment.

After shattering the Martial Saint’s will, the Dao Fruit’s maturity began to react wildly!

Li Che immediately channeled his energy into ‘Wanlong Fushen’—his formidable martial talent letting him cultivate at breakneck speed!

In an instant, his fingers tightened and thrust forward with a powerful punch.

The inner core of the Mud Pellet trembled as the Seven-Whorl Divine Foundation extracted Divine Essence, merging it into his punch. Emotions of the divine fused into the Wanlong Fushen technique, cloaking the courtyard in a dense array of dragon shadows and energy!

Bang, bang, bang—

Floor tiles cracked under the strain as the air roared with explosive vortices.

“Wanlong Fushen… it’s perfected!”

Li Che’s arms dropped as his pores exhaled searing hot energy, like steam from a pressure cooker.

“Three days of absorbing the feedback from the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit have culminated in this Martial Saint technique being perfected…”

Time flew like water—three days in a blink.

“I told you, Ji Mo Li, none can master Wanlong Fushen like I do…”

Li Che smiled.

He walked into the bustling house within the courtyard.

Inside, Painted Immortal Clones practiced fervently, absorbing Divine Essence.

Each one strove to break into the Divine Vision realm.

Meanwhile, Li Che began cultivating the Six Desires Divine Essence.

After slaying countless Corpse God Envoys from the Corpse God Sect, he had acquired two manuals: ‘Body Touching the White Bone Bodhisattva Killing Divine Essence Technique’ and ‘Desire Beyond Corpse Guan Yin Divine Essence Technique’…

These represented the Body Touching and Desire aspects of the Six Desires; the other four remained incomplete.

“We’re still missing the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Mouth Divine Essence techniques…” Li Che observed two Painted Immortal Clones honing the Six Desires in a corner.

Their progress was remarkable—a mere three days and they had reached the ‘Nurturing Nature like a Stream’ stage.

“Once the Seven Emotions and Six Desires Divine Essence are fully gathered, my Wanlong Fushen Martial Saint technique will finally ascend to the Master Realm…”

For Li Che, Wanlong Fushen was a perfect fit—a matter of course.

After all, the key to cultivating Wanlong Fushen was the convergence of both the seven emotions and six desires.

But for him, that was never the issue.

Surveying his surroundings, he smiled contentedly at the hard-working Painted Immortal Clones.

A surge of determination flashed in his eyes.

Before him, light shimmered and danced.

[Dao Fruit: Painted Immortal (lv2 70%)]

“The Painted Immortal Dao Fruit hasn’t been long in existence, and it’s nearly time to reach lv3. I must push my clones harder by assigning them more tasks for faster progression.”

Li Che sat back in his chair, closed his eyes, and felt every inch of his flesh come alive, pulsing hundreds of times per second.

A sound erupted—a roar like a dragon mixed with an elephant’s trumpet!

This was the moment he fused the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant with his technique.

During the integration, Li Che’s mind sank into the Cosmic Chessboard, linking with one of his Painted Immortal Clone scouts.

…

At the City Lord’s Residence,

one of Li Che’s Painted Immortal Clone scouts—with one-third of Li Che’s energy—had been shadowing the place.

For three days, the City Lord’s Residence lay in eerie silence.

Its doors were tightly sealed, draped with white silk.

No visitors were allowed, and the various factions in Jin Guang Mansion dared not disturb it at that moment.

Little Prince Ji Haihui’s body had been kept in the City Lord’s Residence for three days. Though plans were made to transport it out, no action had been taken.

Inside the Residence, white silk was hung everywhere.

Dressed in white, Su Huai Li looked pale.

Divine Guardian and six Black Armor Blood Guards, their arms bound with white silk, stood before the ornate coffin of Ji Haihui.

They claimed the body would be taken to meet the Prince and Princess—but the corpse couldn’t simply be carried out.

For the past three days, Su Huai Li had arranged for a master carver to craft a Spirit Wood coffin and hired the best embalmer to prepare Little Prince Ji Haihui’s body.

Only the blood-soaked wound in his brow, exuding a morbid aura and scarred by Silver Guts, remained grotesque and unhidden.

At least, it meant that Little Prince Ji Haihui’s corpse was now properly arranged.

“It likely wasn’t the Corpse God Sect… In Jin Guang Mansion, most strong members of the Corpse God Sect have been eliminated by the Ogre and Ma Mian from the Underworld.”

“The only one possibly left to strike would be Yuan Jingang.”

Divine Guardian stated grimly.

“It can’t be Yuan Jingang,” Su Huai Li insisted firmly.

Divine Guardian’s hidden eyes swept over him.

“Why are you so certain?”

Su Huai Li shook his head and sighed, “I know Yuan Jingang. Back then, he hadn’t joined the Bizarre Temple.”

Divine Guardian fell silent.

Who was responsible for Little Prince’s death remained a mystery, defying any concrete theory.

“Could it be the Underworld?”

Su Huai Li suddenly ventured, “The Underworld certainly has motive. With Bull Head, Ma Mian, and Divine Monkey having killed Xue Dufu, why not Little Prince?”

“But what about the lingering corpse aura and Silver Guts? How are we to explain that?”

Divine Guardian asked solemnly.

“The Corpse God Sect cannot wash their hands of this. The Underworld is also tainted. When we return, we must report everything to the Prince so he can avenge Little Prince.”

“Within Jin Guang Mansion, every vile member of the Corpse God Sect, along with the Underworld and Lie Shen Pavilion, must perish!”

“And… that little girl on Golden Light Peak!”

“A country girl daring to call Little Prince ‘Little Maid’—outrageous! She cannot be spared!”

Divine Guardian’s headache worsened to the point of frenzy.

Little Prince had died—and someone had to bear the blame.

Though it wasn’t entirely his fault—the Temple Spirit Resonance was beyond his control—this Divine Practitioner felt utterly helpless and aggrieved.

So, he had but one thought:

Destroy everything. He was simply too exhausted.

“Once preparations are complete… we depart with Little Prince to meet the Prince and Princess.”

“Take Little Prince…”

“Home.”

Divine Guardian said gravely.

The six Black Armor Blood Guards, their faces sorrowful, lifted Little Prince’s coffin.

They prepared to carry it back to meet the Prince.

Su Huai Li stepped aside, his face drawn as he bowed respectfully.

Divine Guardian led the procession.

The six Black Armor Blood Guards trailed silently, carrying the intricately carved Spirit Wood coffin.

Crisp white paper money fluttered down in a mournful rain.

For a moment, it resembled a sorrowful storm of wind and rain, as the grief became almost tangible.

Creak…

The City Lord’s Residence’s massive doors swung open.

The funeral procession slowly emerged.

Su Huai Li ordered the Divine Guard Army to tie white silk around everyone to escort Little Prince out of Jin Guang Mansion with full ceremony.

The spectacle had to be grand.

…

Li Che’s Painted Immortal Clone sat quietly across from a tavern.

Wearing a bamboo hat and dark clothes, he sipped his drink while casually observing the grandeur unfolding at the City Lord’s Residence.

He set his cup down gently, adjusted his hat against the storm, his expression unreadable.

“That country girl?”

“Saying Little Prince Ji Haihui lost on a bet… and then blaming my daughter?”

“Little Maid—did she get his name wrong?”

Li Che smirked.

“Cursing my daughter and still planning to leave?”

…

…

Ha, ha, ha—

The wind roared.

Inside, Li Che suddenly opened his eyes wide.

“They’ve even arranged a grand funeral procession? Entry was so grand during the city’s arrival, and now in death too—is it always this ostentatious?”

Li Che smirked.

Within the City Lord’s Residence, every word spoken by Su Huai Li and the others was clearly audible through Li Che’s perception via the Cosmic Chessboard.

“Su Huai Li knows Yuan Jingang?”

“What a coincidence… I know him too.”

Li Che had already guessed who Yuan Jingang was, or rather, where he was hiding.

One of his clones was keeping a close watch.

“One by one, anyone who poses a threat to my daughter…”

Li Che stood up, his bones creaking loudly.

With a single stride, he appeared in the courtyard.

His fist clenched as streams of energy burst forth, warping the very air around him.

“Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant… Master Realm achieved!”

Li Che spread his fingers as the air twisted within his grasp.

That was the true essence of the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant!

After reaching the Master Realm with his Martial Saint technique, its true meaning was unleashed—cleansing and refining his very being into a divine aura!

Li Che closed his eyes.

“Which organ should I refine with the first Martial Saint essence?”

“Heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys… each corresponds to one of the Martial Saint techniques.”

“My Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant is my unique creation—an expression of my true self. I will refine my heart!”

“Using the true essence of Dragon Elephant to refine my heart, all methods become my domain!”

Li Che’s eyes snapped open.

In an instant, his fingers clenched tightly, as if the swirling essence in his palm were shattering.

It surged forth, colliding into his massive, powerful body.

Gathering at his chest!

The force was so great that even his molten flesh wavered, forcing him to take three staggering steps back!

With one final, heavy stomp, his heart transformed into a vortex—echoing with the roar of a dragon and the trumpet of an elephant behind him!

His entire being seemed ignited by an uncontrollable flame!

Boom—!!

Invisible shockwaves roiled through the courtyard in an instant.

Scorching, immense, furious, volatile!

The surging energy formed a mushroom cloud of blood and energy!

Thump, thump, thump—each powerful heartbeat resounded like crashing thunder!

An overwhelming force of unimaginable magnitude!

His eyes, once closed, suddenly burst open, radiating brilliant light that illuminated the entire courtyard.

Li Che stood resolute in the midst of the energy storm.

His dark robe whipped wildly as his hair flew about.

He raised his hand, fingers outstretched.

The first trace of Divine Guts burst forth!

Like the first thunderbolt striking the earth!

Seven thousand words—please vote for a monthly ticket, recommend, and support the follow! I’m utterly exhausted; writing such scenes is the hardest challenge. During my frantic writing spree, recommendations were far and few between. Old Li, as always, begs for your continued support!