Chapter 212: Mysterious Rain and Temple Shadows

Night shrouded in a hazy gloom, a lone dim candle fought to spread its weak light through the darkness.

The entire alley lay in utter stillness.

The silence was so profound that even the gentle patter of spring rain on the black tiles sounded like distant thunder.

So quiet that when the cool breeze swept past, the droplets clinking against one another resembled the battle cry of clashing swords.

Li Che’s ink-black robe grew damp from the rain, which seemed to swell into a swirling torrent.

Yet even as the deluge thickened and veiled the world, it could not obscure the warm, dim glow emanating from the restaurant.

A familiar large black dog lounged on the ground, its fur shiny and well cared for, clearly having feasted recently.

It stretched its jaws in a way that almost resembled a human smile directed at Li Che.

Li Che observed the dog in silence.

A chill surged upward from the soles of his feet, spreading swiftly over his entire body, as if every pore exhaled a frosty mist.

This big black dog…

How could it appear in Daocheng?!

Had it been seen in Jingguang City, Li Che wouldn’t have been surprised—but this was Daocheng…

Could it be that even the restaurant had relocated here?

Furrowing his brow, Li Che felt a surge of perplexity rising like dense fog, twisting and entangling his thoughts.

Could it be…

The dog was following him on purpose?

That thought crept unbidden into his mind.

Yet pondering it made him feel a somewhat self-satisfied irony.

After all, the whole world was vast—if someone wanted to go somewhere, what did it have to do with him?

Surely, just because Li Che arrived in Daocheng, the restaurant owner and his dog wouldn’t show up in Jingguang City, right?

Li Che had long sensed that this restaurant was unlike any other.

Back in Jingguang Mansion, he had assumed their appearance was tied to the mysterious affairs of the Four-Yu Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple.

He thought they were guarding and watching that Bizarre Temple.

But now…

He realized he had misjudged the situation.

Regaining his composure, his eyes fixed on the black dog—as it bared its teeth in a grin, then rolled its eyes as if dismissing him before settling down once more.

What a boring creature.

It was as if the dog’s bemused reaction confirmed Li Che’s suspicion.

He exhaled sharply, as if shattering every raindrop around him.

At last, Li Che took a step forward and headed for the restaurant.

The layout was the same, complete with the same entrance and that ever-present dog.

Pushing open the door, the fabric curtain danced against the copper bell by the doorway, chiming a tinkling melody.

Inside, the restaurant had undergone a few changes—space now seemed more generous.

But the improvement was modest.

Li Che’s inner energy roiled like a dragon, as if a furnace burned within him, evaporating the damp spring rain that clung to his body into steam.

Feeling refreshed, he stepped inside and sat down on a chair.

A white-clad owner emerged from the interior, his jet-black hair falling gracefully, his face exuding a calm aloofness.

Noticing Li Che, he nodded in a manner that spoke of long familiarity. “You’ve arrived?”

Li Che returned the nod, replying simply, “I’m here.”

Outside, the spring rain pounded relentlessly, washing the flagstones of the alley to a glossy sheen that caught the light.

Steam and mist, mingling with the rain, carried the unmistakable scent of spring.

Within the restaurant, the curtain fluttered lightly as a gentle breeze stirred.

“Would you like something to eat?”

The white-clad owner removed his apron from the wall and, while donning it, softly inquired.

“I’m not sure.”

“It’s up to you, then.”

Seated and leaning back against the chair, Li Che began to relax.

Not to mention…

Being in this restaurant felt just like being at home.

It brought a rare, unburdened lightness to Li Che, as if every tense nerve was finally released.

Ever since arriving in Daocheng, Li Che had been on edge—even if he carried many secrets and could shift in an instant like the Feilei Chess Sage.

Pressure still reigned heavily, for Daocheng differed markedly from the capital.

Too many formidable figures lurked about, and countless ill-intentioned eyes coveted XiXi.

That City Lord Su Huai Li had surely informed the likes of You Liqing and the Ji Mo Li faction about XiXi and the wager with Ji Haihui.

As Ji Mo Li was You Liqing’s mentor, You Liqing would never stand idly by while his master’s lineage was treated as subservient.

So, XiXi was bound to be targeted.

Of course, that was Li Che’s worst-case scenario in his mind.

In a strange land, one must tread as if on thin ice—always expecting the worst and never underestimating human cruelty.

Moreover, the Demon Child from the Corpse God Sect had his own designs on XiXi, nursing dreams of making her his future immortal consort.

He even planned to groom Li Che’s daughter from childhood…

Bah!

The very thought filled him with rage.

Leaning back in his chair, Li Che exhaled deeply.

Yet in this enigmatic restaurant, an inexplicable calm settled over him.

Though the restaurant’s origins were shrouded in mystery, the sense of security it offered was something Li Che relished.

In his chest, five Dao Fruits lay as still as virgins, showing no sign of danger.

That was proof enough of the restaurant’s safety.

Li Che had always trusted the Dao Fruits—any hint of malice would be sensed instantly.

If his opponent could deceive even the Dao Fruits, Li Che’s resistance wouldn’t make much of a splash.

Better to conserve his strength and enjoy a few bowls of food at the restaurant, after all…

The owner’s cooking was truly exceptional!

A heady aroma, like tangible wisps of fragrant steam, wafted from the kitchen. It was a simple noodle fragrance that penetrated the soul and evoked countless unforgettable memories.

It stirred up his childhood, and even flashed images of his past life.

Those were long-forgotten scenes locked in time.

Skyscrapers, the ceaseless flow of traffic…

The clamor of the modern world, as fleeting as shadows in water or reflections in a mirror, dreamlike and ephemeral.

It all seemed so much safer in that distant memory.

His eyes drooped slightly.

Inside, the owner carried a bowl of noodles as he reappeared.

“I’ve made you a simple bowl—make do with it.”

The white-clad owner set the bowl in front of Li Che.

The clear broth, noodles as delicate as dragon whiskers, a perfectly fried egg exuding savory aromas, and a sprinkle of scallions like tiny emeralds made the dish irresistible.

Li Che’s interest piqued as tendrils of hot steam rose slowly, capturing his unwavering gaze.

Removing his apron, the owner sat opposite him.

Observing Li Che eat with hearty gusto, a slight, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.

He unrolled some paper, then pinched a bit of tobacco from his fragrant pouch, carefully rolled it into a slender cigarette, and tapped it on the table.

With a match, he lit it.

A thin wisp of smoke soon blurred their vision.

“XiXi isn’t here today. You’ll have to make do,” the owner remarked gently.

Li Che’s hand paused for a moment; suddenly, the appeal of the noodles faded.

XiXi’s visits meant feasts of red-braised pork, sweet and sour fish, and wine-soaked carp—not merely a bowl of plain broth!

How could such disparity be justified?!

Though XiXi was adorable, she was still his daughter.

Was it possible that Li Che never even got a glimpse of his daughter’s light?

“What’s the matter? Not satisfied? Then don’t eat,” the owner teased, squinting and exhaling another plume of smoke.

Without replying, Li Che quickened his pace, devouring the noodles with chopsticks and drinking every drop of broth until the bowl stood empty.

A satisfied sigh escaped him as he set the bowl down and leaned back in his chair, exhaling a burst of warmth.

Content at last, he watched the owner puff on his freshly rolled cigarette.

“How about another?” Li Che asked with a smile.

The owner, after a brief glance and a moment’s thought, meticulously rolled another cigarette and handed it over.

“Just one,” he remarked.

A simple smoke after a meal—pure bliss like that of an immortal.

Outside the restaurant, the black dog looked on at the two smoking figures and, in apparent disdain, covered its nose.

It lay there, gazing into the misty night forged by the relentless spring rain.

On the very first day XiXi missed the restaurant, its absence was deeply felt.

……

……

The next morning, at daybreak, dark clouds roiled overhead, brewing another bout of spring rain.

Occasional raindrops fell from the sky, each one striking a cheek and bursting into a cool shower that awakened the skin.

Willows brushed past, their cottony catkins dancing in the breeze.

After rising, Li Che used a Feilei Chess Piece to transfer himself to the sprawling courtyard of the Private Workshop in Tinglei Alley, in the Outer City.

He inspected his 【Painted Immortal】 clones to ensure none had slacked off, then practiced his martial arts, circulating his energy and solidifying his Divine Guts.

At dawn, feeling vigorous from deep slumber, every organ awakened in perfect condition—it was the ideal time for refining his craft.

After a rigorous session, his Divine Guts had manifested in seven forms.

Of course, the formations of Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant, Wanlong Fushen, and Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun were fewer than his earliest perfected Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant.

If one were to fuse three types of Divine Guts into one, Li Che could barely muster a single Triyuan Divine Gut at present.

A torrent of searing heat snaked through the courtyard like a coiling dragon, battering everything in its path.

Li Che’s skin reddened as every pore burst open under the furious heat.

With eyes flashing like lightning, his fingers struck empty air.

Standing in the center of the courtyard, he struck with his Xuankin Eight-Treasure Thunder Dragon Staff, sending ripples cascading through the very air.

The Mud Pellet on his brow shone brightly as his primordial essence awakened; divine light surged along his meridians, as if his bones themselves exuded a brilliant golden radiance!

The transformation of his organs, particularly his heart, lungs, and kidneys, was tumultuously profound!

A vast reservoir of vital energy churned like a surging river.

Feeling an incomparable surge of power, Li Che could not help but unleash a long, triumphant howl!

It rang out, noble as a dragon and fierce as a tiger!

With newfound determination, his eyes gleamed like gold as he stepped forward—the very air seemed to tremble in his wake.

In an instant he soared into the sky, covering a distance of three to four meters, shifting direction four times in rapid succession.

On the fifth burst, his figure nearly coalesced as countless afterimages blurred together before vanishing.

Li Che then stood in the courtyard, hands behind his back, his ink-black robe billowing in the wind.

Lifting his head and exhaling a stale breath, he murmured, “Soon…the Lingxu Baqi Steps will carry me to the Master’s Realm.”

“Since I’ve mastered the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant, Wanlong Fushen, and Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun, further training in the Martial Saint Technique will become far less daunting—a force like a battering ram.”

“This must be the universal connection among martial arts.”

His spirits soared.

He knew that the remaining two Martial Saint Techniques—attaining Master-level, refining the Martial Saint True Intention, and solidifying Divine Guts—were just a matter of time.

Changing into clean clothes, Li Che exited the courtyard, locked the door, and strolled through the alley.

He returned to the restaurant where the owner was busy making dumplings.

“Hey, you made these dumplings by hand, didn’t you?”

“They’re for XiXi,” the owner replied coolly, glancing at Li Che.

“Just wait,” he added before heading into the kitchen to boil the dumplings.

Soon enough, after neatly packing the freshly boiled dumplings, he handed them over to Li Che.

Li Che smiled and thanked the owner, leaving a familiar Gold Leaf before turning and departing. Using a Feilei Chess Piece he quickly teleported back to the courtyard of Liuxiang Alley.

There, XiXi crouched under the eave, brushing her teeth alongside Old Chen using a toothbrush fashioned by Li Che.

The moment Li Che arrived, XiXi’s nose twitched and her mouth, still foamy, brightened as she looked up and exclaimed, “Father, that familiar scent!”

“And the dog too?!”

XiXi instantly guessed the source of the aroma, though her eyes were fixed on the lazy big black dog.

The dumplings prepared with care paled in comparison to the lure of that good-for-nothing dog.

“Practice hard. Once you become an elite disciple of the Sect Leader, I’ll take you to the owner’s place so you can meet him,” Li Che said, setting aside the dumplings and ruffling XiXi’s head.

At those words, a fierce determination ignited in XiXi’s eyes.

For the sake of meeting the dog, she vowed to become a personal disciple of the Sect Leader!

Childish ambition, as mysterious as it was, sparked within her.

After breakfast, Li Che gathered XiXi, Zhang Ya, and Old Chen in the courtyard for martial arts practice.

After a while, Li Qingshan, now fully awake and stretching, was hauled off by Li Che to assist with the training.

Li Che spared no courtesy, much to Li Qingshan’s chagrin.

Seeing Li Che walk away, Li Qingshan understood that he was being left to his own devices—without even a moment for Cat Face!

Li Qingshan had already learned of the recent spate of murders in the Outer City of Daocheng, where several second- and third-tier gangs were wiped out.

And those slain were none other than the miscreants of the Corpse God Sect!

Li Qingshan was the first to suspect who was behind it all.

It could only be Ogre—ever the righteous fighter against evil.

With a bitter smile and a shake of his head, Li Qingshan muttered, “Old man, I’ve got to step up my game. Once I reach the Grandmaster level, I’ll finally keep pace with the main force!”

His fighting spirit ignited as his Eight Dragons Overturning the River neared Master-level—and when he perfected the true essence of a Grandmaster, he’d challenge the highest ranks.

Then he’d trade with the Divine Sect for the top-level Martial Saint Technique, “Eight-Bodied Heavenly Dragon Sky-Piercing Hammer”!

And poor Cat Face…

He would no longer be the laughingstock of the Underworld!

……

……

Later, Li Che changed into the second-class Client Robes of the Imperial Watch and arrived at the eight-treasure, double-eaved Imperial Watch Tower beneath the Jade Arch spanning the city’s great river.

Shangguan Qinghong, having been briefed by Sang Guanyin on the workings of the Imperial Watch, now acted as an overseer, delegating tasks to her.

Inside the vast hall of the Imperial Watch in Jingguang Mansion, Shangguan Qinghong cleaned the space with a Divine Talisman, ensuring that the displayed goods remained free of dust.

Accompanying her were several newly recruited stewards.

Within the Imperial Watch, ranks were divided into Monitor, Deputy Monitor, Junior Monitor, Senior Official, and Stewards.

Though Shangguan Qinghong had reached the position of Senior Official in Jingguang Mansion’s Imperial Watch, in Daocheng she had to start over as a Steward.

Meanwhile, Li Che’s status as a second-class Client was on par with a Junior Monitor in Daocheng’s Imperial Watch.

“Che, over here!” called Shangguan Qinghong, waving excitedly as she spotted Li Che.

Her fellow stewards turned to look in surprise at Li Che’s second-class Client Robes.

Li Che returned her wave and exchanged a few words with her.

“Can you help me call Deputy Lu Yao?” he said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qinghong immediately headed upstairs, her steps quick and sure.

Moments later, Lu Yao descended along with Tang Ren, whose aura had noticeably grown stronger.

“Did you break through?” Li Che asked Tang Ren, eyes widening slightly.

“Indeed. Why hold back? With the Jin Guang Mansion Temple Spirit Resonance concluded, he should break through now. It might even earn him a chance to be adopted by the Sect Leader,” Lu Yao scoffed.

Clearly, Lu Yao harbored grudges about Tang Ren’s lackluster gains at the Temple Spirit Resonance Conference.

Li Che smiled and said no more.

Inside, he felt hopeful—if XiXi managed to break through her limits as well, her chances in the upcoming Sect Leader evaluation would surely improve.

Though Elder Jiao Shaoqiu claimed that the evaluation wouldn’t focus solely on cultivation or combat, it was obvious that strength provided confidence.

Without wasting time, Li Che informed Lu Yao of his intentions.

“You want to inspect the Temple Spirit at the Bizarre Temple?”

“Indeed. I heard you’re aiming for the elder evaluation at Shendiao Ridge. Enhancing your insight through temple observation should help raise your standards.”

Lu Yao nodded.

“Daocheng differs from Jingguang City. The number of Clients is vast, and many naturally take charge of observing the temple spirits.

As a second-class Client, you’re allowed entrance to the Six-Department Bizarre Temples—though given your current level, you’ll have to settle for one of the Seven-Yuan Bizarre Temples…”

Lu Yao laughed.

In Daocheng, there were ten Six-Department Bizarre Temples and even more among the Seven-Yuan and the Eight-Extreme Temples.

Yet all were under the strict jurisdiction of the Temple Guardian Division, making access nearly impossible for the ordinary cultivator.

Even those with significant cultivation needed to apply in order to step inside.

Li Che’s eyes flashed as he recalled that his Fire Eye Divine Revelation from the Spirit Ape Temple—a deity of Eight-Extreme rank—was on his side.

The Seven-Yuan Bizarre Temple would do just fine.

He didn’t dare risk the perilous Six-Department Temples, not with his current reliance on Summon the Divine…

After all, the risks in the Six-Department Temples far exceeded the others. Elder Jiao Shaoqiu, an outer-circle elder of the Divine Sect, had once suffered severe injuries in one such temple, shattering his Primordial Divine Form and forcing him to regress to a Primordial Transformation.

For safety’s sake, Li Che even considered applying for an Eight-Extreme Temple.

But in the end, he decided to test the waters at a Seven-Yuan Bizarre Temple first.

“Seven-Yuan Bizarre Temple…”

Lu Yao pondered briefly before listing a few Seven-Yuan Bizarre Temples in Daocheng.

“Let’s go with this one… the “Bai Zhuan You Meng Gui Ling Tu” Bizarre Temple.”

“Oh?”

“This temple falls under Yun Family’s jurisdiction. The Yun Family, a millennia-old Daocheng clan, counts Yun’e among its own.”

Lu Yao nodded in agreement.

Soon after, Lu Yao led Li Che to the Imperial Watch Tower.

In less than half an hour, five Imperial Watch Clients had gathered – one second-class and four third-class – making a total of six including Li Che.

“We have enough. Let’s depart.”

Sang Guanyin was summoned to assist.

Lu Yao mentioned he had matters to attend to and asked Sang Guanyin—also known as the younger brother of Sang Guanyin—to help out.

Sang Guanyin, known for his unwavering obedience to his elder sister, treated Li Che with utmost courtesy, as Li Che was the father of her cherished little junior disciple.

“The ‘Bai Zhuan You Meng Gui Ling Tu’ Bizarre Temple actually has a counterpart in the Six-Department category, also under Yun Family’s control,” Sang Guanyin explained.

“It’s called… the ‘Yu Kong Qiong Lou Guang Han Xian’ Bizarre Temple. For a thousand years, the Yun Family has researched that very temple.”

“It is said that the Yun Family’s rise is linked to an ancestor with a 99% resonance with the temple spirit of the ‘Yu Kong Qiong Lou Guang Han Xian’ Temple.”

“That very ancestor paved the way for the Yun Family to become Daocheng’s millennial clan, and for Yun’e to be revered as the Divine Womb Ancestor.”

Traveling by carriage, Sang Guanyin elaborated with a smile.

Li Che’s eyes flickered as he recalled the terrible temple spirit concealed within Yun’e…

And so he fell silent.

The spring rain pelted as the carriage sliced through the storm.

The wheels splashed water everywhere.

Before long, the carriage came to a stop before a decrepit temple shrouded in swirling mists.

High-ranking masters from both the Temple Guardian Division and Yun Family were stationed outside, cordoning off every path into the temple’s vicinity.

This shabby temple stood in the city, enshrouded in rolling mysterious fog that intermittently revealed vague human faces.

Amid howling winds, ghostly cries, and shrill screams, the noises created an overwhelming sense of dread.

Yet even at close range, the oppressive dizziness threatened to plunge one into a deep slumber.

“Imperial Watch Emissary—Clients of the Imperial Watch, come observe the temple spirit,”

Sang Guanyin announced as he stepped out.

Immediately, stewards of the Temple Guardian Division blocked the passage.

In a nearby pavilion, two figures sat facing each other.

One, clad in the robes of the Temple Guardian Division’s Chief Commander, exuded an aura as if he were fused with the heavens and earth, his primordial essence dazzlingly brilliant and utterly intimidating.

Sang Guanyin bowed deeply and announced loudly, “This is Wu Gang, the Chief Commander of Daocheng’s Temple Guardian Division. A Grandmaster of the Pre-Heaven stage, his very presence merges man and nature.”

Not only did he oversee the “Bai Zhuan You Meng Gui Ling Tu” Seven-Yuan Bizarre Temple, but he also guarded the “Yu Kong Qiong Lou Guang Han Xian” Six-Department Bizarre Temple.

In truth, every Six-Department Bizarre Temple was helmed by a Grandmaster-level cultivator.

After all, the danger from an uprising in one of these temples was too great.

As for even mightier powers, they presided over the Five-Lao and the Four-Yu Bizarre Temples.

Beside Wu Gang sat an old man with fluttering robes, his primordial energy so potent that even a glance left Li Che feeling a deep pressure.

During the journey, Sang Guanyin had explained that this old man was Yun Family’s resident elder of the bizarre temple, the Golden Transcended Real being, Yun Taishan.

His formidable primordial gaze scanned the carriage thoroughly, inspecting the six Imperial Watch Clients repeatedly before finally permitting their entry.

The security was strict, but when it came to the bizarre temples, harsher measures were expected.

“Enter. You have three hours to study the temple spirit. Once time’s up… you’ll be expelled.”

With that, the six Imperial Watch Clients strode forward, passing through the torn veil of mists. Along the way, they could almost hear the agonized roars of strange and demonic creatures from within.

A small, dilapidated temple stood, its walls crisscrossed with cobwebs, where dead spiders dangled limply.

Li Che’s eyes swept to the altar, where the image of the temple spirit was enshrined.

It was a bizarre deity with a rabbit’s head upon a human body.

Crowned with a pristine rabbit skull yet clothed in the archaic garments of a woman, it was most peculiar.

Its eyes burned a deep crimson. Though carved from stone, they seemed imbued with a supernatural life—anyone meeting its gaze felt their spirit sink.

Then, one plump rabbit after another leaped from the figure’s body, flooding the temple in numbers.

Soon, these plump rabbits began to engulf everything, gnawing unceasingly at the ground, pillars, and even flesh and blood.

Li Che raised his hand and tapped his brow.

“Star Plucking Gaze!”

Golden light rippled outward like waves.

Clarity returned. The illusion faded, and truth shone through.

Dreams, phantasms…

The temple spirit’s divine aura permeated every corner.

Looking at his fellow Clients, one of the second-class ones had just freed himself from the dream and looked at Li Che with a hint of astonishment.

This second-class Client, a cultivator of the Primordial Image stage, had only escaped his nightmare by employing his Divine Vision—yet he hadn’t expected Li Che, a mere small cultivator in the Divine Foundation stage, to be on par with him.

Li Che smiled and nodded, finding a quiet corner to sit cross-legged.

He began to observe the rabbit temple spirit. Using his 【Xiangong】 Dao Fruit, he painstakingly deconstructed the intricate carving techniques embedded in the deity’s image, replaying its features in his mind.

Three hours passed in the blink of an eye.

“Thwack—!!!”

A thunderous sound erupted from outside the temple, shaking the dream-bound cultivators awake.

One third-class Client, who had been mired in dreams from the temple’s entrance until now, suddenly jerked awake, cold sweat streaming down his pale face as he recalled being repeatedly nibbled by rabbits.

Li Che stood, stretched, and cast a long, thoughtful look at the rabbit deity on the altar.

With a snap of his fingers, a Feilei Chess Piece flew silently to rest below the altar.

Without lingering, Li Che departed with the others, leaving the bizarre temple behind.

The spring rain continued its steady drumming.

Back in the pavilion, Wu Gang, the Chief Commander of the Temple Guardian Division, sipped tea with Yun Taishan, the venerable elder of Yun Family.

“Everything in order?”

“It appears so,” Yun Taishan replied.

They exchanged knowing smiles, though both kept a wary vigilance.

……

……

Late at night, heavy rain lashed the black tiles, the splattering droplets misting the view.

Rolling dark clouds and sudden peals of thunder lit up the sky as Li Che, seated in the courtyard of the Private Workshop in Tinglei Alley, gradually opened his eyes.

Water streaming from the eaves traced patterns like drawn curtains along the black tiles.

Seated cross-legged, Li Che soaked in the high-speed descent of rain and the wild winds stirred by the exploding droplets.

His eyes shone clear as ever.

The Mud Pellet on his brow glowed softly.

Within his Divine Foundation, the integration of the divine essence from the 【Qi Tian Face】 carved in the Cosmic Chessboard steadily melded with his Unsullied Heart, sketching the true form of a primate deity.

Now, his progress was nearly ninety percent complete.

“Almost there,” Li Che murmured, exhaling a long breath.

He couldn’t help but wonder just how imposing the martial image, forged by the Sanqing Technique, would turn out.

“If only I had managed to consolidate it in one go, I could test the True Ape Staff Technique on the little rabbit tonight.”

Li Che stretched his relaxed fingers, and in the very next moment, clenched them hard.

A fierce gust of energy tore through the air as his hand tightened as if it were ripping apart the rushing air.

When his grip on the Feilei Chess Piece became resolute, Li Che’s ink-black robe flared and his hair whipped wildly.

Before he knew it, he had reappeared amid the “Bai Zhuan You Meng Gui Ling Tu” Bizarre Temple.

A smile played on his lips as he regarded the temple spirit—the rabbit deity—and his eyes gleamed with hidden mischief.

Almost cheerfully he hummed a little tune, “Little rabbit, open up…”

At the altar, the rabbit temple spirit trembled in sudden, bewildered fear.

Seven-thousand words. Vote for monthly support, recommend and follow! It’s almost month’s end—please shower your accumulated votes upon me. I’ve only reached eight thousand so far. Let’s see if we can hit ten thousand! Old Li has never breached ten thousand votes in his life—give it all you’ve got!