Chapter 217: A Rain-Soaked Night of Divine Struggle

The night was cool as the majestic spring rain began to subside.

Falling droplets lightly drenched every corner of the earth, soaking the ground that had suffered a harsh winter.

Huang Jianjiu clutched his liquor gourd, barely touching the ground on his tiptoes. His body tensed like a drawn bow, ready to spring away at any moment.

A crisis—an overwhelmingly intense crisis—washed over him, setting every hair on his body on end as the alcohol’s scent nearly evaporated in an instant.

His eyes cleared as never before, as if a bead of sweat had trickled down his forehead, gliding across his cheek before merging with the rain.

With a loud crack, it hit the ground and shattered into pieces!

A spring breeze, carried by the rain, gently stirred.

It caressed his skin, imparting a sense of refreshment.

But Huang Jianjiu felt no comfort—only a biting chill and an unbearably oppressive aura of divine authority!

He had followed the Underworld’s Ogre here…

Could this restaurant be the Underworld’s stronghold in Daocheng?

Huang Jianjiu had believed that his strength would let him roam freely within this city—but now he knew he was mistaken.

That lazy big black dog lay there, its eyelid lifting ever so slightly, exuding a crushing, mountain-like pressure.

As if…

That dog could grow larger than the world itself, making Huang Jianjiu feel as insignificant as a speck of dust.

The sword box snapped open and closed, unleashing a surge of sword aura.

Huang Jianjiu’s expression grew unusually grave as the Triple-Flower Ascension ignited above his head.

It seemed as if he would unleash his most formidable might in an instant!

He marveled—this restaurant, this dog—so glaring and fearsome. Had he failed to notice them earlier…

Could it be that none of the divine prodigies in Daocheng had sensed the presence of this dog?!

‘Such an aura…’

Domineering and fierce, yet remarkably restrained!

Its cultivation level was impossible to gauge, but its oppressive divine aura even made this supreme grandmaster with Triple-Flower Ascension tremble!

An unsurmountable force!

Squinting, Huang Jianjiu fixed his gaze on the black dog and formed a precise sword technique with both hands.

His eyes drifted toward the restaurant bathed in dim yellow light; his nostrils twitched, and his gaze flickered intensely.

He seemed to…

smell an extraordinarily fragrant—liquor?!

Exquisite liquor!

The very best liquor!

The aroma was so enticing…

so overwhelming he could barely stand it!

Huang Jianjiu’s face contorted, his features trembling like rolling waves.

Taking a deep breath, he advanced instead of retreating, striding resolutely toward the restaurant!

To glimpse the Way at dawn is worth dying for by dusk!

His destiny lay within the liquor!

Nothing would stop him from seizing a fine liquor—not even a terrifying black dog!

Not even an Underworld dog!

Step by step, with utmost caution and determination, he pressed forward with a life-or-death resolve.

At the restaurant, the dim lights revealed silhouettes of drinkers behind hanging curtains.

‘Hmph.’

The black dog on the ground exhaled a burst of hot air through its nostrils.

Huang Jianjiu’s steps faltered.

He glanced back at the big black dog.

Then…

‘Look! A flying sword!’

He suddenly hurled out a flying sword; its radiant blade tore through the sky, cleaving the spring rain in two and splitting the air along its path!

Immediately, Huang Jianjiu lunged toward the restaurant.

Thud—!

After just two rapid steps, he felt a crushing blow strike the back of his head. Even his mighty grandmaster body could not fend it off.

Everything went black; his legs gave out, and even his formidable Golden Body Transcendence faded into darkness.

After he fell,

the black dog, as if on cue, lazily rose and slowly retracted its slapping paw.

It exhaled hot breath through its nostrils.

Then it ambled over to Huang Jianjiu, gently grasping his limp form with its paw and dragging him along the waterlogged blue stone pavement of Tinglei Alley, out of the lane.

Once the dog had taken him away,

the restaurant curtain lifted, and the doorbell tinkled as it was struck.

Li Che and the White-Clad Proprietor emerged.

They crouched beneath the eaves, each lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag.

‘If he wants to drink, he should just come here—instead of teasing the dog,’ the Proprietor remarked coolly.

A cloud of cigarette smoke blurred the scene.

Li Che too inhaled deeply, feeling as though the pressure on his wounded shoulder had eased—the fierce palm force of the grandmaster momentarily subdued.

After finishing their cigarettes, they stood. The Proprietor returned inside, fetched a celadon liquor pot, and poured a cup for Li Che.

‘Drink up,’ he said as he handed the cup over.

Li Che accepted it, glanced at the Proprietor, and downed the liquor without a second thought.

The spicy rush arrived with a surge of vitality, as if a deep dragon’s roar had exploded in his ear.

‘What is this liquor?’ Li Che marveled, savoring its taste.

‘Dragon Blood Wine,’ the Proprietor declared before taking the cup back and returning to the kitchen.

Li Che wanted another sip, but it was clear the Proprietor had no intention of refilling his cup.

A searing heat, like volcanic flames, burst forth, consuming everything. Li Che felt an intense blaze erupt from every pore!

That blazing heat surged as though with its own will, lashing directly at the wound on his shoulder!

You Liqing’s palm force was quickly eroded—completely nullified in an instant!

Li Che’s eyes lit up with sudden clarity!

Compared to the slow erosion of his palm force with Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant, this was astonishingly swift!

Even Dragon Blood Wine left a lingering, fierce burn—more intense than swallowing a top-grade Martial Pill from the Six Divisions!

Li Che rubbed his hands and turned back into the restaurant.

Meanwhile, the Proprietor emerged from the kitchen.

‘This breakfast is prepared for XiXi… take it with you,’ he said.

‘Boss, what’s the price of this Dragon Blood Wine? Give me a pot!’ Li Che asked with a grin as he neatly stowed away the breakfast.

The Proprietor instantly saw through him: ‘Limited Dragon Blood—I’ve only got three pots. One is for me; you get one if you bring XiXi for three meals a month.’

His tone softened considerably.

Li Che raised his eyebrows—is that all?

‘But XiXi is about to enter the Orthodox Mountain Gate of Qianyuan Divine Sect to cultivate…’

‘That’s your problem, not mine,’ the Proprietor replied.

‘Alright, I agree,’ Li Che said.

‘If you can do it, I believe in you,’ the Proprietor added.

They exchanged brief words.

Then the Proprietor tossed the celadon liquor pot directly to Li Che.

Li Che caught it and stowed it away.

This genuine pot of Dragon Blood Wine was remarkably potent—comparable to a top-grade Martial Pill from the Six Divisions, yet its effects were even more readily absorbed!

‘Let’s go.’

The spring rain drizzled softly.

After drinking, healing his wounds, and collecting his meal, Li Che left the restaurant promptly, leaning forward into the rain as he waved goodbye.

He gradually vanished into the darkness of Tinglei Alley.

The big black dog ambled back from the rain, glancing sideways at Li Che with narrow, observant eyes.

Li Che reached out to stroke its head, but the dog abruptly raised its paw, its pad swelling with a fierce, menacing aura.

Recalling Huang Jianjiu’s grim fate, Li Che sheepishly withdrew his hand.

Yet he secretly made a note:

This dog…

Li Che had him figured out!

…

…

Cold rain pounded his face relentlessly.

Huang Jianjiu convulsed before jolting awake from his stupor. His eyes widened as potent blood surged from within, his sword aura slashing the ground with violent, crisscrossing marks.

Rubbing the pain from his head, he felt only agony—even his Golden Body Transcendence’s primordial spirit throbbed with hurt.

‘What happened?’ he wondered.

‘Did that master ambush me?’

Huang Jianjiu took a deep breath; his memory now appeared fragmented, as if pieces had been chewed away.

Yet despite the steady spring rain, his nostrils still caught the lingering scent of exquisite liquor.

‘Such enticing liquor…so alluring…but where was that tavern?’

‘I will find it…I must find it…’

‘I, Huang Jianjiu, will always remember the call of liquor—alone, it shall be my companion!’

Stumbling to his feet, disheveled and rubbing his throbbing head, he headed toward the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

…

…

Tinglei Alley, Private Workshop Courtyard.

Li Che retracted his divine perception.

Only after watching Huang Jianjiu’s silhouette vanish in the downpour did he finally exhale in relief.

‘Did he forget the location of the restaurant?’

‘Or forget last night’s events?’

Li Che’s eyes narrowed slightly.

That big black dog…

so mysterious?

Making ordinary folk forget is no arduous task.

Even Li Che could do it now—but to make a supreme grandmaster with Triple-Flower Ascension and a flawless Golden Body Transcendence forget…

that would be nothing short of miraculous.

‘So what origins do the Proprietor and the dog have?’

A dense fog of uncertainty loomed before Li Che’s eyes, unyielding and ever-present.

Yet he did not dwell on it further.

If the Proprietor and the dog harbored ill will, Li Che would have sensed it long ago.

The dog simply appeared to disdain him; its attitude toward XiXi was entirely different…

They only cared for XiXi.

As for Li Che, he was of no consequence.

The spring rain dripped incessantly as Li Che sat beneath the courtyard eaves, closing his eyes to savor the night’s gains.

That night’s harvest was immense—first, a breakthrough in divine nature, merging the Ape God into his divine foundation while perfecting his Divine Vision.

Though it was only the beginning, he would spend much time refining every detail until every monkey hair was perfectly defined.

Only then could he claim perfection.

Another significant gain was the martial art ‘Fa Tian Xiang Di’!

This martial art was an advanced form of Divine Martial Arts—a perfect fusion of divine essence and martial prowess!

‘There are nine transformations in total. As of now, I can only manage the first transformation.’

‘The power of ‘Fa Tian Xiang Di’ is astounding. The more transformations, the more terrifying it becomes!’

Li Che’s eyes shone with excitement.

‘This martial art is probably of the Three Pure Ones level. To strengthen its transformative potential, both divine power and physical strength must be elevated to support it!’

‘For example, in the second transformation, my current physique can handle it, but my divine power falls short.’

Within his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit trembled as if charged with electricity, sparking a swift revelation.

A spark of insight flashed in his mind.

Before him, brilliant images danced.

[Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (LV4 65%)]

Li Che paused—this modest improvement was likely due to his only kill, Su Huai Li, providing little maturation.

And the fallen Corpse God’s Will—was that not factored in?

After a moment’s thought, Li Che understood…

The Corpse God’s Will—like the old Martial Saint Will—was merely an embodiment of experience, not a true corpse god. It was simply combat maturity transmuted.

But it was enough.

Su Huai Li’s death allowed Li Che to finally relax—for a while.

Even though Demon Child still posed a threat like a sword hanging overhead, his previous barrage of mushroom-cloud fireworks had sufficiently intimidated his foe, keeping them at bay for a time.

‘In truth, slaying Su Huai Li tonight was only a minor gain. There was another major one…’

A genuine, heartfelt smile lit up Li Che’s face.

Raising his hand, a piece of premium Qian Kun Jade materialized in his grasp.

‘The Qian Kun Jade of that Pre-Heaven Grandmaster!’

Li Che beamed, unable to conceal his delight.

‘If you protect Su Huai Li, then I, Li Che, won’t be holding back!’

Long Tai, having reached unity with Heaven and Man as a Pre-Heaven Grandmaster,

possessed an immense martial intent—inseparably bound to that Qian Kun Jade.

Thus, if Li Che had resorted to a domineering approach to shatter the Qian Kun Jade, its treasures would have crumbled along with it.

So Li Che chose the safest path: allowing the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit to absorb the premium Qian Kun Jade.

In an instant, Long Tai’s formidable martial intent, not yet fully unleashed, faded as if it had lost its anchor, dissipating into the void.

Li Che grinned broadly as he began to tally the precious treasures of a Pre-Heaven Grandmaster!

These moments were always the happiest for him.

Riches could be won or lost in the blink of an eye!

‘Truly worthy of a Pre-Heaven Grandmaster! His wealth is vast indeed!’

‘Is that a Five Elders Divine Crystal?!’

Li Che’s breathing suddenly became ragged!

Fisting his hand, he uncovered a dark, lustrous Divine Crystal.

The Star-Plucking Gaze flashed its feedback:

‘Five Elders Lower Divine Crystal!’

The crystal, about the size of a pebble, was etched with rhombus patterns and contained swirling milky-white mist.

Its quantity was roughly at forty percent—meaning more than half had been absorbed by Long Tai!

Yet four-tenths of flawless divine essence still remained!

Buzzing filled his chest as the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit pounded with renewed energy!

Li Che’s expression shifted; known for its picky appetite, the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit relished only its first Divine Crystal of each tier.

Once more than one was absorbed, its desire waned.

Thus its absorption and refinement of divine essence slowed dramatically.

Now, even with several Six-Division Divine Crystals, its efficiency had dropped considerably.

Sitting cross-legged, Li Che focused and clutched the nearly forty-percent new Five Elders Divine Crystal for absorption.

In an instant, the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit surged with power as tremendous absorption force erupted.

Yet the speed of absorption and refinement was still slower than he remembered—like the first time he refined a Six-Division Divine Crystal.

That exhilarating, rapid feeling had long been lost.

Suddenly, Li Che sensed within the inner view of a Mud Pellet:

the true Ape God form of ‘Fa Tian Xiang Di’ was drawing divine essence from the Divine Crystal like swirling mist, gradually reinforcing its power!

‘Even the true Ape God form can absorb divine essence directly from Divine Crystals?’

Li Che’s mind raced.

He then produced another Six-Division Divine Crystal.

Boom—!

The true Ape God form flared mightily, its absorbing force voraciously devouring the divine essence within the crystal!

It seemed like a bottomless pit.

Li Che exhaled deeply, a smile tugging at his lips.

If he could harness divine essence to power up, nothing would stop him from capturing his enemy’s offerings!

Future corpse hunts would be even more exhilarating!

Otherwise…

without a proper target, even corpse hunts would lose their thrill!

‘An Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit and a true Ape God form…truly ravenous essence devourers!’

‘They even surpass XiXi in their appetite for essence…’

‘For father…the journey is long and arduous.’

Li Che shook his head solemnly.

After a prolonged absorption session, the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit signalled satiation, and Li Che stored away the absorbed Five Elders Divine Crystal.

He sensed that roughly ten percent of divine essence had been lost in the process.

Its efficiency was far better than he’d expected.

‘What a pity…only one Five Elders Lower Divine Crystal exists.’

‘Hmm? Previously, Divine Crystals weren’t even tiered—now they are?’

Li Che paused in thought.

The higher the quality of a Divine Crystal, the more nuanced its classification, reflecting the vast differences in contained divine power.

He continued his tally.

‘Divine Weapons—a set of Divine Guard Army Provincial Commander’s Armor, lower grade from the Six Divisions, and a standard-issue blade of the Divine Guard Army, lower grade from the Six Divisions…no other divine weapons were present.’

‘It’s a pity Long Tai’s long-handled, crocodile-headed axe—apparently a Five Elders Divine Weapon—was never acquired.’

Li Che felt a tinge of regret, though two lower-grade divine weapons sold to the Temple Guardian Division would still fetch a good price.

‘Hmm? This is…a Five-Stage Pill?!’

Suddenly, Li Che’s eyes flashed with intense focus.

His breathing quickened markedly.

He swiftly retrieved a black porcelain bottle and poured out a tuft of a thumb-sized Martial Pill!

A torrent of potent blood energy roiled forth!

Just one whiff made him feel his internal blood surge uncontrollably!

The Star-Plucking Gaze provided its analysis:

‘Five-Stage Lower Grade Three-Claw True Dragon Blood Martial Pill!’

‘Exquisite stuff!’ Li Che laughed heartily, collecting it without hesitation.

Now that his cultivation had just broken through, it wasn’t the time for ingestion.

Continuing his tally, there were plenty of Six-Division Martial Pills left—enough to sustain his training for a long while.

Regarding martial arts, there was little surprise.

Since Li Che had mastered five Martial Saint techniques, the new Martial Saint technique he gained from Long Tai’s Qian Kun Jade was just ordinary.

But an unremarkable blood-colored gemstone made the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit tremble slightly.

Li Che nearly missed it.

In the end, because the Dao Fruit trembled, Li Che rechecked it.

Holding the gemstone securely, Li Che’s divine perception scanned it with no abnormalities detected.

In the next instant, he focused sharply, his heart pounding, as Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant surged forth and infused the gemstone.

In an instant, the blood-colored gemstone seemed to ignite, its surface suddenly covered in dense, blood-red patterns resembling human meridians!

Yet…some areas were incomplete.

‘What is this…?’

Li Che was momentarily startled.

The Star-Plucking Gaze activated.

…

[Divine Seed (Martial Art): Blood Croc Cleave (Incomplete)]

[Craft: A pure martial art evolved from Martial Saint techniques fused with the Temple Spirit’s divine skill. An incomplete divine seed martial art refines innate Divine Guts, while a complete version unlocks Triple-Flower Ascension.]

…

Li Che’s eyes suddenly brightened!

A martial art surpassing the Martial Saint techniques?!

A divine seed…indeed, a martial art!

According to his understanding of martial prowess, for a Divine Guts Grandmaster to breakthrough to Pre-Heaven Grandmaster, one must open all 360 energy orifices to unite with Heaven and Earth and manifest Pre-Heaven Qi to refine innate Divine Guts!

Now, practicing this incomplete divine seed martial art could directly refine Pre-Heaven Divine Guts!

Moreover, a divine seed martial art could unleash a unique ability, almost like a minor divine technique!

‘And a complete divine seed can even manifest the supreme Pre-Heaven Blossom!’

Li Che exhaled with elation, finally catching a glimpse of the path beyond his current state.

Slowly closing his eyes, he recalled You Liqing’s terrifying punch—a mere palm force had left him bleeding profusely. This was the first time Li Che had suffered such a severe injury!

He would remember this grudge well!

Retrieving his old notebook, he jotted it down meticulously.

Someday, he would get his revenge!

He then quickly scanned a pile of miscellaneous items, not tallying them further.

Next, he retrieved Su Huai Li’s Qian Kun Jade once again…

After arriving in Daocheng, Su Huai Li had expended nearly all his reserves, and Li Che had little interest in the trinkets of the Corpse God.

After finishing his tally, Li Che’s spirits soared.

He stood up, his bones creaking with every movement.

Glancing at the dark sky, he decided against further martial practice in the courtyard.

He instructed the [Painted Immortal] clones to diligently refine the Divine Crystals and train relentlessly, leaving no room for laziness.

Clenching his fist, Li Che returned to the courtyard of Liu Xiang Alley.

The courtyard door opened.

In the dark night, the spring rain fell lightly.

A pair of sorrowful eyes met his gaze.

Dressed in a blue robe and clutching a Cat Face Mask, Li Qingshan looked at him mournfully.

‘Li Che, aren’t you taking me along again?’

Li Che remained silent.

‘The bounty from the Divine Guard Army has reached my ears…’

‘Even Underworld companions—Ogre, Ma Mian, Divine Monkey, and even Black and White Wuchang—are now wanted…’

Li Qingshan slumped against the eaves, gazing toward the sky.

Tonight’s spring rain and the whispering wind carried an undercurrent of sorrow.

‘But there’s no Cat Face…’

Li Che felt deep pity for Li Qingshan.

He was rendered speechless.

Li Qingshan shook his head, then, dejectedly, rose: ‘I understand.’

‘I’ve realized.’

‘I must become stronger…’

‘Once I enter the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, I’ll break through to Grandmaster…’

Li Qingshan, as if losing his soul, drifted back into his house.

Li Che felt sorrow for him; it wasn’t that he meant to leave Li Qingshan behind—it was simply that he forgot.

The incident had happened so suddenly; the Ape God had activated and broken through to his Divine Vision in a flash…

‘Sigh.’

‘My bad—I forgot to call you from the Underworld Divine Communication Mirror.’

Li Che sighed.

‘Next time, for sure.’

After bidding farewell to Li Qingshan, Li Che returned indoors.

XiXi had just fallen asleep, and Zhang Ya was tucking her in. Although XiXi’s masterful physique as a grandmaster didn’t require blankets,

as caring parents, Li Che and Zhang Ya instinctively covered her.

Not out of fear of the cold,

but as a natural expression of parental care.

‘Sleep?’

Li Che smiled gently.

Zhang Ya nodded softly, stepping forward to embrace him.

After drinking the Dragon Blood Wine, a sudden restlessness stirred in Li Che.

He activated the Cosmic Chessboard, sealing off the house—and isolating little XiXi, sound asleep in bed.

Then, with fierce eyes, Li Che wrapped his arms around his wife.

Zhang Ya’s pretty face flushed as she felt the heat of his breath against her, and she pressed her lips together.

She then wrapped her arms around Li Che’s neck.

As each article of clothing fell away,

Zhang Ya noticed the not-yet-healed wound on Li Che’s shoulder. Although his palm force had been offset by the Dragon Blood, his healing was slower than before.

Her eyes brimmed with worry and alarm: ‘Darling…you’re injured?’

Li Che smiled warmly: ‘Just a trifle.’

‘Now, performing a blood exchange for your wife is what really matters.’

Outside, the spring rain raged; inside, bodies moved in a tangled dance.

The night passed like a dream, sweat mixing with the rain.

…

…

The next day,

Li Che rose feeling refreshed.

He even roused XiXi, who had planned to sleep in.

‘The Proprietor specially made dumplings for you—want some?’ he whispered into her ear.

XiXi jumped out of bed; if Li Che hadn’t grabbed her ankle, she might have run right through the roof.

‘Dumplings? Where are the dumplings?’

‘Daddy, XiXi wants dumplings!’

XiXi began salivating.

Li Che was surprised—the little girl had grown so strong, her vigor surging, and an overwhelming divine aura emanated from her.

It was nearly uncontainable.

Li Che’s expression turned unusually serious.

XiXi…

Is she about to solidify her divine foundation?!

Seven-Thousand Words: ‘Old Li went for X-rays today—the doctor found lung nodules and emphysema…he’s dazed, but has resolved to push on and earn money for his treatment. A new month is coming! Votes please! Keep reading—it affects recommendations! Support Old Li, thank you!’

‘Please, guaranteed votes for September!’

‘August has ended in a flurry—now for a recap!’

‘This month added 459,770 words—roughly 460,000. The target from last month was achieved!’

‘Back when these counts mattered on Qidian, only a few monstrous works could rival Old Li!’

‘Next month, aiming for 500,000 words!’

‘Our recommendations climbed from 5,000 to 8,000 subscriptions—possibly 9,000 next month!’

‘So, everyone, keep reading—Old Li will update non-stop!’

‘After all, readership is key to next month’s recommendation quality!’

Old Li truly fought hard this month—even though his mycoplasma pneumonia hadn’t healed and he was dazed, he hammered through to write more.

‘The plot has spilled into Daocheng, and mysterious divine beings are set to appear!’

‘Many seeds of future revelations are planted, waiting to erupt!’

Old Li feels he has plenty to write next month!

A new month—keep pushing!

Keep updating with passion, and let the keys fly!

‘So…’

Old Li pleads—guaranteed monthly votes for September!

‘This month 460,000 words—monthly votes aren’t too much to ask, right?’

‘Go for it!’

Everyone, cast your monthly votes!

Next month, the target is 500,000 words!