Chapter 227: A Snowbound Celebration

Ice and snow reveal a crystalline world, and the night is astonishingly clear.

The restaurant’s dim yellow light casts its glow on the white snow, making it look as if it’s dusted with crisp breadcrumbs.

“You’re here to celebrate XiXi’s birthday?”

With a cigarette dangling from his lips, the Boss’s eyes brightened. He stood up and clapped his hands.

“No problem. It’s early. I’ll go whip up a few dishes.”

His tone grew lively, infused with renewed energy.

The big black dog on the floor had already jumped to its feet, prancing a few times while casting admiring, approving looks at Li Che.

Li Che smiled and took the seat the Boss had just vacated.

The big black dog paced back and forth on the snowy ground as snowflakes drifted down from the narrow stretch of the dome overhead.

The dog seemed ecstatic, perhaps excited at the thought of soon seeing XiXi.

Li Che twirled a cigarette between his fingers, squinting as he exhaled thin wisps of smoke.

“So comfortable…”

“How I wish I could live such a laid-back life right now.”

“Just smoking a few cigarettes, basking in the sunshine, admiring the snow, and watching my daughter grow up calmly…”

“It would be bliss.”

“Alas… I tread carefully in this world and can’t yet slow down.”

Li Che sighed softly.

He dreamed of owning a restaurant, keeping a dog, listening to the wind and watching the falling snow, and admiring the drifting clouds.

Such a life would be incredibly pleasant.

After a brief pause, the Boss called out to Li Che.

Li Che pulled aside the curtain and stepped in as the door chime rang out crisply.

“Wow, this feast is magnificent!”

Li Che inhaled deeply, feeling as though his nostrils were overwhelmed by an endless array of fragrances.

“Red-Braised Pork, Braised Pork Trotters, Stir-Fried Vegetables, Sweet and Sour Fish…”

“All of XiXi’s favorites.”

Li Che smiled, his eyes softening considerably.

“Today, XiXi is the birthday girl. Naturally, her favorite dishes are on the menu. Don’t tell me you’d serve plain noodles instead?”

The Boss, while wiping his clean hands with a spotless towel, replied coolly.

Immediately Li Che’s face fell.

“Boss, don’t you misunderstand my taste?”

“Is he really someone who enjoys plain noodle soup?”

“No, Boss—you just only want a bowl of bland noodles!”

“The kind that wouldn’t even have an egg added!”

With a dismissive wave, Li Che swept away the dishes into his Qiankun Space.

Side by side, Li Che and the Boss exited the restaurant—one in white that shone like snow, the other cloaked in a dark tunic.

The mountain slopes were adorned with snowy blossoms, while icy dewdrops clung to the green willows.

The big black dog trailed behind them as they headed toward the Inner City.

Enormous snowflakes drifted down, cloaking the entire Daocheng in a silvery blanket; on the wide, deserted main street, few people ventured out.

Li Che, accompanied by the Boss and the big black dog, returned to the courtyard of Liu Xiang Alley.

Two horse-drawn carriages waited outside the courtyard.

Falling snow blanketed the carriage roofs while ordinary horses let out warm, puffy exhales against the biting wind.

The moment the big black dog appeared, the horses’ legs trembled, though they soon regained composure.

Clearly, the dog had calmed its aura.

Li Che had noticed that the black dog and the Boss were no ordinary pair.

He could sense how sincerely they cared for and adored XiXi. The Boss might seem cold, but when cooking for XiXi his heart surely warmed.

And as for the dog—let alone Li Che hasn’t even scratched its head…

Yet in front of XiXi, not a single spot on the dog remained clean.

“What is this…?”

Zhang Ya, Old Chen, Granny Mu, and Shangguan Qinghong waited in the courtyard.

Zhang Ya looked at the Boss and the big black dog in puzzled silence.

Li Che gave a brief introduction.

Instantly, Zhang Ya beamed; anyone who cared for XiXi was a friend to her.

“Let’s go. We’re off… Elder Jiao Shaoqiu only granted us tonight.”

Li Che said gently.

Uncle, Aunt, Cousin Li Zhengran, and Cousin-in-law Liu Chunming had been waiting for a long time.

It had been ages since they last saw Li Chengzhou, and they were filled with longing.

They even planned to catch a glimpse of Li Chengzhou tonight—especially Liu Chunming, anxiously wondering if her son was eating and dressed well inside the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

Training in swordsmanship under the Grandmaster must be exhausting, after all.

Parents always worry endlessly about their children.

The group boarded the carriage as the wheels turned, tearing through the wind and snow, carrying everyone and the big black dog toward the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

Before the colossal Qiankun plaque at the Divine Sect Mountain Gate…

Grandmaster Nie Yang held XiXi’s hand while Li Chengzhou, sword at the ready in a horse stance, followed close behind.

A fiery glint sparked in Li Chengzhou’s youthful eyes.

He aspired to be a mighty swordmaster just like his teacher!

XiXi’s eyes shone as she eagerly looked on, blinking and even jumping in place.

While Nie Yang held XiXi’s hand, his expression remained unreadable.

Just then, as two carriages burst through the wind and snow,

XiXi shrieked, “They’re here!”

“Uncle Nie Yang, let me see!”

No sooner had she spoken than she wriggled free from Nie Yang’s hold; her little body flushed with energy as her feet pounded fiercely against the snow.

In an instant, she rocketed forward like a cannonball!

Buzz, buzz, buzz—!!!

Sparks flew from beneath her feet as flames danced; in the midst of the fiery glow, the snow and wind were torn asunder.

The Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel burst forth from beneath XiXi’s feet, hastily dragging her figure in a crooked rush toward the carriage!

Clearly, she had only just mastered the Wheel and was far from proficient.

But she was determined to showcase the results of a year’s cultivation at Divine Sect!

“Dad—!!!”

“Mom—!!!”

The carriage door flew open as Zhang Ya, beaming with excitement, watched XiXi hurtling toward her.

XiXi stood on the spinning Jin Guang Wheel; as it whirled rapidly, she landed on the carriage and the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel retracted back to her foot.

“Mom!”

XiXi dove headfirst into Zhang Ya’s arms, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Her pouty face was streaked with hot, rolling tears.

She clung tightly to Zhang Ya, her little head nuzzling her repeatedly, unwilling to let go.

Zhang Ya’s eyes grew misty as she tenderly cradled her daughter, her heart aching with care.

Li Che looked on kindly at the pair, his own heart visibly stirred.

After a moment, XiXi broke free and climbed into the carriage, nestling into Li Che’s embrace and wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Boo hoo… Daddy!”

“I missed you so much!”

XiXi’s voice quivered with grievance.

Li Che patted his daughter’s back gently, his softened heart struck hard by the moment.

“Daddy will join you inside the Orthodox Divine Sect soon. Then you’ll see both of us every day, alright?”

“Alright!”

“Pinky promise!” XiXi raised her little pinky confidently.

Li Che ruffled her head and solemnly locked in the pinky promise.

Only then did XiXi wipe away her tears with her sleeve.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up!

“Look, the dog!”

XiXi immediately spotted the big black dog sprawled in the carriage.

She leapt off Li Che and clung to the dog, wrapping her arms around its neck in the same manner she does with Li Che.

At that moment, Li Che’s tender feelings hardened instantly.

“And the Boss! Seems like there’ll be a treat for your birthday today!”

XiXi beamed brightly with joy.

Li Che shook his head and stepped out of the carriage, battling the wind and snow to reach Nie Yang’s side.

He patted Li Chengzhou’s head and said, “Your parents are in the rear carriage. Off you go.”

Li Chengzhou, unable to contain his excitement, glanced at Nie Yang.

“Master, may I come along?”

Nie Yang’s eyes softened as he nodded.

Li Chengzhou happily dashed toward the other carriage.

Aunt and Liu Chunming had already crowded around the carriage’s shaft, eagerly awaiting.

“Thank you, Grandmaster Nie,” Li Che said kindly.

Nie Yang waved dismissively, “Let’s go; we’re heading into the mountains.”

The two sat on the carriage’s shaft while Old Chen skillfully managed the reins, having informed the mountain guards in advance so no one stopped them.

Inside the carriage, XiXi played joyfully with the dog, her laughter filling the space.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Boss sat quietly, watching XiXi and the big black dog play, his eyes soft with affection.

Just as the carriage passed beneath the Qiankun plaque…

Boom—!!!

The snow covering the plaque suddenly began to tremble, as if a formidable force was about to burst forth from it.

Inside the carriage, the Boss stole a glance at the plaque.

In an instant, the plaque fell silent—serene to the extreme.

This minor anomaly went completely unnoticed by anyone—neither by the powerful cultivators within the Orthodox Divine Sect.

The carriage sped along the mountain road, passing by one bizarre temple after another.

Seated on the carriage’s shaft, Nie Yang held a bronze iron sword bound with a torn cloth at its hilt. His brows furrowed slightly.

He had come specifically to pick up Li Che and the others, wary that the deities of the bizarre temples might show hostility toward outsiders by unleashing strange mists and eerie auras.

The reason outsiders aren’t allowed to reside long-term near the Divine Sect Mountain Gate is that non-Divine Sect disciples, lacking the aura of disciples or elders, are seen as intruders by the bizarre temples.

Consequently, they risk being eroded by the strange mists or even transformed into temple-protected zombies.

“Today’s bizarre temples…”

“So eerily quiet…”

Nie Yang’s brow furrowed further before slowly relaxing.

Silence is best—it spares him any need to intervene.

Upon entering the Inner City of the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, the carriages soon reached the spacious courtyard of Elder Jiao Shaoqiu.

Inside the courtyard, many children had already come running out.

Gong Yuanliang, Gongyang Xiu, and Tie Shancai, among other youngsters, hurried out in a flurry.

Li Che glanced at them and could only see Yellow-Haired dashing about in the swirling snow.

Suddenly, Li Che’s expression changed subtly.

From his Tian Di Qi Pan, he sensed two familiar auras in an instant.

On a long street in the disciples’ city, amidst gently falling snow, a lone carriage stood quietly.

Inside that carriage were Su Chuyang and a formidable elder from the Su Family of the Breath Retention Transformation stage.

Su Chuyang looked displeased.

The elderly man in plain robes calmly stroked his beard and asked, “What are you resisting?”

“I just don’t like her… Elder, I don’t want to go.”

Su Chuyang shook his head.

Although ranked third in the Dragon Child Register, Su Chuyang carried his own pride.

He had been bumped down by Li Nuǎnxi, and he was determined to train hard and eventually surpass her to regain everything he lost!

Now, the elder even ordered him to act friendly toward Li Nuǎnxi—to give her gifts and try to build a relationship!

Su Chuyang refused emphatically.

“Women are nothing good!”

They only disrupt his Dao heart!

Su Chuyang was destined to become the prodigy personally tutored by the Sect Master of the Divine Seed Stage!

He refused to be tied down by emotions at such a young age!

“You… fool,” the elder snapped, frowning and stroking his beard.

“Our Su Family has always cherished alliances with high-caliber bloodlines. Li Nuǎnxi has been rated by the Dragon Child Register, and you are more than enough as your first woman!”

“You needn’t even invest genuine feelings—just securing her is sufficient. If you fancy someone else later, well… what’s wrong with your elder brother?”

“Now that his family has poured resources into him and he’s even entered the Authentic Transmission Ledger…” the elder said flatly.

Su Chuyang remained obstinate.

“Elder… I will defeat her squarely and reclaim my place as third in the Dragon Child Register! That will prove that she isn’t worthy of being my woman!”

Fists clenched, Su Chuyang’s determination blazed.

“If she loses to me, it shows she has no right to be my woman!”

The elder slumped against the soft carriage cushion, clearly exhausted.

This child is hopeless.

He exhaled softly, “Useless.”

“I told you to go—so go!”

Su Chuyang gritted his teeth; at just nine years old, he had no choice but to bow to family authority.

After grabbing the gifts, Su Chuyang finally succumbed to power.

At such a tender age, he already witnessed the dark side of authority.

…

…

Li Che withdrew his attention, his eyes turning odd.

Through his Tian Di Qi Pan perception, he clearly overheard the conversation between the Su Family elder and Su Chuyang.

Li Che was well aware that the Su Family elder in question was Su He Lian, a purely honorary elder within the Divine Sect.

His cultivation had only recently broken through to the Breath Retention Transformation stage.

The other three major families—the Zhou Family, Yun Family, and Zhong Family—all had honorary elders in the Divine Sect.

For years, the Qianyuan Divine Sect had intertwined with many prominent families in Daocheng.

But only the Outer Sect was open; no prominent family member could infiltrate the Inner Sect.

Only outstanding outer disciples who joined an inner elder’s sect received cultivation guidance.

Thus, there are plenty of family disciples on the Authentic Transmission Ledger.

“That Su Family elder… he’s single-mindedly eyeing XiXi’s talent and bloodline,” Li Che’s eyes turned cold.

Had it been someone else, Su Family’s ill intentions might have even made them endear him; but here, Su Family was sending gifts to celebrate XiXi’s birthday, a gesture Li Che found utterly repugnant.

“And that kid, Su Chuyang… his temperament is no better.”

“I have no fondness for him either.”

He didn’t like XiXi; why should his XiXi care?

My XiXi is not meant to be the woman of some little punk…

Who does he think he is?!

How can a father tolerate such scorn?

Gifts? Not a chance.

With a snap of his fingers,

the Xuan Ci Field Domain—

Boom—!!!

In an instant, the Xuan Ci Field Domain locked onto Su Chuyang through the Tian Di Qi Pan, enshrouding him completely.

Su Chuyang, clutching the gift that Su He Lian had shoved into his hands, tried to advance.

Abruptly, as if colliding with an invisible barrier, he couldn’t move an inch.

“Huh?”

Su Chuyang looked on in bewilderment.

He reached out—there was nothing there.

No divine aura, no martial will…

Nothing at all. Why is it so impenetrable?

Su Chuyang tried again, yet remained blocked.

He was startled!

Planning to take a detour, he discovered an invisible wall encasing him!

Unyielding, Su Chuyang unleashed a burst of divine aura, slamming headlong into the air barrier.

But the divine force effortlessly swept past him.

Bewildered, Su Chuyang frowned and charged fully, determined to break through in one go.

Bang—!!!

A dull, thunderous sound, like a massive iron mallet striking an ancient bell, reverberated.

Su Chuyang was violently repelled, flung sideways into the snow; his gifts scattered everywhere as his head spun, as if deities were reciting sutras to exorcise him.

“Su Chuyang!”

Inside the carriage, Su He Lian glared in anger at the scene.

Su Chuyang looked utterly dejected.

“Elder, I told you I encountered something filthy—do you believe me?”

Su He Lian shook his head in disappointment, “If you don’t like it, then so be it. There are far more suitable candidates in the Su Family who can marry, gaining full access to the family’s resources. Since you refuse… there are plenty who want her.”

“Then just fight over the cultivation resources in the Divine Sect,” he added.

With that, the carriage rolled on as the ferocious beast-drawn vehicle tore through the wind and rain.

Su Chuyang rose from the snow, brushed off his silvery-white fur,

and declared, “Elder, I, Su Chuyang, can become a Divine Seed Master without relying on a woman!”

…

…

Li Che no longer paid attention to Su Chuyang—the kid’s mouth had grown foul and his ambitions were inflated.

But he wasn’t beyond punishment.

As for that Su Family elder…

Marrying and draining a talented woman’s blood to waste a prodigy…

The Su Family, under the guise of a noble clan, was downright sinister!

Li Che harbored no goodwill for them.

Yet with his current strength, taking on the entire Su Family was a tall order.

However, with Su He Lian and the Su Family elder eyeing his daughter… they must be eliminated!

But today is XiXi’s birthday.

Not the time for bloodshed.

Inside Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s vast courtyard, Li Che recognized many familiar faces.

Among them were Sang Guanyin and XiXi’s Second Senior Brother Bian Bian. Everyone was gathered to celebrate XiXi’s birthday.

Bian Yuanlong, solid as a mountain with bulging muscles like cast steel, carried a massive, scaled demon beast pig.

“Hehe, this demon beast pig I caught this morning from the mountains outside Daocheng—I’m going to prepare a demon beast feast for XiXi tonight,” Bian Yuanlong said cheerily.

Demon beast…

Li Che’s gaze fell on the struggling pig.

When the bizarre temple’s divine corruption invaded and the strange mists were unleashed, monstrous creatures would mix with ordinary animals to produce demonic hybrids.

Some of these hybrids, once they gained sentience, became terrifying indeed.

According to the ancient texts, Qitian City was now overrun by various demon deities—each not to be taken lightly by even a Divine Seed Master!

“I’ll handle it,” Li Che murmured.

Suddenly, the Boss in his brilliant white attire stepped out, his tone calm:

“I’m a professional. I wouldn’t want my cooking to disgust XiXi.”

Bian Yuanlong was left speechless.

The burly man cast a glance at the lean, white-clad youth with wide, curious eyes.

His tone boomed, “You may insult me, but never my cooking! I’ve honed my skills battling demon beasts in the wild, personally cooking their meat to stave off hunger.”

“My skills are honed through sheer hard work,” Bian Yuanlong declared gravely.

The Boss retorted flatly, “You say that again later.”

With that, he gently tugged the demon beast pig from Bian Yuanlong’s grasp and headed for the kitchen.

Bian Yuanlong scratched his head…

This man certainly had immense strength!

Li Che could only think that the Boss truly adored XiXi; otherwise, how could the Boss, with his laid-back attitude, take on such a task?

He must really fear that Bian Yuanlong’s cooking might sicken XiXi.

Meanwhile, little XiXi, the birthday girl, darted around the courtyard in pure delight.

“Daddy, Mommy! Look at me—I’ve been training hard these days! I’m now blessed with divine veins!”

XiXi proudly demonstrated her newfound power to Li Che and Zhang Ya.

“I’m about to catch up with you, stinky Daddy!”

XiXi clutched her tiny fist in excitement.

She remembered that Daddy was only a modest Grandmaster, wasn’t he?

The big black dog remained inseparable from XiXi; wherever she went, the dog faithfully followed.

Soon, Li Qingshan arrived, exuding a dominating aura. Clearly, after more than half a year in seclusion, he had broken through to the Grandmaster realm.

Li Che sat in a chair chatting casually with him.

It had been so long since he last saw Li Qingshan.

Li Qingshan, vibrant and full of youthful vigor, exclaimed, “Ah Che, remember to call me next time—I’m incredibly strong now!”

Even though Li Qingshan had only recently broken through, his Divine Guts surged wildly, occasionally interspersed with bursts of thunderous energy.

Li Che smiled at him, “Perfect! We’ll have an operation soon—I’ll call you then.”

Their conversation was carried telepathically. At that, Li Qingshan’s eyes sparkled with determination.

“Target… who is it? I’ll smash him with my Cat Face and Goat-Horn Hammer!”

Li Qingshan felt invincible now—even if he dared to mess with innate Grandmasters, a mere touch could prove fatal, yet the ferocity of his breakthrough was unstoppable.

“Our target… is Divine Sect Elder Su He Lian.”

Li Che picked up a pristine peach and took a bite.

Li Qingshan admitted, “I might need to consolidate my aura a bit more.”

“Dinner’s served,”

a calm voice cut through the chatter, overtaking all other sounds.

An intense aroma wafted from the kitchen; just the smell suggested the sight of golden, oily roast pork.

Rich drips of golden oil fell from the roasted pig, sizzling as they hit the coals.

This aroma captivated everyone present.

Even Elder Jiao Shaoqiu, normally so composed, couldn’t help but twitch his neck.

The Boss, in his graceful white attire, emerged from the kitchen carrying the roasted demon beast pig.

He placed it on the dining table.

Though the wind and snow were isolated, the lingering aroma filled the courtyard.

“XiXi, come on,”

the Boss said softly as he sliced through the golden, shiny roast pig.

Crisp cuts broke through the pig’s tender, flaky skin, revealing steaming, pale meat beneath.

Inside, a variety of dishes shone like jewels, spilling out magnificently.

The Boss personally carved out slices of pork, ladled a bowl of a special dish hidden within the pig’s belly, and served it in front of a drooling XiXi.

“Dig in,” he said, ruffling XiXi’s hair.

Everyone quickly began to share the meal.

Bian Yuanlong, as solid as a mountain, could not stop after one bite.

“Sir, please mock my cooking all you want,” he pleaded.

Bian Yuanlong couldn’t even lift his head as he devoured his food.

Zhou Peng, Yun’e, and Zhong Liushou soon arrived.

Zhou Peng ate while tears streamed down his face.

“I shouldn’t have eaten pork, but it was just too delicious to resist…”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu looked at the white-clad youth and then at the big black dog, voraciously nibbling on a pig’s tail.

His deep, cloudy eyes suddenly contracted as a familiar image flashed through his mind.

A white figure accompanied by a dog…

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He recalled the deity by the name of the Three-Eyed True Lord in the bizarre temple—the image nearly overlapped perfectly.

Closing his eyes briefly and reopening them, his divine sense cleansed his vision.

His Yuan Spirit emanated a golden glow as he looked intently.

That familiar feeling, however, quickly faded.

“After all… the skinny dog by the Three-Eyed True Lord’s temple cannot possibly be this chubby.”

“And the deity’s vertical divine eyes…”

“They’re just old… so old…”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu shook his head and sighed softly.

Now completely aged with his lifespan nearly spent, he could only nurture promising disciples in his remaining days.

Outside the small courtyard, a figure staggered in drunkenly.

“Ouch—so aromatic! You all ate the good stuff and didn’t call me?”

Huang Jianjiu, unkempt and drunken, ambled in from outside the courtyard.

Then his eyes fell on the big black dog gnawing on a pork trotter.

Huang Jianjiu suddenly felt a dull pain at the back of his head!

“This dog… this dog…”

Huang Jianjiu glared, recognition dawning.

He seemed to have seen it somewhere before.

Could it be from that dog meat restaurant in the east of the city?

…

…

After the hearty meal, the courtyard fell quiet once more.

“Mom, Dad—you wait for me. I’ll get stronger soon and sneak out on missions to see you again!”

Though XiXi felt a pang at parting from Li Che and Zhang Ya, she remained resolute and understanding.

She knew her parents had sent her to the Divine Sect for her own good.

Moreover, Elder Jiao Shaoqiu had promised that once she became a personal disciple of the Sect Master, the Divine Sect would heed her word and allow her to roam freely.

So XiXi dedicated herself to cultivating, determined to become the Sect Master’s favored disciple!

“Tomorrow, XiXi will train within the strange mists of a bizarre temple…”

“So we can’t keep you here tonight.”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu said apologetically.

Li Che and Zhang Ya waved goodbye; after all, seeing XiXi every night was a given.

They bid farewell to XiXi.

The group departed the Divine Sect Mountain Gate by carriage. Since it was late, Elder Jiao Shaoqiu had Nie Yang personally escort them through the bizarre temples that became active at night, preventing their eerie auras from spreading.

Li Qingshan also accompanied them.

The cold wind and ice-cold snow stung.

At the city gate,

XiXi continued bouncing and waving goodbye.

Li Che slowly turned his gaze away while Zhang Ya rested against him, whispering, “Husband… XiXi has become so sensible.”

“But even though she’s sensible… I can’t help feeling for her,”

Zhang Ya murmured softly.

Li Che’s eyes filled with quiet resolve as he stared out the window.

“Yes… what a wonderful daughter she is.”

“So anyone who dares covet my daughter…”

“will have to pay with their life.”

Seven-thousand words. Vote for the monthly ticket, recommend, and follow! Everyone has lit up the reviews to the max—it’s wild! Just a few more subscriptions to hit Lv3 in the friends circle. Keep reading and boost those votes!