Chapter 24: A Looming Fate: Choices and Cultivation

A prime candidate for cultivating the Divine Essence Technique?

Li Che’s eyes narrowed, yet he wasn’t overly surprised.

He had long wondered what made these Lingying so unique that the Lingying Sect cared so much about them.

Surely it had something to do with divine essence.

“The methods of the Lingying Sect must be vicious and despicable. If XiXi falls into their hands, she’ll be raised like livestock; once her divine essence is enriched, they’ll forcibly strip it away…”

“Being treated like a livestock child is definitely not a good thing…”

Old Chen took a swig of wine and shook his head gravely.

Li Che knew all too well that this was dire, which is why he had treaded cautiously since XiXi’s birth.

Frowning, Li Che pondered his countermeasures, wondering how many years he would need to bide his time and grow strong enough to single-handedly annihilate the Lingying Sect.

With the Dao Fruit bonded to his daughter, he would gradually grow and become formidable.

Gently stroking XiXi’s nape, he watched as the little girl blinked in innocent bewilderment, her eyes sparkling with both clarity and childlike wonder.

Old Chen exhaled, “Actually, there is a way to counter the crisis posed by the Lingying Sect.”

Li Che glanced at Old Chen, a questioning gleam in his eyes that urged him to explain further.

“Lingying children are rare—but not unheard of. Commoners’ kids born with Lingying gifts are pitiful, like lambs, seldom making it to maturity as they are targeted early on. And it’s not only the Lingying Sect; other sects with legacies from the Bizarre Temple also hunt them.”

Old Chen’s expression grew somber.

“However, if one can survive until the age of four, there’s a chance to live on.”

Li Che was taken aback.

“Four years… Is there a saying about that?”

Old Chen laughed, “No other reason—the Court will step in.”

The Court?

Li Che’s face twisted slightly; he had almost forgotten the Court’s influence.

Feilei City had essentially been divided among the major families of the Inner City, who held the real power. The court offices were little more than window dressing—they might arbitrate minor disputes, but the families paid them no mind.

Old Chen sipped some aged yellow wine and shook his head, “Xiao Li, don’t underestimate the Court. Even a dead camel is bigger than a horse. Besides… the Grand Scene has not yet withered. Though the Court’s might has diminished, it remains one of the most formidable forces in the realm. Even the top clans dare not ignore it.”

“Feilei City is remote, and the isolation brought about by the Bizarre Temple means it’s somewhat outside the Court’s control—it isn’t a lawless zone, though.”

“Look at this: while the Court’s halls are merely for show, the major families wouldn’t risk ignoring real power.”

“Every four years, the Court conducts a selection. If a Lingying child shows divine potential, they get recruited and trained. Now, that responsibility has been handed over to the leading families of Feilei City by the Court offices.”

At this, Old Chen shot a side glance at Li Che.

Li Che nodded slowly, “So, as long as XiXi stays safe until age four, gets chosen for her divine gift, and is admitted to the Xu Family for cultivation—where she can study the Divine Essence Technique—she’ll have their protection and be secure?”

“Exactly.”

Old Chen grinned.

“But if the Court regains its control over Feilei City, the major families would still be forced to hand over the selected divine children…”

Li Che frowned, “Would any family really be willing to give them up?”

Old Chen took another swig of wine, “And would the Court not understand? So, what do you think is really behind this decree?”

“It isn’t that the Grand Scene doesn’t care—it’s just too lazy to meddle. With Bizarre Temples mushrooming after the rain—nearly every city has one or more—

if the Court tried to manage every Bizarre Temple, it wouldn’t stand a chance. Hence, power is delegated to each city’s leading families to handle the situation.”

“And naturally, those selected divine children bolster the families’ ranks.”

Li Che’s mind began to clear as he pieced things together.

Old Chen squinted, “On top of that, the Divine Clan also comes every four years to inspect for divine children to bring back for training—almost competing with the Court. However, the Divine Clan’s standards are even higher; generally, only the carefully nurtured offspring of major families make the cut.”

Li Che, who had been bewildered by the world of cultivation until now, finally saw a pattern emerging.

“If she could enter the Divine Clan for cultivation, that would be ideal, but their requirements are just too steep…”

Old Chen shook his head wistfully, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions.

Li Che sensed there was more to Old Chen’s story. He poured a cup of wine, cradling XiXi as curiosity and resolve sparked in his eyes.

Old Chen, however, merely rolled his eyes and took another drink, not uttering another word.

Feeling a tinge of regret, Li Che asked, “Old Chen, do you have any martial techniques for sale? If so… could you sell me a few?”

Old Chen nearly choked on his wine, almost brought to tears.

“Do you take martial techniques for cheap vegetables? A few? In truth, martial techniques are far more precious than methods like Skin Polishing or even the Muscle-Opening techniques. Although I have a few hidden in my study, they’re few and far between.”

At the mention of martial techniques, Li Che’s eyes lit up; his interest in Old Chen’s study grew even stronger.

“Martial techniques have distinct styles. Leading families won’t pass them on directly—if you learn one, you’re likely to face retribution. So, which type are you after?”

Old Chen pounded his chest, sighed, then retorted irritably, “I’m fine with anything—as long as it can be mastered. You decide and purchase.”

Li Che cradled XiXi, the pair sharing radiant smiles.

……

……

Time waits for no one.

A month later.

At Chunfeng Alley in Feilei City,

Within a secluded courtyard with tightly closed gates, the accumulated snow had melted away. Hot, searing air intertwined like dragons, battering the loquat trees planted in the yard.

Bare-chested, Li Che’s bronze skin pulsed as if charged with surging blood energy; with a thunderous boom, it pounded against his skin like the beats of a war drum in a storm.

One by one, thick, snakelike muscles emerged on his body, writhing and taut like the strings of a drawn bow.

Boom!

His inner strength burst forth, instantly stirring up a hazy flurry of lingering snow.

Slowly, as he reined in his inner power and blood energy, Li Che’s eyes snapped open, glinting like twin blades tearing through the fog.

His hardened muscles eventually relaxed, while his dark hair wildly tousled in the wind.

Donning a thin shirt, Li Che swung his arms, a satisfied smile curling at his lips.

His eyes narrowed as a prompt appeared before him.

[Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (lv1 50%)]

Twisting his neck, his spine snapped taut, exuding a domineering aura.

“A month to grow nine major muscles—the Xu Family Muscle-Opening Technique perfected… Not bad. Faster than I expected. Truly, it all comes down to my relentless diligence.”

He raised his hand, and a torrent of inner strength, like nine coiling snakes, swirled around his palm.

“The S-Snake inner strength has reached its second level; it can barely be released externally.”

“Indeed, the Dao Fruit Dragon Elephant Vajra greatly enhances martial cultivation…”

“【Xiangong】 boosts my wood carving skills, while 【Dragon Elephant Vajra】 elevates my martial talent. Not bad. I wonder what type the third Dao Fruit will be?”

Li Che couldn’t help but anticipate the third Dao Fruit that would manifest once XiXi turned two.

“Also, the mid-cultivation martial technique ‘White Tiger Turbulent Wind Fist’ I snagged from Old Chen has reached a preliminary level. This martial art is so effortless that practicing it feels like a breeze.”

“But… one martial technique still seems too few. Once I wrap up tomorrow’s wood carving deal with the Si Family Young Master and secure some Gold Leaf, I’ll hit the market to see if I can get another technique to bolster my offense.”

Draped in a thin shirt, Li Che began practicing his boxing in the courtyard. His fists sliced through the air like a raging tiger stirring up a storm, sending countless snowflakes aloft that melted into water before re-solidifying as ice upon the ground.

Only after finishing his routine did Li Che finally draw in his energy with a contented sigh.

Little Cheng’s White Tiger Turbulent Wind Fist, combined with the Diamond Transformation, unleashed a fearsome and explosive force.

But… it still wasn’t enough.

After returning to the inner room and thoroughly washing himself with hot water, Li Che bought a box of Osmanthus Cake—his wife’s favorite—and then headed back to his wood carving workshop.

Clad in a cowhide apron, Li Che sat in a chair. Before him was the meticulously carved “Nine-Headed Guan Yin Weeping Statue” that had taken a month to craft.

He picked up his tools as the 【Xiangong】 Dao Fruit trembled slightly. Concentrating fully, he entered a meticulous state to complete the finishing touches.

In the quiet of the workshop, only the soft rustle of his tools breaking the silence could be heard.

When the final step was done,

A brilliant flash of gold suddenly ignited before Li Che’s eyes.

The next moment, a prompt materialized.

[Dao Fruit: Xiangong (lv3 0%)]

[Dao Fruit lv3 Evolve: Divine Technique Prototype “Xiangong·Thousand Analyses Hand”]

ps: Tuesday reading request. Tuesday’s reading is extremely important as it determines next week’s recommendation. Everyone’s support is appreciated—please don’t hoard the book. Old Li thanks you!