Chapter 25: The Transformation of the Dao Fruit

The Dao Fruit transformed once again!

Its nascent divine power emerged… Immortal Craft: Qianxi Hand!

This level 3 maturation of the Dao Fruit—something Li Che had never imagined—was now capable of such a transformation!

“Nascent Divine Power…”

Li Che murmured softly.

In an instant, his gaze fell upon his hands. A faint jade-colored mist seemed to swirl along his arms, seeping from his pores and making his skin appear as if carved from white jade.

【Nascent Divine Power (Immortal Craft: Qianxi Hand): Absorb Divine Essence, Nurture Divine Power, Surpass in Immortal Craft】

The description manifested right before his eyes.

Just a glance sent a shock of awe through Li Che.

“Absorb Divine Essence?!”

“You mean it can draw in divine essence? So with this Qianxi Hand I can harness it for my own?”

Divine essence… a realm he had never been able to reach.

Although his carvings were sent to the Inner City for cultivation by the noble families, Li Che had never truly experienced divine essence himself.

Gradually regaining his composure, Li Che exhaled and his eyes shone brightly. “It’s a pity I haven’t discovered its true application yet… but absorbing divine essence is only one facet of the Qianxi Hand. More transformations lie ahead.”

Centering his focus, he watched his arms emanating a golden mist, a confident smile curving his lips.

Facing the ‘Nine-Headed Guan Yin Weeping Statue’ before him, Li Che lifted his hand, its jade-colored haze cascading over the carving.

In an instant, streams of luminous jade mist revealed every detail of the statue’s carving technique and artistry, unfolding in his mind as he effortlessly analyzed and mastered it.

Li Che withdrew his hand, his smile growing wry. “Qianxi Hand… it can decipher any craft.”

“Just a single touch unravels its origins, as if achieving enlightenment through careful observation—comprehend its true nature and you inherit the technique.”

To test his theory, he left the workshop and hurried outside to where finished statues were displayed.

Snow fell thick and fast.

A few scattered figures could be seen carefully placing the completed statues.

These were the movers from the shop; Li Che had once belonged to their ranks.

“Master Li!”

The movers greeted him with ingratiating smiles.

“What kind of wood do you need? Just say the word and we’ll get it for you—even on a cold day, you make us run outside!” one mover joked as he wiped sweat from his brow.

Li Che simply waved him off. “No, I was just looking.”

He then approached a finished statue, extended his hand over it, and a hazy jade mist began to emanate from his palm.

In an instant, every detail of the carving’s techniques and processes flooded his mind—unlike the previous once-a-day breakthrough, there were now no limits.

Worse, he could analyze it in finer detail, even innovate by refining and improving the original craft.

“Exactly as I suspected…”

With a final release of his hand, Li Che’s smile deepened. He now had a firmer grasp on crafting the nine intricate mechanisms described in ‘Tang’s Mechanism Chronicle.’

“Time to find an opportunity to upgrade the mechanisms… and give Zhao Chuanxiong an even bigger surprise.”

One month later.

Li Che had experienced a significant transformation.

His cultivation had advanced, and his Immortal Craft skills had grown alongside his newfound nascent divine power, Qianxi Hand.

It was time to eliminate the potential threat that was Zhao Chuanxiong.

Otherwise, that constant feeling of a knife hanging over his head would never let him rest, always fearing that XiXi might one day suffer a grave misfortune.

……

……

Afternoon.

Xu Beihu arrived as promised, draped in a heavy cloak that only accentuated his imposing build.

“Master Li, is the carving finished?”

Xu Beihu’s gruff voice carried through as he entered the woodcarving shop in search of Li Che, his eyes sparkling with energy.

Inside the workshop, his gaze lit up upon seeing the carved statue resting quietly on the worktable.

“Excellent, Master Li—you’ve truly refined your craft! This ‘Guan Yin Weeping Statue’ is imbued with deep significance!”

Xu Beihu couldn’t take his eyes off the weeping statue.

“It’s a pity my cultivation of divine essence isn’t of the ‘Weeping for Ghosts’ variety; otherwise, I’d never sell this carving to the Si Family… at least, I’d insist on a higher price, haha.”

Xu Beihu laughed heartily.

“If the Second Shopkeeper needs any, just place an order with me—five Gold Leaves per piece. I’d love to have more business, ensuring a life of ease.”

“Ha, I might come your way sometime, but… the carvings I require must be crafted by a master carver.”

“If you want to sell me your woodcarvings, you must first reach master carver status. Our Xu family’s divine essence carvings are all produced by masters. As for Si Mu Bai… he’s at a critical breakthrough stage, so he casts a wide net and isn’t picky; he needs a large quantity, which is why he approached you.”

Xu Beihu chuckled as he explained.

Releasing the carving he so adored, Xu Beihu looked at Li Che with genuine admiration. “Master Li, your talent for woodcarving is exceptional. With dedicated study of divine essence, you might one day become a master carver.”

Intrigued, Li Che asked, “Second Shopkeeper, what exactly distinguishes a master carver from an ordinary one?”

Xu Beihu, clearly optimistic about Li Che, made no secret of his thoughts.

They signaled the movers to load the carvings onto the prepared carriage, and Xu Beihu ushered Li Che into an opulent, luxurious carriage.

Inside, a boiling stove simmered with tea.

Xu Beihu poured Li Che a cup and explained, “The reason master carvers earn that title is because their carvings, unlike ordinary ones, actually possess true divine essence.”

“That difference lies in the divine essence,”

“Master carvers produce works that generate genuine divine essence capable of being absorbed.”

“And that alone is the gap between heaven and earth.”

Xu Beihu murmured softly.

Li Che shuddered as he realized that the carvings he made… actually carried real divine essence?

“It’s not hard to understand—remember Spirit Infant? Like a child born from the union of two people, blessed by fate, naturally endowed with divine essence. In the case of master carvers, their Spirit Infant woodcarvings are akin to a mother’s labor, giving the piece a chance to possess divine essence. Although the divine essence generated pales compared to a true Spirit Infant, it’s like capturing the fleeting aura of heaven and earth.”

Xu Beihu laughed warmly.

“But do master carvers practice the Divine Essence Technique?” Li Che inquired.

Xu Beihu nodded emphatically. “Without the Divine Essence Technique, one remains insignificant. How can you feel, understand, and bestow divine essence without it?”

Perhaps recalling a deeper thought, Xu Beihu smiled. “Master Li, don’t rush. The Divine Essence Technique is incredibly precious—a treasured secret held by every great family.”

“Master Li, your talent is impressive, but you still need more experience and refinement of your natural potential before attempting the Divine Essence Technique to truly become a master carver.”

“But that’s only a possibility, nothing more.”

The carriage bounced along the rugged paths of the Outer City and soon arrived at the majestic walls of the Inner City.

Since it was the Xu family’s carriage, they entered the bustling Inner City without question.

It was Li Che’s first time in the Inner City. Elegant, opulent buildings lined the streets, their windows offering glimpses into a thriving world.

In stark contrast to the destitute, struggling life in the Outer City, the difference was night and day.

The carriage stopped before a lavish restaurant adorned in gold and intricate carvings.

Inside, a few movers hurriedly transported the woodcarvings, trailing behind Xu Beihu and Li Che.

“This Jinhuang Pavilion is one of the finest in the Inner City. A meal here starts at a hundred taels. The Si Family Young Master, Si Mu Bai, seems to hold you in high regard and eagerly anticipates your ‘Weeping for Ghosts.’ They’ve even arranged a banquet here for you.”

Xu Beihu laughed.

They strolled along a long corridor decorated with exquisite carvings. Every wooden beam had been meticulously sculpted, a testament to master craftsmanship.

In the distance, a room with open sides—reminiscent of a suspended pavilion with flowing curtains—caught the eye.

From afar, Li Che spotted a white-robed figure seated in the center of the pavilion, sipping wine.

Beside the figure stood an elderly woman, her head bowed as if delivering a report.

Li Che abruptly halted in his tracks.

He watched as the elderly woman’s warm expression slowly faded away.

Finally…

Until it was completely frozen!

Staring at the face of the elderly woman—the very face Li Che had only ever dreamed of—

A subtle murderous intent spread from within his eyes.

Simply because—

This very woman was the midwife who assisted in XiXi’s birth and was responsible for the deaths of over a dozen midwives…

Midwife Lei Chunlan!

ps: Tuesday’s reading is crucial—don’t abandon the book. Everyone must read until the end! Please show your support!