Chapter 264: Tempest in the Eerie Temple

Eerie mists surged amid the soft spring rain, resembling tidal waves in a celestial dreamscape.

They continuously shifted in form and shape.

A towering figure, clad in divine robes, stood with his muscular arms crossed over his chest.

The swirling mists cleared as mighty tempestuous energies raged!

Feng Zhiqi stood with his arms crossed, like a peerless warrior atop the highest peak—one glance from him made even the wildest energies seem to bow in deference.

“Scram,” he ordered bluntly.

Feng Zhiqi fixed his gaze on Huang Jianjiu, who wore a bamboo hat. His eyes shone with a strange light as his tone revealed no trace of politeness.

Observing Huang Jianjiu, Feng sensed his formidable martial will and innate sensitivity, and detected something amiss.

It was as if he faced not a man, but a ghostly apparition!

Huang Jianjiu pressed down his bamboo hat, a flicker of oddity in his eyes as his heart pounded, mixed with a tinge of grievance.

“Lord Feng, it’s me—Jianjiu,” he said with a note of hurt.

Huang Jianjiu spoke, sounding somewhat indignant.

He wondered why Feng Zhiqi, who had never previously barred his frequent visits to this Bizarre Temple, now deliberately stepped in to block his entry.

Feng Zhiqi’s eyes flashed with sparks of lightning as, through his potent divine sensing, he distinguished truth from illusion.

In truth, as one’s martial cultivation deepens, the ability to discern right from wrong—and real from illusion—grows ever stronger.

The fusion of martial will with the power of heaven and earth sharpens one’s divine sense as cultivation ascends.

“The past is the past; now is the present…”

“Huang Jianjiu, you have now left the Qianyuan Divine Sect. Not being a member of the true Divine Transmission Ledger, you naturally cannot tread freely under the agreement between the Temple Guardian Division and the Qianyuan Divine Sect, but since you aren’t…”

“…that gives me every right to stop you,” he declared.

Feng Zhiqi laughed softly.

After a long moment, his eyes lowered and he let out a gentle sigh.

“This is the Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal Bizarre Temple… Child, you should withdraw in your current state,” he intoned calmly.

His soft voice trailed off.

Feng Zhiqi then strode forward.

It was as though he were stepping down from a mountain summit; in an instant, his aura changed dramatically!

Like the collapse of the heavens, a plethora of roaring winds and surging waves blended as torrents of air burst forth like dragons!

In a flash, the entire area around the Bizarre Temple trembled, dust and debris swirling in the air!

It was as if an invincible warrior—a dragon among men—had glared fiercely from the battlefield.

Boom—!

Huang Jianjiu felt an overwhelming pressure upon him.

Although he had reached the Sword Saint realm and his sword was still potent enough to dispatch Su Wenxi,

Feng Zhiqi, a three-awakened Martial Saint, had ascended to peaks unattainable for him.

The gap between a one-awakened and a three-awakened Martial Saint was akin to the chasm between a Grandmaster and a Supreme Grandmaster!

Inside his Sword Casket, Huang Jianjiu’s sword intent rang clear and resolute.

In that moment, it was as if he faced an onslaught of thousands of charging warriors.

Boom!

Above, the heavens churned with rolling thunder!

Countless raindrops tore through the sky as thick, dark clouds roiled like ink in tumult.

In the realm of the Martial Saint, the fusion of will and natural force—what they call divine sensing—could reshape the very heavens with a single thought, altering the storm itself.

If one truly reached the four-awakened Martial Saint, capable of splitting open the heavenly gates, they could even marshal the winds and rains, inciting storms with a mere thought!

“Lord Feng… I only came to have a look. My sword technique—my inheritance of the Sword Immortal’s art—is mine. Shouldn’t I at least return to check it out?”

Huang Jianjiu’s body pulsed with brilliant sword energy, his sword song seeming to rend the skies.

Despite facing a peerless warrior of the three-awakened Martial Saint realm, Huang Jianjiu showed no fear. If it meant death, so be it—he no longer feared dying!

Vvvvvv—

Huang Jianjiu clenched his five fingers, and in a breath, his sword energy erupted into a sweeping beam of light!

The beam sliced straight towards Feng Zhiqi—a single strike cleaving through all defenses!

“Lord Feng, please witness the sword I have comprehended in the Sword Immortal Temple—this strike is known as Sword Nine!”

Huang Jianjiu’s entire body blazed as if piercing through endless dark clouds; golden sword energy rained down from above.

It was as if nine streams of sword energy, like dragons of light, descended relentlessly towards Feng Zhiqi.

All around them—

The warriors and cultivators of the Temple Guardian Division looked on, their eyes alight with astonishment.

Yu Wen Wenlong had arrived, standing tall at a distance, his gaze riveted in observation.

He wasn’t worried about Feng Zhiqi; in his view, Huang Jianjiu’s challenge was more a test, a boast to exhibit prowess.

“Well done,” he remarked.

“Perfect timing—let me see just how astounding that strike was, the one that stunned the entire Daocheng!”

Feng Zhiqi’s eyes burned with admiration. Facing Huang Jianjiu’s strike, he felt not anger but an endless appreciation.

After all, for Huang Jianjiu to confront him directly and strike so boldly was a display of courage surpassing countless others.

A boldness and valor few could match.

Amid howling winds, Feng Zhiqi’s gaze brightened slightly as he spread his fingers and snapped them forcefully.

In an instant, the atmosphere shifted as if the very winds and clouds changed hue!

His glittering hand shot out into the void, grasping at the divided sword strike—nine parts separating and uniting as one.

Vrum vrum vrum—

For a blink, everyone felt as if a towering mountain had risen, spanning heaven and earth, impossible to scale!

Huang Jianjiu’s sword energy had been impressive, but under Feng Zhiqi’s five-finger grip, all nine streams were captured and shattered into fragments!

It was as if that single palm held an endless variety of power.

Sword energy raged around him like a torrential current.

Feng Zhiqi laughed heartily, “That was truly a fine strike.”

Huang Jianjiu’s eyes flickered; since he didn’t fight with reckless abandon, his strike hadn’t been his utmost effort.

He glanced at Feng Zhiqi oddly, then, with a quick tiptoe, he vanished in a burst of dark mist.

Feng Zhiqi watched Huang Jianjiu disappear, a faint smile lingering before slowly fading away.

“Huang Jianjiu, well done…”

Feng Zhiqi’s eyes shone as his mighty martial will merged with heaven and earth, its divine resonance sweeping like a radar.

He furrowed his brows slightly.

“Just now… it seemed as if something had surged through Huang Jianjiu’s sword energy.”

Caught up in admiring Huang Jianjiu’s strike, Feng Zhiqi had missed a crucial detail.

With one decisive step, he tore through the swirling mists and charged in.

…

…

Thud—

The dark mists burst open, then coalesced once more.

Huang Jianjiu reappeared beside Li Che, who sat beneath an eave clutching a mid-tier level Five Order Divine Crystal.

“Task accomplished, my lord,” Huang Jianjiu said as he crouched next to Li Che.

Li Che nodded, “Good work.”

“Feng Zhiqi is too formidable. A three-awakened Martial Saint, with martial will nearly merging with nature—it’s terrifying,”

Huang Jianjiu expressed his thoughts on confronting Feng Zhiqi’s strike.

Li Che merely nodded, understanding the weight of a true three-awakened Martial Saint.

After all, when Feng Zhiqi casually broke a strike fueled with at least eighty percent of Huang Jianjiu’s power with just a five-finger grip,

it indicated an absolute, crushing superiority.

Feng Zhiqi’s might was so overwhelming that… what about Ji Mo Li?!

A subtle electrical spark danced in Li Che’s eyes as he sensed an inexplicable pressure—like a breached dam, torrents of force gushing forth.

King Ping Luan’s Ji Mo Li was a transcendent Martial Saint in the four-awakened realm, a divine prodigy whose overall strength far surpassed Feng Zhiqi!

Huang Jianjiu removed his Liquor Gourd and took a swig of wine he’d acquired from his wife. Now that his ties were public, he could drink without limits, feeling ever more liberated.

“When I broke into the Su Family, my greatest fear was actually the Su Family’s Old Master, Su Lei Ba… His cultivation was at the two-awakened Martial Saint level, and he was a divine prodigy.”

“I had to call upon one of the inner Elders; otherwise, if Su Lei Ba returned, I might not even manage to kill Su Wuming.”

Huang Jianjiu explained.

“Only by truly reaching the Martial Saint realm could one understand the chasm between a single awakening—it’s as vast as crossing an ocean,”

Li Che nodded.

“It’s simple: the higher the realm, even if the gap appears just one level, the distance to be overcome is often unimaginably vast.”

“The higher the realm, the more oppressive the status and the greater its influence.”

Huang Jianjiu nodded in agreement.

Staggering slightly, he rose and, after bidding farewell to Li Che, drifted out of the courtyard.

It was as if he melted into darkness, using the Seal of the Corpse God imbued within his Mud Pellet to hunt down the nefarious disciples of the Corpse God Sect within Daocheng.

Li Che watched Huang Jianjiu fade into the distance, then refocused his attention as he linked his will to a Feilei Chess Piece.

That Feilei Chess Piece, caught within Huang Jianjiu’s sword energy which had been shattered by Feng Zhiqi, now lay scattered.

Once the Feilei reached its mark, Li Che could traverse the vast world!

His eyes flashed as electric currents surged!

Clad in a rustling black robe, Li Che did not immediately activate the Feilei Chess Piece to enter the Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal Bizarre Temple.

Instead, he sat in meditation, absorbing the swirling divine liquid power from within the Divine Crystal.

The spring wind and rain nurtured all things.

The gentle patter on the black tiles and wooden eaves produced a crisp, clear sound.

Li Che silently refined his divine essence, calming his mind.

He did not rush to act.

He waited for the night to fall.

…

…

Clatter, clatter—

A withered leaf was crushed under the wheel along the main road. Its moist surface clung to the wheel, gathering mud as it rolled along.

A lavish carriage, drawn by a noble, pure-blooded Jiaoma, thundered along the main road.

Inside the carriage, a profound stillness reigned, insulated by heavy soundproofing materials.

Lu Chi sat within, a potent surge of divine energy coursing through him as he retrieved a precious pill and swallowed it.

It was the famed Fifth-Order Divine Pill known as the ‘Herbal Return Pill’ from the Tian Dan of the Tian Dan Divine Sect of Guangling—a rare treasure that could transform one’s martial roots, purify the body, and augment vital energy.

“Your Highness, Daocheng is nearly upon us,”

someone announced from outside the carriage.

Lu Chi opened his eyes; in his stomach, his gut stirred as he absorbed the pill’s properties, his vital energy growing ever more robust.

“Daocheng…”

Lu Chi’s eyes betrayed no emotion, though the prison lotus mark on his brow glimmered.

“There’s still time before the Qingming Festival; arriving early in Daocheng would be wise…” he said softly.

“Highness, once we enter Daocheng, will we reside in the Dao Master Residence?”

From the opposite side of the carriage, an elderly man with silver hair slowly opened his eyes and inquired of Lu Chi.

Lu Chi tilted his head, drew back the curtain, and gazed out at the endless spring rain, momentarily lost in thought.

Moments later, he asked, “Mo Lao, does the Princess of King Ping Luan reside there?”

The old man nodded, “According to the latest reports, indeed.”

Lu Chi’s eyes flashed, “Then let us reside there.”

Mo Lao paused and smiled softly, “Very well, we shall settle in the Dao Master Residence. I’ll have word sent ahead.”

He couldn’t help but be surprised—why would the Highness, who despised the Princess, choose the Dao Master Residence?

But Mo Lao did not mind.

“I never expected the Highness to inherit the Temple Spirit’s divine legacy at the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple, and to have the resolve to sever worldly attachments by passing the grueling tests…”

“Truly remarkable,” Mo Lao murmured.

“Her Majesty is deeply gratified by you, for now, without royal kin, you finally have a chance to contend with your peers,”

Mo Lao said while stroking his beard.

Lu Chi’s gaze turned cold and emotionless, “It’s but a faint hope. I’ve never truly been expected by my mother. The National Teacher only had you by my side for consolation—I’ve never achieved his expectations… My talent is clear to me, and I’ve only inherited a mere twenty percent of the Third Prince’s divine legacy…”

“If I could acquire over fifty percent of that legacy, perhaps my chances would grow.”

Mo Lao was left speechless.

Royal offspring mature faster than others, it seems.

Inside the carriage, a heavy silence fell.

Lu Chi gazed at the overflowing spring rain mingling with leaden clouds.

In his mind, a chubby little maid—laughing happily on a Twisty Car—briefly appeared.

He drew a deep breath and closed his eyes tightly.

“We have come for the last personal transmission slot of Master Lü. If I manage to become his disciple…”

“Then our hopes will be all the greater.”

“At the Peach Banquet held by the Empress, it would add yet another advantage.”

Lu Chi said in a low voice, his eyes turning cold and unfeeling as his mind settled solely on personal gain.

…

…

Lead clouds roiled as sparkling raindrops leapt from behind them, slicing the night sky like blades and casting scattered glimmers.

Crackling and snapping,

A flash of brilliant blue electric arcs danced within the clouds, as if a divine dragon were swishing its tail!

The storm roared with the first crack of thunder!

Daocheng.

Tinglei Alley.

Rain cascaded down the black tiles, gathering at the eaves to form a clear curtain of water.

Li Che released his grip on the Five Order Divine Crystal. Its divine liquid swirled and splashed, the remainder now only a third of its original strength.

[Dao Fruit: Unsullied Heart (LV5 5%)]

Sure enough, with the new tier of Divine Crystal, the first divine fruit—the Pure Heart Dao Fruit—matures rapidly once ingested.

However, once saturation is reached, the progress slows.

After stowing the crystal containing the remaining divine liquid, Li Che bathed in the rain, the spring breeze mingling with the moist air.

He rose as his black robe flapped in the wind.

Entering the building, Six Painted Immortal Clones of Li Che clenched their divine crystals, absorbing divine energy until the Six-Desire Divine Foundation was complete.

“Six-Desire Exorcism…”

Li Che exhaled, his eyes sparking with determination.

Inspired by Huang Jianjiu’s insight, he thought that forging a Divine Vision with the power of the Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal Temple might be a fine choice.

A unified Divine Vision…

Could it really be done?

Though uncertain, the idea refused to be dismissed.

It was better than forging six divine corpse visages, after all.

With his fingers together, he tore through the air and retrieved a Cute Cow Mask from the Qiankun Space, placing it over his face.

He donned his bamboo hat and black robe completely.

Boom—

A dull thud, and Li Che’s form surged upward and grew robust, as if a towering mountain, his veins straining like taut cords in a thunderclap!

His outstretched hand traced a slow arc over the mask as he raised his head; his wild black hair danced wildly, and behind the mask his eyes burst forth with golden sparks and electric arcs.

His fingers clutched tightly. When he finally grasped a smooth, white Feilei Chess Piece,

Li Che’s figure vanished into the secluded courtyard of the Private Workshop.

The swirling mists and the strands of Temple Spirit’s divine energy flowed like coiled dragons, silently wreaking havoc through the mists!

Li Che, with his Ogre Mask on and his massive frame, suddenly appeared within the eerie, interwoven realm formed by the dissipated divine energy of the Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal Temple.

Looking around, it was as if he had arrived in an entirely new world.

Splashing sounds echoed as he looked down; the ground was covered in a thin layer of water that chilled his feet to the bone.

Li Che activated his circulation, the heat within him dispersing the chill.

He raised a hand and tapped his brow.

The Cosmic Chessboard leapt into view, severing his own aura.

Then, with flesh parting at his brow, an eye radiating golden light burst forth—this was the Star Plucking Gaze.

Infinite insights reflected in its radiance, gazing into the void to unmask truth!

The Star Plucking Gaze shone, sweeping across the vast, endless realm of the eerie threshold.

The mists roiled like boiling water, obscuring the frigid expanses of the land in a hazy veil.

With one sweeping glance, the Star Plucking Gaze penetrated the mists completely.

In an instant, a dazzling beam of sword light surged upward from the distant horizon!

Its brilliance filled the sky above the eerie threshold, rippling the mists into layers of undulating waves.

Li Che’s eyes narrowed.

“Found it.”

The location of the Bizarre Temple!

The Five Elders’ Bizarre Temple…

Li Che’s incursion into the Bizarre Temple was mainly to probe; he did not intend to summon its Temple Spirit as others had.

After all, in the Five Elders’ Bizarre Temple the Temple Spirit… was not to be trifled with.

Li Che’s foot touched down.

His powerful vital energy filled his sole, and instantly, a wave of water erupted!

The Lingxu Baqi Steps!

After shattering a surge of water, Li Che’s form sent out endless phantom silhouettes, as if shattering the very air into cascades of white foam!

His target was clear—the Bizarre Temple embedded within the threshold.

Mortals entering the threshold often lose their sense of direction. Within the swirling mists, it is nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact location of the Bizarre Temple.

Even Li Che, relying solely on the Cosmic Chessboard, could be misled by the mists, and had to depend on his own eyes.

After all, divine perception within the threshold is blunted by the mists; visibility is limited to about ten meters.

Fortunately, Li Che possessed the Star Plucking Gaze.

The unparalleled insight of the Star Plucking Gaze allowed him to navigate the mists with ease.

Boom boom boom—

With his aura severed by the Cosmic Chessboard, Li Che’s mighty form pinpointed its target and surged forward at breakneck speed!

The oppressive force of the heavens grew ever stronger around him.

It was as if a razor-sharp sword intent was drawing closer and finally pressing against his brow.

Li Che’s eyes narrowed.

Activating his Thunder Magnetic Conduit,

In an instant, the field around him transformed. Coupled with the isolating effects of the Cosmic Chessboard,

Li Che seemed to vanish from the threshold altogether.

The horrifying pressure of the threshold held no sway over him now.

Swish, swish, swish—

Approaching the Bizarre Temple, the once-calm water erupted into surging tides, waves crashing and matter coalescing into a line of white foam.

Splashes echoed with every impact!

Then suddenly,

Li Che froze, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked into the distance.

In the distance, the mists grew dense and murky.

They revealed two enormous, dark silhouettes.

The Star Plucking Gaze shone brightly, parting the mists to reveal the colossal figures.

They were two massive, lifeless corpses with surfaces as dark as black jade, entwined with intricate patterns, grotesquely swollen, both kneeling on one knee with a gigantic sword planted before each.

Like massive sculptures of black jade, they radiated a deathly stillness mixed with a terrifying aura of oppression!

“Temple Protection Incantation: Corpse!”

“And… they are semi-divine temple protectors!”

Beneath his Ogre Mask, Li Che’s eyes smoldered with golden mist as a grave expression took over.

These two temple protectors…

exuded an oppressive force that even far surpassed that of Huang Jianjiu when, once empowered by the Seal of the Corpse God, he had forged a half-divine corpse body.

They were the semi-divine temple protectors raised to power by the Five Elders!

Absolutely not something to be overcome by brute force!

Li Che hadn’t expected that, after shutting out his aura and senses, he would confront two half-divine temple protectors at the doorway of the Bizarre Temple…

Moreover, Li Che had a premonition—regardless of his Cosmic Chessboard and Thunder Magnetic Conduit protections, he would not be able to bypass these two and enter the Bizarre Temple.

Their domains warped all areas within a hundred zhang of the Bizarre Temple!

Just like the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple in Jin Guang Mansion along the Jiulong River, within the threshold the territory surrounding the Bizarre Temple is a forbidden zone.

“But… it’s not a major issue.”

With a flick of his finger, Li Che sent two black Spiritual Confinement Chess Pieces flying, which transformed into two silhouetted figures in the wind.

One was Huang Jianjiu; the other, You Liqing.

You Liqing, clad entirely in golden armor, opened his eyes wide as sparks of electricity crackled around him.

Empowered by the refined Spiritual Confinement of Martial Saint Su Wenxi, You Liqing’s chakra surged; he had finally broken through to the Martial Saint realm.

“My lord!”

You Liqing saluted respectfully.

Even having reached the Martial Saint realm, the indomitable Spiritual Confinement that was etched into his very soul remained unchanged.

Li Che looked toward the two terrifying temple protectors…

Taking a deep breath, he signaled Huang Jianjiu and You Liqing each to grasp one Feilei Chess Piece. Follow the same method—send the chess piece into the Bizarre Temple!

Boom—!

You Liqing, with a resonant clang, removed the golden face from his helmet to obscure his features. Then, clenching his fingers, he seized a Zhangba Snake Halberd and transformed into a streak of golden light as he charged forward!

Huang Jianjiu smiled and, with sword energy surging, rode the wind on his sword!

As the Cosmic Chessboard’s veil dispersed…

the combined force of the two Spiritual Confinement warriors instantly provoked the two semi-divine temple protectors!

Splash, splash, splash!

Across the vast waters, as if the liquid were boiling and countless droplets leaping in frantic rhythm, a constant cacophony filled the air.

Roar—!!!

A burst of raging energy shattered the calm as the two towering, ten-meter temple protectors opened their eyes wide. Crimson rays, like four beams of searing light, swept across!

On You Liqing’s body, countless dragon roars erupted as he clenched the Zhangba Snake Halberd; two divine seeds exploded in tandem!

A bloody mist pervaded as the divine seeds bellowed in rage.

The Heavenly King glared fiercely; the Zhang Mo Mang Spear!

Huang Jianjiu laughed heartily as golden sword energy swept and burst forth.

Boom—!!!

A massive sword was abruptly drawn, as the two temple protectors roared with open maws, their fearsome fangs protruding wildly—mutated by the corrupt essence of the Temple Spirit—to grotesque forms.

Li Che stood upon the turbulent waters, his masked eyes narrowing as he observed the hideous temple protectors, recalling the countless terrifying beings glimpsed through the mists in the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple…

Those countless venomous creatures clinging to the mists, hidden behind the threshold—

Were these temple protectors truly twisted by the Temple Spirit’s divine essence?

How could a temple of exorcising six desires possibly breed such demonic guardians?

Or perhaps…

Were these temple protectors not twisted by the Temple Spirit’s essence at all?

A growing doubt flared in Li Che’s heart.

The eerie threshold, the swirling mists, the Bizarre Temple…

The blue-hued hand, the fallen Temple Spirit…

One mysterious clue after another flashed before Li Che’s eyes, so enigmatic they were nearly suffocating.

But soon, he shut his eyes tightly, expelling all these thoughts.

Those matters were too distant for him.

What mattered now was to enhance his own strength.

Only by having overwhelming power can one dare to throw a punch against calamity and terror.

…

…

Temple Guardian Division.

Outside the eerie threshold of the Five Elders’ Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal Bizarre Temple.

Feng Zhiqi suddenly opened his eyes wide, a sharp, almost tangible brilliance emanating from him as his martial will fused with heaven and earth—his terrifying divine sensing warping all around!

“How dare you!”

“Who dares intrude upon the Five Elders’ Bizarre Temple!”

Fury erupted on Feng Zhiqi’s face!

Within the threshold, the divine envoys immediately sensed the disturbance and relayed the news.

Feng Zhiqi’s unwavering martial will within the threshold also sensed something amiss.

Somebody had shamelessly dared to provoke the two temple protectors!

Who had such nerve!

A death wish indeed!

And most importantly…

Feng Zhiqi’s eyes burned with murderous intent as cruelty and wrath intermingled.

Who… could have slipped past his vigil and entered the Sword Immortal threshold undetected?!

“Guard every exit. Aside from me, anyone who emerges… be slain!”

“Yes!”

All the assembled overseers and inspectors roared in unison!

In the distance,

inside the Temple Guardian Division’s residence, Yu Wen Wenlong, busy with official documents, had sensed a disturbance and hurried over.

But Feng Zhiqi paid him no heed.

Leaning forward, his body surged with terrifying energy, as if countless enraged dragons roared, and in a flash his aura exploded, shattering into countless eddies and torrents!

He transformed into a streak of light and crashed into the mists, charging into the threshold!

At that moment, as Feng Zhiqi smashed into the threshold,

Li Che’s black robe billowed; he pressed down his Ogre Mask.

He slipped past the two temple protectors and landed upon a Feilei Chess Piece at the temple’s entrance.

Changing his position effortlessly, he eluded detection.

He had entered the ancient Sword Immortal Temple with upturned eaves.

At last, he encountered the Sword Immortal.

…

…

The rain pounded relentlessly from the lofty sky.

Before the Dao Master Residence,

Young Daoist Master Yue Weizheng, holding an umbrella with a few attendants, awaited in the night.

In the distance, an opulent carriage, blooming like a flower in the torrential spring rain, tore through the downpour. Its wheels splashed water, churning white waves, before coming to a stop in front of the City Lord’s Residence.

The curtains were drawn back.

Mo Lao, his white hair flying, held an umbrella for Lu Chi as they stepped out of the carriage.

Yue Weizheng’s eyes fell on Mo Lao, and he recoiled slightly.

This man… seemed vaguely familiar.

Perhaps a divine progeny under National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s command?

Yet Yue Weizheng could not quite pinpoint his identity.

Then he looked at Lu Chi, an odd gleam in his eyes.

He had heard of Lu Chi—formerly hidden within Jin Guang Mansion, who had participated in the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit Resonance Conference hosted by the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

It was said that this once obscure prince of Divine Capital had managed to secure a modest twenty percent of the Third Prince’s divine legacy—had it not been for Li Nuǎnxi obtaining seventy percent single-handedly, perhaps… this prince could have claimed at least fifty percent.

The commoner National Teacher, dressed in plain clothes, was keenly watching the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple in Jin Guang Mansion on the Jiulong River…

If Prince Lü could acquire fifty percent of the Temple Spirit’s divine legacy, he might even win over National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s backing.

Alas… what a pity. This prince can only gamble for a chance at the Daoist Master’s personal transmission.

“Your Highness, your accommodation has been arranged. Please come with me,”

Yue Weizheng said with a smile.

Once the carriage had been properly parked, the group entered the Dao Master Residence.

The Dao Master Residence was vast.

Walking through long corridors and garden pavilions,

Lu Chi’s broad head suddenly halted. His eyes swept, landing on a slightly irate, intensively training Dragon Maiden—the Dragon Queen—seated in a secluded pavilion.

“Get serious! How do you expect to win over that wretched Li Nuǎnxi if you slack off like this?”

The Dragon Queen was strict, holding a ruler as if she sensed something, and lifted her gaze.

She then noticed a few figures standing in the long corridor, her brows knitting in disapproval.

In the corridor,

Lu Chi’s expression was blank.

“She must be the consort of King Ping Luan’s Ji Mo Li, united with the Dragon God Clan?”

Yue Weizheng, hearing this, looked perplexed, assuming that the erstwhile unloved prince Lu Chi aimed to ally with the Princess.

“Indeed,”

“Shall I invite the Princess to meet Your Highness?”

Yue Weizheng asked with a smile.

Lu Chi turned his head impassively toward Mo Lao and said,

“Mo Lao… shut her up.”

The final note: Many thanks for your continued support. This is the third installment from Old Li. Your vote of thanks, monthly tickets, and free recommendations mean everything! Old Li will keep updating vigorously. Thank you!