Chapter 266: Blades of Light Pierce the Dark Sanctuary

Buzz, buzz, buzz—!

The sword’s chant dazzled as its force raged wildly!

The sky of the Bizarre Temple was dim, shrouded in heavy black clouds with a tinge of crimson, suffused with oppression and eerie malevolence.

Yet the sword intent that burst out from the Bizarre Temple was magnificent and radiant!

It swept away the lingering darkness, turning the world to endless white as countless sword energies, like tumbling dragons, entwined around the beam of light.

It seemed determined to pierce the vault of the Bizarre Temple with a gaping hole!

The black clouds rippled like a sprawling carpet being creased into folds!

Amidst a sibilant ‘chi chi chi,’ the eerie mist slowly dissipated, clarifying the skies and earth.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

Roars echoed unceasingly throughout the Bizarre Temple—the savage howls of temple guardians, eerie beasts, and other accursed entities.

“Full ten! How can that be?”

Feng Zhiqi’s jet-black hair whipped wildly as his eyes blazed with intense light; his Qi and blood surged violently inside him like a thunderclap, utterly awe-inspiring!

Yet at this moment, he was struck dumb.

His heart trembled as though caught in an enormous tidal surge!

How could this be…

A tenfold Temple Spirit Resonance was beyond rare even at nine-tenths.

And now, someone had achieved a perfect ten in resonating with the Temple Spirit!

A reincarnated Sword Immortal?!

Could it be that the incarnate of the Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal had appeared in person?!

Without a doubt, reaching a tenfold resonance with the temple spirit meant that one had inherited the Sword Immortal’s legacy!

Feng Zhiqi exhaled a wisp of foul air.

His eyes sparkled with renewed intensity.

He longed to see clearly inside the Bizarre Temple—to discern who had stealthily infiltrated this guarded sanctuary and maxed out their temple resonance.

Alas, the raging sword energy cascaded, obscuring his view so he could see nothing!

Feng Zhiqi’s dark hair whipped about as his robe fluttered; he raised his head, fixated on the sword energy pillar that seemed about to tunnel through the Bizarre Temple.

Within it…

Even for a martial saint like him, a staggering, awe-inspiring will was palpable!

“This sword intent… is it about to tear apart the Bizarre Temple?”

Feng Zhiqi murmured to himself.

As his murmurs faded away,

Boom—!!!

The vault of the Bizarre Temple exploded open into a vast void, with streams of luminous energy pouring down, and the sword energy pillar bursting forth as if breaking free of the heavens!

It left the entire Daocheng of Qianyuan stunned!

…

…

The sword light soared skyward as innumerable sword energies snaked like dragons!

Under a sky heavy with leaden clouds and rolling spring thunders, the air trembled as countless arcs of lightning intertwined.

It was as though every raindrop carried a trace of sword energy.

This extraordinary spectacle instantly drew the gaze of too many onlookers.

Daocheng of Qianyuan, the largest city on the Lingnan Path, teemed with tens of thousands of souls, a magnet for martial wanderers and divine cultivators.

Among these, sword practitioners made up the majority.

At this moment, under the influence of the sword energy pillar, their blades clanged incessantly, impossible to quiet.

The spectacle rivaled, even surpassed in terror, the legendary uproar when Huang Jianjiu broke through as Sword Saint with his Sword Nine technique!

Outside the Bizarre Temple,

Agents of the Temple Guardian Division shuddered; Yu Wen Wenlong gripped his long halberd, knees buckling before snapping it tight. With a thunderous roar from the ground, he blasted upward like a cannonball, tearing through the spring rain.

Suspended mid-air, he held his halberd at an angle, staring fixedly at the sword energy pillar that rent the spring clouds.

“Majestic and overwhelming—destined to eradicate evil!”

“Such righteous and domineering sword intent!”

Yu Wen Wenlong’s heart surged with emotion, his whole body trembling slightly.

Inside the Bizarre Temple…

What exactly was unfolding?

Who had broken into the temple?

And who was the one

causing such a commotion within the Bizarre Temple?

…

…

At the Dao Master Residence.

The spring rain poured down as droplets smashed against the dark tiles, exploding into fine mist.

Lu Chi stood under the eave, his expression blank as he looked upward at the sword energy pillar tearing into the clouds.

Mo Lao approached him; his loose, timeworn robe fluttered with the spring breeze while his white beard whipped about in the wind.

“The sword energy pillar that has spread directly from the Bizarre Temple carries a fierce temple spirit will…”

“Someone has achieved a sublime resonance with the temple spirit of this Five-Elder ranked Bizarre Temple, creating this astonishing phenomenon.”

Mo Lao spoke gravely.

“This is an incredibly rare celestial phenomenon.”

“Who could it be?”

Mo Lao took a deep breath.

No sooner had he stepped into Qianyuan Daocheng than this dazzling scene unfolded before him.

Mo Lao’s heart clenched as he sensed that this ancient city on the Lingnan Path was being swallowed by a terrifying vortex.

“Who is it?”

Lu Chi’s head shook slightly as he caught a fleeting glimpse of XiXi’s dazzling, broad smile.

“No… it can’t be her. For her to have inherited the temple spirit of the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple at a seven-tenth resonance is unthinkable.”

Lu Chi’s eyes narrowed.

Could it be him?

Lu Chi couldn’t help but recall XiXi’s father.

That refined gentleman who, in truth, wore a mask and was ruthless—a fierce, bloodthirsty figure from the Underworld, the Ogre?

But that didn’t add up either; the Ogre… isn’t known for wielding a sword.

What chaos!

It was absolute pandemonium!

Lu Chi’s head spun in disbelief.

Qianyuan Daocheng had three Five-Elder ranked Bizarre Temples: one of the Golden Heavenly King, one of Lu Xuan Sword Immortal, and one of the Two-Hearted Great Sage…

And Lu Chi remembered that the Bizarre Temple of the Two-Hearted Great Sage on Shendiao Ridge had just reported a disturbance—rumors of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, the mythical weapon of the Five-Elder stage, had surfaced.

The Grand Inspector once said whoever obtained the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff could rise to Qitian City and wield the formidable Treasure Tower weapon once dominating half the realm—the Hunyuan Ruyi Staff!

Mo Lao exhaled: “Two of the Five-Elder Bizarre Temples have stirred…”

“The vortex in Qianyuan Daocheng seems to be growing ever more turbulent.”

At the Dao Master Residence.

In the grand hall of the Residence.

Dao Master Yue Huanglong, resplendent in his finery, stood with his arms folded, rotund and imposing.

Young Dao Master Yue Weizheng stood respectfully behind him.

Both watched the sword energy pillar soaring into the clouds.

“Father…”

“The Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal’s Bizarre Temple—has the second Five-Elder temple stirred?”

“What turbulent times these are.”

Yue Huanglong’s smile faded, replaced by a strange glimmer in his eyes.

“A perfect tenfold temple resonance—Huang Jianjiu is dead… Otherwise, I would have thought it was him achieving it. Now… who could it be?”

“Shall we send someone to investigate thoroughly?” asked Yue Weizheng.

“They won’t find anything. This Bizarre Temple is under Feng Zhiqi’s guard. If even he can slip by unnoticed, what chance do we have?”

“Enough then. The Sword Immortal’s sword is not something any ordinary person can bear. If you wish to grasp his sword intent, you must bear its weight! Let’s shift our focus to the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s temple…”

“That Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff must be obtained…”

“Whether it be the Golden Heavenly King, the Two-Hearted Great Sage, or Lu Xuan Sword Immortal—their legacies pale in comparison to that of Qitian Temple.”

Yue Huanglong said gravely.

Yue Weizheng’s eyes sparkled: “I understand, Father.”

…

…

At the Imperial Watch.

An elderly Inspector in a long cyan robe meditated in the highest level of the octagonal, double-eaved Watch Tower.

At the balustrade lay a yellow wooden chessboard with black and white pieces arranged upon it, while soft sandalwood incense wafted upward.

He toyed with a white chess piece.

Turning his head toward the distant sword energy pillar, he exhaled and smiled lightly.

“Since you’re here, come inside and have a seat.”

“Great Master Taibai.”

Buzz—

In an instant, a burst of sword light expanded; the air tore asunder and someone stepped forth, clad in a billowing white robe with wildly tousled black hair.

His face was pale, his features as refined as jade, his skin like glazed porcelain.

“Great Master Taibai, we haven’t sparred in years. How about a game today?”

The aged Inspector’s withered skin clung tightly to his bones.

“Agreed.”

“I challenge you to a five-piece match,” Taibai declared.

Lü Taibai sat opposite the Inspector, holding a white chess piece along with a wry smile.

“Cheeky move,” the Inspector retorted with a laugh.

Clack, clack, clack—

Chess pieces fell with crisp sounds as they resonated on the board.

Tick, tick—the spring rain pattered on the dark tiles producing a clear echo, mingling with the sound of falling pieces to create a calming rhythm.

“How do you interpret the temple spirit will contained within this sword energy pillar, Taibai?”

The Inspector placed a black piece, its invisible aura colliding with Taibai’s as waves of divine pressure rippled out, overwhelming the top of the tower with a fearsome spiritual might.

Every stair, board, door, window, and beam trembled rapidly.

It was as if the two forces were locked in a silent battle on the chessboard.

“I’m not sure. In times of change, new talents always emerge. What can I say? I’ll just watch.”

Taibai replied coolly.

The Inspector shot him a glance: “Back in the day when you triggered Lu Xuan Sword Immortal’s temple resonance at nine-tenths, now here comes a perfect ten…

“That’s putting you to shame.”

Taibai picked up another piece and said dryly, “Good riddance.”

“This world…”

“Needs fresh blood to rise.”

“Besides, the sword… is not my whole world.”

Smack.

The Inspector stroked his beard with a smile.

Lü Taibai…

remained as unbridled as ever.

“I’m really curious…”

“Who will be your final, personally trained successor?”

“Your previous disciples—one was a reincarnated temple spirit, one from an exotic clan, another from the Desert King’s court, one who even betrayed the Qianyuan Divine Sect, and one who died…”

The Inspector gazed at Lü Taibai and gently placed a piece on the board.

“Truth is, Huang Jianjiu resembled you the most. Alas… his path strayed because of sentiment.”

The Inspector shook his head.

“Now that Huang Jianjiu is dead…”

“You intend to mold your final successor as the young patriarch, don’t you?”

Lü Taibai, his white robe swirling, maintained his calm expression.

They had deduced much about Huang Jianjiu—death was death…

A piece was gently placed on the board.

“Guess.”

The elderly Inspector rolled his white eyes.

After all, he was old now.

Had he been young…

Forget guessing!

He hurled the chessboard at Lü Taibai’s head.

…

…

At the Su Family.

Su Daoling, now head of the Su Family, furiously flipped through his account book.

For someone of his half-saint divine talisman status, being head of the family wasted too much energy. In the past, Su Wenxi had helped him, allowing him leisure; now it all fell on his shoulders.

Moreover, after Huang Jianjiu’s massacre, the Su Family had suffered severe losses, and the three major families weren’t to be trifled with.

The Zhou, Yun, and Zhong families had seized the opportunity to crush the Su Family and gulp down many of its assets.

And other rising families, like the Sang and Zhu clans, were eyeing them hungrily.

When one great fall spurs new life, the decline of mighty families only releases sumptuous gains for others.

“The Underworld… Huang Jianjiu…”

Su Daoling’s eyes turned cold.

The Su Family’s losses must be avenged!

“Lie Shen Pavilion has already taken orders… Though I can’t guess the identities of the other Underworld members, you, Cat Face, your identity unraveled instantly—you dare to prance about so boldly…”

“I never believed Li Qingshan, Cat Face, was part of the Underworld, yet it turns out he really is.”

Su Daoling’s gaze became ice-cold.

“The Underworld has exposed a major flaw!”

“The strength of Lie Shen Pavilion in the Capital far surpasses that of Jin Guang Mansion…”

“A Star Killer… will finish you, Cat Face!”

“Perhaps through him we can unravel the rest of the Underworld’s secrets.”

Su Daoling slammed the account book on the table, his head meant for inscribing divine talismans, not balancing books.

“Now, the surefire chance to reverse the Su Family’s decline lies solely in the upcoming evaluation of Lü Taibai’s final disciple…”

“Su Wuming is dead—slain by Huang Jianjiu—but one must admit, Huang’s natural talent was remarkable. Su Li, the son of Wuming, has fully inherited his mother’s gift, possessing formidable sword talent.”

“Huang Jianjiu was Lü Taibai’s disciple. Now that he’s dead, letting Zhu Qing’s son take his place is just right…”

Su Daoling’s eyes gleamed.

“Huang Jianjiu… in the end, you just weren’t ruthless enough.”

“You couldn’t bring yourself to harm these children, yet they will eventually grow to become the tools that sustain the Su Family’s glory and strength!”

Su Daoling’s gaze was implacable.

As long as the Su Family still held that secret technique…

For three thousand years, tides will ebb and flow…

This is not the end!

“Once Su Li and the other two prodigious talents of the Su Family become Lü Taibai’s final disciples, all our recent setbacks will vanish—and the assets seized by the three families will be returned!”

Su Daoling’s eyes shone brilliantly.

Now, Su Li and the other two prodigies had been sent to Su Lei Ba for their final burst before the patriarch’s personal evaluation.

…

…

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

All fell silent as the sword energy pillar, which had soared skyward, slowly wound down like a turned tap—a cascade that eventually dwindled into mere threads and vanished.

Inside the Bizarre Temple, everything was eerily quiet.

Li Che slowly opened his eyes; the overwhelming divine aura on him gradually subsided.

He exhaled deeply and rose to his feet, his muscles creaking and snapping like thunder.

Breakthroughs in divine cultivation inevitably echoed in the flesh.

Within the Mud Pellet, a dazzling glow sparkled, as if a miniature sword was faintly visible above his brow.

That was the Sword Immortal Sword Intent seed…

But alas, that very seed had been shackled by the Sword Immortal’s grand vow, preventing immediate inheritance.

“Still… it’s not a big issue. Once Ji Mo Li is killed—he is the culprit behind that calamity—the shackles on the Sword Immortal Sword Intent seed should finally break.”

Li Che exhaled in relief.

His jet-black hair flew wildly as he scanned the now-quiet Bizarre Temple, where the statue of the Sword Immortal’s temple spirit sat serenely on the altar.

As if the prior scene descending from the altar had been nothing more than an illusion.

Yet the trembling Sword Immortal Sword Intent seed within the Mud Pellet testified that it was all real.

“The effect of Ming Shen Divine Power… is far better than I expected.”

“Understanding the temple spirit’s will will greatly aid my sculpting of the Divine Eagle.”

Li Che laughed.

It seemed he was not far from reaching half-saint status with his Divine Eagle.

Bowing respectfully, Li Che saluted the statue of the Sword Immortal’s temple spirit and then lightly snapped his fingers, pressing the Ogre Mask.

Leaving a trace of white in the Sword Immortal’s Bizarre Temple, Li Che clenched his fist and departed from the Five-Elder ranked Bizarre Temple.

This journey, for Li Che, was wholly complete.

It even brought an unexpected joy.

The Six-Desire Divine Foundations had all coalesced into Six Divine Image Swords, each filled with the temple spirit’s divine aura up to the Yuan Image realm.

In other words, Li Che’s divine cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Yuan Image!

Moreover, his primordial spirit had long been birthed.

So now all that remained was to condense his divine pill and break into the Divine Primordial realm.

After Li Che’s departure,

normalcy returned to both the Bizarre Temple and the Bizarre Temple.

The temple guardians no longer howled; the eerie mist began its gentle, lingering dance once more.

Feng Zhiqi’s eyes glittered as he stared at the Sword Immortal’s Bizarre Temple for a long while. Once the half-saint guardian and temple beasts fell into a deep, dormant sleep, he began to form seals and project his divine imprint.

In an instant, the eerie mist tore apart.

He passed between two guardian half-saint beasts, stepped into the Bizarre Temple,

only to find that, aside from the extinguished white candles and overwhelming darkness, everything remained unchanged.

There was no one inside the Bizarre Temple…

Feng Zhiqi’s eyes narrowed.

When had they left?!

Feng Zhiqi clenched his fist as a terrifying aura intertwined within the temple.

Who exactly was it?

Entering and exiting as it pleased…

Coming and going without the guard’s consent.

Is this a circus?

…

…

Back in Qianyuan Daocheng.

At Tinglei Alley in the Private Workshop Courtyard.

Crack, crack—!

Perhaps the rain had become even more torrential, as if the sword energy from the Bizarre Temple had pierced through the heavens—like a hole through which primal water burst forth.

Thick leaden clouds amassed as flashing lightning cut through the dark night.

The heavy rain pounded as though a dam had burst!

Winds roared and electricity danced like a curtain!

The patter of rain washed over Qianyuan Daocheng, cleansing every inch of filth from the land.

Li Che, wearing the Ogre Mask and drenched in his ink-black shirt, had his muscular frame outlined vividly like a sculpted statue!

He tilted his head back as the rain streamed down his mask.

His eyes blazed with lightning-like glints in their depths!

“Hoo—”

“Sigh—”

With each breath, the wind and rain seemed to surge in sync with him.

Li Che spread his arms wide and silently began to levitate, altering the invisible field around him.

The Thunder Magnetic Conduit activated, drawing in the life force that surged to revive nature from winter’s frozen grasp!

Within his chest, the Dao Fruit of the Thunder Magnetic Conduit pulsed steadily—slow, yet as mighty as a divine hammer striking the earth.

Li Che floated as rain swirled around him like butterfly wings in a distorted dance.

Boom—!!!

It was as if two dense clouds clashed violently, like several Guanyin Lotus Bullets suddenly exploding!

The tremendous blast spread high into the sky.

Thunder roared, its sound crashing onto the earth and rebounding, as the entire world echoed with its peal.

A spring thunder suddenly blazed forth!

In an instant, the whole night was illuminated.

Silver spring thunder transformed into a lightning dragon that split heaven and earth, uniting the two!

Relentless thunder smashed into Li Che with brutal force.

Boom—!!!

Li Che was slammed onto the courtyard floor, his innards trembling as every pore flashed with sparks.

He absorbed the burst of cascading electric arcs as storm winds and rain intertwined.

At that moment, Li Che seemed to become a deity controlling the thunder from the heavens.

In a flash, the Dragon Elephant Vajra manifested, his Qi and blood boiling as the massive, converged phantom of the Dragon soared—the power of thunder focusing on the ‘dragon’ element!

Stepping down, the accumulated water on the ground erupted in a wall of white surges, reaching an astounding six feet high!

Then it splashed and scattered!

Countless arcs of electricity chased and leapt behind him.

With the fusion of the Thunder Magnetic Conduit and the Dragon Elephant Vajra, it was as if a metamorphosis in elemental power had been achieved!

Li Che could only feel his strength growing ever more formidable!

[Dao Fruit: Thunder Magnetic Conduit (LV2 22%)]

As thunder interwove around him, tempering his physique, Li Che watched the maturity gauge soar before his very eyes.

Only after fully assimilating the power of this spring thunder did it stabilize at 22%.

Alas, bringing the Thunder Magnetic Conduit to LV3 would not be easy.

“I hope to break through to LV3 and awaken the nascent Divine Power before XiXi turns six…”

Li Che’s ambitions were modest.

With creaking joints and the patter of raindrops, he smiled gently and, buoyed by the transformative sensation of the Thunder Magnetic Conduit, resumed his rigorous martial training!

Nine Heavens Profound Eagle Split Sky Fist!

This was the divine seed martial art practiced by the martial saint Su Wenxi when he first embraced combat!

At that moment, Li Che felt the thunder’s descent, as if it tore through the void itself…

It was the perfect sentiment for absorbing the essence of the Nine Heavens Profound Eagle Split Sky Fist!

Using thunder to rip apart the vast sky!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Li Che’s fingers clenched as raindrops burst between them; his burly frame, with veins bulging, spread his arms wide as if transforming into a majestic eagle speeding through the storm!

…

…

Moments slipped by.

Despite the dazzling sword energy pillar from the Six-Desire Exorcism Lv Xuan Sword Immortal’s Bizarre Temple and the perfect tenfold temple resonance incident, few in the martial world took notice—such matters were beyond their ken.

The arrival of spring brought renewed clarity, as budding willows swayed vibrantly in the breeze.

Within the mountains of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, lush green life and mists cloaked the ancient Bizarre Temples, evoking a poetic aura.

At the Outer Gate, in the Disciples’ City and Elders’ Court,

Li Che sparred with XiXi while also using the Pure Heart Dao Fruit to meticulously cleanse her divine essence, subtly refining her innate talent.

Now, Li Che wasn’t exactly sure of the extent of XiXi’s aptitude.

Previously, she had achieved the level of a thousand-foot prodigy; now, it was bound to be even higher.

Prodigies are also classified by their innate aura.

After the hundred-foot and thousand-foot prodigies come the ten-thousand-foot prodigies, and beyond them… the exceedingly rare ‘Ziqi Tongtian’!

Ziqi Tongtian was the highest talent a prodigy could attain.

Had XiXi reached that level of divine aptitude?

Li Che was uncertain.

Because detecting Ziqi Tongtian required special techniques and divine talismans—resources he didn’t currently possess.

In recent days, with the patriarch’s evaluation looming, Li Che daily used the Pure Heart divine essence to purify XiXi’s body, stimulating the mythic weapon within her to release divine substances, fuse with her blood, and bolster her physique.

“Dad!”

XiXi’s eyes flashed like shooting flames. Her pigtails practically stood on end, each strand crackling like electricity!

“Take this!”

In a rapid, staccato rhythm, her little feet pounded the ground, kicking up dust as she leaped high and spun in mid-air, launching a sweeping kick.

Yet, with one gentle palm from Li Che infused with Pure Heart divine essence, she was effortlessly sent tumbling away.

XiXi, pouting, grumbled, “Why does your kick feel so soft?!”

Her signature Wind-Fire Kick was unbeatable on the Chuyong List!

As for the prodigies on the Dragon Child Register, none dared face XiXi.

Suddenly,

XiXi felt an intense, sudden heat in her feet!

An unbearable burning sensation!

“Dad, help!”

“My feet are about to turn into braised pork trotters!”

XiXi stood on one foot, clutching the other as if it were about to be roasted, hopping in place while blowing on it desperately.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

In an instant, the hidden Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel within her foot roared to life.

Sparks flew and the clashing of metal rang out.

Before long, she wasn’t cradling her foot anymore, scurrying about like an ant on a hot pan.

Her entire body flushed a vibrant red as her internal Qi surged and roared through her meridians.

It roared from above her head, across her shoulders, waist, dantian, and down her spine!

It coalesced into a complete loop!

Like a blazing inferno, it expanded in an instant to envelope her entirely!

Boom—

A tempestuous surge enveloped the courtyard as winds whipped wildly!

Tears welled in XiXi’s eyes as she thought she might be doomed by all that braised pork trotter heat.

She screamed in fright, feeling her five-year-old life abruptly darkened.

After Li Che’s gentle palm connected, he sensed the torrential shifts in her Qi and blood, and his eyes lit up.

“Hard work pays off, old man!”

“XiXi’s blood furnace body… it’s complete!”

“My daughter XiXi is invincible!”

Seven-thousand words. I wrote too late last night; waking up in a daze, the commentary concluded, and now the days of bare-all updates resume. Keep reading—please vote with your monthly tickets and free recommendations. Old Li will keep updating! There’s even another update tonight!