Chapter 267: The Furnace Master Emerges

Furnace of Qi and Blood!

Unparalleled Mortal Body!

Li Che stepped forward using a Dao Fruit called Dragon Elephant Vajra. With its power and the Divine Meridian Nine Transformations, he transformed his mortal body, forging the frame of a Furnace Master!

Becoming a Furnace Master means raising your physical limit, ensuring a strong and solid foundation for even greater heights in the future!

At just five years old, Furnace Master XiXi has shattered records as the youngest to achieve this breakthrough.

Perhaps XiXi isn’t the only prodigy; in this world, there are monsters—like the naturally gifted martial geniuses such as Huang Jianjiu who accelerate their training by finding the perfect path.

A five-year-old breaking through to Furnace Master is not mere empty words.

Figures like Ji Mo Li likely reached Furnace Master status by the age of five as well.

But Li Che was certain that he alone relied on the Dao Fruit, while XiXi’s success came from being clad in full divine armor!

Harnessing the melding power of divine weapon material to fuse and temper her body is what truly unlocked her mortal limits and forged her Furnace Master physique!

“Daddy, I’m about to ignite!”

XiXi felt an intense heat, mixed with a hint of pain.

Yet, the pain was still within tolerable limits.

“This is a breakthrough in your martial cultivation—you’ve done it again,”

Li Che said with a gentle smile, soothing XiXi.

Upon hearing this, XiXi’s large eyes blinked excitedly.

“Huh? I broke through again?”

Does this mean it hurts even more when I hit someone?

Training… doesn’t seem so hard after all.

In an instant, she felt a roaring fire coursing through her body, her blood boiling as countless surges of qi rushed along her meridians.

It was as if a whip were lashing her gently.

Having long experienced the fusion of weapon energy with her body, XiXi had greatly increased her tolerance for this pain.

A surging, searing power roamed within her, like a flood unleashed from a broken dam—raging and uncontainable!

Every hair on her head stood on end as flames danced fiercely in her eyes.

Amidst the clanging of metal, countless sparks flew and mingled with the blazing light, swirling around her.

XiXi stood firmly on the ground, her back straight as she placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her little belly.

Xixi, the Great Emperor, has broken through again!

Invincible!

She could feel an ever-evolving power within, making her feel terrifyingly strong!

If one had to describe it, it was like…

Beyond heavenly approval, beyond earthly measures!

“Let’s spar,”

Li Che chuckled.

With a tip of her toe and a clenched fist, she delivered punches with the wind and might of Dragon Elephant Vajra!

Guiding XiXi to unleash the martial art known as Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant!

XiXi gripped her fist, trading blows with Li Che, training in sync with every strike!

Her tiny body transformed into a furnace, emitting blinding light and scorching heat—fiery, intense, and boiling over!

Li Che flicked his finger, launching a Martial Pill straight toward XiXi.

“XiXi, take your Tao Pill!”

XiXi’s eyes flashed with brilliant radiance as she parted her mouth wide. Her gleaming teeth caught the pill perfectly, swallowing it with ease.

Crack!

The pill shattered upon her steel teeth. Its potent medicinal essence was instantly ignited by her furnace-like body, unleashing a powerful burst in her mouth.

The force surged upward, exploding through her crown and then tearing crazily through her internal organs and meridians!

It was like gulping down an ice-cold soda on a scorching summer day—refreshingly exhilarating!

“Daddy, another pill!”

XiXi’s eyes sparkled.

Li Che’s lips twitched; this little girl… is totally addicted to eating whenever there’s an opportunity!

“These are Martial Pills. Your current physique can’t yet fully absorb their potency. You can’t just treat them like snacks!”

XiXi had just stepped into the realm of Furnace Master and hadn’t yet awakened the full effect of her divine weapon spirit.

Once her body reaches the level of Li Che’s rigorous tempering, treating Martial Pills like mere snacks will be trivial.

Hearing this, XiXi felt a momentary regret, but it faded quickly. Under Li Che’s guidance, she began to solidify her Furnace Body with the power of the Martial Pill!

XiXi started to wave her fists in the courtyard, unleashing the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant!

Her small body contained an immense reservoir of energy. Blood surged forth like mighty rivers, exploding into chaotic torrents!

As her internal qi transformed into pure energy, it kindled like kindling to a flame.

Determined, XiXi fought hard; she vowed to never experience the taste of defeat, driven by a fierce desire to get stronger.

Her skin glowed a deep crimson as the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant pulsed with true qi, igniting her blood and evaporating the lingering spring rain. Vivid images of roaring dragons and trumpet-blaring elephants emerged in fleeting visions!

Bzzzz—

It was as if a swirl of purple flames coiled out, transforming into a purple fire serpent that wound around her arm, eventually solidifying into the form of a Fire-Tipped Spear!

XiXi’s bodily cultivation had reached such a furnace level that she could almost control and harness the power of the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear!

The air crackled as the Fire-Tipped Spear vibrated. The long spear, wielded by tiny XiXi, sliced through the air like a purple electric snake!

Li Che, moving gracefully on tiptoes, guided XiXi from the sidelines.

Boom!

It was as if a furnace of Qi and Blood manifested right behind XiXi.

In the courtyard, everyone was shaken by this display.

Zhang Ya and the Sect Master’s Wife came out while she nibbled on braised pork trotters.

The elegant face of the Sect Master’s Wife broke into a look of shock and astonishment.

“A Furnace Master at five?!”

Sect Master’s Wife Xuan Qisha was dumbfounded.

Though she was a Divine Talisman Semi-Saint who wasn’t specialized in martial arts, she still needed to cultivate martial prowess.

Divine Talisman Semi-Saint cultivation relies on high divine energy, and that requires solid martial training.

Thus, her martial skills were by no means weak.

She knew full well the difficulty of becoming a Furnace Master—a challenge even greater than that of the prodigious Purple Qi Prodigy!

Comparable to the legendary prodigies of Purple Qi!

Nie Yang and Li Chengzhou, armed with swords, advanced into the fray.

Nie Yang’s eyes were complex as he glanced at his disciple and let out a soft sigh.

“Master, if you have something to say, just say it,” Li Chengzhou said coldly.

“Zhou, we’re not competing with monsters,” Nie Yang comforted him.

Li Chengzhou pursed his lips, trying to maintain his cool.

Li Qingshan, supporting Granny Mu, emerged from the inner chamber. Originally enjoying the spring rain, he now witnessed the birth of the youngest Furnace Master ever.

Five years old…

Li Qingshan’s lips twitched; it was clear that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

A monstrous father means a similarly formidable daughter.

In this family, perhaps only the goofy Zhang Ya appeared normal.

Li Qingshan knew of Li Che’s Underworld Ogre status and just how unfathomably strong the Ogre had become!

Now, at five years old, a Furnace Master had emerged…

That little calf… is truly terrifying!

……

……

The news of XiXi’s breakthrough to Furnace Master was carefully suppressed by the Sect Master’s Wife.

They did not let the news leak out, for a five-year-old Furnace Master was simply too astounding. It might even become XiXi’s trump card in the upcoming personal interview by the Sect Master himself!

In the following days, Li Che focused on consolidating XiXi’s martial cultivation while the Sect Master’s Wife personally guided her divine energy. Divine Crystals… in abundance!

As a Divine Talisman Semi-Saint, the Sect Master’s Wife was truly wealthy!

Li Che had plenty to say. After all, he had once slaughtered a Divine Eagle Master of the Su Family, pocketing a fortune. And a Divine Talisman Master is hardly inferior to a Divine Eagle Master. Thus, one could easily imagine the riches at hand.

So, XiXi’s recent life was indeed very fulfilling!

It was the final sprint before the Sect Master’s personal interview!

Even Li Che admitted to feeling a bit nervous. Although even if XiXi failed to become the Sect Master’s personal disciple, his current status as a Fifth Elder of Qianyuan Divine Sect at Shendiao Ridge would still guarantee her safety.

But a child facing such an important exam—which could change her fate—naturally makes every parent anxious.

Even Li Che was not exempt.

Again, a soft spring rain pattered down, gentle and lingering. As Qingming approached, the February plum rains became more frequent. On Long Street, many pedestrians were too lazy to open their oil-paper umbrellas.

In these days, the whole atmosphere of Qianyuan Daocheng grew tense.

After all, Qingming was drawing near, which meant the Sect Master’s personal interview by the Master of the Sect was about to commence. Who would become the final personal disciple of the Divine Nucleus Great God, ranked fifth on the Heavenly Master List?

This became the hottest topic in Qianyuan Daocheng—from grand residences to teahouses and brothels, everyone was talking about it.

Worse yet, the largest gambling den in Daocheng, Qiankun Gambling Den, openly declared it would launch bets on the results of the Sect Master’s personal interview.

They listed the names of the potential personal disciples, inviting bets from the crowd.

“The list is out—everyone is welcome to place their bets!”

“First Prodigy, named Gong Shu Wentian, ten years old. His martial prowess has reached Master level, and his divine foundation is solid. He is a descendant of the Gong Family from Divine Capital. Rumor has it he even has a bloodline connection with the brilliant Grand Inspector from the Imperial Watch!”

“Second, Prodigy named Gu He, from the third generation of the Tian Dan Divine Sect of Guangling Dao!”

“Third, Prodigy named Xuan Yue from Qingyun Dao’s Xuan Talisman Divine Sect!”

“Fourth, the top of Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Dragon Child Register, Lv Qingxuan, nine years old…”

“Fifth, Prodigy named Ning Caihe from Longyuan Dao’s Seven Treasure Divine Sect…”

……

……

“Tenth, from Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Dragon Child Register, Li Nuǎnxi…”

……

Qiankun Gambling Den had published the list.

Those listed, especially among the top ten, were unquestionably qualified to contend for the coveted personal disciple spot.

The list sent shockwaves throughout. No one expected the Sect Master’s personal interview to attract so many prodigious talents.

Not only did prodigies come from Divine Capital, but even from Guangling Dao’s Tian Dan Divine Sect, Qingyun Dao’s Xuan Talisman Divine Sect, and Longyuan Dao’s Seven Treasure Divine Sect.

The three major sects had all dispatched their prodigy descendants, making it clear just how enticing the personal disciple spot of the Qianyuan Divine Sect Master was—it carried profound significance.

Rumor had it that because Sect Master Lü Taibai accepted disciples without discrimination, none of the other disciples were eligible to become the junior leader of Qianyuan Divine Sect or be groomed as future successors.

And Huang Jianjiu, ranked second in the Authentic Transmission Ledger, had recently slaughtered members of the Su Family and split from Qianyuan Divine Sect, thus losing his chance to be the junior leader.

Thus, this final personal disciple position became extraordinarily important.

“Tenth? My daughter is only tenth?”

Li Che had obtained the list from the immensely influential and inscrutable Qiankun Gambling Den.

The list was compiled by the head of Qiankun Gambling Den, scoring many prodigies based on martial strength, cultivation talent, divine energy, additional innate gifts, etc.

XiXi was ranked ninth, and Li Che was not pleased.

As a father, Li Che truly believed his daughter was the best in the world!

Yet he knew that many of XiXi’s hidden cards were unknown to Qiankun Gambling Den.

“Tenth… Odds at 10 to 1, huh.”

Li Che’s eyes sparkled as he smiled.

The betting odds were set so that the lower the ranking, the higher the odds.

“What a fortune!”

Standing outside the crowded entrance of Qiankun Gambling Den with his oil-paper umbrella and fluttering ink robe, Li Che shook off the spring rain before stepping in.

Li Che and gambling were mortal enemies, but deep inside, he had absolute faith in his daughter’s success in the upcoming exam.

So, this wasn’t a gamble—it was belief in his daughter!

With hope in his heart, Li Che entered the Qiankun Gambling Den.

“I bet on Li Nuǎnxi—a Fifth Order Lower Divine Crystal,” he told the gambling den manager.

The manager’s hand trembled, nearly causing the ink to splatter on the paper.

“A Fifth Order Lower Divine Crystal?!”

What a bold wager!

Betting on tenth place… the odds were astronomical, meaning the chances of loss were high!

If she lost, that divine crystal would be wasted!

“Sir, are you really betting on the tenth, Li Nuǎnxi?”

After informing his colleague and quickly leaving the gambling area, a burly martial artist with an imposing aura stepped forward.

Li Che suspected that the forces behind Jiaqi Gambling Den were formidable—at least on par with the Su Family or even the Dao Master Residence, and possibly even established by Qianyuan Divine Sect itself.

Otherwise, who would risk such a high-stakes wager?

“Yes,” Li Che replied firmly.

“Sir, why not play it safe? Bet on the first or second prodigy, the chances of breaking even would be higher,” the burly man suggested with a smile.

“A little gamble spices things up. Qiankun Gambling Den set this up mainly to hype up the personal interview for Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Master,” Li Che replied with gentle conviction.

Shaking his head, he continued, “I am Li Nuǎnxi’s father. I believe in my daughter so much that even if she fails, I won’t mind. As a parent, I’ve always believed in her.”

Li Che’s warm voice made many around him exchange glances.

“Oh, it’s Elder Li!”

“I am Hong Lei, the Third Manager of Qiankun Gambling Den,” the burly man introduced.

“I didn’t expect Elder Li to come in person. Since you say so, we’ll take your bet,” Hong Lei responded.

Hong Lei immediately recognized Li Che’s identity from the information regarding Li Nuǎnxi.

After all, Li Che was known as the honest Divine Eagle Master.

“May I ask—does Qiankun Gambling Den have Divine Sect backing?” Li Che lowered his voice and asked quietly.

“If there’s Divine Sect backing, I won’t place my bet—after all, if XiXi wins, the compensation would be enormous. I am, after all, an Elder of Divine Sect… it wouldn’t be appropriate to gain Divine Sect resources,” Hong Lei replied, eyes glinting.

He exhaled slowly and lowered his voice further, “I won’t hide anything from you, Elder Li… Qiankun Gambling Den, though named after the universe, is jointly operated by the Dao Master Residence, Su Family, Zhou Family, Yun Family, and Zhong Family of Daocheng. We are fair and trustworthy.”

Li Che listened, took a slow breath, and nodded with admiration.

After placing his bet, Li Che, still holding his oil-paper umbrella, turned and left.

In a narrow alley, Li Che donned the Ogre Mask. His body towered like a mountain as he snapped his fingers. Scrolls unfurled along the alley, and one after another, figures emerged.

Hong Lei instructed his subordinate to record Li Che’s bet. Suddenly, his hair stood on end as he turned his head.

He caught sight of a terrifying silhouette interwoven with blood and energy, hidden behind the Ogre Mask.

“What…”

“Ogre?!”

“Underworld Ogre!”

When the name of the Underworld Ogre was mentioned, a deathly silence fell.

The Underworld alone evokes such terror!

This was the force that once aided Huang Jianjiu in slaying martial saints!

It exuded an invisible pressure that spread in every direction, filling the gambling den and making it hard to breathe.

“Place your bets,” Li Che, behind the Ogre Mask, lowered his voice…

In a deep tone he said, “Bet on tenth, Li Nuǎnxi…”

“A Fifth Order Middle Divine Crystal,”

A sizzling surge of golden arc energy pulsed. Under the adorable mask of the Ogre, his eyes burned with a terrifying, demonic intensity.

Hong Lei, still only at the level of a Nascent Grandmaster, felt as if his Inherent Divine Guts had frozen.

A sense of death clung to him like a shadow, as if the Ogre might wrench his head right off at any moment.

“May I place a bet?” a hoarse voice asked.

“Yes… you may,” Hong Lei stammered as sweat beaded on his forehead and splattered onto the ground with a crack.

In the next moment, his eyes narrowed as one figure after another appeared behind the Ogre.

There was a slender, cold figure with a Horse Face Mask.

A figure with a Divine Monkey Mask wielding a staff, exuding unbridled arrogance.

And another, standing with arms crossed, wearing a fearsome Thunder Dragon Mask with lightning surges emanating fiercely.

“Underworld… all the vicious ones?!”

Hong Lei turned as white as a sheet…

These were the very forces responsible for the execution of General You Liqing of the Divine Guard Army, and for wounding martial saints with a combined assault!

Elusive and deadly, they were nearly impossible to track!

He wondered what chance he had to face these terrifying foes!

The massive Ogre bowed his head slightly, his gaze locking onto Hong Lei.

In a hoarse tone that cut like a knife along Hong Lei’s neck, he intoned, “Place your bets on the tenth…”

“On Li Nuǎnxi.”

……

……

“The underworld fiends have teamed up at Qiankun Gambling Den to bet on Li Nuǎnxi?”

“Even the Underworld Horse-Faced has wagered a Fifth Order Middle Divine Crystal? What audacity!”

“If the underworld fiends win their bet, Qiankun Gambling Den might withhold the Divine Crystals—or even call in the Su Family Martial Saint or Divine Nucleus en masse to attack them… will the Underworld dare?”

“Do you think the Underworld dares not?”

……

News of the Underworld fiends’ public bet spread like a storm, nearly rivaling the hype of the Sect Master’s personal interview.

But since the Underworld Ogre had a close relationship with Li Nuǎnxi, every major faction was aware of this.

Thus, the Ogre leading the underworld fiends to wager on Li Nuǎnxi was hardly surprising.

People were stunned mostly by the brazen display of the underworld fiends strutting about with impunity.

After all, the underworld had once conspired with Huang Jianjiu to massacre Su Family disciples, even killing Su Wenxi, completely offending the Su Family.

So many wondered just how boldly the underworld fiends acted!

But in truth, the Underworld didn’t seem to care about the Su Family at all.

Indeed, the Underworld had that much audacity.

When Su Family Head Su Daoling arrived, the underworld fiends had already vanished without a trace.

Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Inner Gate, Divine Talisman Pavilion.

“Husband~~~!”

“You must take good care of XiXi. Remember, XiXi is my disciple, Xuan Qisha. If she is eliminated in the personal interview, your Lü Taibai’s wife will lose all face!”

“Husband, let me take the backdoor route!”

Xuan Qisha clasped her hands together with watery eyes full of pleading.

Lü Taibai affectionately ruffled her hair.

“Madam, don’t fuss.”

“XiXi doesn’t need any backdoor help.”

“That little girl…”

“There will be others to help her.”

……

……

February 20th, Qingming.

During Qingming, when the rain falls steadily and souls seem forlorn on the road,

a light drizzle persisted in Qianyuan Daocheng. Deep within, a mountain range stretched across the city like a slumbering dragon. In the haze, a mountain peak blossomed with red plum blossoms.

Then—!

The ancient bell of Qianyuan Divine Sect tolled, its sound echoing from the sect’s mountain gate.

Only significant events could stir that ancient bell, said to have been left by the founding patriarch of Qianyuan Divine Sect.

It carried a meaning all its own.

The bell’s resonance rippled throughout the city, scattering a few peach petals from the roadside blossom trees onto the wet ground. They were soaked by the delicate spring rain and rolled along with the passing carriage wheels.

Today, during Qingming—a unique season—Qianyuan Daocheng was abuzz with anticipation for an event of citywide significance.

Sect Master Lü Taibai was about to conduct his final personal interview for disciple selection.

This would be the last disciple Lü Taibai accepted. No one understood his decision, but with his word, no one dared doubt it.

On the broad avenue of Qianyuan Daocheng—wide enough for a dozen luxurious carriages—the blue stones were wet from rain, and traffic surged.

Many prodigies not registered by Qiankun Gambling Den were brought by their parents toward the mountain where Qianyuan Divine Sect’s mountain gate stood.

Of course, only those with prodigious talent could attend. If a mere ordinary prodigy attempted to join the exam, it would be a grave insult to Lü Taibai—the Divine Nucleus Great God, ranked fifth on the Heavenly Master List.

And up to now…

Not a single detail of the exam had been revealed. Not even the inner elders of Qianyuan Divine Sect knew a thing.

The exam rules were devised solely by Lü Taibai and were never entrusted to others.

Thus, this personal interview was markedly different from previous ones.

But no matter what, the significance of this exam was profound. To become a personal disciple of the Sect Master was to achieve a state where one’s very existence could elevate all around them.

After all, a personal disciple of the Sect Master—if successful—might just…

Become the future successor of Qianyuan Divine Sect!

Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Outer Gate, Disciples City, Elders’ Court.

Nie Yang arrived early at the gate in his carriage while Li Chengzhou, sword in hand, leaned against the carriage. Despite his youth, he carried a maturity far beyond his years.

XiXi enjoyed three large bowls of Zhang Ya’s egg-enriched longevity noodles, patting her round little belly in satisfaction.

“XiXi has felt Mother’s love! Let’s head out—XiXi the Great Emperor is setting out for battle!”

XiXi put her hands on her hips, her little belly proud, brimming with fighting spirit!

It would be even better if she wiped the noodle stuck to her lip.

Li Che emerged from the house with a smile, picking up XiXi in his arms as they stepped into the carriage together.

“Time to leave. If we don’t, we’ll be late.”

“Your old man has invested nearly his entire fortune,” Li Che laughed warmly.

Hearing this, XiXi, cradled in Li Che’s arms, patted her chubby chest with a resounding thump.

“Don’t worry, Daddy. I haven’t had a proper fight in ages!”

“Today, I’m going to shock everyone!”

XiXi said confidently.

Li Che ruffled her head. When it came to fighting, there was no fear in this little girl; she possessed the aura of the world’s best brawler.

But this personal interview wasn’t just about fighting prowess.

Nie Yang, who had reached the level of Supreme Grandmaster, drove off, with Old Chen puffing on his dry pipe from a later carriage. Alongside were XiXi’s little friends from the Yun Family—Gongyang Xiu, Gong Yuanliang, Hai Chaosheng, Huang Sixiang, and others.

They had come from the Jin Guang Branch of Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Though none were eligible for the personal interview, they were eager to cheer XiXi on and boost her momentum!

The carriage rolled out of the sect’s mountain gate.

Inside the gate, not just these two carriages—one after another, carriages broke through the rain, speeding along the mountain road.

From inside and outside the gate, two opposing streams converged toward the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s mountain gate, where the grand Bai Jade Archway awaited.

There…

That was the location announced by Lü Taibai for the personal interview.

Qingming—a day for ancestral tribute—would also select a personal disciple.

Spring breezes caressed the willows as a fine mist veiled the land.

Plum blossoms burst over the mountains.

And the ancient bell tolled once more in the gentle spring rain.

Seven-thousand words… This overlong chapter was the hardest to write. My hair is all pulled out. After endless edits, it’s finally done. Old Li must sleep now. Typos abound—I’ll fix them tomorrow.