Chapter 291: The Talisman of Thunder and Fate

Has the Small Divine Xiao’s Five Thunder Killing Talisman been successfully drawn?!

Li Che’s eyes instantly lit up. He had planned to head to Shendiao Ridge to scout out the hidden base of the Corpse God Sect’s cultists, but he immediately scrapped the idea.

After all, this was a Divine Talisman from the Five Elders mid-rank!

Even with the aid of the [Painted Immortal] Dao Fruit, Li Che could only craft talismans of the Six Division rank. Crafting a Five Elder lower-ranking talisman was nearly impossible.

Not to mention the Small Divine Xiao’s Five Thunder Killing Talisman from the Five Elders mid-rank!

And this talisman held extraordinary significance for Li Che—it was far too important.

Besides its use in refining his Thunder Magnetic Conduit, it also maximized the newly acquired power of his divine ability [Divine Xiao].

Although Li Che’s current talismancrafting skills couldn’t produce a Five Elder mid-rank Small Divine Xiao Thunder Talisman, his nascent Divine Xiao ability might let him replicate it time and time again—as if he were pulling a win from an empty hand…

In the realm of Thunder Technique talismans, Li Che was essentially a half-saint of talismans!

Furthermore, this talisman was key to conquering the [Nanwu Xiangong Super Electromagnetic Cannon].

“Alright, let’s set off together,” he declared.

Li Che brushed the dust off his ink-black robe embroidered with golden lotus motifs—a garment lovingly woven by his wife, Zhang Ya, and his favorite piece of clothing.

He knew, however, that in battle the robe would only withstand so much impact from his enlarged physique before tearing apart.

“Elder Li, please,”

Chikuang, with his close-cropped hair and wild purple mane, his broad back like that of a great dragon and neck muscles flared like a spitting cobra, spoke up.

Nearby, Nie Yang had already arrived by carriage.

Li Che squeezed into the carriage intending to invite Chikuang to ride with him. However, Chikuang shook his head and refused, choosing instead to sit on the carriage’s pole alongside Nie Yang.

Chikuang shot a glance at Nie Yang and said, “Our teacher said that Fifth Junior Brother is gone. Within the Divine Sect, only you have the swordsmanship to catch up to him. You still have a chance to step into the realm of the Sword Sage.”

Nie Yang merely nodded, his cold face betraying little emotion.

“Just give it your all,” he replied quietly.

Chikuang nodded further, his eyes jingling like bronze bells as they fell on Li Chengzhou.

“Your disciple? His talent is lacking,”

Li Chengzhou responded, “My talent is poor too; I rely solely on hard work and a burning passion for the sword.”

Nie Yang defended him.

He realized Li Chengzhou’s natural ability was limited. Yet, having chosen him, there was his reason.

Chikuang fell silent, then whipped the reins of his Jiaoma as the carriage wheels churned, crushing dust, speeding off toward the Divine Sect.

Throughout the ride, Chikuang and Nie Yang exchanged few words—they were both of the silent sort.

They drove straight into the Divine Sect and arrived beneath the Divine Talisman Pavilion.

“Elder Li, we’ve arrived,”

Nie Yang bowed, holding his sword.

As the curtain lifted, Li Che stepped out of the carriage. After thanking Nie Yang, he turned his gaze toward the Divine Talisman Pavilion.

Clang, clang, clang—!

The high-pitched scraping of metal echoed, scattering sparks. Li Che looked upward, his jet-black hair billowing in the gust,

to see XiXi with her hands on her hips, a round belly protruding, bare feet stomping on the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel, leaping from the upper floor of the Pavilion.

“Daddy—Emperor XiXi has arrived!”

“Ahahaha~ahem~”

XiXi laughed heartily as she flew by, but suddenly let out a burp and quickly covered her mouth.

She had eaten far too many treats in the Divine Talisman Pavilion…

Watching XiXi speeding by on her wheel, Li Che’s face softened into a gentle smile.

XiXi leaped into Li Che’s arms, crashing into his embrace. Two spinning golden wheels floated in the air, scattering sparks as they rotated.

Holding XiXi close, Li Che ruffled her head affectionately.

XiXi, having trained under Lü Taibai, had made remarkable progress—she had mastered controlling the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel in no time…

Li Che suspected that Lü Taibai might also have sensed the mythic weapon concealed in XiXi’s arms.

That Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear emanated an intensity that could not hide from the Divine Nucleus Great God.

Yet, even the Divine Nucleus Great God couldn’t have allowed XiXi, so young, to master such an integrated divine weapon.

A weapon merging with the body chose its master. Unlike ordinary weapons, mere possession wouldn’t suffice—the mastery required was far greater.

But once the weapon’s true form was summoned, its explosive power was immense!

For instance, although XiXi treading on the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel might not reverse a duel against a Grandmaster of Divine Guts, she could easily make her escape.

After a brief exchange with XiXi, her eyes lit up when she spotted Chikuang.

“Fourth Senior Brother!”

XiXi beamed a sweet smile.

Chikuang, a towering figure with a fierce visage, softened as he returned her greeting, “XiXi.”

Li Che glanced over, noting that the senior siblings seemed to share a warm rapport.

Li Che and Chikuang entered the Pavilion while Nie Yang stayed below with Li Chengzhou.

“I heard the Sect Master has six disciples?” Li Che inquired.

Chikuang nodded, “Elder Brother Zhuang You—we were told he is a reincarnated Temple Spirit… he left for Divine Capital long ago. Lingnan Path is far from Divine Capital, so many details remain unknown.”

“The second senior brother is special—a member of an ancient clan from beyond our borders, of the Star Clan no less, whose strength is formidable… Back then, after our master’s sword shattered his defenses, he forced his way in as a disciple. Our master had no choice but to accept him. Now, he is tempering his skills in the Bizarre Temple of Manifested Divinity.”

Chikuang briefed Li Che while XiXi nodded eagerly in his arms, adding her own comments.

“That’s right! I’ve never met the second senior brother. Our master said he’d take me to see him before the Pan Tao Victory Festival in Divine Capital, promising that he’d give me something wonderful…”

Chikuang scratched his head. Should he also prepare something nice?

“And what about the third senior brother?” Li Che asked.

Chikuang fell silent. XiXi, arms akimbo and indignant, declared, “The third senior brother is a villain—he betrayed our master and even joined that wretched Corpse God Sect!”

At that, Li Che’s eyes darkened.

“Betrayed our master? Joined the Corpse God Sect?”

Li Che’s expression grew considerably sterner.

Chikuang continued in a somber tone, “Third Senior Brother, Wei Yuan… no one understands why he turned his back on our master. Originally, he was the most promising sword prodigy, even surpassing Fifth Junior Brother.”

They ascended a circular wooden staircase until Li Che and his companions reached the top floor.

Lü Taibai sat in a chair, engrossed in an ancient tome suffused with divine energy—a treasure excavated from the Bizarre Temple of the Bizarre Temple.

Lü Taibai closed the book, his silver hair loosely tied with a rope, exuding a casual air.

“You’ve come?”

“The Small Divine Xiao Five Thunder Killing Talisman is notoriously hard to craft… My wife failed numerous times before finally succeeding,” Lü Taibai said with a smile.

“There’s no such thing as failing too many times—husband, don’t air my dirty laundry!”

Behind a folding screen, the Sect Master’s Wife Xuan Qisha emerged, her dark circles under tired eyes and disheveled hair rendering her look rather unkempt.

She spotted Li Che and immediately tossed a box crafted from sandalwood his way.

“Here! A bet’s a bet—this is the promised Five Elder mid-rank talisman: the Small Divine Xiao Five Thunder Killing Talisman!”

“Be careful, its power is tremendous… Being a thunder talisman, it is the deadliest among talismans. Once activated, its output surpasses that of a cultivator unleashing every bit of their Divine Secret Technique!” Xuan Qisha cautioned.

Li Che accepted the sandalwood box. XiXi, wiggling her toes on her golden wheel before tucking it away, craned her neck to inspect the talisman inside.

After thanking Xuan Qisha, Li Che set XiXi down and opened the box.

“Wow—”

“So intricate, so beautiful…”

XiXi’s eyes sparkled with delight as she exclaimed.

Even a brief glimpse left her feeling as though she’d seen something utterly incomprehensible.

Inside the sandalwood box lay a roughly half-foot long talisman of a mysterious dark yellow hue, its surface outlined with intricate divine patterns drawn in a luster reminiscent of cinnabar ink on glazed glass.

An unbroken, masterful stroke had brought the talisman to life.

Within the talisman, Li Che could sense the familiar forces of heaven and earth, as if a unique field was channeling these energies into the talisman.

Li Che’s eyes flashed as his [Thunder Magnetic Conduit] and [Painted Immortal] Dao Fruit pounded with renewed vigor in his chest!

“Yes!” he exclaimed in admiration.

Hovering in midair, the Sect Master’s Wife rolled her eyes.

“It must be perfect. A Five Elder mid-rank talisman leaves no margin for error—one mistake and the entire talisman becomes useless, unable to channel the energies of heaven and earth…”

“If you’re satisfied, then that’s all that matters. As a half-saint of the Divine Eagle, you understand the difficulty in crafting a half-saint Divine Eagle,” she added, stretching languorously.

“I was exhausted—now you owe me something delicious as compensation!” Xuan Qisha declared.

“XiXi wants something too! XiXi wants something too!”

The mention of food instantly perked XiXi up.

Li Che smiled, “Alright, no problem. I’ll have Zhang Ya prepare a feast for tomorrow to treat the mistress.”

“And there must be wine!” Xuan Qisha beamed.

“No problem!”

Li Che lovingly toyed with the sandalwood box containing the talisman, his eyes sparkling brilliantly.

Lü Taibai sipped some tea, patted the cover of his ancient book, and said to Li Che, “Ah Che, prepare yourself well. The two-hearted Great Sage Temple Spirit Divine Eagle you carved has reached half-saint caliber. After consulting with the inner elders, our Sect Master has reserved a place for you in the quest to explore the Bizarre Temple and uncover divine weapons.”

“You have time now to improve your cultivation and get ready,” he continued.

“In Qitian Temple’s heyday, the talismans, divine weapons, Divine Eagles, and divine pills were unparalleled, and each of the four major paths was led by several masters.”

“So with the construction of the Divine Eagle pathway, and following the Great Realm’s conquest of Qitian City which expelled the demon emperors, our Qianyuan Divine Sect will recommend you. Of course, if you can gain the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff’s approval in the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple, you can even skip the recommendation process.”

Lü Taibai looked at Li Che with deep meaning in his eyes.

Li Che’s gaze shimmered as he nodded solemnly.

Qitian Temple, huh?

Li Che inhaled deeply.

Within the Cosmic Chessboard,

the shattered Qi Tian Face trembled subtly.

…

…

The sunlight was radiant and beautiful. As spring’s warmth grew and the rain subsided, the scorching sun rose, occasionally casting its intense light.

Li Che returned from the Divine Talisman Pavilion to the Elders’ Court in the Disciples’ City outside the inner gate.

His wife, Zhang Ya, had just returned from her cultivation session with Elder Jiao Shaoqiu. Li Che recounted the plan to host a feast for the Sect Master’s Wife.

“That’s simple enough—I’ll go buy the groceries right now!”

Zhang Ya beamed, happy not only for the feast but also for the chance to see XiXi, whom she hadn’t seen for days.

XiXi was diligently cultivating; both she and her mother were working hard so as not to hinder her husband or XiXi’s progress.

Zhang Ya headed off to shop.

Li Che then retreated to his study, instructing Nie Yang to guard the door and prevent any disturbances.

Inside the study, Li Che clenched his five fingers, leaving behind a [Painted Immortal] clone before disappearing completely.

The flickering candlelight danced above the altar where the Two-Hearted Great Sage Temple Spirit Divine Eagle lay serenely.

Li Che reappeared inside the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple.

He felt as if he had returned home, utterly familiar with everything.

Stepping up to the entrance of the Bizarre Temple, he saw swirling, violent mists outside—the raging energy of the Bizarre Temple.

At such times, anyone entering would face a tenfold to hundredfold divine energy drain.

Even the Divine Nucleus Great God would avoid stepping in unless absolutely necessary.

No wonder one had to wait until the mists subsided.

Back inside the temple, Li Che’s eyes gleamed as he observed the Two-Hearted Great Sage Temple Spirit Divine Eagle on the altar.

Then, he tiptoed up onto the altar.

“It’s been so long since I absorbed the Temple Spirit’s divine energy…”

“Let me have a touch,” he murmured.

With that, Li Che extended his mystical claw!

This Two-Hearted Great Sage belonged to the Five Elders upper rank of the Bizarre Temple, and its temple spirit’s divine energy was naturally at that level.

The [Xiangong] Dao Fruit and the [Chess Sage] Dao Fruit began to throb.

The Star Plucking Gaze activated.

Strands of flesh near his brow tore apart as a golden pupil burst free, spinning wildly!

Countless analyses and introspections—

The mighty force of consumption erupted; his nascent Divine Xiao and Thousand Analysis Hand surged, his palm transforming into a jade-colored replica of the Thousand Analysis Hand.

The Two-Hearted Great Sage Temple Spirit Divine Eagle shuddered violently before falling silent.

Li Che closed his eyes, and the entire Bizarre Temple fell into a deathly hush.

It was as though even his breathing had ceased.

He maintained his posture, merging with the temple statue as if one.

After what seemed an eternity, Li Che slowly opened his eyes. The Star Plucking Gaze at his brow closed, and the Thousand Analysis Hand detached.

Li Che exhaled deeply.

As his mind calmed, he sensed a divine chess piece emanating a pure Buddha light seated within the Cosmic Chessboard.

The piece was black, yet its surface shimmered with a gentle Buddhist radiance.

“Buddha Light Chess Piece…”

Li Che’s eyes narrowed.

The area where the piece lay—the chessboard’s lines—sank, as if distorted by a mysterious field.

Contentedly, Li Che leaped from the altar. It seemed he had thoroughly absorbed the temple spirit’s energy…

He hadn’t touched it in ages—the feel was superb.

Li Che smiled as he sat cross-legged, retrieving the Small Divine Xiao Thunder Talisman from the sandalwood box.

Zzzzzzzzz—

The sizzling sound of electrified thunder arcs lashing against his palm sent a tingling sensation through even his Thunder Magnetic Conduit!

“Is this… the Nine Heavens Lightning of the Divine Tribulation encountered by cultivators in the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations?”

“The Small Divine Xiao Thunder… must be a weakened version of the Nine Heavens Lightning!”

“But its power is still formidable—so exhilarating!”

Li Che’s Thunder Magnetic Conduit vibrated, every inch of his skin humming with energy.

Yet he did not activate the precious talisman.

After all, this was a Five Elder mid-rank talisman—he wasn’t ready to expend it.

The [Painted Immortal] Dao Fruit trembled.

Its unsullied and seven-emotion essences fused into a divine ink that could replicate everything in nature!

Swish—

A scroll unfurled, and with a flick of his finger, Li Che summoned the Small Divine Xiao Five Thunder Killing Talisman onto paper.

His two fingers pressed the talisman tightly.

Li Che activated his nascent divine ability [Divine Xiao]!

In an instant, cascades of brilliant electricity erupted from him!

Every pore burst forth with sparks, as if the very essence of lightning was being expelled—billions of arcs danced around him.

Sizzling, sizzling—

It was like a chorus of a thousand birds!

The dim Bizarre Temple was lit up by countless flashes, like turning on a high-wattage light bulb!

Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped wildly as he felt the immense thunderous force from his Thunder Magnetic Conduit surge into the talisman!

He felt as though he were a living power bank!

Once all the thunderous energy channeled into the talisman,

there was a brief pause—and then the replicated Small Divine Xiao Five Thunder Killing Talisman sparked with arcs!

“Due to the intricate divine patterns, after being charged, this replicated talisman packs at least seventy percent of the original’s power!”

Li Che’s smile widened uncontrollably.

His prediction had been proven right!

Feeling the resurgent thunder in his bodily acupoints as his Thunder Magnetic Conduit recovered,

Li Che was overjoyed!

Half-saint of talismans… Li Che could almost claim that title!

Clenching a Five Elder Divine Crystal, divine energy surged in, accelerating the recovery of his thunder power!

By his estimate, he could charge two Small Divine Xiao Five Thunder Killing Talismans in a day.

That is, in one day he could craft two Five Elder-ranked talismans!

“The issue with insufficient firepower of the Nanwu Xiangong Super Electromagnetic Cannon… is now resolved!”

Li Che gripped a bullet crafted from Xuanhuo Black Feng Thunder Wood. Though called a bullet, it was entirely devoid of any divine chess piece.

That wasn’t necessary…

For a Great Avalanche or Black and White Collapse would only dissipate the bullet’s explosive force.

The cannon’s lethality lay not in explosions, but in the terrifying kinetic energy of its projectile!

Before, Li Che had been unable to harness the explosive force of thunder.

Now, the Small Divine Xiao Thunder Talisman’s burst of thunder could propel the bullet.

It would deliver a shockwave ten times the speed of sound!

“Almost finished…”

Li Che’s heart raced, though he knew the Electromagnetic Cannon had one more flaw: its aim.

But to Li Che, equipped with the Cosmic Chessboard, accuracy was never an issue!

“All that remains is the material—Xuanhuo Black Feng Thunder Wood is but a fifth-tier lower spirit wood. While thunder doesn’t shatter it, there’s a limit to how much energy it can bear… We just don’t know how many talismans’ bursts it can sustain.”

These were challenges that required experimentation and research.

Li Che’s mind of immortal craftsmanship soared with ideas.

Within the Bizarre Temple, he began simultaneously recovering his Thunder Magnetic Conduit’s power and mentally simulating tests and trials for the Electromagnetic Cannon.

…

…

In Daocheng of Qianyuan…

at the Dao Master’s Residence.

Though night had deepened, the lights burned brightly.

The entire city lay in silence when suddenly a dark shadow appeared, drifting silently into Daocheng.

Wearing black nightwear and a bamboo hat, Su Daoling glided into the Dao Master’s Residence.

Just as he arrived, he spotted a figure waiting—a young Daoist, Yue Weizheng, the Young Daoist Master, stood with his arms crossed. His deep, piercing eyes reflected the moonlight as he smiled like a deadly yet affable tiger.

“Young Daoist Master… in the still of night, what do you call me for?” Su Daoling asked, fists clasped.

“I didn’t summon you; someone else has a proposition and wants you to join him,” Yue Weizheng replied.

At that, Su Daoling’s eyes narrowed as he looked into the distance.

There, he saw two imposing figures.

One wore a mask of the Star Killer from Lie Shen Pavilion while the other, exuding an imposing air with horn-like hair and robust, fierce energy, was unmistakably a Dragon God scion.

“The son of the Dragon God lineage!”

Su Daoling’s eyes gleamed with recognition as he identified Ao Lie.

Ao Lie slowly turned, his gaze falling on Su Daoling.

“I have a matter to discuss. Would you be interested?” he stated coldly.

Su Daoling exhaled deeply. When had the son of the Dragon God lineage arrived silently in Qianyuan Daocheng?

Was it to avenge the Dragon Queen?

Then why summon Su Daoling?

“Tell me, Lord Dragon, what is it you wish for me to join?” Su Daoling asked with a respectful bow.

Ao Lie’s mirrored purple divine eyes shimmered as he replied,

“I suspect that Li Che is actually the Underworld’s Ma Mian…”

“Skilled in the art of mechanical technique and possessing an exceptional level of Divine Eagle prowess.”

“No! What I mean is, Li Che is unmistakably the Underworld’s Ma Mian—it’s practically a dead giveaway. But regardless, as long as suspicion exists, it’s enough.”

Ao Lie said coldly.

“The Underworld slayed my sister and daughter… this grudge is eternal!”

“However, my visit to Qianyuan Daocheng has other plans—I cannot reveal my movements. I’ve heard that the Su Family bears a deep-seated hatred with the Underworld as well and so I wish to invite the head of the Su Family to join our cause.”

After his words fell silent, the Star Killer from Lie Shen Pavilion, standing beside Ao Lie, flicked his fingers. In an instant, his mask shot toward Su Daoling.

Su Daoling caught it, his eyes tightening.

Then Ao Lie’s cold voice resounded:

“Let’s… assassinate the Divine Eagle half-saint Li Che!”

…

…

Immersed in his research on the Nanwu Xiangong Super Electromagnetic Cannon, Li Che had drained every last bit of energy from his Thunder Magnetic Conduit.

By the time he returned to the Tinglei Alley Courtyard, the thunder in his body had been completely exhausted.

A hollow emptiness welled within him.

The night was heavy; leaden clouds rolled high overhead, shrouding the bashful moon and revealing only a muted glow.

In the small courtyard,

“Hoo—”,

“Sigh—”,

Li Che’s breathing echoed like rolling thunder. As his Thunder Magnetic Conduit slowly recovered, he began a grueling session of physical cultivation with his Divine Seed Martial Arts.

He shed the lotus-embroidered ink robe his wife Zhang Ya had sewn for him, standing naked as the Cosmic Chessboard gathered around him, blocking the flow of qi.

Soon his flesh transformed—blood surging like a coiling dragon, muscles bulging, veins protruding, every sinew growing dense and powerful!

He swallowed a Martial Pill, which detonated in his stomach as his powerful gastric muscles pulverized the pill, releasing its medicinal essence.

This torrent of medicinal power surged through his flesh like a raging river!

Li Che stepped forward forcefully, fingers spread, striking with such vigor that the surrounding air rippled and trembled, expanding uncontrollably!

A burst of rich blood qi exploded, as if a colossal blood-red crocodile roared at the heavens, threatening to tear the sky apart!

Wild and unstoppable!

The Divine Seed Martial Arts [Blood Croc Cleave]!

For the past month, Li Che had devoted himself entirely to cultivating this martial art.

Now, he had incorporated three Divine Seeds into the Qimen, and his Inherent Divine Guts had reached 327 techniques!

Unmatched and awe-inspiring!

Yet Li Che remained unsatisfied—he had not yet reached his body’s utmost limit!

He would continue breaking through the Qimen!

With a ferocious roar, the Blood Croc leaped upward, manifesting countless palm prints as if dark blood veined the sky, battering all around as shockwaves erupted!

The air itself seemed to crack under the pressure!

Li Che’s eyes narrowed, sensing something—light flashed within them.

In sync with his martial practice, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit pulsed like thunder, exploding in a cascade of lightning!

A blood-red crocodile appeared behind Li Che, roaring into the void, as if tearing a split in the sky that would never mend!

Then, Li Che chanted another Martial Pill, standing firm and absorbing the surging qi amidst a swirling sea of crimson blood.

“Masterful…”

“The Fourth Divine Seed!”

Li Che exhaled slowly, eyes closed, guiding his spirit.

Without hesitation, he began channeling the Fourth Divine Seed into his body’s Qimen!

Even for Li Che, the process was fraught with challenges.

Excruciating pain, as overwhelming as a tidal wave, coursed through every fiber of his being!

Strenuously!

Painstakingly!

Bit by bit, Li Che pushed forward until, after what felt like an eternity, the Fourth Divine Seed finally integrated into his meridians.

Boom—!!

Upon completion, Li Che’s eyes snapped open, and the entire courtyard roiled with a surging tide of qi, as if cloaked under a blood-red ocean!

“Corpse God Sect…”

Li Che, eyes ablaze, felt his blood surge!

In the next moment, he clenched his fist and, like a streak of red, vanished from sight.

Outside Shendiao Ridge,

the night grew silent.

Li Che reappeared, blood boiling, as if summoned from nothing.

Beside him were Huang Jianjiu clutching a Sword Casket and a Liquor Gourd, while in the distance, You Liqing and the Dragon Queen, both of martial saint caliber of Spiritual Confinement, raced to his side.

“My Lord!”

The three Spiritual Confinement experts bowed respectfully.

Li Che nodded slightly, feeling the immense power and fervor in his spirit, now reinforced by the Divine Seed.

He raised his head, his sleek black hair flying, arms outstretched.

Beneath muscles that burst like explosions and veins like roaring dragons, his power surged briefly before dissipating.

Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit! Sleeping Dragon Elephant!

He reined in his qi completely. Not wanting to alert anyone, Li Che pressed his hand to his brow.

“Show me where those vermin from the Corpse God Sect are hiding…”

Reaching level 5 in the Chess Sage Cosmic Chessboard, lines radiated from Li Che’s feet in all directions, expanding silently and covering the land—

mountains, rivers, forests—everything mapped out like a vast chessboard!

Standing at the heart of this ever-expanding board, Li Che looked up, his hair swirling wildly, his eyes pitch black with not a trace of white left.

“Tcyong You—!!!”

Boom—

In that instant, the Cosmic Chessboard changed color—the air itself turned moribund as a deathly vortex of stagnant energy swirled within it.

Li Che exhaled a dark, ghostly breath…

“Found it…”

The chapter ends at seven-thousand characters. Exhausted, he pleads for monthly votes, recommendations, and for readers to continue following his journey as Old Li finally drifts off to sleep…