Chapter 310: Thunder’s Wrath and the Collapsing Sanctuary

Crack, crack.

Thunder raged across the nine heavens, its ferocity revealed through endless leaden clouds that seemed to spill down, suffocating the world. Countless bolts burst forth, and the cold, somber air was tinged with a numbing, electric sting.

Patter, patter…

Perhaps the heat of the thunder had melted the snow that had been amassed in the clouds, transforming it into rain that then plummeted from high above at breakneck speed.

On Shendiao Ridge, across an endless expanse of snowfield.

Someone instinctively raised their head; their lashes trembling as their eyes caught the falling raindrops, which magnified in their pupils. On each drop, like a mirror, the crumbling images of the Bizarre Temple, the Bizarre Temple, and the swirling mists were reflected.

And from within the parting mists, a casually defiant, loose-fitting black-robed figure emerged, walking slowly.

Below a fragmented mask adorned with fluttering golden monkey hair, the hidden curve at the corner of his mouth revealed a daring smirk. The world was completely silent.

Only the heavy, muffled thud of raindrops striking the snowfield could be heard.

And step by deliberate step, the Divine Monkey emerged from the collapsing Bizarre Temple, with the scene of its disintegration in its wake. Everyone stared in amazement.

Even Lü Taibai, the silver-eyed man with dark pupils beneath his arched brows, couldn’t help but squint slightly. The Bizarre Temple…

Had collapsed?!

Lü Taibai had seen this kind of scene before.

As a peak-tier double absolute expert, he had once raided the Bizarre Temple. When the temple spirit’s divinity was completely drained—plunging it into a deep slumber—the temple would collapse.

But this collapse was not like the disappearance under the Su Family’s control.

The latter was irreversible, vanishing completely from the mortal realm with even the Bizarre Temple evaporating as if it had never existed. The former occurred when the temple spirit’s divinity ran dry and it fell into a dormant state.

The Bizarre Temple had collapsed but not vanished entirely; according to Lü Taibai’s estimation, it had crumbled into the Bizarre Temple.

And while the Bizarre Temple still existed in the real world, it would shut its doors, almost as though it were reabsorbing the Bizarre Temple. In as little as ten years or as many as hundreds—even thousands—the sanctuary would reopen.

When it did, a Bizarre Temple would sprout up like a bamboo shoot. The collapsing Bizarre Temple behind the Divine Monkey was exactly that.

But such occurrences were extremely rare.

Lü Taibai was puzzled; even if the Divine Monkey had taken the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff—a fabled weapon of the Five Elders—how could the entire Bizarre Temple collapse into the Bizarre Temple and fall into dormancy? Taking a weapon…

Was that supposed to drain all the divinity from a Five-Elder temple spirit? Divine Monkey…

No, XiXi’s father. What have you really done?

Lü Taibai drained the milk tea in his cup in one bold gulp and lightly tapped his long fingers on the table. He had already guessed the Divine Monkey’s identity. Though surprised, he could accept it.

Originally, Lü Taibai had suspected Li Che was either an Ogre or Ma Mian, even being nearly certain of it.

But…

Now it seemed the matter involved someone else entirely.

Previously, he had thought Ma Mian was Li Che simply because the strange contraptions Ma Mian deployed could strike from afar and even detonate—unleashing terrifying destructive force, even if not quite enough for a peak-tier expert.

But… these were merely devices.

They required little strength to activate, but when amassed in sufficient numbers, their implications were entirely different.

Now Lü Taibai had come to realize that while Ma Mian only deployed the contraptions, using them did not necessarily mean he crafted them. A wry smile spread across his face.

Whether Li Che was the Divine Monkey, Ma Mian, or an Ogre, it didn’t matter much.

In fact…

If Li Che really was the Divine Monkey,

he wouldn’t be bothered by exposure of his true identity. He had grown confident enough.

Moreover, very few could correctly guess that the Divine Monkey was Li Che.

Apart from Gongshu Jingjun, Tang Xiejia, and Elder Ding Zi—three elders of the Qianyuan Divine Sect—no one had witnessed the Divine Monkey carve the Divine Eagle. Perhaps they assumed Li Che had crafted it for him?

Lü Taibai’s intuition, unique to peak-tier experts, and a sudden surge of Dao awareness led him to such a conclusion. To be sure, he still needed to ask Gongshu Jingjun and the other two, and remind them to keep quiet.

If Li Che’s identity as the Underworld Divine Monkey were truly exposed, it would certainly cause trouble.

After all, the significance of the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff was immense—it affected Qitian Temple and ranked among the top three of the Three Pure Divine Weapons in the Great Jing Court’s records. It would surely ignite envy among peak-tier experts.

As XiXi’s father, any misfortune befalling Li Che would inevitably impact his prized disciple—the future cultivation of the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s minor patriarch. Lü Taibai had truly taken XiXi under his wing.

Not only did he believe deeply in XiXi’s talent, but he also thought she was the only one among his personally trained disciples capable of eventually succeeding as sect leader of the Qianyuan Divine Sect. Hence, she had to be nurtured properly.

She must not stray, must not take a wrong path, and must not meet an untimely end…

Thus, safeguarding XiXi’s family was also part of his duty as a master. Sigh—

These days, it wasn’t easy to find a decent disciple.

However, today’s events meant that Li Che’s identity as the Divine Monkey might not remain hidden for long.

Huang Tuo’s accompanying Huang Mei Great Master and Ji Mo Li behind Ji Li Shou—leaders of the three great factions of the Divine Sect—were no ordinary beings. As true top-tier absolute experts, they each possessed their own discerning judgment.

But how long they could keep it hidden remained to be seen… XiXi’s father was one formidable individual.

Lü Taibai tapped on the tea table with his finger and suddenly paused.

“A Martial Saint…”

“Even if his rapid ascent makes him appear somewhat superficial, he is still a Martial Saint who coincidentally broke through by seizing an opportunity.”

That was still a Martial Saint.

Someone who could truly serve as a pillar for the Divine Sect.

“Interesting…”

“With this year’s Peach Banquet, the Qianyuan Divine Sect should be able to hold its own…”

Lü Taibai smiled to himself.

Of course, concealing Li Che was also important for maintaining the Divine Monkey’s secret identity.

After all, the Peach Banquet hosted by the Empress of Divine Capital was about to begin, and both Li Che and XiXi would head to Divine Capital. Keeping Li Che’s true nature under wraps was ideal at this juncture.

Moreover,

Li Che being the Divine Monkey was only good news for the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

“The Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff…”

“Ultimately, it has fallen into the hands of our Qianyuan Divine Sect.”

Lü Taibai was in high spirits.

Watching the Divine Monkey steadily walk forward, his eyes shone with admiration.

Lü Taibai smiled.

Then he prepared another cup of milk tea for himself.

Drinking it down in one gulp.

“I wonder who the Underworld Yama really is. Wearing a mask—could it be an old friend?”

“I’d really like to have a chat.”

Divine Monkey––!!!

Underworld Divine Monkey!

All across Shendiao Ridge, chaos erupted!

XiXi leaped out of the carriage, bouncing excitedly on its steps and applauding.

“It’s Master Divine Monkey!”

XiXi had indeed seen the Divine Monkey before.

Among the ominous beings of the Underworld—Ogre, Ma Mian, and the Divine Monkey—she had seen them all, though she had not yet encountered Thunder Dragon, Black and White Wuchang, or the peak-tier Yama.

Ogre, Ma Mian, and the Divine Monkey had all taught XiXi many things.

Ogre taught her fighting techniques, Ma Mian showed her the art of setting off fireworks, and the Divine Monkey imparted practical combat skills…

Strangely, all three masters gave XiXi an overwhelming sense of familiarity and security; she loved training with them!

The only pity was that such elusive masters were impossible to see every day.

Now, although the Divine Monkey had obtained a divine weapon from the Bizarre Temple—not bestowed upon her father—XiXi was still delighted.

But her father still lagged behind; he’d have to work harder on his training.

Yet XiXi’s expectations were modest—after all, her father was just a minor grandmaster compared to the Martial Saints and divine progeny. XiXi bounced with joy.

She turned and glanced at Jin Taisui, who stood stiffly like a block of wood behind her.

Jin Taisui pursed his thin lips, looking rather embarrassed. As the junior monk of Witch God Mountain—though temporarily humbled—he also had his own pride!

What a shameful situation!

“Little Jin, shout it out!”

XiXi placed her hands on her hips, puffed out her little belly, and commanded.

Jin Taisui clenched his fist: “Divine Monkey, Divine Monkey, you truly are incredible!” This was the chant XiXi had taught him.

It was utterly embarrassing.

Yet Jin Taisui obeyed.

No one knew where XiXi had learned such risqué chants.

But XiXi beamed happily—this was the little tune her father had taught her!

Originally meant to celebrate her father, it was now dedicated to Master Divine Monkey!

Just as Li Che stepped out of the Bizarre Temple, donning the Divine Monkey mask, his golden monkey hair wildly streaming about, he felt his senses sharpen after donning the Qi Tian Face. He clearly heard XiXi’s command for Jin Taisui to shout.

That little girl…

So young yet so domineering. Clack, clack—the raindrops, even before touching Li Che, were evaporated by an intense force into a mist. “The Underworld has obtained the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff?!”

“It appears so…”

“Damn it, this makes things complicated. The Underworld is so elusive!” Many factions’ faces changed just slightly.

No one had expected that the Divine Monkey, overpowering so many Martial Saints and divine progeny, would obtain the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff. Although the Two-Hearted Great Sage temple spirit was also just a monkey…

This wasn’t a test of Temple Spirit Resonance.

Wearing a Divine Monkey mask was not enough to win a divine weapon’s approval.

If anyone else obtained the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, given its uniqueness—and considering its connection to Qitian Temple—surviving outside Daocheng would be uncertain without a solid backing.

And if someone from the Qianyuan Divine Sect got it… it would undoubtedly trigger a huge uproar.

After all, the Great Jing Court would never allow the Qitian inheritance to spur a resurgence akin to that of Qitian Temple—a force dominating all six realms and twelve provinces.

Thus, if anyone from the Qianyuan Divine Sect acquired this treasured staff, the repercussions would be enormous. Factions had already begun to prepare and arrange.

And now…

The Underworld Divine Monkey had obtained the divine weapon.

The Underworld—a force outside of Daocheng—had a name that sounded extremely foreign. Upon the Buddha Carriage,

Huang Tuo’s Divine Condor Half-Saint glared fixedly at the relaxed, unruly figure wielding the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, strutting arrogantly. The middle-aged monk’s face lit up with an almost fanatic gleam.

“My benefactor…”

“You are fated with our Buddha! The Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff is originally a treasure of our Buddha’s Sect. That you have acquired its blessing proves you have immense karma! If you embrace our Buddha, you too could achieve the status of a true Buddha like the Two-Hearted Great Sage!”

Huang Tuo’s robe flared as he brought his hands together in prayer.

Bathed in radiant Buddha light that made him appear both serene and otherworldly, the Divine Monkey—behind his mask—glanced coolly at Huang Tuo and tilted his head.

“In your Buddha’s Sect, how many are truly fated in this city?” the Divine Monkey asked in a tone both flippant and free-spirited.

Huang Tuo’s eyes sparkled with surprise as he looked at the Divine Monkey. Could it be that the Divine Monkey was moved?

Had the influence of the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s divinity slowly nudged him toward Buddhism? If he could be converted—and by obtaining the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff…

Then Huang Tuo’s mission here would be perfectly, even extraordinarily, accomplished. “Amitabha…”

“Master Divine Monkey, in response to your question, this humble monk does indeed know of several fated disciples…

“For example, Li Che, the Divine Condor Half-Saint, and his daughter, XiNuǎnxi…” Huang Tuo smiled benevolently.

The Divine Monkey slowly raised his chin, his eyes flaring like blazing gold. The smirk beneath his fragmented mask grew more pronounced. How dare he

to set his sights on Li Che’s daughter?! Li Che could never have imagined…

XiXi had already become Lü Taibai’s disciple, and that bald fellow dares target her! But considering the power backing Huang Tuo, it wasn’t surprising.

Xiao Lingyin Temple was nestled along Xiling Road, in a place that had become its own Buddha Kingdom.

Among the eleven divine paths of the Great Jing Court, it ranked among the top three, far surpassing the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Its overall strength was indeed far superior to that of the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Although the Qianyuan Divine Sect had Lü Taibai, Xiao Lingyin Temple boasted several top-tier masters. Situated along Xiling Road adjacent to the Western Buddhist Lands, its power was… almost enigmatic.

Even the Imperial Watch and Temple Guardian Division established by the Great Jing Court had long been infiltrated along Xiling Road; rumor had it that the local Daozhus were devout disciples of Xiao Lingyin Temple’s masters! Is that the confidence behind Huang Tuo’s boldness in targeting Li Che’s daughter?

Irritated by the Divine Monkey’s unbridled, even taunting gaze, Huang Tuo frowned and said, “Master Divine Monkey…”

Before Huang Tuo could finish his sentence, with a swift motion the Divine Monkey seized the staff with one hand and hurled it violently. The rain seemed to part in an instant!

“Baldy, you’re fated with the Underworld as well.”

Huang Tuo’s brows furrowed, and his bright red robe whipped wildly. “Master Divine Monkey…”

But no sooner had he spoken than his expression shifted in horror.

He abruptly turned his gaze toward the distant carriage, where Lü Taibai sat regally. The carriage curtains whipped wildly, shredded by sword energy, and his silver hair flew in chaotic curls.

Lü Taibai stared coldly at Huang Tuo.

“My disciple having ties with your Buddha’s Sect?” he said. “You truly dare speak as such.”

“Even if your master Huang Mei never dared say it, you still have the audacity!”

Before another word could be uttered, Lü Taibai raised his hand.

In an instant, a stream of silver light burst from his sleeve. Thwack!

Before Huang Tuo could react, a cloud of blood mist erupted behind him. He was flung out of the ornate Buddha Carriage onto the snow, creating a massive crater. Within that crater…

Huang Tuo nearly teetered on the brink of death.

In his trembling hand, he cradled a Divine Condor—a carving crafted from low-level Spirit Wood! The Divine Condor depicted a monk with narrow, soaring brows and a wry smile.

A majestic Buddha light emanated from the Divine Condor, enveloping Huang Tuo in a massive golden dharma robe.

“Huang Mei,” Lü Taibai said lightly.

Huang Tuo coughed up mouthfuls of fresh blood, his eyes wide with shock.

Incredible.

Could this be the caliber of those double absolute peak experts listed in the Great Divine Rankings and at the Heavenly Gate?

Although all who traversed the realms of Martial Saints and Divine Progeny were deemed absolute experts, the gap between ordinary absolutes and a top-tier force like Lü Taibai was terrifying.

“Master Taibai, my apologies—I beg your forgiveness,” the middle-aged monk stammered.

The Divine Condor seemed almost alive as it extended its flowing brows and clasped its palms in a respectful bow. “XiXi, get into the carriage.”

Lü Taibai scoffed.

“Here he comes, Master Patriarch!” XiXi hurriedly scrambled into the carriage, with Jin Taisui following. “Th-thank you, Master Taibai, for sparing our lives…”

Huang Tuo wiped the blood from his lips, still trembling.

He hadn’t intended to retrieve Huang Mei Great Master’s Divine Condor so quickly—this was the Holy Hand Divine Eagle! But there was no other way…

Lü Taibai, that ruthless star of Taibai, was too unforgiving! One careless word and he was set to kill.

Had it not been for the protection of the great master’s Divine Condor, he would already be dead. “Hehe…”

Lü Taibai merely smiled faintly, a smile that made Huang Tuo shudder. In the distance,

“Ho ho ho—”

The Divine Monkey, still wielding the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, echoed Lü Taibai’s laugh.

“You know… besides being Master Taibai’s duly transmitted identity, isn’t there another title for Master XiNuǎnxi? Many in Daocheng call her the Daughter of the Underworld.”

“You fear Master Taibai but not me, the Underworld Yama?”

The Divine Monkey hoisted the treasured staff again, his golden eyes visible behind the mask, and said coolly, “Brave one, you’re injured.”

With that, the Divine Monkey burst into a hearty laugh.

His laughter echoed beyond the slowly crumbling Bizarre Temple. “No good! He’s making a run for it!”

Numerous powerful onlookers tensed visibly.

The Xuanfu Divine Sect’s Xuan Yin clutched a handful of Divine Talismans, but before he could deploy them, he saw the Divine Monkey lightly tiptoe with his toe.

Suddenly, the snowfield exploded.

A burst of scarlet clouds surged beneath his feet.

Like…

A somersault!

In one agile flip, he vanished in midair before everyone’s eyes—taking the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff with him…

It too disappeared!

At that moment, in the crater where Huang Tuo lay coughing blood, the Holy Hand Divine Eagle he cradled fixed its narrow, drifting brows on the direction where the Divine Monkey had somersaulted. “Qi Tian…”

“Qi Tian?!”

Daocheng.

Tinglei Alley. Private Workshop Courtyard.

Above the firmament, thunder still roared, while electric serpents slithered through leaden clouds and storm winds unleashed torrential rain. This was a celestial phenomenon that shrouded all of Shendiao Ridge—even Daocheng itself.

It seemed the collapse of the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Bizarre Temple had triggered this anomaly. In the silent courtyard,

The rain evaporated in an instant.

Then a red cloud burst forth, scorching and tumultuous, as shockwaves roiled.

Li Che, still wearing the Divine Monkey mask and a dark robe fluttering wildly, returned to the courtyard and sat cross-legged on the now-dry blue stone pavement.

Without removing the Qi Tian Face, Li Che raised a hand to his brow…

Moments later, the Cosmic Chessboard spun into the courtyard’s sky, instantly enveloping and blocking out the heavens.

“Hoo—”

“Sigh—”

With each breath, violent currents tore through the courtyard, but soon calm was restored.

The wind grew placid, and Li Che’s heart settled into a deep stillness as he meditated—untainted by even a drop of rain.

Yet the continuous patter of rain on the black tiles, tapping on the eaves, was as soothing as a gentle brook washing away inner turmoil. The swollen mud pellet at his brow remained unheeded.

Previously, drawing on his profound Primordial Essence and the synthesis of the Fa Tian Xiang Di, Sword Immortal Pure Yang, and the Three Affections divine systems, Li Che had broken through directly into Primordial Transformation after forming his Divine Essence Golden Pill.

This time, the Fa Tian Xiang Di Golden Pill absorbed a massive amount of the temple spirit’s divinity, propelling it to the Breath Retention Transformation stage! Still, the Breath Retention Transformation was only a transient phase,

but during this process Li Che was able to subtly harness the divine power of the Luminous True Primate,

which significantly bolstered his combat prowess.

Yet this journey to the collapsing Bizarre Temple wasn’t his greatest gain.

“The Bizarre Temple has collapsed…”

“So when it fell, the shifting of the Feilei Chess Piece was restricted…”

When Li Che first obtained the treasured staff, he had intended to swiftly shift away upon sensing the collapse of the temple, but the event instead triggered a profound sense of alarm.

For as the temple crumbled into the Bizarre Temple…

Li Che was overwhelmed by a terrifying surge of divine energy—so high in rank that it completely stifled his own divinity! Even the Feilei Shift was heavily hindered, as if bound by chains forged from pure divinity.

The difficulty was such that it felt as though one had to crawl back from the netherworld to the courtyard via the Feilei Shift. The process took nearly twenty slow, measured breaths,

so long that Li Che eventually abandoned the attempt and chose instead to walk out of the Bizarre Temple.

As for the cosmic phenomenon…

it was the divine outpouring unleashed when the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Bizarre Temple collapsed—a display meant

to announce to the world that the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff… had finally emerged!

This was no ordinary honor even a Five-Elder weapon could claim.

Clearly, this staff was not just any Five-Elder weapon—it was one of the souls of the Qi Tian Hunyuan Ruyi Golden Cudgel. Its significance made perfect sense.

Li Che even sensed

the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s exuberant anticipation and elation as if announcing to the heavens. “No…”

Beneath his Qi Tian Face, Li Che’s brows knitted slightly. “It seems it isn’t an announcement to the world…”

“But rather… an announcement from the collapsing Bizarre Temple…”

“Oh gods!”

On Mei Mountain, the wind howled amid swirling snow.

Winter plum blossoms bloomed, dotting the mountain.

In front of the snow-laden, awe-inspiring Mystical Way Manifesting Three-Eyed True Lord Bizarre Temple,

A lone figure clad in white sat quietly on the temple’s threshold.

The figure reached out, and a single plum petal landed in his icy palm. After a moment, his vertical slit pupil turned and a faint smile emerged.

He tossed the petal back to the ground, then rose and returned into the temple.

Yet the petal seemed to transform into a razor-sharp blade that sliced through the snow with a precise cut. “My blade has grown tired.”

At Jin Guang Mansion, on the banks of Jiulong River,

where the river never seemed to freeze,

a temple stood isolated amid the churning, roaring waters, as if about to be swept away. Bang—

Suddenly, the river exploded.

A childlike figure, stepping onto a jet-black lotus, emerged from the depths and landed squarely on the White Jade Stairway of the Bizarre Temple. With bare hands, he tore at the icy steps, staining the white jade with fresh blood before it was absorbed.

In his grasp, he hauled a slender, colossal dragon carcass. “Hehe…”

“Hurry up… hurry up, I can’t wait any longer.”

His tiny fingers clutched a still-warm piece of dragon meat, which he roasted atop a black lotus until it turned fragrant, then devoured it in one clean gulp. With a spit, he even ejected a long, shredded piece of dragon bone.

a9EB8

In the depths of Tinglei Alley,

beneath the eaves of a restaurant bathed in a soft, orange glow,

the Boss—a man in white—sat leisurely with his legs crossed. He pulled out some rolling paper, twisted a few cigarette shreds, rolled a cigarette, lit it, savored a long puff, and then exhaled rings of curling smoke.

“The tide is about to turn,” he remarked.

In the Private Workshop Courtyard, Li Che exhaled slowly, his eyes gleaming.

“Announcing the collapse of the Bizarre Temple…” “There’s something here.”

But these were not the thoughts currently occupying Li Che’s mind. He closed his eyes.

As the second fragment of the Qi Tian Face converged, a torrent of profound information flowed forth.

It was just like when he first received the Martial Saint Technique, Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun.

Although the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun hadn’t transformed into a Divine Seed Martial Arts, it had helped him master his staff techniques and develop formidable killing moves. And now…

The message from the Qi Tian Face was likewise a martial art. “Divine Seed Martial Arts?”

“No…”

“It seems to be a pure… Huashen Zhenwu! No minor, great, or grand master stages…”

“One cultivation and you leap straight into Huashen Zhenwu!” Li Che’s eyes sparkled as he felt the surge within his chest.

Upon receiving the Dao Fruit [Dragon Elephant Vajra], it began to tremble violently. Golden light flowed before him.

The information from the Qi Tian Face quickly coalesced into a martial art name: Huashen Zhenwu [Sui Nantian] – One Cudgel.

Sui Nantian!