Chapter 311: Snowfall and Divine Trials

The silent snow drifted down from the leaden clouds hanging high above.

It fell onto the black tiles and Qiu Ping, coating the dark eaves with a blanket of white that, when the load increased, cascaded down in a gentle shower.

In Daocheng of Qianyuan.

On Tinglei Alley.

Inside the Private Workshop Courtyard.

An eerie quiet reigned, broken only by the sound of falling snow.

Li Che’s eyes fluttered open, shimmering with a golden haze reminiscent of incense. ‘Smash Southern Heavens!’ he roared.

Pure Transcendent True Martial Way!

Absorbing the endless feedback racing through his mind, Li Che’s gaze brightened with determination.

Transcendent True Martial Way is the pinnacle of Divine Seed Martial Arts, honed to the transcendent realm. Only martial arts that reach this stage can truly be called Transcendent True Martial Way!

And the martial tradition he inherited from the Qitian Face is nothing but the purest Transcendent True Martial Way, or rather…

It’s simply True Martial Way!

While mastering it demands great skill, once you enter the path it rivals even transcendent-level Divine Seed Martial Arts. ‘It’s even harder than Divine Seed Martial Arts…’

Li Che drew a deep breath.

He knew that Divine Seed Martial Arts were already formidable. Until now, not one had reached transcendent-level mastery, underscoring how much tougher True Martial Way was. ‘Moreover, clearly this Transcendent True Martial Way isn’t the only one. The Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun was the very foundation for mastering these True Martial Ways.’

‘Since I have mastered the ultimate Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun, it also paves the way for these True Martial Ways. Smash Southern Heavens, Transcendental Furnace, Tread the Thunder!’

Three names echoed in Li Che’s mind.

Besides the newly acquired True Martial Way ‘Smash Southern Heavens,’ the names ‘Transcendental Furnace’ and ‘Tread the Thunder’ surfaced—but sadly, only in name, lacking any concrete method of cultivation.

Li Che felt a tinge of regret, largely because the Qitian Face remained fragmented.

‘Originally, I thought the remaining two pieces of Qitian Face would be found at the Ruyi Sect and Tiangang Tower, but now… it seems not as I had expected.’ Having absorbed the details of Smash Southern Heavens, he began to ponder.

‘Perhaps…’

‘The third piece of Qitian Face might be in Qitian City?’ Li Che’s eyes sparked with possibility.

He looked at the quietly planted Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff on the ground.

The staff shimmered with golden brilliance like gentle winter sunlight. Lifting his hand, accompanied by a soft whimper, the staff dissolved into a stream of light and merged into Li Che’s right hand.

It fused perfectly with his arm, as the glowing light danced before his eyes.

[Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (LV5 75%)]

After reaching the Martial Saint stage, the maturity of the Dao Fruit improved without triggering any sudden enlightenment.

However, after dispatching Su Lei Ba on the outskirts, he gained an extra 5% in Dao Fruit maturity.

That additional 5% carried the power of sudden insight.

‘Could this 5% breakthrough be enough to grasp this True Martial Way?’ Li Che mused for a moment before shaking his head.

This True Martial Way differed from ordinary Divine Seed Martial Arts. There was no entry level, no minor or major breakthroughs—only the transcendent realm and beyond.

Thus, a 5% insight was simply not enough.

In the end, Li Che decided not to invest that 5% insight into the True Martial Way. Sitting cross-legged, he watched as specks of light gathered before him.

[Dao Fruit: Xiangong (LV5 40%)]

The maturation of the Xiangong Dao Fruit surged remarkably—perhaps because during the divine weapon’s trial, he carved out the Two-Hearted Great Sage Divine Eagle from ordinary wood, which significantly boosted his divine eagle techniques.

Yet compared to the nearly LV6 progress of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, the Xiangong Dao Fruit’s improvement lagged behind. Shaking his head, his eyes continued to scan the surroundings.

[Dao Fruit: Unsullied Heart (LV5 30%)], [Dao Fruit: Chess Sage (LV5 20%)], [Dao Fruit: Painted Immortal (LV4 60%)] – all these Dao Fruits had advanced to varying degrees.

The Unsullied Heart and Chess Sage Dao Fruits matured purely because, after the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff recognized his mastery and after the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Temple Spirit bestowed a fragment of Qitian Face, their divine nature was amplified!

Though most of the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s divine essence had been devoured by the Fa Tian Xiang Di Golden Pill, nurturing the Luminous True Primate, a small fragment had coalesced into a divine chess piece of the Temple Spirit.

In all, ten pieces fell onto the Cosmic Chessboard, bathed in radiant Buddha light…

As for the Painted Immortal Dao Fruit, its significant boost came purely from the recent test between false and true Li Che. Concealing its details, a faint smile played on Li Che’s lips.

He was in remarkably high spirits.

Not only had he acquired a divine weapon, but many of his Dao Fruits had matured across the board. He had also obtained a rare True Martial Way!

Li Che’s mood soared.

Rising from his seated posture, he stretched his arms as his muscles creaked loudly. A deep hum began to resonate—

A powerful current swirled wildly, lashing through the air like a frenzied whip as the Cosmic Chessboard expanded to engulf everything.

Boom—

With a muffled thud, Li Che’s body swelled in ripples; muscles bulged like hardened kernels and his translucent skin shimmered, while the blood surging through his vessels roared like molten mercury, rapidly heating the courtyard.

His jet-black hair whipped wildly, and as his eyes opened and closed, the golden haze flowed and dissipated.

Activating the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, Li Che clenched his fingers. The Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, resembling golden smoke, coalesced in his hand. With a fierce strike, he unleashed it like a Treasure Stick, sending shockwaves that shattered the air in the entire courtyard!

Li Che’s body expanded to a height of 2.5 meters, enveloped in swirling bands of vital energy. His flesh gleamed like glazed porcelain and his sinews shone like solid gold, the rippling energy warping the air around him.

The Martial Saint’s Inherent Divine Guts manifested like a colossal dragon-elephant, merging within the staff’s imposing silhouette as Li Che prepared to cultivate ‘Smash Southern Heavens.’

Though this True Martial Way was exceedingly challenging, Li Che had already mastered the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun. Advancing from that to Smash Southern Heavens was no small feat. BOOM—!!!

Within the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, a vast force surged forth as Li Che channeled its power to energize the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff. In that moment…

It was as if thousands of staff silhouettes vibrated and resonated in unison, like rolling thunder clashing overhead!

The pure, intense divine weapon energy burst forth from the staff, coursing through his limbs and bones, tempering Li Che’s already formidable physique! Merging weapon and body!

Thanks to Li Che’s mastery over the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, his abilities surpassed even those of the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade.

Yet the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, being a top-tier Martial Saint weapon, held far greater potential than the mere fragment of a treasure soul that was the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff!

Li Che’s eyes burned as he absorbed the divine weapon energy that spread through every inch of his body, while within his chest, the Dao Fruit pulsed mightily!

Abruptly, Li Che’s five fingers spread wide and the mercury-like blood within him surged, heating the snow scattered for dozens of meters around the courtyard! Now at the Martial Saint realm, his body became even tougher. Progress was now even tougher.

Every part of his skin, muscle, and meridians had long transcended the ordinary, truly evolving beyond the mundane. Even a single drop of his blood rivaled the potency of rare elixirs. Yet the refinement afforded by divine weapon essence still advanced only gradually.

His clenched fist caused the Treasure Stick to tremble.

With one sweeping motion, the crisp air rang out as the accumulated snow evaporated completely.

Clutching the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff tightly, Li Che’s eyes turned inscrutable as his vital energy surged. ‘Vital Radiance’—the divine ability of his blood and energy.

This was one of the divine abilities unlocked after the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit’s transformation.

By linking his own vital energy with his divine weapon, he could enhance its quality and even compensate for its shortcomings.

Li Che wondered if the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, already a top-tier Five Elders weapon, could be elevated to the Four Emperors rank through Vital Radiance! BOOM—!

The firmament shuddered as the air burst with force!

As the Treasure Stick vibrated, countless staff silhouettes appeared to crackle and shatter the space!

On the surface of the Gold-Iron Divine Staff materialized an intricate pattern of Vital Radiance, as if his energy were being reflected upon it. Li Che could feel his bond with the staff growing ever tighter.

‘What a pity… it hasn’t reached the Four Emperors level.’ Li Che sighed.

But he understood; the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff was only a fragment of the Ruyi Golden Cudgel’s treasure soul. Not only was it incomplete, its very material was nothing more than transient heavenly gold.

Its greatest flaw lay in its composition.

While Vital Radiance could compensate for the weapon’s deficits, it couldn’t overcome the limitations inherent in its material. Thus, although the staff’s quality improved, the gain was modest.

Li Che resumed cultivating the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun in the courtyard.

Using the Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun as a foundation, he steadily advanced toward the True Martial Way of Smash Southern Heavens.

Then, the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff was taken by an Underworld Divine Monkey!

This news spread like a raging storm throughout Qianyuan Daocheng, shaking every faction.

No one had expected that the Underworld, lurking in darkness, would strike—and succeed in seizing the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff—right atop the Imperial Watch’s octagonal, dripping Treasure Tower.

Monitor Hong Shifo, rarely seen playing chess, stood with his arms crossed amid the pavilions, frowning at the swirling snow. ‘Never in a million years did I imagine the Underworld would get hold of this divine weapon.’

‘The Grand Inspector’s single word can seal a fate that shakes the world. Whoever possesses this staff may stand atop Qitian City’s walls and even have a chance at the Three Pure Divine Weapons… No wonder so many are eyeing this Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff.’

‘Even Xiao Lingyin Temple and Ji Mo Li have dispatched people… all eager to claim this divine weapon,’ Hong Shifo grumbled.

Anyone who obtained it would trigger a massive upheaval; yet, in the end, it was the Underworld that had acquired it.

Primarily because the Underworld’s nefarious figures were so enigmatic that no one could track them. Thus, the Underworld dared not fear being targeted by the major factions.

And while the factions desired to monitor the Underworld, they couldn’t even begin to pin it down! ‘The Underworld… what an enigma.’

‘Ambushing the Su Family midway ruined Dao Master Yue Huanglong’s plans, yet on the other hand, it allowed the acquisition of a divine weapon at the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Bizarre Temple… What an inscrutable force.’

Hong Shifo recalled the confrontation with Yama of the Underworld that fateful day.

That terrifying surge of energy had shattered the restraints on a man’s five divine seeds with a mere movement. Hong Shifo rubbed his head.

‘Huang Tuo has laid his cards on the table. And what about Ji Mo Li?’

‘Ji Mo Li… must be desperate for that divine weapon. His ambitions are too intertwined with it. They both surely won’t give up.’

It was no longer a secret that Ji Mo Li had dispatched Ji Li Shou.

Lü Taibai and Feng Zhiqi, among the top cultivators of Qianyuan Daocheng, were all aware—but none knew what secret Ji Mo Li was truly hiding within Ji Li Shou.

Lü Taibai, it seemed, was also wary of that fact.

At the Dao Master Residence.

Yue Huanglong sat in The Pavilion, thick layers of snow piled on the black tiles of the pavilion. Yue Weizheng approached from outside the residence, his face etched with displeasure.

“Father,”

He reached Yue Huanglong, cupped his hands in a formal greeting and said, “Child… I have disappointed you.”

Yue Weizheng felt a pang of regret.

Yue Huanglong sipped his hot tea, his expression remaining unreadable.

“It’s fine. I never had high hopes anyway,” Yue Huanglong replied calmly.

Yue Weizheng’s face tightened with resignation; he knew his father spoke the truth. Yet somehow, Yue Huanglong seemed quite upset. After Yue Weizheng finished reporting the situation at the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Bizarre Temple,

Yue Huanglong squinted his eyes.

“Underworld…”

“The Underworld again!”

A hint of cold severity replaced the once affable look on Yue Huanglong’s face.

“So frustrating.”

Not having secured the Buddha Soil Secret Technique from the Su Family vexed Yue Huanglong deeply. After planning for so long and stooping to such measures, his efforts were thwarted by the Underworld.

And that Underworld Cat Face even brazenly faced him, declaring it would decide his fate. Yue Huanglong, a four-star Martial Saint who had witnessed the peak of Heavenly Gate,

Thought, ‘How can a lowly Underworld force dare decide my fate?!’

Even if the Underworld possessed Yama, so what?

Yue Huanglong’s eyes grew somber: “Go and summon Ji Li Shou…”

Yue Weizheng, taken aback for a moment, replied, “Yes.”

The matter of the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff had caused a major commotion.

And the Underworld of Qianyuan Daocheng had now made its mark.

The name of the Underworld spread like wildfire beyond Daocheng. After all, the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff was a divine weapon personally mentioned by the Grand Inspector of the Imperial Watch Headquarters. Though it was only one of the Five Elders weapons, its significance was immense.

Thus, the Underworld Divine Monkey’s reputation soared, to the point that even Divine Capital might soon hear its name.

Yet all this had little effect on Li Che.

Let others deal with the Underworld; Li Che was just an honest Divine Condor Half-Saint, nothing more.

The Painted Immortal Clone returned to Qianyuan Daocheng along with the Divine Sect’s carriage.

Along the way, Gongshu Jingjun, Tang Xiejia, and Elder Ding Zi were all cautioned by Lü Taibai, so none dared to utter a word. Their gazes at Li Che were filled with complexity.

Elder Zhao Fangzhou, however, remained oblivious, sympathetically consoling Li Che.

After all, in the eyes of Zhao Fangzhou and many other powerful Divine Sect cultivators, Li Che—who could carve a Two-Hearted Great Sage Divine Eagle even at the half-saint stage—had a strong chance of obtaining the Gold-Iron Divine Staff. Stepping out of the carriage,

But fate intervened as a Sky-Rushing Monkey appeared on the way!

Upon returning to the Qianyuan Divine Sect, Li Che and the Painted Immortal Clone switched identities.

“Elder Li, clear your things and come to Taibai Hall for a talk.”

“We need to discuss your upcoming trip to Divine Capital for the Peach Banquet Victory and some… other small matters.”

Lü Taibai lifted the curtain and, with unspoken emphasis, said to Li Che.

Inside the carriage, XiXi kept waving at Li Che, “Daddy, don’t lose heart! When XiXi grows up, I’ll protect you! If XiXi isn’t strong, changes will be made to protect you!” XiXi placed her hands on her hips, flashing a bright, adorable smile.

Behind her, Jin Taisui remained silent.

But XiXi shot him a glaring look.

Jin Taisui’s face turned as if all his features were crammed together in embarrassment.

He mimicked XiXi by placing his hands on his hips, puffing out his six-pack abs. “Old Master, don’t lose heart! When XiXi grows strong, she’ll protect you, Emperor XiXi!”

XiXi nodded in satisfaction.

“Daddy, look, so many of us support you!” XiXi, proudly pouting, lifted her little chin to comfort him. Li Che couldn’t help but smile in amusement.

Poor Jin Taisui… he truly had it rough.

He was nearly being molded in XiXi’s image.

Thinking of his imminent trip to Divine Capital for the Peach Banquet Victory, where the little girl would finally face off with the hatchling dragons of the Great Realm, he wondered if those hatchlings could withstand XiXi’s whipping.

Li Che burst into laughter. “Not bad.”

Glancing at Jin Taisui, Li Che praised him.

Jin Taisui’s face reddened with embarrassment, yet inside he felt a strange mixture of pride and fierce resolve. To receive praise from Li Che was no small feat.

Lü Taibai, along with XiXi and Jin Taisui, drove back to Taibai Peak. The other elders also bid Li Che farewell in turn.

Clad in a black tunic inked with golden lotus patterns, his black hair streaming in the wind, Li Che exhaled softly before heading back to the Elders’ Court in Disciples’ City.

Inside the Elders’ Court,

Zhang Ya was training in the courtyard. Today, she had skipped joining the Prodigies and Luminous True Primate at Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s courtyard to practice on her own while waiting for Li Che’s return.

She knew that earlier Li Che had gone to Shendiao Ridge for that uproar over the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff’s recognition trial, and now thick layers of white snow blanketed the courtyard, exuding a biting chill.

Icicles hung from the eaves in clusters.

Granny Mu was busy breaking the hanging icicles with her staff.

Seeing Li Che return, Granny Mu broke into a gentle, kindly smile. “You’re back?”

Li Che chuckled in reply.

Li Qingshan was absent from the courtyard — clearly out to accomplish something great.

“Husband!” Zhang Ya’s eyes lit up at Li Che’s return. Drenched in sweat, she rushed toward him.

“Husband, don’t lose heart. It was just a failure. Besides, you’re now a Divine Condor Master—being without a divine weapon is nothing to worry about, right?” Zhang Ya had heard that Li Che had not secured the divine weapon—knowing it had been taken by the Underworld’s Divine Monkey—and hurried to comfort him.

Looking at his graceful wife, Li Che reached up and ruffled Zhang Ya’s hair.

Then he leaned in close, his warm breath caressing her crystal ear as he whispered, “Wife, I’ll let you in on a little secret…”

Li Che’s warm exhalation made the fine hairs on Zhang Ya’s already glistening, fair neck stand on end. “Hus… husband…”

Zhang Ya’s cheeks flushed as a rosy glow spread from her chest down to her neck. “W-what secret?”

A mischievous smile played on Li Che’s lips as he replied, “The divine weapon from the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s Bizarre Temple was taken by the Divine Monkey.”

“Divine Monkey…”

“He’s my man too.”

Embarrassed, Zhang Ya pressed her legs together, feeling heat radiate through her body. Already having undergone six rounds of Blood Exchange, her vitality, now at its peak, could hardly endure Li Che’s teasing.

“Mmm, ahhh…” Zhang Ya’s voice droned like a buzzing bee.

But soon Zhang Ya seemed to understand his words. Her eyes widened in disbelief, “Huh?!”

Just what had her husband said?!

Zhang Ya’s mind spun, realizing that the flexible Underworld Ogre was her husband…

So does that mean the Divine Monkey with the ever-changing staff from the Underworld is also my husband?! “Ha ha ha!”

Li Che looked at Zhang Ya’s astonished expression with satisfaction, giving her a playful pat on the head.

He then scooped up his delicate wife in his arms, and amid her surprised exclamations and blushes, they walked toward the room. His laughter mingled with Zhang Ya’s surprised cries.

Under the eaves, Granny Mu smiled as she shattered an icicle. ‘Youngsters, always playing around.’

…

After guiding his wife in the secrets of Blood Exchange using his Martial Saint body,

Li Che quietly closed the door so that his feeble wife Zhang Ya could get a proper rest. With the nourishment of Martial Saint essence and the divine nature of Unsullied Heart, her body was slowly strengthening.

After bidding a farewell to Granny Mu seated in the rocking chair with a wool blanket on her lap, Li Che left the Elders’ Court.

Outside under the eaves, Nie Yang and Li Chengzhou, who had been chatting with their swords, stood up simultaneously.

“Let’s head to Taibai Peak,” Li Che said with a smile.

Nie Yang nodded. Li Che slid into the carriage; as the wheels crushed the accumulated snow, two tracks were left behind as they set off toward Taibai Peak.

At Taibai Peak,

Sword light glittered as it sliced through the drifting snow.

Just back on Taibai Peak, XiXi began her sword practice. The scorching, searing flames of the Yulian Yin Divine Sword danced from her grasp, and the sword’s radiance raged around her like a blazing white lotus. With every swing, the soft roundness of baby cheeks on her face trembled slightly.

The carriage came to a halt.

Perched on the carriage’s front, Nie Yang marveled at how XiXi’s path to cultivation had reached such a level.

Li Chengzhou stared blankly, taking a deep breath, then exhaling slowly with a tinge of dejection.

Indeed, a genius’s progress always far outstrips that of ordinary mortals.

XiXi, who once trained in something other than the sword, had now surpassed Li Chengzhou in swordsmanship after training under Master Taibai. “No need to compare—competing with a genius only deepens the inner wound. What you must do is cultivate your own path,” Nie Yang advised. “I’ve arranged it so that you too can attend Divine Capital’s Peach Banquet Victory. It’s a chance for you to gain real combat experience.

At the Hatchling Dragon Victory Gathering… you can even take the stage.”

Hearing this, Li Chengzhou’s body tensed.

“I will work hard, Master!”

“Train well and don’t waste your youth.”

Nie Yang looked at Li Chengzhou; his cold face suddenly broke into a radiant smile as he gave a thumbs-up.

In the carriage, watching the passionate camaraderie between master and disciple, Li Che smiled reflectively.

Li Chengzhou’s cultivation talent wasn’t impressive, but his aptitude for swordsmanship was comparable to Nie Yang’s—almost like a reflection of his mentor.

Nie Yang saw himself in Li Chengzhou; he aspired to mold a second version of himself.

“Daddy!”

XiXi’s eyes lit up as she spotted Li Che.

After a brief exchange of greetings, XiXi resumed her training, determined to ‘grow stronger to protect Daddy.’

Li Che entered Taibai Hall.

Inside the hall,

Three sticks of incense burned on the censer, their curling smoke carrying a unique fragrance.

Lü Taibai, clad in white robes with silver hair and eyebrows, sat cross-legged on a cushion with a towering ancestral patriarch statue behind him.

Gongshu Jingjun, Tang Xiejia, and Elder Ding Zi emerged from Taibai Hall. Upon seeing Li Che, their smiles grew wide.

They all vaguely sensed Li Che’s true identity. Now, they no longer saw him merely as a Divine Condor Half-Saint.

They treated him as an equal—after all, the Divine Monkey was a Martial Saint too!

Li Che paid them no mind. Even if his identity were exposed, he possessed ample confidence.

Not only was he the Divine Condor Half-Saint of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, but his status as one of the Underworld’s notorious demonic figures wasn’t something ordinary foes would dare challenge.

Li Che stepped into the vast Taibai Peak.

Once inside, the world seemed to fall silent.

The moment Lü Taibai opened his eyes, the hall appeared completely isolated from the outside world. Li Che felt a subtle tremor in his heart, as if sensing something different.

Was it… the Dao Essence? A Minor Cavern of the Heavens? It still seemed a bit lacking…

It appeared Lü Taibai had begun to tap into the Dao Essence. “Elder Li, come and sit,” he said with a gentle smile.

Without hesitation, Li Che grabbed a cushion, sat cross-legged, and faced Lü Taibai in the grand hall.

“I have already instructed Jingjun, Xiejia, and A Zi—they swore a divine oath and will not expose your identity,” Lü Taibai said bluntly.

This was his way of indicating that he was aware of Li Che’s Underworld connections. Li Che wasn’t surprised.

“Thank you, Sect Master.”

“No thanks are necessary; it’s only right,” Lü Taibai replied.

“In this world, who isn’t hiding a secret? Just as I am the Hunter King Assassin of the Lie Shen Pavilion,” Lü Taibai added with a slight smile.

“But regarding the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, you must have sensed its gravity… This staff is none other than the treasure soul of the Qi Tian Hunyuan Ruyi Golden Cudgel—the seventh of the Three Pure Divine Weapons in the Great Realm’s Imperial Watch roster.”

Li Che nodded solemnly. In truth, these top experts were well informed of the secrets.

“In fact, this staff… neither I nor Ji Mo Li nor even Huang Mei from Xiao Lingyin Temple could obtain it… so none of them have come in person.”

“Huang Mei arrived with a Holy Hand Divine Eagle; since the Buddha possesses a Three-Life Body, that Holy Hand Divine Eagle carries the divine nature of Huang Mei’s one lifetime, making it virtually equivalent to Huang Mei showing up in person.”

“This is also why I refrained from striking down Huang Tuo directly on Shendiao Ridge, to avoid thwarting those who sought to guide you and XiXi into the Buddhist path.” Lü Taibai explained.

“A Buddha Three-Life Body?!” Li Che couldn’t help but exclaim.

“That is one of the top three secret techniques of Xiao Lingyin Temple…” Lü Taibai briefly explained.

“Using three types of Four Emperor spirit wood to carve divine eagles that serve as vessels for the Three-Life Body, each carving possesses combat prowess not inferior to the original. Moreover, if the Three-Life Body cannot be entirely destroyed, one can carve a new divine eagle from spirit wood to restore the lost part, rendering it nearly indestructible… truly troublesome.”

Lü Taibai’s tone grew somber. “Xiao Lingyin Temple ranks among the top three in the Great Realm’s Eleven Routes of Divine Sect. In fact, it’s actually second…” Li Che’s heart skipped a beat; Xiao Lingyin Temple ranking so high among the Divine Sects was astonishing!

“The Great Realm’s Eleven Routes of Divine Sect include… Lingnan Dao Qianyuan Divine Sect, Dragon Abyss Path, Seven Treasure Divine Sect, Qingyun Dao Xuanfu Divine Sect, Guangling Dao Tian Dan Divine Sect, Jiangnan Dao Haoran Academy, Jiannan Dao Bashu Sword Pavilion, Divine Capital Dao Longhu Divine Sect, and Tongyou Dao True Martial Sect…”

Lü Taibai’s silver hair flowed as he sat cross-legged, his voice ethereal as he introduced the various Divine Sects. “Aren’t there only nine here?”

Li Che listened in curiosity.

“There are two more, somewhat special—Nanhai Dao and Tianshi Dao. The Nanhai’s Purple Bamboo Forest and Tianshi Dao’s Purple Mansion… The Nanhai Purple Bamboo Forest has always kept a low profile, its depths unknown. But Tianshi Dao’s Purple Mansion is the top scorer among the eleven routes in every Peach Banquet Victory.”

“To remain inconspicuous, you simply cannot shake the first place. No competition is needed,” Li Che took a deep breath as his heart trembled.

A lower-ranked Divine Sect and a top-ranked one.

But according to Lü Taibai, both were not to be underestimated.

“You will encounter these Divine Sects once you reach Divine Capital for the Peach Banquet Victory,” he continued. “Now, let’s discuss serious matters.”

Lü Taibai’s silver eyes shone with a mysterious glow. “Please, Sect Master, speak—what is it you wish to discuss?”

Li Che felt a surge of curiosity.

Just then, Lü Taibai pulled a silver mask from his bosom and placed it over his face, transforming himself into a figure of gleaming silver. “Outside Shendiao Ridge, the Huang Tuo from Xiao Lingyin Temple claims he wants to convert you and XiXi to Buddhism.”

Lü Taibai fixed Li Che with his silver gaze. “Elder Li,

You wouldn’t want your daughter to be taken away to the Buddhist path, would you?”