Chapter 320: Thundering Fury and Fiery Trials

Crack! Crack!

Lightning flashed and thunder roared, coiling like writhing serpents!

Torrents of thunder raged above the clouds, roaring and shrieking. These mighty bolts no longer resembled the heavenly retribution once summoned when Xixi carved the Three Pure Ones’ Divine Visage. They were the furious, unbridled wrath of heaven and earth unleashed by a forbidden presence that spanned two realms!

It was as if the entire world, at that very moment, had turned against Xixi!

In an instant, the lightning formed a vast net across the sky—a hideous, web-like shroud that enveloped everything below. Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle…

Intense heat spread relentlessly!

Miles of snowy landscape melted into cascading droplets, clattering to the earth like a torrential downpour. It was as if a terrifying, otherworldly aura had emerged from a colossal palm formed by the raging fire of the prison lotus!

Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince?!

The massive palm, reminiscent of a lotus cluster, changed the expressions of everyone on the Grand Plaza. This sudden turn of events was utterly unforeseen!

No one had expected that when Xixi carved her divine foundation into a Divine Visage, such a calamity would occur!

Except for Lü Taibai, Li Che, and Fang Han Shu, none had witnessed the Bizarre Temple materializing behind Xixi or the Temple Spirit Third Prince stepping forth. Yet, the immense flaming palm—created solely from the prison lotus fire—was enough to signal that something was terribly amiss.

Zhang Ya’s face immediately drained of color in panic. “Wha— What is happening?”

“Husband… What’s wrong with Xixi? What is with this suddenly appearing flaming palm?” Zhang Ya asked, panic etched on her features.

“Wife, don’t worry. Xixi will be alright. Her cultivation of the Three Pure Ones’ Divine Visage is unique. Let’s go and see—it won’t let her come to harm.”

Li Che soothed his wife, gradually calming the frantic Zhang Ya. As inky mist billowed, she realized her husband had already taken action.

Only a transformed clone remained.

Zhang Ya, overwhelmed by concern for her husband’s incredible transformation technique, looked on anxiously as a whoosh of air—

—split the void in an instant with a booming shout: “How dare you!!!”

Lü Taibai stood with his arms behind him, his silver hair wildly streaming. His voice, sharp as a clap of spring thunder, cut through the air; even the void seemed to be cleaved by his sword aura.

Elsewhere, Fang Han Shu’s brow furrowed. Behind him, countless streams of righteous white qi gathered like flowing silk. His scholar’s robes fluttered as if he were about to soar.

Yet Lü Taibai, almost as if transformed into pure silver, rested his palm on Fang Han Shu’s shoulder. “Keep an eye on the Divine Sect.”

Once his words fell,

his entire body surged forward, becoming a streak of silver sword light.

At the very moment the enormous prison lotus flaming palm closed, he darted inside.

Being at the pinnacle, his speed was simply unmatched.

So swift was his movement that before anyone could react, Lü Taibai disappeared—and it wasn’t long before everyone else began to realize what had transpired.

The Sect Master’s Wife Xuan Qisha’s divine talismans flared dangerously around her.

Elder Zhao Fangzhou and Elder Ding Zi, both mighty experts, launched skyward.

But their speed could not compare to Lü Taibai’s. Before they could get close, the giant prison lotus flaming palm slammed shut, as if severing it from the outside world.

Zhao Fangzhou’s hair whipped about as his body swelled with energy—a ferocious aura roaring up from the earth like a wild beast. “Hold!”

Just as Zhao Fangzhou was about to break through the lotus fire, Fang Han Shu intervened, “Don’t act rashly.”

Fang Han Shu’s expression was grave, his robes billowing, and the surging righteous qi around him resembled rolling rivers. Zhao Fangzhou respected him—it wasn’t every day a man like this could land a beating on a scholar.

“Elder Fang, what exactly is going on?” Zhao Fangzhou demanded as everyone turned to watch.

Yun’e, recently recruited as a disciple by Elder Ding Zi, along with Jin Taisui—the one who, despite his pride, had become an inseparable follower of the Great Emperor Xixi—and prodigies like Zhou Peng, all turned their heads. They knew Xixi was very dear to them and wanted to understand what had happened.

Even though her Divine Visage had been successfully carved, all that was needed was to integrate it into her inner world—yet calamity struck… as if…

someone was trying to steal the forbidden fruit.

To seize the Divine Visage that Xixi had painstakingly sculpted!

This sent shivers down their spines—worry and a sense of impending doom, perhaps hinting that a disturbance within the Divine Sect had been sensed by many.

Within Daocheng,

powerful auras erupted one after another, streaks of light crisscrossing the sky.

Monitor Hong Shifo, carrying a chessboard on his back, his hair flying and his hands forming seals, looked as solemn as if emerging from pure radiance. “Monitor.”

Fang Han Shu shot a cold, unruffled glance toward Hong Shifo, surrounded by countless snarling white serpents of qi.

“I only came to assess the situation. I learned that the Young Sect Master intends to push through his Divine Visage at the age of six. It should have been a natural progression, but my divination revealed an ominous sign… so I came to warn you.”

“Seems we’re too late, then.”

Hong Shifo sighed, his gaze fixed on the blazing, fist-like prison lotus fire. A strange glimmer flashed in his eyes.

“Prison Lotus…”

These days, every cultivator was oddly sensitive to the presence of the ‘Prison Lotus’.

At these words, Fang Han Shu’s gaze softened considerably.

“Thank you for your concern, Monitor. However… I believe it’s not a serious matter.”

Monitor Hong Shifo squinted and nodded, “Since Master Taibai has acted, there’s no need for worry. Although this prison lotus flame appears to have formed a small, hidden realm steeped in Dao essence… it might not be able to contain someone of the Sect Master’s caliber.”

Hong Shifo laughed softly.

His understanding of Lü Taibai’s strength deepened.

After all, in the recent battle, even though Lü Taibai wore the Hunter King Mask, he had clearly revealed his identity. In that confrontation, Lü Taibai first decapitated the adversary with a yellow brow before beheading the Heavenly King form of Ji Mo Li…

Unmatched in force.

It is well known that both Huang Mei and Ji Mo Li ranked above Lü Taibai in the Great Cultivation Rankings and at the Heavenly Gate—but that was why they dared to send in their avatars.

Yet Lü Taibai’s display of strength was evident… he had grown significantly stronger than before, even brushing against the essence of Dao.

Boom—!!!

Just as Hong Shifo finished speaking,

a powerful expert emerged from the distant clouds above Taibai Peak.

Feng Zhiqi was enveloped by surging qi and swirling clouds. His robust frame, draped in the robe of the Temple Guardian Division’s governor, rustled in the wind, his eyes sharp as blades. His gaze fixed on the prison lotus fire as his brows knitted in concern.

Fang Han Shu glanced at him and then looked away, knowing that Feng Zhiqi would not target the Qianyuan Divine Sect—but elsewhere…

The clouds themselves were torn apart.

A chubby, playful figure emerged with a mischievous smile from the ruptured clouds, striding confidently as he fixed his gaze on the blazing prison lotus fire. It was none other than Yue Huanglong, the Dao Master of Daocheng!

At the slightest hint of the disturbance, Yue Huanglong had assumed Lü Taibai was setting a trap—or fishing for trouble. Yet, he faintly sensed the aura of Dao essence…

Unable to resist, he leaned forward for a closer look.

Fang Han Shu’s eyes clouded with a slow swirling mist. Clenching his five fingers, a dark red sandalwood ruler materialized in his hand, ancient inscriptions seemingly flickering upon it.

Yue Huanglong, with an impish grin, bowed slightly. “Elder Fang, please do not be angry. I only came from concern for the Young Sect Master. If you need my help, I won’t hesitate to assist.”

Fang Han Shu shot Yue Huanglong a long, piercing look but refrained from striking—this was not the moment for violence.

Lü Taibai had kept him on in order to ensure the smooth running of the Qianyuan Divine Sect and to steady the hearts of others. Though he said little, a glimmer flashed in Yue Huanglong’s eyes.

It seemed… trouble had truly arrived.

Clearly, Lü Taibai wasn’t just fishing.

Yet Yue Huanglong remained composed, observing from afar without venturing onto Taibai Peak, unlike the bold Monitor Hong Shifo. Taking a deep breath, Yue Huanglong stared at the colossal prison lotus fire.

Li Nuǎnxi, accompanied by the prodigy from Jin Guang Mansion’s Third Prince Bizarre Temple, now faced what might be a blessing or a curse. None had expected such mishap during her formation of the Divine Visage.

“Could it be that the Temple Spirit is acting up?”

“This girl carved out the Three Pure Ones’ Divine Visage, and now the Temple Spirit—Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince—is trying to seize it? Is it attempting to occupy her body and achieve some perverse form of reincarnation?”

Yue Huanglong narrowed his eyes, a troubled thought surfacing. “Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple…”

“This Bizarre Temple of Jin Guang Mansion truly hides deep mysteries.”

“After all, it is one of the top Four-Yu temples under the Three Pure Ones—once dormant, overwhelmingly dominant, and impenetrable.”

“Now, could it be that the Temple Spirit has awakened?”

For a moment, Yue Huanglong’s heart pounded as his eyes ignited with a fiery glow. The awakening of the Temple Spirit…

implied that this Four-Yu Bizarre Temple might soon become the target of many—and perhaps even initiate its sinister ‘opening’!

Upon first entering such a temple, one could find countless treasures: top-tier Supreme Divine Crystals, Divine Essence Techniques, formidable martial arts, enchanted weapons, and even Dao Essence Crystals and remains of the Temple Spirit!

This Bizarre Temple, nestled within Jin Guang Mansion…

Perhaps, as the Dao Master of Daocheng, Yue Huanglong might seize some benefits—like the two Four-Yu Bizarre Temples of Daocheng…

The Jiuchi Demon-Exorcising Celestial Pavilion and the Miraculous Three-Eyed True Lord Bizarre Temple on Mei Mountain had been plundered over a thousand years ago, their Supreme Divine Crystals, Divine Essence Techniques, Dao Essence Crystals, and more long since claimed by ancient masters.

Only the Bizarre Temple and the divine eagle of the Temple Spirit remain today.

And as for the Third Prince Bizarre Temple—a temple established only five hundred years ago and never ransacked—many apex experts have their eyes on it!

Though untouched, its dangers are as formidable as its opportunities.

For as a Four-Yu top-tier temple, its inner Dao Essence treasures are critical for breaking through the Divine Tribulation. Even if it’s merely a Four-Yu Dao Essence Crystal, it will certainly become a coveted resource among the world’s strongest!

At that moment,

the realization struck not only Yue Huanglong,

but also Fang Han Shu, Feng Zhiqi, Hong Shifo, and other experts.

This was precisely why Lü Taibai had retained Fang Han Shu. If he couldn’t free Xixi from the prison lotus in time, Fang Han Shu would serve as the pillar to hold the position.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The searing, terrifying force of the prison lotus fire burned and melted the rainwater, which pounded down like torrential rain within tens of miles. The world became a hazy, wintry blur amid misty mountain peaks.

The entire Taibai Peak—or rather, the whole of Daocheng—was shrouded in white mist.

Li Che, however, wasn’t as hasty as Lü Taibai. He transformed into a streak of sword light, slicing into the sealed prison lotus.

Having left a Feilei Chess Piece on Xixi, Li Che knew he could teleport as long as the chess piece remained, so he had no worries.

After briefly explaining to Zhang Ya, at the very moment the prison lotus flame sealed shut, he left behind a Painted Immortal clone on Xixi’s body and, with five fingers clutching the Feilei Chess Piece, teleported. The flaming palm formed by the prison lotus fire clutched together, creating a unique hidden realm.

It blocked the detection of all powerful experts. Not even the highest cultivators, with their divine perception or the soul of a true powerhouse, could penetrate the seclusion of this small realm to understand what was truly happening inside.

In the instant the prison lotus closed, Lü Taibai’s sword light immediately followed and vanished within. Boom—!!!

Suddenly, his silver sword light burst forth, taking on Lü Taibai’s form. His silver hair streamed, his sword-like brows radiated a sharp light, and his eyes shimmered with the brilliance of sword energy. Amidst him, wave after wave of black, fiery dragon serpents roared as they surged in his direction.

Lü Taibai furrowed his brows, his fingers snapping as his sword light lashed out. In an instant, those fiery dragon serpents were cut to pieces.

The formidable will of martial arts spread wide. Neither the divine perception of a martial saint nor the soul of a true prodigy could be employed here—this was a small realm isolated by the prison lotus fire. Without any connection to the realm’s inherent Dao, divine energy was expended bit by bit, unable to be replenished.

Within such a confined space, relying on martial prowess was the best strategy. Fortunately, Lü Taibai’s martial abilities were far from weak.

Wave after wave of prison lotus fire dragons swept through, their countless black flames coalescing into a colossal, grotesque figure—a behemoth completely formed of black fire, with three faces and eight arms.

With a blue face, gnarled fangs, and a mouth spewing prison lotus fire, it was utterly terrifying! Lü Taibai was instantly halted.

His expression turned grave… “This is…”

Lü Taibai dared not underestimate it. The clanging of metal resounded as his Taibai Sword was unsheathed. In a split second, with his sword fingers converging, thousands of sword lights materialized around him and his body.

Like a surging river, the swords cascaded downward!

“You were once a god who stood at the pinnacle—why do you trouble yourself with a child? How can you plot against a child? Isn’t that too shameful for a deity?”

Lü Taibai replied in a deep tone.

The towering, hundred-foot Eight-Armed Three-Faced behemoth with a blue countenance and vicious fangs roared, unleashing terrifying black flames from its three heads.

One stream of flame morphed into a long spear coiled like a dragon; another became a twisting, intertwined Hun Tian Ling; the third transformed into a blazing ring that rocketed skyward. These three luminous streams swiftly charged at Lü Taibai.

Lü Taibai clenched his fist, and the Taibai Sword instantly came to his grip. His silver hair flipped upside down, and his chin lifted slightly.

The sword vibrated as brilliant silver light burst forth. “If you won’t drink the toast, then prepare for the punishment!”

Xixi fell into unconsciousness.

A soft glow shimmered across her brows, and a delicate, black, glasslike lotus—about the size of a thumb—floated serenely. Above it, the eight-armed, three-faced, invincible Divine Visage she had painstakingly carved floated quietly.

Each face of the Divine Visage bore an uncanny resemblance to Xixi.

It was as if they all embodied the anger, ferocity, and roar of Xixi.

The prison lotus fire burned ceaselessly around Xixi, slowly inching closer even as she lay there. Her skin began to exude a thin sheen of sweat, as if about to dissolve.

The ancient, dilapidated Bizarre Temple floated behind Xixi.

Its broken, dark tiles, moss-covered ancient blue bricks, faded vermillion columns, and various interlocking eaves gave the temple a blurry appearance.

It resembled a mirage, a projected image.

Xixi herself floated above the White Jade Stairway. Two little boys with towering braids sat on the steps, calmly gazing into the distance. The void twisted for a moment.

Time.

A man in an ink-black robe suddenly lashed the air. Li Che’s dark hair whipped about as he clenched the Qi Tian Face, which materialized out of thin air. A chess piece emitting a faint white glow rested in his palm.

Li Che looked at the little child in the black vest, who smiled, “We meet again.”

Li Che’s face was etched with vigilance and intensity. “What do you intend to do?” he asked gravely.

Li Che’s tone was low as he questioned.

Yet, he detected no murderous intent towards Xixi from the child and felt a slight ease. “Help her… restore her body to its original form,” the child replied.

The child, in his black vest, merely shrugged. Li Che’s eyes went cold.

A fierce killing intent surged forth.

“My daughter… doesn’t need that. I’ve said it before—even if she offends the most dreadful foes, as her father, I would do anything to protect her—even if it costs me my life!”

“Or perhaps…”

“Do you wish to use my daughter’s body for reincarnation?”

Li Che pressed the Qi Tian Face against his features. Golden mist slowly flowed from his eyes.

Within his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit was suddenly stimulated, unleashing a torrent of formidable Dao Fruit energy.

Then, from his left arm, a flash of knife light shimmered. The hidden Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade burst forth with a vicious roar. “Don’t overthink it—reincarnation isn’t at stake. I’m saving her.”

The Third Prince laughed.

“But… you claim you’d sacrifice your life for your daughter, truly?”

“It’s not just empty words, is it?”

“Many parents only speak kindly while crisis strips them of their strength. Can you truly do it?”

The Third Prince’s tone turned suddenly cold as he glared at Li Che.

Li Che, with the Qi Tian Face on his own, golden mist in his eyes, and a faint apparition of the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade shimmering as his left arm radiated knife light—the blade’s energy warping the air as if slicing through space-time.

In his right hand, he gripped the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, radiating shimmering brilliance.

The Third Prince narrowed his eyes, “Interesting… the True Lord’s blade, the Monkey’s stick.” He added with a chuckle, “Oh? And the Qi Sword as well—you are quite the character.”

He laughed heartily.

Then his laughter abruptly ceased. “Can you do it?!”

That single challenge thundered through the air as the raging prison lotus fire surged and converged upon Li Che. The searing heat nearly melted him.

But Li Che’s brow furrowed and his heart trembled.

Inside his chest, the Dream Celestial Dao Fruit trembled rapidly, as if eager to burst forth. It was as if it longed for something.

In that moment, Li Che suddenly understood.

Perhaps everything happening in this small realm was simply a dream of the Temple Spirit—or even a dreamlike illusion?

Otherwise, the Dream Celestial Dao Fruit would not be so agitated.

Ignoring these thoughts, Li Che’s eyes turned resolute as he answered the Third Prince, “I can!”

“Even if it means being shattered to pieces, even if I die—what does it matter? I only wish for my daughter to survive!” Li Che declared with fierce determination.

The Third Prince, witnessing the earnest determination on Li Che’s face, broke into a hearty laugh. “Very well, very well!”

“Then let’s see!”

“You saw that black, glasslike prison lotus suspended over the child’s brow, right?” “Of course. That isn’t the true prison lotus—the real one is in the temple.”

“Inside the temple stands a prison lotus.”

“This isn’t the real prison lotus— it’s merely a projection. As this projection merges with the child’s brow, her body will disintegrate completely.”

“Blood and flesh will melt, channels sever, bones turn to powder—this is the cost of the stripping away of flesh.”

“Ultimately, the prison lotus projection will convert her being into the lotus itself.”

The Third Prince crossed his arms, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Li Che with profound meaning. “Stripping flesh and remaking the body—even if reconstructed, you know this child…”,

“She doesn’t share your blood, there’s no bond of flesh, and her soul has been claimed by the prison lotus. The lotus… will be her true parents.”

“And you…”

“You will no longer be her father.”

Li Che’s left hand clenched so fiercely that the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade nearly flared up from the force of the Dao Fruit!

“I give you a test—a proof that you are truly willing to sacrifice everything for your daughter. Prove that you are a father who would do anything for her.”

The Third Prince’s voice dropped to a solemn, expectant tone. “Hold this prison lotus projection with your hand for ninety-nine breaths.

“If you do not let go and allow the lotus to fall, you have proven your resolve.”

“I’m giving this little girl one chance.”

The Third Prince fixed his burning gaze on Li Che. “Good.”

But then the Third Prince suddenly paused.

Li Che, without a moment’s hesitation, immediately agreed—almost as if he had no choice.

Stepping forward, his qi surged and roared mightily with each stride.

Boom—!!! The phantom of the Dragon Elephant emerged! The form converged into one!

With every step, Li Che’s body swelled, his back muscles rippling like coiling dragons. His terrifying qi roared brilliantly!

Upon reaching where Xixi lay, drenched in sweat with her hair matted, Li Che had fully unleashed the power of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, his body towering two and a half meters.

Spreading his palm like a fan, he thrust it under the prison lotus projection hovering above Xixi’s furrowed brow.

The translucent, black, glasslike prison lotus, no larger than a thumb, rotated quietly, seeming as weightless as a grain of sand in Li Che’s expansive palm.

“You’ve made your choice, then?”

The Third Prince, arms crossed, stepped onto the White Jade Stairway before the Bizarre Temple, eyeing Li Che. “You—”

“You’re doomed!”

The Third Prince bared his teeth in a sudden snarl.

Black prison lotus fire flared around him. “Enough chatter.”

Li Che replied coolly, a tone of impatience and unyielding resolve. “Ha ha ha ha—

“Then let’s see what you’re truly capable of for your child!”

Boom—!!!

As the Third Prince’s words fell away,

the rotating, black, glasslike prison lotus gently descended, like a strand of willow fluff blown from a tree!

Li Che’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

For as the black lotus landed in his palm,

a crushing weight nearly made his hand falter. A searing heat surged, like boiling water poured from a kettle, dousing his mortal flesh with the stench of scorched meat. Even Li Che’s formidable, near-divine qi evaporated in an instant—nothing could withstand it!

The prison lotus clung to his palm. Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Circles of black flames spread slowly, like tidal waves engulfing everything around them—just as a burning cigarette paper smolders away into ashes!

Li Che watched as his very flesh turned to charcoal before his eyes!

His eyes contracted in pain as searing agony, like a blade tearing through bone, shot from his palm.

Veins throbbed on his forehead. Even he couldn’t help but tremble, but

his hand holding the lotus did not falter.

“The Dao essence of the prison lotus will gradually consume you. Your flesh cannot sustain it, and without mastering the invincible Eight-Armed Three-Faced Prison Lotus Technique, you will be burned away to nothing!”

“However, if you withdraw your hand midway and let the lotus drop—sacrificing the child’s flesh, channels, and bones to the lotus fire—when its Dao essence recedes and disperses back into this small realm, your flesh will be restored completely, unscathed!”

The Third Prince’s voice suddenly pierced Li Che’s ears like a demonic whisper, tempting and eroding his resolve. “Begone.”

Clenching his teeth, Li Che shot a glance at the Third Prince and spoke steadily.

The Third Prince laughed heartily, “Let’s see how long you can bear it…

“Though it is just a projection of the prison lotus, infused with its Dao essence, which may seem like burning—but in reality, you are having your flesh stripped away. I’m certain you’ll give in eventually!”

“How can any parent abandon the life they created for their child?” The Third Prince’s tone softened, his laugh fading into a low murmur.

“I don’t believe it,” he added.

Yet,

Li Che ignored him.

Every breath seemed to stretch into eternity.

The prison lotus’s vibration spread relentlessly, burning Li Che. He watched in horror as his hand slowly turned to charcoal. Bit by bit, his entire palm was consumed, and his surging qi from the Dragon Elephant Vajra was completely extinguished.

His body stopped expanding.

Thus, the spread of charred flesh accelerated. The rotating black prison lotus resembled a terrifying demon of the world—its mere touch could turn a person to carbon, like a divine eagle carved from charcoal.

Crackle, crackle, crackle—

The scent of burned meat spread from Li Che’s body.

The Third Prince’s eyes narrowed, and he fell silent, watching as, boom—!!!

In the distance,

a sweep of silver sword light cut across the sky. Lü Taibai, panting heavily, had decimated countless fiery dragon serpents forged from the prison lotus fire and finally reached this spot. His tattered white garments were charred and broken, and he appeared as if he had emerged from a blazing inferno—dotted with burns.

Then he saw the Bizarre Temple, the Temple Spirit Third Prince, the floating Xixi, and Li Che donning the Divine Monkey Mask. Lü Taibai now understood: Li Che was the Divine Monkey.

Clutching the Taibai Sword, he exhaled deeply. How could someone reach the end the moment they stepped in?!

After all his effort, why had he come here? But suddenly Lü Taibai’s eyes narrowed, and his expression shifted dramatically!

“Dao essence?!”

He transformed into a streak of sword light, landing before the White Jade Stairway.

Yet the Third Prince, arms folded and hovering high, merely glanced at him with a disdainful look—as if viewing a mere ant. Even Lü Taibai, an apex expert praised in the Great Cultivation Rankings and at the Heavenly Gate, seemed insignificant in his eyes.

The overwhelming aura of the Temple Spirit, like a mountain, pummeled Lü Taibai. Lü Taibai’s silver hair whipped wildly as he recoiled, his garments clinging tightly to his body.

“You are the awakened Temple Spirit of the Four-Yu, yet you trouble this fragile father-daughter pair?”

Struggling under the Temple Spirit’s pressure, Lü Taibai placed his hand on his brow. A sword-pattern slowly emerged, as if infused with Dao essence, clashing like the sound of sword strikes.

“Do not intervene. If you do, all will perish. This is a test—nothing to do with you.”

The Third Prince cast a glance at Lü Taibai’s sword-mark. His eyes flickered momentarily, as if glancing at a plump ant, then he cautioned, “Step aside.” Lü Taibai paused immediately upon hearing this.

He understood—this was a test. He no longer pressed on.

Fixing his gaze steadily, he then pressed his lips together.

The Dao essence of the prison lotus spread. Li Che was now reduced to just his head, while his body below had turned entirely to charcoal—the life force snuffed out. Down below,

Xixi, who had been in deep slumber, suddenly furrowed her brows in panic. Her mouth tightened as if struck by a nightmare, and a single, crystal-clear tear began to form at the corner of her closed eye.

Li Che, watching Xixi’s discomfort, shifted his remaining head slightly. In his eyes, a soft warmth emerged. “Rest assured, my dear. Father is here. Once you wake, we’ll go home.”

Li Che’s tone was soft and peaceful, utterly untroubled despite his burned, charred state—as if the agony seeping into his soul had no effect on him. Xixi relaxed, changing her sleeping position; her heart found calm, and a faint smile graced her lips.

Even Li Che’s lips twitched into a semblance of a smile.

In slumber, Xixi’s tear finally broke free, trailing down and splashing onto the White Jade Stairway.

Ripples spread out like gentle waves.

Lü Taibai fell silent, moved to the core. His lips trembled with emotion. He now understood the test.

If it had been him, he would never have managed.

He was Xixi’s mentor, yet he couldn’t possibly sacrifice himself. But Li Che—as a father…

Could he truly do this?

Lü Taibai recalled his own father, who abandoned him at birth on a cliff’s edge… The contrast was stark.

Li Che, as a father, was nothing short of mythical.

“Give up now. As long as you think of releasing the prison lotus, you’ll survive. Otherwise, you will die completely—your soul reduced to nothing as the lotus consumes you. For the sake of a child, is it necessary to endure this?”

The Third Prince couldn’t help but remark with a note of envy. Yet…

His only response was a single word: “Begone.”

After uttering it, Li Che’s remaining head, with only his lips and teeth intact, took its final breath and turned to charcoal.