Chapter 364: Confrontation at the Bizarre Temple

The view from the turtle’s back was truly breathtaking.

The Pure Heart Divine Nature had a deadly allure for Xuan Turtle. A single spiritual fruit infused with Pure Heart Divine Nature could subdue the turtle’s inner desires.

Yet when Li Che produced more than a dozen fruits, Xuan Turtle felt that transient honor or disgrace meant nothing.

A turtle that can bend and yield is a fine turtle indeed!

Thus, Xuan Turtle abandoned its resistance and allowed Li Che’s sweet temptations to corrode its resolve.

After all, isn’t it just a Temple Spirit of the Seven-Treasure Shеli Ruyi Golden Heavenly King Bizarre Temple?

Xuan Turtle declared for battle!

Li Che patted the turtle’s lowered head, then chuckled as he fed it a spiritual fruit, his smile warm and unpretentious.

Only a few Unsullied Heart Divine Chess Pieces could summon a demon king to fight for him—it was an incredibly profitable deal.

Especially since Li Che hadn’t expected Xuan Turtle to have such a diminutive appetite.

Yet only a few spiritual fruits imbued with Pure Heart Divine Nature made the noble turtle bow its head. Li Che hadn’t planned to conquer Xuan Turtle with a single chess piece—he had even prepared to spend a thousand of them.

But to his surprise… Xuan Turtle needed only ten.

Li Che’s smile grew even warmer. What a simple-hearted turtle he was!

With a forceful push of his feet, Li Che leapt up and landed squarely on Xuan Turtle’s back.

The fierce winds howled wildly, whipping Li Che’s inky robe as his smile shone even brighter.

No wonder this spot had once hosted the Grand Inspector—the scenery was indeed superb, uniquely so!

Li Che was thoroughly pleased.

He twisted his hips and waved at XiXi below, whose shocked mouth had puckered into a perfect circle. At that, XiXi’s wide eyes lit up, her lashes fluttering.

“Heh, ha!”

Her little feet slammed onto the ground with a resounding impact as sparks flew; twin orbs of blazing light spiraled upward, propelling XiXi into the sky before she dove like a cannonball straight into Li Che’s embrace!

Yet XiXi’s little mini-ogre collision barely affected Li Che, who easily deflected it.

Carrying XiXi on his back as they sat atop the turtle, father and daughter burst into hearty laughter.

Meanwhile, below…

Fang Shangzhen’s face had already turned markedly strange and astonished.

Among all in the Imperial Watch, apart from the Grand Inspector, she was the one who had spent the longest time with the Xuan Turtle Demon King.

She knew the temper of the Xuan Turtle Demon King all too well.

This stubborn Xuan Turtle was not one to submit easily; yet no one expected Li Che would use a spiritual fruit of the Five-Lao rank to subdue it…

When did Xuan Turtle’s taste become so poor?

Or did the turtle simply fancy the spiritual fruit that Li Che offered?

Fang Shangzhen’s eyes sparkled slightly as she noted every spiritual fruit Li Che brought to tempt Xuan Turtle.

As the Deputy Grand Inspector of the Imperial Watch Headquarters, her insight was anything but ordinary, and Li Che’s fruits were far from rare or precious.

Thus, she immediately discerned every detail.

Were these spiritual fruits even effective?

So it turned out that Xuan Turtle’s fetish was for these trinkets?

Draped in her flowing robe, Fang Shangzhen watched the father and daughter laughing heartily atop Xuan Turtle. Soon, Li Che led XiXi down from the turtle’s back while the turtle contentedly continued feasting, utterly unconcerned by being ridden by anyone other than the Grand Inspector.

With eyes as bright as bronze bells, it looked at Li Che with eager excitement, as if to say, “Kid, don’t stop feeding the fruits!”

Li Che smiled and spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness.

Xuan Turtle bobbled vigorously to show it knew the rules—that after pummeling a Temple Spirit, it would then ask for more fruits.

“Li Keqing, let’s go. We should check out the Training Chamber,” he declared.

“The Training Chamber is already prepared,” came the reply.

Fang Shangzhen said with a smile.

Li Che brought XiXi to the Training Chamber that Fang Shangzhen had readied.

Fang Shangzhen had boasted extensively about the Training Chamber, and Li Che couldn’t help but feel curious.

Only top-tier Li Keqing members were permitted to cultivate in the Training Chamber within the Imperial Watch Headquarters.

With such strict conditions, one had to wonder how exceptional the training effects were.

But once Li Che actually entered the Training Chamber, he understood why Fang Shangzhen was so confident.

Though it was called a Training Chamber, in truth…

It could very well be a Bizarre Temple!

A Bizarre Temple from which the Temple Spirit had been dismissed!

Having visited many Bizarre Temples, Li Che immediately recognized the style.

It was nearly a Five-Lao subordinate Bizarre Temple, retaining its distinctive architecture—even the altar remained—though the Temple Spirit atop the altar had vanished.

An overwhelming presence of divine nature permeated every corner of the Bizarre Temple.

The density of divinity was so intense it almost seemed to liquefy; with every breath, one could feel the essence merging into the body, as if it were marinating a devout cultivator.

“Deputy Grand Inspector Fang, this Training Chamber… was it transformed from a Bizarre Temple?”

Li Che, holding XiXi’s hand, asked in disbelief.

“Yes, the Grand Inspector relocated these Bizarre Temples one after another, and the Temple Spirits inside were all cheerfully dismissed by him,” Fang Shangzhen explained, not at all surprised that Li Che had caught on immediately.

After all, if one couldn’t even recognize a Bizarre Temple, how could one claim the title of Divine Condor Half-Saint?

Li Che didn’t press further.

XiXi squeezed into the Training Chamber and instantly felt the spacious, mighty divine nature surging at her, startling the little girl.

“Daddy! So much divine nature—it feels like I could absorb it all at once!” XiXi exclaimed in delight.

The little girl was no longer an inexperienced cultivator; although her father was the formidable Divine Condor Half-Saint and never short on divine essence, one only ever received what was given.

More importantly, the divine nature in this Training Chamber flowed freely, with hardly any resistance, far smoother than extracting and refining from Divine Crystal.

Within a short while, XiXi felt a significant boost in her divine vision cultivation.

“XiXi, you’re about to participate in the Young Dragon Championship. The main banquet and the preview banquet are very different.

Many prodigies directly attend the main event, so few show up at the preview,” Fang Shangzhen explained.

“Moreover, among the Divine Sect factions, both the South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove and the Purple Mansion Divine Sect are far from ordinary.

Especially the Purple Mansion Divine Sect; almost every Peach Festival they participate in secures a top-three Peach for them,” she continued.

“In addition, many high-ranking officials and members of the Ancient Clan compete, making the challenge far tougher than the preview—it’s not a small skirmish at all, and some might even resort to hiding tactics.”

“After all, the preview is mainly for vying for a spot at the main banquet.”

Li Che nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, unsurprised by the complexities.

A Nine-Thousand-Year Peach is incredibly valuable.

Who wouldn’t be envious?

After all, a single Nine-Thousand-Year Peach can extend one’s lifespan by a thousand years.

Provided one avoids life-draining deeds or secret techniques that sap lifespan…

Even with a thousand years, one might forge a peerless Martial Saint or even a great deity.

Li Che and XiXi trained in the Training Chamber for a while.

Perhaps because of the new surroundings, XiXi unusually focused intently, sitting cross-legged and absorbing the divine nature.

Even Li Che had to admire; the Training Chamber was indeed an excellent place.

For the foreseeable future, he planned to reside there with XiXi.

As night fell, the spring rain grew even more elusive.

The darkness swallowed the raindrops, yet the patter on the tiles was unmistakably clear.

Late into the night, Li Che stretched and yawned; his joints crackled lightly, but the commotion was minor. Not far off, XiXi sat in deep cultivation in the Training Chamber.

Without disturbing her, Li Che left the chamber after ensuring she was safely immersed in her training.

Outside, Fang Shangzhen sat by the Training Chamber, leaning on the railing, lighting an oil lamp and reading by its gentle glow.

It wasn’t surprising—for she was the eldest sister of Fang Han Shu and shared his passion for books.

“Don’t worry. XiXi, training inside the Imperial Watch Tower, will be safe. Even Governor Ye Pengju of the Temple Authority won’t dare to barge in.”

Fang Shangzhen closed her book, her robe billowing as she smiled softly.

“The Grand Inspector’s Dao Essence is fused with the entire tower. Any slight disturbance immediately activates the all-encompassing Divine Talisman Formation.”

“The Grand Inspector once said that even if a calamity-level Divine Talisman cultivator arrived, they’d be flayed to the bone!”

Divine Talisman Formation!

A tremor passed through Li Che’s heart, though he did not activate the Cosmic Chessboard to scout.

XiXi still carried the Feilei Chess Piece Li Che had left on her, so if danger arose, he would know immediately and rush to her aid.

Thus, Li Che remained confident in the Imperial Watch’s security.

Fang Shangzhen was quite pleased with Li Che’s trust.

This growing sense of belonging to the Imperial Watch was a positive sign.

“Li Keqing, rest assured—if even the Grand Inspector speaks, I’ll call Deputy Monitor Tao Fu to stand by you. I’ve long disliked the forces from the Western Lands of Buddhism infiltrating Dajing. They had it coming!”

Li Che smiled. “Then I’ll go call the Sect Leader and also summon the Stone Sect Leader of True Martial Divine Sect. More people means more power, so we can really teach that Seven-Treasure Shеli Ruyi Golden Heavenly King Temple Spirit a good beating.”

Fang Shangzhen couldn’t help but laugh.

Xuan Turtle, Fang Shangzhen, Yue Taofu, along with Lü Taibai and Shi Jian—

Even the Temple Spirit of the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple wouldn’t be spared from this beating.

After their agreement, Li Che left the Imperial Watch.

The spring rain pelted the White Jade Stairway, collecting into streams that cascaded like tiny waterfalls.

Nie Yang led Li Chengzhou as they practiced swordsmanship under the White Jade Stairway before the Imperial Watch.

Nie Yang had specially forged a heavy Xuan Iron Sword for Li Chengzhou, forcing him to maintain his single-handed posture for a full hour with every swing!

Nie Yang didn’t let Li Chengzhou train alone; he himself wielded a heavy sword, practicing wide, horizontal strikes.

When Li Che stepped out of the Imperial Watch, he saw his master and disciple training fervently under the night sky, drenched in sweat!

When Nie Yang noticed Li Che, he roared, “Chengzhou! Collect your sword!”

The master and disciple nearly synchronized their motions to sheathe their blades.

Li Chengzhou panted heavily, his sword-gripping hand trembling non-stop.

“Elder Li!”

Nie Yang exhaled a cloud of stale breath, then smiled at Li Che in puzzlement, “And where’s XiXi?”

“She’s cultivating at the Imperial Watch. Let’s return to Qianyuan Courtyard first,” Li Che responded with a smile.

Nie Yang didn’t press further. With the neighing of dragons and pounding hooves splashing in the spring water,

the vastness of earth and sky mingled with the drifting spring rain.

The night was as dark as pitch, void of even a sliver of light.

Black clouds loomed overhead as countless fine droplets cascaded like drifting cotton in a gentle breeze.

The surface of the Grand Canal rippled in widening circles, while flower-laden boats rocked gently, their lights creating a kaleidoscope on the fragmented water.

The Grand Canal led all the way to the Divine Capital Second City, though docks were only on the Ninth Floor of the Divine Capital; few boats could reach the Second City.

Within the Divine Capital Second City, the canal narrowed considerably.

Even on rainy nights, the festive atmosphere on the flower boats couldn’t be dampened—noble officials’ charm was simply unstoppable.

After investigating why the Grand Inspector had specially returned today, Flower Man Lou, the Governor of the Temple Authority, boarded a flower boat at the canal’s edge.

Swaying with the boat and accompanied by a Courtesan, the scene was mesmerizing.

Of course, while Flower Man Lou entertained himself on the boat, he also kept a watchful eye on the Bizarre Temple.

A Four-Yu Bizarre Temple was situated atop the Grand Canal.

The Four-Yu Bizarre Temple was no small fry—if the Bizarre Temple erupted, the consequences would be enormous.

However, in the Divine Capital the threat from the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple wasn’t as alarming as imagined.

After all, the Divine Capital was teeming with powerful figures who could promptly quell any uprising from the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple.

Flower Man Lou’s oil-slicked face quivered slightly, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Governor Hua—why…why have you stopped?”

“Is it that I’m not serving well enough?” the Courtesan murmured in a daze.

But Flower Man Lou raised a finger, pressing against her red lips.

“Don’t speak.”

Flower Man Lou’s expression turned grave.

The Courtesan’s beauty instantly faded; it was rare to see such a stern demeanor from a peerless Martial Saint.

What could be happening?

Flower Man Lou stepped to the boat’s window and looked out.

Suddenly, above the Grand Canal, a surge of steam rose and fog rolled in.

Five figures strode over the water as if on solid ground; the rippling waves crashed against the flower boat.

The boat began to rock violently.

Flower Man Lou’s slick face trembled slightly, his eyes filled with astonishment.

“This formation—

“What are you planning?!”

Deputy Grand Inspectors Fang Shangzhen and Yue Taofu of the Imperial Watch!

Lü Taibai and Shi Jian, the Sect Leaders of Divine Sect, and a top contender wielding the Tao Calamity Sword.

And the fourth was the formidable Martial Saint from Heavenly Gate!

With such a lineup—

What exactly are you planning to do?!

As for Li Che, his Divine Transformation aura was barely noticed by Flower Man Lou.

But Flower Man Lou wasn’t foolish; in the moment he ignored the third aura, his gaze shifted inexorably to Li Che.

Sifting through a pack of wild wolves and spotting a cute pup amidst them was a clear red flag.

“Li Che—”

Flower Man Lou recognized Li Che, the newly minted top-tier Li Keqing of the Imperial Watch. Today, his investigation revealed that only Li Che and his daughter had visited the Imperial Watch Tower.

That was why the Grand Inspector had returned—because of this very man.

A peculiar smile played on Flower Man Lou’s glossy face.

He patted the soft bosom of the Courtesan, and amid her startled cries, he transformed into a flash of light surging skyward, his Temple Authority robe flapping in the wind.

Striding across the rippling surface of the Grand Canal,

he unfurled his ornate floral fan with a sharp snap.

“Ladies and gentlemen, with such an impressive formation, where exactly are we headed?”

“Are we here to demolish a temple?”

A brilliant smile spread across Flower Man Lou’s handsome face.

As all eyes swept over him, Deputy Grand Inspectors Fang Shangzhen and Yue Taofu fixed their gaze on him; the surging Heaven and Earth Soul seemed to change the very sky, making the water at Flower Man Lou’s feet quake as if about to burst.

Lü Taibai’s silver hair flew about, his wide sleeves billowing; Shi Jian, having shed his dark armor, revealed rippling, terrifying muscles, his jet-black hair whipping around as his piercing eyes scanned.

“Yes, we’re here to demolish the temple,” Lü Taibai said with a faint smile.

At these words, Flower Man Lou’s expression instantly stiffened.

Li Che’s sable robe fluttered as he calmly explained the events.

Flower Man Lou’s mouth twitched, “You intend to enter the Seven-Treasure Shеli Ruyi Golden Heavenly King Bizarre Temple to beat the Temple Spirit?

All because that Temple Spirit schemed against your daughter?”

“This matter is far too significant—if demolishing the temple sparks an uprising, if the Bizarre Temple swells, the repercussions will be enormous and the blame will all fall on me.”

“You know my duty as the Governor of the Temple Authority is to oversee the Bizarre Temple—not only to vigilantly monitor it but also to prevent cultivators from forcefully demolishing it.”

Flower Man Lou spread his hands in exasperation.

Li Che furrowed his brow.

But before Flower Man Lou could finish, Fang Shangzhen glided by in her flowing robe, shooting Flower Man Lou a disapproving glance.

“It’s what the Grand Inspector intended.”

“Xuan Turtle.”

Her words fell heavy.

A large, palm-sized black turtle was resting on Li Che’s shoulder when it lazily lifted its head and sprang forth,

smashing into the water of the Grand Canal.

BOOM!!!

A terrifying explosion resounded, and the water roiled as if boiling, unleashing a torrent that battered the canal with relentless fury.

An even more monstrous surge of blood and qi crashed forth like a tidal wave,

as the roaring currents and tumultuous waves churned, carrying mud and sand in their wake!

Flower Man Lou, standing on the water, suddenly altered his expression.

CRACK, CRACK, CRACK!

Above, lightning interwove into a massive net across the sky!

The searing demonic aura roiled in a boiling frenzy, casting the night into a hazy blue.

The Grand Canal thundered on, its waves surging mightily!

Then, countless mists rose from the canal, coalescing into vast clouds above the water!

As the clouds tore apart, a gigantic head of a Xuan Turtle emerged, as big as a small house, looming overhead and casting a shadow like a collapsing sky.

CRACK, CRACK!

Lightning-snakes danced across the sky, illuminating the roiling, erupting Grand Canal.

Many flower boats were violently swept aside by the raging waves, sending their passengers scrambling in disarray.

But those who managed to escape were immediately crushed like dumplings under the overwhelming demonic aura and pressure of the Xuan Turtle.

“Xuan Turtle Demon King!”

Flower Man Lou’s garments clung tightly as his face turned ghastly.

He clearly recognized this immense Xuan Turtle as the mount of the Grand Inspector—a being of unfathomable power, bridging the realms of the ethereal and the mortal. Its very appearance signified the Grand Inspector’s will!

“So it’s the venerable Xuan Turtle. It truly is the Grand Inspector’s directive, and I won’t stand in the way.”

Flower Man Lou folded his paper fan and smiled.

Yet his eyes betrayed uncertainty.

What was Li Che’s true connection with the Grand Inspector?

How had he managed to command even a Xuan Turtle Demon King?

Xuan Turtle glanced at Flower Man Lou with a cool expression; daring to interfere with its feeding was tantamount to an unpardonable grudge!

Fortunately, the man knew his place; otherwise, Xuan Turtle wouldn’t hesitate to trounce the brash Temple Authority enforcer.

Xuan Turtle now unleashed its full fury—the explosive blood and qi burning like embers, its flesh writhing wildly beneath a shell that seemed to support the heavens.

“Then, many thanks to Governor Hua for the lead,” Li Che said, clasping his fists in a friendly bow.

Flower Man Lou gave Li Che a brief look, nodded respectfully, and then led the way as they sped across the Grand Canal.

Fang Shangzhen, Yue Taofu, Lü Taibai, Shi Jian, and Li Che—who now clung onto Xuan Turtle’s shell—followed closely behind.

The formidable formation forced the flower boats aside to the canal banks.

Amid stares filled with horror and solemnity from numerous cultivators, several daunting figures marched toward the Golden Heavenly King Bizarre Temple.

The Bizarre Temple stood in the midst of the Grand Canal, its golden façade reminiscent of a shimmering divine hall that even the darkest night could not obscure.

Around the Golden Divine Hall, contorted structures and swirling mists intertwined.

Several small boats anchored nearby, each carrying Temple Servants from the Temple Authority deep in meditation and cultivation.

Suddenly,

the Temple Servants sprang to attention, drawing their standardized divine weapons with somber faces.

They all felt an oppressive and terrifying pressure that left them breathless, accompanied by an overwhelmingly dense demonic aura!

The potent demonic presence threatened to drown out all other energies.

Used to dealing with Weird Sanctuaries, the Temple Servants were highly sensitive to such demonic energies.

For within the Bizarre Temple, not only did lifeless, cursed guardians exist, but there were also various vile and demonic creatures—

all twisted by the corrupting divine nature of the Temple Spirit!

However, they soon spotted Flower Man Lou striding at the forefront.

“Governor Hua!”

Immediately, the Temple Servants sheathed their weapons and bowed.

Governor Hua nodded somberly before beginning his briefing.

He warned, “If you demolish the temple and trigger an uprising in the Bizarre Temple, I will have no choice but to report it fully to the Supreme Governor.”

He apologized, “We’re only here to avenge Li Bansheng. His daughter was exploited by that Seven-Treasure Shеli Ruyi Golden Heavenly King Temple Spirit, now cursed by Yulian Fire and doomed to fail the Divine Transformation. If she succeeds, Yulian Fire will incinerate her, leaving her in excruciating agony.”

“Elder Li was furious and dismayed, yet powerless. So now, I beg all of you to lend me your strength so that we might find a way to neutralize that vicious Temple Spirit!”

Li Che’s face was etched with sorrow—the grief of a father clutching his last hope to save his daughter.

“Hmph! A Temple Spirit that dares scheme against a little girl? How dare it!”

Lü Taibai, unable to stand it any longer, let out a burst of sword qi, carving deep, gaping wounds in the water that seemed almost impossible to mend.

Transforming into a silver streak of sword light, he launched himself into the Bizarre Temple.

Shi Jian followed closely, his body exploding in a golden blood mist as he became a streak of light colliding into the Bizarre Temple, right behind Lü Taibai.

Fang Shangzhen and Yue Taofu unleashed their Heaven and Earth Soul in a mighty roar, their divine nature raging about them as they leapt into the Bizarre Temple!

The overwhelming aura of top-notch, peerless cultivators had every onlooker’s hair standing on end, their breaths nearly stolen away.

Even Xuan Turtle under Li Che stirred as it slowly drifted into the Bizarre Temple.

Flower Man Lou, watching the throng charging into the Golden Heavenly King Bizarre Temple, shook his head, stepped off the water with a splash, and casually joined them.

He was there purely for the spectacle.

At the same time, news of the combined assault by the four mightiest forces plus the Grand Inspector’s turtle on the Golden Heavenly King Bizarre Temple spread like a shockwave through the Divine Capital, leaving its cultivators in disarray.

At Lotus Pavilion, armed guards from Ning An raced swiftly, leaping between pavilions.

Hurrying along, one eventually gathered enough breath to inform National Teacher Xie Yunshen of the unfolding events on the Grand Canal.

By the flickering candlelight, National Teacher Xie Yunshen discussed the matter with Lu Chi, his brows knitting together as he said, “Attacking the Seven-Treasure Shеli Ruyi Golden Heavenly King Tower?”

“I see, so that little girl was caught in the crossfire of rival Temple Spirits—the Heavenly King Tower belongs to the Black Xumi camp, while the Third Prince is allied with the Yulian camp,”

National Teacher Xie Yunshen continued, “This ploy is meant to convert the Third Prince to the Black Xumi camp—

This scheme had been in motion since Jin Guang Mansion. That girl won’t survive the Divine Transformation; unless she physically dismembers herself to forge a Yulian Divine Lotus, she’ll be incinerated by Yulian Fire. Enhancing her mortal body might help, but it’s ultimately a gamble with her life.”

Xie Yunshen shook his head.

Lu Chi, seated across from him, turned pale.

Yet National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s eyes brightened as he regarded Lu Chi.

It was as if he were contemplating something.

Slowly, his complexion grew even paler and a few more strands of white appeared among his dark hair.

“Your Highness, if you wish to contend for the Crown Prince, perhaps—

the final chance is right before you.”

Within the churning mists of the Bizarre Temple,

a streak of sword light slashed across, carving deep, crisscrossing scars in the ground.

Countless evil spirits and demonic creatures within the Bizarre Temple were sliced apart, exploding into fragments.

The terrifying sword light hammered into the Golden Divine Hall like the tolling of an ancient bell, its reverberations shattering everything in its path!

The slumbering corpse guardian of the Temple was awakened—a fearsome Golden Divine General rose. Yet facing the combined might of five top-tier cultivators, despite also being at the pinnacle himself, the corpse guardian could not withstand and was subdued.

Lü Taibai’s temper flared; the anger burning in his heart was no less than Li Che’s.

His precious disciple had been schemed against by a vanquished Temple Spirit and might not survive the Divine Transformation. Once the transformation began, Yulian Fire would surely erupt and consume XiXi’s very flesh!

Unable to conceive any solution, Lü Taibai’s rage propelled him into a path of ruthless killing—each blow more ferocious than the last. Even the cursed corpse guardian failed to deflect his Tao Calamity Sword strikes and was cleaved asunder.

Ultimately, everyone converged within the Golden Divine Hall.

They beheld the majestic Temple Spirit with its golden tower cradled in its hands, its entire form glowing with a warm, golden luster.

It seemed to sense the raging momentum of battle. The Golden Heavenly King suddenly opened its eyes, unleashing a dazzling burst of golden Buddha light that eclipsed even the Golden Divine Hall of Daocheng—it was far mightier!

The Bizarre Temple roared with tumult as swirling mists enveloped everyone!

Xuan Turtle let out a wail and suddenly expanded, its blue demonic aura soaring as it struck first for the spiritual fruits!

“Let’s demolish the temple!”

Lü Taibai’s forehead split open with a spray of blood as he once again brandished his Tao Calamity Sword!

Everyone unleashed their full might and charged at the Golden Heavenly King Temple Spirit!

The Temple Spirit of the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple had reached its strength ceiling; in this battle, Lü Taibai exerted his utmost, launching his Tao Calamity Sword in a fury, while Xuan Turtle’s colossal stomp—

Cracks spread across the statue of the Golden Heavenly King Temple Spirit. The Bizarre Temple’s surface was riddled with interlacing fissures that stubbornly refused to mend.

Everywhere bore marks of sword strikes and brutal warfare.

“Li Keqing, unless a cultivator in the Void Calamity realm steps in, this is as far as we can push the demolition of the temple,”

someone stated.

“This is the norm for demolishing temples under the Dajing Temple Authority.”

“The Temple Spirit is indestructible.”

Fang Shangzhen exhaled slowly as divine nature ebbed around her.

Li Che was merely here to vent after all; she felt that now was sufficient.

In this battle, everyone had given it their all. The Temple Spirit of the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple possessed top-tier might, and no one dared hold back. If the Temple Spirit were to retaliate with all its might, the injuries would be irreparable.

Li Che, standing on the edge of the temple, watched silently without joining the fray. Such a battle was beyond the scope of a newly ascended Divine Transformation cultivator like him.

“The Temple Spirit can’t be killed… Enough, that’s enough. Thank you, esteemed elders, for your efforts.”

Li Che, with a gentle smile, bowed in gratitude.

The statue of the Golden Heavenly King Divine Eagle was now riddled with cracks, its façade even shedding fragments of debris.

Li Che gazed at it intently.

In that moment, he sensed that the Temple Spirit was also watching him.

Flower Man Lou was left speechless—he never imagined that Li Che could command such top-tier forces to bring a Four-Yu Bizarre Temple’s Temple Spirit to its knees.

This result pleased Flower Man Lou; the battered Temple Spirit would require time to recover, preventing further upheaval and saving the Temple Authority a great deal of manpower.

He only worried that if things ended ambiguously, the enraged Temple Spirit might retaliate, forcing the Temple Authority to deploy even more resources—a real nightmare.

After the demolition was complete, everyone departed from the Bizarre Temple.

Li Che then accompanied Fang Shangzhen back to the Imperial Watch.

After thanking Deputy Grand Inspector Fang and further feeding Xuan Turtle with more spiritual fruits suffused with Pure Heart Divine Nature,

Li Che returned to the Training Chamber.

He looked upon XiXi, who was deeply immersed in cultivation.

A trace of tender pity shone in his eyes as he vowed,

“Whoever dares harm my daughter, I will kill them!”

Slowly, Li Che removed his cute Cow Mask and placed it over his face. As his fingers traced the mask, behind it his eyes—

were filled with lethal intent!

A temple demolition must be seen through to the end.

It’s time to tie up loose ends.

“They say the Temple Spirit can’t be killed?”

“How could it be indestructible? I, Li Che, have killed more than one Temple Spirit already!”

A brief pause, a moment to catch one’s breath…

A little explanation, just a moment…

Friends, as the night grows deep and silent, I may not be able to update the ghostly chapter tonight.

I’m in a sorry state, barely able to breathe.

Earlier, I wrote until nearly midnight, aware that I wouldn’t be able to continue. In just seventeen days this month I cranked out 280,000 words. I even had one chapter pending, but simply couldn’t muster the strength—the high pace each day is taking its toll both physically and emotionally. This book has been my best in two years, so I can’t slack off.

A few days back, the authors’ group talked about how Li Che’s update schedule was a mad dash. Li Che said that aside from eating and sleeping, he was essentially writing all the time. With our readership low, only frequent updates can drive monthly votes. So he pushes for 16,000 words a day to keep the rankings steady.

But even though Li Che writes earnestly, his pace is not fast enough, and every day’s comments make him anxious about mistakes—

His wife taking the kids out, leaving him with no time—the cycle of writing late into the early hours and struggling to sleep has become a trap. He’s received his share of complaints. It feels like an early midlife crisis; Li Che might need to adjust his pace.

The journey is long. Li Che hopes to write for many more years—to walk this path together.

Today’s note is a proper excuse. Previously, I had taken leave due to unavoidable commitments.

Today, Li Che is taking a half-day break; tomorrow he’ll strive to update earlier. Apologies, everyone.

Sleep well, and good night.