Chapter 372: Thunderclap of Destiny

A terrifying blast shattered the heavens—a burst of sound exploding high above like a spring thunder following a leaden cloud!

It was as if the heavens had torn open the clouds to unleash a deafening roar of wrath upon the mortal world, transforming countless spring showers into a cacophony of splattered watercolors in an instant!

Crack, crack!

The firmament trembled; leaden clouds swirled, serpentine lightning writhing as electric currents raged!

The second clamor of spring thunder boomed, though it could not match the earlier, horrifying explosion!

In that instant the entire White Jade Plaza fell into an eerie, complete silence.

The torrential spring rain pounded down with bean-sized droplets, yet every pair of eyes fixed intently on the spectacle unfolding in midair, their gazes tightening.

Within the Grand Banquet Hall, noble families, aristocrats, and powerful figures all wore expressions of shock.

The patriarchs of every major sect and even the feudal princes could only display astonishment!

Originally reclining comfortably behind the banquet table with a fine wine in hand, Zhang Yunlong froze mid-drink, a flash of bewilderment, surprise, and fury crossing his face!

Zhang Yunhu—he had lost control!

That cunning girl was too sly!

Bang!!

In midair.

Zhang Yunhu felt a chill prickling his scalp, a deathly threat engulfing him in an instant!

Why?!

Why had that girl vanished? Right at the moment the mechanism was triggered, thanks to her staggering maneuver, her form and direction altered so that Zhang Yunhu could not predict the bullet’s angle!

That speed—it was simply too fast!

Too fast, too fast!

He hadn’t even had time to move his eyes before that fearsome, dragon-toothed mechanism—exuding a murderous aura—had plunged into his brow.

It tore through like a battering ram, its terrifying penetrative force capable of cleaving even the flesh of a grandmaster at the pinnacle of cultivation; shredding his skin, brow, and even his internal defenses!

Boom!!

The horrifying divine energy burst within Zhang Yunhu’s skull—this was the latent divine nature of the mechanism!

The ferocity was extreme, like two pieces colliding wildly, twisting and collapsing everything in their path!

It annihilated everything!

Black and White Collapse!

“Ah-

No—!!!”

Zhang Yunhu let out an anguished, shrill scream!

Behind him, a divine shrine erupted in dazzling brilliance. The chains connected to it endlessly transmitted surging divine energy.

In an instant, the shrine’s radiance dimmed.

Harnessing the shrine’s divine power to block and counter the explosive force in his brain, Zhang Yunhu’s face went deathly pale—but the injury was contained, and he did not die immediately!

Yet the Xiangong Bloodfire Bodhi Barrett… that shot spanning space nearly stripped him of half his martial might!

He coughed up spouts of blood while desperately channeling the shrine’s divine energy into his body, feeling as though it would utterly overrun and corrupt him!

It was as if the shrine’s divine power was about to completely overwhelm him!

“Damn it!”

Zhang Yunhu’s eyes turned blood-red, his head drenched in blood in a pitiful state as he roared in anger.

The air reeked of burnt stench from charred flames; thick smoke drifted from his brow.

“I will—kill you!”

Zhang Yunhu howled as he gripped his broadsword. A fearsome, surging intent of blade energy swept around him like a wild wind. In a cascade, the shrine’s divine energy fell like water, transforming into a suit of divine armor around him.

XiXi’s eyes flashed with an unusual light.

But in the next moment, the excitement in her eyes only deepened!

“Hahaha! Incredible! She just won’t die!”

“Then—fire off several more shots! One won’t do, keep going!”

“Let XiXi truly enjoy the fireworks spectacle!”

XiXi’s dimpled face broke into a brilliant smile.

Once again she raised the Xiangong Bloodfire Bodhi Barrett in her hand, its crimson barrel shimmering and swirling continuously from its narrow gunbarrel!

Zhang Yunhu dared not let XiXi try it again.

Like a rampaging tiger, he lunged toward her. His feet stepped upon the void as the air underfoot seemed to solidify!

A heavy, muffled sound like a hammer striking a drum echoed—

Air within dozens of yards around Zhang Yunhu’s footing seemed to collapse in an instant, tearing apart like a spider’s web with cracking fissures.

He raised his broadsword to block, then his body shot forward like an arrow!

Yet Zhang Yunhu’s eyes shrank again—XiXi had vanished once more.

In that fleeting moment, his eyes darted wildly as his martial will attacked in a frenzy, trying to suppress her form.

But XiXi was utilizing the evasive nature of the Feilei Chess Piece movement.

He could not stop her in the slightest!

Moreover, the over five hundred Feilei Chess Pieces that Li Che had scattered across the heavens and earth made it impossible for Zhang Yunhu to lock onto them all.

When the trigger was pulled once more,

Zhang Yunhu sank into utter despair.

His martial will sensed it—but only just barely—

For the mechanism’s speed was simply too swift. By the time his will reacted, his body had no time to respond. Only if he had reached the pinnacle of the Three Flowers or the Martial Saint realm could he keep pace!

He clearly felt the divine armor of the shrine, enshrouding his body, being shattered by that fearsome piercing force…

It was unstoppable—it simply could not be withstood!

The flesh and blood at the back of his head exploded as his bones shattered.

A mechanism bullet, as fearsome as a dragon’s fang, drilled in once more, breaking through his flesh and blasting into his mind!

Huff—

A massive burst of blood mist exploded!

A terrifying, heavy force, like a crushing hammer, struck Zhang Yunhu’s skull. In an instant,

His martial will disintegrated, unable to endure any longer!

Behind him, with a cracking sound, the divine shrine exploded—

Then it transformed into surging divine energy, as if it were to vanish into the cosmos.

Everyone faintly heard an enraged and chilling scold from the shrine!

Meanwhile, Zhang Yunhu spewed blood from his mouth and nostrils, his head nearly exploding as his aura disintegrated, and he plummeted like a kite with a broken string from the heights!

And the most terrifying part…

As Zhang Yunhu fell, his head swelled monstrously—almost as if it were a balloon being inflated continuously—

As though a dazzling radiance was about to burst forth from it!

Once his head exploded…

Zhang Yunhu risked a fatal fall!

But just as his form was about to hit the ground, a figure materialized out of thin air—it was none other than Lian Gonggong in his signature purple attire.

With his silver hair flowing wildly, his purple robe billowed dramatically.

Amid the roaring blast of the Fire God Bodhi Barrett, Lian Gonggong reached out with one claw-like hand to grab Zhang Yunhu, enveloping him in strands of divine energy like a massive cocoon.

Zhang Yunhu’s head, now swollen several times larger—nearly dwarfing his torso—gleamed brilliantly as if containing the burning sun, poised to burst with ultimate radiance.

Had it not been for the fierce suppression of the shrine’s divine power, Zhang Yunhu’s head might have exploded, sealing his fate.

And Lian Gonggong, who had been intently monitoring Zhang Yunhu’s condition, acted in time to rescue him.

A suit of emerald divine energy, like a cocoon made of insects, wrapped around Zhang Yunhu, completely suppressing his nearly exploding head and preventing the explosion!

XiXi, stepping on the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel, hefting the Fire God Bodhi Barrett with its crimson barrel raised high and aimed at the sky, now pouted in dissatisfaction.

“I set off these fireworks with my own skills—why shouldn’t they explode?”

XiXi was far from pleased.

Lian Gonggong, cradling Zhang Yunhu’s cocoon in one hand, landed gracefully. The moment his feet touched the ground, nearby water surged.

“Victor: Li Nuǎnxi of Qianyuan Divine Sect.”

Lian Gonggong’s silver hair flew and his purple robe clung to him, outlining his slender figure.

He glanced at XiXi, suspended high in the air, his eyes betraying a hint of intrigue.

Regarding martial prowess and divine power, even six-year-old XiXi couldn’t compare to Zhang Yunhu.

At the start of this battle, Lian Gonggong doubted Li Nuǎnxi of Qianyuan Divine Sect, but he never imagined

XiXi would secure victory in such an unexpected manner.

Mechanism—

Even the Tang Clan’s mechanisms could hardly pull off such a feat, right?

This kind of Mechanical Art was truly extraordinary.

And as soon as Lian Gonggong finished speaking, the purple-robed Taoist Zhang Wuji appeared by his side.

The divine cocoon shattered as Zhang Wuji raised his hand and pointed at the swollen brow of Zhang Yunhu; like removing the fire from its base, he siphoned off the terrifying energy completely.

A blazing orb, containing the explosive energy of a cataclysm, was effortlessly snuffed out with a mere pinch of his two fingers.

“What an astonishing display of mechanism mastery.”

“And what a clever, resourceful girl.”

Zhang Wuji smiled radiantly, looking up at XiXi who stood atop the Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel, nodding kindly with a twinkle of admiration in his eye.

“Mechanisms are mere tools—the art lies in the wielder.”

Zhang Yunhu’s face went pale, he coughed up blood uncontrollably. Only after Lian Gonggong force-fed him a pill did his injuries begin to mend. His expression was pitiful and his eyes vacant.

“Sect Leader—I… I have been defeated—”

Zhang Yunhu, filled with regret, slumped as if all strength had been drained from him.

“Your shattered shrine greatly worsens your condition. You must reform your shrine and reconnect with the temple’s divine spirit—a process that won’t be quick.”

Zhang Wuji sighed.

“Remember this lesson well. ‘Invincible at the same level in temple deities’ is merely a saying, and sometimes it isn’t accurate. Everything carries risks—”

“In this world, who can truly claim invincibility or never be defeated?”

Zhang Wuji patted Zhang Yunhu’s head as they walked back to the main banquet area with a sense of loss.

Zhang Yunhuang had already risen, her face showing concern.

She was surprised herself; who would have thought that Li Nuǎnxi of Qianyuan Divine Sect would win using such tactics this time?

That power, which made her soul tremble and even instilled fear in her own shrine, had subdued the mightier Zhang Yunhu without unleashing its full fury.

Then why had that girl not unleashed the full power of her mechanism earlier?

Was she not worthy?!

Zhang Yunhuang was puzzled.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yunlong sat behind the table, casually pouring himself a glass of green plum wine.

“Senior Brother Yunhu, do not be too disappointed. You lost not because of your own shortcomings but because that little girl disregarded martial ethics…

“You merely fell to that wondrous mechanism, not to her as a person.”

Zhang Yunlong’s calm voice spread as he spoke.

Both Zhang Yunhuang and Zhang Yunhu turned to listen.

With a quiet smile, Zhang Yunlong declared, “Mechanisms are just external tools. Relying solely on them to win has little merit.”

“Senior Brother Yunhu was simply caught off guard.”

“Had that girl truly bested you with her own martial cultivation, then go ahead and call yourself a failure. That is not necessary now.”

Zhang Yunlong’s words drew curious glances from the disciples of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect.

“Nonsense,”

Zhang Wuji brandished his dust whip, scowling and cursing.

“How can the art of mechanisms not be considered this clever girl’s own skill? If she receives a mechanism, she must know how to wield it properly—” Mechanisms, like divine weapons, are an extension of a cultivator’s power. Defeat is defeat. No matter how indignant you feel, reflect on your shortcomings in battle.

“Had Lian Gonggong not intervened, Senior Yunhu would have been dead by now.”

“Martial cultivation and divine training both revolve around battle and slaughter. If that girl can slay you, it shows she is simply stronger.”

“Face the truth.”

Zhang Wuji said gravely.

Zhang Yunhu and Zhang Yunhuang clasped their fists and bowed, “We understand, Master.”

Zhang Yunlong also rose and bowed.

Yet his expression revealed little respect.

Seeing Zhang Yunlong’s attitude, Zhang Wuji shook his head and slowly returned to his seat at the main banquet table, saying no more.

Within the Purple Mansion Divine Sect—the foremost sect of the Great Realm—the disciples cultivated the art of temple deities, holding ‘invincibility at the same level’ as an unassailable ideal.

Whether one truly reaches that level, he did not know. But the temperament, the arrogance, the imperious dominance, were genuinely invincible at that level.

Zhang Yunlong, with extraordinary natural talent and an almost complete resonance with his temple deity, had become this generation’s foremost dragon—nurturing an attitude to its utmost extreme.

It was as if he and his temple deity were one and the same.

Patting Zhang Yunhu’s shoulder, his cyan robe fluttering in the wind, he smiled lightly, “Rest assured, Senior Yunhu, I will help you reclaim your honor—”

“But that little girl… without true mastery of mechanisms, she is surely doomed to fail.”

“If she forces you into mortal danger, I will let her taste—mortal defeat.”

“I must see precisely what secrets are hidden within her!”

After speaking, Zhang Yunlong slung his Peach Wood Sword Casket over his shoulder, clasped his hands behind his back, straightened his posture, and walked out of the dome’s area into the rain.

He steadily strode toward the center of the White Jade Plaza, where pillars of spring rain stood like columns.

In Zhang Yunlong’s eyes, a ruthless determination surged; as the raindrops froze mid-air, they were drawn by an unseen force, gathering around him like a coiling water dragon!

In the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Main Banquet Area.

At the moment XiXi defeated Zhang Yunhu, cheers erupted that even the shouts of children could not be drowned out.

Roars, cheers, and screams from the children resounded.

Even Jin Taisui couldn’t help but clench his fist in excitement, wildly waving it!

Emperor XiXi was truly invincible!

No matter what means were employed, any method that defeated the opponent was worth it. Anyone could use mechanisms, so why couldn’t you deploy such skill?

XiXi’s ability to harness these mechanisms was a testament to her cultivation.

Thus, the children cared not how she achieved victory!

Even Lü Taibai couldn’t help but smile broadly.

“Hahaha, good girl, good girl—this mechanism display has a touch of Ma Mian’s flair,”

Lü Taibai burst out laughing, grabbing a wine jar and guzzling down a swig, his mood soaring.

He turned to Li Che, his eyes bright, “Ah Che, have you been prepared? I heard that those from the Underworld adore XiXi, and that Ogre is even her rather lenient master—seems to be true indeed.”

“Is that the Tang Clan Mechanism?” Lü Taibai chuckled.

Li Che smiled gently and nodded.

Beside him, Zhang Ya blushed with excitement, clinging tightly to Li Che’s arm.

“Husband! XiXi won! XiXi won! She conquered the inaugural Dragon Hatchling Tournament! Our daughter—so amazing!”

Zhang Ya beamed with joy.

She knew that everything her daughter and her husband had strived for was all for her.

“Don’t worry, for the Tournament I even prepared the big guns—”

“But XiXi is only six; her strength still lags behind the older kids. Even Zhang Yunlong is thirteen—if XiXi were thirteen, what would become of Zhang Yunlong? Even as a disciple of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, what use would that be?”

Li Che smiled lightly, unconcerned.

“Little XiXi is only seven years old. Is it too much if she uses a bit of mechanism art?”

“This session is purely for XiXi to have fun—to let her explode with fireworks.”

Li Che was indulgent.

Seeing her with her hands clasped and her two high-reaching braids, standing proudly, Li Che couldn’t help but smile.

After returning, XiXi rushed over, wincing with a bit of pain.

“Father, Mother! The Seven-Thousand-Year Peach—XiXi almost couldn’t contain herself—it smelled so heavenly, but alas, it couldn’t be eaten.”

XiXi’s eyes were filled with regret and a tinge of pain.

Yet, to participate in the final Dragon Hatchling Tournament, XiXi sacrificed the Seven-Thousand-Year Peach.

Li Che patted XiXi’s head, “Don’t worry, Father will take you pear picking later.”

“Ah?” XiXi tilted her head.

What nonsense was Father spouting? These peaches come from the Western Queen Mother Bizarre Temple’s Peach Grove of the Three Purities—they aren’t so easy to pluck!

Just consider Father comforting her.

After resting in the main banquet area, XiXi was soon surrounded by children. Proudly, she looked up, basking in their compliments and praise.

At such a tender age, her vanity had swelled beyond what she should bear!

However, the children’s cheers didn’t last long.

They quieted down and turned to stare at the White Jade Plaza, from where step by step approached a blue-robed young Taoist whose heavy footsteps resonated like that of a giant deity’s drum.

The young Taoist, carrying a Peach Wood Sword Casket and wearing a makeshift crown of withered wood, glared disdainfully in XiXi’s direction.

Everyone knew this was the first dragon hatchling of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, here to challenge XiXi.

To battle in the final Dragon Hatchling Tournament!

And to compete for the prized Nine-Thousand-Year Peach!

XiXi refused to back down—she chose to continue the challenge, promising one more fight!

“Let him wait!”

XiXi declared dominantly with a wave of her hand!

Though Zhang Yunlong awaited her, XiXi completely ignored his pace.

The children resumed their chatter and laughter.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yunlong stood in the rain. Water droplets cascaded continuously, manipulated by his soul to coalesce into a spiraling water dragon. His eyes grew cold.

“Is she really ignoring me?”

Zhang Yunlong had assumed that once XiXi saw him step forward, she would rush to meet him. To his chagrin, she completely brushed him aside, igniting his anger.

“Well then—since that’s the case, just wait—as your aura gathers to a terrifying degree!”

Zhang Yunlong stood with his hands behind his back, as countless raindrops from the heavens swirled around him, merging into a water dragon in tune with his towering spirit!

Li Nuǎnxi must wait—

So wait until his aura reaches an extremely horrifying height!

In the True Martial Divine Sect’s Main Banquet Area,

Shi Ming, Shi Xuan, and the other dragon hatchlings clenched their fists in excitement and cheered.

Even the recently injured Shi Xuan’s eyes shone brightly with enthusiasm!

And Shi Jian, the Patriarch of the True Martial Divine Sect, had eyes as brilliant as twin suns, dazzlingly radiant!

XiXi’s mechanism—

That mechanism!

It was nothing short of the perfect divine archer!

This contraption posed a threat greater than that of a divine archer, and while the archer required strenuous training, anyone could master a mechanism with minimal instruction!

Imagine an army armed with such mechanisms—

Even a grandmaster at the pinnacle of the Three Flowers realm would have nowhere to hide, wiped out in one sweep.

Even a Martial Saint would be suppressed by such firepower!

Shi Jian was elated. As a battle-hardened veteran, he could almost envision the terrifying collapse of the Great Realm’s cavalry when facing this sweeping mechanism fire!

After all, flood-dragon mounts could never maneuver as deftly as a seasoned fighter. Cavalry charging on them made the perfect targets!

Shi Jian rubbed his hands together, his mouth parched with sweat despite his formidable might.

“How should I break the news?”

“I truly… apologize.”

Rubbing his cropped hair, Shi Jian murmured.

Li Che had agreed to support them with the Xiangong Gatling, and now Shi Jian wondered if this mechanism might leave Li Bansheng with an impression of fickleness?!

While Shi Jian wrestled with his thoughts,

the entire city of Divine Capital’s Third City was packed with onlookers, all rendered motionless. No one had expected Li Nuǎnxi to win!

To win by using mechanisms!

Mechanism art—a once-celebrated Tang Clan mechanism—had long faded into obscurity.

Who would have thought that in this Dragon Hatchling Tournament, mechanism art would reemerge so brilliantly!

News spread like a raging torrent, sweeping through the Divine Capital Nine Cities,

driving every gambling den into pandemonium and complete madness!

And when word reached that XiXi was about to participate in the final Dragon Hatchling Tournament against the first dragon hatchling of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect for the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach, the gambling dens went even crazier!

Buzzing, two streams of divine energy darted through the storm, intertwining nonstop.

Eventually they collided!

Divine energy exploded, gradually unfurling like a scroll to reveal XiXi’s cute dimpled smile.

Another burst of divine energy trembled in midair, unfurling like a scroll as well.

Zhang Yunlong, leaning on his Peach Wood Sword, loomed above, his figure reflected in the ephemeral water dragon.

Lian Gonggong in his purple attire gracefully made his entrance as rain twisted around him.

This time, Lian Gonggong bowed slightly toward the banquet tables, then respectfully bowed toward the Emperor and Empress.

The Emperor’s face was veiled in divine energy and blood alike, unreadable in any emotion.

But the Empress, graceful and dignified, smiled warmly.

Her flawless visage revealed a gentle smile.

“I preside over this Peach Festival, divided into the Dragon Hatchling Tournament and the Heroic Tournament. The champions of both will win a Nine-Thousand-Year Peach, personally plucked from the Peach Grove within the Western Queen Mother Bizarre Temple.”

The Empress’s clear voice rang out.

She then spread her palms lightly.

In her open hands appeared a vividly red peach branch, interwoven with cyan and pink hues. Every peach hair shimmered beautifully, radiating intense vitality, divine energy, and spiritual essence!

That peach exuded a vigor that was almost alive!

It shone brilliantly, its rich peach fragrance saturating the air, making one’s mouth water.

“Here stands the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach. Whosoever becomes champion may come forth to claim it from me.”

The Empress smiled regally.

“This is the final round of the Dragon Hatchling Tournament.”

“Begin!”

As soon as her words fell, the energy over White Jade Plaza surged mightily.

Zhang Yunlong’s eyes sparkled radiantly as he summoned a water dragon from the soaring rain—a dragon coiling high up, ten yards tall, enveloping him.

“Nine-Thousand-Year Peach—my temple deity has craved it for so long. I, Zhang Yunlong, claim this peach.”

Zhang Yunlong smiled serenely, his gaze fixed on XiXi.

“Li Nuǎnxi, come forth and fight.”

“Let me see what bizarre power lurks within you—”

Even the Empress had spoken.

XiXi did not hesitate. She rose, sparks flying from her feet as the two Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheels surged forth in a flash.

Staring at Zhang Yunlong with burning anger—memories of his brutal, slicing attacks on Shi Xuan flashing across her mind.

Shi Xuan would never resort to self-destruction methods against those within the Great Realm, yet Zhang Yunlong had forced the issue!

“Why don’t you just fly up to the heavens?!”

XiXi turned her head and called out to Li Che.

“Father!”

Li Che responded with a chuckle and a nod, “As I said, this Peach Festival is for you to have fun—set off the fireworks however you like. Your Father won’t stop you.”

“I only want you to be happy, with no regrets.”

Hearing this, XiXi’s face lit up with a dazzling smile as her dimples emerged.

“Father is amazing!”

“XiXi loves you!”

With those words, XiXi slammed a button with a resounding slap.

High in the sky!

The compassionate Guanyin, overlooking Zhang Yunlong at White Jade Plaza,

made crackling sounds as hundreds of hands assembled into a circle!

As if about to unleash a primordial energy cannon,

it formed into the Thousand-Armed Guanyin Fire God Cannon!

A Guanyin Lotus Bullet, about the size of a football and embodying Black and White Collapse, was hurled by XiXi!

As it soared, it hit with a tremendous splash, like a stone plunging into a lake.

In XiXi’s eyes, a brilliant golden light erupted, flooding her vision in an instant!

“Fire away!!!”

Over White Jade Plaza,

Zhang Yunlong’s brows furrowed as the water dragon around him dissipated. He sensed that his soaring Flying Sword had lost its connection to his soul—

as if the link had been severed.

Zhang Yunlong took a step, tried to mount the water dragon, and soar to the heavens.

Sprinting a hundred feet,

a profound unease gripped Zhang Yunlong. He looked up; his wooden hairpin snapped abruptly, his dark hair whipping wildly in the wind.

He stared upward, feeling as though the torrential spring rain had suddenly ceased—

Then his eyes narrowed; countless white mists were torn apart—

Followed by an explosion of dazzling light, billions of beams erupting!

Blinding, radiant, and awe-inspiring, like the noonday sun—

Then, it fell!