Chapter 387: The Thunderstruck Peach Festival

A chilly spring breeze swept through the night as darkness swallowed the heavens, leaving nothing but endless black.

Under the churning wind, heavy clouds slowly amassed, forcing the moonlight to hide from the prying eyes of mortals.

Divine Capital Second City.

Atop Jade Plaza.

The Empress, clutching the Tianhe Ruyi Hairpin, tore through the cascading Tianhe water, its roaring torrent captivating every onlooker.

The Heroes’ Contest was nearing its end; everyone knew that the duel between Goldmane and Li Che

would ultimately decide who would be crowned the supreme champion of the contest.

For only one contestant could claim the three paotao, marking the Fourth Round.

And the Fourth Round was held in the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard—in other words, the victor would truly become the champion, eligible to enter the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard and pluck its ancient paotao!

The cultivators of the Great Realm were on edge, for none wished the contest’s champion to be a cultivator from outside the Great Realm, one hailing from Witch God Mountain.

After all, Witch God Mountain was under the influence of the Da Li Wangting.

Thus, every hand squeezed with anxiety for Li Che, as Goldmane’s display of power proved overwhelmingly formidable.

Yet when the real battle erupted, everyone was stunned. Contrary to expectations, Li Che was not completely overwhelmed by Goldmane; instead, he counterattacked with a variety of cunning maneuvers.

“Is that… is that the Thunder Strike Peachwood Sword of Zhang Xuanlei, the top hero of Purple Mansion Divine Sect?”

“Seems so. Who would have imagined that Li Bansheng had achieved such heights in the Sword Way?”

“You really didn’t think Master Taibai of Qianyuan Divine Sect was just for show, did you? Master Taibai is renowned for his swordsmanship – he once carved out the legend of the Taibai Killing Star!”

Exclamations rang out ceaselessly.

As the violent battle played out on the Tianhe water screen, its gruesome, echoing aftermath sent shudders through every heart.

Even the water droplets on the screen trembled, unable to bear the weight of the scene before them.

The splashes of xenon and argon sparkled, etching the battle into view over and over again.

The crashing winds and the deafening boom of explosions sounded like thunder rolling across the skies!

It was simply overwhelming!

Could this be the fight for the title of champion?

This was truly a battle reserved for the ultimate elites, a genuine clash of immortals!

The martial cultivators who had arrived in Divine Capital – all formidable in martial and divine might – felt only tremors in that moment.

It was too powerful!

It was so exhilarating!

Most impressively, Li Che’s extraordinary techniques allowed him to harness the Divine Secret Technique to control the Peachwood Sword,

piercing through Goldmane’s golden lion body and leaving him grievously injured!

Many had witnessed Li Che unleash that very sword before.

During his duel with Zhang Xuanlei, he had also employed it.

Yet none expected that even Goldmane, at his Fourth-Stage Martial Saint level, could not block it!

What kind of power did this sword truly possess?!

When Li Che commanded the Mechanical Beast to execute his invincible Mechanical Art against the Young Dragon Championship, gasps filled the crowd.

In that critical moment, as the near-unstoppable Mechanical Beast, nicknamed Little Yinglong King, burst forth a terrifying mechanical lotus bullet,

it was as if a doomsday lotus bloomed in the paotao grove—a resplendent mushroom cloud rising skyward.

Even through the barrier of the Tianhe water screen, all present could sense an aura of apocalyptic destruction spreading.

“My father is invincible!”

XiXi stood at the edge of Jade Plaza, hands on her hips, puffing out her little belly with pride and glee.

This fireworks display—truly, Father’s is far more dazzling than mine!

But XiXi had deduced something: Father was hiding a trump card. Such a spectacular display wasn’t solely for her.

Then, as XiXi’s attention waned for a moment…

Shouts of astonishment filled the air, prompting her to rub her wide eyes and look up at the Tianhe water screen.

And then…

A hush fell over the entire scene as if a massive hammer had smitten everyone into silence, robbing them of their voices.

An absolute, complete silence prevailed.

For on the Tianhe water screen, a scene had materialized…

There appeared the figure of Monk Jialuo from the Western Lands of Buddhism, seemingly reborn, as he surged upward, intent on seizing Goldmane.

If Monk Jialuo managed to subdue and tame Goldmane, Li Che would then face two top-tier heroes.

In that case, Li Bansheng, who had comfortably held the top spot, might soon suffer a dramatic reversal.

Even if Li Bansheng was undaunted by facing two opponents, a mutual draw with Goldmane followed by an unexpected intervention would undoubtedly shatter his confidence.

And then…

Just when everyone was fretting…

They witnessed Li Che, with a near-overwhelming posture, crush Monk Jialuo utterly.

With a mere flick of his fingers, a brilliant Thunderstrike Sword Pellet zipped into Monk Jialuo’s brow.

It split his head apart!

A blood fog exploded, spraying red and white fragments everywhere.

Both Goldmane and the martial guests watching from the Tianhe water screen were rendered speechless.

Did Monk Jialuo really just act like this?

Didn’t he know how to dodge?

He foolishly waited for Li Bansheng’s sword pellet to penetrate his brow, to detonate within his skull and snuff out his life?

At that moment, not only were the martial guests stunned, but even the top sect leaders – each a pinnacle of power – wore expressions of disbelief.

They all showed signs of shock.

“Is this… the Divine Domain of Purple Mansion Divine Sect?”

“That interwoven chessboard pattern—it resembles the divine domain projected by the Temple Spirit Resonance of Purple Mansion Divine Sect. How could Li Che employ such methods?”

“Monk Jialuo wasn’t avoiding—it was that overwhelming pressure, pinning him down and robbing him of control, making him seem almost foolish.”

The sect heads, having experienced much in their lives, knew well that Monk Jialuo’s plight mirrored the terror of facing a true Divine Calamity.

None of them would perform any better in his situation.

Cultivators on the Divine Calamity stage were terrifyingly powerful, so much so that not even heaven and earth could contain them – a force that summoned disasters upon disobedience.

Li Che was certainly no Divine Calamity, but why was Monk Jialuo, with his own notable cultivation, reduced to this state?

Monk Jialuo’s power was not insignificant – even though he had been overpowered by Goldmane, it was because he had planned to outwit him.

In a proper duel, Monk Jialuo might even graze the realm of Divine Transformation’s Four God Changes—

Yet before Li Che, his talent was trivial, as if he were instantly nullified by a single Divine Transformation.

He was utterly defenseless, not even a match.

Zhang Wuji of Purple Mansion Divine Sect casually flicked his Dust Whip, its bristles trembling slightly.

Clearly, the head of the Great Realm’s foremost divine sect was far from as calm as his expression suggested.

“Divine Domain?”

“It doesn’t quite resemble it…”

“It seems more like… the pressure of a Dao State?”

“Unfortunately, the Tianhe Ruyi Hairpin blocks any proper sensing.”

At that moment, many strong opponents had eyes glittering with excitement as their hearts pounded.

Inside the Seven-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard,

the entire arena was choked with swirling dust; the ground had turned over completely.

Soft earth was tossed up again and again, and the once lush frostgrass was torn to shreds,

leaving utter chaos in its wake.

Scorching dust floated amidst the twisted, high-temperature rubble.

The enchantments on the paotao trees flickered with residual light.

A profound silence reigned in the orchard, interrupted only by the roaring winds and the rustling of leaves.

The Buddha Light on Goldmane’s body exploded, disintegrating into dust.

Yet his eyes still held a look of bewilderment and lingering fear—

It was terrifying!

Absolutely terrifying!

Even the indomitable Goldmane felt as if he had skirted death.

Monk Jialuo’s future, once so full of promise, had been decisively turned by Li Che’s instant kill.

Goldmane could hardly believe it.

If Li Che truly possessed such strength, then Goldmane, battered and broken from a fierce duel, must have fought for a reason.

If Li Che could obliterate Monk Jialuo in a heartbeat, surely he could also dispatch Goldmane just as effortlessly?

This led Li Bansheng to wonder—was he just toying with them?

Goldmane’s mouth slackened as he finally crumbled.

“I give up…”

“I concede; I lost this bet,” he admitted.

A gust of wind swept by, stirring up dust.

No longer restraining his injuries, Goldmane let out a pained groan as a mouthful of bright red blood trickled from his lips. His disheveled appearance deepened with each drop.

The fierce flames in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a complex, somber expression as he looked at the young man with flowing black hair, whose spotless face radiated youth.

At over forty, Goldmane could hardly believe that Li Che, at barely twenty-five, possessed such astonishing power.

For a fleeting moment, Goldmane saw a glimpse of the mysterious, formidable Great Witch God in Li Che’s youthful features,

reminiscent of the legends of a young Great Witch God who once stormed deep into Bizarre Temple and clashed with demonic entities and monstrous evils!

Perhaps this young man would one day reach similar heights.

In that instant, Goldmane surrendered completely.

Maybe following such a prodigy wouldn’t be a bad idea after all.

Goldmane recalled that, regarding Master Jin Taisui, he had once researched Li Che’s background—learning that this almost legendary youth

had once been nothing more than a humble woodcarver struggling to survive in a tiny, insignificant Woodcarving Shop six years ago.

Yet in just six short years, Li Che’s power had surged from nothing to a level high enough to crush even the proud disciples of Witch God Mountain!

Goldmane was satisfied with his own cultivation speed, even if his own brother, Jin Taisui, could not match him. Many disciples on Witch God Mountain revered his rapid ascent.

But compared to Li Che, his cultivation speed was simply staggering!

“Alright, that settles it,” Li Che said with a smile.

Then he calmly looked at Goldmane.

Goldmane’s scalp tingled, and he finally exhaled, “Master.”

The words drained every ounce of energy from him, washing away feelings of past humiliation, anger, despair, and shame.

Perhaps it was the awe inspired by Li Che’s effortless dispatch of Monk Jialuo.

This was the submission of a true strongman!

Moreover, when Li Che activated the Shengtian Dao Domain, he had not spared Goldmane.

Goldmane too felt the crushing pressure of the Dao Domain, as that overwhelming force reduced Monk Jialuo’s level to match Li Che’s instant Divine Transformation state—

making Goldmane feel as if his own power was plummeting.

Thus, Goldmane obediently submitted.

“Yes, be good,” Li Che chuckled.

His mood brightened instantly.

Then, with a swift movement of his five fingers, he retracted the Thunder Strike Peachwood Seven-Star Sword that had pierced Goldmane’s shoulder, sending a spurt of blood flying.

“Master, I, Goldmane, concede. Please accept my Soul Seal.”

Goldmane raised his hand and pressed it to his brow. In the next moment, a radiant Soul Seal floated into existence.

This was the condensed essence of Goldmane’s Heavenly Soul.

Raising an eyebrow, Li Che approved of Goldmane’s straightforward attitude—truly, Goldmane was as genuine as his brother, Jin Taisui.

Jin Taisui, too, accepted his loss with grace.

Goldmane was not far behind in spirit.

Without hesitation, Li Che accepted Goldmane’s Soul Seal and casually tossed it into the Cosmic Chessboard.

In Li Che’s hands, the Soul Seal meant that Goldmane’s very life could be controlled with a thought; a single move could crush it, shatter his soul, and claim his life.

With the Soul Seal taken, Goldmane felt an overwhelming sense of loss.

Yet facing Li Che, he couldn’t help but feel a deep, almost physiological reverence.

“Master,”

Goldmane transformed back to his human form, clasped his fists, and said,

“I still admire your golden lion form—with its rebellious spirit and indomitable attitude.”

Li Che replied.

Goldmane’s eyes lit up as he drew a deep breath and gritted his teeth. His body began to swell and transform; his golden mane burst forth, radiating a brilliant golden glow.

Li Che’s brow-mount Mud Pellet and Seven Aperture Luminous Heart pulsed, and a surge of Unsullied Heart Divine Nature flowed into Goldmane’s body, instantly healing his wounds, dispelling the relentless assault of the Divine Xiao Jail Thunder Sword.

Goldmane exclaimed, “(o⊙)!”

Something had slithered through him—

and it felt incredibly soothing!

The pace of his recovery was astonishing, far surpassing that of any Fourth-Rank Healing Elixir.

For Goldmane knew all too well the extent of his injuries.

That Divine Xiao Thunder, even if just a trace, was the force of a three-calamity level attack!

Though only a wisp, it tormented him to the brink of ecstasy and agony—if not for his stubborn nature and the dignity of a golden lion, he would have collapsed long ago!

Li Che did not intend to deplete all of his Unsullied Heart Divine Nature; since Goldmane was now his subordinate, Li Che was willing to grant him some reprieve.

“Master, I still want more!”

Goldmane twisted his golden lion head, his mane quivering, as his two copper-bell eyes looked up longingly at Li Che.

Li Che lightly tapped his head, then effortlessly leapt onto the back of the Golden Lion King, massaging its soft mane.

Casually, he dispensed more Unsullied Heart Divine Nature to the Golden Lion King.

After all—

this Unsullied Heart Divine Nature was coveted even by the Xuan Turtle Demon King of the Great Witch God!

The Golden Lion King, bearing the blood of a demon emperor, naturally felt the pull of the Unsullied Heart Divine Nature.

“Roar!” Goldmane bellowed mightily, his roar reverberating like a tremor.

“So refreshing!”

At last, Goldmane submitted completely.

It was no wonder his foolish younger brother refused to return—even if it meant betraying the teachings of the Great Witch God, he stayed true to his heart.

Goldmane was just the same!

“Now, go ahead,” Li Che ordered.

Goldmane advanced, each step unleashing a terrifying aura of leonine might.

He sensed a distinct energy rising from the distance.

Amidst exploding nebulas of mud and stone, a figure suddenly leaped forth. Clutching a Golden Eight-Ring Staff, his face was ashen and grotesque.

His red kasaya fluttered wildly in the wind as Monk Jialuo glared at Li Che with worry and gravity!

It was absolutely terrifying—

that Divine Domain resembled a demonic prison, instilling despair!

It was as if one were facing the oppressive might of top-tier, godlike beings!

How could this man be so powerful?!

“Li Bansheng!”

Monk Jialuo exhaled deeply and cried out.

“I surrender!”

Monk Jialuo shouted at the top of his lungs.

He now existed only in one incarnation—if he were to be killed again, his life would truly end here.

“Surrender requires proper humility. It’s not enough to just say the words,” Li Che said coolly.

At that moment, his spirit stirred.

The Thunder Strike Peachwood Seven-Star Sword began to levitate.

Sizzling with countless bolts of lightning, its seven stars flared to life!

The Divine Xiao Jail Thunder Sword was primed for action!

With the addition of the Thunder Strike Peachwood Sword, Li Che’s divine assault was no longer limited to Fa Tian Xiang Di. Combining the Lv Xuan Sword Immortal’s Divine Transformation, the Peachwood Sword, and the Thunder Magnetic Conduit—

he could fully unleash the might of the Divine Xiao Jail Thunder Sword.

Monk Jialuo quickly understood, and he darted to retrieve a dewy paotao from his Qian Kun Jade.

Using his spirit, he offered the paotao to Li Che.

Yet…

Even after accepting the paotao, Li Che’s Peachwood Sword continued to crackle with intermingling dark thunder, its every strike scorching the air with searing heat.

Monk Jialuo was dumbfounded—what more could he have wanted?!

Suddenly,

Monk Jialuo’s face darkened. Seeing Li Che’s gentle smile, he instantly realized something.

Whoever said that Li Bansheng was modest and obedient?!

Monk Jialuo removed his Qian Kun Jade, a pained look of sorrow and rage on his face.

If possible, he would immediately commune with Xi Wangmu’s divine essence and exit the paotao grove.

But there was no choice.

Li Che’s Divine Domain sealed off any path for Monk Jialuo to call upon Xi Wangmu’s divine power.

In other words—

if Li Che decided to kill him, then his demise was assured!

To save his life, Monk Jialuo reluctantly handed over his Qian Kun Jade to Li Che.

“Li Bansheng, please accept my impassioned offering,” Monk Jialuo said with sincere smile.

Without hesitation, Li Che tore open the Qiankun Space and flung the Qian Kun Jade inside.

Then, dispelling the Shengtian Dao Domain.

Monk Jialuo, clutching the Golden Eight-Ring Staff, formed a respectful salute.

“Thank you,” he said.

No sooner had his words faded than Monk Jialuo, as if unwilling to linger even for a moment in the paotao grove, quickly used Xi Wangmu’s divine power to leave.

A gentle breeze swept by.

Li Che sat cross-legged on the soft back of the Golden Lion King, as comfy as reclining in a leather chair.

With a stir of his spirit, one paotao after another began to levitate.

Monk Jialuo, Yuguanyin, and Goldmane’s three paotao floated before Li Che,

plus Li Che’s own paotao.

That made up four Seven-Thousand-Year Paotao in all.

“Hey… there’s one extra,” he announced loudly.

“Surely the Empress won’t make me give up this extra paotao? I can’t bear to lose face—it was earned by my own merit,” Li Che laughed, speaking up for all to hear.

This left Goldmane with a puzzled look.

In the entire paotao grove, only the two of them remained—could it be that the extra Seven-Thousand-Year Paotao was meant for him?

Goldmane’s excitement surged.

But Li Che, as if understanding Goldmane’s thoughts, patted his head.

“Seven-Thousand-Year Paotao for dogs? You must be dreaming,” he teased.

Goldmane retorted, “Then why shout so loudly?!”

Li Che merely smiled and did not elaborate further, carefully stowing away the extra Dragon Blood Paotao. In the end, only three paotao remained.

Taking away the extra paotao was acceptable since it wouldn’t be confiscated.

However, it meant that the Seven-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard was utterly emptied of paotao.

Li Che felt a deep tinge of regret.

He had hoped to leave behind a Feilei Chess Piece in this paotao grove for future visits.

Alas, the rules of other paotao groves—like the Six-Thousand and Eight-Thousand-Year ones—seemed to forbid it.

Still, Li Che felt largely satisfied.

Then, a sound like ancient temple bells began to boom—a deep, rhythmic toll echoing from the depths of the paotao grove,

as if an ancient deity had struck a heavy bell, sending layers of invisible sound waves rippling through the dilapidated orchard.

“Qianyuan Divine Sect’s top hero, Li Che, has successfully gathered three Seven-Thousand-Year Paotao to ascend to the Fourth Round of the Heroes’ Contest, earning him the title of Champion!”

“And he has flown into the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard!”

Divine Capital Second City.

Atop Jade Plaza.

Where divine energies swirled like coiling serpents, materializing into the figures of Monk Jialuo and the wolf-like visage of another.

Monk Jialuo, having taken several steps backward, exited the Shengtian Dao Domain. The released energy forced him into awkward readjustment.

All around, silent eyes were fixed upon him.

Making Monk Jialuo feel as if needles were pricking his back.

“Amitabha,”

Monk Jialuo dusted off his kasaya. Having lost two of his Dharma bodies, he was deeply grieved. Worst of all, not a single paotao had been obtained, and even his Qian Kun Jade had been lost.

It was inevitable—if treated as loot, it should be taken; otherwise, Li Che would have still claimed the Qian Kun Jade.

“My Qian Kun Jade isn’t so easily obtained,”

Monk Jialuo took a deep breath.

Then his gaze shifted to the area where the Xiao Lingyin Temple Master’s banquet was held, landing on Huang Mei Great Master.

He bowed slightly to Huang Mei Great Master,

who returned the gesture with a gentle nod and smile.

As soon as Monk Jialuo left Jade Plaza and returned to the banquet hall,

a burst of exuberant cheers suddenly erupted across the square!

“It’s done! It’s done!”

“The champion of the Heroes’ Contest is one of our Great Realm cultivators!”

“Li Bansheng is incredible—absolutely invincible!”

“Li Bansheng is the champion and his daughter, Li Nuǎnxi, is the Dragon Champion! Together they dominate the contest, bringing dual titles to Qianyuan Divine Sect—my heavens!”

Cheers roared both inside and outside Divine Capital’s Second and Third Cities.

Inside Second City, the celebrants were none other than the disciples of Qianyuan Divine Sect, their faces flushed with excitement.

XiXi, with hands on her hips and her little belly out, laughed heartily into the sky.

Even the quiet-minded Yun’e couldn’t hide her excitement as she joined XiXi and the other children of Qianyuan Divine Sect in jubilant frolicking on Jade Plaza.

The Tianhe water screen kept cascading in a steady spray,

yet it couldn’t drown out the children’s gleeful laughter.

At Jade Plaza, heroes and young dragons from various sects watched the scene with mixed expressions of awe and envy.

One sect alone had secured both the champion and young dragon titles in the Heroes’ Contest, and both titles were held by a father and daughter—a truly unprecedented spectacle!

A rare sight indeed!

It could be said that no Heroes’ Contest had ever seen such an occurrence!

Ji Mo Li sat regally behind the main banquet table in his black armor, the metal clanging, his eyes fixed intently on XiXi as if deep in thought.

Lotus Pavilion.

The Country Teacher Xie Yunshen, in plain clothes, smiled softly as he said, “What luck—Qianyuan Divine Sect has secured such a father and daughter duo.”

Lu Chi, meanwhile, watched the merry children with a mix of wistfulness and envy.

Alas, he no longer qualified to join them.

Inside the banquet hall, the Emperor and Empress sat behind the table.

Listening to Li Che’s clear, confident voice carried over the Tianhe water screen, the Empress’s regal face suddenly showed a hint of distraction.

Her vermilion lips pursed, and she softly murmured,

“Not one paotao left… not even one…

my Seven-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard has been completely emptied!”

The Empress’s expression grew distant, and her emotions surged.

The Emperor, too, fell silent, realizing something was amiss.

How could the paotao in the Seven-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard simply vanish?

The Empress, who oversaw the orchard, would never allow such a mishap.

Even during the Heroes’ Contest, the paotao count was always accounted for in advance—

“My Empress, could it be that someone stole the paotao?!”

The Emperor asked gravely.

The Empress quickly composed herself and managed a weak smile.

“Your Majesty…”

“Empress, remain calm. Let’s review the Tianhe Ruyi Hairpin’s perspective.

If that fails, during the Temple Spirit Resonance ceremony we can try to contact Xi Wangmu’s Temple Spirit to find out who’d dared steal the paotao from our Great Realm Imperial House!”

The Emperor spoke in a deep tone.

The Empress’s features shifted subtly.

Contact Xi Wangmu’s Temple Spirit?!

Indeed, they had no idea who had taken the paotao—

but surely Xi Wangmu would know!

Just as the Emperor and Empress pondered,

another round of thunderous cheers erupted from within and outside Divine Capital’s Second and Third Cities.

They both glanced toward the Tianhe water screen.

There, Li Che stepped onto a cloud of auspicious smoke,

gliding gracefully into the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Orchard!

Stunned by the ethereal sight, the Empress’s eyes narrowed, and a daring thought took root:

Would the long-sealed, ancient Millennial Peach Orchard—

open its gates for him?