Chapter 410: The Wrath of the Divine Court

The eagle’s cry split the heavens, tearing through the nine skies!

Like a raging flame, the scarlet eagle beat its wings, hurtling down like a falling star. As clouds parted, towering palace temples emerged in majestic splendor!

Divine Capital, First City!

Imperial Palace Temple.

Sky Palace.

The scarlet eagle crashed onto the Jade Plaza before the Sky Palace, stirring up thick, swirling dust clouds.

Seen from high above as a mere speck, on the ground it loomed like a colossal beast.

Eunuch Lian strolled out from Purple-Clad Diao Si and, within a few steps, reached the eagle. He offered it a treasure pill and, after the eagle swallowed it, it turned and pecked at its own body.

One fiery red eagle feather was plucked and presented to Eunuch Lian.

With just a glance, Eunuch Lian’s eyes flickered with surprise.

After patting the eagle, he turned briskly and strode into the Sky Palace, his pace swift yet respectful.

Inside the main hall of the Sky Palace.

The Emperor, wearing a bright yellow robe, sat regally as four Princes below listened intently to his admonitions.

The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Princes—? Lu Chi!

With the backing of the National Teacher, Lu Chi’s standing in Divine Capital had soared. No longer was he the feeble, unloved prince of yesteryear.

Though his cultivation was modest, the Emperor suddenly favored Lu Chi greatly.

His words now carried an unmistakable tone of closeness.

“Your Majesty, I’ve received word from Daocheng…”

Eunuch Lian, holding the scarlet eagle feather, bowed deeply and said respectfully.

At the Emperor’s wave, the feather flitted into his hand, and silence instantly fell over the Sky Palace.

Everyone held their breath.

They all knew the Emperor had sent the National Teacher to lead the army, rallying top experts from every Divine Sect to attack Daocheng and shatter the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Thus, the scarlet eagle feather carried vital military intelligence.

After all, the scarlet eagle was a domesticated beast used by the Great Jing army to relay messages.

Although the Emperor’s face was inscrutable, everyone in the hall could feel the storm of anger in his eyes.

“Useless!”

“Two divine calamities, countless top-tier experts—even Consort Ji joining the fight—and still this result. Failing to seize Daocheng immediately is bad enough; retreating 800 miles shames the Imperial Court.”

The Emperor’s tone was cold.

“And you now have the nerve to ask me to summon the old Dragon God from the Dragon God Clan!”

“How could Ji Mo Li, with his level of cultivation, be slain on the spot? Is this how King Ping Luan quells rebellion? Useless!”

The Emperor’s rebuke thundered like lightning, echoing throughout the hall.

Everyone, including the four Princes, stood frozen in awe.

Lu Chi, head bowed, felt a secret thrill stir within him upon hearing that the Qianyuan Divine Sect had halted the Imperial advance—and even notched a major victory.

But soon, he sensed the Emperor’s piercing gaze upon him.

“Chi’er, tell me: does the Qianyuan Divine Sect, in their blatant defiance by attacking our forces and even slaying our officials, deserve to be wiped out?”

The Emperor’s voice was icy and imposing, his presence shaking the palace as if mocking those before him.

Lu Chi lowered his head; his fingers twitched briefly before he slowly raised his gaze, his expression unnervingly calm.

Like an ancient, still well—no ripples, no joy, no sorrow.

“The might of Great Jing is inviolable. Qianyuan Divine Sect—

“must be annihilated.”

Lu Chi’s eyes hollowed as he spoke those words.

Within the palace, the Emperor’s deep laughter suddenly rang out.

It echoed for a moment.

“Eunuch Lian, transmit my command: allow the old Dragon God from the Dragon God Clan immediate entry!”

The night was deep and still, as dense as water, nearly melding into darkness.

The roaring Grand Canal surged, its waves crashing as if driven by an army’s might.

Perhaps stirred by the fearsome aura of the two divine calamity masters among the Great Jing troops, the very heavens and earth seemed to join in their fury.

That raging will echoed along the Grand Canal.

The wind howled relentlessly through the night.

As the temperature fell, frost began dancing in the sky, draping the world in a pristine white layer.

National Teacher Xie Yunshen, dressed in white, strolled across the snowy camp as his robe clung tightly in the biting wind.

Snowflakes clung to his beard, adding a tinge of melancholy to his look.

Xie Yunshen had never imagined facing such a crushing defeat.

It was indeed a major loss. Though the enemy had also lost top-tier experts, Xie Yunshen felt their casualties were even heavier on his side—

an intuition he could never quite explain.

Even though the fallen were heads of their respective Divine Sects.

While Consort Ji was decapitated, she wasn’t truly dead; using reincarnation techniques, she was revived—though at the cost of an entire city’s populace.

Xie Yunshen disapproved of Consort Ji’s methods but had not intervened, as cooperation between them persisted.

“National Teacher—after such a disgrace, can we persuade the Emperor to let us summon the Dragon God from the Dragon God Clan to aid us?”

Armed Guard Ning An, trailing behind Xie Yunshen, quietly inquired.

“Yes. The Emperor would never disagree.”

“The Emperor needs Li Che to annihilate the Qianyuan Divine Sect—” A trivial price is acceptable.

National Teacher Xie Yunshen replied coolly.

“Besides, do you really think our defeat looks that dire? The passing of ancient masters like Gu Changqing, Bai Buyi, and Zhao Chunqiu hardly shifts the balance of the Imperial Court.”

National Teacher Xie Yunshen laughed dismissively.

Ning An’s eyes narrowed: “So—National Teacher, had you foreseen this outcome?”

Xie Yunshen shook his head. “For the Emperor and for me, defeat is defeat—I have indeed suffered a pitiful loss.”

“The Underworld—unlike what I expected.”

“And what of Li Bansheng? Now that he’s turned into a saint-hand, his decisive actions were impressive, and his tribulation seemed to pass with ease—”

Xie Yunshen squinted slightly.

“Is he really just a Ma Mian?”

A seed of suspicion took root in Xie Yunshen’s mind.

In tribulation, a stronger body eases passage—especially for saint-hands facing heavenly lightning; robust flesh is a significant advantage.

Xie Yunshen shook his head, his gaze darkening.

“The first assault on Daocheng must be a success,” he declared, exhaling slowly.

A trace of sorrow crossed his face.

“How could Tian Can Di Que betray us?”

“The only possibility for betrayal would have been if Tian Can Di Que were dragged into the Underworld’s Shandu, enabling Underworld Yama to sway him…”

“Could the Underworld truly know Tian Can Di Que’s origins?”

Xie Yunshen narrowed his eyes.

An Underworld presence—a shrouded, mysterious force.

Its origins were untraceable; it emerged from nothingness, embodying the abyss and gloom—

Slaughter was its refrain. The Underworld’s rampages had never ceased.

Brutality, massacre, madness, death—these were the Underworld’s everlasting trademarks.

“Senior, the Underworld specializes in assassination—please, devote more thought to this.”

Suddenly, an icy chill surged through Xie Yunshen.

He quickly bowed toward the void, clasped his fists, and sincerely said,

“Understood.”

“Rest assured, my Dao Essence remains with you. Your safety is guaranteed by me.”

A calm voice resonated from somewhere within the rippling void.

Although bolstered by his Divine Calamity Advancement, Xie Yunshen felt no real relief.

Recalling the Underworld’s deeds, he couldn’t help but think of Consort Ji’s shattered end in Divine Capital.

A shiver ran down his spine.

“Assassination—”

“Could the Underworld really come after me?”

“The Underworld—dare they?!”

To gather the world’s Qi was a colossal challenge, especially in a realm as vast as Daocheng.

Not even Qitian Temple had managed it in its glory days.

Li Che refused to believe that Qitian Temple ever sought to harness the world’s Qi.

Yet in the end, Qitian Temple still failed.

Surely some force, now beyond his grasp, had suppressed Qitian Temple.

If Li Che wished to preserve the Qianyuan Divine Sect and claim the imperial Qi as well as that of the court, he would inevitably face such a force.

“So, we must become stronger.”

Li Che sighed solemnly.

After his heartfelt resolve, he patted his head.

How could he, like XiXi, be rebellious?

Li Che was nothing but an honest woodcarver!

In the following days, Li Che devoted himself entirely to his daughter XiXi, accompanied by Zhang Ya.

Whatever XiXi wished to do, both Li Che and Zhang Ya readily agreed.

If XiXi craved red-braised pork, Zhang Ya would start cooking immediately; if she longed for a stroll, they would wander along the Long Street of Daocheng.

They cherished these moments of family togetherness.

Li Che discussed the idea of training XiXi.

To his surprise, Zhang Ya voiced the same opinion that Fang Han Shu once held.

Or rather, Fang Han Shu had mentioned it to her long ago during his seclusion.

“XiXi is no ordinary seven-year-old. She’s a genius, a prodigy, a rising dragon—her future is bound to be extraordinary,”

he reassured Zhang Ya.

“With her current strength, few in the Jianghu can match her.”

Li Che comforted Zhang Ya.

“Husband, I know—all of this. I just can’t bear the thought of XiXi venturing alone into the dangerous Jianghu. What if she starves, freezes, or gets bullied? We won’t be there to protect her if she’s so far away.”

Tears welled in Zhang Ya’s voice as she spoke.

Li Che rubbed her head and embraced her, letting her lean on his shoulder.

Though many of her worries were groundless, it was natural for parents to fret over their child’s journey.

“Don’t worry—you mustn’t forget my abilities. I will always protect XiXi.”

Li Che smiled warmly.

Zhang Ya lifted her head, her eyes red: “But if the Qianyuan Divine Sect fails and the Imperial Court annihilates it—if we perish, what will become of XiXi?”

Her red lips pursed.

Li Che paused, his thoughts drifting to the certainty of death.

Would he truly die?

He recalled the scene when Big XiXi’s tears fell as Boss served her birthday noodles.

At that time, Big XiXi had already lost her parents.

So—

Could he really die?

Li Che’s eyes darkened.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.”

He vowed to change everything, to grow stronger, so that XiXi would never become an orphan.

Zhang Ya felt his unwavering determination and clutched his hand tightly.

She believed in him completely.

After spending nearly three days together, Zhang Ya began packing XiXi’s belongings.

Yet, on this journey through the Jianghu, it wasn’t just XiXi—three other youths joined too.

Jin Taisui, Yun’e, and Zhou Peng—

Jin Taisui, being XiXi’s servant, was determined to protect her at all costs.

As for Yun’e and Zhou Peng, they were elders from ancient families who had approached Fang Han Shu with a request.

They wished to secure a legacy for their clans. If the Qianyuan Divine Sect fell, it would be disastrous; but if it survived the Imperial siege, everything would change.

In the quest for greater power, ancient families often placed their bets without hesitation.

Between the Imperial Court and the Qianyuan Divine Sect, they chose the latter without question.

Meanwhile, Li Che began his semi-seclusion—not a full retreat, but a careful scheme for assassination.

He planned to assassinate Xie Yunshen.

“Xie Yunshen—quite clever. If he could be transformed into Spiritual Confinement, that would be ideal; yet his strength falls short. If transformed, he might even become foolish.”

“However, once transformed, his wisdom would surely return.”

“I have always welcomed talent—”

“The Underworld welcomes you. In Shandu, you shall have residence.”

Li Che smiled faintly.

Even so, he took the assassination very seriously.

After all, within the Imperial Court’s forces were two Divine Calamity masters, one of whom was constantly guarding Xie Yunshen.

Earlier, Li Che had faced Zhao Beidou, one of these formidable masters, and clearly felt the crushing pressure of heavenly might.

That oppressive force was unforgettable. Now, with his strength vastly increased, if he detonated the Eighth Mysterious Gate Divine Seed, a battle might even be possible!

But that was Li Che’s ultimate trump card—detonating the Eighth Mysterious Gate would force open all eight, at an enormous cost.

Yet, it might be a risk worth taking.

With his current physical strength, although he stood among the pinnacle of Martial Saint realm, triggering the Eighth Mysterious Gate could still shatter his flesh utterly.

Any other person would surely perish.

Cornered, Li Che dared to test the limits.

Because he was the Mo City Domination, he possessed a sovereign clone!

He had the entirety of Mo City to bear the cost for him!

“Three days—almost enough,” he murmured.

Li Che produced the Underworld Divine Communication Mirror.

【Yama: Prepare to move】

【Ogre: Received】

【Ma Mian: Received】

【Divine Monkey: Received】

【Old Fang: Good】

【Cat Face: Received!!! Hurry, you disrupted the formation upstairs!!】

【Old Fang: Are you teaching me how to work?】

Li Che’s lips twitched.

Scholars do have a bad temper.

He tucked away the Underworld Divine Communication Mirror, too weary to mind Cat Face and Old Fang’s bickering.

A single glance told him that Cat Face had read too little, unable to match a well-read scholar.

He raised his hand and pointed to his brow.

A ripple of sonic energy surged; the Cosmic Chessboard erupted into the Sky, weaving an unseen net, and in an instant, his Mo City Domination clone appeared by his side.

This clone could unleash nearly 90% of Li Che’s strength.

Usually, Li Che housed his clone within Mo City as a safeguard.

Only there could the clone help bear his injuries.

But this time—

When he set his mission in motion, he also planned to send XiXi and the other children outside Daocheng.

Thus, he needed to act on two fronts simultaneously.

As for the assassination, Li Che intended no secrecy—he wanted to make a spectacle.

The clone donned the Ogre Mask, its aura surging as golden Qi roiled around it!

Moved, Li Che raised his hand to his brow, as if extracting a Dao Fruit Qi from within, sending it into the clone.

Immediately, within the clone’s chest, a Dao Fruit projection began to materialize.

In fact, as the 【Painted Immortal】 Dao Fruit evolved to Stage VI, Li Che’s Mo City Domination clone could form three, essentially granting him three lives.

Within Mo City, two more sovereign clones sat dormant, unactivated.

Activating more would divide his strength—one active clone is 90% of his power; three would drop each to about 60-70%, with diminished support.

Activating them one by one yielded the best effect.

Keeping two clones in reserve in Mo City guaranteed two extra lives.

The Ogre Mask also granted the clone the boon of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit. The Sleeping Dragon Elephant technique silenced its aura completely.

Then, wrapped in a Black Robe, the clone rocketed into the night like a soaring hawk, vanishing in an instant—BOOM!

Wearing the Ogre Mask, Li Che’s clone blasted forth like a cannonball, landing on the Grand Canal.

Black robes flared as water splashed, twisted by overwhelming Qi into vapor.

Beneath the mask, cold eyes glimmered, encircled by a thin golden mist.

The Sleeping Dragon Elephant technique echoed like ancient chimes.

Empowered by the Dao Fruit projection, it was as if it wielded a secondary Dao Fruit, perfectly unleashing its attributes.

In fact, the clone’s stealth mirrored Li Che’s own—both infiltrated using the Sleeping Dragon Elephant’s Breath Convergence.

Li Che couldn’t be sure if the lv6 Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit’s Sleeping Dragon Elephant trait would fool a Divine Calamity master.

But he had to try.

BOOM!!!

The Grand Canal roiled with crashing waves, roaring with fury as towering waves surged.

Ogre strode over the waves, rising and falling with them.

The clone streaked along the Grand Canal like a speeding cannonball, its grand display going unnoticed.

It continued along the waters for 800 miles.

Gradually, its pace slowed.

The Imperial army’s encampment came into view, with towering flames and rows of disciplined soldiers, armored and unyielding.

More rigorous than Daocheng’s Divine Guard Army, they exuded imposing strength.

Under the Ogre Mask, the clone’s eyes were dark and deep.

But as it prepared to disembark, the clone suddenly halted.

It gazed down at the roiling, tumultuous waters of the Grand Canal.

Faintly, a massive, ominous dark dragon emerged beneath the river.

The Dragon Children from the Dragon God Clan—

were hidden within the Grand Canal!

Han Shu Peak.

Inside the Elders’ Court yard.

Fang Han Shu smiled proudly as he closed the Underworld Divine Communication Mirror.

“So you dare to bicker with me, huh?”

“I am the top scholar of the Great Jing Court—how dare a petty Cat Face spar with me? Ridiculous.”

Fang Han Shu knew exactly who Cat Face was and was determined not to lose a verbal battle.

As a high elder of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, he could not be outdone in wit by one of his disciples.

Fortunately, Cat Face stuttered, unable to muster a proper retort.

Meanwhile, Fang Han Shu had already unleashed scores of curses; he felt the foolish Cat Face wouldn’t grasp them all.

“Cat Face—

Do you really consider this Underworld menace one of their horrors? More like an Underworld cutie, isn’t it?”

“How about me?”

“Honk—should I also get an Underworld terror mask to wear?”

Fang Han Shu, stroking his fine beard as his scholarly robe billowed, suddenly paused.

He sensed something.

“Has the battle begun?”

“As expected of the Underworld—so swift in action! Truly professional assassination.”

Fang Han Shu smiled briefly.

Then, his eyes glittered as he produced a Qian Kun Jade, lightly tapping his finger.

In the next moment, a mask emerged within the Qian Kun Jade.

He glanced toward Taibai Peak and smirked.

“Enough.—For the sake of Daocheng, I am truly tormented.”

With fingers spread, he grasped the mask, rolled up his beard, and inserted it before slowly placing it upon his face.

His scholarly robe transformed into a dark hooded cloak.

At once, as he stood, the surrounding space shattered like fragmented cubes—

and he vanished into the fractured space without a trace.

Only the low echo of his voice, accompanied by swirling, falling snow, remained in the courtyard.

“Hunting God—”

Li Che donned a black brocade shirt adorned with golden lotus tattoos.

He exhaled deeply.

Rising, he stepped out of the Study.

In the courtyard, snow flurried down in torrents.

Zhang Ya led XiXi, accompanied by Jin Taisui, Zhou Peng, and Yun’e—though the latter three no longer appeared as children.

Only seven-year-old XiXi still looked innocent.

Their luggage was all tucked away within a Qian Kun Jade.

Granny Mu also appeared, as if knowing the children were departing, tenderly advising them on the perils of the Jianghu.

Recalling her youthful adventures, she shared memories of her own Jianghu days.

Nie Yang guided Li Chengzhou, who stood quietly in the courtyard. Though Li Chengzhou longed to join, he wisely declined, knowing his weakness would only hold them back.

“Is everyone packed?”

Li Che smiled and said.

“When you venture out, you must look the part. The Jianghu is treacherous—think carefully and trust no one. Do not let overconfidence be your downfall.”

Li Che, like Zhang Ya, offered many warnings.

“Plan your route, but to keep you focused, I am assigning you a mission as well.”

He patted XiXi’s head gently.

Then, Li Che took out a Qian Kun Jade and handed it to XiXi.

“This Qian Kun Jade contains the mechanism meant for Shi Jian, the head of the True Martial Divine Sect. He was promised this, but as chaos broke out in Divine Capital, we left early and failed to deliver it.”

“You will deliver these mechanisms to Master Shi on my behalf.”

Li Che stated firmly.

At his words, XiXi’s eyes lit up.

Her little heart pounded with excitement.

“Father, don’t worry—leave this task to me. I’ll complete it perfectly!”

“This is your mission, so you won’t wander in the Jianghu like a headless fly.”

“If you truly lose your way, head to Tongyou to deliver the mechanisms—understood?”

XiXi nodded enthusiastically, as Jin Taisui, Yun’e, and Zhou Peng followed suit.

“Five years—” Five years later, no matter how your journey unfolds, you all must return to the Divine Sect. Got it?

Li Che said solemnly.

XiXi nodded firmly.

Meanwhile, Zhou Peng and Yun’e exchanged worried glances—five years. Would the Divine Sect still exist? Could they truly return?

Though they were children from ancient families, their minds were mature enough to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Elder Li and the families were likely sending them off to preserve the Divine Sect’s legacy—

“Let’s go,” Li Che declared after drawing a deep breath.

“Master, do you need me to come along?”

Goldmane couldn’t help but ask. He had grown quite fond of XiXi during their time together.

“No. They are embarking on a trial, not a vacation,” Li Che replied coolly.

“With me guarding them, who needs you, Goldmane? Your disguise is no match for my constant vigilance.”

No one would believe Li Che would ever allow XiXi to wander unprotected.

With him ever-present, his protection surpassed that of a hundred Goldmanes!

“Prepare yourselves—we’re leaving. Come close,” Li Che shouted.

XiXi, Jin Taisui, Yun’e, and Zhou Peng quickly gathered around him.

In the very next moment, Li Che’s divine aura spread over them as a Feilei Chess Piece materialized in his hand.

“Mother—”

Standing close to Li Che, XiXi burst into tears as the journey commenced.

Wiping her tears, she cried out, “Go, XiXi—go become strong, grow up, and make your parents proud.”

“Even a fledgling must leave the nest to learn to fly,”

Zhang Ya’s eyes filled with tears.

Li Che gently patted XiXi on the head.

In the next moment, he clenched the Feilei Chess Piece tightly.

The space around them warped.

XiXi’s cries grew louder as she stared at the twisting space and her mother Zhang Ya’s slowly fading figure—

Her tears blurred her vision like sand in the wind.