Chapter 478: Snowfall of Fate

The crystalline snowflake, translucent and exquisite, landed in Li Che’s palm, lifted by an unseen qi, suspended effortlessly.

Accompanied by a gentle breeze, it tumbled along, radiating a clear, luminous glow.

A heavy flurry blanketed the black tiles, washing the roof in pure white. The soft, muted thuds of falling snow echoed in the air, soothing every fiber of one’s being.

Huuuh——

Li Che slowly exhaled, his eyes glimmering as his weary heart found a measure of relief.

“My daughter, XiXi, is eight years old,” he said.

Eight years old!

A winter snowfall heralds another year of growth for XiXi.

The little one had matured significantly, yet as she grows, she increasingly mirrors Big XiXi.

Li Che sat amid the snow, letting the flakes drift around him, his face etched with contemplation.

Without him as her guide, XiXi’s destiny might have aligned with that of the Daughter of Yulian—fated to unleash pandemonium, leaving behind a trail of carnage and the demise of gods and buddhas…

Her nature, too, might have transformed dramatically.

Every time Qitian sees XiXi, an urge to protect her stirs within him. In comparison, Qitian thinks the little girl appears even happier, even better.

The fate of Yulian…

In an instant, Li Che’s formidable Martial Immortal will erupted. In the depths of the mud pellet at his brow, endless divine light shone as though a radiant Dao Tree cast its glow, its boundless branches swaying against the Heavenly Dome.

Fate… could the bond between father and daughter be entangled in destiny as well?

As a father, he must shield his daughter like a towering tree; fate or not, that is the essence of fatherhood.

Thus, Li Che would resolve every trouble for XiXi, hoping that under his steadfast protection she would grow up calm and untroubled.

Be it the Lingying Sect, the Corpse God Sect, Ji Mo Li, or even the upcoming Pantheon…

No matter how mighty the foes become, Li Che would never let fear take root.

His daughter was his cherished treasure, his reason to be strong!

In that instant, Li Che’s gaze deepened.

Huuuh——

Inhale——

With each breath, his qi erupted uncontrollably. His Martial Immortal will surged like a deluge, and the snow that clung to him evaporated in a burst of warm airflow.

Waves of searing heat roiled as his eyes glowed with an unfathomable depth.

It had arrived.

Though he had already acquired numerous Dao Fruits, Li Che’s spirit remained restless—eager for a new breakthrough, much like dew-soaked grass yearning for the morning sun.

Indeed, the pressures mounted. Within the Earthly Bizarre Temple, the Pantheon teemed with countless formidable cultivators, honed by ages of rigorous training.

Not to mention, even the supreme cultivators nearing the Third Calamity stage imposed their own strain on him.

Fortunately, the will of heaven and earth spanned both realms, preventing the supreme forces from descending into the mortal world.

This barrier eased much of Li Che’s burden.

Thus, his hunger for power endured—only strength could fuel a father’s resolve to protect his daughter.

Dong——!!!

An ancient, resonant bell-like sound boomed across the expanse.

It was as if, atop a towering snowy peak, an age-worn bell—scarred by time—had been struck fiercely amid the roars of deities.

Sound waves surged like rolling tides, their ripples expanding outward, emanating from Li Che himself.

Dong, dong——

Dong, dong, dong——

The sound roared like thunder—deities rousing their battle drums!

Inside his chest, every Dao Fruit pulsed in jubilation, celebrating the imminent birth of a new fruit.

Rumbling——

Li Che’s Martial Immortal will soared higher, as if thrusting three thousand zhang into the heavens, overlooking a seascape of clouds.

His brow contorted as if time itself were twisting—a mysterious vortex emerged, unleashing a terrifying pull that completely seized his spirit, plunging him into the boundlessness of space.

Familiar…

The vast, ancient heavens and earth!

……

……

Rumbling——

The ancient, expansive heavens and earth bore no trace of omnipresent divinity, remaining pristine yet laden with peril.

For the winds here were like calamities, capable of snuffing out the very essence of a soul!

Clad in his ink-dark robe, his jet-black hair whipping wildly, Li Che floated in midair, surveying the timeless world. A familiar Dao Tree tore through the earth, soaring endlessly into the sky.

Last time, the Dao Tree had transformed dramatically; this time, it appeared strangely ordinary.

Yet it was understandable—last year, when XiXi advanced from six to seven, it marked a milestone: the end of childhood and the dawn of school age.

For Li Che, it was also a profound moment in his daughter’s growth.

Now, the leap from seven to eight seemed less dramatic.

The enigmatic Dao Tree, with each leaf etched in countless ancient patterns, interwove the principles of dao and truth.

Above it, each Dao Fruit glimmered like a gem, suspended as if imbued with life, swaying and tinkling like a delicate chime.

In the next moment, the ninth Dao Fruit emerged.

XiXi, now eight, beheld the ninth Dao Fruit!

The Dao Fruit floated gracefully downward, its radiant brilliance unveiling vignettes of XiXi’s seven-year journey—a fleeting, dreamlike montage.

That year, XiXi and her companions left the Qianyuan Divine Sect, stepping out from the sheltered greenhouse to venture into the wider world, braving countless battles.

That year, she tasted the pain of parting and witnessed the demise of friends, her heart buffeted by turbulent emotions.

That year…

Flickering images passed before Li Che’s eyes as he recalled the past twelve months. Though he knew the Feilei Chess Piece he had placed on XiXi was ever-watchful, aware of every danger she faced.

Buzzing——

A spectrum of light burst from the Dao Fruit, drifting into Li Che’s outstretched hand.

Li Che understood that as his daughter grew, he would unlock more Dao Fruits—and that filled him with immense pride.

A year of vigilance, a year of protection—and at last, the Dao Fruit was earned.

“My daughter, XiXi, is eight years old!”

……

【Your daughter is eight: her mind awakening, truths unraveling, farewells experienced, and the Dao Fruit ‘Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel’ attained】

……

A veil of multicolored mists swirled and coalesced before his eyes, gradually forming into a dreamlike script.

The Ninth Dao Fruit! Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel!

What an electrifying name…

One that speaks of time and space!

Li Che’s eyes suddenly flared with brilliant energy—the power of time and space, an advanced force of undeniable might.

It was akin to the strength of those at the Divine Calamity stage, whose spatial powers could shatter existence.

Yet even divine calamities could not harness the force of time.

Temporal space melds time and space; its very name hinted at the extraordinary potential contained within this Dao Fruit!

However, Li Che was long accustomed to the capricious nature of Dao Fruits.

Last time, he obtained the 【Wan Yao Di Dao Fruit】; this time, he had the 【Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel】. They were worlds apart—how could one ever predict the next fruit’s nature?

And yet, this time, Li Che found himself truly looking forward to it.

Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel…

The name itself exuded an air of grandeur.

Boom——

Just as Li Che was lost in anticipation, a tremendous repulsive force burst forth, thrusting him out of the vast Dao Tree space.

He reappeared in the three-courtyard area outside Qitian Temple’s Outer City.

In the courtyard, quiet reigned; snow drifted silently as the Heavenly Dome above bore the Cosmic Chessboard, interwoven to bar the prying eyes of the cosmos.

Within his chest, the ninth Dao Fruit [Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel] throbbed gently.

Compared to the more mature fruits, this newborn was tender and endearing—a fragile miracle in the making.

【Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel (Dao Fruit): Time Whizzes, Space Fades, Golden Wheel Spins, I Command Time and Space】

Buzz——

A hazy brilliance interwove before his eyes, and the surrounding space vibrated as if time were slowing.

Even the snow overhead seemed to drift in slow motion, as though caught in a viscous syrup.

Before him, the Dao Fruit’s true message materialized.

In the distance, Li Che could faintly hear the sound of space fracturing—’ka ka ka’—mingled with the ticking of time’s gears—’da da da’—a strange, soul-shaking chorus.

Behind him, two golden rings materialized, interlaced and spinning continuously, evoking a surreal, dreamlike vision.

For a moment, Li Che felt as if he commanded time and space.

It was a sensation… almost divine in its mastery.

But soon, that overwhelming feeling of power over time and space vanished.

【Dao Fruit (Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel): lv1 0%】

Li Che gazed silently at the Dao Fruit prompt before him.

This newborn Dao Fruit was as tender and endearing as could be—its maturity, however, was frustratingly low, leaving him momentarily perplexed.

How was he meant to nurture its growth?

Unlike the unruly Wan Yao Di fruit that voraciously absorbed demonic energy, this one behaved with the quiet composure of a well-disciplined child.

Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel…

Did it require him to shatter space itself?

Li Che’s gaze sharpened; his fingers clenched as streams of qi choked out in protest, and his powerful golden sinews erupted in a dazzling explosion. One punch crashed down, and a fist-sized crater appeared as space buckled under the force.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh——

Turbulent currents intertwined chaotically.

For Li Che, tearing through space was trivial—for a Martial Immortal, shattering the void was effortless.

But the true challenge lay here…

The Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel Dao Fruit was as compliant as a well-behaved child, offering not even the slightest resistance.

It was nothing like the rebellious Wan Yao Di Dao Fruit that would open deep chasms and guzzle demonic energy, roaring without cease.

Too obedient—this Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel was so docile that Li Che found himself at a loss as to how to encourage its growth.

Surely, he couldn’t have it reverse time, could he?

Even after space shattered and then mended, the newfound Dao Fruit showed no sign of advancement, prompting Li Che to exhale in resignation.

A stirring in his heart made him set aside worries about its maturing,

and instead focus on exploring its basic abilities.

Every Dao Fruit carries a fundamental skill—consider the Dragon Elephant Vajra and Sleeping Dragon Elephant, which enhance the body, expand qi, and consolidate one’s aura.

After a brief study, Li Che was genuinely delighted.

The Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel possesses dual abilities: one governing time, the other space.

Its time ability, when a field is formed, can freeze time for one second within its boundaries.

Of course, masters with a resolute will can shatter that one-second barrier, reducing it to a tenth, a hundredth, or even a ten-thousandth of a second—as if it were nothing at all.

But for those less resolute than Li Che, that one second remains unyielding.

He laughed, ‘Yet another skill to humble the weak.’ His mood lifted, for compared to some of the plain Dao Fruit abilities, this one had astronomical potential!

It currently freezes time for one second—who knows if in the future it might extend to a minute, a day, or even a year?

While it doesn’t allow full control of time—it lacks the ability to reverse or accelerate it—it was still an impressive power.

As for its spatial ability, it was straightforward: spatial adaptation.

Li Che tested it; his body moved like a fish through water, merging with space not by shattering it, but as if he were one with it—traversing instantaneously.

Even in the void left by broken space, he moved with ease.

It was as though his very form had been altered to adapt seamlessly to space.

The effect was notable, though in combat it might have limited impact. Its similarity to the teleportation of the Feilei Chess Piece rendered it somewhat redundant.

But Li Che paid it little mind.

In fact, he felt a growing anticipation.

Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel…

Adaptation, mastery over space…

Could it one day allow him to span any distance?

Li Che thought of his previous life—could he, by harnessing time and space, return to that long-forgotten world?

As the Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel matured, might it break the barriers of time and space, paving a way back to that cherished dream?

Li Che always sensed an unseen bond between his two lifetimes—a tether woven by fate, time, and space.

Deep inside, he longed to unravel that connection.

With that thought, his determination for this well-behaved Dao Fruit grew even stronger.

Studying his newly acquired Dao Fruit filled Li Che with exuberant joy.

A stirring deep within his soul.

……

【Name: Li Che】

【Bond: Li Nuǎnxi (Daughter)】

【Status: School Age (Eight Years Old)】

【Dao Fruits: Xiangong (lv7 20%), Dragon Elephant Vajra (lv7 60%), Pure Heart (lv7 20%), Chess Sage (lv6 95%), Painted Immortal (lv7 10%), Thunder Magnetic Conduit (lv6 90%), Dream Celestial (lv4 15%), Wan Yao Di Dao Fruit (lv6 90%), Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel (lv1 0%)}

……

After the incursion of the Qitian Great Sage into the Earthly Bizarre Temple, Li Che remained in Qitian City.

He waited for Fang Han Shu to complete the inheritance from the Ancestral Patriarch, and in the meantime, immersed himself in cultivation.

The maturity of his Dao Fruits improved slightly; without external stimulation, their progress was always gradual.

It was due to Li Che’s balanced practice in martial arts, spiritual refinement, and even the Divine Eagle Sculpture.

He also understood that as his number of Dao Fruits increased, his energy was finite—until he achieved immortality, he could only focus on those that truly bolstered his strength.

Beyond the subtle improvements in his Dao Fruits,

a year of effort also produced notable gains in his Dao Calamities.

【Dao Calamities: Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame (40%), Primordial Void Slash (10%), Primordial Purification Flow (10%), Primordial Withered Branch (5%)】

Each of the four primordial Dao Calamities had improved to varying degrees!

After integrating with the Qimen Immortal Seed Martial Art, its power blossomed even further.

Primordial Immortal Seed— a name Li Che had given to his refined martial art.

It sounded truly extraordinary.

Smiling, Li Che felt a stirring in his soul as he vanished from the courtyard, reappearing in Mo City Fengdu.

With a firm grip, the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade clattered into his hand, its ringing sound punctuating the air as countless flashes of blade light arced wildly.

Li Che launched into the Battle Victory Secret Technique!

The Dou Secret!

For now, Li Che had only mastered the introductory level of the Dou Secret.

This technique wasn’t limited to staff combat—it was a ferocious martial art that greatly enhanced his Martial Immortal spirit.

Li Che felt that this secret suited him perfectly, matching his Pure Martial style effortlessly!

After a brief session of martial training, Li Che turned to cultivate the Celestial Seed Martial Art.

With a snap of his fingers, Fan Hai Jiuying and mysterious monstrous energy materialized as two peerless beasts roared wildly in Mo City Fengdu.

They had long grown accustomed to the yearly slaughter at their master’s hand.

These fierce beasts, with their remarkable power, posed no challenge when sparring with Li Che.

After an earth-shattering battle that left cracks running through Mo City,

Li Che finally ended his training for the day.

Leaving the Ogre’s Courtyard, he returned to another spacious courtyard where his wife, Zhang Ya, was deep in cultivation.

Li Qingshan and Granny Mu had also been summoned from Daocheng.

After eating a paotao, Granny Mu’s condition improved noticeably, her age fading as she resumed training, albeit with modest effect.

Li Che rejoined the courtyard, linking up with Zhang Ya, Li Qingshan, Granny Mu, Yun’e, Zhou Peng, Jin Taisui, and Goldmane as they set out toward the restaurant where the Boss was.

Not many attended XiXi’s birthday this year—many were still in Daocheng.

Yet the celebration remained lively.

Fang Han Shu was in seclusion. Li Che didn’t treat him as if he were under Spiritual Confinement; though Fang Han Shu could perceive many things, he had nearly severed his ties with Li Che. Apart from his undying nature, he was no different from a normal mortal.

They reached the restaurant where the Boss bustled in the kitchen, preparing XiXi’s eighth birthday feast.

XiXi sat cross-legged in an open spot before the restaurant, her twin braids reaching skyward.

She sat on the ground, her aura of divinity pulsing steadily.

A glance from Li Che confirmed that XiXi was on the brink of a breakthrough.

Li Qingshan and the others also sensed the change, falling silent as they watched intently.

Dog Master stood guard for XiXi; within the restaurant, there was little danger of interference during her breakthrough.

Boom——

After a while, within the restaurant, divine energy swelled as if on the verge of erupting.

The divine aura around XiXi gradually subsided.

The Yulian divine pattern on her brow seemed poised to awaken.

Boom——

A cluster of dark Yulian flames interwove, coalescing into a black flame lotus that circled above XiXi’s head.

That was the power of the Yulian Curse.

As XiXi’s cultivation surged once more, the Yulian Curse grew ever more fearsome.

When she finally broke through to the Divine Practitioner stage, the curse would erupt, consuming her will.

That was the dire fate XiXi could not escape.

Li Che had asked the Qitian Temple Spirit, who said that only by growing in strength could XiXi overcome the curse. Otherwise, if she were devoured by it, she would transform into the true Daughter of Yulian.

Whether that change would be for better or worse, even Qitian could not say.

One thing was certain: once the Daughter of Yulian was reborn, she would become the target of the gods, who would spare nothing to exterminate her. Only by carving out a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood could she break through every barrier.

Faced with such a curse, Li Che had no better recourse; it was a curse that clung to the soul.

Thus, each of XiXi’s breakthroughs felt like the countdown to a catastrophic curse eruption…

“Damn Hei Xumi…” Li Che muttered, cursing routinely as his fury surged.

One day, he vowed, he would obliterate Hei Xumi and watch his head roll!

If not for Hei Xumi’s schemes, XiXi would never have been plagued by this curse!

As silence fell, XiXi slowly opened her eyes, a magnificent aura of primordial spirit surging forth!

A cool resolve filled her gaze; in the next moment she caught sight of Li Che and Zhang Ya, and any trace of her calm vanished.

“Father, Mother!”

XiXi leaped up joyfully from the ground.

Thump, thump, thump, she excitedly raced to Li Che’s side.

Though she had been feasting at the Boss’ place all year, XiXi’s cultivation had not slackened one bit.

“XiXi has broken through to Divine Practitioner!”

XiXi, hands on her hips, beamed with uncontainable pride.

The eight-year-old Divine Practitioner was truly formidable!

Though her father was mighty, she was determined to catch up to him soon.

XiXi, the Great Emperor, would one day tower above all!

“XiXi, how about a seafood bun?” Li Che asked, holding a freshly fried seafood bun from the Boss.

“Alright!” XiXi chirped, dashing over.

Though the birthday celebration was modest, XiXi enjoyed herself immensely.

In a narrow alley,

Orange lights pierced the dark night, illuminating swirling snowflakes with crystalline beauty.

Amid the glow, shadowy figures drifted.

Wearing a birthday crown sculpted by Li Che, XiXi sat with hands clasped, praying before a table laden with steaming, exquisite dishes as she made a wish.

Life was serene.

……

……

Frosty clouds veiled the ridges, and pure snow shimmered in the dawn.

Beneath the dark night, even mountainous silhouettes were shrouded in mist, their forms indistinct.

Snowflakes drifted softly, as if freezing the entire world.

Qitian Inner City.

A terrifying aura vibrated through the air.

At three points around the Qitian Temple of Bizarre Temple, three palace corridors loomed. In each, three figures sat, exuding an aura so fearsome it could pulverize space into dust.

These three were the supreme sentinels of the three major Pantheon factions of Bizarre Temple.

They were: Hei Xumi’s Jia Lou Dark Heavenly Court’s Xuan Zhen, the Celestial Wolf Supreme from Guiyao Cave, and the Three-Disaster Supreme.

Their overwhelming presence nearly filled every corner of Qitian Inner City.

“The Underworld Ogre remains inert. Daily he cultivates or trains; and the Underworld Ma Mian, along with the wife and many from the Qianyuan Divine Sect brought by Li Che, stay within the courtyard cultivating. Qitian City’s divine aura is indeed perfect for cultivation.”

“The Underworld is silent. Chaos in the Outer City has raged for nearly a year. I expected the Underworld Ghost Emperor to make an appearance, but it seems he cares little about Qitian City…”

“What a pity—I was eager to test the might of a Martial Immortal!”

The voices of the three Supremes echoed continuously.

“Though the Underworld Ghost Emperor is close to Qitian, his loyalty has limits. Qitian City is in our grasp, and he shows no intent of reclaiming it.”

“I expected the Underworld Ghost Emperor to charge into the Inner City and contend with us…”

“But he is only a Martial Immortal. Though rare, those newly initiated can at best contend with the Second Calamity cultivators—how could they possibly face a Supreme?”

The three voices resonated like divine music, their clash a vortex of thunderous might.

“Qitian’s revival was an accident, but the other deities of the Yulian camp will surely pay close attention. Wherever Yulian is involved, the gods become exceedingly cautious…”

“I heard that the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince might be the next deity to reawaken. Once we settle Qitian City, we should set out to join the grand siege against the deities.”

“The Qitian Temple Spirit charged into the Earthly Bizarre Temple to battle the immortals. Entering is easy, but returning is difficult. This city is ruined—don’t waste too much time here.”

Rumbling——

The voices of the three Supremes clashed in the void.

Suddenly,

The Celestial Wolf Supreme from Guiyao Cave slowly opened his lupine eyes.

“The chaos in Qitian Outer City must end now.”

“Qitian City will soon fall completely under our control. Anyone outside the Pantheon’s influence will be exterminated.”

……

……

The night grew heavy as countless snowflakes cascaded down, draping Qitian City in a suffocating gloom.

After the birthday feast, everyone retired to their small courtyards.

Zhang Ya whispered softly with XiXi while Big Black Dog circled nearby, ears perked to listen.

After Li Che and the Boss shared a rolled cigarette,

Boom, boom, boom——

A surge of formidable energy tore through the sky, nearly rending the night apart.

Within Qitian Inner City, supreme phantom figures emerged, their voices booming and their oppressive presence shaking the very streets.

Li Che, cigarette dangling from his mouth, glanced toward Qitian Inner City, his eyes dark with lethal intent.

“Supreme…”

Li Che squinted, his gaze filled with murderous resolve.

For Qitian Inner City was the key to reclaiming Qitian City—one he was determined to recapture someday.

Yet, facing the three Supremes, his odds seemed slim. Especially with three of them.

In truth, the gods paid little attention to Qitian City when it wasn’t their focus. With the Qitian Temple Spirit engaged in the Earthly Bizarre Temple, there was little for them to contest here.

Even though Qitian City lay at the border of the Earthly and Inner Weird Sanctuaries, it held little allure for the deities.

Li Che speculated that perhaps the Pantheon had discovered a path to the Earthly Bizarre Temple.

“Those three Supremes might just be bait—to lure you out and test the might of the Underworld Ghost Emperor in the mortal realm,” the Boss remarked, dusting off cigarette ash.

Li Che smiled, flicking ash alongside the Boss.

“After a year of chaos, the Underworld Ghost Emperor still hasn’t shown himself—they’ve grown impatient.”

Rumbling——

The ancient gate of Qitian Outer City slammed shut with a mighty roar.

Startled, countless cultivators roused from sleep, gripped by a premonition of impending doom.

……

……

Meanwhile,

in Qitian Outer City,

within the three-courtyard area,

Fang Han Shu sat bathed in moonlight, leafing through the Sage Book. Suddenly, his body trembled.

A Jade Talisman materialized above his brow.

Illuminated by the cool moonlight, it shattered with a crisp sound, scattering into countless fragments like starlight across the heavens.

In a year, he had finally completed the inheritance bestowed by the ancestral patriarch Fang Xinyuan.

The heritage of Qitian Temple was now fully embodied by him, and Fang Han Shu had accepted the responsibilities that came with it.

Fang Han Shu slowly closed the book.

Under the night sky, his eyes sparkled like a river of stars.

“I have accomplished the Dao.”

……

……

Inside the restaurant,

beneath the orange glow,

he stubbed out his cigarette, watching as the smoke dissipated and the ash danced in the air.

Li Che stood, surveying the ominous Qitian City under the night sky, his ink-dark robe billowing as he stretched languidly.

Behind him, a deep black python coiled, its gaping maw thrown skyward in a fearsome roar.

The battle was about to commence!

“Since you’ve grown impatient, I’ll send you all on your way…”

“Experience firsthand what it means to be mortal…”

“Martial Immortals are invincible.”