Chapter 486: A Father’s Oath

“Dad…”

A soft call floated through time and space—a sound laced with fear, grievance, sorrow, yet uttered with utmost caution.

It was as if one wrong move could shatter the fragile scene before them like a reflection in water, so even the cry was burdened with countless emotions, never allowed a moment of release.

That voice, heavy with unspeakable grievances, made Li Che’s heart tremble slightly.

Li Che rested his palm on XiXi’s head, while XiXi tilted her head as if she hadn’t heard a word; she seemed oblivious to what her older sister was saying to Dad.

Instead, her eyes blinked happily as all her discontent vanished, her lips curving into an uncontrollable smile.

Sure enough, whenever she hesitated or encountered danger, Dad would appear. As long as he was there, all her troubles were kept at bay.

Having such a dad was truly wonderful!

XiXi’s heart soared with joy. At eight, her innocent nature burst forth, even humming a merry tune.

Yet if XiXi heard her older sister calling out to Li Che, her carefree grin might just vanish.

She might feel as if her home were being stolen from her.

After all, XiXi had always believed that Dad belonged to her alone.

Li Che’s eyes filled with complex emotions as he listened to that timeless call of “Dad,” leaving him conflicted.

Big XiXi…

Her experiences were likely far beyond what Li Che could ever imagine.

The fate of the executioner of heaven and earth; the mountains of corpses and seas of blood Li Che had once witnessed; the countless Temple Spirits trembling in fear; the supreme deities of the Bizarre Temple Pantheon and even divine beings who opposed the resurrection of Yulian’s Daughter…

All spoke of how, in the years without Li Che, Big XiXi had known too much suffering and endured too many torments.

That egg upon the black lotus pedestal, meant to seduce XiXi—perhaps once it had tried to bewitch Big XiXi in the same way—but without Li Che, without Dad’s protection, she had no choice…

She had chosen to accept the egg, accepted the so-called fate, and become an executioner stained with blood—a fate of endless slaughter, draining her spirit and leaving nothing but despair in her eyes.

Li Che was deeply curious: Why had Big XiXi appeared?

Was she the XiXi of a past life, or that of the future, or from another dimension entirely?

But why would a XiXi from another time be embedded so deeply in her soul?

In a fleeting moment, Li Che’s mind raced through myriad thoughts, questioning and exploring every possibility.

At last, his gaze solidified as he watched a breeze stir the ebony tresses of the young girl, setting them aflutter.

“I’m here. Dad’s here,”

Li Che whispered softly.

Whoooosh——

In the dark void, a black lotus burst into bloom.

The girl with long, straight black hair, her deep, dark eyes swirling with countless emotions, was awash with tumultuous feelings.

She pressed her lips together, as if retrieving a forgotten trace of her father from the depths of her memory—a shadow gradually overlaying her own reflection.

Tears streamed down her face; though she tried to hold them back stubbornly, they cascaded uncontrollably.

Even the strongest of hearts can shatter when touched by a moment of compassion.

With a soft sigh, Li Che picked up XiXi and stepped before the young girl, gently patting her head just as he had with XiXi.

It was as cold and unyielding as an iceberg.

Yet Li Che’s Martial Immortal Will blazed with a radiant heat, exuding intense warmth.

“XiXi, cheer up! Big Sister, hang in there!”

XiXi stretched out her small hand and lightly placed it on Li Che’s palm.

In that moment, the scene froze—like an eternal painting etched into the heart of the dark-haired maiden, a sanctuary of her soul.

The look in her dark, straight hair captured eyes seemed stirred by emotion.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Li Che.

“Thank you…”

Whooosh——

The shadowy scene collapsed in an instant.

……

……

Taibai Peak.

Whoooosh——

A wild gust arose, tumultuous and fierce, as lightning intertwined above the Vaulted Heavens. An awe-inspiring divine presence gathered, making the world feel oppressively confined.

Above the dome, swirling blood-red clouds exuded a terrifying pressure, as if the heavens were seething with wrath, poised to unleash devastating retribution!

It was as if a deity had emerged from the leaden clouds, its furious visage intent on erasing the blood-red orb atop Taibai Peak!

“Martial Saint Thunder Calamity!”

Inside Taibai Hall.

Lü Taibai fixed his gaze and spoke in a low, solemn tone.

The disciples of Qianyuan Divine Sect held their breath, standing at a distance to watch this unfolding spectacle, their hearts filled with endless doubt.

XiXi hadn’t yet shattered the divine orb—so why now call down the Martial Saint Thunder Calamity?

Could it be that XiXi had already broken through?

So many questions swirled in their minds that even the wise Ancestral Patriarch Lü Qiankun couldn’t offer an explanation; the situation was utterly impenetrable.

Perhaps it was the unique calamity of Yulian’s Daughter.

Boom——!!!

A dazzling burst of light erupted from the heavens, turning the world momentarily into darkness. The brilliance of the lightning stole every onlooker’s gaze, leaving everything else dim.

The clouds churned like a vortex, and amid the tempest of interwoven lightning, a sudden roar erupted as a bolt—a spear of lightning as if hurled by a vengeful deity—plunged downward.

It transformed into a ferocious storm serpent of lightning, wild, savage, and terrifying!

Thud——!!!

The bolt smashed into the divine orb. The very air atop Taibai Peak rippled outward in concentric waves, expanding and reforming into howling winds.

The gales surged like tidal waves, overwhelming everything!

Countless bolts tore through the air, fracturing the surface of the Grand Plaza into jagged, broken shards, leaving ravines in their wake.

The sheer force of the thunder left Feng Zhiqi himself, a peerless Martial Saint, trembling in awe and terror.

Even when he first encountered the Martial Saint calamity, nothing like these layers of lightning had been seen—the disparity was enormous!

Was this the trial meant for a mortal?

Crack——

Under the relentless assault of the lightning, the divine orb, seemingly unable to bear the strain, split with a shattering sound.

In an instant, an untamed surge of refined energy burst forth from the orb, like an endless ocean of ethereal power!

A purple spear shot forth from the break, tearing through the rift, and then XiXi’s figure soared heavenward, enveloped by countless streams of energy. Blood surged within her as if set ablaze.

Martial Saint stage achieved!

Her Human Elixir unfurled, merging with the surging refined energy and the Three-Flower Gang Qi, transforming her into a formidable Primordial.

XiXi opened her eyes; her raven hair swayed wildly in the wind, while two towering braids resembled spears. Emboldened, she stood aloft—one hand gripping a long spear, the other resting on her waist—with an audacity only an eight-year-old Martial Saint could possess.

An eight-year-old Martial Saint—indeed, XiXi had every right to be cocky!

On Taibai Peak, shouts of amazement echoed continuously. Many faces sparkled with wonder and admiration.

Zhang Ya too let out a cheer, her heart finally easing as she watched XiXi burst forth from the shattered divine orb.

A smile tugged at Li Che’s lips; his Martial Immortal Will had returned. The Feilei Chess Piece on XiXi ensured he could always monitor her, and if it sensed anything amiss, Li Che would descend with his Martial Immortal Will.

In truth, that chess piece played a crucial role in protecting his daughter.

Without it, Li Che couldn’t guarantee XiXi’s safety every moment.

“Elder Li, congratulations! A tiger of a father and a daughter who’s no less—a young sect leader blessed with unparalleled talent and unmatched martial prowess! It’s a true blessing for Qianyuan Divine Sect!”

Surrounded by elders including Feng Zhiqi and Zhao Fangzhou, many crowded around Li Che to offer hearty congratulations.

Just like a parent celebrating their child’s outstanding exam scores, Li Che’s heart swelled with joy, his smile beaming brighter than when he broke through the Martial Saint stage himself.

Not even the exhilaration of breaking through the Martial Immortal realm compared to this uplifting praise.

Encircled by congratulatory voices, the praise was unceasing.

Even Li Che, who usually despised noisy crowds, felt no discomfort at all.

He gazed upward at XiXi, who, riding atop her Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel, dashed wildly between heaven and earth, a smile on his lips.

There was a sublime joy in simply watching his daughter grow stronger.

It was truly magical.

……

……

Little Sect Leader Li Nuǎnxi of Qianyuan Divine Sect—at eight, she has broken through to the Martial Saint realm!

This news swept through Daocheng like a storm, even surging mightily through the Eleven Routes of Dajing.

Eight years old—an eight-year-old Martial Saint… it was almost unbelievable.

What do they do at eight?

Maybe just play in the mud!

But some are already Martial Saints at eight!

How in the world do they cultivate such monsters?

Martial cultivation depends not only on innate talent but also on unwavering perseverance. Even with plenty of talent, every move takes time to perfect.

Moreover, conditioning the flesh is an incredibly tedious task.

Lü Taibai beamed as he watched XiXi break through to the Martial Saint stage. As her teacher, his joy knew no bounds!

He felt as if he were drenched in honey, unable to stifle his laughter.

Whoooosh——

A blade of light shot skyward.

Lü Taibai ascended, soaring upward as divine energy spread. The Heaven and Earth Soul was stirred, even causing the sky over Daocheng to shift.

Now, Lü Taibai was in the midst of a Divine Calamity Advancement, his aura even more imposing. He knew that Daocheng harbored many powerful figures from the Pantheon.

Yet today, with his spirits high, people often said that none of Lü Taibai’s disciples were normal. Wasn’t an eight-year-old Martial Saint disciple hardly ordinary?

“An eight-year-old Martial Saint disciple… isn’t that abnormal?!”

Lü Taibai roared with laughter, his voice echoing through all of Daocheng.

“In three days, the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Inheritance Ceremony will commence. All are welcome to witness the event.”

“Hahaha——”

His words sent a shockwave through Daocheng.

Every major family in Daocheng began planning gifts. This event was monumental—after all, an eight-year-old Martial Saint as the young sect leader was a phenomenon. Ordinary gifts would only invite ridicule.

Moreover, to forge closer ties with Qianyuan Divine Sect, thoughtful offerings were a must.

Qianyuan Divine Sect, with its dual divine calamities, stood proudly even among the great divine sects of the Great Realm!

Three days wasn’t long, yet not short either.

The air of Daocheng was filled with a festive, New Year-like atmosphere as every household adorned red paper and lanterns in celebration of the upcoming Inheritance Ceremony.

Even though, logically, when Sect Leader Lü Taibai would step down, people might be sorrowful, it was clear that under his leadership, Daocheng had become almost otherworldly.

Everyone rejoiced because little XiXi, who had broken through to Martial Saint at just eight, was an extraordinary prodigy. They celebrated the bright future of Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Mei Mountain.

Li Che’s ink robe fluttered in the wind, his jet-black hair whipping like divine whips that shattered the air with explosive force.

With a gentle smile, Li Che stepped onto Mei Mountain, where plum blossoms bloomed—apparently, plums graced the mountain every season, their fragrance lingering like a well-forged spirit.

With his current cultivation, uncovering the location of the Bizarre Temple through its eerie mists was no challenge at all.

The breeze murmured, carrying the scent of falling plums.

Speckled pink petals danced across the mist-laden ground, adding an air of mystery.

With determined strides, he set foot on the premises of the Mysterious Manifestation of the True Lord of Divine Revelation at the Bizarre Temple.

Inside, the temple was solemn. The Painted Immortal Clone stood silently on the altar, flanked by a lean black dog poised as if on a hunt.

Candles flickered all around, burning in a dim yet persistent glow.

High on the altar, the Divine Eagle sat in an indistinct visage shrouded by dense mist. Only a cleft in its brow revealed piercing, divine eyes.

Li Che had once inquired with the Boss whether this was indeed the Mysterious Manifestation of the True Lord of Divine Revelation—but the Boss had not given a clear answer.

No answer was tantamount to consent?

Li Che couldn’t simply assume so—raising his left hand, he hummed with energy. In the blink of an eye, the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade burst forth, gripped tightly in his hand.

At the Bizarre Temple, during the Temple Spirit Resonance, he had acquired three luminous orbs.

Choosing the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade from among them, that divine weapon had proven invaluable—even during the battle at Qitian City when it unleashed its divine aura to vanquish foes.

Li Che felt a measure of gratitude toward the True Lord of Divine Revelation.

He sat cross-legged as a gentle breeze swept by, and the entire world fell into a deep stillness.

Gazing at the Divine Eagle for what seemed like ages, not a ripple disturbed its posture.

Yet Li Che paid it no mind.

“Hoo—”

“Hiss—”

With each breath, clarity filled his heart.

Placing the Thunder Demon Blade across his lap, Li Che closed his eyes slightly, entering a state of cultivation. As his mind stirred, he entered the Dao Tribulation Space, beginning his daily trial.

The power of the Primordial Dao Calamity began to weave around him.

Even the divine energy within the Bizarre Temple rippled gently.

Atop the altar,

The Divine Eagle of the True Lord of Divine Revelation trembled slightly, and the surrounding mists tore and intertwined.

That singular, upward-gazing eye seemed to slowly shift its focus.

It settled upon the seated, meditating figure.

Gradually… something felt off.

……

……

Within the Cosmic Chessboard, images intertwined.

Mists billowed thickly, but thanks to the Feilei Chess Piece left on Eunuch Lian, even separated by the Bizarre Temple, the scene was captured with astonishing clarity.

Li Che’s Martial Immortal Will constantly observed the scene, his heart as calm as a still ancient well.

He intended to seize the flag of calamity—but only when the timing was perfect and all preparations were complete.

For this trial of calamity meant he must venture deep into the Bizarre Temple.

Even though he now wielded the strength of a Martial Immortal, the perils of the Bizarre Temple were enough to devour even one of his caliber.

Within that realm, power knew few bounds—supreme beings could display their full might, and even divine entities might reveal themselves…

Li Che was, after all, only at the Mortal Dao Immortal realm.

When confronted with a supreme force, retreat was inevitable.

Thus, Li Che needed to first ascertain precisely who the opponents were on this journey.

Were there hidden strongmen? Might a supreme being be lurking in the shadows?

Li Che felt a strong yearning for the Ju Xian Flag. He longed to wield that divine weapon paired with the Gathering Celestial Yellow Flag.

Collecting all the Ju Xian Flags wasn’t an easy task—even the Emperor possessed only the Ju Xian Xuan Flag and the Ju Xian Di Flag.

But Li Che was not picky. Since the Emperor had chosen to present a Ju Xian Flag, he dared to seize it!

He had even learned from Eunuch Lian of the Emperor’s murderous intent toward Qianyuan Divine Sect. The Emperor’s ulterior motive in lending the Ju Xian Flag was to force out a supreme enemy.

Not only to deal with the Underworld Ghost Emperor, but also to lay low Qianyuan Divine Sect.

“XiXi has just become the sect leader of Qianyuan Divine Sect—how can we allow such events to occur?”

Li Che vowed that his daughter would never have to worry, and his actions would speak louder than words.

He was also secretly maneuvering against the Great Jing Court.

Now, National Teacher Xie Yunshen had become his Spiritual Confinement, diligently aiding in gathering the Qi of the Eleven Routes of Dajing and amassing the Destiny Golden Lotus.

Already, the Destiny Golden Lotus had been consolidated from both Tian Dan Divine Sect and Xuanfu Divine Sect.

National Teacher Xie Yunshen was one of the Great Jing Emperor’s trusted confidants—the Emperor had discovered him among the masses, recognized his unwavering loyalty, and never doubted him.

He was even granted a share of the Great Jing realm’s fortune, with the hope that Xie Yunshen would shatter the divine sect defenses along the Eleven Routes, thus unifying the Qi into the Twelve-Grade Mountain-and-River Golden Lotus!

That was the Emperor’s ambition…

And it was also Li Che’s ambition. The Yulian Curse within XiXi was strong and mysterious.

This time, Li Che even saw the curse corroding XiXi’s will, trying to make her succumb to the pain of losing parents, fallen comrades, and a shattered sect, turning her into Yulian’s Daughter.

Thus, Li Che needed to take extraordinary measures to suppress the curse.

He had even consulted with Qitian, who had long conversed with the Qitian Temple Spirit.

From that discussion, he learned how to suppress the Yulian Curse within XiXi.

At that time, the Qitian Temple Spirit’s expression was indescribably complex. In truth, the Yulian faction didn’t want Yulian’s Daughter to defy the curse.

For only by embracing the curse and accepting her fate could she truly lead the Yulian camp.

Yet succumbing to the Yulian Curse was an act of unparalleled cruelty.

Still, Qitian revealed the way.

“Balance the cursed power with the Twelve-Grade Mountain-and-River Golden Lotus…”

Slowly, Li Che opened his eyes at the Mysterious Manifestation of the True Lord of Divine Revelation in the Bizarre Temple.

Condensing the Twelve-Grade Mountain-and-River Golden Lotus was no small feat, but for XiXi, Li Che was willing to try.

That was why he hadn’t alerted the enemy before the Golden Lotus could fully gather—if the Great Jing Court fell, all would be lost.

The Great Jing realm’s fortune played a pivotal role in merging the Eleven Golden Lotuses into one.

“Great Jing Emperor…”

Li Che’s eyes flickered open and then closed again.

In truth, behind the Great Jing Imperial House stood the clandestine Dark Heavenly Court of the Pantheon. Li Che and the Imperial Court were destined to be adversaries.

Rising to his feet, his ink robe fluttering, Li Che clenched his fist and affixed the Cute Cow Mask to his face.

Then, with a firm grip, the Feilei Chess Piece appeared in his palm, clutched tightly.

In an instant, he vanished from that spot.

When he reappeared, he stood within the mountain gate of Qingyun Path in Xuanfu Divine Sect.

On the peak of the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, Xie Yunshen was quietly scribbling, deep in thought about his next move.

Now, Xie Yunshen wasn’t laboring to consolidate the Qi of the Eleven Routes of Dajing, but rather for the sake of both the primary and secondary young sect leaders.

When Li Che, wearing the Ogre Mask, appeared, Xie Yunshen immediately sensed him and hurriedly rose, clasping his hands in greeting.

Beside him, the head of Xiao Lingyin Temple, Huang Mei Great Master, also saluted respectfully.

After the collapse of Xuanfu Divine Sect, Xie Yunshen took charge of the situation, and once the Destiny Golden Lotus was consolidated, personnel were dispatched to secure Qingyun City.

The overwhelming stench of blood lingered, impossible to dispel.

The old patriarch of Xuanfu had sacrificed the entire mountain gate to gain a three-calamity boost in cultivation—a move many deemed laughable.

Yet for those facing a dead end in cultivation, it was the only desperate bid.

It might defy natural law, but it was a last resort.

However, the old patriarch of Xuanfu was beyond pity—he had to be eliminated.

Li Che, adorned with the Ogre Mask and towering like a mountain, stood atop the peak, letting the wind and waves buffett him.

Xie Yunshen trailed silently behind him.

“Have you decided on the next destination?” Li Che asked coolly.

The Twelve-Grade Mountain-and-River Golden Lotus needed to be gathered, which Li Che could not do alone—he relied on Xie Yunshen.

Thus, Li Che held Xie Yunshen in high regard, even having him absorb a considerable amount of Spiritual Confinement at this feast.

Once Xie Yunshen finished refining the Spiritual Confinement, his cultivation might well break through to Divine Calamity.

This was something Xie Yunshen never dared dream of in his life, given his poor innate talent.

But Li Che had given him hope—making the impossible a possibility.

Clad in scholarly robes, with a ribbon on his head and a feather fan in hand, Xie Yunshen’s eyes shone brilliantly as he proclaimed with fervor, “My lord, our next target is Western Road… Xiao Lingyin Temple!”

Li Che’s brow furrowed in surprise. “Why Xiao Lingyin Temple?” he wondered. “Are we attacking the first three divine sects so soon?!”

Purple Mansion Divine Sect, South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove, and Xiao Lingyin Temple—each a force to be reckoned with. When Qitian City was first established, each had dispatched formidable warriors.

Among them, Purple Mansion Divine Sect boasted such profound strength it was nearly inscrutable.

Their sect leader, Zhang Wuji, even possessed the might of a Second Calamity Venerable.

Furthermore, Xiao Lingyin Temple was backed by the Western Lands of Buddhism, practically synonymous with Hei Xumi—an indomitable force among the Pantheon.

That Xie Yunshen targeted Xiao Lingyin Temple so early caught Li Che completely off guard.

Xie Yunshen, with a leisurely wave of his feather fan, explained, “After decimating Tian Dan Divine Sect and Xuanfu Divine Sect, the Imperial Court’s mountain-breaking army has shaken many divine sects.”

“Xiao Lingyin Temple lies along Western Road, adjacent to the Western Lands of Buddhism, its back against those lands… Even after our victories, the deterrence isn’t enough to force Xiao Lingyin Temple to abandon Western Road and shed the dagger planted in Great Jing’s belly.”

“If we continue our assault, Xiao Lingyin Temple will inevitably sense danger and alert the Western Lands, complicating matters further.”

Xie Yunshen laid out the pros and cons to Li Che.

Li Che, mulling it over, nodded his assent.

“Very well, let’s proceed with your plan…” he said with a smile, refraining from interfering with Xie Yunshen’s campaign.

“Rest assured, for the sake of our young sect leader, I will give my all!”

Feeling the weight of responsibility, Xie Yunshen clasped his hands and spoke gravely.

Li Che nodded, offering a few final words of encouragement before departing. Trusting Xie Yunshen, he let him take charge—after all, for conquering mountains, shattering sects, and uniting the Mountain-and-River Golden Lotus, Xie Yunshen was the true expert.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The atmosphere in Daocheng grew ever more jubilant, resembling a grand festival. Every household adorned red paper and lanterns, celebrating the impending Inheritance Ceremony.

All the great divine sects made an effort to be respectful, sending their elders with lavish gifts to honor Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Even the mysterious Purple Mansion Divine Sect and South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove sent gifts.

On Taibai Peak, the ceremony was held on the expansive Grand Plaza. Invited dignitaries sat arranged in neat rows.

Li Che and Zhang Ya, the parents of the new sect leader, sat in the front rows.

Their status was too exalted for them to sit any lower—even if not at the head, their seats were by no means weak.

Others like Li Qingshan, Granny Mu, Old Chen, and Uncle sat further back.

Dong——

Dong——

The sound of bells resounded like rolling waves, creating ripples in the void that spread throughout the city.

Under the guidance of Third Elder Ding Zi, the Inheritance Ceremony officially commenced. Originally, such ceremonies were presided over by Grand Elder Fang Han Shu, but with Fang Han Shu busy reopening Qitian Temple in Qitian City and Second Elder Zhao Fangzhou inexperienced in such rites, Lü Taibai assigned Ding Zi to host.

Disciples of Qianyuan Divine Sect gathered atop Taibai Peak.

Although Taibai Peak was vast, shadows of figures mingled and at times it felt crowded.

Yet the atmosphere remained jubilant. The disciples embraced the new sect leader without complaint—after all, XiXi had the right to lead, even at just eight.

After all, though XiXi’s Martial Saint cultivation wasn’t as refined as that of an established divine sect, her youth and the protection of Li Che, who had once distinguished himself in the sect war as Li Shengshou, spoke volumes.

The ceremony was elaborate, but no one complained. Such grandeur was expected for a sect leader’s Inheritance Ceremony—the standard for any great divine sect.

Since XiXi was so young, many of the rituals were simplified.

Holding onto Li Che’s arm, Zhang Ya watched as the solemnly attired XiXi ascended the stage, her eyes brimming with pride.

“Honey, our XiXi has grown up!”

Zhang Ya cooed softly.

Li Che chuckled, “She’s still just a little kid. Even as a sect leader, she’s just a kid—haha.”

Zhang Ya playfully smacked Li Che’s arm.

Li Che’s smile gradually faded as he studied XiXi—a miniature dignitary, so mature beyond her years—and exhaled slowly, eyes closing briefly.

In the next moment, only the Painted Immortal Clone remained in that place.

And Li Che himself had already reappeared at the Mysterious Manifestation of the True Lord of Divine Revelation in the Bizarre Temple.

Candle flames flickered and danced.

Li Che’s expression turned unusually grim.

His body trembled as mighty surges of Qi churned, like flames intermingling with fire.

With a faint smile, Li Che clenched his fist and affixed the Cute Elephant Mask to his face—the aura of demonic energy now poured forth, completely altering his identity.

He swapped his bamboo hat for the Golden Lotus Ink Robe.

Initially, Li Che had wished to stay and watch XiXi’s ceremony, but he had matters to attend to.

As a father, witnessing his child’s honored moment was important.

Yet silently protecting her growth by quelling threats before they ignited was just as crucial.

In truth, he would have stayed longer if circumstances had not taken an unexpected turn.

A flicker in his mind.

The Cosmic Chessboard spanned above his head.

Li Che looked up; the Feilei Chess Piece affixed to Eunuch Lian revealed, in that instant, images of the protective formation around the Ju Xian Flag in the Bizarre Temple.

Within that scene…

Mists intermingled, but the severity of the atmosphere and…

The tension was palpable!

A deadly silence!

It turned out…

Someone had beaten Li Che to it—they were seizing the flag!