Chapter 490: The Path of Destiny Unfolds

Plum blossoms danced in the wind as hearty laughter echoed into the skies.

Lü Taibai descended from Mei Mountain, his figure gradually fading into the vast landscape.

“Ten steps, one kill; not a trace left behind in a thousand miles…”

“Such bold spirit,”

Li Che stood silently atop the peak, remembering the carefree manner of his counterpart, astonished that Lü Taibai had chosen this course.

It turned out that Lü Taibai’s rush to have XiXi inherit the Sect Master position was driven by his own secret motives—all ultimately for XiXi’s sake.

Li Che exhaled slowly.

He charged toward Xiling Road, planning to cause havoc at Xiao Lingyin Temple—and perhaps distract one faction of Jin Guang Mansion’s Third Prince in the Bizarre Temple.

The idea was promising; after all, with Lü Taibai’s cultivation, few could stand against him, and sword cultivators were renowned for their formidable combat prowess.

However, old Lv had only just stepped into a single calamity state. Even with his strength, facing the severity of a double calamity was far from effortless.

Li Che shook his head slightly, acknowledging that his opponent meant well.

Moreover, Li Che sensed a pent-up anger and obsession within Lü Taibai—a determination, perhaps, to annihilate the wicked monks of Xiling Road!

Back when they joined forces to slay the Huang Mei Great Master, Lü Taibai had remarked thoughtfully.

At that time, he probably never imagined he would break into the Divine Calamity realm so rapidly.

“Well then… onward to Xiling Road… Coincidentally, National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s next stop is Xiao Lingyin Temple, so Lü Taibai will get some backup,”

Li Che smiled softly.

For those who cared for and cherished XiXi, Li Che would never be heartless—he would always protect them.

But soon his smile faded.

“Sect Master’s Wife Xuan Qisha…”

Li Che frowned slightly. Xuan Qisha’s condition was complicated—even he doubted any rescue; the Locking Talisman would inevitably regress, reducing her to a fragile child in arms, ultimately fading away as if returning to her origins.

Lü Taibai intended to take Xuan Qisha for one final cathartic release.

“I can’t solve the Locking Talisman by any means—after all, I’m no divine tactician with talismans—but I might be able to resurrect the Sect Master’s Wife using Spiritual Confinement. That should sort out the Locking Talisman issue,”

A flicker of contemplation passed across Li Che’s eyes.

The Spiritual Confinement technique could likely resolve this matter, serving as a fallback.

For Li Che, death wasn’t the end; transforming into Spiritual Confinement meant an alternative rebirth. Life continued and consciousness endured, for it was not true death.

True death was when one fell into the cycle of reincarnation, losing individual will and consciousness.

Even if one’s body was remade, it was nothing more than a new person.

Thus, Li Che had named his force ‘The Underworld’—the realm that commands death!

That night was filled with joy, unmarred by sorrow.

Lü Taibai departed for Xiling Road with resolute determination, though Li Che knew that his ‘resolve’ was hardly fatal.

Everything had been arranged meticulously by Li Che.

As for Lü Taibai’s plan—when the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit revived, he would unleash slaughter on Xiling Road and hold back forces at Xiao Lingyin Temple…

Li Che paid little heed.

After all, Lü Taibai’s current cultivation could at best delay a single calamity or at most a state of one calamity with a double or triple tribulation in a divine calamity state.

What would truly affect the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Temple Spirit were the masters and the resurrected deities within the Bizarre Temple Pantheon.

“Jin Guang Mansion… it sure has become lively these days.”

Li Che’s eyes glittered as he shook his head and exhaled softly.

After the banquet, Lü Taibai took XiXi away, accompanied by Elder Ding Zi, who would help her learn the nuances of governing the sect.

Originally, these lessons were supposed to be taught by the Great Elder Fang Han Shu, but unfortunately, he had not returned to Qitian City.

Nonetheless, Ding Zi was well-versed in these matters.

In three days, XiXi became extremely busy—Li Che, as a father, rarely saw her these days.

Autumn rain fell gracefully, cascading from the sky.

At the gate of Qianyuan Divine Sect,

Li Che, wearing an intricately patterned ink robe, strode forward, his jet-black hair whipping in the wind like bolts of dark lightning.

On Lü Taibai’s shoulder sat a little girl in a bellyband—Sect Master’s Wife… she looked so small, like a one-year-old baby.

With her sparkling large eyes, Li Che sensed a powerful wave of divine talisman energy emanating from her.

It was the power of the Locking Talisman—a force so potentially devastating that even Li Che felt a twinge of alarm. If it exploded, its might would be unimaginable!

Rain drummed steadily on the black tiles of the palace, creating a rhythmic patter.

“Ah Che, let’s go,”

Lü Taibai, clad in white with silver hair cascading over his shoulders, hid his hands deep in his billowing sleeves that seemed to cradle autumn itself. His smile was warm, and a sword-like pattern intertwined above his brow like luminous artistry.

“Take care,”

Li Che bid him farewell.

Lü Taibai smiled. This time, before departing for Xiling Road, he had told no one of his mission—not even Fang Han Shu, nor any other elder, or even XiXi.

He feared that parting might rekindle too much sorrow.

“Qianyuan Divine Sect… I entrust it to you all,”

declared Lü Taibai with resolve.

He looked up at the majestic gate of Daocheng, his heart stirring with mixed emotions.

With this parting, who knew when he might return—or if he ever would…

A reluctant sadness still tugged at his heart.

But…

A real man must roam the world with his sword, severing all grievances!

Back in the days of hardship and suppressed fury, it was finally time to vent and let it all out!

“Let’s go!”

Lü Taibai waved goodbye to Li Che; then, with the Sect Master’s Wife cradled on his shoulder, he turned and walked into the autumn rain as if measuring the world with each step.

“Mountains and rivers endure—until fate brings us together again!”

Li Che, his ink robe fluttering, cupped his fists in a bow, watching as Lü Taibai’s figure gradually vanished into the distance.

A slight smile tugged at Li Che’s lips before, with a sudden motion, his fingers clutched a Feilei Chess Piece and he vanished on the spot.

The shattered autumn rain sliced through a fleeting afterimage and then was gone without a trace.

……

……

Li Che reappeared at the gate of Qingyun Path on the mountain of Xuanfu Divine Sect.

The Imperial Court’s punitive army had long been sharpening their blades—perhaps even the destruction of two great divine sects had only fueled their fighting spirit.

The loss during the campaign against Qianyuan Divine Sect had seemingly faded into insignificance.

The ancestral patriarch of Bashu Sword Pavilion, Gu Qianchi, was in high spirits and followed the army with unwavering determination.

Though Gu Qianchi was puzzled as to why Xie Yunshen had set his sights on Xiao Lingyin Temple—a sect not easily subdued.

Apart from the mysterious Purple Mansion Divine Sect, the strength of Xiao Lingyin Temple was second only to that of Purple Mansion Divine Sect.

Even with the Underworld’s aid…

Er…

Gu Qianchi couldn’t help but think of the famed Underworld Ghost Emperor.

After all, here was a mortal Martial Immortal!

One man had blocked the gates at Qitian Inner City, keeping three supreme lords locked within Qitian City and forcing the top fighters of the Bizarre Temple Pantheon to dare not step out.

Just hearing of such a being evoked unparalleled respect in Gu Qianchi.

If the Underworld Ghost Emperor lent his support, toppling Xiao Lingyin Temple would be a trivial matter.

Alas…

There was only one Ghost Emperor in the Underworld, and this mortal Martial Immortal had only just broken through.

Rumor had it that the Underworld Ghost Emperor had nearly burned out, his days numbered.

Without the Ghost Emperor, could the Underworld really contend against Xiao Lingyin Temple, which had the backing of the Western Lands of Buddhism?

After all, in this battle to demolish sects, one misstep could spark a war between the Buddhist kingdoms of the Western Lands and the Great Realm Court!

The Huang Mei Great Master had once been part of the punitive army, but now… when Xie Yunshen announced an expedition against Xiao Lingyin Temple, he quietly withdrew.

After all, he was still the Sect Master of Xiao Lingyin Temple—and surely shocked to learn his sect was being targeted?

“But… perhaps there is still hope to successfully subdue them?”

Gu Qianchi narrowed his eyes. The Underworld was remarkably enigmatic.

No wonder National Teacher Xie Yunshen had managed to collaborate with the Underworld—until now, Gu Qianchi could not fathom how they struck a deal.

Was it all due to his silver tongue?

In the encampment,

Li Che suddenly appeared wearing the adorable Cute Cow Mask.

Xie Yunshen cupped his fists in respect.

“Prepare yourselves, the expedition begins,”

Li Che, his massive, powerful frame straining against his garments to reveal rippling muscles, stood tall.

Xie Yunshen raised his head, fanned his feathered fan, and said with a smile, “Very good.”

Then Li Che briefly described Lü Taibai’s situation so that Xie Yunshen could keep an eye on him during the assault on Xiao Lingyin Temple.

“Rest assured, my lord. I have everything under control,”

Xie Yunshen replied with a gentle smile.

Li Che nodded, and then, activating Sleeping Dragon Elephant, he seemed to vanish into the void.

Quietly, he watched as Xie Yunshen issued orders. A detachment would remain to guard, while the Divine Guard Army of Qingyun Path City was incorporated into the punitive force, setting out for Xiling Road!

With Xie Yunshen’s mighty reinforcements, if Lü Taibai truly encountered danger on Xiling Road, he should be able to handle it.

Xie Yunshen had been granted the authority to command the Ink-Splattered Ten Beasts, and could summon both Fan Hai Jiuying and Guai Li Zhu Huai at will!

With these two fearsome beasts—capable of obliterating celestial powers—the punitive army was nearly invincible!

Even if Xiao Lingyin Temple had the backing of the Western Lands of Buddhism, what difference would it make?

Li Che’s eyes shone with a chilling resolve.

He had long harbored cold murderous intent toward Xiao Lingyin Temple, especially since its ties with the evil Buddha and the Yulian Curse on XiXi were inseparable.

This time, Li Che was unleashing overwhelming killing intent.

He intended for Xie Yunshen…

to mercilessly steamroll the enemy!

Encounter Buddha…

Slay Buddha!

……

……

Lü Taibai slipped away quietly, not disturbing a single soul at Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Most, including XiXi, assumed Lü Taibai had entered a seclusive retreat to further solidify his divine calamity cultivation and pursue even higher realms.

Thus his departure passed as quietly as a drifting cloud.

These days, XiXi was tremendously busy. With Lü Taibai finally letting go, many matters now fell to the eight-year-old girl, even though Ding Zi was there to assist and guide, the challenges still seemed overwhelming.

Yet XiXi enjoyed it—a sense of responsibility burning within her.

She declared that having inherited the position of Sect Master, no matter how young she was, she would shoulder the burden and make the sect thrive!

Frankly, inheriting the sect at eight was far too young.

But XiXi’s strength was undeniable; with Martial Saint cultivation, she compelled respect from even the mightiest experts from various divine sects and noble families.

In these days, Li Che had not troubled XiXi, while he and his wife Zhang Ya savored their days in Daocheng.

Of course, Li Che was steadily training, never pausing his own progress.

He planned to elevate the Six Desires Lv Xuan Pure Yang Sword Manual—a divine seed martial art—to the celestial seed level, merging it with the freshly acquired Primordial Spatial Dao Calamity.

This was no easy task; his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit hadn’t matured much lately.

Without its maturation, he lacked the sudden insight needed to break through and fuse his martial arts.

Now Li Che had five Qimen Immortal Seeds, and even the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace had been successfully integrated, replacing the original Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Divine Seed.

However, apart from the Qilin Sealing Inscription, his other seed martial arts were all merely at a beginner or intermediary stage.

Clang, clang, clang—

In Mo City,

Inky rain fell in torrents as Li Che spread his fingers wide, each digit transforming into a razor-sharp sword that spewed six-colored sword light, slicing through space as if it were paper.

Soon, six streams of sword light swirled into a funnel shape, and space itself collapsed as countless turbulent eddies roared!

Mo City’s rain whirled into the maelstrom, swallowed up completely as if vanished forever—engulfed by the cosmos, leaving one to wonder if it was destroyed or transported elsewhere!

Li Che was steadily mastering the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame, focusing heavily on this Dao Calamity technique.

After all, mastering the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame might one day unravel the mysteries hidden within Feilei Shift and Flying Star Transposition.

Even if the Chess Sage Dao Fruit lost its power, Li Che could still execute all manner of spatial shifts, gliding like a dragon amidst heaven and earth.

This was the very art of surviving on the edge of disaster—a skill Li Che, ever the pragmatist, found utterly fascinating.

“Soon, once I merge the Six Desires Lv Xuan Pure Yang Sword Manual with the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame, I’ll just need the right opportunity…”

Li Che exhaled, his body floating amid Mo City’s expanse, erupting a radiant burst of sword light like a resplendent sword wheel.

Sword Dao was in his blood—and he wielded it masterfully.

After all, he had once inherited the legacy of Lv Xuan Sword Immortal.

After finishing his sword cultivation, Li Che resumed his training in the Battle Victory Secret Technique—a peerless martial art that now stood as his strongest.

It naturally required time and energy to hone.

He pulled out a Martial Pill and swallowed it; his mighty stomach churned, crushing the pill as tremendous vital energy surged forth.

This was the Pill crafted by Gu Changqing, and now, all the divine medicine acquired in Qitian Inner City had been transmuted into resources for Li Che’s advancement.

Boom!

A surging tide of vital energy erupted from his body.

All 36,000 pores seemed to exude dense energy in one burst, as if a wave of bright yellow light swept over Mo City and Fengdu!

“Huff—”

“Gulp—”

With every breath, Li Che accelerated the intake of his burgeoning vital energy, like vibrant blossoms bursting forth from his flesh.

Thus Li Che persisted in training—devouring Martial Pills, refining the Battle Victory Secret Technique, and tempering his body!

Boom——!!!

A fist surged forward, igniting flames that shattered the air—this was the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame. Li Che devoted countless hours to understanding its Dao Calamity essence.

He planned to accumulate the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame to 100%—to reach the pinnacle of a complete tribulation as a Martial Immortal.

[Dragon Elephant Furnace: Martial Immortal Golden Body (45%)]

[Heaven-Defying Half-step: Shengtian Dao Domain (Thousand Feet)]

[Dao Calamity: Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame (50%), Primordial Sky-Cleaving Burst (15%), Primordial Purification Flow (15%)…]

……

After completing his training, Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped wildly, the ink robe clinging to his strong frame, outlining his brawny physique.

Glimmering data on Dao Induction and Dao Calamity flashed before his eyes.

Both his Martial Immortal Golden Body and his overall power had surged—indeed, resources were essential for rapid advancement.

Moreover, as his body grew stronger, his mastery over Dao Calamity also deepened.

In truth, Li Che now controlled six forms of Primordial Dao Calamity. Strictly speaking, he could be seen as having attained the Six Calamity Mortal Immortal realm.

That is, the state of two calamities and three tribulations—though not quite so.

After all, techniques like Primordial Demon Golden Scale and Primordial Qiankun Fight were still just at the surface.

In Li Che’s estimation, only when he fully mastered 100% could it be called a complete tribulation.

Yet possessing an extra form of Dao Calamity certainly bolstered his combat power.

Much of this came from the enhancements of the Eight Mysterious Gates Immortal Seed technique…

Now, Li Che was actively fusing and adapting the Eight Mysterious Gates Immortal Seed technique!

Eight Nine Profound Skills!

This was Li Che’s ambition and vision!

It symbolized his determination to shatter the mortal and immortal restraints!

Having completed the refinement of the Divine Pill, Li Che exhaled deeply, a ball of murk swirling high in the sky like a blazing fireball, its scorching heat warping the air!

Li Che then left Mo City Fengdu,

returning to the Elders’ Court.

Stepping out of his study, he heard XiXi feasting heartily.

“Wow—Mom’s cooking is unbelievably delicious! XiXi hasn’t had her mother’s red-braised pork in ages; it rivals even the Boss’s cooking!”

“But now, XiXi might not get to taste the Boss’s dishes for a long time!”

XiXi mumbled between bites.

Zhang Ya, gently resting her chin, watched her daughter with tender concern.

“Dad! Come here—XiXi saved a piece of meat just for you!”

XiXi, with her mouth smeared in oil, still shone with filial warmth.

Li Che rolled his eyes, “Your mom made eighteen pieces of red-braised pork and you gobbled up seventeen, leaving just half a piece. And you dare claim you’re filial?”

Instantly, XiXi flashed a wide, toothy grin.

“Have you been really busy and tired lately?”

“No time to come home for meals?”

Li Che pulled out a chair and sat, inquiring.

After a bowl of hot soup, XiXi exhaled, “There’s been quite a stir at Jin Guang Mansion. With so many strong experts gathering there… order has become a problem.”

“Master Nan Lihuo sent a message to XiXi, seeking aid from our orthodox sect…”

XiXi wrinkled her cute nose and continued.

“Countless murders have occurred at Jin Guang Mansion, and order in the Capital is completely in disarray. So many experts—Martial Saint, Divine Seed, even several Divine Calamity experts and Martial Gods—have descended. Jin Guang Mansion is truly outmatched…”

“Dad, XiXi was supposed to visit Dragon Island too!”

“Now there’s no need…”

XiXi lifted her head, her big eyes sparkling as she said.

“Hmm?”

Li Che paused, puzzled, “Why?”

Indeed, Li Che had been preparing to take XiXi to Dragon Island to retrieve the Qian Kun Jade.

“Because… Dragon Island has been relocated into the Jiulong River area by the Four Seas Dragon Gods!”

“It seems the Four Seas Dragon Gods plan to stir up the revival of the Third Prince and then, using powerful allies from various factions within the Bizarre Temple Pantheon, suppress him!”

XiXi folded her hands on her hips and huffed.

“Was that your analysis?”

Li Che arched an eyebrow, asking.

XiXi scratched the back of her head, “XiXi figured out a little bit; the rest was analyzed by Senior Brother Zhuang You.”

“Senior Brother? Lü Taibai’s eldest disciple?”

XiXi nodded, “Exactly! Senior Brother Zhuang You received a letter from Master Taibai and hurried back to analyze it for me. XiXi thinks it makes perfect sense.”

Li Che was, of course, aware of Lü Taibai’s eldest disciple—allegedly the reincarnation of the Temple Spirit, ethereal and transcendent…

Who would have thought he would actually return this time?

Li Che continued, “Dad, XiXi might have to head over to Jin Guang Mansion…”

XiXi dabbed her mouth.

“After all, Jin Guang Mansion falls within the sphere of influence of Qianyuan Divine Sect. We can’t let them steal all the limelight, and our sect must make its stance known, or Master Nan Lihuo and the others will be disheartened. Many forces are being overly domineering, even aiming to seize Golden Light Peak! Master Nan Lihuo and his men are barely holding on…”

XiXi explained.

Looking at the more mature XiXi, Li Che’s eyes softened with pride.

“Alright, Dad will accompany you,”

But XiXi shook her head like a rattle, “Dad, Jin Guang Mansion is extremely dangerous…”

“If you go, it won’t be as dangerous, will it?” Li Che chuckled.

XiXi rubbed her hands, her eyes gleaming, “So, Dad, why not lend me that Big Monkey Cannon?”

Li Che couldn’t help but laugh silently. Sure enough, the little girl had her sights set on the All-Encompassing Arms of the divine mechanism!

Now that XiXi had broken through to Martial Saint, she could barely control the All-Encompassing Arms…

“That’s far too dangerous,”

“Dad should be with you…”

XiXi beamed happily, feeling her father’s care.

Unable to persist, she relented.

“Besides, since you’re a Martial Saint now, I must upgrade your mechanisms…”

Li Che said with a smile.

XiXi’s eyes lit up with anticipation—what kind of upgrade would her father prepare?!!

Could she finally set off fireworks again?

Now that she was a Martial Saint, was it really time for fireworks?!

XiXi’s heart leapt with joy, all pretense of maturity falling apart at the thought of fireworks.

Li Che looked at XiXi bouncing happily under the table, his expression softening.

He knew it was time to upgrade his daughter’s firepower; with the impending crisis, the enhanced strength would pack a deadlier punch!

Time to equip both the Xiangong Gatling and the Xiangong Barrett with the extreme-pressure Yulian Thunder Pellet!

Don’t be fooled—although XiXi had just broken through to Martial Saint, even the little one wielded devastating power!

Now that his daughter had become Sect Master of Qianyuan Divine Sect, she must embody the aura of a true leader!

And a leader’s aura was, naturally, inherited from her dear old dad!

After a moment’s thought…

Li Che clenched his fist, and a pitch-black Chess Piece materialized in his palm.

It was the very Chess Piece that had taken shape from the second menace in the Ten Fierce Ink Splatter Scroll—a transformation inspired by the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme’s blueprint—embodying the fearsome power of Guai Li Zhu Huai!

XiXi took the Chess Piece and immediately sensed the terrifying aura of ferocity contained within, even perceiving that a massive ferocious beast lurked inside!

This would ensure that even XiXi had the means to summon a fearsome beast if needed.

Li Che’s role was to continuously bolster his daughter’s capital as the sect master!

So that when XiXi made her grand debut before all powers, she would truly stun them with her might!

While Li Che could not directly enhance her cultivation, he could greatly contribute in accumulating trump cards.

“Wow—!!!”

XiXi was instantly elated!

She dashed over, leapt into Li Che’s arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck, showering him with kisses.

“Alright, alright…”

Li Che mockingly pressed his palm against the little one’s neck.

“All this is a method from the Underworld. Your old man has secretly equipped you with it… if anyone dares bully you, just summon that ferocious beast…”

“In the mortal realm, hardly anyone can contend with this Guai Li Zhu Huai.”

“But inside the Bizarre Temple, it’s not utterly invincible.”

Li Che laughed.

“Alright, thank you, Dad! Daddy, kiss me!”

XiXi giggled happily.

Finally, Li Che leaned in close, letting XiXi give him a quick peck.

Then, XiXi retrieved her pink Three-in-One Mechanical Cannon from the Qian Kun Jade and handed it to Li Che.

“Dad, hurry up and improve it! I’m so excited!”

The little girl, her feet tapping excitedly on the ground, bounced in place.

Li Che smiled warmly.

Soon, XiXi took her leave, her body vibrating as she sped toward Taibai Peak on the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel to resume her role as the little sect master.

Yet Li Che, clutching XiXi’s Three-in-One Mechanical Cannon, saw his smile gradually fade.

“Jin Guang Mansion…”

Suddenly, Li Che’s heart shuddered violently.

His eyes flashed with unexpected delight.

Before he could say another word, he clenched his fist in front of Zhang Ya and disappeared without a trace.

He reappeared…

but now in Qitian City.

Qitian City.

Autumn rain poured down in torrents, draping the entire city in misty drizzle.

Within Qitian Outer City, an overwhelming presence of supreme power rumbled and clashed, as the three supreme lords from the Bizarre Temple Pantheon seemed to be at odds, their energies constantly colliding.

Yet Li Che paid them no mind; whether their strife was genuine or feigned was irrelevant to him—after all, sending Zhou Heng back was merely a casual move.

He never expected the three supreme lords to end up slashing each other severely in their internal feud.

Li Che reappeared at the City Lord’s Residence in Qitian Outer City.

There, Fang Han Shu sat calmly in a rocking chair, holding the Sage Book.

When he saw Li Che materialize in an instant, his eyes sparkled brilliantly.

“Ah Che, you’re here,”

Fang Han Shu said with a composed smile.

His magnificent beard swayed as his scholarly robe flapped in the breeze.

Despite the drenching autumn rain, starlight pierced through the downpour, illuminating him as though he were transformed into a cascade of stardust.

Li Che’s eyes glittered as he glanced at Fang Han Shu, then raised his hand to tap his brow.

With resonant clangs, the Star Plucking Gaze burst forth and, in the next moment, the Cosmic Chessboard soared into the clouds, completely cloaking the area’s aura!

Divine patterns of the Dao coalesced!

Majestic symbols of divine might intertwined like countless dragons rolling in the storm!

Fang Han Shu…

was on the verge of breakthrough!

He was about to become the first supreme leader of the Underworld!