Chapter 494: Mo City Reckoning

Splash, splash, splash——

Ink-like rain kept falling, while dark, heavy clouds swarmed over Mo City, creating an oppressive atmosphere mixed with the exhilaration and rebirth following a great calamity.

Every time Li Che lured formidable foes into Mo City and Fengdu, it became a trial by fire – the city always ended up shattered.

Isn’t the slow process of rebuilding itself a trial by fire?

This battle was no different. Although Mo City and Fengdu hardened after each collapse, the enemies Li Che brought into Mo City grew ever stronger.

For instance, this time he even drew in a Supreme.

In Mo City and Fengdu, when a supreme battle erupted the destructive force was indisputable. The entire city became ruins – nearly every building shattered. Even the Dominator Tower, far from the battle’s center, exploded and was obliterated by the shockwave.

Gushing blood flowed continuously as a colossal wolf head crashed to the ground, its wounds still oozing blood relentlessly.

The Supreme Demon Soul had long been cut down by Li Che, and the threat had vanished.

Behind him, the Ink-Splattered Ten Beasts scroll unfurled, drawing in and devouring the demonic aura and soul of the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

With a simple flick of his finger.

Two figures emerged – none other than the Poison Saint Gu Yinxuan and the Alchemy Master Gu Changqing.

Li Che had called them to extract the supreme essence blood. A Supreme Demon God is a treasure trove – not only does he possess a Demon Pill, but also essence blood, flesh, and sinew…

Gu Yinxuan and Gu Changqing stared in awe; the oppressive Supreme aura that filled the heavens made even the slightest movement nearly impossible.

Although both had advanced into the Second Calamity Realm after devouring countless Spiritual Confinement energies, compared to a Supreme their strength still fell far short.

Clutching the Yin-Yang Demon Blade, Li Che raised it slightly, aiming at the corpse of the Celestial Wolf Supreme. Even in death, the colossal body exuded a terrifying aura, its head severed yet the menace lingering.

The Demon Blade shuddered with excitement, almost as if it let out an ecstatic scream.

In an instant, the pores on the blade flared open, transforming into one razor-sharp tendril after another that viciously pierced into the Celestial Wolf Supreme’s corpse.

It was as if the blade was absorbing the demonic aura and soul. However, after taking in just a bit, it promptly reined itself in.

Splat——

The corpse split open as countless tendrils clutched a Demon Pill radiating scorching, immense energy, hovering before Li Che.

Within the pill, overwhelming demonic aura, blood essence, vital energy, and divine nature churned turbulently.

Interwoven even were traces of the Daoist Mark of the Great Way – truly befitting a Demon Pill that could rival a divine elixir.

“Lord…”

Gu Changqing’s eyes went wide.

In quality, the Supreme Demon Pill was no less impressive than the divine elixir they’d refined before.

“Can it be processed?”

Li Che inquired.

Gu Changqing swallowed hard, hesitating without an immediate reply, his expression laced with uncertainty.

Finally, he exhaled slowly.

“It’s too difficult.”

“Why would it be?” Li Che asked coolly.

Though Gu Changqing possessed his own will as a Spiritual Confinement, his obedience to Li Che was unquestionable. So he didn’t arrogantly claim to process the Supreme Demon Pill upon merely seeing it.

“Lord, the Supreme Demon Pill is saturated with supreme divine nature and marked by the Daoist Mark of the Great Way… I cannot erase that. To refine a Pure Martial Pill, its divine nature and mark must remain untouched. That point is vital.”

“Even though I’m tempted, if I can’t process the pill, it simply can’t be refined.”

Gu Changqing was forthright.

At these words, Li Che couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

After a moment’s thought, Gu Changqing added, “This isn’t like stripping divine nature from a divine elixir. Divine elixirs are plant-based, but this Demon Pill…”

“I understand,” Li Che waved him off.

It was clear what Gu Changqing meant – with his cultivation, even a thousand deaths wouldn’t wipe away the will embedded in the Supreme Demon Pill.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Without a master alchemist at hand, few could strip the divine nature from a Demon Pill. But Li Che knew just the person who could.

Without further words, Gu Changqing and Gu Yinxuan rubbed their hands together and set off to extract the supreme essence blood.

One for refining a Poison Pill and the other for concocting a Divine Pill!

After completing their tasks, both dissolved into black mist and vanished.

Li Che’s eyes swept the scene, a slight smile curling at his lips.

Previously, while hunting down the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, Li Che had employed numerous strategies – backstabs, poison, encirclement, and psychological warfare – to finally dispatch him!

But now, things were different. In an overwhelmingly dominant fashion, he had used his cultivation to shatter the Celestial Wolf Supreme’s corpse into pieces!

This was mainly due to his newfound power – having broken through to the Martial Immortal Realm and absorbing six Qimen Immortal Seeds…

Li Che exhaled lightly.

As expected…

Who in their right mind would willingly be stuck in last place, if they were powerful enough?

Although Li Che admitted that being the underdog had its own charm…

Fang Han Shu, his scholar’s robe fluttering, reformed himself with a gentle smile. Yet, deep in his eyes was a determination beyond measure.

He never imagined that he and Li Che would join forces to slay a Demon God Supreme!

After all, he was a Supreme!

Even though he was only at the Three Calamities and One Tribulation stage, he was still the pinnacle beneath the gods!

For Fang Han Shu, his heart overflowed with exhilaration at that moment!

Fang Han Shu didn’t linger. Since Li Che was more than capable of handling the corpse of a Supreme, Fang Han Shu simply clasped his fists and left Mo City and Fengdu, returning to Qitian City.

In fact, Zhou Heng had already informed Li Che of the situation.

Xuanzhen Supreme and Jia Lou Supreme had detected the trouble with the Celestial Wolf, so Fang Han Shu needed to return to Qitian City to manage the situation. If disorder spread in the Inner City, it would help to stabilize things in time.

Li Che said little. After Fang Han Shu departed, he fixed his gaze on the corpse of the Tianlang Demon God Supreme.

Then, slowly, he narrowed his eyes.

Behind him, the Ink-Splattered Ten Beasts scroll was devouring the Celestial Wolf Demon God Supreme’s demonic aura and soul, now preparing for a transformation.

It was as if it were painting the third beast of the Ten Beasts array with ink.

Li Che hadn’t used Spiritual Confinement first – not to mention if it failed, could the transformation of the Ink-Splattered Ten Beasts still proceed…

Because Li Che still needed the Supreme’s power, he chose not to attempt Spiritual Confinement and instead transformed it directly into one of the Ten Beasts.

Besides, the Qitian Inner City had also detected the Celestial Wolf’s demise, so sending him back as Spiritual Confinement wouldn’t make much sense anymore.

The Celestial Wolf Supreme had lost his status as a strategic pawn.

Moreover, Li Che felt a unique premonition rising within him.

Inside his chest, the Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel Dao Fruit leapt into action when he killed the Celestial Wolf Demon God Supreme.

At first he hadn’t noticed, but now the realization sank in.

His mind stirred as his five fingers spread, drawing in a wisp of the wolf’s demonic aura.

That wisp was instantly swallowed by the Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel, and in the next moment Li Che sensed a massive spatial wheel materializing before him.

The space wheel spun, causing the fabric of space to tear apart.

Then…

Li Che saw behind the space wheel the Qiankun Space of the Celestial Wolf Demon God Supreme!

A vault of treasured relics!

Li Che’s eyes lit up in full brilliance!

Because from the start he had intended to transform the Celestial Wolf into one of the Ten Beasts, so why struggle with Spiritual Confinement?

Spiritual Confinement was meant to make the wolf willingly expel his Qiankun Space.

But with the risk of failure and the feedback from the spatial wheel’s tremors, Li Che decided to bypass it and go straight to the source.

“It worked…”

“The Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel can peer into another’s well-guarded Qiankun Space?”

Li Che’s eyes gleamed.

But he quickly shook his head – it was still limited. He could only observe it once the other side was dead…

But that was enough!

In fact, after locking onto the spatial anchor and pinpointing the Celestial Wolf Supreme’s Qiankun Space, the maturity of the Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel Dao Fruit had increased greatly.

That good fellow – its maturity leaped up to 50%!

This greatly lifted Li Che’s spirits, increasing his anticipation for the Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel Dao Fruit.

Much of it was because he’d discovered a new way to enhance the Dao Fruit.

Originally, it was through traversing the Bizarre Temple and the mortal realm, capturing spatial energy that powered its growth.

Now with another method available, Li Che was naturally more than elated.

Clenching his fist, he absorbed the demonic aura.

The Wan Yao Di Dao Fruit trembled and greedily absorbed the aura like a parched traveler in the desert.

In an instant…

Li Che seemed to become an ocean of demonic energy, drawing every ounce of aura into himself.

The Wan Yao Di Dao Fruit, like a solitary wanderer in a desert starving for water, devoured the aura frantically.

Li Che felt an unprecedented rush of relief!

When the absorption ended, streams of light danced before his eyes.

[Dao Fruit: Wan Yao Di (LV7 10%)]

The boost was smaller than expected—only a 10% increase—but Li Che wasn’t surprised.

Once a Dao Fruit hits LV7, further upgrades become increasingly challenging.

One can imagine that further transformations would only grow tougher.

The masters of Dao Fruits were all stuck at their eighth transformation, unable to reach the ninth. The higher the stage, the more arduous the metamorphosis…

And Li Che…

With so many Dao Fruits, his challenges would surely outnumber those of even the most experienced masters.

Moreover, as his daughter grew older, the number of Dao Fruits he possessed would only increase…

“Whew——”

Li Che exhaled, his eyes sparkling as clues of the Wan Yao Di Dao Fruit’s transformation scrolled before him. He wasn’t really reading the text; his mind raced and his heart swelled.

One cannot focus on everything – priorities must be set.

So…

It was time to plan for the Dao Fruits.

But with each birthday, his daughter XiXi would gain another Dao Fruit. In the future, their numbers would skyrocket – how could he possibly plan for that?

It was a conundrum indeed.

Boom——!!!

Just as Li Che’s mind was swirling with thoughts, the boiling inky stains behind him exploded. The scroll trembled noisily, then slowly unfurled.

An image of a fearsomely savage and peerless beast took shape on the scroll!

Retaining the form of a wolf, it exuded terrifying demonic energy, resembling a ferocious hound with sharp fangs, powerful limbs, surrounded by roaring black flames. Its fur cascaded in waves, pure and dark like spilled ink.

Slowly, the inky stains receded and gathered.

[Fiery Void Calamity]

The Third of the Ten Beasts!

The scorching black flames burned intensely, its fierce eyes spraying jet-black fire that distorted the void.

In a flash, it darted into the space. One moment it was gone, then it surged out as if it had burned a hole in the void and emerged elsewhere!

Crash, crash…

Chains whipped and entwined around the Fiery Void Calamity!

Three wolf eyes flew open as flames erupted!

A terrifying pressure swept over everything, nearly engulfing every corner of Mo City and Fengdu!

Li Che’s eyes lit up instantly!

The third peerless beast!

With a flick of his finger, two black chess pieces burst forth in midair, then expanded slowly until they transformed into two additional peerless beasts!

Fan Hai Jiuying and Guai Li Zhu Huai!

The three peerless beasts, brimming with ruthless ferocity, reared into the sky, their terror unrestrained, shaking the very heavens and earth.

The entire city seemed to tremble under their cataclysmic power.

Above Li Che, the three beasts formed a subtle connection, resonating with a unique energy!

Li Che realized this was the Ten Beasts Kill Array coming into resonance.

Crash, crash——

Countless demonic auras roiled like intertwined chains, empowered by the strength of the Daoist Mark of the Great Way, binding the three beasts together.

Dark clouds billowed and demonic energy surged, as if a dreadful force were rampaging unchecked!

The three beasts unleashed an unstoppable aura. Li Che smiled in satisfaction.

With these three beasts, his daughter’s safety was further assured.

A snap of his fingers, and the three beasts transformed back into black chess pieces, vanishing without a trace.

With Fiery Void Calamity – born from the Celestial Wolf Supreme – the three beasts interlocked into a kill formation that could challenge even a Supreme of the Three Calamities and Two Tribulations.

Roar——

Thanks to the cleansing Mo Rain, much of the ruined Mo City was restored.

Tiptoeing on his toes, Li Che felt the Temporal Spatial Golden Wheel roaring behind him. With a collision into space and a step forward, he appeared atop the Dominator Tower.

Sitting cross-legged, his Ink Robe fluttering, Li Che began to review the gains from the battle with the Celestial Wolf Supreme.

In that fight, Li Che spared nothing – throwing himself completely into it. Even as his own vital energy turned demonic, he showcased the full depth of his prowess.

The six Qimen Immortal Seeds he had absorbed gave him the confidence to transcend the Supreme barrier.

Drum, drum, drum……

Within his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit pulsated and roared.

Like the drumming of celestial deities at the pinnacle of the heavens, its sound spread like a tidal wave, shattering the still-raging Mo Rain.

Boom——!!

Invisible ripples radiated from Li Che’s being, engulfing the entire city, making him the sole focal point of the heavens and earth!

Li Che’s eyes burst open with dazzling brilliance.

Light streamed past him in flashes.

[Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (LV7 80%)]

Sure enough, the battle with the Supreme had yielded bountiful gains. Combined with the earlier absorption of the sixth Immortal Seed, his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit matured to 80% – one step closer to the next level.

Even Li Che’s emotions stirred at that moment.

He knew all too well that with the ensuing conflicts – especially with his daughter XiXi caught up with the Yulian Camp – the enhancement of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit would only accelerate.

But when facing higher stages of Dao Fruit evolution, Li Che felt nothing but boundless expectation.

There was one more reason – many Dao Fruit masters were stuck at the eighth transformation. Could Li Che break that chain?

Could he shatter those shackles?!

That was what Li Che had longed for.

Rising to his feet, his energy surged as the maturity of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit brought flashes of enlightenment, though other improvements were less obvious.

Unless his Dao Fruit evolved to a new stage, the explosive transformation would not occur.

Unfolding his arms, muscles rippled along his spine like a dragon, energy vortices coalescing silently. His golden vital essence shone brilliantly.

Li Che roared towards the sky, his jet-black hair whipping like lightning!

Even without relying on sudden insights, whenever his Dao Fruit made significant leaps the Martial Immortal Will trembled within him.

In that roar, his spirit seemed to clear!

The Battle Victory Secret Technique surged rapidly through his mind.

Grasping the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, Li Che leaped into the rain, demonstrating his martial prowess. His mastery of the Battle Victory Secret Technique steadily advanced. Having just achieved a minor breakthrough, he now felt on the brink of major progress!

Splash, splash, splash——

Dark, inky rain pounded against Li Che’s body. The scorching energy evaporated the rain instantly. His hair danced wildly as he exhaled a breath that pierced the void like a divine spear!

“Awesome!”

“There’s nothing like battle!”

Though deep inside Li Che was a level-headed underdog, his warrior spirit still reveled in the raw, unadulterated thrill of combat – the feeling of growing stronger and the rush of physical power were intoxicating!

His heart pounded as he eagerly anticipated what transformation awaited his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit at LV8!

Landing back atop the Dominator Tower in the Dominator City, Li Che sat upright, surveying the ruined cityscape.

Mo City lay in shambles.

Li Che had long lost count of how many times Mo City had been shattered, reduced to ruins…

But one thing was clear – every collapse marked his ascent to greater strength.

As his daughter XiXi would say, the ruin and recovery of Mo City was the chronicle of his own growth.

However…

All of Li Che’s energy and authority had ebbed away; he sank backwards, lying above the Dominator City.

Gazing at the falling Mo Rain that magnified in his eyes, he exhaled slowly.

“I’m exhausted…”

“I’m really tired.”

…

…

Qitian Inner City.

An overwhelming Supreme aura filled every corner of the city; the oppressive pressure forced every esteemed cultivator and Divine Calamity expert to hold their breaths.

Many were panic-stricken, clueless as to why the fury of the two Supremes had burned so fiercely, as if intent on annihilating everything.

Jia Lou Supreme and Xuanzhen Supreme wielded mighty Daoist Marks that wove wildly through the sky like coiling dragons.

High above Tianlang Palace, the demonic aura had completely dissipated.

Numerous Demon God and Demon God Supreme figures from the demon clans were suppressed under the weight of the Supremes, forced to prostrate before them. Even experts of the Second, Third, or Fourth Calamity felt their hearts race.

Yet Jia Lou Supreme and Xuanzhen Supreme, after interrogating every demon clan powerhouse, received no answer. None knew where the Celestial Wolf had gone.

This uncertainty only deepened the unease in the two Supremes’ hearts.

Because the unknown is the scariest of all.

Where on earth did the wolf go?

Did he leave of his own accord, or was he forced?

If he was forced…

To have a Supreme be taken away without anyone knowing – that was no small feat!

Could it be that a divine force intervened?

Yet besides the one Temple Spirit that had stormed into Qitian Temple from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, there had been no sign of any other revived Temple Spirit!

So what was really going on?

The two Supremes exchanged troubled glances, their normally stoic expressions riddled with agitation. Normally as unshakable as mountains, they only roused anger when facing that shameless Underworld Ghost Emperor.

Now, however, a new layer of unease gripped them.

Boom——

Suddenly, above Qitian Inner City the sky turned an ominous shade of crimson, churning like boiling blood!

Jia Lou Supreme and Xuanzhen Supreme instantly heightened their senses, their heads snapping upward to gaze at the heavens.

Qitian Inner City now belonged to the Inner Bizarre Temple, so the sky above was that of the Bizarre Temple.

Looking upward, they saw a bloodstained sky, oppressive beyond measure. One Daoist Mark after another intertwined, accompanied by thunderous sounds like rolling heavenly lightning.

Then the Daoist Marks collapsed in a thunderous explosion, scattering across the land.

Xuanzhen Supreme and Jia Lou Supreme’s faces changed dramatically.

They knew exactly what this scene signified.

Countless swirls of blood churned as if forming a blood-red demonic wolf that dominated the sky – head held high, arching over heaven and earth, crying its heart out with a woeful howl…

Boom, boom——

It was as if a massive blood-red sun had collapsed in a deafening explosion!

Every cultivator in Qitian Inner City trembled as though struck by lightning.

Many Demon Gods and Demon God Supremes from the demon clans stood dumbfounded, eyes wide, their demonic auras spiraling uncontrollably as they transformed into their true demon forms, wailing.

“Our clan’s Supreme…”

“Has fallen!”

Boom——!!!

Amid swirling blood mists and crumbling Daoist Marks, Xuanzhen Supreme and Jia Lou Supreme became as cold as ice, frozen in place.

The Celestial Wolf…

He was dead!

All the omens surrounding a Supreme’s fall had materialized – a complete death, not even leaving behind a trace of his demon soul!

Who was responsible?

Just how did he die?!

Jia Lou and Xuanzhen exchanged glances, their hearts sinking. They even began to worry for their own safety – if the Celestial Wolf could die, then they could be next!

…

…

Amid the cascading blood rain, Li Che, lying on the Dominator Tower, finally emerged from Mo City and Fengdu after a brief moment of ease.

Surveying the wreckage of the city, Li Che felt a familiar, deep-seated weariness.

But there was no choice – he was a father.

For the sake of his daughter’s safety, for his family to live peacefully and united in this tumultuous world,

Li Che would simply have to work harder and endure a little more.

That was the duty of a family head.

As for the exhaustion, it was but a fleeting, sudden sentiment.

“Tired?”

In this harsh world, who wasn’t tired? For many commoners, simply surviving was exhausting.

Lü Taibai had a Feilei Chess Piece left by Li Che, so he was fully aware of the situation on Xiling Road. It stirred countless emotions in him.

Compared to those people, did he really consider himself tired?

Although his daughter’s situation was perilous and complicated, if he didn’t grow stronger, unimaginable dangers would arise.

Yet…

At least he could change everything by becoming more powerful.

But many people, even if exhausted to death, might never change a thing.

Hum——

Li Che, wearing a Bamboo Hat and an Ink Robe, stepped into Qitian Outer City.

His eyes, dark and penetrating, swept over Qitian Inner City. The Celestial Wolf had fallen – utterly dead. The ominous spectacle of the Inner Bizarre Temple had been revealed.

That sight affected even the Outer City.

Bathed in blood rain, Li Che turned and walked down a secluded alley.

Under the dim orange glow, a restaurant nestled deep within the alley looked as if it belonged to another world.

The Boss sat in front of the restaurant, smoking a rolled cigarette, while the Big Black Dog snoozed soundly on the ground.

Li Che approached at a leisurely pace, and the Boss slowly looked up, giving him a glance.

Soon, the Boss tilted his head and inspected Li Che closely, an odd glimmer in his eyes.

“Aren’t you tired?”

The Boss stubbed out his burning cigarette and asked in a calm tone.

Li Che paused, surprised that the Boss could tell.

“It’s normal for a father to be tired. It’s nothing special,”

Li Che replied with a gentle smile.

“Having a good meal will give you the strength to stand up again – to keep fighting for your family.”

Li Che smiled, producing a piece of Qian Kun Jade which he handed over to the Boss.

The Big Black Dog, stirred by the conversation, blinked sleepily and cast a soft, affectionate glance at Li Che.

The Boss glanced at the jade, then noticed within it the flesh and blood of the Tianlang Demon God Supreme.

In the past, if Li Che came with ingredients without XiXi, the Boss would never pay him any heed and wouldn’t process his cooking materials.

But this time…

The Boss, with his white robe billowing, waved his hand.

“Alright then, just wait.”