Chapter 495: A Feast of Divine Flavors and Rising Resolve

Ding-a-ling…

The restaurant’s wind chime swayed gently, chiming a clear, crisp sound—like a breeze over spring waters, rippling outward in tide-like waves.

Steam billowed upward from a serving of wolf meat fire-baked to perfection. Each translucent slice of wolf meat sparkled like crystal, bursting with vibrant sheen and an intoxicating aroma.

The Boss had prepared the blood and flesh of Celestial Wolf Supreme, its rich fragrance nearly enveloping the entire restaurant, as if soon to rival the scent wafting across Qitian City.

After all, it was supreme blood and flesh, exquisitely flavored. Coupled with the Boss’s culinary skills, the dish nearly overwhelmed Li Che’s senses; one bite almost stole his very breath.

He devoured it heartily, accompanied by a bowl of glistening white rice.

Scooping up the meat, he ate vigorously, bite after bite with unbridled enthusiasm!

Inside the restaurant, silence reigned. The Boss, a non-smoker, idly played with a translucent, dazzling orb in his hand.

In no time at all, Li Che finished his meal and slumped back in his chair, exhaling deeply. His face flushed with energy, every acupoint seemingly buzzing with revitalized vigor.

As expected—no wonder he was the Boss!

The essence within the Celestial Wolf Supreme blood and flesh had been perfectly preserved by his cooking—a single meal felt as potent as several divine medicinal pills.

This level of culinary artistry was nothing short of miraculous; calling it a gift of divine hands would be an understatement—it was pure, immortal skill!

Li Che savored the taste, reluctant to see it end, yet even the grandest feast must eventually conclude.

Indeed, even the most delectable flavors grow bland with excess.

Without lingering further, Li Che retrieved the Demon Pill of Celestial Wolf Supreme. Its dense demonic aura instantly permeated the restaurant.

The Boss paused his fidgeting with the orb and shot a cautious glance.

“So, you want me to strip the divine essence and Daoist markings from this Demon Pill?”

he said coolly.

Li Che couldn’t help but smile. “Boss, you truly have an eye for talent.”

“Cut it out. Don’t trouble yourself—find someone else for that job.”

“Even top alchemists can handle it,”

the Boss waved his hand dismissively.

Li Che was unperturbed; he knew exactly how to deal with the Boss, who maintained a cold demeanor with most people.

Even old friends like Li Che barely registered on his radar.

Only XiXi’s affairs ever seemed to capture his real interest.

“Boss, this supreme Demon Pill is critical. XiXi has already set off for Jingguang Prefecture, and the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit is about to be reborn. Turmoil is inevitable—this is nothing like the time with Qitian’s resurrection. All the divine factions in Bizarre Temple have prepared well in advance.

“The likes of Supreme, Demigod, and the flame-igniting gods will undoubtedly emerge.

“As a father, the pressure is immense. I need to boost my strength quickly to give XiXi the strongest support possible,”

Li Che said earnestly.

“Boss, please help me.”

The Boss sat back in his chair, his face unreadable. He glanced at Li Che, his deep eyes filled with inscrutable meaning.

It was clear he had spotted Li Che’s weak point…

“Using your daughter as my leverage?!”

The Boss suddenly laughed in disbelief.

“You really have no limits…”

He mused, amused.

“Understood.”

But the Boss was clearly playing his own game.

Outside, Big Black Dog perked up its long neck as though it heard XiXi’s name,

circling around before, finding no sign of her, it settled back down for a deep, contented nap.

The Boss took the Demon Pill—a pellet brimming with rampant demonic energy—into his hands. Under the restaurant’s lights, its Daoist markings, divine aura, and vital energy were laid bare.

After a brief appraisal, he murmured with a low hum—

Li Che’s eyes narrowed.

In that moment, every hair on his body stood on end as an icy, slicing wind enveloped him.

Before him, a dazzling blade light appeared, almost alive, descending upon the Demon Pill and darting around it at an inconceivably rapid pace.

Clang after clang, the Daoist markings on the supreme Demon Pill were sliced away piece by piece, shattering under the relentless blade light.

Even its divine essence was completely stripped away.

In Li Che’s view, the supreme Demon Pill visibly shrank before his eyes.

At last, only the size of a fist remained, shimmering with pure demonic energy and vital force—radiant and brilliant like a luminous gem in the dark.

“That’s enough.”

The Boss casually tossed the Demon Pill back to Li Che.

Yet, as Li Che caught it, his gaze inadvertently fell on the Boss’s golden kitchen knife—a blade etched with a dragon motif, as if a true golden divine dragon were sealed within it.

A Divine Weapon—

and not just any, but an exceptional one!

Buzz, buzz…

Within his arm, the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade began to tremble slightly.

The Boss cast a brief, warning glance before tucking away the kitchen knife.

“All done.”

“Finish your meal and you’re free to go.”

The Boss stood, his white robe swirling as he turned and strode into the kitchen.

Authorized personnel only beyond this point.

Li Che smiled, pocketed the Demon Pill, and then, like a whirlwind clearing away remnants, polished off every bit of wolf meat left on his plate.

Full and satisfied, every pore of his body pulsed with surging vital energy.

Muscles trembled, blood coursed fiercely—as if stirred by tidal forces, his body instinctively began to absorb and refine that essence into his strength.

“I’m off, mutt.”

Li Che headed for the door, glanced at the Big Black Dog snoozing on the floor, and chuckled.

The dog’s eyes went wide, its face contorting in a scowl!

“Call me Dog Master!”

“Not Dog Mutt!”

“You little brat!”

Li Che erupted in laughter, his feet barely touching the ground as he vanished into space in a flash.

Not long after Li Che disappeared,

the Boss emerged from the kitchen. His kitchen knife spun effortlessly between his fingers, scattering dazzling arcs of light like stars across the sky.

“Tired—who in this world isn’t tired?

“When you’re full, all that weariness just melts away.”

He recalled the girl from long ago—

just the same.

Throughout Qitian City, tremors shook every corner.

A blood-red omen persisted for a long time.

Li Che strode forward steadily, his bamboo hat perched high, eyes alight with razor-sharp focus.

Within the Inner City, both Xuanzhen Supreme and Jia Lou Supreme—two beings of highest stature—had seemingly set aside their differences in the face of the threat from Celestial Wolf Supreme, uniting against a common enemy.

After completing the transformation of Celestial Wolf Supreme and picturing the Third Fierce Calamity in ink, Li Che felt a surge of bold impulse.

That impulse was to deploy his old tactics once more: join forces with Fang Han Shu, the Fierce Calamity, and his own Sixth-Stage Qimen Immortal Seed Li Che

to wipe out the two Supremes!

To fully reclaim Qitian Inner City!

Had the fall of Celestial Wolf Supreme gone unnoticed, or if Xuanzhen Supreme hadn’t detected its disappearance, Li Che might have opted to unleash his Spiritual Confinement for one last move.

But not now.

Now that he’d been discovered, with the two Supremes united and another supreme fallen, the Xie Yao Cave would surely react—and it was best not to strike.

Leaving the two Supremes intact was wiser than eliminating them entirely.

These two might prevent even more powerful supremely ranked figures from Dark Heavenly Court and Hei Xumi from descending upon them.

If Celestial Wolf Supreme died this time, Xie Yao Cave might dispatch a Triple Calamity Supreme to investigate.

Thus, even if Qitian Inner City were captured, it could be lost again.

So Li Che wasn’t in a hurry.

He would only focus on strengthening himself—growing tougher and stronger. In this world, whining about fatigue is the mark of a weakling.

Such complaints only make others dismiss you as feeble.

So Li Che had only this one chance.

After dining at the Boss’s restaurant, Li Che felt refreshed, almost reborn—a self-reassurance.

As for the two Supremes of Qitian Inner City—

they would eventually fall under his Spiritual Confinement.

With Zhou Heng, an insider within Qitian Inner City, Li Che could always monitor the situation and strike when necessary.

Arriving at the City Lord’s Residence, Fang Han Shu stood beneath the eaves. Blood-red radiance still surged, while the scholar smiled warmly, his beard fluttering in the wind.

“Don’t worry. Qitian City is under my watch.”

Fang Han Shu was well aware of the situation in Jingguang Prefecture. The Third Prince’s Temple Spirit was nearing rebirth, destined to unleash an uncontrollable tide.

And XiXi, as the Sect Leader of Qianyuan Divine Sect, faced her first major challenge head-on. The difficulty was immense—would she manage?

Fang Han Shu couldn’t help but grin at XiXi; she was his proud protégé. Although she always called him the “Master of the Demon Den,” Fang Han Shu didn’t mind.

Li Che smiled and exchanged a look with Fang Han Shu.

Even after transforming via Spiritual Confinement, Fang Han Shu’s rapport with Li Che remained largely unchanged.

In the blink of an eye, Li Che vanished from sight.

By the time Li Che reappeared, the caravan had not yet reached Jingguang Prefecture.

This trip to Jingguang Prefecture featured not only XiXi but also Feng Zhiqi, Zhao Fangzhou, Tang Xiejia, and several Elders—including three Martial Saint companions. The strength of their lineup was impressive.

Yet the challenge ahead remained daunting.

In fact, it was far from enough.

The top experts from the Three Great Pantheons—Western Lands of Buddhism, Witch God Mountain, Purple Mansion Divine Sect, Purple-Clad Diao Si, Great Realm, and Da Li Wangting—were all forces to be reckoned with.

Hidden within the Divine Calamity Advancement were countless respected figures, from Venerables to Supremes—and even gods—rushing in from Bizarre Temple.

The exact location of the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple might not have been marked in Bizarre Temple initially, but as strong figures converged there over time, its location was fully exposed, drawing in countless powerful challengers.

Now, around the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple and Bizarre Temple, every kind of demon and spirit roamed.

Yet thankfully, none could escape the confines imposed by the will of Heaven and Earth—the greatest safeguard for mortals.

It granted cultivators a sense of security.

Inside the carriage, XiXi sat serenely, hands on her hips, pouty and round like an inflated pufferfish.

While the carbon stove roared and boiling water churned, emerald tea leaves bobbed up and down in the brew,

XiXi allowed her emotions to simmer.

After the Painted Immortal Clone handed over its gaze, it softened as it rested upon XiXi.

Determined to make a dazzling debut, the young Sect Leader intended to crush all those who threatened Qianyuan Divine Sect!

That was precisely why Li Che had equipped her with so many hidden aces.

A Sect Leader—

one who must show off!

She was merely eight years old—she didn’t need to be modest; she needed to be bold.

And behind her stood her father,

ready to back her up!

At least now, Li Che had the confidence to cover her!

With Martial Saint power, their carriage sped forward. Torrential autumn rain burst apart like shattered cascades, racing into the bounds of Jingguang Prefecture in the blink of an eye.

The roaring Jiulong River grew ever more tumultuous, its angry bellow echoing like the overwhelming divine force within its waters.

Midway, XiXi ordered the carriage to halt.

She leapt from the carriage and, with a quick burst, landed at the riverbank of Jiulong River.

Li Che disembarked along with Feng Zhiqi, Zhao Fangzhou, and the others. All watched the little girl with gentle admiration.

XiXi climbed atop a large boulder, her hand outstretched into the water. Immediately, she felt a surge of warm current rushing up.

Then she raised her hand, summoning a torrent of splashing river water.

“Father! Remember when our family first arrived at Jingguang Prefecture? You did just like this!”

XiXi giggled, mimicking her father.

After all, children naturally imitate their parents—their earliest teachers, etching memories deep within their hearts.

Li Che folded his arms and leaned against the carriage, smiling lovingly at the little one.

The little girl danced atop the Jiulong River, striding along its surface. Suddenly, she placed her hands on her hips and let out a resounding shout.

Her voice crashed like a tidal wave—

Boom! Boom! Boom! The river exploded in splashes!

Two black serpentine dragons, eyes wild with fear, surged from the river. These were black jiaos with true dragon blood, representing the might of the Four Seas Dragon Clan.

Concealed within Jiulong River—the realm of water—the dragons reigned supreme.

Yet just as they began spying on the little girl, she caught them in the act!

“So you’re watching me?”

“XiXi is the youngest Sect Leader in Qianyuan Divine Sect’s history! What do you hope to achieve by spying on me? Planning to seize Jingguang Prefecture?”

XiXi crossed her arms, her delicate nose wrinkling. After a moment of huffing and puffing, she clenched her tiny fist and launched a punch forward.

In an instant, the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear appeared, transforming into a purple serpent swirling behind her before streaking out at breakneck speed!

Pfft, pfft, pfft!

Before the two black jiaos could react, the might of the spear effortlessly pierced them!

Blood splattered as the black jiaos were hurled back into Jiulong River, staining its waters crimson.

XiXi stood tall on the river’s surface, her Hun Tian Ling swirling wildly. With her head held high and hands confidently on her hips, she exuded cold, dominating grace.

This was her inaugural visit to Jingguang Prefecture as Sect Leader.

XiXi intended to crush every foe in her path!

To firmly establish the reputation of Qianyuan Divine Sect!

Without hesitation, she massacred the two black jiaos. Though they might have rivaled the highest masters, before XiXi they were utterly defenseless.

After breaking through to Martial Saint, her combat prowess had soared.

Even so, XiXi didn’t allow the corpses of the black jiaos to go to waste. With a flourish of her red, swirling Hun Tian Ling, she plunged into Jiulong River and salvaged their shattered remains.

“Father, these two black jiaos are rare delicacies. One day, when I see the Boss, I’ll have him whip up something delicious!”

XiXi shook her head happily.

The bodies of the two black jiaos were then stored into Qiankun Space.

XiXi stood at the riverbank squinting into the distance.

In the far reaches where river met sky, a solitary temple sat isolated, shrouded in swirling, opaque mists.

It was none other than the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple!

This was where XiXi’s dreams had begun.

It was here that she had inherited the Third Prince’s legacy, launching her toward the heavens!

Now, XiXi had returned once more.

Her small fist raised, her heart filled with both anticipation and responsibility.

As if the Third Prince, who had once aided her, now called on her for help. Isn’t it natural for children to support one another?

A rumble echoed as eerie mist rolled in. From within Bizarre Temple, countless unseen eyes fixed on XiXi in an instant.

Sure enough, the number of lurking demons and spirits within Bizarre Temple had swelled.

Not far from the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple, nearly a hundred miles away, stood an enormous island. So vast it seemed transported and jammed into Jiulong River.

This was the work of formidable warriors of the Four Seas Dragon Clan, who had excavated Jiulong River further, forcefully shoving in what was known as Dragon Island.

Li Che scanned the scene, as if he could see countless dragon silhouettes intertwining, exuding majestic fury.

“Father, that must be Dragon Island!”

XiXi’s wide eyes blinked in wonder.

“That island…holds what I desire,” she declared.

Li Che understood exactly what she meant—the final piece of the Xuán Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring from the Third Prince’s Mythic Weapon set.

It was crucial for XiXi, and the key reason for her personal visit this time.

The caravan did not linger at the riverside for long before entering Jingguang City.

This time, upon arriving at Jingguang City, obvious changes were evident in both Li Che and XiXi.

More powerful figures had arrived, and various factions had settled in, carving up Jingguang City as if dividing territory.

Although Jin Guang Branch still stood tall thanks to Nan Lihuo’s persistence, it had long been suppressed by the dominant forces.

Now, even within Jingguang Prefecture, they had lost much influence—and most importantly…

“The Imperial House.”

Li Che squinted his eyes.

The Great Realm Imperial House had arrived as well.

Both Second Prince Lü Hengyi and Third Prince Lü Litong had come, with Lü Litong flanked by Purple-Clad Diao Si’s Han Sixi.

Han Sixi was also one of Li Che’s Spiritual Confinement targets.

The Great Jing Emperor did not appear in person but sent his two princes into the fray—a move Li Che found perplexing.

Second Prince Lü Hengyi was closely allied with the Four Seas Dragon Clan,

while Third Prince Lü Litong maintained strong ties with the Western Lands of Buddhism.

Moreover, to Li Che’s surprise, Second Prince Lü Hengyi’s group included one more person—

none other than the Great Jing Emperor’s treasured consort, Su Da!

Nan Lihuo and Zhang Qingzheng personally greeted XiXi. After all, XiXi was now the Sect Leader of Qianyuan Divine Sect—the recognized leader.

Nan Lihuo and the others hadn’t seen XiXi in ages and were deeply moved at how much the eight-year-old had transformed.

XiXi happily greeted Nan Lihuo and his group.

“Master Lihuo, what’s the situation in Jingguang Prefecture now?”

XiXi tugged Nan Lihuo’s hand, eager to learn the details.

Nan Lihuo’s eyes were complex. XiXi now exuded true Sect Leader aura—no longer the little girl who only cared about setting off fireworks.

Nan Lihuo didn’t withhold any details, not letting her age stand in the way of the truth.

After hearing him out, XiXi’s eyebrows shot up!

“Today, an inner disciple of our sect was severely injured—his dantian shattered, his divine foundation destroyed…”

Nan Lihuo sighed softly.

XiXi clenched her fist and gritted her teeth.

“They’ve gone too far!”

XiXi suddenly sprang up.

Her eyes burned with fury as she looked toward Li Che, who was seated drinking tea not far away. “Father, go on. As Sect Leader, you can do whatever you must—if things turn sour, it doesn’t matter. After all, I’m just an eight-year-old!”

Li Che smiled.

Upon hearing this, XiXi nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.

Soon, Wu Mao Anbao joined them, and XiXi, with a triumphant shout, gathered Nan Lihuo, Zhang Qingzheng, Zhu Hongdou, and other branch Elders,

as well as Feng Zhiqi, Zhao Fangzhou, and other Divine Sect Elders.

Li Che did not follow; instead, he expanded the Cosmic Chessboard to survey the entire city.

Curious, he wondered how XiXi would handle things.

How would the eight-year-old Sect Leader, under pressure from all sides, respond?

Soon, XiXi and her entourage left Jingguang Peak, moving into Jingguang City.

“Master Lihuo, let’s settle accounts with those who injured our disciple!”

“Take them down one by one!”

“Let’s be honest—since XiXi is here, we must reclaim every ounce of injustice we suffered these past days!”

“Tell our disciples: the true master of Qianyuan Divine Sect has arrived!”

“Tell those villains to scram from Jingguang City once and for all!”

“It’s me, Li Nuǎnxi, speaking!”

XiXi declared with arms akimbo—exuding arrogance, defiance, and supreme confidence!

Is this really the XiXi he knew?

Was this the girl Master Nan Lihuo once recognized?!

Nan Lihuo was momentarily stunned by such directness.

Could it really be this straightforward?

This might only further inflame the situation.

With so many forces gathering against Qianyuan Divine Sect, could they really handle it?

But XiXi’s current stature left him no choice; he led her straight to the first adversary.

After all, a Sect Leader must consider the responsibilities that come with the title!

In truth, as XiXi entered Jingguang City, the attention of various factions surged—immense forces like Heaven and Earth Soul and Celestial Communion intermingled.

They quickly turned unscrupulous.

Perhaps because XiXi was only eight.

If Lü Taibai were present, a Martial Saint or even a sword cultivator would think twice. But an eight-year-old? They’d hardly hold back!

Since XiXi was out to right the wrongs done to her injured disciple, Nan Lihuo wouldn’t act coy.

He immediately led her to confront the minor faction responsible for injuring an inner disciple of Jin Guang Branch.

A Martial Saint presided over the faction—a venerable force from a thousand-year-old family of another Daocheng, seeking to carve out a storm in the midst of this divine upheaval.

But having a Martial Saint on one’s side did not make them invincible.

“Hahaha—

the Martial Saint roared, “Greetings, new little Sect Leader of Qianyuan Divine Sect!”

The martial artist’s personal appearance was a sign of respect for XiXi; after all, she was the head of Qianyuan Divine Sect, however young.

Yet XiXi merely folded her arms and cast a cold glance at the Martial Saint.

“Did your sect’s disciple really injure one of our disciples?!”

With a cold snort, XiXi, her twin pigtails swaying as if ready to pierce the void, declared,

“Bring the culprit who injured our disciple out here!”

The Martial Saint arched an eyebrow, “Little Sect Leader, is this a campaign of retribution?”

“It was just a minor scuffle between disciples—nothing significant…” he began,

but XiXi waved him off with a swift hand gesture that commanded authority.

“Don’t talk!”

she snapped.

“Minor scuffle? You’ve landed yourself in a serious mess!

xiXi raised her voice with a hint of baby firmness.

The Martial Saint was momentarily stunned by the audacity of this tiny girl, his face losing its sternness.

Even as things escalated, he felt no real fear.

“Get out of Jingguang Prefecture, all of you from your clan! And bring me the one who injured our disciple. He’s ruined our disciple’s cultivation, and that means his own cultivation is nullified!”

XiXi declared.

The Martial Saint’s face turned cold.

Yet when he glanced behind XiXi at Feng Zhiqi, Zhao Fangzhou, and the others, he knew they were formidable—a Fourth-Stage Martial Saint and a Third-Stage Martial Saint, respectively—and that he should not provoke them.

“Little Sect Leader, frankly speaking, my Liu Family is backed by—”

Before the Martial Saint could finish, XiXi’s tiny fist, holding a mini triple-cannon, materialized in her hand.

The six metallic barrels aimed directly at the Martial Saint.

XiXi raised her head defiantly, her face pouting with both inquiry and exhilaration.

“I don’t care who backs you up!

Jingguang Prefecture is Qianyuan Divine Sect’s territory. Is it a place for your arrogance?”

“Do you think I’m negotiating?”

she retorted, her cherubic face set in determined challenge.

Then, with a thunderous boom—

XiXi activated the triple-cannon.

Blinding golden beams erupted in rapid succession!

The Martial Saint reacted instantly, letting out a roar as his qi surged in a burst of fury.

Yet—

his movements froze mid-action as he glanced down at his chest.

A maximally compressed Thunder Pellet was wildly bouncing around—

and his formidable Martial Saint body was no match for its force.

Boom! The Thunder Pellet exploded!

Countless bolts of lightning surged forth, shattering the Martial Saint into smithereens!

Nan Lihuo stood dumbfounded.

Dead—

Dead?!

Had a Martial Saint fallen so easily?

XiXi herself appeared startled, though she quickly realized it was her father’s improved cannon’s overwhelming power!

But XiXi’s eyes soon lit up brilliantly!

Could this be the confidence my father instilled in me?!

Indeed, with his backing, little XiXi was poised to dominate the present world!