Chapter 50: Secrets of the Divine Cultivation

Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

The carbon furnace radiated intense heat, causing the boiling water inside to churn vigorously. When a few vibrant green tea leaves were added, a rich tea aroma instantly filled the room.

Xu Helil sat elevated, meticulously polishing his treasured sword with sword oil.

His sword required careful maintenance every time it was drawn.

Below, Xu Beihu and Xu You waited for Xu Helil to complete his task.

The room was hushed. As the eldest son of Xu Ji, Xu Helil—alongside Si Mu Bai of the Si Family and An Ruo Su of the An Family—was renowned as one of Feilei City’s Three Young Masters, his divine cultivation far exceeding that of Xu You and Xu Beihu.

Moments later, accompanied by the gentle sound of his sword re-sheathing, Xu Helil finished his maintenance.

He looked at Xu You and said, “Old Three, from now on, don’t disturb me with these matters until you’re absolutely sure…”

“Just this once—let it not happen again,” he added.

Hearing this, Xu You stood up and respectfully saluted, “I understand, little brother.”

Xu Helil continued, “As for Li Che… In just two years, he’s mastered Bone Tempering; his martial talent is impressive. Once he undergoes Blood Exchange, he might even get a chance at the Divine Essence Technique—though I remain uncertain about his innate divine talent…”

He added, “His daughter is a top-tier Prodigy. Li Che’s innate divine talent shouldn’t be too lacking; even if delayed, with proper cultivation she could reach the ‘Lamp’ realm.”

He sighed, “But advancing from the Lamp stage to ‘Ruxi’ or ‘Ruhe’ is almost impossible.”

Xu Helil remarked coolly.

He continued, “Unfortunately, Li Che is naturally timid and lacks ambition. Even if he masters the Divine Essence Technique, he’ll hardly be a reliable asset for Xu Ji.”

“Enough. After his Blood Exchange, we’ll grant him a copy of the lower-grade Divine Essence Technique.”

After a pause, Xu Helil turned to Xu You, “Old Three, any objections?”

Xu You kept his head low, his expression unreadable as he murmured, “I’ll leave it entirely to big brother.”

Finally, Xu Beihu spoke with a frown, “Big brother, what’s the purpose behind City Lord Zhao Xuanhai’s verbal requisition of these skilled woodcarvers, especially when he’s willing to pay such high fees?”

He wondered, “Might he be endangering the lives of these woodcarvers?”

Xu Helil gently stroked his sword’s handle, gazing out at the pouring rain as he mused, then smiled, “Probably not… These woodcarvers come from various families. Although the City Lord is an Imperial official, the Imperial Court’s grip has loosened—Feilei City is still ruled by noble families like ours.”

“If he were to harm these woodcarvers, the noble families of Feilei City wouldn’t let it go.”

He added, “That’s why Li Che is being overly cautious. This requisition is a lucrative opportunity for him—earning ten Gold Leaves on a good job might take a year or more.”

Xu Beihu nodded with a slight smile, agreeing with the assessment of Li Che.

Xu Helil tapped the table lightly and said, “As for the true aim of the City Lord’s residence… I can guess a thing or two. Consider it an unexpected bonus on this trip. I plan to return and report to the old master.”

Suddenly.

Xu Helil looked toward Xu You.

He added, “By the way, Old Three.”

“Li Che’s daughter has remarkable divine talent. With the chaos caused by the Lingying Sect in the Outer City, it’s unsafe for her. Tell Li Che to send his daughter to our Xu Ji’s Divine Cultivation Institute.”

Xu You’s face brightened slightly as he asked, “Big Brother… what if Master Li refuses?”

Xu Helil tapped the sword handle with his finger, and suddenly the entire warm room resonated with the bright song of the blade.

He mused, “If he refuses, it means he never intended to join Xu Ji’s ranks. In that case, we won’t provide him with that copy of the Divine Essence Technique.”

“And when the Lingying Sect’s power runs rampant in the Outer City, his daughter’s safety will be his own concern.”

Xu You fell silent.

He slowly lowered his head.

…

…

Inside the workshop, Li Che sat upright, his heart stirred by the surge of anger-infused divine energy he’d just extracted.

But soon, he fell momentarily silent.

His brows furrowed slightly.

He realized that the anger-infused divine energy extracted from a wood carving—taken from a Lingying Sect Blood Exchange expert he killed two months ago—had been gradually consumed by Zhao Xuanhai’s divine power!

It was as if the energies had merged together!

“Merged… and consumed?”

“This is a property of divine energy, or perhaps… both are derived from the same source?”

Li Che pondered this, his breath catching.

If they share the same origin…

Doesn’t that imply that one of Feilei City’s three elite divine hunters—a formidable divine cultivator—is also a powerhouse within the Lingying Sect?!

At that thought, a chill ran down Li Che’s spine!

He recalled how the authorities had withdrawn the warrant for Lei Chunlan in just a few days…

Not to mention, Zhao Chuanxiong is affiliated with the Lingying Sect…

Li Che had initially considered Zhao Chuanxiong an isolated case, but now it seemed that the vast government of Feilei City might be deeply entangled with the Lingying Sect!

Even the top divine hunter within the City Lord’s residence was linked to the Lingying Sect…

What about the City Lord who boasts of forging divine foundations?

“If that’s really the case…”

A strong sense of urgency suddenly enveloped him.

If the government is indeed colluding with the Lingying Sect—with their insatiable desire for Prodigies—wouldn’t XiXi be in grave danger?

Once the Lingying Sect completely loses control, Xu Ji might no longer be able to protect XiXi!

In fact, whether Xu Ji is even willing to help is uncertain.

The urgency made Li Che’s hair stand on end. Staring at his palm, he murmured,

“I’m still not strong enough…”

…

…

The next day.

A rare clear day.

The winter sun’s gentle warmth was especially comforting.

In the courtyard, Li Che and Old Chen accompanied XiXi as she practiced her horse stance. Old Chen teased her by calling her “little stinky Xi,” which made the little girl’s face flush with annoyance.

No one could tell where the girl’s fierce temper came from.

Li Che and Old Chen sipped tea, enjoying winter plums. Once the sun climbed higher, Li Che planned to visit Tingyu Alley. Over the past two months, he had visited the market several times and asked an old acquaintance, the stall owner, to look for the Divine Essence Technique and the Superior Inner Strength Technique.

Alas, his repeated inquiries had yielded no news.

After finishing a bowl of tea and chewing on the leaves, Li Che was about to leave when he encountered Xu You, whose expression was somber.

Xu You reiterated Xu Helil’s words from yesterday.

Li Che frowned and said, “So you mean, if I don’t send XiXi to the Inner City’s Divine Cultivation Institute, after my Blood Exchange, Xu Ji won’t readily impart the Divine Essence Technique to me?”

Old Chen, seated on a wicker chair, chuckled, “That’s the usual way of noble families. Xiao Xu, your big brother is far tougher than you—you’re too kind, too gentle.”

“In this world, people like you are bound to be taken advantage of.”

“Your second brother, Xu Beihu, may seem honest, but he’s actually cunning and ruthless.”

Xu You remained silent, then looked at Li Che and said, “I’ve arranged for you to have companion cultivation status. You can pick up and drop off XiXi at the Inner City every day, and I’ll personally escort her into the Divine Cultivation Institute to ensure her safety.”

“Honestly, the Divine Cultivation Institute is much safer than the Outer City…”

Li Che fell into deep thought.

Xu You said nothing further.

But Li Che didn’t ponder long and soon made up his mind.

He declared, “Take XiXi away!”

Xu You had already secured excellent conditions for both him and XiXi.

After all, he couldn’t keep XiXi confined to the courtyard forever; eventually, she needed to experience the world.

Moreover, once XiXi enters the Divine Cultivation Institute, she can quickly start cultivating divine energy, laying a solid foundation for her further growth.

Of course…

There was another crucial reason.

With the freedom to move in and out of the Inner City daily…

Li Che would have the chance to get up close with the reclusive Si Mu Bai in the Inner City…

and knock the head off that top hater of XiXi!

P.S.: Monday—I’ll update one chapter early. These next couple of days of reads could determine next week’s recommendation ranking. Everyone, please support with your monthly and recommendation votes. Help Old Li push further—Old Li thanks you!