Chapter 500: The Ascension on Dragon Island

A resounding boom! A dazzling, sun-like brilliance surged from the earth, soaring straight into the heavens for thirty thousand feet!

On an autumn sky, thick, oppressive clouds were blasted into a massive vortex, rippling outward like expanding rings.

The searing, molten blood energy intertwined with heaven and earth, its glow as fierce as a volcanic eruption, ravaging the mortal realm!

The waters of the Jiulong River began to boil uncontrollably, resembling a bed of glowing red coals at its bottom,

causing the entire river to churn in agitation!

A thunderous pillar of incandescent blood energy shot skyward, radiating an awe-inspiring, terrifying might!

Even the void trembled violently, like a rag violently shaken, on the verge of shattering at any moment.

The whole world seemed suffused by the oppressive pressure of this fiery Martial Immortal blood energy, warping the very fabric of reality!

It was as if mountains were about to crumble and valleys collapse!

Bathed in golden light, Li Che’s body erupted with streams of blood energy from what felt like thirty-six thousand acupoints,

scattering the very heavens and earth around him.

Hand in hand with XiXi, each step he took sent tremors through the void. His dark, vigorous hair whipped wildly as the air around him seemingly shattered in inexplicable ways.

His Martial Immortal mortal form exuded an overwhelming pressure onto the human world!

XiXi had already turned her head to look at her father—her tiny, adorable mouth agape like a perfect circle.

My goodness!

Wide-eyed and confused, XiXi felt a mix of awe, numbness, and uncertainty.

How could this be?

The aura emanating from her father was so fierce and imposing!

No matter how hard XiXi tried, she’d never catch up with such a mighty force!

Martial Immortal?

Could it really be that Father is a Martial Immortal?!

Aren’t the only Martial Immortals in the mortal realm the Underworld Ghost Emperors?

If Father is a Martial Immortal, and Martial Immortals are Ghost Emperors, then… is Father a Ghost Emperor?!

In her small, whirring mind, XiXi processed a flurry of thoughts and arrived at a breathtaking conclusion!

Li Che couldn’t help but notice XiXi’s growing awe, a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

A daughter’s admiration is as sweet as the nectar of spring.

Li Che cherished the feeling of her adoration.

After all, her father was a Martial Immortal—surely XiXi was utterly awed!

And this time, Li Che wasn’t planning to hide it.

Arriving at Jin Guang Mansion, XiXi felt thrust into the spotlight, as if she were the target of every enemy’s scorn.

To shield his daughter, Li Che decided to draw all the enemy fire, to become the true focal point and attract all the hatred for her sake.

But what better way to provoke enmity than by revealing the identity of a Martial Immortal than XiXi herself?

After a moment’s thought, Li Che revealed his Martial Immortal status.

A mortal Martial Immortal, drawing on five thousand years of martial fortune—surely that would grab the attention of every cultivator in the Bizarre Temple Pantheon, far more than his daughter ever could.

As for exposing his true identity as an Underworld Ghost Emperor…

Li Che didn’t care.

After all, the Underworld isn’t ruled by a single Ghost Emperor; there’s also Diting and Yama.

In the future, even mightier and more mysterious beings than Ghost Emperors will rise in the Underworld—perhaps even gods, or even Hou Tu, the Earth Mother.

Though his secret was partially spilled, it wasn’t all out.

A serene, elegant smile played on Li Che’s lips as he remained unruffled by his revelations.

He had deliberately exposed himself to draw every storm and calamity to his own self.

Boom! Roar!!

In that instant, the entire Jin Guang Mansion trembled!

Everyone was struck dumb, while powerful warriors from all sides felt their skin prickle as if they’d seen a ghost!

Gazing back towards Dragon Island and the raging tides of the Jiulong River, the two figures striding over the waves were bathed in an almost otherworldly radiance—a brilliance reminiscent of ancient stars descending upon the mortal realm!

The blood energy shone with a golden intensity.

Even masters of Divine Calamity and Martial Gods, renowned for their high cultivation, found their eyes welling with tears at the sweeping radiance.

But even more astounding—

was the presence that unleashed this torrential blood energy.

Though many warriors were moved to tears, all saw the imposing figure within that pillar of fire and blood.

The father-daughter duo!

Li Che, holding XiXi’s hand, released that fearsome, searing Martial Immortal energy from his very body!

Li Che was a Martial Immortal!

The Divine Eagle Hand of Qianyuan Divine Sect—Li Che, the Divine Eagle Hand…

Incredibly, he was a mortal Martial Immortal!

Astonishing!

Unbelievable!

Everyone felt their minds buzzing, as if a humming sound vibrated incessantly, unsettling their very souls.

Buzz, buzz, buzz…

The colossal Dragon Island seemed to shimmer with phantom images, while countless dragon roars were muffled by the overwhelming blood energy, diminishing into an ethereal murmur.

The Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring towered high, its swirling silver ring erupting with bolts of lightning like dark blossoms, resembling ink-black lotuses.

Li Che and XiXi, surrounded by roaring blood energy, charged like divine hammers striking ancient bells, shaking the whole of Dragon Island with a thunderous blast.

Countless dragon silhouettes burst into the sky—each one a mighty warrior of the dragon race!

Once the ancestral domain of the Dragon Gods, Dragon Island had been overtaken by the Four Seas Dragon Clan as they emerged from the Bizarre Temple, banishing the Dragon Gods and completely seizing the island.

Li Che’s calm, radiant gaze swept over Dragon Island.

Observing the swaying dragon shadows, he noticed distinct differences: the Four Seas Dragons bore no trace of demonic aura, unlike the Dragon Gods.

They exuded an aura far purer than that of the Dragon Gods.

Perhaps they were simply more untainted?

A question stirred in Li Che’s mind.

“Qianyuan Li Che is here to reclaim the Divine Weapon.”

Though doubts stirred within him, he didn’t overthink it—the differences between the Four Seas Dragons and the Dragon Gods were none of his concern.

After all, it was just a matter of draining a bit less demonic energy during the upcoming dragon slaughter…

which for Li Che made little difference.

Dragon Island lay amidst the roaring, boiling waters of the Jiulong River, as if the heated river were in a constant state of turmoil.

Billows of water, like scalding steam, shrouded the heavens and earth.

One after another, dragon silhouettes emerged from within Dragon Island.

Then, with a deafening roar, the mist of water was torn apart by the chaos.

Li Che, holding XiXi’s hand, surged forward with golden blood energy that pierced the skies like a razor-sharp spear, landing him directly onto the surface of Dragon Island.

His feet struck the island with the force of hammers beating on drums!

The ground of Dragon Island softened as it collapsed suddenly, cracks spreading like a web.

Upon entering Dragon Island, Li Che sensed an otherworldly pressure.

In the space between heaven and earth, swirling mists exuded an oppressive aura, weighing down like a mountain.

Li Che’s brows twitched as an explosive sensation rattled his heart—a premonition that this island was no ordinary place.

Dragon Island—the ancestral ground of the dragon race—seemed to harbor a sleeping dragon spirit?!

It must be so—for only a divine spirit could evoke such ominous and bone-chilling pressure now…

And the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring was there to subdue that very spirit?

The air thickened with a killing aura as icy coldness filled the void around Dragon Island, as if winter had descended, blanketing everything in a desolate chill.

Within the island, wave after wave of formidable auras surged, with dragon silhouettes rising into the air, their icy eyes fixed on Li Che and his daughter.

“Pure Martial—Martial Immortal!”

“Underworld Ghost Emperor!”

Amid the dragons of Dragon Island, voices whispered in alarm.

None had expected that simply triggering the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring would be enough to coerce XiXi, the Daughter of Yulian, into submission.

If XiXi could seize the Qiankun Ring, it would be ideal; if not, she would still fall into their clutches, doomed to be controlled by the dragons.

No matter what, the dragons held the upper hand—this bait would surely reap a profit.

Although XiXi was resourceful and backed by a fearsome beast rivaling an expert of Second Calamity, that legendary beast had been nullified by the will of heaven and earth.

XiXi had no idea how crucial the protective power of such a second calamity expert really was, and had recklessly squandered it.

But then came Li Che.

XiXi’s father—a man who had always been inconspicuous.

Though many knew of his identity as the unassuming Ma Mian of the Underworld’s most fearsome, renowned for his Mechanical Art,

Li Che now revealed his power to reclaim the Qiankun Ring for his daughter, exposing his true cultivation without hesitation!

That very Underworld Ghost Emperor who had once blocked the path of the powerful from Qitian Inner City—

the mortal Martial Immortal—

was none other than Li Che!

The Four Seas Dragon Clan warriors guarding Dragon Island felt the very heavens crumble.

A dreadful premonition struck them, severing any hope of respite!

Li Che regarded the swirling dragon shadows on Dragon Island with unruffled indifference; indeed, those emerging from the Bizarre Temple were far superior to the Dragon Gods.

No wonder the Old Dragon God had been forced to flee Dragon Island with his followers in search of new refuge on land.

Li Che shook his head gently.

He still held XiXi’s hand without letting go.

Dragon Island was a vast, barren rocky mountain—its vegetation withered and lifeless, devoid of green; only dull gray remained.

Moreover, the mountain was riddled with countless holes from which dragon silhouettes slithered forth, their cold, predatory gazes fixed on the father-daughter duo.

Those chilling, bloodthirsty, wild, and merciless eyes carried the primal coldness of reptiles.

A slight, knowing smile edged Li Che’s lips.

“XiXi, are you scared?”

Hearing this, XiXi cocked her head and declared proudly, “Daddy is a Martial Immortal—what could I possibly fear?”

Li Che’s heart swelled with sweetness; his daughter’s words were music to his ears.

So sweet, so lovely.

With such a daughter, how could he allow her to be the one to face all the enemy fire?

A father’s duty was to step forward at moments like these!

Laughing, Li Che held XiXi’s hand, lost in a fleeting reverie.

He recalled a time long ago in Feilei City, when he had similarly led XiXi into battle and bloodshed. Though he wished for her safety, he knew she could not be kept from the world’s darkness.

Back then, he had fought as the Ogre; today, he fought as her father.

Setting foot on Dragon Island today, Li Che’s mission was far from a leisurely stroll.

“Come on, follow Daddy.”

“I’ll take you to reclaim the Qiankun Ring.”

With those words,

father and daughter began ascending the mountain of Dragon Island, climbing a rock riddled with holes as if it were battered and scarred. Every step thundered like a celestial drumbeat!

The Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring hovered at the peak of the mountain, as if daring anyone to stop it!

On the summit, four figures emerged, standing tall with nascent dragon horns and piercing eyes beneath billowing dark robes.

Though one might have caught a monstrous fish in a day’s catch,

allowing Li Che to simply take the Qiankun Ring would be a disgrace to the Four Seas Dragons!

Moreover…

Li Che was on his own, with only a daughter far below the level of a Martial Saint tagging along!

They were encircled!

After all, Dragon Island was the territory of the Four Seas Dragons!

What of a Martial Immortal?!

Besides, Li Che had only just broken through the Martial Immortal realm after a single year of cultivation. A young Martial Immortal like him had nothing to fear!

Strike!

Roar!

The terrifying dragon roars echoed across the island like crashing thunder!

Within Dragon Island, celestial restraint was less severe; though there were no absolute overlords, numerous second calamity Dragon Gods roamed freely!

Ferocious dragon silhouettes lashed out from the mountain caves like whips, their imposing momentum unstoppable!

Under a deep, somber night and amidst a bleak autumn wind, the entire Jin Guang Mansion trembled violently. Countless warriors dashed out of the city, slicing through the muddy Dense Forest toward Dragon Island.

They landed on trunks, rocks, and riverbanks, all fixated on the chaotic mass of dragon shadows on Dragon Island.

Cultivators from Qianyuan Divine Sect such as Nan Lihuo, Feng Zhiqi, Zhao Fangzhou, and Tang Xiejia trembled in disbelief.

Even Elder Li was stunned—

Could he really be a Martial Immortal?!

Feng Zhiqi felt a shiver run down his spine as he recalled using Li Che as a stepping stone in his quest for supremacy.

And now Elder Li had become a Martial Immortal!

Outside Qitian City, the explosive breakthrough of a Martial Immortal was common knowledge!

The Underworld Ghost Emperor who ascended as a Martial Immortal, amassing five thousand years of martial fate—truly the pinnacle of mortal pride!

Yet the most prideful of them all turned out to be Elder Li!

Everyone wore expressions of shock.

But soon, they sensed the mingled aura of death and chaos permeating the air.

On Dragon Island,

endless dragon silhouettes surged upward, forming terrifying arrays!

An array had been set on Dragon Island!

In the dark of night, the colossal mountain of the island emitted deafening rumbles that traveled for miles!

Meanwhile, the Jiulong River roared and the area near the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple was watched over by penetrating eyes that sliced through the night to lock onto Dragon Island!

At the scarred peak of the island’s rock, four imposing dragon figures, emanating overwhelming power, bellowed in unison:

“Assemble the Myriad Dragon Formation!”

“The Ninety-Nine Layered Myriad Dragon Assassin Array!”

Roars of divine energy converged from the void as countless dragon silhouettes filled the sky—ninety-nine formidable arrays formed by myriad dragons!

The entire Dragon Island became shrouded, impenetrable as a fortress!

An overwhelming aura of dragon might spread, and dust rose like endless curtains!

Sure enough, Li Che slowly raised his head, holding XiXi’s hand as his dark hair whipped wildly in the wind.

Dragon Island had clearly been meticulously prepared to ambush XiXi!

The Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring had been activated to draw out the divine weapon set within her, luring her onto Dragon Island. Even if XiXi wielded Guai Li Zhu Huai, she would still suffer under the onslaught of these conniving, burrowing foes—it was truly treacherous and despicable.

Facing the Ninety-Nine Layered Dragon Formation formed by countless dragon silhouettes, father and daughter began their ascent.

With one hand clutching XiXi’s, Li Che slowly raised the other, his five spread fingers resembling five unleashed divine swords!

Boom—Six Desire Void Sword Technique!

Boom!

A torrent of formidable blood energy burst forth from his fingers, slicing through the void in a sweeping blade imbued with six hues of divine light.

It seemed as though the mournful wails of divine dragons filled the air as blood mist erupted; wherever the sword’s glow cut, dragon silhouettes shattered in a bloody display!

In an instant, two arrays were smashed to pieces by Li Che’s might!

XiXi’s eyes shone brightly as she clutched her father’s hand, feeling unprecedented safety and warmth.

Her heart pounded with radiant excitement—she knew her father was teaching her the art of battle, showing her how to be domineering and formidable!

Teaching her to face the darkness and chaos of this world head-on, to cut a clear path with a razor-sharp sword regardless of obstacles.

So long as the sword remained true and unwavering, every block and foe would be cleaved away, leading her to a blossoming future.

She longed to witness that blooming future up close.

She held her breath, following her father closely, not daring to miss a single detail.

Her heart overflowed with an intense sense of security.

She vowed to learn everything her father taught her!

“Strike!!!”

At the mountain peak, four towering dragon silhouettes bellowed coldly,

as if those dragons disintegrated into blood mist were nothing more than discarded sculptures.

Their shattered flesh scattered like wood chips after a carving is smashed.

Li Che, still holding XiXi’s hand, ascended the mountain calmly. Golden blood energy flowed more fiercely with each step, as array upon array pressed down—a ninety-nine array formation built by myriad dragons interlocking like an iron wall.

If he failed to break through even once, the formation would crush them completely along the slope!

So Li Che had no choice but to shatter each array one by one!

Only then could he reach the summit and allow XiXi to extend her hand and snatch the Qiankun Ring infused with divine spirit.

Li Che’s spread fingers gripped the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, which fell into his hand in an instant.

He grasped the blade with both hands and swung mightily.

The wave of sword energy compressed mountains and rivers as if reducing them to nothing.

They strode along the mountain path without pause while XiXi’s little legs kept moving steadily.

But not in haste—her father always kept an eye on her steps even amidst the dragon-slaying chaos.

XiXi glanced at her gentle father, who, as always, exuded warmth and calmness.

He never displayed any ferocity in front of her; he hadn’t donned the Ogre Mask or the Underworld Yama Mask.

He was the gentlest father, unwilling to let the taint of killing darken his daughter’s heart.

With a sweeping motion, his blade cleaved through the arrays weighing down the mountain!

All obstacles along the path were severed in one single stroke—a stroke unrivaled in its domineering fury!

Boom—

In the gaze of countless onlookers, Dragon Island trembled mightily as the thunderous dragon roars echoed!

Array after array activated in rapid succession, interlocking like nested rings, as if intent on completely crushing the father-daughter duo trekking the mountain—a casual outing turned into a fight for survival.

The rocky slope bled as arrays were shattered; dragons that had been part of the formation were ground to mush, their blood mist staining the path crimson.

Though the mountain had no proper steps, only uneven rocky paths, Li Che and XiXi ascended with unwavering determination.

The dragon roars echoed across the heavens, and gradually the fire of Dragon Island dimmed into shadows.

Father and daughter pressed upward; the light at the mountain’s base faded into darkness.

Li Che’s dark hair whipped wildly. He held nothing back. Although his face remained gentle, every move exuded the majesty of a Martial Immortal.

He wanted everyone to recognize the might and terror of a mortal Martial Immortal.

He demanded all eyes be on him—not on XiXi.

With XiXi by his side, Li Che ascended relentlessly, breaking array after array. Dragon blood splattered, painting the stones a vivid red.

Roaring dragon cries echoed until, finally, the array formed by the Dragon Gods collapsed.

The Dragon Gods’ formation had lost its edge, and by then ninety arrays had been shattered out of ninety-nine!

A duo—father and daughter—had reached the midway point.

At the peak, the Qiankun Ring shimmered with intertwined Xuan Lei energy, radiating divine brilliance.

Four formidable dragon elders stood there, their bodies trembling, eyes spitting fire and blood in a frenzy!

Behind Li Che, the mountain path was cloaked in darkness, littered with the corpses of the Four Seas Dragons of Dragon Island.

Such a gruesome scene was hidden by the dark—so that even if XiXi looked back, nothing could be seen.

The unmasked Li Che maintained his gentle composure toward his daughter, sparing her from witnessing the ugly reality of slaughter.

Even when teaching her to confront darkness, he always did so with tenderness.

A massive five-clawed dragon silhouette charged forth—the Ninth Array of the Dragon Gods’ formation!

If Li Che faltered even once, the entire formation would crush them, leaving no chance for escape!

Yet Li Che still clutched XiXi’s hand, his Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade trembling.

He swung mightily—a single, decisive strike.

The formation shattered!

Ten Second Calamity Dragon Gods bled and cried in disbelief as the shattered arrays were met by his unstoppable blade.

None could withstand that one strike.

It was a Martial Immortal’s strike—so potent that even the will of heaven rejoiced in its power!

Martial Immortals are indeed the favored of the universe!

Their unstoppable momentum prevailed!

Blood flowed on, dragon roars echoed, and enormous dragon carcasses crashed onto the rocky slope, their blood streaming down like torrents.

For a moment, the heavens and earth fell silent.

That night, Dragon Island bled.

Everyone bore witness to the martial slaughter—a mortal Martial Immortal decimating an entire island.

At the summit, wild wind and chaotic currents raged.

The shattered arrays flickered like sparks from burning fireworks, while erratic divine energy surged in reverse like unruly torrents, setting the rocky peak abuzz.

There, the final array stood—four massive dragon warriors guarding it.

Their cold, unfeeling eyes sent shivers even down Li Che’s spine.

Overhead, the Qiankun Ring circled in shimmering silver.

XiXi gazed upward, her eyes bright as if reaching out to grasp it.

Within her, the suppressed divine power from Li Che’s teachings surged once more, electric as a current running through her veins.

“Li Che—”

The four dragon elders spoke in unison, their voices hoarse yet perfectly synchronized.

They were the Four Seas Dragon Lords, sitting atop Dragon Island—the mightiest warriors of their race. Each was a Second Calamity or Third Tribulation expert, some even close to Supreme, having begun to condense the Daoist Mark of the Great Way!

Their eyes fixed coldly on Li Che and XiXi, void of emotion and filled only with murderous intent.

“The Ninety-Nine Myriad Dragon Assassin Array—is it meant to kill the Four Seas Dragons?”

Li Che clutched XiXi’s hand even tighter as beads of nervous sweat dotted her palm.

“Dragon kin—they are but cold-blooded reptiles,” he remarked coolly.

“Your so-called ‘combined square dragon formation’ is merely a coward’s excuse—to let a horde of dragons die in your stead, hoping their arrays might sap my strength—”

“so that, in our final encounter, you might somehow pull off an upset.”

At the peak, the atmosphere froze; voices resonated mightily.

“The fate of ordinary dragons is of no concern to you—

do you think that higher cultivation makes you any less cold?”

“Compared to you, the old Dragon God of the expelled Dragon Gods far surpasses you in every way.”

Li Che angled his Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, its edge shimmering with divine light.

He raised his head with calm pride, his eyes fixed on the gradually bloodstained Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring.

With a gentle exhale, he murmured,

“Are you scheming again?”