Chapter 504: Awakening of the Divine: The Temple’s Resurgence

Bang bang bang bang—!!!

The raging waters of the Jiulong River roared wildly, exploding and howling as they soared, crashing onto the bank like relentless waves shattering stones into spiderweb-like cracks.

From the billowing, murky mist rose a seething divine aura, transforming into a torrent or a vast, sky-obscuring curtain that swept across the heavens and earth in a chaotic frenzy!

Everyone could only hear a deafening roar as if celestial warriors pounded battle drums, the shockwaves battering every fiber of their beings until muscles, cells, and flesh trembled uncontrollably.

The divine spirit…

It has been revived!

Shock and awe seized every heart!

Unbidden eyes turned toward the center of the Jiulong River, where a temple radiated brilliant light, its aura expanding the very space around it.

The river waters were pushed aside, clearing a vacuum-like field, and within the temple it seemed as if another world had been forged.

The eerie mist was blown apart by overwhelming divinity, as countless gleaming stars flickered with dazzling brilliance.

Ssshhh—

It was as if scorching force spread out, evaporating the river water into rising mists that left everyone gawking in terror.

A resonant, lofty voice of divinity echoed across the air.

“I am Three Altar Hai Hui, the mightiest warrior of martial slaughter!”

“This sky, this earth, these four seas!”

“I, Nezha, have returned!”

Three Altar Hai Hui!

Nezha!

Rumble—

Countless torrents burst around the perimeter of the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple, the water drawn by unseen forces swirling like a budding lotus bud.

As it rotated, the water slowly unfurled, each petal etched with intricate divine markings, as delicate as a naturally blooming lotus.

That once-meager Bizarre Temple of the Fourth Order now surged upward, its level breaking through obstacles and ascending to that of the Three Pure Ones.

A tidal surge of divine power gushed in every direction. Many cultivators wore expressions of astonishment before ecstatically meditating, ravenously absorbing the vibrant divine energy — a rare opportunity for temple ascension.

It was a superb cultivation ground; if one could seize this moment to absorb the lively divine energy, one’s divine cultivation would skyrocket at an unimaginable rate.

Many had prophesied that the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple would eventually transform, surging into the Three Pure Ones’ echelon.

And now, the prophecy had come true — the temple had transformed from the Fourth Order to that of the Three Pure Ones, meeting the conditions for the revival of the Temple Spirit.

Some trembled in awe, others exulted, while a few frowned in dismay.

Above the rocky mound on the mountain,

Li Che stood with his arms crossed, floating high in the sky, his eyes flashing an unusual gleam.

“So soon?!”

It was rather unexpected.

Who would have thought that XiXi, having just obtained the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring, had unwittingly gathered the three souls and seven spirits required for the revival of the Temple Spirit?

Li Che’s heart pounded fiercely as his jet-black hair danced wildly in the air, slicing through the wind with abandon.

He clearly heard the resounding echoes emanating from the Bizarre Temple.

Three Altar Hai Hui! Nezha!

His heart trembled, akin to that of the Qitian Great Sage—a myth reborn from two lifetimes. This name was laid bare without guile.

At that moment, Li Che felt his spirit wavering under the impact of divine revelation.

But he quickly regained his composure.

XiXi descended gracefully from midair, her large eyes blinking as every injury on her body healed. Under the overwhelming assault of divine force, she was restored to her prime.

The Yulian blooming at her brow radiated an extravagant brilliance, surpassing all beauty.

As if awakened, a surge of divine energy spilled from the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring, continually converging on her brow to bolster her divine cultivation.

In that brief moment, XiXi’s divine strength had skyrocketed remarkably.

From the initial Primordial Transformation of her Pure Heart Dao Fruit to the breakthrough into Golden Body Transcendence, her ascent was astonishingly swift…

Even Li Che couldn’t help but draw a quiet breath.

Was this the true effect of the divine weapon set?

It truly felt like an instant path to immortality.

Moreover, for XiXi, the greatest boon of the divine weapon set wasn’t merely a boost in divine power but an enhancement of her martial prowess.

When the final piece of the divine weapon set was assembled, it formed a unique field in its entirety.

Constantly tempering her physique, fortifying her muscles, bones, and flesh, XiXi’s body transformed at an astounding pace, with Li Che even sensing a rapid surge in her vital energy.

And her vital energy was perfectly in tune with her state. Even Li Che was in awe — was this truly the power of the divine weapon set?

No wonder that in this era, the fusion of martial cultivation and divine nature burst forth with vitality rivaling pure divine paths.

Such convenience was an irresistible temptation.

The path of the Martial Immortal is excruciatingly arduous — even Li Che, aided by Dao Fruits, spent far more effort than ordinary mortals on this journey.

After all, every bit of power from a Dao Fruit came from slaying mighty foes — a life-or-death gamble where failure meant death and the end of one’s journey.

Thus, Li Che’s journey as a Martial Immortal was fraught with hardship, and future breakthroughs would be even tougher.

“What an earth-shattering temptation,”

Li Che sighed softly.

XiXi’s big, bright eyes twinkled as her rosy cheeks shone. With the Qiankun Ring slung across her body and her hands on her hips, she could barely contain her excitement.

“Father! XiXi did it!”

XiXi was overjoyed. Not only had she made her father proud, but she also successfully reclaimed the ring and assembled the complete divine weapon set of the Third Prince!

“Father… was that voice just now the Temple Spirit?”

XiXi’s entire body glowed like red-hot metal, as if ablaze with fire. The divine power refining her body surged within her, strengthening her vital energy and cultivation.

The divine pattern of the Yulian at her brow sparkled brilliantly, radiating an unparalleled, resplendent glow.

Li Che nodded as he grasped XiXi’s hand. The father-daughter duo hovered atop the rocky mound on Dragon Island, with cold winds howling and lingering electric arcs dancing in the air.

His eyes fixed on the center of the Jiulong River, where raging tides clashed relentlessly.

Along the riverbank, countless cultivators — those expelled arrogantly from Jingguang Mansion by XiXi — had gathered, their eyes burning with fierce determination.

The revival of the divine spirit was a grand celebration — an earthly gift of divine energy.

Not to mention, the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple was ascending, on the verge of transforming into the Three Pure Ones’ echelon.

Suddenly,

A fissure burst open as radiant golden light projected from Li Che’s brow, as if tearing apart the fabric of space.

He gazed into the roiling depths of the eerie mist, where terrifying silhouettes emerged, exuding fierce and scorching energy. Massive divine markings intertwined like colossal dragons and serpents!

Li Che stared intently.

The hidden power of the Pantheon finally revealed itself at this moment.

Earthly cultivators anxiously awaited the transformation of the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple.

And within the eerie mist, formidable experts were watching the revival of the Temple Spirit.

These experts were not merely the three Supreme cultivators from Qitian City who had overcome tribulations.

After all, Qitian City’s revival had already concluded, and those three supreme figures now guarded the city to monitor its early recovery.

When Qitian had revived, they had battled three disasters—some even slaying supreme beings before leaping into the heavens…

This time, with the Temple Spirit’s resurrection and the Pantheon’s full preparations, the forces deployed would be mightier than ever!

This was the consequence of XiXi’s choice to refine the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring — the outcome of her decision.

By refining the ring and assembling the divine weapon set, XiXi’s process of melding weapons with her body neared perfection, granting her a divine body capable of countering the Yulian Curse.

But the cost was that the divine suppression by Yulian had prematurely awakened the Third Prince, exposing him to a crushing siege from the Pantheon’s experts!

Many choices inevitably come with dual consequences.

Any regrets?

Li Che had none.

The Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple was transforming from the Fourth Order to that of the Three Pure Ones—a metamorphosis driven by escalating divine power.

If Qitian City’s revival had exceeded even the strongest expectations of the Pantheon’s elite, then the Third Prince’s resurrection had surely prepared the ancient and divine clans for what was to come.

The likes of Hei Xumi, Dark Heavenly Court, Xie Yao Cave, the ancient clans, and even Lie Shen Pavilion might have hidden experts scheming in the shadows, ready to hunt and destroy the revived divine spirit.

For if a divine spirit falls, it is like a whale’s demise that nourishes all creatures—and every faction might profit handsomely.

Li Che envisioned a horde of ruthless diners brandishing knives and forks, eagerly awaiting their next sumptuous feast.

“How disgusting…”

Li Che’s Star Plucking Gaze flickered as it fixed on the transforming eerie mist, within which he vaguely saw a black lotus repeatedly blooming and withering.

It seemed as if a silhouette lay across the lotus, breathing steadily as it absorbed divine power with every rise and fall.

Divine energy was being swallowed and expelled in a hazy, interwoven dance within the mist.

Li Che could see the ancient, profound Bizarre Temple, once nestled at the heart of the Jiulong River, expanding as if countless palaces were bursting through the ground like spring shoots.

The old temple now appeared poised to grow into an entire city!

“Qitian City… Divine Capital…”

“Could it be that the Three Pure Ones’ Bizarre Temple is linked to a mortal city? That it connects the realm of the mist with the human world?”

Li Che pondered deeply.

He recalled that he had experienced two Three Pure Ones’ Bizarre Temples—one in Qitian City and another in Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple in Divine Capital…

“So if the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit revives, which city will accompany it?”

Li Che’s gaze shifted and settled on Jingguang City.

It had to be Jingguang City.

Bang—!!!

The Jiulong River’s waters battered Dragon Island mercilessly, the eerie mists and rocky mound trembling violently.

It was as though a terrifying, searing aura was slowly brewing within the stone.

The Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring itself was a divine weapon meant to seal Dragon Island. Now that it had been taken, the seal was broken.

The Four Seas Dragon Clan had sacrificed countless dragons for this very purpose.

Sensing the shift, Li Che sent XiXi to Mo City in Fengdu.

In his heart, he trusted only two places: a restaurant run by a trusted boss and Mo City in Fengdu.

Clang-clang—

Raindrops pounded incessantly in Mo City.

XiXi, her body flushed scarlet, was guided by the Domination Clone to the rooftop of the Dominator Tower.

The view was spectacular—Mo City sprawled beneath her.

Without further words, XiXi, though young, was far from naive. She knew that with the revival of the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit, a colossal battle, akin to Qitian City’s resurgence, was imminent.

Now, her only task was to grow stronger, harnessing the power of the newly acquired Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring to fortify herself.

After all, she was still too weak.

Unless she abandoned everything to embrace the power deep within her—power akin to that of an inner egg.

But her father had forbidden her from accepting such a force.

So, obediently, XiXi resolved to focus on growing stronger.

…

…

Swish-swish-swish-swish-swish—

The heavens opened as torrential rain poured down.

The Jiulong River’s water, channeled into the sky, reversed its flow, unleashing a deluge upon the land.

The world stood in solemn silence as divine energy surged over the Jiulong River.

The eerie mist expanded, punctuated by muffled explosions like distant thunder, as if the heavens themselves were tearing apart.

Inside his chest, the Dao Fruit of Thunder Magnetic Conduit — having just completed its fifth transformation — roared and vibrated relentlessly.

Li Che refocused his spirit and clenched his fist tightly.

In that instant, the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade appeared in his hand.

With a resounding clang, he swung it mightily.

Bang—!!!

The rocky mound erupted with an earth-shattering explosion, revealing an enormous crack.

The fissure cut deep into the mountain.

Was this the slumbering Young Dragon Emperor?

Li Che longed to take a closer look…

The Four Seas Dragon Clan had sacrificed countless dragons to break this seal. What kind of monster were they trying to unleash?

Li Che understood that he couldn’t simply ignore the mountain. He had to investigate, for if unforeseen changes arose during the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit’s revival, the ensuing crisis could be catastrophic.

The Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade resounded as its mighty edge cut deeper into the mountain.

Li Che’s Martial Immortal Will carried him downward in unison.

As he delved deeper, the overwhelming divine aura became denser, accompanied by a repressive dragon might and the ever-intensifying eerie mists!

Boom—

Suddenly, as the fissure reached mid-mountain, it opened into a vast emptiness.

Clang-clang—

Countless streams filled the mountain’s depths until it resembled an endless underwater realm. At its heart stood a majestic Dragon Palace, dazzling like crystal with glazed tiles, vermillion walls, elaborate divine markings, and a forest of corals—a palace where beams of light cascaded down, bathing the entire structure in brilliant radiance.

“Dragon Palace?”

Atop the mountain, Li Che’s Martial Immortal Will sent a tremor down his spine.

Who would have thought that hidden within Dragon Island was a Dragon Palace!

Gripping the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade and clad in his ink robe adorned with intricate lotus patterns, Li Che remained untouched by the raging torrents of the Jiulong River.

He raised his hand, and a glowing white Feilei Chess Piece coalesced in his palm.

He casually tossed it, and it plummeted through the fissure repeatedly.

Thud—

Like a small stone skipping on a lake.

A muted sound echoed as ripples spread.

In an instant, Li Che’s figure vanished into the vast expanse of the world.

At that moment,

Though most eyes were fixed on the transforming Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple ascending to the Three Pure Ones’ echelon,

many secretly watched the mortal Martial Immortal Li Che.

When Li Che carved a fissure into the rocky mound on Dragon Island with his blade, many hearts skipped a beat.

Thus, after his disappearance, everyone wondered if Li Che had entered the depths of the mountain.

Su Da’s gaze had never left Li Che.

As the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit roared in revival, the temple’s transformation still required time.

So, Su Da’s attention remained fixed on Li Che.

Here was a fresh, mortal Martial Immortal whose breakthrough power was tantalizingly formidable.

After Li Che disappeared, Su Da was convinced he had entered the rocky mound.

“This is madness… that mountain is likely the slumbering Young Dragon Emperor, awakened by the Four Seas Dragon Clan’s countless sacrifices.”

“With the Third Prince reviving, the Young Dragon Emperor is awakening as well…”

“Li Che, oh Li Che… are you courting death?”

Behind Su Da, countless intertwining white currents coalesced into the image of a white fox licking its paw.

…

…

Thud—

A chess piece fell into a vast lake, instantly rippling out concentric circles.

In a flash, the surrounding water and currents receded, revealing a perfect vacuum. Li Che, holding the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade at an angle, reappeared in the water.

His eyes opened amid the boiling, steaming water, shining with blazing brilliance.

His jet-black hair fanned out like floating seaweed, while his ink robe softly billowed.

Li Che’s gaze fell upon the dazzling, crystal-clear Dragon Palace—a majestic structure reflecting radiant splendor, hidden within the heart of a vast underwater realm.

This was beyond anything Li Che had imagined.

Sealed away and yet so comfortably free?

But Li Che soon sensed something: raising his hand, he pressed his finger to his brow as the Mud Pellet vibrated, and his flesh split open on both sides, instantly bathed in golden light.

Every illusion shattered, revealing truth in its naked form!

The pristine crystal Dragon Palace transformed into a crimson citadel, its walls seeped with the blood of myriad dragons that had been absorbed by the palace.

Li Che’s eyes pierced through every falsehood, beholding at the heart of the lavish Crimson Dragon Palace a solemn dragon coffin.

Within it, a figure with two incredibly sharp, towering horns sat silently.

Its hands rested on either side of the coffin; its bare, ruddy torso was clad in fine-scaled armor that shimmered with light.

“Young Dragon Emperor?”

A flash of astonishment crossed Li Che’s eyes.

Then suddenly, the figure in the coffin opened its eyes with a fierce snarl.

Its snake-like pupils burst forth with piercing golden light.

In an instant, torrents of water exploded outward, forming countless milky-white shockwaves, mingled with vibrant azure light, spreading from the crystal palace to Li Che, clearing a pristine path.

“The Third Prince’s Temple Spirit has revived. And you dare to investigate the secrets of my mountain…”

The Young Dragon Emperor’s handsome face wore a cold indifference as he glared at Li Che.

A menacing aura filled the air—a formidable dragon might, a divine pressure reminiscent of a god’s!

Yet perhaps, due to his recent revival, the divine spirit appeared rather fragile.

Li Che, gripping the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, narrowed his eyes at the Young Dragon Emperor.

His heart stirred with tumultuous waves.

He almost let his guard down.

“The Third Prince has revived and so have you. You exploited this gap to secretly transform, hoping to conceal your awakening…”

“But freshly revived, a divine spirit is at its most vulnerable—just as the Third Prince is now targeted by the Pantheon’s elites, you too fear the Yulian Camp’s experts…”

With the Pure Heart Dao Fruit in his chest thundering, Li Che felt every oppressive pressure vanish like a wisp of smoke.

He stared coldly at the Young Dragon Emperor emerging from the Crimson Dragon Coffin.

The Young Dragon Emperor let out a soft laugh.

Leaning against the stone coffin, his laughter grew louder. His blue hair flowed spectacularly as he laughed uncontrollably.

“Indeed… freshly revived, though inherently weak, I am still a genuine divine spirit. Even under the constraints of the heavens, while my full power remains hidden, you… cannot block me.”

Though surprised that Li Che had discovered his covert revival, the Young Dragon Emperor showed little concern.

After all, a mere mortal Martial Immortal already possessed near-supreme combat strength.

What was there to fear?

A divine spirit, once fully revived, would be a formidable adversary in the midst of the Third Prince’s revival.

And Li Che had uncovered his secret early.

Had others noticed, they wouldn’t have been able to reach here; after all, a fissure in a mountain is the limit — Li Che’s ability to traverse via the Feilei Chess Piece was unique.

Though the myriad dragon caves made the mountain appear fragile, its strength was unmatched.

“You cannot stop me,”

“Back in the days when the divine tides receded, Nezha slaughtered my Four Seas Dragon Clan, ripping me from the heavens and sealing me in this mortal realm for countless ages until I nearly lost my mind!”

“Now that I have revived, I shall devour his treasured lotus-like flesh, break his three souls and seven spirits, and shatter his divine platform—forever consigning him to oblivion!”

The Young Dragon Emperor lunged forward fiercely, his blue hair streaming wildly, revealing his sharply pointed dragon ears.

Rumble—

The crimson dragon blood that had stained the Crystal Palace surged relentlessly toward the Young Dragon Emperor’s coffin, as if rivers of blood coursed through dense capillaries.

Facing the overwhelming aura of the Young Dragon Emperor, Li Che’s Seven Aperture Luminous Heart stirred, yet he remained unfazed.

Slowly, he raised the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade…

Li Che intended to test the mettle of this freshly revived divine spirit.

For Li Che, if he could slay this newly awakened divine spirit, unexpected rewards might follow.

Though the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit was besieged by the Pantheon’s elite,

Li Che’s power had surged manyfold, and his hidden trump card had grown, though its side effects were dire and best left untouched if possible.

For if he could defeat the Young Dragon Emperor now…

He would attempt Spiritual Confinement.

If that failed… he would instead devour him, transforming him into the Fourth Outcast of Ten Calamities!

A divine spirit…

Perhaps this would serve as a tremendous boost for Li Che when facing even mightier foes.

Glug glug glug…

Li Che watched as the Young Dragon Emperor sat in the coffin, greedily absorbing dragon blood.

“How cruel…”

Li Che murmured softly.

The so-called sacrifice by the myriad dragons was nothing but a blood-fueled feast to restore the Young Dragon Emperor’s strength after his revival!

“Cruel?”

The Young Dragon Emperor tilted his head, smirking at Li Che.

“It’s your doing.”

For a moment, Li Che paused — his adversary made a valid point.

The Young Dragon Emperor squinted, waiting for Li Che to strike. He knew that Li Che was nearly moved to act.

However, he didn’t care; if the Yulian Camp’s divine experts attacked, he might indeed end up with regret.

Though hardly any divine spirits had yet revived in the Yulian Camp…

Still, the Young Dragon Emperor prepared his counterattack, planning to covertly complete his revival under the distraction of the Third Prince’s Temple Spirit’s resurgence…

But alas, he was discovered.

Not a problem.

A mortal Martial Immortal?

In the face of divine beings…

We are but insignificant insects!

Come then, mortal!

Seize this one chance in your life to challenge a divine spirit!

Yet,

Li Che did not immediately order the Young Dragon Emperor to attack.

Instead, he stood silently with closed eyes.

In a moment, his spirit sank into the Dao Calamity Space!

The Dao Calamity power born from the recently transformed Thunder Magnetic Conduit Dao Fruit roared like the shattering of primordial star fragments as Li Che’s Martial Immortal Golden Body shone brilliantly, his muscles resonating as he thrust his fist outward to clash with the destructive thunder!

Boom—!!!

The entire Dao Calamity Space seemed to be devoured by dark-gold lightning!

It brimmed with an aura of destruction, as if woven into chains of order.

…

Whoosh—!!!

Li Che abruptly opened his eyes, dark-gold lightning dancing in his gaze.

All 38,000 apertures on his body, millions of pores, spurted out fine electric currents!

Gazing at the Dragon Palace, in the midst of which sat the Young Dragon Emperor in his coffin, exuding that unique divine arrogance toward mortals,

he exhaled a mighty breath—a thunderous bellow that shook the entire palace!

Boom!

He surged forward toward the Crimson Crystal Dragon Palace with a resolute step.

Thud!

His foot landed, and the entire mountain trembled as gale-force winds and colossal waves erupted; golden vital energy burst forth, flooding the mountain’s depths in an instant, while streams of dark-gold lightning spouted from every pore, coalescing into the very essence of thunder!

Angling the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade and clenching his fist with bone-cracking resolve, Li Che delivered a blow as if etched into a fist imprint, forcefully smashing toward the Young Dragon Emperor in the Dragon Palace.

Countless violet flames sprang from his clenched fist, interwoven with the might of a dragon’s roar and righteous indignation!

His Martial Immortal Golden Body resounded with steel, while six Qimen Immortal Seeds on his back sparkled in unison!

Empowering Li Che’s strength moment by moment!

Vital energy surged, and his true martial power rushed out like a torrent, as a massive furnace was born behind him amidst a blaze of flame.

Qimen Immortal Seed Martial Art!

Within the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace, countless streams of shifting colors intertwined.

That was…

Dao Calamity!

Dragon Flame Slash, Void-Cleaving Burst, Purification Flow, Withered Branch, Demon Golden Scale, Qiankun Struggle, and the recently understood fragments of star shattering!

The original Seven Calamities all converged within a single furnace!

Various forces of Dao Calamity continuously shifted within the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace!

This was Li Che’s self-forged pinnacle, born from his battle against celestial thunder and his breakthrough in the nine heavens!

Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Furnace!

All-encompassing!

The tangible fist wind intertwined with violet flames, unleashing an incessant echo of explosions. In that fateful moment, Li Che cast aside all distractions, his sole thought clear:

I will kill him!

…

…

Countless crimson blood vessels intermingled within the Dragon Palace.

Inside the coffin, the Young Dragon Emperor spread his arms, his horns piercing the heavens with lethal sharpness.

A wry smirk played on his lips, oozing divine arrogance and mocking disdain for mortals.

Suddenly, a faint sound of shattering, like dark thunder, resonated.

He saw Li Che’s fist start to move slowly forward as his punch wind caressed the walls of the Crystal Dragon Palace, gradually cracking them.

The arrogance, derision, and indifference once etched on his lips stiffened abruptly.