Chapter 86: The Draining of Divine Aura

Even when a Divine Foundation cultivator falls, the divine aura within their body lingers for a short time, refusing to vanish immediately.

At that moment, with the aid of certain secret techniques, one can devour the divine aura present in a corpse and make it their own.

Although there may be instances where the divine essences do not match.

Even if they don’t match, refining and extracting can eliminate the incompatible divine wills.

This secret method originally circulated from a high-level, bizarre temple before becoming the signature technique of a notorious cult in the Great Jianghu, sparking slaughter after slaughter.

Cao Guang’s eyes flickered as a mild shock stirred within him.

He had acquired this technique from his sect…

Yet now, when he applied it to Yang Jing’s corpse, he couldn’t sense any divine aura—a baffling inconsistency.

‘This Ogre…’

Cao Guang squinted, as if he had just figured something out, a look of dawning realization on his face.

‘No wonder every time this Ogre appears, his strength skyrockets. His martial talent may be extraordinary, but his divine aura surges just as rapidly…’

‘So he’s similar to me—it all makes sense now.’

‘But who passed on his technique? Why would an Ogre show up in Feilei City? Is it to target me? Or… to snatch the fruit of my “Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet”?’

Cao Guang felt a vague dark shadow watching him from the gloom, like the deadliest serpent in existence.

He let out a dismissive snort.

‘No matter what, this Ogre… isn’t a match for me.’

‘Even if he belongs to the same sect, I’m the senior—let the juniors take their place… just have some soup.’

‘If you want to snatch the fruit, you’ll have to sacrifice your life!’

Cao Guang’s gaze turned icy.

Then he glanced at Cao Qingyuan, whose body was splattered with decayed flesh and shattered bones, his eyes filled with disgust.

‘Clean up this disgusting mess.’

‘Then… head to other cities and send for a few Prodigies to bring them back to fill the two vacancies.’

‘The Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet… must be accelerated.’

His words trailing off.

Cao Guang strode off, vanishing around the corner of the hall.

Cao Qingyuan, meanwhile, observed the etiquette with utmost respect, daring not to object.

Yet beneath his bowed head, a fierce glow burned in his eyes.

The Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet…

The blessing of the Temple Spirit.

It was something he had long anticipated.

……

……

‘Plop!’

A Python Blood Martial Pill tumbled into his stomach, its dull sound echoing like a stone dropping into a vast lake.

This pill can only be taken at the Vessel-Penetration Stage.

It allows Qi and blood to break through into the meridians, forming a miniature circulation route that weaves through muscles, bones, and vital organs.

Each cycle fuses internal strength with Qi, creating a surge of potent energy.

Li Che could feel the Python Blood Martial Pill churn inside his abdomen, gradually unleashing its medicinal power as it succumbed to his gastric juices.

Boom——!

The pill’s outer coating burst apart in an instant, as if a python were wreaking havoc within his stomach!

It was as though his Qi and blood were suddenly ignited, his body burning like a blazing furnace!

The Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit vibrated mightily, roaring like a dragon and trumpeting like an elephant, pulverizing the Python Blood Martial Pill in a flash!

A torrent of medicinal energy surged like a wild storm, propelling his Qi and blood along his meridians like a roaring tide cleansing his innards!

Li Che’s entire body resounded with a clashing, metallic sound as his skin turned a fiery red.

‘So domineering!’

His eyes snapped open with burning intensity; usually, refining a Python Blood Martial Pill was a slow, grueling process.

The Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit outright pulverized the pill, forcefully unleashing its potency…

With a resounding ‘honk-boom’, Li Che’s flesh swelled in a ring, expanding continuously as thick, serpentine muscles on his back trembled like writhing dragons, merging his Qi and internal strength.

The Qianyuan Minor Circulation Technique was nearly pushed to its limits by the sheer force of his body.

New internal energy continually arose, flooding his limbs and every bone.

The realm of passage-through Qi channels, unlike external tempering methods like bone grinding, tendon bursting, or bone tempering, is an internal forging of the body—an inward refinement of muscles, bones, and vital organs.

Yet even as one refines internally, accumulating abundant internal energy is the true key to enhancing one’s Qi channels.

In barely half an hour, a single Python Blood Martial Pill had its effects completely exhausted and absorbed by Li Che.

Li Che’s skin steamed with heat, emitting a sizzling sound as the internal energy within his small cycle grew from the slithering form of a snake into the majesty of a dragon.

Li Che rose, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings.

【Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (LV3 5%)】

A single martial pill boosted the maturity of the Dragon Elephant Vajra by 5%—a rate that was truly astonishing.

However, Li Che understood that being his first time consuming a pill, such an impressive effect was natural.

Continuing on, further consumption would surely not lead to such rapid progress.

‘Then I’ll have to take a few more…’

Sweating profusely, Li Che checked his body; finding no further change, he pulled out another pill and swallowed it.

After all, the martial pills gathered from the Yang Family treasury were easy to indulge in, though their supply was limited—and once they ran out, he’d have to seek another source.

He felt the pill’s medicinal force dissolve once again in his stomach.

Li Che’s eyes deepened with reflection.

‘With the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit’s ability to extract medicinal potency, my Qi channels will soon break through to the Xuanmai Stage. However… Senior Qingshan said that the Qianyuan Xuanmai Technique can only be acquired upon entering the Divine Sect.’

‘But it seems it won’t be long…’

‘Senior Qingshan’s open display of identity is probably a sign that he’ll be returning to the Divine Sect soon.’

‘Then I’ll just hold on a bit longer.’

‘I possess the Yang Family’s Divine Foundation Forging Technique—Senior Qingshan once mentioned that higher-level Divine Foundation techniques can override lower-level ones…’

‘So, I can put my martial cultivation on hold…’

‘But what about the divine aura? Could I perhaps try…’

‘…forging a Divine Foundation?’

……

……

The first light of dawn emerged as the winter rain had only just ceased.

The morning chill deepened noticeably.

The distant mountains were enshrouded by a ribbon of mist, their outlines resembling delicate, ink-brushed strokes in a minimalist landscape.

Xu Family Divine Cultivation Institute.

Granny Mu had regained her tranquility; without the clamorous cries of the children, the place now exuded a lonely, desolate aura.

She clutched her Python’s Head Wooden Cane in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other, pruning the flowers laden with winter raindrops in the courtyard.

Suddenly.

A figure in a flowing azure robe appeared in the yard, standing apart from the plants and silently observing Granny Mu from afar.

Granny Mu paused for a moment in surprise before ignoring the newcomer, intensifying her snipping as the leaves cascaded down.

‘She’s got spirit again…’

Li Qingshan looked at Granny Mu and couldn’t help but grin.

Reaching out instinctively, he intended to tousle the girl’s head.

But the sharp scissors clanged loudly, blocking the inevitable path of his hand.

‘I’m not the little girl I once was—don’t you dare touch me, or I’ll cut you off!’ Granny Mu glared, brandishing the scissors as a threat.

‘Hahaha, I’m tougher and mightier now—try cutting me if you dare!’

Li Qingshan’s lips curled into a smile as he laughed heartily.

That girl still carried the familiar, feisty charm, unchanged over all these years.

Granny Mu snorted and set the scissors aside; after all, Li Qingshan had now become a renowned force in the Divine Foundation records.

She was well aware of his formidable physical strength.

Deciding it wasn’t worth the effort—better not to break her scissors.

‘What brings a top cultivator of the Qianyuan Divine Sect to seek an old lady like me? Your grandson… Master Li has taken him. Go to him there,’ Granny Mu snapped sarcastically.

Li Qingshan’s hand finally landed on Granny Mu’s head as he gently massaged it, saying, ‘That big-headed kid isn’t my grandson—he’s merely my apprentice.’

‘I gave you that kid not only to tease you but also as an excuse to protect XiXi. She has a remarkable divine talent. I plan to take her to the prefectural city—her ability should allow her to pass the sect’s entrance test with ease.’

Granny Mu’s eyes brightened briefly at his words, only to dim again as her expression turned cold.

‘Alright, old lady, I get it. You can leave now.’

And with that, she leaned on her cane and walked out into the courtyard.

Watching the old woman’s staggering retreat, Li Qingshan sighed, ‘Mu Mu, come with me. Even though I’m in the midst of a Divine Appearance Inspection, I’ve arranged this chance to descend in my own flesh just to see you…’

‘This time, whoever dares block me… I’ll smash them to pieces.’

Granny Mu paused in her steps.

‘Li Qingshan, I’m already old…’

‘Old, indeed.’

Li Qingshan gently walked over to Granny Mu.

Just like old times.

He tenderly stroked her head.

Li Qingshan could crush countless foes, but only with a young lady did he reveal his gentle side.

Gazing at the distant mountains.

His voice was soft and gentle.

‘No worries — there’s still the sunset to enjoy together.’

……

……

The emissary for selecting Prodigies from the Qianyuan Divine Sect had arrived.

City Lord Cao Guang personally greeted him, and as per tradition, a banquet would be held at Jinhuang Pavilion in three days, with major aristocratic families summoned to bring children from the Divine Cultivation Institute for divine talent assessments.

The aristocratic families of Feilei City’s Inner City would attend—even the reclusive Divine Foundation Ancestors would make an appearance.

It was one of the major city events held once every few years.

A ceremonial affair where both the Divine Sect and the Imperial Court put on a show.

‘Has the An Family left the city? Are they heading to Jingguang City?’

In the courtyard, while Li Che was instructing XiXi in martial arts, he listened to news from Old Chen, who had been out gathering information, and was immediately stunned.

This An Family…

Are they leaving so decisively?

Just yesterday, Yang Family Elder Lao Deng had been killed, and today the entire Yang Family had fled the city in haste.

Old Master of the An Family is as cunning as they come—swiftly scrambling with his whole clan, as expected.

Old Chen, too, was repeatedly marveling in astonishment.

A trace of regret and sorrow flickered in Li Che’s eyes.

His ‘Sorrowful Divine Aura’… had slipped away.

Now, if he wanted to acquire the cultivation method for the ‘Sorrowful Divine Aura’, he’d have to seek an alternative route—it was precious and rarely found, even on the black market.

After finishing martial arts training with XiXi and his wife Zhang Ya, Li Che headed to the Private Workshop.

Sitting on a wooden chair in the workshop, Li Che gripped a gleaming white carving knife as he sculpted a Divine Aura Wooden Carving.

Falling wood shavings danced in the winter breeze.

In moments, a lifelike wooden carving took shape.

He captured the divine aura of heaven and earth, sealing it within the carving.

Before him, a shimmering prompt materialized.

【Dao Fruit: Celestial Craft (LV3 29%)】

The progress of Celestial Craft was extremely slow.

‘It seems I need to craft more new mechanisms. There are still some devices in Tang’s Mechanism Chronicle that can be replicated. Moreover… my design for ‘Namo Celestial Craft Barrett’ might be worth trying—the penetrating power of Bodhi Blood Tears is a perfect match.’

‘Also, the might of Muduya needs upgrading…’

‘The more advanced the craft, the harder it is to improve.’

Li Che’s fingers danced as the carving knife flew over the wood. He began crafting a smaller version of ‘Namo Celestial Craft Gatling’—a gift for XiXi, who had been pestering him lately.

Of course, he planned to deliver it in the guise of an Ogre, along with a piece of Qian Kun Jade to house the Gatling.

That would also serve as a means of self-defense for XiXi.

Li Che felt incredibly busy—there was martial cultivation to pursue, celestial crafting to complete, and divine aura to refine…

Standing up, every muscle and bone in his body crackled noisily.

His overwhelming Qi and blood vibrated intensely.

With a swift gesture, Li Che retrieved the adorable Cute Cow Mask and placed it over his face.

Lights flickered before his eyes.

【Dao Fruit: Chess Sage (LV1 89%)】

The rate at which the Chess Sage Dao Fruit advanced exceeded Li Che’s expectations.

Yet that outcome wasn’t entirely unexpected.

After all, it had absorbed the divine aura of Yang Family Elder Lao Deng and concentrated it into a chess piece that leaped in maturity.

With a clenched fist, he grasped the divine aura chess piece from the ‘Three-Eyed Furious True Lord Prodigy’ of the Bizarre Temple outside the city.

Upon opening his eyes again, he found himself inside the flickering, candlelit Bizarre Temple.

During this period, Zhao Xuanhai’s [Fen Nu Mi Tuo] divine aura had been completely depleted, so Li Che substituted it with the Temple Spirit’s furious divine aura—the effect was surprisingly effective, with virtually no rejection.

Now, the [Fen Nu Mi Tuo] divine aura had reached the pinnacle of Yangxing Ruhe.

It wasn’t far from forging his Divine Foundation.

‘However, I have yet to master the Divine Foundation technique of [Fen Nu Mi Tuo].’

‘That technique… should be available at the City Lord’s Residence.’

After finishing his absorption of divine aura, Li Che leapt down from the altar.

He glanced around at the ever-increasing array of various Prodigy wooden carvings arranged nearby.

Li Che’s brow furrowed slightly.

‘The City Lord… or rather, the Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet of the Lingying Sect’s leader?’

‘The purpose of the Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet must be a ritual—to awaken the Temple Spirit through sacrificial rites? But how exactly does it work?’

Li Che surveyed the room, feeling as though countless Spirit Infant wooden carvings exuded a myriad of emotions, stirring irritation and anger within him.

From the Pure Heart Dao Fruit, a pristine divine aura emerged, radiating serenity and calm.

He fought the urge to destroy the Spirit Infant wooden carvings, for Li Qingshan had mentioned that these carvings, used in worship of the Temple Spirit, had forged a special bond with it.

Destroy even one, and the Temple Spirit would sense it and awaken.

Uncertain of the mysterious Temple Spirit, Li Che was cautious, unwilling to confront it lightly.

He merely wished to quietly absorb the Temple Spirit’s divine aura; he never intended to attack it.

He exhaled deeply.

Li Che glanced at the Three-Eyed Furious True Lord Prodigy placed on the altar.

Smiling, Li Che—wearing his Cute Cow Mask—leaped onto the altar with impeccable balance.

Gazing at the timeworn head of the Temple Spirit wooden carving, he reached out.

His palm settled over the carving’s head.

Suddenly, his hand took on a jade-like hue, as if enveloped by a delicate mist of jade.

It looked as if it had been sculpted from jade—exquisitely refined and magnificent.

Boom!!!

A formidable suction force burst forth from his Thousand Analysis Hand, drawing in the divine aura embedded within the Temple Spirit wooden carving.

One jet-black divine aura chess piece after another slowly floated into existence around Li Che.

They exuded streams of dark, dissipating energy.

The Temple Spirit wooden carving, seated high on the altar, seemed to radiate ever-intensifying fury, much like a child robbed of precious treasures.

The vertical slit between its brows almost appeared to twist with anger.

Alas, it always fell just short.

Li Che grew pensive, and as the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit reached LV3, the suction power of his Thousand Analysis Hand seemed to intensify.

The rate of divine aura absorption quickened!

Previously, in two hours, he could only absorb half a Temple Spirit divine aura chess piece.

Now… in just half an hour, Li Che condensed one completely.

One after another, chess pieces exuding dark energy floated around him—four pieces every two hours.

Combined with those condensed earlier, he now possessed a total of nine Temple Spirit divine aura chess pieces.

Perhaps not entirely satisfied, just as Li Che was about to absorb the ninth chess piece…

The overpowering suction from his Thousand Analysis Hand burst forth…

But…

To his astonishment, his eyes narrowed as he failed to absorb any divine aura.

It seemed the Temple Spirit had been completely drained by his power!

No… it can actually be drained?

But soon, Li Che sensed that the Temple Spirit wooden carving was emitting an unbearably scorching heat.

Then he saw that the wooden carving—whose head his hand covered—revealed a third vertical eye…

Its eyeball began to roll around noisily.

‘Smack!’

Abruptly.

One of the hands of the Three-Eyed Furious True Lord Prodigy Temple Spirit wooden carving suddenly flung up, seizing onto the calloused palm on Li Che’s head with fierce force.

Boom—

Outside the Bizarre Temple, winter thunder seemed to roll and serpentine lightning slithered.

Inside, all the candle flames flickered wildly, casting warped shadows of the Spirit Infant wooden carvings like innumerable vengeful specters in a frenzied dance.

In an instant, the atmosphere turned frigid and silent.

Not a sound could be heard in the void between heaven and earth.

Only the pounding of a heart resonated—like thunder, like the toll of great bells.

But none of that mattered—what was important was that Li Che felt an intense, scorching surge of heat flow from the Temple Spirit wooden carving into his Thousand Analysis Hand.

The jade-like sheen of his Thousand Analysis Hand swirled vividly.

Information transmitted through his Thousand Analysis Hand slowly unfolded within his mind.

……

【Divine Foundation Technique (Top Grade of the Eight Extremes): Three-Eyed Furious True Lord Divine Foundation】

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