Chapter 87: The Temple’s Divine Gift

The flickering candlelight cast countless shadows of the wooden Spirit Infant statues, resembling clawing demons.

The reflection of the Cute Cow Mask flickered in the firelight as the temple god carving gripped its arm; its round eyes spun, as if an aura as fierce as flames erupted.

In the air, a silent roar seemed to arise in surges, crashing like tidal waves.

The temple god glared furiously; all three of its eyes blazed with anger.

It was as though it were roaring at the insatiably greedy Ogre before it.

Enough is enough!

Grab it and scram!

Stop pushing your luck any further!

Yet Li Che remained completely oblivious.

From beneath the mask’s eyeholes, a soft, burning light glowed, as if one could peer into a blaze.

……

【Divine Foundation Technique (Eighth Supreme Grade): Three-Eyed Furious True Lord Foundation】

【Origin: Branch of Furious Divine Essence – The collective rage of thousands, absorbed through the Three-Eyed Divine Gaze, channeled by wooden baby carvings and blessed by True Lord Langshen, giving rise to the method】

【Advancement: With the Three-Eyed Compassionate True Lord or the Three-Eyed Terrifying True Lord technique, one can co-forge the Seven-Element Three-Eyed Three-Spirit True Lord Foundation】

【Conditions: Mastery of Furious Divine Essence and reaching the peak of Yangxing Ruhe】

……

The glowing text before him gradually faded away.

A torrent of profound knowledge surged into Li Che’s mind; his gaze narrowed with a spark of delight.

Breaking free from the grip of the temple god carving, Li Che leapt off the altar, landing on the ground as he steadied his racing heart and silently absorbed the information.

‘Is this… a Divine Foundation Technique?!’

‘And it’s the Eighth Supreme Grade one! I only acquired the Heart-Stopping True Lord Foundation from Yang Family Elder, which is barely Nine Luminary Lower Grade…’

‘Eighth Supreme Grade Divine Foundation…’

Li Che felt a surge of unexpected joy.

‘Senior Qingshan once said that in the Bizarre Temple, the temple god bestows many gifts—various Divine Essence and Divine Foundation techniques—so that countless unexplored, wild Bizarre Temples attract legions of cultivators…’

‘So… this is what they call the temple god’s gift?’

Though it sounded more like the temple god was impatiently dismissing him, Li Che was elated.

‘It appears that the temple god’s foundational technique can even be advanced!’

‘By acquiring the Three-Eyed Compassionate True Lord and the Three-Eyed Terrifying True Lord techniques, one can co-forge the Three-Eyed Three-Spirit True Lord Foundation—the Seven-Element Supreme Grade!’

Lost in thought, Li Che’s emotions stirred, and his eyes shone even brighter.

‘Surely, I’m not the only one yearning to forge a seven-emotion divine foundation; our ideas might not be so different after all.’

‘While some co-forge three divine foundations into one, I plan to forge seven distinct ones.’

Not much difference.

In essence, the paths of cultivation are the same.

Li Che couldn’t help but feel joyful; his future now appeared much clearer and filled with hope.

‘Furthermore, Senior Qingshan mentioned that this Bizarre Temple is a branch of the Four Sovereigns Bizarre Temple. Could it be that… future divine foundations might be enhanced through the Four Sovereigns Bizarre Temple?’

‘If this Tenfold Bizarre Temple can yield an Eighth Supreme Grade Divine Foundation Technique, then might the Four Sovereigns Bizarre Temple produce a Three Pure Grade Divine Foundation Technique with a little effort?’

The Divine Foundation Technique details were completely absorbed into his mind.

He had lingered in the Bizarre Temple a little longer today.

Enhanced by his martial prowess, Li Che’s sharpened senses caught a rapid, subtle sound beyond the temple.

He heard someone approaching!

After leaving behind a flying Feilei token marker, Li Che clenched his fist and vanished.

The doors of the Bizarre Temple swung open.

A figure in white, wearing a faceless mask, dashed in swiftly; its mask reflected countless twisted flames.

‘Temple god’s divine energy fluctuation… Was there someone in the temple moments ago?’

‘Who is it?!’

They hadn’t even opened the temple door… and yet someone was already inside?

What on earth is that?!

The white-clad figure, with wind-tossed black hair, had eyes filled with solemn determination beneath the mask.

Winter thunder roared while lightning slithered like snakes.

Suddenly, the white figure’s neck stiffened and slowly arched upward.

Its movements changed!

The temple god carving… no longer moved as before!

Gazing at the altar, the carved temple god now seemed poised to grab something.

The white figure felt an obstruction in his divine energy, clearly sensing the temple god’s uncontrollable fury crashing like a tidal wave.

A muffled groan escaped him as eerie black markings emerged on his skin, slowly writhing.

The white-clad figure trembled, then…

His knees buckled…

He slowly knelt.

……

……

Li Che returned to his Private Workshop.

His tall figure stood silently as he removed his mask and shed his clothes.

‘What an unexpected delight—to have obtained a Divine Foundation Technique in the Bizarre Temple…’

‘Eighth Supreme Grade indeed.’

Li Che looked up at the darkening sky; night was about to fall.

The evening sun cast a fiery red glow over the black-tiled roofs.

‘I’ve now mastered Fen Nu Mi Tuo to the peak of Yangxing Ruhe. I’m just one step away from forging my divine foundation—I might as well give it a try.’

Li Che mused, knowing well that forging a divine foundation was no easy task.

‘Forging a divine foundation will undoubtedly trigger fierce divine ripples in the world—it cannot be hidden and will expose me…’

‘Worse yet, if someone disrupts the process midway, it could backfire catastrophically—an entirely different risk from that of a martial breakthrough.’

Sitting in his chair, Li Che toyed with a carved wooden piece while contemplating the preparations needed for his divine foundation.

‘First, I must leave the city to find a quiet haven… secondly, I need to set up hidden traps and mechanisms. Also, my qi and blood must be strong—I’ll consume the remaining Python Blood Martial Pills to refine them into raw strength.’

‘I have the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit. My body is so robust that even without Xuanmai cultivation, my physical strength rivals those who have it—so forging my divine foundation should be well within reach.’

After finalizing his plans, Li Che settled back into his Workshop and took out the ‘Rouxuehong’ spirit wood acquired from Yang Family Elder to craft the ‘Bodhi Blood Tears’ mechanism.

This device was immensely powerful, capable of posing a grave threat even to divine foundation cultivators.

Alas, its crafting was extremely challenging—Li Che could only produce one at a time, and after using it he’d need to prepare another.

Fortunately, the Rouxuehong in Senior Qingshan’s collection was large enough; Li Che estimated he could make three Bodhi Blood Tears.

After working for a while, Li Che paused his task.

Glancing at the pitch-black sky, he decided not to linger in the Workshop any longer.

He left for Jinhuang Pavilion, for due to Li Qingshan’s influence the City Lord’s Residence had lost interest in Li Che and XiXi.

With the downfall of the Yang Family, the decline of the Si Family, and the complete relocation of the An Family, the only major clan left in Feilei City was the Xu Family; surprisingly, order in the city had improved dramatically.

After setting a table laden with fine wine and dishes, Li Che returned to his own Courtyard.

In the Courtyard, XiXi sat with Old Chen—one elder and one child—on bamboo chairs under the eaves, enjoying fruit.

Old Chen, who adored XiXi, often bought her delicious treats. Even though fruit was expensive in winter, he spared no expense for her.

‘Daddy!’

When XiXi saw Li Che return, she excitedly jumped up from her chair.

She dashed toward Li Che, diving into his embrace.

‘Daddy, are we moving? And can we take Grandpa Chen with us?’

XiXi’s long lashes fluttered, her bright eyes filled with reluctance.

Old Chen paused, his gaze softening. He grabbed a gourd, removed the stopper, and took a sip of wine. ‘This little girl…’

‘Aren’t you headed to the City Lord’s Residence for cultivation? What use is it for Grandpa Chen to come along?’

Li Che smiled and said, ‘Old Chen, stop hesitating—we’re going together. XiXi has been training with you since she was little. At the City Lord’s Residence, she’ll be tested—you wouldn’t want to miss the moment she suppresses the cultivators from various cities to make a grand entrance into the Divine Sect, would you?’

Old Chen was momentarily speechless. ‘This little girl is indeed adorable and sweet, with a strength that could move mountains…’

‘At three, no one can best little stinky XiXi!’

Old Chen burst into hearty laughter, as if envisioning XiXi’s imposing moment in the City Lord’s Residence.

XiXi wrapped her small arms around Li Che’s neck, scrunched up her tiny nose, and protested, ‘Grandpa Chen, I’m XiXi—Li Nuǎnxi, not little stinky XiXi!’

‘Haha, all right—Old Chen knows, little stinky XiXi it is.’

Old Chen chuckled in response.

XiXi pouted and remained silent, her cheeks scrunched in dissatisfaction.

‘Old Chen, get ready— in a couple of days, we’ll resign from our post at Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop…’ Li Che stated.

Old Chen hesitated, ‘A spirit child should only be accompanied by one’s own. Would it be inappropriate for me to go?’

‘Don’t worry; your quota won’t be affected,’ Li Che replied with a slight smile.

Hearing this, Old Chen no longer resisted.

In a few days, once the spirit child selection at Jinhuang Pavilion had concluded, Li Che planned to inform Uncle and the others so they could also relocate to the City Lord’s Residence.

Mainly because Feilei City… has become unsafe.

Night fell.

Li Qingshan returned, his face flushed and his stride brisk.

While Lu Chi was contending with XiXi over the Twisty Car, he looked up in wonder at his mentor—despite his youth, he had already grasped many adult secrets.

Rolling his eyes, Lu Chi resumed his contest with XiXi over the Twisty Car.

‘I’m done playing—Lu Chi, you take it.’

Ever generous, XiXi handed the Twisty Car to Lu Chi and then sat down under the eaves; her chubby little hand propped her chin as she looked a bit forlorn.

In the distance, Li Che, teaching Zhang Ya martial techniques, cast a sharp glance in their direction.

Lu Chi shuddered and quickly sprang from the Twisty Car, only to feel its heat burn his backside—Li Che’s gaze was as merciless as a thousand cuts.

He felt like crying but had no tears; after all, he hadn’t even provoked XiXi.

Li Che approached XiXi and asked, ‘What’s wrong? Are you upset?’

XiXi pouted, ‘I miss Master Niu Niu. He hasn’t visited me for days—I miss him.’

Li Che froze for a moment.

Ogre is clearly no good person—why does this kid even miss him?

But a daughter’s wish is sacred, and Li Che would gladly fulfill it.

‘Don’t worry; perhaps Master Niu Niu already knows you’re moving and is preparing a gift for you,’ Li Che said, pinching XiXi’s chubby cheek.

XiXi’s eyes immediately lit up.

Meanwhile, Lu Chi secretly rolled his eyes out of Li Che’s sight.

He had already seen through all the adults’ secrets.

An old man deceiving an elderly lady, and a father coaxing his daughter by pretending to be a master.

The world of adults is nothing but a façade.

……

……

The next day.

Dark clouds amassed as winter thunder roared, sending dancing flashes of lightning.

After a thorough bone examination with his wife Zhang Ya the previous night, Li Che felt invigorated.

In the Courtyard.

Li Qingshan, clad in blue, sat upright on a wooden chair, poring over a book. Next to him, a heating stove boiled water for tea, and warm vapor filled the air.

Lu Chi sat beneath him, quietly cultivating his divine energy.

Li Qingshan was reading the copy of Tang’s Mechanism Chronicle he had received from Old Chen.

Old Chen frowned as he looked at the book and said to Li Che, ‘Mechanisms… did you use the ones described in it to slay the Yang Family’s divine foundation?’

‘Tang’s Mechanisms are indeed formidable but complex. This volume is merely a remnant; most of its descriptions are vague. That you managed to craft one is truly impressive…’

Li Qingshan glanced at Li Che and laughed, a curious glint in his eyes.

They say constructing a mechanism requires innate talent.

Not just any craftsmanship will suffice.

In the heyday of the Tang family, such talents flourished. But ever since the fall of their divine progeny, mechanism geniuses became scarce, and gradually the Tang legacy faded.

Many Tang mechanisms, even with blueprints, cannot be replicated without true talent.

‘Your natural aptitude for mechanisms should not go to waste. Once you join the Divine Sect, I’ll recommend someone who can teach you more about the art of mechanisms.’

Hearing this, Li Che didn’t refuse; he was truly interested in mechanisms, and learning more would greatly aid the maturation of his 【Xiangong】 Dao Fruit.

After chatting with Li Qingshan for a while, Li Che went to call Old Chen, planning to resign from his position as a wood carving artisan at Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

‘Going to Xu Ji? I’ll join you along the way.’

Li Qingshan got up lazily.

Li Che was taken aback, ‘Join me? What do you mean by that?’

But he didn’t press the matter; Li Qingshan’s eminent status in Feilei City meant he was untouchable—even at Xu Ji, he was treated like an honored guest.

Soon, the three arrived at Xu Ji’s Inner City Wood Carving Shop. Li Qingshan casually strolled off on his own.

Li Che and Old Chen explained their intentions, and after a short while, Xu Helil, dressed in white, and Xu Beihu hurried over.

‘Master Li, are you resigning from your position as a wood carving artisan at Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop?’

‘Is it because the spirit child daughter has been recognized by Senior Qingshan, and you’re soon bound for the City Lord’s Residence?’ Xu Helil asked with a smile.

His expression was complex—it was hard to imagine a commoner rising so high in merely three years.

As for whether Li Che was the Ogre, Xu Helil couldn’t be sure.

When Cao Qingyuan and Zhang Xiangyang visited Li Che’s Courtyard, they had observed him from afar.

During the battle against the Yang Family’s divine foundation, Li Che had appeared in the Courtyard.

Thus, they ruled out the possibility of Li Che being the Ogre.

Moreover—and whether Li Che was the Ogre or not… it no longer mattered.

With the backing of a powerful Divine Sect figure, no one in Feilei City dared mess with Li Che and his daughter.

Even if Li Che were proven to be the Ogre, so what?

The Ogre’s slaying of the Yang Family’s divine foundation had already sent shockwaves throughout Feilei City.

Xu Helil, upon hearing the news, was dumbfounded. Who could have imagined that after the Yang Family’s divine foundation battle, the Ogre would manage a counterattack?

Xu Helil immediately felt there was no way the Ogre could be Li Che.

After all, Li Che had only been cultivating for three years—how could he possibly reach the level required to kill a divine foundation?

‘Boss, let’s drop the title. We’re not in Feilei City anymore, yet we’re drawing Xu Family’s nominal salary—it just doesn’t feel right.’

Li Che shook his head, refusing Xu Helil’s suggestion.

Beside him, Chen Daba naturally joined in the refusal.

Xu Helil, however, was not surprised; he had long anticipated Li Che’s stance.

Xu Ji had never been overly enthusiastic about Li Che ever since he became a master woodcarver. Li Che had worked there for only three years, with one year spent on manual labor, so it was understandable he felt little attachment.

After a token attempt to persuade him, Xu Helil agreed to accept the resignations of Li Che and Chen Daba.

‘Boss, hasn’t the Third Shopkeeper returned yet?’

Before leaving, Li Che looked at Xu Helil and asked.

Xu Helil squinted and replied, ‘Third brother has gone out with a team to exorcise demons. He might be away for over half a year—it’s normal.’

Li Che nodded in response, saying nothing further.

The two of them left the Wood Carving Shop.

Winter rain pattered against the oil-paper umbrella.

Old Chen stretched his limbs, feeling an unprecedented sense of ease. Being semi-retired, he wasn’t particularly attached to Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

‘Ah Che, come on—let’s go for drinks.’

……

……

Xu Ji Courtyard.

Xu Helil informed Xu Nanming about Li Che and Chen Daba’s resignations from their positions as wood carvers at Xu Ji.

‘It’s normal. Li Che plans to accompany his spirit child daughter to the City Lord’s Residence, and as for Chen Daba… in recent years his heart wasn’t in woodcarving. He resigned, assuming that by clinging to Li Nuǎnxi—the premium spirit child—he could join the Divine Sect?’

Xu Nanming, busy handling numerous files regarding the Si Family, Yang Family, and An Family, saw the Xu Family suddenly emerge as the largest prominent clan in Feilei City.

So many enterprises were abruptly taken over that Xu Nanming was swamped with paperwork.

Having long abandoned hopes of advancing his own divine foundation, he focused solely on expanding the family’s wealth.

Now, his wish was coming true, and Xu Nanming was in high spirits. After all… with Xu Ji under his control, it had grown to its greatest extent in two hundred years—how could he not be delighted?

Even if it were an effortless win, it was all due to Xu Nanming’s own achievements.

‘What about Xu You? Is he still hunting demons outside? Send word for him to return… The City Lord’s Residence has announced that once the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s envoy departs, the Thousand Buddhas Carved Banquet will commence. So, call Xu You back…’

Xu Helil paused at this.

‘Why call Old Third Brother back?’

Xu Helil frowned.

With the Si, Yang, and An Families all gone, Feilei City’s prominent clans had dwindled—and once the Thousand Buddhas Carved Banquet began, he would undoubtedly benefit the most.

There might even be a chance to advance his divine foundation. In that case, calling Xu You back to share in the spoils was something he was reluctant to do.

However, Xu Nanming simply stared at him in silence.

‘Do you really think your chances of forging a divine foundation are any high?’

‘The Old Master has high hopes for you… If the Xu Family can produce another divine foundation, after the Thousand Buddhas Carved Banquet our legacy could endure for another two hundred years.’

‘So you must succeed in forging your divine foundation. Failure is not an option.’

Xu Helil said, ‘I understand, so I will try my best…’

‘Try your best? Ridiculous… your qi and blood cultivation barely surpasses the qi-vein stage. Your chance of failure in forging a divine foundation is extremely high…’

‘Take advantage of the Thousand Buddhas Carved Banquet and harness the temple god’s divine energy to rally Xu You and Beihu as your allies… only then can you succeed. Understand?’

‘That’s the Old Master’s intention.’

Xu Helil said, ‘I know, so I will work hard…’

‘Work hard? Ridiculous… your qi and blood cultivation barely reaches the qi-vein stage. Your chances of failure in forging a divine foundation are extremely high…’

‘Take advantage of the Thousand Buddhas Carved Banquet and harness the temple god’s divine energy to rally Xu You and Beihu as your allies… only then can you succeed. Understand?’

‘That’s the Old Master’s intention.’

Xu Helil was momentarily stunned, his hair standing on end.

Xu Helil swallowed, his mouth suddenly parched.

‘How… how will they assist?’

Upon hearing this, Xu Nanming paused his work and, a moment later, lifted his head from the pile of files.

He then flashed a chilling, toothy grin.

Second update: Five thousand words, ten thousand words update. Please support with monthly and recommendation votes! Old Li keeps on booming!