Chapter 93: Feast of Fate and Sacrifice

For Li Che, the Xu Family had once shown him great favor.

Although it was Xu You who supported him, it was all part of the Xu Family’s established system.

Back when he was weak, he had even relied on the Xu Family’s might to stand against the Lingying Sect, preventing XiXi from being taken away.

Thus, Li Che felt genuine gratitude toward the Xu Family.

Otherwise, ever since Xu Beihu fixated on XiXi, Li Che might have already donned an Ogre mask under cover of night to break into Xu Beihu’s room.

The moment he returned to Feilei City, Li Che’s eyes were drawn to the Thousand Buddha Carved Feast.

It was clear that the Thousand Buddha Carved Feast had been activated as a sacrificial ritual.

The shifts in divine energy throughout the heavens and earth were unmistakable.

Now, having forged his Three-Eyed Fury True Lord Divine Foundation and refined his divine consciousness, Li Che could sense power fluctuations with ever-increasing acuity.

Even without resorting to the power of the Chess Sage Dao Fruit, he could clearly detect changes in divine essence.

However, the Thousand Buddha Carved Feast had been years in the making by City Lord Cao Guang—its preparations dated back to the emergence of the Lingying Sect.

Thus, Li Che couldn’t intervene unless he charged into the City Lord’s Residence and killed Cao Guang outright.

To be honest, after establishing his divine foundation, Li Che had felt emboldened enough to consider such a move, but that thought was quickly suppressed.

Because he lacked absolute certainty.

Rushing in without complete confidence could easily leave him vulnerable.

Moreover, Cao Guang carried another identity—that of a disciple of the Corpse God Sect.

The Corpse God Sect was nothing like the contrived Lingying Sect; it was a truly formidable cult that even troubled the Temple Guardian Division and the Divine Sect.

Although Li Qingshan mentioned that the Corpse God Sect’s influence in Yunzhou was limited, with its top experts and main focus elsewhere,

judging by the wooden carving titled ‘Intending to Surpass the Corpse Buddha’ on the horse-faced man slain last night, the Corpse God Sect was very likely beginning to infiltrate Yunzhou.

Cao Guang might well be employing the Corpse God Sect’s methods, which is why Li Che refrained from acting rashly.

After all, lacking a sure kill could easily alert the enemy.

Once Li Che decided to act, he could not afford any mistakes.

‘Before anything else, let’s settle the Xu Family business,’ he resolved.

Li Che’s body melded with the falling rain, becoming utterly undetectable—as if he had turned transparent.

With the Sleeping Dragon Elephant’s Breath Convergence, Li Che’s body temperature, breathing, and pulse nearly vanished, merging him completely with the earth.

It was indeed as potent as top-tier techniques like the Turtle Breath.

‘Today we’re leaving for the Capital, and Xu You promised XiXi he’d see us off… yet he hasn’t appeared. Knowing Xu You’s reliability, something must be wrong,’ he thought.

‘But the Divine Chess Piece on Xu You hasn’t sounded any alarm, suggesting his life isn’t in danger…’

‘If Xu You can’t come to see us off, then whatever is happening must be serious.’

Silently, Li Che slipped along Long Street.

He reached the towering wall outside Xu Ji Courtyard—an area he knew like the back of his hand. With a single leap, like a soaring hawk, he was inside the compound in an instant.

Moving in flawless, undetectable motions that revealed not a whisper of his inner energy, he infiltrated the gardens of Xu Ji.

Amidst rockeries and winding corridors, Li Che’s cultivation had already peaked, and with his level 3 Sleeping Dragon Elephant technique, his Breath Convergence had grown even more formidable.

Even if he passed before ordinary onlookers, they would scarcely notice him.

Although the courtyard housed an elderly Xu Family patriarch of Divine Foundation status,

his nascent divine sense covered only a ten-meter radius before becoming vague, incapable of penetrating the concealment of the Sleeping Dragon Elephant.

Thus, Li Che moved as freely as if he were in his own home.

Strolling in the rain, as if merging with the storm, he passed by guards who, even if they sensed something amiss, found nothing upon looking around.

…

…

Xu Family Compound, Main Hall.

Exquisite dishes filled the tables, and fine wines were artfully displayed, their rich aromas permeating the room.

While lightning flashed and thunder roared outside, a family banquet was underway within Xu Ji Courtyard.

Xu You sat in his chair with a deeply sour expression, his fists clenched and lips pressed tightly.

He had risen early today, intending to see Li Che’s family off from the Capital, knowing that once they left, meeting again would be unlikely.

Since Li Che’s family probably wouldn’t return to Feilei City, Xu You regarded this as their final farewell.

Though his heart was heavy with reluctance, he knew the Capital was the best place for XiXi’s future.

XiXi was about to begin training with the Divine Sect, with a chance to become a great cultivator someday—something to be truly happy about.

He had even prepared a parting gift.

But before he could leave the courtyard, his father, who had just arrived, sent men to summon him.

Xu You had assumed his father’s call was merely to exchange a few words after Xu You’s return from handling some supernatural disturbances outside the city.

Not thinking much of it, Xu You went, only to find that Xu Nanming had arranged an extraordinarily sumptuous banquet.

At the table, he saw the Old Master—Xu Ji’s pillar and its only Divine Foundation cultivator—whom he hadn’t seen in years.

Also present was his eldest brother, Xu Helil.

But what puzzled him was the absence of his second brother, Xu Beihu.

‘Where’s Second Brother?’ Xu You asked in confusion.

Xu Helil’s eyes flashed with a dark omen, yet a gentle smile played on his lips. After downing a cup of wine, he murmured, ‘Your second brother has headed to the Capital… claiming there’s business to attend to there.’

‘Business in the Capital… what sort of venture could that be?’

The Capital was far from Feilei City, and Xu Ji specialized in wood carving—its trade had no business in the Capital.

Xu Helil said no more, his eyes growing cold and empty.

Xu Beihu…

That sturdy, seemingly simple second brother had an unexpectedly keen instinct; he had slipped away early, even taking his family along.

Truly decisive.

Yet, thankfully…

Xu Helil glanced at Xu You as he sipped his wine slowly.

Once the food and wine were fully served,

the elderly patriarch raised his cup himself, coughing lightly with a pained expression as he declared, ‘Xu Ji has stood in Feilei City for over two centuries. Now, with the decline of the Si Family, the downfall of the Yang Clan, and the An Family’s migration, among the once-great four families, only our Xu Family remains.’

‘Xu Ji now controls the bulk of Feilei City, dominating the wood carving business and raking in boundless wealth—truly a cause for celebration,’ the patriarch whispered.

Xu You and the others poured their wine to join in the congratulations.

Yet, Xu You’s heart pounded with anxiety as he pondered a way to slip away and bid farewell to Li Che’s family.

After a gulp of wine, Xu You didn’t dwell on it further.

‘Ah You, your mother passed away long ago, so I haven’t paid you much attention—do you hold any grudge against your father?’

Xu Nanming poured a cup of wine with a deep, red clarity reminiscent of diluted blood.

Xu You, in alarm, quickly grasped his cup and replied, ‘How could I? As the head of the Xu Family, my father has too many matters to handle.’

In truth, Xu You harbored resentment toward Xu Nanming, who favored Xu Helil and Xu Beihu far more than him.

He knew it was because his mother had come from a humble refugee background, with no illustrious clan to speak of, and had passed away early—leaving Xu Nanming with little emotion.

Thus, Xu You had long since resigned himself to fate.

Yet, having been nurtured by the Xu Family, he felt bound to work hard in return for their care.

Xu Nanming smiled wistfully at Xu You, a trace of regret in his eyes.

Xu You’s nature… was nothing like his own.

It was more akin to his mother’s—gentle and unassuming, a woman fleeing hardship who had captured his father’s heart, only to die too soon.

Had she lived, perhaps Xu Nanming would not have so neglected Xu You.

‘Drink up,’ Xu Nanming said gently.

Together they downed their cups of wine.

Then, patting Xu You’s shoulder—a rare gesture that sent an inexplicable shiver through him—he said, ‘Little You, in no time at all, you’ve grown so much…’

‘Come, have a drink with your grandfather.’

The frail old man, leaning on his crutch, smiled warmly as his gaze settled on Xu You.

Xu You hastily rose, taking a cup with both hands.

The two drank deeply in one gulp.

Xu Helil also poured himself a cup, approached Xu You, patted his shoulder, clinked his cup with Xu You’s, and drank it down in one swallow.

Xu You made no excuses; after three cups, the potent wine’s heat surged within him.

Although the patriarch and his father’s attitudes were unusually off today, Xu You didn’t mind; he assumed it was just another dangerous assignment awaiting him.

He had grown accustomed to such situations.

Suddenly, Xu You’s brow furrowed as a bout of uncontrollable hiccups of wine erupted from deep within his chest, rising up his throat.

In the next moment, the belch carried an intense, bitter taste of blood that overwhelmed the wine’s flavor, sending shivers all over his body.

‘This wine…’

Xu You’s eyes narrowed as he looked around, only to see Xu Nanming, Xu Helil, and the old patriarch all setting down their cups, their gazes fixed on him.

A sudden, inexplicable chill surged from the crown of his head, freezing him from head to toe as though he were about to be immobilized.

Then, a grating humming sound filled his ears—a sharp, piercing note that assaulted his mind.

‘You…’

Xu You tasted the overpowering coppery tang of blood in his mouth.

It all became clear: the so-called familial ties and brotherly bonds were nothing but a fragile illusion!

He stared at the wine, its surface twitching uncontrollably.

‘Have you all… gone mad?!’

Xu You staggered to his feet, knocking over his chair with a loud crash.

A deep, dull chime of a clock suddenly shattered the air from the direction of the City Lord’s Residence, its penetrating sound waves rippling outward in all directions.

Xu You’s head pounded as a cold dread seeped into his bones.

‘What is this…?’

The old patriarch peered out into the distance, listening to the echoing chimes, and then exhaled slowly.

‘The Thousand Infant Carved Feast has begun…’

Thousand Infant Carved Feast?

Xu You’s mind reeled—wasn’t it supposed to be the Thousand Buddha Carved Feast?

Xu Nanming rose, strode into the darkness, and yanked away a black cloth to reveal a series of flickering candles.

In an instant, the light illuminated the scene behind the hall.

Arrayed there were countless wooden carvings of Spirit Infants—each unique, depicting deities and childlike figures, happy and sorrowful, full of every emotion.

Xu You felt the world spin as deafening, pulsating noise filled his ears.

Under the dancing candlelight, the carved Spirit Infants and Buddha statues seemed almost alive, as laughter, cries, and angry shouts echoed continuously.

Winding, distorted streams of divine energy slithered out from the carvings like venomous snakes, creeping along the ground.

Hiss—hiss—hiss…

They inched ever closer to Xu You.

His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand.

In a fleeting vision, he saw an ancient, crumbling temple rupture through old blue bricks, with a Spirit Infant of blinding fury glaring, its single vertical eyebrow flaring as its mouth opened in a silent scream!

Then, countless threads of divine power, like venomous snakes, slithered into Xu You’s body.

…

…

Dong—dong—

The ancient clock’s chime boomed like the tide of a three-thousand-year-old monastery, its dusk bell tolling heavily.

Time and the dust of ages seemed to boil in its sound.

A hunched figure wearing a cat-face mask, with a plain goat-horn hammer slung at his waist, glided over the high wall of Feilei City.

He stepped onto the blue-brick exterior of the Outer City.

The entire city fell silent, as dark clouds swirled overhead with roaring thunder and crackling electric serpents.

Beneath the cat-face mask, a pair of narrowed eyes gleamed knowingly.

‘Decisive indeed—if any slower, I’d have no reason to play along with you any longer…’

In a low, detached tone from behind his mask, he spoke.

Cao Guang, seizing the moment, immediately initiated his ritual to acquire power.

‘Three-Eyed Fury True Lord, Spirit Infant, Bizarre Temple…’

‘Ten All Bizarre Temple.’

‘Cao Guang, by sacrificing a thousand Spirit Infant lives and blood through the Thousand Buddha Carved Feast, you intend to elevate this Bizarre Temple to the Nine Luminary stage…’

‘A temple god of Nine Luminaries…’

‘I must admit, I’m rather looking forward to it.’

‘They say any temple god of comparable realm can crush divine cultivators of the same level; to slay one, at least five or more must band together.’

‘I… am quite eager to see if my humble goat-horn hammer can shatter a temple god!’

Boom—

Thunder roared and the dark sky lit up in an instant.

Winds howled and rain lashed down like a furious, vengeful storm, with hail and droplets battering the earth!

Wearing a cat-face mask, Li Qingshan staggered as if shot like an arrow—a blast of white surge erupting in the rain as he barreled straight toward the Inner City!

In a few bounds, he was past the Outer City and into the Inner City.

His breakneck speed left the soldiers guarding the wall utterly unprepared!

Hidden?

Concealed?

A sneer played beneath Li Qingshan’s mask.

Now, he didn’t need to hide…

The weak must hide, but the strong have only one duty…

to push aside all opposition!

The Thousand Buddha Carved Feast—in truth, it should be called the Thousand Infant Carved Feast!

Using the lives of a thousand Spirit Infants to awaken and feed the temple god!

Monstrous beasts—

to be slain!

Boom—

Li Qingshan planted his foot heavily. Every muscle in his body trembled as his back straightened, and a searing burst of energy enveloped him like a coiling dragon as he roared in fury.

This was Master-level qi, unleashed without reserve—from the depths of his organs to his spinal dragon, honed by countless trials.

His domineering, scorching true qi erupted beyond his body!

In the distance, over a dozen guards already assigned by City Lord Cao Guang—adept in Blood Exchange—howled and charged with their long blades trembling, shattering the falling rain.

Yet Li Qingshan didn’t so much as glance at them; with a flick of his finger, the goat-horn hammer at his waist whirled and streaked forth.

Bang, bang, bang!

Dozens of gory splatters burst amidst the rain as the Blood-Stun Spear shattered the heads of the guards—leaving behind nothing but cold, lifeless bodies.

With a firm grip, the cat-faced old man clutched the goat-horn hammer.

Blood and rainwater dripped from the hammer’s head.

Step by step, he advanced as though slicing the rain in two.

Unstoppable!

…

…

Outside the Xu Family Compound.

Li Che stood atop a rockery, his breath merging with the elements, utterly undetected.

His eyes flashed like lightning as he took in the scene in the hall.

It was apparent that the wine Xu You drank had been laced with a sleeping draught—a substance that induced unconsciousness without endangering life, hence no alert from his Divine Chess Piece.

So, Li Che held back, intent on discerning the Xu Family’s true intentions.

Why had they struck at Xu You?

Moments later, he spied Xu Nanming pulling away a cloth to reveal over a hundred distinctive Spirit Infant wooden carvings.

‘It appears Xu Ji also intends to profit from the Thousand Buddha Carved Feast…’

‘Yes, they’ve silently allowed the City Lord’s men to take the Spirit Infants.’

Behind his Cute Cow Mask, Li Che’s expression remained ice-cold and devoid of emotion.

Perhaps initially Xu Ji had resisted the Lingying Sect, but in the end, they chose cooperation—and sacrificed the Spirit Infants.

How innocent those Spirit Infants were!

Barely newborn, their talent made them mere pawns in these power plays.

Life and death hung by the slimmest thread.

Li Che lowered his eyes, thinking of XiXi—what fate might befall her if she never obtained a Dao Fruit…

Would she perhaps suffer the same fate as those Spirit Infants, captured for sacrifice?

The rain that fell from the heavens was bitterly cold.

Standing atop the rockery, Li Che watched as a large, iron cauldron was set up in the hall, boiling water at full fury into which various herbs were flung.

Then, he saw Xu Helil trembling as he approached the unconscious Xu You with a gleaming bone-picker knife…

Under his Ogre mask, Li Che’s eyes widened in stunned disbelief.

‘This is… madness.’

‘A noble family that feeds on its own—this cannibalistic world we live in.’

Li Che shook his head, exhaling a cold, steely breath as he murmured softly.

In the next moment, the imposing silhouette atop the rockery blurred and vanished.

Inside the hall, an elderly figure propped on a crutch fixed his gaze on Xu Helil’s trembling approach toward Xu You.

Then, his expression shifted sharply.

‘Who?!’

His eyes flared wide in disbelief!

In the dark corner of the hall, barely ten paces away, a figure wearing a Cute Cow Mask had mysteriously appeared, breaking through the shadows.

With a dull thud—a sound like a crimson ribbon swirling around him—the figure expanded, the outline of a muscular form growing in concentric circles!

His back formed an inverted triangle, with coiled, interlacing muscles reminiscent of a dragon’s sinewy tendons, quivering like a raging serpent!

‘Your time is up—Grandpa Ogre is here to kill!’

With a roar filled with burning fury and the sound of wind and thunder,

the blood-red, gleaming Liuxue Stun Spear flashed like lightning as it spanned ten paces.

Suddenly, it struck—

Plop!

In an instant, the Stun Spear pierced right through the old Xu Family patriarch’s head, shattering his entire being and nailing him to the ground!

Second update: Ten thousand words. Please support with monthly votes, recommendation votes, and follow the story! Old Li thanks you!