Chapter 124: The Divine Prodigy’s Blessing

In thanks for both of you nurturing our divine prodigy!

For the kindness of raising a divine child!

Such kindness—!

A tidal roar surged forth, undulating and echoing as if carried down from distant peaks, resounding in every ear!

It struck like a clap of thunder behind a sea of clouds!

Astonishment, shock, admiration, envy…

In an instant, a flood of emotions burst forth; many cultivators even lost control over the divine essence of their feelings.

All sorts of divine energies surged and intertwined, forming a storm before the gates of the Divine Sect!

Ah, when a daughter is a treasure, the entire family is blessed!

Truly, her parents have achieved unrivaled prosperity thanks to their daughter!

For raising XiXi—the true inheritor of the Sect Master’s legacy—they were rewarded with the Nine Luminary Divine Weapons, an Eighth-Grade Martial Pill, and the Divine Sect Travel Permit!

What does this signify?

It shows that Li Che and Zhang Ya have effectively earned a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Even if they commit a crime in the Capital, they can hide within the Divine Sect using their travel permit and enjoy its protection!

And with ten thousand taels of gold plus three businesses in the Capital, the family stands as one of the richest.

Sect Master Nan Lihuo wore a gentle smile as his flowing robes swirled like the wind.

Li Che paused briefly before a smile curved his lips, pulling a somewhat dazed Zhang Ya—overwhelmed by sudden opulence—closer.

Unlike Zhang Ya, Li Che had even unlocked the Qian Kun Jade for illusory cultivators, so such wealth hardly fazed him.

But Zhang Ya had never before been hit by such a windfall—it completely overwhelmed her.

She had little idea about the Nine Luminary Divine Weapons or the Eight Extremity Martial Pill.

Even the fortune of ten thousand taels and three Capital shops left her utterly disoriented.

“Many thanks for the Sect Master’s generous gifts,” she said.

Li Che clasped his fists in salute and bowed in gratitude.

Quick to follow his example, Zhang Ya bowed in return.

Nan Lihuo looked upon the earnest couple with deep warmth and admiration.

“The rest of the gifts are rather ordinary, but this travel permit is truly invaluable. If you miss XiXi, simply present it to enter Jin Guang Peak of the Divine Sect,” he explained.

Nan Lihuo spoke softly.

Li Che thanked the Sect Master once again—this permit was indeed crucial.

For him, it was customary; after all, he had implanted a Feilei Chess Piece in XiXi. With it, a simple teleportation could let him see her whenever he wished.

But for Zhang Ya, a mother, lacking this permit meant a long, painful separation from her daughter…

Cultivation goes on day and night—imagine how deeply a mother like Zhang Ya would long for XiXi!

Thus, Li Che’s gratitude toward Sect Master Nan Lihuo was sincere.

Nan Lihuo returned XiXi to Li Che and Zhang Ya, saying, “In three days, someone will come to escort XiXi up the mountain—you may follow to see her off.”

“Moreover, every month you can use the Divine Sect Travel Permit to ascend Jin Guang Peak and visit XiXi twice.”

Zhang Ya embraced XiXi, and the trio thanked Nan Lihuo together.

Nan Lihuo glanced distractedly at the sweet family, then recovered his composure as his eyes briefly revealed a mix of envy and sorrow.

“XiXi, in three days we’ll prepare your initiation ceremony. Remember to address your master properly then,” he instructed.

“Alright, Sect Master!”

XiXi smiled and called out.

Nan Lihuo was momentarily speechless but soon chuckled softly—what a clever, mischievous little sprite she was.

He tapped XiXi’s head lightly three times, then swept his sleeves around him, his garments flaring as he vanished in a flash of light.

“Lingnan Qianyuan Divine Sect, Jin Guang Branch, sect admission exam…”

“Proceed!”

……

……

Li Che’s family had become the center of attention, admired and envied by countless onlookers.

However, the focus soon shifted back to the Divine Sect’s admission exam.

While the selection of fifteen supreme prodigies had ended, assessments for hundreds of high-grade—and even more mid- and low-grade—prodigies were just beginning.

For the many parents journeying from afar with their prodigious children to take the exam, this was the most important matter of all.

If one were accepted into the Divine Sect, future cultivation was secured; the resources within far surpassed those available in any town outside the Capital.

Old Uncle Li Liang put away his pipe and approached Li Che, first offering heartfelt congratulations before shyly asking for a favor.

Holding XiXi close, Li Che broke into a smile as he saw Uncle Li Liang. “Don’t worry, Uncle—I’ve already arranged for Li Chengzhou’s entry into the Divine Sect.”

XiXi’s entry into the Divine Sect was a done deal. But Li Chengzhou was different—his divine aptitude merely ranked him as a low-grade prodigy.

Gaining entry into the sect’s outer gate was far from guaranteed.

However, for Li Che now, getting Li Chengzhou into the outer gate was no challenge at all.

Entry into the inner gate might be trickier, as a low-grade prodigy’s talent simply wasn’t formidable enough.

But the outer gate was a different matter—a quick word with Li Qingshan and the arrangements were set.

As the master of Zheng Lei Peak, renowned for his illusory combat prowess, Li Qingshan had extra slots for outer gate disciples—and Li Chengzhou was accepted outright.

Moved by Li Che’s words, Uncle Li Liang grasped his hand and repeatedly expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

“Uncle, rest assured—I’ll also join under Senior Qingshan at Zheng Lei Peak. I’ll take good care of Chengzhou; he won’t be bullied in the mountains,” Li Che assured.

Li Che smiled reassuringly.

Having been raised by his uncle’s family and treated by his cousins like a brother, Li Che had long intended to repay this modest favor.

“Thanks, Ah Che…,” Uncle murmured.

Uncle sent word along, and Liu Chunming promptly swept Li Chengzhou and the somewhat embarrassed cousin Li Zhengran over to express their thanks to Li Che.

Since being brought back from the Million Gambling House by Li Che, Li Zhengran had felt a tinge of embarrassment—though a prodigal son reformed, he still felt too ashamed to look Li Che in the eye.

Cousin-in-law Liu Chunming was indignant: “Ah Che, even though you treat us as family, you helped us immensely. A proper thank-you is in order!”

“Chengzhou’s future is deeply intertwined with yours, so why are you being so timid as a father?! Ah!”

Li Zhengran fell silent as Liu Chunming pulled him aside.

“Ah Che, Chengzhou… up in the mountains, you’ll have to take extra good care of him. He’s only three years old,” Liu Chunming said, her voice breaking with emotion.

Li Che looked at the bashful Li Chengzhou, smiling as he scooped him up, and said to Liu Chunming, “Don’t worry. Chengzhou is just a few months younger than XiXi. At such a tender age, no parent would willingly part with their child unless it was for their future.”

“Didn’t we just receive the Divine Sect Travel Permit? Soon I’ll also join under Peak Master Qingshan. Then, if you want to see XiXi, just meet Zhang Ya and use the permit to go up together.”

At those words, Cousin-in-law Liu Chunming clutched her mouth, her face flushing as she burst into joyful tears.

Watching his wife, Li Zhengran felt a surge of emotion. He looked at Li Che solemnly, “Ah Che… thank you so much!”

Li Che laughed, “Don’t mention it, cousin.”

Li Zhengran nodded emphatically.

Aunt couldn’t help but wipe away her tears from the side.

“Let’s go! Once Chengzhou’s outer gate exam is over, come to my courtyard. Tonight we’ll celebrate with a banquet!”

Li Che said with a smile.

“And invite Granny Mu and Senior Qingshan too.”

Granny Mu, holding XiXi, replied with a warm, kind smile.

“Brother Li, what about me?”

With preserved fruit in her mouth, Shangguan Qinghong suddenly called out.

“Just grab a bowl,” Li Che teased.

Unperturbed by the teasing, Shangguan Qinghong grinned widely and went off to play with XiXi.

……

……

Li Che’s family had become renowned around Tinghua Alley.

The news that XiXi was the true heir of the Divine Sect Master spread throughout Jingguang City in just half a day.

A prodigy with unmatched divine talent—a once-in-sixty years marvel in the Capital!

What a shock that was!

Li Che’s family truly became the epitome of a family ascending to glory through one person’s enlightenment!

Within three days, as the news spread like wildfire, nearly every doorstep in Tinghua Alley was trodden flat.

Almost every day, people came to offer their congratulations.

Among the Five Major Families, the Hai, Gongyang, and Gong families all sent envoys with lavish gifts.

Even the Qin Family surprised Li Che by sending a gift—specifically, Qin Haonan, a key figure spanning three generations since the time of Qin Yuqing, whom he had slain.

“Master Li, my sister… Perhaps we directed our anger at you and caused unnecessary trouble. My Qin Family sincerely apologizes.”

Qin Haonan’s tone was earnest.

“You don’t hit a smiling face,” Li Che replied with a laugh. After all, when he first arrived in the Capital, Qin Yuqing had given him quite a headache.

But now that Qin Yuqing had been slain and the Qin Family had apologized, it was only natural not to make enemies without reason.

It wasn’t surprising that the Shangguan Family sent no one—Senior Shangguan Qinglei had nearly been killed by XiXi.

And Shangguan Zhengheng even planned to use his illusory might to intimidate XiXi.

Li Che had meticulously noted these grudges.

When it came to his daughter, Li Che wouldn’t tolerate any injustice!

Representatives from the Temple Guardian Division and the Imperial Watch also attended the banquet.

Virtually every major force in the Capital had shown up.

This made Tinghua Alley the focal point of the Capital’s gaze, leaving its residents wondering if they had inadvertently offended Li Che’s family.

……

With the spring breeze came warmth as the lingering chill faded and the air turned cozy.

All of nature began to awaken, with tender buds sprouting on every plant.

Tinghua Alley was filled with the fresh scent of willow catkins and earth, carried by the spring breeze.

The alleys buzzed with activity.

Crowds gathered early as Zhang Ya dressed XiXi in new clothes and tied her hair into an adorable braid with a red cord.

She even dotted a bit of red sand on XiXi’s brow.

“XiXi, since you’re going to the Divine Sect Mountain, remember to listen to your Sect Master. Understand? Don’t be mischievous—without your mother by your side, you must be good!”

“If you miss your mom, remember she misses you too. Without her to lull you to sleep, you’ll have to learn to sleep on your own…”

“And make sure you get along with your senior disciples. If they bully you, be sure to tell your parents or your Sect Master—he will always defend you, no matter what!”

……

Zhang Ya clutched XiXi tightly, her red lips murmuring continuously.

Tears were already brimming in her eyes.

She truly could not bear to part with XiXi.

But Sect Master Nan Lihuo said that for XiXi’s safety she must remain on the summit of Jin Guang Peak; otherwise, Li Che would have to see to her transportation up.

Outside, a carriage was ready, and a woman in a pink gown—with bright eyes, perfect features, and a divine mark on her brow—sat calmly by the coach, waiting.

This woman was the fourth direct disciple of Sect Master Nan Lihuo, Sang Guanyin, eighteen years old with a complete divine foundation.

She was the only female among Nan Lihuo’s four disciples, though with more than one XiXi now, that uniqueness was diminished.

Reluctantly, Li Che held XiXi as he and Zhang Ya, with tears streaming from XiXi, stepped out of the courtyard.

“I don’t want to go! I want my mom and dad! I want my mom and that stinky dad!”

XiXi wept bitterly, her tears flowing without end.

Li Che patted XiXi’s back as the divine energy of the Unsullied Heart flowed from him, soothing her.

“Be a good girl, XiXi. Your parents will visit often. You must cultivate diligently and grow immensely strong so you can protect us later.”

“After all, you’re a prodigy—you’ll become incredibly mighty, unbeatable all across the lands, and the very best in the world!”

Li Che soothed her in a gentle voice.

Amidst tears and snot, XiXi corrected him, “I’m going to be Emperor XiXi!”

Li Che chuckled softly as his sorrow melted away; even Sang Guanyin in the carriage couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle.

XiXi pouted, “I really will become the mighty Emperor XiXi!”

“Every unworthy subject will have to kneel before me!”

“I can set off fireworks whenever I want, and no one can stop me!”

Li Che smiled and went along with her, soothing her with his words.

“Come, XiXi, go to Senior Sister’s place.”

Sang Guanyin’s voice was gentle with a hint of refined sweetness.

XiXi, who adored pretty faces, glanced at her a couple of times before quickly wrapping her arms around Zhang Ya’s graceful neck and bawling.

“Mommy, XiXi will miss you, miss stinky dad, miss the Twisty Car, miss chicken legs, and even braised pork!”

XiXi nuzzled Zhang Ya’s lapel with her runny nose and tears.

Zhang Ya couldn’t help but laugh and feel exasperated as she gently patted XiXi’s bottom, “Alright, go now. Mommy knows—she always brings braised pork and chicken legs when she sees you!”

“They must be made by Mom,” XiXi declared seriously, raising a finger and tilting her head.

Understood.

Then, Zhang Ya handed XiXi over to Sang Guanyin while Li Che took his seat in the rear carriage.

After bidding farewell to a reluctant Old Chen and Uncle’s family, the two carriages rolled away, crushing the springtime dust as they departed Tinghua Alley, accompanied by the scent of blossoms and earth.

Old Chen watched the departing carriages, suddenly feeling as though the strength was being drained from his body.

He leaned against the door, staring blankly at the receding figures.

After a moment, he picked up his wine gourd, took a swig, and used the back of his hand to wipe away the murky tears at his eye.

“Little stinky XiXi, take good care of yourself.”

“From today on, Grandpa Chen will no longer teach you martial arts.”

“Remember… Grandpa Chen will always think of you.”

……

……

Jin Guang Peak is the main peak of the Lingnan Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Yunzhou Branch.

It towered into the clouds, draped in mists and ethereal shrouds, offering breathtaking views of a sea of clouds.

Normally, branch sects are located in Yunzhou Capital, but the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Jin Guang Peak defied convention by being situated in Jingguang Mansion instead.

And the primary reason was none other than this very peak.

Because Jin Guang Peak lies near the enigmatic Four Imperial Oddity Temple at the heart of the Jiulong River, the entire mountain acted like a lightning rod for divine essence, ceaselessly drawing it in.

At its summit, the divine aura was thick—truly a blessed paradise.

Moreover, the peak condensed a unique energy known as ‘Jin Guang Sha,’ a vital heavenly resource paired with the supreme martial technique, Xuan Lei Jin Guang Sha Swordsmanship, of the Jin Guang Branch.

This Jin Guang Sha forms only once every three years, making it extremely precious.

Hence, the mountain gate of the Jin Guang Branch was established here to easily collect it as soon as it formed.

Only during the triennial yin-yang convergence, when the cosmos dims, does the Jin Guang Sha form; miss it, and it will vanish into the ether.

But once perfected, the supreme Xuan Lei Jin Guang Sha Swordsmanship unleashes devastating power—a true energy master’s might, fierce and incisive, bolstered by the awe-inspiring presence of Jin Guang Sha.

The two carriages ascended the winding mountain road, the horses’ hooves tapping lightly while the shaking ride proved rather uncomfortable.

After nearly half a day on the road and another half climbing, they finally reached a vast platform halfway up Jin Guang Peak.

At the platform, the vapor from the Jiulong River converged, forming a hazy curtain of clouds and mist.

Dressed in a white robe, Nan Lihuo sat gracefully on the blue stone as his hair flowed loosely.

Beside him stood a tall, strikingly handsome youth with an almost otherworldly allure.

This youth was Liu Yangyuan, the third disciple among Nan Lihuo’s four.

“Master, junior sister has arrived,” Liu Yangyuan announced.

Clad in scholarly robes with wide sleeves and possessing an enchanting, slightly eerie charm, Liu Yangyuan bowed slightly.

When Nan Lihuo opened his eyes, the entire mid-mountain area seemed to brighten suddenly, as swirling mists gave way.

With one sweeping gesture of his sleeve, Nan Lihuo dispersed the smoke and mist, revealing vast stretches of clarity.

At the platform, the two carriages came to a gentle halt, leaving no more dust in their wake.

As the curtain lifted, Sang Guanyin led XiXi down from the carriage, her curious eyes taking in every detail.

In the rear carriage, Li Che, holding Zhang Ya’s hand, also stepped out.

The moment Li Che got off the carriage, he felt his pores open as the overwhelming divine aura of heaven and earth startled his heart!

The intensity here was beyond his expectations.

No wonder the mountain gate of the Jin Guang Branch was built here.

Not only could one glimpse the enigmatic Four Imperial Oddity Temple from afar, but this was also an ideal place for cultivation.

Li Che even felt the urge to sit down and cultivate.

Gathering the energies of anger, sorrow, thought, and awe, he trembled as if about to devour the rich divine aura of the peak.

Nan Lihuo’s eyes widened as if sensing the flow of divine energy on the mountain, casting a questioning glance.

But the flow soon settled—it turned out Li Che had restrained his greed.

As the most accomplished cultivator in the Divine Sect, Nan Lihuo could almost condense his primordial spirit; his perception was extraordinarily keen.

Without further ado, Nan Lihuo and Liu Yangyuan approached, both wearing gentle smiles.

“Parents of XiXi, this is my third disciple, Liu Yangyuan, and this is Sang Guanyin—I’m sure you’re acquainted with them,” Nan Lihuo said warmly.

Li Che and Zhang Ya nodded and greeted Liu Yangyuan with a respectful bow.

“I have another second disciple who has gone to train in the main sect and seldom returns,” he added.

Nan Lihuo remarked.

“Sect Master, Senior Sister Yinyin mentioned that you have four disciples, right?”

Led by Sang Guanyin, XiXi tilted her head curiously and asked.

Nan Lihuo’s gentle expression remained unchanged, though Liu Yangyuan and Sang Guanyin’s faces grew somber.

“Your Senior Brother Dayuan… has already perished,” Nan Lihuo said.

XiXi immediately pressed her lips together, too afraid to reply.

Nearby, Li Che hurriedly apologized on XiXi’s behalf, his heart tightening as he mentally noted the matter.

As the Sect Master’s senior disciple, how could it be so easy for him to fall?

Li Che furrowed his brows ever so slightly; this matter needed to be clarified.

Otherwise, he would worry about XiXi’s well-being.

Jin Guang Peak didn’t seem as safe as he had imagined!

“Don’t worry; the departed are gone,” Nan Lihuo said calmly as he took XiXi’s hand and led her on a tour of the sect master’s cultivation peak on the mid-mountain.

Accompanied by Liu Yangyuan and Sang Guanyin, Li Che and Zhang Ya followed at a leisurely pace.

In fact, Nan Lihuo had brought them to see XiXi’s future abode.

He introduced the place where, due to her youth, XiXi would be cared for by Sang Guanyin, living together.

Looking at the serene, almost divine Sang Guanyin, Li Che bowed and said, “Please take good care of XiXi, Senior Sister Sang. She can be quite mischievous—do forgive her.”

Sang Guanyin nodded in return, “I felt an immediate connection with XiXi. I promise to care for her—no one in the Jin Guang Branch will dare bully her.”

Then the group proceeded to the ancestral hall where Nan Lihuo, with XiXi in hand, paid respects to the founding Patriarch of the main sect, officially completing XiXi’s initiation.

It was a simple ceremony, free of needless formalities.

As the long river met the setting sun and dusk blazed like fire,

Li Che received the reward promised by Nan Lihuo on the day of the exam and prepared to take his leave with Zhang Ya.

XiXi, unwilling to part, clung tightly to Zhang Ya’s long legs.

After Zhang Ya tearfully comforted her for a while, the couple finally boarded the carriage, jostling as they descended the mountain.

Peering out the window, Li Che and Zhang Ya saw XiXi, cradled in Sang Guanyin’s arms, crying uncontrollably.

Zhang Ya couldn’t help but cry as she rested against Li Che.

“Husband… Won’t XiXi have trouble eating and sleeping alone up there?”

“What will I do if I miss XiXi?”

Zhang Ya felt a deep sorrow.

“It’s okay; we’ll make a trip to Zheng Lei Peak where Senior Qingshan is. He promised me a spot there, and you can join too. Then we can visit XiXi more often.”

“Jin Guang Peak is truly a cultivation haven—XiXi will become strong in no time.”

Li Che comforted Zhang Ya while revealing his plan.

For safety, he had implanted a Feilei Chess Piece in XiXi; should she ever be in danger, it would alert him immediately so she could be whisked away.

While the Divine Sect Travel Permit allowed unrestricted entry to the sect, ascending Jin Guang Peak was time-limited.

But if they joined Zheng Lei Peak, visiting XiXi would be far easier.

At Zheng Lei Peak, Old Lu Chi—with his traditional Na Zha braid—was already waiting at the mountain’s foot.

“Uncle Li, Aunt Zhang!”

Lu Chi waved excitedly.

Compared to Jin Guang Peak, Zheng Lei Peak was much lower, and even relative to the Four Elders’ Peak, it was significantly shorter.

The most obvious difference was the density of divine aura—though it was, of course, far higher than that in Jingguang City’s urban area.

At the mid-mountain of Zheng Lei Peak, an expanse of connected buildings stretched out before them.

“The teacher asked me to arrange accommodations for you. Unlike the strict main peak, the mid-mountain is where inner gate disciples gather. There are plenty of rooms here where you can live and cultivate,” Lu Chi explained with a smile.

Turning to Li Che, he bowed and said, “Uncle Li, the teacher is waiting for you at Guanshen Temple. Please go find him.”

“I’ll take Aunt Zhang for a stroll and also seek out Granny Mu,” Li Che replied.

Guanshen Temple?

Li Che nodded. Li Qingshan was still waiting for his Roster of Cursed Names.

Patting Zhang Ya’s hand, he sent her off with Lu Chi to explore the mid-mountain town of Zheng Lei Peak.

Then he proceeded in the direction Lu Chi indicated.

Suddenly, the buildings on either side began to dwindle as he stepped onto a sharply turning bluestone path.

Before him stood a pagoda-like temple with sweeping eaves and upturned corners!

In front of the temple,

there lay a mat, a figure in blue attire, and an imposing, three-meter-tall statue of a divine visage—interwoven with surging lightning arcs that stirred gusts and roared like tempestuous waves!

Li Che halted in his tracks, his eyes narrowing slightly.

His gaze shifted from the colossal divine visage formed by Li Qingshan to the incense-shrouded temple.

There, a two-meter-tall, colorfully carved wooden statue stood on a lotus pedestal. It wielded a hammer and anvil, sported a gilded wind-thunder staff at its waist, and had eagle wings sprouting from its back; its blue face with sharp fangs and hair like vermilion was entwined with lightning and electric serpents!

It loomed over the mortal realm, glaring fiercely!

Thunderstrike to vanquish evil!

Gathering divine essence, the Thousand Analysis Hand trembled, forming an omen before Li Che’s eyes.

[Suspended Thought: Thunderstrike Vajra Divine Statue (Seven Yuan)]

Li Che stared intently at the statue, his pores on edge.

Within his chest, both the Dao Fruit [Pure Heart] and [Chess Sage] began pounding like drums, as if about to burst from his body!

This is…

Temple Spirit?!

Old Li actually brought a Temple Spirit home?!

Please upvote for a monthly ticket, recommend, and continue reading—give some love to the characters! This book is nearly 500,000 words and still running raw… Old Li earnestly begs for your support through follows, PKs, and recommendations. Old Li thanks you!