Chapter 177: Tempest of Fireworks and Fate

Crackle, crackle!

The torrential rain grew more ferocious, as if a mighty dragon bellowed behind the clouds, while thunder and lightning roared in divine anger!

A mushroom firework burst forth in the mortal realm — a defiant challenge that incited the heavens’ wrath, unleashing an unstoppable downpour!

Crash, crash!

The rain hammered relentlessly on the black-tiled eaves, streaming down in an unbroken curtain.

Inside the City Lord’s Residence.

Within the room.

The silence was profound, pierced only by the overwhelming aura of the Black Armor Blood Guards as they gripped their Zhanma Dao with fierce determination, their auras intertwining and suffusing the space with oppressive tension.

On the fearful face of the Little Prince, Ji Haihui, the dazzling firework’s terrible explosion and shockwave could be faintly sensed even within the City Lord’s Residence!

Had such a mushroom firework been planted here…

he would have surely perished, wouldn’t he?

Ji Haihui’s purple eyes reflected shimmering light like mirrors, while a bone-chilling terror spread through his very being.

His small frame trembled uncontrollably.

Though he was a prodigy and a descendant of King Ping Luan,

with Dragon God’s blood and Martial Saint lineage pulsing in his veins,

facing death brings the same fear, trembling, and despair to anyone.

The death of a grandmaster in martial arts sent tsunami-like shockwaves through the Little Prince.

After all, the grandmaster had been dispatched by his father to protect him, and with his loss, his shield diminished.

Divine Guardian Shadow returned, his gaze sweeping over the Little Prince; his primordial spirit trembled and radiated divine energy that enveloped Ji Haihui.

Slowly, Ji Haihui’s emotions began to steady.

“Grandpa Shadow, I lost my composure,” he admitted.

The little prince bowed his head in remorse.

“Little Prince, it isn’t your fault…”

“You’re still young and haven’t truly faced terror. In the path of martial arts, willpower is paramount. You must master your fear and overcome it to advance farther.”

“As for divine power, don’t you worry. With me by your side, even if that mushroom firework detonates inside the City Lord’s Residence, I am certain I can shield you from harm.”

Grandpa Shadow’s soft words soothed him.

Only then could the Little Prince finally exhale in relief.

Yet, a tinge of sorrow darkened his eyes.

“Grandpa Dufu is dead…”

His heart sank.

He could only imagine that Grandpa Dufu’s demise was somehow connected to him.

“I sent Grandpa Dufu to the Lie Shen Pavilion to assassinate Li Nuǎnxi’s parents… but when their first strike failed, they sent emissaries to negotiate on continuing the mission.”

“Then, even before the talks concluded, Grandpa Dufu was slain by the Divine Monkey. The spot where that dreadful contraption exploded must be the headquarters of the Lie Shen Pavilion in Jingguang City, right?”

“Grandpa Dufu is dead, and the Lie Shen Pavilion has been wiped out…”

Within Ji Haihui’s violet eyes, fierce divine light surged and fluctuated.

“Grandpa Shadow, you say…”

“Are Li Nuǎnxi’s parents really beyond reach?”

Listening to Ji Haihui’s analysis, Divine Guardian Shadow’s eyes gleamed with a trace of admiration.

Thankfully, the Little Prince hadn’t inherited the recklessness of the Dragon Queen from the Dragon God clan; he was still thoughtful—more befitting a true prince. A blessing, indeed.

For if he were like the Dragon Queen, acting solely on impulse without thinking…

that would be a true catastrophe.

Thankfully…

the princely blood ran powerfully in his veins!

“The Underworld, like the Lie Shen Pavilion, is a killer organization. Ogre, Ma Mian, and Divine Monkey are all its members.”

“I remember when Nan Lihuo dispatched the state capital’s Divine Guard Army archer, Wen Longshan, to support the Little Prince’s convoy, he also hired Ogre and Ma Mian…”

“Ogre first appeared in Feilei City with Li Che’s family—they must have had dealings with the Underworld to be able to hire its assassins.”

“Just like Nan Lihuo and Li Qingshan…”

Divine Guardian Shadow remarked evenly.

He had seen through the true nature of the Underworld.

“Then why is the Underworld so fixated on killing Grandpa Dufu?”

The Little Prince took a deep breath and asked.

“Why…”

must they insist on eliminating a grandmaster who is nearly impossible to kill?!

The aura surrounding Divine Guardian Shadow flickered as he recalled the Divine Monkey’s boast before the City Lord’s Residence.

He had vowed that each of them would eventually die a slow, painful death…

“Brutal scum!”

Divine Guardian Shadow’s killing intent surged, his divine presence pulsating with raw power from the Divine Essence.

“Little Prince, the Underworld’s mission isn’t merely to kill Xue Dufu. Their true target… is you!”

“But unlike the Lie Shen Pavilion, the Underworld is even crazier.”

“A band desperate to make a name for itself, acting with reckless, unbridled brutality!”

“The Underworld wants you to feel the terror of seeing your trusted allies eliminated one by one!”

“All for show—venomous and arrogant. Truly, brutal scum!”

Divine Guardian Shadow said this in a measured tone.

The Little Prince’s eyes narrowed in alarm.

Just imagining the scene sent shivers down his spine.

“The Underworld would never dare to deploy a mushroom firework within the City Lord’s Residence. To attack there would be an act of treason; the Temple Guardian Division, Imperial Watch, and Divine Guard Army would unite— even the Divine Sect would have to respond.”

“The Underworld would, in effect, be challenging the entire capital’s might on its own.”

“The City Lord’s Residence is the seat of officials appointed by the Imperial Court—it represents the court’s honor…”

Divine Guardian Shadow whispered, “Apart from the fact that only my divine hand can stop that mushroom thunder bomb from killing you, the Underworld is also reluctant to completely burn bridges with the court.”

Hearing these words, the Little Prince nodded thoughtfully, pondering deeply.

“Rest assured, Little Prince. Xue Dufu must have been ambushed—I found numerous distinct wounds on his body.”

“It seems he was deliberately, if carelessly, struck down.”

“This only shows Xue Dufu wasn’t cautious enough to believe that reaching grandmaster status made him invincible.”

Divine Guardian Shadow comforted the Little Prince.

“Xue Dufu had only just condensed his divine aura as a grandmaster. There are three tiers in the grandmaster realm, each step a monumental journey!”

“A Divine Essence Grandmaster represents only the lowest level.”

“After entering the Divine Essence Grandmaster realm, one must refine the body with divine energy, opening 360 meridian orifices to absorb the qi of heaven and earth through the martial will…”

“Only when one refines completely and attains harmony with nature can they transition into the second tier—a harmonious grandmaster!”

Divine Guardian Shadow explained the nuances of grandmaster cultivation to the Little Prince.

Though the Little Prince had only heard whispers before, now he listened intently.

“Only after the second tier can one challenge the third tier…”

“The Peak of the Three Blossoms!”

Divine Guardian Shadow murmured softly.

At the mention of the Three Blossoms,

the Little Prince’s ears rang as his body trembled slightly.

“Only after gathering the Five Qi and reaching the primordial state can one even hope to achieve Martial Saint status!”

A Martial Saint!

The Little Prince Ji Haihui was filled with yearning.

He thought of his father—a towering figure who seemed capable of subduing an army with his mere presence.

“I will become a Martial Saint!”

“I will become someone just like my father!”

…

…

“I’m determined to set off the biggest firework ever!”

“Just like Master Niu Niu!”

XiXi spoke earnestly to Yun’e, her tone serious.

Yun’e couldn’t help but smile; though she admitted that XiXi’s fireworks were impressive…

such an enormous firework was truly over the top.

Yun’e, hailing from a prestigious millennial family of Daocheng, prided herself on high standards, yet even she was shocked by today’s mushroom cloud spectacle.

The ground shook as if mountains and seas were set ablaze by terrifying power!

Even a Divine Practitioner wouldn’t dare to detonate it lightly!

“Is this the Tang Clan’s Mechanical Art?”

Yun’e’s mind swarmed with that very thought.

No wonder…

No wonder the Imperial Court sought to overthrow the Tang Clan—possessing such devastating destructive power left the court deeply uneasy.

A group of children in red vests, their hair tied in little buns and wrapped in red ribbons, crowded by the railing, stared at the slowly fading mushroom cloud.

They chattered incessantly.

Elder Zhang Qingzheng and Elder Zhu Hongdou emerged, corralling the rowdy youngsters back into the main hall.

Just as they returned to the hall,

Lu Chi burst in.

“XiXi, your mother is in trouble!”

Lu Chi’s words stunned XiXi, her face paling. “What happened to my mother?”

“An assassin tried to strike her—but the threat was swiftly neutralized,” Lu Chi chuckled.

Only then did XiXi exhale in relief.

She had been terribly frightened—if her mother were truly in danger, what would she do?

Hearing this, XiXi spun around and dashed off to find Sister Sang Guanyin.

“Sister Yinyin, my mother is in trouble. I need to go home!”

XiXi clutched Sang Guanyin’s hand, shaking it anxiously.

Sang Guanyin gently rubbed XiXi’s head.

Then she glanced over at Elder Zhang Qingzheng.

“I’ll accompany you,” Elder Zhu Hongdou offered as he stepped forward.

Thus, Elder Zhu Hongdou scooped up XiXi and, alongside Sang Guanyin, rushed out of Golden Light Peak toward Zheng Lei Peak.

When XiXi reached the upper middle section of Zheng Lei Peak, she saw her mother, Zhang Ya, chatting with Granny Mu.

XiXi let out a heart-wrenching cry, running to her mother and scrutinizing her face.

Only after assuring herself that Zhang Ya was unharmed did she throw herself into her mother’s embrace.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Don’t cry, XiXi. Mom is fine.”

Zhang Ya, her eyes tender, soothed her daughter softly.

A prodigy isn’t defined solely by exceptional talent—early wisdom plays its part too.

They mature faster than ordinary children.

“And what about Daddy? Is he alright?”

With tearful eyes, XiXi looked up, her voice curious.

Wiping away XiXi’s tears, Zhang Ya replied soothingly, “Don’t worry, your daddy is incredibly capable—he’ll be just fine.”

Hearing this, XiXi finally relaxed completely.

Yet she clung to her mother, unwilling to let go.

It was as if releasing her grip would make her mother vanish.

…

…

At Golden Light Mansion on Luohua Alley,

inside the Private Workshop,

the torrential rain pounded like columns upon the falling landscape.

The ever-increasing downpour had pooled in the courtyard, where raindrops collided to create rippling cascades.

Li Che returned to his room.

Sitting in his chair, he exhaled a long, steady breath.

With eyes closed, he replayed his life-and-death battle against the grandmaster, Xue Dufu!

In that fight, he unleashed every hidden trick—schemes and chain-killing moves in a relentless barrage!

At last, he succeeded in slaying the divine grandmaster, Xue Dufu!

It was no small feat.

The Divine Essence Grandmaster’s perfected internal organs, flawless body, and indomitable martial will forged an invincible power!

Such resilience was terrifying indeed!

“I struck Xue Dufu with my Seven Emotions Divine Foundation in one shot, restricting his divine prowess so that he was forced to rely solely on martial skill…”

“And with the aid of the Golden Heavenly King Temple Spirit’s Divine Chess Piece, using the might of a Temple Spirit to suppress him, Xue Dufu was finally left in despair.”

Li Che’s eyes flashed with a fierce, relentless light!

Though he hadn’t managed to seize Xue Dufu’s Qiankun Jade, his gains were not in vain.

He’d detained a grandmaster as his divine general—while not a perfect replica of Xue Dufu’s strength, it still reached seventy to eighty percent!

Moreover, the battle itself was a treasure trove of experience.

Combat… is the best catalyst for growth!

Especially for a prodigy like Li Che, whose martial talent was honed by the unparalleled Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit!

Yes, Li Che… could truly be called a martial prodigy.

He retrieved a jade bottle and poured out a Seven Yuan Martial Pill.

“Plop.”

Like a boulder plunging into still water, it made a dull sound upon impact.

The pill descended into his stomach, crushed by the powerful peristalsis; its potent essence burst forth, propelled by his qi to flood every limb!

He closed his eyes and focused on the lingering battle energy swirling in his blood.

Harnessing that residual force, he refined his internal organs!

If earlier cultivation was merely external, then at the grandmaster stage one must also refine from within!

Strengthening the internal organs until they are as resilient as steel!

At the grandmaster level, skin, muscles, and organs all become extraordinarily robust—perfect inside and out, like a divine weapon!

Boom!

His molten body blazed like red-hot iron, while vapor swirled and hissed around him.

Within the small courtyard, the temperature skyrocketed and heat surged in rolling waves!

That fierce battle had bestowed Li Che with invaluable experience, his internal organs now enduring intense refinement!

Each grandmaster technique—each secret method—wore down and reshaped his body like a twisting dragon, cleansing and fortifying his organs.

Canglei Body, Eight Dragons Overturning the River, the Red Flame Flow Divine Arrow, Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle…

Apart from the Lu Xuan Ice Yang Sword Scripture, Nine Seals of Mechanism, and the newly acquired Golden Tiger Roar Spear (which had only reached perfection, not yet master level),

the other four techniques had been honed by Li Che to the master level, their true essences solidified!

Of course, the Martial Saint techniques Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Vajra, Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun, and Thousand Mountain Solitary Blade had not yet reached that echelon.

After all, Martial Saint techniques are far more obscure than ordinary grandmaster arts.

And Xue Dufu’s technique, the Lonely Desert Smoke Blade, benefited from his grandmaster status, making it even mightier.

His true essence surged through his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—organs pounding in a rhythm as if a dragon and elephant were bellowing in agony!

His qi erupted like billowing smoke, forming silhouettes of dragons and elephants around him!

Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide, as if two blazing flames flickered within them.

Li Che gripped his fingers tightly, and in one explosive moment, the air around him burst forth!

He swept his gaze across the room.

【Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (LV4 20%)】

By slaying grandmaster Xue Dufu, his Dao Fruit maturity leaped from 5% to 20%—a 15% jump in one battle.

To be honest, at LV4 the Dao Fruit matures very slowly.

But the rewards from defeating a grandmaster were bountiful.

This was Li Che’s greatest gain from the battle!

Inside his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit hummed, as if dragons and elephants roared in unison…

Li Che’s ears rang with newfound clarity, his mind as sharp as if aided by divine grace!

In that moment, he entered a state of absolute lucidity!

His martial insight soared rapidly—just like when his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit transformed to LV4!

Li Che’s body propelled forward, red-hot like a blazing iron bar, as he began his training in the courtyard!

The torrential rain poured down alongside sizzling heat waves!

His training not only advanced his Dao Fruit’s maturity but also bolstered his overall cultivation!

With each clenched fist, a divine weapon emerged from his grasp—

the exquisite Lu Xuan Ice Yang Sword he had obtained from Elder Xu Jiuying!

It was the Lu Xuan Ice Yang Sword Scripture, a grandmaster-level technique!

Sword light surged as Li Che swung his sword, the resplendent sound of his sword song exploding throughout the courtyard!

It was as if innumerable pear trees were suddenly in full blossom!

The sword’s intent manifested in a radiant silver gleam.

Dazzling beyond compare!

The Lu Xuan Sword Scripture had ascended into the master realm!

Li Che’s eyes shone brightly; the bloodied Mud Pellet on his brow split flesh, and even his Star Plucking Gaze dazzled magnificently.

Wielding the Golden Tiger Roar Spear, Li Che demonstrated his own understanding of spear techniques—it moved like a roaring tiger!

A burst of brilliant golden light emanated from the spearhead—that was the power of the metal element among the five!

A force derived from the very essence of heaven and earth.

Golden, Wood, Fire, Water, and Earth—each of the capital’s five faction techniques embodies one of these elements.

For Li Che, grasping the golden element’s power came naturally given his insight!

Slash!

A spear thrust erupted like a kaleidoscopic, predatory beast lunging forth!

The very air shattered into a void as wild gusts scattered all around!

The Golden Tiger Roar Spear… now at the master level!

Though newly acquired, Li Che’s innate spear technique mastery made it exceptionally easy for him.

One martial art after another was elevated to the master realm by Li Che!

Their true essences emerged, absorbed into his self-created supreme art through the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Vajra!

Li Che’s blazing body shone ever brighter, resembling a radiant, soaring sun!

Countless divine art essences intertwined upon him!

Merged with the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Vajra, they repeatedly refined his internal organs!

Strengthening his organs continuously!

His grandmaster-level cultivation continued to climb!

Now, Li Che was just one step away from elevating a Martial Saint technique to the master level, comprehending its true essence and merging it with his Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant Vajra for a final, perfect internal refinement!

That would forge a body flawless inside and out—unlocking the divine force that only a true grandmaster can achieve!

And now, Li Che…

might already be called a half-step grandmaster!

In that moment, his thoughts surged as the Cosmic Chessboard expanded, blanketing his senses.

Then,

with a snap of his fingers, a burst of black light flashed forth.

Spiritual Confinement!

Xue Dufu, now trapped as a divine general, appeared before him.

“Battle!”

Li Che’s eyes gleamed brilliantly as he tore open Qiankun Space and tossed the Crescent Blade to Xue Dufu.

Xue Dufu’s lifeless eyes flickered momentarily as he clutched the Crescent Blade, then filled with a struggle of entanglement.

“Huh?!”

Li Che’s fighting spirit ignited, his eyes lighting up with determination!

“Last… last officer… reporting in!”

Xue Dufu’s once-dull divine general body formed a fist, his hoarse voice echoing throughout the courtyard.

Self-awareness?!

Li Che burst into hearty laughter.

This Spiritual Confinement was truly intriguing!

Without further words, Li Che’s Golden Tiger Roar Spear surged forward in a daring strike.

Thunder roared as his spear shot forth like a cascade of shooting stars!

Responding to the command, Xue Dufu brandished his blade and charged!

The seasoned grandmaster, ever-present in combat, parried relentlessly.

For a long while…

Li Che, drenched in sweat and exhilarated, felt his pores open and his spirit soar.

Dark Xue Dufu, still holding the Crescent Blade, stood silently by, awaiting orders.

With a mere flick of his hand, Li Che restrained Xue Dufu.

He returned to his room.

With a casual wave, Li Che’s Painted Immortal clones hurried out; each received a Divine Crystal from him and sat cross-legged before carved wooden statues to meditate on Divine Vision.

Li Che himself sat on the floor, extracting his precious Six Divisions Divine Essence Realm, and began absorbing and refining its power.

Meanwhile, he attended to another task simultaneously.

【Dao Fruit: Chess Sage (LV3 75%) / Painted Immortal (LV2 15%)】

A prompt appeared.

Li Che’s eyes shone; this battle with Xue Dufu, during which he activated the Cosmic Chessboard to block all perception, had yielded tremendous progress.

Moreover, absorbing divine energy from Xue Dufu had further bolstered his cultivation.

Before he knew it, his Chess Sage Dao Fruit had reached 75% maturity as his daily training with the Cosmic Chessboard continued its steady ascent.

“Not long now…”

“It won’t be much longer before it reaches LV4…”

Li Che eagerly anticipated the evolution of his Chess Sage Dao Fruit. The nascent divine power of Chess Sage, ‘Great Avalanche’, had already proven immensely helpful.

The Guanyin Lotus Bullet, too, was born from the foundations of ‘Great Avalanche’.

Thus, Li Che naturally looked forward to the further transformation of the Chess Sage Dao Fruit.

Imagine the sheer divine power it might unleash!

Both the Painted Immortal and Chess Sage Dao Fruits matured rapidly each day.

Yet unlike Xiangong or the Dragon Elephant Vajra, they lacked any means of hastening their evolution.

Slowly, he steadied his mind.

Closing his eyes, he sank deep into meditation.

Li Che entered a state of profound cultivation.

…

…

Late at night.

Li Che left the alley, grabbed takeout from a small restaurant, and returned to Zheng Lei Peak.

The courtyard was empty; Zhang Ya was likely still at Li Qingshan’s place.

So, Li Che went directly to Li Qingshan’s courtyard with his food.

“Daddy!”

No sooner had Li Che stepped in than a burst of shouts erupted!

XiXi dashed into the rain, splashing water in a rapid staccato as she sprinted toward him.

She leapt right into his arms.

Li Che hugged her tightly, circulating qi to evaporate the rain as he gently ruffled her hair.

“Daddy’s fine.”

Li Che smiled warmly.

XiXi circled around him, checking him over before letting out a little sigh of relief like a mini adult.

Clutching XiXi, Li Che parted the rain to reach his wife, Zhang Ya, who stood by the doorway with gentle eyes. One arm cradled XiXi while the other embraced Zhang Ya.

“We’re all safe.”

His voice was gentle yet resolute.

Zhang Ya nodded.

Inside the house.

Granny Mu, leaning on her snake-headed staff, watched the warm scene of Li Che with his family, a hint of envy clouding her tired eyes.

Alas, time had left its mark; she was far too aged, her ability to bear children long gone.

Li Qingshan appeared unexpectedly and took Granny Mu’s hand.

Without a word, his face broke into a radiant smile reminiscent of the past.

Just as in the old days when two heroes fearlessly plunged into the martial world.

After spending a tender moment with his wife and daughter, Li Che set about preparing dinner.

Upon hearing of food, XiXi perked up and clambered onto the table, eagerly awaiting the meal.

Not long after the meal began, Nan Lihuo and Wang Daoren arrived.

Wang Daoren came accompanied by the Chubby Kid and the two prodigies, Yun’e.

Nan Lihuo, in turn, returned with Lu Chi.

In no time, Li Qingshan’s courtyard was bustling once more.

Nan Lihuo was clearly in high spirits; after all, the once-arrogant grandmaster Xue Dufu had been slain.

He was overjoyed.

He even uncorked his treasured fine wine.

After the meal,

Nan Lihuo and Wang Daoren announced that they would reside at Zheng Lei Peak for a while to secure its safety.

That was their way of guaranteeing Li Che’s security.

When dinner ended, everyone began to depart.

Li Qingshan then summoned Li Che into the study.

Blocking all detection, Li Qingshan’s eyes suddenly shone with an intense brilliance as he stared at Li Che in disbelief.

“You little rascal…”

“You… you…”

Li Qingshan drew a deep breath, his shock bursting forth in a torrent of words.

“You rallied Ma Mian and Divine Monkey to kill grandmaster Xue Dufu?!”

“And… you discovered the whereabouts of the Lie Shen Pavilion? You flattened it without hesitation?”

Li Qingshan was utterly astonished.

Among the Underworld forces,

Ma Mian was known for long-range sniping.

Divine Monkey was wild and unbridled, but challenging a grandmaster alone…

Only Ogre excelled in Mechanical Art!

That mushroom firework—a weapon that decimated the Lie Shen Pavilion and shook all of Jingguang Prefecture—

originated from Ogre!

from none other than this upright young man!

Li Che regarded the stunned Li Qingshan with a gentle smile, not denying a thing, but confessing openly, “Xue Dufu was indeed killed during the siege. As for the Lie Shen Pavilion… they had commissioned an assassination on me and Zhang Ya. I couldn’t ignore that. Besides… the Lie Shen Pavilion was competing with the Underworld. If they get flattened, so be it.”

Li Qingshan gasped in astonishment!

Who would have guessed that the 21-year-old prodigy once inspected in Feilei City would, after a few years… develop such a domineering aura!

Could this be the weapon that emboldens one’s courage?

Flatten them if needed…

But damn, that’s the Lie Shen Pavilion!

The world’s number one killer organization!

Li Qingshan trembled.

Damn… Ogre, you really are something!

Yet when he thought of the terrifying mushroom cloud firework Li Che wielded, it seemed he truly had the means.

A master of Mechanism… each one is fearsome indeed!

Even Li Qingshan was awed by the unintentional boldness Li Che displayed.

The Underworld… might be far more formidable than he had ever imagined!

Li Qingshan rubbed his hands together.

“Che, I wonder… does your Underworld still take in new recruits? I’m almost one of you now, right?”

Li Qingshan was genuinely anxious.

Li Che had long since left him out of the loop!

Looking at Li Qingshan, Li Che said seriously, “Joining the Underworld is extremely dangerous…”

“It’s fine, I love the thrill!”

Li Qingshan waved his hand dismissively.

Li Che smiled at that.

Then, narrowing his eyes, he recalled a phrase he’d heard from Li Qingshan before:

“Cat Face, I have a lucrative collaboration opportunity… interested?”

That’s seven thousand words. Please support with monthly votes, recommendations, and full reading. During this naked dash, keep reading—otherwise, without sufficient pks, recommendations vanish and Old Li will weep!