Chapter 187: Blood and Flames of the Temple

Kill her!

Kill her already—!!

A voice thundered closer until it exploded by his ear. Little Prince Ji Haihui shuddered as the Dragon God Purple Gaze flared with an icy, crazed murderous intent!

Kill her…

Only then can I inherit the legacy!

Only then will I live up to my father’s expectations!

Ji Haihui’s mind buzzed and his whole body trembled as he gripped the Four-Yu Divine Weapon. This weapon… was his trump card to outshine and suppress all the prodigies at the Temple Spirit Resonance Conference!

The Yulian Yin Divine Sword…

The Four-Yu Divine Weapon!

It is divided into the Yin Divine Sword and the Yang Divine Sword!

The Yin Divine Sword was obtained by my father from another Four-Yu Bizarre Temple, along with a tip revealing that the Yang Divine Sword is hidden within this Jin Guang Mansion’s Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple!

Ji Haihui’s other purpose in coming was to use the Yin Divine Sword to lure the Yang Divine Sword, uniting the two.

Gathering together the Yulian Yin and Yang Divine Swords!

But as he gripped the sword, nothing happened. The divine weapon seemed to disdain him, showing not even a trace of mystique.

When Ji Haihui acquired this sword, he had ambitions.

He fantasized that perhaps he could earn the recognition of the Four-Yu Divine Weapon and become its master.

Then his future would be set in stone.

He would even have the right to inherit his father’s title as King Ping Luan!

Alas, the Yin Divine Sword felt nothing for him.

It even repulsed him…

But now…

Everything is changing!

Ji Haihui clutched the Yulian Yin Divine Sword tightly as the deafening voice rattled his ears, stirring his soul with fierce exhilaration.

It felt as though…

he had gained the Temple Spirit’s favor!

“Kill her…”

“Kill Li Nuǎnxi!”

“This is the Temple Spirit’s test for me!”

A smile involuntarily curled at the corner of Ji Haihui’s mouth.

The Temple Spirit… was just perfect for him.

For Ji Haihui harbored an unyielding urge to end XiXi’s life; he would show her no mercy.

“Is this Temple Spirit Resonance?”

“The Temple Spirit intends to kill Li Nuǎnxi, and I… also wish to kill her.”

“What a coincidence.”

“A resonance of souls!”

Ji Haihui held the unwieldy Yulian Yin Divine Sword at an angle, lifting it just enough so that its tip wouldn’t gouge the ground.

He stepped forward slowly as eerie fog swirled around him!

Step by step, his footfalls echoed ceaselessly.

In the distance…

XiXi cradled a gold brick as if it were priceless; her eyes shone with delight!

XiXi couldn’t fathom why a gold brick appeared before the Bizarre Temple. How many braised pig trotters could such a massive brick buy?

She believed that anything appearing in the temple was meant to be her destiny.

Without any pretense, XiXi claimed it.

The brick was heavy, and at first, despite her best effort, she couldn’t budge it.

But once the Little Gun in her arm quivered and purple flames swirled around her arm,

XiXi found she could lift the brick!

Though still hefty, at least she could hold it.

XiXi was overjoyed.

The purple flames continued to entwine around it as if burning the gold brick.

Gradually…

the brick began to melt.

As XiXi chuckled, she suddenly noticed that the brick was melting like ice and snow.

The molten gold flowed and clung to her arm…

turning her other arm a dazzling golden hue!

“Ah—my golden brick!”

XiXi wailed in anguish.

“XiXi’s braised pig trotters!”

Panic seized her.

All those pig trotters seemed about to vanish!

Her mood soured drastically.

Staring at her now-golden arm, XiXi pouted. She couldn’t possibly chop off her golden arm to buy pig trotters, could she?

She spread her arms wide.

Her left hand concealed the Little Gun while her right hid a Little Brick.

Suddenly,

XiXi’s mind buzzed.

“Kill him…”

“Kill him!”

“Kill him already—!!!”

Boom!

XiXi closed her eyes, shaking her head violently as if to dislodge the incessant noise from her mind.

Clear footsteps echoed.

Turning around, she saw Ji Haihui advancing from the distance, gripping a pitch-black divine sword.

XiXi glared, “You little maid!”

Ji Haihui’s lips twitched as his purple eyes smoldered with deadly intent.

He remained silent, staring at XiXi with nothing but murderous intent.

The voices in his mind gradually faded.

Suddenly, fear surged in Ji Haihui’s heart—as if the Temple Spirit were drifting away, and he was about to lose its resonance.

This must not happen!

A burst of inner might exploded from his chest, as if ready to burst, accompanied by a deafening roar!

He longed to inherit the Temple Spirit’s legacy!

He craved the Yulian Yang Divine Sword!

So…

Li Nuǎnxi!

Die!

You were destined to die!

He was determined to kill Li Nuǎnxi!

Crack, crack, crack!

Ji Haihui’s body writhed as his surging blood energy coiled around him; thick cords of muscle and tendon bulged and snapped like a roaring dragon!

Inside him, his blood boiled, as if the bloodline of the Dragon God was awakening!

Swirling purple light wove into a spectral dragon around him!

Bang—!

Murderous intent flared in Ji Haihui’s icy eyes.

The dragon phantom wrapped around him as he gripped the Yin Divine Sword, slamming his foot down and parting the eerie fog.

He bolted forward like a roaming dragon!

The Yulian Yin Divine Sword swung mightily in his hand.

Although he couldn’t fully unleash its power, the inherent sharpness and imposing aura of the Four-Yu Divine Weapon…

were more than enough to kill Li Nuǎnxi!

Ji Haihui knew Li Nuǎnxi’s capabilities—she had defeated him once before. Though she had been training hard, her strength hadn’t increased much.

But this time was different. On Golden Light Peak, he couldn’t even dare to draw the Yulian Yin Divine Sword…

nor could he!

For when leaving Jizhou, his father warned him that the Yulian Yin Divine Sword could only be drawn during the Temple Spirit Resonance.

Ji Haihui remembered clearly; even in his maddened state on Golden Light Peak, he never unsheathed it to subdue Li Nuǎnxi.

Now…

At the Temple Spirit Resonance Conference within the Bizarre Temple, he no longer needed to hold back.

Boom—!!!

Like a bolt of purple lightning, he surged forward as sword light flashed!

Wanlong Fushen!

In a state where his Dragon God bloodline blazed, Ji Haihui unleashed his Martial Saint Technique with all his might!

Wanlong Fushen was the Martial Saint Technique that could integrate every method!

From the very first move, it was the Martial Saint Technique!

It was a fatal strike!

It was as if ten thousand dragons plunged simultaneously, their sword light covering the skies—a cascade of dragon shadows descending!

Boom, boom, boom, boom—

Within the dense fog of the Bizarre Temple, swirling vortexes suddenly erupted!

They had been stirred up by the clashing sword qi!

A raging gale tore through as if oppressive dark clouds were crashing down!

Just then, XiXi, who had just retrieved the gold brick, turned around. The diminutive figure seemed to be battered by the howling winds!

Her chubby face trembled uncontrollably!

“Ah—!”

Her shock and fury were unmistakable!

She sensed an overwhelming aura of death!

That little maid was coming straight to kill her!

If XiXi died, how heartbroken would her parents be!

Disaster!

Anger surged in her heart!

Yet amid the fury, she remained extremely alert, unwilling to let her guard down!

This was dangerous—extremely dangerous!

The threat emanating from the sword in the little maid’s hand was too overwhelming!

But then…

Facing the terrible onslaught of Ji Haihui, XiXi’s arms began to tremble violently.

Tempered by the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear, her body had grown immensely strong. With a stomp like thunder,

her chubby fist clenched and purple light blazed as purple flames erupted!

Boom—!!!

A surging torrent of purple flames transformed into a gigantic purple feline!

All the intense training Li Che had given XiXi wasn’t just about the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear—it had also subtly honed her martial understanding.

Today, XiXi’s White Tiger Turbulent Wind Fist had reached its peak!

She threw a punch!

It was breathtaking!

The purple tiger roared and bellowed, shaking the heavens as if to tear apart the stars!

It was hard to imagine that such a punch came from a four-year-old girl!

Sword light danced like a dragon while her fist shone with the ferocity of a tiger!

Dragons and tigers clashed with roaring force!

Ji Haihui’s purple, mirror-like eyes reflected the flowing light, his killing intent surging!

Seeing XiXi dare to counter his strike with a fist from a Four-Yu Divine Weapon was sheer audacity!

“I could do without your hand!”

Ji Haihui sneered coldly!

He was supremely confident!

Even if he couldn’t fully channel the Four-Yu Divine Weapon, its sheer edge alone was enough to turn the little girl into mush!

What’s it to her if her flesh rivals that of a grandmaster?

Ji Haihui no longer restrained his martial prowess!

The convulsing Xuanmai surged as his blood energy burst forth, his power cutting through like a hot knife through butter!

Previously, he had been defeated by Li Nuǎnxi because he had sealed his true strength, only displaying his Blood Exchange power. If he had unleashed his full Xuanmai, Li Nuǎnxi would never have been a match!

How could he, after failing a mountain trial, now be reduced to a laughingstock!

All his pent-up rage exploded this moment!

Then—!!!

The tiger-like fist collided with the dragon-shaped sword qi!

It was like a colossal thunderclap—the entire earth trembled!

Waves of eerie fog roiled around them!

The air rippled like water, concentric circles spreading outward from the two combatants!

Ji Haihui’s face changed repeatedly!

“Impossible!”

He cried out in sheer terror, his scream nearly spiraling out of control!

That little girl…

had actually blocked his Yulian Yin Divine Sword strike—transforming his Wanlong Fushen into nothing!

Though Ji Haihui had only just learned Wanlong Fushen and had not even mastered it, its force was undeniable!

Coupled with the keen sharpness of the Four-Yu Divine Weapon…

how could it be parried?!

Then—!

The clash of metal rang out as if sparks flew!

XiXi’s fist clenched fiercely as her radiant eyes focused.

Her right hand, glowing with golden brilliance, miraculously absorbed his strike!

Although Ji Haihui’s Xuanmai force made her stagger several steps back,

it was enough to satisfy her!

Her golden fist clenched tight as determination shone on her face!

“Hehha!”

Boom—

XiXi stomped heavily forward.

Within her small frame, it was as if a terrifying beast lurked—a spine like a dragon and arms glowing purple and gold!

Dazzling beyond measure!

Amidst swirling fog and turbulent air, XiXi threw another punch!

Ji Haihui’s hair whipped about as his purple dragon phantom roared,

sword light dancing while the Yulian Yin Divine Sword trembled, unleashing countless brilliant sparks!

“Die—!!!”

Then—!!!

A cracking sound erupted again!

XiXi interlocked both arms to block and counter with a forceful thrust!

“You want to kill XiXi!”

“XiXi will—”

“Beat you to death!”

Her father always said if someone bullied XiXi, she must fight back without fear!

He said, in the world of martial arts…

if you let others get away with a blade, then so be it!

XiXi, skilled in Blood Exchange techniques, did not back down; she roared in anger and swung her golden fist once more.

Ji Haihui’s dragon phantom summoned every drop of his Dragon God bloodline, burning with intensity!

A furious roar echoed like a dragon’s hymn.

The sword in his hand trembled…

Ji Haihui’s heart leapt with joy.

It was as if…

something had stirred—at last, the Four-Yu Divine Weapon was about to acknowledge him?

But then, Ji Haihui’s expression changed slightly.

He saw Li Nuǎnxi with purple and gold light bursting from both hands!

A long spear, spitting purple flames, materialized before him.

On the other side, a dazzling gold brick shone so brightly it nearly blinded him!

Ji Haihui’s gaze was instantly drawn to the spear.

His whole body convulsed…

“This is…”

“a Four-Yu Divine Weapon?!”

“The Third Prince’s Fire-Tipped Spear?!”

“How could you possibly have a Fire-Tipped Spear?!”

Ji Haihui screamed!

Boom—!!!

The Yulian Yin Divine Sword, which he detested, offered no resistance as the Fire-Tipped Spear suppressed it completely.

Then the overwhelming might of the Four-Yu Divine Weapon roared like a tempest, suffocating Ji Haihui.

Meanwhile, XiXi had somehow crept close by.

Realizing it, Ji Haihui’s eyes flared with fury.

He let out a roar as his purple dragon phantom burst forth!

Unleashing his Xuanmai energy with all his might, he spread his fingers as if tearing the air apart!

Without his sword, he attacked with bare fists in a Wanlong Fushen assault!

No wonder he had failed to suppress Li Nuǎnxi with the Yulian Yin Divine Sword!

It turned out Li Nuǎnxi also possessed a Four-Yu Divine Weapon!

But now…

None of them had a Four-Yu Divine Weapon!

In pure physical power…

the advantage was clearly with Ji Haihui!

“Die—!!!!”

Ji Haihui roared.

But in the next moment, a brilliant burst of golden light nearly blinded him.

On XiXi’s right hand, out of nowhere, she was wielding a gold brick with wild excitement!

Ji Haihui could only watch as his dragon phantom’s power was rendered useless!

The brick magnified before his eyes,

ignoring his protective Dragon God aura, his Xuanmai energy, and his formidable divine nature…

as if invulnerable to all,

it finally slammed into his forehead.

Boom—

Blood sprayed as a mist of gore exploded!

Ji Haihui felt his head splitting as a terrifying force pounded his brain.

The shockwave, rippling in concentric circles, battered everything with relentless fury!

It was as if an ancient deity had struck, tearing through the heavens and sending the celestial river cascading!

Splat—

Ji Haihui was blasted like a cannonball by XiXi’s gold brick, leaving behind a cloud of blood mist that lingered for a long time.

…

…

Amid the swirling fog,

invisible ripples spread far and wide.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu sat cross-legged beneath the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel, like a beacon illuminating the area and keeping the dense fog at bay.

Wooo—

A terrifying figure strode through the fog, exuding a powerful and fearsome aura!

A grotesque face even appeared from the other side of the mist.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu sat with eyes closed, reciting scriptures while his fingers formed intricate gestures; his thumb tapped repeatedly at the joints of his index and middle fingers.

Suddenly, an unseen gust of blood-charged air whistled by, striking his face.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu opened his eyes abruptly.

“The smell of blood?”

“At the Temple Spirit Resonance… why are the kids fighting?”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu frowned.

Inside the Bizarre Temple, blood rarely spilled since those temple-guarding undead were long drained of blood, and the monsters’ tough hides seldom bled—except during ritual battles, when they might.

Normally, these creatures wouldn’t bleed!

So the bloody stench undoubtedly came from the prodigies!

“What is happening?”

“Could it be that the Temple Spirit’s test… is to make these children slay one another?”

A look of grave concern and worry appeared in Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s eyes.

This situation was spiraling out of control.

It was best to keep it contained.

Otherwise, if this Four-Yu Bizarre Temple were to erupt completely, and the horrifying temple-guarding undead and monsters escaped…

it would be a colossal disaster!

Jingguang City simply couldn’t bear the chaos of a rampaging Four-Yu Bizarre Temple!

Feeling the dissipating shockwaves from the clash, Elder Jiao Shaoqiu slowly exhaled.

He now only hoped that the Temple Spirit Resonance would end peacefully,

without causing any further trouble.

…

…

Within the fog, the aftershocks swept over.

Every prodigy engaged in the Temple Spirit Resonance had their expressions change.

Ogre Tie Shancai’s eyes, nose, and mouth spewed flames as he twisted the surrounding fog, forcing a slice of reality to appear.

He felt the impact of a blood-soaked shockwave.

His flame-like eyes suddenly burst with brilliant light.

He lifted his five fingers, feeling the undulations of the fog like ripples in water.

“This is… the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear!”

“Grand Inspector really is a mastermind!”

“Could he really have predicted all this?!”

Tie Shancai was overjoyed.

His Qian Kun Jade flashed; in the next moment, a palm-sized green banana fan landed in his hand.

He fiercely waved it at the approaching fog.

The fan cleared a straight path as Tie Shancai swayed and advanced along it!

Where the iron fan struck, the path was cleared!

Relying on his sharp senses, Tie Shancai rapidly closed in on the clash between XiXi and Ji Haihui!

“Grand Inspector said that my optimal divine weapon is the Fire-Tipped Spear. After careful calculation by the Empress, it seems only the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple in this Jin Guang Mansion has one!”

Tie Shancai shook his head.

Then he quickened his pace!

He must get hold of the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear!

…

…

At this moment,

inside the Bizarre Temple,

aside from the clash between XiXi and Ji Haihui,

the other kids were in their own Temple Spirit Resonance sessions.

They felt the mournful sounds from the Temple Spirit, and their expressions changed one after another.

Chubby Kid Zhou Peng’s heart trembled.

“Amputate the bones for the father, excise the flesh for the mother?”

“I can’t do it!”

Chubby Kid Zhou Peng’s face showed utter despair.

Once this resonance test began, Zhou Peng knew the rewards would not be for him.

For he couldn’t bear the cruelty of amputating bones for his father and excising flesh for his mother. Being overweight with too much flesh and all those bulky bones…

it would only leave him at a disadvantage!

So Zhou Peng chose to give up.

Yun’e was in the same situation.

Amputate bones and excise flesh… she simply couldn’t.

She had come to test if she could gain a little Temple Spirit legacy. Even a little would suffice.

But when it came to cutting flesh and bones, Yun’e backed off.

After all, she had no parents now.

…

…

Qin Fenghuo tilted his head.

He chuckled.

“Amputate the bones for the father, excise the flesh for the mother?”

“That’s because they did wrong. Your parents saw only the people of the world and not you! You caused a calamity, and they must be sacrificed along with the masses!”

“It’s their fault, the world’s fault—what does it matter to you?”

“You’re just a kid!”

Qin Fenghuo dropped his hand into his pouch and laughed heartily.

He then grabbed his own face, peeling off a strip of skin to reveal a face with dark circles.

With two tufts of hair like skyrocketing cannons, he bounced along towards the one sitting before the Bizarre Temple—”Qin Fenghuo.”

He slowly opened his hands with a nonchalant air.

“It’s your parents who are at fault, it’s the world’s mistake… why amputate bones and excise flesh?”

“You don’t need to do that!”

Qin Fenghuo, sporting dark circles, grinned broadly.

“Come on! Let a wisp of the Temple Spirit’s soul join me! Come with me and be wild—I’ll show you true freedom!”

“This world needs you. A flawed world must be cleansed, not mutilated by you.”

“You’re just a child, pure and unburdened!”

“Come on, follow me!”

“Together, we’ll carve the flesh of this world and excise its bones.”

“Come on…”

“My deity!”

…

…

Lu Chi trembled all over.

On the distant steps of the Bizarre Temple,

Lu Chi sneered eerily, slicing through flesh with his sword as blood spurted.

“Amputate the bones for the father!”

“Excise the flesh for the mother!”

“Come on—!”

Lu Chi’s eerie laugh turned into a whisper as blood streamed down; his eyes were soaked in crimson, fixated on himself.

“Come on!”

Lu Chi trembled uncontrollably.

Tears streamed down his face.

Every step felt as if a dull blade was slicing away a piece of his flesh in agony…

The crunch of cutting flesh echoed relentlessly, as if severing his very soul.

His spirit quivered.

Thick tears rolled from his eyes.

“I understand!”

“I feel your pain!”

“Ever since I was a child, everything I did was wrong in my father’s eyes!”

“My father punished me, my mother scolded me…”

“Why can’t they understand me?”

“I’m their child!”

Lu Chi took ten staggering steps, sweat pouring as his large face twisted and tears flowed.

“I crave power…”

Lu Chi said.

“Many noble families seal a Temple Spirit within their offspring from birth so they might inherit the legacy and become invincible…”

“It’s the same for the royals.”

“But in the Divine Capital, no Temple Spirit chose me.”

“For I have no Temple Spirit within me; my father despises me, and my mother loathes me. Everything I do is condemned—even when I’m right, they say I’m wrong…”

“I’m not willing to accept this…”

At last, Lu Chi reached himself. His face drained of color as if he had exhausted every bit of his strength.

Before him, the might of Lu Chi seemed insignificant,

like a mere grain of sand facing a star!

Yet he still stood there.

Lu Chi smiled.

“Come.”

Lu Chi extended his sword.

With trembling hands, Lu Chi accepted the sword as tears poured down.

In his mind, countless images flashed before him.

He recalled his hunchbacked master Li Qingshan in a blue robe, the kind-hearted Granny Mu who stitched his clothes by lamplight at night…

He thought of playing with the Twisty Car alongside XiXi—her image filled his eyes.

He remembered the stern and imposing Ogre Li Shu,

and the gentle, soft Zhang Yi who cooked splendid meals.

“I’m sorry…”

Lu Chi wept bitterly.

But being of royal blood, he had no choice.

He had to seize this final chance.

The Grand Inspector had told him this was his one and only opportunity.

Lu Chi stretched out his hand,

grasping the sword offered by himself.

Boom—!!!

In an instant,

a black lotus appeared—a black lotus upon which Lu Chi transformed into a child clad in a dark vest, his gaze burning fiercely.

“Come on.”

Lu Chi clutched the bloodstained sword.

Slish—!

Sword light dripped, carving a patch of flesh.

“Ugh!”

Lu Chi’s face blushed red as he gritted his teeth.

“Come on.”

“Come!”

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—

Blood droplets fell,

splashing onto the roiling fog and bursting like a blood lotus in hell.

…

…

XiXi gripped the golden brick tightly.

It shimmered with resplendent gold, dazzling beyond compare.

She snorted with excitement and raised her head.

“Little maid! Do you submit?”

In the distance,

Ji Haihui’s head nearly exploded—his flesh mangled, blood continuously streaming.

He staggered to his feet.

The dragon phantom surged as realistic dragon scales grew over his body, his tail coiling and unfurling.

The clashing fog roiled ceaselessly.

“Submit?”

Ji Haihui sneered icily and bitterly,

“Why should I submit? I am the son of King Ping Luan and a prince of the Dragon God clan! Why would I submit to a wild girl?!”

“I will kill you! I will strip your skin and tear out your tendons!”

“I’ll order my father to wipe out the entire Jin Guang Branch and decapitate your entire family!”

“I’ll kill your mother and your father!”

Ji Haihui seethed with venom.

His eyes blazed with anger and crimson as he voiced words he barely understood as his own truth!

After all, his rank and status were nothing compared to that wild girl!

The Dragon God blood began to rage, overriding Ji Haihui’s will.

But he no longer cared—he relaxed completely, letting his power surge forth.

He resolved to kill this wild girl!

He would tear her limb from limb!

“How dare you kill me?”

“If you kill me… my father will order the Black Armored Iron Cavalry of the Jin Guang Branch to crush you, and everyone will be beheaded!”

“Your father and mother will be slain as well!”

“Chop off your head!”

“How dare you kill me?!”

XiXi’s whole body trembled as she gripped the gold brick; anger seethed through her.

At such a young age, she had never heard such venomous words.

Never before had she encountered someone so ruthless!

Not only did he want to kill XiXi,

he also planned to massacre the entire Jin Guang Branch!

And he intended to kill her parents!

It was too cruel!

XiXi was furious, her face turning red as she balled the gold brick into a fist, trembling with rage.

Boom—!!!

In the distance,

the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear

clanged with a metallic ring.

It struck the Yulian Yin Divine Sword, which immediately snapped limp to the ground, feigning death flawlessly.

Then,

the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear shot forth like a missile.

XiXi raised her hand and clutched the spear tightly!

Purple flames erupted from it, twisting around her like a long purple ribbon,

hoisting her body into the air!

Her brows furrowed in defiance.

Yet XiXi trembled all over, her eyes red with tears, for Ji Haihui’s words still haunted her.

If Ji Haihui was killed…

her father would lead an army to crush Golden Light Peak, slay the sect leader and Sister Yinyin…

and kill her own parents!

What could she do?!

“Kill him…”

“Then excise the flesh for the father and amputate the bones for the mother… bear all the blame alone…”

“After all, your father will resent you for your mischief, thinking you recklessly caused too many casualties for Jin Guang Sect…”

“Your mother will be so disappointed she’ll never love you again…”

Suddenly, a voice echoed in XiXi’s ears.

XiXi trembled all over.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she pouted…

XiXi was heartbroken.

She almost wanted to kill the little maid.

But then…

“It doesn’t matter…”

“Go ahead, kill him, devour all his divine talents…”

“Unleash yourself; bear the blame alone. After all, your father will never understand, and your mother will cease to love you.”

“Return their flesh and bones to them!”

“Be the true XiXi!”

The seductive voice rang on incessantly.

XiXi’s body shuddered uncontrollably.

Then a gentle voice rose above the tempting whispers in her ear.

“You brat, shut up.”

XiXi suddenly stilled.

She blinked at the floating white chess piece before her.

The smooth white chess piece radiated a subtle glow.

Then a familiar, soothing voice whispered in her ear:

“Don’t be afraid, sweet one.”

“If someone hits you, you hit them back. If someone tries to kill you, kill them. Don’t let yourself be mistreated…”

“Forget about grand causes and lofty ideals. Just know that your father is here.”

This idea had been in her heart since the beginning—her father would always be her greatest support. (Old Li hopes to achieve that one day! Please vote and recommend; everyone supports as the story continues!)