Chapter 232: The Awakening of the Dragon Elephant Vajra

In the courtyard, the raging currents gradually subsided.

The swiftly falling snow melted away, transforming into torrential rain that drenched the courtyard, only to be evaporated into mist by Li Che’s overwhelming, searing blood energy.

A dense, drifting fog filled the space.

With his jet-black hair billowing and eyes crackling with energy, Li Che’s pupils unleashed electric currents that danced wildly in the expanse.

【Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Vajra (LV5 0%)】

It’s done!

Electric currents intertwined to form a line of characters before Li Che’s eyes, sending tremors through his entire being.

Every muscle felt as if it were being forged under relentless, blazing heat, like hammering with a searing branding iron!

The third transformation of the Dao Fruit!

LV5 Dragon Elephant Vajra!

Li Che’s eyes shone brilliantly as his body pulsed with blood like molten mercury, emitting a deep, roaring sound akin to surging tidal waves.

This was Li Che’s first Dao Fruit to achieve the third transformation!

His emotions surged like the tides of the Jiulong River, stirring up a unique blend of excitement and awe.

The first transformation granted him 【Tower Ascension】, a method of tapping into the Temple Spirit’s power to boost his combat prowess.

The second transformation bestowed him with the divine art 【Vital Radiance】, a versatile skill that could refine divine weapons, elevate their quality, and manifest as radiant clouds to support his agile maneuvers!

Both were truly extraordinary!

But what new change would the third transformation bring?

Li Che couldn’t help but feel a burst of anticipation.

His eyes sparked with flowing electric currents that whipped around the courtyard like divine whips lashing the ground.

“Whoo—”

“Hah—”

Every inhalation and exhalation, the sounds of air, falling snow, and shifting winds, fell eerily silent.

Inside his chest, the Dao Fruit beat with frenetic energy.

Each pulse felt like an ancient bell in a sacred mountain temple, struck forcefully by a mighty warrior’s fist every time the tide surged.

The explosive bell sound rippled outward like waves, reverberating through every cell of his body!

Boom—!!!

In an instant, his mind was pulled by an overwhelmingly terrible force!

The ears filled with the roar of divine dragons and the bellow of colossal elephants!

Before he knew it, he was dragged into a vast, desolate realm!

The ancient, boundless earth—profound and mysterious!

It exuded an aura of deep mystique!

A primordial divine tree soared upward, its sprawling branches and lush leaves stretching out like a canopy over the boundless land!

Upon its ancient boughs, glassy branches unfurled, heavy with multicolored Dao Fruits that dangled like luminous ornaments.

Their radiant brilliance was dazzling!

One among them swelled magnificently!

It far surpassed the others in size!

It was as if his entire blood flowed toward this singular Dao Fruit!

A burst of swirling mists emerged—his Vital Radiance transforming into the phantom outline of a Dragon Elephant, radiating resplendent, golden light!

Li Che’s gaze burned fiercely; this scene was all too familiar.

He had witnessed all this when the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit transformed for the second time!

Boom—!!!

A fearsome gale suddenly swept in, accompanied by the subtle sway of the divine tree’s branches, its limbs lashing out in a torrent!

It slammed into Li Che with overwhelming force.

The heavens shook with wild winds and the earth trembled as if ancient beasts had roared deep within one’s soul!

Li Che felt the scene shift before his very eyes.

It was as though an ominous force hurled him skyward into the abyss!

Then…

Mid-fall,

he witnessed a golden divine dragon entwined with a golden colossal elephant!

These were titanic beasts from an age of gods and demons, enormous beyond belief!

The colossal elephant, lifting the heavens, swung its lengthy trunk, churning the seas into wild torrents as crashing waves erupted!

The river burst open with a mighty roar!

From the boiling waters emerged a gargantuan, fearsome crocodile; its massive form stirred up turbulent, raging currents, as if a deluge had descended!

It was like a torrential downpour!

Li Che’s eyes glowed with intensity!

He saw the giant crocodile and the golden elephant locked in ferocious combat; the elephant, shrouded in swirling mists, swung its trunk as if wielding a divine whip capable of shattering mountains!

Yet the crocodile, with its razor-sharp, aligned teeth, struck like the ultimate divine weapon!

As it bit into the elephant, it tore through flesh, leaving gruesome wounds!

It was a battle as epic as that of ancient gods and demons!

Li Che watched, his heart pounding!

In the next moment, the colossal elephant let out a fierce trumpet!

Suddenly, dark, leaden clouds broke apart as countless lightning bolts streaked out; a golden azure dragon emerged from the billowing clouds.

It dove toward the battlefield with relentless fury!

The dragon and the elephant converged in a crushing embrace!

A golden divine dragon coiled around the golden elephant!

In an instant, the golden elephant seemed to surge with unimaginable power!

Its massive tusks rose high before crashing down, fracturing the earth, toppling mountains, and shattering the very heavens!

The crocodile’s head was instantly crushed, its gushing blood staining the river red!

In that moment—!!!

Li Che felt the vision vanish.

He reappeared in the boundless realm before the Divine Tree!

Thump, thump, thump—

Excruciating pain battered him, every inch of his flesh trembling under its assault!

The tearing agony was unimaginable!

Bone marrow, skeleton, meridians, blood, membranes…

Every part of his mortal frame screamed in agony!

Transformation!

Another metamorphosis!

With a long howl, his wild, jet-black hair whipped as if a mighty dragon were piercing the heavens!

Every muscle twisted into knots as minute cellular changes took place!

It was as though his flesh was cast into a forge, hammered and remelted anew!

Drop after drop of crimson, glistening blood fell scalding from his eyes.

Light danced in his eyes.

【Dao Fruit LV5: Three Transformations – Divine Art Ascension One (Vital Radiance) to Divine Art Ascension Two (Dragon Elephant Heavenly Guts)】

Boom—!!!

Li Che’s consciousness began to drift from that vast realm.

Yet his muscles and bones trembled with an ear-splitting resonance as another colossal transformation unfolded!

Every joint between bones rubbed together in searing friction!

Rebirth!

A complete renewal!

The second time!

This was… the second complete renewal!

Li Che suddenly tilted his head back, blood droplets bursting and splintering upon impact like scattered arrows!

He stood in the center of the courtyard as raging currents battered him relentlessly.

Bumps surged over his body as if reshaping his formidable flesh.

Before his eyes, the light changed once more.

【Radiant Rise (Divine Art): Tower Ascension Radiant Rise, Flesh Ascension, Earth-Shattering Heavenly Guts, Finger Snap Starburst】

【Ascension One: Vital Radiance】

【Ascension Two: Dragon Elephant Convergence】

【Earth-Shattering Power, Heavenly Dragon Form, Dragon Elephant Convergence, Mountain-Shifting Might】

A prompt for his new divine art suddenly materialized before his eyes.

In Li Che’s mind, the image of the Dragon Elephant Convergence trampling a giant crocodile repeatedly surged, striking his spirit relentlessly.

Rumbling thunder—

Heat burst forth, purifying his body, causing his once indomitable flesh to churn with newly born blood energy as if charging like rolling thunder!

Li Che opened his eyes and clenched his fist; in an instant, the terrifying currents shattered, erupting in white torrents that whipped through the courtyard!

In a flash, it was as if a golden divine dragon materialized, its coils wrapping around him, encircling his limbs and caressing his trembling spine!

Li Che felt himself being lifted higher and higher!

Within his bones, a ferocious strength surged, making his tendons vibrate, his bones cry out, and his marrow boil!

‘My power…’

‘Enhanced tenfold, a hundredfold, a thousandfold!’

‘Compared to when I first acquired the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, this is a far more terrifying boost!’

‘A pure surge in power!’

Li Che felt an unparalleled exhilaration as he thrust his mighty palm forward. His legendary Martial Saint Technique – Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant – surged in a radiant metamorphosis!

Deep within his dantian, his flesh pill pulsed violently!

On the crimson flesh pill, as he unleashed Divine Art Ascension Two [Dragon Elephant Convergence], golden patterns emerged vividly!

It was the golden divine dragon entwined with the golden colossal elephant on his body!

The Dragon Elephant Convergence was etched upon his Martial Pill!

‘My Martial Saint Technique – Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant… is evolving into Divine Seed Martial Arts!’

‘It’s as if divine intent is being born!’

‘Dragon Elephant Divine Will!’

‘Slowly elevating my self-taught Martial Art, Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant, to the realm of Divine Seed Martial Arts…’

‘Once it fully evolves, I can open the Eight Extraordinary Gates of the human body with Divine Seed!’

Li Che’s eyes sparkled as his mood soared.

He pushed forward with his fists, dancing wildly in the courtyard as surging currents burst around him, and the torrential rain was flung upward, defying gravity.

The scorching winds pounded his form relentlessly!

In the haze, the ethereal semblance of a colossal elephant entwined with a divine dragon materialized!

‘Hoo, hoo, hoo—’

Li Che exhaled, his breath slicing through the air like finely honed blades.

Extending his arms, his bones resounded with crisp, cracking explosions!

His internal organs trembled as waves of Divine Guts surged forth, interweaving into a spiraled quintet of divine energy!

It was as if five forms of Divine Guts twisted together into a unified five-element barrage!

Like a raging dragon, they whirled around him in one, two, three…

Thirty-six streams!

Boom—!!!

Li Che stood resolute as the thirty-six streams of Five-Element Divine Guts danced furiously—a testament to his arrival at the pinnacle of the Divine Guts Grandmaster!

With three transformations of the Dao Fruit combined with his martial pill’s potency,

Li Che successfully consolidated the final six streams of Five-Element Divine Guts!

His 360 body orifices burst forth with resplendent golden radiance!

Smack—!

With the first crisp sound, it was as if a resilient membrane had been pierced!

All orifices opened in one!

Then came a second, a third, a fourth…

Waves of sound after sound!

All 360 channels opened wide!

Closing his eyes, Li Che sensed his martial will melding with the cosmos.

Countless currents converged from above and below!

‘Unity of Heaven and Man…’

Li Che looked upward, his black hair swirling wildly.

He felt as if he had tapped into the very soul of the earth and sky!

The heavens exhaled, and the earth trembled constantly.

Between the firmament, the howling wind mimicked the breath of the cosmos!

Li Che extended his hand, and suddenly the Thunder Magnetic Conduit sprang to life…

He levitated as though magnetically intertwined with the cosmic field, drawing energy from above and below in an endless cycle!

‘This is… the unity of Heaven and Man.’

Li Che’s eyes gleamed with depth, complexity, and excitement.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle…

All 360 channels whirled like mini whirlpools!

Divine Guts streamed forth, all merging into the flesh pill in his dantian!

The pill transformed into a blazing forge, refining the Five-Element Divine Guts to perfection, stripping away all superficiality to become unyieldingly resilient.

Slowly…

A true Divine Guts, far surpassing the Inherent Divine Guts of Long Tai, began to flow out.

Li Che raised his hand, and the Inherent Divine Guts danced between his five fingers like raging electricity!

It shifted, sometimes into a dragon, sometimes an elephant, sometimes pure lightning!

…

…

After five long days of intense transformation and condensation,

Li Che finally achieved the threefold transformation of the Dao Fruit—a monumental breakthrough that tremendously elevated his martial cultivation.

Drawing in his breath, he gently floated down onto the ground.

The heat dissipated, and the falling snow resumed, blanketing the earth in a thick layer.

The Painted Immortal Dao Fruit trembled, as one after another, his Painted Immortal Clones were summoned to collect Sixfold Divine Essence Crystals and pursue Temple Spirit Divine Vision training.

Soon after, they went off to polish and fabricate the intricate mechanism parts required for the Blood Yang Nine Divine Vajra Ape.

Elsewhere, the Painted Immortal Clones studied the recently acquired “Xuanfu Divine Sect Divine Talisman Register” to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Divine Talisman.

The falling snow was silent.

It hit the wooden pavement with a gentle sound.

Li Che felt that his life was busy yet fulfilling.

Light slowly dimmed as a cool glow emerged from behind the leaden clouds.

Li Che knew that night was drawing near.

After stretching and achieving another breakthrough in his cultivation, he felt refreshed and clear-headed.

He left the Private Workshop and strolled along Tinglei Alley with its snow-covered blue stone pavement, arriving before a lantern-lit restaurant.

Big Black Dog lay faithfully at the doorway as usual.

Its glossy black fur shimmered under the orange light.

It glanced at Li Che; seeing him alone, Big Black Dog snorted and turned away.

After packing up his ordered food at the restaurant, Li Che chatted briefly with the Boss.

Not having brought XiXi along, the Boss seemed disinclined to engage with him.

Li Che didn’t mind; after leaving a Gold Leaf behind, he turned and departed.

Before leaving, he approached Big Black Dog and, with a burst of anger, patted its head roughly.

Immediately after, he clenched a Feilei Chess Piece and vanished from sight.

“Woof—!!!”

The explosive bark shattered the accumulated snow, melting it away.

Big Black Dog scrambled up, its limbs thrashing as it sped off, yet Li Che was nowhere to be seen.

Big Black Dog growled in frustration!

Li Che returned to his home on Liuxiang Alley.

Suxue drifted down from above, only to be dispersed by the swirling blood energy.

In the courtyard, Zhang Ya practiced martial arts diligently; after her Blood Exchange, she trained even harder because XiXi was so well-behaved. Zhang Ya felt that if she, as a mother, must remain strong for her husband and daughter.

Only by growing stronger could she accompany them longer.

Old Chen went to work while Granny Mu sat under the eaves. Li Che had made a rocking chair for her, draped with a thick blanket, while a charcoal stove burned nearby, radiating warmth.

Everything seemed remarkably cozy.

After returning, Li Che practiced martial arts with Zhang Ya, offering a few simple pointers.

Then, footsteps sounded outside.

The soft snow-covered ground creaked under each step.

A young man in a grey robe arrived.

Through Li Che’s perceptive connection with the Cosmic Chessboard, he sensed that the youth’s strength was only average—merely possessing a glimpse of Divine Vision.

“Excuse me, is this the residence of Li Che, Master Li?” the youth inquired as he knocked on the door.

Li Che urged Zhang Ya to continue her training as he stepped out, his tone laced with curiosity: “And you are?”

“I’m the woodcarver from Shendiao Ridge of Qianyuan Divine Sect. Elder Jiao Shaoqiu recommended you. I’m here under his orders to inform you that the Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination will commence soon.”

At the mention of the exam, Li Che’s eyes lit up instantly.

“The Elder Examination at Shendiao Ridge? It’s finally beginning!”

Li Che greeted the youth warmly, which left the young man somewhat surprised, for Li Che’s jubilation seemed unwarranted given his age and experience—the exam was more of a participation event for someone like him.

“Here’s the letter. Tomorrow at the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, all the master woodcarvers will gather, so Master Li, be sure not to be late.”

The youth handed Li Che an envelope sealed with red wax.

Li Che accepted it with a brief thank you.

Without lingering, the youth left to deliver letters to the other woodcarvers, trekking through the wintry storm.

Zhang Ya moved closer, her long lashes quivering as she asked, “Honey… if you become an elder at Shendiao Ridge, does that mean we can finally move into the Divine Sect residence?”

Li Che nodded.

Zhang Ya’s eyes sparkled, though she quickly frowned, “But I heard the Elder Examination at Shendiao Ridge is extremely tough… do you really think you can do it?”

At her words, Li Che burst into laughter.

He swept Zhang Ya up in a tight embrace and teased, “Sweetheart, did you really doubt me?”

Embarrassed, Zhang Ya blushed furiously and playfully swatted him, “Granny Mu’s here!”

…

…

Needless to say, Li Che took the Elder Examination at Shendiao Ridge very seriously.

Not just because passing it would grant him residency within the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, but also because Shendiao Ridge held the resources he needed.

Although he knew the competition for the Divine Sect elder title was fierce and the exam nearly insurmountable, Li Che wasn’t afraid.

The boost from the Xiangong Dao Fruit and his recent breakthroughs had even improved his woodcarving skills.

Li Che felt supremely confident.

The next day.

Daybreak.

The temperature had risen slightly; the previously fallen snow began to melt, turned into a drizzling rain mixed with a few lingering snowflakes.

Li Che woke up early. After Zhang Ya, still recovering from her previous outburst, lay exhausted in bed with her dark hair spread out, she managed a look of encouragement for him.

Li Che smiled, changed into a clean ink robe, and stepped out of Liuxiang Alley.

Old Chen was waiting outside with his carriage.

“Get in,” Old Chen said, wearing his bamboo hat and raincoat as he blocked the rain and snow with a smile.

“Ah Che, I believe in you. Once you become an elder of Shendiao Ridge, you’ll see XiXi every day inside the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.”

Old Chen’s face turned solemn.

He truly worried about XiXi.

Last time he saw her, her maturity had touched Old Chen deeply.

He wondered if XiXi was bullied by her fellow disciples in the Divine Sect; if only her parents were nearby, she’d have more courage.

Li Che didn’t refuse. He stepped into the carriage, and Old Chen drove off toward the Qianyuan Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

Before the Mountain Gate, at the Grand Plaza, beneath the ancient Dao plaque, countless carriages were already parked.

After dropping Li Che off, Old Chen drove away.

Then, the young man from earlier reappeared and led Li Che onto a modest carriage.

Inside, several elderly figures already sat waiting.

These old men were woodcarving master guests from various minor noble families of Qianyuan Daocheng.

Of course, they were all associated with modest families.

The top-tier woodcarving master guests from families like Su, Yun, Zhong, and Zhou arrived in luxurious sedan chairs.

Noticing the newcomer, the elders opened their hazy eyes and glanced over.

Seeing Li Che’s youthful face, they paused in surprise.

“Young man, are you here for the Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination as well?”

One of the elders inquired.

Li Che smiled gently and nodded.

The elderly masters, clearly amused by his earnest nature, stroked their beards and chuckled.

“Truly fearless like a newborn calf! So young, daring to try everything…”

“The Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination is extremely difficult… without the caliber of a Seven-Star Woodcarving Master, you’d have little chance.”

“We old-timers took decades just to reach the level of Seven-Star Woodcarving Masters before we even dared to try.”

“Your courage is commendable, young man.”

The elders laughed, though a trace of bias underpinned their words.

Woodcarving skills are honed over time, requiring frequent visits to the Bizarre Temple to study the Temple Spirit.

Li Che, so young…

How could he possibly have the time to perfect his technique without being a bit impetuous?

Li Che simply smiled modestly and nodded.

Then he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes for a brief nap.

Soon the carriage began to rock.

The carriage, carrying four passengers, rolled over the snow, cutting through the rain as it headed toward Shendiao Ridge.

The journey was long and monotonous.

Since the carriage was cramped, he couldn’t find much in common with the three elderly woodcarving masters; whenever they started offering unsolicited advice, Li Che simply ignored it.

He closed his eyes to conserve his energy.

Within the Cosmic Chessboard, he sensed that one of his divine chess pieces— the Feilei Chess Piece he left with XiXi—began to pulsate irregularly.

A subtle anomaly had formed.

Li Che’s brow furrowed as a flash of severity crossed his eyes.

He sank into the Cosmic Chessboard, and through it, he saw XiXi’s current image…

…

…

Qianyuan Divine Sect.

The Outer Gate.

In the large courtyard where Elder Jiao Shaoqiu resided.

The jubilant laughter of children filled the air, their spirited energy seeming to disperse even the wintry sleet from the heavens.

XiXi, Zhou Peng, Yun’e, Zhong Liushou, and Tie Shancai along with other prodigies gathered in Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s courtyard.

Perhaps because XiXi was there, her close friends had all come running.

Additionally, several prodigies from Jingguang City had also arrived.

Hai Chaosheng, Gong Yuanliang, Gongyang Xiu, and Huang Sixiang, among others, were all there.

They all practiced diligently in Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s courtyard, though being children they occasionally played and roughhoused.

“Come on! All of you, join in!”

“XiXi Emperor, lend us one hand!”

Little XiXi, with her chubby face and diminutive form, stood amid the snowy Grand Plaza, one hand behind her back and the other beckoning to Hai Chaosheng, Gong Yuanliang, Gongyang Xiu, and Huang Sixiang.

Hai Chaosheng’s eyes blazed with determination as his inner strength roiled, his clenched fist stirring up the swirling snow as he charged toward XiXi.

Gong Yuanliang and Gongyang Xiu coordinated seamlessly while Huang Sixiang seized the chance to attack from another angle.

They held nothing back because they well knew XiXi’s formidable power.

Meanwhile, Zhou Peng munched on an apple in the distance as Tie Shancai rested his head in boredom, and Yun’e dueled with Zhong Liushou.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu sat on a chair as the wind and snow drifted about him, occasionally offering a word of advice or correcting the children’s circulation and power technique.

Nie Yang, with his arms crossed and clutching his battered bronze sword whose handle was wrapped in tattered cloth, stood not far away.

Close by, Li Chengzhou gripped a heavy sword with one hand, its tip suspended and trembling.

The trembling sword tip hung there, shivering uncontrollably.

“Hold on! Just fifteen more minutes!”

Nie Yang said in a cold tone as a burst of energy struck Li Chengzhou’s arm, forcing him to jolt it upward.

Sweating profusely, Li Chengzhou’s forehead dripped with beads of sweat.

“Your divine potential pales before theirs, and your martial aptitude is lacking… The only thing you can rely on is sheer perseverance. If you wish to catch up with XiXi, you must endure day after day of grueling practice!”

“A sword cultivator must embrace suffering to truly become one!”

Nie Yang admonished gravely.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu looked on with clouded eyes as Nie Yang instructed the disciples, though he said nothing himself.

Nie Yang was a Grandmaster of Swordsmanship, and Elder Jiao Shaoqiu, less versed in sword arts, dared not interrupt him.

Suddenly…

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

The sword grasped by Nie Yang began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Smack!”

Nie Yang gripped the sword hilt tightly.

“Great Elder.”

Nie Yang turned his gaze to Elder Jiao Shaoqiu, his eyes growing grave.

On the Grand Plaza where children had been sparring, a terrifying, overwhelming pressure descended like the fangs of a monstrous beast!

It was as though a ferocious beast bared its razor-sharp fangs at the children!

XiXi’s expression shifted slightly; the purple-flame serpent spear in her left hand trembled, and the Gold Brick in her right hummed.

The Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel concealed in her feet also quivered incessantly.

“XiXi, step back,” Elder Jiao Shaoqiu commanded in a low, firm tone.

As soon as his words faded, his age-worn yet upright back moved to shield XiXi, his arms outstretched protecting her.

Beside him, Nie Yang clutched his sword and positioned himself at his side, forming a barrier around the children.

Both raised their heads as the wind and snow roared, and the violent currents raged!

Then, as if a curtain of storm was torn apart, two figures appeared, drifting gracefully.

One wore the simple robes of Qianyuan Divine Sect, his face radiating gentle red warmth.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu frowned as he took in the sight of the man, whose billowing sleeves danced ferociously in the wind and snow.

“Inner Sect’s Fourth Elder… Ji Heshan?!”

But then his eyes shrank as they fixed on a figure emerging beside Ji Heshan—a similarly storm-torn figure stepping forward.

A well-built woman with striking blue eyes and skin as fair as snow,

Her delicate golden horns crowned her head,

Her stunning face bore a trace of pent-up sorrow and fury, and her deep blue eyes shimmered with an indescribable grief…

At intervals, fine scales materialized on her porcelain skin.

A repressive, formidable surge of blood energy roared within her like thunder!

Beside Elder Jiao Shaoqiu, Nie Yang’s whole body trembled as he drew a deep breath.

His fingers had already clenched around his quivering sword hilt as an overwhelming, terrifying sword intent erupted from him like blazing solar flares!

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s long sleeves whipped wildly as the turbulent wind forced him to lean back.

He fixed his gaze on the beautiful woman and slowly exhaled,

“Dragon God Clan… Princess of King Ping Luan!”

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