Chapter 233: Tempest of Divine Intrigue

Whoo—whoo!

The wild wind roared as a blizzard split aside like a drawn curtain!

Just as if the stage’s backdrop had been flung open.

From the thick mist rising off the curtain, two figures slowly approached from afar.

That voluptuous beauty’s eyes sparked like lightning; her lavish robes billowed suddenly as if a fierce wind had burst forth from within her.

The wind and snow swirled, the clouds and mist seethed, and the entire courtyard trembled!

Boom!

It was as if thunder had erupted behind the clouds, rumbling repeatedly!

Princess Ping Luan!

The Dragon God clan’s Dragon Maiden!

At that moment, Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s expression turned ashen. His fingers clenched as his ancient robe stuck tight to his body, his hair and garment whipping back as if blown by a gale!

Nie Yang gripped his sword hilt; every part of him resonated with the clangor of sword aura as if summoning all his strength to block the attack.

But…

It’s…

Too much!

This Dragon Maiden is a true-blood of the Dragon God clan, endowed with a fearsomely powerful bloodline. Her physical strength alone could shake the heavens and the earth!

The Dragon Queen’s eyes shone brilliantly; her sapphire gaze mirrored scenes of the cosmos and flowing light.

Within that vivid blue, hints of purple shimmered mysteriously.

Her gaze swept past Elder Jiao Shaoqiu and Nie Yang in an instant, landing squarely on XiXi.

She had learned that her son, Ji Haihui, had died at Jingguang Mansion. City Lord Su Huai Li had conveyed the tragic details—Ji Haihui’s inner bloodline force for her had dissipated, and she had felt it.

She nearly lost her mind on the spot.

After all, he was her dearest child!

She had dispatched top fighters from the Dragon God clan, even an advanced Dragon God leader at the Three-Hua stage, yet every single soldier was annihilated. Not a trace remained.

There was no other choice but for the Dragon Queen to come in person.

She needed to see for herself the wretch who dared suppress her son and, with a sneer, call her own son Ji Haihui a lowly servant!

What arrogance made him dare such insolence!

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s face turned grim as his primordial spirit levitated, bursting forth with dazzling golden light. Though he had suffered a setback with his Golden Body Transcendence, his spirit still shone with its resplendent glow.

He never expected Princess Ping Luan to appear inside the Divine Sect.

His eyes shifted to Ji Heshan, their gaze cold and sharp: “Ji Heshan, have you lost your mind?”

He knew that the only reason the Princess could enter the Divine Sect was because of Ji Heshan’s involvement.

Without approval from an inner elder like Ji Heshan, not even a Dragon Maiden of the Dragon God clan, let alone Princess Ping Luan, could cross the mystical barrier of the Divine Sect.

Ji Heshan… is this retaliation?

Previously, Ji Heshan had sent Wei He—the eighth on the Authentic Transmission Ledger—to intercept the Jingguang Mansion’s team, hoping to snatch XiXi for himself.

But Li Che’s family rejected him, and XiXi refused as well.

Now Ji Heshan had even brought Princess Ping Luan inside.

That left no doubt—it was all aimed at XiXi.

At Jingguang Mansion, Ji Haihui, child of Princess Ji Mo Li of Ping Luan, had died, and he had once led a grand Master of Divine Guts to pay homage on Golden Light Peak.

Yet during the homage, XiXi counter-suppressed the attack.

This incident, neither major nor minor,

would be blown out of proportion with the Dragon Queen’s appearance—after all, Ji Haihui was dead.

Every grudge from his past would be magnified a hundredfold.

Ji Heshan, clad in a rustic robe—the typical garb of Qianyuan Divine Sect elders—spun his wide sleeves and, his face ruddy and somewhat foolish, said:

“Elder Jiao Shaoqiu, please don’t lose your temper. The Princess came at my invitation. I share old ties with her; once, when I broke through at the Eastern Sea, she helped me greatly.”

“Now that the Princess is here at Qianyuan Divine Sect, how could I not treat her with utmost courtesy?”

“Rest assured, the Princess knows her place. She only heard that a divine prodigy once defeated her deceased son at the Jin Guang Branch, so she came to witness it firsthand.”

Ji Heshan said cheerfully, his face beaming with an almost comical sincerity.

The surging killing intent around the Dragon Queen instantly dissipated, and her flawless features softened into an elegant smile.

“Indeed, the tragic death of my son at Jingguang Mansion remains a deep sorrow in my heart. He was once highly anticipated by his father to inherit the Temple Spirit’s legacy at the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple.”

“But instead of receiving the inheritance, he died. My grief is immeasurable…”

“Before his death, he mentioned that a divine prodigy girl from the Jin Guang Branch could be his bride.”

“I came simply to see…”

“to scope out my future daughter-in-law.”

Despite her ethereal beauty, the Dragon Queen’s face held little amusement.

Yet neither Elder Jiao Shaoqiu nor Nie Yang could afford even a moment’s respite.

This woman… what a deceitful scoundrel!

Her murderous intent was so palpable it nearly overflowed—and her words were utterly untrustworthy!

XiXi was shielded behind Elder Jiao Shaoqiu and Nie Yang.

She wasn’t naïve; wise beyond her years yet still carrying a child’s temper.

On hearing that this illustrious woman was Ji Haihui’s mother, she folded her arms and snorted in disdain.

“My son is dead, and yet you still worry about a daughter-in-law?”

“A daughter-in-law…”

“Soon enough, Master Niu Niu will have you busted to bits!”

“Ha ha… Do you still have a son? A daughter-in-law? You shameless old Dragon Maiden!”

Suddenly,

a lazy, disdainful voice boomed out.

The Dragon Queen’s gaze narrowed as it swept over to where Tie Shancai, sporting a towering braid, was bound.

Tie Shancai had been nesting in Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s courtyard recently. He loved being near XiXi, certain that the Purple-Flame Serpent Spear Fire-Tipped Spear was now in her hands, although he had no evidence.

But Tie Shancai didn’t need proof; he simply enjoyed XiXi’s company.

Beside her, his Samadhi Flame would steadily improve—even without the famed spear.

As a prodigy from the Divine Capital, a true son of the capital with impeccable roots, he prided himself on loyalty.

He couldn’t stand the Dragon Queen’s snide remarks.

And her patronizing comment about a daughter-in-law…

Why don’t you go find your precious son in hell?

The Dragon Queen’s sapphire eyes locked onto Tie Shancai, narrowing fiercely.

“You… are you the son of Tieluocha?”

The Dragon Queen said coldly.

Tie Shancai squinted: “How dare you address me as ‘Mother’? Aren’t you afraid my father will beat you to death? Tear out your dragon sinews, whip your dragon bones—craft divine weapons!”

“Outrageous!”

The Princess roared coldly, and an overwhelming aura burst forth like a torrential flood, as if a vast ocean were violently rising—a wave ten, a hundred, a thousand feet high—

ready to smite everything beneath it!

Tie Shancai’s face paled as he spat out a Banana Iron Fan, clutching it tightly.

But before the Princess could strike further, inner elder Ji Heshan stepped in to mediate.

“Princess, please remain calm. There’s no need to lose your temper with a mere child. He’s nothing but a kid…” Ji Heshan said with a laugh.

He naturally couldn’t allow the Princess to act out within the Divine Sect.

Besides repaying a favor owed to her, he also aimed to intimidate Li Nuǎnxi—a subtle influence on her state, as she nervously awaited the Sect Master’s secret examination.

Ji Heshan’s main goal was the latter—to unsettle Li Nuǎnxi and clear obstacles for the promising talent on the Dragon Child Register.

After all, if his disciple could receive the Sect Master’s personal transmission, his standing as an inner elder would skyrocket.

Wasn’t it precisely because of this that Elder Jiao Shaoqiu had been so intent on cultivating Li Nuǎnxi and refusing to let her go?

Ji Heshan had long recognized Li Nuǎnxi’s talent; to emerge from the Temple Spirit Resonance at the Eight-Armed Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple was to be a prodigy indeed.

But Ji Heshan hadn’t anticipated that as soon as XiXi forged her divine foundation, she would shoot straight into third place on the Dragon Child Register, even displacing Su Chuyang.

This left Ji Heshan with a bitter taste, and some resentment toward Elder Jiao Shaoqiu.

Ji Heshan had envisioned rearing disciples with talent all over the kingdom—but now, just as he was about to secure a heavenly prodigy on the register, Elder Jiao Shaoqiu had ruined his plans. How could that sit well with him?

Bringing the Princess was meant to unsettle and intimidate Elder Jiao Shaoqiu.

Yet if the Princess were allowed to act within the Divine Sect, he would soon be questioned by the Enforcement Hall.

So, he had to step in to stop her.

The Dragon Queen said no more—she knew that within Qianyuan Divine Sect, she couldn’t act recklessly.

After all, without Ji Mo Li, her father and her Dragon brothers were absent.

Alone, she risked losing everything.

After all, Qianyuan Divine Sect held sway over an entire Great Realm’s worth of territory.

“Li Nuǎnxi.”

The Princess’s sapphire eyes, reflecting light like mirrors, fixed on XiXi as they passed Elder Jiao Shaoqiu and Nie Yang.

XiXi, unafraid, folded her arms and puffed out her little belly and chest, glaring fiercely with sparkling eyes.

Young as she was, she feared no authority!

Tie Shancai mimicked her, crossing his arms too.

“My son has chosen you—there’s no escape.”

“Be it a ghost marriage or a life of widowhood,

you will accompany my son!”

The Princess said coldly as an intense martial will flared up, crashing like a raging river!

But as quickly as it surged, once her words fell, she gracefully turned and, her silks fluttering, vanished into the mists.

Ji Heshan swept his wide sleeves and, with a hearty laugh, followed after her.

Only once they were out of sight did Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s taut body slowly relax, his aged, leathery skin trembling ever so slightly.

Even Grandmaster Nie Yang felt a sudden oppression.

“This Dragon Queen… with the Dragon God clan’s blood and might, she’s nearly stepped into the Martial Saint realm—far more terrifying than You Liqing.”

“Her Three-Hua formation is almost complete; she’s only missing the final synthesis.”

“If she were to reveal her true Dragon God form, she might reach Dragon King status—possibly even shatter limits and achieve Martial Saint power.”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu exhaled a cloud of turbid breath.

Nie Yang, with a cold tone, gripped his sword again: “The Dragon God clan is undoubtedly blessed by fate. I heard they were created by a mysterious force originating from the first Bizarre Temple in the heavens…”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu cut him off: “No matter what, the arrival of Ji Mo Li’s Dragon Queen at Qianyuan Daocheng is a big deal.”

“Perhaps she comes for her son’s death, or maybe for the Sect Master’s secret examination.”

“We have far too little information. Ji Heshan has clearly blocked our intel.”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu’s face darkened.

Ever since he was injured in the Bizarre Temple—when he should have broken through with his Breath Retention Transformation—instead he lost his Golden Body Transcendence…

His standing within the Divine Sect plummeted.

“But no matter what… the Dragon Queen has set her sights on XiXi…”

“XiXi is now in grave danger,” Elder Jiao Shaoqiu said in a low, resolute tone.

“I can’t protect her.”

“Nor am I sure I ever could.”

“Unless Huang Jianjiu stays by her side at all times…”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu shook his head. It was clearly impossible.

Huang Jianjiu—the famed second talent on the Authentic Transmission Ledger—had his own mission to challenge the Five Elders at the Bizarre Temple and break through to the Martial Saint realm.

How could he possibly stick around with XiXi every moment?

Nie Yang idly toyed with his blazing sword as if steeling himself for a decision.

“Elder Jiao Shaoqiu… otherwise I…”

But before Nie Yang could speak further, Elder Jiao Shaoqiu cut him off: “I know what you’re thinking. But there’s no need. You’re one step away from refining the supreme sword intent—no need, truly.”

“I still have a few contacts on XiXi’s side.”

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu coughed and stroked his beard.

He beckoned to XiXi, who trotted over.

Elder Jiao Shaoqiu gently ruffled her head, his eyes softening.

“Nie Yang, the carriage has arrived.”

“I’ll take XiXi to see the Sect Master’s wife.”

…

…

Ice-cold winds and frozen paths, slippery as scaling the heavens!

After leaving Daocheng, the carriage entered the Main Road. Rain and snow fell together, and the howling cold winds rendered the path uneven.

The carriage jolted and rocked continuously.

Inside, the three master woodcarvers kept silent, eyes closed in meditation.

Li Che sat cross-legged with closed eyes.

But his face was shrouded in dark gloom.

The appearance of the Dragon Queen in Daocheng—and even her entry into the Divine Sect to confront XiXi—made Li Che’s hair stand on end!

The sense of threat was overwhelming!

Even from across the Cosmic Chessboard, Li Che could feel her formidable aura.

Especially after Li Che’s recent breakthrough, his sensitivity to Qi and Blood made him acutely aware that the Princess’s aura nearly rivaled that of a Grandmaster!

A single thought could trigger a transformation!

There was her relentless cultivation combined with the innate genius of the Dragon God clan.

“Let my daughter be my daughter-in-law? For the sake of your dead son…”

“Arrange a ghost marriage? Make my daughter live as a widow?!”

Inside the carriage, Li Che’s eyes suddenly snapped open, and a terrifying killing intent along with burning martial will surged out like a tidal wave.

The three master woodcarvers were startled, their eyes wide in shock, only to find that the fleeting, terrible aura had vanished.

Li Che regained his composure. In that instant, his mindset wavered.

“What a vile old mudfish!”

Li Che’s heart pounded as the rhythm of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit thumped fiercely, swallowing every bit of murderous intent.

The more his killing intent surged, the more composed he became.

“I can’t kill… this Dragon Queen. Her martial cultivation is profound, just a step away from merging the Three-Hua and achieving Martial Saint status…”

“She could unleash Martial Saint power at any moment. I’m no match for her now.”

Li Che pondered.

“If I could master the Eight Gates Divine Seed Martial Arts and integrate it with the Eight Strange Gates… with Dragon Elephant Vajra and the Eight True Divine might, perhaps I could have a chance!”

“And if I could also consolidate a Divine Essence Golden Pill and step into the Divine Essence realm…”

Li Che calculated, weighing all his hidden cards to determine his odds of killing a Dragon Queen barely at Martial Saint level.

A woman who dares covet my daughter—even if she’s a head dragon—is a terrifying adversary.

“And if I finish that Mechanism Beast from the Liu Si rank, could I harness its power to duel a Martial Saint?”

Summing it all up, Li Che found he wasn’t completely without hope.

It was just that these hidden advantages were still unformed.

His eyes flickered as a spark of divine light danced within.

“For now, my first step is to reach my daughter’s side. Once I enter the Divine Sect as an elder of Shendiao Ridge, XiXi will have an added safeguard.”

“For XiXi, every extra support means extra security!”

“So this time, nothing shall stand in the way of my Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination!”

…

…

The carriage jolted along. Their ride was in a very ordinary sedan—unlike the luxurious prize carriages of illustrious families with master woodcarvers, whose rides boasted excellent shock absorption.

The comfort level was worlds apart from Li Che’s ride.

Li Che knew that the luxury of a carriage reflected how much Shendiao Ridge valued its guest.

Li Che was too young. Even though Elder Jiao Shaoqiu had recommended him, clearly Shendiao Ridge still regarded him as a mere bystander.

After half a day, the carriage finally reached a smooth road and entered Shendiao Ridge’s domain.

Daocheng’s Shendiao Ridge was far grander than Jingguang Mansion’s Shendiao Ridge, with mountains stretching endlessly like a mighty lion sprawled across the land.

As the carriage moved steadily, the three master woodcarvers exhaled deeply. They were only at the Divine Foundation realm, their martial cultivation modest, earning a living through their craft.

The bumpy ride nearly unraveled their muscles and bones.

Li Che opened his eyes and drew back the curtain to gaze out. His eyes fixed on Daocheng’s majestic Shendiao Ridge.

In a sudden tremor, the Mud Pellet at his brow quivered, flesh splitting to reveal a resplendent, golden Star-Plucking Gaze.

His gaze swept over, and he saw countless beams of divine light erupting from the ridge!

“What a magnificent Shendiao Ridge!”

Li Che marveled.

Each pillar of divine light signified an extraordinary level of Spirit Wood.

A dense vitality, immense refined energy, and divine essence burst forth from the boundless mountains—even if snow sealed the peaks, the divine light and energy could not be contained.

Within this Shendiao Ridge, there might even be Spirit Wood of the Fourth or even Third tier!

The carriage entered a vast snow-encircled mountain city.

Much like the layout of Jingguang Mansion’s Shendiao Ridge, this one was under the control of Qianyuan Divine Sect, so the designs were similar.

The carriage halted. The steeds stamped, nostrils flaring with warm breath.

Li Che disembarked into the chilly air as enormous snowflakes danced around him.

The three master woodcarvers also got off, stretching their limbs and exhaling warmed breath.

From afar, a young courier approached.

“Esteemed masters, please follow me,” he said.

“After about half an hour’s rest, the Ridge Master will arrive to oversee the Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination,” the youth continued.

Suddenly, a small figure trudged in from a distant corridor.

“Uncle Che!”

A voice cried out at the top of its lungs.

Li Che paused, and his eyes swept over to see a familiar face. It was Tang Ren.

A descendant of the Mechanism Beast family Tang Clan.

Beside him was Lu Yao. The two strode over, their shouts drawing the attention of many veteran woodcarvers.

“Hmm? This kid… seems to be a remnant of the Tang Clan, doesn’t he?”

“Calling him a remnant is an understatement. Today, some descendants of the Tang Clan have joined the Divine Sect and Shendiao Ridge, while others were swept into the Imperial Watch… they’re no remnant at all.”

“The once-magnificent first Mechanism Beast family produced such astonishing Mechanism Beasts, and now… they’ve fallen so low.”

Many seasoned woodcarvers murmured their dismay.

“This young man… is he here to compete for an elder position?”

“It must be. To see one so bold and young is commendable.”

“The art of woodcarving requires years of practice and temple observation. I have spent two cycles of a dozen years each, observing over one hundred and eight temples. If we can’t outperform a youth like him, it would be a wasted life.”

Many eyes swept over Li Che.

Li Che paid no heed to these glances and attitudes.

“You really came, kid?” Lu Yao exclaimed in amazement as he looked at Li Che.

“That fellow Sangyu told me about you. I thought it was a rumor, but you actually dared to participate in the Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination.”

Tang Ren pulled at Li Che’s arm excitedly.

“Uncle Che, where’s XiXi? Didn’t she come along to play?” Tang Ren asked.

Li Che casually broke free from the grasp of that Tang Huangmao, saying, “Who do you think I am? We barely know each other.”

“Uncle Che, you’re just in time. I’ll take you to see my grandpa. You know Uncle Sanjia—perhaps he might have some advice for your ascent!”

Tang Ren spoke in pure childish candor.

Lu Yao glared at him while the veteran woodcarvers around frowned.

Tang Ren realized his slip of tongue.

Li Che merely smiled and shrugged off Tang Ren’s kind offer.

“Young man, do not assume that having connections in Shendiao Ridge gives you superiority over us old folks…”

An elderly woodcarver, famed for having observed one hundred and eight temples, said coldly.

Li Che smiled apologetically but didn’t pay much heed.

“This gentleman is Su Huai Ming, a top first-class guest minister of the Imperial Watch and one of the three top woodcarvers in this Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination.”

“He hails from the Su Family. Three years ago, his team nearly managed to oust Elder Sun from Shendiao Ridge…”

“Alas, during an exchange of divine intent, a single misstep shattered his hopes.”

Lu Yao explained.

“A woodcarver from the Su Family?” Li Che raised an eyebrow, a fierce glint in his eyes.

Su Family…

Li Che had no fondness for the Su Family.

Originally, he intended to show respect so that the old man wouldn’t be humiliated, but now it seemed unnecessary.

“The other two top woodcarvers are from the Yun Family—named Yun Haiyang—and from the Zhou Family—named Zhou Tianshui. Both hail from the ancient Daocheng families.”

“After all, such elder positions in the Divine Sect serve to strengthen ties between the aristocracy and the sect, and they won’t let the chance slip away.”

Lu Yao introduced the woodcarvers he was familiar with to Li Che.

Li Che nodded.

Time passed slowly.

Inside the grand hall, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense as everyone realized that the Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination was about to commence.

Dong—

Suddenly, as if an ancient bell had been struck, its reverberations spread from afar.

Countless snowflakes exploded into the air.

Two figures in plain clothes emerged from a distant corridor.

Li Che’s eyes swept over them, and his heart trembled.

A potent divine aura enveloped everything, almost coalescing into a vast, torrential river—a single wave could obliterate mountains and splinter the skies!

Were these… divine cultivators of the Divine Nucleus realm?!

At their head, an elderly man in simple attire radiated a keen spirit. Noticing Li Che’s gaze, he glared fiercely.

His brilliant glare forced Li Che to rein in the Cosmic Chessboard, and even the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit was driven into a dormant Sleeping Dragon Elephant state.

Fortunately, his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit had already reached level 5 after three breakthroughs.

It seemed even the Ridge Master of Daocheng’s Shendiao Ridge had been momentarily blinded.

“Everyone here isn’t a stranger. As you well know, the Shendiao Ridge Elder Examination is held once every three years. This year, Elder Sun remains at the bottom. Whether you can wrest a title from him depends solely on your own skills.”

“At Shendiao Ridge, it’s not about just raw power—it’s about your woodcarving artistry.”

The Ridge Master’s deep voice rang in every ear, as if delivered directly to each eardrum.

No matter how arrogant the woodcarvers were, none dared act up in front of a divine cultivator of such stature.

Li Che also clasped his fists in a respectful greeting.

“This young man must be the new face recommended by Elder Jiao Shaoqiu and Tang Sanjia?”

Suddenly, the Ridge Master’s gaze fell upon Li Che.

Li Che’s heart skipped a beat.

Lu Yao and Tang Ren had frozen like wooden posts, unable to move.

“I am Gongshu Lingzhu, the Ridge Master of Shendiao Ridge.”

The Ridge Master’s gaze blotted over Li Che, his overwhelming divine aura heavy as a mountain.

“Imperial Watch Second-Class Guest Minister Li Che, greetings to Master Gongshu.”

Li Che clasped his fists and greeted, “Greetings, Master Gongshu.”

Gongshu Family…

The second greatest Mechanism Beast family of the Great Realm; it was rumored that the Grand Inspector of the Imperial Watch in the Divine Capital was from the Gongshu Family!

Tang Clan’s downfall also had ties to the Gongshu Family.

Master Gongshu’s deep eyes, like dark whirlpools, stared intently at Li Che: “Tang Sanjia spoke highly of you—did he even pass on the Tang Clan’s Mechanism Beast Compendium?”

Li Che only smiled.

Master Gongshu observed Li Che’s cautious demeanor and burst into a hearty laugh: “How is your research on Mechanism Beasts going? If you run into any difficulties, feel free to consult me.”

“You might not know that Tang Sanjia is actually my junior apprentice.”

“Hahaha…”

Master Gongshu laughed heartily while stroking his beard.

Li Che was momentarily stunned.

“Don’t think that the enmity between the Gongshu Family and the Tang Clan is endless. In fact… most of the Tang Clan’s Mechanism Beasts were developed by our Gongshu Family.”

Master Gongshu patted Li Che on the shoulder.

Eyebrows raised, he remarked, “This young man… his physical foundation is so remarkable! Had his Qi and Blood not been slightly weak, he’d be at Grandmaster level!”

After a brief exchange, Master Gongshu signaled for all the woodcarvers to follow.

After traversing a corridor of nearly a dozen miles,

Li Che, deep in meditation within his Mud Pellet-marked brow, suddenly opened his eyes as he absorbed the divine essence from the Five Elders’ Divine Crystals, manifesting the brilliant, clear Star-Plucking Gaze!

Li Che’s heart stirred.

Looking up, he saw…

At the corridor’s end, a gigantic golden-tiled temple stood, its snowy facade melting in the swirling flurry.

Amidst mysterious mists and bewildering apparitions,

an intense divine aura mingled with the howling winds and snow.

Li Che raised his hand and grasped a snowflake glistening with an uncanny temple spirit.

The Star-Plucking Gaze flashed with golden brilliance.

Countless secrets unraveled, revealing hidden truths!

Information emerged from the snows:

【Bizarre Temple (Five Elders)】

【Six-Eared Hell Lotus Divine Monkey Dual-Hearted Sage Bizarre Temple】

Seven-thousand Words. This chapter was tough to write—a single term could halt progress for ages. I’m exhausted from burning the midnight oil. Old Li’s pneumonia might be worsening. New week, so please cast your fresh votes! Keep reading—subscriptions are stuck just over eight thousand. Please lend your support! Old Li thanks you!