Chapter 240: Roar of the Divine Talismans

A piercing cry—

A piercing cry—!!!

A majestic eagle soared high among the whipping winds and snow of the nine heavens!

With each powerful beat of its spread wings, it shattered the snow and wind, defying the turbulent, reverse-updrafts.

The white-haired, violet-eyed eagle unfurled its wings, its purple gaze illuminating the landscape below.

That very gaze also fell upon You Liqing, whose eyes—bound by talisman seals—seemed to capture every detail of the scene.

There he lay on the ground, a tiny talisman plastered against his forehead while his eyes flickered incessantly.

It was as if a faint aura of blood heat escaped him.

BOOM—!!!

At Wangchun Pavilion, the entire structure shook as if buffeted by a ferocious gale, on the verge of collapse.

It looked as though it might shatter into pieces at any moment under an overwhelming force.

In Daocheng,

many powerful cultivators with heightened senses had already been alerted.

From the great families, formidable experts peered from their mansions, scanning for traces of primordial spirit.

“It’s Princess Ao Yuxin of the Dragon God clan—King Ping Luan’s consort!”

“It’s really her?! When did the princess enter the city? We knew nothing!”

“Surely You Liqing smuggled her in! I heard her son died—could this be revenge?!”

Among the titans, murmurs and speculations erupted like a swirling gossip storm.

Strong minds from the Su, Zhou, Yun, and Zhong families interwove their divine senses in hushed discussion.

Meanwhile, thousands of talismans burst from a swirling cloud, spreading overhead like a dazzling, chaotic bloom.

Their appearance stirred tumultuous emotions among many masters.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM—!!!

Several powerful cultivators felt their hearts quake, unable to calm their racing pulses.

In some ancient and mighty families, slumbering experts slowly began to awaken, their eyes gradually opening.

“It’s her!”

“Divine Talismans Semi-Saint!”

“How can it be? How did she leave the Divine Talisman Pavilion of the Qianyuan Divine Sect?”

“Her master’s wife… it’s been so many years since we last saw her.”

“She’s grown even smaller.”

A potent aura and a heavy, resonant voice rolled like fragrant agarwood in its ebb and flow.

……

……

At the Temple Guardian Division,

a figure suddenly burst forth with barely a ripple of blood, so silently that not even a speck of snow was disturbed, landing atop the main building.

Dressed in a flowing robe, Yu Wen Wenlong—one of the two chief commanders of the Temple Guardian Division—stood on the rooftop.

He fixed his gaze on the fierce confrontation at Wangchun Pavilion, not on Princess Ao Yuxin.

Instead, his eyes settled on the two little girls standing at the edge of the talisman cloud.

One of the girls clutched a miniature, radiant talisman—a sight that instantly captured Yu Wen Wenlong’s attention.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Behind Yu Wen Wenlong, several “Three-Flower” Grandmasters of the Temple Guardian Division leapt up, their eyes burning with intensity.

“Commander… who is this?”

A Grandmaster of the Commander rank, who had just broken into the peak of the Three-Flower realm, couldn’t help but ask.

The girl held nothing more than a talisman; it was as if the very qi of heaven and earth were frozen around her.

Even from such a distance, they all felt an unsettling trepidation—as if facing a Temple Spirit truly roused from its slumber!

What a terrifying presence!

Yu Wen Wenlong exhaled deeply, “Divine Talismans Semi-Saint… one of the hidden legacies of the Qianyuan Divine Sect.”

“The Sect Master’s Wife of the Qianyuan Divine Sect… the daughter of the former Sect Master of Qingyun Dao Xuan Talisman Sect, whose mother was the daughter of the previous Great Realm Emperor and the elder sister of the current one.”

“Her background is off the charts.”

“Xuan Qisha.”

Huff, huff, huff—

A profound silence swept over heaven and earth.

Every divine envoy felt as though a mighty hammer had struck their hearts hard.

Such an illustrious background was almost too over-the-top!

But why did she appear so tiny, like a three-year-old girl?

One Grandmaster couldn’t help but blurt out the question.

Yu Wen Wenlong’s expression twitched slightly as he replied, “The more youthful she looks, the deadlier her strike…”

“She cultivates the Locking Talisman. Once locked, it seals away the lifespan and vital energies she once expended—a single Locking Talisman can lock thirty years of life.”

“The more immature she is, the more Locking Talismans she must have pressed into use…”

Yu Wen Wenlong, a martial saint-level expert, had extraordinary insight.

“This girl is extremely powerful… one of the legacies under the Sect Master’s true might.”

He intoned gravely.

“For the princess to cross swords with her… she’s really picked a fight with the wrong person.”

……

……

In Daocheng, at the Imperial Watch,

in an octagonal, double-eaved treasure building,

on its rooftop,

an elderly figure with flowing white hair and beard strode over, exuding an immortal aura. He ambled to the railing.

Gazing at the dragon silhouette surging skyward in the distance and the brilliant talisman cloud,

he shook his head in amused disbelief.

“What nonsense.”

“Ji Mo Li… that man is ruthless. Sending his son Ji Haihui to Jin Guang Mansion was nothing but a death sentence, and now Princess Ao Yuxin has come to Daocheng…”

“Just a disposable pawn.”

“If she were truly killed, then his wish would be fulfilled.”

“Xuan Qisha, oh Xuan Qisha—haven’t you left the pavilion for years? Every time you step out, you end up giving your sect master’s husband a colossal wound.”

The Old Man stretched lazily and sank into a creaking rocking chair in the pavilion.

Creak, creak…

The charcoal stove smoldered warmly as the old man drifted off, seemingly detached from the chaos unfolding in the city.

……

……

“Divine Talismans… Semi-Saint?!”

Clatter, clatter—!

Ferocious winds roared, and an overwhelming oppressive force raged unceasingly.

In a flurry, the princess’s court attire and long hair whipped back, her jet-black locks and skirt dancing in the gale.

In the world of cultivation today, four professions hold the highest honor. Along with their prestige, they command fearsome strength and influence:

Divine Talismans Specialists, Divine Weapons Experts, Divine Eagle Masters, and Divine Pill Masters!

At the four supreme realms—the Four Supreme Outcomes—each can be dubbed a Saint Hand, an Ascended saint!

They are far rarer and more coveted than Martial Saints or Divine Embryo Cultivators!

Since the bizarre temple first birthed divine nature, as time flowed by, the heights of divine cultivation surged ever higher!

New prodigies emerged almost ceaselessly, pushing cultivation to greater limits in myriad ways!

Even new professions were unearthed by these prodigious talents!

Harnessing the power of talismans to seal divine techniques, unlocking terrifying destructive potential—that is the role of a Divine Talismans Specialist!

Of the four, the Divine Talismans Specialist is the most fearsome—unpredictable methods, immeasurable battle prowess!

Even if a Divine Talismans Specialist before you has not yet reached the Divine Embryo stage, never underestimate them,

for they always have a method to ensnare and bind a Divine Embryo cultivator.

And let’s not mention…

a Divine Talismans Semi-Saint!

When compared to a Divine Embryo cultivator or a Martial Saint, they wouldn’t be outclassed one bit!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!!!

Under that bone-chilling oppressive force, Princess Ao Yuxin’s countenance shifted repeatedly.

The little girl at the edge of the talisman cloud, clutching a miniature talisman, harbored a terrifying aura within it!

A sensation of death instantly engulfed Ao Yuxin.

Before countless gazes, the dragon-shaped phantom formed by the princess’s flowing qi twisted like a moving mountain, struggling relentlessly!

“Semi-Saint…”

The Dragon Consort trembled, as if the thunderous sound of surging blood echoed from within her!

The Dragon God clan was naturally endowed with a remarkably sturdy physique; even the friction of muscles and bones unleashed thunderous growls!

Princess Ao Yuxin was seething with maternal resentment—she had lost her son. All she ever wanted was to fulfill his final wish.

She was merely a mother, consumed by grief and fury!

Why oppress her?

Why force her?

That little girl…

Princess Ao Yuxin’s eyes narrowed, locking onto XiXi, and a fierce killing intent exploded within them.

In that moment, she even began to suspect that this girl… might be the one who killed her son, Ji Haihui!

How could a seemingly insignificant little girl from a small city under Jin Guang Mansion command such powerful backing in Daocheng?

Was there more to her son’s death than met the eye?!

Could it be…

that these two little girls were responsible for his death!

A long, deafening roar!

It was as if a dragon’s cry had shattered the heavens!

Princess Ao Yuxin’s qi erupted violently, spreading in spirals. The swirling, dragon-like phantom grew denser, emanating boundless light and heat!

It resembled a colossal dragon’s shadow eclipsing the sky, thrusting ten, even a hundred feet into the firmament!

Above the dome, the drifting snow instantly melted under the searing heat, as if scorched by the blazing sun!

With a swift spread of her arms, the Dragon Consort shot upward like a bolt of lightning through the void!

Her forehead’s twin horns radiated dazzling divinity.

With every breath, the entire Wangchun Pavilion trembled as countless black tiles shattered, countless eaves and railings collapsed with a cacophonous crack!

The whole building wavered as if struck by a hurricane’s force!

Then, a piercing female shriek transformed into an earth-shaking dragon’s roar!

The reverberation rocked the entire Daocheng, drawing sidelong glances from numerous experts!

Truly, as Ji Mo Li’s consort, she was indeed a formidable force!

Learning that the girl before them was a Divine Talismans Semi-Saint…

yet she still dared to engage head-on!

Princess Ao Yuxin’s eyes burst with an intense, azure glow, like a comet tearing through the sky, fracturing heaven and earth!

BOOM!

With one convulsive breath, her qi erupted violently, and a true dragon phantom burst forth around her!

She shattered the oppressive talisman bindings on her body!

The blazing Divine Talismans flames seemed powerless to restrain her any longer!

Her clenched fists began to glow intensely!

Even her embroidered shoes couldn’t bear her might—they burst apart, revealing glistening, pale feet!

They hovered midair, and ripples spread out, unleashing an enormous shockwave that battered the Wangchun Pavilion below!

Countless walls and tiles collapsed in a clattering cascade!

Roar!

A dragon’s roar!

“So what if you’re a Divine Talismans Semi-Saint?!”

“Did you kill my son?!”

The princess screamed passionately!

A piercing cry!

A fit of madness!

Like a mother driven to the brink of insanity!

In the next moment, before the ear-splitting sonic boom could shatter the air, the Dragon Consort had already appeared fully before the talisman cloud.

Like a mountain suddenly erupting from the earth, she broke free of her constraints and charged fiercely forward!

Her fearsome qi cascaded like an unleashed flood, crashing down in torrents!

“Idiot loach!”

“Are you looking for death?!”

On the talisman cloud above, the Sect Master’s Wife, with a finely made face and cold expression, declared sharply.

With a flick of her fingers, she sent the miniature talisman flying out.

It drifted effortlessly…

As light and fragile as a paper plane,

swaying in the breeze!

A stark contrast to the rapid, violent fury of the Dragon Consort!

“Divine Talismans?”

“I can shatter ten thousand laws with one will!”

The Dragon Consort’s jet-black hair whipped around as her flawless skin became covered in delicate, glowing dragon scales!

The swirling snow halted mid-air!

High above, she stomped heavily, her crystalline feet crashing into the void. It was as if the very air below shattered into immense cracks!

In that moment, the Dragon Consort nearly unleashed the power of a Martial Saint!

Her burning, searing dragon blood ignited countless flames, as if a blazing sun rose over Daocheng!

Every trace of rain or snow dissolved!

High above the talisman cloud,

the Sect Master’s Wife gathered little XiXi in her arms—holding a pink, divine-engine Gatling gun.

Her fingers closed to mask the delicate light, shielding XiXi’s eyes.

“Little one, don’t look.”

Then!

Between heaven and earth,

a muffled impact resounded.

“Thud—!”

A deafening sound roared, as if someone were smacking a drum with great force, waves of sound surging outward.

Yet that was all there was to it.

No cataclysmic collision, no earth-shattering boom.

The Dragon Consort’s majestic momentum shredded the skies and collided with the drifting miniature talisman.

And then…

There was nothing more.

……

……

Wangchun Pavilion had been completely reduced to ruins.

A massive deep pit now occupied the space where the main building once stood.

The ground sank deeply; the collapsed perimeter’s blazing rocks melted like slow-moving magma.

The once-frozen snow above dissolved into water under the intense heat.

It became a torrent of cascading rain, splattering down with a clatter.

On the scorching ruins of the deep pit…

the Dragon Consort lay supine amid the chasm. Her lofty chest heaved violently; her dark hair sprawled, clinging to skin as pale as jade.

Yet her skin, though delicate as porcelain, was crisscrossed with cracks.

Fine beads of blood emerged from these fissures, pooling into a macabre tapestry over her body.

Before her, a figure stood with arms crossed, exuding scorching heat with a sizzling hiss.

It was the gold-armored You Liqing.

Hanging in midair,

the Sect Master’s Wife, Xuan Qisha, stood on the talisman cloud. With a graceful flick, she sent the miniature talisman—which had once blasted the Dragon Consort away—back to her fingertips, catching it as if plucking a flower.

She then released her hand that had been shielding XiXi’s eyes.

A soft, questioning sound escaped her.

Eagerly, XiXi peered down to see the vast, ruined deep pit and the Dragon Consort who had been knocked into it.

“Ah? Is it over already?”

“That’s all there is?”

XiXi felt unsatisfied.

“How come there wasn’t even an explosion? Not as spectacular as Master Niu Niu’s fireworks!”

XiXi muttered under her breath.

Rolling her eyes, the Sect Master’s Wife, Xuan Qisha, cast a disdainful glance.

Then, lowering her head to survey, she was surprised to see that You Liqing had broken free from her binding immortal talismans and reappeared.

It had just happened when a Locking Talisman was knocked away.

At the instant the princess and the Locking Talisman clashed,

You Liqing broke free, surging upward, unleashing an unprecedented torrent of qi to absorb much of the Locking Talisman’s power…

“Detonating the Divine Seed within the Eight Extraordinary Gates, pushing his potential to its limit, and channeling qi far beyond what his body could normally withstand to shield that fool dragon…”

“Now that’s loyalty.”

A cool, detached voice emanated from the Sect Master’s Wife.

In the deep pit, small stones clattered incessantly as rain pounded them.

You Liqing stood with arms crossed, his gold armor shattered and melted away, exposing a body scorched and blistered, muscles and sinews quivering.

He panted heavily, blood oozing from his mouth and nose.

His body tottered, and the burst Divine Seed [Enraged Heavenly King Gaze] fell silent.

His form wavered, unable to support itself, before he finally collapsed to his knees with a heavy thud.

His arms drooped limply, like snow drifting aimlessly in the wind.

“Sect Master’s Wife…”

“She… was my master’s wife.”

You Liqing gasped between heavy breaths.

“You were going to kill her…”

On the talisman cloud, the Sect Master’s Wife said coolly, “What’s the matter? She wanted to kill my disciple, so I couldn’t let her?”

She glared at You Liqing.

“She’s your master’s wife, not your birth mother…”

“You detonated a Divine Seed from within the Eight Extraordinary Gates just for her… In your grievously injured state, you still aim to ascend to Martial Saint—are you sure you deserve it?”

“What if you never attain Martial Saint status in this lifetime… Don’t you regret it?!”

“This wretch might never even remember your kindness.”

You Liqing gave a light, humorless laugh.

“As long as I’ve given my word to my master…”

“But you’ve slighted my master’s wife today—be wary of my master’s reckoning.”

You Liqing’s tone was low and somber.

The Sect Master’s Wife chuckled, “Hohoho—”

She patted XiXi’s head affectionately, “A little tussle between women—does Ji Mo Li really dare lay a finger on aunty?”

“If he wants trouble, he should come straight at my man.”

“Does he really think my man is dead?”

When mentioning her man, the Sect Master’s Wife puffed herself up, mimicking XiXi with a proud little belly.

Alas, she didn’t have one.

XiXi, however, demonstrated the act perfectly for her.

“Hahaha…”

The Sect Master’s Wife affectionately rubbed XiXi’s tiny tummy.

“Feeling vented now?”

She asked.

XiXi glanced down at the ruined Dragon Consort, pursing her lips, “Vented, thank you, Sect Master’s Wife and Master!”

“How powerful were those Divine Talismans? Can I learn them?”

The Sect Master’s Wife narrowed her eyes, patiently instructing.

XiXi’s eyes brightened, “I want to learn that binding immortal talisman!”

“Huh?” the Sect Master’s Wife paused.

Her powerful Xuan Qisha Locking Talisman was famed—XiXi not choosing it was surprising.

“I love fireworks!”

XiXi declared.

Then, she hoisted the specially made pink divine-engine Gatling gun crafted by Master Niu Niu.

Aiming at the severely wounded You Liqing below, she pulled the trigger.

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat—

Golden sparks erupted as tongues of flame spewed out!

In an instant, a flock of excited Snow Avalanche Muduya swooped down!

You Liqing struggled to lift his head.

He stared blankly at the mechanism birds, their wings flapping excitedly as they fell.

In and out of breaths…

“Damn.”

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!

Explosions burst within the ruins; small clouds of dust swirled, golden light sparkling.

Raging winds howled, waves of air surging.

XiXi’s little face flushed red, resembling a ripe red apple.

“Bind her, then… treat her to some grand fireworks!”

XiXi’s gun barrel, glowing a vibrant red, steamed as she grinned mischievously.

The Sect Master’s Wife remained silent…

She stroked her exquisite chin and said, “It’s simple enough…”

“Your master will help you infuse the divine talismans into the mechanism.”

……

……

Amidst the whimpering winds and billowing snow,

Li Che and his group strolled through the blizzard.

They gradually calmed their minds. Li Che’s eyes gleamed clear as a strange light flashed briefly within them.

“So strong!”

XiXi’s newly appointed master seemed… incredibly fierce!

The Sect Master’s Wife—Divine Talismans Semi-Saint…

With just a single talisman strike, she nearly slammed the Dragon Consort, who had almost reached Martial Saint level, down—nearly killing her!

Had it not been for You Liqing detonating a Divine Seed in the Eight Extraordinary Gates, that hot-tempered Sect Master’s Wife might indeed have killed the Dragon Consort outright.

“What a powerful talisman…”

Li Che’s eyes narrowed.

Even from afar, using a Feilei Chess Piece to observe,

he felt a tightening in his heart.

It was the oppressive aura of the divine talismans—profound and terrifying.

“This Sect Master’s Wife… is unfathomable.”

Li Che was delighted inside.

After all, he was thrilled to cling to such a big figure as XiXi’s master.

He knew the reason the Sect Master’s Wife had chosen XiXi was her rare divine talisman aptitude,

a gift conveyed through the 【Painted Immortal】 Dao Fruit.

“Truly—a united front of father and daughter!”

Besides…

Li Che’s eyes twinkled.

“You Liqing…”

“You… are gravely injured.”

He murmured softly.

His words were lost in the howl of the mountain wind and snow.

Heavily wounded…

For Li Che, this was a prime opportunity!

The Dragon Consort too was injured, though not as gravely as You Liqing, who had sacrificed most of his strength by detonating a Divine Seed to shield the princess from the brunt of the talisman impact.

Thus, You Liqing was terribly, terribly injured…

a condition that made Li Che’s heart skip a beat!

This was the perfect chance.

He planned to visit and escort him on his journey!

If You Liqing were at his prime, Li Che wouldn’t dare attempt such an assassination.

Now, having entered the Pre-Heaven Grandmaster realm, with his Inherent Divine Guts refined and even the Divine Art Ascension Two unlocked…

even so, You Liqing in his prime was a peerless, supreme master of the Three-Flower realm of Ji Mo Li!

He had refined his internal organs to perfection, nurturing his essence into an immaculate trinity of spirit, qi, and energy!

Only a true peak martial artist under Martial Saint rank could achieve such perfection!

Originally, Li Che intended to collect all eight Divine Seed Martial Arts, comprehensively cultivate them to the Grandmaster stage, and then challenge You Liqing through the Eight Extraordinary Gates.

But now, the Sect Master’s Wife had provided him with an unprecedented opportunity.

If he did not seize it, Li Che would truly regret it.

Truth be told, Li Che had always intended to kill the Dragon Consort, yet…

Although the Dragon Consort had also been injured, she was less so than You Liqing.

You Liqing had sacrificed his own strength, detonating a Divine Seed to spare the princess from the full impact of the divine talismans.

“What a pity…”

Li Che sighed.

After trekking a short distance, they returned to the Reception Hall.

Several Divine Eagle Masters quickly left; with the Shendiao Ridge Elder’s examination concluded, lingering held no meaning.

Once the Divine Eagle Masters had departed one after another,

Gongshu Jingjun sat in a chair, his gaze fixed on Li Che.

Inside the Reception Hall, the fire roared, emitting a warm flow that made the place as cozy as spring.

“Ah Che, having earned Elder Sun’s endorsement and inherited his seniority, you’re now the fifth elder of the Shendiao Ridge of the Qianyuan Divine Sect…”

“Our Shendiao Ridge’s status within the Qianyuan Divine Sect is practically an independent branch—within the sect’s main gate, there are the inner and outer echelons, and Shendiao Ridge is its own faction.”

“In terms of seniority, the elders of Shendiao Ridge are no less than the seven inner gate elders…”

Gongshu Jingjun said softly.

Li Che nodded and then inquired about a few matters.

Gongshu Jingjun stroked his beard and chuckled, “You came to take the Shendiao Ridge Elder examination for your daughter, didn’t you?”

“Hahaha… Then I must thank your daughter, for otherwise I’d have missed out on a genius like you in Shendiao!”

“Rest assured, the Shendiao Ridge Elders enjoy the same status and benefits as both inner and outer gate elders. You may reside within the sect’s main gate with free access.”

“In a couple of days, I’ll take you into the sect’s main gate. Once your elder status is confirmed, your whole family can reunite within the sect.”

Gongshu Jingjun laughed.

Li Che exhaled deeply, feeling that an important matter had finally been settled.

“But now that your elder status is pending confirmation for two more days, will you stay here or return to Daocheng?”

Gongshu Jingjun asked.

After a brief flicker in his eyes, Li Che shook his head slightly.

“My dear wife is waiting at home for good news. I must go back and tell her, and celebrate.”

Li Che smiled warmly.

Gongshu Jingjun laughed heartily, “Very well.”

“Then, in two days, we’ll come to fetch you and together join the sect. In the meantime, tidy up and move into the sect.”

Li Che stood, clasped his fists in gratitude,

and thanked Gongshu Jingjun.

Gongshu Jingjun waved, and the young messenger who had earlier delivered Li Che’s message reappeared.

“This is Lu Qingti, a disciple of our Shendiao Ridge. A master of the Nine Luminaries Woodcarvings with decent talent; he oversees our Shendiao Ridge’s shop in Daocheng…”

“During these two days, if you have any business or news, seek him out.”

Lu Qingti’s expression was complex. He never expected that someone around his age, Li Che, would become the new elder of Shendiao Ridge—simply astounding.

Yet Lu Qingti quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully to Li Che.

Li Che nodded, and after departing the Reception Hall, Lu Qingti brought a splendid carriage.

Drawn by a spirited flood-dragon, Li Che sat upright. His return carriage was a far cry from the one he had arrived in—

a symbol of his elevated status.

The carriage jolted along the snowy roads.

Lu Qingti drove personally, slicing through the snow and tearing open the sealed mountain paths.

Inside the carriage, a hot stove bubbled noisily.

Li Che reclined in a soft seat, eyes closing briefly.

He pulled aside the curtain to watch the swirling snow outside.

Li Che’s eyes shimmered with memories—

as if in an instant he spanned dozens of miles, recalling the dragon-drawn carriage racing along the main road.

Inside the carriage, Su Huai Ming sat, his face ashen, his eyes swirling with anger and sorrow as he cursed loudly.

Li Che slowly dropped the curtain of the carriage.

Then, in the next moment,

with a snap of his fingers,

a scroll unfurled.

As the carriage swayed, the Painted Immortal Li Che, clad in an ink robe, sat serenely.

Li Che then pressed two fingers together, tearing through the air currents.

From within the Qiankun Space, he retrieved a Bamboo Hat and an Ogre Mask, placing them over his face.

Clenching his fist,

when he sensed Su Huai Ming’s overwhelming malice, Li Che left a Feilei Chess Piece on him without a hint of emotion.

“There’s no such thing as an old grudge…”

“If it’s not settled by tonight, it will be paid in full.”