Chapter 295: Snowbound Reflections

Snowflakes, clear and sparkling, drifted gracefully from the heavy, leaden clouds high above.

I picked up a pristine ice crystal snowflake, as if nature’s hidden master woodcarver had meticulously sculpted it.

A cold front from the north surged in, with blood-red maples withering and the cooling autumn rain coming to a halt – a sure sign that winter was near.

XiXi was born on a day when snow fell in abundance; the very first flurries heralded her arrival.

Extending his hand, Li Che manipulated the invisible field, letting the glistening snow rest in his palm; using the power of the Thunder Magnetic Conduit, he kept the snow from shattering.

Before he knew it, a thick blanket of snow covered the courtyard – the black tiles hidden beneath heaps like padded winter coats, and icicle stalactites hanging from the eaves.

“As warm as the morning sun’s fire—”

Li Che sat at the center of the courtyard, his once-burly frame gradually returning to normal as his calm aura caused snowflakes to settle on his shoulders and hair.

Memories of cradling little XiXi softened his eyes.

His newborn daughter was so tiny – little hands, little feet, and a head so small it melted an old father’s heart like fresh-fallen snow.

It was the first taste of bloodline, a sensation that imbued life with entirely new meaning.

“May Xi’s warmth and safety always persevere.”

At that time, Li Che asked for little; born into harsh times and a meager family, how could he expect more?

He only wished for his daughter to grow up safe and sound.

“In the blink of an eye…six years have passed.”

Li Che exhaled softly, his warm breath billowing into the deep winter chill as a white mist.

In six years, both XiXi and Li Che had transformed beyond recognition.

Their small family’s fate had turned on its head.

From the man in Feilei City who once barely supported his humble family with a few Great Realm copper coins a day, he had risen to become the Divine Condor Half-Saint – a leading force within Qianyuan Divine Sect!

His daughter, once a fragile newborn, had grown into a direct disciple of the Sect Master’s master – the young Sect Leader of Qianyuan!

For Li Che, everything felt as if it were a dream, an ethereal illusion.

Compared to the uneventful nineteen years he had trudged through, it was like a daydream by the hearth,

watching the dancing flames before drifting off into a transient, golden reverie.

“Phew…”

Li Che exhaled a breath sharper than a blade that sliced through the air.

A subtle, satisfied smile curved at his lips.

After all, it was not a dream.

Even if it were, he would have wished never to wake.

Those who have known despair never long to see its depths again!

There was no lingering attachment.

“My little XiXi is six years old.”

“She’s grown into a six-year-old girl.”

Six.

Li Che’s eyes shone with brightness, a radiant smile illuminating his face.

The little girl was no longer the diminutive bean sprout of yesteryear.

In recent years, Li Che had devoted himself to cultivation and self-improvement, yet he never neglected his daughter’s growth.

Often, he would take Zhang Ya to Taibai Peak to check on her training; sometimes they’d stay for days as he observed her practice and even sparred with her to point out areas for improvement.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ya would prepare meals atop Taibai Peak, whipping up XiXi’s favorite dishes, while the Sect Master’s Wife would step out of the Divine Talisman Pavilion, eager to join in for a meal.

Thus, Li Che and Zhang Ya, as a devoted couple, never overlooked their daughter’s development.

Unlike many parents so absorbed in their own cultivation that they miss witnessing their children grow up, Li Che ensured he was always present.

Time waits for no one; regrets come too late.

The most precious moments of childhood can only live on in memory, revisited only in spare reflections.

Li Che and Zhang Ya refused to be those parents.

With the Feilei Chess Piece, Li Che often witnessed XiXi’s progress – even catching moments of mischief, like when Elder Fang Han Shu punished her by having her copy names.

Once, she even broke records by having her name copied 3,000 times. Li Che laughed out loud while explaining ancient wood carving techniques to the master carver of Shendiao Ridge, though he felt a bit embarrassed.

Even as an exalted figure in Shendiao Ridge and the entire Qianyuan Divine Sect, Li Che always felt deep pride with every small step in his daughter’s journey.

When her performance on the Dragon Ranking was officially rated first by the Qian Kun Jade Council, Li Che celebrated by holding a grand feast all day.

Regrettably, XiXi was still too young to enter the Inner Transmission Ledger or the Outstanding Talent Ledger.

She couldn’t yet achieve the rare feat of appearing on all three ledgers!

Even the lowest-ranked entries on the Outstanding Talent Ledger were Grandmasters of Divine Guts – figures like Ka Yuan Long, who was listed there.

Ever since XiXi passed the assessment to become the Sect Master’s direct disciple, Ka Yuan Long had trained with renewed vigor; with his already notable talent and relentless practice, he shot into the top ten of the Outstanding Talent Ledger.

Now, he was setting his sights on the position of True Transmission this year.

Li Che closed his eyes, allowing the snow to fall softly against his skin without any effort on his part.

The biting cold sent delightful shivers through every cell in his body.

Li Che loved winter; snowy days were what he anticipated most.

Not only because his daughter’s birthday fell in winter, but also because winter marked the beginning of his destiny’s transformation.

“XiXi is six years old.”

“The Seventh Dao Fruit.”

Li Che’s gaze deepened with intensity.

He inhaled slowly, letting the chill of the winter air settle his thoughts like still ice.

With his eyes half-closed, he awaited the emergence of the Dao Fruit in utter calm.

Steady and undisturbed, his heart was as placid as a still lake.

Time passed in silence, as if the falling snow had washed away all inner turmoil.

Suddenly.

Li Che’s eyes flew open, bursting with radiant golden light.

BOOM!!!

It felt as though an ancient bell, laden with the aura of thousand snowy peaks, had been struck with crushing force, its resonant clang echoing in his ears!

In that fleeting moment, every sound in the world seemed to vanish.

Only an overwhelming roar and a profound solemnity remained in his ears.

Boom, boom, boom!

Inside his chest, the first Dao Fruit began to pulsate, quickly followed by the second, third, and fourth.

One pulse after another, strong and relentless, his internal qi surged like the tides.

The rushing sound of his blood seemed almost tangible!

It was as if shockwaves radiated from Li Che’s body, outwardly smashing through the falling snow!

The impact shattered the drifting snow in every direction!

Li Che’s pores flared, his bones creaked, yet in that moment he felt inexplicably drained, overcome by the qi emanating from the Dao Fruit.

Dao Fruits [Xian Gong] · [Dragon Elephant Vajra] · [Pure Heart] · [Chess Sage] · [Painted Immortal] ·

[Thunder Magnetic Conduit] – six Dao Fruits vibrated in sequence, their energy surging like a tidal wave!

The impact waves, relentless and powerful, swept through the courtyard, sending swirling winds and chaotic gales everywhere!

It was as if the very air celebrated the arrival of new companions!

Li Che’s eyes shone with brilliant golden light that spilled into a dense, glowing mist.

“They’re here!”

Li Che let out a long, measured breath.

In the next instant…

A cascade of jet-black hair lashed wildly, as if black lightning whips were snapping in the wind.

It was as if an unseen force had struck his brow.

He felt as though he were plunging into a surreal, otherworldly space.

Ancient, profound, vast, boundless, and majestic qi crashed down around him—

It pounded with relentless force!

A deafening crash echoed, as if the towering mountains that held up the sky had shattered under a fearsome assault.

The very world seemed to collapse, plunging everything into darkness.

Once Li Che’s mind steadied, he opened his eyes to find himself once more in the familiar, expansive wilderness.

Endless and grand, he looked up to see rolling mists that swirled like immortals, with ancient deities standing tall in their midst.

Where on earth…was this place?

Li Che’s heart trembled; every time he entered this realm, he was haunted by a sense of his own insignificance.

Now, no longer an inexperienced cultivator, his mind had traversed the Minor Cavern of the Heavens and wandered through the eerie domains of the Bizarre Temple and the Bizarre Temple,

yet compared to this vast expanse, those places were mere child’s play.

Focusing his thoughts, he beheld a towering Dao Tree rising boldly from the earth.

It soared into the clouds, its multicolored leaves and intertwined branches spreading out to cover everything, as if the entire Heavenly Dome lay beneath its boughs.

Dangling from the Dao Tree were fruits he recognized, each exuding a familiar qi.

Before the imposing Dao Tree, his small figure seemed almost insignificant.

After all, Li Che was now considered capable of contending with a War Saint.

That was to say, even a War Saint would pale before the might of the Dao Tree.

Li Che did not try to fathom the mysteries of the tree; clearly, its level was far beyond anything his eyes could grasp – its true secrets inaccessible.

What exactly was the Dao Tree?

Who planted it, or did it just sprout naturally from the world?

And why did this realm appear bound to his daughter’s fate?

So many questions fogged his vision like an impenetrable mist.

Yet Li Che knew his own smallness; when one’s vision is limited, one should not force understanding of what lies beyond.

For striving to grasp what is not meant to be known only invites disaster and pain.

Just as a man can only earn what he understands…

One must always approach the unknown with caution and respect.

His gaze fell on a multicolored fruit slowly drifting down from the Dao Tree.

This Dao Fruit swirled in a shimmering haze of iridescent mist.

The Seventh Dao Fruit!

Li Che’s eyes flared with brilliance!

In the next moment, countless images flickered in his vision, unfolding like a vivid montage – surreal and elusive!

In these visions, he saw XiXi training diligently for the Sect Master’s True Transmission assessment.

He witnessed her competing fiercely with other prodigies during the evaluation.

He even saw that after becoming the Sect Master’s True Transmission, she never once ceased training with relentless focus!

Though young, XiXi possessed an extraordinary determination, as if each moment was a drive to grow even stronger.

A smile softened Li Che’s face as he recalled the past year of XiXi’s journey, all encapsulated in this single Dao Fruit, warming his heart.

Indeed, his daughter was the most adorable in the world!

For Li Che, his obsession with Dao Fruits had mellowed; more than that, every time he entered this vast realm and witnessed a Dao Fruit ripen, it reminded him that XiXi was growing steadily and safely.

And that, in itself, was enough.

It was the one thought an old father could ever cherish.

Perhaps it even held a deeper significance in this endless realm.

Buzz, buzz, buzz –

A hazy Dao Fruit wrapped in multicolored mist trembled slightly,

Then drifted gently into Li Che’s palm.

He cupped it carefully, as if holding a delicate piece of multicolored glazed art,

Reflecting an array of dazzling lights.

One year of vigilance – this was today’s Dao Fruit!

His daughter XiXi is six years old!

The Seventh Dao Fruit!

[Your daughter is six, vibrant and full of promise, outshining prodigies, diligent and safe, earning the Dao Fruit ‘Dream Celestial Master’]

The shimmering, multicolored mist gathered into a line of words as ethereal as a half-remembered dream.

Li Che’s eyes brightened with quiet joy.

At last, the Seventh Dao Fruit had ripened!

Though Li Che knew that as his daughter grew older – each year adding a new ring like those in a tree – more Dao Fruits would eventually come,

each time a Dao Fruit ripened, he would eagerly await it,

like the thrill of opening a mystery box.

And this time, this Dao Fruit had once again surprised him, utterly beyond his expectations –

Dream Celestial Master?!

What on earth was this Dao Fruit?

Did it represent a particular vocation?!

Or would mastering it transform Li Che into a man who could stir up storms within dreams?

Dream Celestial Master –

Was it truly connected to dreams?

After all, dreams are constructs of the mind; as long as one lives, their brain creates its own mental world.

Could it be that the Dream Celestial Master granted the ability to enter that inner realm?

It was indeed intriguing!

The Dao Fruit, enveloped in luminous, multicolored smoke, hovered in his palm – not with the fearsome aura of the Thunder Magnetic Conduit’s Nine-Heaven Thunder, but with an ethereal, otherworldly grace.

It was as if this fruit did not belong to the realm of reality.

Like a veiled maiden, coy yet inviting, playful yet reserved –

It was truly marvelous.

This was the first time Li Che had encountered such a Dao Fruit.

The seven Dao Fruits were like seven enchanting women, each exuding her own unique charm.

At a thought, a wisp of colored smoke swirled.

[Dream Celestial Master (Dao Fruit): A Thousand Dreams, What Year Is It Tonight? The Immortal Enters the Dream to Reveal the True Self]

The description of the Dao Fruit materialized, as ethereal as ever.

“The Immortal Enters the Dream to Reveal the True Self!”

Amidst the deep rumbling, Li Che sensed as though an omnipotent presence murmured softly in his ear, half-asleep and unfettered.

Just as Li Che pondered these thoughts, the world spun wildly around him,

and when he opened his eyes again, he realized his consciousness had returned to his body.

He sat upright in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by deep snow, his body dusted with thick layers of it.

Blinking as if freshly awakened, Li Che looked around with a touch of confused wonder.

[Dao Fruit (Dream Celestial Master): Iv1 0%]

Inside his chest, the Seventh Dao Fruit pulsed gently – not violently, but with a languid, lazy rhythm.

Yet it gave Li Che the uncanny sensation that his soul might soon break free from his mortal shell.

Li Che remained seated amid the swirling wind and snow, his ink robe blanketed in white.

He sat quietly, contemplating the functions and potential of this newly emerged Dao Fruit.

Just as the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit at Iv1 could trigger Vajra Transformation to fortify the body,

the Dream Celestial Master Dao Fruit at Iv1 offered a basic ability: ‘Enter the Dream.’

He still did not know exactly what that would entail.

But there was also a hidden effect – once the ‘Enter the Dream’ power was activated, Li Che felt his spiritual essence nearly double in strength.

One could only imagine that as the Dao Fruit matured, the boost to his spiritual power might continue to multiply!

“Too bad there’s no one to test it on—”

Li Che exhaled slowly.

This Dao Fruit was extraordinarily enigmatic, and he sensed an inexplicable connection between the Dream Celestial Master Dao Fruit and the other six – the multicolored smoke of the others intertwining mysteriously.

What that connection might serve, Li Che couldn’t yet determine.

Still, he wasn’t in any rush.

He could study the Dao Fruit carefully, and in time, its secrets would reveal themselves.

Standing up, he brushed the accumulated snow off his body.

Li Che stretched, his muscles creaking as his scorching qi burst forth, evaporating the snow and sending vapor high into the air.

“Today is XiXi’s birthday. I’ve already informed the Sect Master; I’ll be bringing her back to the courtyard today—

so we can all gather for a feast.”

Li Che smiled warmly.

After all, it was XiXi’s birthday, and the Boss had surely prepared a lavish dinner – Li Che still had to help pack it up.

But there was still plenty of time.

Li Che would wait until XiXi finished her training before going to fetch her home.

In the meantime, he began to review his own cultivation progress.

Lost in thought,

[Name: Li Che]

[Bond: Li Nuǎnxi (Daughter)]

[Dao Fruits: Xian Gong (Iv5 30%) · Dragon Elephant Vajra (Iv5 30%) · Pure Heart (LV5 10%) · Chess Sage (LV5 5%) · Painted Immortal (Iv4 40%) · Thunder Magnetic Conduit (Iv3 10%)

Dream Celestial Master (lv1 0%)]

[Nascent Divine Power: Immortal Craft: Qianxi Hand · Dragon Elephant Vajra: Ascend the Tower · Pure Heart: Spiritual Confinement · Chess Sage · Great Avalanche · Painted Immortal: Ink Death]

[Divine Powers: Star Plucking · Radiant Rise · Divine Guidance · Wuji · Bai Yujing]

[Hint: For every year your bond grows, the Dao Tree can bear a Dao Fruit.]

Panels displaying the maturity levels of various Dao Fruits appeared before his eyes.

During this time, other Dao Fruits saw their maturity levels rise correspondingly.

However, the increases were modest.

The Xian Gong Dao Fruit had surged in maturity after the fusion of the Nanwu Xian Gong Xiao Shenshao Super Electromagnetic Cannon using the Minor Divine Xiao’s Five Thunder Killing Talisman.

The Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit had benefited from his previous clash with the Two-Flower Half God Corpse and the mastery of Divine Seed Martial Arts.

In short,

Over the past year, Li Che’s overall cultivation had leapt forward immensely.

Though his Martial Dao cultivation remained at the Precursor Grandmaster of Unity with Heaven and Man level, in terms of combat power, even against those who had reached the pinnacle of the Six Paths and perfected the War Saint, Li Che was by no means outmatched.

He had now introduced five Martial Divine Seeds into his body’s spinal Qi Gate, effectively shattering the five bodily locks and unleashing terrifying physical potential!

“[Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant] · [Blood Croc Cleave] · [Enraged Heavenly King Gaze] · [Zhang Mo Mang Spear] and [Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Divine Blade] – these five Martial Divine Arts have all reached Grandmaster level, having been channeled into my Qi Gate, so I’ve devoted less effort to them.”

“In reality, Grandmaster level is barely enough to channel these Martial Divine Arts into the Qi Gate. If I could break through to the Transformation Realm – to the Eight Gates Transformation Divine Seeds – perhaps I could stand against a Four-Star War Saint.”

Li Che’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Yet Martial Divine Seed cultivation was inherently challenging – breaking into the Transformation Realm was even more so.

Even his self-created [Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant], his signature Martial Divine Art, was still far from Transformation Realm level.

In fact, even War Saints rarely manage to elevate their Martial Divine Arts to that realm.

“[Bloodshed Divine Phoenix Life-and-Death Arrow] · [Nine Heavens Profound Eagle Split Sky Fist] and [Six Desires Evil-Exterminating Pure Yang Sword Technique] – the first two have reached a high level, while the Pure Yang Sword Technique still lags behind…”

Li Che exhaled; despite the aid of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit and his exceptional martial talent, the more Martial Divine Arts one practiced, the tougher breakthroughs became.

He even felt less confident about channelling the remaining three Martial Divine Arts into his Qi Gate.

The integration of the fifth Martial Divine Seed into his Qi Gate had taken him over a month.

After that, the challenges would only escalate exponentially.

Yet Li Che was in no hurry. With XiXi now training under Lü Taibai, and with a mighty master at the apex of Great Realm power watching over her, unless formidable enemies from the sect or Heavenly Gate intervened, XiXi faced little danger.

Even if Li Che, now holding an Iv5-level Chess Sage Dao Fruit, combined with the steadily assimilating influence of Mo City’s Corpse God realm, could swiftly whisk XiXi away to safety.

“But my Martial Dao should also attempt to break into the Upper Three Flowers Realm – ignite the Essence, Spirit, and Qi Flowers so that the Inherent Divine Guts can transform into higher-grade Three Flowers Gang Qi.”

Li Che mused thoughtfully.

Even if he reached the Upper Three Flowers Realm, it wouldn’t interfere with Martial Divine Seed integration into his Qi Gate – a sacrifice he was more than willing to make.

The Essence Flower, the Unity with Heaven and Man Flower, and the Qi Blood Flower all bloomed in unison at the apex!

They promised a transformation that would greatly empower the body’s Grand Pill!

However, Li Che’s foundation was extraordinarily solid.

Whether in terms of Essence, his understanding of unity with Heaven and Man, or the strength of his qi – they were all remarkably formidable.

Yet flowering required achievements far more challenging than for an ordinary Upper Three Flowers Grandmaster.

But once breakthrough was achieved, it would bring significant transformation to his cultivation.

“Also, Divine Spirit cultivation – damn, it’s a bottomless pit! All those Divine Crystals earned in the Gambling Den were entirely funneled into nurturing the Golden Pill for Golden Body Transcendence; it really demands a solid foundation.”

“And I also have two Golden Devourer Beasts and two Divine Essence Golden Pills – one at the Sanqing level and one at the Siyi level – to nourish. Truly, it’s no easy feat.”

Li Che sighed; even his easygoing nature couldn’t stop him from muttering a few expletives.

Divine Spirit cultivation is all about consuming resources. While martial cultivation might rely on innate talent and a few Martial Pills, without Divine Crystals, Divine Spirit cultivation is a slow, arduous process of absorbing the world’s drifting Divine Spirit.

It demands an unbearably long period of time.

Yet this also explained why Divine Spirit cultivation could significantly extend a martial artist’s lifespan.

Because Divine Spirit itself required slow, diligent nourishment.

“Last time, that Divine Crystal obtained from the Two-Flower Half God Corpse’s Qian Kun Jade hadn’t been fully refined – I must find an opportunity to work on it soon.”

“It should be enough to fully power the Four Siyi [Six Desires Evil-Exterminating Pure Yang Golden Pill].”

Li Che muttered under his breath.

With a snap of his fingers, a Painted Immortal clone materialized.

Each clone was assigned a Divine Crystal and sent to the inner room to diligently cultivate it.

Feeling refreshed, Li Che left the courtyard.

He closed and locked the door behind him.

Treading on a snow-packed alley, Li Che made his way towards the Restaurant.

The Restaurant glowed with a warm, amber light.

Whether day or night, that amber light at the Restaurant’s entrance always shone.

As soon as he stepped into the light, a rich aroma of food greeted him.

Inside, the Boss was busy cooking up a feast; the tantalizing scents of delicious dishes drifted out, spreading far and wide.

Big Black Dog lay on the ground; upon seeing Li Che in his lotus ink robe trudging through the snow,

the dog instantly raised his head, his eyes whirling with eager excitement.

“He’s here, he’s here!”

Big Black Dog knew today was XiXi’s birthday and eagerly awaited Li Che’s arrival!

Last year on XiXi’s birthday, the dog had formed an unforgettable memory.

Since XiXi had become a disciple under the Sect Master’s demonic master in Qianyuan Divine Sect, Li Che’s visits to the Restaurant had grown scarce.

After all, he rarely saw XiXi these days.

Thus, Big Black Dog missed her terribly, not having seen her for what felt like ages.

Big Black Dog even leaped excitedly from the ground, prancing lightly around Li Che.

His tail wagged wildly, displaying an enthusiasm for Li Che rarely seen.

Li Che rolled his eyes; it seemed only on XiXi’s birthday would Big Black Dog be so exuberant.

That snobbish mutt!

As if reading Li Che’s inner thoughts, the dog gritted his teeth yet still maintained a cheerful facade.

Life isn’t easy – sometimes, even a dog must force a smile!

Li Che’s lips curved in amusement as he glanced at Big Black Dog’s festive antics.

A subtle feeling stirred within him, and the Dao Fruit [Dream Celestial Master] in his chest pulsed gently.

His eyes shimmered with a hazy, multicolored glow.

Big Black Dog was in an unusually good mood today…

So Li Che decided to give the dog a little ‘dream visit’!

Big Black Dog stuck his tongue out, his eyelids drooping slightly.

Ding-a-ling.

The curtain at the Restaurant’s entrance flitted open as a clear, tinkling bell sounded.

The Boss, dressed entirely in white and carrying a six-tier dinner box, stepped out from the Restaurant.

“You’re here?”

“Today is XiXi’s birthday, right?”

“I’ve prepared the dishes.”

The Boss looked at Li Che; the stern lines of his face were softened by a trace of warmth.

Hearing this, Li Che instinctively turned his head, his multicolored eyes meeting the Boss’s gaze.

And so, he looked at the Boss.