Chapter 302: Shattering Frost and Awakening Might

The north wind howled, carrying with it a surging cold wave that swept over the Lingnan lands, plunging everything into a state of frozen desolation.

Snowflakes, as large as hands, tumbled in midair before descending, piling thickly on the ground with a dull thud, like stones striking a snow cloak.

Scattered snow grains, akin to drifting dust, were lifted by the wind, forming swirling currents of cold that clung to the frosted mountains like trails of billowing silk.

Entirely ensconced in ice and snow, the Dao City of Qianyuan appeared as if it had been transformed into a glittering ice sculpture.

Black-tiled roofs were laden with snow, while icicles dangled sinisterly.

Tinglei Alley.

Inside the Private Workshop courtyard.

The entire courtyard remained spotless as not a single snowflake managed to settle – vaporized before landing by the searing heat of the boiling qi and blood, rising as a hazy mist.

Li Che stood silently in the courtyard, his body seemingly expanding and contracting with every breath.

It was as if arcs of lightning danced continuously across his skin.

“The Breakthrough Territory…”

Li Che’s eyes gleamed like twin beacons, their golden shimmer intermingled with wisps of incense-like gold smoke as he pondered the ideal breakthrough territory for surging into the Martial Saint realm.

In his mind, place after place flickered by. Breaking through as a Martial Saint might trigger the fabled Heavenly Tribulation, for Li Che’s foundation was so solid that the heavens themselves might not simply yield.

A cultivator always treads against the natural order.

Thus, he is destined to be estranged from the heavens.

With an impeccable foundation, any breakthrough would yield dramatic, amplified gains, a contrast as striking as a cascading waterfall.

The larger the chasm, the more thunderous the cascade as it crashes down.

“If I break through, my five Qimen Divine Seeds will be impossible to hide. Otherwise, I might even don the Ogre Mask and break through near Dao City…”

Li Che mused thoughtfully.

However, having just acted with the mien of the Underworld Yama, whose signature was the five Qimen Divine Seeds, if the Ogre also revealed all five, his previous plans would be rendered useless.

“Moreover, the area around Qianyuan Dao City teems with powerhouses – once I break through and complete the Heavenly Liaison, it might attract meddlesome attention from apex experts. Any interference could be dangerous.”

Li Che exhaled sharply, his breath like searing waves from a furnace, turbulent and relentless.

“That is why, for my breakthrough territory, I must choose an isolated haven, free from the interference of apex practitioners.”

With that thought, Li Che smiled.

“Around Qianyuan Dao City, powerful figures abound. Martial Saints and Divine Infants are not rare – yet, only within its borders does one find so many experts.”

“I’ll simply break through outside the confines of Qianyuan Dao City.”

A flicker of anticipation and reminiscence danced in Li Che’s eyes.

“It’s been over two years since I arrived here in the Dao City…”

“When XiXi was four, she joined Qianyuan Dao City. Now she’s six – and I have reached the moment to break through into the Martial Saint realm.”

Li Che roared his exhalation like thunder.

He stood tall in the courtyard and raised his hand, his two fingers pressing together at his brow.

Ding-Wen!

The Cosmic Chessboard surged upward from above his head, spiraling out to envelop the skies, covering the vast heavens.

Interwoven lines of black and white compressed countless mountains and rivers into miniature forms.

Ten thousand miles of landscapes, hidden within the chessboard!

Li Che’s jet-black hair flew wildly, his eyes swirling with golden smoke as his five fingers tightened.

Buzz—

It was as if the very fabric of space rippled.

A pristine Divine Feilei Chess Piece gradually materialized in the palm of his hand.

Such a rare guiding transfer for the Feilei Chess Piece usually required far less time.

Normally, using a Feilei Chess Piece for such near-conceptual movement would be instantaneous for Li Che.

But this time…

It took him the span of three full breaths.

Only then did he firmly grasp that marked Divine Chess Piece at its anchor point.

The space around him resembled a placid, mirror-like lake disturbed only by a stone, sending ripples cascading outward.

All the while, a blurry halo twisted and shimmered.

In Tinglei Alley’s Private Workshop,

Li Che’s form vanished without a trace.

Qianyuan Dao City.

Snow fell thickly, sealing the land in ice.

Dao Master Residence.

Inside the pavilion, a furnace boiled water fiercely while several emerald tea leaves tumbled in the roiling brew.

Seated in the pavilion, Ji Li Shou—wearing a Celestial Mask—conversed leisurely with Young Dao Master Yue Weizheng and Long Zi Ao Lie of the Dragon God Clan as they sipped tea.

The trio chatted amicably.

“In four days, the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple will open…”

“It’s rare for Lü Taibai to allow the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple to open its doors.”

“I thought it would be far more troublesome.”

Clad in ornate garments with a prominent dragon horn on his forehead, Ao Lie took a sip of winter tea and murmured softly.

Yue Weizheng laughed, “The Grand Inspector from Divine Capital mentioned that the divine weapon housed in the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple has connections with Qitian Temple – Qianyuan Divine Sect wouldn’t dare keep it to themselves.”

“After all, the Grand Inspector once said that the Mysterious Manifestation Three-Eyed True Lord Bizarre Temple suppressed by Qianyuan Divine Sect might well be promoted from the Four-Yu Bizarre Temple to the Sanqing Bizarre Temple, possibly becoming the future Qitian Temple.”

“If Lü Taibai were to claim the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff entirely for himself, denying even a trial to others, it would surely arouse suspicion from the Great Realm – after all, that magnificent Qitian Temple, dominating half the world with a single sect’s power against the Imperial Court…”

“The Great Realm certainly would not want that outcome.”

“Neither the Emperor, nor the National Teacher, nor even the Grand Inspector would tolerate another Qitian Temple emerging in the world.”

As the Young Dao Master of Qianyuan Dao City and an official of the Imperial Court, Yue Weizheng analyzed the situation from the perspective of the throne.

“That seems to be the case.”

“Lü Taibai is well aware that despite his formidable strength and lofty status among the Great Immortals and at the Heavenly Gate, all eyes are inevitably on him.”

“The higher he stands, the more scrutinized every move becomes – one misstep and it’s all over.”

“If Lü Taibai were to monopolize that divine weapon, he’d essentially be handing his weakness over for all to see.”

Ji Li Shou, his mask concealing little emotion, said coolly,

“By coming out so openly, he’s compelling all the major factions to vie for it – there really is no excuse. Lü Taibai certainly has the guts.”

“Father held Lü Taibai in the highest regard…”

A heavy silence fell in the pavilion.

Yue Weizheng set his tea cup down and remarked, “Even the Xiao Lingyin Temple of Xiling Dao sent someone – a Divine Condor Half-Saint, apparently a disciple of the Xiao Lingyin Temple’s famed Great Master Huang Mei.”

“Huang Tuo Half-Saint?”

Ji Li Shou lowered his tea cup, his masked eyes momentarily flashing brilliance.

“Xiao Lingyin Temple, as the strongest Divine Sect in Xiling Dao, has transformed the entire region into an impregnable bastion. Of all the paths in the Great Realm, the Imperial Court wields the weakest control over Xiling Dao.”

“It’s precisely because Xiao Lingyin Temple has almost turned Xiling Dao into an earthly Buddha kingdom…”

Ji Li Shou’s tone held an enigmatic edge.

“Xiling Dao borders the Western Region, deeply influenced by the ancient Western Buddhas. When Father was young, he once journeyed on foot through Xiling Dao and, with nothing but a parasol spear, defeated many aged masters of the temple.”

“Father held Xiao Lingyin Temple in high esteem.”

His words further hushed the pavilion.

“On the surface, the Divine Condor Half-Saint from Xiao Lingyin Temple claims his target is Li Che, seeking to defeat the newly risen Divine Condor Half-Saint of Qianyuan Divine Sect through a duel of the Divine Condor Technique, thereby crippling our sect’s operations.”

Yue Weizheng, though not well-versed in Xiao Lingyin Temple’s affairs, listened intently.

“Does this Xiao Lingyin Temple’s Divine Condor Half-Saint really dare be so arrogant? In Qianyuan Dao City, if he aims to suppress Li Che with the Divine Condor Technique, isn’t he risking being slain by Lü Taibai’s star-slaying strike?”

Yue Weizheng questioned in curiosity.

Long Zi Ao Lie of the Dragon God Clan chuckled, “If Lü Taibai were to strike down Huang Tuo, it would essentially hand over his weakness to Xiao Lingyin Temple. There exist unspoken agreements even between apex experts.”

“If Huang Tuo were to try and depose Li Che solely through the Divine Condor Technique and Li Che lost, it would simply be a case of inferior skill. But if Lü Taibai, a true apex master, were to slay Huang Tuo—”

“Then one day, the apex expert of Xiao Lingyin Temple might, without any preamble, covertly eliminate a cultivator of Qianyuan Divine Sect.”

“Apex strength is so overwhelming that without certain unspoken rules, chaos would reign.”

Ao Lie laughed heartily.

Yue Weizheng suddenly understood.

However, Ji Li Shou remarked evenly, “Xiao Lingyin Temple’s pretext of the Divine Condor Half-Saint coming for Li Che is but a façade; their real target is likely the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple and its Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff.”

“Xiao Lingyin Temple has always claimed that the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple is essentially a Buddhist temple, with its Two-Hearted Great Sage even regarded as a Divine Monkey of the Buddha – destined to usher souls to Xiao Lingyin Temple.”

Ji Li Shou’s words made Yue Weizheng shake his head, “That’s rather far-fetched. The Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple first emerged on Shendiao Ridge; how could it be tied to Xiao Lingyin Temple?”

“Xiao Lingyin Temple has always attached itself to matters of Buddhism – so much so that anyone with even a hint of connection is fated to join them. They even believe that Qitian Temple is part of the Buddha’s fold. Had it not been for Qitian Temple being seized by dark forces, Xiao Lingyin Temple would have long stationed monks in Qitian City.”

Ji Li Shou said calmly.

“It appears that Huang Tuo’s arrival in Qianyuan Dao City has similar aims to those Father had when sending me here.”

“…

…

3

Once his words faded,

Ao Lie and Yue Weizheng both turned to look at the masked Ji Li Shou.

Especially Yue Weizheng, whose heart trembled slightly.

What exactly did King Ping Luan’s Ji Mo Li intend by sending Ji Li Shou here?

What purpose could he possibly have?!

Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Taibai Peak.

Taibai Hall.

Inside the palace, the heavy scent of incense permeated the mountaintop.

Within the ornate halls,

Lü Taibai, clad in white with silver hair billowing, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. Behind him stood a five-meter-tall statue of the ancestral patriarch of Qianyuan, carved from spirit wood.

XiXi sat on a cushion, her small frame squirming as if unable to sit still.

Lü Taibai’s training of XiXi required her to meditate for nearly an hour each day – a mandate as firm as the prerequisite to study the sage classics in the Elders’ courtyard.

It was a strict order, akin to the need to pay respects before meeting the Grand Elder Fang Han Shu.

The Grand Elder himself, Fang Han Shu with his flowing beard and scholarly robes, slowly emerged from outside Taibai Hall.

“Sect Master.”

Fang Han Shu clasped his fists and said, “The people from Xiao Lingyin Temple of Xiling Dao have arrived – and they’ve even sent a challenge letter.”

That challenge letter was delivered directly to Elder Jiao Shaoqiu at the outer gate.

7

“They have actively requested a contest of the Divine Condor Technique with Elder Li Che, to determine whether the 26-year-old Divine Condor Master truly deserves his title,” Fang Han Shu explained.

Lü Taibai slowly opened his eyes amid the rising aroma of incense.

Not far off, XiXi, who was seated on a cushion, furtively opened and closed her eyes.

She seemed to have caught news concerning her father!

This made it impossible for her to continue training in peace, and her curiosity was piqued.

Lü Taibai and Fang Han Shu paid no mind to XiXi’s furtive glances.

“Xiao Lingyin Temple –”

“…surely it is the Divine Condor Half-Saint under the demonic influence of Great Master Huang Mei?”

Fang Han Shu nodded, “They call him Master Huang Tuo – a Divine Condor Half-Saint whose cultivation is akin to the Divine Infant transformation, and he is also a Martial Saint of the Qi Sea.”

Lü Taibai gave a slight nod, “Just as expected.”

“Ji Li Shou, Huang Tuo, one under King Ping Luan’s decree, one from Xiao Lingyin Temple – and then there’s Tian Dan Divine Sect, Seven Treasure Divine Sect, and the Dragon God Clan… not to mention the Corpse God Sect recently unearthed from the Underworld…”

“The forces arriving are indeed many.”

“Are they coming for the divine weapon, or to target Qianyuan Divine Sect?”

“Or perhaps, to target me directly?”

Fang Han Shu’s scholarly composure faltered for a moment; his refined gaze widened with restrained fury as he thought,

“How dare they?!”

Lü Taibai’s silver hair swirled as he looked out over the snowfall-laden heavens beyond the grand hall.

“Is there nothing that King Ping Luan’s Ji Mo Li wouldn’t risk?!”

Su Family Residence.

The heavy snow piled up at the gate, almost obscuring the entire courtyard.

It masked nearly half the entrance.

Outside Su Family Residence, Su Lei Ba sat in the ancestral courtyard, gazing at the accumulated snow with a melancholic, pained expression.

In ages past, the Su Family had established a legacy spanning three millennia in Qianyuan Dao City, witnessing the rise and fall of empires…

But now, in this generation, two consecutive heads of the Su Family had been slain. Mind you, Su Wenxi and Su Daoling were far from incompetent – they were the ones who had propelled the Su Family to renewed glory!

Su Wenxi was a martial prodigy who could open his Qi Sea without issue.

And Su Daoling, the divine talisman half-saint nurtured with vast resources, had reaped enormous rewards for the family.

Yet both had perished!

“Oh ancestor – is it my own incompetence, Su Lei Ba…”

With trembling steps, Su Lei Ba arose, shaking off the snow and entering the shrine hall to kneel before the ancestral tablets.

The incense curled upward, and though his face was as worn as old timber, tears flowed freely.

“The Su Family is at an impasse…

We’ve angered forces we should never have provoked. In Qianyuan Dao City, the Underworld – we have no way out.”

Old Su Lei Ba was overwhelmed with grief.

For one to abandon a three-thousand-year-old legacy required immense resolve.

In future genealogies, he might even be branded a sinner.

Yet the Su Family must leave Qianyuan and shift its strategy to Divine Capital if it were to survive.

Otherwise, remaining in Qianyuan Dao City would inevitably lead to the same fate as the Tang Clan – divided and corroded.

In recent days, Su Lei Ba had already sold off all Su Family properties within Qianyuan Dao City, many at steep discounts.

Even the two major bizarre temples once suppressed by the Su Family were relinquished, transferred to the Zhou and Zhong clans.

Overwhelmed, Su Lei Ba wept uncontrollably.

Outside the shrine, the remaining great masters and Divine Practitioners of the Su Family, along with their talented juniors such as Su Chuyang, had all gathered as summoned.

Listening to the heartwrenching cries of old Su Lei Ba at the ancestral hall stirred a mix of emotions among all present.

“In four days – in four days, the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple will open.”

After his weeping subsided, Su Lei Ba hefted his cane, trembling as he turned to address the Su Family youth outside the shrine.

“Four days from now, we set out! When all other forces are distracted by the spectacle of the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple’s opening, our entire clan will migrate!”

“Head to Divine Capital!”

Su Lei Ba commanded.

“Now, each of you must come in and kneel before the ancestors – remember today’s shame.

One day, when the Su Family stands firm in Divine Capital and supports the Third Prince to seize power, never forget today’s disgrace – we will return to Qianyuan Dao City to avenge our honor!”

“We will eradicate the Underworld!”

With a mighty strike from his cane, a thunderous boom resounded.

Snow-laden flowers clung to the mountain slopes, and icy beads decorated the willow branches.

On this cold winter day, Long Street lay barren and quiet, with hardly a passerby in sight.

Along the willow trees lining the street, emerald branches were adorned with crystalline, shimmering ice beads.

Jingguang City.

Luohua Alley.

The narrow alley was blanketed with thick snow, unkempt and piled high – and the edges of the black tiles were laden with icicles.

A piercing chill filled the air.

Then suddenly,

Right at the center of the heavy snow bank,

A white chess piece seemed to float into view, exuding an overwhelming divine aura.

Soon, a hand appeared, five fingers closing tightly around the divine chess piece.

Then, a silhouette emerged gracefully.

Jet-black hair whipped wildly, slicing through the void with a sound resembling thunder.

Embellished with golden lotus patterns, his dark robe billowed as Li Che materialized.

The searing, boiling qi melted away the accumulated snow in Luohua Alley’s Private Workshop courtyard, turning it into puddles that quickly evaporated.

Snow falling from the dome above transformed into rivulets of rain.

“Inhale… exhale…” Li Che’s eyes swept over the familiar courtyard as light intermingled within them.

Jingguang Mansion –

It was here that his daughter, XiXi, first joined the Divine Sect Branch, resonating with the Temple Spirit to acquire a divine weapon and embark on the path of ascension.

And it was here that Li Che established his Underworld, securing the means to protect his family and vanquish countless foes.

Lost in reminiscence of the days spent at Jingguang Mansion, Li Che couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“The Lv5 Chess Sage Dao Fruit has indeed become far too powerful—”

“And the conceptual transfer ability of the Feilei Chess Piece has truly undergone a metamorphosis.”

Li Che’s eyes shone with surprise.

From Qianyuan Dao City to Jingguang Mansion spanned thousands of miles – once a journey of several months, now manipulated as if with a mere flick of his fingers, shifting star to star.

Mountains and rivers transformed with his grasp.

However, having exceeded the scope of the Cosmic Chessboard’s domain, the transfer took a bit longer than usual.

Even so, it was still only from an instant to the duration of three full breaths – well within Li Che’s limits.

Within the Mud Pellet realm, his primordial spirit trembled slightly.

It was as if a sudden, long-distance transfer had rattled his primordial spirit, causing slight discomfort.

Such transfers, affecting the flesh, always exert enormous pressure – though Li Che’s body was now far too formidable.

Surveying the entire courtyard as the Cosmic Chessboard ensnared everything,

he sat cross-legged.

“In Jingguang Mansion, with so few experts – supreme grandmasters are rare, let alone Martial Saints or Divine Infants—”

“Breaking through here is safest. Who would have thought I could traverse thousands of miles to return here and break through into the Martial Saint realm…”

Li Che chuckled softly.

In Jingguang Mansion –

he would be utterly invincible.

With a mere snap of his fingers, the chessboard expanded to envelop the entire Jingguang Mansion, much smaller compared to Qianyuan Dao City.

Everything unfolded in his mind.

The Imperial Watch, the Temple Guardian Division, the Mountain Gate of Qianyuan Divine Sect Branch –

The chessboard captured all, presenting every detail!

In the blink of an eye, Li Che’s eyes revealed neither joy nor sorrow; his spirit was supremely serene.

He saw familiar faces, strangers, and even unexpected figures…

Two years had brought significant changes to Jingguang Mansion.

With a single thought, all his visions coalesced.

Seated cross-legged in the Luohua Alley courtyard,

he exhaled a mouthful of murky air.

In the stillness of heaven and earth,

“Martial Saint…”

Li Che murmured, his heart stirring with fervent emotion.

At last, he had arrived at this juncture.

The Supreme Grandmaster is the pinnacle of mortal flesh.

And only by stepping into the Martial Saint realm does one truly begin to transcend – earning their place in this world’s inner sanctum!

With a snap of his fingers,

a black Spiritual Confinement Chess Piece soared upward, transforming into myriad figures.

Huang Jianjiu, You Liqing, Dragon Queen, Xue Dufu, Long Tai, Blue Bird – even Su Daoling, who specialized in divine talismans, were all arranged by Li Che.

“Guard the realms, protect my sacred law – let no one impede my breakthrough.”

Li Che stated evenly.

In that moment, every Spiritual Confinement piece assumed its solemn duty.

“Behold!”

One by one, they vanished in bursts of black light at their original positions.

With that, Li Che’s resolve deepened profoundly.

Boom, boom, boom!

The Dao Fruit “Dragon Elephant Vajra” pulsed wildly within his chest.

The qi and blood hidden within him were propelled by an unseen force, surging and flowing in torrents, while the five Qimen Divine Seeds on his back activated frenetically, stirring a vortex of qi.

Boom!

In an instant, above his head, with light ignited at the top of both shoulders and from three key points, a terrifying aura erupted from Li Che, soaring into the clouds.

Unhurriedly, he peeled off the clothes stitched by Zhang Ya, revealing his bare, rippling torso.

Buzz!

An explosive ripple of qi and blood radiated outward in a ring around him!

Then Li Che’s body surged upward, growing larger and mightier –

Reaching a height of two and a half meters, his physique was formidable, his back laden with muscles like thick logs!

The five divine seeds behind him blossomed like peacock tail feathers displaying five distinct eyes.

In the courtyard, Li Che’s five fingers clenched as tendons creaked like thunderous strikes.

Each movement stirred the swirling qi and blood within, practicing his martial arts without expending any overt force.

He was retracing his martial path through rigorous practice.

His will for martial cultivation was steadily surging.

A resonant pop echoed as if something had been punctured.

Then, the sudden surge of insight from accumulating 15% maturity of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit flowed like a gentle stream.

It filled Li Che’s mind completely.

Boom!

He felt his mind tremble at that moment.

Entering a state of profound mystery, his spirit soared as if it had been elevated.

His clenched fist exploded with the might of the White Tiger Turbulent Wind Fist – the very martial art he first practiced when treading on the martial path. Though not overly difficult, Li Che executed it with flawless precision.

Roar!

Like a white tiger’s ferocious roar, it surged upward, its refined essence merging with Li Che’s martial will!

With his five fingers clenching, the qi and blood coalesced into a scarlet long spear – its tip ignited, shattering the air, as if piercing through the void.

Xu Ji Eight-Link Bone-Shattering Spear!

Soon followed by Chenkū Baigui Fenglei Arrow, along with the Ferocious Dragon Cannon Fist, Yun Ta Yun Zong, and so on.

These were the many martial arts Li Che practiced during his early days – though no longer exquisite, they had once ensured his survival and safeguarded his family.

Now, as he re-enacted these forms, his current level allowed him to perfect them beyond reproach, solidifying his foundational techniques.

“Retrace the martial path, and with the ultimate Three Flowers, rebuild the foundation of martial arts!”

Li Che’s eyes gleamed as he stomped heavily.

His entire qi surged, his body seemingly beginning to glow!

With his five fingers clenching, he struck out with a powerful punch!

The martial practice continued unabated!

Li Che’s martial will soared, climbing step by step!

The heavens themselves resonated in response!

Never forgetting his origins, he walked the martial path once more!

All the supreme grandmaster techniques of old materialized before him!

Canglei Body, Lü Xuan Sword Scripture!

Eight Dragons Overturning the River, Lonely Desert Smoke Blade!

The pace of Li Che’s martial practice quickened, his figure now accompanied by countless afterimages in the courtyard.

Boom!

Invisible qi waves unleashed a searing, dazzling spectacle that roiled and tumbled within the courtyard!

Blazing, magnificent, and intense!

As Li Che’s martial practice reached its zenith, his qi burst forth, distorting space as it surged upward before collapsing into a blooming qi-mushroom cloud!

Taking another resolute step on the martial path!

The Three Flowers blazed like torches, illuminating the way, each step spawning lotus blossoms!

Crack, crack!

Boom!

It was as if an unseen energy was triggered, causing the celestial phenomena to upheave dramatically.

Even the Cosmic Chessboard seemed powerless to stop the overwhelming aura of transformation!

For above the entire Jingguang Mansion, countless black clouds were summoned by this unseen force, converging from all directions. Then, bolts of vibrant blue lightning tore through the heavens!

Blazing electric light, like divine torches swirling wildly, illuminated the bleak earth!

“Bang… Ping… Boom…!”

A thunderclap, far more piercing than winter thunder, resounded through the dome.

A fearsome, apocalyptic spectacle swept over Jingguang Mansion!

The entire city trembled, mountains and earth shaking!

In the small courtyard,

Li Che radiated an astonishing brilliance!

It was blinding!

Like a rising sun!

Countless rays of piercing light shone with intense clarity!

In his hand, the ever-changing qi and blood coalesced into a blood-red staff, which Li Che wielded vigorously, unleashing multiple striking afterimages!

Martial Saint Ultimate Technique!

Hun Yuan Qi Tian Gun!

Then, the staff’s afterimages exploded as Li Che’s fingers, sharp as divine spears, slashed through the air, channeling roaring torrents of qi – an eruption of countless dragon silhouettes!

Wanlong Fushen!

Numerous dragon traces spanned horizontally as Li Che stepped forth, manifesting eight incarnations in the courtyard as he cast the Eight Steps to Subdue the Heavens!

Then came the clashing of blades – the Martial Saint Ultimate Thousand Mountain Solitary Blade!

Finally,

Li Che spread his arms wide!

Boom, boom, boom!

Behind him, the five divine seeds trembled and the Qimen shook aside, unleashing their divine martial arts as the roar of Dragon Elephant resounded within the entire Jingguang Mansion.

With qi boiling, the city’s temperature soared. Gradually, snow transformed into torrential rain – a manifestation of melting ice and snow.

In the midst of the blinding heat, mighty currents surged around Li Che, his heart pounding powerfully, as though a martial art had blossomed in full, each exquisite secret unfurling!

Divine Seed – Bloodcry Divine Phoenix Life-and-Death Arrow, Master Stage!

Divine Seed – Nine Heavens Profound Eagle Split Sky Fist, Master Stage!

Divine Seed – Six Desires Evil-Exterminating Pure Yang Sword Technique, Master Stage!

The remnant three Divine Seed martial arts Li Che practiced had all surged into a state of perfection.

Today, in one decisive stride along the martial path, he ascended to the Master Stage!

Though drawing the remaining Qimen was a painstaking process,

at least his training of the Divine Seed martial arts was complete!

The rest was but a matter of refinement!

Thump, thump, thump – his skin bulged as if on the verge of bursting outward.

His fleshly great pill pounded furiously in his dantian.

Hun Yuan Wuxia – as if a radiant, golden flesh pill had blossomed!

A mystery, profoundly powerful!

Li Che closed his eyes, then reopened them.

And he found that everything in the world had vanished.

Floating before him was nothing but a colossal golden human pill, radiant like a star.

Martial Saint First Realm!

The Open Human Pill!

Li Che’s jet-black, robust hair lashed like bolts of dark lightning; his eyes burned like torches, and his five fingers clenched!

The phantom form of Dragon Elephant appeared behind him – the roar of Dragon Elephant!

A mighty aura, like immortal energy, swirled around Li Che.

This was his divine power…

Dragon Elephant Inherent Guts!

Dragon Elephant Convergence!

Li Che threw a punch, and between his knuckles, radiant light blazed!

“Today, I unlock the Open Human Pill!”

“The Martial Saint realm has a new ascendant in the cosmos!”

Boom!

Jingguang Mansion.

Atop the Imperial Watch Tower,

Monitor Hu Yingyue sat on a small stool, leisurely playing a few notes of his astounding tune with utmost satisfaction.

Suddenly,

A terrifying shockwave rippled outward, as if thunder had erupted from the plain!

Crack, crack, crack – the strings of his erhu snapped!

Monitor Hu Yingyue’s small stool shattered as he flopped onto the ground in bewilderment.

On Golden Light Peak,

Nan Lihuo, who was attempting to communicate with the Heavenly King Tower’s Divine Sanctuary via his primordial spirit, abruptly opened his eyes wide.

He sensed a dreadful, oppressive aura that weighed down the entire world.

It surged like an unleashed torrent, rampaging through heaven and earth!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Within the Mountain Gate of the Divine Sect, streams of light exploded in rapid succession. At Two Sleeves Peak, Master Zhang Qingzheng – the elderly scholarly man with a perpetually grim expression – now visibly showed terror on his face.

Zhu Hongdou of Hongyun Peak, Weng Wuyou of Nanshan Peak,

And even Liu Yangyuan, the lone disciple remaining in the mountains,

all rushed in fright toward Golden Light Peak.

In that tumult of martial will surging like a vast ocean, their legs trembled.

“Sect Master – wh-what is happening?!?”

Step by painstaking step, Nan Lihuo staggered out of the grand hall.

Looking around, his body trembled incessantly –

Such overwhelming majesty, such celestial might –

In Qianyuan Dao City’s Divine Sect, where he once practiced, he had once been among the illustrious.

Now his face was filled with incredulity and despair.

“Heavenly Liaison – Martial Saint Heavenly Thunder?!”

“Jingguang Mansion –

Could it be that a Martial Saint is about to emerge?!”