Chapter 335: The Ascension of Shadows and Dragons

The obsidian armor, inscribed with arcane patterns and interlaced runes, seemed to harbor an overwhelmingly divine power.

That towering obsidian warship, hundreds of zhang tall, rose from the Grand Canal like an immense beast, its imposing presence darkening the very heavens.

All light vanished, as it was devoured by the figure with crossed arms, clad in armor and a billowing sable cloak.

The warship exuded raw ferocity—a savage, primordial monster returning from the battlefield, its scarred surface a testament to its glory.

Ji Mo Li!

Yes, Ji Mo Li!

At that moment, the atmosphere on the Nine-Layer Yellow Dragon Xuanmu Treasure Ship turned oppressive; the captain and crew trembled.

They were overcome with terror.

King Ping Luan… Ji Mo Li!

He was a truly legendary figure, his fame and might even eclipsing that of Lü Taibai, head of the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

After all, in both the Divine Genealogy and the Heavenly Gate rankings, Ji Mo Li surpassed Lü Taibai!

“This is—King Ping Luan’s Dark Dragon Warship! Commanding the Dark Dragon Navy and reportedly backed by the Dragon God’s lineage, his forces have long been one of the top three fleets in the Great Jing Court!”

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“I heard that every Dark Dragon Warship rivals the mechanical beasts of the Five Elders, and its Ship King even competes with those of the Four Emperors!”

“Exactly! This Dark Dragon Warship was refined after Ji Mo Li absorbed the Tang Clan’s mechanical beasts, becoming invincible on the Jizhou battlefield!”

A cacophony of voices reverberated across the Nine-Layer Yellow Dragon Xuanmu Treasure Ship.

Everyone felt an immense pressure, their eyes reflecting shock and profound reverence.

In a flash, Lü Taibai appeared, clad in white, his silver hair flowing like water weeds.

He positioned himself above XiXi’s head, as if suspended between a foggy, ashen sky, emanating a silvery brilliance. His sword aura sliced sharply, and the Taibai Sword concealed within his wide sleeves vibrated with a dazzling, dragon-like song.

The crushing pressure, as heavy as a mountain, was entirely deflected by Lü Taibai.

“Prince, long time no see.”

Lü Taibai stepped onto the sword’s radiance and ascended, meeting Ji Mo Li’s gaze.

Ji Mo Li folded his arms; his towering frame oozed a fearsome vitality that seemed to warp the very air.

His eyes were cold and unreadable, deep like an ink-black pond capable of swallowing darkness.

He withdrew his gaze, fixing his eyes on Lü Taibai.

“Lü Taibai.”

“My two sons died on the Lingnan Path, the Princess perished there too, and two disciples met the same fate—”

His calm, husky voice carried an edge of murderous intent.

Lü Taibai narrowed his eyes, a flicker of caution stirring within him.

The Dark Dragon Warship had closed in without his detection—it was as if its approach had been perfectly masked.

Sure enough, this battlefield featured techniques to block sensing, offering a crucial advantage in war.

Without a way to nullify the Divine Nucleus Great God’s perception, any strategy would be futile.

Lü Taibai understood Ji Mo Li’s unspoken meaning.

In truth, Ji Mo Li’s greatest concern was the death of Ji Li Shou.

For it was Lü Taibai himself who had executed Ji Li Shou using his secret trump cards; otherwise, even Ji Mo Li’s heavenly incarnation might not have sealed his fate.

Back then, Ji Li Shou arrived as an assassin from the Lie Shen Pavilion, and Lü Taibai pretended ignorance.

“What a pity indeed, Prince. Accept my condolences.”

Lü Taibai remarked coolly.

He showed neither retreat nor remorse.

It was as if the killing of Ji Li Shou was devoid of any personal misgiving.

After all, as the sect leader of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, Lü Taibai saw no reason to feel guilty when dispatching miscreants who threatened his realm.

Their auras clashed high above the river, colliding in turbulent streams and fierce gusts.

Suddenly, a dense fog was rent asunder, revealing a vast expanse of clarity within the storm.

In the distance, one could even see several treasure ships slowly sailing on the river—ships belonging to various divine sects.

Of course, the treasure ships did not represent every sect.

Some ships radiated with divine light and raw power, standing majestically over the Grand Canal amid surging waves.

That ship belonged to the Dragon Abyss Path’s Seven Treasure Divine Sect—a single vessel that boasted divine weaponry worthy of a Four-Empire lieutenant, clearly crafted by a master of divine armaments!

As the treasure ship advanced, it halted at a distance upon sighting Ji Mo Li’s Dark Dragon Warship.

Clearly, they had no desire to meddle in the affairs between Ji Mo Li and Lü Taibai.

The sect leader of the Seven Treasure Divine Sect, Ning Caishen, reclined leisurely in the opulent pavilion of the treasure ship, enjoying the company of his enchanting maidens with a delighted smile.

Other treasure ships from various sects similarly watched, curious and entertained.

They wondered whether Ji Mo Li would directly clash with Lü Taibai, though it seemed unlikely a fight would break out.

After all, both were peak cultivators of the Great Jing Court, truly titans among their kind.

Neither King Ping Luan nor Lü Taibai would engage in open combat lightly—especially since both had come to Divine Capital for the Peach Banquet held by the Empress.

No confrontation would occur until the celebration ended.

However, their auras continued to collide in a silent duel.

The events at Qianyuan Daocheng had long caught the attention of top experts from all sides.

Not to mention the top intelligence networks like the Lie Shen Pavilion.

Many formidable figures dispatched envoys to report on the mysterious conditions surrounding the coveted Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff.

Thus, everyone knew what had transpired at Qianyuan Daocheng.

They were also fully aware of the tension between Ji Mo Li and Lü Taibai.

Although Lü Taibai now wore the mask of the Hunter King—having slain the former Huang Mei Great Master of Xiao Lingyin Temple and executed Ji Li Shou with his bloodline-triggered heavenly incarnation—the entire divine realm was informed.

Almost every top power in the Great Jing Court had learned of this matter.

After a brief stalemate, Ji Mo Li shifted his gaze from Lü Taibai to XiXi standing behind him.

“Is this your final, personal disciple?”

Ji Mo Li observed XiXi, whose statuesque beauty and striking features gave her the look of a finely sculpted masterpiece.

“A truly promising talent,” he added.

“My son, Ji Haihui, had impeccable taste. Sadly, Ji Haihui is dead—could it be that this little girl was behind it?”

Ji Mo Li said coolly.

“Prince, while you may eat carelessly, your words must be measured—my apprentice XiXi is as delicate and pure as sculpted jade. Even a mere ant would never be harmed by her. How then could she be responsible for your son Ji Haihui’s death?”

Lü Taibai, realizing no physical clash would occur, swept his sleeves and sheathed the Taibai Sword, speaking evenly.

“You, Lü Taibai—the renown of your personal cultivation is well-known. But what use are your disciples? One reincarnated temple wanderer, one outsider with the Star Thunder of an ancient clan, one traitor who joined the Corpse God Sect named Wei Yuan, one royal misfit from the Da Li Wangting named Dan Kuang, and one Huang Jianjiu who joined the Underworld—”

Ji Mo Li crossed his arms and sneered like an imposing pillar, “Do you really believe that this little girl, taken as your personal disciple, could possibly amount to anything significant?”

Lü Taibai’s silvery brows furrowed in anger.

“Prince, they are who they are, and XiXi is XiXi. Do not conflate the two! I have trained XiXi since childhood; she is destined to inherit our legacy.”

Ji Mo Li glanced at XiXi.

The little girl showed no sign of fear; instead, she gripped her Yulian Yin Divine Sword with fierce determination, much like a spunky young lion.

“Impressive indeed,”

Ji Mo Li remarked with a sigh, “but it’s a pity. She won’t live much longer.

“Those bald fools from the Western Regions have schemed against her—it’s as if she’s already been marked.”

“And even if they haven’t set their sights on you specifically, I’ll have no qualms about killing her,”

Ji Mo Li stated coolly, his words laced with an undercurrent of icy menace.

Lü Taibai’s eyes instantly hardened with cold fury.

“Let it be—consider it revenge for that disappointing son of mine.”

Ji Mo Li’s tone remained indifferent.

Yet his words resonated with chilling resolve.

Lü Taibai’s expression also turned steely.

“Consider it retribution for that unworthy son,” Ji Mo Li added flatly.

Then, his gaze shifted towards Li Che, who was on the deck holding Zhang Ya’s hand.

For reasons unknown, Ji Mo Li’s eyes locked with Li Che’s, a flicker of peculiar interest crossing his face.

Memories of the bloodline power once suppressed within Ji Haihui surfaced—an intention to harness the martial saint’s will had been forcefully stifled.

The Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple, commissioned by Jin Guang Mansion, had set the stage for Ji Haihui’s sacrifice to acquire the weaponized will and inherit the heavenly incarnation.

Alas, it was all ruined by that ambush from Cheng Yaojin.

Having just faced off in close quarters, Ji Mo Li’s eyes shimmered with a strange light.

He sensed a familiarity in Li Che—an aura reminiscent of the suppressed ‘Wanlong Fushen’ energy he once transmitted to Ji Haihui.

As the creator of ‘Wanlong Fushen,’ Ji Mo Li was exceptionally sensitive to its presence.

He could clearly detect it in Li Che.

Yet even someone as formidable as Ji Mo Li showed a hint of surprise in his gaze.

Back in Jin Guang Mansion, Li Che had barely reached a breakthrough yet dared to intercept his martial saint will.

If his will were to fuse with the Yulian Yin Divine Sword to form a true heavenly incarnation, then everyone would perish—

But alas, it was too late; everything had passed.

“Is this Li Nuǎnxi’s father?”

Ji Mo Li said coldly.

Dressed in a flowing dark robe, Li Che respectfully clasped his fists and smiled warmly, “Greetings from Li Che, Second Guest Minister of Qintianjian and Fifth Elder of the Divine Eagle Ridge in the Qianyuan Divine Sect. I honor the Prince.”

Ji Mo Li glared at Li Che coldly.

Though reports painted Li Che as a modest and principled Divine Eagle Half-Saint, Ji Mo Li’s intuition told him otherwise.

He sensed a kindred spirit—a fellow warrior.

“You will not leave Divine Capital alive,”

Ji Mo Li intoned, his voice simmering with lethal intent.

He needed no more evidence; the aura of Wanlong Fushen was all the proof he required.

His plans, centered around the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple, had crumbled in an instant.

This grudge, Ji Mo Li vowed, would not be easily forgiven.

Yet, at this moment, he made no move to strike.

Turning away, his imposing figure vanished from the towering deck of the Dark Dragon Warship.

The oppressive pressure that had gripped the heavens seemed to dissipate like collapsing pillars.

Sure enough, no battle broke out; many sighed in relief.

But such restraint was expected—in Divine Capital, even top cultivators tread carefully.

Divine Capital was not merely a city but the political heart of the Great Jing Court, where figures like the humble yet powerful National Teacher Xie Yunshen, the grand governor of the Temple Guardian Division, and the formidable Grand Inspector of the Imperial Watch commanded respect.

The Dark Dragon Warship resumed its journey, slicing through currents and fog as it sailed toward the imposing, shimmering outline of Divine Capital.

Once it entered the Divine Capital’s waters via the Grand Canal, it fell within the city’s sphere.

The Grand Canal stretched into Divine Capital—a marvel of engineering that tightened the bonds between the city and the world beyond.

The vast land of the Great Jing Court stretched between countless roads, and the canal shrank the distances between cities.

Legend had it that the canal, carved from north to south, spanned over thirty thousand li. Except for the deeply entrenched Xiling and Tongyou Roads, the remaining nine paths lay under its dominion.

Hundreds of cities dotted its route.

After encountering Ji Mo Li’s Dark Dragon Warship, the atmosphere on the Nine-Layer Yellow Dragon Xuanmu Treasure Ship lost its earlier merriment.

Many were still gripped by the oppressive, awe-inspiring presence of the fearsome King Ping Luan, Ji Mo Li.

Zhang Ya, holding Li Che’s arm, wore an expression of deep worry.

“Husband—so that is King Ping Luan… Ji Mo Li?”

“They say he is ruthless, with countless victims. And that little Prince Ji Haihui… he once threatened to make XiXi his concubine. Could it be that he holds XiXi responsible for Ji Haihui’s death?”

Zhang Ya was clearly very anxious.

Such a merciless man is best avoided at all costs.

“Don’t worry. XiXi is the personal disciple of our sect leader. With him watching over her, nothing will happen.”

Li Che patted his wife’s trembling hand reassuringly, his gentle words easing her worry.

Soon, Zhang Ya felt at ease, as Li Che’s calm tone always dissipated her concerns.

After their walk, Li Che went up to the top-floor pavilion.

There, Lü Taibai sat, polishing his Taibai Sword.

“You’re here?”

Li Che nodded, selecting a chair and expertly beginning to brew tea.

“What was your impression of Ji Mo Li the first time you met him?”

Lü Taibai sipped the tea brewed by Li Che and replied,

“Remarkably powerful.”

Li Che said gravely.

It was indeed formidable—even though Li Che’s own strength had improved considerably, especially thanks to the Dragon Elephant Furnace which greatly bolstered his body’s capacity.

This allowed him to trigger the explosion of up to six Divine Seeds—

But against Ji Mo Li, even a fierce battle gave him less than a ten percent chance.

The real issue was that Li Che couldn’t fathom the deep-seated legacy of Ji Mo Li. Such power was not easily comprehended.

Even though Li Che had managed to kill Yue Huanglong—a top-tier powerhouse—there was still an insurmountable gap.

No matter how close Yue Huanglong was to the pinnacle, opening even a sliver of the Heavenly Gate was still a far cry from top-tier mastery.

That gap lay in the realm of the double rankings!

The martial saint’s Heavenly Gate had ten guardians, the epitome of Great Jing Court’s martial prowess.

Li Che understood that he still lagged behind those elite ten.

After all, Li Che’s ability to tap into transcendent power was born from an explosive burst of the Qimen Divine Seed.

But could those elite warriors not also unleash their divine seeds?

Li Che refused to believe that their mortal frames would shatter under the impact of two or three Divine Seed explosions.

While five might be excessive, two or three without major side effects should be manageable.

Thus, if his adversary could also trigger a Divine Seed burst and break through human limits—

Li Che’s advantage would vanish.

Ultimately, only by greatly strengthening one’s own cultivation could one prevail—

Li Che had only just stepped into the Qi Sea Realm and re-entered the realm of the martial saint. He still had a long way to go compared to the top experts.

His room for improvement was vast!

And those top experts, unless they reached the Divine Tribulation or became true Martial Gods, had little room to grow further!

“Strength is one thing. The Heavenly Gate and the Divine Genealogy—set by the Grand Inspector of the Imperial Watch—are utterly inscrutable. I reckon his cultivation has already touched upon the Divine Tribulation realm,”

Lü Taibai said in a low tone.

At this, Li Che paused mid-sip, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes.

“Divine Tribulation?!”

“Wasn’t it said that no one in this era could survive the Divine Tribulation?”

Fang Han Shu had once explained that a Divine Tribulation cultivator could not exist in this mortal realm.

Once one reached the Divine Tribulation, they had to face innumerable calamities. Though their lifespan might extend significantly,

each trial was a near-death ordeal, fraught with mortal danger.

Thus, Divine Tribulation cultivators would often retreat into Minor Caverns of the Heavens to avoid disaster.

Yet they couldn’t remain hidden forever, or their cultivation would stagnate, leading to a slow, inevitable decline.

So most would shelter in the mysterious depths of the Four Emperors or the Sanqing Bizarre Temple, where they could cultivate their divine essence and evade calamity.

“This is mere conjecture—and even Divine Tribulation cultivators can still operate in the mortal realm,”

Lü Taibai said with a wry smile.

“For instance, the three incarnations of Xiao Lingyin Temple and Ji Mo Li’s heavenly avatar are all manifestations devised to defy calamity.”

Lü Taibai’s gaze grew solemn.

Li Che, still absorbed in his tea, momentarily looked puzzled.

“That said, the Divine Genealogy and the Heavenly Gate arranged by the Grand Inspector remain nearly infallible. So, Ji Mo Li’s strength might indeed surpass mine—both of us safeguarding our own trump cards.”

“Our hidden trump cards remain a mystery until we clash for real.”

Lü Taibai’s expression hardened as he spoke of Ji Mo Li.

Li Che took a deep breath, his eyes turning even sterner.

“Sect Leader, Ji Mo Li intends to kill me,”

Li Che stated gravely.

Lü Taibai merely smiled wryly.

“Why?”

Li Che exhaled, “No reason is needed.”

“Perhaps it’s connected to the Jin Guang Mansion incident. After all, Ji Haihui—my doing—died at his hands.”

“The Divine Monkey killed Xue Dufu and Ji Haihui. At that Temple Spirit Resonance, I even managed to restrain his attempt to manifest a heavenly avatar!”

Li Che said in a calm tone.

Lü Taibai’s face turned expressionless.

Li Che, who had reached only a nascent grandmaster level in Jin Guang Mansion, risked everything to disrupt King Ping Luan’s schemes.

That took remarkable courage!

“In Divine Capital, you can be secure—even if Ji Mo Li wishes to kill you, he won’t dare act openly. In fact, he rarely moves without caution in this city,”

Lü Taibai consoled him.

“He isn’t yet at the point of ignoring the rules.”

Li Che could only murmur in agreement, though he remained tense. After all, though Ji Mo Li abides by certain limits in Divine Capital, when he dons the Hunter King mask, rules can quickly go out the window.

As for whether the top experts in Divine Capital would intervene if Ji Mo Li transformed into a ruthless killer, that remained uncertain.

Li Che dared not pin his hopes on others.

Even Lü Taibai and Li Che himself had little hope left.

After all, Lü Taibai was Lü Taibai—

and he was, ultimately, Li Che’s Spiritual Confinement.

Inside the lavish residence,

Lu Chi, dressed in sumptuous garments, stood with deference by the side of a dignified woman, holding a porcelain cup of steaming tea. “Mother, please have some tea.”

Lu Chi’s expression was impassive yet respectful.

“By my calculations, the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s treasure ships should arrive at Divine Capital any moment now,”

The graceful woman received the tea cup, gently caressing it.

“Yes, in about two or three days,”

Lu Chi replied.

“Traveling from the Lingnan Path to Divine Capital via the Grand Canal takes roughly fifteen days,”

Lu Chi said.

Mo Lao also stood at a respectful distance. After all, the woman before him was Lu Chi’s biological mother, the most favored consort of the Great Jing Emperor, Ji Yan.

Hailing from the illustrious Ji Family—the third great clan in Divine Capital—her status was extraordinary.

Moreover, Ji Yan was not only Lu Chi’s mother but also the mother of the Third Prince. Ji Yan rarely appeared at Lu Chi’s residence, but recently she had been visiting frequently.

Mo Lao’s eyes drooped slightly, a hint of curiosity stirring within him.

But remembering the National Teacher’s advice, he held his speculation.

“Very well—I’ve already dispatched men to surveil a wharf outside the Ninth City of Divine Capital. Once the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s treasure ships dock, we shall move. Everything you need, Mother, has been prepared.”

Consort Ji blew away the steam from the tea cup with her ruby lips.

Lu Chi’s eyes flashed with confusion, “Mother, what exactly have you prepared for me?”

Yet Consort Ji didn’t so much as look his way. After taking a sip of tea, with a slight frown she nonchalantly returned the tea, uttering two cool words:

“Matrimonial proposal.”

Even Lu Chi, despite his blunted emotions, recoiled at the words.

In the distance, Mo Lao couldn’t help but look up.

“M-matrimonial proposal? To whom?”

“Naturally, to that little girl from Feilei City—the one you fancy. Though she is Lü Taibai’s personal disciple, as a prince you should still secure this alliance to gain Lü Taibai as a powerful patron.”

Consort Ji said coolly.

“After all, even if she comes from a humble background, it could still elevate your status as a royal relative—she did give birth to a fine daughter.”

After bidding farewell to Lü Taibai, Li Che entered the pavilion where Zhao Fangzhou and Monitor Hong Shifo were deep in a game of chess.

When Li Che arrived, Monitor Hong Shifo narrowed his eyes in excitement and beckoned him over.

“Li Ban-Sheng, care for a game?”

Hearing this, Zhao Fangzhou, disheartened, immediately slammed his chess piece down and left his seat.

“At last, freedom!” he muttered.

Li Che smiled, sat down, and nonchalantly picked up chess pieces from the box to engage Monitor Hong Shifo.

With the Chess Sage Dao Fruit in play, Li Che’s chess skills were unnaturally precise.

After a short while, Monitor Hong Shifo’s expression darkened to pitch black—playing with Li Che was even more excruciating than playing against XiXi.

At least XiXi would eventually end it quickly.

But Li Che, methodically tormenting him without letting him win or lose, made every move obvious and prearranged—as if he were a national master even at a simple game of Gomoku.

“This is absurd,”

Monitor Hong Shifo almost flipped the board, but Li Che held it down.

“My apologies, Monitor, but may I ask a favor?”

Li Che said with a smile.

Monitor Hong Shifo shook his head, his face twitching, “If it’s a favor, then forget it.”

Li Che chuckled, “Once we reach Divine Capital, I hope you can put in a good word to help me secure the qualification for a Special Guest Minister assessment.”

He said with a smile.

Monitor Hong Shifo exhaled, “Not a problem. Li Ban-Sheng, being a Divine Eagle Half-Saint, you can bypass the first round and directly enter the Special Guest Minister assessment. It’s one of the perks of your status.”

“If needed, I have a few favors in Divine Capital that might even expedite your process,”

Monitor Hong Shifo added. He hailed from the prestigious Hong Family of Divine Capital—a family with deep historical roots. Though not as dominant as the Gongshu Family of the Grand Inspector, they still commanded respectable recognition.

Li Che, pleased by this, ceased his chess game, stood up, and bowed deeply in thanks.

Monitor Hong Shifo’s assistance was well appreciated; otherwise, obtaining a Special Guest Minister assessment was a convoluted process involving several months of applications and selections.

In Divine Capital, every Special Guest Minister assessment was a major event.

It was said that each candidate’s assessment was unique, requiring ample preparation in advance.

Seeing Ji Mo Li’s icy, ruthless aura had Li Che anxious to expedite his process.

Ji Mo Li had anticipated nearly everything—even without evidence, he was capable of murder without proof.

Though XiXi, as Lü Taibai’s personal disciple, commanded respect, it was all mere show—given their mutual enmity, Ji Mo Li was all too willing to kill her and unsettle Lü Taibai.

Thus, Li Che resolved to become a Special Guest Minister in Divine Capital as soon as possible, even if it meant being high-profile.

He believed that only by attracting the attention of Divine Capital’s top experts could he force Ji Mo Li to hesitate.

Li Che then stepped out onto the railing, his hands resting on it as he gazed out over the mist-shrouded river, where the sound of ancient bells echoed from the Mud Pellet Palace.

His body had grown supremely powerful, poised on the brink of breaching the Divine Nucleus realm.

However, having just broken into the Martial Saint realm, Li Che still needed to consolidate his strength before attempting the Divine Nucleus breakthrough.

Moreover, he needed to absorb the Temple Spirit’s power, sealed within the Cosmic Chessboard.

His Divine Essence Golden Pill had already perfected the Breath Retention Transformation, yet he had not yet advanced to the transformation of the Divine Nucleus.

After the fierce clash, Li Che sensed that the 【Fa Tian Xiang Di Luminous True Primate】 Divine Essence Golden Pill within the Mud Pellet had reached its apex.

It was time—

to step into the Divine Nucleus realm!

“To become a Special Guest Minister of the Imperial Watch, one’s divine cultivation is critical. I once showcased the might of my Divine Essence Golden Pill; now breaking through to the Divine Nucleus is simply a matter of time.”

“One year to bridge from Divine Essence to Divine Nucleus—it’s perfectly reasonable.”

Li Che smiled.

As the thought crossed his mind, Li Che strolled to the bow of the Nine-Layer Yellow Dragon Xuanmu Treasure Ship.

The bow of the ship curved upward, revealing a sharply projecting tip.

Seated at the bow, Li Che’s dark robe fluttered in the wind.

Snowflakes, as large as hands, drifted down from the sky.

They cascaded in torrents.

When they touched Li Che, an invisible force evaporated them instantly.

Below deck,

XiXi tugged on Zhang Ya’s hand and timidly peered out.

She had been delighted these past days, for it meant she could see both Mother and Father every day.

“Mother, what are Father and you doing?”

XiXi asked curiously.

Zhang Ya scratched her head, equally uncertain.

No one chose to disturb Li Che.

After all, Li Che was no ordinary man—he was the Divine Eagle Half-Saint, perhaps even communing with the heavens.

Many prodigies revered him for his status.

Not only the children but countless cultivators aboard the treasure ship remained quiet in his presence.

Nie Yang, Li Qingshan, Zhao Fangzhou, and others chose not to interfere.

Indeed, Nie Yang even offered his sword to guard Li Che.

Atop the pavilion,

Lü Taibai strolled out, his silver hair streaming, his wide sleeves billowing. He cast a curious glance at Li Che meditating at the bow, a strange light in his eyes.

Carrying the chessboard, Monitor Hong Shifo appeared at Lü Taibai’s side, “Elder Li has asked me to expedite the matters concerning the Imperial Watch’s Special Guest Minister assessment. It seems Ji Mo Li has pressured Elder Li considerably.”

“Pressure is inevitable when dealing with Ji Mo Li—and he harbors murderous intent,”

Lü Taibai said flatly.

“Elder Li, what is he planning?”

Monitor Hong Shifo squinted, calculating Li Che’s purpose. Moments later, his face twitched, “He intends to—”

Lü Taibai’s brows arched as the divine energies swirling in the heavens revealed Li Che’s true aim.

“He intends to… breach the Divine Nucleus?”

Lü Taibai’s expression suddenly darkened.

“Has he lost his mind?!”

Yet Lü Taibai recalled Li Che’s prodigious martial talent as the Underworld Divine Monkey possessing Martial Saint strength.

Perhaps, indeed, Li Che could successfully break through to the Divine Nucleus?

But Lü Taibai couldn’t help feeling a tinge of disquiet.

According to Li Che’s records—

How long had he been cultivating? From Feilei City until now—

Only six years. From nurturing oneself to reaching the Divine Nucleus stage!

Even Lü Taibai found it startlingly fast.

Had Li Che become… impatient?

Could the mounting pressure from Ji Mo Li have driven him to haste?

That was hardly good news.

A forced breakthrough in the Divine Nucleus, if it failed, would have catastrophic consequences.

But Li Che had already entered a mode of rapid consolidation.

Even Lü Taibai could not stop him.

Suddenly, Lü Taibai smiled, “It appears he plans to make a sensational debut in Divine Capital—using his reputation to force Ji Mo Li into a cautious stance…”

“Our unassuming Elder Li is set to throw his hat in the ring rather flamboyantly this time.”

Lü Taibai’s wide sleeves billowed as his eyes sparkled.

“It begins!”

“After six years of cultivation, turning nurtured essence into a Divine Nucleus—”

“After a decade of overlooked labor, one’s Divine Nucleus will make the world take notice!”