Chapter 339: The Immortal Feast

Bang—

A chilly breeze still swept through the air, though its bite had softened from the piercing cold of midwinter.

Snowflakes fell, now delicate and thin, melting almost immediately upon touching the ground.

On the branches, many tender buds unfurled, vibrant green and teeming with life, heralding the arrival of early spring.

In the courtyard.

Children sat cross-legged on the ground, their faces brimming with excitement and anticipation. Youngsters always brimmed with curiosity, a craving for novelty and competitiveness.

For them, taking part in the Immortal Peach Tournament was a source of immense pride—a chance to spar with prodigies from the Divine Sect, Daocheng, and even the Divine Capital.

Such a challenge was irresistibly attractive to these fiercely competitive youngsters.

Within the clan’s Dragon Child Register, fierce rivalries abounded, not to mention the intensity of the Immortal Peach Tournament.

At Qianyuan Divine Sect, XiXi currently ranked first on the Dragon Register. However, figures like Lü Qingxuan and Yang Yi harbored some resentment, for the ranking was determined by the ancestral Patriarch’s edict on the Cosmic Dao Inscription Plaque left behind.

Though dissatisfied, they kept their feelings to themselves.

In recent days, not only had XiXi advanced to the Divine Vision realm; even Lü Qingxuan and Yang Yi, freshly ten years old, had attained the Divine Vision stage in their spiritual cultivation.

Of course, compared to XiXi who reached Divine Vision at age six, their achievements at ten could not match up.

Yet this Immortal Peach Tournament wasn’t about age or early breakthroughs—it was a true test of skill and battle record!

None of them was willing to admit defeat, especially not to a six-year-old.

Take Lü Qingxuan, for example. Once ranked first on the Dragon Register, he felt his natural talent paled in comparison to Li Nuǎnxi; but he was determined—after all, he had started training four years before XiXi!

He vowed to dominate this tournament and spread the fame of Qianyuan Divine Sect far and wide!

At such a tender age, their sense of clan honor burned bright.

So every child was giving it their all.

During the three days of preparatory fasting, they practiced diligently, their fighting spirits soaring. When the time came, they all calmly settled down to focus.

They drew forth the inner divine energy from their Mud Pellets, channeling it into their Immortal Peach Branches.

Almost immediately, XiXi, seated cross-legged, felt a surge of information streaming through her Immortal Peach Branch.

【Participant: Li Nuǎnxi】

【Xi Wangmu’s Divine Essence: Three Strands】

【Qualification Verified – Eligible for the Dragon Child Feast】

【Preparations Complete. Will you proceed?】

XiXi’s eyes sparkled as her tiny body shuddered with excitement and anticipation.

At last…

At last, she could finally fight with abandon!

After two and a half years of grueling training, the mighty XiXi Emperor was ready to reemerge!

Her eyes gleamed brightly as she clenched her chubby fists, determination blazing in her heart!

Her rosy, Gatling-like weapon was practically vibrating with an eager hunger!

“Cultivation Master!”

XiXi excitedly called out to Lü Taibai, “The feast is ready—XiXi can now proceed!”

She raised her hand high.

At once, the children, who had been meditating with their Immortal Peach Branches awaiting a match, opened their eyes and looked at XiXi with a tinge of envy.

Lü Taibai, sitting under the eaves and brewing tea with Zhao Fangzhou, raised his silver eyebrows at her shout.

“So soon?”

“Then give it your best. Even if you lose, don’t cry. We learn from our failures, understand our shortcomings, and improve,” he said with a smile.

Lü Taibai chuckled warmly.

Hearing this, XiXi pouted, her little nose wrinkling. “Master, XiXi doesn’t cry over losses. Only losers cry, and XiXi never loses!”

From afar, Li Che stepped out from his secluded room. Sensing that XiXi had found an opponent, he leisurely left his practice.

“Father!”

XiXi waved excitedly.

“Go, have fun.”

“Even if you lose, it’s okay.”

Li Che ruffled XiXi’s hair affectionately.

But XiXi soon grew upset—why was no one backing her, not even a single person?

Right behind her, Jin Taisui mumbled, “XiXi, you won’t lose!”

His voice was firm.

He too had received an Immortal Peach Branch as a disciple of Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Even though he was the young apprentice of Witch God Mountain, he now stood merely as a disciple of Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Jin Taisui did not resist and decided to give it a try.

Instantly, XiXi flashed a sweet smile in his direction, leaving Jin Taisui awestruck and blushing as he lowered his head.

Li Che quickly tugged at XiXi’s chubby cheeks to make her stop radiating that enchanting charm.

Zhang Ya, Li Qingshan, and Granny Mu, among others, hurried over upon hearing the news.

They seemed to be sending her off to battle as if on a grand expedition.

In this charged atmosphere, XiXi’s fighting spirit soared even higher—she knew she must win, for only victory would keep her parents proud!

“Go on,”

Li Che patted her head softly.

XiXi lifted her head high, brimming with resolve.

At that moment, she made up her mind to attend the feast!

Buzzing atop her Immortal Peach Branch, a streak of divine energy shot out like lightning and wrapped around her.

It felt as though a violent gust had enveloped XiXi, forming an intricate array above her head.

Through the swirling mists, the ghostly image of a dignified, regal woman appeared, arms slowly outstretched, as if to embrace.

It seemed to enclose her gently.

Once the turbulent winds subsided, all that remained was XiXi’s Immortal Peach Branch infused with divine energy, suspended amidst the ethereal formation.

And XiXi herself had vanished from sight.

Zhang Ya clutched Li Che’s arm, her face showing a hint of worry. “Husband—could this be dangerous?”

Li Che smiled warmly, patting her hand. “No, Master Taibai said that the Xi Wangmu divine essence within the Peach Branch provides protection. If death is imminent, the divine energy will sacrifice itself in her place.”

“And once that divine substitution is triggered, it means the feast challenge is lost, and the participant will be sent back to where the Peach Branch is.”

To Li Che, the Peach Branch served as a coordinate anchor, similar to the function of his Feilei Chess Sage.

However, for him, its teleportation effect was fixed and a bit lackluster—the delay before transfer was too long.

It took nearly two or three breaths, making instantaneous teleportation impossible.

For Li Che, it was rather mediocre and posed risks during a desperate escape.

Lü Taibai mentioned that the Empress had indeed enlisted the Imperial Watch’s help to research a Peach Branch with teleportation effects, with some promising results.

“Cultivation Master! I—I can also attend the feast now!”

From a distance, Yun’e cradled a chubby rabbit while holding an Immortal Peach Branch, exclaiming in astonishment.

Lü Taibai stood up as the early spring breeze filled the air, his broad sleeves swirling dramatically.

“If any of you can attend the feast, just go ahead—whether you win or lose, don’t let it get to you. Learn from your mistakes, assess your gaps with your opponent, and improve.”

Lü Taibai continued, “May each of you savor your own victory feast at the Dragon Tournament!”

His words echoed throughout the courtyard.

Numerous children stood up, saluting solemnly with clasped fists.

Yun’e bowed slightly and, like XiXi, chose to attend the feast.

Soon, Lü Qingxuan, Yang Yi, Zhou Peng, and others received their invitations from the Immortal Peach Branch.

In an instant, the playground in Qianyuan Courtyard, once crowded with children, cleared out.

Only a few Immortal Peach Branches, emitting a faint divine glow, remained suspended in the air.

“Li Che, Xiao Ya—come watch XiXi’s performance. This is the little girl’s first official spar with other prodigies of the Divine Sect,”

Lü Taibai’s five fingers closed around one Immortal Peach Branch that glowed with a soft golden light, now in his hand.

“This is the Ten-Thousand-Year Immortal Peach Branch distributed by the Empress for every Divine Sect leader to vie for the admission ticket to the Ten-Thousand-Year Immortal Peach feast.”

“It’s early yet, but this branch isn’t trivial. It allows one to observe the feast and see the performance of the selected prodigies.”

Hearing this, Li Che led Zhang Ya to the eaves.

Li Qingshan and Granny Mu curiously edged closer as Lü Taibai said no more.

With a gentle wave of his hand, the Ten-Thousand-Year Immortal Peach Branch shimmered.

Buzz—

Everyone saw the light change before a cascade of gleaming streams fell like countless beams. The surroundings shifted as if one were traversing through time and space.

They found themselves in the opulent halls of the Divine Temple.

The temple was immense and towering—like an arena with a roof. Tier upon tier of steps encircled the space, each adorned with tables laden with exquisite delicacies, spiritual fruits, and celestial brews.

Li Che’s heart stirred as he reached for the sumptuous food on one of the tables, only to have his hand pass through it effortlessly.

“Is this some kind of dreamlike illusion?”

Li Che wondered in amazement.

“It’s as if the scene of an ancient immortal peach feast has been recreated. We merely descend our consciousness to assume the role of the immortals and observe the banquet,” explained Lü Taibai.

Li Che quickly understood, casting his gaze forward to the front of the temple.

There, high above, a colossal Divine Eagle loomed, overshadowing the temple. It was the imposing figure of a stately, elegant woman dressed in gorgeous, flowing robes—a regal figure akin to the Mother of all Immortals.

Just one glance from Li Che sent a powerful shockwave through him, as if the spiritual embryo within his Mud Pellet were being utterly suppressed by her terrifying aura.

It was of the Three Pure Ones’ caliber!

The Xi Wangmu Temple Spirit statue!

So exquisite!

Every carved detail was flawless and impeccable. It was as though the Xi Wangmu Temple Spirit was about to come alive, her divine energy awe-inspiring and formidable!

Li Che’s heart trembled in shock!

Not only was he stunned by the lifelike Xi Wangmu Temple Spirit of the Three Pure Ones’ rank,

but he was also amazed that the so-called preliminary feast was held inside the temple, recreating the scene of an ancient immortal peach banquet when countless immortals rushed to Xi Wangmu’s celebration.

Were there really countless immortals and gods present?

And why had these mighty beings fallen to become temple guardians, spreading divine energy among mortals like mushrooms after rain?

As the power of the Bizarre Temple grew stronger, Li Che felt a deep sense of awe and trepidation.

“Husband, it’s XiXi!”

Zhang Ya’s exclamation snapped Li Che from his thoughts. He turned to see her excitedly pointing to the center of the grand hall.

Though distant, Li Che could clearly perceive everything.

“It’s begun—” Li Che murmured.

At the same time, Li Che looked up across the temple.

On the opposite side, golden lights flickered as more participants arrived to observe the feast.

Undoubtedly, like him, they were there to witness the prodigies of their sect.

Li Che noticed a series of dark, imposing armors.

Lü Taibai sat beside Li Che and smiled, “Those cold, heavy iron armors… It appears that XiXi’s opponent this round is from the True Martial Divine Sect’s prodigy group.”

“True Martial Divine Sect…”

“Is this her first encounter with a Dragon Child from the Divine Sect?”

Lü Taibai squinted slightly, tapping his fingers. “This is just too coincidental, isn’t it?”

After being enveloped by Xi Wangmu’s divine energy and experiencing a dizzying whirl, XiXi reappeared in a grand hall.

The temple was magnificent, with towering steps on either side resembling mountains, each laden with a different Divine Eagle statue in varied poses.

These were the immortals invited by Xi Wangmu!

The majestic halls of the Bizarre Temple!

XiXi’s little hands trembled with excitement. In this atmosphere, facing her opponent, she was determined to crush her enemy and force them to kneel before the mighty XiXi Emperor.

It was a uniquely dazzling spectacle!

Raising her head high, XiXi placed her hands on her hips, puffing out her little belly. Though it wasn’t as pronounced as when she was younger, she maintained her trademark stance.

This was the signature move of the XiXi Emperor.

Since apprenticing under Lü Taibai, XiXi had rarely experienced a true battle. Her last encounter with another prodigy was during an assessment by Lü Taibai’s direct disciples.

But that wasn’t a genuine fight at all.

Thus, XiXi felt it had been far too long since her last real battle.

No matter— for the XiXi Emperor, a few hardships were nothing more than a passing chill.

XiXi landed in the center of the vast temple arena. The floor was laid with smooth, polished bluestone, and afar, beams of light descended upon tables. However, the hazy glow only revealed vague silhouettes of sumptuous dishes.

With a playful whoosh, XiXi retracted her drooling tongue.

For Father, for Mother, and for the food!

Battle!

Buzz— roar!

A surge of divine energy rippled through the arena.

At the center of the massive arena, a lithe figure emerged. As the light receded, a stocky, armored figure came into view—a presence so imposing he looked older than many adults.

In front of XiXi, he appeared like a giant compared to her small, childlike form.

The armored figure, clad in clanging black armor, shifted his gaze towards XiXi.

Though XiXi was already six years old and only about 1.2 meters tall, compared to his towering figure, she looked like a mere runt.

“Tcyong You of True Martial Divine Sect, Shi Ming!”

The imposing figure lowered his head and said gravely, “I’m fourteen.”

Almost as if to emphasize, he added, “I really am fourteen—I just look mature beyond my years.”

His booming voice resonated with a mighty, relentless force!

“From Lingnan Dao of Qianyuan Divine Sect, Li Nuǎnxi!”

XiXi looked up at her towering opponent, a brilliant smile lighting her adorable face.

“I’m six!”

That dazzling smile left the burly Shi Ming momentarily dazed.

“You can call me XiXi Emperor,” she teased.

“Then I shall address you as my wretched subject!”

XiXi posed with hands on her hips, her cheeks dimpled as if aglow in spring.

Shi Ming tilted his head, his eyes flashing with bewilderment.

XiXi Emperor? This little girl dares to address him so?

Could it be she intends to rebel at such a tender age?

Shi Ming frowned. Though he couldn’t be sure of XiXi’s true strength, her diminutive stature suggested she was barely five or six years old.

“Lucky break—you’ve picked up a dud,” Shi Ming remarked coolly.

Yet he wasn’t entirely dismissive. Despite not knowing her full cultivation, he sensed a dangerous threat emanating from her.

Clearly, this little girl posed a significant risk!

Boom!

Without further ado, Shi Ming decided to test her strength. With a powerful step, dense, pure qi surged from him!

In a swift motion, he wielded his broad-bladed saber. A dazzling flash of Divine Guts burst out as his aura exploded!

Scorching heat erupted like a coiled serpent as the saber swung in a ferocious arc!

Boom!

In an instant, Shi Ming dived forward, his profound true intention rippling outward, enveloping him in a mighty field!

Gleaming, almost as if it were transforming into raw qi, the force roared, slicing through the temple’s bluestone!

His armor appeared to undulate as the inner energy surged, revealing a core forged like liquid black iron, flesh and blood beneath it all.

With clanging metallic sounds, his broad saber slashed fiercely at XiXi.

In midair, a half-moon shaped saber arc tore through the space with a whistling roar!

XiXi’s heart skipped a beat!

A half-step grandmaster? Oh—fourteen-year-olds can hardly be called grandmasters!

For a fourteen-year-old half-step grandmaster, such prowess might be impressive; but compared to XiXi, who had already stepped into the grandmaster realm at six, it was nothing!

Fourteen versus six—it only meant the older one was more seasoned!

XiXi’s hair-braided pigtails swayed as the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel began to glow. Her inner divine energy surged forth.

Sparks flew around her feet as the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel roared to life!

In a burst, XiXi soared upward accompanied by twin flames spiraling into the sky.

She narrowly evaded the forceful saber strike laden with potent true qi from Shi Ming.

Shi Ming’s eyes narrowed. Gripping his saber, his broad blade trembled, releasing a clamor of rambling saber light that whipped up into a chaotic vortex!

There was an unmistakable purity in his martial aura—a power that rivaled even the finest half-step grandmasters!

The raw, formidable qi around him forged a terrifying field, nearly cutting off every retreat as XiXi’s path became obstructed!

“Such pure qi—it surpasses that of ordinary half-step grandmasters! Reminds me of what Master said about Pure Martial Arts…”

“This explosive barrage makes it all the more thrilling!”

XiXi’s eyes lit up as she grabbed a blob of pink energy single-handedly.

The pink Namo Celestial Craft Gatling roared to life!

With her other hand, she clutched a Gold Brick!

Six metallic tubes emanated scorching heat. Under the flood of her divine energy, roiling energy began to glow red and arcane symbols flared up on their surfaces.

Then, as if an ancient beast had been provoked, it roared mightily, unleashing blinding light and intense heat!

Soon, barrage after barrage of Snow Avalanche Muduya, resembling tightly clutched cannonballs, blasted forth beams of dazzling gold and raw power!

Accompanied by the rotating six metallic tubes, streams of golden light erupted!

Clang, clang, clang—golden rays tore through the sky like meteors shattering the darkness, drawing long, golden tails as they slammed into Shi Ming’s blade-wrought qi!

The half-step grandmaster, whose presence was nearly that of a true grandmaster, winced as his eyes narrowed.

“What is this?!” he roared.

A madman indeed!

Boom, boom, boom—a sudden explosive release!

Furious gales roared and battered everything like a coiling dragon, waves of impact rolling endlessly!

“Ahahaha—!!!”

XiXi’s eyes shone like crystals as her adorable dimples beamed. With her feet on the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel, she zipped through the air, launching a full 360-degree barrage!

Li Che’s upgraded pink Xiangong Gatling, capable of two firepower modes, now unleashed its might!

The first mode was the low-powered “Snow Avalanche Muduya,” and the second, “Extreme Avalanche Muduya,” a fusion of black, white, and Great Avalanche techniques. Though slightly weakened, it posed a threat even to a grandmaster.

In the first round of the feast battle, XiXi showed no hesitation or mercy—she unleashed her maximum firepower!

Boom!

A deafening explosion resounded!

A cloud of dense smoke coalesced into a brilliant firework burst, releasing dazzling light and heat from the arena!

The roaring gales rippled out in concentric circles, blasting everything around!

After nearly sixty rounds of the extreme Snow Avalanche Muduya barrages, XiXi hoisted the smoldering Gatling, its six slowly decelerating metallic tubes coming to a halt, and exhaled deeply.

Li Che had prepared a thousand rounds of extreme Snow Avalanche Muduya for XiXi.

A mushroom cloud rose slowly…

XiXi, standing atop the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel with her clothes fluttering in the wind, eyed the towering figure emerging from the dissipating light.

Every step Shi Ming took made him tremble; his figure began to look transparent.

The Xi Wangmu divine essence had already started to coil around him.

This signified that Xi Wangmu’s essence had shielded him from a potentially fatal blow, costing him his chance to dine at the feast.

Shi Ming’s expression turned complex as he looked at the tiny figure hovering with divine weapons.

“This is unfair!”

Shi Ming looked upward, tears welling in his eyes as he yelled,

“How dare you, you arrogant little brat! Show me a real fight, where you land a solid blow!”

Boom!

A furious gust howled as Shi Ming’s form suddenly vanished, teleported away.

Silence reigned in the Divine Temple’s feast hall.

Moments later, the clanging of armor echoed as the True Martial Divine Sect’s warrior, Stone Jian, snorted coldly.

“Despicable.”

Lü Taibai laughed, “Stone Jian, you’re getting impatient now!”

“As long as you can win and make it to the table, that’s all that matters. Even if you lose, stop complaining. You should learn from your mistakes rather than calling it despicable—after all, it’s fourteen versus six, so why not call it what it is?”

Lü Taibai leaned back with a snort.

“If you can’t even overcome XiXi’s mechanisms or land a direct hit, how can you call yourself despicable?”

Stone Jian’s apparition glanced at Lü Taibai briefly before leaving with the others.

Zhang Ya cheered exuberantly, raising her fists, “We won! XiXi won!”

A warm smile graced Li Che’s lips.

After all, nothing forbade the use of technique during the feast—each participant showcased their true worth.

In the arena of the Divine Temple, after XiXi defeated Shi Ming, she soared on the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel toward the now-revealed banquet table.

The sumptuous food on the table gradually came into view.

A cup of steaming clear tea, a half-pink, half-green peach about the size of a baby’s fist.

XiXi paid no heed and plopped down before the table, delighted to savor the feast reward of victory!

She devoured peach after peach, gulping the tea heartily.

Unbeknownst to her, her body began to glow faintly!

“It’s getting warm…”

XiXi sweated as she ate, yet her excitement only grew with each bite.

Crunch, snap, crack—the sound echoed as she munched.

“The feast’s cuisine is rather modest—a cup of seven-yuan ‘Nurturing Spirit Tea’ and a ten-year-old small Immortal Peach—”

“But they are excellent. The tea stabilizes the newly awakened Divine Essence, and the peach greatly enhances her qi and blood.”

Lü Taibai glanced briefly at the feast spread on XiXi’s table and lost interest.

The preliminary feast was indeed sparse.

With a sweeping gesture of his divine energy, Li Che’s vision blurred as he vanished from the Divine Temple.

“As the feast progresses, the banquet will only improve,”

Lü Taibai said, “Li Che, you should begin preparing for the ‘Heroes’ Feast’ as well.”

Li Che nodded. Watching his daughter eat the Immortal Peach so eagerly made him a bit envious.

After the first feast concluded, Li Che bid farewell and returned to his secluded training.

Back in his room, Li Che retrieved the Four-Yu Upper Divine Crystal he had obtained from Yue Huanglong.

Then, as if recalling something, he flicked his finger.

Within the room, a black chess piece twisted and swelled, gradually forming into the shape of Yue Huanglong.

“Lord,” Yue Huanglong bowed respectfully.

“How much do you know about Consort Ji?” Li Che inquired.

Yue Huanglong hesitated only a moment before replying honestly. He was from the ancient Yue family and knew a few details about Consort Ji.

“Consort Ji, known by her given name Ji Yan, is the favored consort of the current Emperor. Her favor, however, seems aimed at balancing the Empress. In truth, the Emperor now appears to favor Su Da from the Su Family.”

“Ji Yan has a fiery temperament, likely due to past calamities. Her father once served in Jizhou, and she grew up there. After surviving an attack by the Corpse God Sect, thanks to Ji Mo Li, she became notoriously hot-tempered and controlling.”

“Later, when the Emperor held a selection for consorts, Ji Yan entered the palace as a member of the Ji Family, bearing the Third Prince and later ascending as the favored consort. She then gave birth to the little prince, Lu Chi.”

Yue Huanglong explained.

Li Che nodded thoughtfully.

“Her temperament is volatile, vengeful, and controlling—does that mean she holds grudges?”

Li Che spoke softly.

Yue Huanglong nodded in agreement.

Seated cross-legged in his room, Li Che felt the air stir as his dark hair fluttered.

In his palm, a white Feilei Chess Piece began to vibrate.

Within his eyes, intricate patterns seemed to weave across his vision.

“Ji Yan—attacked in Jizhou by the Corpse God Sect and rescued by Ji Mo Li—could it be connected to Ji Mo Li?”

Li Che narrowed his eyes.

Within his gaze, memories of Consort Ji returning to the Ji Family estate flashed—images of destruction, of outbursts, and of a plan to ally with the Su Family in Divine Capital against them.

A fierce glint flashed in Li Che’s eyes.

“Desperately trying to drag the Su Family into the fray?”

Li Che chuckled, “To say I ruined the Su Family is a gross misrepresentation—I gave them rebirth!”

He flicked his finger once more.

Almost immediately, Su Lei Ba’s form materialized. Wielding the Golden Dragon Slayer Blade, he bowed to Li Che.

“Lord!”

“Disguise yourself and approach that Su Family martial saint. Tell him the Third Prince has ordered Yue Huanglong to wipe out everyone in Divine Capital planning to relocate—including even a one-month-old child from Qiangbao.”

At these words, Su Lei Ba’s eyes flickered briefly.

“Here.”

Meanwhile, Yue Huanglong broke into an embarrassed smile, “Hehe—”

As if to say that if it weren’t intentional, would Old Su even believe it?

Had he known he would become a colleague in death, Yue Huanglong would never have gone so far—thus jeopardizing professional ties.

Su Lei Ba paid no further heed to that wretched wretch.

Yue Huanglong was taken into Mo City, while Su Lei Ba, empowered by the Sleeping Dragon Elephant and the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, quietly stepped out.

Li Che slowly exhaled.

“Mud-slinging—if the old head of the Su Family has been revived by me, what do you have to offer?”

“Let the dogs fight their dogs.”

Though the Divine Capital teemed with formidable cultivators, Li Che never allowed himself to be the one to suffer indignities.

During the quarrel between Lu Chi and Consort Ji, Li Che had slyly launched a chess piece at her.

Despite Consort Ji’s prestigious status, her strength was only average. The unpredictable behavior of a Ji Family daughter and a consort was somewhat understandable given her childhood traumas.

“But—her association with Ji Mo Li…”

Li Che’s eyes flashed with a strange light as he shook his head, dismissing the gossip.

In his grasp, the Four-Yu Upper Divine Crystal pulsed with pure, mighty divine energy, which was slowly drawn into his Mud Pellet along with his Spiritual Dao Fruit 【Pure Heart】.

The energy was absorbed, one Golden Pill after another.

Time passed unnoticed as outside, the sky alternated between light and dark.

Everything in the world grew quiet.

In unison—with each breath in and out, the universe fell silent, and the mind focused.

Li Che felt as though his entire being was enveloped in divine energy, with the Cosmic Chessboard spanning the heavens, blocking all probing eyes.

Time became an enigma.

Then, much like the sound of morning bells and evening drums, a resounding clamor shattered the silence.

Every heartbeat jolted the souls of heaven and earth.

At that moment, the world was clear—the extreme turned to tranquility!

Before his eyes, streams of milky white and black interlaced into words: 【Dao Fruit: Pure Heart (lv6 0%)】

Pure Heart!

Finally—transcendence achieved!