Chapter 343: Celestial Duel at the Divine Temple

In Divine Capital’s Heavenly Dome, thick leaden clouds slowly dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky.

The gentle winter sunshine bathed Yangji, imbuing the fragile layer of snow on the ground with a gradually melting warmth.

Li Che clenched the Immortal Peach Branch once more, as the overwhelming, imposing divine essence within the Mud Pellet at his brow began to dissipate like a slowly streaming column of condensed smoke.

With one hand, he grabbed a plump, dewy peach and bit into it; its juice splattered and a rich peach fragrance filled the air. Lü Taibai looked on in bewilderment at Li Che, who had just returned after entering and reemerging.

‘No…’

“Did you really go? And why are you back so soon?”

However, Lü Taibai noted an extra wisp of divine essence on the Immortal Peach Branch in Li Che’s hand – from three strands to four – proof that Li Che had indeed attended the banquet at the Western Queen Mother Bizarre Temple.

And he had defeated the champion sent by the Six Great Divine Sects. Quickly!

“Too fast!”

“That was hardly any time at all! Even his top-tier reaction would seem too swift.”

Could it be that for this heroic banquet the Six Great Divine Sects had sent a grandmaster warrior to confront Li Che?

Even though Li Che had only his divine cultivation at his disposal and had just broken through to the Divine Nucleus realm, could he really so easily overpower his opponent?

Even if Huang Mei Great Master’s side had underestimated him or merely been testing him – the first challenger being a grandmaster fixated on the Three Flowers – it shouldn’t have ended so quickly, should it?

Lü Taibai’s expression flickered with curiosity.

Perhaps Li Che’s speed was simply too astounding; the patriarchs and champions of the other Six Great Divine Sects hadn’t even reacted and hadn’t dispatched any champions to the banquet.

Thus, for a time, Li Che found no equal. Lü Taibai’s face grew strangely impassive.

He didn’t press Li Che for details – those who had used his Golden Immortal Peach Branch to enter the Divine Temple and spectate had not yet returned. In fact, their spirit-attached souls were likely still uncomfortably cold.

“Sect Leader, continue.”

Li Che smiled as he sat beneath the eaves, basking in the winter sunshine that broke through the dispersed leaden clouds, and began matching opponents once more. Lü Taibai suddenly seemed to understand something and grinned.

A weight lifted from his heart. He thought to himself…

Perhaps he had underestimated Elder Li.

After all, how could a being who had achieved the status of the Half-Saint Divine Eagle in such a short time—and who had spent merely six years advancing from the nurturing stage to the Divine Nucleus realm—lack depth and tactics?

Who said that the Underworld Divine Monkey was only physically potent?

Lü Taibai’s curiosity piqued; he was eager to see exactly how Li Che dismantled his opponent.

Glancing at XiXi, who was steadily gathering qi and whose flushed face resembled that of a red dragon fruit, Lü Taibai’s mind stirred. With a flick of his fingers, streams of sword qi coalesced into sword pellets that hovered around XiXi, guiding her martial will.

Originally, the breakthrough from grandmaster to great grandmaster largely depended on XiXi herself, with Lü Taibai merely offering guidance—a safeguard in case she faltered, so that he might rescue her in time.

After all, XiXi was very young. Despite having already undergone the foundational martial stages of channeling energy, tempering bones, and exchanging blood, the enormous surge of qi and divine guts accompanying a great grandmaster breakthrough could overwhelm her fragile flesh, meridians, and bone structure.

It might even lead to physical collapse, so vigilant monitoring was necessary.

Yet XiXi was not like the others. Perhaps only the First Young Dragon of the Seven Treasure Divine Sect could compare with the sheer number of divine weapons concealed within her. Even so, there was little point in comparing them.

For what resided in XiXi was never ordinary divine weaponry but true mythic weapons – a complete, systematic array nourished and empowered by divine essence. This endowed her body with strength far beyond that of a typical six-year-old.

Thus, charging towards the great grandmaster realm was not very risky. Lü Taibai was merely cautious.

He sent forth the sword pellets, which now circled around, closely monitoring XiXi’s condition. The moment her qi showed any imbalance, they would immediately block her breakthrough.

Then Lü Taibai cast a glance at Li Che, who sat under the eaves, nibbling on a peach he had brought from the banquet. His mind stirred as he established a connection with the Golden Immortal Peach Branch and re-entered the Divine Temple to review the banquet.

In an instant, streams of light danced before Lü Taibai’s eyes.

After watching, he fell silent – because…

It was all shockingly simple.

Li Che had stepped into the Divine Temple arena, and his opponent was likewise a Divine Nucleus cultivator from the Tian Dan Divine Sect – just as were XiXi’s opponents. It was as if these major sects had colluded.

The champion from Tian Dan Divine Sect, facing Li Che in the arena, unleashed a terrifying burst of divine essence from the Mud Pellets on both their brows at the moment the battle ignited.

Then… it was over.

The divine essence that poured forth from the spatial realm within Li Che’s Mud Pellet was vast and awe-inspiring, surging like relentless rivers. In one sweeping moment, it coalesced into a colossal, demonic figure, nearly mirroring Li Che himself – towering ten zhang high, entirely formed of condensed divine essence in a semi-transparent golden state, enclosing him completely.

The Tian Dan champion, a Divine Nucleus cultivator, was so overwhelmed by the sheer rank and pressure of Li Che’s divine essence that he barely moved. And yet, that gigantic figure delivered a crushing punch as if the very heavens and earth were breaking apart!

In a brutally simple motion, the champion from Tian Dan Divine Sect was smashed to pieces!

Ruthless! Direct!

There were no flashy divine secret techniques in the fray – just a straightforward punch that obliterated everything! “Was that… a divine secret technique?”

“A huge illusory figure resembling a primate – could it be a divine secret technique that summons the Temple Spirit’s image to battle?”

“In the Two-Hearted Great Sage Bizarre Temple, Li Che flawlessly demonstrated the triple-layered connotation of the Half-Saint Divine Eagle. In many ways, he is the one who understands the state of the Two-Hearted Great Sage better than anyone. So this Temple Spirit image… could it be the manifestation of the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s divine vision?”

Lü Taibai’s eyes lit up.

As a Divine Nucleus Great God himself, he immediately recognized the underlying principles behind Li Che’s divine secret technique.

“It somewhat resembles the Buddhist Vajra form of divine manifestation – except he has transformed it into the Temple Spirit’s image!”

“Coupled with the divine strength of the Three Pure Ones, it imposes tremendous limits on opponents of the same Divine Nucleus realm…” Lü Taibai burst into hearty laughter.

No wonder Elder Li is so steadfast – one punch is enough, and a second isn’t even necessary! As for the Six Great Divine Sect leaders…

It seems this wager might finally be won by the Qianyuan Divine Sect!

In the silence of Xiao Lingyin Courtyard,

the Tian Dan champion – the top prodigy of the Tian Dan Divine Sect’s Authentic Transmission Ledger and a direct disciple of Sect Leader Gu Changqing – now appeared utterly dejected.

He collapsed to the ground, his face pale as his divine essence was shattered in an instant.

Facing Li Che’s Fa Tian Xiang Di divine secret technique, he felt as though he were staring at an ancient god-demon – as if the very Temple Spirit had awakened from the depths of the underworld, rendering him utterly powerless against a peerless foe!

Even as a Divine Nucleus cultivator performing a one-god transformation, he had managed to form a second divine organ.

But it was of no use. The overwhelming pressure crushed him so completely that he could barely breathe. One punch…

Manifested through divine essence into an ethereal form that affected reality itself – not an illusion but a tangible, material force!

“I am defeated…” murmured Liu Qing.

It took but one breath for him to be vanquished. How… could the gap be this vast?

Though Li Che was an Elder of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, he was only twenty-five years old – the rules for heroic gatherings allowed ages between fifteen and fifty.

Liu Qing was already forty-eight – breaking through to the Divine Nucleus at that age was truly youthful. But Li Che was even younger!

Spending six years to progress from nurturing to Divine Nucleus, Liu Qing was extremely cautious. When he learned he would be the first to block Li Che’s banquet appearance, he did not underestimate or relax in the slightest.

He was all too aware of the terror that a true genius could inspire!

So he exerted himself to the fullest…

Yet Liu Qing preferred to believe that he hadn’t yet exhausted himself; otherwise, he could not allow himself the excuse of being careless when Li Che shattered him with a single, breath-taking blow.

Inside the courtyard, everything was eerily silent.

Gu Changqing, the patriarch of Tian Dan Divine Sect, withdrew from the Divine Temple’s observation platform with a grim expression. Even a top-tier fighter could not help but feel turbulent at this moment.

For the First Young Dragon and the top prodigy of the Tian Dan Divine Sect had both been defeated!

Gu Jiang and XiXi’s battle was somewhat acceptable – after all, XiXi had cunningly outwitted her opponent. But… for the Liu Qing whom Gu Changqing had pinned his hopes on, personally nurturing him with precious divine pills and even Tian Dan elixirs…

to be defeated in a single breath by Li Che!

Gu Changqing couldn’t help but wonder if all these years of investment in divine and Tian Dan elixirs had simply been wasted.

However, as a sect leader, he quickly composed himself, realizing that it wasn’t his disciples who were lacking, but rather that Elder Li of the Qianyuan Divine Sect…

was truly monstrous!

“His divine essence is powerful and his rank exceedingly high. Moreover, his divine secret technique – reminiscent of the Buddhist Vajra form – is terrifying. Even with his recent breakthrough to Divine Nucleus, his combat power is not to be underestimated.”

Gu Changqing tried to reassure his disciple with these words.

In the end, he summed it up: “It’s just that our Tian Dan disciples excel at refining elixirs but not at fighting.” Huang Mei Great Master, seated regally in the Buddha Chariot, couldn’t help but let his long eyebrows soar.

Glancing at the raggedly torn leaden clouds, the sunshine was dazzling.

Squinting, he said, “This kid… is indeed formidable.”

“After defeating the Tian Dan champion, he immediately re-entered the matching state. It seems he hardly expended any energy.” “For the Second Banquet, which sect will step forward to test the waters of the youngest Elder of Qianyuan Divine Sect?”

Huang Mei Great Master’s voice was deep and resonant.

Sure enough, Lü Taibai’s willingness to accept the wager exuded confidence. In the current situation, the odds were actually turning dangerous for the Six Great Divine Sects.

After Li Nuǎnxi defeated Gu Jiang and swallowed the Crimson Dragon-Blood Immortal Peach, she appeared on the verge of breaking through to great grandmaster. Once she consolidated her martial will and refined her divine guts, her shortcomings would be completely erased.

Coupled with her mastery of mechanical art and great grandmaster cultivation, which sect could possibly constrain her?

Huang Mei closed his eyes momentarily, his heart heavy.

“For the Second Banquet, let one of my disciples step forward.”

A clear, lilting voice echoed from a corner of the courtyard.

Huang Mei opened his eyes. Not only he, but Gu Changqing, Ning Caishen, Gu Cheng, and the other sect leaders all turned their gazes in that direction. However, the Ning Caishen of the Seven Treasure Divine Sect couldn’t help but frown.

“Ning Cai?”

Ning Caishen was taken aback that it was his own genius granddaughter, Ning Cai, speaking up.

“Sect Leader, let me step up for the Second Banquet… This guy is really strong… I want to give it a try – I’ve just mastered the Divine Weapon Summoning!” Ning Cai’s delicate features shone as her dark hair flared in the sunshine like polished glass.

She lifted her head, her bright eyes fixed, as the divine nucleus in her brow trembled slightly. “Perfect – let him test my Divine Weapon Summoning!”

Ning Cai laughed, her dimples blooming.

Ning Caishen sighed. He hadn’t wanted to be the one in the spotlight, but since his granddaughter had spoken up, he might as well test the strength of a formidable opponent. “My disciple might not even lose.”

Ning Cai grinned playfully.

Ning Caishen shook his head: “Li Che’s divine essence rank is at the level of the Three Pure Ones. The pressure it exerts is immense… and his divine secret technique, akin to the Buddhist Vajra form, is both offensive and defensive. To hurt him, you must first break his Divine Essence Technique.”

“But I’ve mastered the Divine Weapon Summoning…”

Ning Cai chuckled softly. With a graceful raise of her five fingers, an Immortal Peach Branch materialized in her fair palm. With a sudden squeeze, divine essence intertwined as she was instantly transported into the Divine Temple. Ning Caishen sighed, “Everyone, let’s watch this banquet… Perhaps this girl with her Divine Weapon Summoning still has a chance.”

As soon as his words faded, the Golden Immortal Peach Branch floated from his grasp, sweeping divine essence that bound everyone’s spirit as if enshrining them among the immortals.

B8888 – Inside the Divine Temple.

Clad in a dark ink robe embroidered with golden lotuses that fluttered in the wind, Li Che reappeared inside the temple. His mode of arrival differed somewhat from Lü Taibai’s method using the Golden Immortal Peach Branch’s spirit attachment.

After the banquet, his very flesh materialized within the Divine Temple – a temple that should be located within the Western Queen Mother Bizarre Temple.

Li Che could feel a tremendously oppressive force; even his divine nucleus at the Three Pure Ones rank pounded in alarm, as though subdued. Suddenly, a graceful figure emerged amid the undulating divine fluctuations.

Li Che recognized this as his next opponent. And surprisingly… it was a woman?

“I am Ning Cai of the Seven Treasure Divine Sect. It’s a pleasure, Elder Li!” the pretty Ning Cai said with a solemn bow.

She opened with proper etiquette, and Li Che replied courteously, “Li Che of Qianyuan Divine Sect.”

Ning Cai’s long eyelashes fluttered as her luminous eyes fixed on Li Che, the honest Half-Saint Divine Eagle she had heard about since his return from Daocheng.

On the surrounding observation platform, one immortal after another was illuminated – a sign that spectators had come to watch.

Moreover, this time the audience far exceeded that of the First Banquet; it seemed that those who had previously been slow to react had now rushed in to see just how quickly Li Che managed his feats!

“Elder Li, I beg your pardon.”

Ning Cai raised her hand and touched her brow. In the next instant, threadlike strands of divine essence were drawn out from him. She then landed briskly and soared into the air.

Her pure white hands swiftly formed intricate hand seals, chanting as divine ripples emanated before her hands were forcefully thrust forward! Countless divine lights burst forth.

Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped wildly, and his deep, dark eyes reflected a multitude of dazzling divine lights. When the radiance subsided,

Li Che looked on in stunned silence.

Above him, innumerable divine weapons hovered in mid-air! The sheer number… easily numbering in the hundreds, all of Sixth Division rank!

They formed an overwhelming deluge! With a resounding roar, at Ning Cai’s command, the divine weapons pummeled down onto Li Che!

Li Che seemed like a giant magnet as he absorbed them all – boom, boom, boom –

The incessant explosions echoed as the white jade floor trembled at a high frequency, raising swirling clouds of dust. In the next moment, a colossal form of divine essence materialized!

Standing ten zhang tall with arms outstretched, all the divine weapons were repelled in a single blow.

Ning Cai’s eyes shone as she hovered in the air. In a gust of wind, she vanished in an instant. As her long, goose-yellow skirt billowed, the air itself seemed to shatter into a web of cracks.

Propelled by a powerful thrust like a siege crossbow’s bolt, her landing was accompanied by the roar of surging waves! That seemingly sweet-eyed girl revealed herself to be a martial saint with a body honed by blood and steel!

The geniuses dispatched by the major sects for the heroic banquet – all of whom had been meticulously nurtured from within the divine sects – were at least of the Martial Saint or Divine Nucleus transformation level.

Yet most were only at the initial stage of Martial Saint followed by a one-god transformation. After all, the age limit was strict!

“Chì—!”

In an instant, Ning Cai’s eyes blazed as if on fire; her qi surged and connected with the soaring divine weapons. In a resounding clatter, those weapons coalesced into a massive divine sword!

In comparison, Ning Cai looked insignificantly small against the giant divine sword.

She gripped its hilt firmly and thrust it toward Li Che, who was concealed within his Fa Tian Xiang Di formation – with a mighty stab! Thud—!!!

The divine sword plunged fiercely into Li Che’s formation, sending ripples of invisible shock waves outward. Ning Cai’s face shifted in surprise.

Could it be… that she hadn’t pierced through?

This was a triple combo – the fusion of divine essence, martial prowess, and divine weapons! How could one sword, combining all three, fail to rupture his formation?! “So tough…”

Ning Cai took a deep breath, a grave look in her eyes.

Yet she felt relieved – at least she had forced a reaction from Elder Li. His formation wasn’t as fragile as it appeared!

Li Che’s jet-black hair fluttered as he stood quietly within his Fa Tian Xiang Di protection, shielded by countless divine weapons arranged like a massive sword. “So you did study mechanical art… and even integrated it into that move?” he remarked in admiration.

Li Che praised,

“This is the secret art of the Seven Treasure Divine Sect – Divine Weapon Summoning. At present, I can only summon Sixth Division divine weapons; otherwise… I’d be able to shatter your defenses.”

Ning Cai’s bright eyes gleamed. She knew that although Elder Li’s divine essence was extraordinarily potent, his martial prowess was only that of a great grandmaster.

His Fa Tian Xiang Di formation was incredibly troublesome – with its Three Pure Ones rank pressure and its resemblance to the Buddhist Vajra formation, it was both impenetrable and fiercely offensive.

It was simply too formidable!

Thus, Ning Cai had only one option:

To blast through the formation, create an opening, and then close in for a close-quarters fight with Li Che.

“Boom!”

Ning Cai’s eyes shone with excitement as she executed her move!

The explosion was reminiscent of the awe-inspiring bursts of fireworks XiXi once admired. With a sudden clench of her five fingers,

her Divine Weapon Summoning surged, and the surface of the massive divine sword – forged from countless Sixth Division divine weapons – was covered in an intricate web of cracks. Through those fissures, flashes of brilliant light burst forth!

Boom—!!!

A terrifying explosion cascaded down the divine sword!

Mountains of dust and shock waves, blended with tearing force, shook Li Che’s Fa Tian Xiang Di formation. “It’s done!”

Ning Cai’s eyes lit up. As she landed, she stomped firmly.

The white jade floor was immediately marred by spiderweb-like black fissures. Although the cracks began mending quickly, their ferocity was unmistakable.

Her qi surged and her Martial Saint divine guts sprang forth as she charged like a javelin towards the spot where the divine sword had exploded!

Judging by the tremors of the Fa Tian Xiang Di formation,

she was certain that an opening had been blasted through!

She could leap through that gap and confront Li Che directly, engaging him in a brutal melee to defeat him!

Ning Cai’s speed increased, almost like an arrow as she sprang forward, tearing through the swirling dust of divine weapon fragments that rained down like molten shards!

Then…

Her gaze locked with Li Che, who stood silently within his formation – calm, unruffled, even admiring…

Admiring what, exactly?

Perhaps the romance and artistry of her explosive display? Suddenly,

Ning Cai’s eyes narrowed as her body collided with the spot where Li Che’s Fa Tian Xiang Di formation had been detonated.

She felt as though she had slammed into an impenetrable wall – a chilling, fearsome pressure of divine rank instantly spread, freezing her divine essence and halting her qi and divine guts in their tracks.

“It… it didn’t break?!” Shocked, she cried. “That can’t be!”

If it hadn’t broken, then why was Li Che’s formation trembling? Boom!

The force flung Ning Cai away. In midair, having just escaped the freezing grip of Li Che’s Three Pure Ones divine essence, she sensed an ominous shadow looming.

She then spotted Li Che within his formation, arms crossed slowly.

And his formation seemed to let out a long, resounding roar as it rose once more – from its original height of ten zhang, it surged to twenty zhang, doubling in size!

A terrifying fist descended in an instant, accompanied by a dreadful tidal wave of divine essence.

Ning Cai was instantly overwhelmed by the blow of the formation’s fist and defeated.

Once again, she was vanquished.

On the observation platform, the crowd fell silent.

Ning Caishen sighed and shook his head. He had harbored a glimmer of hope – after all, Ning Cai had mastered Divine Weapon Summoning and could command eight hundred Sixth Division divine weapons simultaneously. Her strategy was flawless in execution.

However, the only variable was… her opponent was simply too strong!

“What kind of Divine Nucleus Technique is that…? I’ve never seen anything like it before!” Ning Caishen furrowed his brow.

Unassailable defense and ferocious offense!

Under the protection of Li Che’s Fa Tian Xiang Di formation, he stood as firm as a mountain – barely moving, yet with a mere thought he could easily subdue his foe. As long as his divine essence remained inexhaustible to sustain his formation, he was invincible!

Simply… monstrous! Buzz…

The spectators began to leave the observation platform, unwilling to witness Li Che’s quiet victory feast.

None of the Six Great Divine Sect leaders wished to see him win, for every victory by Li Che brought them one step closer to losing the wager!

Inside Xiao Lingyin Courtyard,

an eerie silence prevailed.

Ning Caishen stared at Ning Cai, who clutched an Immortal Peach Branch with a dazed, vacant expression. He softly sighed, “Gentlemen, our sect’s champion has exerted every effort.” “Now, the ball is in your court.”

“Li Che’s cultivation of the Divine Nucleus Technique is indeed remarkably formidable,”

Huang Mei Great Master intoned Buddhist sutras, his eyes shining. “Amitabha. This young man’s Divine Nucleus Technique is reminiscent of our Buddhist Vajra formation… truly, he seems destined for us.”

Ning Caishen rolled his eyes. As if everyone were meant to be connected to Buddhism?

Originally, Ning Caishen had planned to send a mere disciple in a token gesture. He hadn’t expected Ning Cai to step up and go head-to-head. But perhaps tasting failure could strengthen one’s resolve. Ning Cai soon regained her spirit; though her face was pale, her excitement was evident. After the bout, she murmured, “Great Uncle Li Bansheng is so formidable…”

“I heard… Li Bansheng is already married and even has a daughter?” Ning Caishen looked at his granddaughter in disbelief.

“Alas, I was born too late. You were meant to be, but I grew old…” Ning Cai sighed.

Ning Caishen’s mouth twitched.

Suddenly, Ning Cai’s eyes lit up as she recalled, “I think there’s still a chance – Li Bansheng’s wife seems to have average cultivation and may not last long!”

“I can outlast her!”

Ning Caishen no longer cared for his foolish granddaughter.

At Haoran Academy, Bai Buyi interjected, interrupting the dazed ramblings of Ning Cai.

“I once read in the writings of the Confucian Sage that this Divine Nucleus Technique is said to be none other than ‘Fa Tian Xiang Di’ – a Three Pure Ones level divine technique!”

“This divine secret technique… should originate from the Miaodao Xiansheng Erlang Zhenjun Bizarre Temple, for the Confucian texts record that Erlang Zhenjun mastered it.”

“Coincidentally… Qianyuan Divine Sect possesses a Miaodao Xiansheng Erlang Zhenjun Bizarre Temple.”

Bai Buyi, erudite and insightful, revealed the origin of Li Che’s secret technique.

“A divine technique at the Three Pure Ones level… his innate divine talent is simply terrifying!”

Huang Mei Great Master of Xiao Lingyin Temple praised, “Amitabha, he is truly fated with us Buddhist sects…” Suddenly,

Huang Mei’s eyebrows furrowed again. “This kid… has gone to another banquet…”

That single sentence sent shockwaves through the disciples of the Six Great Divine Sects in Xiao Lingyin Courtyard. Many heroic disciples wore dark expressions.

“Doesn’t he ever rest? After facing Ning Cai, he doesn’t even pause to recuperate?” “Is he planning to defeat all our Six Great Divine Sect champions in one day?! Achieve a seven-match winning streak?!” “So audacious!”

..

Many heroic disciples of the Divine Sect were incensed, feeling that Li Che’s actions treated them with contempt. Yet, they had to admit that with his mastery of the Three Pure Ones Divine Nucleus Technique, Li Che certainly had the audacity to do so! “Amitabha, Great Master, let this little monk step forward…”

From somewhere in the courtyard, a monk’s recitation of a Buddhist sutra sounded.

All eyes turned to see a slight, nearly invisible novice monk standing quietly – his presence barely perceptible, until he volunteered to fight…

Huang Mei Great Master’s gaze fixed on the little monk. With an expression devoid of joy or sorrow he asked, “Wukong, are you confident?” Slowly, the monk raised his head, and the nine circular scars on his head shimmered with light.

“I, a humble monk, will give my all, if it means I can renounce my life for Li Bansheng.” Huang Mei Great Master pressed his palms together and nodded approvingly, “Well said.”

But just as Huang Mei Great Master was about to approve letting the monk named “Wukong” step forward to face Li Che, Huang Mei, Gu Changqing, Ning Caishen, and the other sect leaders turned their attention to the entrance of Xiao Lingyin Courtyard.

A resounding clatter echoed continuously as a powerful, domineering aura swept in like a breached dam of an ocean, suffusing the entire courtyard with oppression. The ground trembled lightly.

Then, a towering figure clad in obsidian armor strode into the courtyard.

Following behind this imposing figure was another, as sturdy as a small mountain with a pipa slung at his waist.

Once inside the small courtyard, the bulky figure removed his armor and transformed into a stout young man with eyes streaming with glassy crimson. “Huang Mei, let my disciple step up for this bout,” declared Ji Mo Li.

Ji Mo Li stepped into the courtyard, his imposing figure as steadfast as a mountain. His black cape fluttered fiercely as his commanding gaze swept the scene – finally resting on Huang Mei Great Master.

There could be no doubt: Lotus Pavilion.

Dressed in plain clothes, National Teacher Xie Yunshen ascended the bamboo stairs to a Bronze Cauldron adorned with three blooming lotuses, intently watching the reflected scene on the water.

Observing Li Che elevate his Fa Tian Xiang Di formation to twenty zhang and shatter Ning Cai with one punch, his eyes flashed with puzzlement. “Miaodao Xiansheng Erlang Zhenjun Temple’s Temple Spirit secret technique… Fa Tian Xiang Di?”

“Could it be that the Divine Monkey… truly isn’t him?”

Xie Yunshen squinted, then reached out to prod a lotus in the cauldron. The water rippled wildly, and the image reformed.

Raising his eyebrow, Xie Yunshen casually climbed the bamboo stairs, then leaned over the edge of the Bronze Cauldron to continue watching. “Is Ji Mo Li’s third disciple… Zhou Chiguo?”

“Heh… that Zhou Chiguo seems to be from Jingguang Prefecture, doesn’t he? Originally, he was the eldest disciple of Nan Lihuo from Jingguang Prefecture’s Qianyuan branch, renamed by Ji Mo Li to fit the Temple Spirit Resonance – what was his name again?”

“I’m too old to remember…”

Daocheng Courtyard.

A gentle breeze stirred.

Li Che clinched another victory – his second consecutive win – and all eyes in the courtyard now glittered with fierce admiration. So strong!

Elder Li is formidable!

Two successive triumphs had pulverized his opponents!

Zhang Ya’s eyes shone – her husband and daughter both so mighty, filling her with pride. “Our family is truly fearsome!”

Lü Taibai, too, was surprised at how quickly the battle had ended. His mind returned to the fact that XiXi’s breakthrough had only just begun.

Li Che gripped the Immortal Peach Branch as divine essence surged forth again. Fresh from his victory, he prepared to join the banquet once more. Lü Taibai raised his silver eyebrows and said, “No need to rest? To restore your divine essence?”

Li Che smiled gently. “During their attack on me, the divine essence I consumed using my secret technique nearly fully recovered.” Lü Taibai simply muttered, “…”

“If I can finish in one day, I can head to the Imperial Watch with Hong Monitor for the Special Guest Official exam. I hear that those who complete it receive a piece of Fourth Rank Spirit Wood…”

Li Che smiled warmly.

Then, clenching the Immortal Peach Branch with all his fingers, he vanished once more.

Inside the Divine Temple,

the previously cracked white jade arena had long since been restored to a smooth state.

After matching was completed, Li Che’s body interwove with divine essence and reappeared on the arena. Hm?!

Li Che could now feel a presence unlike those of his previous two challengers – an aura and pressure that was completely different. On the white jade arena stood a young man with striking, glassy crimson eyes who slowly rose. In his hand, a palm-sized white jade pipa swelled violently in the wind. The young man gripped the top of the pipa and tapped the white jade floor lightly.

His gaze fixed steadily on Li Che.

A slow, menacing grin spread across his face, revealing a mouthful of ferocity.

“I was Zhou Chiguo of Jingguang Prefecture, now of King Ping Luan’s Mansion…”

“Elder Li, Teacher sent me…”

“I’ll beat you to death.”