Chapter 354: The Underworld’s Rebirth

The Underworld is fair.

It gives everyone a chance.

As long as you submit obediently,

you might earn a resurrection package—if you truly submit.

Submission.

Li Che spread his fingers and pressed them against the last remaining golden skull of Huang Mei.

Underworld Yama caressed his head, granting him immortality!

By embodying Spiritual Confinement, one truly gains immortality—even if the body dies, it can be reformed; no force can erase Spiritual Confinement.

Unless that formidable existence traces its roots, finds the source of Spiritual Confinement, and destroys it.

And the source of Spiritual Confinement—

lies in Li Che’s Pure Heart Dao Fruit!

Only by following the path of Spiritual Confinement to shatter the Pure Heart Dao Fruit can it be truly obliterated.

And the Pure Heart Dao Fruit—

hangs in the boundless Dao Tree Space, possessing profound mysteries.

Li Che could not fathom the terrifying power required to track Spiritual Confinement back to the Dao Fruit and then nullify it from atop the Dao Tree.

“You think a single demon’s tear will redeem you? Real atonement requires actions,”

warned the calm voice, “Hell is never empty, and you will never attain enlightenment.”

The voice, serene yet cold, resonated slowly from beneath a mask divided starkly between black and white, separating night from dawn.

It carried a tone of indifference and cruelty.

Even Lü Taibai, who had sheathed his sword and whose silver hair danced in the air, felt his hair stand on end.

Then—

Lü Taibai’s eyes narrowed involuntarily.

A surge of overwhelming disbelief spread from his eyes.

Every fiber of his sword intent and aura trembled uncontrollably!

This…

What in the world is this?!

Then he saw:

Underworld Yama’s claw-like fingers were pressing down upon the golden Buddhist bone of Huang Mei, already incinerated to ashes by the fiery Yulian flames.

Wave after wave of black qi, like scorched remnants, rose in billowing black smoke.

It was as if an infernal chasm had opened, unleashing endless, deathly fumes.

“O spirit, return—Spiritual Confinement, worship me!”

Crash after crash!

The nearly ruined Mo City Shandu trembled violently.

Countless ink-black water droplets fell from the heights of the city, drenching the ruined ground like a somber, deathly rain.

A hazy shroud enveloped heaven and earth.

In that moment, the entire world lost its color, leaving only the stark contrast of death’s black and white.

A deep voice, like that of ancient, blood-stained tribes on a barren plain, chanted at an altar of stone, as if beseeching the gateway of death to release lost souls.

Countless tendrils of deathly black qi interwove around Underworld Yama and the golden remains of Huang Mei, spiraling outward.

Crash after crash—

The sound of freezing chains colliding and scraping resounded through the heavens and earth.

It was as if someone was emerging step by step from an inky, lifeless darkness.

A colossal black void materialized, formed entirely of the interlaced aura of death.

Beneath Lü Taibai’s crackled Hunter King mask, shock and terror marred his features.

Such an oppressive miasma of death—

Corpse God Sect?

No! That’s not right!

This stench of death was different—it was pure, unadulterated, without even a trace of malevolence!

It was the very essence of death!

Lü Taibai stared fixedly at the impenetrable black void formed by death, as the clashing of chains sent shivers down every hair on his body.

The void of death devoured all light, severing warmth and brightness.

It was as if it bridged the netherworld and this plane!

Then,

Slowly, one by one, black strands—formed by the lingering essence of death and pulsing with fierce vitality—descended.

They entwined like threads in a mother’s hand, gradually outlining a figure!

Numerous black strands converged, resembling a dense mass of ink solidifying into shape!

The terrifying aura and spirit rippled outward, scattering the descending ink-like raindrops from the sky,

dispersing them as if clearing them away!

Slowly, as if coloring the dense ink with brilliance, a luminous glow emerged.

A red kasaya with golden trim fluttered in the wind, revealing a visage textured like ancient bark, with two long yellow eyebrows waving in the breeze!

Above, nine tiny scar marks shimmered faintly.

Huang Mei!

Huang Mei sat cross-legged in the void, his kasaya and flowing eyebrows suspended as his hands joined before his chest, yet black chains coiled around his hands and legs.

These chains, as dark as night, twisted around Huang Mei, winding their way into the nether.

Clink, clank—

In the depths of the nether, a horrifying presence seemed to tug the chains back, as if trying to reclaim Huang Mei.

Yet the chains, slippery as eels, slid off his hands and feet.

Finally, the chains were gradually drawn back into the black void of death.

The void contracted, eventually shrinking into a small anchor point before vanishing completely!

Huang Mei!

He’s alive!

Lü Taibai’s eyes snapped shut in shock!

He was overwhelmed by astonishment and terror!

Flesh and blood, essence and qi, spirit and soul—

All were present!

One could hardly believe this was a dead man!

Not a false pawn, but a living man!

Huang Mei had truly been resurrected!

Lü Taibai’s masked eyes filled with dread—what methods were these?

No!

Lü Taibai’s scalp went numb, every silver hair standing on end as his sword qi surged uncontrollably.

As a peak warrior, Lü Taibai had never been shaken to his core by anything bizarre.

But this time, his beliefs and consciousness were hit harder than ever!

What is the true origin of the Underworld?

Could it really be governed by the forces of life and death?!

With a swift motion, Lü Taibai’s sword slid from his broad sleeves into his hand, its blade mirroring his turbulent emotions in rapid tremors—equal parts chilling and grave.

The Underworld… it’s beyond bizarre!

Even though Lü Taibai had just executed a perfect coordination with Underworld Yama to vanquish top-tier Huang Mei,

he now witnessed a terrifying side of the Underworld—the power to resurrect.

The Underworld was fearsome!

“Amitabha—”

Huang Mei pressed his palms together; the chains on his body vanished, and he achieved a lightness—a true rebirth.

A new life was granted.

Ink-like raindrops fell, splattering his body and letting him truly taste the rain—a confirmation that he had been reborn.

But—

Huang Mei looked upon the golden Buddhist bone pressed by Underworld Yama’s fingers.

That was his bone – the undeniable proof of his death.

He had indeed died, yet the Underworld had brought him back.

“Hell may thrive, but for the sake of your childhood vows, strive on! The Underworld will be your greatest support in achieving true liberation.” Underworld Yama’s calm voice echoed.

Huang Mei’s eyes shimmered with a rare hint of emotion on his timeworn, bark-like face.

The message he received in his mind left him profoundly conflicted—he now knew who stood before him.

Underworld Yama—not, or rather, the entire Underworld was not as he had imagined.

So many forces, so many judgments and speculations—it was once thought that the Underworld was founded by the resurrected pantheon of the Bizarre Temple, either by Black Xumi, Dark Heavenly Court, or the Demonic Cave.

But now, all such theories seemed laughable.

Amid his complex emotions, a deep respect emerged in Huang Mei.

It was a respect that came from the very depths of his soul.

For he never imagined that the entirety of the Underworld would belong to one man!

Only one living person—or rather, two…

And even a Cat Face, though that was beside the point.

The true core had always been a single individual.

Remarkable indeed.

Huang Mei let out a sigh.

That meek, honest-looking Divine Condor Half-Saint, long ignored by everyone—

turned out to be the secret mastermind behind the Underworld!

It was all his doing!

Even Huang Mei could not help but be convinced at that moment.

“Reverend Huang Mei, I greet you, Master,”

Huang Mei remained silent about Li Che’s identity; he was wise enough to know that Lü Taibai was also present.

Lü Taibai was still reeling from the Underworld’s gruesome resurrection methods—exposing Li Che’s identity would benefit no one.

A proper Spiritual Confinement should share the burdens and thoughts of his master.

Clearly, Huang Mei would strive to become a worthy Spiritual Confinement.

Master?

Lü Taibai shivered once more.

Resurrected Huang Mei had voluntarily submitted to Underworld Yama—did this mean the Underworld had gained another formidable ally?

Lü Taibai seemed to recall something as his gaze swept over the figures emerging from the ruins of Mo City’s buildings.

His eyes settled on Yue Huanglong.

Originally, Yue Huanglong’s corpulence had evaporated and, after triggering the Qimen Divine Seed, he should have perished. Yet now, he stood whole and unscathed, chubby and grinning his trademark naive smile.

Meeting Lü Taibai’s gaze, Yue Huanglong nodded in greeting.

Yue Huanglong—

Was he also resurrected by the Underworld?!

Lü Taibai instantly entertained that possibility.

Moreover, he recognized many familiar faces.

There was Yan Jing, the Grand Master of the Divine Capital Xuanwei from Qianyuan Divine Sect!

Then there was Su Lei Ba, and Su Daoling, the head of the Su Family—

You Liqing, Dragon Queen Ao Yuxin, and—

Huang Jianjiu!

Huang Jianjiu!

He was once his disciple!

Lü Taibai’s gaze grew complex as he observed Huang Jianjiu—indeed, he had died but was resurrected by the Underworld.

So many familiar faces eased Lü Taibai’s previously turbulent mood; perhaps for them, a second life was a blessing.

At least they hadn’t completely left this world.

Lü Taibai watched Huang Jianjiu with a satisfied smile.

After all, Huang Jianjiu’s aura had reached the peak of the Second-Opening Martial Saint!

His progress was far faster than normal training!

“What a remarkable Underworld—”

Lü Taibai’s eyes flickered as he looked at Underworld Yama, whose mask of stark black and white exuded golden mists of qi and blood.

Pure martial qi and blood—

Li Che, the Divine Condor Half-Saint, also cultivates pure martial qi and blood, though his level lags far behind Underworld Yama’s; they seem to share the same lineage.

Pure martial cultivation should have no future, then why does the Underworld still pursue it?

Could it be that the Underworld has discovered a path beyond pure martial arts?

Lü Taibai’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Underworld Yama, his heart trembling with uncertainty about whether the Underworld might indeed transcend pure martial methods.

Such mysterious forces and bizarre foundations were utterly unfathomable.

“Brother Yama—”

“Does the Underworld really have only one Yama under your command?”

“Or are there more Yamata?”

Lü Taibai finally voiced his long-held curiosity.

Li Che merely smiled; beneath his stark black-and-white mask, his eyes twinkled with a wry amusement.

“The Underworld—of course there is more than one Yama.”

At that moment, Li Che’s Sovereign Clone surged to life, and atop the Sovereign Tower,

a second figure wearing a starry, black-and-white mask suddenly appeared.

The Sovereign Clone had been seamlessly disguised as Underworld Yama by Li Che.

Although Lü Taibai was the sect leader of Qianyuan Divine Sect—a friend by affiliation—some mystery must be preserved.

One should let their thoughts wander… just let them wander.

Sometimes, only when one knows nothing at all does their performance reveal true authenticity.

Lü Taibai’s gaze swept over and sensed the other Underworld Yama seated atop the tower,

radiating an equally terrifying pure martial qi and blood!

His heart shuddered!

To think there was indeed another Underworld Yama hidden away!

He hadn’t sensed this one before!

Perhaps—

Huang Mei, who had been dragged into Mo City Shandu, was doomed.

The Underworld had long prepared layer upon layer of traps for him.

Lü Taibai shook his head, his fear of the Underworld growing ever more tangible.

Boom, boom, boom!

The entire city began to tremble violently, as though it were collapsing.

Underworld Yama’s eyes flickered as he looked at Huang Mei.

With a subtle shift, his thoughts were transmitted to Huang Mei.

Boom!

Li Che suddenly flung open the grand door of Mo City Shandu, hurling Lü Taibai and the Spiritual Confinement out.

Whooshing through the air with crackling sounds!

Above Fourth City, powerful auras intertwined like coiling dragons; sizzling, torrid qi and blood evaporated the falling raindrops mid-air into nothingness.

The ground trembled incessantly as the Divine Capital Xuanwei immediately mobilized; the Azure Dragon and the White Tiger units of Xuanwei, clad in blue and white armor, rushed down Long Street.

A fearsome force surged forth.

On the vast thoroughfare, the Xuanwei units, like an unstoppable torrent, raced toward the direction of Xiao Lingyin Temple.

Meanwhile, the void surrounding Xiao Lingyin Temple

was already teeming with countless powerful figures.

Before Xiao Lingyin Temple,

a lone figure in white monk’s robes knelt on the ground, his piercing cry echoing across many cities of the Divine Capital.

Someone recognized that this white-robed monk was an aide of the Third Prince of Demonic Underworld, hailing from Xiao Lingyin Temple.

The white-robed monk knelt with hands in prayer, trembling all over; his eyes bloodshot as if marked by tears streaking his cheeks.

In the void, numerous sect leaders of the Divine Sect hastened to the scene.

Lü Taibai’s Painted Immortal Clone and Shi Jian, the sect leader of True Martial Divine Sect, stood together high above, their expressions grim as they surveyed the carnage below.

The courtyard walls couldn’t hide the scene within; they clearly saw the horror inside—

bodies scattered, rivers of blood; every cultivator from Xiao Lingyin Temple who had traveled to the Divine Capital for the Paotao Banquet was dead!

Be they dragons or heroes—even that formidable hero Wukong who once fought Li Che—were reduced to piles of shattered flesh.

Gu Changqing, Ning Caishen, Gu Cheng, Bai Buyi, and other Divine Sect leaders wore grim expressions.

They were all shocked—who had slaughtered everyone at Xiao Lingyin Temple?!

And by whose hand?

So ruthless, so vicious!

Boom!

The sound of shattering air echoed as figures dashed in.

The Divine Capital Xuanwei arrived, sealing off the courtyard completely.

Then, the Golden Scale Imperial Guards, clad in golden dragon-scale armor, tore through the Xuanwei ranks like spears,

slowly advancing at the forefront.

Leading them was a towering figure in the robes of the Temple Guardian Division, with red hair and a scarlet beard, his presence imposing.

He glanced at the kneeling white-robed monk and then kicked open the sealed gate.

A nauseating stench of blood hit as he beheld a carpet of corpses.

“What a fine fellow—”

“In Second City, Consort Ji has just perished; in Fourth City, the Paotao Banquet procession sent by the Divine Sect has been annihilated in one fell swoop.”

“It’s been ages since Divine Capital witnessed such a brutal massacre.”

Cold malice flashed in Wang Kui’s eyes.

Apart from Temple Guardian Division Governor Wang Kui, the commanders of the Azure Dragon and White Tiger Xuanwei—Xuanchinglong and Xuanbaihu—had also arrived. Both were top-tier Martial Saints; leading the Azure Dragon and White Tiger armies spoke for itself.

“Such a ruthless villain—truly barbaric!”

A fierce light flickered in Xuanchinglong’s eyes, mixed with solemnity.

After all—

In Fourth City, such a massacre occurred, yet none of the Divine Sect members nearby noticed.

Had it not been for the white-robed monk recalling something and returning, it might have taken much longer for anyone to discover it.

“Where is Great Master Huang Mei?”

Xuanchinglong and Xuanbaihu stepped into the courtyard, where the blood-soaked ground offered little footing.

“The attacker was supremely skilled in martial arts, with pure and domineering qi and blood that crushed all opponents. Not even this exalted monk of the Divine Seed could withstand him or even send a message. Whoever the assailant is, they must be a top-tier warrior!”

After scanning the area, Wang Kui drew his conclusion.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a figure in dark armor, followed by four towering armored warriors over three meters tall.

All the powerful factions showed subtle changes in their expressions.

Ji Mo Li had arrived with his four sons!

“What ruthless methods—could it be that the faction angered by Xiao Lingyin Temple is the work of Lü Taibai of Qianyuan Divine Sect?”

Xuanchinglong said in a low voice.

“Hey—Commander Qinglong, do not be hasty with your accusations. I have been discussing this thoroughly with Shi Jian of True Martial Divine Sect. He can attest to it,”

Lü Taibai’s Painted Immortal Clone spread his hands.

Upon hearing this, Xuanchinglong’s suspicion dissipated immediately.

They might not believe Lü Taibai, but they would not doubt Shi Jian.

The true men of True Martial Divine Sect were straightforward—no twisted words. Especially Shi Jian, who had been with Lü Taibai, could not lie.

Suddenly,

the void convulsed violently!

Many top warriors and celestial beings felt the tremors of heaven and earth; their eyes snapped toward one particular spot.

They saw as if the void was collapsing.

It was as if a door as dark as ink had burst open; then, a figure tumbled out with a splat.

With a loud bang, it hit the ground.

“Cough, cough, cough—”

Great Master Huang Mei’s face turned as pale as paper, his long eyebrows trembling uncontrollably as the faint Buddha light on him dimmed,

while remnants of the cataclysmic Buddha power still lingered—

He opened his mouth and coughed up thick blood.

“Huff, huff, huff—” Huang Mei clutched his chest, utterly disheveled as blood stained him.

“It’s Huang Mei!”

“He’s still alive!”

“Great Master!”

Everyone’s expression shifted.

The white-robed monk, filled with sorrow and stained red with blood, knelt and staggered into the courtyard, his knees buckling as he let out a mournful cry that seemed to reach into the depths of despair.

So many of his fellow monks from Xiao Lingyin Temple—now all dead!

Did the enemy target monks specifically?

Could they turn on him too?

He trembled with fear!

Great Master Huang Mei’s eyes dimmed as he weakly lifted his hand and waved it.

“It doesn’t matter, this monk—cannot die.”

He surveyed the courtyard; his face flushed blood red as he spat forth a massive cloud of bloody mist.

Grief, pain, and soul-crushing despair—every emotion surged within him.

“Amitabha—Oh, such sin!”

Wang Kui’s eyes fixed on Great Master Huang Mei, his brows knitting as he asked, “Huang Mei, who attacked you?”

“The Underworld—”

Huang Mei’s face went pale; he shook his head and sighed deeply.

“What a ruthless Underworld. What cruelty—”

Sorrow welled unceasingly in his eyes.

“I was drawn into the Minor Cavern of the Heavens by Underworld Yama—during a battle with him—and, outmatched, I had no choice but to unleash my ultimate Dao Essence Catastrophe Force to barely escape.”

“Though I wounded Underworld Yama, I sustained grave injuries myself—”

Huang Mei spared no detail as he recounted his ordeal.

“It can only be the Underworld—able to mask its aura during the crime. Among all the forces, I could only suspect the Underworld.”

“Great Master, you employed Dao Essence Catastrophe Force?”

“Underworld Yama daringly clashed with a great master who mobilized Dao Essence Catastrophe Force?”

Wang Kui narrowed his eyes.

Huang Mei raised his head, gasping, “Governor Wang, underestimate not the Underworld, underestimate not Underworld Yama—”

“To this day, the Underworld remains too mysterious. Its underlying essence—who knows what it truly is—”

“Perhaps the Underworld was founded by one of the resurrected pantheons from the Bizarre Temple?”

Huang Mei clasped his hands and lamented with deep sorrow.

As soon as his words fell,

not only did Governor Wang’s expression change, but the sect leaders of the Divine Sect—and even Ji Mo Li—were visibly moved.

Among those present, many were top-tier Martial Saints; all the Divine Sect leaders, though not all ranked equally, were truly powerful and knew a few secrets.

Huang Mei’s inference that the Underworld might have been established by one of the resurrected pantheons was not without basis.

Considering the Underworld’s mystery and the disappearance of the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff along with the enigmatic Divine Monkey,

it was possible!

Really possible!

Governor Wang’s expression shifted; after a brief inquiry, he clasped his fists and said, “Great Master, my condolences.”

“I will spare no effort to capture these Underworld fiends, so that the souls of those who perished from Xiao Lingyin Temple may be avenged in heaven.”

“Amitabha—thank you, Governor.”

Huang Mei’s voice was weak as a thread, yet filled with sorrow.

Then Governor Wang left with the Xuanwei and Guards, while many Divine Sect leaders offered condolences and reassurances.

Eventually, the courtyard fell completely silent.

The white-robed monk knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

“Do not worry, the Underworld has set its sights on me. Wukong and the others have all suffered unwarranted tragedies—they are all my sins.”

“Now, go forth and do what you must.”

“At Xiao Lingyin Temple, only a few remain. This Paotao Banquet will likely return empty-handed.”

The white-robed monk exhaled a long, relieved breath as he departed.

Suddenly, the courtyard of Xiao Lingyin Temple fell eerily silent; the blood mist churned, deathly qi surged, and Great Master Huang Mei’s faint Buddha light glimmered as if seated amidst a sea of blood illuminated by golden radiance.

Then, Huang Mei looked up, clasping his palms together with a peaceful expression.

“Master, have I handled things well?” he asked.

Behind him, a figure in a black robe suddenly turned, the fabric billowing majestically.

“Well done,”

the figure said. With that, Li Che’s five fingers moved—and his form vanished without a trace.

Outside the door, footsteps resounded.

The figure clad in dark, heavy armor—Ji Mo Li—had returned.

Ji Mo Li looked at the blood-stained, corpse-littered courtyard where Great Master Huang Mei knelt, his dark eyes glinting.

He slowly advanced, and then lowered himself into the pool of blood.

Amid the clashing of armor,

Ji Mo Li fixed his gaze on the weakened Huang Mei.

A slight, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Once, in Xiao Lingyin Temple on Xiling Road, a hell was created—

now it has been turned into a hell of death,”

Ji Mo Li mused.

“How bitter must be Great Master Huang Mei’s resentment and anger?”

Ji Mo Li inquired.

Huang Mei raised his eyes blankly to Ji Mo Li.

“Speak plainly, Your Highness,”

Ji Mo Li said, unfurling his hand.

“Great Master, will you join forces with me—”

“to hunt down the Underworld!”

Huang Mei’s eyes flickered as he stared hard at Ji Mo Li.

Then his eyes seemed to lose some of their vigor as he replied,

“How can one hunt the elusive, enigmatic assassins of the Underworld?”

“Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!”

Ji Mo Li stood, looking down at the weakened Huang Mei with a calm smile.

“It is true that the whereabouts of these Underworld fiends are hard to track,”

“but Li Che and Li Nuǎnxi—these two are of utmost importance to the Underworld.”

“With their lives, we can lure the Underworld out!”

Huang Mei’s once-dim eyes suddenly flashed with Buddha light!

In the next moment, Great Master Huang Mei clasped his hands tightly, gritting as if his teeth were shattering.

“Amitabha!”

“Your Highness…”

“I will do it!”

Lü Taibai’s Painted Immortal Clone and Shi Jian of True Martial Divine Sect bade farewell and departed.

Shi Jian also presented his request, seeking as many Namo Celestial Craft Gatlings as possible from XiXi.

However, Lü Taibai’s Painted Immortal Clone said he could not reach XiXi’s Mechanism; if Shi Jian wished to make contact, he should seek Li Che, for as the Divine Condor Half-Saint renowned in Mechanism Art, perhaps he might help.

Shi Jian, broad and clad in black armor, watched as Lü Taibai—with his silver hair streaming and his sleeves fluttering—departed, his eyes flickering.

They say the warriors of True Martial Divine Sect are crude and straightforward.

But Shi Jian was no fool; this chance meeting with Lü Taibai was fortuitous, though the qi in Lü Taibai’s body was strangely off balance.

Having honed to nearly pure martial prowess, Shi Jian’s sensitivity to qi was unmatched.

Lü Taibai, a top-tier Martial Saint, possessed a razor-sharp aura that Shi Jian knew all too well.

Who says warriors must be foolish?

Warriors… can also harbor a fierce spirit sensing beauty!

“It appears… this matter is a collaboration between Lü Taibai and the Underworld—”

“aimed at killing Huang Mei.”

“Losing Huang Mei, both his past and future, is expected. If it were me, I too would kill him.”

Shi Jian caressed his steel-hued, cropped hair.

“I hope this act of grace will yield the Mechanism, so that stationed in Tongyou Road, facing the barbarians of Da Li Wangting from True Martial Divine Sect, fewer lives are lost.”

Within Mo City Shandu,

everything lay in ruins.

Yet an invisible force churned a thick miasma of ink, gradually restoring Mo City, rebuilding its structures.

The battles of top-tier Martial Saints were so devastating that Mo City crumbled into rubble.

Amidst the ruins,

Li Che appeared, seated cross-legged.

His ink-black robe rustled as he slowly removed the black-and-white Yama mask; his hair, dark and vigorous, whipped like lightning through the air.

A peculiar glimmer emerged in his eyes.

“Ji Mo Li—come to invite Huang Mei to unite against XiXi?”

Li Che’s face twisted, a hint of cold fury shining through.

Ji Mo Li had indeed set his sights on both him and XiXi.

First seducing Consort Ji to the emperor’s side, and then teaming up with Huang Mei.

Two top-tier warriors, both ranked among the elite—the mere thought could make one lose sleep.

He and XiXi might truly face immense threats.

After all, Li Che and Lü Taibai had just slain Huang Mei; he well knew the danger posed by such high-level forces!

Li Che believed that Ji Mo Li must, like Huang Mei and Lü Taibai, have mastered Dao Essence Catastrophe Force—only he wasn’t sure which of the three calamities his path represented.

Li Che exhaled deeply.

Fortunately, Huang Mei was on his side now.

Ji Mo Li’s alliance with Huang Mei meant he was firmly under Li Che’s watchful eye.

In a pinch, Li Che could unhesitatingly have Huang Mei turn on Ji Mo Li!

Placing a turncoat Buddha by Ji Mo Li’s side brought him immense comfort.

It was indeed reassuring to have your allies close to your enemies.

Seated amid the self-repairing ruins of Mo City,

the city’s resilience seemed to soar as it absorbed the fallen soul of Huang Mei and the overflowing Dao energy he left behind.

Even the Spiritual Confinements among the city’s residents grew quietly stronger by training in Mo City.

Crash after crash, ink-like rain fell continuously.

But Li Che’s boiling qi turned it instantly to steam.

“Breathe—” The world was silent in Mo City, deathly still.

Only the sound of breathing thundered.

Then,

Li Che opened his eyes; a golden arc of lightning leaped forth, electrifying the void.

Centered on his body, the thunder roared as if a thousand birds cried in unison, a clamor of chaos.

Inside his chest, the Thunder Magnetic Conduit—imbued with a flash of divine calamity—rhythmically pulsed!

Li Che’s dark hair whipped about wildly.

Somehow, he sensed countless invisible lines forming a closed loop above his head and beneath him.

Li Che’s eyes snapped open as a golden thunder dragon roared.

Golden light blazed like thunder!

A prompt flashed:

[Dao Fruit: Thunder Magnetic Conduit (lv4 0%)]

Within the prompt, the maturation of his transformed Dao Fruit soared rapidly—from 1% to 99% in no time!

Finally, with a tremendous rumble, as the golden light transformed once more!

[Dao Fruit: Thunder Magnetic Conduit (lv5 0%)]

An unprecedented transformation!

Dao Fruit, undergoing a double transformation!