Chapter 420: Snowfall and Shadows

Snow fell silently, drifting gently onto trees laden with white snow.

The world was enveloped in a misty white, as if life itself had been wiped clean.

XiXi crouched beneath a large tree, tears glistening in her eyes.

She had managed to be strong on her own, but when Yun’e and the others appeared, her pent-up sorrow burst forth uncontrollably.

She had tried her best, yet ultimately she could not save the children in the Ascension Pavilion.

Facing a Martial Saint and the infuriatingly elusive Bizarre Temple Spirit, XiXi felt utterly powerless.

“No wonder, XiXi… don’t blame yourself,” a gentle voice murmured.

“They won’t blame you. They’ll blame those relatives who sold them out,” came the reply.

Yun’e patted XiXi’s back tenderly, her voice soft with genuine sympathy as she looked at the distraught child.

Jin Taisui and Zhou Peng rushed over, removed their masks, and sighed deeply, their anger simmering as they glanced at XiXi.

Especially Jin Taisui, whose fists clenched and then relaxed in helpless frustration.

“Let’s go… There’s unusual activity in Guangling Daocheng. Many strong ones are out searching for XiXi. We’ve been exposed,” Zhou Peng declared.

He added matter-of-factly.

Pulling out a steaming bun, he handed it to XiXi, “Have a bun to cheer up, then we’ll get moving.”

“So many things… don’t take it too seriously. Our world is just like this—we only do what we can, and what we cannot do, well… it’s not entirely our fault,” he continued.

“If there’s anyone to blame, it can only be this wretched world,” he finished with a shrug.

Zhou Peng chuckled warmly, his penetrating eyes revealing his clear understanding of the situation.

XiXi stood up and nodded, quickly regaining her composure. Although just seven years old, she was much more mature than most children.

Perhaps that was the advantage bestowed by a true cultivation gift.

“That Martial Saint from the Ascension Pavilion once appeared in Daocheng, and even fought alongside Father during the contest for the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s chance…”

XiXi wiped away her tears as she spoke.

“Remember him, Emperor XiXi!”

XiXi folded her arms and puffed out her little belly, her eyes burning with anger.

Yun’e regarded her with thoughtful beauty, “You mean… should it be the Martial Saint Elder of Tian Dan Divine Sect, Gu Chuan?”

After all, only Gu Chuan fit your description.

Clenching her teeth, XiXi replied, “Yes, him. A Martial Saint… I’m too weak now to defeat him, but once I grow strong, the very first thing I’ll do is kill him.”

“Such heinous acts deserve none less than death—beat them, kill them!”

“Using children as medicinal ingredients, using them for alchemy… Tian Dan Divine Sect is no good at all!”

XiXi stomped her foot in furious protest.

Yun’e shook her head and sighed softly.

“Before we set out for our trial, the Ancestor once told me that among all the Divine Sects in the world, hardly any are truly pure,” she said quietly.

“Take the Xiao Lingyin Temple of Xiling Dao, for example—using a maiden’s skull to forge artifacts, and piling countless commoners’ bones for cultivation and the afterlife…”

“Then there is the Jiangnan Dao Haoran Academy, where ‘Haoran’ serves only the elite of Jiangnan. The scholars preach virtue, but the poor bear endless taxes and brutal beatings—even post-mortem exploitation,” she continued.

“And the Bashu Sword Pavilion of the Tian Shi Dao’s Purple Mansion Divine Sect… the Ancestor said they are steeped in filth and darkness.”

“As for the Tian Dan Divine Sect of Guangling Daocheng—before it was granted divine orders, it was known as the Tian Du Dan Sect…”

Yun’e’s voice fell softly.

Her tone was heavy with disillusionment.

“Thus, it is always the common folk who suffer the most in this world.”

“Unless you can manifest divine nature or an innate martial talent, surviving unscathed is a near-impossible feat.”

Yun’e sighed again, and even Zhou Peng slowed his bun-eating at her words, sharing in the melancholy.

Jin Taisui, however, remained largely unmoved.

For he had been forged on Witch God Mountain since childhood, a wild beast in the making.

If he refrained from killing or competing, he would perish.

To break free from that dreadful lair, one must trample over the corpses of others.

Only the last man standing can receive the Great Witch God’s blessings—once revered as a Minor Witch.

“XiXi, Uncle Li sent us out to experience this harsh world so we could see its darkness and learn to protect ourselves,” he explained.

“And if you can save someone, then do. If not, accept it. Human power has its limits in a world so dark; some simply cannot be saved.”

“So, really, you should not blame yourself,” Yun’e consoled as she ruffled XiXi’s head affectionately.

Her gentle reassurance lifted XiXi’s spirits considerably.

For she knew Yun’e spoke the truth; even after glimpsing the darkness outside Daocheng, she had begun to understand.

Not to mention the sinister workings of the Corpse God Sect.

Even the old Daocheng is besieged by the Corpse God Sect’s corruption, with various factions weighing down the common people like mountains.

XiXi exhaled deeply.

She understood the cruel truths well; she was no fool—only painfully angry.

With a steely gaze toward Guangling Daocheng, she declared, “Hmph! I will return, and when I do, Gu Chuan will pay dearly!”

Rumbling erupted—!!!

A terrifying aura burst from within Guangling Daocheng.

Snowflakes exploded in violent bursts across the land.

“Go!”

“They’re after us!”

XiXi’s eyes narrowed in determination as her spirit stirred.

The Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel at her feet whirled into a high-speed spin, its clanging sound cutting through the air as energy waves and sparks erupted, warping the very atmosphere.

An invisible shockwave swept her companions upward, hurling them across the snowy expanse at breakneck speed.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Inside Guangling Daocheng, the sounds of things shredding through the air rang out continually.

Powerful celestial awareness and the Heaven and Earth Soul spread in a sweeping search.

Clearly, both a Martial Saint and a Divine Transformation had been dispatched to capture XiXi.

Boom—!!!

Clad in an alchemist’s robe, Gu Chuan stood with his arms crossed, his terrifying Martial Saint aura melting the falling snow.

Beside him, a lean figure in a billowing robe squinted intensely.

Beneath a sky cloaked in leaden clouds,

the two scanned the snowfield with eagle-like precision.

However, the thick layer of fallen snow and the dim light in the dense forest concealed many details.

Yet with the combined power of a Martial Saint and a Divine Transformation, their search was as thorough as a carpet sweep.

“Dao Young Master Li Nuǎnxi of Daocheng… the true prodigy, a budding demon dragon. I never expected her to appear in Guangling Daocheng…”

“Her signature is unmistakable—the Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel. None but her can possess such a treasure in this world.”

“Back then, our sect’s Gu He went to fight for Lü Taibai’s direct transmission but was defeated. That shows just how terrifying her talent truly is.”

“If we capture her and extract her vital essence for alchemy, then present it to the Ancestral Patriarch, perhaps he will favor such a genius!”

Gu Chuan’s face lit with a trace of delight.

During the fierce battle at Daocheng, Sect Master Gu Changqing perished. Now, this news had already reached Tian Dan Divine Sect…

If Gu Chuan could please the Ancestral Patriarch, he might even contend for the role of Sect Master.

Though the odds were slim…

But one must have dreams; without them, isn’t one no better than a salted fish?!

“She really knows how to hide… It must be from inheriting the Underworld’s true teachings—the bizarre translocation art and a powerful Breath Convergence. Truly a tough nut to crack.”

“Search thoroughly; don’t let her slip away.”

“A fat piece of meat delivered on a silver platter—savor it well,” Gu Chuan sneered coldly.

Then he split up from his Divine Transformation companion to search separately.

Boom—!

Gu Chuan’s figure crashed onto the snowy ground as his potent celestial awareness swept the area.

“Found her!” he exclaimed.

Feeling the lingering heat in the air, he continued,

“Yulian Fenghuo Jingguang Wheel…”

“What an incredible divine weapon.”

Gu Chuan drew a deep breath.

He stepped deliberately forward.

Thump—!!!

In an instant,

the entire snowy field collapsed as countless mounds of snow burst apart!

From Gu Chuan’s body, Martial Saint Yuan-Gang energy surged forth like furious dragons roaring in anger.

The next moment, he blasted off with explosive force.

Seen from above, it appeared as if the very earth were split open by colossal chasms!

Fierce, ferocious, and unparalleled—like a wild beast unleashed!

……

……

Gurgle, gurgle—

Above the Charcoal Stove, boiling water churned as green tea leaves tumbled up and down.

Li Che sat in a chair, his eyes narrowing slightly.

On the screen before him, he saw XiXi clutching her legs, crying bitterly—has she ever cried this heart-wrenchingly before?

As a father, he could hardly bear the sight.

XiXi’s heart was kind, but the world was full of helplessness—no one could save everything.

The purpose of these trials was growth—gaining experience and wisdom.

This setback might help XiXi mature a little more.

Li Che thought it was for the best.

“Martial Saint Gu Chuan…”

Li Che’s eyes narrowed further.

This was a First-Stage Martial Saint of the Martial Saint realm.

He had indeed clashed with him during the contest for the Two-Hearted Great Sage’s opportunity; however, Gu Chuan’s talent was average, and Li Che had never regarded him as a serious rival.

“A Martial Saint’s relentless pursuit…”

“XiXi, how will you deal with this chase?”

Li Che sipped his tea and focused his spirit through the Cosmic Chessboard, silently observing.

It seemed Li Che had never experienced the terror of being hunted by a First-Stage Martial Saint.

After all, Li Che always took the initiative.

Once the mask was donned, no one was spared—no matter if it was a First-Stage Martial Saint or not.

He dedicated a part of his spirit to watch XiXi and the others as they fled from the relentless pursuit.

Meanwhile, Li Che himself launched his assault toward the Fourth-Stage Martial Saint realm!

With several Heavenly Martial Pills aiding him, his blood and energy surged at an astonishing pace; today, atop Martial Mountain, Li Che had reached its summit.

He had not been in any rush these past days.

Slowly, he accumulated his blood energy.

He was also gathering the resolve needed to break into the Fourth-Stage Martial Saint—a feat far from simple.

For his path was much tougher than most; his struggle was not only because the mountain was high, but because the climb was perilous.

Scaling the summit required far more effort than usual.

Being Pure Martial was never an easy road.

And Li Che pursued an extreme form of martial cultivation.

The Golden Pond of a Boundless Qi Sea, the peak of Martial Mountain!

To reach such extremes, one must pay an enormous price—yet the rewards are equally bountiful.

“Qitian City… is about to open,” Li Che observed.

“This time, Qitian City will attract far more formidable figures than expected,” he noted as his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

He had learned that Qitian City lay on the border between the Inner Bizarre Temple and Earthly Bizarre Temple, making its opening the likely focus of the entire world.

Not just the focus of the Great Realm, but a beacon for divine calamity powerhouses.

After 500 years of seclusion, who knew how many treasures had emerged from the Bizarre Temple?

Divine Crystals needed no introduction, and neither did Tao Essence Divine Crystals…

Nor would the Qitian Legacy be lacking!

Li Che spread his fingers, and a shattered mask fell into his hand.

It was the broken Qi Tian Face—its two halves still incomplete.

“The final piece of the Qi Tian Face is likely hidden in Qitian City. I must go and see it,” he resolved.

Rumbling—

Outside Daocheng.

The Qian Kun Plaque floated high as space tore, with dark, fissured blocks building up endlessly.

A tremor shook heaven and earth—a dreadful roar likened to a dragon freezing souls and blood.

Then the Old Dragon God, who had broken into Lü Qiankun’s small cavern, emerged with his robe billowing.

The Disaster Wheel behind him slowly faded away.

“What an impressive Lü Qiankun,” the Old Dragon God mused.

The Old Dragon God’s exultation was clear.

Having emerged from the Tiny Cosmic Niche, he showed not the slightest hint of weakness, even after storming into a Divine Calamity adept’s cavern—and he left with ease.

The entire Daocheng grew ice-cold in that instant.

On the city battlements, General Han Qizhong and the other defenders wore heavy expressions.

That Old Dragon God… was truly overwhelming!

Could Qianyuan Divine Sect possibly hold him off?

With the Old Dragon God’s support, didn’t the Imperial Army now have three divine calamity powerhouses?

How could they possibly win?

Even with the Underworld’s aid, how many divine calamity experts could they withstand?

“Hahaha—”

“Lü Qiankun! Qianyuan Divine Sect… I’ve seen you, and I’m very pleased. You are perfect for our Dragon God Clan’s territory!”

“Enjoy the next few days under Qianyuan Divine Sect. Soon, Daocheng… will belong to our Dragon God Clan!”

The golden Dragon Armor on the Old Dragon God’s body rang out as he laughed heartily and strode over the waves.

He came and left with calm assurance!

Only an oppressive heaviness was left behind.

Lü Qiankun stood in a small cavern behind the Qian Kun Plaque, his eyes as cold as ice.

“If you dare, come at me!”

“No disciple in Qianyuan Divine Sect will show fear or retreat!” his voice boomed without a trace of hesitation.

Lü Taibai ascended, his silver hair flying as sword qi roared, piercing straight into the clouds.

Boom, boom, boom—

The Old Dragon God strode off over the waves.

Back with the Imperial Army, the Old Dragon God stood tall and robust, his white hair flowing as his eyes shone with a keen brilliance.

He looked at Xie Yunshen, his gaze alight, “National Teacher… I believe it’s time to act.”

“Right now, Qianyuan Divine Sect has only one divine calamity powerhouse. Although Lü Qiankun is strong, I can suppress him, and with Gu Qianchi and Zhao Beidou on our side, victory is assured.”

The Old Dragon God was eager for battle.

He no longer wished to wait; he craved a swift, decisive fight.

Qitian City was about to open, and before that happened…

He had to secure Daocheng as a future territory for the Dragon God Clan.

The Old Dragon God’s eyes betrayed a mix of resignation and fatigue.

There was no other way…

The East Sea was no longer fit for the Dragon God Clan.

As his life neared its end, he could only strive to secure one last future for his people, his final duty as the venerable Old Dragon God.

Once his task was done, the Old Dragon God would head to Qitian City, to fight for the future… and ultimately, for himself.

First for the clan, then for himself—that was his creed.

His time was precious.

Hearing him, Xie Yunshen’s heart stirred; his face brightened with excitement before frowning, sighing, and shaking his head.

He managed his turbulent emotions carefully.

The Old Dragon God’s brows furrowed in response.

Sure enough, Xie Yunshen cautioned, “Old Dragon God, we must not rush.”

“The gravest threat to Qianyuan Divine Sect is the Underworld… Master Zhao was grievously injured by the Underworld and is still recovering. If war breaks out now, our Imperial side might be at a disadvantage.”

“For the Underworld Yama is no pushover—Master Zhao claims his martial strength has reached that of a divine warrior.”

“If both divine calamity experts are held back…”

“King Ping Luan alone, even with top-tier strength, might not subdue Qianyuan Divine Sect,”

“And if yet another top-tier divine calamity falls in battle, I truly won’t be able to answer to His Majesty…”

“So, Old Dragon God, wait a bit longer. Master Zhao’s wounds will soon mend—once he can fight, an extra divine calamity powerhouse will bolster our chances!”

Xie Yunshen, in simple attire but with a pale face, pleaded earnestly.

He looked at Zhao Beidou with nostalgic eyes, “Our mountain-breaking army is nothing without Master Zhao!”

“Master Zhao is indispensable.”

At that, the Old Dragon God’s expression darkened. Flicking his sleeve with clashing armor, he glowered at Zhao Beidou.

“Worthless fool,” he spat.

Zhao Beidou, formerly swayed by Xie Yunshen’s words, now looked grim.

He met the Old Dragon God’s scorn with a change in expression.

“May the Old Dragon God, even when facing the Underworld Yama’s near-frenzied charge, continue to speak with such resolve. My survival is truly a stroke of luck,” Zhao Beidou muttered.

“The Underworld must not be underestimated,” he said in a deep tone.

The Old Dragon God shook his head, his eyes icy, “I have little time. If you don’t recover within a month, I… will kill you!”

His ferocity reached a terrifying peak.

He was the one who had once dared to clash with the founding emperor of the Great Realm!

That founding emperor had carved his name amid chaos, crowned by countless noble families.

It was all built on killing, and the fact that the Old Dragon God could battle the emperor and survive spoke volumes of his temper and strength.

Zhao Beidou snorted, flicked his sleeve, and turned away.

The Old Dragon God’s gaze turned icy as he stood on the surface of the Grand Canal, looking toward Daocheng…

His eyes narrowed, his white hair and beard streaming in the wind…

Though his once imposing figure now slumped slightly, his time was nearly up.

He must secure Qianyuan Divine Sect as a future home for his clan as soon as possible.

Rumbling—

The mighty river roared!

Time waits for no one!

……

……

Through the Cosmic Chessboard, Li Che sensed that the Old Dragon God had broken into the Ancestral Patriarch’s small cavern and left unscathed.

His heart trembled at the display.

The Old Dragon God’s daring entry and exit only underscored his formidable strength.

Typically, when one divine calamity expert invades another’s cavern, it’s an away game—a natural disadvantage.

Yet despite this, the Old Dragon God managed to leave at will, proving his sheer power might even exceed that of Lü Qiankun.

At this brink of one calamity versus two, perhaps his path had reached its end!

One thing was clear: this Old Dragon God’s might was far from ordinary.

Li Che’s eyes narrowed further, his heart stirred with determination, certain that the Old Dragon God was the prime candidate for the most notorious figure in the Ten Fierce Ink Blots.

Yet with his current strength, slaying the Dragon God was still a challenge.

For the Old Dragon God’s power far exceeded that of Zhao Beidou…

In the outside world, where threats of multiple calamities suppressed full shows of power, the gap was hardly noticeable.

But in a cavern, after evading calamity, the difference amounted to the vast gap between First-Stage and Second-Stage Martial Saints.

It was a suppression of cultivation realms.

Thus, Li Che needed a careful plan to deal with this Old Dragon God.

Just as the Old Dragon God aimed to destroy Qianyuan Divine Sect before heading to Qitian City…

Li Che intended to trap him within the Ten Fierce Ink Blots before setting out for Qitian City.

More importantly…

The demonic aura on the Old Dragon God was far stronger than that of the Dragon God Prince, which could greatly aid the 【Wan Yao Di】 Dao Fruit—perhaps even triggering a second transformation of his Spirit Art.

Sitting in the Study, Li Che calmly sat on his chair.

His stomach churned as he crushed a Martial Pill, unleashing a torrent of medicinal energy within his body!

Lost in thought, his eyes suddenly lit up.

After all these days of seclusion and accumulation…

at last, he reaped his reward!

His inner aura began to boil uncontrollably, while the room exploded with rushing energy.

Even with the Sleeping Dragon Elephant suppressing it, his aura kept surging and expanding!

Within his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit began pulsating wildly, as if heralding an imminent frenzy of blood and energy!

He took out the final Heavenly Martial Pill forged by Gu Changqing, placed it in his mouth, and with a crunch, the pill shattered.

With a gulp, he swallowed it down.

The overwhelming medicinal energy surged through his meridians and flesh, transforming into a turbulent mix of blood and refined essence!

Li Che’s eyes shone brilliantly for a moment.

The Cosmic Chessboard spanned the courtyard, blocking all perceptual probes!

And Li Che himself entered the charge phase!

His aura surged higher and higher, as if a celestial drum beat out a thunderous rhythm.

His stomach transformed into a searing furnace of pure yang energy!

Divine fire burned, refining the medicinal energy, and his blood boiled as it surged into every limb—rising and falling until his will crashed against an invisible barrier atop the mountain!

Boom, boom—

Boom, boom, boom—!!!

It was as if his will was colliding with a transparent wall, sparks of countless cracks spreading across it!

Scaling the Martial Mountain, aiming for the peak!

Boom, boom, boom—

The violent collisions echoed like the ancient bell of a snow-capped temple, its sound reverberating across the mortal realm.

The resonance spread through every fiber of Li Che’s being!

It was as if his flesh was being cleansed, washing away impurities once more!

Whoosh—

Then,

Li Che sat upright on his chair. In an instant, the chair crumbled to powder beneath him.

And the mighty aura around him gradually faded, the once raging heat and turbulent winds settling into stillness.

He became supremely serene in that very moment.

As if after a long, arduous journey reaching the summit, he finally stood at the peak, beholding a vast vista where heaven and earth merged, washing away all fatigue.

The invisible barrier meant to block perception shattered with a resounding crash.

Li Che’s martial will radiated brilliant golden light.

He stepped forward onto the peak of Martial Mountain.

The endless expanse of heaven and earth!

A majestic aura erupted from him, like a dam breaking unleashing a torrent, his spirit surging in a wild explosion!

The Fourth-Stage Martial Saint…

This was the pinnacle!

Only a handful among billions could ever attain such a height!

All 36,000 of Li Che’s pores burst with golden light as his blood and essence melded at a breathtaking pace.

His aura grew ever more magnificent, towering like mountains and awe-inspiring in its majesty!

The oppressive force was so intense it could take one’s breath away!

Boom—!!!

Li Che suddenly opened his eyes; his gaze burst with golden brilliance, his hair glowing like spun gold, wildly dancing in the light!

With his arms spread wide, his blood flowed like molten rock, searing his flesh with every heartbeat.

An all-encompassing martial will surged forth from him—a heroic spirit of one who stands atop a mountain, surveying the world below!

“Hoo—”

“Inhale—”

Each mighty breath was scorching and searing!

The relentless heat blasted everything aside as it swept through every corner of the room!

“Hahaha—”

Li Che felt an immense joy well up in his heart!

The once clumsy ‘Flying Thunder Legs’ had finally…

Reached the summit!

The peak of Martial Mountain!

Though there were still paths beyond the summit…

this was the culmination of years of arduous martial cultivation!

His long struggle was finally rewarded!

At the summit, the view was breathtaking!

From this day onward, Li Che…

officially joined the ranks of the top masters of the Great Realm!

Li Che raised his head, gazing at the Cosmic Chessboard that had contained the erupting golden aura.

With a hearty laugh, he raised his hand and swept it away forcefully!

The Cosmic Chessboard vanished in a thunderous collapse.

What was it hiding?

What secrets did it cover up?!

Today, let all of Daocheng celebrate!

Boom—!!!

A sound like a massive bell shattering echoed through the air!

In an instant, the gloomy skies burst into light.

Clouds tore apart as strange phenomena emerged!

On the battlements of Daocheng,

Lü Qiankun emerged from the small cavern, his expression grave, with Lü Taibai and Fang Han Shu at his side.

Also present were Feng Zhiqi, Yu Wen Wenlong, and other Martial Saint experts from the Divine Sect.

They debated whether, with the Old Dragon God’s support for the Imperial Army, a full-scale assault on Daocheng was imminent.

Suddenly,

a collective shiver ran through them.

Even a formidable divine calamity expert like Lü Qiankun was taken aback.

Lü Taibai, Fang Han Shu, and the others turned to look.

There, in the direction of the Disciples’ City!

In that place…

Stood a towering golden mountain, rising abruptly, reaching thousands of feet high!

Around the mountain, blazing golden energy surged upward as if wild banners were dancing on its peak!

A colossal furnace, as immense as the sun, hovered above the summit.

Atop it,

a divine dragon twisted and a gigantic elephant sprawled!

At the mountain’s peak, someone stood with arms raised, as if embracing the heavens and earth!

It looked as though they were about to pull the very sky down!

Truly…

They stood atop the peak, gazing down upon all the mountains!