Chapter 455: Shadows of Fate

A long, sleek, jet-black figure ambled slowly from beyond the gate.

Four canine paws lightly pressed on the ground in a crisscross pattern, while one black dog strutted with an elegance more suited to a cat, exuding an irresistibly cheeky aura.

Those eyes, as dark and glossy as black dates, gleamed mischievously, as if laughing and relishing the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

It seemed to say, ‘Long time no see, Little Li!’

Wearing the Underworld Ogre Mask, Li Che’s eyes suddenly lit up, and his stern, somber expression vanished in an instant.

At first, Li Che assumed that the massive black bull from the City Lord’s Residence had foreseen his Twelve Demon Gods’ plan to defect and was planning a preemptive strike.

But he hadn’t expected it to be none other than the long-absent Dog Master!

Earlier, while returning from Divine Capital to Daocheng, he had been escorted by the Boss and Dog Master; the Boss had promised to open a restaurant in Qitian City. Now, Li Che had arrived in Qitian City,

but after probing with his Cosmic Chessboard, he found no sign of either the Boss or Dog Master.

Disappointment crept in—he hadn’t expected Dog Master to show up in person.

As Dog Master entered the courtyard, the gate immediately closed behind him.

Li Che removed his Ogre Mask and broke into a wide smile, stepping forward with outstretched arms as if to bestow a hug.

But Dog Master responded with an exasperated eye-roll.

What hug?

Do you think you’re XiXi?

“Where’s the Boss? He said he’d open a restaurant in Qitian City. Where is it?”

Li Che asked curiously.

Dog Master clearly understood him, although whether he would actually speak was another matter.

After all, Li Che didn’t believe that someone capable of smacking a Temple Spirit into oblivion would suddenly go mute.

He remained silent.

Dog Master paced around the courtyard, pouting in discontent.

Glancing at Li Che, he rolled his eyes again, as if to ask, ‘And where is XiXi?’

Dog Master seemed to say, ‘Why are you staring? I’m here for XiXi!’

Li Che spread his arms; muscles resonated as his Martial Immortal Golden Body erupted in a thunderous burst, releasing qi like an exploding mist.

Dog Master rolled his eyes once more, underwent a slight transformation, and mockingly announced in his own way, ‘Dog Master in the flesh—scare you to death!’

After a moment’s thought, Li Che decided to send XiXi, who had been training in the courtyard with Jin Taisui and Yun’e, first to Mo City Shandu and then have her transferred to his side.

XiXi’s large, adorable eyes, now dazed, seemed to hold a small, spinning orb within them, lost in a blissful haze.

“Father?”

XiXi looked at Li Che in bewildered confusion, as if she couldn’t fathom that moments ago she’d been practicing martial techniques in the courtyard.

A sudden enthusiastic call from Dog Master snapped XiXi out of her daze!

“Wow—Dog Master!”

XiXi and Dog Master exchanged delighted glances; in their dark, almost plum-colored eyes, joy burst forth.

They charged at each other and collided in a playful tangle.

XiXi clung to Dog Master, spinning in circles, her little feet tapping the ground as if performing high knees.

Li Che watched from the side, his heart lifted by the scene.

Why?

Because at last both Dog Master and the Boss had appeared—ensuring that XiXi’s safety in Qitian City was well secured.

Even the mighty Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme would be powerless to threaten her.

Though he wasn’t sure why, Li Che found immense reassurance in their presence.

At the very least, XiXi’s safety was guaranteed.

Li Che even mulled over the idea of simply leaving XiXi at the Boss’s restaurant—in Qitian City, she’d be well protected.

With that thought, it seemed the little quarrel between Dog Master and XiXi had finally come to an end.

Whenever XiXi spoke, Dog Master would bark cheerfully in his own dog language; it was as if their wavelengths perfectly matched.

Li Che couldn’t help but find it amusing—his daughter had even learned the language of dogs!

The gate swung open as Dog Master, strutting on his joyful dog legs, led the way.

“Father, hurry up! Dog Master said he’d take us to the Boss’s restaurant. Let’s go eat something delicious!”

XiXi became so excited that drool threatened to spill uncontrollably.

She hadn’t enjoyed the Boss’s cooking in ages—and she was genuinely nostalgic for it!

Seeing this, Li Che made no effort to stop her; he followed Dog Master and XiXi out of the courtyard.

The Cosmic Chessboard enveloped them, blocking any external tracking.

After all, being in Qitian City meant Li Che needed to be extra cautious.

Fortunately, the Night Bat Demon God had become his trusted aide—so discreet that even thrice-daily reports would never reveal his or XiXi’s whereabouts.

Yet, Qitian City was vast; if the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme discovered them midway, it could stir up needless trouble.

As they moved along, Li Che soon realized his worries were largely unfounded.

Just down a narrow alley behind the courtyard, roughly a hundred zhang in, Li Che finally spotted the long-missing restaurant.

Bathed in a soft orange glow that recalled the sunset, the small restaurant exuded a warm, fading light.

Outside the restaurant, on a rocking chair, sat a man in white with crossed legs, a rolled cigarette clamped in his mouth; blue smoke curled upwards before dispersing.

“Boss!”

XiXi cheered happily.

“Ah, XiXi, you’re here!”

The Boss’s cool face softened into a gentle smile as he stubbed out his cigarette; from his nostrils, two blue columns of smoke surged and then vanished without a trace.

A fresh, subtle fragrance emanated from him, devoid of any hint of tobacco.

Then his gaze fell upon Li Che, and he nodded warmly.

Noticing subtle changes in Li Che, the Boss’s eyes flickered with a different light—he clearly sensed that Li Che had grown a great deal stronger.

Compared to his previous return from Divine Capital, Li Che had bulked up significantly.

XiXi had improved too, but Li Che’s progress—especially his chiseled physique with shimmering golden bones—sparked a gleam of admiration in the Boss’s eyes.

“Impressive,” the Boss marveled.

“Sit for a while; I’m off to cook.”

Donning a pristine white coat, the Boss strolled into the restaurant; the flutter of the door’s curtain and the tinkling of a copper bell filled the air.

Moments later, a small table was set up outside.

Father and daughter—Li Che and XiXi—devoured the sumptuous dishes with such gusto that it seemed every extra word might cost them a piece of the red-braised pork.

The Boss lounged on a rocking chair with crossed legs, leisurely rolling another cigarette.

He lifted his eyes toward the Heavenly Dome.

High above, dark clouds parted to reveal a vivid blue sky; each cloud was rimmed with golden light from the sun.

The radiant sunlight chased away the gloom and demonic aura from Qitian City, bathing everything in warmth and comfort.

After his hearty meal, Li Che leaned back, rubbing his hands together contentedly.

The Boss threw his already-rolled cigarette to Li Che with a sharp glance.

Li Che caught it, and as his fingers flicked, a burst of purple flame ignited—the Dao Calamity Fire, the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame.

Boom—

Feeling an unprecedented rush of relaxation, Li Che exhaled swirling smoke, his mood soaring.

Even the oppressive pressure from the monstrous Guaiyao Grotto and the Second Calamity Black Bull had dissipated entirely.

“Boss, may I ask Dog Master for a favor?”

Li Che chatted with the Boss.

Meanwhile, XiXi played around the restaurant with Dog Master—she hadn’t played with him in ages.

This time, they had an absolute blast together.

“I know what you want to do, but— in Qitian City, Dog cannot intervene.”

To Li Che’s surprise, the Boss simply shook his head and declined his request.

“It could have undesirable repercussions. It isn’t necessary,” the Boss explained.

Pondering this, Li Che noted that the mysterious origins of the Boss and Dog Master might be linked to Bizarre Temple, though he wasn’t entirely convinced.

Could it be connected to the pantheon of gods in Bizarre Temple?

Were they powerful figures from the [Yulian] faction, or even deities?

Li Che’s mind raced with bolder theories than before.

He had once guessed the Boss and Dog Master were embodiments of Divine Calamity, but now his hypothesis had soared even higher.

Not even the Second Calamity Venerable or Third Calamity Supreme could match his speculation.

“Alright, then I’ll try another request,” he said.

“Speak,” came the reply.

“Let XiXi stay at the Boss’s restaurant for a while?”

“You call that a request?”

The Boss tilted his head, his eyes soft as he regarded Li Che, a gentle smile emerging on his cool face.

For him and Dog Master, this was hardly a request.

“No problem,” the Boss said as he flicked away the cigarette ash, smiling.

After agreeing, the Boss’s mind began to wander, planning the upcoming days’ menus—how to vary the dishes so that XiXi would be fed deliciously and grow plump and happy.

“Won’t XiXi’s presence expose you?” Li Che asked after a moment.

The Boss smiled at Li Che.

“Fine,” he replied.

Li Che rose, brushed off the ash, and called out to XiXi.

XiXi dashed over, standing upright with her head held high; sweat from playing with Dog Master still dotted her forehead.

Playing with Dog Master was sheer joy—every headbutt exchanged left them both fully engaged.

“From now on, you’ll stay at the Boss’s restaurant until I return,” Li Che said, gently patting her head.

XiXi burst out a little, “Ah!” momentarily stunned by the sudden happiness.

“But you can’t slack off; when I return, I’ll check your training progress—and if you’re slacking, I’ll know immediately,” Li Che warned, tickling her nose.

XiXi beamed, “Don’t worry, Father! I’ll bulk up—not just in strength, but in cultivation—and become big and strong!”

Li Che smiled as he patted her head goodbye before turning to bid farewell to both the Boss and Dog Master.

“Father, XiXi will miss you,” she mumbled adorably.

Though Li Che felt a pang of reluctance, in a flash, XiXi had already sprinted over to the Boss.

“Boss, what are we having for a late-night snack?”

“How about tomorrow’s breakfast? Could XiXi pre-draw tomorrow’s breakfast?”

Li Che was momentarily at a loss for words…

…

In Lü Taibai’s courtyard,

a single drop of ink fell and spread instantly, merging into a rolling, dark fog.

Slowly, the ink swirled into the shape of XiXi—a Painted Immortal Clone recreated with a 【Painted Immortal】 Dao Fruit.

The moment Li Che took XiXi away, the transformation into her Painted Immortal Clone was complete.

Neither Lü Taibai, Lü Qiankun, nor Fang Han Shu—who sat reading under the eaves—noticed; even Jin Taisui, training with XiXi, remained oblivious.

Only Yun’e and Zhou Peng understood that the XiXi before them was already the Painted Immortal Clone.

Li Che’s Painted Immortal Clone even joined in, sitting beneath the eaves alongside Fang Han Shu as they perused their books.

All appeared serene and timeless.

But Yun’e and Zhou Peng knew all too well—Ogre Li Shu was about to make a major move.

Qitian City was growing ever livelier.

Originally, Qitian City—overrun by countless demons—had never been a quiet, abandoned town.

Now, with cultivators from the Great Jing Court, the Divine Sect, and forces from Wan Yao Di, not to mention powerful figures from Witch God Mountain and the Western Lands of Buddhism, the city buzzed with life.

Many who entered Qitian City weren’t content to hide in courtyards; they roamed the streets, hoping to trigger a Temple Spirit Resonance.

Of course, they thought too highly of themselves—as after five hundred years of demonic pillaging, the city was long stripped bare, even of any remnants linked to Temple Spirit Resonance.

At the City Lord’s Residence,

the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme sat at the head of a round table, his form cloaked in twisting demonic aura, barely discernible.

This day, a few figures sat opposite him.

Wearing bamboo hats and monk robes sans kasaya—with their exposed garments and Buddha beads betraying their identity—these Western Lands of Buddhism monks engaged in quiet conversation with him.

Suddenly,

space itself warped and split apart.

A figure emerged from a narrow tear—the Night Bat Demon God.

Upon appearing, the Night Bat Demon God spotted the seated Western Lands of Buddhism monks, his eyes widening in bewilderment.

The leading monk lifted his head; his plain robe stirred as if in an unseen breeze, and his gaze flared with radiance as golden cicada patterns emerged on his eyelids.

An invisible Buddha light burst forth, forming what looked like a golden cicada on his back with wings that quivered as if vibrating innumerable times, emitting a fearsome sound.

“This is my trusted aide, Night Bat Demon God,” the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme stated coolly.

“Oh? Trusted aide…?”

The Western Lands of Buddhism monks exchanged indifferent smirks as one rose, gripping a golden staff whose clatter echoed while he headed out of the City Lord’s Residence—unwilling to speak further with the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

At the door, that monk glanced back; the golden cicada pattern shimmered like fiery light, twisting and burning.

“Black Bull Venerable, be cautious—a crisis of blood may be near,” he warned.

After this, the monk cast one more look at Night Bat Demon God, then left along with several others whose eyes also glowed with cicada patterns.

“These Western Lands of Buddhism monks—always acting aloof, with an inherent arrogance not unlike the deities of [Black Xumi],” the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme muttered with a cold laugh while the Night Bat Demon God kept his head bowed in silence.

What did those monks really notice?

They shouldn’t have been able to—after all, the Lord’s resurrection technique was nearly celestial; how could mere monks fathom it?!

“Night Bat, report the situation,” the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme ordered, wiping his large nose.

“Right away,” the Night Bat Demon God replied respectfully.

Everything… remained as usual.

Outside Qitian City in the Outer City,

at the Three-Open Courtyard, a gentle breeze stirred while warm sunlight bathed the space.

Li Che had returned from the Boss’s restaurant and, barely seated in the courtyard, received Night Bat’s report.

The report detailed strange occurrences among the Western Lands of Buddhism monks.

“Western Lands of Buddhism—”

Li Che’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the ghostly monk silhouette, illuminated by golden Buddha light, seen after dispatching Ji Mo Li.

Those golden cicada patterns were etched in his memory.

A subtle shift within triggered the Cosmic Chessboard to rotate, replaying Night Bat’s conveyed image.

In it, every Western Lands of Buddhism monk bore cicada patterns in their eyes.

Li Che even lingered on the golden Buddha cicada behind the leading monk.

“Golden Cicada—”

He frowned. That very day, the monk behind Ji Mo Li had announced his Dharma name as Golden Cicada.

And now, these Western Lands of Buddhism monks appeared no different from him.

Could they be the masterminds behind Ji Mo Li’s massacre and blood soul harvesting technique?

“Could it be that behind these Western Lands of Buddhism monks stands the deities of Bizarre Temple [Black Xumi]?”

A flicker of realization passed over Li Che’s mind.

In the next moment, the Cosmic Chessboard trembled and expanded, directing its gaze toward the Western Lands of Buddhism monks.

However, soon after departing the City Lord’s Residence, those monks had returned to the courtyard, each sitting cross-legged in deep meditation with glowing Buddha light.

Li Che observed them for a time but found nothing conclusive, then deactivated the Cosmic Chessboard and reined in his thoughts.

Regardless of their intentions, upon learning that the mastermind behind Ji Mo Li was one of the Western Lands of Buddhism monks, Li Che felt nothing but disdain toward them.

Yet, a single thought spurred him—he summoned Huang Mei Great Master, who had been dispatched with Xie Yunshen during the pacification of the Tian Dan Divine Sect on Guangling Path, to come to Qitian City.

He wanted Huang Mei Great Master to infiltrate the ranks of these Western Lands of Buddhism monks like a lurking dagger.

After a brief investigation and noting the monks immersed in cultivation, Li Che decided to resume his own training in preparation for the upcoming Twelve Demon Gods’ defection plan.

With a shift in his mind, he teleported instantly,

appearing in Mo City Shandu.

A light, steady drizzle fell.

After arriving, Li Che landed in an open Black Jade Square; raindrops pattered onto the ground, creating a hazy black mist.

At that moment, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit roared and trembled!

Its newfound enlightenment cascaded forth like a babbling stream.

Li Che’s eyes suddenly flared open; his dark, vigorous hair whipped wildly as every black raindrop burst like a splinter.

He stood up, and in his left arm a resonant blade light erupted as muscle and sinew clashed.

Whooshing, countless flashes of blade light surged out from his left arm in a furious display.

That was the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade—wielded single-handedly, unleashing a dazzling burst as countless shards slashed through the air in silky arcs!

Stirred by the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit’s epiphany, golden smoke began to stream from Li Che’s eyes.

He set about developing his martial path,

aiming to transform the Transcendent True Martial Way Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Divine Blade into the Celestial Seed Martial Art Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Sky-Cleaving Blade!

Whoosh! The power of Dao Calamity erupted instantly; a ribbon of Primordial Void Slash surged out like a cataclysmic wind, shredding space with a flawlessly sharp edge that struck terror into all!

Qi burst forth, his flesh expanded, and his Martial Immortal Golden Body surged to its limits as his physical strength reached a fevered pitch.

A streak of golden light leapt from his brow, soaring skyward—the Heavenly Gate gaped open with a thunderous roar!

It was as if an ancient Martial Immortal stood behind the celestial gate, brandishing a heavenly blade to sweep across mountains and decimate dragons!

Li Che soon felt his mind descend into a mysteriously profound state as blade lights crisscrossed and the force of calamity burst repeatedly!

Destruction. Shattering. Annihilation. Domination!

He disassembled his martial vision of swordplay, then reconstructed it anew.

It felt as though he were standing on a mountain peak, buffeted by howling winds.

In the distance, endless blue mountains stretched like a masterpiece painted by a master artist!

Midway up the slopes, swirling mists and clouds danced gracefully!

Li Che stood atop the peak, the distant blue mountains mirroring his profile without a backward glance; then, with a sudden clatter, his Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade whirled in his hand and was gripped tightly with a sharp snap.

Boom!!!

In that instant, as his hand clutched the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, the myriad blue mountains displayed in the distance seemed to be cleaved in half, shattered into pale voids—as if a single stroke had obliterated a range of peaks!

A mighty will surged in his mind.

Li Che allowed a small smile as his golden hair cascaded like a cape in the wind.

It was done!

The Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Divine Blade, fused with Dao Calamity, had transformed—Primordial Void Slash now reborn as the Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Sky-Cleaving Blade.

Celestial Seed Martial Art!

After mastering the first Celestial Seed Martial Art, Qilin Sealing Inscription, Li Che had now acquired his second Celestial Seed Martial Art!

Boom—In Mo City, the surrounding Black Jade bricks were already shattered by countless blade slashes.

Li Che’s imposing figure resembled golden steel reinforcements embedded in his skin.

His spine roared like a great dragon as golden vortexes swirled along it.

The martial art that had once housed the Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Divine Blade now underwent a metamorphosis.

Forced from the depths of his spinal mysteries, he began to weave the essence of Celestial Seed Martial Art into his secret techniques.

Celestial Seed now merged into the secret path!

Martial Art mastery was the key to Celestial Seed Martial Art!

Blending the force of Dao Calamity with his own insights, he forged a unique martial doctrine!

Boom!!!

The Qimen Divine Seed transformed into Qimen Immortal Seed—

Unbearable agony surged through him, yet undeniably a colossal power swelled rapidly, his inner meridians seemingly turning to gold!

Buzzing, the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade in his hand trembled with delight—as if rejoicing!

Li Che’s eyes widened as the pain ebbed like a receding tide.

He could feel his flesh growing even stronger; his Martial Immortal Golden Body had notably improved.

[Dragon Elephant Furnace: Martial Immortal Golden Body (15%)]

A look of surprise crossed his face—the enhancement was remarkable!

Apparently, converting all Qimen Divine Seeds into Qimen Immortal Seeds yielded such impressive results.

The buzzing of the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade seemed to hint at the delight of the divine weapon, causing Li Che to glance sideways.

He felt a quiet satisfaction—as if the weapon itself were celebrating.

Yet Li Che scanned his golden body, his eyes shimmering with thought.

“Martial Immortal Golden Body—

“Qimen Eight Immortal Seed— the Flesh Becoming Holy?”

Was that why the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade seemed so elated?

Was it yearning to transform his flesh into something sanctified?

But could converting Eight Mysterious Gates Divine Seed into Eight Mysterious Gates Immortal Seed truly lead to a sanctified body?

Even Li Che couldn’t say for sure.

Exhaling a murky breath, amidst intertwining chaotic currents, an imposing aura emerged, laced with razor-sharp blade energy that sliced through space like a storm cleaving the air!

The power of his martial art was, indeed, exceptional.

Even if he had only just mastered it, this Celestial Seed Martial Art had already reached a modest apex!

After all, unlike Qilin Sealing Inscription, which required gradual cultivation, the Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Sky-Cleaving Blade was an adaptation forged from Divine Seed.

Li Che’s entire being resonated with pounding energy.

He sheathed the Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, and with a shift in focus, a torrent of demonic qi erupted around him.

Then, a two-toned scorpion-tail long sword—half black and half white, its surface riddled with fine pores—materialized in his hand.

It pulsed like a living creature, as if breathing with every beat.

Li Che glanced at the form of the Night Bat Demon God and infused the extracted vital blood into the Yin-Yang Demon Sword using Dao Induction.

The Demon Sword writhed as a drop of vital blood was instantly consumed by its blade, sealing off a pore!

Li Che smiled to himself.

He’d already figured out how to counteract the void left by missing demonic qi.

The qi of the Twelve Demon Gods sustained Qitian City’s ocean of demonic energy—remove one, and a void forms.

So, if that happened, simply replace it with another demon god!

As for acquiring demon god–level demonic qi…

At that moment, swirling demonic qi burst forth from Li Che’s eyes.

Thus far, all the demonic qi among the demons had originated from the [Wan Yao Di] Dao Fruit.

Tian He Demon God, Night Bat Demon God…

Li Che’s body seemed to merge with twisted space, transforming into a vortex of demonic qi that began to rotate.

There were two rotations!

This was the Demon Immortal Second Transformation!

Boom—

Li Che transformed, his very being resembling a fearsome, raging demon.

Dense demonic qi swirled before his eyes, a horrifying storm ascending skyward.

The Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit trembled as countless strands of demonic qi converged behind him, coalescing into a massive, coiled demonic elephant like a divine dragon!

He hoisted the Yin-Yang Demon Sword, its pores erupting ceaselessly with demonic qi.

Li Che grinned softly.

After his demonic transformation, his outstretched fingers released a star-like Spirit Wood that descended; as the Demon Sword swung, it carved out a cute elephant mask that he pressed against his face.

A new soul was thus added to the Underworld—

There was a demon in the Underworld.

It was Diting.