Chapter 717: Divine Blood Direct Descendant

Li Yi needed ten days to cultivate his divine blood and raise its concentration to the level of a direct descendant before he could go to Chishan Mountain to rescue Jiang Mingtian and Zhao Fangji.

Of course, if he could awaken a divine art, that would be even better.

So over the next ten days, he ate and drank abundantly to replenish the vital essence his body required, while simultaneously circulating the Five Elements' qi within him to transform it into pure magic power.

Due to the perfect balance of the Five Elements within his five viscera and six bowels, the cultivation speed of his divine blood accelerated once more.

After only eight days, Li Yi crossed that threshold and became a direct descendant of divine blood—the most obvious sign of which was the appearance of special markings on his body.

Li Yi was no exception.

A silver mark, like lightning, appeared on his skin—etched as if a tattoo, fused inseparably with his flesh; unlike the Self-Sacrifice Charm, which could be concealed, this silver lightning mark could not be hidden.

The moment he became a direct descendant of divine blood,

dark clouds gathered over the sky of Xiuxiang, thunder rolled within them, lightning coiled—as if heaven and earth itself had responded.

"Boom!"

A bolt of lightning struck down, striking Li Yi precisely.

But this lightning inflicted no harm—it instead awakened a power within his divine blood, a power uniquely attuned to this world, granting him the ability to command lightning.

Thunder roared!

Another bolt of lightning descended.

Instinctively, Li Yi reached out and seized it—easily catching the falling lightning in his palm, where it danced and lingered, a sensation unlike any other.

"Control over lightning?" He understood some of the traits of divine blood warriors.

But it wasn't enough.

His divine blood concentration had only just reached the level of a direct descendant—he had not yet awakened a divine art from his bloodline—but he knew the dormant power within his blood was steadily rising; soon, Li Yi would awaken his divine art.

Upon witnessing this phenomenon at home,

Xiuxiang, Nan Shan Bo, and others hurried over to observe.

"A direct descendant of divine blood—Da Yi has finally reached this step," Nan Shan Bo smiled, stroking his beard; he had foreseen this day, but not so soon.

"Among divine blood warriors, few undergo blood transformation after adulthood—Da Yi is truly extraordinary," Xiuxiang exclaimed, thrilled to witness the birth of a direct descendant of divine blood.

This meant Li Yi's future achievement would be at least that of a regional lord, and he could establish his own divine blood family—Nan Shan Bo's earlier assessment was slowly becoming reality.

As a merchant lord, funding a direct descendant of divine blood was merely icing on the cake, for many merchant lords wished to befriend one—but only Xiuxiang had funded him before he had grown strong.

No, there was also the merchant lord Nü Heng—she too had recognized Li Yi's potential.

"The Master has become a direct descendant of divine blood."

Also waiting for this moment were E Ji and Su Ji; both were deeply excited and joyful, for now they could bear divine blood offspring for Da Yi.

Only a direct descendant of divine blood could produce divine blood descendants—this was universal consensus.

"Becoming a direct descendant of divine blood hasn't just granted me control over lightning—it has also significantly strengthened my physique," Li Yi thought inwardly.

He saw a silver radiance flowing through his flesh and blood.

This radiance carried ancient, immortal power, pushing his physical strength beyond the limits ordinary warriors could reach; with the strength of his divine blood, Li Yi's body now rivaled that of the wildlands.

With every gesture, he could unleash the strength of Long Hu, tear through the sky, and withstand attacks from Dao arts.

"Perfect—this is what I wanted: Five Elements in perfect harmony, direct descendant of divine blood, astonishing physique." Li Yi allowed the lightning to strike him, as if undergoing Tribulation Crossing, yet remained unmoved.

The lightning of this world purified and awakened the ancient divine power within his body.

Perhaps divine power had always existed in heaven and earth—only when your divine blood reached a certain concentration did it resonate.

When the lightning purification finally ended,

more silver lightning marks appeared on Li Yi's body, clearer than before—signifying that more of his divine blood's power had been unlocked.

"Xiuxiang, it's time to prepare for our journey to Chishan Mountain." He felt the moment had come.

"Yes." Xiuxiang gave no reply, only pledged his word.

"Da Yi, shall we depart tomorrow?" he then asked, preparing for the journey.

Li Yi nodded: "Good—tomorrow. I need one day to rest and bring my state to peak."

"I shall accompany you."

At this moment, Nan Shan Bo said: "The Lord of Chishan Mountain is a formidable warrior. Though Da Yi has fully become a direct descendant of divine blood and grown immensely stronger, you are still no match for him."

Li Yi replied: "It would be my honor to have Nan Shan Bo accompany me."

He did not refuse Nan Shan Bo's offer, for since embarking on the cultivation path, Nan Shan Bo's strength had become formidable—a great asset.

To celebrate Li Yi's ascension as a direct descendant of divine blood, Xiuxiang hosted another banquet.

Perhaps because they were about to depart for Chishan Mountain and might face a regional lord, this banquet was crucial—some might consider it their last full meal—so everyone indulged fully.

Only at midnight did they finally disperse.

Li Yi returned to his room as usual to rest, but E Ji and Su Ji, their faces flushed with wine, followed closely behind—eyes shimmering, radiant under the starlight, exuding irresistible charm.

"Go rest now. We depart tomorrow—you will remain in Shenmu City, no need to come with us," he said.

But E Ji, bold as ever, gazed at him with burning eyes: "Master has become a direct descendant of divine blood—tonight, let E and Su serve you, to bear your divine blood offspring as soon as possible."

Beside her, Su Ji watched Li Yi with nervous anticipation.

Both longed for this day.

Li Yi paused, then said calmly: "My divine blood has only just reached the level of a direct descendant—I have not yet awakened a divine art. To conceive divine blood offspring now is premature. I will call for you when the time comes. Tomorrow I face a regional lord—I need rest."

He declined the beauties' offer.

He also understood that if he lived long in the wildlands, fathering offspring would likely be unavoidable.

But Li Yi was no longer the shy youth he once was—he no longer resisted matters of love and intimacy.

"Yes."

The two beauties, though rebuffed, felt no disappointment—only joy, for they knew this day would come.

Li Yi watched them depart, then spent the night alone in cultivation.

The next day,

he took Long Yu and Qiu Niu with him, leaving Grand Sacrificer Dou Kun, Shan Guo, E Ji, and Su Ji behind at Xiuxiang's residence.

Xiuxiang also purchased a strange beast as Nan Shan Bo's mount—a creature resembling a mountain goat, yet with a human face, terrifying to behold.

Just as they prepared to depart, Merchant Lord Nü Heng, somehow having learned of Li Yi's destination to Chishan Mountain, waited at the gate atop a Shan Yi.

"Da Yi, I heard you're going to Chishan Mountain—may I accompany you?" Nü Heng sat atop the Shan Yi, smiling charmingly.

Li Yi said: "I go to Chishan Mountain to face a regional lord—it is unwise for a merchant lord to come with me."

Nü Heng replied: "Chishan is rich in gold—I, as a merchant lord, have reason to go. Da Yi, rest assured—I will not hinder your mission."

"If the merchant lord insists, I will not refuse," Li Yi said.

Judging by her demeanor, Nü Heng knew Chishan Mountain well—she had been there before.

"Da Yi, proceed with utmost caution—I have already alerted the Slave Lord to await you at Chishan Mountain," Xiuxiang said. "I will care for the elders and beauties at home—do not worry."

"Thank you." Li Yi nodded, then called out: "Depart!"

Auspicious clouds rose—he mounted Qiu Niu, with Long Yu and the others, and immediately left Shenmu City, flying toward Chishan Mountain.

He hoped this journey would go smoothly, and that he could rescue Jiang Mingtian and Zhao Fangji without fighting.

But as long as he did not face the Lord of Chishan Mountain, Li Yi was confident he could handle any danger.

His current strength rivaled that of a Three Flowers realm cultivator—he could easily defeat any ordinary mountain lord.

With this thought,

Li Yi and his companions swiftly crossed five hundred li.

In moments, a vast mountain range, glowing crimson under the sun, appeared before him—endless, undulating peaks stretching beyond sight.

Within the range lay jade, ancient trees, strange beasts, and above all, the most precious Chijin.

"No matter how many times I see it, Da Yi, your methods still inspire envy—five hundred li in an instant," Merchant Lord Nü Heng marveled.

Li Yi said nothing, gazing at the Chishan range—he sensed many powerful presences, human and beast alike.

Yet he did not force entry; instead, he descended the auspicious clouds, mounted his steed, and followed the mountain path forward.

"We are merchant lords from Shenmu City, here to trade on Chishan Mountain—please allow us passage," Nü Heng called out loudly as they reached the mountain road, where Chishan warriors stood guard.

Hearing they were merchant lords, the guards said nothing and let them pass.

After traveling further,

they saw a small city within the mountains.

It was Chishan City.

Built by the Lord of Chishan Mountain to house its people and provide lodging for visiting merchant lords.

Before Chishan City stood a thin middle-aged man, waiting patiently.

"Are you the esteemed guest Da Yi from Shenmu City?" The thin man recognized Li Yi at once and called out: "I am the Slave Lord, Ji Hei, here to receive you."

Xiuxiang had been right—he had paid well; someone was here to meet them, so they wouldn't be lost in the dark.

Li Yi leapt down from Qiu Niu and said: "I am Da Yi. Ji Hei—are the men I seek here?"

"Two men: Jiang Mingtian and Zhao Fangji. Da Yi, is that correct?" Slave Lord Ji Hei whispered.

Li Yi immediately nodded: "Yes—those two."

(End of Chapter)