Chapter 132: with translation of chapter title

Fine steeds neighed, galloping on the official road, raising dust.

The blue stone slab road was laid all the way to the foot of the Divine Sect's mountain gate, where a huge white jade stone archway stood.

The Divine Sect's mountain gate had dedicated guards; Li Che and Zhang Ya had already become acquainted with the mountain-guarding cultivator.

"Master Li, you're up the mountain again looking for your daughter?"

The mountain-guarding cultivator was an old man, his cultivation at the Initial Stage of Divine Foundation, not weak, but his talent limited, and he had long since cut off his path of advancement.

So, he simply became a gatekeeper at the mountain gate.

"Old Master Qian, come, this braised pork made by my wife—try it, it's absolutely not inferior to the chef's skill at Yunfang House!"

Li Che smiled, took out a plate of already-prepared braised pork from the lunch box, sending it with a deft force, floating toward the figure in the small building beside the white jade stone archway.

That stooped figure received a plate of braised pork, drew a deep breath, and burst into laughter.

Li Che slung the red lacquered vegetable basket, took Zhang Ya's hand, got off the carriage, stepped onto the blue stone steps, and went up the mountain.

They strolled along the mountain path like a couple, basking in the mountain breeze and forest shade.

The two soon arrived at the Divine Sect's inner gate square.

On the square, it was very lively, gathering disciples from all peaks of the Divine Sect; the Divine Sect holds a grand assembly each month, bringing all disciples together to assess their monthly cultivation progress.

Similar to a monthly exam, it will rank contemporaries; even true transmission disciples will participate in the ranking alongside inner gate disciples.

For example, there are five true transmission disciples in a cohort; each monthly exam, they must at least enter the top six; if they fall below the top more than three times, the true transmission quota will waver and be replaced by the inner gate's top disciple.

Of course, one or two monthly assessments have no effect, but once exceeding three times without entering the top six, it becomes very dangerous.

During the annual assessment, if one fails, there is a possibility of being removed from the true transmission position.

Moreover, during the monthly assessment, inner gate disciples each have one chance to challenge a true transmission disciple.

If they succeed in challenging for three consecutive months, they will remove that true transmission disciple's position, even without waiting for the annual assessment.

Of course, the same principle applies to inner gate disciples; thus, the monthly assessment is also an opportunity for many outer gate disciples to enter the inner gate, and each year many striving outer gate disciples replace inner gate disciples.

However, it is rare for a true transmission disciple to be removed.

Li Che and Zhang Ya arrived at the square; in the center, Elder Zhang Qingzheng, dressed in a Confucian robe, wore a stern, hateful face, standing on the platform.

Holding a roster, upon calling a name, a Divine Sect child disciple who had entered would hop up onto the stage.

After respectfully performing a salute to Elder Zhang Qingzheng, they began to clench their fists and display martial techniques, simultaneously erupting with qi and blood to show their martial cultivation.

A set of fist techniques finished in just over a dozen breaths.

"Inner gate disciple, Liu Yue, seven years old, minor accomplishment in opening meridians, nurturing nature like a lamp—alright, step down."

"Next, inner gate disciple, Zhang Kai."

Elder Zhang Qingzheng nodded, then shouted with a stern face.

That disciple then obediently stepped down from the platform; order was excellent, and no one dared to defy Elder Zhang Qingzheng's will.

On the viewing platform.

Not only Li Che and Zhang Ya, but many other parents of child disciples also sat on the platform to watch their children participate in the Divine Sect's monthly assessment.

"Husband, quickly look, Xixi is over there!"

Zhang Ya widened her eyes in the crowd, searched for a moment, quickly spotted Xixi surrounded by a bunch of little brats, took Li Che's hand, and involuntarily exclaimed with joy.

Li Che had long since discovered Xixi's position; having transformed to level 3 of the Chess Saint Dao Fruit, his perception now far surpassed before.

He kept a cold face, slightly nodding.

Because, around Xixi, there was a large group of boys.

The Gong family's Gong Yuanliang, the Gongyang family's Gongyang Xiu, plus many inner gate boys from the Shijia Zhuzu of Jinguang Prefecture City, each one loitering beside Xixi, flaunting themselves.

Li Che's expression was unpleasant; he sat upright on the high platform, coldly staring, as for the purpose of these scions of noble families, it goes without saying.

They surely were acting under orders from their family elders, having entered the sect to make good contact with Xixi.

Xixi is now the true transmission of the sect master of Jinguang Peak; her status far surpasses that of an ordinary true transmission, and most importantly, she is still a girl.

In the eyes of these Shijia Zhuzu, girls are ultimately meant to marry, even if they are the sect master's true transmission.

Therefore, if they could marry into their family, it would be equivalent to bringing a substantial dowry, and the background power possessed by a sect master's true transmission is absolutely not to be underestimated.

How could Li Che fail to guess these boys' thoughts?

Usually, Xixi cultivates on Jinguang Peak, with Senior Sister Sang Guanyin and Senior Brother Liu Yangyuan watching over her, so these boys cannot approach her.

However, the monthly assessment of the sect, held once a month, is the best opportunity to contact Xixi.

"These boys have impure motives."

Li Che exhaled a breath, narrowed his eyes, and said.

Zhang Ya, however, burst into a helpless laugh: "Husband, they're just children."

"What are you thinking about?"

"Xixi is only three years old."

Li Che rubbed Zhang Ya's head, saying: "I certainly know they're just children, but… children will inevitably grow up! They are laying the groundwork for the future; we cannot be careless!"

Zhang Ya burst into a helpless laugh; her husband always prepares for the unforeseen, thinking far ahead.

……

……

Xixi sat on the chair, feeling very delighted; she grabbed a handful of melon seeds from her sleeve pocket and slowly began to nibble them. These melon seeds were brought by Shangguan Qinghong when he came to find her a few days ago.

Xixi eating melon seeds fits her Xixi Great Emperor's demeanor; while eating melon seeds she looks down on many treacherous ministers, simply cool as hell.

As for the unfamiliar inner-door boys surrounding her, Yin Yin Senior Sister said, just ignore them, treat them as buzzing flies.

Yin Yin Senior Sister is very experienced!

"Xixi, are those your father and mother?!"

Xixi was extremely bored; suddenly, a childish voice of Gongyang Xiu came from beside her ear.

The five-year-old Gongyang Xiu is only two years older than Xixi.

Xixi heard that, her ears twitched instantly: 'Where is it? Where is it?'

She immediately became energetic, her eyes darting left and right as she scanned the surroundings.

Finally, on the high platform she saw her happy mother Zhang Ya waving her arms at her, and her father with a cold face.

Xixi instantly clapped happily, the little one directly jumped down from the chair.

She pulled Gongyang Xiu, pushed through the crowd, and excitedly ran toward her parents.

"Silence!"

On the fighting platform, Zhang Zhengqing with a sullen face coldly said.

However, upon seeing Xixi, a hint of warmth involuntarily flashed in his eyes, although that hint of warmth was almost imperceptible.

"Go ahead."

Zhang Zhengqing said.

If it's Xixi, it's fine; but for anyone else, he, Zhang Zhengqing, would definitely put on an impartial, iron-faced attitude.

Xixi pulled Gongyang Xiu and ran onto the spectator stand.

"Mother——!"

With an excited leap, she rushed toward Zhang Ya, but mid-air, Li Che grabbed her with one hand.

What strength does Xixi have now?

Is she preparing to kill her mother to prove the Dao by rushing like that?

Xixi was caught by the nape of her neck, and she instantly flailed her arms and legs like swimming in water.

"Dad, you hate me!"

Xixi's chubby little face flushed red, she was so angry, the image of Xixi the Great Emperor was completely ruined!

"No more rushing at your mother like that! Only I, your father, am allowed to."

Li Che pinched Xixi's little cheek, earnestly instructed her, then set her down.

Xixi snorted, snuggled into Zhang Ya's embrace, feeling wronged: "Mother, Father bullied me!"

Zhang Ya hurriedly soothed and coaxed Xixi.

By the way, she took out a food box, from which she retrieved Xixi's favorite braised pork; in an instant, Xixi was no longer wronged and happily began eating.

Gongyang Xiu stood somewhat awkwardly, having been pulled over by Xixi, and he was not really clear on the situation.

At this moment, he only felt that Xixi's father's gaze was sharp, like a drawn sword.

Adult, it's so scary……

Beside her, Xixi was eating braised pork.

"From the Gongyang family?"

"Your hair seems a bit yellow."

Li Che glanced at Gongyang Xiu and said lightly.

Gongyang Xiu hurriedly explained: "Uncle, hear me out... this is because I cultivate my family's earth-element divine nature martial art..."

The Five Elements Divine Nature Martial Art is a special divine nature martial art formed by adding the Seven Emotions divine nature to the Five Elements.

Its power is somewhat greater than ordinary divine nature martial arts.

The Five Great Sects each primarily cultivate the Five Elements Divine Nature Martial Art, combined with the Divine Physiognomy Method.

For example, the Gold Split Sect cultivates the metal element and specializes in slaughter.

The Bamboo Forest Academy cultivates wood, the Watch Tide Pavilion cultivates water, the Mind Monkey Temple cultivates fire, and the Sand Scorpion Forest cultivates earth.

Like in the Divine Sect, the Five Elements Divine Nature Martial Art is also taught; among divine nature martial arts of the same rank, if they incorporate the Five Elements, their power will be greater.

Li Che nodded but said nothing, making Gongyang Xiu feel ever more pressure; his small face was covered in bean-sized sweat droplets, and sweat drenched his back.

So scary……

Beside her, Xixi was still eating braised pork.

Gongyang Xiu was almost crying, bearing pressure he shouldn't have to bear at his age.

"Xiu Xiu, want a piece of braised pork? My mother's braised pork is the best in the world!" Xixi said, her mouth full of oil, looking at Gongyang Xiu with concern.

Gongyang Xiu hurriedly waved his hands.

Fortunately, the true transmission examination finally began below; Zhang Zhengqing called Gongyang Xiu's name, and he felt relieved, running off as if flying.

After the inner disciple examination comes the true transmission.

This term's four true transmissions are respectively Haichao Sheng, Gong Yuanliang, Gongyang Xiu, and Xixi.

After Gongyang Xiu stepped onto the stage, he bowed to Elder Zhang Zhengqing and then began his martial demonstration.

"Not bad, Gongyang Xiu: five years old, bone tempering minor accomplishment, nurturing nature like a stream."

Zhang Zhengqing kept a stern face, nodded slightly; although his words were satisfied, they gave an air of dissatisfaction.

"Next, Gong Yuanliang."

The four true transmissions, the testing time is not long.

After all, it's just a monthly assessment, not too formal; Zhang Zhengqing merely made a simple record.

Generally, a ranking can be determined based on cultivation level.

In one month, everyone's cultivation has seen considerable improvement.

Seven-year-old Haichao Sheng, perhaps stimulated by Xixi's genius talent, after a month of arduous training, actually broke through bone tempering great accomplishment and stepped into blood exchange.

This news truly shocked many; blood exchange at seven years old is truly rare.

"Next, Li Nuanxi."

Zhang Zhengqing shouted.

Xixi stuffed the last piece of braised pork into her mouth.

Dad, Mom, I'm here!

After saying that, Xixi ran toward the fighting platform.

Li Che and Zhang Ya's gazes also fell on the fighting platform, very curious about what level Xixi's cultivation had reached after one month in the Divine Sect.

In the next moment, Xixi moved, and a resounding sword cry burst forth; countless golden lights flickered from her arms, as if myriad rays of glorious light rose together!

Moreover, there was the sound of rushing thunder, echoing without cease.

Below the fighting platform, many eager inner sect disciples who wanted to challenge Xixi all felt a sense of oppression, their pupils constricting.

Qin Fenghuo of the Qin Clan had long ago declared his intention to challenge Xixi; at this moment, his heart felt as if it were being gripped by a giant hand.

"Blood... Blood Exchange?!"

"How is this possible?!"

Qin Fenghuo's face was extremely grim, his eyes wide open, yet he could feel the scorching heat of qi and blood rushing toward him.

His visage gradually turned ashen like dead ash.

He had reached perfection in Bone Tempering, confident he could challenge Xixi a little, but now... the thought of challenging her had vanished like smoke.

In one month, although he had achieved great success in Bone Tempering and reached perfection in Bone Tempering,

but Xixi had directly stepped into Blood Exchange, the gap... was quite large!

Is this the gap between him and the prodigy?

Qin Fenghuo's body trembled, a hint of fear flickered in his eyes, he fell silent, and a sense of defeat welled up in his heart.

However, this feeling of defeat quickly faded.

Qin Fenghuo still had hope in his eyes: "Yes, in a year... Temple God Resonance, I still have a chance..."

"As long as my Temple God Resonance is sufficient, I still have a chance to become a Core Disciple and receive the sect's nurturing!"

The Qin Clan had made many preparations for his Temple God Resonance assessment, placing great hopes on him.

Upon thinking of this, Qin Fenghuo couldn't help but feel confident again.

He is only seven; his future has just begun—what is this temporary lag? Time is still long; he will surely catch up to Xixi!

On the fighting platform, Xixi displayed the entry-level Golden Light Branch Superior Absolute Art, the Profound Thunder Golden Light Killing Sword Technique.

Dazzling and mysterious, its power astonishing, sword qi pierced through her body, exhaling and intertwining.

Although it was barely an entry-level technique, it already startled many.

Even Zhang Zhengzheng stroked his beard in surprise, his eyes flashing with an unusual hue.

In the distance, Elder Zhu Hongdou, who was observing the assessment, was thoroughly displeased; Xixi should have entered her Red Cloud Peak and become her disciple.

Unfortunately, the Sect Leader, an old fool, snatched her away.

"Li Nuanxi, three years old, in one move reached Blood Exchange, her nature like a river!" Zhang Zhengzheng announced Xixi's result.

Thus the first round of testing ended completely, followed by the challenges.

Inner sect disciples challenging core disciples, and outer sect disciples challenging inner sect disciples.

Qin Fenghuo, who had previously clamored to challenge Xixi, ultimately gave up strategically.

After all, with Xixi at Blood Exchange, even if she didn't use hidden weapons, Qin Fenghuo had no confidence he could win.

"I want to challenge!"

Suddenly, everyone's attention was drawn, yet in the corner, Shangguan Qinglei, his face full of gloom, walked step by step.

All the disciples kept their distance from him.

Like a plague god, they did not want to approach him, nor have any involvement with him.

Shangguan Qinglei's face was full of gloom; though only seven, he seemed to have experienced too much of human affairs, already having understood the ugliness of human nature.

He walked step by step, ascended the fighting platform, and his gaze fell upon Xixi.

"I want to challenge you!"

Since Shangguan Zhengheng was killed by Lin Xiu and Li Qingshan, Shangguan Qinglei's status in the Divine Sect plummeted; some disciples who knew the inside story even mocked him as the son of an evil fiend of the Corpse God Sect.

Shangguan Qinglei suffered endless grievances, his anger having nowhere to vent.

He transferred all his anger onto Xixi.

Xixi's family was on good terms with Li Qingshan...

and Li Qingshan is the murderer of his father!

The more Shangguan Qinglei thought, the richer his repressed anger and killing intent became.

Zhang Zhengzheng put on a sour face, coldly glancing at this little brat, as if he could see the fury and killing intent in his heart.

Zhang Zhengzheng knew why Shangguan Qinglei had such fury and killing intent, merely shook his head, and looked at Xixi: "Will you accept?"

Xixi did not refuse; her eyes shone brilliantly as she leapt onto the fighting platform—fighting... she loved it most!

Xixi's bones and muscles couldn't help but tremble—it was the tremor of excitement!

On the viewing platform.

Li Che stared at Shangguan Qinglei, able to feel the fury and terrifying killing intent emanating from him toward Xixi.

Li Che narrowed his eyes.

Shangguan Qinglei...

Is he the son of Shangguan Zhengheng?

Almost missed it.

To cut the grass, one must remove the roots.

This child...

Must not be allowed to remain!

……

……

Chen Lao held a dry pipe, humming a little tune, walking along the extremely prosperous street of the prefecture city.

The prosperity of the prefecture city was truly captivating; Chen Lao never imagined in his life that he could actually come to live in the prefecture city.

However, after eating at Li Che's family for so many days, he ought to go find a job to pass the time.

Xixi went to the Divine Sect to cultivate; Li Che went to work at the Imperial Observatory during the day; Zhang Ya occasionally stayed at home, and on ordinary days would also go to Li Qingshan's Proper Thunder Peak to train.

He was really bored being alone.

As he walked, a ragged figure in coarse cloth hurried over from the distance, holding a bamboo stick.

Chen Lao took a puff of his dry pipe; this was his fellow villager, who after arriving in the prefecture city joined one of the three major gangs, the Beggars' Gang.

They had met not long ago in the prefecture city and thus renewed their acquaintance.

"Da Bao!"

"Er Dan."

The two exchanged a glance, smiled at each other, feeling the joy of meeting an old friend in a foreign land.

Both were now old; back in their hometown, they had merely been vigorous youths practicing martial arts together at the martial hall, and in the blink of an eye they had grown frail with age.

They found a tea stall, sat down, and drank tea while chatting.

"I found you a job in the gang, knowing you practice blood-exchange cultivation, I told the steward and secured a guard position for you."

"The pay is not low, twenty taels of silver per month."

Chen Lao narrowed his eyes, took a puff of old smoke, exhaling clouds and mist, and said: "Guard what?"

He did not immediately agree; the waters of the prefecture city run deep.

"Hehe, a nice billet, do you know of Cloud Fragrance Pavilion?"

The old beggar Er Dan's face showed a wicked grin.

"Around Cloud Fragrance Pavilion, our Beggars' Gang also has territory… Cloud Fragrance Pavilion also hires our Beggars' Gang people to do some work, mainly guarding some goods."

"If luck is good, you might even see the beauties inside Cloud Fragrance Pavilion; I hear that the top courtesan… is as white as snow!"

Er Dan rubbed his hands together.

Chen Lao burst out laughing: "We're both old fogeys; do you really think you could still pull that off?"

"Don't waste time on nonsense."

However, the job Er Dan mentioned actually suits Chen Lao's mind quite well.

Cloud Fragrance Pavilion is not too far from Li Che's small courtyard, and its great reputation, Chen Lao had long heard of.

Although it is a place of pleasure, but Chen Lao's honest work earns money, that money… is not dirty.

Seeing Chen Lao agree, Er Dan then brought him to the Beggars' Gang's station near Cloud Fragrance Pavilion.

A blood-exchange cultivator wanting to find a job in the prefecture city is not actually difficult.

The Beggars' Gang's steward, however, was dressed very neatly, with no trace of a beggar, more like a wealthy man who feasts on riches and oil.

"Fine, blood-exchange cultivator; although your qi and blood have somewhat declined, guarding goods is sufficient."

"I'll have someone lead you there; remember, look less, ask less, just do your own job well."

"Understand?"

Chen Lao held his dry pipe, smiling to show he understood; as an old hand of the jianghu, how could he not?

That rich-and-oily steward was very pleased with Chen Lao's attitude, liking this sort of old oil-stick jianghu veteran who is savvy and sensible.

Afterward, someone came to lead Chen Lao away to the work site.

Seeing Chen Lao off, the steward's rich-and-oily face suddenly lost its smile, and he bowed his fists toward a direction.

"This person has a significant connection with the Divine Sect's divine child Li Nuanxi, subtly implanting a corpse curse mark in his body; the sect master's true transmission descends the mountain once every half year……"

"After half a year, when Li Nuanxi comes into contact with this person, the corpse curse mark can be transferred onto the divine child's body!"

A gloomy voice drifted out from the house.

"A divine child…… is worth our taking great risks."

"The whole Ji Prefecture has fallen into the plaything of my Corpse God Sect; a mere Golden Light Prefecture…… how could it possibly resist?"

"Everyone has desires; as long as there are desires, one cannot resist the temptations of my Corpse God Sect."

"A divine child……"

……

……

Divine Sect, Inner Gate Grand Plain.

Li Che sat on the high platform, watching step by step, the gloomy and immense Shangguan Qinglei, a hidden killing intent flickering in his eyes.

Even if Shangguan Qinglei is merely a child……

Yet the threat brought by a child is not small either.

If he really harmed Xixi, then he would regret it for life!

However, now it is the arena tournament; having Zhang Zhengzheng, this Divine Physician cultivator, presiding over it, Xixi's safety is no longer a concern.

Moreover, Shangguan Qinglei's cultivation is fundamentally incapable of threatening Xixi.

So, at this moment Li Che has no intention of intervening.

Sitting on the high platform, calmly watching this challenge, his mind already began to calculate how to eliminate this child.

After the enhancement of the Chess Saint's Dao Fruit, his perception of killing intent became extremely keen.

Suddenly.

Li Che's heart stirred slightly, and in his pupils a woven, intersecting chessboard appeared.

A chess piece throbbed.

That was the Flying Thunder chess piece he had hidden on Chen Lao's body.

At this moment, it seemed to sense some dangerous aura, and the chess piece sent back feedback.

Li Che's brows furrowed slightly, his mind stirred, and that chess piece instantly burst forth with a vast radiance; the radiance gathered on the chessboard, intertwining into an image.

After merely looking for a moment, Li Che's face turned utterly grim.

Corpse God Sect!

Because of the feedback from the chess piece, he sensed the corpse curse power gradually staining Chen Lao's body; although the power was scant and not strong, only after accumulating several times could it condense into a Corpse Curse Seal, so faint as to be undetectable.

But Li Che—

Because the Chess Saint Dao Fruit suppresses an Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal within it, he is extremely sensitive to Corpse Curse Seals; even a trace appears in his eyes like the radiance of the great sun, impossible to hide.

"The Corpse God Sect truly seeps everywhere; Chen Lao went to look for a job and ended up stained with corpse curse power? Such a subtle, pervasive method truly leaves no defense."

When corpse curse power accumulates to a certain degree, it erupts, condensing into a Corpse Curse Seal in an irresistible manner.

Unless the seal-bearer defiantly resists, abolishing their cultivation, even at the cost of their life, can they withstand the erosion of the Corpse Curse Seal.

But how many people can face death calmly when confronted with life and death?

Not wanting to die, plus the temptation of increasing one's cultivation, they abandon their beliefs and join the Corpse God Sect.

Li Che closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again.

He began to think, what is the other party's purpose?

The first time he saw Chen Lao, within Chen Lao's body lay an undetectable accumulation of corpse curse power, aimed at a Blood Exchange martial artist whose qi and blood were beginning to wane; surely this was a targeted purpose.

Convert Chen Lao into the Corpse God Sect?

In the prefecture city, a Blood Exchange martial artist is nothing special, especially Chen Lao, who is a Blood Exchange martial artist with declining qi and blood; how could he be worth such elaborate scheming?

Li Che felt that the other party's target was likely still Xixi.

Although not much is known about Chen Lao's relationship with Li Che's family...

But if you ask the residents of Listening Flower Alley, they would all know that Chen Lao's relationship with their family is extremely close.

The Corpse God Sect intends to use Chen Lao, just like that Six Desires wood carving from before, to pass the Corpse Curse Seal through Chen Lao and infect Xixi's body!

"Corpse God Sect… they really deserve to die!"

Li Che's eyes suddenly became incredibly sharp and icy cold.

Even after all this killing, aren't you afraid?

After not making a move for a month, you're starting to stir again?

Or perhaps…

If you don't kill a major figure of the Corpse God Sect, will the Corpse God Sect never know pain?!

The cold intent in Li Che's eyes surged, his killing intent unprecedentedly intense.

It seemed she noticed her husband's complexion not looking good; Zhang Ya turned her head in puzzlement and patted Li Che's chest.

Li Che's complexion eased somewhat.

Chen Lao is temporarily safe; the other party doesn't intend to move him, and that corpse curse power is only just beginning to infect; find a chance to cleanse it with a surge of qi and blood, and it will be washed away.

So Li Che did not rush to kill him; instead, he planned to follow the vine to melon, hoping to uncover a big shot.

Then…

Let the Corpse God Sect feel some pain!

He calmed his emotions.

Li Che's gaze then fell upon the fighting platform.

On the fighting platform.

Xixi was stretching her muscles and bones when suddenly the thing perched on her shoulder, resembling a dead butterfly, fiercely flapped its wings.

Xixi's lively eyes widened instantly…

She looked toward Shangguan Qinglei, anger rising.

Her tiny frame actually burst forth with a terrifying sense of oppression.

"You actually want to kill me?!"

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