Chapter 135: Who says the sect leader must be innocent

Creak—

The heavy temple doors burst open with a boom.

Nan Lihuo wore a white robe, his black hair flying, stepping out of the great hall; the ground seemed to shrink beneath his feet, each step covering several zhang.

Yuan Bo, guarding outside the hall, and the anxious Sang Guanyin both looked toward the emerging Nan Lihuo.

"Young master."

Yuan Bo had a flesh ball on his back, clasped his fists and bowed.

Nan Lihuo nodded, then looked at Sang Guanyin: "Describe the situation in detail."

Sang Guanyin hurriedly described in detail what had happened during the monthly assessment, daring not to omit anything.

Nan Lihuo stood with his hands behind his back, listening quietly, a gentle expression on his face.

After listening carefully, his brows furrowed and a harsh glint flashed in his eyes.

"Really audacious."

"They actually used a child as a knife—truly unexpected… but it's also because Shangguan Qinglei harbored resentment, unable to resist the temptation, becoming a blade of the Corpse God Sect."

Nan Lihuo said in a deep voice.

"Is Xixi alright?"

Sang Guanyin nodded: "It's fine; Elder Zhang acted in time, blocking the Corpse God Sect assassin's means, but that Seven Origin Corpse Curse Seal inexplicably vanished."

Nan Lihuo raised his eyebrows upon hearing: "It seems someone secretly intervened; with Zhang Zhengqing's methods, the Corpse Curse Seal couldn't just disappear—he would likely have drawn it into himself."

"Are there still hidden masters within the Divine Sect?"

Nan Lihuo fell into thought.

Suddenly.

WwwotTkдno￠O

On the Grand Flat of Golden Light Peak.

Another person rushed over—it was Liu Yangyuan, accompanied by a cultivator from the Healing Hall.

"Report to the Sect Leader, Shangguan Qinglei… has been killed."

"His five viscera, six bowels, bones, flesh, tendons, and veins all turned into blood—his methods were extremely cruel!"

The Healing Hall cultivator clasped his fists and spoke in a deep voice.

After his words, the aura before the temple turned cold and stern.

Nan Lihuo burst forth with a terrifying pressure that seemed to twist space.

"Good… good a villain!"

"This is killing to silence…"

"Master, Elder Zhu has slaughtered the Shangguan Clan and is now fighting the Shangguan Family's Heavenly Appearance Ancestor, Shangguan Jie."

On the strange, handsome face of Third Disciple Liu Yangyuan hung a solemn expression.

"Let her toss about; I'm already full of pent‑up anger—Xixi should have entered her Red Cloud Peak, but I intercepted her, and I've been looking for a way to vent. The Shangguan Clan delivering themselves is just what I need."

"Before them was Shangguan Zhengheng, behind them Shangguan Qinglei—the Shangguan family's upbringing is lacking."

Nan Lihuo said lightly, unbothered.

"As long as he's not dead."

Nan Lihuo appeared gentle and amiable, but in reality… he was also one who protects his own.

"Shangguan Qinglei was silenced—who needed him silenced?"

Nan Lihuo narrowed his eyes.

"Let's go, first check on Xixi's condition—the Seven Origin Corpse Curse Seal is no trivial matter; any effect would affect one for life."

Nan Lihuo said softly.

Sang Guanyin nodded silently at the side.

Yuan Bo quietly withdrew, hiding in the darkness, continuing to guard this hall.

Liu Yangyuan was dispatched to watch over Zhu Hongdou's side, to prevent things from worsening, fearing that if Zhu Hongdou really lost control, it would be bad.

Liu Yangyuan's face stiffened.

"Master, me? You want me to stop Elder Zhu?"

"That's the Explosive Red Bean Elder—once his temper flares, even passing dogs get kicked twice…"

"The Master actually had Liu Yangyuan stop him—are you serious?"

"You don't want this disciple anymore?"

Liu Yangyuan was a hundred unwilling, but seeing Nan Lihuo already far away, he could only grit his teeth and go on.

……

……

Rumble—

It seemed a soul‑shaking roar echoed.

On the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, all Pure Heart chess pieces trembled at that moment.

Li Che's mind surged, unable to calm for a long time.

Never expecting that the Heavenly King divinity drawn from the Golden God Temple would be……

So vengeful against evil!

Li Che hadn't even tried to use it when this divinity chess piece shot forth, suppressing the white bone hand.

It dispelled deathly and corpse qi, overwhelmingly domineering, granting the world a clear brightness!

"Heavenly King… worthy of the name, his eyes cannot tolerate a speck of dust!"

Li Che laughed.

His gaze swept over, landing on the white bone palm that had been shattered.

The shattered bones of that palm vanished together with deathly and corpse qi; after shedding the white bone, it turned into a Corpse Curse Seal.

It closely resembled the Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal, but its aura was darker and more terrifying, like a black hole hovering on the chessboard, devouring all light and heat.

The Black Gold Heavenly King Divine Chess Piece seemed not to reject or act upon the remaining Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal.

Thus, the Corpse Curse Seal hovered within the Heaven and Earth Chessboard.

Li Che hurriedly mobilized his Pure Heart Divine Nature to go suppress it.

Boom—

The Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal was indeed harder to suppress and tame than the Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal.

The surging black divine nature shattered burst after burst of Pure Heart Divine Nature.

However, Li Che continuously piled up Pure Heart Divine Nature to suppress it, slowly refining it.

Though slow, there was still hope of achieving complete refinement and suppression.

"Once I fully suppress this Corpse Curse Seal, I will, like with the Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal, be able to spread its Corpse Curse power upon trembling to detect other Corpse God Sect experts who have received the Corpse Curse Seal..."

"The Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal can detect those who have received the Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal; then... that Corpse God Sect expert hidden within the Divine Sect will surely have nowhere to hide!"

Li Che's eyes flickered—this was the leverage he had grasped over the other side!

If this Corpse God Sect expert hidden within the Divine Sect does not act against Xixi, he will not reveal his flaw, and thus will not be caught by Li Che.

Li Che wished to instantly complete the suppression and refinement of the Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal, but ultimately his own cultivation was insufficient to do so.

Although anxious, Li Che also understood that such matters cannot be rushed.

Gathering his spirit, Li Che opened his eyes.

Sitting quietly in the room, he lightly tapped the sandalwood table and chair with his fingers, then recalled something and took out Shangguan Qinglei's Cosmos Jade.

His powerful divine sense directly tore through the barrier of the Cosmos Jade.

He then sensed what was stored inside.

There was not much, nothing valuable, after all it was merely a seven-year-old child's Cosmos Jade.

He quickly glanced over, checking if anything left by the mastermind remained.

The other party's means were clean, leaving no clues.

After tidying up, Li Che rose, his bones cracking all over.

His spirit was actually better than he had imagined.

"Huh... my divine sense seems to have grown a bit?"

"Within the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, controlling Pure Heart White Pieces and clashing with the white bone palm formed from deathly and corpse qi actually strengthens my divine sense?"

Li Che wondered.

One must know that the strength of divine sense is related to the growth of the divine foundation; the stronger the divine foundation, the naturally stronger the divine sense.

Cultivation of the divine foundation realm inherently involves tempering the divine sense.

The stronger the tempering of divine sense, the easier the future breakthrough to the divine aspect will be.

Yet now, Li Che actually discovered a method to temper divine sense alone.

"During the process of refining and suppressing the Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal, my divine sense will also grow..."

Li Che laughed, saying, "Well, this also counts as an unexpected joy from this operation."

Although he had not yet found the mastermind, he had resolved Shangguan Qinglei's lightning tribulation and eliminated the threat posed by the white bone palm.

Li Che's mood thus relaxed a little.

Not staying in the room for further seclusion, Li Che directly opened the door and left.

Li Qing Shan sat in the distance, observing the divine aspect, his entire body emanating the pressure of the divine aspect realm; he was truly only one step away from breaking into the divine aspect realm.

As if sensing Li Che walking out of the room, he opened and closed his eyes; countless bolts of lightning intertwined, and his tremendous extermination-evil power manifested as an invisible ripple of breath that suddenly spread out.

Li Che glanced from afar; Li Qing Shan gradually restrained his aura, that thunderclap divine aspect slowly dissipating.

Opening his mouth to breathe in and out, thunderous roars surged.

The momentum was astonishing.

Li Qing Shan walked over with a smile toward Li Che: "Settled?"

Li Che nodded, knowing Li Qing Shan referred to the Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal matter, and he did not hide it.

He could suppress the Corpse Curse Seal and also detect it; that was the basis of their cooperation, so there was no need to conceal.

"However, fully suppressing it still requires some time; the Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal is indeed formidable."

Li Che said.

Li Qing Shan nodded naturally: "Being able to suppress the Seven Yuan Corpse Curse Seal already exceeds my expectations... take it slow, remember to stay steady, and absolutely avoid contamination—once contaminated, the consequences are dire."

Upon hearing this, Li Che also understood Li Qing Shan's meaning.

"Rest assured, I have it in mind."

Li Che responded lightly.

Li Qing Shan gazed toward the distant Seven Yuan Divine Statue, his eyes deepening as he said in a low voice: "Old man, I am about to succeed."

"Before long, I fear I will be able to break through to the divine aspect..."

"And in Golden Light Prefecture City, and even the entire Divine Sect, there should be many who do not wish for me to break through to the divine aspect."

Li Qing Shan stood with his hands behind his back, the mountain wind fluttering his robes, outlining his figure.

"Could it be... they will still come to deliberately sabotage when I break through?"

Upon hearing Li Qing Shan say that suddenly, Li Che could not help but speculate.

"One should say that there will definitely be someone who will act to sabotage..."

Whether inside the sect or outside, it's the same; in the Golden Light Prefecture City, the five major sects have all been beaten by me, and the five great clans are no different.

They are naturally the most unwilling for me to break through to the God Appearance Realm...

Once I become a God Appearance, they won't have many good days left.

Li Qingshan stretched lazily, quite carefree.

Afterwards, he lazily glanced at Li Che, smiling: "How about it? Are you interested... in lending me a hand?"

"Summon Ma Mian... I need his sniping ability."

"As long as I become a God Appearance, I can give one Eight Extremes Divine Nature Crystal as payment."

Li Qingshan is very magnanimous.

Li Che was silent; the implication was that if he failed and died midway, the promise of the divine nature crystal would be void.

Although Li Qingshan had the suspicion of trying to get something for nothing, Li Che's eyes still flickered slightly; the Eight Extremes Divine Nature Crystal... was enough for Ma Mian to make a move once.

Of course, this Eight Extremes Divine Nature Realm is indeed a good thing, but it's not so easy to obtain; it's quite hot to handle.

Li Qingshan's assault on the God Appearance Realm will certainly not go elsewhere; it must be at Upright Thunder Peak, which means within the scope of the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

And those who dare to attack the Divine Sect Mountain Gate...

Basically they won't be weaklings; at least they are Void Appearance, possibly even a God Appearance battle.

Li Che began to ponder whether or not to get involved in this matter.

"Please have Ma Mian snipe just one shot; if it misses, regardless of success or failure, I will give the reward, and after that shot he can stop, needing to worry about nothing else."

Li Qingshan said in a deep voice.

Ma Mian's sniper shot pierced the flesh of Shangguan Zhengheng's Cursed Copper Corpse; that terrifying penetrating power would give even Li Qingshan a headache if he encountered it.

After all, his body isn't as hard as that of a Cursed Copper Corpse.

Li Qingshan also put himself in his shoes; if it were him facing Ma Mian's explosive shot, such terrifying mechanical slaughter...

Unless prepared in advance, otherwise suddenly he might not be able to block it.

Death may not necessarily occur, but once hit, he will surely be seriously injured!

So, such a Ma Mian must be brought into our camp to feel more at ease.

Although Ma Mian is Li Che's friend, for this kind of covert sniping work, if someone offers a higher price, he could end up on the opposing side.

Therefore, Li Qingshan early on spoke with Li Che, first reserving Ma Mian's schedule before saying more.

"Your breakthrough will certainly be inside the Divine Sect... with the Sect Master presiding, will your breakthrough to God Appearance be dangerous?"

Li Che naturally didn't expect Li Qingshan to worry about Ma Mian appearing on the opposing side.

He furrowed his brows, voicing the doubt in his heart.

Is Li Qingshan being overly pessimistic?

Within the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, experts are as numerous as clouds, and there are existences like Nan Lihuo of the Origin Appearance; Li Qingshan's breakthrough to God Appearance should be the most stable, unless his own breakthrough fails.

Li Qingshan gave Li Che a deep look: "Wasn't Xixi also attacked inside the Divine Sect?"

"'On what basis do you still think my breakthrough to God Appearance will definitely be safe?'"

Li Che remained silent.

Indeed, even with the Sect Master Nan Lihuo presiding... why would it definitely be safe?

Li Qingshan took a deep breath, hands behind his back, gazing at the myriad lights of the city below the mountain.

"'What's more...'"

"'On what basis can you be certain the Sect Master... is the most innocent?'"

Li Qingshan's words fell.

Li Che's pupils suddenly contracted, as if a thunderclap had struck the earth, deafening!

When Li Qingshan and Li Che returned to the courtyard.

After Zhang Ya promised to make her braised pork, sweet and sour fish, salivating chicken, and up to ten other delicious dishes, Xixi finally swept away her lethargy, full of vigor.

She pulled Lu Chi into the small courtyard, hands on hips, chest and belly protruding, resembling a Great Emperor as she looked down on her lackey.

"'Lu Chi, you little brat, let's fight!'"

"'Xixi is now strong!'"

Xixi's fighting spirit soared; in her battle with Shangguan Qinglei, she seemed somewhat unsatisfied, after all, that lackey used dirty tricks, making her unhappy, not at all pleased!

So, she came to find Lu Chi.

Mu Popo and Zhang Ya stood aside, somewhat helpless, but seeing the vigorous Xixi, they both relaxed, knowing that Xixi had not been affected by the Seven Element Corpse Curse Mark of Shangguan Qinglei's Corpse God Sect would be good.

Lu Chi scratched his big head, looking at Xixi with some hesitation and indulgence.

"'Xixi, how do you want to fight?'"

"'First, agree: no using your mechanical cannon, and no deploying divine weapons; just compare strength.'"

Although Lu Chi is only an inner sect disciple, he entered the sect several years before Xixi.

Although his spiritual child talent is average, he caught up with the temple god resonance, the resonance degree is not bad, because he early on became a disciple of Li Qingshan, so it has remained unchanged.

Now Lu Chi, eight years old, has reached the Blood Exchange Three Transfers level in martial cultivation, and his divine nature cultivation has reached Nurturing Nature Like a River, as he launches an assault on the God Foundation Realm.

Lu Chi also never expected that three-year-old Xixi... could catch up to his pace so quickly.

Three years old...

Xixi is only three years old!

Lu Chi recalled what cultivation he had at three years old?

Hmm…

Still at an age where they can't freely control their pee and poop!

Literal: "Still at an age where one cannot freely control urination and stinky poop!" We'll translate: "Still at an age where I can't freely control my pee and poop!" Keep exclamation.

Come on, Lü Chi, you wicked minion!

"Come on, Lü Chi, you wicked minion!"

Xixi's eyes blazed like flames, her fighting spirit soared; as Xixi the Great Emperor, she would conquer all wicked minions with strength, not beauty!

Xixi's eyes blazed like flames, her fighting spirit soared; as Xixi the Great Emperor, she would conquer all wicked minions with strength, not beauty!

After Xixi dreamed of becoming Xixi the Great Emperor and making her father a wicked minion, she, at her young age, gained the goal of becoming an emperor.

After Xixi dreamed of becoming Xixi the Great Emperor, making her father a wicked minion, she, at her young age, gained the goal of becoming an emperor.

The butterfly fluttered its wings, landed on Xixi's shoulder, grew nervous, opening and closing its wings like a dog baring its teeth at a stranger.

Translate: "The butterfly flapped its wings, landing on Xixi's shoulder, growing nervous, its wings opening and closing like a puppy baring its teeth at a stranger." We'll use Xixi.

The ultimate showdown between Xixi and Lü Chi never happened.

Translate: "The ultimate showdown between Xixi and Lü Chi never came to pass."

Nan Lihuo came drifting in white robes, with Sang Guanyin at his side.

Translate: "Because Nan Lihuo arrived in white robes, drifting over, with Sang Guanyin following at his side."

Sect Master, Master!

"Sect Master, Master!"

Upon seeing Nan Lihuo, Xixi lowered her fists and gave a cute, slightly awkward clasped-hand salute.

Translate: "Xixi saw Nan Lihuo, instantly lowered her fists, and gave a somewhat cute and funny clasped-hand salute." We'll use Xixi.

Xixi has come, Master, let me take a look.

Translate: "\"Xixi, come, let Master have a look. \"" Use Xixi.

Master, I was in seclusion and did not anticipate this; it is my fault.

"Master, I was in seclusion beforehand and did not foresee this; it is my fault."

Nan Lihuo said gently.

Translate: "Nan Lihuo said gently."

He took a step and instantly appeared beside Xixi, as if shrinking the earth to an inch.

Translate: "He took a step, appearing beside Xixi as if shrinking the earth to an inch." Use Xixi.

He joined his two fingers into a sword finger, touched it to Xixi's forehead, and his powerful divine sense swept around before withdrawing.

Translate: "He pressed his two fingers together into a sword finger, touching Xixi's forehead; his powerful divine sense swept around and then withdrew." Use Xixi.

No problem, she hasn't been tainted by the Corpse Curse Mark—good news.

"No problem, she hasn't been tainted by the Corpse Curse Mark—good news."

Nan Lihuo breathed a sigh of relief.

Translate: "Nan Lihuo exhaled in relief."

Sang Guanyin, standing nearby, also finally relaxed her tense face.

Translate: "Sang Guanyin, standing nearby, also finally relaxed her tense, pretty face."

Since Master said there was no problem, there surely isn't any, after all Master's cultivation is at the Prime Aspect Realm, standing at the peak of Divine Aspect, with divine sense so strong she could not imagine it.

Since Master said there was no problem, there surely isn't any, after all Master's cultivation is at the Prime Aspect Realm, standing at the peak of Divine Aspect, with divine sense so strong she could not imagine it.

He is a top-tier expert on par with the Directorate of the Temple Office, the Director of the Bureau of Astronomy, and the Lord of the Golden Light Prefecture!

He is a top-tier expert on par with the Directorate of the Temple Office, the Director of the Bureau of Astronomy, and the Lord of the Golden Light Prefecture!

In the distance.

Translate: "In the distance."

Li Che and Li Qing Shan arrived side by side.

Translate: "Li Che and Li Qingshan arrived side by side."

Upon seeing Nan Lihuo, Li Che's steps halted, recalling Li Qing Shan's speculation, his brow slightly furrowed.

Translate: "Upon seeing Nan Lihuo, Li Che's steps halted; recalling Li Qingshan's speculation, his brows furrowed slightly."

But he quickly composed himself, his face showing a gentleness matching Nan Lihuo's.

Translate: "But he quickly adjusted his mood, and a gentleness like Nan Lihuo's appeared on his face."

Li Che's steps paused again, and he unconsciously touched his own face.

Translate: "Li Che's steps paused again, and he subconsciously touched his own face."

Li Qing Shan is a seasoned actor, remaining calm before Nan Lihuo even if he had doubted him.

Translate: "Li Qingshan was a seasoned actor, remaining composed before Nan Lihuo, even though he had doubted her."

Nan Lihuo glanced at Li Qing Shan and Li Che, paying little mind, since Li Che was brought back by Li Qing Shan from Flying Thunder City, their good relationship understandable.

Translate: "Nan Lihuo glanced at Li Qingshan and Li Che, paying little mind, since Li Che was someone Li Qingshan had brought back from Fēiléichéng, and their close relationship was understandable." Use Fēiléichéng.

Master Li, this time I was negligent; being in seclusion, I never imagined the Corpse God Sect would be so deranged as to use a child for assassination—truly beyond my expectation.

"Master Li, this time I was negligent; being in seclusion, I never imagined the Corpse God Sect would be so deranged as to use a child for assassination—truly beyond my expectation."

Nan Lihuo spoke gently, his voice giving a feeling of reassurance like a spring breeze.

Translate: "Nan Lihuo spoke gently, his voice giving a feeling of calm like a spring breeze."

Li Che, however, felt quite awkward; although he usually smiled gently, once he put on the Ox Demon mask, he would become unrestrained, arrogant, crazy, and vicious…

Translate: "Li Che, however, felt quite awkward; although he usually smiled gently, once he put on the Ox Demon mask, he would become unrestrained, arrogant, mad, and vicious……"

Sect Master Nan Lihuo……could he also be someone like that?

Sect Master Nan Lihuo……could he also be someone like that?

Gentleness……is merely a disguise.

Translate: "Gentleness……is merely a façade."

Sect Master in seclusion? This is certainly not the Sect Master's fault; only the wicked followers of the Corpse God Sect are truly hateful! Shangguan Qinglei could be corrupted by the Corpse God Sect within the Divine Sect…… Sect Master, this matter must be taken seriously!

"Sect Master in seclusion? This is certainly not the Sect Master's fault; only the wicked followers of the Corpse God Sect are truly hateful! Shangguan Qinglei could be corrupted by the Corpse God Sect within the Divine Sect…… Sect Master, this matter must be taken seriously!"

Xixi's safety, we as parents are very concerned.

Translate: "\"Xixi's safety, we as parents are very concerned. \"" Use Xixi.

Li Che said seriously.

Translate: "Li Che said seriously."

Nan Lihuo nodded: Rest assured, this Sect Master will thoroughly investigate.

Translate: "Nan Lihuo nodded: \"Rest assured, this Sect Master will thoroughly investigate. \"" Use "Sect Master".

Li Qing Shan snorted from the side: Thorough investigation……how easy is that?

Translate: "Li Qingshan snorted on the side: \"Thorough investigation……how easy is that to do? \""

Nan Lihuo glanced at him.

Translate: "Nan Lihuo glanced at him."

Li Qing Shan immediately put on a smile, approached the Sect Master: Sect Master, this matter……shall I handle it?

Translate: "Li Qingshan quickly put on a smile, edging up to the Sect Master: \"Sect Master, this matter……how about leaving it to me? \""

However.

Translate: "However."

Just as Li Qing Shan's words fell.

Translate: "Just as Li Qingshan's words fell."

A terrifying and mighty divine aspect aura rolled in from beyond the Zhenglei Peak.

Translate: "A terrifying and mighty Divine Aspect aura surged forth from beyond Proper Thunder Peak."

Li Qing Shan, are you trying to steal the duties of the Flowing Sword Peak Enforcement Hall?

Translate: "\"Li Qingshan, are you trying to steal the work of the Flowing Sword Peak Law Enforcement Hall? \""

But did you ask if Flowing Sword Peak agreed?

Translate: "\"But did you ask if Flowing Sword Peak agreed? \""

A faint voice, with a hint of coldness.

Translate: "A faint voice, tinged with a hint of cruelty."

A youth with black hair flying, bearing a sword that suppresses divinity, a flowing light treasure sword, Xu Jiuqing, elder of the Flowing Sword Peak Enforcement Hall, in white robes fluttering, stepped through the air.

Translate: "A youth with black hair flying, bearing a sword that suppresses divinity, a Flowing Light Treasure Sword, Xu Jiuqing, elder of the Flowing Sword Peak Law Enforcement Hall, white robes fluttering, stepped through the void."

Behind him, sword energy endowed with flowing light, like chains hanging down, entwined and bound a middle-aged man, as if escorting a prisoner.

Translate: "Behind him, sword aura bestowed flowing light, like hanging chains, entwining and binding a middle-aged man, as if escorting a prisoner."

Stuck writing, I've been deleting and revising this chapter for a long time; it's only five thousand words. Always running naked really tests the enthusiasm for writing—each day I rely on the growth of monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and readership to maintain enthusiasm… Lao Li asks for support, thank you all! Old rule: publish first, then revise.