Chapter 163: Guest Elder assessment, Felling Blade Carving Great Sage, Divine Origin True Person's Golden Core subdues the Grandmaste

163. Chapter 162 Guest Elder assessment, Felling Blade Carving Great Sage, Divine Origin True Person's Golden Core subdues the Grandmaster

The plain snow burst open, turning into swirling snow mist that filled the heavens and earth.

The entire blue‑stone‑paved mountain path trembled like a rolling giant dragon, causing the countless accumulated snow on the path to surge down like an avalanche.

With a single step onto the blue stone, the lone‑sleeved old man's aura changed completely.

It was as if he had just awakened, like a fierce tiger opening its eyes, shaking heaven and earth.

A single shout of paying respects to the mountain erupted, and the sound wave exploded like thunder!

It stirred up a raging current like a tide, actually blocking the many descending avalanche waves.

It kicked up countless specks of dust like white river waves!

Then the lone‑sleeved old man began to step; with just that one step, his body shot forward like a cannonball.

The speed was too fast.

It had reached the extreme!

Faster than an arrow released from the bow!

Whoosh—!

The winter's raging cold wind was completely pressed downward; a distorting, indescribable aura spread from the lone‑sleeved old man's whole body, as if forming a unique domain around him.

The surging, scorching qi and blood roasted the mountain's white snow into steaming vapor, twisting the void.

It was like a great sun rising from beneath the mountain, vast and splendid, bursting forth with light and heat!

Grandmaster!

At that moment, the entire Golden Light Branch trembled.

Inside the mountain gate, the disciples of every peak and meridian felt their hearts shake and were stirred.

Almost at the same time.

Within the branch, on several peaks, an extremely powerful aura burst forth, twisting and exploding.

On Proper Thunder Peak, Li Qingshan flew into a rage, clenched his five fingers, and the ram‑horn hammer slipped into his palm, which he lifted.

The gate flung open, he stepped swiftly, and his divine aura erupted like a thunder god with wings on his back spanning heaven and earth!

On Two Sleeves Peak, the scholarly elder Zhang Qingzheng, who had been reading, slammed his book down in uncontrollable anger.

With a single step, a mighty righteousness swept up, carrying him shooting forth.

On Red Cloud Peak, Zhu Hongdou was wiping her crimson divine spear when she sensed the Grandmaster's aura bursting forth from below the mountain.

Without hesitation, she drew her spear and shot out.

South Mountain Peak.

The eldest elder, Weng Wuyu, let out a soft sigh, tapped his peach‑wood cane, and also stepped forward.

On Golden Light Peak.

Nan Lihuo's expression remained normal, his white robe fluttering in the wind.

Beside him, the Daoist Wang Kuoyu's face grew ever more bitter.

"Junior brother, just as you predicted… this young prince can't sit still after all, and he's come."

"Paying respects to the mountain, paying respects to the mountain—this is actually a show of force before dismounting."

Wang Kuoyu softly shook his head.

Nan Lihuo chuckled: "No, it's not a show of force… it's a probe."

"A probe?"

Wang Kuoyu questioned doubtfully.

"He's probing you, senior brother…"

"On the surface, the young prince came to see Xixi, wanting to observe the innate prodigy of Golden Light Prefecture and gauge his level, but in fact, having the Grandmaster pay respects to the mountain…"

"The purpose is to probe just what strength you, this orthodox envoy of the Divine Sect, truly possess."

"Our Golden Light Branch, after all, is a branch of the Divine Sect; with the orthodox present, we certainly won't stand by idly, and we likewise represent the Divine Sect."

"Having the Grandmaster pay respects to the mountain is simply to see whether the Divine Sect has dispatched a Divine Origin True Person this time."

Nan Lihuo's white robe fluttered, his white hair likewise blown about incessantly.

Wang Kuoyu heard this and was instantly stunned.

"Ah…"

"Indeed, it is so."

Nan Lihuo gave Wang Kuoyu a deep‑meaning look.

Whether to contend or not, to kill or not—sometimes it's not up to you to choose.

Without further words, his wide sleeves billowed, hanging behind him; he stepped forward and floated down, landing on the great flat of Golden Light Peak.

Liu Yangyuan and Sang Guanyin arrived one after another.

Xixi, Xiao Pangzi Zhou Peng, and the stunningly beautiful girl Yun'e, together with many elite and upper‑grade spirit children training on Golden Light Peak, came pattering over.

"Sect Master, someone wants to fight!"

Xixi widened her eyes and exclaimed excitedly.

"Shh… Xixi, you shouldn't say that randomly."

Xiao Pangzi Zhou Peng's cheek twitched and he hurriedly shouted.

Xixi tilted her head: "They're provoking us—doesn't paying respects to the mountain mean they want to fight?"

Xiao Pangzi Zhou Peng's head spun like a rattle drum: "Of course not—this comer is a Grandmaster… a Grandmaster, who could beat him?"

"Unless a few Grandmasters from our orthodox sect come running, or a Divine Origin True Person intervenes… otherwise, we're mostly bound to get beaten."

"A Grandmaster—his flesh flawless, condensing divine gang, spirit and blood refined into the body's precious pearl; once the pearl is formed, he can look down on all heroes!"

(Little Fatty) - descriptor, not a proper name; maybe exclude as generic form of address? It's a nickname but not a proper name used habitually? Could be considered a nickname; but it's not a formal name. The rule says generic forms of address (not ranks) exclude. "Little Fatty" is a nickname, but it's a descriptive epithet. Likely exclude.

(Xixi) - character name, in glossary.

(Grand Master) - a rank/title. Should translate meaning: Grand Master. Not a proper name; it's a title. Should we list? It's an official & sect rank/title. Yes, list "Grand Master". But we need to output English exactly as we would translate. Since it's a title, we translate meaning: Grand Master.

Xixi heard the words, opened her mouth, eyes sparkling: "How many fireworks would have to be set off to blow up shit…"

Little Fatty

It was popularized for nothing.

To Grand Master also utterly fearless……

Really... damn awesome!

No wonder they're an Ox-born brat!

Yun'e at the side covered her mouth and smiled, gently pulled Xixi over, and whispered.

Xixi, upon hearing this, immediately became solemn.

Nan Lihuo arrived with his hands behind his back, glanced at a bunch of kids, and didn't drive them away.

He also wasn't worried that the Little Lord would bring a Grand Master, truly daring to open a killing spree inside the Golden Light Branch Sect Mountain Gate.

After all, holding the Temple God Resonance still requires their Golden Light Branch Sect to initiate it.

Basically, they came to pay respects to the mountain, using their aura to suppress peers, intimidate the Divine Sect's gifted children, so they wouldn't perform well in the subsequent Temple God Resonance.

Thump thump thump...

The entire mountain peak was shaking.

Four Divine Aspect Elders arrived one after another, landing on Golden Light Peak.

Li Qingshan's face darkened as he gripped the Goat Horn Hammer, feeling the suffocating pressure, and he unconsciously adjusted his breathing.

Grand Master...

His flesh was flawless, forming an indestructible diamond body; his five viscera and six bowels were refined to the extreme, his qi flowed throughout his body and all its orifices, condensing into Divine Gang, and his spirit intention, blood and qi, and flesh combined to form the Human Body Treasure Elixir.

When the elixir is formed, it becomes a realm; the will becomes divine.

The most terrifying thing about a Grand Master is their fearsome martial will.

Li Qingshan is merely a Master Perfection, having cultivated the True Intent Absolute Art, Eight Flood Dragons Turning the River, and forged five-headed blood qi flood dragons.

But if one wishes to step into the realm of a Grand Master, it is distant and hopeless, with no hope in sight.

By comprehending true intent, refining the five viscera and six bowels, mastering a secret art to the point of transformation, and giving rise to a True Intent Realm, one achieves Master Perfection, appearing only a step away from a Grand Master.

But in fact, crossing this step is harder than anyone imagines.

Just as a Primordial Aspect seeks to cross the barrier, step into the Primordial Element Realm, and become a Primordial Element True Person.

The difficulty is even greater!

A single Grand Master placed on a bloody battlefield can match a thousand troops without defeat.

It's not just an ordinary army, but the finest of the Dàjǐng Dynasty—battle-hardened martial warriors in iron armor, the Iron Armored Army.

Even a Grand Master who has only just begun to condense Divine Gang, looking over Dao City, counts as a top-tier expert.

Nan Lihuo's expression was ordinary; he expanded his divine sense, suppressing all the terrifying aura, so the Divine Children would not be affected.

When the Little Lord entered the Golden Light Mansion, he had already anticipated this, so he was not surprised.

As the son of the Pacification King Ji Moli, his domineering conduct is completely understandable.

Thump—

A sound of breaking through the air echoed, and then a one-armed old man came crashing down onto the mountaintop.

With a single step, it seemed as if the entire forest trembled underfoot, countless grasses, trees, dirt, and sand shaking the heavens.

Countless air currents seemed to condense into substance, then were violently torn apart; above the mountain peak, the rumbling sound rolled on without cease.

The old man landed before the large flat area.

His black hair flew wildly, the empty sleeves of his cloth robe lashed through the air; although he wore only straw sandals, no one dared to underestimate his might.

"Divine Gang Grand Master... Xue Dufu."

Nan Lihuo whispered softly.

As for the strong ones beside Ji Moli, he knew them all like the back of his hand.

Xue Dufu slowly opened his eyes, and in an instant, the wind and snow over the entire mountain peak suddenly ceased.

It was as if the night sky were shrouded in a denser, deeper darkness; heaven and earth grew dim, oppressive and claustrophobic.

This is the martial will of a Grand Master!

Xue Dufu didn't move a muscle; merely displaying his martial will created an incredibly terrifying pressure.

Nan Lihuo's expression turned extremely solemn; a Divine Aspect appeared behind him, shining with brilliant golden light.

His bones and joints rang throughout his body; after all, he too was a Master Perfection martial warrior, and his flesh involuntarily emitted a brilliant hum.

That was a self-defense reaction to sensing the martial will.

"Alas..."

A soft sigh suddenly echoed from within the Divine Palace.

Xue Dufu's eyes flickered slightly, he lifted his head, and the black firewood knife at his waist began to tremble.

But within the Divine Palace, a Daoist slowly walked out.

"Xue Dufu, if you're going to pay respects to the mountain, just do it; why be so fierce? Your martial will is like a blazing fire—how can these children bear it?"

"That's excessive."

The Daoist sighed again.

In the next moment, he flicked the duster in his hand.

He formed a seal with his hands, his body suffused with divinity; instantly, a tremendous surge spread across the heavens and earth, and behind him, a spinning golden treasure elixir rose, hovering.

Within the elixir lay a hidden Divine Aspect, radiating brilliant golden light, shimmering with iridescent colors.

Countless divinity, divine will, and primordial spirit are all contained within it.

Divine Origin Golden Core!

As this Divine Origin Golden Core appeared,

Instantly, an extremely terrifying pressure surged from the Daoist's body, like a heaven-covering, earth-enveloping wave, fiercely striking Xue Dufu's Martial Dao True Intent!

Boom——!!!

Like heaven and earth beating a drum, a muffled explosion burst forth!

Xue Dufu involuntarily stepped back, his face slightly changing color.

His palm had fully landed on the hatchet at his waist.

"Divine Origin True Person?"

"Qianyuan Divine Sect's Wang Ku Yu... you have broken through to Divine Origin?"

Xue Dufu took a deep breath, feeling the boiling suppression of divinity rank, forcibly charging to suppress his Martial Dao True Intent.

His expression involuntarily grew much graver.

Just as the young prince had guessed, the Qianyuan Divine Sect... had indeed sent a Divine Origin True Person!

At the same time.

The entire Golden Light Peak fell into silence.

Li Qingshan, Zhu Hongdou, and the other Divine Aspect elders all turned back in disbelief.

Feeling the terrifying rank pressure that made the divinity of their Divine Aspects almost unable to circulate and flow...

Their hearts were shocked to the extreme.

Divine Origin True Person!

The sect master's senior brother actually succeeded in condensing a nine-deaths-one-life Divine Origin Golden Core, becoming a Divine Origin True Person!

Nan Lihuo turned back, his deep eyes carrying a hint of relief.

……

……

The entire Golden Light Prefecture city trembled.

When the young prince brought a grandmaster to pay respects to the Golden Light branch sect, all the strong ones within the city were stirred.

The Divine Aspect elders of the Qin, Hai, Gong, and Gongyang families all shot up into the sky, their divine senses spreading out, sensing from afar.

That is a grandmaster......

A Martial Dao Grandmaster is an existence capable of matching blows with a Divine Origin True Person!

If this Martial Dao Grandmaster also stepped onto the path of divinity and reached Divine Origin, it would be even more terrifying to the extreme!

However, Xue Dufu has not stepped onto the path of divinity to reach Divine Origin; he is merely at the later stage of the Divine Aspect.

Because he spent most of his time cultivating martial arts, his divinity cultivation naturally lagged.

"Grandmaster......"

Several Divine Aspect elders' expressions changed repeatedly, filled with inexplicable awe.

However, they also knew this battle could not be fought; the young prince merely wanted to pay respects, meet the divine children, and truly fighting was impossible.

But soon, several Divine Aspect elders' expressions changed again.

Because an aura stronger than the grandmaster's martial will burst forth; even from far away, one could glimpse that terrifying Divine Origin Golden Core!

"Divine Origin True Person?!"

At this moment, several clan Divine Aspect elders finally understood the young prince's purpose.

This was to probe the depths of the Divine Sect's foundation in Golden Light Prefecture!

The Divine Sect still hides a Divine Origin True Person in Golden Light Prefecture!

This was something no one had anticipated.

For a moment, several elders felt a chill run through their bodies.

……

……

Cliffside Treasure Pavilion.

Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

Inside the examination chamber.

Li Che's gaze fell on the child beside the white-robed figure.

A familiar sensation welled up.

Sleeve crossbow, thousand spider silk...

Li Che shook his sleeve; the sleeve crossbow and thousand spider silk hidden within felt somewhat hot to the touch.

However, Li Che's expression suddenly shifted slightly.

The Flying Thunder chess piece left on Xixi instantly sensed what was happening on Golden Light Peak.

Even without the Flying Thunder chess piece's sensing, the overwhelming aura erupting from Golden Light Peak alone could basically be felt.

The Director and the Deputy Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau from Dao City exchanged a glance, and both almost simultaneously vanished inside the room.

They landed atop the tower of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau's Treasure Pavilion, gazing toward the mountain gate of the Golden Light branch sect.

"Surely it is Ji Moli's son, overbearing and peerless; indeed, he let him test it out......"

"I never expected that Wang Ku Yu would, between life and death, condense a Divine Origin Golden Core, break through to the Divine Origin Realm, and attain the position of a True Person."

The Director sighed endlessly; moved by the scene, he couldn't help but want to play a tune on the erhu.

The Deputy Director from Dao City, hands clasped behind his back, eyes flickering, also gave a slight nod.

"Indeed, it was truly unexpected......"

He and Wang Kuyu were both from Dao City, but Wang Kuyu had broken through to the God Origin Realm...

It was actually hidden so well.

When a Prime Appearance breaks through to God Origin, the momentum is tremendous; sometimes they even invite spectators to witness.

All that can be said is that Wang Kuyu perhaps deliberately concealed himself, just to come to Jinguan Prefecture City for this temple deity resonance...

The Deputy Supervisor of the Heavenly Observation Bureau from Dao City, Lu Ye, smiled, his eyes involuntarily flashing.

The Chief Supervisor glanced at him, but said nothing.

Those who can't fight are indeed paying respects to the mountain; the young prince wants to test these divine children's abilities, to see if any pose a threat.

If they can't fight, it's no harm to propriety; we continue the examination.

Lu Ye said.

In the next moment, they had already returned to the examination room.

Li Che stood quietly, while the divine child beside Lu Ye stared at him with wide eyes, as if he had found a familiar aura on Li Che.

Lu Ye glanced at Li Che, half-smiling: 'Master Li Che, have you received the Tang lineage's inheritance?'

After the Tang clan's downfall, most of its disciples joined the Heavenly Observation Bureau seeking a way out; this divine child is from Qianyuan Dao City, a divine child of the newly risen Tang family... Tang Ren.

Upon hearing this, Li Che couldn't help but feel a sudden realization.

So he is a legitimate descendant of the Tang clan.

I once entered Divine Condor Ridge, gained the appreciation of its ridge lord, and was taught some mechanical arts.

Li Che smiled gently.

The young boy Tang Ren's eyes lit up: 'Could it be Grandfather Tang Sanjia?'

Li Che nodded; the boy instantly leapt with joy, almost wanting to run over and tug at Li Che's sleeve to bring him to seek the ridge lord of Divine Condor Ridge, Tang Sanjia.

Tang Ren, don't cause trouble; Master Li is about to prepare for the second-rank guest examiner examination.

Lu Ye said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, little Tang Ren immediately released Li Che's sleeve, stood foolishly to the side, yet his eyes still held an eager feeling of seeing a fellow townsman.

Li Che smiled, then looked toward the examiner Lu Ye.

Lu Ye nodded, and the examination room instantly fell silent.

Li Che, a resident of Fēiléichéng, has been engaged in woodcarving for over four years; last year he entered the Jinguan Prefecture City Heavenly Observation Bureau, passed the third-rank guest examiner examination, and became a third-rank guest examiner of the Bureau.

In the second year, he initiated the second-rank guest examiner examination; if he fails this time, he may not initiate another for three years.

Lu Ye said in a deep voice.

The solemn voice echoed within the examination room.

The second-rank guest examiner examination is presided over by Lu Ye, Deputy Supervisor of the Heavenly Observation Bureau of Dao City; all records are filed, and any objections may be appealed to the Shendu Heavenly Observation Bureau.

As the examination began, the atmosphere gradually grew solemn.

In the distance, Shangguan Qinghong and Gong Yunli gathered together, each dragging a small chair to sit in the corner, one eating melon seeds, the other snacking, excitedly and expectantly watching Li Che's examination.

The difficulty of the second-rank guest examiner examination is not comparable to that of the third-rank.

Li Che initiated the second-rank guest examiner examination after just one year; Gong Yunli actually did not think highly of it.

Yet accumulating enough in a year is not impossible.

Lu Ye nodded and slowly wrote on the file: 'Background clean; over the past year, he has taken on assignments at the prefecture city's Heavenly Observation Bureau, diligent and conscientious.'

Now, the second-rank guest examiner examination is about to begin.

The second-rank guest examiner examination consists of three aspects.

Namely, cultivation, mastery of Divine Condor techniques, and practical woodcarving skill.

Lu Ye looked at Li Che and said in a deep voice.

First, the cultivation assessment: to become a second-rank guest examiner, one's qi-blood cultivation must reach the Meridian-Pulse Realm, and one's divine cultivation must forge a Divine Foundation.

Master Li, display your cultivation.

The words having been spoken.

In the examination room, everyone's eyes shifted slightly; each stared at Li Che, unable to help feeling curious.

Whether cultivation meets the standard is a hard requirement; if it does not, the examination need not proceed and the candidate is directly eliminated.

The second-rank guest examiner examination is exactly such a standard.

As for Li Che's specific cultivation level, many people are not entirely clear.

However, Gong Yunli and others know that Li Che has not practiced for long, and he is extremely low-key, basically working nine-to-five in the prefecture city.

Even though his daughter entered the Divine Sect and became a divine child, he still maintains his low-key nature.

Exactly what cultivation Li Che possesses, the crowd really isn't clear.

The examination room was extremely quiet.

Everyone was waiting for Li Che to display his cultivation.

Li Che smiled, yet showed not the slightest trace of stage fright.

For him, meeting this cultivation standard was truly too easy.

But for Li Che now, the question is how much cultivation to reveal.

His black robe trembled slightly as he stepped forward, clenched his five fingers, his qi surged wildly, his bones rang in unison, as if a meridian pulsed from his crown down to his soles, emitting a cracking sound.

His qi-blood martial cultivation has indeed reached the Meridian-Pulse Realm.

Gong Yunli, holding a candied fruit, nodded, his eyes involuntarily showing delight.

However, the next moment, the fox-like eyes widened.

Because Li Che's clenched fist seemed to seize and empty the airflow within the examination room, shooting it out turbulently without cease!

The Profound Meridian of the Meridian-Pulse!

Gong Yunli let out a "ya" and became surprised.

And Li Che's body trembled again, the attainment of the White Tiger Chaotic Wind Fist merged into his body, actually causing his qi and blood to change, as if an angry tiger descended the mountain.

Everyone seemed to hear a tiger's roar in their ears, shaking the whole room.

"Divine Pulse!"

Gongyang Liancheng's eyes flashed, astonished.

The strong qi and blood surged brightly, then slowly subsided, and Li Che's face bore a gentle smile.

"Official Lu, next is nurturing one's nature cultivation."

Lu Yao nodded slightly, his eyes focusing.

And Li Che stood still, raised his hand, and touched the point between his eyebrows, the Niwan.

The divine energy in the examination hall suddenly boiled up, and then a divine foundation rose from behind Li Che!

Shangguan Qinghong blinked her eyes.

"Brother Che, when did you break through to the Divine Foundation realm?"

"So fast……"

"Last time during the Third-Rank Guest Official examination, Brother Che seemed to be only at the level of nurturing nature like a stream, right?"

"In one year, Brother Che directly broke through from the Threefold Blood Exchange to the Divine Pulse, forging the Divine Foundation from nurturing nature like a stream……"

"Truly astonishing!"

"What monster is this?"

"This talent…… is too exaggerated!"

"But thinking of Li Che's daughter being the rare Divine Child of Jin Guang Prefecture, the Outstanding Divine Child Xixi, it actually makes some sense."

Lu Yao glanced at the documents before him, his eyebrows slightly raised: "Nine Luminaries Suspended Thought Flow Sword Divine Foundation… not bad, meets the requirement."

"But you were only nurturing nature like a stream a year ago; how did you forge a Divine Foundation in just one year?"

Lu Yao's eyes glanced over indifferently.

Li Che retracted his divine foundation back to the Niwan, smiling: "Maybe… the prefecture city has abundant resources and good food."

"This past year, I worked diligently and earned a total of fifty-six Divine Spirit Crystals, all of which I refined, hence my cultivation breakthrough."

"Deputy Supervisor Lu, you don't know this, but Li Che… is the biological father of Jin Guang Prefecture's Divine Child Xixi."

The Chief Supervisor stroked his beard and laughed.

"Back when Li Qingshan went to Fēiléichéng to test for spirit children, Li Che's talent was also detected; although twenty years old, his divine nature was pure and flawless, making him an exceptional spirit child of the highest talent……"

"It's just that he's a bit older."

Lu Yao heard this, smiled, and looked at Li Che: "A twenty-two-year-old spirit child?"

"Then again, there wasn't too much doubt."

"Under his Primordial Spirit's perception, Li Che's cultivation was indeed no different from what he displayed."

Lu Yao became more confident in his own Primordial Spirit detection.

He didn't think Li Che could conceal anything from his Primordial Spirit probe.

After writing Li Che's current cultivation realm on the file, it signified that Li Che passed the first cultivation examination.

"The second item… tests the proficiency of the Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique; this technique is a fusion of divine secret art and divine martial arts."

"The Seven Yuan Divine Eagle Technique, and the Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Secret Art……"

"Please demonstrate."

Lu Yao said.

"For the Imperial Observatory's Guest Officials, the Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique is the most important; the level of mastery transmitted by the Imperial Observatory also determines whether a Guest Official passes evaluation."

After Lu Yao finished speaking, Li Che immediately acted, his qi and blood bursting forth, and in an instant he swung out one arm.

Countless phantom layers stacked densely, as if behind him formed hundreds of arms, each arm with a different posture, the five fingers moving differently, as if grasping, as if cutting, as if pressing……

Bang——!

All the thousand hands converged, striking the air before him; the airflow surged and shot out, as if striking the surface of a large leather drum, erupting in a deafening roar!

Whoosh——

Li Che swung his arm again, his qi and blood like an overturning furnace; countless arm phantoms layered and stacked, nearly solidifying into substance, unfolding behind Li Che like a peacock spreading its tail!

"Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique… Mastery Realm!"

Clap!

After Li Che finished demonstrating this divine eagle technique, the examination hall immediately erupted in clamor.

Shangguan Qinghong, Gong Yunli, and Gongyang Liancheng were shocked beyond belief.

"In just one year, you've mastered the Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique to the Mastery Level?"

"Is this talent?"

"Li Che's woodcarving talent is extraordinary, granting a bonus to the Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique…… but this bonus is too much……"

Even the Chief Supervisor and Lu Yao likewise showed astonishment.

I thought Li Che had mastered the Thousand-Hand Divine Eagle Technique to the level of Great Accomplishment, the highest possible, but unexpectedly he had reached the Mastery Level.

No wonder he had the confidence to open the Second-Rank Guest Official examination.

Li Che restrained his aura, the thousand-hand phantoms vanished, and his expression was gentle.

As his own cultivation increased, Li Che could also appropriately reveal his true identity to raise his cultivation a bit, gaining more benefits.

Lu Yao narrowed his eyes, somewhat astonished, sizing up the warm and moist young man before him.

This young man…… bears the demeanor of a Special-Rank Guest Official!

According to the file, the growth speed is too fast!

What a fine seedling!

Lu Yao also couldn't help but feel the urge to poach him.

Such a fine seedling, only by going to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau in Dao City can one gain more resources and develop and improve faster.

"Good, good, good. Mastery of the Thousand-Arm Divine Eagle Technique at master level meets the requirements for a Second-Rank Guest Official. Next is the final assessment."

"Woodcarving skill assessment!"

"Independent carving."

Lu Yao stood up.

He waved his hand barehanded.

In an instant.

On the table, three extremely simple-looking wooden statues appeared.

But the expressions on the wooden statues were lifelike, as if they were about to come alive.

"These three statues are the temple god wooden statues from the Seven Yuan Guiyi Miao. You have the time of one incense stick to complete an independent wooden statue carving."

"After the carving is finished, your wooden statue will be placed side by side with the three temple god wooden statues."

"At that point, a divine mutual exclusion will occur. If your wooden statue can withstand the three temple god wooden statues for ten breaths, you will pass the assessment."

Lu Yao said lightly.

Li Che's gaze instantly fell upon the three temple god wooden statues.

His pupils flickered slightly.

He suddenly understood why the Director had him first visit the Guiyi Miao to observe the temple gods when he proposed taking the Second-Rank Guest Official assessment.

Was it all to prepare for this moment?

Li Che laughed.

He felt no panic or nervousness at all.

He glanced at the three temple god wooden statues.

He slowly walked into the timber pile, picked up a piece of Eight Extremes Spirit Wood, lightly patted it, his qi and blood surging, drying the moisture in the spirit wood.

Then he returned to the workshop spot.

He took out his carving knife and began carving.

Since he didn't intend to hide his clumsiness, he wanted to show off a little.

Li Che then let loose.

His pupils suddenly turned sharp, the level-four Immortal Craftsman Dao Fruit throbbing in his chest, the carving knife danced in his palm, and the next moment it fell upon the wood.

With a tearing sound, wood chips flew.

The knife rose and fell, the blade's light like a swimming dragon!

Then, a wooden statue gradually emerged in outline under Li Che's knife!

Wearing golden chainmail armor and a phoenix-wing purple-gold crown.

His eyes like golden fire.

Holding a primordial unity staff, stepping on the turning cloud flow!

In an instant!

The three temple god wooden statues that Lu Yao had taken out and placed on the table... uncontrollably burst forth with divinity!

Inside the assessment chamber, divinity boiled and surged!

In the Nine Dragons River, the river waters surged in a great tide!