Chapter 204: with translation of the chapter title

Title: 204. Chapter 203 – Observing the Wish-Fulfilling Staff atop Qitian Cheng City, the Dao Fruit undergoes another metamorphosis, and the Painting Immortal's Ink Kill.

Observing the Wish-Fulfilling Staff atop Qitian Cheng City, the Dao Fruit undergoing another metamorphosis, and the Painting Immortal's Ink Kill.

Nan Lihuo failed to seize this excellent opportunity to kill Su Huaili.

Nan Lihuo and Su Huaili

It doesn't feel good at heart.

- No named entities.

Niu Mo and Ma Mian spent heavily to invite him, but Su Huaili fled in advance, leaving everyone's efforts in vain.

Niu Mo, Ma Mian, and Su Huaili

The only consolation was learning that Su Huaili had used the Corpse God Sect's methods to escape, indicating he had joined the sect.

Su Huaili and the Corpse God Sect

Once this news spreads, it will be enough to ruin his reputation and even affect Ji Molie.

Ji Molie

After all, the Prince Pacifying Rebellion's disciple colluding with the Corpse God Sect is hardly a good reputation and could shake the prestige of Ji Molie, the Prince Pacifying Rebellion.

Prince Pacifying Rebellion and Ji Molie

For Nan Lihuo, this is also a piece of fortunate news.

Nan Lihuo

What a pity...

- No.

Nan Lihuo shook his head, having already steadied his mind.

Nan Lihuo

He took off the White Fox Mask, looked at Niu Mo, and apologetically said, "Brother Niu Mo, I made you go for nothing; I'm truly sorry."

White Fox Mask and Niu Mo

Having said that, Nan Lihuo took out the promised Divinity Crystal from his bosom.

Nan Lihuo and the Divinity Crystal

For Li Che now, this amount of Divinity Crystal is hardly anything.

Li Che and the Divinity Crystal

Forget it; having taken your Divinity Crystal, I'll consider accepting the mission to kill Su Huaili—I, Niu Mo, take on this task.

Divinity Crystal, Su Huaili, and Niu Mo

He cannot escape.

- No.

Niu Mo's hoarse voice echoed in the courtyard.

Niu Mo

Afterward, Nan Lihuo's reward was collected.

Nan Lihuo

Nan Lihuo's eyes flickered, a hint of joy flashing through; although he couldn't personally kill Su Huaili, how could he ask for more now?

Nan Lihuo and Su Huaili

Being able to kill Su Huaili is already an excellent outcome.

Su Huaili

Thank you.

- No.

Nan Lihuo clasped his fists in a solemn thank-you.

Nan Lihuo

Niu Mo merely pressed down his bamboo hat and said lightly, "We take money for work; it's a transaction of interests—no thanks needed."

Niu Mo

The words having been spoken.

- No.

His stalwart stature vanished into thin air.

No named entity? It's an adjective meaning "stalwart". Not a name.

Nan Lihuo and Li Qing Shan, who seemed to have lost his soul, both made a whooshing sound and left the City Lord's Manor together.

Entities: Nan Lihuo, the idiom "lost soul", Li Qing Shan, and the City Lord's Manor.

And in no time at all.

- No.

The news that the Golden Light Prefecture's magistrate, Su Huaili, had fled using the Corpse God Sect's methods spread instantly like a huge wave.

Golden Light Prefecture, Su Huaili, and the Corpse God Sect

The entire Golden Light Prefecture City was in an uproar!

Golden Light Prefecture City

Xie Jing, the Director of the Temple Office, together with the commanders of the Divine Guard Army, entered the City Lord's Manor and, after investigation, confirmed the truth of the rumor.

Xie Jing, the Director of the Temple Office, and the City Lord's

A single stone stirs up a thousand waves!

- No.

The whole Gold Light Prefecture is in an uproar.

Gold Light Prefecture

Because this matter is truly huge!

- No.

The Prefecture City Lord is not just the mayor of a small town under Gold Light Prefecture.

Prefecture City Lord, Gold Light Prefecture

Their status and position are completely different!

- No.

And such beings are all corrupted by the Corpse God Sect, leaving many forces in Gold Light Prefecture feeling threatened.

Corpse God Sect, Gold Light Prefecture

At this moment, many people thought of the advantages of the Netherworld.

Netherworld

Because the Netherworld exists...

Netherworld

Only the Corpse God Sect's evildoers inside Gold Light Prefecture City were completely wiped out.

Gold Light Prefecture City, Corpse God Sect

Otherwise, the entire Gold Light Prefecture would likely become a plaything of the Corpse God Sect.

Gold Light Prefecture, Corpse God Sect

……

- No.

……

- No.

Li Che promised to help Nan Lihuo kill Su Huai li.

Li Che, Nan Lihuo, Su Huai li

Anyway, it's just a convenient task.

- No.

He returned to the independent workshop courtyard in Falling Flower Alley.

Falling Flower Alley, Independent Workshop Courtyard

Li Che removed the Ox Demon's disguise, entered the inner room, which was warm like spring with a burning charcoal brazier, allowing many Painting Immortal clones to cultivate divinity while also feeling the warmth from the main body.

Li Che, Ox Demon, Painting Immortal, Divinity, main body

Startling divinity has already forged the divine foundation, condensing into a divine aspect.

Startling divinity, divine foundation, divine aspect

Now, within the inner scene, it occupies the leading position.

- No.

However, even so, the radiance emanating from the Pure Heart Divine Foundation cannot be suppressed.

Pure Heart Divine Foundation

The three statues' clones cultivating Six Desires Divinity train quietly in the corner, and Li Che provides ample divinity crystals for them to fully absorb.

Six Desires Divinity, Divinity Crystal, Li Che

Touch, intention, and hearing constitute the Three Desires Method.

Three Desires Method

Because corresponding divinity methods are available and there are enough divinity crystals, the clones cultivate at a steady pace.

Divinity Method, Divinity Crystal

The Pure Heart Painting Paper snapped open, and instantly one Li Che clone after another emerged.

Pure Heart Painting Paper, Li Che

Li Che boldly assigned tasks to the clones.

Li Che

First, Li Che continued to train six clones in the Divine Martial Heavenly Soldiers Smelting Combined Strike Technique he had previously obtained.

Divine Martial Heavenly Soldiers Smelting Combined Strike Technique, Li Che

Second, the woodcarving task from the Imperial Observatory also needs to be completed by clones.

Imperial Observatory, woodcarving task

Moreover, assembling the tens of thousands of delicate spiritual wood parts for the Guanyin Seated Lotus Main Battle Tank also requires the clones to work painstakingly.

Guanyin Seated Lotus Main Battle Tank

"I'm really busy..."

- No.

Li Che looked at the busy clones and couldn't help but feel moved.

Li Che

Without clones, one person could never manage to cultivate all this.

- No.

He stretched lazily, and his whole body's bones and joints crackled.

Moreover, the martial way also requires him to personally cultivate.

Because cultivating the Martial Saint's supreme art cannot be withstood by a clone's physical strength, he must personally undertake it.

Clenching his five fingers, the Cracked Gold Spear slid out from the Qianyuan Space, landing in his grip; as it trembled, the Tiger Leopard Thunderclap exploded!

Thanks to the lingering insight from the arrival of the Equal Heaven's Face, Li Che's practice of the Primordial Equal Heaven Staff was as if aided by a god.

Innumerable staff shadows flickered densely, filling the courtyard; countless air currents were shoved aside, making turbulent streams shoot incessantly!

After practicing the Absolute Kill Equal Heaven for a while, Li Che ceased.

His flesh surged, his bones rang in unison, mercury-like blood rushed ceaselessly; exhaling a breath, it was as if a divine sword tore the air.

Steaming heat rose from his skin.

"Still lacking a bit; without mastering the Absolute Kill, one cannot perceive the Martial Saint's true intent of the Primordial Equal Heaven Staff."

Li Che practiced martial arts while thinking.

Under the humming of the Dragon Elephant Vajra's Dao fruit, he continued practicing martial arts.

The Thousand Mountains Lone Walker Blade and the Soaring Void Eight Qi Steps, these two Martial Saint supreme arts, were also cultivated together.

The Soaring Void Eight Qi Steps were a focus of Li Che's attention, after all, it is a Martial Saint movement supreme art, extremely rare.

Li Che cultivated it extremely earnestly.

After all, it is a Martial Saint supreme art for escaping death!

Study it well, absolutely no mistake.

Such life‑escaping arts are a trump card; you may not master them, but you cannot lack them.

After finishing martial cultivation.

Li Che then sat cross‑legged under the eaves, gazing at the snow mixed in the chaotic wind, slowly closing his eyes.

He began cultivating the Three Pure Levels' Law of Heaven and Earth, Spirit Bright True Monkey Technique.

This is a method that fulfills cultivation from nurturing nature to the Divine Origin Realm.

It records the cultivation methods for the Primordial Spirit Transformation, Golden Body Transformation, and Fetal Breath Transformation after reaching the Divine Origin Realm.

In fact, although such methods are said to be precious, they are not rare; within various divine sects, one can produce a Three Pure Levels divine cultivation method.

The problem is, who dares to cultivate it?

Without talent, without sufficient resources, cultivating the Three Pure Levels divine method……

It is hardly different from giving up cultivation.

Since this divine method is of the Three Pure Levels and lacks a clear Seven Emotions attribute, Li Che, upon beginning to cultivate it, found himself without a clue.

After cultivating for a while, Li Che did not continue.

He rose, left the independent workshop, changed into a dark robe, and went to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau to report for duty.

The cliffside treasure tower, with flying eaves and upturned corners.

Fallen snow piled upon the black tiles, black and white intermingled.

Li Che wore a bamboo hat, strolling along the riverbank in wind and snow, hands behind his back, walking leisurely, utterly content.

He walked slowly along the bank of the Nine Dragon River within the city, the river surging, its interior containing the divine nature of the temple deity of the Third Prince's Guiyi Miao.

Thus, in the harsh winter the river surface does not freeze, and ferries still drift upon it.

Having arrived at the treasure tower, he pushed the door open, and warm air gushed forth.

Shangguan Qinghong and Gong Yunli were gathered in the duty room, warming themselves by a charcoal brazier, eating fruit preserves, and whispering to each other.

When Li Che arrived, Shangguan Qinghong's eyes lit up instantly.

She hurried over: "A Che, you're here!"

Li Che gently nodded.

"Is Xixi about to go to Dao City soon?"

"Master also agreed to let me study at the Dao City Imperial Astronomy Bureau; I can go together with Xixi younger sister." Shangguan Qinghong said, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

"Qinghong's master is Lin Xiu; our Jin Guang Prefecture Imperial Astronomy Bureau indeed has a quota for studying at the Dao City Imperial Astronomy Bureau, which hasn't been used this year, so Lin Xiu secured it for Qinghong."

Gong Yunli said.

"A Che, on the road, please look after Qinghong."

Gong Yunli walked over and rubbed Shangguan Qinghong's head.

Since Shangguan Qinghong was brought to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau by Lin Xiu, Gong Yunli has been responsible for looking after her, naturally developing deep affection.

"That's natural." Li Che said with a gentle smile.

"In a few days, once Xixi stabilizes the divine nature obtained from the temple deity resonance, Elder Jiao will arrange the departure to Dao City."

"Probably just these few days."

"Qinghong, when the time comes, come to the courtyard; we'll set out together."

Shangguan Qinghong's eyes were clear, she kept nodding.

Li Che chatted a bit more with the two, then went to find the Superintendent, Hu Yingyue.

Inside the Superintendent's quarters.

Tea fragrance filled the air, accompanied by a faint erhu melody that lingered without end.

Hu Yingyue closed her eyes and played the erhu; the sound waves surged and echoed throughout the room, yet were controlled so as not to leak even a trace outside.

Such control alone caused Li Che, upon stepping inside, to raise his eyebrows slightly.

This erhu‑loving Superintendent Hu Yingyue had, without a sound, stepped into the Divine Origin Realm.

Lu Yao brought Tang Ren to drink tea inside.

As soon as Li Che arrived, the erhu music gradually ceased.

Hu Yingyue slipped the erhu to her waist and warmly greeted Li Che.

Li Che, come, let's have some tea together; your family is heading to Dao City, so we probably won't have many chances to drink tea.

Hu Yingyue smiled and said.

Hu Yingyue skillfully washed and brewed tea, pouring Li Che a cup of hot, emerald-green tea.

With your departure, Jin Guang Prefecture will lose many acquaintances.

The Supervisor gently shook their head.

Li Qingshan's troublemaker son is leaving; Nan Lihuo told me he too is leaving, and Su Huaili has betrayed the Corpse God Sect and fled as well...

Before we knew it, there are hardly any old acquaintances left in Jin Guang Prefecture.

The old Supervisor sighed incessantly; moved by the scene, they felt inspired to play a piece, but were stopped by Lu Yao's furrowed brow.

That's enough; no one wants to hear your unpleasant erhu sound.

Lu Yao cursed and grumbled.

Lu Yao listens every day and has grown tired of it.

Li Che smiled; besides bidding farewell, this trip also serves the purpose of inquiry.

The assessment for a First-class Guest Official? You've only just become a Second-class Guest Official not long ago, and now you plan to rush the First-class Guest Official assessment?

Lu Yao's face darkened; they had just overseen Li Che's Second-class Guest Official assessment.

How long has it been, and Li Che is already inquiring about the requirements for the First-class Guest Official assessment?

Isn't that a bit overly ambitious?

The old Supervisor and Hu Yingyue were both startled, stroking their beards as they laughed: 'The assessment for a First-class Guest Official must be conducted in Dao City; for a Special Guest Official, one must go to the headquarters of the Imperial Observatory in Shendu to be certified.'

To become a First-class Guest Official, there are also requirements: first, one needs Divine Aspect cultivation; second, one must be able to carve at least three Seven-Element Wood Carvings.

The old Supervisor looked at Li Che, and indeed did not hide anything.

"Three Seven-Element Wood Carvings?" Li Che nodded; given his current level, these requirements are no problem.

Afterward, Li Che thought for a moment and then asked: 'I wonder, Supervisor, how much do you know about the assessment for the Divine Eagle Ridge Elder of the Primal Origin Orthodox Sect?'

Upon hearing this, Lu Yao and the old Supervisor were both stunned, staring at Li Che strangely for a moment.

Soon after, they almost in unison sighed and shook their heads.

The Primal Origin Sect does not allow disciples' relatives to enter the mountain gate, but it arranges free housing in Dao City for the disciples' relatives, provides a monthly stipend, and does not neglect the disciples' families...

The Primal Origin Sect controls several major market districts in Dao City; in terms of wealth, even the millennia-old aristocratic families of Dao City cannot compare.

Therefore, it is not difficult for the sect to provide free housing for your family; otherwise, Dao City's prices are not cheap, many people exhaust their fortunes and can only live frugally in Dao City—making a living there is hard...

But hearing your question, Li Che, are you seeking to enter the inner mountain gate of the Primal Origin Sect to accompany your daughter?

The Supervisor stroked their beard and said.

Li Che nodded, not hiding his thoughts.

"Not allowing relatives to accompany is the sect's rule; it is not out of lack of humanity, but for a reason……Even if a branch sect member enters Dao City, wishing to enter the sect's inner mountain gate is extremely difficult……"

"As for the reason, I am not at liberty to say, but once you reach the sect's inner mountain gate, you will understand."

Li Che, upon hearing this, was instantly speechless.

Those who speak in riddles deserve to be beaten.

The old Supervisor, however, likes this itchy feeling in Li Che's heart; indeed, this emotion, when brewed, can produce a beautiful erhu melody.

"Becoming an Elder of the Divine Eagle Ridge is indeed an excellent path, but the difficulty is too great; although you are a Second-class Guest Official of our Imperial Observatory, the hope is truly slim."

The Supervisor stroked their beard and sighed deeply, not optimistic about Li Che.

"Even if you have Elder Jiao's recommendation, your competitors for the Elder position are those old-timers, most of whom are First-class Guest Officials of our Imperial Observatory, and if luck is bad, even Special Guest Officials..."

"The number of Divine Eagle Ridge Elder positions is not fixed; they rotate every three years, but the slots are limited, so new births naturally lead to the elimination of the old."

Lu Yao beside him interjected: 'As far as I know, the Divine Eagle Ridge has not produced a new Elder in nearly nine years...'

"Every Imperial Observatory Guest Official competing for the Elder position, as well as some aristocratic families' cultivated woodcarving masters and so on, have all failed."

"If you truly wish to compete, you at least need the skill of a top-tier First-class Woodcarving Master."

Lu Yao said.

Li Che wondered: 'First-class upper-rank?'

"That is, at least one must have the skill to produce medium-grade divine wood carvings of the Six Ministries to have a chance."

Lu Yao directly said.

Upon hearing this, Li Che instantly became solemn.

"Thank you, Lord Lu and Supervisor, for clearing up my doubts."

Having obtained what he wanted to know, Li Che did not linger further, clasping his fists in farewell.

……

……

A gentle breeze stirred, lifting strands of hair.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

With the Third Prince's Guiyi Miao returning to tranquility, the climate also returned to normal, no longer pouring rain but reverting to winter snowfall.

Under the eaves, Li Che sat cross-legged, eyes half-closed.

Within his Niwan, his primordial spirit radiated light; he continued to study the newly obtained Three Purities Rank divine art.

In three days, he hadn't even managed to get started.

"My divine aptitude… shouldn't be this poor, should it?"

Li Che nearly doubted himself.

"Heavenly Earth Spirit Bright True Monkey Art… seems not to be a technique of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires!"

"Even if I wanted to switch cultivation, I don't know which divine foundation to use for the transfer."

This is the difficulty Li Che encountered over three days.

He tried to cultivate, but could not find a way in.

"It's not the Seven Emotions and Six Desires divinity... then can I use the Immaculate Heart divine foundation to switch cultivation?"

Li Che opened his eyes, as if a current swiftly flashed across the depths of his gaze.

Immaculate Heart divinity, immaculate and flawless, clear and penetrating!

If I switch to cultivate this divinity method, it should be doable.

Moreover, the present Immaculate Heart divinity has condensed into a divine foundation; wanting to break through the divine aspect, Li Che has no clue.

Originally, Li Che thought that breaking through the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit to LV4 would automatically form the divine aspect, just as when the Immaculate Heart condensed its divine foundation.

However, reality is not so.

Divine aspect...

It requires observing the aspect; Immaculate Heart divine foundation... what aspect can be observed?

That's why Li Che is utterly bewildered.

Now, having obtained the Three Purities divinity method, it actually gave Li Che an idea.

The thought arose instantly and would not dissipate.

If he does not switch cultivation, starting from scratch to cultivate this Three Purities rank divinity method, Li Che does not know when he will be able to condense a divine foundation.

"In that case, with the Immaculate Heart divine foundation, carve the Heaven-Earth Spirit Bright True Monkey!"

Li Che's pupils flickered, with a boom, as if two balls of flame burned and leapt!

The mind and spirit turned, the primordial spirit opened its eyes.

A thought arose, as if a blessing came to the heart and spirit.

He used the Immaculate Heart divine foundation to replicate the Heaven-Earth Spirit Bright True Monkey method...

He actually succeeded in operating the divinity pathway!

Li Che immediately took a Six Offices divinity crystal, drew in the divinity within the crystal, and began, following the divinity pathway, to condense the first strand of Heaven-Earth Spirit Bright True Monkey divinity!

Indeed, the Three Purities rank divinity method truly is a gold-devouring beast-level technique!

A powerful drawing force erupted; nearly one-fifth of the divinity in the crystal was extracted, condensed and formed within Li Che's mental inner realm, only after countless refinements did a wisp of Spirit Bright True Monkey divinity emerge!

Li Che couldn't help but click his tongue; this really... is too gold-devouring!

And the first wisp of Spirit Bright True Monkey divinity that was cultivated, just as it formed, was drawn in and devoured by the Immaculate Heart divine foundation!

Boom—!!!

At the instant the Immaculate Heart divinity and Heaven-Earth divinity fused.

The entire mental inner realm began to tremble!

The Startled Divine Aspect Fire Eye Mystic Startled Spirit Monkey, as if letting out a frightened cry, wailed and darted about within the inner realm.

The remaining six divine foundations also trembled without cease!

However, the Immaculate Heart divine foundation paid no heed, continuing to fuse.

Slowly...

That trace of Heaven-Earth divinity was completely devoured by the Immaculate Heart divinity.

Li Che's heart shuddered; the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit within his chest trembled incessantly!

Thereafter, a surge of heat flowed into Li Che's mind.

The Heaven-Earth divinity method transmitted by the Great Heaven Face turned into golden characters that swirled around the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit, as if becoming golden mists.

When everything settled into calm, Li Che opened his eyes, a hint of doubt flickering across his face.

It seemed as if something had changed, yet also as if nothing had changed.

Raising his hand, Immaculate Heart divinity spewed from his fingertips, condensing into a white divinity chess piece, still immaculate and flawless.

A thought arose; the immaculate and flawless divinity at his fingertips instantly transformed, becoming Heaven-Earth Spirit Bright True Monkey divinity.

Li Che grasped the Six Offices divinity crystal and fiercely operated it.

Instantly, a massive and terrifying drawing force erupted; the vast divinity within this Six Offices divinity crystal was actually drawn clean at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Within twenty breaths.

It turned into an empty husk of the divinity crystal.

Clutching with five fingers, it turned into divinity crystal powder capable of restraining divinity power.

Collecting the powder, Li Che exhaled a breath.

His pupils gleaming, he took out a second Six Offices divinity crystal and continued to draw in.

After continuously drawing in five Six Offices divinity crystals, the frantic trend was finally halted.

Only now that Li Che has become wealthy could he afford to keep this gold-devouring beast; otherwise he could not sustain it at all.

"Because the Immaculate Heart divinity was cultivated to the divine foundation level, but previously he did not cultivate the Three Purities divinity method, so the divinity strength was low; now after switching to cultivate the Three Purities divinity method, the Immaculate Heart divinity's quality is supplemented to the level of the Three Purities divinity method..."

In these five Six Offices divinity crystals, the divinity that was drawn in served exactly this purpose.

Now, the Immaculate Heart divinity and Heaven-Earth divinity can be freely interchanged as desired, and both have reached the perfected divine foundation level.

"The only regret is that, although five Six Offices divinity crystals were drawn in, they did not add maturity to the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit."

Li Che muttered a sentence.

Buzz buzz buzz...

Abruptly.

Li Che's pupils narrowed.

Yet he discovered that, within the Heaven-Earth chessboard, on the Divine Soldier, the Great Heaven Face, there actually surged forth an extremely rich temple divinity...

It transformed into a swirling vortex.

The vortex was immense, winding through the heaven-and-earth chessboard, incredibly heavy, as if it would press the whole board into collapse, its surface riddled with cracks!

Li Che's primordial spirit opened its eyes, staring fixedly at that vortex.

Faintly, through the temple god's divine vortex, he actually saw a……

An incredibly ancient city!

Upon that ancient city stood a golden treasure staff, which no amount of ethereal, mysterious mist could conceal!

Boom——!!

Just a glance, and a terrifying pressure like a collapsing mountain bore down.

Li Che's heart pounded as if it were about to burst.

That was……

Qitian Cheng!

Qitian Primordial Unity Wish-Fulfilling Staff!

Li Che's heart spontaneously gave rise to these two names!

The next moment, on the chessboard, the vortex dissipated, the image vanished without a trace……

It was as if everything had merely been Li Che's hallucination.

Li Che, however, fell silent, his expression slightly dazed……

Is this hinting at something?

After the image faded within the temple god's divine vortex, a divine line like a tornado burst forth, linking with the Immaculate Heart Divine Foundation hanging in Li Che's inner vision of his mud pill.

"This is……"

This scene, Li Che was naturally not unfamiliar with.

His Shocking Divine Aspect, wasn't it forged just like this?

The divinity of the temple god contained within Qitian's Face was actually drawn in this way into the Immaculate Heart Divine Foundation, or rather, the Heaven-Earth Manifest Divine Foundation.

Wait!

It was as if a world-shaking thunderbolt split down from Li Che's heart.

His eyes blazed, Li Che's soul seemed to tremble.

His breathing suddenly began to throb like a bellows.

The divinity of the temple god within Qitian's Face……

Is it Him?!

……

……

Bang!

Bang bang!

Firecrackers and fireworks burst one after another!

Splendid golden light blossomed everywhere in Jin Guang Prefecture City, rolling smoke and dust dispersing the flying snow!

Before one knew it, it was the great year day of Dàjǐng.

The small courtyard halfway up Zheng Lei Peak.

Xixi was overjoyed, pulling Shangguan Qinghong, Zhou Peng, and Yun E to run off and set off firecrackers and fireworks.

She even couldn't help but take out a pink Vulcan Gatling.

But, upon being seen by Li Che, she hurriedly stopped.

Only then did Xixi reluctantly put away the Gatling, taking Chen Lao along to go set off firecrackers.

Today, the small courtyard halfway up Zheng Lei Peak was extraordinarily lively.

On New Year's Eve, everyone gathered here.

Shao Qiu Jiao and the grandmaster coachman Nie Yang, invited by Xixi to come home for the New Year, along with Nan Lihuo, Sang Guanyin, and Liu Yangyuan.

Because Xixi was about to leave Jin Guang Prefecture City for Dao City to cultivate, her senior brothers and sisters all went along with her.

Li Qingshan brought Madame Mu as well.

Unfortunately, Lü Chi was missing.

Xixi snorted, she had no intention of dealing with Lü Daitou!

The uncle's family also came, cousin Li Zhengran and cousin-in-law Liu Chunming, bringing Li Chengzhou together to celebrate the New Year.

Li Chengzhou's divine talent was average, but his martial talent was not bad.

Li Che also took good care of him, occasionally using the Immaculate Heart Divinity to help him sort things out.

Li Chengzhou was a very silent, introverted child, completely opposite to Xixi's lively personality.

"Uncle, after Xixi finishes the New Year, she will set off for Dao City…… Shall we all go together? If Chengzhou goes to Dao City, perhaps he could join the orthodox outer sect."

Li Che, while serving his uncle the dumplings just cooked by Zhang Ya, spoke up.

Uncle Li Liang, hearing this, paused in his action……

Cousin-in-law Liu Chunming was even more moved, tears nearly spilling over.

"Really…… really?"

"Can we also go to Dao City?"

Liu Chunming's voice trembled; she thought Li Che had long forgotten them.

Unexpectedly, Li Che was willing to take them along.

Liu Chunming naturally was a hundred percent willing to go to Dao City, because going to Dao City would allow Chengzhou better development and cultivation!

Dao City and the prefecture city…… still have a great gap!

That's the biggest city in Lingnan Circuit!

Even Uncle Li Liang's hands trembled a little; for Li Chengzhou's future, he, as his grandfather, naturally wanted to go.

But he also worried about troubling Li Che too much; moreover, even in Prefecture City, under the shade of Li Che and Xixi, Li Chengzhou could live extremely well.

But who wouldn't want a better development?

Li Che brought Li Chengzhou to Jiao Shaoxiu's side.

"Elder Jiao, this is my nephew; take a look… does he have a chance to enter the orthodox outer gate of the Divine Sect?"

As a Grand Elder of the Outer Sect, Jiao Shaoxiu thought accepting an Outer Sect disciple should be no problem.

On Jiao Shaoxiu's withered old-tree face hung a kind smile.

He waved his hand, felt Li Chengzhou's bones, and then used the Observing Nature Technique to take a glance at Li Chengzhou.

"Divine aptitude is only for medium-grade spirit children… he's a bit lacking."

"Entering the Divine Sect's orthodox outer gate is also somewhat of a stretch… but his martial dao aptitude is actually quite good."

"No, it seems to have the flavor of a Martial Body."

Jiao Shaoxiu raised an eyebrow, looking at the meticulous cart driver Nie Yang beside him.

And Li Chengzhou didn't know why, but kept staring at Nie Yang.

Nie Yang set down his chopsticks and looked at Li Chengzhou.

He raised his hand, a sword appeared in his palm, he flicked his finger lightly, and the sword sang clear and cold.

"Do you like it?"

Nie Yang asked.

Li Chengzhou pursed his lips, leaned on Li Che's leg, and kept nodding.

Nie Yang nodded, handing over the sword with its hilt wrapped in ragged cloth to Li Chengzhou.

"Grip it."

Li Chengzhou stretched out both hands, strained to grab the sword, gripping it tightly, unwilling to let go.

Slowly, the sword became lighter.

Nie Yang took the sword back.

"From now on, you will follow me to learn the sword."

Nie Yang grabbed his chopsticks and continued eating dumplings.

Jiao Shaoxiu stroked his beard and gave a light laugh.

Upon hearing that, Li Che's lips twitched up, and he lightly patted Li Chengzhou's head.

"Why don't you call him quickly?"

Li Chengzhou's little face turned red from holding his breath, he clenched his fists, bowed deeply, and shouted loudly: "Master!"

Whoosh—

Bang——!!!

In the distance, Xixi screamed as she lit the fireworks.

The gorgeous fireworks shot straight up to the clouds, bursting into colorful light and shadow.

……

……

Falling Flower Alley, a small eatery.

Lights blazing.

On the table sat a bowl of braised pork trotters that Xixi loved to eat.

The young boss rolled a cigarette, poured a bowl of wine for the big black dog, and poured himself a cup.

One person and one dog clinked cups and drank.

Enjoying the fireworks.

Seeing out the old, welcoming the new.

……

……

Just after the New Year, the accumulated snow grew ever thicker.

Xixi had completely completed the stabilization of the Temple God's divinity.

In the city, the Gong Clan, Hai Clan, and Gongyang Clan had all arranged their caravans, planning to head to Dao City, but they ultimately still decided to follow the Golden Light Branch Sect's caravan.

After figuring out the departure time, they each went to make preparations.

Falling Flower Alley.

Independent Workshop Courtyard.

The Painting Immortal's avatars continued toiling away in their training.

Li Che wore a black robe.

He sat quietly in the wind and snow.

A thick layer of snow had settled on him.

Suddenly, his eyes opened and closed.

The white snow falling on him seemed to have been soaked in rich, ink‑black dye……

It turned black from the soak.

Before his eyes, a flowing light flickered slowly by.

【Dao Fruit: Painting Immortal (lv3, 0%)】

【Dao Fruit lv3, again shed, obtain the embryonic form of a divine ability 「Painting Immortal·Ink Kill」】