Chapter 309: with translation of chapter title, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities/coined terms appearing in these lines

311. Chapter 306: Heavenly Fortune and Wealth obtained the Four Divine Sovereign Godly Crystals, the divine monkey stretching its lazy waist toward the Great Sage【Seek Monthly Ticket】

311. Chapter 306: Obtaining the Four Divine Sovereign Godly Crystals from Heavenly Fortune and Wealth, the Divine Monkey Stretching Its Lazy Waist Toward the Great Sage【Seek Monthly Ticket】

「God-Seizing! 」

"A low, deep voice came from Li Ye's mouth, wearing the ox-demon mask, like the gurgling bubbles of the churning Yellow Spring water of the Nine Abyss."

Translate: "A low, deep voice emanated from Li Che's mouth, wearing the ox-demon mask, as if the churning Yellow Spring water of the Nine Netherworlds emitted a gurgling bubble sound." Need to be concise but keep all info. Let's produce: "A low, deep voice came from Li Che's mouth, wearing the ox-demon mask, as if the churning Yellow Spring water of the Nine Netherworlds emitted a gurgling bubble sound."

"At the moment of explosion, it seemed as if countless white bones surged up and coiled."

Translate: "At the moment of explosion, it seemed as if layers of white bones rose and surged from within."

"The voice was low and deep, as if the gates of hell were opening and closing with each movement of the lips and teeth."

Translate: "The voice was low and deep, as if opening the gate of hell between the closing and opening of lips and teeth."

"Because he admired Su Lei Bao, this swordsman, at the last moment, detonated two divine seeds, ignited his sword intent, and unleashed the Thunderstorm Dragon-Slaying Sword……"

Translate: "Because he admired Su Lei Bao, this swordsman, at the final moment, detonated two Divine Seeds, igniting his blade intent, and unleashed the Thunderstorm Dragon-Slaying Blade……"

"Li Ye was very pleased."

Translate: "This made Li Che very satisfied."

"Therefore, Li Ye was willing to grant him the status of a God-Seizing companion on the cosmic chessboard."

Translate: "Therefore, Li Che was willing to grant him the qualification to be a God-Seizing brother on the heavenly chessboard."

"Li Ye wasted no time; as soon as Su Lei Bao died, he unleashed God-Seizing."

Translate: "Without wasting much time, at the moment Su Lei Bao died, Li Che activated God-Seizing."

"Li Ye's heart twitched."

Translate: "Suddenly, Li Che's heart stirred slightly."

"In the moment of God-Seizing, the Star-Plucking Pupil sprang open, his eyes deep and mysterious, activating the netherworld passage and placing him in a state between the netherworld and reality."

Translate: "At the instant of God-Seizing, the Star-Plucking Pupil suddenly opened, his eyes deep and profound, activating Netherworld Penetration, entering a state between the Netherworld and reality."

"Under his observation."

Translate: "Under his observation."

"Faintly, he saw strands of black energy drifting up from Su Lei Bao's corpse, like writhing black worms."

Translate: "Faintly, he saw that on Su Lei Bao's corpse, strands of black qi drifted up, like writhing black worms."

"Then, in the bleak, ashen netherworld, a dark energy drifted in and merged with the black energy from Su Lei Bao's corpse."

Translate: "Then, amidst the desolate, gray Netherworld heaven and earth, a dark qi also drifted forth, merging with the black qi within Su Lei Bao's corpse."

"Finally, slowly, it twisted into form, becoming Su Lei Bao's God-Seizing!"

Translate: "Finally, slowly, it twisted and formed Su Lei Bao's God-Seizing!"

"Bit by bit……"

Translate: "Bit by bit……"

"He was dragged from the netherworld into the living world!"

Translate: "Being pulled from the Netherworld into the real world!"

"Buzz——!!!"

Translate: "Hum——!!!"

"Li Ye closed his eyes, cut off the Star-Plucking Pupil's view of the netherworld, and his heart quivered."

Translate: "Li Che closed his eyes, severed the Star-Plucking Pupil's gaze observing the Netherworld, and his heart trembled slightly."

「That is…………」

Translate: "「That is…… 」"

「Dao essence? 」

Translate: "「Dao Essence? 」"

「The netherworld Dao essence merged with the scattered soul power from Su Lei Bao's death, forming the God-Seizing? 」

Translate: "「Netherworld Dao Essence…… merging with the scattered soul power Su Lei Bao exhaled at death, thus forming the God-Seizing? 」"

「After death, does a trace linger in the netherworld? And God-Seizing is exactly pulling that departed soul out of the netherworld? 」

Translate: "「After a person dies, does an imprint remain in the Netherworld? And God-Seizing is to pull that deceased person out from the Netherworld? 」"

"The world contains Dao essence."

Translate: "The heavens and earth possess Dao Essence."

"For instance, the mortal world has Dao essence, and the netherworld clearly does as well."

Translate: "For example, the real world possesses Dao Essence, and the Netherworld…… obviously also possesses Dao Essence."

"However, ordinary people cannot reach the netherworld, not even a martial sage—indeed, they cannot access it at all."

Translate: "However, ordinary people cannot even contact the Netherworld, not even a Martial Saint…… seemingly also unable to contact the Netherworld."

"Li Ye could enter and perceive the netherworld only by using his divine power to perform the Netherworld Penetration."

Translate: "Li Che, through divine abilities, by employing Netherworld Penetration, can enter and see the Netherworld."

「The strange gates of the eerie temple……might they be connected to the netherworld? 」

Translate: "「The strange gates of the Guiyi Miao…… could they be related to the Netherworld? 」"

"Li Ye fell into contemplation."

Translate: "Li Che fell into thought."

"As he pondered, Su Lei Bao's God-Seizing had fully taken shape, gradually coalescing into a form."

Translate: "While he was thinking, Su Lei Bao's God-Seizing had already fully formed, gradually condensing a figure."

"Su Lei Bao's God-Seizing was a bit dazed; after roughly three breaths, he slowly opened his eyes."

"His expression turned immensely complex."

"He actually……"

Translate: "His expression inevitably became extremely complex."

"He was alive again!"

Translate: "He actually……"

"Moreover, he knew exactly who had brought him back to life!"

Translate: "He lived again!"

"He also realized exactly how terrifying this ox-demon before him was!"

Translate: "Moreover, he also knew who let him live again at this moment!"

"Back from the dead!"

Translate: "He also realized just how terrifying this ox-demon before him truly was!"

"Moreover, Su Lei Bao now felt he had an undying, indestructible nature, as if he could never die."

Translate: "Raising the dead to life!"

"He gazed at the masked ox-demon; the cute cow mask, in Su Lei Bao's eyes, turned utterly terrifying."

Translate: "Even now, Su Lei Bao felt he possessed an undying, indestructible trait, as if he would never die."

"Because the identity hidden beneath the ox-demon mask was someone he could never have imagined."

Translate: "He looked at the ox-demon wearing the mask; that cute bovine mask, in Su Lei Bao's eyes, became incomparably terrifying."

"It…could actually be him?!"

Translate: "Because the identity beneath that ox-demon mask was someone he had never imagined."

"No!"

Translate: "It…… could actually be him?!"

"Ox-demon……"

Translate: "No!"

"It was Li Ye himself!"

Translate: "Ox-demon……"

"The newly promoted Divine Eagle demi-saint of the Golden Origin Sect's Divine Eagle Ridge—an honest, diligent soul wholly devoted to crafting Divine Eagles!"

Translate: "It was actually Li Che!"

"Su Lei Bao felt it absurd, his mind reeling from a massive shock."

Translate: "The newly risen Divine Eagle Half-Sage of the Divine Eagle Ridge, Qian Yuan Divine Sect, that…… honest and diligent, wholly devoted to crafting divine eagles, the Divine Eagle Half-Sage!"

"How could this be……"

Translate: "Su Lei Bao felt somewhat absurd, his spirit suffering a tremendous shock."

"Is it him?!"

Translate: "How could this be……"

"After the Su family's downfall, Su Lei Bao had been investigating the netherworld, yet no matter how hard he tried, he could not uncover who truly rules it behind the scenes."

Translate: "Is it him?! "

"The netherworld's ever-revealing depths filled Su Lei Bao with dread and despair."

Translate: "Since the Su family's misfortune, Su Lei Bao has been investigating the Netherworld, but no matter how he tried, he could not discover who truly controls the Netherworld behind the scenes."

"Especially the netherworld's Yama……"

Translate: "And the continually revealed depths of the Netherworld filled Su Lei Bao with dread and despair."

"That is an existence on par with the peak level!"

Translate: "Especially the Netherworld's King of Hell……"

"One cannot ascertain Yama's true realm, yet it is enough to make mighty beings like Yue Huanglong and Hong Shifo feel grave and wary."

Translate: "That is an existence comparable to the pinnacle level!"

"This demonstrates the netherworld Yama's power; he is absolutely a peak-level existence!"

Translate: "Although the true realm of the King of Hell cannot be known, it is enough to make experts like Yue Huanglong and Hong Shifo feel solemn and wary."

"Peak……"

Translate: "This suffices to show the King of Hell's might; he is absolutely a pinnacle-level existence!"

"That is truly a top-tier expert capable of upholding an ancient clan for ten thousand generations!"

Translate: "Pinnacle……"

"However……"

Translate: "That is a true top-tier powerhouse capable of supporting an ancient clan for myriad ages!"

"Now, as a God-Seizing, he knows far too many secrets he never knew before."

Translate: "However……"

"As it turns out, behind the incredibly ferocious, merciless netherworld fiends……"

Translate: "Now, having become a God-Seizing, he knows far too many secrets he previously did not know."

As it turns out, behind the incredibly vicious, ruthless netherworld's myriad fiends...

Translate: "As it turns out, behind the ferocious, merciless Netherworld fiends who kill without blinking……"

The one standing was unexpectedly the honest and dutiful Divine Eagle Half-Saint Li Che!

He took a deep breath.

Su Lei Bao calmed his shocked emotions.

"I, Su Lei Bao, salute you, master."

He had no thoughts of resistance; Su Lei Bao even felt a bit grateful.

Su Lei Bao had long been full of regret; now that he could survive, he naturally coveted it and only wanted to live on.

Li Che watched Su Lei Bao quickly submit and nodded with satisfaction.

Although he admired Su Lei Bao, if Su Lei Bao chose to resist and defy his Bound Spirit, there would be no need for it to exist.

It would naturally become food for the Bound Spirits such as Huang Jianjiu, You Liqing, and others.

Conveniently, the three Weapon Saint Bound Spirits—Huang Jianjiu, You Liqing, and the Dragon Maiden—if they devour a Second Opening Weapon Saint‑rank Bound Spirit, they can roughly step into the Second Opening realm.

"Not bad."

Li Che nodded.

Clenching his five fingers, he took Su Lei Bao's Golden Dragon‑Slaying Blade and threw it to him, then stored Su Lei Bao's Heaven‑Earth Jade.

Su Lei Bao carried most of the resources obtained by liquidating the Su family assets; these resources were the capital Su Lei Bao intended to use to settle the Su clan in Shendu.

Li Che was naturally very eager.

After reaching the Weapon Saint realm, the resources needed for cultivation were indeed far greater than before.

For example, the fifth‑tier medium‑grade pills required by Weapon Saints are each extremely expensive.

As for Li Che, he even needs fifth‑tier superior Martial Pills for cultivation; because his foundation is deep, his cultivation costs exceed those of other Weapon Saints.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—

The sound of breaking the void rang out.

Huang Jianjiu, You Liqing, and the Dragon Maiden, the three Weapon Saint Bound Spirits, drifted back.

"Lord."

You Liqing, clad in golden armor, said gravely, "Grand Marshal Yan Jing of the Divine Guard has withdrawn; Yan Jing possesses Qi Sea peak cultivation, and we... cannot stop him."

Huang Jianjiu, You Liqing, and the Dragon Maiden, three top‑tier Human‑Pill Weapon Saints, can even ignore damage, trigger Divine Seeds, and their combat power is by no means weaker than ordinary Qi Sea Weapon Saints.

Yet they still cannot stop Grand Marshal Yan Jing of the Divine Guard.

Yan Jing, the foremost master under Yue Huang Long, commands the strongest of the Four Divine Guard armies of Qian Yuan Dao City; his combat power is immense, a Second Opening Weapon Saint, at the Qi Sea peak realm!

In terms of combat power, even Su Lei Bao at his peak cannot match Yan Jing.

After all, Yan Jing has cultivated for years without neglecting martial training, whereas Su Lei Bao, after becoming head of the Su clan, has not drawn his sword for a full sixty years, so the gap remains large.

"Yan Jing is the strongman sent by Master Yue Huang Long to escort me out of Lingnan Dao... Yue Huang Long may belong to the Third Prince faction..."

Su Lei Bao said truthfully.

Having transformed back into a Bound Spirit, he clutched his Dragon‑Slaying Blade, his whole being even reverted to his youthful peak, like a wildly arrogant swordsman.

"Third Prince faction..."

Li Che's eyes flickered for a moment.

He had no intention of pursuing and capturing Yan Jing as well.

He bore no grudge against Grand Marshal Yan Jing, so there was no need.

His Underworld Bull Demon...

... was not a blood‑thirsty person.

"Alright, it's time to return."

Li Che pressed down his Bull Demon mask, stretched his entire body, and emitted a rumbling sound like a thunderstorm, as powerful currents stirred the void.

"Understood."

Huang Jianjiu, You Liqing, the Dragon Maiden, and the other Bound Spirits clasped their fists in salute, then transformed into black Bound Spirit chess pieces that floated around Li Che.

Su Lei Bao, holding the Golden Dragon‑Slaying Blade, hesitated a bit...

"Speak."

Li Che glanced at him and said,

Regarding the Bound Spirits, although Li Che could forcefully and dominantly probe their thoughts and consciousness, it was unnecessary.

Most of the time, Li Che would let the Bound Spirits be living beings.

He let them have their own thoughts, their own privacy.

"Lord... I... wish to see the situation of the other two Su family squads..."

Su Lei Bao clasped his fists and said gravely.

"Consider it... as the head of the Su clan, my final memento."

Li Che raised an eyebrow at the words.

"Uprooting the grass without removing the roots, the spring wind makes it grow again."

"The Underworld always chooses to eradicate threatening enemies, never leaving trouble for itself."

Su Lei Bao clasped his fists: "I understand."

Li Che nodded; he believed the Bound Spirits' submission to him stemmed from a confidence rooted in divine ability.

The celestial chessboard unfolded.

A strange hue flashed in Li Che's eyes, and slowly he fell silent.

"You may go."

"Go fulfill your final duty as clan head."

"After today, you are the Underworld... Dragon‑Slaying Blade."

"I trust you know what to do."

Su Lei Bao was startled for a moment; Li Che's attitude made him fall silent.

He sighed, gripped his blade and clasped his fists.

"Thank you…"

"My lord."

……

……

Cold snowflakes fluttered down in a scattering drift.

The snow on the ground piled thickly; the deep red blood slowly spread and tinged the snow, blooming crimson flowers across the white field.

The carriage shattered, tipped over, and its wheel hub, still soaring skyward, turned slowly, creaking, creak.

Snowflakes fell in layers, building a thick coat on the wheel hub.

"All cleared up?"

A hoarse voice rang out; several masked figures, wearing conical hats, gripping blood‑stained long swords, spears and other weapons, stood on the snowfield.

The ground around was littered with corpses; an entire unit, hundreds of Su family youths, were all slain.

The Grand Master and the Divine Primordial Great Immortal who were escorting for the Su family also perished.

The corpses lay spread across the snow, a sight that chilled the heart.

Not a single living soul remained; even the infants in swaddling cloths were cut in two with a single slash.

"We haven't found it; the Su family's rumored technique from the Western Buddhist lands that can devour a woman's talent has no records. It seems… it must be with Su Lei Bao."

A deep voice echoed across the snowfield.

"Su Lei Bao's side has Lord Daoist's Divine Guard Grand Marshal Yan Jing escorting; if we go there… it would only be a death march, what a shame…"

"I thought that since these Su family members practice such a path, they should know the detailed records of the technique."

"The Su family is still stable…"

"Stable? If they were truly stable, a great house that has watched three thousand years of tides would not end up in this mess."

"The Su family is utterly destroyed; even if they fled to Shendu, in that place that devours people without remorse, the Su family… could never thrive."

"Turn to the Third Prince? Without benefit, would the Third Prince even care about you?"

……

These masked figures each let out a cold laugh.

Their cultivation was not weak either.

Being able to slaughter the Su family's Grand Master and Divine Primordial Great Immortal naturally required some strength and confidence.

They themselves came from Qian Yuan Dao City, among the strong of the various great families.

Su Lei Bao dealt with the three great families, but had no leisure to handle these minor families and forces; after all, little time remained for Su Lei Bao.

Su Lei Bao never imagined these minor families and forces would dare to ambush the Su family's convoy.

"Retreat, the Su family is finished…"

"However, the Su family still holds some power in Shendu; rumor has it that the Su family's martial prodigy, stationed in Shendu as a shield for the two Su women married into the royal clan, may have already succeeded in opening a path."

"What are we afraid of… even if we investigate, we could just blame the Underworld, right?"

"The Underworld is ferocious, slaughtering the entire Su clan; we already act behind masks, who would know it was us? Moreover, we gained nothing…"

"Moreover, we have someone behind us… the one who ordered us to act is none other than Lord Daoist!"

Someone snickered indifferently.

Scanning the snowfield, the frozen, snow‑covered corpses of the Su family made the onlooker burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Having personally witnessed the fall of the Su family, the premier house of Qian Yuan Dao City, watching the Su family's mansion collapse filled them with a strange excitement.

Hoo—hoo—hoo—

Above the heavens, a gale roared.

The wind grew ever fiercer.

Huge sheets of snow were swept violently by the gale, whipping the air like a flogging whip.

Everyone's sight seemed shrouded in haze.

Suddenly, the experts who stood in the snow, having slaughtered the Su family's convoy, felt a sudden chill rise in their hearts.

Among the masters present, even the weakest were Innate Grand Masters, so their perception was keen.

At the instant they sensed the change, they all turned and saw a figure cloaked in black vapour walking out of the storm.

The raging snowstorm, like a curtain of heaven and earth, slowly split on both sides as he walked.

The strong present each felt their bodies stiffen.

Zzz—

A bolt of thunder suddenly struck, writhing like a thunder dragon.

Poof—!

A masked Innate Grand Master was instantly struck by the thunder; his head exploded, flesh and blood rained down, a mist of blood swirled in the white snow like blooming gore flowers.

The martial will pressed down like a mountain!

It seemed a resurrected, beheaded dragon, filled with anger and resentment, surrounded by the slashing blade light that severed its head, spanning the heavens and earth.

It blocked every retreat they might seek.

"Such a powerful martial will…"

"Heaven‑human resonance—!"

"Wu Saint! Absolutely a Wu Saint!"

"Damn…"

"I can't move! Move! Flee——!"

The strong ones present felt as if a heavy bell and drum had struck their hearts, their body hair standing on end; they wanted to move, but completely lost the ability to move!

Each strong one's eyes revealed a look of terror.

Even the unsurpassed grand master of the Three Flowers at the Peak felt a sense of suffocation!

Because this feeling is not that of an ordinary Martial Saint!

It is that of a Martial Saint of the Second Opening Qi Sea Realm!

The wind and snow were torn apart, heaven and earth suddenly became extremely quiet, as if all the wind and snow, under the blade's light, had turned to ash.

Amidst the wind and snow, Su Leibao, propped up on the Golden Dragon-Slaying Blade, stood stunned.

Looking at the Su family convoy that had been slaughtered, not even sparing the children……

For a moment, Su Leibao's emotions became extremely complex.

"Yue Huanglong……"

Su Leibao whispered softly.

Killer intent lay within, like a lit bomb, ready to erupt and explode at any moment!

Let Yan Jing escort him away, leave Lingnan Dao; to put it nicely, it's an escort, to put it bluntly, it's surveillance……

But in reality, Yue Huanglong's goal……

Yet it was the other members of the Su family.

Yue Huanglong wanted that Buddhist secret technique which enhances one's own talent by absorbing women's talent!

Blissful Zen Buddhist Female Spirit Absorption Technique!

Yue Huanglong wanted to obtain it from the bodies of other Su family descendants, but……

The Su family transmits this secret technique, divided into upper and lower parts; the Su family descendants only know part of it, and the most crucial process is entirely held by the family head.

Thus, Yue Huanglong's idea naturally came to nothing.

But never expected……

Yue Huanglong would actually slaughter all the Su clan members cleanly.

"You……"

"All deserve to die!"

Su Leibao suddenly raised his head, his black hair flying wildly, his body suddenly swelling, turning a purple hue, countless extremely sharp sword intent sweeping and expanding!

Bang——!

His aura surged to its peak, he unleashed his full power, like an angry dragon soaring into the sky!

"Flee!"

Around, grand masters and grand true persons who had broken free of their bonds with secret techniques fled madly.

However, just as they escaped, they were struck down by the terrifying power erupting in the wind and snow.

Those were figures wearing masks.

"Underworld!"

These strong ones instantly turned pale with fear!

Underworld…… how did it get mixed up with the Su family and Su Leibao?!

The Su family and the Underworld aren't in a mortal enemy situation, are they?!

Now……

How could they appear together?!

Huang Jianjiu wore a bamboo hat, carried a large wine gourd, and had half a silver mask covering his face, appearing suave and debonair.

You Liqing wore golden armor and a golden mask, his face unseen.

The Dragon Maiden wore a ferocious evil dragon mask, her killing intent towering.

Their faces couldn't be seen clearly, but their identities were undoubtedly those of Underworld powerhouses.

"Wine Sword Immortal!"

"Golden Magic Python!"

"Purple Bone Magic Dragon!"

Martial Saint……

All of them, damn it, are Martial Saint‑level powerhouses!

Dao Master…… you've harmed us!

Su Leibao's anger was like a volcano suppressed for thousands of years, erupting explosively!

In an instant, the erupting force surged, blade light sweeping out; the Qi Sea Martial Saint's power was held back none, and after detonating two divine seeds, he directly unleashed the true power of the Thunderbolt Dragon‑Slaying Blade!

Countless snowflakes instantly melted into a vast lake, the lake's water flowing like layer upon layer of air waves, expanding in concentric circles toward all directions!

Poof poof poof——!

One by one, the strong ones died miserably amid their wails!

Slain by the blade's light!

Blown into a blood mist!

Su Leibao was like a demonic blade revived, having not drawn his sword for sixty years, today he unsheathes it!

He would slaughter, turning heaven and earth upside down!

Blood flowed like rivers!

……

……

Su Leibao divided the Su family into three squads, each with a Divine Origin Grand True Person overseeing it.

A Divine Origin Grand True Person is already considered top-tier combat power in Dao City.

Yet they still could not save the Su family.

The Su family's route out of Lingnan Dao was as clear as day, completely exposed to those who knew.

Su Leibao knew he would become a target of the Netherworld's pursuit, so he did not conceal his route much, taking the official road directly.

The other two Su squads took hidden side paths.

Though the roads were somewhat rugged, they won in concealment and safety.

However, the routes of these two Su squads were completely exposed, ambushed by hidden experts gathered from all major and minor forces of Qianyuan Dao City, slaughtering elders, women, children, and infants, leaving none alive……

Not a single one left!

Su Leibao's eyes almost burst; even after becoming a Bound Spirit and submitting to Li Che, he still retained most of his former emotions and thoughts.

He was still ultimately the head of the Su family……

But now……

Qianyuan Dao City Su family……

Is gone!

"Ah——!!!"

"Yue Huanglong!"

Su Leibao knew how the routes of the other two Su squads were exposed; only Yue Huanglong knew this path.

He had only ever revealed it to Yue Huanglong.

Smiling Tiger Yue Huanglong……

Su Leibao could not shed tears after becoming a Bound Spirit; most of his emotions were weakened, leaving only frenzy and submission to Li Che.

Amidst wind and snow.

Li Che tread upon snow without leaving a trace; countless gusts of snow seemed to freeze in place upon his arrival.

He glanced indifferently at the corpses of the Su family's elders, women, children, and infants covered in snow, scattered across the wilderness.

Li Che's eyes showed little emotional fluctuation.

"Yue Huanglong……"

"Still trying to frame the Netherworld?"

Beneath Li Che's Ox Demon Mask, his eyes turned icy to the extreme.

If it was the Netherworld that did it, the Netherworld would naturally admit it.

But it was not the Netherworld that did it……

Wanting to pour dirty water, to play this framing game……

I, Li Che, am not pleased.

"My lord!"

Su Leibao gripped the Golden Dragon-Slaying Blade, kneeling on the ground.

"Subordinate……wants to kill him!"

Su Leibao's eyes were extremely blood-red.

Li Che looked at Su Leibao.

"Approved."

He glanced at the corpses littering the ground—these were the bodies of assassins from various major and minor forces within Qianyuan Dao City.

Five fingers rose slowly into the air.

"Soul……"

"Return!"

Peak Three Flowers Grand Master, Divine Origin Grand True Person, Innate Grand Master, Spirit Transformation……

Corpses of cultivators of all realms seemed to collide and merge with the netherworld, as if the Dao essences of the two worlds sparked like fireworks upon contact.

Then……

In the vast white snowy expanse.

Cold wind howled, great snow fell like blades!

Twisting black shadows, dense and numerous, rose from the corpses……

One after another, dense and numerous.

Li Che crossed his arms, hovering midair, black hair vigorous, indifferently gazing at the lines of Bound Spirits rising to stand.

His gaze finally fell upon Su Leibao kneeling before him.

"I reward you."

"Perform well……"

"Let me see how sharp your blade is!"

Su Leibao lifted his head, scarlet light gradually seeping from his pupils.

"My lord, rest assured!"

"The Netherworld Dragon-Slaying Blade will surely grow to the level capable of slaying a Yellow Dragon!"

In fact, even if all these Bound Spirits were combined and devoured by Su Leibao, their enhancement would still fall short of that brought by a single Martial Saint Bound Spirit.

But ultimately, they cannot be wasted.

Accumulation comes bit by bit.

And after today, Su Leibao……

It will also become the sharpest blade in the Netherworld, besides him, Li Che!

Li Che floated in midair, lowered his head and glanced.

He gave a faint smile.

He clenched his fingers.

In an instant, he vanished amidst the swirling wind and snow.

He still had important matters to attend to.

……

……

Two-heart Great Sage Guiyi Miao

The wailing sound of the wind and snow vanished in an instant.

Li Che wore the ox-demon mask, as if tearing open space, appearing here bit by bit.

Inside the Guiyi Miao, all was silent.

It suffered no outside disturbance.

Although, today this Two-heart Great Sage Guiyi Miao officially opened, allowing those Martial Saint Divine Fetal experts who came from outside to set foot inside and contend for that Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Staff.

But it is obvious that these people cannot temporarily enter this Guiyi Miao.

The howling wind outside was instantly cut off, and even the icy cold and freezing chill were sealed off inside the Guiyi Miao.

He raised his hand and tapped his brow.

The Heaven-Earth Chessboard instantly rose with a howl, expanding above his head.

Li Che sat cross-legged, not rushing to enter the mysterious gate to seek the Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Staff.

His battle with Su Lei Bao was Li Che's first fight after just breaking through to Martial Saint.

It was immensely exhilarating.

Su Lei Bao's burning-out sword intent displayed, as a swordsman, the purest conviction……

It left Li Che very satisfied.

His mind stirred.

Instantly, streams of light intertwined before his eyes, converging into a prompt.

【Dao Fruit: Dragon-Elephant Golden Vajra (LV, 75%)】

After breaking through to Martial Saint, Li Che's Dao Fruit maturity increased considerably, and in his battle with Su Lei Bao he successfully slew his opponent.

o￠o

He gained only a 5% increase in maturity.

But for Li Che, this was already quite satisfying.

This 5% maturity could be converted into martial enlightenment feedback!

Previously, he had relied on enlightenment feedback to break through to Martial Saint, so this increase does not provide enlightenment feedback, which is somewhat regrettable for Li Che.

"If enlightenment feedback were used in battle……"

Li Che pondered.

The effect should be quite good……

But after slaying a strong enemy in that way, can the gained Dao Fruit maturity be converted into enlightenment feedback?

This is what Li Che is quite curious about.

Coincidentally, this time after breaking through to Martial Saint, Li Che raised all his remaining divine-seed martial arts to master level, so he temporarily has no need for enlightenment feedback…… he can accumulate it.

As for pushing the divine-seed martial arts to the transformation realm……

This difficulty is somewhat greater than imagined.

Even Li Che's most skilled Myriad Transformations Dragon-Elephant is still far from reaching the transformation realm standard.

Transformation-realm divine-seed martial arts……

There is a separate designation for it.

It is called, Divine Transformation True Martial!

According to Li Che's understanding of the Martial Saint realm, the stages are: human elixir, qi sea, mountain path, and heavenly gate……

Each stage is harder than the last.

Actually, from human elixir to qi sea is relatively simple, belonging to a breakthrough of accumulation.

When the human elixir is fully opened, the accumulated primordial gang gathers into the qi sea!

The qi sea realm is likewise accumulation, the size of the opened qi sea……

But from qi sea to mountain path is extremely difficult.

Even its difficulty surpasses that from grand master to Martial Saint!

The qi sea is vast and boundless, too easy to lose oneself in; even as strong as a Martial Saint, after opening the qi sea, one drifts through life……

Too many astonishingly talented Martial Saints are stuck at this step, unable to find the mountain path their whole lives.

Then, taking a further step, they ascend the mountain.

The boundless qi sea requires True Martial to open a mountain path……

Therefore, cultivating Divine Transformation True Martial is the Martial Saint's third opening, the basic requirement for opening a mountain path.

Here, Divine Transformation refers to the transformation-realm divine seed……

Without mastering Divine Transformation True Martial, one will forever drift in the boundless qi sea.

"Divine Transformation True Martial……"

Li Che's eyes flickered slightly.

It really is a bit difficult!

At least, as of now, he has mastered the most proficient Divine Lineage martial art, yet he is still far from the Transformation Realm.

"Hoo—"

"Huh—"

Li Che breathed in and out, calming the fluctuations of his inner thoughts.

"No rush."

Li Che smiled.

Then his mind and spirit stirred.

He pressed his two fingers together and tore violently at the air before him.

In an instant, the space was ripped open…

Pieces of Qian Kun Jade fell out of the rift, clattering one after another.

These are the Qian Kun Jades of the strongmen who participated in the Su Family's hunting party, who kill and desecrate corpses; even after breaking through to the Martial Sage, Li Che still does not forget his original intention.

He does not look down on the collections of those Grand Masters and Divine Primordial Immortals merely because of his own realm.

The accumulation of wealth and resources…

Has always been bit by bit, slowly building up.

Besides that.

Su Lei Bao sold off the Su Family's assets and divided the obtained resources among nine Qian Kun Jades, each hidden in the hands of Su Family members.

Now, they have all been consolidated and fallen into Li Che's hands.

A powerful primordial spirit shock tore the seal of the Qian Kun Jades, and Li Che began to inventory this haul.

However, Li Che's perspective is now so lofty that ordinary resources scarcely move him.

Yet…

This time, Li Che was indeed moved.

This damned, sky‑splitting wealth…

In the end, it made even this Martial Sage, whose face remains unchanged as a mountain collapses, unable to stay unmoved!

The Su Family… gave far too much!

"Sss—!!!"

"Four Imperial Lower Divine Crystals?!"

……

……

Six‑Eared Hell Lotus Divine Monkey Double‑Heart Great Sage Guiyi Miao.

The Strange Gate trembled, and strands of uncanny mist raged and intertwined like woven ribbons.

Li Che's painted‑immortal avatar, holding the third‑form Double‑Heart Great Sage Divine Eagle that was carved during the Ascended Divine Eagle Half‑Sage stage, walked slowly within the Strange Gate.

The uncanny mist rose, and before him it seemed to be slowly sliced apart by an invisible force.

It was like incense drifting down, meeting an obstruction and automatically splitting to both sides.

Li Che's painted‑immortal avatar halted slowly and looked toward the distance.

At the center of the Strange Gate, before the ancient, dilapidated Double‑Heart Great Sage Guiyi Miao.

Thick uncanny mist drifted slowly, framing the Guiyi Miao within the Strange Gate, as ethereal as a celestial palace in a fairyland.

And three hundred zhang away from the Guiyi Miao.

A colossal demonic ape, as massive as a mountain, sat cross‑legged with its eyes closed on the ground; its jet‑black hair resembled demonic spears, and it gripped a massive golden divine staff, as thick as a celestial pillar!

It was planted firmly into the ground of the Strange Gate.

Temple Guardian Cursed Corpse King!

The Cursed Corpse King demonic ape blocked the way there, holding the golden‑iron divine staff at will; countless black, flower‑like corpse‑curse sigils writhed on its body, and a dense aura of death and corpse‑spirit spread and intertwined, forming a black, tattered cloak behind the ape, rustling.

Three hundred zhang is an extremely special position.

Previously, the Third Prince was within the Guiyi Miao.

The child prodigies who participated in the temple‑god resonance also got stuck at the three‑hundred‑zhang mark, unable to advance.

At this very moment.

Many Martial Sages and Divine Embryo cultivators who entered the Strange Gate gathered here.

From afar they watched the Temple Guardian Cursed Corpse King, standing like a massive blade‑mounted horse, seated like a colossal beast before the Guiyi Miao; compared with the giant ape, they seemed as tiny as ants.

Gongxu Jingjun and Tang Xie Jia of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, along with the inner‑gate's third elder Ding Zi, Junior Daoist Lord Yue Weizheng of the Daoist Lord's Residence, and a deputy director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau…

These are the strongmen of Qian Yuan Dao City.

In addition, there are the ascetic monk Wu Gang of Xiao Lingyin Temple, as well as strong figures from the Xuanfu Sect, Tian Dan Sect, Seven Treasure Sect, and other external forces.

And Ao Lie, the Dragon Son of the Dragon God Clan who hides his identity behind a Hunter God Pavilion assassin mask…

The myriad Heavenly‑Human resonances of Martial Sages and Divine Embryos, intertwined with the forces of Heaven and Earth souls.

Yet they cannot break the oppression imposed by the demonic ape Cursed Corpse King.

"This Cursed Corpse King… seems to be waiting for something?"

Wu Gang of Xiao Lingyin Temple pressed his palms together; his towering, almost cloth‑tearing monk's body quivered slightly, his face split with a wide grin.

Gongxu Jingjun, Tang Xie Jia and the others also squinted.

They glanced at Wu Gang, showing a hint of apprehension.

Suddenly.

Everyone turned their gaze toward the distance.

He then saw Li Che, who had torn open the strange mist, striding forward on foot while holding aloft the Divine Eagle of the Two Heart Great Sage!

"Elder Li!"

Gongshu Jingjun's eyes flickered.

Could it be…

Is the Curse Corpse King waiting for Li Che to carve the temple god's Divine Eagle?

The other Martial Saint and Divine Fetus powerhouses all thought the same.

After all, Li Che is a Divine Eagle master who can touch the head of the Two Heart Great Sage's third-level realm!

At least he's the key to unlocking this opportunity of the Follow Heart Golden Iron Divine Staff?

However…

When Li Che walked among them holding aloft the Divine Eagle, he wore a gentle smile and nodded in greeting to Gongshu Jingjun and Tang Xiejia.

He set the held Divine Eagle down on the ground.

It was about a hundred zhang from the Demonic Ape.

However…

Amidst everyone's expectant gazes.

The towering Demonic Ape, the Temple-Guarding Curse Corpse King, brandishing a blade and standing like a mountain, still showed no sign of opening its eyes.

Now then…

Many powerhouses were taken by surprise.

"Is it not him?"

"It's not Li Che?!"

"Even a Half-Saint Divine Eagle that has comprehended the Two Heart Great Sage's divine essence cannot stimulate the Follow Heart Golden Iron Divine Staff?"

Whooo—

A fierce wind swept past.

It blew the sand and pebbles on the Strange Gate's ground to roll slightly.

That Li Che, the Immortal of the Painting, wore a gentle, honest smile, stepped back three paces, and his smile grew richer.

Inside the Guiyi Miao.

Li Che, having finished tallying the riches, stretched lazily in satisfaction.

…

…

Before the Guiyi Miao.

Everyone was lamenting that the Divine Eagle Half-Saint statue Li Che brought could not stimulate the Follow Heart Golden Iron Divine Staff…

Suddenly, everyone's pupils constricted slightly.

Astonishment and surprise.

Because, even they, these Martial Saint and Divine Fetus powerhouses…

actually made a horrified discovery, not knowing when…

Before that Divine Eagle, there was actually a figure squatting, wearing a flamboyantly ostentatious Divine Monkey mask.

Netherworld Divine Monkey!

Everyone's hearts trembled slightly!

Then, they saw the Divine Monkey slowly rise to its feet.

And as the Divine Monkey slowly rose, the aura emanating from its entire being underwent a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering change.

Countless strands of strange mist began to ceaselessly condense behind him…

In a hazy glimpse, it seemed to transform into a white python entirely formed from condensed strange mist!

When the Divine Monkey stood up, spread its arms, and stretched lazily…

The strange-mist white python, coiled, slowly raised its head.

It also seemed to face toward this Strange Gate realm, toward the Two Heart Great Sage.

It stretched lazily.

In an instant!

The Strange Gate realm shuddered with a tremendous boom!

That Demonic Ape, towering like a mountain…

Its tightly shut eyes!

Suddenly snapped open!

Staring straight at the Divine Monkey!