Chapter 341: Chapter 337: Past Bonds Severed in One Morning, No More Uncle Li, Xixi, the Unbeaten Host of the Peach Banquet 【Seeking

343. Chapter 337: Past Bonds Severed in One Morning, No More Uncle Li, Xixi, the Unbeaten Host of the Peach Banquet 【Seeking Monthly Votes】

Clack clack—!

Above the heavens, lead clouds pile up!

Snowflakes tumble out of the cloud layer, leaping forth, blown by the raging wind and waves, rolling continuously, then struck by a surge of angry, interwoven lightning, accompanied by invisible blue smoke, and they melt into droplets.

Countless violent thunders roll between the clouds, some so terrifying that they make limbs feel as if they were stiffening.

This is a tribulation, not an ordinary winter thunder!

The previously calm night sky seems altered, the celestial phenomena shift, as if a great disaster is descending!

But the tribulation of the Divine Embryo differs somewhat from that of the Martial Saint.

Both act against Heaven, and both show signs of merging with Heaven and Earth; the Martial Saint merges with Heaven and Earth's will, forming a celestial‑human resonance, with heightened six senses and extraordinary perception.

Divine Embryo cultivators are different; they become far more graceful, merging their primordial spirit with Heaven and Earth's will to form a Heaven‑Earth soul, which can act apart from the flesh, like yin and yang deities, capable of calling wind and rain and affecting reality.

Thus, the tribulation of Divine Embryo cultivators targets the soul more, differing slightly from the Martial Saint's body‑targeted tribulation.

Of course, the difference is minor; ultimately none can pass, all suffer grievous injury, and the path perishes.

Hoo hoo hoo—

The wind and waves grow stronger, whistling as they sweep between Heaven and Earth, seemingly about to blow away a person's soul!

Compared to the Martial Saint's tribulation thunder, this Divine Embryo tribulation thunder carries an extra gust of wind.

This wind is the God‑Destroying Wind among the three calamities.

Of course, it is not the God‑Destroying Wind faced by Divine Tribulation cultivators; it merely contains that attribute, and if the true God‑Destroying Wind were to sweep…

Li Che could die on the spot to show this world.

That is a calamity even Divine Tribulation cultivators must evade.

Boom—!!!

Heaven and Earth roar.

But at this moment, Li Che does not mind these tribulations.

Now his mortal martial path has reached the Qi Sea realm, extremely powerful and unbreakably resilient; this Divine Embryo tribulation thunder essentially cannot threaten him, and moreover Li Che has prepared the tribulation‑crossing requirements to conceal his martial cultivation.

Therefore, he does not care.

What he cares about now is…

Lu Chi, that big‑head, actually dared to propose marriage?!

How dare he?!

"This marriage proposal."

"I disagree!"

A cold voice, devoid of emotion, sent a shiver up everyone's hair, sweeping incessantly.

Li Che's eyes opened and closed, radiating dazzling brilliance as if to tear the firmament apart!

The mud‑marble at his brow quivered slightly, divine nature bursting like a breached Milky Way, pouring down in a spray.

Accompanied by the true ape's shedding, the law of heaven and earth!

The true ape howls upward, spanning across Heaven and Earth, illuminating the night.

A floating Golden Core, perfectly round and radiant, shimmering with flowing light, faintly translucent, revealing countless divine natures inside like solidified blood light, intertwining into a heart the size of a baby's fist.

Thump thump thump!

The heart thumped, as if concentric invisible ripples exploded in the void, suppressing the sound of wind and waves.

Within the Divine Origin Golden Core lies a Divine Embryo; the embryo undergoes a divine transformation, spawning five organs, which constitute five minor realms.

Now Li Che has just stepped into the Divine Embryo, with the divine transformation condensing the heart!

On the dock, everyone's gaze at this moment is drawn to the magnificent, god‑like figure atop the prow of the solitary Yellow Dragon Blackwood Treasure Ship.

It is as if a true deity.

"What a refined Divine Embryo!"

"Such a majestic divine nature, what level of Divine Embryo is this? The sense of rank pressure is overwhelming!"

The eyes of the strong ones from various Great Divine Sects narrowed, paying no heed to Li Che's refusal, drawn instead by his Divine Embryo state.

Cultivators of the Divine Embryo realm who have undergone a divine transformation naturally pay little mind, yet they still assess this embryo's potential and strength.

The Divine Embryo Li Che now displays is indeed somewhat terrifying in strength.

Because merely from the divine nature the embryo summons, one can discern its rank and strength.

Higher rank and strength naturally attract more divine nature.

A high‑intensity, high‑rank divine state requires an immensely majestic divine nature to sustain it!

A Three Purities‑rank Divine Embryo!

This notion, once it appears, reverberates endlessly in every cultivator's mind, impossible to shake.

Most importantly…

Cultivating divine nature for only six years and already shedding a Three Purities‑rank Divine Embryo—that is the most terrifying!

It is well known that the higher the rank of Divine Foundation or Divine Aspect, the more divine cultivators are needed to amass divine nature to forge a stable base and breach higher realms.

The same principle applies to the Divine Origin Golden Core and Divine Embryo; the higher the rank of the created core or embryo, the more divine nature required, an extremely terrifying amount!

Even Ji Mo Li, at this moment, showed a slight reaction, looking at Li Che with a hint of horror.

"He must... have obtained some temple deity inheritance."

"His Divine Embryo seems to reflect a phantom Divine Aspect, appearing as a Divine Ape? Perhaps... the Two‑Heart Great Saint's Guiyi Miao of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect is connected to him?"

"Li Che's earlier breakthrough to the half‑Saint of the Divine Eagle relied on carving the Divine Aspect of the Two‑Heart Great Saint's temple deity; perhaps... he obtained the inheritance of the Two‑Heart Great Saint's temple deity?"

"But, everyone, do not forget, the inheritance of the Two‑Heart Great Saint... may not reach the Three Purities rank!"

……

Li Che's Divine Embryo, many people have vaguely caught the traces of the Luminous True Ape, and all have made guesses about it.

Without a lineage, it would be impossible to break through to such heights within just six years; everyone here is among the best in Divine Nature cultivation, being a Divine Embryo Great Deity, so they naturally have the insight to speculate.

"Heaven-Equal Temple?"

Someone, unknown, whispered a name.

At once, as if a massive stone were thrown into a lake, it raised a tremendous wave!

"However... Heaven-Equal Temple is renowned for martial ways, its Divine Nature is rather average. Inside the Two-Heart Great Saint Guiyi Miao of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, that free‑willed golden‑iron Divine Staff seems to have been taken by the underworld Divine Monkey, and many people, eyes fixed, saw Li Che carving the temple deity statue, helping the Divine Monkey obtain the Divine Staff."

? ￠o

"So, the Divine Monkey took the Divine Staff, and Li Che obtained the Divine Embryo Method?"

The sect leader present had a flash of insight and understood instantly.

Moreover, Li Che may have also obtained the Divine Nature inheritance of the temple deity within the Two-Heart Great Saint Guiyi Miao; otherwise, he could not have broken through to the Divine Embryo in such a short time.

A prodigy of the Way of Divine Nature!

A celestial prodigy unparalleled; if not for his advanced age, as a child prodigy he would surely be of the Purple Qi Piercing Heaven level!

Nevertheless, Li Che himself is a Divine Eagle Half‑Saint; one who attains that rank already possesses considerable Divine Nature talent.

"What a Li Che—Divine Nature prodigy, Divine Eagle genius, Saintly Hand prodigy... The Qian Yuan Divine Sect really hit the jackpot!"

Xuan Jiuzhuan of the Xuanfu Divine Sect spoke with a sour tone.

Although he is Lu Taibai's elder brother‑in‑law, he holds no goodwill toward Lu Taibai, the man who, with a handsome face and a sword‑wielding pose, deceived his younger sister away.

After all, Xuan Qisha, having been tricked into the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, has not returned to the Xuanfu Divine Sect for a long time.

It is said he also cultivated the Lock Divine Talisman; the more Longevity Origin he locks, the less he has, and his body shrinks further...

His irate father has delved deep into the Guique Abyss, not resurfacing for years.

A fine family, all torn apart because of Lu Taibai.

Damn, that cursed Lu Taibai!

The attendees displayed varied expressions; from today onward, most will begin to closely follow the deeds of Li Che, this prodigious Divine Eagle Half‑Saint.

Perhaps, given time, this Li Che will climb to the pinnacle of the Great Deity Register.

"Fortunately, this Li Che is only stronger in Divine Nature, while his martial path is rather average—seems he is merely a Divine Pillar or an innate Grand Master..."

"Such a young Li Che should take part in the 'Heroes' Tournament'; his Divine Embryo cultivation... would be competitive at the Heroes' Tournament."

Soon, many people's expressions turned playful.

Li Che's refusal of Ji Guifei—what a clean rejection...

That was a marriage alliance from the Dàjǐng royal family, yet Li Che refused without a hint of hesitation.

Ji Guifei arrived with the young prince for the alliance, under the identity of Ji Yan, and with Prince Lu Chi's status; for the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, which is currently riding the wave, this alliance should be good news.

A sect‑royal marriage is not particularly rare.

For example, the Xuanfu Divine Sect's former sect leader married the Dàjǐng royal family's eldest princess, who is also the current Dàjǐng emperor's sister!

Lu Taibai's wife, Xuan Qisha, is that princess's daughter, so Lu Taibai even has a marital tie with the Dàjǐng royal family.

Similarly, the daughter of the Qi Bao Divine Sect's sect leader is the current Crown Prince's Consort, and so on...

Although the court restricts the Divine Sect, fearing unchecked expansion, the two remain still subtly connected.

Ji Guifei stepped out of the sedan chair, dressed in splendid robes, veil covering her face, her beautiful eyes shimmering like starlight, gradually shifting from Lu Taibai to the newly Divine Embryo‑breakthrough Li Che.

A hint of contempt flickered intermittently from deep within her eyes.

She knows Li Che.

A lowly laborer‑born scum.

Ji Yan hails from the ancient Ji family, one of the three great ancient families of Shendu, and places great importance on lineage, harboring a strong prejudice.

Xixi's background is too low; if she were the Third Prince, Ji Guifei wouldn't arrange it, nor could she be matched to the Third Prince. The Third Prince's principal wife can only be a daughter of the three great ancient families, but Lu Chi... that's all.

Regarding the Crown Prince's position, in Ji Guifei's view, Lu Chi no longer has a chance; it would be better to marry the direct heir of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, or even its junior sect leader, to complete the alliance and become a force supporting the Third Prince's challenge to the Crown Prince's seat.

Coincidentally, Lu Chi also has an interest in Li Nuanxi; although both are children and still young, they can first establish a childhood betrothal, and it will be fine when they grow up.

Such matters are essentially commonplace among the major families.

Some children, even while still in their mother's womb, have already had their childhood betrothals arranged.

"Elder Li, such an alliance opportunity is rare; my son Lu Chi, though not prominent among the many princes, is still a prince. If Xixi later returns to the Qian Yuan Divine Sect to succeed as sect leader, Lu Chi could follow..."

"Moreover, Chi has feelings for Xixi; we parents cannot crush the children's hopes, can we?"

Ji Guifei said lightly.

Li Che, this low‑born laborer, actually refused her?

However, Li Che's recent Divine Embryo breakthrough still gave her a bit of shock.

After all, a Martial Saint and a Divine Embryo represent a leap in the level of existence; the significance is extraordinary, and a Divine Embryo cultivator is a formidable power even in Shendu.

Li Che rose from his stance atop the prow, brushing away a patch of snow clinging to his ink‑stained shirt.

"If anyone shows interest in my daughter, my daughter will marry that person... then my daughter will have no worries about marriage."

Li Che said calmly.

"Therefore, regarding this marriage, I, as father, will not consent."

His tone was cold, even faintly laced with a bone‑chilling murderous intent.

He did not expect that, upon just arriving in Shendu, the one who took the initiative to stir things up...

... would turn out to be Lu Chi!

At first, Li Che felt some sentiment and regret toward the child Lu Chi, but now... there is no regret or sentiment left; daring

"Mother…"

Lu Chi opened his mouth, his face full of pain.

After today, he and Xixi probably won't even be able to be friends…

But it seemed he had already ruthlessly severed the friendship with Xixi.

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Noble Consort Ji gave him a cold glance: "Silence."

Noble Consort Ji no longer looked at Li Che, but turned her gaze to Lu Tai Bai.

But Lu Tai Bai, his silver hair fluttering, patted the panting Xixi's head and laughed: "Noble Consort Ji, Xixi's father has already expressed his stance, so this matter… need not be discussed further."

"Xixi now only thinks about cultivation, and besides Elder Li disapproves, so the marriage proposal is hereby abandoned."

Lu Tai Bai's tone carried an unmistakable authority.

If Li Che truly valued the status of imperial relatives and contemplated a marriage alliance with the Dàjǐng royal family… he would naturally not object; Xixi is Li Che's daughter, and arranging her future is for Li Che himself to decide.

But since Li Che has no such intention, Lu Tai Bai naturally offers his full support.

Noble Consort Ji's eyes narrowed, and her long, fair hand clenched.

She did not expect that her initiative to arrange a marriage proposal for Lu Chi would be rejected so outright.

It seemed to become a joke.

She feared that after tomorrow, the noble ladies of the Upper Three Cities and the consorts in the palace Divine Temple would treat her as a casual laughingstock.

This made her complexion grow even more displeased.

"Mother Consort, let's go."

Lu Chi spoke, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.

Noble Consort Ji's expression turned sour; favored by Emperor Dàjǐng and being a Ji family daughter, she has almost never been humiliated in Shendu.

But today…

"Silence!" Noble Consort Ji barked in a deep voice.

"Mother Consort—!!!"

However.

Lu Chi did not retreat completely at her shout; instead he lifted his head, clenched his fists tightly, his eyes seemingly bloodshot, and stared wildly at Noble Consort Ji.

Noble Consort Ji was startled.

"Do you intend to kill the child?!"

Lu Chi gasped heavily, and amid the Guiyi Miao's divine resonance, he sliced bone and flesh; the once cold‑hearted him, at this moment, felt inexplicably angry.

"Child… already has no friends."

Although he himself severed the friendship with Xixi, however…

Could it be that even Xixi, his last friend, must become an enemy?!

At first, when Lu Chi heard Noble Consort Ji offering to arrange a marriage for him, his heart trembled with a hint of hope.

But when it truly proceeded, seeing Noble Consort Ji even while arranging the proposal with an aloof demeanor, this was not a marriage proposal…

This is destroying everything of Lu Chi!

And it even intends to take Lu Chi's life!

It was the first time Noble Consort Ji saw Lu Chi angry; this defiant son, with average talent and divine nature, was thought to be sent to the Golden Light Residence, relying on the Eight‑Arm Furious Third Prince's Guiyi Miao divine resonance to turn his fate.

However, it failed.

So a useless child like this could even become angry?!

Noble Consort Ji's dark eyebrows knit, she stared coldly at Lu Chi.

As if saying, "Is this the way you speak to Mother Consort?"

However, Lu Chi paid her no heed, stepped out of the sedan chair, and, bowing to Li Che standing at the bow of the boat, said: "Uncle Li, all this is Mother Consort's unilateral action… my apologies."

Lu Chi is among those who understand Li Che's identity.

Perhaps the only exception.

But precisely because he knows, Lu Chi's heart harbors fear…

He knows Li Che's true identity.

The Underworld Bull Demon… that's him!

Cunning, ruthless, a murderer who doesn't blink, the extremely vicious Bull Demon… that's Li Che!

Most importantly, Lu Chi knows Li Che left something on him.

Just as Li Che can appear beside Xixi at any time, if Lu Chi's mouth slips or truly provokes Li Che's murderous intent…

Li Che might kill him, perhaps…

Lu Chi simply cannot block or stop it!

Thus, Lu Chi proactively apologized, seeking Li Che's forgiveness.

But…

Li Che gave no reply, merely looking at him with a detached, cold stare, which made a chill rise in Lu Chi's heart.

Everything between heaven and earth seemed to fall silent at that moment.

After a long while…

A voice rang in Lu Chi's ears, a sound that made his hair stand on end.

"Did you also change your clothes and silently follow, trying to provoke me?"

Li Che's voice was faint, as if coming from the netherworld, echoing endlessly in his ears.

"This time… the bond between you and Xixi… completely…"

"There will be no next time."

If there is a next time, it will be the moment I take your life.

This is the meaning in Li Che's words. Lu Chi understood.

Lu Chi only felt that all the strength in his body had been drained; his complexion turned pallid, as if even the color of his lips had completely faded.

Because, Li Che was speaking the truth.

He indeed……

He harbored a bit of hope in his heart.

So, he did not harshly stop it from the beginning, and even changed his clothes and followed along.

When coming, he still brought a faint hope, just in case……

What if Li Che agreed?

What if……

Could he really arrange a childhood engagement with Xixi?

He couldn't help but think of those days in Fēiléichéng and in Golden Light Prefecture……

The days of playing with the twist car together with Xixi.

If time could freeze at that moment, how wonderful that would be.

Unfortunately……

Now the dream has awakened, everything shatters in the dreamlike.

His little thoughts were completely seen through by Li Che.

Embarrassed, panicked, ashamed, despairing, dark……

All kinds of emotions surged up into his heart, and Lu Chi felt a bit unsteady.

Finally, he didn't say more, just clasped his fists toward Li Che.

He made a deep bow.

"Elder Li, sorry."

In this world, there is no longer Li Shu, Lu Chi's uncle.

After saying that, Lu Chi turned and left, his stature having grown much taller, wearing a red robe, he shattered the night's darkness, staggering as he walked toward the Ninth City.

He didn't even bother to pay any attention to Consort Ji.

This perhaps…… is the first time Lu Chi has treated his mother consort in this way over all these years.

Although he severed familial ties in the temple god resonance, at least he still maintained surface dignity; but now, he didn't even maintain his dignity.

Lu Chi no longer cared.

At this moment, Lu Chi even felt the temple god's divinity madly devouring his own divinity, continually growing, his cultivation even breaking through the shackles.

However, Lu Chi felt no joy, only a heart full of sorrow.

Consort Ji's face turned dark green, a fierce hue appearing in her eyes.

Trash.

How could she, Ji Yan, have given birth to such trash!

He actually went to ask forgiveness from a lowly laborer……

What flows in Lu Chi's veins is not only the blood of the Dàjǐng imperial clan, but also the blood of the ancient Ji family!

How could he be so trash!

Ji Yan, at this moment, was completely disappointed in Lu Chi, though…… she originally didn't have any hope either.

Because she heard that Lu Chi was valued by the National Teacher, she therefore had the idea, even thinking of arranging a childhood engagement for him.

She never expected…… Lu Chi actually dared to publicly rebuke her.

Even His Majesty had never publicly rebuked her!

Ji Yan's voluptuous chest rose and fell, her veil seeming to flutter continuously with the night wind.

She originally still wanted to say something more, to strive for Lu Chi's present, but now she had no thoughts left.

"Elder Li, you truly have left a deep impression on this palace."

Ji Yan said a sentence, then glanced around, slightly nodding to the heads of the surrounding divine sects; finally her gaze fell on Ji Molie, wearing black profound armor, sturdy and robust, her eyes trembling, she slightly bowed, then turned back into the palanquin.

The procession proposing marriage retreated like a tide.

They came as they came, and left as they came, taking all the three letters and six rites with them.

It seemed to have become a farce.

However, the surrounding commoners and many martial artists held their breath and focused, not daring to show the slightest smile.

After all……

Not to mention the trouble that would come from mocking a consort deeply favored by the emperor.

Just this matter…… is not funny either.

One can only say that this person, Li Che, a Divine Eagle Half-Sage who has just broken through to the Divine Fetus realm and hails from Primordial Origin Dao City, is truly tough.

Marrying into the royal family and becoming the prince's principal wife is something countless parents dream of.

After all, once this comes to pass, her daughter becomes the princess consort, equivalent to saying she has risen like a phoenix.

Moreover, Consort Ji even agreed to let the prince's offspring go together with Xixi to the Primordial Origin Divine Sect……

Such a request, for the Primordial Origin Divine Sect, is all benefit and no harm.

Consort Ji likely thought the same, so she never imagined being refused……

But Li Che actually refused without hesitation.

Click-click——

The deafening thunderclap's sound pulled everyone's thoughts back.

Above the firmament, the Divine Fetus tribulation is rapidly brewing.

Li Che, in his black robe, stalked, and the Divine Embryo above his head trembled slightly.

"Sect Master, take the children down; I'll go through the tribulation and return."

Li Che said.

Lu Taibai smiled, showing no concern for Li Che at all.

Da Xiu rolled up, and many prodigies including Xixi, as well as Zhang Ya and others, were swept by sword light and floated down onto the Yellow Dragon Xuanmu Treasure Ship.

Then he lifted Xixi and, with interest, watched Li Che's tribulation crossing.

Lu Taibai was very curious about how Li Che would cross the tribulation…

If he were to resist this Tribulation Thunder with his flesh, his martial cultivation might be exposed; Lu Taibai thought that if Li Che could conceal his martial cultivation, he might have a chance to claim the top spot at the upcoming Heroic Gathering.

Zhao Fangzhou, Hong Shifo and others also disembarked, settling everyone in place.

Afterward, they all turned their gaze toward the Yellow Dragon Xuanmu Treasure Ship.

Crossing the Divine Embryo Tribulation…

It is actually quite dangerous.

Ji Mo Li did not look further, took his four mountain-sized sons, and left directly toward the First City.

Boom—!!!

The Tribulation Thunder roared, and terrifying thunder burst forth with shockwaves.

However, Li Che produced a Divine Eagle carved in the likeness of the Two‑Heart Great Sage, hurled it upward; the eagle surged into the firmament and completely absorbed the falling thunder.

Everyone was involuntarily stunned.

Such a tribulation‑crossing method…

One must know that the power of a Divine Embryo Tribulation is no small matter, and Li Che's is a Three Purities Rank Divine Embryo Tribulation.

Yet, he managed to swallow the Tribulation Thunder with this almost cunning method…

One can only say…

A Half Saint Divine Eagle… is just willful!

The Divine Embryo Tribulation locks onto aura; if it were another Half Saint Divine Eagle, even one forged by a Divine Eagle Saint Hand, the tribulation would not recognize it, seeing it as interference, which would provoke the will of Heaven and Earth and make the Tribulation Thunder even more terrifying.

But the Half Saint Divine Eagle in Li Che's hand was carved by his own hand, bearing only his aura, so it would not amplify the tribulation.

Half Saint Divine Eagles of the Divine Primordial Realm are exceedingly rare…

Never expected that a Divine Primordial Realm Half Saint Divine Eagle would have such a benefit.

The Tribulation Thunder roared, crazily falling from the cloud vault, striking the Divine Eagle repeatedly.

When that Divine Eagle, loaded with the Divine Embryo Tribulation, could no longer bear it, many instantly grew excited, thinking Li Che would finally make a move.

Soon after, they saw Li Che pull out a second Divine Eagle…

This was a uniquely spectacular tribulation crossing.

Even Lu Taibai could not help but be speechless.

Using a Divine Eagle to evade the tribulation…

How daring.

…

…

Because the Divine Eagle assisted the tribulation crossing, Li Che never even needed the Thunder‑avoidance Talisman drawn by Su Daoling.

In total three Divine Eagles, each filled with Divine Embryo Tribulation thunder; that thunder contained a trace of God‑Extinguishing Wind, whose power was quite formidable.

After the tribulation ended, Li Che also disembarked from the Yellow Dragon Xuanmu Treasure Ship.

The Shendu court had already sent officials upon hearing the news, dispatched by the plain‑clothed National Master, to escort members of the Divine Sect to the court for their assigned residences.

Carriages, one after another, slipped into the bustling Shendu under the cover of night.

The National Master arranged the Divine Sect's residences in the fourth city of Shendu's nine cities, the finest among the middle three.

In previous Peach Banquets, members of the Divine Sect who came to Shendu all lived in the fourth city.

"Taibai Sect Master, the Qian Yuan Hall has arrived; if you need anything, you may have someone contact me directly."

A dignified woman in official robes inclined slightly and then took her leave.

Lu Taibai's silver hair fluttered as he arranged for his disciples to move into the luxurious mansion in the fourth city.

"Within the priceless fourth city of Shendu, the court has established mansions for each great Divine Sect, all named after the Divine Sect, such as Qian Yuan Hall, Heavenly Pill Hall, Mysterious Talisman Hall, Little Spirit Sound Hall, and so on…"

After settling everyone, Lu Taibai and Li Che sat inside the luxurious mansion, chatting casually with Li Che.

"The Peach Banquet should be held in two months, but during these two months there will be a pre‑heat banquet called the Pre‑Banquet, which will continue until the Peach Banquet begins…"

Lu Taibai stretched lazily and poured the steeped hot tea into his own cup.

"Pre‑Banquet?"

Li Che watched in the courtyard as Xixi, completely dispelling the gloom brought by Lu Chi's matchmaking, happily played with Yun E's big fat rabbit, occasionally drooling at the rabbit.

Hearing Lu Taibai's words, he was instantly stunned.

"What is the Pre‑Banquet? And it lasts two months?"

Lu Taibai sipped his tea and said lightly, "The Pre‑Banquet selects the slots for the Peach Banquet; you don't think everyone can attend, right? There are still rules and restrictions…"

"The Peach Banquet is a grand feast, extravagant and luxurious, featuring a myriad of exquisite delicacies, each imbued with abundant divinity."

"The cost is not small; the Dàjǐng court naturally limits participation slots. Sect masters of the Divine Sect need not attend the Pre‑Banquet and can directly join the main Peach Banquet, but the Young Dragon and Heroic Gatherings each have Pre‑Banquets."

Lu Taibai said.

"The Pre‑Banquet is actually quite interesting, as it takes place within the Western Queen Mother Guiyi Miao, the Three Purities Guiyi Miao…"

Lu Taibai laughed, sipping tea, and introduced to Li Che.

"In two days, the Empress should have people distribute Peach Branches; each Peach Branch will devour a cultivator's divinity, forming an identity seal that matches them with an opponent. The Pre‑Banquet works like this: the Peach Branch matches opponents, and after defeating the opponent, you can enjoy the prepared small banquet."

Li Che felt a bit surprised.

Only the victor is worthy to enjoy the small feast; the initial small feast may be rather ordinary, but the more victories you have, the richer the feast becomes.

Afterward, there will even be flat peaches of various years to enjoy!

This pre-feast is actually also a decent opportunity...

This small feast... was prepared by the Empress? Li Che asked curiously.

Lü Taibai heard, smiled and shook his head: "No... actually all the food on the small feast is prepared in the Queen Mother of the West's Guiyi Miao."

The taste is quite good!

Li Che, upon hearing, couldn't help but become curious about this pre-feast.

The small feast prepared by the Queen Mother of the West?

I don't know how it compares to the delicious dishes cooked by the boss.

Upon mentioning the boss, Li Che couldn't help but wonder whether the boss and the Big Black Dog, who secretly protected them and slew an Old Dragon King, had entered Shendu.

After a brief chat with Lü Taibai, Lü Taibai then took Xixi away for special training.

I plan to let Xixi try to achieve an undefeated record in the pre-feast of the Victory Assembly... see if she can eat an 800-year-old flat peach before the Victory Assembly begins.

Lü Taibai held expectations for Xixi.

Li Che then said something to Zhang Ya and went to his own room.

He raised his hand and tapped his brow.

Buzz—

The Heaven-Earth Chessboard spread out.

Li Che only felt that his control over the Heaven-Earth Chessboard had become much smoother than before.

Upon first arriving in Shendu, Li Che still chose to be steady, spreading the Heaven-Earth Chessboard over the area where the Qianyuan Institute is located.

"My control over the Heaven-Earth Chessboard has become even smoother... could it be because of the Heaven-Earth Soul?"

Li Che could feel that he had formed an extremely strong connection with the Heaven-Earth Will.

Even if willing, with a thought he can condense in the space between heaven and earth a soul body similar to a Primordial Spirit, capable of freely wandering day and night.

The Heaven-Earth Soul, in Li Che's view, is actually the Yang Spirit.

No wonder experts like Ji Moli and the Yellow Brow Grand Dharma Master can practice the clone technique; with the aid of the Heaven-Earth Soul, practicing the clone technique is indeed extremely easy.

Meanwhile, the Primordial Spirit of the God Origin Realm is actually similar to the Yin Spirit, but compared to the Heaven-Earth Soul it has many more restrictions.

He sat quietly in the chair.

"Exhale—"

"Inhale—"

With each exhale and inhale, the mind and spirit become tranquil.

The sound rose and fell like tides, stirring the body's immensely strong pure martial golden blood qi, which surged up and down.

A thought stirred the mind and spirit.

Within the inner scene of the mud pill.

A semi-transparent golden core flesh ball floated out, entirely stacked from divinity.

Inside it contained terrifying and surging divinity, and the divinity even condensed from the airflow into a substantial heart.

The heart was still beating strongly.

Heaven-Emulating Earth-Emulating Numinous Bright True Ape Divine Fetus!

Inside it seemed to be nurturing a peerless great terror!

Within the Heaven-Earth Chessboard...

That summoned Golden Heavenly King Tower Temple God seemed to be emitting a silent scream.

Then Li Che saw that terrifying suction erupt from the divine fetus that had given birth to a heart.

The Golden Heavenly King Tower Temple God, suppressed by the Pure-Heart Divinity chains, instantly began to struggle wildly, resisting immensely, myriad rays of light bursting forth, yet it could not break free at all.

Then, like ice cream melted by fire, it slowly melted and evaporated...

Countless streams of divinity surged into the heart of the divine fetus.

Being greedily absorbed.

Throughout the entire house.

All seemed to transmit the sound "creak creak"...

The sound of bones and flesh being crushed, then swallowed.

"No..."

"Not enough..."