Chapter 345: Lu Taibai

347. Chapter 341: Lu Taibai's single sword forces the six sects to lower their brows, and the Imperial Tutor seeks to reveal the true form of the Earth‑splashed Monkey【Seeking monthly votes】

The great wind howls, and leaden clouds pile up.

Flakes, as if meticulously carved by the heavenly craftsman, tumble and fall from the heights.

They drift densely, interweaving above, forming a massive net, yet before they descend they are torn and vaporized by invisible qi mechanisms, vanishing instantly between heaven and earth.

Shendu, Xiao Lingyin Temple.

Countless sword lights clang and interlace densely, like a raging torrent of wind and waves, ravaging the courtyard.

It feels as if a great calamity is brewing, chilling the body, an extreme oppression, myriad terrors, all at this moment, like a massive boulder shattering from a towering peak, rolling down with terrifying momentum!

It is an irresistible and unpreventable disaster!

"Everyone, stop eating!"

Lu Taibai's words are cold and domineering, pointed, his aura soaring to the heavens.

The tension, like drawn swords and bent bows, reaches its peak in an instant.

His brow seems split, a mouthful of sword qi gathering within, ready to unleash!

That sword is terrifying, like a poisonous snake ready to strike, intolerable to heaven and earth, despised by the firmament!

It is like a night‑bloom, flashing briefly then fading, like wind, fire, water, like the boundless sea, like stars, like the bright sun!

It is a kind of…

As if the will of heaven and earth merges within, a calamity descending, fused into a single sword of light!

Lu Taibai…

has actually mastered such a sword!

Lu Taibai clearly does not intend to dally with the crowd, dragging out the fight.

Six Divine Sect patriarchs, top‑tier apex warriors, have gathered, attacking the children of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, scheming to block their pre‑banquet, depriving the children of even a chance to eat the Peaches!

"Then none shall eat!"

Lu Taibai does not mind striking outright, tearing the veil, and before the Peach Victory Gathering begins, staging a clash of top‑tier apex combatants.

His hidden Calamity Sword holds immense foundation, one of his trump cards, and this time… Lu Taibai reveals it directly.

"What are you hiding?!"

He immediately summons it, letting everyone see, to weigh whether they can provoke his sword!

He refuses to see the children of his Divine Sect suffer injustice!

After a hard trek from Qian Yuan Dao City to Shendu, just to showcase themselves in the preliminaries and eat a Peach once.

According to the usual Xiwangmu divine‑match criteria, the children's strength is lacking, they are defeated, losing the seat at the feast, and Lu Taibai would naturally say nothing.

That is a matter of strength.

However, the prodigies atop the Dragon‑seed charts of the great Divine Sects deliberately block them, preventing them from the small banquet and the Peach, and Lu Taibai would not be pleased!

It would be easy for the other side to do so.

All major Divine Sects and ancient noble families, top families, only allow the top three prodigies on the Dragon‑seed charts to attend the banquet, so Qian Yuan Divine Sect disciples can only be matched against those top‑three Dragon‑seed prodigies.

"How can we fight?"

The gap is too huge; there is no hope at all!

Basically, except for Xixi, Lu Qingxuan, and Yang Yi, none of the prodigies from Qian Yuan Divine Sect or the major families of Qian Yuan Dao City can win!

In fact, it is proven so; Lu Qingxuan lost, his mindset nearly shattered, and Yang Yi also lost, almost beginning to doubt his life.

One should know the first pre‑banquet should not be this difficult.

Everyone heads for victory, happily wanting to defeat opponents honorably and then sit at the prestigious pre‑banquet to taste the Peach.

Even if it's a ten‑year‑old Peach, it's still a Peach!

Yet now nothing can be eaten, because the six sect patriarchs gathered, laughing, decided the fate of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect disciples?

"On what grounds…"

"To bully my Qian Yuan Divine Sect disciples like this?!"

Lu Taibai's eyes seem covered by terrifying sword intent!

His gaze locks onto Grand Master Huang Mei, murderous intent swirling, battle fervor boiling.

Huang Mei's long eyebrows flutter in the wind, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

He clearly has no intention to fight; although Lu Taibai severed a past body of his, at this moment he seems utterly unbothered.

A sigh appears on his face.

"Amitabha… Lu Taibai, calm yourself!"

"We did not act intentionally; we were merely invited by the Imperial Tutor, letting the top three Dragon‑seed prodigies of each great Divine Sect clash first in the inaugural pre‑banquet, just to feel the atmosphere."

"Accidentally injuring a disciple of your sect is truly a sin, Amitabha, this humble monk is at fault."

Grand Master Huang Mei's face shows compassion, his palms pressed together, a long sigh.

Lu Taibai, however, sneers.

No wonder he's the bald donkey of Xiao Lingyin Temple; his skill at deflecting contradictions is exceedingly adept.

He directly shifts the contradiction onto the Divine Sect and the court, claiming the Imperial Tutor invited them to test the top‑three Dragon‑seed clash, unknown to others…

Lu Taibai does not engage in idle chatter or verbal sparring with him.

One step forward!

It's like sword qi blocking a river, tearing the courtyard floor, cracks sprouting everywhere, as if scorching heat surges straight into the clouds.

"Huang Mei, stop talking so much!"

"Come fight!"

The clangor bursts brilliantly; the sword light in his hand quivers, then erupts in a sudden slash toward the Grand Master Huang Mei, who sits regally on the ornate Buddhist palanquin, swinging down with ease.

In an instant!

The light throughout the courtyard vanished at that moment, and the terrifying sword chant sounded like a raging wind and wave in the desert, as if trying to blow away a person's soul.

Everyone seemed to smell the God‑Extinguishing Wind!

One of the Three Calamities… the God‑Extinguishing Wind!

Lu Taibai's sword—could it really have merged with the power of the God‑Extinguishing Wind?!

Madman!

Great Master Huang Mei, seated on a lavish Buddha carriage strewn with divine crystals, spirit‑beast bones, golden essence and countless other treasures, had his two eyebrows standing on end!

This Lu Taibai truly is a madman!

Not only his cultivation is insane, his actions are equally insane…

But the Lu Taibai of old didn't seem this insane, right?

Could this latest conduct have truly enraged Lu Taibai to the core?

Great Master Huang Mei slammed his palms together, suddenly raising them; a golden bowl materialized instantly, spiraling upward in the air and expanding, like a golden shield before him, intending to block Lu Taibai's sword in one strike.

Now—!!!

Sword Qi and Buddha Light, silver light and gold clashed continuously, as if countless feathered arrows interwove, with flames, wind surges, and explosive roars bursting forth!

It was like dusk drums and dawn bells exploding, invisible ripples causing the air to wrinkle, piling and spreading outward in all directions!

The entire courtyard was instantly engulfed by the terrifying force; the blue bricks on the ground exploded piece by piece, and countless dust clouds rose high!

Gu Changqing, Ning Caishen, Bai BuYi, Gu Cheng, Zhao Chunqiu and other heads of the Divine Sect all showed altered expressions.

They were forced to release their Qi flow and Heaven‑and‑Earth Soul, containing the explosive aftershocks within the courtyard.

Yet, even with their forced control, the God‑Extinguishing Wind power embedded in Lu Taibai's sword intent surged outward, making them feel as if their Heaven‑and‑Earth Soul were being sliced apart in agony!

Lu Taibai… had actually fused the God‑Extinguishing Wind into the Dao Yun Sword, forming the Dao Yun Calamity Sword!

It could almost be said that he had taken a half‑step into the Divine Calamity Realm!

The powerful and terrifying divine nature vented between Heaven and Earth, raging and intertwining, a wrathful divine nature as if about to ignite!

The bricks and stones on the ground were all reduced to powder, and the air vibrated uncontrollably!

No one knew how long it took, but the wave, suppressed jointly by numerous top‑tier pinnacle cultivators, gradually subsided.

Lu Taibai, clad in white, silver hair fluttering, arms crossed, the silver‑flowing Taibai Sword hovered at his shoulder, its blade light shimmering, raging and intertwining.

Great Master Huang Mei's expression remained cold; the golden bowl's light dimmed, revealing a massive gash, as if tiny wind surges carrying sword Qi gnawed at the opening like maggots on a bone.

This divine weapon… is ruined!

Great Master Huang Mei wore a composed face.

"Taibai benefactor, do you truly intend to spark a battle among the heads of the Divine Sect?"

"Wouldn't that just benefit the Dàjǐng Court, making the court gloat?"

Huang Mei pressed his palms together, and faint Buddha Light seemed to emanate from his body, continuously surging.

Being ranked fourth on the Great Divine Register and fifth at the Heavenly Gate…

In terms of ranking, they both surpass Lu Taibai.

But at this moment, above the spirit, it seemed completely suppressed by Lu Taibai, of course because of the Dao Yun Calamity Sword he wielded!

That is something that touches the Divine Calamity Realm!

Lu Taibai crossed his arms, beneath his silver eyebrows, his eyes swirled with sword Qi, like an ancient sword immortal emerging from a sealed sword tomb, guarded by countless sword Qi.

"How dare you say that? When you teamed up with the National Teacher to block my Qian Yuan Divine Sect children, did you ever consider this issue?!"

Lu Taibai said coldly.

"If we're talking about provoking a fight, aren't you the ones? Or do you think that by provoking me, Lu Taibai, I must swallow my anger, sigh endlessly for the children, and share their grievances?"

Lu Taibai's silver hair fluttered as his gaze swept over everyone in the courtyard.

He paused at Gu Changqing, then turned to Ning Caishen, Gu Cheng, Zhao Chunqiu and Bai BuYi, the top‑tier pinnacle cultivators.

Finally, he exhaled, and his sword Qi rang sharply.

"I, Lu Taibai…"

"... am a sword cultivator!"

Within the courtyard, a hush fell; the heads of the Divine Sect flickered with thoughts, their breathing grew heavy.

Gu Changqing's expression tightened, then he opened his mouth, speechless.

What a line...

I am a sword cultivator.

Indeed a heartfelt outburst, Qi covering mountains and rivers!

"Amitabha… the poor monk understands."

Great Master Huang Mei pressed his palms together, his aura contracting; he did not wish to fight Lu Taibai to the death, resulting in mutual ruin.

It truly was unnecessary.

Although Lu Taibai comprehended the Dao Yun Calamity Sword and displayed it…

But Great Master Huang Mei ranks above Lu Taibai on both the Great Divine Register and the Heavenly Gate, naturally not lacking depth, yet exposing such a clash is unnecessary.

Around them, several heads of the Divine Sect also nodded slightly.

"This incident indeed stems from our poor consideration; having accepted the National Teacher's invitation, we harmed the children of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, and the poor monk is willing to compensate them."

Great Master Huang Mei pressed his palms together, lowered his eyebrows and said.

As if pressed down by Lu Taibai's sword.

After all, Huang Mei came to Shendu aiming for the ten‑thousand‑year peach; he does not wish to fall out with Lu Taibai so early, lest he lack the strength later to contest that ten‑thousand‑year peach… that would be a loss.

Thus, Huang Mei chose to temporarily lower his eyebrows.

Lu Taibai crossed his arms, foot on sword light, silver hair flying, and when he saw the down‑browed Huang Mei, he smiled coldly.

"Compensation?"

"There are three divine essences in the Peachtree Branch; one has been destroyed… You have cultivated a three‑life body, and I have cut off one past body, leaving your future and present bodies. How about offering one body as payment?"

His words finished.

The atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly grew solemn; Grand Master Huang Mei abruptly lifted his head, and the sagging flesh on his aged face trembled slightly.

Behind Lu Taibai, Shi Jian and Xuan Jiuzhuan both wore helpless expressions.

"Is this called compensation?"

One of the top‑tier pinnacle three‑life bodies comes to compensate for the loss of divine essence in the shattered Peachtree Branches of those prodigies…

"Is this an equivalent compensation?"

"It's like you tossed a Nine‑Star Divine Crystal at me, yet demand I repay with a Three‑Pure Divine Crystal!"

"This is basically an overblown move."

Shi Jian, cloaked in dark black armor, eyes flickering, thought Lu Taibai… could he really intend to immediately duel that old bald donkey Huang Mei?

"Otherwise, this compensation…"

"Huang Mei would only agree if his brain got kicked!"

The surrounding Divine Sect patriarchs all felt the same; Lu Taibai… was truly overbearing.

However, the many Divine Sect patriarchs gathered here, their purpose being to test Lu Taibai.

If Lu Taibai were to endure and retreat… then what follows would be a slap in the face.

But they did not expect that Lu Taibai… was truly too stubborn.

Grand Master Huang Mei stared at Lu Taibai: "Patron Taibai, are you serious?"

Lu Taibai's grand sleeves fluttered, his five fingers spread, fingertips seeming to clang with sword light, and he suddenly seized the Taibai Sword that was wrapped in the wind of calamity…

"What do you think?!"

"Doesn't the Buddha say all beings are equal? So why does a single life of a Qianyuan Divine Sect child not compare to one of your Huang Mei's clones?"

Huang Mei suddenly burst into laughter.

"Alright, alright…"

"Patron Taibai, the poor monk may have one three‑life body, and can…"

"However, this time the divine essences within the many Qianyuan Divine Sect children's Peachtree Branches are insufficient."

"Then compare our two sects' young dragons and heroes' pre‑banquet… how about it?"

Buddhist light bathed Huang Mei, his voice deep and solemn.

Lu Taibai narrowed his eyes: "Oh? How shall we compare?"

Originally, I didn't think Huang Mei could easily accept swapping one three‑life body for a single Xiwangmu divine essence of the many Qianyuan Divine Sect children; there is no comparability, the gap is enormous.

However, since Huang Mei proposed a comparison, Lu Taibai might listen; if it's too excessive, he would refuse outright and continue overturning the table.

"All that began with the pre‑banquet shall end with the pre‑banquet."

"Your Qianyuan Divine Sect should still have a young dragon who has never been defeated, namely your direct disciple Li Nuanxi; using her pre‑banquet victories as a wager, if she can win seven consecutive matches and enter the main victory banquet, that counts as a win."

"The heroes' pre‑banquet is the same; if any of your Qianyuan Divine Sect can also win seven straight and enter the main banquet, this old monk will wager his loss, self‑sever a three‑life body, and hand over that Saint‑Hand Divine Eagle three‑life body to you for disposal, how about that?"

Grand Master Huang Mei's voice seemed to contain Buddhist resonance, becoming grand.

Lu Taibai squinted: "Clever calculation!"

"Do you think our Qianyuan Divine Sect's young dragons and heroes lack the pre‑banquet winning streak?"

"If we fail, the fighting spirit and temperament of our Qianyuan Divine Sect disciples will suffer a great blow…"

Lu Taibai sensed Grand Master Huang Mei's malice.

"Amitabha… Patron Taibai, if this old monk loses the wager, the self‑severed one is a three‑life body; compared to that, what have you lost? Merely some temperament… is that still excessive?"

Grand Master Huang Mei said helplessly.

He would lose, yet must self‑sever a three‑life body, which is a top‑tier pinnacle three‑life body!

He needs it to evade calamity!

The past body was just cut; if another three‑life body is severed now, only one remains. Though it can re‑condense, it requires time…

One three‑life body may need about five years to re‑condense.

Lu Taibai grasped the Taibai Sword, gently waved it, and instantly countless sword lights and shadows overlapped, being gathered into his fluttering grand sleeves.

"That is so…"

"Then… let's compare."

Lu Taibai said lightly.

The young dragon has Xixi, the hero has Xixi's father Li Che…

However, they all require consecutive wins; the demand is indeed harsh, but Lu Taibai knows Li Che's details—this guy hides deeply and has now broken through to the divine embryo…

Lu Taibai thought it could be tried.

Even if he fails, it matters not, no loss.

But if it succeeds…

Huang Mei would then have to sever a three‑life body!

"I swear."

"A monk does not utter false words."

"I trust you, Amitabha, and swear by the three calamities; if you break the oath, the three calamities will be invoked early!"

Lu Taibai's silver eyebrows twitched slightly, and he said.

Huang Mei's two long eyebrows rose and fell, as if a knot of suppressed energy arose in his heart!

"Good!"

Huang Mei opened his mouth to chant, the Buddhist sound surged and resonated, as if Buddhist light in the air wove into the sound of a vow, striking his brow.

Thus line: 【182】 Huang Mei began to chant, the Buddhist sound surged and swayed, as if Buddhist light in the air wove into the sound of a vow, striking his brow.

But we need to keep the original structure? Not required. Just translate.

Lu Taibai nodded in satisfaction, then his gaze shifted, looking toward the sect masters Gu Changqing, Ning Caishen, Gu Cheng, and others.

"Huang Mei Great Dharma Master set an example, what about you?" Lu Taibai's brow opened and closed, the Dao-Union Tribulation Sword again began to spew the wind of god-slaying...

We need to keep the ellipsis? The source has "……". We'll keep as "……". We'll output exactly.

Several sect masters were furious and indignant, but there was nothing they could do; after all, they no longer wished to fight Lu Taibai to the death, having merged with the Dao-Union Tribulation Sword... Now Lu Taibai's threat far surpasses before.

If the new period's Divine Rankings and Heavenly Gate Pass rankings were announced, Lu Taibai's rank would likely climb a bit, perhaps even surpass Huang Mei!

At this moment, they also understood...

Lu Taibai is robbing!

Not only is he flipping the table, he's also robbing!

But it's also understandable; Lu Taibai exposed the Dao-Union Tribulation Sword as a trump card, meaning he lost one trump card, future danger increased somewhat, and enemies and opponents could prepare more against him.

Therefore, rather than saying Lu Taibai is giving compensation to those sect disciples, it's more like he's giving himself recompense.

Gu Changqing pondered for a moment; he did not want to continue fighting Lu Taibai to the death, he had just been severed a Heavenly Elixir Golden Guard, feeling great pain, fearing Lu Taibai would also demand a Heavenly Elixir Golden Guard as compensation, he hastily said: "I am willing to take out a Middle Four Realms Ten Thousand Beasts Great Return Heavenly Pill as compensation!"

Lu Taibai's eyes flashed, then he looked toward Ning Caishen.

Seven Treasures Divine Sect Sect Master Ning Caishen was utterly speechless; he was just here to get soy sauce...

But as soon as he sat down in this courtyard, he had already been labeled by Lu Taibai, which is understandable.

"I will take a divine weapon forged by the sect's divine weapon craftsman, Saint Hand Gu Yao, a Middle Four Realms divine weapon..."

"I will compensate with one page of a sage's authentic handwriting." Jiangnan Dao Haoran Academy's sect master Bai Buy let out a breath.

"Three pages." Lu Taibai thought of the Fang Han book at home, haggling.

"You!" Bai Buy's brows furrowed, anger rising.

But seeing Lu Taibai directly brandish that tribulation sword, his anger subsided, he fiercely swept his robe sleeves, and in an extremely angry tone uttered a sentence.

"Good!"

Sword South Circuit Ba-Shu Sword Pavilion Chief Gu Cheng shook his head: "Middle Four Realms sword."

Lu Taibai glanced, then looked toward Zhao Chunqiu of Shendu Circuit Dragon Tiger Divine Sect, a thin, withered old Daoist clad in black-and-white Daoist robes.

Zhao Chunqiu helplessly said: "That poor Daoist... will take a fourth-grade purple qi golden lotus as compensation."

Although the sect masters were reluctant, they still brought out these stakes.

They joined the gambling game proposed by Great Dharma Master Huang Mei.

It can be said that this truly is a grand gamble!

Lu Taibai's brow sword energy retracted, after the Taibai Sword hummed, he hid it in his sleeve and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Everyone! Lu Mou will remember this!"

Boom——!!!

Three consecutive steps, sword energy gave rise to lotuses, shooting straight into the clouds.

Ascending straight to the heavens, the tribulation sword at his brow trembled incessantly.

He looked toward the direction of the Second City; Shendu's Second City is a place where only high-ranking officials and nobles can reside, a symbol of status.

The First City is the imperial palace and divine halls; only members of the imperial family, as well as eunuchs and maidservants of the Dàjǐng imperial palace, may reside there.

The Second City is for officials and aristocratic families; only the Dàjǐng Three Dukes and Nine Ministers and top-rank officials may reside there.

That Dàjǐng commoner state preceptor Xie Yunshen resides in the Second City, dwelling within the noble Lotus Pavilion!

"State Preceptor, the Little Spirit Sound Temple, Heavenly Elixir Divine Sect, Seven Treasures Divine Sect, Haoran Academy, Ba-Shu Sword Pavilion, and Dragon Tiger Divine Sect have all paid the price and stakes for today's obstruction of my Qianyuan children!"

"Lu Mou awaits quietly."

Lu Taibai stepped on sword light, rolled up his sleeves.

Then he transformed into sword light, piercing through the sky like frozen flying snow, returning to the Fourth City Qianyuan Courtyard.

In Qianyuan, Lu Taibai's single sword pressed the six sect masters... all lowered their brows!

Truly overbearing!

Truly bold and unrestrained!

In an instant!

The entire Shendu and its several cities seemed to have fallen into dead silence.

…… -> Translate: "……" (just ellipsis). We'll output: 【226】 ……

…… -> Same: 【227】 ……

Shendu Fourth City.

Qianyuan Courtyard.

Within the grand courtyard, the wind and snow had thinned considerably, falling silently.

Li Che's pupils intertwined with black and white patterns, gradually withdrawing the image glimpsed from the heaven-and-earth chessboard.

In the courtyard.

The children of Qianyuan Divine Sect and Dao City still did not know what had happened; Xixi's face flushed red, she tugged at her sleeves, wanting to go battle the villains blocking her little companions.

Xixi Great Emperor super protective!

Li Che came into the courtyard, seeing the angry Xixi, the low-spirited children, his face also showed a hint of coldness.

Whether Lu Taibai or Li Che thought so, targeting a group of children really seems boring.

Lu Taibai was furious, planning to flip the table, even bringing out the Dao-Union Tribulation Sword as a trump card, understandable; Li Che also felt anger rise in his heart.

However, although Lu Taibai did not completely flip the table, his sword forced the six sect masters to compromise and concede, even engaging in an unequal wager; it can be said he has fully reclaimed the situation.

Of course, Lu Taibai could actually disregard everything and directly start killing.

But this place, after all, is Shendu; besides, Lu Taibai is not alone either, and he even brings his family along, the numerous children of the Qianyuan Divine Sect and Dao City are all within Shendu.

So, Lu Taibai did not completely overturn the table.

Lü Taibai knew this was a test from the National Preceptor Xie Yunshen and the sect leaders of many divine sects aimed at him.

Lü Taibai also responded to the probe with his attitude.

Moreover, Lü Taibai's action also indicated and told everyone that the Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Rod truly is not with him!

Because……he has already handed over the Dao-Yun Tribulation Sword!

There is no possibility for him to master any other divine weapons!

He, Lü Taibai, will not bear the false accusation!

And the concessions made by all parties are also a response to Lü Taibai.

Li Che strolled through the courtyard, walked to Xixi's side, and ruffled the head of the hot-tempered little girl.

The little girl saw her father's face and instantly showed a look of grievance.

"Father, they're bullying Xixi the Great Emperor's little companion!"

Xixi pouted.

Zhou Peng, Yun'e, Lü Qingxuan, Yang Yi… these are all Xixi's little companions.

Li Che ruffled Xixi's head and said: "Don't be angry, don't be angry, your master has already gotten justice for you; soon… Xixi will be able to vent for your little companions."

Upon hearing that, Xixi's eyes lit up instantly.

As expected.

As Li Che's words fell.

Lü Taibai's mighty voice then echoed throughout the city.

It then transformed into a sword light that pierced the air and returned, his white robe billowing, his silver hair flying and falling into the courtyard.

Zhao Fangzhou's eyes blazing, he clasped his fists and bowed: "Sect Leader!"

As a Martial Saint powerhouse, he naturally sensed Lü Taibai's bold move heading to the Xiao Lingyin Courtyard!

Even though many top-tier experts isolated their aura and investigation, he could still sense some.

With one sword, Taibai suppressed the leaders of the six great divine sects!

All lowered their brows!

So overbearing!

Lü Taibai smiled, his gaze shifting to fall upon Xixi.

He simply recounted the wager with the Great Monk Huangmei, and instantly the children in the courtyard began to breathe rapidly.

Xixi's gaze even seemed to ignite into flames.

"Xixi, do you have confidence?" Lü Taibai said gently.

"Master, Xixi does!"

Xixi raised her head, her eyes firm.

"Don't be so nervous; just treat it as something that requires effort to do. Even if you fail, at least you've tried, and that's enough."

Lü Taibai gently rubbed Xixi's head, soothing her, not wanting to put too much pressure on her.

She is merely a six-year-old little girl; just trying the taste of something that requires her effort is enough.

Lü Taibai raised his head and looked toward Li Che.

"No problem, I'll leave it to us father and daughter."

Li Che gave a light smile, his words bearing neither arrogance nor impatience.

It seemed as if he had always been that honest, dutiful Fifth Elder of the God Condor Ridge of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, Li Half-Saint.

Lü Taibai laughed: "You've just broken through into the Divine Fetus; can you hold steady?"

The implication was to ask Li Che whether relying solely on divine cultivation is enough.

If he were to display his martial cultivation, there might be a risk of exposure.

In today's Shendu, once Li Che exposes his identity as a Netherworld Divine Monkey, the impact would be too great……

Too many people's eyes are fixed on that Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Rod.

Originally, the Dàjǐng court's intention was to wait for the Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Rod to appear, see whose hands it falls into, then seize it with thunderous force.

Whether it falls into the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, the Xiao Lingyin Temple, or other divine sects' hands……

As long as the target is known, the Dàjǐng court might choose to come openly.

The result……

The Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Rod did indeed appear, but……it was then taken away by a mysterious Netherworld; to this day, the Netherworld still doesn't know its whereabouts.

In other words, the Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Rod……is gone!

Lü Taibai is very clear about the impact the Follow-Heart Gold-Iron Divine Rod has on the inheritance of the Qiti Temple.

Because, the Grand Supervisor once divined that the first half of the omen's true words is: "When the divine rod appears, the Qiti Temple stirs."

And yet the divinatory true words also have a second half……

Lü Taibai does not know what the second half is.

But he knows that second half……seems to be a taboo.

Therefore, Lü Taibai asked Li Che, if he truly exposes his divine monkey identity, then giving up this wager would also be no great harm.

"Sect Leader, rest assured."

Li Che lifted Xixi, his five fingers together, raising his hand.

Seeing this, Xixi immediately understood and slapped her little hand up onto Li Che's big palm.

With a crisp "pa!" sound.

"Father and daughter of one heart, their benefit can cut gold!"

Xixi shouted loudly.

Then a giggle rose, which was something Li Che said when playing with Xixi.

_Co

Saying it at this moment gave Xixi a particularly fitting feeling.

Strive together with Dad!

Fight together with Dad!

Xixi only felt a blazing fire burning inside her body!

What a perfect father‑daughter unity!

Lu Taibai heard this, his silver hair fluttering, and he also threw his head back and laughed loudly.

…

…

Lu Taibai, head of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect, raised his sword Qi to the heavens and called out to the State Preceptor of the three cities of Shendu.

This news spread through the nine cities of Shendu like a storm.

What shocked people even more was the wager Lu Taibai made with the heads of the Six Great Divine Sects.

A three‑life body, a Four Imperial Celestial Pill, a Four Imperial Divine Weapon, a scroll of Authentic Holy Confucian Manuscript…

Any one of these stakes could trigger a massive earthquake, causing countless wandering cultivators to scramble headlong and smash their brains!

This truly is a world‑shaking grand gamble!

Shendu Second City.

Lotus Pavilion.

Though it is said to be the State Preceptor's office and residence, in reality it is just a modest small building.

The building is three stories high, its architectural style rather ancient, with carved beams and painted rafters, yet it still exudes a hint of antiquity.

On the third floor of Lotus Pavilion, at the balcony, one can look straight down the straight thoroughfare that runs through all nine cities of Shendu, the Vermilion Bird Street.

An enormous three‑legged bronze cauldron sat on the railing, the cauldron supporting a bamboo ladder and a plain‑clothed, pallid‑faced old man with a few white hairs at his temples, who lay on the ladder quietly admiring the three lotus blossoms growing inside the cauldron.

On the third‑floor desk's visitor chair sat the towering Ji Moli, clad in dark black armor, his black cape fluttering, his massive frame having removed his helmet, sipping hot tea brewed by a nearby boy.

The old man carefully climbed down from the chair, brushed the dust from his plain robes, and walked to the desk.

"What a Lu Taibai, he forged a Calamity Sword and flipped the table outright… truly bold."

"A sword cultivator is just single‑minded."

The plain‑clothed State Preceptor Xie Yunshen laughed and shook his head, lifted his cup, and drained the tea in one gulp.

"State Preceptor, your white hair has grown more," Ji Moli said.

Xie Yunshen smiled, spread out the sheets covered with writing on the desk, and the papers were all news about the Underworld that had appeared in Qian Yuan Dao City.

"If I'm not white it won't work; my martial path is humble, my divinity blocked, I can't compare with you great deities," he said.

Xie Yunshen shook his head.

"State Preceptor, you are being modest; what you have done for Dàjǐng far exceeds what we great deities have achieved."

Ji Moli said.

Xie Yunshen shifted his gaze from the Underworld information on the desk, glanced at Ji Moli, and suddenly laughed, "Marvelous, Prince, if you could spare me some trouble it would be fine."

Ji Moli said nothing further, stood up, and walked to the bronze cauldron.

"State Preceptor, these three lotuses are truly well‑tended," he praised.

Ji Moli praised.

"No matter how well they're tended, they will wither someday," Xie Yunshen said calmly.

Then, from the many Underworld reports, he extracted a single Underworld notice.

Using wolf‑hair brush ink, he circled a name on the paper.

"Li Che."

State Preceptor Xie Yunshen leaned on the bamboo chair, which creaked with age.

"The Golden‑Iron Divine Staff, following its heart, has fallen into the Underworld's hands; I guess… it should be in Li Che's possession," he mused.

"Just a laborer, six years nurturing a divine embryo…"

Xie Yunshen said.

"Perfect… for this pre‑banquet wager, Prince can help test this person's water."

"Let's see if we can make this mischievous monkey reveal its true form."

State Preceptor Xie Yunshen sat on the bamboo chair, blew the tea surface, and took a sip of hot tea.

"When the Divine Staff emerges, it shakes the heavens; Dàjǐng's mountains, rivers, and state tremble…"

"Who… could be the one to cause such upheaval of mountains, rivers, and state?"

Ji Moli turned, his gaze steady.

Xie Yunshen smiled.

He spat out a froth of tea.

"Prince, don't think it's you."