Chapter 359: 361. Chapter 355: Dao Fruit Double Metamorphosis Divine Ability Hell Thunder, Before Revere Heaven Pavilion Prince Seeks

361. Chapter 355: Dao Fruit Double Metamorphosis Divine Ability Hell Thunder, Before Revere Heaven Pavilion Prince Seeks Calculation of True Killer Who Killed Mother【seek monthly votes】

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

Ink City ruins, the pitch-black Ink City, as if in an instant illuminated by countless thunderbolts, like broad daylight.

Lightning arcs surged, with Li Che's figure in a snapping black robe as the center, constantly expanding outward like a tide, scorching, violently shaking, like dragons and serpents thrashing, a violent roar!

It was as if a lightning pool fell from the firmament above, lifting up Li Che's body.

Li Che suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils filled with golden lightning that coiled like a true dragon.

Every strand of his jet-black, vigorous hair seemed to float up uncontrollably, stimulated by the electric current.

For the first time, Li Che's eyes showed a look of astonishment due to the Dao Fruit's metamorphosis!

Because……

This time, the 【Lightning Magnetic Orbit】 Dao Fruit actually appeared……

Two metamorphoses!

Like a leap, it achieved a double metamorphosis!

Two leaps, from lv4 to lv5!

Such an arc of improvement, such a maturity……

Unprecedented!

So, Li Che was truly astonished, as if the door to a new world had been opened.

As it turns out, the Dao Fruit…… can also be hastened to maturity?!

Li Che felt that he used to be like a diligent old farmer gardener, sweating and industrious, working at sunrise and resting at sunset, each day diligently watering and fertilizing, slowly nurturing the Dao Fruit to grow.

As it turned out, only a bit of harsh effort was needed, and the Dao Fruit could grow directly……

Li Che's face instantly showed a mixture of laughter and tears.

"Indeed, my former self…… could not even come into contact with the power of such a Three Calamities tribulation's Divine Firmament Thunder; even if I did, my weak flesh and insufficient cultivation would mean facing the Divine Firmament Thunder tribulation would only reduce me to ashes scattered by a single bolt, soul and spirit destroyed."

"Even with the Lightning Magnetic Orbit Dao Fruit assisting, if my cultivation is insufficient I cannot withstand it."

"Moreover, the low rank of the Dao Fruit is also key…… if the 【Lightning Magnetic Orbit】 Dao Fruit reached lv5, even if I wanted to achieve a double metamorphosis it would be very difficult."

He slowly suppressed the astonishment in his heart.

Li Che calmed his emotions; the Dao Fruit's double metamorphosis was truly an unexpected joy.

His emotions slightly surged, his gaze opening and closing.

Before him, golden light shimmered like rippling water.

【Dao Fruit lv4, two metamorphoses, Divine Ability Prototype (Divine Firmament) upgraded to Divine Ability (Hell Thunder), obtaining the First Heaven of Divine Ability (Hell Thunder Heavenly Net)】

【Dao Fruit lv5, three metamorphoses, First Heaven of Divine Ability (Hell Thunder Heavenly Net) upgraded, Second Heaven of Divine Ability (Divine Firmament Hell Thunder Sword)】

Buzz buzz buzz—

Golden flowing light continuously displayed text prompts before him, then changed into two lines.

Li Che's heart trembled, Dao Fruit double metamorphosis!

It was actually directly upgraded from the Divine Ability Prototype·Divine Firmament to the Divine Ability 【Hell Thunder】, and the Hell Thunder Divine Ability also achieved two consecutive upgrades and awakenings, thus fully opening both the First and Second Heavens of Divine Ability!

Li Che's eyes gleamed brightly as he sat cross-legged in the courtyard; within his pupils, dark golden lightning lines intertwined, as if forming a terrifying great net.

Like a mythical spider surviving in a lightning pool, weaving a lightning spiderweb; once an enemy touches it, they will be stuck and unable to free themselves!

Hell Thunder Heavenly Net!

Woven with lightning…… a heavenly net and earthly trap!

The power of Hell Thunder, like the power of hell, envelops the Divine Firmament Thunder!

Li Che raised his hand, activating the First Heaven of Divine Ability, Hell Thunder Heavenly Net!

This is more like a divine art, straightforward and clear; Li Che could directly understand it, so he raised his hand and began to activate it.

Suddenly, Li Che felt a tingling numbness all over his body, the lightning power stored in every cell being completely drawn out.

That was the Divine Firmament Thunder, one of the Three Calamities that had been intercepted and blocked by the Yellow-Browed Great Dharma Master, which had leaked out and circulated within his fleshly body.

Although most of that Divine Firmament Thunder was absorbed by the Dao Fruit, a small portion overflowed and merged into the cells.

And at this moment, those hidden Divine Firmament Thunders were completely drawn out.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle—

Li Che gazed at the deep golden Divine Firmament Thunder blazing splendidly in his palm, its quantity tiny, its concentration thin, yet it was immensely terrifying, brilliantly dazzling, blazingly bright beyond compare, like a thousand birds crying in unison!

As the Hell Thunder Heavenly Net Divine Ability was activated, slowly the blazing gold began to dim, shrouded with a hint of ink-like black!

Black-on-the-outside, gold-on-the-inside lightning continually flickered, like lightning drawn with a black border.

Clenching his five fingers, he violently flung forward; the Hell Thunder lashed like a whip, like cutting tofu, slicing open the just-healed Ink City ground a bit.

Ink City Capital of the Dead seemed to stagger for a moment, then, like a slow old grandfather, slowly began to repair the spot Li Che had just re-blasted.

The power of Hell Thunder somewhat surprised Li Che.

Very overbearing, destructive power extremely high!

But thinking that its core is Divine Firmament Thunder, Li Che was not surprised.

"Unfortunately, the store of Divine Firmament Thunder is a little low…… Hell Thunder needs to be transformed via Divine Firmament Thunder."

"This is the rhythm to let me become a Thunder-Catching Holy Hand."

He smiled, clenched his five fingers.

Hell Thunder instantly surged back into his body, dispersing into countless fine lightning arcs, hidden within his cells.

As for the Second Heaven of Divine Ability's 【Divine Firmament Hell Thunder Sword】, Li Che had no intention of testing it.

First, the amount of Hell Thunder is not much; second, it's merely a simple sword technique, Li Che isn't very curious.

Before him, flowing light appeared.

【Purgatory Thunder (Divine Ability): Refining Purgatory into Disaster, Heavenly Thunder Descends, Thunder Refining Purgatory, Tribulation of All Gods】

【First Heaven: Purgatory Thunder Heavenly Net】

【Second Heaven: Divine Heaven Purgatory Thunder Sword】

……

Divine Ability mantra, Thunder Refining Purgatory, Tribulation of All Gods!

Li Che slowly exhaled a breath.

"Wow overbearing... Tribulation of All Gods?!"

"This just means I am the tribulation of all gods?"

Li Che smiled, his eyes flashing.

The mantras of the Dao fruits are all overbearing, but perhaps a fully transformed Dao fruit is strong, but now... the Dao fruits can only be considered petty.

Boom!

Li Che rose to his feet, arms spread, instantly countless lightning bolts surged without cease, his dark, vigorous hair flung wildly, the surrounding air suddenly rippled and exploded, as his spine trembled, black-gold lightning surged all over his body.

Like a dragon's roar, his aura pierced heaven and earth.

The electromagnetic power operated, Li Che directly shot up into the firmament at great speed.

Divine Heaven Armor, Purgatory Thunder Heavenly Net!

Instantly—.

Above the dense sky, lightning suddenly appeared forming a net.

However, because the amount of Divine Heaven Thunder was too small, these black-gold lightning bolts that suddenly appeared completely vanished without trace.

"Purgatory Thunder power... added to the electromagnetic cannon can boost the power of the Namu Immortal Artisan Super Electromagnetic Cannon again!"

Li Che's eyes blazed.

The maturity of the Immortal Artisan Dao fruit might also increase somewhat because of this.

Played and tested for a while.

Li Che floated down, landing on the ground, continuing to sit cross-legged amidst the ruins.

"Divine Heaven Thunder... I need a large amount of Divine Heaven Thunder."

"But in this world, few cultivators can truly summon Divine Heaven Thunder."

"I don't know if Old Huang, transformed into a Detained God, can fully summon the Three Calamities Divine Heaven Thunder Tribulation; if so, wouldn't I have an inexhaustible supply of Divine Heaven Thunder to capture?"

After the idea surfaced in Li Che's mind, he couldn't help but shake his head.

"Difficult, although Old Huang was revived as a Detained God, the Divine Heaven Thunder cannot be replicated just because of his revival..."

"This is a manifestation of the will of heaven and earth; it must be captured personally."

"Old Huang only captured a single strand of Divine Heaven Thunder, and now it has all been absorbed by me."

"He needs to recapture it..."

Li Che's heart was also clear and lucid.

"Another day, let Old Huang find a way to recapture it..."

"Now in Shendu, naturally we cannot openly go capture it."

"Exhale—"

"Inhale—"

With each inhale and exhale of Li Che, the airflow between heaven and earth moves accordingly; now his cultivation is supreme, even though Mo City is vast and empty, his breath alone can stir a wind current.

Mind and spirit tranquil.

In his chest, the beating of the Dao fruits sounded like heavenly gods drumming.

A golden luster gradually emerged.

【Dao Fruit: Dragon Elephant Golden Body (lv6, 20%), Immaculate Mind (lv6, 15%), Chess Sage (lv5, 70%), Immortal in the Painting (lv5, 20%)】

Li Che glanced, the corner of his mouth involuntarily rose.

The battle to slay Huang Mei yielded an abundantly rich harvest for Li Che!

Although Huang Mei was slain jointly with Lü Taibai, although Huang Mei was not at his peak, having slain two of his three incarnations and also been wounded by the Purgatory Lotus fire……

But killed is killed; as long as the Dao fruit acknowledges it, it's fine.

In this battle, the four Dao fruits all obtained tremendous maturity increases.

Slaying Huang Mei, a top-tier expert on the double rankings, the Dragon Elephant Golden Body Dao fruit naturally increases, while the Detained God feedback gives the Immaculate Mind Dao fruit; both gain a 10% increase, which is a 10% increase for a level-6 Dao fruit!

The Chess Sage increase is due to the Heaven-Earth Chessboard's full effort in blocking momentum, while the Immortal in the Painting Dao fruit increase is because Mo City Fengdu almost became ruins……

Both are merely level-5 Dao fruits, yet the increase is not small.

Refreshing!

Li Che's eyes sparkled; indeed... a big catch still brings satisfaction!

This was only an assisted kill; if he could solo kill...

Li Che thought, then shook his head; the main reason Huang Mei was killed was Lü Taibai's Dao Yun Tribulation Sword assisting, and also the Divine Heaven Thunder severed by him that was linked to the Dao Yun Tribulation Buddha.

Otherwise... this battle's outcome is still uncertain.

Once stalemated, Mo City Fengdu couldn't withstand the collision of the two Dao Yun Tribulation forces, bursting apart……

Then Huang Mei would turn the tide.

He might actually have survived.

The Dragon Elephant Golden Body Dao fruit increase gave Li Che an enlightenment feedback, but he's not in a hurry to use it now.

Li Che sensed the situation inside the carriage still traveling in the Second City.

That carriage bore his Immortal in the Painting avatar and the Hongshi Buddha, heading to the Eight-Cornered Multi-Eaved Dripping Water Qintian Treasure Tower, one of the three upper floors of Shendu.

Because he was on the road, Li Che did not return immediately, thus he had leisure to study the Dao fruit in Ink City.

If he truly practiced martial arts and initiated the epiphany feedback, he could not stop it at all; forcibly stopping would be wasting the epiphany feedback of this lv6 rank Dao fruit.

Then Li Che would indeed feel heartbroken.

Li Che also planned to use this epiphany feedback to push many divine-seed martial arts to the Transcendent Realm, transforming them into Transcendent Spirit True Martial!

So Li Che does not intend to use the Dao fruit's epiphany feedback now.

With a clench of his five fingers, a piece of flowing, iridescent Cosmic Jade instantly fell into Li Che's hand.

This is Huang Mei's Cosmic Jade, the Cosmic Jade of a Divine Eagle Holy Hand, which likely contains all of Huang Mei's treasures!

For Li Che, opening this Cosmic Jade is the most thrilling moment.

However, Li Che could only suppress this anticipation in his heart after all.

Li Che could not store this Cosmic Jade inside his Cosmic Space.

As the rank of the Dao fruit rose, many characteristics were strengthened, such as God-binding and the Cosmic Space……

Originally the Cosmic Space could not store Cosmic Jade, but with the Dao fruit's advancement, this flaw had long been smoothed over.

However, Huang Mei's Cosmic Jade is of too high a grade; once activated to display seven-colored radiance, it is on the same level as the Cosmic Jade of the Heavenly Elixir Divine Sect Sect Leader Gu Changqing and the Seven Treasures Divine Sect Sect Leader Ning Caishen.

As for Lü Taibai, although he is a sect leader, his Cosmic Jade is actually somewhat lower than theirs.

This is not hard to understand; sword cultivators… after all, they are poor.

He smiled.

Li Che clenched his five fingers.

A white Flying Thunder chess piece instantly appeared in his palm.

……

……

On an early spring day, Shendu suddenly began to rain.

The unstoppable rainwater continuously fell from the high heavens, pattering onto the carriage roof.

Li Che's painted-immortal clone, which was idly chatting with Hong Shifo, suddenly paused, and then the divine light in his eyes seemed to shift slightly.

Hong Shifo remained unaware, still chatting with Li Che about the killer tactics for Five-in-a-Row, saying he had mastered a killing formation that could not be broken!

Li Che had just returned, ignored him, and turned his head to look out the window.

Pat-pat, the neatly aligned troops swiftly passed through.

Within the extremely luxurious mansions on both sides, many nobles opened their gates, curiously watching.

Those able to reside in Shendu's Second City are all individuals of extremely noble status within the whole Shendu.

Only those with high office, great power, and sufficiently stable status are qualified to live in the Second City; otherwise they will gradually be expelled from it.

After all, the people of the Third City are all scrambling to get into the Second City.

In Shendu's Nine Cities, each city's residents have different status and identity; for example, the lower three cities have different taxes, and even those living in the upper three cities receive subsidies.

In Shendu, most people think about advancement, but advancement is not that easy.

"Such a major incident has occurred in the Second City; the Golden Scale Guard and the Temple Garrison naturally will have a stronger reaction."

"Consort Ji is the current emperor's favored concubine, the birth mother of the two princes; her status is too sensitive……"

Seeing Li Che not want to discuss chess with him, Hong Shifo didn't mind and let out a light sigh.

How many years has it been since the Second City saw such a heinous case?

Once it occurs, it seems like a major case capable of making one's scalp tingle.

The Second City…… is only one city away from Shendu's First City, the imperial palace and divine halls!

And the entire First City is actually just the imperial palace and divine halls; thus, the occurrence of this major case is only a wall away from the First City where Emperor Jing resides.

"Yes, it truly is a major case, really making one feel anxious; I and my daughter just arrived in Shendu…… how did we encounter such a major case, truly giving me a headache."

"I only wish for my daughter's safety; I truly didn't expect this……"

Li Che shook his head and sighed.

Hong Shifo only sensed Li Che's simplicity and honest diligence.

After simply comforting Li Che with a few words.

Hong Shifo's expression suddenly turned solemn.

He brushed off his robe, his repeatedly disheveled beard: "Li Guest Official, Shendu Imperial Astronomy Bureau Headquarters, Eight Treasure Multi-layered Eaves Dripping Water Imperial Astronomy Precious Tower…… we have arrived!"

"This is the residence of the Grand Director of Divine Stratagem and Wondrous Calculation."

On Hong Shifo's face, a reverent expression akin to a pilgrimage actually surfaced.

This was the first time Li Che saw such an expression on the unrestrained Hong Shifo's face.

Obviously, Hong Shifo harbors a special reverence for the Imperial Astronomy Bureau Headquarters, but Li Che can sense that his reverence is for the person, not the building.

Whoosh~

The coachman pulled the reins, the scaled, gleaming flood dragon horse instantly neighed, bathed in the icy rain, exhaling steam, gradually halting its hooves.

The curtain lifted, and Li Che stepped out of the carriage.

Without an umbrella, and needing none, he let the early spring's icy cold rain, pattering lightly, strike his body, bringing a refreshing sensation that cleared his mind and invigorated his spirit.

Upon stepping out of the carriage, Li Che looked up and saw before him this towering nine-story, eight-cornered, multi-layered eaves dripping water Imperial Astronomy Precious Tower.

Though called a precious tower, it is actually akin to a precious pagoda; its top features eight sections, carved with eight lifelike dragon sculptures chasing the most important glazed jewel.

In his line of sight, the jewel seemed, under the light, to reflect seven-colored radiance.

"The Shendu Imperial Astronomy Bureau Headquarters is not open to the outside; only first-class and special-class guest officials have the qualifications to come and go……"

"And in Shendu's Nine Cities, there are branches of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau where one can buy and sell cultivation materials."

Hong Shifo carried the chessboard, smiling as he introduced Li Che.

Wanting to come to the Second City is not easy, and entering the Imperial Observatory is even harder.

Upon hearing this, Li Che didn't feel strange either.

His status was merely that of a Second Class Guest Minister; originally he wasn't even qualified to come here, but he came to participate in the Special Class Guest Minister examination under the identity of a Godly Eagle Half-Saint.

Moreover, with the leadership of Hong Shifo, the Director of the Dao City Imperial Observatory, passage is assured.

Li Half-Saint, please.

Hong Shifo's black-and-white striped Daoist robe fluttered as he spoke with a smile.

Li Che smiled gently.

This Imperial Observatory Headquarters Treasure Tower sits atop ninety-nine layers of white jade steps; to ascend the tower, one must first climb those ninety-nine steps.

This made Li Che involuntarily think of the Guiyi Miao within the Strange Gate.

Li Che and Hong Shifo walked through the rain, stepping on the damp white jade steps, heading toward the treasure tower whose layout vaguely resembled that of the Guiyi Miao.

However, the two had only climbed halfway.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves exploded and reverberated like rolling thunder.

Then came a continuous clanking, the sound of troops forming ranks.

Li Che stood upon the white jade steps, his dark coat fluttering, his black hair flying, as he looked back.

He then saw someone galloping wildly along the official road of the Second City.

That person rode upon an exceptionally handsome dragon horse, wearing a light gold-embroidered python robe, a gold crown upon his head, his bearing magnificent and graceful, his sideburns fluttering in the wind, his eyes seeming to have lightning intertwined within them.

Third Prince?!

Hong Shifo was startled.

……

……

Lotus Pavilion.

Rain pattered against it with a crackling sound, producing a fine, continuous noise.

A carriage slowly returned from the First City.

It was quite an ordinary carriage, but its panels were carved with lotus patterns; it was driven by two elderly men, one emaciated and blind in one eye, the other obese and stunted, missing a leg.

These two are the National Preceptor's guards, Heaven Cripled and Earth Deficient.

The carriage gradually came to a stop.

The two dragon horses neighed, exhaling steam.

The curtain was drawn back; National Preceptor Xie Yunshen, wearing a plain cloth robe, raised his oil-paper umbrella as raindrops struck its surface, sending out a crackling that made the umbrella tremble.

National Preceptor, you're back.

Tian Can, blind in one eye, nevertheless stared with his good eye and said respectfully.

Xie Yunshen smiled and thanked the two of them.

He then got down from the carriage.

However, as he stepped down from the carriage, the pooled water soaked his cloth shoes, and his gaze swept forward.

Yet he discovered that at the entrance of the Lotus Pavilion's hall, a figure stood motionless, letting the rain soak through, clutching his fists, trembling slightly.

Xie Yunshen's smile on his face subtly faded.

He raised his hand and beckoned; the rain distorted, and a black-robed Mo Lao appeared, clasping his fists and saying, "National Preceptor..."

"What happened?"

Xie Yunshen asked.

If there were nothing wrong, Lu Chi could not have appeared before him in such a state.

"Consort Ji is dead."

"He was killed inside the Ji family mansion..."

Mo Lao said softly.

Xie Yunshen's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Was it the Netherworld?"

Mo Lao startled, seemingly not expecting that the National Preceptor, with just a few words, would already have guessed.

"Governor Wang Kui had made such a judgment..."

"That must be the Netherworld's doing; Ji Molie could not have killed Ji Yan, so it's almost certainly the Netherworld; as for when Ji Yan offended the Netherworld..."

National Preceptor Xie Yunshen stroked his beard; his plain cloth robe snapped in the spring breeze.

Gazing at the figure standing in the icy spring rain, who had not used his qi and blood to dispel the chill and was shivering from the freeze—Lu Chi.

Xie Yunshen came before Lu Chi.

Lu Chi trembled all over, and with difficulty lifted his head.

"National Preceptor..."

Xie Yunshen raised his hand and gently stroked Lu Chi's icy, ice-cold cheek.

"Do you know what I, your old man, have just done upon entering the First City?"

Lu Chi shook his head blankly.

A hint of pity appeared on Xie Yunshen's face, and he used his umbrella to shield Lu Chi from the spring rain.

"Child... your mother is dead..."

"Do you know who killed her?"

"Tell me."

……

……

Hong Shifo's words echoed in Li Che's ears.

Translation: Hong Shifo's words echoed in Li Che's ears.

Hong Shifo echoed in Li Che's ears.

It barely drowned out the sound of the spring rain.

Translation: It barely drowned out the sound of the spring rain.

It barely drowned out the sound of the spring rain.

Li Che's eyebrows twitched upon hearing this: "Third Prince?"

Translation: Li Che heard this and his eyebrows twitched: "Third Prince?"

Li Che's eyebrows twitched upon hearing this: "Third Prince?"

The first precious son of Consort Ji, a prince who vies with the Crown Prince and Second Prince for the position of heir apparent!

Translation: The first precious son of Consort Ji, a prince vying with the Crown Prince and Second Prince for the heir apparent position!

The first precious son of Consort Ji, a prince contending with the Crown Prince and Second Prince for the heir apparent position!

Lü Chi's maternal older brother?

Translation: Lü Chi's maternal half-brother?

Lü Chi's maternal older brother?

This was Li Che's first time seeing the Third Prince; he was indeed somewhat handsome, with an extraordinary presence, his cultivation was far from ordinary, and although only twenty years old, his martial arts had already entered the saintly realm, and he wore a divine weapon concealing its aura.

Translation: This was Li Che's first time seeing the Third Prince; he was indeed somewhat handsome, with an extraordinary bearing, and his cultivation was remarkably refined—though only twenty years old, he had already entered the Sage level in martial arts, and he wore a divine weapon concealing its aura.

We need to be concise but keep all info. Let's craft: "This was Li Che's first encounter with the Third Prince; he was indeed somewhat handsome, his bearing extraordinary, his cultivation remarkably refined—though only twenty, he had already entered the Sage level in martial arts, and he wore a divine weapon that concealed its aura."

Unless Li Che uses the Star-Plucking Pupil to observe, relying solely on his eyesight he might not be able to see through.

Translation: Unless Li Che used the Star-Plucking Pupil to observe, relying solely on his eyesight he might not be able to see through.

Star-Plucking Pupil

Thus: "Unless Li Che employed the Star-Plucking Pupil to observe, relying solely on his eyesight he might not be able to see through."

However, the Third Prince could not possibly threaten Li Che, so there was naturally nothing to fear.

Translation: However, the Third Prince could not possibly threaten Li Che, so naturally there was nothing to fear.

"How did the Third Prince come here? Is this also a request to see the Grand Supervisor?"

Translation: "How did the Third Prince come here? Is he also requesting an audience with the Grand Supervisor?"

Grand Supervisor

Thus: "How did the Third Prince come here? Is he also requesting an audience with the Grand Supervisor?"

Hong Shifo was astonished.

Translation: Hong Shifo was astonished.

The Third Prince arrived beneath the white jade steps of the Treasure Tower, dismounted, his face extremely pale, his eyes filled with bloodshot lines, grief and anguish churning incessantly.

Translation: The Third Prince arrived beneath the white jade steps of the Treasure Tower, dismounted, his complexion extremely pallid, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins, surging with grief and anguish.

Treasure Tower's white jade steps

Behind the Third Prince came a luxurious carriage and a group of armored soldiers rushing to follow.

Translation: Behind the Third Prince came a luxurious carriage and a group of armored soldiers rushing to follow.

Behind the Third Prince came a luxurious carriage and a group of armored soldiers rushing to follow.

Li Che knew these were the Third Prince's personal guards.

Translation: Li Che knew these were the Third Prince's personal guards.

Among those guards, Li Che saw a face that seemed somewhat familiar.

Translation: And among those guards, Li Che saw a face that seemed somewhat familiar.

It bore a resemblance to Su Leibao.

Translation: It bore some resemblance to Su Leibao.

Su Leibao

This was precisely the Su family's expert stationed in Shendu, Su Yunliu, whom the Su family had placed there.

Translation: Exactly the Su family's expert stationed in Shendu, Su Yunliu, who had deployed the Su family's influence in Shendu.

Su Yunliu of the Su family in Shendu

Thus: "Exactly the Su family's expert stationed in Shendu, Su Yunliu, who had deployed the Su family's influence in Shendu."

Li Che merely glanced at him and realized that, as the Su family's intelligence had said, he had broken through the Sea of Qi and stepped into the Mountain Opening Path realm.

Translation: Li Che merely glanced and found that this person indeed, as the Su family's intelligence said, had broken through the Sea of Qi and stepped into the realm of the Mountain Opening Path.

Sea of Qi and Mountain Opening Path

Thus: "Li Che merely glanced and found that this person indeed, as the Su family's intelligence said, had broken through the Sea of Qi and stepped into the realm of the Mountain Opening Path."

From the carriage stepped a gorgeous woman.

Translation: From the carriage stepped out a gorgeous woman.

"Your Highness, wait for me..."

Translation: "Your Highness, wait for me……"

Her voice was soft and gentle; she was Su Yunji, the maiden sent by the Su family to marry the Third Prince.

Translation: The woman's voice was soft and yielding—she was Su Yunji, the maiden sent by the Su family to invest in the Third Prince.

Su Yunji

Thus: "The woman's voice was soft and yielding—she was Su Yunji, the maiden sent by the Su family to invest in the Third Prince."

The Third Prince paid no heed, arriving at the white jade steps and, taking three steps at a time, began climbing toward the headquarters of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

Translation: The Third Prince paid no heed, arrived beneath the white jade steps, and, taking three steps at a time, began climbing toward the headquarters of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters

However, shortly afterward the Third Prince noticed Li Che and Hong Shifo.

Translation: However, soon the Third Prince noticed Li Che and Hong Shifo.

The Third Prince's gaze shifted instantly, landing on Li Che.

Translation: The Third Prince's gaze shifted instantly, landing on Li Che.

He stepped onto the white jade step at the same height as Li Che, his eyes flashing with ferocity, his brows furrowed as he stared fixedly at Li Che.

Translation: He stepped onto the white jade step at the same height as Li Che, his eyes flashing with ferocity, his brows knitting as he stared fixedly at Li Che.

"Are you Li Che?!"

Translation: "Are you Li Che?!"

The Third Prince asked coldly.

Translation: The Third Prince asked coldly.

"My mother brought Lü Chi to seek you and arrange a marriage for your daughter—why did you refuse? Marrying into the royal family is a fortune countless people dream of; it is an opportunity for your daughter to change her fate—why did you refuse?!"

Translation: "My mother brought Lü Chi to seek you and arrange a marriage with your daughter—why did you refuse? Marrying into the imperial family is a fortune countless people dream of! It is an opportunity for your daughter to change her fate—why did you refuse?!"

The Third Prince said coldly: "After you refused my mother, she was killed… could it be related to you?!"

Translation: The Third Prince said coldly: "After you refused my mother, she was killed…… Is it related to you?!"

The Third Prince was tall and slender, his light-gold python robe seeming to glow, making him appear overwhelmingly aggressive.

Translation: The Third Prince was tall and slender, his light-gold python robe seeming to glow, making him appear overwhelmingly aggressive.

python robe

His voice even carried the tremor of Heaven and Earth's soul.

Translation: His voice even carried the tremor of the world's soul.

His voice even carried the tremor of Heaven and Earth's soul.

Li Che's expression remained indifferent: "Third Prince… my daughter is the junior sect master of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, her status is so carefree and free—why do you think the fate of marrying into the royal family could be better than her position as junior sect master?"

Translation: Li Che's expression remained indifferent: "Third Prince… my daughter is the junior sect master of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, her status so carefree and free—why do you think an alliance with the imperial family could be better than her position as junior sect master?"

Junior Sect Master of the Qianyuan Divine Sect

"Trapped in a cage, yet you talk about changing fate? Ridiculous."

Translation: "Being in a cage and still talking about changing fate? Ridiculous."

"As for your mother's death, it has nothing to do with me; I have been constantly with Supervisor Hong, and Governor Wang Kui has confirmed it—how can the Third Prince condemn me with just his words?"

Translation: "As for your mother's death, it has nothing to do with me; I am constantly with Supervisor Hong, and Governor Wang Kui has confirmed it—how can you condemn someone based solely on your words, Third Prince?"

Supervisor Hong, Governor Wang Kui, and I

Thus: "As for your mother's death, it has nothing to do with me; I am constantly with Supervisor Hong, and Governor Wang Kui has confirmed it—how can you condemn someone based solely on your words, Third Prince?"

Seeing Li Che show no sign of fear under his pressure, the Third Prince, Lü Lizi, narrowed his eyes.

Translation: Seeing Li Che show no trace of fear under his pressure, Third Prince Lü Lizi narrowed his eyes.

Third Prince Lü Lizi

Thus: "Seeing Li Che show no trace of fear under his pressure, Third Prince Lü Lizi narrowed his eyes."

Whoosh—

Translation: Whoosh—

A sound of tearing through the air echoed.

Translation: A sound of tearing through the air echoed.

Beside the Third Prince suddenly appeared a purple-robed Censor, his face full of wrinkles, quite aged, his breath restrained yet unreleased, giving Li Che a sense of oppression.

Translation: Suddenly, a purple-robed censure official appeared beside the Third Prince, his face lined with wrinkles, quite aged, his breath restrained yet unreleased, giving Li Che a sense of oppression.

purple-robed Censor

Thus: "Suddenly, a purple-robed Censor appeared beside the Third Prince, his face lined with wrinkles, quite aged, his breath restrained yet unreleased, giving Li Che a sense of oppression."

This is a top-tier peak expert!

Translation: He was a top-tier peak expert!

top-tier peak expert

Li Che's eyes narrowed.

Translation: Li Che's eyes narrowed.

Although the purple-robed Censor was aged, his spine was straight, his qi and blood like a rainbow.

Translation: Though the purple-robed Censor was aged, his shoulders were straight, his qi and blood like a rainbow.

"Your Highness, do not cause trouble before the Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters."

Translation: "Your Highness, before the Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters, do not cause trouble needlessly."

"Consort Ji's death is being investigated by Governor Wang; the truth will surely come to light."

Translation: "Consort Ji's death is being investigated by Governor Wang; the truth will surely come to light."

The purple-robed Censor spoke in a deep voice.

Translation: The purple-robed Censor said in a deep voice.

The Third Prince gave Li Che a cold glance, then turned and continued climbing up the white jade steps.

Translation: The Third Prince coldly glanced at Li Che, turned, and continued climbing up the white jade steps.

The purple-robed Censor slightly bowed to Li Che and Hong Shifo: "Sorry, the Third Prince is grief-stricken over his mother's death, his temperament hard to control, so his words may have been a bit harsh…"

Translation: The purple-robed Censor then slightly bowed to Li Che and Hong Shifo: "My apologies, the Third Prince is grief-stricken over his mother's death, his temperament hard to control, so his words may have been a bit rash……"

Afterward, the purple-robed Censor turned and followed the Third Prince.

Translation: Afterwards, the purple-robed Censor turned and followed the Third Prince.

Below, Su Yunji and the others dared not climb the white jade steps.

Translation: Below, Su Yunji and the others dared not climb the white jade steps.

"This person is one of the three top-tier peak Censors within the Shendu imperial palace; Emperor Jing assigned one such top-tier peak protector each to the Second and Third Princes, while the Eldest and Youngest Princes received none…"

Translation: "This person is one of the three top-tier peak censors within the Shendu imperial palace; Emperor Jing has assigned a top-tier peak censor to protect both the Second and Third Princes, while the Eldest and Youngest Princes have none……"

Emperor Jing's imperial palace in Shendu

Thus: "This person is one of the three top-tier peak censors within the Shendu imperial palace; Emperor Jing has assigned a top-tier peak censor to protect both the Second and Third Princes, while the Eldest and Youngest Princes have none……"

"The Eldest Prince doesn't need one, and the Youngest Prince… also doesn't need one."

Translation: "The Eldest Prince doesn't need one, and the Youngest Prince…… also doesn't need one."

Li Che glanced at Hong Shifo, playing with his words quite smoothly.

Translation: Li Che glanced at Hong Shifo, playing with his words quite smoothly.

"This person is named Han Sihxi, ranked fifteenth among the Heavenly Gate Pass… the Heavenly Gate Pass has a total of fifteen people, yet they already constitute the top fifteen martial artists of the Dàjǐng realm; the fact that the Grand Supervisor placed him among them shows his considerable ability."

Translation: "This person is named Han Sisi, ranked fifteenth among the Heavenly Gate Pass…… The Heavenly Gate Pass has a total of fifteen people, yet they already constitute the fifteen top martial artists of the Dàjǐng realm; that the Grand Supervisor could place him among them shows his considerable ability."

Heavenly Gate Pass of Dàjǐng, Grand Supervisor

Thus: "This person is named Han Sisi, ranked fifteenth among the Heavenly Gate Pass…… The Heavenly Gate Pass has a total of fifteen people, yet they already constitute the fifteen top martial artists of the Dàjǐng realm; that the Grand Supervisor could place him among them shows his considerable ability."

"The Second Prince's guard Censor, although also a top-tier peak expert, has not entered the Heavenly Gate Pass, which also shows Emperor Jing's favoritism and bias…"

Translation: "The Second Prince's guard censor, though also a top-tier peak expert, has not entered the Heavenly Gate Pass, which also shows Emperor Jing's favoritism and bias……"

Hong Shifo is a member of the Hong family; although the Hong family has fallen from the ranks of the ancient great clans, he still possesses all the relevant information.

Translation: Hong Shifo is a member of the Hong family; although the Hong family has fallen from the ranks of the ancient great clans, he still possesses all the relevant information.

Li Che nodded, thanking Hong Shifo for clearing up his doubts.

Translation: Li Che nodded, thanking Hong Shifo for clearing up his doubts.

Afterward, the two bathed in the spring rain and continued climbing the steps.

Translation: Afterwards, the two bathed in the spring rain and continued climbing the steps.

After the ninety-nine steps, they arrived at a spacious plaza, where the ground was paved with white jade bricks carved with patterns, from which a faint divinity seemed to emanate.

Translation: After traversing the ninety-nine steps, they arrived at a spacious plaza, where white jade bricks and stones bore carved patterns, from which a faint divinity seemed to emanate.

Meanwhile, the wooden door of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters, adorned with those carvings, remained tightly shut.

Translation: And the wooden door of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters, adorned with those carvings, was tightly shut.

The Third Prince arrived at the door, yet he could not step inside at all, being blocked outside.

Translation: The Third Prince arrived at the door, yet he could not step inside at all, being blocked outside.

When Hong Shifo and Li Che arrived, the Third Prince didn't even glance at them.

Translation: When Hong Shifo and Li Che arrived, the Third Prince didn't even glance at them.

They clasped their fists, bowed their body, and performed a salute.

Grand Supervisor, Lu Litong has come specially to pay respects!

However, they did not receive any response from the Grand Supervisor inside the Qin Tian Jian Treasure Tower.

Meanwhile, Hong Shifo clasped his fists and observed the rites.

Grand Supervisor, Qianyuan Dao City Supervisor Hong Shifo brings the newly promoted Divine Eagle Half-Saint Li Che Half-Saint to participate in the Special Grade Guest Official examination!

Li Che, hearing this, clasped his fists and bowed: "I am Li Che, I have come specially to meet the Grand Supervisor."

After Li Che spoke.

Inside the Qin Tian Jian Headquarters Treasure Tower, a somewhat ethereal voice finally sounded.

"Third Prince, today the Qin Tian Jian Treasure Tower has guests arriving, wishing to conduct the Special Grade Guest Official examination; Your Highness, please return and come another day."

The words were spoken.

The Third Prince Lu Litong suddenly lifted his head, his eyes filling with bloodshot veins.

He clenched his fists.

His back molars felt as if they were about to crack.

"Grand Supervisor... my mother consort died tragically today, the murderer remains at large, my heart bleeds, I am filled with rage, I... cannot wait any longer!"

The Third Prince slammed the Heaven-Earth Jade.

Instantly, a jade-colored token appeared.

"Grand Supervisor... this is the Qin Tian Order sent by my imperial father! My father said that holding this order guarantees each prince can request the Grand Supervisor to perform a divination once!"

The Third Prince Lu Litong knelt down on the ground.

Holding up the jade-colored token.

His bloodshot eyes glanced at Li Che, then he drew a breath.

His chest rose and fell, then dropped.

"I wish to ask the Grand Supervisor to calculate..."

"Who exactly killed my mother!"