Chapter 360: 362. Chapter 356: Should Xixi undergo worldly tempering? The guest examiner's assessment shakes the Prison Thunder Heave

362. Chapter 356: Should Xixi undergo worldly tempering? The guest examiner's assessment shakes the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net【Seek monthly votes】

Lead clouds piled up in the ten-thousand-zhang high sky, as if thick ink dripped into a pool, spreading and rolling in the water.

The pattering raindrops gathered into threads, like countless clear and sparkling pearls strung together, accompanied by wind and rain sounds, tossed about between heaven and earth.

Patterns carved into white jade bricks and stones, the uneven crevices became places where water collected, slowly seeping out.

"I wish to ask the Grand Director to calculate……"

"Who killed my mother!"

Kneeling on the ground, bowing his head, water droplets splashed, rain exploded, mighty qi and blood surged, the heavens and earth's souls trembled, as if the evening drum and morning bell were struck.

The Third Prince knelt on the ground, his eyes bloodshot, filled with red veins, his tone firm and resolute.

His words echoed, winding around the entire Imperial Astronomy Bureau's Jeweled Tower.

The sound of rainwater gathering at the edges of the black eaves and dripping down was overwhelmed by the clamor.

The atmosphere instantly turned cold and silent.

The aged and withered monk of Zijin Deer Temple stood ramrod straight, slightly lowering his head, hands crossed before him, silently standing behind the kneeling Third Prince.

His visage showed little change in expression.

Li Che and Hong Shifo stood at the side, their faces both subtly changed.

Mainly it was the Third Prince's resolve……

Have the Grand Director calculate who killed his mother?

Li Che had heard plenty about the Grand Director's marvels……

Whether it was Lu Taibai or Hong Shifo, when speaking of that Grand Director of the Shendu Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters, their tones were full of admiration and reverence.

Even, Lu Taibai had speculated that this Grand Director……

It is very likely he has already broken through to the Divine Tribulation Realm; of course this is speculation, after all Divine Tribulation cultivators in the mortal world would draw down the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations from the will of heaven and earth.

The genuine Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations are immensely fearsome; concealing and shielding them is very difficult.

If the Grand Director truly underwent the Three Calamities Tribulation, it would be impossible not to attract anyone's attention.

After all, powerful experts swarm Shendu, and the Grand Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau often stays in the Jeweled Tower.

Thus, when the Third Prince asked the Grand Director to calculate……

Li Che's heart involuntarily jolted.

Grand Director……

Can he calculate it?!

His heart could not help but ripple slightly.

At the same time, Li Che looked at the Third Prince in astonishment, such strong resolve; as a prince, he actually knelt and bowed in public, even if the object were Shendu, or even the entire Dàjǐng, the most mysterious and powerful Grand Director……

But Lu Liti, after all, is the Third Prince, representing the royal lineage; the urgency in his heart to find his mother's true killer is what prompted this declaration.

As for that Imperial Astronomy Command, it made Li Che slightly surprised; according to the Third Prince's description, the Imperial Astronomy Command is an award bestowed by the emperor upon each prince, each prince can hold it to request the Grand Director to perform a calculation once.

But because there is only one chance, for any prince the Imperial Astronomy Command is extremely important; at crucial moments it can even change fate and preserve life!

Hong Shifo carried a chessboard, his expression complex: "Imperial Astronomy Command……"

"So that's it…… Perhaps this Third Prince has suspicions of putting on an act, but it cannot be denied that by using this Imperial Astronomy Command now he could leave a good impression on the Grand Director."

"The Imperial Astronomy Command is an agreement between the Dàjǐng emperor and the Grand Director; upon each prince's birth, the Grand Director bestows one Imperial Astronomy Command, and perhaps the demand for the Imperial Astronomy Command is precisely when each prince seeks to leave an impression on the Grand Director."

"The Imperial Astronomy Command allows the Grand Director to perform a divination calculation once…… If the divination is crucial, perhaps it could change the Grand Director's impression; if one could win the Grand Director's favor, the crown prince position would be all but secured."

Hong Shifo whispered to Li Che.

The rumbling and pattering of rain sounded endlessly.

"The death of his birth mother, avenging her, is filial piety…… This Third Prince perhaps intends to demonstrate his filial piety to the Grand Director through this matter."

"Of course…… it is not ruled out that the Third Prince sincerely wishes to avenge Consort Ji and find the true culprit."

Hong Shifo and Li Che stood very close, their conversation sounded very low, and they deliberately suppressed it with divine power, so the Third Prince did not hear it.

Hong Shifo also knew that rashly discussing princes is not a good habit; naturally, not being heard or discovered reduces trouble.

Li Che raised his eyebrows, looking at the Third Prince kneeling in the cold rainwater, a flash of unusual color flickered in his eyes.

The Third Prince's plea, and the jade pendant he held aloft, gleamed brightly in the rain curtain.

After a moment, a faint voice drifted out from the Imperial Astronomy Bureau's Jeweled Tower.

"The Imperial Astronomy Command only has one chance, Your Highness, have you truly decided?"

The Grand Director's words drifted out from the Jeweled Tower, without discernible joy or sorrow.

Perhaps because of the Imperial Astronomy Command, that aloof attitude of keeping people at a distance softened considerably.

The Third Prince knelt on the ground, gritting his teeth: "Grand Director…… I have decided!"

In his voice surged some uncontainable heartache and sorrow.

"Consort Ji is my birth mother; she gave me life, bestowed flesh and blood, she is my closest kin, blood thicker than water, mother dead…… how could a son not be moved?"

"I want to find the murderer, I want to personally slay the murderer, take his life, to offer sacrifice to my mother's spirit in heaven!"

The Third Prince's voice was low and hoarse, filled with sorrow and resolve.

The echoing sound made the rainwater tremble.

Beside them, Hong Shifo and Li Che felt myriad emotions.

Li Che felt somewhat moved, what a filial son this is, regardless of whether he is truly just putting on an act to gain favor before the Grand Director.

Just these words, brimming with emotion.

Li Che was quite moved, wishing he could immediately fulfill the Third Prince's wish and send him to see his birth mother.

Let mother and son be reunited whole.

"Then let's go in together."

A faint voice, devoid of joy or sorrow, drifted.

No emotional fluctuation could be discerned.

Following the sound of a 'creak', the doors of the Imperial Observatory Treasure Tower swung open abruptly, as if in an instant the rain pouring from the sky all ceased.

Within the pavilion, two figures walked slowly forward.

All wore white long robes with wide sleeves, fluttering in the wind, bearing a somewhat transcendent immortal's airy grace.

"Third Prince, please."

The leading one had crane-white hair and a youthful face, bearing a gentle smile as he looked toward the Third Prince.

Another person was a woman who looked somewhat aged, yet her features were quite beautiful, except there was an otherworldly air about her brows.

The Third Prince climbed up from the ground, his qi and blood steaming, evaporating the rainwater on his trousers.

「Li Tong has greeted Deputy Supervisor Yue and Deputy Supervisor Fang……」

The Third Prince, Lü Litong, bowed, as if calming his emotions; the sorrow in his eyes could not be concealed.

The headquarters of the Imperial Observatory had two Deputy Supervisors; although they were not as renowned as the Chief Supervisor, they were still mighty gods listed on the Divine Register.

One of them came from the Yue family, an ancient clan of Shendu; the other came from the Fang family of Jiangnan Dao. In Jiangnan Dao, the Fang family is the sole ancient clan, a lineage of scholarly officials who have studied and practiced Confucianism for generations, enjoying great prestige in the region.

On the way here by carriage, Hong Shifo had already given an introduction.

The two Deputy Supervisors looked at Li Che and Hong Shifo; the female Deputy Supervisor Fang glanced at Li Che and actually smiled, giving off a feeling akin to the gentle spring breeze of February swaying the willows.

「Li Che, Half-Saint, the arrangements for the Special Guest Official examination are ready; please. 」

Deputy Supervisor Fang Shangzhen said.

Such differing attitude caused the Third Prince's eyes to narrow slightly.

Deputy Supervisor Yue Taofu, however, maintained a simple, honest smile; that smile gave Li Che a sense of déjà vu of Yue Huanglong.

However, they both come from the Yue family of Shendu, which is perfectly normal.

However, Yue Huanglong seemed not to be well regarded in the Yue family, having been assigned to Qianyuan Dao City, which left Yue Huanglong's heart filled with petty grievances.

Everyone entered the Imperial Observatory's Treasure Tower.

The carved wooden doors suddenly shut, instantly sealing off completely from the outside world.

The sound of falling rain seemed to have been completely erased; not a trace could be heard.

Inside the Imperial Observatory's Treasure Tower, it was extremely spacious, as if space had been pulled apart; vaguely, Li Che felt as though he had stepped into another region.

That feeling……was like entering Mo City from the outside.

A minor cave heaven?!

No, not really a minor cave heaven, because Li Che could still clearly sense a heaven‑man resonance with the outside world.

So, is it due to the deployment of a formation?

The interior of the Treasure Tower was quite empty.

Li Che, Hong Shifo, the Third Prince, and Han Sixi of the Purple Intent Weasel Temple followed behind the two Deputy Supervisors in white robes with wide sleeves.

As for Su Yunji and Su Yunli and others beneath the ninety‑nine‑step white jade staircase, they naturally lacked the qualifications to enter.

The air was filled with a pleasant fragrance, like the smoke produced when sandalwood is blended with a few extra ingredients and burned.

It calmed the mind and spirit, made the whole body feel at ease, and the flow of divinity within the upper dantian became gentle and smooth.

The Treasure Tower has nine floors in total; the inter‑floor height is enormous—although from the outside each floor appears only three or four meters tall, once inside the area seems to expand ten‑ to a hundredfold.

Each floor is as spacious as a plaza.

In the center stands a rotating red sandalwood staircase, its steps carved with extremely fine workmanship, depicting various divine statues, each different, imbued with divinity……

Li Che even saw the statue of the Eight‑Armed Prison Lotus Wrathful Third Prince Temple Deity; of course, it was not the original from the Golden Light Prefecture, but a replica.

Upon this staircase, replica temple deity statues are carved!

And nearly all of them are the work of the Half‑Saint Divine Condor, lifelike and imbued with the intentions of many temple deities.

It is as if a Half‑Saint Divine Condor walked through every Guiyi Miao, observed the temple deities, and then carved replicas of those deities' divine condors, arranging them upon this red‑wood staircase.

Such a handiwork is certainly not small!

Within the entire Treasure Tower, divinity is so rich it seems almost to condense into droplets.

It feels as if a single breath fills the mouth with divinity comparable to that stored in the divine crystals of the Five Elders' lower ranks!

A blessed land!

Li Che's eyes brightened slightly; if he could cultivate here…

He could even save on divine crystals!

The two Chief Deputy Supervisors brought the four of them to the ninth floor.

The ninth floor turned out to be even more spacious than imagined, with countless vermilion‑red pillars propping it up, resembling a temple magnified countless times.

And at the center of the ninth floor lay a huge green turtle.

That turtle is truly enormous; lying on the ground, its shell nearly touches the ceiling beams.

Everyone saw only the great turtle, but no trace of the Chief Supervisor could be seen.

After reaching the ninth floor, Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen approached the great turtle and performed a clasped‑fist salute.

「Chief Supervisor, we have brought them all. 」

Yue Taofu, with white hair and a youthful face, chuckled and said.

As soon as the words were spoken.

Li Che was momentarily stunned……

What?

The Chief Supervisor is actually a turtle?!

……

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Above the firmament, thunder suddenly appeared with an explosive roar.

The rain grew ever heavier, intertwining between the heavenly canopy and leaden clouds; the sudden brilliance made the gloomy world glimmer a bit.

Inside the Primordial Origin Court.

Lü Taibai grasped a white chess piece, completing an identity exchange with the painting immortal Lü Taibai who had just returned to the courtyard.

Sitting in the chair, gazing at the pattering rain that fell continuously, Lü Taibai's eyes flickered with rippling light.

"His skill is almost divine."

Lü Taibai murmured.

Such translocation techniques, such avatar techniques, and the means to summon the dead from the netherworld...

Even one as powerful as he couldn't help but feel deep apprehension toward the netherworld.

Facing such an opponent as an enemy would indeed make it hard to rest or eat.

Fortunately, the netherworld has been on their side from the start, and the Primordial Origin Divine Sect has never had any grudge with it.

"What exactly is the origin of the netherworld?"

"Is it truly… created by the awakened gods of the camps within the mysterious void?"

Lü Taibai placed both hands on the chair, while the charcoal brazier beside him heated water; in the boiling stream, the jade-green tea leaves rose and fell.

In the courtyard.

The sounds of huffing and puffing echoed without end; perhaps because of the grand victory in the pre-feast, the Primordial Origin Divine Sect and Dao City's prodigies, whom Xixi had stirred emotionally, were all training fervently, their fighting spirit high.

Xixi, with her chubby belly, hands on hips, raised her hand and went 'didi di' as she pointed out three lucky prodigies to train with her!

Lü Taibai laughed helplessly, but it must be said that six-year-old Xixi already possessed strength far beyond what he had at six.

"The little girl's current strength is indeed enough to go through some tempering."

"This is the rule set by the Ancestral Master: every Junior Sect Master of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect must descend the mountain for tempering, wander the mortal world, and receive the baptism of the mortal world."

Lü Taibai took a sip of tea, chewed the bitter leaves, and narrowed his eyes.

Leaving the comfort of the sect's protection, entering the rivers and lakes for tempering can refine one's mind, perceive human nature, and understand people's hearts...

Feeling the vastness of heaven, the boundlessness of earth!

Cultivating the Heart Sword...

Only then can one, within the Heaven and Earth Small Cave Heaven, obtain the Ancestral Master's approval and inherit the Dao's legacy, truly succeeding to the sect master's position.

He, Lü Taibai, had come this way himself back then...

One person, sword in hand, walked the ends of the earth; he walked on foot through all eleven circuits of the Dàjǐng dynasty.

He had visited the Bashu Sword Pavilion in Jiannan Dao, ascended the Precipice Sword Pavilion, and sought the Dao with his sword.

Having passed through Jiangnan Dao, he saw the pedantic Confucian cultivators, who established countless rules and shackles, binding the entirety of Jiangnan Dao.

On foot into Xiling Dao, he witnessed the earthly Buddhist realm, the mortal purgatory, and with one sword cut down many Buddhist heads.

He also went through Tongyou Dao, fighting bloodily alongside the disciples of the True Martial Divine Sect against the frontier barbarians of the Great Li.

…… Translation: "..." We'll output: 【154】...

The purpose of tempering is to broaden one's worldly experience, understand this world, and comprehend the meaning of cultivation.

Understand what heaven and earth, the universe, are!

However, Lü Taibai quickly shook his head.

"This girl is only six; what's there to temper? Who would send a six-year-old child out to temper?"

"Whether to temper or not still needs to be discussed with Li Che."

Lü Taibai gulped down a sip of tea.

Xixi's growth rate somewhat exceeded his expectations.

Thus, regarding Xixi's future cultivation arrangements, he really had a bit of a headache.

According to the rules of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect...

Those Junior Sect Masters who have reached the Grand Master realm should be sent into the mortal world for tempering...

But Xixi is a six-year-old Grand Master...

Indeed, that is rather too monstrous.

This left Lü Taibai somewhat unsure how to arrange things.

Nor did he dare to casually make arrangements...

The more monstrous the talent, the more cautious one must be about its future arrangements.

Lü Taibai did not hope to see another Wei Yuan among his disciples.

"Forget it, let's not rush; we'll talk after this Peach Banquet Victory Assembly ends."

"Moreover, this Peach Banquet Infant Dragon Victory Assembly, for Xixi, is also a rare tempering."

"This little girl has had smooth sailing all the way... perhaps this time she can taste some bitterness and feel the flavor of failure."

…… Translation: "..." We'll output: 【174】...

…… Translation: "..." We'll output: 【175】...

Lotus Pavilion.

The rain continued without cease.

His linen robes fluttered without cease; Xie Yunshen's half-white hair fluttered in the cold wind as he looked at Lü Chi, his eyes holding a hint of encouragement.

However, Lü Chi shook his head...

Child, are you unwilling to speak, or are you afraid to speak?

Xie Yunshen asked.

Lu Chi looked at Xie Yunshen, pursed his lips.

Actually, Lu Chi had already guessed who killed Consort Ji.

Such a modus operandi, Lu Chi was all too familiar with……

Ox Demon!

Li Che!

But, does he want to avenge his mother?

Lu Chi slowly lowered his head, a myriad of feelings surging in his heart; at this moment he actually felt somewhat lost, he had once yearned for maternal love, but his mother had never cast her gaze upon him.

Consort Ji gave all her love to the Third Prince; he was like a discarded son.

And within the Guiyi Miao of the Eight-Armed Prison Lotus, Wrathful Third Prince, after he chose to inherit the Third Prince Temple deity's legacy by stripping flesh and bone……

He had then completely severed that feeling toward his parents within his heart.

But upon learning of Consort Ji's death, his heart still trembled slightly.

He ultimately……

was still a son.

He was somewhat at a loss.

He was somewhat unclear about what choice he should make.

So, he came to seek the National Teacher; perhaps…… the National Teacher could give him an answer.

Xie Yunshen looked at Lu Chi, full of struggle, pulled him into the Lotus Pavilion, where attendants and maidservants lit the brazier, warm currents swirling within the hall.

Lu Chi dispelled the chill from his body and sat cross-legged on the futon.

The pattering rain fell into the three-legged bronze cauldron nurturing three lotus stalks; the rain kept dropping, yet no matter how, it could never fill the cauldron.

"Child, you harbor doubts in your heart; as a prince, you should hold an Imperial Astronomy Command—why not go find the Grand Astronomer, confide your doubts, and let him resolve them?"

National Teacher Xie Yunshen laughed.

He did not continue to ask Lu Chi about who killed Consort Ji.

Instead, he asked why Lu Chi had come to seek him.

Lu Chi surely had his own purpose.

Xie Yunshen bluntly opened his mouth to inquire.

If it were about who killed Consort Ji, Lu Chi would not speak…… he does not insist.

But if Lu Chi did not directly tell him his purpose for coming, Xie Yunshen would immediately see him out.

Xie Yunshen's half-white, half-black hair fluttered in the chilly spring breeze of the corridor.

He stared at Lu Chi.

Lu Chi abruptly lifted his head.

"National Teacher……"

"I, the Palace, wish to contend!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunshen burst into laughter, wrinkles piling up on his face, his gaze blazing, with a hint of satisfaction.

"Why do you wish to contend?"

Xie Yunshen asked again.

Lu Chi clenched his fists, closed his eyes, his clenched fists loosening then tightening again……

Finally, he slowly exhaled a breath.

"I wish to prove……"

"I am worthy."

Xie Yunshen stared, then the next moment stroked his beard and burst into laughter, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

He laughed doubling over, tears streaming down his face.

This was the first time he had heard someone vie for the crown prince's position for such a bizarre reason.

Xie Yunshen discerned what Lu Chi meant by "worthy" in his words……

It was not being worthy of that crown prince position, nor being worthy of that throne in the central palace of the First City.

but rather……

being worthy of a person.

That's all.

……

……

Shendu Second City.

Octagonal multi-eaved, dripping-water Imperial Astronomy Treasure Tower.

Nine-story treasure tower, flying eaves and upturned corners, atop nine flying dragons, lifelike, guarding the gleaming divine radiance of the treasure pearl.

Inside the treasure tower.

Li Che looked somewhat astonished at the enormous gigantic green turtle before him.

The turtle lay on the ground, its shell seeming to prop up the roof; any slight movement could shatter the roof.

Yet the two Deputy Grand Astronomers addressed this great turtle as the Grand Astronomer……

Li Che went numb.

In his heart, regarding this mysterious entity, praised by Lü Taibai, Hong Shifo, Yue Huanglong, etc., as almost heavenly, the Grand Astronomer of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau who single-handedly compiled the Divine Canon, Heavenly Gate Pass, and Divine Arms Canon, he had long awaited.

As a result……

Reality left Li Che feeling somewhat numb.

Vice Supervisor Fang Shangzhen seemed to see Li Che's numb, bewildered expression, and immediately gave a light smile: "Li Guest Minister, don't misunderstand…… this Black Tortoise Demon King is the Chief Supervisor's pet."

And as Fang Shangzhen's words fell.

The huge Black Tortoise, its eyes like bronze bells, turned and fell upon Li Che.

"You've come?"

The Black Tortoise spoke.

Li Che's dark robe fluttered; for a moment he didn't know whether he should converse with this Black Tortoise.

Nevertheless, Li Che clasped his fists and bowed: "I've come."

"The Directorate of Astronomy has twelve Special Guest Ministers in total; if you pass the assessment, you will become the thirteenth Special Guest Minister, enjoying the right to move freely and unhindered throughout Shendu except the First City, and you will also qualify for a cultivation slot within this treasure tower."

The Black Tortoise spoke, his voice deep and resonant, rumbling and shaking, causing the entire floor to tremble.

"The premise is that you can pass the Special Guest Minister assessment."

After the Black Tortoise simply said those two lines,

Then his gaze shifted, landing on the Third Prince Lü Litong, who wore a pale gold python robe.

The Third Prince instantly felt a sense of oppression, his eyes still blood-red, the sorrowful feeling hard to dispel; he clasped his fists and said, "Please, Chief Supervisor, help me."

The Black Tortoise's huge eyes fixed on the Third Prince.

Then it opened its mouth, as if countless streams of air spewed out, and thereafter the massive Black Tortoise's body gradually shrank, shrank……

About the size of an eight‑immortal table, and on the Black Tortoise's shell sat a blurred figure formed from condensed white smoke.

Everyone looked over, but none could make out the Chief Supervisor's appearance.

"Since the Third Prince has decided, I will reclaim this Imperial Astronomy Command."

The Chief Supervisor spoke lightly.

He raised a hand and summoned; the Third Prince's Imperial Astronomy Command instantly left his palm, floated up, and drifted toward the Chief Supervisor.

But as soon as it floated into the air, it exploded with a boom.

Countless streams of light flickered and intertwined, seeming to turn into multicolored streams that continually wove through the void.

And the Chief Supervisor seated on the Black Tortoise's back formed hand seals with his fingers.

He flicked a finger.

The multicolored streams burst open, like fireworks blooming.

Slowly they condensed into a jade pearl.

"The answer you seek lies within this Heavenly Mechanism Jade Pearl…… Return and then open the Heavenly Mechanism Jade Pearl."

The Chief Supervisor's light voice echoed.

Then the jade pearl drifted down into the Third Prince's hand.

The Imperial Astronomy Command transformed into a Heavenly Mechanism Jade Pearl; once opened, the pearl would automatically disintegrate, signifying that the bond between the Third Prince and the Chief Supervisor was completely severed.

The Third Prince pressed his lips, took the Heavenly Mechanism Jade Pearl without hesitation, and stored it within his Heaven and Earth Jade.

"Thank you, Chief Supervisor, for fulfilling this."

"Having filial piety in your heart is excellent."

The Chief Supervisor seated on the Black Tortoise's back nodded slightly and lightly praised.

The Third Prince's face was full of sorrow: "My mother consort has already died; I can no longer fulfill my filial duty…… I can only spare no effort to find the murderer, personally slay him, and let my mother consort rest in peace."

The Chief Supervisor nodded slightly.

Then he said: "Next, I will conduct the Special Guest Minister assessment with Li Half‑Saint…… Your Highness, please withdraw first."

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince glanced at Li Che.

He originally wanted to stay and see whether Li Che could pass the Special Guest Minister assessment.

But after thinking, he still didn't speak; if he remained to watch Li Che's Special Guest Minister assessment now, it would create a rift and conflict with his desire to avenge Consort Ji.

He feared it would make the Chief Supervisor disgusted.

So the Third Prince merely bowed respectfully to the Chief Supervisor.

He turned and took his leave.

Along with his pale gold python robe and a purple garment from the palace's marten temple, he vanished between the floors.

The entire ninth floor gradually grew quiet.

Li Che withdrew his gaze from the disappearing back of the Third Prince, his mind slightly stirred.

Within the heaven‑and‑earth chessboard, the form condensed from the world‑soul floated above the board, with a Flying Thunder Chess Piece hovering in his palm.

After a moment of blur,

This Flying Thunder Chess Piece slowly turned into white mist and dissipated.

It had, unbeknownst and soundlessly, landed on the Third Prince's body.

Li Che clenched his five fingers, withdrew his gaze, and suddenly looked toward the Black Tortoise ridden by the Chief Supervisor, seeing the tortoise's eyes fixed upon him.

Li Che's heart gave a slight jump—had he been discovered?

The Flying Thunder Chess Piece is formed from a strand of extremely thin pure‑mind divine nature, soundless and odorless, merging with the divinity of heaven and earth, like a colorless, tasteless poison……

There should be none; if detected, the Pure‑Mind Dao Fruit would give warning.

But since it hasn't been detected, why has this Black Tortoise been staring at him?

Just as Li Che's thoughts stirred slightly, the two Vice Supervisors Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen walked to the edge of the ninth floor.

They made room for Li Che; as for Hong Shifo, he had already voluntarily withdrawn, retreated to the edge, carrying the chessboard, full of interest and anticipation.

Clearly they were awaiting whether Li Che could become a Special Guest Minister.

Once he becomes a Special Guest Minister, Li Che's standing within the entire Dàjǐng Directorate of Astronomy would be second only to the Chief Supervisor and the two Vice Supervisors……

Even higher than him, Hong Shifo, the Supervisor of the Directorate of Astronomy of the local Dao City, possibly by a bit.

The ninth layer is vast and boundless.

Only Li Che, the Black Tortoise, and the Grand Supervisor on its back—whose face is indistinct, as if formed from condensed mist—remain.

"Li Guest Officer… Are you ready?"

The Grand Supervisor spoke softly.

In a vague moment, Li Che felt as if a pair of deep eyes had fallen upon him.

As if they wanted to see through his entire being.

Suddenly.

The Black Tortoise suddenly opened its eyes; within its bronze-bell-like pupils, splendid light burst forth, staring fixedly at Li Che!

And the aura of the illusory Grand Supervisor on the Black Tortoise's back likewise underwent a sudden, earth-shaking change.

It was as if countless terrifying auras were compressed into a tiny space, all pressing down on Li Che, making him feel as if mountains and rivers were overturning, a sensation of suffocation!

Every pore on his body tightened.

Within his inner vision of the mud pellet, each golden core trembled, and the Spiritual Ape Divine Fetus roared as well.

Within his chest, numerous Dao fruits simultaneously sounded an alarm!

Powerful one!

An extremely terrifying powerful one!

Compared to this Grand Supervisor before him, Lü Taibai, Huang Mei, and the like are far, far inferior!

The immense pressure made Li Che's black, vigorous hair fly and whip wildly.

A repulsive force surged forth, as if trying to expel Li Che's body from the ninth layer.

Li Che's eyes narrowed; he knew this was the Grand Supervisor testing his strength.

As a Special Guest Officer, one needs not only skill but also sufficient powerful cultivation.

Li Che raised his hand and touched his brow.

Instantly——

A furious roar exploded, the Spiritual Ape Divine Fetus burst forth, and as it howled skyward, its explosive bellow reverberated.

Heaven-Earth Embodiment manifested, with a thud, stepping heavily on the ground, causing the entire ninth layer to tremble.

The edge of the ninth layer.

Yue Taofu, the Deputy Grand Supervisor, gave a faint smile: "This is the Grand Supervisor testing Li Guest Officer's cultivation……"

"This is the first trial of the Special Guest Officer examination……"

"For the Grand Supervisor to personally oversee the examination, even the previous twelve Special Guest Officers never had such qualification……"

"I'm quite curious, this Li Guest Officer… what exactly does he rely on……"

Yue Taofu had white hair and a youthful face, stroking his beard as he smiled.

Fang Shangzhen glanced at him, then looked toward the arena, also feeling somewhat helpless.

"Hanshu, Hanshu, it's not that I won't help you, but… the Grand Supervisor has personally taken the field, and I can't do anything."

Fang Shangzhen sighed.

Her younger brother, Fang Hanshu, personally hand-wrote a letter and came.

He wanted her to give Li Che some assistance within the allowable rules during his Special Guest Officer examination.

But now……

Since the Grand Supervisor is personally present, she can't offer any help.

She can only watch Li Che himself.

Li Che unleashed Heaven-Earth Embodiment; powerful divinity and the soul of heaven and earth surged, stirring up fierce winds and raging currents throughout the ninth layer.

The Grand Supervisor riding on the Black Tortoise's back seemed to bring a hint of a smile as he looked at Li Che.

"Li Guest Officer, listen well to your Special Guest Officer examination requirements……"

Within the Heaven-Earth Embodiment, Li Che's vigorous hair lashed like black lightning.

He raised his head, his gaze blazing, and clasped his fists in salute.

"Li Che, ready."

The Grand Supervisor stroked his beard and smiled; his hazy form entwined in white mist revealed no true appearance.

Thereafter, lingering words echoed within the ninth layer of the Treasure Pavilion.

"I sit upon the Black Tortoise's back."

"You shall treat me as a deity enshrined in a temple……"

"Carve me."

Upon hearing this, Li Che's heart jolted violently.

And at the edge of the ninth layer.

The three onlookers, hearing the Grand Supervisor's examination demands, all saw their expressions shift slightly.

"It's over……"

"This examination difficulty… is it not too great?!"

"I thought the Grand Supervisor personally overseeing would go easy on us, but now it seems… not at all; he's simply cranked the difficulty to the max!"

And at the center of the ninth layer.

Li Che raised his five fingers suddenly, and the Black Tortoise opened its mouth.

With a puff.

A piece of spiritual wood was spat out, shooting toward Li Che.

Li Che reached out and grabbed that piece of spirit wood.

He snapped his fingers, and immediately the Divine Weapon Carving Knife Set floated around him, ding-dang, blade qi crisscrossing.

His gaze tightened as he looked toward the Great Supervisor seated on the black tortoise's back...

But he discovered...

The black tortoise let out a satisfied burp, carrying the Grand Supervisor as it took a leisurely step.

Then...

The black tortoise and the Grand Supervisor... vanished on the spot!

Li Che's pupils constricted.

He abruptly turned his head, his black hair whipping like electricity, searching for the black tortoise and the Grand Supervisor it carried.

Soon he found it, but the black tortoise again took a leisurely step, then, as if bursting with worldly speed, vanished once more...

And the Grand Supervisor carried on the black tortoise, entwined in mist, Li Che could not clearly make out its appearance.

Let alone carving out the Grand Supervisor's divine intent and divine form!

"Really can run..."

Li Che exhaled.

He pressed two fingers together to tear open the Qiankun space, clenched his five fingers, and from within took out a carved Erxin Great Sage Divine Eagle.

On the Erxin Great Sage Divine Eagle, countless lightning arcs crackled, emitting a sizzling sound like a thousand birds chirping.

This was precisely the divine eagle that Li Che, when undergoing the divine fetus tribulation, had the divine eagle absorb and swallow all the tribulation lightning.

Although it had been somewhat consumed in the pre-banquet battle...

but it's no big problem...

Li Che merely used this divine eagle to disguise his means, at least giving his thunderous methods a legitimate origin!

When asked later, he could give an explanation!

Pa—!

The divine eagle smashed into the ground.

The ground trembled slightly.

Gazing at the black tortoise that carried the Grand Supervisor, elegantly bursting forth with heaven-earth extreme speed...

And within Li Che's chest, the Dao Fruit 【Magnetic Rail】 surged wildly.

Turtle-turtle!

I'll see where you run!

Divine Ability: Prison Lightning Net!

Within the Heaven-Earth Manifestation, Li Che's pupils intertwined and flickered with dark-gold lightning!

The Erxin Great Sage Divine Eagle erupted in a blinding flash of brilliant light!

Countless dark-gold lightning bolts, like a great net, spread out from the divine eagle!

Covering everything!

The void!