Chapter 361: with translation of chapter title, then ===GLOSSARY=== list of named entities appearing in these lines
363. Chapter 357 Black Tortoise carrying double-pupil Half-Saint ultimate pinnacle work, defying fate, Immortal Artisan Four Transformations 【seeking monthly ticket】
Yue Taofu
The lightning darted swiftly, the blazing golden lightning arc seemed to explode instantly from within the divine statue of the Erxin Great Saint Temple.
Countless bolts of lightning, like myriad birds suddenly startled in a dense forest, all let out a sharp cry at once!
The entire ninth level of the octagonal, multi-eaved, dripping-water Qintian Treasure Tower was enveloped by the screaming thunder's explosive roar, bright and radiant, forming a great net that almost wove through the whole floor.
It was as if time had frozen; at the moment the spring thunder burst forth between the leaden clouds above the firmament, a freeze-frame button was pressed, leaving everything stiff and suspended in midair.
Temple of the Two Hearts Great Saint
Yet this brilliance was not profound; a layer of dark luster still clung to the edge of the lightning arc, as if the extreme brightness and luminous power had merged with the netherworld's deathly aura, intertwining and fusing together.
An extreme richness of divinity burst forth; the divine essence of the temple gods throughout the Qintian Supervisor's Treasure Tower all began to boil at this moment.
Two Hearts Great Saint
The wild wind howled, turbulent currents surged, and explosive humming noises rang out in bursts!
Black Tortoise
Special Grade Guest Official
Chief Supervisor
Vice Chief Supervisor
Hongshi Buddha's beard and hair flew wildly; sensing the intertwining lightning, his whole body felt as if it were frozen stiff.
As if within the inner scene of the mud pill, the immensely vast divinity of the Fetus-Head Spirit Transformation realm seemed like stirred paste, completely solidified.
Merely sensing the lightning felt like a great impending disaster, a tremendous terror!
Nine Tribulations
Divine Firmament Thunder
Immortal Artisan Four Transformations
Yue Taofu, whose face always bore a lovely, endearing brilliant smile, showed an expression of disbelief in his eyes.
"Although it was only a faint strand, it was genuine Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens!"
"The Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens, one of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations!"
As a renowned expert recorded in the Divine God Register, Yue Taofu naturally knew what Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens was, and just how terrifying it truly was.
He never imagined that Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens would appear in the hands of a cultivator who had just broken through to the Divine Fetus realm.
"That divine eagle..."
"The Divine Eagle of the Two‑Heart Great Sage actually contains one of the Three Calamities, the Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens?!"
Yue Taofu felt completely baffled.
The other Deputy Overseer, Fang Shangzhen, also looked somewhat dumbfounded.
"This Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens seems to be controlled by a unique power, then transformed into a force that Li Che could command… no, not command, but achieved with the aid of the Temple God's Divine Eagle!"
"These Divine Thunders of the Nine Heavens seem to have turned into a great net, enveloping the entire floor; Li Che intends to use this Divine Thunder… to restrict the movements of the Black Tortoise!"
"Because the Black Tortoise keeps moving, it is very difficult for Li Che to see the Overseer clearly and pierce its misty haze, so he must make the Black Tortoise stop!"
Deputy Overseer Fang Shangzhen immediately understood Li Che's intention, and couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
One could say that Li Che's this special guest‑official examination truly belongs to the most difficult in history.
Not only must he carve the Overseer, but he must also carve the Overseer carried by the Black Tortoise, constantly shifting and erupting with extreme speed…
It truly is hell‑level difficulty!
However, Li Che really did find a way to break through…
Can he succeed?!
Pushed by a powerful aura to the edge of the ninth layer, the three who did not wish to interfere with the examination because of their presence unconsciously felt a hint of anticipation.
They really were quite hopeful that Li Che would succeed.
Because only success would not waste Li Che's stunning performance in the face of hell‑level difficulty!
…
…
"Prison Thunder Heavenly Net!"
Li Che's eyes blazed bright, he locked his gaze firmly onto the void, and a low sound seemed to come from deep within his throat.
Accompanied by roaring and explosions, it spread rapidly throughout the ninth layer.
His five fingers spread and slapped the head of the Divine Eagle of the Two‑Heart Great Sage; the statue seemed to suddenly open its eyes, as if a divine monkey phantom, bathed in thunder armor, leapt forth from it.
His eyes burst forth with brilliant golden light, like angry golden pupils that could pierce illusion, staring straight into the void, fixed on the Black Tortoise that leapt and flickered.
Zizz—
The sound of jumping lightning arcs was like a huge mythic spider crawling out of a lightning pool, weaving a gigantic spiderweb.
The spiderweb shimmered with lightning, spreading throughout the floor.
The Black Tortoise's lazy eyes suddenly widened; it had never before felt such dread of the Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens—this thing striking its shell… the tortoise would really feel pain!
Whoosh—
The Black Tortoise opened its mouth and emitted a low, bell‑like sound.
Then its four tortoise legs began to move, countless afterimages appearing, and a mighty qi and blood burst forth like a flood released, accompanied by a faint golden light!
That was a qi‑and‑blood physique almost purely martial!
With a faint golden hue!
Moreover, a rich, rolling dark‑blue demonic aura surged!
This Black Tortoise is a demon king, and moreover a demon king rivaling the supreme pinnacle; such a physique is utterly terrifying, and at this moment it chooses to erupt and move!
Boom——!!!
The Black Tortoise flashed at extreme speed, as if the void were being twisted and pulled, leaving afterimages.
However, the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net is the divine ability Li Che just comprehended; once the net spreads, it becomes a true Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap!
Although the Black Tortoise burst with extreme speed, it could not traverse space, and ultimately it still slammed into the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net woven from the Divine Thunder Tribulation!
Pop——!!!
A sound like an electric mosquito swatter striking a mosquito exploded!
Countless electric arcs darted and intertwined!
The Black Tortoise, carrying the Grand Overseer's form, slammed hard into the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net, erupting with a tremendous roar; terrifying shockwave blasted forth, igniting dazzling light to the extreme, space violently fluctuating as if about to shatter.
The raging wind wreaked havoc; the lightning shooting out like countless razor‑sharp spears struck the walls of the Imperial Observatory's treasure tower, causing the walls to burst with light.
Yet the mighty lightning spears failed to pierce the tower; the tower was extraordinarily tough, its defense unmatched, actually a top‑grade divine weapon!
Of course, Li Che at this moment didn't care about those.
His jet‑black, vigorous hair flew up; Li Che's eyes seemed to have electric arcs darting, he raised his hand and touched the point between his eyebrows.
He tore it open violently; flesh flipped outward instantly, and golden light burst forth!
Divine Ability——
Star‑Plucking Pupil!
Immortal Artisan's Star‑Plucking Pupil!
Open the eye to behold the true void!
At the moment the Black Tortoise, carrying the Grand Overseer, struck the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net, its movement obviously froze for a moment!
And this moment……
But it was already enough—just what Li Che needed!
The Star‑Plucking Pupil burst forth, projecting a gaze like a golden beam locking on; opening or closing the eye, it instantly froze this moment's image completely!
Then, within the heavenly‑earth chessboard in his mind, he presented this moment's image.
It surged forth like a holographic projection!
The Heaven‑Earth Soul hovered above the chessboard, suddenly opened its eyes, and its gaze swept over the projected image.
This moment's image was exactly the Black Tortoise striking the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net; the Divine Thunder lashed against its shell, instantly spreading, making the Black Tortoise writhe in pain, eyes wide, limbs twisting strangely.
And the Grand Overseer carried on the Black Tortoise's back was shrouded in swirling white mist; the mist trembled violently, dissipating halfway, revealing a pair of profoundly deep double pupils!
Double pupils!
Li Che's Heaven‑Earth Soul's eyes suddenly brightened!
His mind and spirit returned.
Li Che, five fingers spread, pressed upon the head of the temple god's divine eagle; he suddenly released his grip, and the assorted divine‑weapon carving knives floating around him rose like windmills, pinched between his index and middle fingers, as if thunderbolts had struck down.
The blade's light turned into startling thunder, slashing onto the spiritual wood spat out by the Black Tortoise.
This is a piece of lower‑grade Four Sovereigns' spiritual wood, of superb quality, resembling green jade, with flowing light shimmering within, as if it were a product grown from the tortoise's shell.
The blade's light, like a thunderbolt, fell upon the tortoise‑shell spiritual wood; instantly sparks flew, clanging loudly!
And at the moment Li Che began carving.
Yet the Black Tortoise, already flustered, broke free of the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net; with a neat, orderly flick of its limbs, it vanished abruptly from heaven and earth.
Li Che, who was carving, felt a jolt in his heart, as if sensing something; he abruptly stopped his carving knife and looked up.
Upon looking, he saw no trace of the Black Tortoise.
But……
Li Che's chest held the 【Immaculate Heart】 Dao‑fruit throbbing wildly.
Immaculate Heart·Penetrating the Nether!
In a vague glimpse, Li Che seemed to see another space where the Black Tortoise, like a fish diving into water, made a neat sweep of its limbs, carrying the Grand Overseer on its back, flashing far away.
A look of triumph appeared on the Black Tortoise's face; this time… the Divine Thunder probably couldn't lash its shell anymore, right!
Although the little fellow transformed from the divine fetus emitted a terribly thin Divine Thunder, after all it is Divine Thunder, and its lash hurts!
The Black Tortoise could only choose to hide in the Netherworld.
Watching Li Che, who gripped the carving knife, poised to strike the tortoise‑shell spiritual wood and begin carving.
On the Black Tortoise's face appeared a human‑like 'hehe' smile, as if a kind of natural lewdness had been unleashed.
Suddenly.
The Black Tortoise's human‑like lewd smile froze.
Its limbs moved slowly, as if leisurely stretching and wandering in water, circling Li Che.
Just as it swayed past Li Che's front.
He then noticed Li Che's eyes……
were staring straight at the turtle!
The Black Tortoise swept its limbs, tracing a circle around Li Che, and Li Che's gaze locked tightly onto that graceful arc.
This person……
He can actually see the turtle?!
Involuntarily, the Black Tortoise's eyes filled with shock and horror!
It is now in the Netherworld!
This Li Che…… can actually see it?!
And the Grand Overseer seated on the Black Tortoise's back, surrounded by drifting white mist, suddenly let out a faint laugh.
"Interesting."
……
Li Che withdrew his gaze; the carving knife, paused in his hand, then continued to fall!
Clanging firelight flashed, countless arcs surged, the Prison Thunder Heavenly Net had vanished, while the Xuanwu turtle and the Grand Supervisor seemed to have directly disappeared between heaven and earth,
Li Che knew that the turtle must have entered the netherworld!
This is a Xuanwu turtle capable of shuttling between the netherworld and the real world!
Li Che was certain it wasn't the Grand Supervisor bringing it through the netherworld, but rather this Xuanwu turtle rammed into the netherworld, dragging the Grand Supervisor in with it.
Just like an innate talent the Xuanwu turtle possesses!
"Yao clan..."
Li Che murmured a sentence.
This Xuanwu turtle is likely the first high-ranking yao he has ever encountered.
He had previously fought temple-guarding corpse talismans and yao creatures in the Ghost Quell, which also counted as contact with yao, but those yao were too low in rank.
Now this Xuanwu turtle is a yao king!
"Yao king... does it possess a special talent?"
"An innate talent, somewhat like a divine ability?"
Li Che's heart fluttered slightly.
This Xuanwu turtle... can also traverse the netherworld!
At this moment, Li Che's curiosity boiled to the extreme, even... a strong urge arose to dissect this Xuanwu turtle and see what's inside!
He suddenly recalled when he had secretly tossed a Flying Thunder chess piece onto the Third Prince; why did this Xuanwu turtle stare at him then...
That gaze was somewhat like Xixi staring at the boss's cooked dish.
That's the gaze of a foodie!
This is the Grand Supervisor's Xuanwu turtle!
Did it smell something delicious?
That's why it stared so intently, wanting to eat... the Flying Thunder chess piece?
The essence of the Flying Thunder chess piece is pure-heart divinity; in other words... this Xuanwu turtle craves Li Che's pure, spotless, flawless pure-heart divinity!
Li Che's eyes lit up!
However, these are merely his speculations.
To test it, trying to lure away the Grand Supervisor's Xuanwu turtle will have to wait until later.
First finish this special-grade guest official assessment, then talk.
Once he becomes a special-grade guest official at the Heavenly Observation Bureau headquarters, Li Che will have ample opportunity to contact this great Xuanwu turtle yao king, plus the temptation of pure-heart divinity...
Luring it away should just be a matter of time.
Li Che's lips curled slightly, then his carving knife again sliced the turtle-shell spirit wood, bursting forth with jumping, scattering sparks!
In his chest, the 【Immortal Craft】 Dao fruit throbbed continuously.
The image of the Xuanwu turtle struck by lightning, bearing the Grand Supervisor, reflected in the Heaven-Earth chessboard, kept projecting, presenting itself in his perception from all angles without blind spots.
The Xuanwu turtle's panic, the Grand Supervisor's composure, and those twin pupils revealed as the clouds and mist faded, deep and profound...
All surfaced in Li Che's mind.
Dong dong dong dong—
The 【Immortal Craft】 Dao fruit kept throbbing, as if thunder exploded beside his ear!
The carving knife in his hand constantly shifted, the blade light reversed, dazzling and magnificent!
At this moment, Li Che's carving technique seemed to merge with thunder law, becoming incredibly overbearing and expansive, vastly different from the blade technique he had previously cultivated in the Thousand-Hand Divine Condor Art.
It now incorporated Li Che's own technique!
In the ninth layer, divinity grew ever denser, as if murky mist rose, faintly a terrifying pressure and vigor intertwined, making one's divine sense feel completely suppressed.
The piece of turtle-shell spirit wood in Li Che's hand was covered by countless thunder and fire, with a sizzling sound, causing divinity to boil!
The rustling wood shavings, as they fell, ignited in midair, then transformed into a terrifying divine pressure, as if a fearsome giant turtle spanned heaven and earth, opened its eyes, and let out a domineering roar!
This is the divine power inherent within the spirit wood itself.
The Four Guardians' divine spirit wood inherently possesses spirituality; a Divine Condor master wishing to carve a spirited wood sculpture into a divine condor must suppress and tame the divinity within the wood.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
The Prison Thunder Heavenly Net had already begun to dissipate.
The entire ninth layer now only had howling gales and divine surges like tidal waves!
At the edge of the ninth layer, Deputy Supervisors Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen slightly narrowed their eyes, while Hong Shifo was extremely nervous, clenching his fists.
"Can it succeed?"
Hong Shifo was somewhat nervous, after all Li Che was his recommendation to attend the special-grade guest official assessment; if Li Che became a special-grade guest official, he would have merit and could obtain a favor from Li Che, which is crucial!
A future genius half-sage Divine Condor with great potential to become a Divine Condor Sage, his favor is truly priceless!
The Xuanwu turtle carried the Grand Supervisor, who was hazy in the white mist, leisurely swaying.
The Xuanwu turtle actually wanted to return; although it could roam the netherworld, it did not like the netherworld.
But the Grand Supervisor on its back made it stay, so it could only continue to drift slowly.
The Grand Supervisor entwined in the smoke and mist lightly laughed.
"Not bad..."
"I'll lend you a hand."
The next moment, the Grand Supervisor slapped the Xuanwu turtle's shell.
The Xuanwu turtle, its limbs lazily splashing, suddenly had its eyes light up, then lunged forward, instantly piercing the barrier between netherworld and reality, entering the real world and returning to the ninth layer.
Boom——!!!
The Grand Supervisor sat cross-legged on the Black Tortoise's back, white mist swirling; the moment he appeared, the mist seemed to be sliced in half, revealing wildly dancing black hair…… and those double pupils!
When the double pupils opened, they were like a heavy hammer, smashing down hard, causing the divine essence of the several layers to explode in that instant.
Like a boulder thrown into a lake, deliberately blowing up the pond!
Li Che, who was carving the Divine Eagle and putting on the finishing touches, sculpting the double pupils revealed by the Grand Supervisor, felt the carving knife in his hand…… become incomparably heavy at that moment!
Wanting to carve those double pupils……
It turned out to be extremely difficult.
Li Che's eyes narrowed; he only felt a terrifying gaze and vision projected from the ninth layer, making the air seem to solidify.
Grand Supervisor…… what are you doing?!
You don't want Li Che to succeed in his carving, do you?!
At this moment, not only Li Che, but also the two Deputy Grand Supervisors, Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen, showed looks of doubt and incomprehension.
The Grand Supervisor is doing this to increase Li Che's difficulty!
They knew all too well how terrifying and oppressive the gaze projected from the Grand Supervisor's double pupils was!
If Li Che can withstand this pressure, finish carving the double pupils, and capture that trace of the Grand Supervisor's divine intent!
Li Che's Divine Eagle skill likely already qualifies him to challenge the title of Divine Eagle Holy Hand!
"Grand Supervisor…… is helping Li Guest Official!"
"If Li Guest Official can withstand this pressure and complete the Divine Eagle carving under the heavy load, his skill will undergo a sublimation!"
Fang Shangzhen's heart stirred slightly; he suddenly understood the Grand Supervisor's purpose.
"But it's hard…… the oppressive force from the Grand Supervisor's double-pupil divine might—if one cannot bear it, Li Guest Official's carving this time will surely fail!"
"Then this special Guest Official examination counts as a failure."
"If this fails, according to the rules…… Li Guest Official will not be qualified to challenge any Guest Official examination for five years."
Yue Taofu said.
So……
The Supervisor's aid to Li Che actually has two sides.
"The Grand Supervisor has left room for maneuver; let's see how Li Guest Official chooses…… he has the chance to refuse."
Fang Shangzhen said.
The three of them turned their gazes back onto Li Che.
Yet Li Che, facing the Grand Supervisor's double-pupil gaze, was calm and fearless, even slightly excited as he lifted his head; his jet-black, vigorous hair danced wildly, his eyes bursting with brilliant golden light, truly colliding with the Grand Supervisor's double-pupil gaze!
The carving knife he had been holding steady also fell again!
Li Che undoubtedly made his choice!
Knowing there are tigers in the mountain, he still goes toward the tiger's mountain!
Slash!
Whooo—
Li Che wielded the knife with difficulty, but the Immortal Craft Dao Fruit in his chest began to throb wildly at that moment, as if streams of electric current were striking his whole body.
It made the immense pressure Li Che had been bearing gradually feel like a spring breeze!
Drop the knife!
Carve out!
Wood shavings fell, the grating screech piercingly loud!
Dang——!
When the final finishing stroke fell!
In an instant, the divine essence of the entire ninth layer frenziedly converged toward the Divine Eagle!
"Done!"
……
……
Crack—crack——!!
Above Shendu Second City!
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled; the early spring thunder rolled on, roaring!
Lead clouds piled high, with leaked electric light, like dragons and serpents wandering, emerging from the cloud empress, an Azure Dragon raising its head, shining with splendid brilliance!
The immense divine essence of Shendu Second City was, at that moment, violently stirred, like an invisible wave surging outward, rolling and spreading.
Rainwater splashed down, striking the umbrella surface, jumping and bursting.
Su Yunji lifted her skirt, held up her oil-paper umbrella, bent her supple waist, and shielded the Third Prince Lü Lítong from the rain as he stepped out of the Imperial Observatory Treasure Pavilion.
However, just as Lü Lítong was about to board the supremely luxurious carriage,
his heart and spirit fluttered slightly; he turned his head to look at the Imperial Observatory Treasure Pavilion.
In an instant——
He saw a bolt of electricity suddenly smash down from the Heaven's Gate above!
It struck the Imperial Observatory Treasure Pavilion, hitting the treasure pearl atop the Eight Dragons Guarding it!
The treasure pearl flashed with light, dazzlingly brilliant, like a radiant rising sun.
"This is……"
The Third Prince stared fixedly.
The Purple Robe Court Official Han Sishi standing beside the Third Prince suddenly had his eyes flash with light.
Divine Will!
The Grand Supervisor's……
Divine Will!
Han Sixi's voice was somewhat sharp.
There's actually someone…… capable of tracing and carving out the Grand Supervisor's Divine Will?!
Third Prince Lu Litong, upon hearing this, his body shuddered; he couldn't help but think of that Li Che in black robes.
This Li Che, whom his mother consort constantly calls a lowly commoner, came today to the Heavenly Observatory's Treasure Pavilion to take the examination for the position of Special Guest Officer.
Could it be……
This Grand Supervisor's Divine Will…… was actually carved out by this person?!
Boom!
Just as the Third Prince's emotions fluctuated, the treasure-blood flood dragon horse pulling the carriage suddenly let out a terrified neigh, as if somewhat panicked, its legs went weak, and it directly knelt and collapsed on the ground.
Double Pupils' divine might, myriad demons kneel!
Rumor has it that the Grand Supervisor's pair of Double Pupils possesses an innate restraint and deterrence over the demon race; now seeing this, it's not mere rumor but fact!
Merely the surge of Divine Will is enough to make the flood dragon horse, which bears demon blood, crawl and kneel!
Purple-clad Marten Temple Han Sixi spoke sharply.
Boom——!!!
Upon the treasure pearl, radiant brilliance!
In an instant——
A huge light-shadow appeared from the radiance reflected by the treasure pearl!
Black Tortoise carrying the Grand Supervisor, white mist floating and sinking, the Double Pupils appear!
? ￠o
Divine Will surged heavenward, divine nature roiling and sweeping, like a funnel converging toward the Treasure Pavilion!
The Grand Supervisor's Double Pupils, whose divine might is magnificent and unflustered in danger.
The Black Tortoise, struck by lightning, wore a panicked, askew mouth……
Lifelike!
Vividly lifelike!
……
……
Lotus Pavilion.
Lu Chizheng dried the rainwater from his body and sat opposite the plain-clothed State Preceptor Xie Yunshen, listening to his teachings.
State Preceptor Xie Yunshen's gaze was kind as he imparted his knowledge and wisdom to Lu Chizheng.
Your Highness, if you are to contend, then strive to contend……
Failure is not frightening; what is frightening is lacking even the courage to try.
Lu Chizheng's expression was resolute, listening attentively.
Suddenly.
State Preceptor Xie Yunshen narrowed his eyes, and two figures suddenly appeared beside him: Heaven's Remnant and Earth's Deficiency, one tall and thin, the other short and stout, each bearing some degree of defect.
They gazed toward the direction of the Heavenly Observatory's Treasure Pavilion……
Black Tortoise bearing the Double Pupils!
The massive image formed by the accumulation of divinity could be seen by nearly everyone in the three cities of Shendu; many felt their souls tremble merely by meeting that pair of Double Pupils.
Is that…… the Grand Supervisor's mighty Double Pupils?
Earth's Deficiency widened one eye, sucked in a breath, envy turning his eyes red.
State Preceptor Xie Yunshen's plain robes fluttered, his eyes gleaming: 'This is the manifestation of the Divine Eagle's Divine Will…… such Divine Will is a masterpiece at the pinnacle of Half-Saint!'
Splendid.
State Preceptor Xie Yunshen stroked his beard and let out a soft sigh.
Divine Eagle Half-Saint Li Che…… following the Great Saint Divine Eagle of Countless Threads and Hairs, Dual Heart, he has produced another masterpiece, 'Black Tortoise Bearing the Double Pupils,' which is actually able to capture the Grand Supervisor's Double Pupils' divine might……
Impressive!
Today, the Heavenly Observatory gains another Special Guest Officer!
……
……
Shendu, the First City.
The rain poured down.
Amidst the towering, grand palaces gleaming with gold and azure, where divine light flows.
Howling winds swept through the halls, white jade railings everywhere, the end nowhere in sight.
The vermilion gates of the ten-meter-high temple stood wide open.
A stalwart figure sat upright upon the golden dragon throne, its light flashing, carved with nine heads full of divine semblance as if alive, eyes opening and closing, aura as imposing as a collapsing mountain.
. ￠O
His whole body clad in gold-threaded robes, sleeves fluttering, golden light shining.
With a single glance he pierced the layers of heavenly canopies, shattering the falling rain across the sky.
He saw the 'Black Tortoise Bearing the Double Pupils' manifesting above the Treasure Pavilion of the Second City, just a hair's breadth away from reaching the pinnacle of Half-Saint work of the Holy Hand Divine Eagle!
His peerlessly solemn eyes seemed to meet those intertwining with Divine Will, the Double Pupils!
The Grand Director of the Imperial Observatory... Gongshu Guigu...
The Divine Might Double Pupil can glimpse the heavenly secret.
The Divine Rod emerges, shaking the heavens; the mountains, rivers, and state of Dàjǐng tremble...
He spoke in a low murmur, his voice like a great thunder.
Finally, he let out a long sigh.
The Imperial Observatory...
It is no longer my Imperial Observatory.
The figure seated on the Nine Dragons Golden Throne slowly rose to his feet; as he stood, it seemed as if the divinity of the entire First City boiled and leapt.
Yes, I...
I refuse to accept fate!
The eight‑angled, multi‑eaved, dripping‑water Imperial Observatory Treasure Tower.
The ninth floor.
The raging wind suddenly ceased, and the turbulent currents no longer surged.
A black tortoise lay on the ground, the Grand Director, shrouded in white mist on its back, sat quietly; it was as if a pair of curious eyes peered through the mist and fell upon the black‑clad youth who had finished the carving.
The edge of the ninth floor.
Yue Taofu, Fang Shangzhen, and Hong Shifo, seeing that there was no movement, intended to step forward slowly.
However, they had just taken a step.
The Grand Director seated on the black tortoise's back slowly raised a finger and pointed lightly at them.
The three felt an invisible barrier blocking them, unable even to lift their feet.
Yue Taofu and the others immediately understood the Grand Director's meaning.
After clasping their fists in salute, they silently retreated once more to the edge of the ninth floor.
Their hearts fluttered slightly, their gazes involuntarily falling on Li Che, eyes filled with astonishment—they had not expected… that Li Che would actually receive such favor from the Grand Director!
At this moment, Li Che, standing in the center of the ninth floor, held aloft the carved divine eagle.
The sharp, thunder‑light‑spewing divine weapon carving knife had its tip embedded in the divine eagle, within the Grand Director's double pupils.
The divinity of heaven and earth gathered into the divine eagle, gradually calming.
Only the clear sound of rain striking the black tiles outside the tower remained.
Li Che gripped the carving knife.
Standing still, a breeze swayed his body; countless images flickered in his eyes, various blade lights flashed in his mind, as if in an instant he was continuously carving one divine eagle after another.
A storm gathered and swept through his mind!
"Ha——"
"Ah——"
Li Che stood with eyes closed, one exhale and one inhale, his motion stilled.
He remained still, and everyone in the ninth floor of the Imperial Observatory Treasure Tower stood motionless, their gazes fixed on him, as if marveling at and sensing the change in him!
No one knew how long had passed.
Perhaps it was a single breath, or perhaps hundreds of breaths.
The carving knife in Li Che's hand slowly withdrew from the divine eagle's double pupils of the Grand Director, a sheet of emerald wood shavings scattering down in the wind.
Li Che slowly opened his eyes; his pupils were filled with pure clarity.
There was a clarity that could see through everything.
Faintly…
Upon the jet‑black pupils, golden smoke flowed, as if a second pair of pupils overlapped them!
As if a double pupil had formed!
And at the moment the carving knife was lowered, the divine eagle shimmered with flowing light.
Li Che set down the divine eagle.
His dark robe fluttered, his black hair lustrous and strong.
His whole body emanated a mighty divinity, like a lotus bud about to bloom, slowly unfurling!
In his chest, the Immortal Craft Dao Fruit, which had been beating like a drum, gradually returned to tranquility...
As if after beating to its limit, a trickle of flowing light slowly seeped from the Dao Fruit.
Like water, like smoke, like a gentle breeze.
As if the Great Dao silently pulled.
【Dao Fruit: Immortal Craft (LV6, 0%)】
……
End of Chapter
