Chapter 362: 364. Chapter 358: Celestial Craft Four Sheddings Divine Technique Ascends, Guiding Ghost Axe, Dao Holds Heavenly Mechani

364. Chapter 358: Celestial Craft Four Sheddings Divine Technique Ascends, Guiding Ghost Axe, Dao Holds Heavenly Mechanism, Observing the Murderer Bull Demon 【Seeking Monthly Votes】

Hoo—hoo—hoo—

A gentle breeze brushed softly, and in the silent, soundless ninth floor of the octagonal, double‑eaved, dripping‑water Qintian Treasure Tower, a faint sound lingered.

It seemed like the dust on the ground being stirred, emitting an extremely subtle, heart‑tugging friction sound.

Li Che slowly opened his eyes, and within his gaze, faintly it seemed as if two pupils overlapped.

However, Li Che was not concerned with this phenomenon now.

He was concerned with the flowing light that emerged before his eyes.

Dong—dong—dong—

A powerful heartbeat thumped like thunder in his ears, the fierce pulsing of the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit gradually subsided, like smoke drifting away.

The Great Dao silently draws…

Gradually fading away.

Li Che's eyes opened and closed, golden smoke condensed, standing at the center of the ninth floor, his whole being displaying a revelation‑like metamorphosis, profound and mysterious, as if his spirit pierced the heavens.

Celestial Craft Dao Fruit!

Four Sheddings!

From deep within Li Che's eyes flashed an uncontrollable joy; at last, the Four Sheddings were achieved!

As the first Dao Fruit he obtained, the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit helped Li Che immensely; it can be said that the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit changed the fate of Li Che and his family!

In Fēiléichéng, starting from moving work, it was the appearance of the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit that enabled Li Che to master woodcarving, rise rapidly, leave Fēiléichéng, and reach his current stature.

Li Che's feelings toward this Dao Fruit were exceedingly abundant.

When the Dragon Elephant Vajra and the Pure Heart Dao Fruits consecutively reached LV6, achieving Four Sheddings and awakening the Dao Guide.

Li Che was somewhat anxious about the maturation progress of the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit.

And now, it has finally transformed.

A sense of relief spread in his heart, like ink bleeding.

Li Che made no grand movements; he did not forget that he was currently inside the Qintian Observation Treasure Tower.

His jet‑black, sturdy hair flew wildly, and Li Che felt his spirit undergo a layered metamorphosis; his gaze saw everything as if now traceable.

In his mind, his understanding of the Divine Eagle technique deepened, as if he had received advanced training.

His sight fell upon the freshly carved Divine Eagle 'Mysterious Turtle Bearing Twin Pupils', arranged on the ground, carved from turtle‑shell spirit wood; it was a masterpiece of half‑saintly pinnacle.

But for Li Che now, it was no longer satisfactory.

In his eyes, as the Dao Fruit transformed, this once‑perfect Divine Eagle work became gradually flawed, showing missing sections that could be revised and enhanced.

Li Che knew this was the skill‑level improvement brought by the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit after achieving the Four Sheddings.

His breathing grew slightly heavier, as if every tendon and bone trembled gently, gradually adapting to the Dao Fruit's transformation, allowing his flesh to keep pace with the consciousness shift after the Celestial Craft metamorphosis.

"Hoo—"

"Inhale—"

One exhale, one inhale, the wind and waves stirred slightly.

Li Che gently closed his eyes, his spirit in an instant tugged into the vast wild world, then he saw the towering Celestial Dao Tree rising from the ground straight into the heavens.

He also saw multicolored glassy Dao Fruits hanging on the Dao Tree.

Li Che floated in the air, hair billowing, and among the many Dao Fruits his gaze successfully located the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit.

The Dao Fruit swayed, brushed by invisible wind and waves.

Then a layer of multicolored glassy rind slowly shed off.

Just like the previous Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit rind, it seemed guided by invisible Dao essence, kneaded into a Dragon Elephant crucible.

The Pure Heart Dao Fruit's rind peeled away, kneaded into a delicate seven‑orifice heart.

Now the Celestial Craft Dao Fruit's rind, like the previous two, …

floated in the Dao Fruit's spatial air, spreading its net, covering the branches of the Celestial Dao Tree that span the heavens and earth, slowly twisting and changing.

Buzz—!!!

Within the Dao Fruit space, a terrifying sharpness appeared, dazzling and domineering, filling the world, making Li Che's hair stand on end.

Then Li Che saw that Celestial Craft rind…

kneaded into a…

jet‑black axe!

Indeed, pitch‑black, as if forged from a black hole, like an axe drawn from the furnace of hell.

Countless ancient and mysterious scriptures surfaced on the axe's surface, like tadpoles swimming, appearing golden, densely interwoven.

They concealed most of the axe's darkness.

Boom—!!!

When the golden tadpole scriptures clung to every corner of the axe.

The axe jolted violently, the air shattered from the agitation.

Li Che felt his spirit shatter.

Everything fragmented.

As heaven spun and earth turned, Li Che's consciousness exited the Dao Tree space.

Hoo—hoo—hoo—

Li Che felt his head throb as if his spirit, struck by that terrifying axe blade, were about to split.

But a greater pain came from his hands.

Li Che only felt his two hands, each of the ten fingers, as if pierced by razor‑sharp steel needles, bleeding.

Under strong pressure, this stabbing sensation persisted.

Li Che's ten fingers twitched ever so slightly.

His gaze fixed on the spring‑like flowing prompt before him.

【Dao Fruit LV6, Four Shedding, Divine Skill (Star Plucking) promotion, Dao Guidance (Ghost Axe)】

Dao Guidance!

Ghost Axe!

Sure enough, the Four Shedding Dao Fruit will give rise to Dao Guidance!

It seems like a transformative ability obtained through the Great Dao's pull!

But why would it be an ability born from the shedding of the Dao Fruit's rind…

If the Dao Fruit itself ripens, would it also spawn an ability, and how terrifying would such an ability be?

【Dao Guidance (Ghost Axe): Dao Fruit rind shedding, to lead into the Dao, Celestial Craft Ghost Axe, Seizing Heavenly Creation】

Li Che's mind stirred, and the aura of the Dao Fruit's transformation gathered back into his body.

The brilliance flashing in his eyes gradually dimmed.

He exhaled slowly, glanced at the newly manifested Dao Guidance mantra.

Celestial Craft Ghost Axe, Seizing Heavenly Creation!

What kind of ability will Dao Guidance Ghost Axe bring?

Faintly, Li Che felt this "Ghost Axe" like a divine weapon, appearing at the move of his will.

Li Che couldn't help but be curious, but now is not the time to study; the place is unsuitable.

Although he sensed that the Four Shedding of the Dao Fruit seemed to take a lot of time, in fact it was not long—perhaps only seven or eight breaths.

Mainly Li Che today did not spend time researching the post‑transformation ability because of the Dao Fruit's shedding.

His gaze swept around and saw the Grand Overseer seated on the back of a Mysterious Tortoise, the Grand Overseer shrouded in white mist, his features invisible, ethereally lofty.

"Li Keqing, have you just finished carving a half‑saint pinnacle work, and have you calmed your mind?"

The Grand Overseer, seated on the back of the Mysterious Tortoise, smiled lightly and spoke.

Li Che exhaled a puff of foul air.

Because of the Dao Fruit's shedding, his slightly trembling hands now gradually steadied, no longer shaking; moreover, Li Che could feel his hands had undergone an indescribable transformation.

"Thank you, Grand Overseer, for understanding; I have already calmed my emotions."

Li Che said with a smile.

After Li Che spoke, the invisible force that had blocked Yue Taofu, Fang Shangzhen and Hong Shifo dissipated like smoke, and the three smoothly stepped toward Li Che.

"Congratulations, Li Keqing!"

"From today onward, you shall be called Li Special Grade."

"Hahaha, Li Keqing, I, Lao Hong, truly did not mistake you! You are now our Qintian Overseer's thirteenth Special Grade Keqing, in terms of status even above me, Lao Hong!"

Hong Shifo smiled as if flowers were blooming on his face.

He could not restrain the ecstatic emotion within.

Although he knew Li Che's divine eagle craftsmanship was extraordinary, back in the Divine Eagle Ridge of the Qianyuan Divine Sect he had carved the Two‑Heart Great Saint Divine Eagle, comprehended the temple deity's triple divine intent, elevating that eagle to the rank of top half‑saint divine eagle.

But, after all, it hasn't been long.

Craftsmanship is like martial training; the higher one goes, the harder it is to improve, and each incremental gain is a monumental change.

As the Local Dao City Overseer of the Qintian Overseer, Hong Shifo knows well how difficult the Special Grade Keqing assessment is, let alone Li Che's current examination, which was personally overseen by the Grand Overseer.

Li Che smiled, clasped his hands in salute, and thanked them for their blessings.

Yue Taofu smiled in an endearing, naive way, his gaze falling on the divine eagle, then he looked at the Mysterious Tortoise beneath the Grand Overseer's rear, and his eyes lit up.

The smile on his face grew even richer.

"Li Special Grade, would you be willing to sell this Mysterious Tortoise‑carrying Heavy‑Pupil Divine Eagle to me? I mainly wish to behold the Grand Overseer's Heavy‑Pupil divine aura, not because of the tortoise's crooked mouth being struck by lightning…"

Yue Taofu's voice carried a teasing tone.

Fang Shangzhen, upon hearing, couldn't help but smile.

He examined the divine eagle closely.

The Mysterious Tortoise Demon King, beneath the Grand Overseer's rear, having resumed a lazy posture, heard Yue Taofu's words and abruptly widened its eyes.

Those eyes bulged like bronze bells, as if terror radiated from the pupils!

No—!

The Mysterious Tortoise kicked its four limbs, a sudden surge, and directly lifted its shell, standing up from the ground.

The Mysterious Tortoise stared at the divine eagle, looking at its own comical crooked mouth reflected on the eagle!

The Mysterious Tortoise felt as if the heavens had collapsed!

As the Grand Overseer's first favored general, the handsome and graceful Mysterious Tortoise felt the world dim and human hearts treacherous.

With this statue unveiled…

How will this Tortoise Demon King ever find a mother turtle now?!

"Do not mock the Mysterious Tortoise; Li Keqing's method of invoking a hint of celestial thunder should not be said about the tortoise— even if you all get hit, its mouth will still be crooked."

The Grand Overseer spoke.

Yue Taofu instantly felt great regret.

"Li Keqing, with this carving you seem to have realized… keep this divine eagle; its internal Heavy‑Pupil divine intent should be of great help to you."

The Grand Overseer smiled, though white mist swirled around his face, obscuring his true visage.

But Li Che could hear the mirth and ease in his words.

Li Che originally did not intend to sell this divine eagle, because he had just achieved the Dao Fruit‑level transformation; he felt he could use the Four Shedding 'Celestial Craft' Dao Fruit to perform a simple repair on the eagle.

Perhaps…

Able to break through the Divine Eagle Holy Hand realm!

Li Che also made his stance clear.

"Divine Eagle Holy Hand?"

Yue Taofu, hearing that, couldn't help but look at Li Che with admiration.

This young man… really wants to improve so much.

Compared with Yue Taofu, Li Che truly is a youngster, twenty‑five years old… isn't that the age of youth?

But the difficulty of the Divine Eagle Holy Hand versus the Divine Eagle Half‑Saint is far greater.

One must have an immense talent for the Divine Eagle path!

Holy Hand is a term and hyperbole for those who stand at the true pinnacle of any profession.

A saint of a single path!

Divine Weapon, Divine Pill, Divine Eagle, Divine Talisman—the four divine professions, plus Divine Formation, Confucian Scholar and other occupations; those who can become saints are few!

They are even rarer than the numbers of top‑level apexes!

As the saying goes, each art has its specialty.

Those called Holy Hands have mastered a single art to a transcendent level!

Rare in the world!

The Divine Eagle Li Che carved today has reached the apex of a Divine Eagle Half‑Saint, just a hair's breadth away from a Holy Hand Divine Eagle…

But that hair is the real difficulty.

Too many Divine Eagle Half‑Saints have been stuck!

Many Divine Eagle Half‑Saints, by grinding over time, can refine their skills to the extreme and carve a Half‑Saint Divine Eagle.

But to go further, break the apex shackles, and step into the Holy Hand realm…

No one can achieve it even after a lifetime.

Perhaps some people's ceiling is there; whether you arrive early or late, you will ultimately stop there.

"Give it a try… what if it works?"

Li Che smiled gently.

"Then I wish Li Keqing can truly break the Half‑Saint apex shackles, step into the Holy Hand realm… Let Dàjǐng add another Divine Eagle Holy Hand!"

"May the long‑vacant Divine Eagle Grand Guest Minister position at the Qin Tian Bureau headquarters no longer remain empty!"

Yue Taofu smiled and made the wish.

Nowadays in Dàjǐng, there are only four Divine Eagle Holy Hands, far fewer than the number of top‑level apexes.

Huang Mei and Huang Long of Xiaolingyin Temple, the two Divine Eagle Holy Hands, support the temple's Divine Eagle operations across Dàjǐng's eleven Dao paths.

Next are the Divine Eagle Holy Hands of the Dragon‑Tiger Divine Sect of Shendu Dao: Zhao Gongming and Ji Yuan of the Ji family, each holding one position.

That is all.

Even the Qin Tian Bureau headquarters has no Divine Eagle Holy Hand stationed.

Above the thirteen Special‑grade Guest Ministers, there are three Grand Guest Ministers.

They are the Grand Guest Ministers of the three divine professions: Divine Weapon, Divine Pill, and Divine Talisman.

Each profession has only one.

Originally the Qin Tian Bureau headquarters had a Divine Eagle Grand Guest Minister, but after that Grand Guest Minister fell in Guiyi Miao, the position of Divine Eagle Grand Guest Minister has remained vacant.

The status of the Divine Eagle Grand Guest Minister surpasses that of the city overseers of all great Dao cities, ranks above Special‑grade Guest Ministers, and is only below Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen, the two Deputy Grand Overseers.

If Li Che truly becomes a Divine Eagle Holy Hand, with his status as a Special‑grade Guest Minister, he would need no assessment and could be directly invited by the Grand Overseer to become a Grand Guest Minister of the Qin Tian Bureau!

"Deputy Grand Overseer Fang, please have Li Keqing become well acquainted with the Qin Tian Bureau's treasure tower, and also arrange a cultivation room for Li Keqing."

The Grand Overseer said.

Fang Shangzhen bowed and said, "Here."

The Grand Overseer looked at Li Che: "Li Keqing, since you have become one of my thirteen Special‑grade Guest Ministers of the Qin Tian Bureau, this Qin Tian Order is bestowed upon you…"

"Holding this Special‑grade Qin Tian Order, you may take one person freely through all cities of Shendu except the First City."

"No one dares to block you."

The Grand Overseer spoke, and in the next moment, with a sweep of his wide sleeves, a dark silver token flew forward and landed in Li Che's palm.

The token bore the characters "Special‑grade".

"Holding this token, your status equals that of a Dao City Overseer."

"When purchasing resources from the Qin Tian Bureau, you enjoy a fifty‑percent discount; each month you may receive one lower‑rank divine crystal of the Four Imperial Levels; you are entitled to one cultivation room, inside which the world is sealed off, and no one can spy on your cultivation, including me."

The Grand Overseer's twin‑pupil divine light was extremely bright, even white mist could not fully conceal it.

Li Che heard this and felt his heart tremble; he couldn't help but become greatly curious about the cultivation room the Grand Overseer mentioned.

"In the cultivation room, you may bring only one person to cultivate inside; exceeding two people is a violation and will suspend your right to use the room."

The Grand Overseer said lightly.

"Additionally, the Special‑grade Qin Tian Order, like the Prince's Qin Tian Order, allows me to perform a single calculation…"

"If Li Keqing has anything to calculate, you may bring the order and find me."

After speaking, the Grand Overseer exploded into white mist and vanished.

The entire Ninth Layer was left with only Xuan Gui.

Xuan Gui's eyes, mournful and warning, glanced at Li Che as if saying, "Kid, never spread this Divine Eagle!"

Otherwise, the turtle will give you a good looking!

After the Grand Overseer left, Xuan Gui let out a snort from its nostrils, then flopped onto the ground, its body swelling again until it nearly filled the entire Ninth Layer.

The meaning is very clear, issuing the guest-eviction order!

Li Che gazed at the enormous Black Tortoise Demon King, narrowed his eyes, wondering whether to use his impeccable heart divinity to tempt the Black Tortoise a bit.

But in the end he still gave up.

No rush, it would look unsightly, there's plenty of time ahead, little turtle.

Everyone left the ninth level.

Fang Shangzhen then took Li Che to familiarize himself with the Imperial Observatory Treasure Pavilion.

"Within the Imperial Observatory's eight-cornered, multi-eaved, drip-water treasure pavilion, what people yearn for most is the cultivation house."

Fang Shangzhen smiled and introduced.

"Oh? Cultivation house? But isn't that the kind of cultivation house whose interior is arranged with divine talisman formations?"

Li Che asked curiously.

In his impression, a cultivation house should be like that.

Fang Shangzhen shook her head, looking at Li Che, her white Daoist robe fluttering, she raised her hand, her wide sleeve slipping down to reveal her fair, bright wrist, and pointed to the top of the Imperial Observatory Treasure Pavilion.

"Do you know that pearl guarded by the eight dragons?"

"That pearl was brought back from the depths of the Mysterious Tower by the Grand Supervisor..."

"Connected to the cultivation house, upon entering it the pearl can detect the divinity you possess... then it captures divinity from heaven and earth and transmits it into the cultivation house, the divinity concentration not weaker than a mid-tier divinity crystal of the Four Emperors, and it helps bypass the process of refining divinity crystals."

Li Che's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing that.

There's still such a good thing in the world?!

However, unfortunately, Fang Shangzhen said arranging the cultivation house would take three days.

Li Che wasn't in a hurry either, and under Fang Shangzhen's lead he wandered around the Imperial Observatory Treasure Pavilion again.

Inside the pavilion lies the universe; its internal space is far larger than what the naked eye sees from outside.

Divine Eagles, divine weapons, divine talismans, and divine pills—these four professions each have their own level for masters to study.

Fang Shangzhen brought Li Che, this newly appointed Special Guest Official, to meet a few other Special Guest Officials who weren't too busy.

Fang Shangzhen, because of Fang Hanshu, thus took special care of Li Che, and furthermore she genuinely admired Li Che.

A twenty-five-year-old Divine Eagle Peak Half-Saint, rising from obscurity, truly like a legend.

Fang Shangzhen most admires this kind of talent that swims against the current.

Originally Fang Shangzhen had planned to hold a banquet to invite Li Che, celebrating his passing the Special Guest Official examination.

However, Li Che was eager to study the newly obtained Four Metamorphosis Immortal Craft Dao Fruit, so he politely declined Fang Shangzhen.

Fang Shangzhen didn't mind either; having reached her level, she was long unmoved by favor or disgrace.

She arranged a treasure carriage exclusive to Special Guest Officials for Li Che.

Li Che rode the carriage and left the Imperial Observatory Treasure Pavilion.

The carriage shattered the chilly spring rain.

All the way smooth and unobstructed, returning to the Fourth City!

……

……

The slight warmth of early spring melted the lingering snow in the heavens' leaden clouds.

Turning into cold droplets, carrying the chill that awakens all things from winter's sleep, it swept across the entire capital.

The rain pattered, and puddles gathered on the ground.

When Li Che returned to the Primordial Origin Institute,

The news that Li Che, Elder of the Divine Eagle Ridge from the Primordial Divine Sect, had passed the Imperial Observatory's Special Guest Official examination and become the thirteenth Special Guest Official of the Imperial Observatory's headquarters spread like a storm from the capital's upper three cities.

"Dad!"

Xixi, who was training in the courtyard, saw Li Che return in a dark robe and instantly jumped up excitedly.

She rushed toward Li Che in a flying leap, striking him like a cannonball.

But Li Che is now so strong that with a light pinch he caught the girl's neck tendon and lifted her up.

Xixi instantly realized how great the gap between her and her father was, and it was still huge.

Now Xixi has broken through to Grand Master, her qi and blood uncontrollably boiling, scorching hot, evaporating all the spring water that fell.

Within the small courtyard, the divine children from the Primordial Divine Sect and Dao City each released their qi and blood, and under Xixi's suppression they persisted in training.

"Husband!"

Under the eaves, Zhang Ya, who was snacking on melon seeds beside Aunt Mu, suddenly felt delighted.

She shouted loudly, then leapt down from the railing, strode forward with her long legs, and sprinted toward Li Che.

Mother and daughter... almost the same virtue.

However, Zhang Ya was more restrained than Xixi, and did not bump Li Che with her head.

Zhang Ya stepped up to Li Che, grabbed his arm with a big hand, and tightly embraced his arm.

"Husband, did you succeed?!"

Zhang Ya's eyes shone bright.

She knew Li Che was today going to take the Imperial Observatory's Special Guest Official examination!

She heard the examination was extremely difficult.

In the whole Dàjǐng, there are only a dozen or so Special Guest Officials of the Imperial Observatory!

Li Che held Xixi in one hand, while letting Zhang Ya link arms with him, his face bearing a gentle smile.

"Your husband I make a move, naturally everything will be there!"

Li Che laughed.

Under the eaves.

Lu Taibai, in white robes, his Qi‑filled pouch swelling and silver hair fluttering gracefully, looked at Li Che, who had just returned surrounded by his wife and daughter, and a hint of envy appeared in his eyes.

He and Xuan Qisha have not yet fathered any offspring; it is not because of Lu Taibai, but due to Xuan Qisha's physical condition.

Li Che briefly spoke with his wife and daughter, then headed toward the house to begin a seclusion cultivation, saying he had gained something from this Special Guest Minister assessment.

"Go, go, Daddy, put the stove down first!"

Xixi, being lifted by Li Che, puffed her lips and said.

Li Che laughed heartily, gave a gentle toss, and Xixi was instantly thrown into the air; she let out a whimper, sparks flew from her feet, and two Prison Lotus Wind‑Fire Golden Light Wheels immediately spiraled up.

Li Che watched Xixi, his eyes soft.

But thinking of the Prison Lotus Fire inside Xixi, like a timed bomb, his heart sank slightly.

Suddenly, he frowned; today in the Qin Tian Bureau Treasure Tower, he had forgotten to ask the Grand Supervisor whether there was a way to suppress this Prison Lotus Fire.

If he had not yet met the Grand Supervisor, Li Che could not be certain, but after meeting him and carving a Divine Roc Empress for him,

Li Che could confirm that the Grand Supervisor's strength…

…must have already reached the Divine Tribulation Realm!

Even a single will's descent gave Li Che a tremendous sense of pressure; the Divine Tribulation Realm can produce true immortals among mortals, its power indeed far exceeds imagination.

"If it truly doesn't work, I'll use the Qin Tian Order to request another chance for the Grand Supervisor to run the calculations… to figure out how to resolve the Prison Lotus Fire inside Xixi."

Li Che's eyes hardened.

He exhaled, and when he passed by Grandma Mu, he paused his steps.

"Senior Qingshan?" Li Che asked, puzzled.

Nevertheless, he didn't pay much attention and headed toward the inner room.

…

…

Shendu Fourth City.

Little Lingyin Courtyard.

Bones lay scattered, the bloodstains not yet faded, yet the courtyard had already returned to clarity.

Huang Mei snapped a finger, conjuring a flame that incinerated the bones, then sat cross‑legged on a lavish Buddhist sedan, performing a transference for the deceased disciples.

Ji Moli and his four sons, clad in armor that clanged, sat under the eaves, quietly watching Huang Mei transmute the dead of Little Lingyin Temple.

Even though Huang Mei concealed it well, Ji Moli clearly saw the grief on Huang Mei's face.

He was pleased with that grief, as it showed Huang Mei's cooperation with him was sincere.

Suddenly.

Ji Moli's eyebrows twitched slightly as he produced a Thousand‑mile Divine Exchange Mirror, glanced at it, and a strange hue appeared in his eyes.

"Grand Master, the situation has changed."

"Li Che has passed the Special Guest Minister assessment set by the Grand Supervisor, and now… has become a Special Guest Minister of the Qin Tian Bureau."

Ji Moli said lightly.

With a clatter, the armor rang, and Ji Moli and his four sons rose; the sons, over three meters tall, resembled four armored demon deities.

"Li Che has just become a Special Guest Minister of the Qin Tian Bureau… it seems our plan against him must be postponed for now."

"The Grand Supervisor still expects the proper respect to be given."

Ji Moli said in a deep voice.

He wore an extremely heavy mysterious armor, clasped his fists, and said to Grand Master Huang Mei: "Grand Master, our cooperation continues… later, if I take action, I will specially request you to intervene."

Huang Mei finished reciting the sutras for the transference.

The striking of the wooden fish also ceased.

He gave a slight nod.

"Very well."

Ji Moli, with his four sons, departed one after another.

Huang Mei remained seated upright, his long eyebrows drifting in the spring wind and rain.

"Amitabha."

"Luck is on our side."

…

…

Second City, Prince's Residence.

Third Prince Lu Litong, riding an exceedingly lavish carriage, returned to his residence.

His complexion was extremely grim.

The news that Li Che had become the thirteenth Special Guest Minister of the Qin Tian Bureau made him feel very uneasy.

But after all, he is only the thirteenth Special Guest Minister of the Qin Tian Bureau; antagonizing such a person is unnecessary. He had painstakingly built a filial image before the Grand Supervisor and could not afford to earn the Grand Supervisor's displeasure over a mere Li Che.

The Third Prince knows very well that the competition for the Crown Prince position is not that easy.

Behind the Eldest Prince stands the Temple Guard Department, while behind the Second Prince stands the Yue Family.

Although he now has the support of the Ji Family, his mother consort died within the Ji Family; given the old foxes' scheming, they will surely think he harbors resentment…

They may no longer fully trust or support him.

Some cracks, once formed, cannot be mended.

"However, the biggest difference between me and the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince… I still have the support of the Dragon Tiger Divine Sect!"

"If I can leave a good impression with the Grand Supervisor, even gain his support, then the Crown Prince position will truly be secure!"

Third Prince Lu Litong's eyes flickered.

Because of the Grand Supervisor, the Qin Tian Bureau's status in Dàjǐng has become extremely special now.

Moreover, many rumors have already been circulating.

It is said that the Qin Tian Bureau no longer belongs to Dàjǐng's Qin Tian Bureau and is trending toward becoming Dàjǐng's twelfth Divine Sect…

This alone demonstrates the Qin Tian Bureau's formidable strength.

The struggle for the Crown Prince's seat is really a contest of the strength of the forces backing each side, isn't it?

Back inside the mansion.

Heavy rain poured onto the exquisitely maintained garden grounds inside the mansion, tended by dozens of maids, raising a misty, veil‑like spray.

Su Yunji held an umbrella for the Third Prince, and they arrived at a pavilion in the garden; as soon as they sat down, the maids promptly presented a spread of delicious delicacies, covering the stone tables in the pavilion, lavish beyond measure.

Purple‑clad Marten Temple Han Sixi respectfully stood behind the Third Prince.

The Third Prince raised his hand, silencing the atmosphere in the pavilion.

His eyes flickered.

He then produced the Qin Tian Treasure Pearl, obtained through a Qin Tian Decree in exchange for a simulation calculation by the Grand Supervisor.

Within the pearl lay the Grand Supervisor's computed answer.

His mother, the consort…

Who exactly killed her?!

Seated in the pavilion, the increasingly torrential rain hammered the black tiles, shrouding the world in haze.

He glanced at the Purple‑clad Marten Temple.

Then, he waved his hand, shielding Su Yunji and Su Yunliu.

The pavilion fell empty, leaving only Purple‑clad Marten Temple Han Sixi and him.

"Your Highness, since you've cultivated a filial image before the Grand Supervisor, you must maintain it to the end…"

"And see who killed Consort Ji…"

"Once we know the murderer, this old servant will act on your behalf."

Han Sixi crossed his hands in front of him, his voice slightly sharp.

As the emperor's appointed Marten Temple guards protecting the princes, they represent their lord—the princes themselves.

When the princes join the Crown Prince contest, these Marten Temple members are naturally forced to become involved.

Only when the protected prince truly rises can they attain high rank and power, becoming superior beings.

Third Prince Lu Litong heard this and nodded.

Regarding Han Sixi, the Third Prince naturally placed unprecedented trust.

He considered him more trustworthy than his own mother.

He was also one of his greatest supports in the fight for the Crown Prince's seat…

Marten Temple is a highly important position within the divine hall of the imperial palace in Shendu's First City.

Moreover, Han Sixi ranks as a top‑tier pinnacle, fifteenth in the Heaven Gate Pass.

Emperor Jing assigned the stronger Han Sixi to him, making Lu Litong feel that his father the emperor favored him.

He hesitated no longer.

Third Prince Lu Litong's eyes hardened; he suddenly clenched his fist and crushed the pearl in his hand.

In an instant, an immensely powerful divinity descended, its invisible ripples shaking the space like an unseen blanket stirring away waves.

The pearl shattered.

Divine sigils, swirling like the Dao essence of heavenly secrets, rolled in the air.

"Underworld."

"Bull Demon."

…

…

Qian Yuan Courtyard.

Li Che, who had just returned to the room.

He sat upright in the chair and poured a cup of water.

He was about to drink it.

Suddenly.

His mind seemed to surge with terrifying waves!

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard trembled slightly.

A Dao essence, containing the mechanism of heavenly secrets, silently emerged from the forehead mud bead, coiled like a white python, hidden deep and unmoving.

Li Che pressed his lips to the cup.

His eyes gathered.

"Who spies on me with heavenly secrets?"

"Who intends to kill me?!"

He clenched his five fingers.

The heavenly‑secret white python was instantly ripped out by Li Che.

Then.

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard seemed to transform into five fingers spreading like an opened book.

They slammed down fiercely!

Forcefully suppress that roaring, thrashing white python!

Two Updates, there will be more later, Lao Li continues writing, it may be a little later, Lao Li strives to get it out earlier, with everyone's support of monthly tickets and recommendation tickets, Lao Li! Thank you!