Chapter 363: with translation of chapter title, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities/coined terms appearing in these lines
Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence!
365. Chapter 359 Shendu is this palace's main arena, slowly playing him to death; Fengdu hangs heads — are you looking for an ox? 【Seeking Monthly Votes】
Li Che sat upright and tense on the chair, and in his pupils it seemed as if splendid electric light crackled and leapt forth, a thick killing intent surging out!
His mind and spirit settled.
Heavenly secrets, Dao's essence!
Gazing at the white flood‑dragon‑like qi essence that was completely suppressed by the interwoven vertical and horizontal lines on the heavenly and earthly chessboard in his mind's eye.
His mind and spirit settled.
This is Dao Essence, an extremely thin strand of Dao Essence!
This is Dao Essence, an extremely thin strand of Dao Essence!
Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence possesses a kind of computational power, like a curse, and somehow it has appeared inside his body.
It is as if, in the dark, because of something he did, the master of the Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence, through calculations based on various clues, finally locked onto him, and thus the Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence slowly grew.
It is as if, in the dark, because of something he did, the master of the Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence, through calculations based on various clues, finally locked onto him, and thus the Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence slowly grew.
"Someone is scheming against me!"
Like a curse's mark, it fell upon his body from the distant heavens and earth due to some karmic connection.
In his chest, the Chess Saint Dao Fruit trembled slightly, jumping continuously, each jump seeming to burst forth with a low sound like a horn blowing.
"Someone is scheming against me!"
He had found an opponent to play chess with, and his interest stirred slightly.
"Through some karmic clue, and then locking onto me from afar…"
In the Chess Saint's eyes, all chess players are clumsy fools.
In his chest, the Chess Saint Dao Fruit trembled slightly, jumping continuously, each jump seeming to burst forth with a low sound like a horn blowing.
The flood dragon suppressed on the heavenly and earthly chessboard seemed to have its strength scattered, instantly turning soft, as if about to be obliterated by a strike!
As if…
In his eyes, an intensely fierce glare surged forth.
He had found an opponent to play chess with, and his interest stirred slightly.
He, Li Che, is the master of the household, its pillar!
Just like the Chess Saint sitting idle on the cloud‑top, he slowly lifted his eyelids and gazed at a challenger who knew not life or death.
How helpless they would be!
In the Chess Saint's eyes, all chess players are clumsy fools.
Therefore, Li Che cherishes life greatly; he not only must protect his wife and daughter's lives, but also cherishes his own life equally!
But if you dare to challenge this sage, you are a decent clumsy fool.
The anger in Li Che's heart gradually subsided into calm.
The flood dragon suppressed on the heavenly and earthly chessboard seemed to have its strength scattered, instantly turning soft, as if about to be obliterated by a strike!
The white flood‑dragon‑like Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence suppressed in the heavenly and earthly chessboard now appeared, coiling around his five fingers, winding and resting upon them.
Li Che showed no mercy whatsoever toward the Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence that had abruptly appeared in his mental palace.
Li Che's face suddenly turned strange.
In his eyes, an intensely fierce glare surged forth.
Li Che sat on the chair, gulped down his tea, and his gaze fell upon this Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence as he recalled the Third Prince who had gone to the Imperial Observatory's headquarters, begging the Grand Supervisor to divine who had killed his birth mother.
Li Che regards his own life as extremely important!
Li Che's eyes flickered.
He, Li Che, is the master of the household, its pillar!
The pearl shattered, revealing individual divine markings that intertwined with the Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence, existing in mutual attraction…
His wife Zhang Ya and daughter Xixi rely on him; he absolutely cannot come to harm, for if he does, his wife will be bullied, his daughter will be bullied, and no one will stand up for them—what then?
The Grand Supervisor indeed calculated who killed Consort Ji.
How helpless they would be!
This is truly a flood washing the Dragon King's temple……
Should that situation truly arise, it would be entirely due to his, Li Che's, inadequacy, which he absolutely will not allow.
"Does the appearance of this Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence here mean that the Grand Supervisor knows the Ox Demon is me?"
Therefore, Li Che cherishes life greatly; he not only must protect his wife and daughter's lives, but also cherishes his own life equally!
Has the Grand Supervisor already figured out the truth, but… because of him, merely revealing the Ox Demon identity?
The Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence, completely suppressed, clung to life by a thread.
Li Che clenched his five fingers, drawing this weak and thin Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence back into the heavenly and earthly chessboard, nurturing it with a pure mind‑spirit so it would not be utterly destroyed.
The anger in Li Che's heart gradually subsided into calm.
On the contrary, if the Third Prince carries the divine markings and draws near, Li Che can see him perfectly clearly.
He clenched his five fingers.
Li Che then rested easy inside the house, beginning to cultivate and consolidate.
The white flood‑dragon‑like Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence suppressed in the heavenly and earthly chessboard now appeared, coiling around his five fingers, winding and resting upon them.
Then, the newly carved half‑saint pinnacle work "Black Tortoise Bearing Heavy Pupil" Divine Eagle appeared inside the room.
"Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence…"
However, being suppressed and isolated by the heavenly and earthly chessboard, it could not be sensed or discovered from outside.
Li Che's face suddenly turned strange.
A faint white vapor rose from Li Che's eyes.
He immediately realized that this Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence must have come from the Grand Supervisor.
Especially, the Grand Supervisor tearing open the white mist, the pair of double pupils that leapt into view, on just those double pupils, there appeared almost five defective red dots!
Li Che sat on the chair, gulped down his tea, and his gaze fell upon this Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence as he recalled the Third Prince who had gone to the Imperial Observatory's headquarters, begging the Grand Supervisor to divine who had killed his birth mother.
Translation: "On the contrary, that crooked-mouthed black tortoise has only a trivial flaw."
"The Third Prince used the precious Prince's Heaven‑Observing Command, urging the Grand Supervisor to act… it seems… the Grand Supervisor really has something, this Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence is a product of karma; the Grand Supervisor calculated that I killed Consort Ji?"
If he can compensate for and repair these flaws, perhaps the quality and rank of this half‑saint pinnacle Divine Eagle could achieve a leap!
Translation: "If these flaws can be compensated and repaired, perhaps the quality and rank of this half-saint peak divine eagle could leap forward."
We need to keep meaning: "If these flaws can be made up for and repaired, perhaps the quality and rank of this half-saint peak divine eagle could achieve a breakthrough!" Let's produce: "If these flaws can be made up for and repaired, perhaps the quality and rank of this half-saint peak divine eagle could achieve a breakthrough!"
With another stir of his mind and spirit, on the heavenly and earthly chessboard the Flying Thunder chess pieces shone forth, slowly revealing the scene of the Third Prince in a rain‑soaked pavilion, crushing the Heaven‑Observing Precious Pearl.
Translation: ""Holy Hand Divine Eagle……"" Keep quotes? The Chinese uses 「」 which are quotation marks. We'll keep as English quotes: ""Holy Hand Divine Eagle……"" Actually we need to keep the content inside quotes. We'll output: ""Holy Hand Divine Eagle……"" (including the ellipsis). The line is just the quoted phrase. So translation: ""Holy Hand Divine Eagle……"".
The pearl shattered, revealing individual divine markings that intertwined with the Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence, existing in mutual attraction…
Translation: ""Can it succeed?!"" Keep quotes.
"The Netherworld, the Ox Demon…"
Translation: "Even Li Che, at this moment, his breathing involuntarily rose and fell with heaviness."
We need to keep meaning: "Even Li Che, at this moment, his breathing couldn't help but undulate and become heavy." Let's produce: "Even Li Che, at this moment, his breathing couldn't help but undulate and grow heavy."
If he succeeds, could Li Che… become a Divine Eagle Holy Hand?!
Translation: "If he succeeds, Li Che……could he become a Divine Eagle Saint Hand?!"
We need to keep the ellipsis. So: "If he succeeds, Li Che……could he become a Divine Eagle Saint Hand?!"
This is truly a flood washing the Dragon King's temple……
Translation: "Divine Eagle Saint Hand……"
They're all our own people, Grand Supervisor.
Translation: "In the whole Dàjǐng, there are only four!"
"Does the appearance of this Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence here mean that the Grand Supervisor knows the Ox Demon is me?"
Translation: "That is an existence rarer than a top-tier peak!"
Li Che narrowed his eyes.
Translation: "Martial Saint Four Openings Realm, climbing the mountain path, standing at the peak to see the Heaven's Gate, can be called a Peak Martial Saint."
Has the Grand Supervisor already figured out the truth, but… because of him, merely revealing the Ox Demon identity?
Translation: "And opening the Heaven's Gate, pouring forth the vast divinity within, is a Top-tier Peak Martial Saint!"
For according to the Heavenly Mechanism, the Ox Demon killing Consort Ji is also a true, iron‑clad fact.
Translation: "The Top-tier Peak Martial Saints of the whole Dàjǐng are certainly more than the fifteen on Heaven's Gate Pass; those fifteen were the strongest given by the Grand Supervisor."
Li Che clenched his five fingers, drawing this weak and thin Heavenly Mechanism Dao Essence back into the heavenly and earthly chessboard, nurturing it with a pure mind‑spirit so it would not be utterly destroyed.
Translation: "Those fifteen stationed at Heaven's Gate Pass, if we take the angle of opening the Heaven's Gate as a measure of proficiency, each has opened at least fifty percent of the gates."
If the Third Prince were to come knocking via the divine markings bursting from the Heaven‑Observing Precious Pearl, unless Li Che releases the binding of the Heavenly Mechanism White Flood Dragon, they could not pinpoint his identity or location.
Translation: "Like Huang Mei, who ranks in the top ten of Heaven's Gate Pass, he has opened seventy percent of the gates and captured a bolt of Divine Sky Thunder, aiming to strike the Divine Sky Thunder Dao Position, one of the Three Calamities."
On the contrary, if the Third Prince carries the divine markings and draws near, Li Che can see him perfectly clearly.
Translation: "Like Yue Huanglong, who forcefully opened the Heaven's Gate and stepped into the Top-tier Peak realm, he has probably opened about ten percent."
Raising his hand to touch his brow, the heavenly and earthly chessboard rose with a howl, expanding above the room and spiraling to lock the aura.
Translation: "Therefore, Li Che can be certain that the number of top-tier peaks is absolutely more than fifteen."
Li Che then rested easy inside the house, beginning to cultivate and consolidate.
Translation: "And the number of Divine Eagle Saint Hands is obviously far fewer than the top-tier peaks."
As his eyes opened and closed, Li Che flicked a finger, sending forth a streak of light.
Translation: "Moreover, the number of Great Gods on the Divine Register……might be even greater than the top-tier peaks."
Then, the newly carved half‑saint pinnacle work "Black Tortoise Bearing Heavy Pupil" Divine Eagle appeared inside the room.
Translation: "Li Che gathered his spirit, his gaze falling upon the Divine Eagle."
The moment it landed, the ground trembled and the divinity filling the room nearly doubled in an instant!
Translation: "If he could carve a Holy Hand Divine Eagle, it would be of extraordinary significance to him; previously, his Immortal Artisan Dao Fruit was only LV5……"
However, being suppressed and isolated by the heavenly and earthly chessboard, it could not be sensed or discovered from outside.
Translation: "The talent he brought in the field of Divine Eagle technique is already outstanding."
In his chest, the Immortal Craft Dao Fruit that had transformed to Level 6 Rank trembled slightly, and faintly there were invisible ripples, as if distorting the air, space, and the divinity filling the room, spreading in rippling waves.
Translation: "Give him enough time, perhaps ten or twenty years, and Li Che will have absolute confidence to step into the realm of the Divine Eagle Saint Hand."
A faint white vapor rose from Li Che's eyes.
Translation: "But now, his Dao Fruit has transformed again, reaching LV6, further raising Li Che's talent, and he could even immediately attempt to breakthrough to the Divine Eagle Saint Hand……"
His gaze fell upon the Divine Eagle, which had reached the half‑saint pinnacle standard; in Li Che's eyes it showed almost six spots emitting red‑like defects.
Translation: ""Before carving……"" (keep quotes)
On the contrary, that crooked‑mouthed black tortoise has only a trivial flaw.
Translation: "Li Che's eyes flickered, and in the next instant, his aura suddenly changed."
If these flaws can be compensated and repaired, perhaps the quality and rank of this half‑saint pinnacle Divine Eagle could leap forward!
Translation: "Clenching his five fingers, the void before him seemed to twist and split, as if cut by an invisible blade."
"Holy Hand Divine Eagle…"
Translation: "The next moment, a pitch-black axe fell into Li Che's hand."
"Can it succeed?!"
Translation: "In the instant Li Che gripped it with his five fingers, brilliant golden scriptures instantly spread and intertwined across the black axe!"
Even Li Che, at this moment, found his breath involuntarily rising and falling with heaviness.
Translation: "Dao Guide——"
If successful, could Li Che… become the Holy Hand of the Divine Eagle?!
Translation: "Ghost Axe!"
Holy Hand of the Divine Eagle…
Translation: "Boom—!!!"
In the entire Great Jing, there are only four such individuals!
Translation: "Ghost Axe in hand."
That is a presence even rarer than the top‑tier pinnacle!
Translation: "Li Che only felt his essence, qi, and spirit shift, his whole person becoming incomparably stern."
A Martial Saint who has opened the four gates, ascended the mountain path, stands at the pinnacle and beholds the Heavenly Gate, may be called a Pinnacle Martial Saint.
Translation: "Ghost Axe Immortal Artisan!"
And to open the Heavenly Gate, pouring forth the vast divinity within, is to become a Top‑Tier Pinnacle Martial Saint!
Translation: "Seizing Heaven and Earth's Creation!"
The Top‑Tier Pinnacle Martial Saints of the Great Jing are certainly more than the fifteen stationed at the Heavenly Gate, which the Grand Supervisor listed as the strongest fifteen.
Translation: "Li Che felt the axe in his hand transform into the ultimate divine weapon engraving knife of heaven and earth."
Those fifteen who guard the Heavenly Gate, if the angle of opening the gate is taken as a measure of proficiency, each has opened at least half of the gates.
Translation: "The axe blade is sharp and thick, with a smooth, streamlined curve, extremely slick."
For example, Huang Mei ranks among the top ten
Translation: "The heavy axe lets the blade draw power more easily, allowing it to cut through everything with ease!"
Buzz——!
Translation: "Hum—!"
Li Che suddenly gripped and knelt; the veins on his forearms roared and trembled like flood dragons, the major tendons vibrated and rang out, emitting a heaven‑shattering explosion.
Translation: "Li Che suddenly gripped and knelt, the veins on his forearm bulging like flood dragons, trembling and roaring, emitting a sound of heaven and earth splitting."
Then, the ghost‑axe he gripped swung at extreme speed, leaving afterimages; with a puff it shattered the void!
Translation: "Then, the Ghost Axe he gripped swung at extreme speed, leaving afterimages, with a puff, shattering the void into fragments!"
Such extreme sharpness made the space difficult to heal for a long time!
Translation: "Such extreme sharpness makes space difficult to heal for a long time!"
"Break space?!"
Translation: ""Breaking the Void?!""
Whoosh——
Translation: "Whoosh——"
Li Che felt that he had merely swung an axe, yet the pure martial energy in his entire arm seemed to be completely drained in an instant!
Translation: "Li Che only felt that swinging the axe consumed all the pure martial qi in his arm in an instant!"
He needed to draw energy from other parts of his flesh into his arm.
Translation: "He needed to draw strength from other parts of his fleshly body into his arm."
But the result left Li Che extremely delighted!
Translation: "But the result made Li Che extremely delighted!"
"He actually managed to break space?!"
Translation: ""Could it actually break the void?!""
Li Che was greatly astonished.
Translation: "Li Che was greatly astonished."
Although he only superficially sliced the surface of the void, relying solely on the extreme sharpness of this ghost‑axe…
Translation: "Although it was merely a superficial slash at the void's surface, relying only on the Ghost Axe's extreme sharpness……"
But the ability to break space is something only Divine Tribulation cultivators can easily achieve!
Translation: "But breaking the void is an ability easily reached only by Divine Tribulation cultivators!"
Otherwise, even top‑tier experts like Lü Tai Bai and Huang Mei, who have captured Dao Essence tribulation power, would have to exert their utmost to break it!
Translation: "Otherwise, even those like Lu Taibai and Huang Mei, top-tier peaks who have captured Dao Essence Tribulation Force, must exert their utmost to break it!"
The air offers no leverage; it cannot be broken by brute force alone, requiring an instantaneous burst of power that reaches the limit the air can bear!
Translation: "Air offers no leverage; it cannot be broken by brute force alone, requiring an instantaneous burst of power that reaches the limit air can bear!"
"With such an axe, if not used for carving but to strike someone down, who could withstand such a blow?!"
Translation: ""Such an axe, if not used for carving but to harm people, who could withstand such a blow?!""
Li Che immediately made plans in his mind for the Immortal Craft Dao‑guided ghost‑axe.
Translation: "In Li Che's mind, he immediately made arrangements for the Immortal Artisan Dao Guide Ghost Axe."
He slowly recovered his qi and blood strength; the hand that trembled from swinging the axe gradually calmed, no longer shaking.
Translation: "He slowly restored his qi and blood strength; the hand that trembled from swinging the axe gradually calmed, no longer trembling."
Li Che began to grip the ghost‑axe and started repairing the Divine Eagle.
Translation: "Li Che began to grip the Ghost Axe, beginning to repair the Divine Eagle."
Merely laying the axe upon it, Li Che found the blade almost smoothly cut through the incredibly tough tortoise‑shell spirit wood, sending fine wood shavings fluttering down.
Translation: "Merely laying the axe upon it, Li Che found the axe sliced through the incredibly tough tortoise-shell sacred wood with almost slippery ease, scattering wood powder."
Since the Divine Eagle is already a finished product, the repairs are merely minute adjustments to its existing form.
Translation: "Since the Divine Eagle is already a finished product, the repair is merely a minute modification on its original basis."
The modified curvature is not large, and it's also impossible for the blade to drop too many wood shavings.
The flaws on the crooked‑mouth divine turtle were quickly repaired by Li Che; with the miraculous axe in hand, Li Che felt as if aided by the gods, the thoughts that arose in his mind were instantly carried out by the axe.
That silky sensation, that feeling of minds in sync, made Li Che simply sink into it!
Li Che was completely immersed in repairing this half‑sage pinnacle divine roc.
The miraculous axe swept!
As if drunk and infatuated!
Unique craftsmanship, as if completely stirred at this moment!
……
……
The rain in Shendu fell intermittently for seven days.
It enveloped the entire Shendu in a hazy mist, the feeling of misty rain after rainfall, somewhat reminiscent of Jiangnan atmosphere.
The death of Consort Ji and the massacre in the Xiao Lingyin Courtyard were ultimately suppressed by those with intent, and did not spread.
Although the Shendu Xuanwei and the Jinlin Jinwei, under the leadership of Governor Wang Kui of the Zhenmosi, continuously investigated and searched.
But ultimately there were no clues.
Although Governor Wang Kui was certain it was the work of the mysterious underworld forces, he could find no evidence.
The Ji family was furious, after all Consort Ji died within the Ji family mansion, and the impact was truly huge.
As for the massacre of the Xiao Lingyin Courtyard, it was completely suppressed, with not a hint leaking out.
When Empress Nian Niangniang was about to hold the Peach Blossom Victory Assembly, this incident occurred; both the court and the Xiao Lingyin Temple were unwilling to spread it, so they actively suppressed the news.
Inside the Qian Yuan Courtyard.
Lü Taibai and Sect Master Shi Jian of the Zhenwu Divine Sect sat opposite each other under the eaves, drinking tea.
Raindrops pattered on the black tiles, making a crisp sound; the charcoal stove gurgled as it boiled water, and the verdant tea leaves rolled with the boiling water, as if displaying a graceful dance in the flow.
The two sat opposite each other, chatting idly.
"Has Elder Li not yet left seclusion?"
Shi Jian from time to time glanced toward the rear courtyard of Qian Yuan, his heart inexplicably itching.
He wanted to ask about the mechanism Gatling, but Lü Taibai said it depended on what Li Che said, so Shi Jian insisted on visiting.
However, Li Che had entered seclusion and had not emerged for many days.
This truly made Shi Jian feel somewhat anxious.
"Sect Master Shi, I know you're anxious, but don't rush... Elder Li just passed the special guest official examination set by the Grand Supervisor, heard he received the Grand Supervisor's guidance, gained something, he needs to absorb and digest this gain, which is indeed quite normal..."
"If... Elder Li gains insight and advances further on the path of the divine roc, becoming a Divine Roc Holy Hand, then our Qian Yuan Divine Sect would practically ascend on the spot!"
Lü Taibai said jokingly.
Shi Jian poured a cup of scalding tea, drank it all in one gulp, and also comforted himself not to be anxious.
The two shifted their gazes, landing on the courtyard.
Hummm—
Suddenly.
A peach branch burst forth with divinity.
Then, Xixi placed her hands on her hips, her small belly protruding, instantly appearing; her eyes full of bright light, her two sky‑reaching braids seeming to summon thunder!
"Sect Master!"
Lü Taibai instantly cast a gaze of amusement and affection.
Xixi's proud nostrils seemed about to shoot up to the sky!
"Xixi has become a Great Emperor! She successfully gathered eighteen strands of the Queen Mother of the West's divinity, received an invitation, and ascended to the main banquet of the Peach Blossom Juvenile Dragon Victory Assembly!"
Xixi placed her hands on her hips, her little feet constantly lifting and dropping, obviously her heart was very happy and excited.
Originally, with Xixi's ability, achieving a winning streak was actually not difficult.
But Xixi was unwilling.
Because, like her father, after seven consecutive wins she would directly obtain the qualification to participate in the Peach Blossom Victory Assembly main banquet, making it impossible to continue staying in the preliminary banquet.
Xixi was reluctant to give up the delicacies of the preliminary banquet, such as clear tea, peach, spirit fruit, and so on.
Although the matched opponents were too weak, making victory too easy, the preliminary banquet delicacies provided would consequently be somewhat inferior.
But Xixi didn't care; she simply didn't want to miss any meal of the preliminary banquet!
So, Xixi deliberately stalled the rules, lost once to the Golden Tai Sui, breaking her seven‑win streak, after which she could happily match preliminary banquet opponents, defeat them, and enjoy the delicacies!
During this period, Xixi actually encountered several formidable opponents; after defeating them, she obtained the Black Phoenix Spirit Peach and the Chi Dragon Blood Peach.
Xixi was very sensible; she didn't eat alone, packed them up, brought them back to the courtyard, and let Zhang Ya taste them.
Although they were only ten‑year‑old peaches, when Xixi presented them like treasures, handing her spoils to Zhang Ya.
Zhang Ya felt she was the happiest mother in the world.
After losing that one game by stalling the rules, Xixi has now finally accumulated eighteen strands of the Queen Mother of the West's divinity and entered the main banquet.
And because of that one stalled‑rule loss, Xixi got to eat eleven additional preliminary banquets!
From eating, Xixi's little belly grew a whole circle!
After Xixi entered the main banquet, she no longer needed to participate in the preliminary banquet and also temporarily obtained a relaxed rest period.
She pattered over to Zhang Ya's side, crouched under the eaves, and accompanied Aunt Mu sitting in the rocking chair to watch the spring water falling from the sky.
She also occasionally wandered to the rear courtyard, poked out a clever little head, wanting to see when her father would emerge from seclusion.
……
……
Wind and rain slanted, striking the idle pavilion's tiles, exploding in succession.
Formed a hazy white gauze, obscuring the splendid garden within the Third Prince's mansion.
Gurgle—
The boiling water in the furnace rolled uncontrollably.
The Third Prince wore a pale gold python robe, seated solemnly upon a stone chair carved with hollowed floral patterns, before him lay a spread of letters.
The letters were scribbled over and over, all concerning information about the netherworld.
Upon the Imperial Observatory's Heavenly Treasure Pearl calculated by the Grand Director, it was revealed to the Third Prince who truly murdered Consort Ji.
The Third Prince had never doubted the Grand Director's calculative ability.
The Grand Director, famed as the world's first divine calculator, possessed the godly double pupils, enabling him to probe heavenly secrets and see what ordinary people cannot.
That was a powerful being who had truly come into contact with the Dao essence.
The Third Prince suspected that no one would dare doubt the Grand Director.
"Netherworld Ox Demon..."
Lü Lítong gritted his teeth, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Killing intent surged over his body, the grudge of matricide—never to coexist under the same heaven!
Hum—
The rain outside the pavilion twisted in a sudden gust.
Thereafter, a figure in purple robes appeared—none other than Han Sìxǐ, the fifteenth supreme apex seated at Heaven's Gate Pass.
"Your Highness."
Han Sìxǐ bowed slightly, then said: "The little Highness over there… seems to have received the National Preceptor's support and guidance."
Lü Lítong's gaze fell upon the netherworld documents; he paid no heed whatsoever to Han Sìxǐ's news about Lü Chì.
"That little brat Lü Chì… got the National Preceptor's support? How… does he think that with the National Preceptor's backing he can covet the crown prince's position?"
Lü Lítong smirked contemptuously.
"His Majesty would never select a prince whose martial and divine talents are both utterly mediocre to inherit the crown prince's position."
In Lü Lítong's heart, Lü Chì posed no threat whatsoever.
Even if Lü Chì received the support of National Preceptor Xiè Yùnshén, it would be the same; the commoner National Preceptor Xiè Yùnshén is merely a blade wielded by Emperor Jing…
Just a blade aimed at the Eleven Divine Sects of Dàjǐng.
Unlike the Grand Director, who possesses heaven-reaching cultivation, the National Preceptor is neither the first overseer of the Temple Garrison nor the foremost guardian of Heaven's Gate Pass.
The National Preceptor's cultivation is too weak, relying only on wisdom; sometimes… to vie for the crown prince's position, mere cleverness is not enough.
"Diāosì, these past days, this palace has been perusing information and materials concerning the netherworld ox demon…"
"The netherworld ox demon first appeared in Fēiléichéng; at that time its displayed strength seemed only at the level below a Grandmaster. Upon reaching Jīnguāng Prefecture City, the ox demon reappeared with greatly increased strength—no one knows whether it was inherently frail or gradually cultivating its power upward…"
"If during the journey from Fēiléichéng to Jīnguāng Prefecture City its cultivation were raised…"
The Third Prince's gaze was deep and mysterious.
"There is indeed someone… who quite fits the identity of the ox demon!"
"Moreover, the consort brought Lü Chì and they had a falling out…"
The Third Prince rose from the pavilion, step by step walking to its edge, feeling the raindrops entwined within the harsh spring breeze.
He slowly exhaled a breath.
"That Li Che…"
"He is probably the ox demon!"
The pavilion fell into silence.
Han Sìxǐ lowered his head, neither joyful nor sorrowful, seemingly indifferent to this speculation.
In fact, many people have had this speculation.
But speculation is merely speculation…
Nowadays, Li Che is no longer the mud‑leg laborer from Fēiléichéng.
but rather an elder of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, and furthermore a Special Guest Elder of the Imperial Observatory's headquarters!
"Diāosì… I heard that in your youth you once entered the father emperor's Golden Scale Shadow Guard?"
"Indeed."
"Diāosì, could you be confident enough to infiltrate the Qianyuan Institute?"
The Third Prince gazed upon the wind and rain filling the sky, and said.
Han Sìxǐ lifted his head, his eyes deep and mysterious: "Your Highness… perhaps you are looking down on Lü Tàibái a little?"
"Although I have entered the Shadow Guard, I could not possibly conceal my infiltration from the perception of a top‑tier apex listed on both rankings."
Han Sìxǐ still possessed a clear sense of self‑awareness.
He even wondered whether the Third Prince failed to grasp what being a top‑tier apex listed on both rankings truly meant.
That is the sect master of a great divine sect!
In the world of Dàjǐng, the true powerhouses standing at the pinnacle are those who can clash with feudal lords like Jī Mólǐ!
"Then there's no need to infiltrate; simply being nearby suffices, for the Heavenly Mechanism Divine Seal deduced by the Grand Director can be sensed within a hundred‑zhang radius as another strand of Heavenly Mechanism Dao essence entwined with karma!"
"This palace… wishes to ask you to hold the Divine Seal derived by the Grand Director, approach the Qianyuan Institute for verification, and see whether the Heavenly Mechanism Divine Seal will react to it…"
"If there is a reaction, then it would indicate… Li Che is most likely the ox demon."
The Third Prince's pale gold python robe fluttered loudly in the wind.
"If it is confirmed that this Li Che is the ox demon, Your Highness, what are your plans?"
"Nowadays, this Li Che has become the thirteenth Special Guest Elder of the Imperial Observatory…"
Han Sìxǐ furrowed his brows, asking doubtfully.
The Third Prince slowly turned around, his face showing a hint of ferocity.
"Then I will of course remember him, deeply remember him!"
"Slowly, slowly, I will look for an opportunity to take revenge!"
"Remember this enemy who killed my mother; since I have shown filial piety to the Grand Supervisor, I must avenge my mother… If I knew who the enemy was but shrank back because of his status, the Grand Supervisor would surely be disappointed, right?"
The Third Prince grinned, his expression full of chill.
"I…"
"I don't want to let the Grand Supervisor down; I want him to see my attitude!"
"So, as long as we confirm that Li Che is the Bull Demon, he will lose the mystery bestowed upon him by the Netherworld…"
"He has a wife, a daughter, and friends, right…"
"If he is the Bull Demon, then the death of Prince Jihai of the Pacification King must be related to him… I can ally with the Ji family and the Pacification King."
"Since we are in Shendu, this is my home turf…"
"I can slowly toy with him until he dies!"
……
……
When the final axe-light, like a fierce tiger sniffing a rose.
It lightly swept across the double pupil of the Grand Supervisor's Divine Eagle, and instantly the entire room burst forth with ultimate brilliant radiance!
Faintly, it seemed as if a phantom double pupil hovered up, continuously spreading!
And Li Che, gripping the pitch-black ghost axe flowing with golden scriptures, saw in his eyes that the originally blurry phantom double pupil gradually become clear!
"Heavenly Secret Double Pupil!"
Li Che's eyes gradually became eerie, his pupils overlapping within a single eye.
The Divine Eagle carved from tortoise-shell spirit wood seemed to come alive, a unique white vapor swirling around it.
This white vapor is Dao profundity!
Coincidentally, this Dao profundity…… Li Che is quite familiar with it.
Because, within his heaven-and-earth chessboard, he happens to be suppressing a strand of it.
Heavenly Secret Dao profundity!
After perfecting all the flaws of this Half-Saint Peak Divine Eagle, the double pupil surged upon it, as if transforming into a divine secret technique that, in the instant the Divine Eagle broke the barrier between Half-Saint Peak and Saint Hand,
it flowed into Li Che's mind like a gentle stream, forming a divine secret technique.
This is the gift the Grand Supervisor gave him!
"So this is the Grand Supervisor's main purpose in having me carve him… he wants to impart this divine secret technique to me?"
Li Che's heart trembled slightly.
If his Law of Heaven and Earth were combined with this Divine Might Double Pupil Secret Technique, he would surely become even stronger!
"But why would the Grand Supervisor transmit it to me?"
The double pupil slowly faded, faintly as if a thin, nearly transparent layer of divinity clung to Li Che's pupils.
Whooo—
Inside the room, the raging wind gradually calmed.
Li Che exhaled a breath.
A hint of regret appeared in his eyes.
"Does this count as the first Saint Hand Divine Eagle I have carved? Why hasn't it triggered the Saint Hand Tribulation Lightning?"
Li Che furrowed his brows.
But soon he figured it out.
This Saint Hand Divine Eagle was not carved in one go; the second time…… it was already a continuation, and while continuing, his state was completely different from when he carved the first Divine Eagle.
Therefore, the will of heaven and earth did not regard the formation of this Saint Hand Divine Eagle as Li Che's first carving of a Saint Hand Divine Eagle.
It belongs to a continuation work!
"In other words… as long as I completely carve a Saint Hand Divine Eagle, I can trigger the Saint Hand Tribulation Lightning and become a true Divine Eagle Saint Hand!"
Li Che suddenly laughed.
His mood instantly improved!
Put another way, wielding the Dao-guiding Ghost Axe, he is now quasi a Divine Eagle Saint Hand but lacks a work to prove himself and gain the heavens' acknowledgment.
Exhilarating!
Li Che stretched, his whole body's bones crackling.
This trip to the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets to participate in the top-tier guest official examination yielded Li Che a substantial gain.
Li Che stood, stretched his bones, and the repressed qi and blood within him surged like rivers, the pure martial qi-blood golden pool boiling!
Behind him, a furnace seemed to appear, rising brightly like the vast sun!
Originally Li Che planned to return and then directly dive into Ink City, feeding back the enlightenment from the Dragon-Elephant Golden Body Dao Fruit gained after slaying the Yellow-Browed Empress for use.
He would elevate numerous divine-seed martial arts to the state of perfection, transforming them into perfected true martial!
After all, the enlightenment feedback from a Rank 6 Dao Fruit would surely be far better than before.
Although attempting to transfer the seventh Qimen divine seed is unlikely.
But Li Che can still bring to perfection the divine-seed martial arts that have already been transferred via Qimen.
Huh?!
Inside the room, qi and blood surged wildly, the airflow churning.
Li Che's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Suddenly.
In his eyes, a chessboard of intertwining lines suddenly appeared.
That was the Heaven and Earth Chessboard.
Within the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, that extremely weak, almost scattered Heavenly Mechanism Dao essence trembled incessantly.
"As expected, it still came looking for me."
Li Che exhaled a breath.
He carefully took off the black robe embroidered with golden lotuses that his wife had personally stitched.
He changed into a black elastic shirt.
The next moment, he clenched his five fingers, and the Qiankun space tore open.
A smiling, cute cow mask…
He gently pressed it onto his face.
……
……
Lead clouds piled up in the ten-thousand-zhang high sky.
The drizzling rain was quite fine, as if it had finally melted and dispersed all the frost stored throughout the whole winter.
Han Sixi stood with his hands behind his back, a purple robe fluttering in the wind.
His whole being seemed to merge into the darkness, walking in the dark like a shadow.
This is the Shadow Merging Divine Technique!
He has reached the Transformation Realm!
It is the top-secret divine technique he cultivated within the Golden Scale Shadow Guard.
It is also a secret technique that must be cultivated by the Ming Temple, which assists the princes.
The bluestone ground of the Fourth City was extremely damp, accumulating a layer of water, and as he walked upon it, not a single ripple rose.
As a powerhouse ranked fifteenth among the passes of Heavenly Gate, Han Sixi had absolute confidence in his strength.
Even if he faced Lu Taibai, even if he couldn't win, he could still retreat unscathed.
Lu Taibai wanting to kill him is no easy matter.
"Your Highness wants to slowly play him to death, but Li Che's status is no longer what it once was; he now wields great influence……"
"Your Highness, do not therefore ruin the grand plan of vying for the crown prince position."
As a powerhouse bound to the Third Prince, Han Sixi also wants to gamble on the Dragon's Merit, so that in the future he can become the great Ming Temple, high above one person and below myriad people!
"If Li Che has even a shred of ability to ruin Your Highness's chance of vying for the crown prince position, then it's best to kill him as soon as possible."
"Unfortunately… there's a Lu Taibai."
Han Sixi's purple robe fluttered, his aura seeming to merge with heaven and earth, merging with every drop of spring water.
He paused.
Gazing into the distance, the misty Qian Yuan Institute shrouded in smoke and rain.
At a distance of roughly a hundred zhang, that is the limit of distance that the Heavenly Mechanism Divine Seal can sense.
His purple robe sleeves fluttered as he slowly raised his hand.
Four divine seals emerged, floating and flickering in the center of his palm.
They were the four seals of "Earth Fiend Ox Demon" woven from Heavenly Mechanism Divine Nature.
However……
He waited breath after breath.
The whole heaven and earth was silent.
Only the continuous sound of rain droplets falling into the accumulated water, creating ripples.
That divine seal actually showed no response.
"Huh?!"
"No response?"
"That Li Che…… isn't the Ox Demon?"
Han Sixi startled.
Suddenly.
Han Sixi felt the light between heaven and earth suddenly vanish, leaving only darkness that devoured light, covering the sky and blocking the sun.
He instinctively raised his head.
But he discovered that above his head……
At some point, a pitch-black city gate and battlement appeared, as if dark clouds pressed down upon the world, oppressive and suffocating.
On the city gate.
Inscribed in gleaming gold were the two characters "Fengdu"!
Upon the battlement of Fengdu City.
A stalwart figure stood, five fingers raised, a strand of Heavenly Mechanism Dao essence transformed into a white flood dragon, intertwining in his palm.
Under that cute cow mask.
A pair of eyes deep and profound, as if having double pupils overlapping.
"You are……"
"Looking for an ox?"
End of Chapter
