Chapter 368: with translation of title line [1] (the title)

Title: Chapter 364: Li Half-Saint's Terrifying Network Jointly Attacks the Temple — How Could the God Possibly Be Unkillable?

Li Half-Saint

God

The view on the turtle's back is truly wonderful.

…… - ellipsis, no content.

The Immaculate Heart Divinity exerts a deadly temptation on the Mysterious Turtle; a spirit fruit imbued with the Immaculate Heart Divinity allows the Mysterious Turtle to repress its inner desires.

But when Li Che produced more than ten fruits, the Mysterious Turtle felt that any fleeting honor or disgrace was utterly insignificant.

Only a turtle that can bend and stretch is truly a good turtle!

Thus the Mysterious Turtle abandoned resistance, letting Li Che's sugar‑coated cannonball eat away at it.

Isn't this merely the temple god of the Seven Treasure Relic As-You-Wish Golden Heavenly King Guiyi Miao?

Temple God

The Mysterious Turtle volunteers for battle!

Li Che patted the Mysterious Turtle's head, then happily ate spirit fruits one by one, and a simple, rich smile spread across his face.

A handful of Immaculate Heart Divinity pieces can summon a Demon King to fight for you—what a bargain!

? C〇 - weird; likely no entities.

The main issue is that the Mysterious Turtle has such a tiny appetite—Li Che truly hadn't anticipated that.

Yet just a few spirit fruits infused with the Immaculate Heart Divinity were enough to make it bow its noble head; Li Che hadn't intended to subdue the Mysterious Turtle with a single Immaculate Heart Divinity piece, and he had even prepared to expend a thousand of them.

Then... the Mysterious Turtle actually needed only ten.

Li Che's smile grew ever richer—he really is a simple, honest turtle.

With a slight push of his feet, Li Che sprang up and landed on the Mysterious Turtle's back.

Whoosh—

The howling chaotic wind swept in, stirring Li Che's dark sleeves, and his smile grew ever brighter.

No wonder it's a place where the Grand Director once sat—the scenery is indeed fine, exceptionally good!

Li Che was very pleased.

He wiggled his bottom, waving at the astonished Xixi below whose mouth formed an O; Xixi's big eyes lit up instantly, her lashes trembling.

"Hey ha!"

He stomped his feet hard on the ground, sending sparks flying; two Wind Fire Gold Light Wheels rose with a clanging ring, spinning upward and propelling Xixi's body skyward before she dove down like a cannonball straight into Li Che's arms.

However, Xixi's Little Ox Demon charge had little effect on Li Che; he easily dispelled it.

Holding Xixi, they sat on the turtle's back as father and daughter burst into loud laughter.

And below.

Fang Shangzhen's expression had long since grown quite strange and surprised.

Aside from the Grand Director, she is the person who has spent the most time with the Mysterious Turtle Demon King in the entire Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

She knows all too well the temperament of the Mysterious Turtle Demon King.

This is a very stubborn Mysterious Turtle that won't easily yield—yet who would have thought Li Che would produce a Fifth Elder‑rank spirit fruit to subdue it?

When did the Mysterious Turtle's taste become so lousy?

Or perhaps the Mysterious Turtle simply likes eating the spirit fruit Li Che gave?

Fang Shangzhen's eyes lit up slightly as she noted the many spirit fruits Li Che produced to tempt the Mysterious Turtle.

As the Vice Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters, her insight is naturally extraordinary; moreover, the spirit fruits Li Che produced are hardly rare treasures.

So, at a glance, everything could be distinguished.

Are these spirit fruits useful?

So the Mysterious Turtle's preference is for these things?

Fang Shangzhen's daoist robes fluttered as she watched the father and daughter laughing brightly on the Mysterious Turtle's back, leaving her momentarily disheveled.

Li Che led Xixi down from the Mysterious Turtle's back; the Mysterious Turtle felt satisfied after eating and didn't mind being ridden by anyone other than the Grand Director.

Its big, bell‑like eyes turned to Li Che, gleaming with anticipation and excitement, as if saying, 'Kid, don't stop the spirit fruits!'

Li Che smiled and spread his hands.

The Mysterious Turtle nodded heavily up and down, indicating it understood the rules: after defeating the temple god, it would then ask for spirit fruits to eat.

"Li Guest Officer, let's go check out the cultivation house."

"The cultivation house is ready."

Fang Shangzhen said with a smile.

Li Che brought Xixi to the cultivation house prepared by Fang Shangzhen.

Regarding the cultivation house, Fang Shangzhen boasted about it being incredibly awesome, and Li Che couldn't help but feel curious.

Only a Special Guest Officer may enter the cultivation house in the Imperial Astronomy Bureau headquarters building to cultivate…

With such stringent conditions, just how effective must the cultivation house's training be?

But when one actually arrives at the cultivation house, Li Che understands why Fang Shangzhen can be so confident.

Though called a cultivation house, in reality…

It can be considered a Guiyi Miao!

A Guiyi Miao from which the temple god has been taken away!

Li Che has visited many Guiyi Miaos, so he naturally recognizes their style at a glance.

It is essentially a Lower Fifth Elder Guiyi Miao, preserving the Guiyi Miao architectural style—even the altar remains, except that the temple god on it is gone.

And the abundant divinity, intertwined to the utmost richness, fills the Guiyi Miao.

The richness of divinity is nearly condensed into pure droplets; even with each breath one can feel the divinity merging into the body, as if a divinity cultivator were being marinated.

"Fang Vice Director, is this cultivation house actually remodeled from a Guiyi Miao?"

Li Che held Xixi's hand, then immediately asked in surprise and doubt.

Yes, it is the Superintendent who moved and renovated one Guiyi Miao after another; the temple deities inside... were all enthusiastically invited away by the Superintendent.

Fang Shangzhen also wasn't surprised that Li Che could see it at a glance.

God Eagle Half-Saint, if even Guiyi Miao cannot be recognized, then it would be a waste to be called a God Eagle Half-Saint.

Li Che didn't ask further.

Xixi squeezed into the cultivation house, instantly feeling the spacious, majestic divinity, wildly surging toward her, making the little girl startle and tremble.

Father! So much divinity, so much! Xixi feels she could suck it all dry in an instant!

Xixi exclaimed in delight.

The little girl is no longer a cultivation novice; she understands the importance of divinity for cultivation.

Although her father is a supremely powerful God Eagle Half-Saint, she might not have lacked divinity crystals since childhood, but divinity crystals are what they are—you take whatever amount you can get, without being picky.

The most important thing is that the divinity inside this cultivation house, when absorbed, encounters almost no obstruction, making it far smoother than extracting and refining from divinity crystals!

Xixi only needed a little while, and she felt her divine aspect cultivation had risen significantly!

Xixi is about to participate in the Infant Dragon Triumph Assembly; the main banquet and the pre-banquet of the Infant Dragon Triumph Assembly are quite different, with many prodigies who directly secure a place in the main banquet early on, so she hasn't come to attend the pre-banquet.

Among the many divine sects, the Nanhai Purple Bamboo Forest and the Purple Mansion Divine Sect of the Heavenly Master Dao... these two great divine sects are no ordinary ones.

Especially the Purple Mansion Divine Sect—almost every edition of the Peach Triumph Assembly, the Infant Dragons and heroes they send out can bring back a peach ranked in the top three.

Fang Shangzhen said.

Adding in some noble princes, officials, and heirs of ancient clans, the competition and difficulty are far greater than the pre-banquet—no mere trifle... indeed, many even hide things on the pre-banquet.

After all, the pre-banquet is mainly just for competing for a spot to enter the main banquet.

Li Che, upon hearing this, nodded thoughtfully, which was not surprising.

A nine-thousand-year-old peach is of tremendous value.

All factions, who wouldn't be envious?

After all, a single nine-thousand-year-old peach can extend lifespan by up to a thousand years.

As long as one doesn't do things that harm lifespan, nor employ secret arts that consume longevity, and so on...

A millennium of longevity can be ground into a peerless martial sage or a great deity.

Li Che brought Xixi to train in the cultivation house for a while.

Perhaps due to the new environment, Xixi unusually became extremely earnest, sitting cross-legged on the ground, continuously absorbing divinity.

Even Li Che couldn't help but praise, this cultivation house... is indeed a good place.

In the days to come, he plans to have Xixi live in this cultivation chamber.

As night fell, the spring rain grew more obscure.

The darkness of the night made the rain traceless, yet the pattering sound as it struck the ground and the tiles was extraordinarily clear.

Night deepened.

Li Che rose, stretched, and a faint crackling ran through his bones and muscles, though the disturbance was not great.

Not far away, Xixi sat cross-legged, immersed in cultivation.

Li Che did not wake Xixi, placing her in the cultivation house to let her cultivate freely, while he himself left the cultivation house.

Fang Shangzhen sat outside the cultivation house, leaning on the railing, lit an oil lamp, and was reading by its light.

As expected, being the elder sister of Grand Elder Fang Hanshu, she has a special fondness for reading.

Rest assured, Xixi cultivating inside the Treasure Tower of the Qintian Supervisorate will be safe; even the Grand Commander of the Temple Suppression Office, Ye Penghu, couldn't break in.

Fang Shangzhen closed her books, her Daoist robe fluttering, and gave a faint smile.

The Superintendent's Dao essence merges with the entire Treasure Tower; any stir in the wind and grass will directly trigger the Superintendent's Dao essence to activate the great divine seal formation covering the whole tower.

The Superintendent said, even if a great divine seal master of disaster comes, they'll have to shed a layer of skin!

Great divine seal formation!

Li Che's heart twitched slightly, but he did not activate the Heaven-Earth Chessboard to probe.

Xixi carries the Flying Thunder chess piece he left on her; if danger arises, he can sense it immediately and rush over.

So, Li Che didn't worry too much, appearing to trust the safety of the Qintian Supervisorate.

Fang Shangzhen was very pleased with Li Che's attitude.

This trust in the Qintian Supervisorate shows that Li Che is gradually developing a sense of belonging to it, which is a good thing.

Lord Li, rest assured... the Superintendent has spoken; I'll summon the Deputy of the Peach Talisman Supervisorate, and together we'll vent for you—these Western Regions Buddhist forces keep seeping into Dàjǐng, and I've long disliked them!

Li Che smiled: 'Then I'll go call the sect leader, and also summon the Stone Sect Leader of the True Martial Divine Sect; with many people, great strength, we'll give that Seven Treasures Relic Like-Intent Golden Heavenly King Tower Temple deity a good beating.'

Fang Shangzhen, upon hearing this, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Xuan Gui, Fang Shangzhen, Yue Taofu, plus Lü Taibai and Shi Jian...

Even the temple deities of the Four Divine Emblem Guiyi Miao would not escape this beating.

After the two made their agreement, Li Che then left the Qintian Supervisorate.

The pattering rain struck the white jade steps, the water gathering into a flow, pouring down like a small waterfall.

Nie Yang brought Li Chengzhou beneath the white jade steps before the Qintian Supervisorate, bathing in the spring rain, earnestly practicing swordplay.

Nie Yang had specially forged a heavy black-iron sword for Li Chengzhou, so weighty that Li Chengzhou must hold it with one hand and sustain a single raised sword for an hour!

Nie Yang also did not let Li Chengzhou train alone; he himself held a heavy sword, practicing with the sword held horizontally.

When Li Che stepped out of the Qintian Supervisorate, he saw the master and disciple duo in the night sky, their blood boiling, sweat pouring as they trained!

When Nie Yang saw Li Che.

He immediately shouted: 'Chengzhou! Sheathe your sword!'

The master and disciple pair then nearly synchronously completed the sword-sheathing motion.

Li Chengzhou kept panting, his entire sword-gripping hand trembling nonstop.

"Elder Li!"

Nie Yang exhaled a mouthful of turbid qi, then smiled and looked at Li Che, a doubtful color appearing in his eyes: "Where is Xixi?"

"She is cultivating at the Imperial Observatory; let's first return to the Qianyuan Institute."

Li Che said with a smile.

? TtkΛn? ￠〇

Nie Yang also didn't ask further; the dragon horse neighed, and under the trampling of its hooves, it kicked up the spring water, causing it to explode.

……

……

The heavens and earth were vast, spring rain drifting down.

The night was deep as thick ink, impossible to dispel, not a glimmer of light visible.

Black clouds piled up above the ten-thousand-zhang high sky; countless fine, silky raindrops poured down from the cloud layer, like willow catkins swaying in a gentle breeze.

The surface of the Grand Canal rippled with concentric waves; flower boats swayed on the water, the splendid lamps reflected in the boats making the churned surface gleam with color.

The Grand Canal had been dug all the way to Shendu's Second City, but the docks were only established in Shendu's Ninth Layer, so few vessels could enter the Second City.

And within Shendu's Second City, the Grand Canal's surface had become much narrower.

Even on rainy nights, the lively atmosphere of the flower boats, the flirtatiousness of officials and nobles, could not be doused, nor restrained.

After the Temple Suppression Office Director Hua Manlou finished investigating why the Senior Director had deliberately returned today, he went to the flower boat on the banks of the Grand Canal.

Swaying flower boat, accompanied by the top courtesan, beauty beyond measure.

Of course, Hua Manlou enjoyed himself on the flower boat; besides enjoyment, there was also the matter of guarding the Guiyi Miao.

Upon this Grand Canal stands a Guiyi Miao of the Four Sovereigns rank.

The Four Sovereigns Guiyi Miao is certainly no minor role; once the Strange Gate erupts, the impact is enormous……

However, in Shendu, the threat of the Four Sovereigns Guiyi Miao is not as great as imagined.

After all, Shendu is crowded with experts; even if the Four Sovereigns Guiyi Miao truly erupted, experts could promptly step in to suppress it.

Hua Manlou's face was slick with oil, a bright smile hanging on his lips; under the service of the top courtesan, he drank fine wine, then, following the vine to the melon, he licked the courtesan's smooth, fair handback, wishing to go all the way up, exploring the mountains.

However, Hua Manlou suddenly frowned, his motion pausing.

"Flower Superintendent…… how…… how did you stop?"

"Is it that I haven't served you well?"

The top courtesan's eyes were hazy, her red lips slightly parted.

However, Hua Manlou raised a finger, pressing it against her red lips.

"Don't speak."

Hua Manlou's face turned solemn.

The top courtesan instantly lost color, capable of making Hua Manlou, a Supreme Martial Saint, display such a solemn demeanor.

What happened?

Hua Manlou arrived at the flower boat's window and looked out.

Suddenly, he saw that on the surface of the Grand Canal, water vapor surged up abruptly, and a great fog began to roll.

Five figures stepped upon the water as if on flat ground; the ripples continually spreading on the water's surface struck the flower boat.

This caused the flower boat to shake violently, out of control.

Hua Manlou's sleek, glossy face twitched slightly, and a hint of astonishment appeared in his eyes.

"This lineup..."

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Director Shangzhen Fang and Deputy Director Taofu Yue, the two Vice Directors of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau!

Lord Taibai Lu and Lord Jian Shi, the two Sect Leaders of the Divine Sect—one listed on both rankings, a mighty cultivator of the Guide Dao Essence Calamity Sword.

The other ranks fourth at the Heavenly Gate Pass, a martial overlord!

Such a lineup...

What on earth are you guys trying to do?!

As for Li Che, he merely possessed a Divine Fetus aura, and Hua Manlou simply overlooked him.

However, Hua Manlou was no fool; on the third breath after ignoring him, his eyes instantly shifted and landed on Li Che.

Mixing a cute puppy among a pack of feral wolves is surely problematic.

"Li Che..."

Hua Manlou recognized Li Che, this newly appointed Eminent Guest of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau; moreover, his investigation revealed that today, the only person heading to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau's Treasure Pavilion was Li Che and his daughter.

In other words, today's provocation that caused the Director to return and trigger the calamity is likely due to this very person before us?

A strange smile involuntarily appeared on Hua Manlou's sleek, glossy face.

He patted the top courtesan's soft bosom, and amid her startled cry, his whole body turned into a stream of light shooting up into the sky, the robe of the Governor of the Temple Pacification Office on his body fluttering loudly.

Upon the rippling surface of the Grand Canal, he strode forward.

In his hand, the flower fan snapped open with a swish.

"Everyone, with such a grand display, where are you headed?"

"Could it be that you're going to attack the temple?"

A brilliant smile appeared on Hua Manlou's handsome face.

Gazes swept over him; the eyes of the two Vice Directors, Fang Shangzhen and Yue Taofu, fell upon him, as the heavens and earth's souls surged tumultuously, the sky seeming to undergo a transformation, causing the water beneath Hua Manlou to seem as if it were about to cave in and explode.

Lü Taibai's silver hair flew, his wide sleeves bulged, Shi Jian wasn't wearing black armor, having removed his armor, revealing terrifying muscles interwoven across his body, his jet-black, vigorous hair whipping sharply, his keen gaze also sweeping over.

Yes, raze the temple.

Lü Taibai gave a faint smile.

Hua Manlou hearing this, his expression instantly stiffened.

Li Che's dark robe fluttered, a gentle smile on his face, he recounted the situation that had just occurred.

Hua Manlou's mouth twitched involuntarily: "You want to enter the Seven Treasures Relic Like‑Intent Golden Heavenly King Guiyi Miao… to beat that temple deity?"

It's just because this Guiyi Miao's branch temple schemed against a temple deity, dragging in your daughter, Li Che?

This matter is a bit big…… If you raze the temple and cause the Guiyi Miao to riot, the ghostly gate to swell…… the impact would be huge, and the blame would fall on me.

You know this, as the Governor of the Temple Suppression Office, my greatest duty is to garrison the Guiyi Miao; besides constantly monitoring the Guiyi Miao for abnormalities, I also prevent cultivators outside the Temple Suppression Office from forcibly razing the temple.

Hua Manlou spread his hands.

Li Che's brow furrowed slightly.

However, after Hua Manlou finished speaking, Fang Shangzhen's dao robe fluttered, he gave Hua Manlou a disgusted glance, and lightly said: "That's the Grand Supervisor's meaning."

Profound Tortoise.

The words fell.

The palm-sized black turtle perched on Li Che's shoulder suddenly lifted its head lazily, leapt out, and plunged into the Grand Canal's water.

Boom—!!!

The terrifying blast echoed, the river water instantly boiled; then, as if a huge surge was stirred, the billowing waves swelled like a waterfall, spreading outward in all directions, slamming hard onto the river surface, raising undulating waves.

And a even more terrifying and mighty qi and blood surged forth like mountains overturning seas!

Qi currents churned, huge waves rose to the heavens, even mud and sand surged!

Hua Manlou standing on the river surface, his expression instantly changed slightly.

Crack—crack—crack—!

Above the firmament, currents instantly blanketed and intertwined, like a great net!

Terrifying monster aura boiled and scorched, turning green and making the night instantly hazy!

The Grand Canal surged, waves towering to the heavens!

Then endless water vapor rose, forming vast sheets of mist gathering above the river surface!

The mist tore open, revealing a colossal Profound Tortoise head, the size of a small house, blotting out sky and earth as it hung before Hua Manlou, lowering slowly.

Crack—crack!

Lightning snakes roamed the horizon, illuminating the entire Grand Canal that had suddenly erupted in boiling.

Numerous flower‑boats were instantly shoved aside by the waves, causing many passengers in disarray to flee from the boats.

But as soon as they fled, they were pressed down by the Profound Tortoise's terrifying monster aura and prestige, each smashed into the river like dumplings.

Profound Tortoise Monster King!

Hua Manlou's clothes clung to his body, his expression turning extremely grim.

This Profound Tortoise, he certainly recognized it as the Grand Supervisor's mount, immensely powerful, able to penetrate the netherworld and the realm of the living; it rarely appears, and when it does, it signifies the Grand Supervisor's will!

So it's the Profound Tortoise senior…… Indeed it's the Grand Supervisor's will; I naturally won't obstruct.

Hua Manlou folded his paper fan and said with a smile.

Yet his eyes showed a wavering, doubtful look.

This Li Che……

What exactly is his relationship with the Grand Supervisor?

He can even summon this Profound Tortoise Medicine King?

The Profound Tortoise gave Hua Manlou a faint glance; daring to disturb his fruit-eating is an irreconcilable feud!

Fortunately this person is somewhat sensible; otherwise the Profound Tortoise wouldn't mind provoking that brutish fellow of the Temple Suppression Office into displeasure, and would also give him a sound thrashing.

The Profound Tortoise now unleashed full power, its terrifying qi and blood blazing like charcoal, its flesh violently writhing; beneath its shell lay a terrifying strength as if it could uphold the firmament.

Then thank you, Governor Hua, for leading the way.

Li Che clasped his fists and said amicably.

Hua Manlou glanced at Li Che, no longer daring to slight him, returned the nod, then personally led the way ahead, following the Grand Canal's surface past many flower‑boats, speeding onward.

Fang Shangzhen, Yue Taofu, Lü Taibai, Shi Jian, and Li Che, who stood on the Profound Tortoise's shell, also moved to follow.

The fearsome lineup pushed the flower‑boats on the Grand Canal to the riverbanks.

Amid the astonished and solemn gazes of many cultivators, several terrifying figures headed for the Seven Treasures Relic Like‑Intent Golden Heavenly King Tower Guiyi Miao.

The Guiyi Miao stood in the Grand Canal; from afar, a golden‑cast god‑temple sat atop it, its radiance impossible to conceal even in the deepest night.

Around the golden god‑temple, twisted ghostly gates and ghostly mist wove together in a hazy tangle.

Numerous small boats were moored nearby; aboard them sat Temple Suppression Office divine emissaries, circulating qi and blood, cultivating their divinity.

Suddenly.

Numerous divine emissaries snapped their eyes open, simultaneously drawing the standard divine weapons at their waists, faces grim beyond compare.

Because they all simultaneously felt an overwhelming suppressive pressure so terrible they could barely breathe, plus an extremely rich monster aura!

That intense monster aura almost overwhelmed every breath.

As divine emissaries of the Temple Suppression Office who often deal with ghostly gates, they are quite sensitive to monster aura.

For within the ghostly gates lie not only corpse‑guards reeking of deathly qi, but also various evil spirits and monsters!

These are all Xiejwu transformed by the temple deity's divinity!

But they soon saw Hua Manlou walking at the forefront.

Governor Hua!

The many divine emissaries immediately put away their divine weapons and clasped their fists in salute.

Hua Manlou gave a cold, solemn nod and then began to explain the situation.

These divine emissaries, however, weren't stubborn enough to keep blocking us, since they lacked the power to stop us—and they didn't even bother to see who was raiding the temple in the middle of the night!!

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you intend to raid the temple… should you provoke a disturbance in the Guiyi Miao, I will truthfully report it to the Grand Governor."

Hua Manlou apologized.

"That's only natural… but we're just here to vent our anger for Li Bansheng. Li Bansheng's daughter was schemed against by the deity of this Guiyi Miao—the Seven Treasures Relic Like‑Intent Golden Heavenly King Pagoda—and now she's entangled in the Calamity of the Prison Lotus, likely unable to survive the Divine Embryo tribulation…"

"Li Bansheng is both furious and disheartened; after asking the Grand Supervisor, the Grand Supervisor had him come to this Guiyi Miao, for as the saying goes, only the one who tied the bell can untie it—perhaps a solution can be found."

Yue Taofu revealed a lovable, simple smile and, arm-in-arm with Hua Manlou, began to explain.

Hua Manlou suddenly understood.

Now I see—Li Che, the newly appointed Special Envoy of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, flew into a rage for his daughter; truly admirable paternal love.

Hua Manlou didn't waste words; he immediately opened a Mysterious Gate for everyone.

Hua Manlou, too, had no children; he felt that if he also had a lovely daughter who was schemed against and faced imminent danger, he would go completely mad!

Li Che sat on the back of the black turtle and thanked Hua Manlou.

"Everyone… please."

"My daughter Xixi is only six years old; merely because she inherited the legacy of the Third Prince's temple deity, she was schemed against by this very deity, used as a tool to plot against its son, entangled in the Calamity of the Prison Lotus, judged unable to survive the Divine Embryo tribulation—once she achieves Divine Embryo, the Prison Lotus fire will burn her flesh and bones, making her suffer unbearably."

"As a father, I feel stifled and furious, yet I can do nothing; now I can only ask you all to lend me a hand, to see if we can obtain a solution from this wicked temple deity."

Li Che's face was filled with sorrow, that of a father clutching at the last straw, hoping to rescue his daughter.

"Hmph! A temple deity… scheming against a little girl—what kind of deity is that?!"

Lü Taibai couldn't bear it any longer; his body burst with sword qi, carving gully after gully into the river surface—deep sword-qi ravines that would not easily heal.

His whole person turned into a silver sword light, killing intent surging, and in an instant he slew into the Mysterious Gate.

Shi Jian said no more, his body erupting in golden blood mist; he became like a golden meteor, shooting into the Mysterious Gate, closely following Lü Taibai.

Fang Shangzhen and Yue Taofu's heavenly and earthly souls roared, and vast divine power rampaged around them.

Leaping into the Mysterious Gate!

At the peak of absolute supremacy, the mighty aura and breath of the great god cultivators made all the cultivators who had rushed over to watch the spectacle break out in gooseflesh and struggle to breathe.

Li Che's black turtle beneath him also stirred, slowly drifting into the Mysterious Gate.

Hua Manlou watched as the mighty crowd surged into the Heavenly King Pagoda Guiyi Miao……

He shook his head, his toes touched down, the water surface exploded, and his whole body likewise drifted upward.

He was purely there just to watch the fun.

At the same time.

The news that the four great powers, together with the Grand Supervisor's turtle, were attacking the Golden Heavenly King Pagoda Guiyi Miao instantly became a thunderclap in the dead of night, booming across the firmament and leaving many cultivators in Shendu doubtful and uneasy.

……

……

Lotus Flower Pavilion.

The sword-wielding guard Ning An darted forward swiftly, a few leaps landing him between the pavilions.

He walked hastily, finally restrained his aura, and informed the State Preceptor Xie Yunshen of what had transpired on the Grand Canal.

The candlelight flickered dimly as Xie Yunshen, in the midst of analyzing with Lü Chi, furrowed his brows slightly: "Attacking the Seven Treasures Relic Like‑Intent Golden Heavenly King Pagoda?"

"As it turns out, that little girl… got caught up in the mutual scheming between two temple deities; the Heavenly King Pagoda is the temple deity of the Black Sumeru faction, while the Third Prince belongs to the Prison Lotus faction."

"This Heavenly King Pagoda intends, through this scheming, to convert the Third Prince into the Black Sumeru faction……"

"This scheming began at Jinguang Prefecture; that girl truly cannot survive the Divine Embryo, for the Prison Lotus fire corrupts her—unless she mutilates her flesh, cuts bone and slices meat to obtain the Prison Lotus divine rhizome, transforming it into an indestructible Prison Lotus rhizome body, she will inevitably be burned to death; strengthening her flesh might help, but in truth it's just gambling with her life."

Xie Yunshen shook his head.

Lü Chi, seated cross-legged opposite him, turned deathly pale.

However, State Preceptor Xie Yunshen looked at Lü Chi, and his eyes faintly brightened.

He seemed to be pondering something.

Slowly, his pallor deepened a bit, and a few strands of white hair appeared among the black on his forehead.

"Your Highness, if you seek to become crown prince, perhaps……"

"The final opportunity lies right before you."

……

……

Mysterious mist roiled within the Mysterious Gate.

A sword light flashed, instantly carving intersecting gullies across the ground of the Mysterious Gate.

Many of the Xiejwei and monsters within the Mysterious Gate were utterly sliced apart, bursting and shattering into fragments.

The terrifying sword light ruthlessly drilled into the Golden Heavenly King Divine Hall, like an ancient bell tolling, its waves bursting forth in a mighty surge!

The slumbering temple guardian corpse king was roused awake, a fearsome golden divine general rising to stand, yet facing the combat power of five peak supreme experts, this temple guardian corpse king, though likewise possessing peak supreme combat power, could not resist and was subdued.

Lü Taibai's explosive temper—his inner fury was no less than Li Che's.

His precious disciple had been schemed against by a dead temple deity; if he fails to survive the Divine Embryo realm and triggers the Divine Embryo, the Prison Lotus fire will erupt, possibly killing Xixi!

And Lü Taibai himself couldn't even think of a way to resolve or save her—how could he not be angry?

All the way he slaughtered, each move vicious; even that temple guardian corpse king could not withstand Lü Taibai's sword, which drew upon the Dao's essence tribulation, and was instantly slain.

Finally, everyone appeared inside the Golden Heavenly King Divine Hall.

They beheld the deity who held aloft a golden pagoda, its entire body flowing with golden radiance!

As if sensing the surging killing intent, the Golden Heavenly King suddenly opened his eyes, and splendid golden Buddha light burst forth instantly—this Golden Heavenly King Divine Hall far surpassing the one in Qianyuan Dao City in strength!

The Strange Gate rumbled and boiled, the Strange Mist surged and rolled, enveloping everyone!

The Mysterious Turtle let out a hiss, instantly swelling, azure demonic aura shooting to the sky; for the Spirit Fruit, it struck first!

"Attack the temple!"

Lü Taibai's forehead split, blood pouring forth, and the Dao Concealment Tribulation Sword was unleashed once more.

Everyone attacked together, charging wildly at the Golden Heavenly King Temple Deity.

The deity of the Four Imperial Guard Guiyi Miao ultimately had a limit to its power; in this battle… Lü Taibai contributed the most, unleashing the Dao Concealment Tribulation Sword filled with fury, combined with the Mysterious Turtle's trampling, like a heavenly pillar…

The statue of the Golden Heavenly King Temple Deity was covered in cracks, the entire Strange Gate's ground laced with intersecting fissures that struggled to heal.

Sword marks and traces of carnage were everywhere.

"Li Keqing, unless a God Tribulation Realm cultivator capable of shattering the void takes action… this is the limit of what we can achieve in raiding the temple."

"The Dàjǐng Temple Suppression Bureau's temple raids are usually like this."

"The temple deity… cannot be killed."

Fang Shangzhen's divinity ebbed and flowed as he slowly exhaled a breath.

Li Che merely came to vent his anger; she felt that was about enough.

In this battle, everyone went all out; the deity of the Four Imperial Guard Guiyi Miao also possessed top‑tier peak strength, no one dared hold back, for if injured by the deity's all‑out assault, the loss would outweigh any gain.

Li Che stood at the edge of the Divine Temple; throughout this battle he merely watched, never intervening, for such a fight was beyond what a newly ascended Divine Fetus like him could meddle in.

"The temple deity can't be killed… that's enough, that's enough. Thank you, seniors."

Li Che wore a gentle smile, clasping his hands in thanks.

That Golden Heavenly King Divine Eagle, its body covered in cracks, sat enthroned upon the altar, its visage even shedding fragments of carcass.

Li Che gazed at him pensively.

In a hazy moment, Li Che realized the temple deity was also looking at him.

Hua Manlou was somewhat speechless, never expecting Li Che could actually persuade these top‑tier experts to go all out, driving the deity of the Four Imperial Guard Guiyi Miao to its limits.

With such an outcome, Hua Manlou was also pleased to see that the Four Imperial Guard Guiyi Miao's deity had been gravely wounded… it would need time to recover, causing no further disturbances, and could even save the Temple Suppression Bureau considerable manpower.

The fear was that a half‑done job would provoke the deity's wrath… triggering an uprising in the Strange Gate, forcing the Temple Suppression Bureau to mobilize more forces to suppress it—then the real trouble would begin.

After the temple raid ended, everyone dispersed from the Guiyi Miao.

Li Che then followed Fang Shangzhen back to the Imperial Observatory.

After thanking Fang Shangzhen, the Vice Director, and feeding the Mysterious Turtle a Spirit Fruit imbued with Pure‑Heart divinity…

Li Che returned to the cultivation chamber.

Watching Xixi immersed in cultivation.

A flicker of pity crossed Li Che's eyes.

"Whoever dares bully my daughter, I will kill them!"

Li Che slowly took out an adorable cow mask, placed it on his face, and lightly traced it with his fingers; beneath the mask, his eyes……

Killer intent surged like a flood!

A temple raid ought to have a beginning and an end.

Wrap it up—let him handle it.

"The temple deity can't be killed?"

"How could it possibly be unkillable?!"

He, Li Che, has already slain more than one temple deity!