Chapter 394: 396. Chapter 389: Ten-Thousand-Zhang Blood-Energy Gold Pool Ripens the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach, Immaculate Heart Capture

396. Chapter 389: Ten-Thousand-Zhang Blood-Energy Gold Pool Ripens the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach, Immaculate Heart Captures the Eight Immortal Gathering Banner 【Seeking Monthly Votes】

Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Garden!

As the image within the picture showed the gate of the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Garden, everyone's inner hearts were no longer at peace.

Even the emperor seated high on the throne felt his heart surge, a stirring divine will like a storm sweeping across, spreading between heaven and earth.

The Empress's complexion turned even more deathly pale.

Because she wielded the Three Pure Divine Weapon, the Heavenly River Like-Intent Hairpin, she had a vague sense of it.

Inside the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Garden……

Just like the Seven-Thousand-Year Peach Garden, the peaches were all gone!

But the Empress couldn't quite figure out the reason.

Seeing the Heavenly River Like-Intent Hairpin draw forth the Heavenly River, the dripping water curtain revealed that Li Che had plucked only three peaches!

Furthermore, he managed to pick the two later peaches even though his body was riddled with wounds.

There should still be two left, right……

Why are none left?

As for why Li Che would risk heavy injury to pick two more peaches, the Empress guessed…… Li Che must have subconsciously sensed the rules of the Queen Mother of the West's Guiyi Miao.

Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Garden……

Not even the Empress had ever set foot there.

Or rather, no one in the entire Dàjǐng imperial family, except the founding Taizu of Dàjǐng, had ever set foot there.

Not to mention the Empress, even the current Dàjǐng emperor had never set foot there……

Perhaps this is the reason the Dàjǐng emperor burst forth with anger.

"My Empress…… this child actually entered the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove so easily, while my Dàjǐng imperial family, for all these years, has had no one able to set foot there?"

The emperor asked in a low voice.

On his face, divinity and blood-energy intertwined, making it impossible to discern any emotional fluctuation.

The Empress's complexion shifted slightly, the panic in her eyes vanished, her brows faintly knotted: "Your Majesty…… Li Half-Saint is not so easily able to set foot."

He endured a divine light's execution to gather three Nine-Thousand-Year Peaches, nearly dying, relying solely on his will to persist……

Such courage to walk the edge of death—our Dàjǐng imperial family…… has none.

The Empress's voice was indifferent, even tinged with mockery.

Li Che's method of opening the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove is not sophisticated; indeed, it is simple and crude, derived from the rules of the previously ascended higher-year Peach Grove.

The Empress had also offered a guess.

But no one in the Dàjǐng imperial family could accomplish it……

What could the Empress possibly do?

To send someone up to the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Garden, the Empress truly cannot do it!

The Empress looked at the emperor, her voice suddenly softening a bit: "Your Majesty, please rest assured……"

The Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove opens passively; although Li Half-Saint entered ahead of time, he may return empty-handed……

A flicker of thought crossed the emperor's eyes, then he said: "What the Empress means is……"

The Empress nodded: "If there are mature peaches in the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove, through divine resonance of the temple, the Heavenly River Like-Intent Hairpin will sense it; by holding the Queen Mother's ritual, we can receive the gift of the Queen Mother of the West's Guiyi Miao deity and be granted the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach as a reward."

The purpose of our holding the Peach Triumph Assembly is actually also for divine resonance of the temple……

Yet this time the temple's divine resonance gave no feedback; the Heavenly River Like-Intent Hairpin felt nothing, and looking at that Heavenly River water curtain…… it has already begun to dry up.

Being unable to peer into the scene within the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove is precisely because the Heavenly River Like-Intent Hairpin did not sense any mature peaches there.

Thus, this trip…… Li Half-Saint is destined to return empty-handed.

Entering the Peach Grove, what else could it be for if not the peaches?

But there are no mature peaches……

What significance could there be in entering the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove?

Immature peaches, according to the rules of the Queen Mother of the West's Guiyi Miao, are absolutely forbidden to be picked.

The Empress exhaled lightly.

Having said that, her tightly wound heart also relaxed a little, and the anxiety she had been suppressing in her chest dissipated considerably.

Both the Seven-Thousand-Year and Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Groves have been emptied……

Although we don't know who did it.

But the Empress is not stupid……

Her intuition tells her it is closely related to Li Che.

Now that Li Che has set foot in the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove, how could she remain calm?

Fortunately, the peaches of the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove……

are still unripe.

Unripe peaches…… surely they can't still be picked, right?

Upon hearing this, the emperor's mood actually grew even more relaxed.

"Possibly divine resonance of the temple……"

"Ascending the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Grove……"

"This child…… truly outshines everyone; in this session's Peach Triumph Assembly, he undoubtedly takes first place."

The emperor said nothing more, also realizing his earlier emotional leak was somewhat improper.

He spoke lightly, then flicked his sleeve and sat down, his gaze becoming deeper and as still as an ancient well.

His gaze shifted, landing on the main banquet area of the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Lü Taibai seemed to notice his gaze, turned his head, silver hair flying, nodded with a slight smile, neither humble nor arrogant.

Primordial……

The emperor murmured.

On the White Jade Plaza.

Everyone's gaze was drawn, for after Li Che ascended and was expelled from the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Garden, the Golden-Haired Beast also looked back in a daze.

Then they saw Li Che bearing the heavy cost, opening the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Garden.

In their eyes, a hint of admiration couldn't help but appear.

"Not bad, I'm the master of the Golden-Haired Beast!"

The Golden-Haired Beast truly felt admiration, after all, seeing that terrifying piercing power... ordinary people really couldn't withstand it.

Li Che was merely a divine cultivator, not high in physical cultivation, yet he actually withstood such inhuman assault.

With such tenacious will, the Golden-Haired Beast was moved and impressed.

And at the edge of the White Jade Plaza.

Xixi pouted, gazing longingly at the Heavenly River Water Curtain, mist from the curtain seeming to rise in her eyes.

She didn't care at all whether her father had opened the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Garden...

She only saw her father continually pierced by that terrifying power, and Xixi felt heartbroken!

……

……

Li Che finally faced the image of the massive gate opening, not an illusion crafted by the Dream Heaven Master Dao Fruit.

In fact, at the final moment of the gate's opening, Li Che dispelled the illusionary effect of the Dream Heaven Master Dao Fruit.

Black hair flying, Li Che's feigned appearance of wounds all over his body, breath faint, he raised his head, stubbornly facing the towering gate that almost shook the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Garden and was nearly shattered.

The gate exuded an extremely terrifying pressure...

That pressure was truly terrifying, roughly equivalent to the pressure when Lü Taibai tore open his brow flesh and sacrificed the Dao Fate Tribulation Sword.

Pressure of the Half-Step Divine Tribulation level!

A solemn color appeared in Li Che's expression.

Boom——!!!

The sound, like evening drums and morning bells, exploded and roared, continuously vibrating in Li Che's ears, making his whole body tremble incessantly, as if all his flesh and blood were about to be shaken off.

On the ground, patches of frost grass burst open one after another, flying up without cease.

Transforming into incredibly rich immortal energy, the immortal energy rolled like auspicious clouds, propelling Li Che's body, drifting into beyond the gate.

The gate seemed to have a thin film like a water curtain; at the instant of passing through, ripples spread layer upon layer, as if space itself were trembling.

Li Che only felt his mind shudder, then sensed an omnipresent pressure!

In the surrounding scene, as the world spun, a great change occurred.

Thereafter, Li Che realized he had entered a brand-new world.

It belonged to the true core region of the Peach Garden.

The divinity and spiritual energy between heaven and earth grew ever richer, the air continually drifting with various strands of condensed substantive immortal energy.

Li Che's black robe fluttered, his black hair whipping like lightning in all directions.

As far as the eye could see, Li Che was utterly astonished.

Because...

In imagination, the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Tree should, no matter what, be more divine than the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Tree, each at least starting at a thousand zhang tall.

But what astonished Li Che was, in the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Forest...

A whole expanse of peach forest, viewed afar, actually was no different from peach trees twenty or thirty zhang high; its height had become ordinary, lacking the feeling of a mythical realm.

How could the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach have shrunk instead?

Return to simplicity and authenticity?!

Li Che couldn't help but have this word and thought arise in his heart.

He slowly stepped into this peach forest; the soft ground, the frost grass sometimes stabbing his feet, as if it wanted to cut and split his soles.

If Li Che's physical body weren't strong enough, he wouldn't even be able to walk in this peach forest.

With a slight stir of his mind, Li Che sensed the outside world, surprised to discover that the Heavenly River Water Curtain above the White Jade Plaza was actually beginning to dry up.

That is to say...

The scene within the Ten-Thousand-Year Peach Forest could not be peered into even by the Heavenly River Ruyi Hairpin.

This was, for Li Che, a piece of good news.

It meant that while acting within this peach forest he need not be overly wary, but in fact, for him who had mastered using the Dream Heaven Master Dao Fruit to construct illusions altering the Heavenly River Water Curtain scene...

The influence was not great.

However, being cautious, Li Che still maintained the Dream Heaven Master Dao Fruit, and at all times kept the Heaven-Earth Chessboard deployed to shield against detection, gripping the Flying Thunder Chess Pieces; if the situation went wrong, he would instantly flee via Flying Thunder.

Even when facing opportunity and taking the initiative, he must still tread as if on thin ice.

After all, he is a man with a family.

The rich peach fragrance completely aroused Li Che's desire; he walked following the substantive scent.

Li Che quickly found the source emitting that fragrance.

"This is... not ripe?"

Li Che couldn't help but flash a look of astonishment in his eyes.

He looked at the little peach hanging on the peach tree; since the peach tree wasn't tall, Li Che raised his head and clearly saw that small peach.

It really was a small peach, not plump, its surface all green.

Although the peach fragrance that spread out was incredibly rich...

But if it's not ripe, it's not ripe...

Li Che's brows furrowed slightly.

"An unripe flat peach..."

A hint of regret unconsciously appeared in his eyes.

This is a ten‑thousand‑year true dragon blood flat peach, of higher quality than the nine‑thousand‑year chi dragon blood flat peach!

The nine‑thousand‑year chi dragon blood flat peach belongs to the heavenly wonder of the Four Emperors Upper Rank...

Then this ten‑thousand‑year flat peach should probably be a heavenly wonder of the Three Purities Lower Rank!

Alas... it's not ripe!

If picked now, it would be too regrettable.

Some are utterly heartless!

If I were to harm the flat peach tree, that would be too sinful.

Li Che's heart involuntarily showed a troubled expression.

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Li Che's mind stirred slightly.

The blood and flesh between his brows instantly split to both sides.

The Star‑Picking Pupil emerged, golden light flashing!

…… - none.

【Heavenly Earthly Wonder (Three Purities Lower Rank): Ten‑thousand‑year True Dragon Blood Flat Peach (Unripe)】

【Cultivation: Absorbing the Kunlun Mirror's light, using true dragon blood as the source, nurtured for a thousand years through wind and rain, drawing the Kunlun Mirror's divine light can ripen it】

…… - none.

Uh?!

Li Che's eyes instantly brightened!

Can we use the Kunlun Mirror's divine light to ripen it?!

Li Che naturally knows what the Kunlun Mirror's divine light is—it is that terrifyingly extreme, scorching annihilation of everything, the Kunlun Death Light!

Originally Li Che had begun to waver, wanting to give up this flat peach.

But who would have thought, fortunes turn.

"Star‑Picking Pupil, myriad analyses endless, return the false to the true... Although not a killing technique, at crucial moments the aid it provides cannot be measured by combat power!"

Who says support can't bring victory?

Sometimes, support is extremely important!

"How to draw the Kunlun divine light to ripen it...?"

Li Che couldn't help but ponder.

Although the Star‑Picking Pupil gave him a method, it didn't tell Li Che exactly how to mobilize the Kunlun divine light to ripen the flat peach.

Li Che strolled over, intending to approach the flat peach tree.

Suddenly.

Waves of immortal aura drifted and surged.

Following that, the frost grass on the ground shattered, the soft soil split open, and then seven figures resembling temple‑god divine eagles burst out of the soil.

Seven distinct divine essences mingled and intertwined between heaven and earth.

Li Che's gaze swept over, and he couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.

Because they were seven stunningly beautiful figures, each with different postures, holding fruit baskets, smiles brimming... the Seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles!

Each Celestial Maiden Divine Eagle was lifelike, as if alive, eyebrows glancing, charming smiles.

Even Li Che couldn't help but marvel at the eyebrows of the Seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles, which had a natural purity like emerging from mud unstained.

However...

In Li Che's chest, the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit began to throb violently upon seeing the Seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles, pounding intensely.

It seemed to emit a thunderous explosive sound.

"Save me..."

A weak voice, like a humming, transmitted.

Li Che truly heard it clearly, his eyes flashing with surprise and delight.

The Heavenly Earth Chessboard suddenly expanded, instantly sensing the direction of the sound.

Indeed...

Li Che's gaze fell upon the seven Celestial Maiden statues.

That voice...

It was coming from within those Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles.

Thump thump thump—

The sound echoing in his ears, like thunder, kept jumping and buzzing.

And that cry for help seemed to carry a unique magic; faintly, Li Che seemed to see celestial maidens weeping and lamenting.

The soft sobbing sound echoed in his ears.

Li Che's mind stirred, and in an instant his eyes became dazed.

His whole body seemed to lose control, step by step he slowly walked toward the seven celestial maidens emitting the cry for help.

Clatter clatter...

The seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles began to wriggle, slowly shifting, stretching across and pushing, and before Li Che knew it, he found himself wrapped right in the center by the seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles.

Buzz buzz buzz—

In the next moment, the beautiful and lively eyes of the seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles suddenly burst forth with gorgeous black light.

Translation: "In the next moment, the beautiful and lively eyes of the seven celestial maiden god-eagles burst forth with gorgeous black light!" Need to keep meaning.

An extremely rich black aura rose, pitch black, as if the immortal aura had been dyed black.

Translation: "Extremely rich black qi surged up, pitch black, as if the immortal aura had been dyed black."

The black aura surged above the seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagle statues, hovering above Li Che's head.

Translation: "The black qi roiled above the seven celestial maiden sculptures, hovering above Li Che's head."

The confusion in Li Che's eyes vanished instantly, his eyes becoming crystal clear, agitated and... greedy!

Translation: "The confusion in Li Che's eyes vanished instantly, his eyes becoming crystal clear, turbulent and... greedy!"

He abruptly raised his head and saw a palm‑sized triangular small flag hovering in midair.

Translation: "He abruptly raised his head and saw a palm-sized triangular small flag hovering in midair."

The small flag emitted an extremely rich black aura, as if it were infecting the divinity of the seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles...

Translation: "That small flag released extremely rich black qi, as if it were contaminating the divinity of the seven celestial maiden god-eagles..."

The seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles, as if carved by top‑tier divine eagle craftsmanship, each transformed from beautiful celestial maidens into ferocious, terrifying demonesses.

Translation: "The seven celestial maiden god-eagles, as if carved by a top-tier god-eagle saint's craftsmanship, each transformed from absolute beauties into ferocious, terrifying demonesses."

Like evil spirits crawling out of the netherworld.

Translation: "Like evil ghosts crawling out of the netherworld."

Powerful divine intent surged, the seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles relentlessly pressed upon Li Che, as if trying to drown him, devouring his flesh, soul, and divinity!

Translation: "With powerful divine intent fluctuations, the seven celestial maidens continually pressed toward Li Che, as if they wanted to drown him, devouring his flesh, soul, and divinity!"

"Hoo—"

Translation: "\"Huu—\""

"So... it's you this thing that's luring me!"

So... it's you, this thing, that's luring me!

"You've got me hooked, making my mouth jut out!"

You've hooked me, making my mouth pout!

Li Che lifted his head and stared at the palm‑sized triangular flag, his gaze deep, greed and excitement bursting forth.

Translation: "Li Che raised his head and stared at the palm-sized triangular flag, his gaze deep, greed and excitement bursting forth."

Faced with the seven approaching Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles, Li Che's body instantly swelled, his qi and blood surged and expanded, his tendons and bones roared, the seven mystical divine seeds instantly detonated, and the spiritual energy of the flat peach forest wildly surged toward Li Che.

Translation: "Facing the seven approaching celestial maiden god-eagles, Li Che's body instantly swelled, his qi and blood surged and expanded, his bones resonated, the seven Qimen divine seeds instantly detonated, and the heaven-and-earth spiritual qi within the Peach Blossom Forest frenziedly surged toward Li Che."

His body trembled, merely a stretching motion.

Translation: "His body trembled—just a motion of stretching his form."

He sent the seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles flying sideways with an impact, the invisible qi and blood shockwave rippling, the air rippling with undulating wrinkles.

Translation: "Thus he struck the seven celestial maiden god-eagles, sending them flying sideways; the invisible qi-blood shockwave surged, causing the air to ripple with undulating folds."

"Ah—!!!"

Translation: "\"Ah—!!! \"" (maybe scream)

It was as if a scream exploded.

Translation: "It was as if a shriek exploded."

The hovering palm‑sized small flag actually emitted a screaming sound.

Translation: "That hovering palm-sized small flag actually emitted a shrieking sound."

"Impossible!"

Translation: "\"Impossible! \""

"How could you possibly escape the 'Gathering Immortal Sound'? It is the purest, most flawless sound in heaven and earth, capable of summoning the celestial host of the heavenly court!"

Translation: "\"How could you possibly escape the 'Gathering Immortal Sound'? It is the most pure and flawless sound between heaven and earth, capable of summoning the celestial court's myriad immortals! \""

The screaming sound came from within the small flag.

Translation: "The shrieking sound emanated from the small flag."

The small flag, entwined with rolling black aura, waved like billowing beacon smoke, eager to dart and escape.

Translation: "The small flag was entwined with rolling black qi, like waving beacon smoke, seeming to want to dart and escape."

But Li Che would never let this palm‑sized small flag run away.

Translation: "But how could Li Che let this palm-sized small flag get away?"

From the moment he stepped into the flat peach forest, Li Che had been lured, his Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit almost driven mad thinking of it.

Translation: "From the moment he stepped into the Peach Blossom Forest, Li Che had been lured, his Innocent Heart Dao Fruit almost driven mad thinking of it."

As the one who most cherished his Dao Fruit, Li Che would naturally not let this small flag go.

Translation: "As Li Che, who cherished his Dao Fruit the most, he naturally would not let this small flag slip by."

So‑called Gathering Immortal Sound possesses great bewitching power, but...

Translation: "The so-called Gathering Immortal Sound possesses great bewitching power, but..."

Li Che has the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit, and the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart!

Translation: "Li Che has the Innocent Heart Dao Fruit, and the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart!"

So‑called temptation and bewitching... simply cannot affect him!

Translation: "The so-called temptation and bewitchment... simply cannot affect him!"

Under the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, everything is illusion!

Translation: "Under the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, all is illusory!"

Boom—!!!

Translation: "Boom—!!!"

The blood and gold pool surged, spreading out; Li Che's five fingers spread wide, instantly seizing the horizontally flying small flag trying to escape.

Translation: "The qi-blood golden pool surged and spread; Li Che's fingers splayed, instantly grasping the horizontally flying small flag that sought to escape."

The Prison Lightning Heavenly Net expanded, enveloping and imprisoning it.

Translation: "The Prison Lightning Heavenly Net expanded, enveloping and imprisoning it."

The small flag darted swiftly, trying to fly sideways to escape, but facing the Prison Lightning Heavenly Net sealing all directions, there was nowhere to flee.

Translation: "The small flag darted swiftly, seeking to fly sideways and escape, but facing the Prison Lightning Heavenly Net sealing the four directions, there was nowhere to flee."

The seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles struck by Li Che and sent flying soared up, their divinity gathering and intertwining.

Translation: "The seven celestial maiden god-eagles struck flying by Li Che all soared into the heavens, their divinity converging and intertwining."

The divine eagles seemed to come alive.

Translation: "The god-eagles seemed to come alive."

Li Che's body grew tall and sturdy, like a pagoda mountain, his golden eyes burning with flames.

Translation: "His body towered and swelled, like a pagoda mountain—Li Che, with golden eyes burning with flames."

His mind stirred.

Translation: "His heart and spirit stirred."

The Heavenly Earth Chessboard net fell, instantly enveloping the seven Celestial Maiden Divine Eagles; Mo City's gate burst open like an abyssal black hole, swallowing and capturing the seven celestial maidens.

Translation: "The Heaven-Earth Chessboard Net fell, instantly enveloping all seven celestial maiden god-eagles; Ink City's gates burst open like an abyssal black hole, devouring, capturing, and suppressing the seven immortal maidens."

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

Translation: "Whoosh whoosh whoosh—"

The wind and waves left only the sound of the Prison Lightning Heavenly Net's arcs crackling.

Translation: "Only the sound of arcing lightning from the Prison Lightning Heavenly Net remained, buffeted by wind and waves."

Li Che's terrifying aura shook, rivaling the supreme peak power; a single move made space ripple like water.

Translation: "The terrifying aura emanating from Li Che trembled, rivaling the supreme peak's dread power; with a single move, it seemed to cause ripples in space."

Gathering his aura, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit roared, countless forces converging.

Translation: "Restraining his aura, the Dragon-Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit roared, and countless forces converged."

Li Che activated the Star‑Picking Pupil to scan.

Translation: "Li Che opened his Star-Plucking Pupil and swept it over."

……

Translation: "……" (ellipsis remains)

【Mythic Weapon (Four Emperors Upper Rank): Gathering Immortal Yellow Flag (Damaged)】

Translation: "【Divine Weapon (Four Emperors Upper Rank): Gathering Immortal Yellow Flag (Damaged)】"

【Introduction: The Eight Gathering Immortal Flags, Heaven and Earth Yellow, Cosmos Primordial, when the eight flags unite they command the universe and order the immortals】

Translation: "【Introduction: The Eight Gathering Immortal Flags, Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang, Cosmos Honghuang, when the eight flags unite, they command the universe and order the myriad immortals】"

……

Translation: "……"

Li Che was stunned.

Translation: "Li Che froze."

His eyes flashed

Translation: "His eyes involuntarily showed a hint of astonishment."

"Gathering Immortal Flag?!"

Translation: "\"Gathering Immortal Flag?! \""

A damaged mythic weapon!

Translation: "A damaged divine weapon!"

The Eight Gathering Immortal Flags now only have one; gather all eight and you can command the immortals?!

Translation: "The Eight Gathering Immortal Flags—now only one flag remains... gather the eight flags, and one can command the myriad immortals?!"

Nice!

Translation: "What a fellow!"

So intimidating?!

Translation: "So intimidating?!"

Li Che's eyes showed a hint of regret: "Gathering all eight flags is easier said than done..."

Translation: "Li Che's eyes involuntarily showed a hint of regret: \"Gathering the eight flags—how easy could that be? \""

However, unexpectedly obtaining a mythic weapon, Li Che wasn't too disappointed.

Translation: "However, having unexpectedly obtained a divine weapon, Li Che was not overly disappointed."

"Let me go!"

Translation: "\"Let me go! \""

The Gathering Immortal Banner trembled, black qi converged, and it actually transformed into an aged face, roaring without cease.

However, Li Che glanced at that face, flicked his finger, and a sword pellet instantly poured in and exploded, crushing that face outright.

Within his chest, the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit throbbed violently; with a stir of his mind, Li Che directly suppressed the Gathering Immortal Banner into the Heaven-Earth Chessboard.

"Ah——!!! What is this?! What is this?! A Dao Fruit?! How could you have a Dao Fruit?!"

Li Che's pupils twitched slightly, and his heart couldn't help but startle.

This Gathering Immortal Banner actually knows the Dao Fruit?!

However, the Gathering Immortal Banner merely let out a startled shout like that, and then fell silent.

It seemed to have completely shut itself off, sealing itself away.

Meanwhile, the projection of the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart shone down and fell upon the Heaven-Earth Chessboard.

Within his chest, the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit throbbed violently.

In an instant……

From the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, one after another white tentacles lashed out wildly, entwining and piercing into the Gathering Immortal Yellow Banner.

Sizzle—

Upon the Gathering Immortal Yellow Banner, a thick black qi instantly rose up, being frantically siphoned and devoured by the countless tentacles of the Immaculate Heart.

Gurgle, gurgle……

Bulges sprouted on the tentacles, then were conveyed into the Immaculate Heart.

Li Che watched this scene in silence.

He had the feeling that his Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit……wasn't exactly a proper Dao Fruit.

But thinking of the dark qi surging from the Gathering Immortal Banner, the power that manipulates the Seven Fairy Goddess Vulture, Li Che felt that his Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit……was for slaying demons and eliminating evil!

Leaving aside the method of wildly flinging tentacles at this moment……it's still somewhat proper!

His pupils twitched slightly.

【Dao Fruit: Immaculate Heart (LV6, 40%)】

His breath instantly grew ragged.

In just a short while, the maturity of his Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit actually rose by 10%, and it was still growing at a speed visible to the naked eye!

This Gathering Immortal Banner……

It nourishes this much?!

Li Che was astonished and doubtful.

Most importantly……

There are still seven such banners left!

If all seven are gathered and completely devoured by the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit……

To what height could the rank of the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit be pushed?!

Li Che couldn't help but let out a low laugh.

This trip to the ten-thousand-year Peach Blossom Forest was indeed worthwhile; although the peaches weren't ripe, obtaining this Gathering Immortal Yellow Banner made Li Che feel the journey was not in vain!

"The Eight Gathering Immortal Banners, the Heaven-Earth Vast Sun Kunlun Mirror……these are the two Three Pure Ones Divine Weapons that the Dàjǐng imperial court has long sought in this Guiyi Miao of the Three Pure Ones rank West Queen Mother, yet never found……"

Li Che's eyes gleamed, and his mood instantly brightened.

The divine weapons that the Dàjǐng imperial court had never found—he, Li Che……had actually found them all!

Li Che sat cross-legged, not in a hurry.

Because the divine nature of the West Queen Mother's temple still existed in his perception; if he wanted to leave, he just needed to communicate with the temple's divine nature.

In other words, strictly speaking, he could remain in this ten-thousand-year Peach Blossom Forest indefinitely.

Li Che sat cross-legged, flicked his finger, and a Flying Thunder Chess Piece shot out instantly, hiding beneath the peach tree.

Then Li Che calmed his mind, surged his divine sense, to perceive the refinement of the Gathering Immortal Banner by his Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit.

Time trickled by.

Winds swayed, frost grass fluttered, and peach leaves rustled.

Heaven and earth spiritual energy, heaven and earth divine nature, wildly surged toward Li Che's body; he seemed to have become a bottomless abyss, like a funnel greedily drawing it in.

About a day's time.

Li Che opened his eyes.

"The energy of the two seven-thousand-year peaches has been completely refined……"

Within his pupils, golden light seemed to flow.

【Dragon-Elephant Crucible: Pure Martial Purity (92%)】

With a stir of his mind.

The Pure Martial Blood and Qi Golden Pond instantly expanded from above his head.

Amid the rushing water sounds, the Sea of Qi Golden Pond reflected forth, actually reaching eighteen hundred zhang!

The energy of the two peaches was completely refined by the Pure Martial Body, with not a trace wasted!

With an eighteen-hundred-zhang Sea of Qi Golden Pond, if Li Che wishes, he can now assault the Martial Saint's Three Openings and find the mountain path.

However, Li Che naturally was not satisfied with that.

Buzz—

Within the Heaven-Earth Chessboard.

The Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit had completely absorbed the dark power within the Gathering Immortal Banner; the banner, which originally spread and roiled with dark aura, was now pure and spotless, with immortal qi gently drifting……

It hovered silently within the Heaven-Earth Chessboard.

Even more, it became attuned to Li Che's will, turning into a divine weapon refined by him!

Li Che's eyes brightened slightly.

But what he was still more concerned about was the maturity of the Dao Fruit.

【Dao Fruit: Immaculate Heart (LV6, 80%)】

It actually... grew this much?!

Li Che's heart jolted!

From 30% maturity, it shot up to 80% in one go—this wave actually boosted maturity by a full 50%!

You know this is the maturity of an LV6-tier Dao Fruit!

If Li Che were to obediently absorb divine crystals, who knows how long it would take!

At least several years!

However, a single Gathering Immortal Banner directly caused a leap!

No wonder the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit was so excited and jumping, an uncontrollable leap.

Gathering Immortal Banner… you deserve such treatment from the Immaculate Heart.

"There are still seven Gathering Immortal Banners…"

Li Che licked his lips, like a poor worker seeing a generous wage, a surge of fighting spirit rising from his heart!

"Exhale——"

"Inhale——"

Sitting cross-legged in the peach forest, with each inhale and exhale, he let his mind and spirit calm.

His black hair fluttered, his dark robe rustled.

In the inner vision of the niwan, divine energy was boiling, but Li Che no longer bothered to torment it.

He brought two fingers together and tore open the air.

Within the Qiankun space, two nine-thousand-year-old peaches floated out.

One 【Chilong Blood Peach】, one 【Black Phoenix Spirit Peach】!

Apart from the three nine-thousand-year-old peaches sacrificed to open the ten-thousand-year peach orchard, these two remain.

Li Che put away the Black Phoenix Spirit Peach and picked up the nine-thousand-year-old Chilong Blood Peach.

With a crack, he took a bite.

The flesh was tender and smooth, juice splashed everywhere, the rich aroma instantly exploded in his mouth!

Like a shockwave, it struck and rolled across the walls of his mouth.

Li Che's eyes widened, his black hair standing on end, as if gravity were reversed!

Within his chest, the Dragon-Elephant Golden Body Dao Fruit seemed to have dragons and elephants roaring together, bellowing out!

The flesh fell into his stomach, in an instant, like metallic sodium contacting water, a violent reaction occurred!

The mighty qi and blood surged wildly toward his limbs and bones!

The pure martial qi and blood driving his flesh churned nonstop, roaring like thunder!

Finally, intertwined within the human elixir, it broke through the essence and gathered into the golden pool of qi and blood.

This caused the range of the golden pool of qi and blood to suddenly undergo a huge expansion.

Constantly expanding, expanding…

It actually expanded to two thousand zhang in one go!

Moreover, the speed of this expansion is still increasing!

"Refreshing!"

"So refreshing!"

Li Che's eyes shone brilliantly to the extreme.

Bite by bite, he unhurriedly finished eating the peach.

His whole body's bones and joints emitted crackling explosions!

As the martial way underwent a heaven‑shaking transformation due to the nine‑thousand‑year Chilong Blood Peach, it made Li Che… regarding that ten‑thousand‑year peach hanging on the peach tree…

His longing grew ever stronger.

"Ripen it, we must ripen it!"

Li Che gritted his teeth, raised his hand, and touched his brow.

The Heaven and Earth Soul instantly leapt out!

It floated over to the peach tree bearing an immature peach.

He didn't know how to draw the dead light from the Kunlun Mirror…

But it doesn't matter.

In Li Che's Heaven‑Earth Chessboard, he was capturing a Kunlun dead light as big as half a moon disk…

Although Li Che felt reluctant.

But…

This Kunlun dead light, Li Che could consume it and still capture more, so it wasn't as painful as he imagined.

If it could be exchanged for the ripening of the ten‑thousand‑year peach.

Li Che would definitely still profit!

As for the martial way, Li Che still harbored great ambition…

A ten‑thousand‑zhang golden pool of qi sea!

The ultimate limit of a Martial Saint's qi sea!

If there were no conditions, Li Che would just forget it, not pursuing anything.

But now, he has seen hope and conditions.

Then one will not wrong oneself.

The Heaven-Earth Soul Disk sat upon the peach tree, and the Heaven-Earth Chessboard, amid the tremor of mind and spirit, instantly expanded…

The next moment.

Two fingers pressed together.

As if a sword immortal guided a flying sword shooting forth.

That half-moon-disk-like Kunlun death light!

Instantly, from within the Heaven-Earth Chessboard, like a moon in water, ripples arose…

Then.

The radiance around the peach tree, in an instant, grew dim, as if all light had been suppressed.

Only the Kunlun radiance drawn out by Li Che remained!

Like moonlight gently sprinkled, like silk and thread.

It fell upon the green peach hanging on the peach tree!