Chapter 405: 407. Chapter 399: Rebellious Xixi – Part Two of Family Conflict, My Precious Daughter Is Seven Years Old [Seeking Monthl
407. Chapter 399: Rebellious Xixi – Part Two of Family Conflict, My Precious Daughter Is Seven Years Old 【Seeking Monthly Votes】
Pressure!
Like a mountain collapsing, the Milky Way burst its dam and poured down, striking the mortal body with crushing pressure!
It made Feng Zhiqi's complexion turn extremely grim.
He looked at his leg that had just lifted and landed on the stone steps, and felt as if the whole leg had become immobile.
Feng Zhiqi suddenly raised his head, his eyes swirling with unending shock!
He could be certain that at this moment Li Che had just broken through to the Martial Saint realm, and seeing the calamity clouds piled in the heavens, Feng Zhiqi, who had once broken through the Martial Saint, naturally recognized them as Martial Saint calamity clouds brewing Martial Saint heavenly thunder!
But why did the Li Che who had just broken into the Martial Saint realm give him such a powerful sense of oppression?
This is unreasonable!
Yet soon, a blaze of heat flashed in Feng Zhiqi's eyes.
"Li Ban Sheng…"
"I feel it!"
Boom——!!!
Feng Zhiqi's qi and blood roared, countless crimson bloodstreams coiled out like a flood of jiaolong, striking all around and enshrouding his mortal body.
A massive torrent of qi burst from his body, exploding outward; countless currents, as if struck by high‑speed force, blasted outward in a circular wave in all directions!
The rain falling from the sky burst apart!
Feng Zhiqi's battle spirit rose step by step, his fighting will soaring to the extreme; his martial will seemed to solidify, plummeting swiftly from the heavens!
He took a step, then another, ascending the mountain path, and the terrifying pressure was sliced apart by his martial will as sharp as a blade.
"I, Feng Zhiqi, have trained in martial arts since childhood!"
"At ten I entered the sect as a master, and have since spent my life wandering the martial path, yearning to stand atop its summit as an unrivaled pinnacle, gazing down on countless warriors who sacrifice themselves to ascend the martial path!"
"Now, I am stuck at the summit of the Martial Saint Third Opening, having withered on the Martial Path mountain summit for twenty years, yet I am unwilling—how could I be content to remain here forever!"
"I will rise from the summit, I will look up to the firmament and behold the Heaven's Gate!"
"I will pursue the martial path that belongs to me!"
"No matter who blocks my way… I only seek a thrilling, exhilarating battle!"
Feng Zhiqi's gaze ignited.
His body grew hulking and robust, his qi and blood interweaving endlessly, as if one scorching blood‑dragon after another circled him.
With each step he landed, the accumulated water streaming down the mountain path like a waterfall hissed and evaporated, forming twisted, curling steam.
Feng Zhiqi's speed kept increasing!
He ran along the mountain road!
He roared on the mountain road!
Bang——!!!
Feng Zhiqi's entire skeleton resonated, his arms spread wide, as if every pore emitted countless sharp blades.
Then the swirling currents converged, forming a blood‑filled blade that seemed capable of cleaving the very heavens.
On the half‑mountain stone path.
Li Che opened his eyes, golden smoke swirling.
After the ten‑thousand‑year Peaches were fully refined, Li Che attained a tremendous transformation; having withered in Ink City for over a month, he finally discovered his own Martial Path Mountain within the towering golden pool of the Qi Sea!
The instant his foot touched the Martial Path Mountain.
Li Che felt a metamorphosis of his own martial path.
It was a more solid, purer martial will, akin to the will of a Martial Immortal!
【Dragon–Elephant Fusion Furnace: Pure Martial Purity (96%)】
A single ten‑thousand‑year Peach, once fully refined, grants a massive boost; the resulting qi and blood are extremely pure, raising Li Che's pure martial flesh purity directly to 96%!
Li Che could feel the transformation of his flesh and blood—strength, tendons, skin, and every inch of his muscular tissue.
Like an iron billet forged thousands of times, stripped of impurities, becoming as razor‑sharp as a divine weapon!
Dragon tendons!
Elephant bones!
The Dragon–Elephant Fusion Furnace within Li Che was compressed to an extreme, microscopic degree, hidden within his five organs and six viscera!
His pupils opened and closed, as if golden thunder flickered through.
On the mountain path, Feng Zhiqi became a raging crimson blade, slashing at speed; wherever he passed, the stone steps embedded in the trail were sliced as if cutting a cake, leaving fissures!
But it passed in an instant.
Feng Zhiqi, his face full of battle intent, appeared before Li Che, transforming into a long blade that struck down fiercely, then boldly threw a punch!
Li Che, feeling Feng Zhiqi's battle intent and martial will, clenched his five fingers, his entire flesh humming brilliantly!
Golden qi and blood intertwined, without invoking any Qimen divine seed, nor detonating any divine seed!
It was merely the simplest punch!
A punch was thrown!
It erupted with sword‑light clanging, soaring upward!
Feng Zhiqi's horizontal punch surged like a crimson divine blade, its blade‑light clanging, containing all the insights he gathered over twenty years of withering at the summit of the Martial Saint Third Opening!
Li Che's punch burst forth as sword‑qi, as if a divine sword were drawn, charging straight into the celestial heavens!
Though they were punches, both attacks resonated with the humming of swords, clanging loudly!
Clang——!!!
Clang——!!!
Swords collided, instantly emitting a metallic clang of gold and iron interlocking, like a string of cannonballs, booming explosively.
Li Che's fist collided with Feng Zhiqi's fist!
The entire mountain path of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect seemed to tremble at that moment, and many blue stones were shattered into powder!
The clanging sounds kept exploding in endless rings, like terrifying shockwaves rising like a tsunami from the point where their fists met, covering the sky and earth, raging wildly, sweeping in all directions as if to wash over the world!
Po—!!
In Feng Zhiqi's eyes, the frantic fighting spirit began to fade little by little…
Like a burnt‑out flame, it finally reached its end!
Yet within Li Che's erupting punch, the sword‑colored radiant blade split into six, six hues reflecting in his pupils…
With an extremely terrifying annihilating force, it coiled around his arm, destroying his sword intent!
"How beautiful…"
Feng Zhiqi murmured.
As brilliant as fireworks.
Then.
A deep, thunderous boom sounded as if a deity struck a war drum—the beating of Feng Zhiqi's heart.
And Li Che's fist shattered numerous sword intents and sword lights, striking Feng Zhiqi's chest.
A wave of deathly threat instantly tingled Feng Zhiqi's scalp!
He might be killed by a Martial Saint with a single opening…
A single punch to death!
Feng Zhiqi looked up and burst into laughter.
He never imagined that a newcomer to the Martial Saint, just stepping into the Martial Saint realm and still undergoing tribulation, could exert such terrifying pressure and oppression on him!
Po—!!
Fresh blood splattered continuously as Feng Zhiqi's body erupted like a cannonball, instantly being blasted out from the mid‑mountain.
It slammed onto the plaque before the gate of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect.
The powerful impact, with sharp sword qi clanging and cutting, furrowed a ferocious trench several miles long into the ground!
Feng Zhiqi's towering figure stood within it.
His whole body radiated scorching heat, and the wound left by the sword qi continuously dripped translucent, agate‑like blood beads; it was only one punch, yet it nearly killed Feng Zhiqi.
"To be a newcomer to the Martial Saint and already possess such domineering and mighty power…"
"Such a sword technique truly a masterpiece."
Feng Zhiqi lifted his head, his hair fluttering, his qi and blood coalescing, emitting a low rumble.
"I concede."
"What a Li Ban Sheng!"
Feng Zhiqi laughed loudly.
His laughter carried a hint of lingering loneliness.
"I, Feng Zhiqi, once thought I was the celestial pride of the martial path!"
"In the future I shall ascend the ultimate peak, looking down, laughing at all martial men."
"Yet today, I, Feng Zhiqi, finally realize that before a true celestial pride… I am but a mayfly glimpsing the blue sky!"
Feng Zhiqi shook his head.
In an instant, his qi and blood began to roar and expand, coiling like a flood dragon; the martial will between heaven and earth grew ever stronger, and behind Feng Zhiqi a Mountain of the Martial Path rose, towering high, his massive form standing atop the mountain, gazing at the firmament.
He slowly raised his hand.
It seemed as if a Heavenly Gate slowly materialized.
Though the Heavenly Gate was tightly shut, it was genuinely triggered to open!
Today, Feng Zhiqi entered the fourth opening of the Martial Saint!
But Feng Zhiqi felt no joy or excitement.
Perhaps the culmination of his lifelong pursuit is nothing more than something others can obtain with a little effort.
Li Che stood at mid‑mountain, his black shirt fluttering, his golden hair strands flickering.
He lowered his head to look at the successfully breakthrough Feng Zhiqi, his expression calm.
Feng Zhiqi stood amid the ruined ravine, extending a respectful fist toward Li Che from afar.
"Thank you, Li Ban Sheng, for your favor!"
Li Che nodded.
Now Li Che has also successfully entered the third opening of the Martial Saint, and with 96% pure martial flesh, invincible in the same realm, claiming that a single punch could kill Feng Zhiqi without activating the mysterious divine seed might be an exaggeration.
It would probably take two punches.
The entire Heavenly Origin Dao City fell into death‑like silence at that moment.
The heads of the great millennium families—Zhou, Yun, Zhong, and others—who had profited from the Su family's downfall, all wore strikingly vivid expressions.
Also following were the divine guard generals such as Yuwen Wenlong and Han Qizhong, who came to observe the battle, all falling silent.
Feng Zhiqi…
Defeated?!
Actually crushed by Li Che's single punch?!
Looking at the tribulation clouds in the firmament, they truly indicated that this was the Martial Saint Heaven Thunder…
They lacked the insight of Fang Hanshu to recognize that this was a pure martial limit calamity, instinctively assuming it to be a Martial Saint tribulation.
So, Li Che's single punch that shattered Feng Zhiqi truly delivered an extremely intense impact!
This is Li Half-Saint?
Having just entered the Martial Saint realm in martial dao, he could defeat the peak Martial Saint Three Openings Feng Zhiqi?!
What monster is this?!
And many more were dazed, thinking of the rumors about Li Che, feeling only astonishment.
A woodcarver born of muddy legs could actually reach this height.
As Feng Zhiqi was smashed by Li Che's punch, everyone knew that the heavens of Primordial Yuan Dao City would completely change!
No one could stop Primordial Yuan Dao City from completely breaking free of the court's control and falling into the hands of the Primordial Yuan Divine Sect.
Hum—
Two figures tore through the air.
They were Lü Taibai and Fang Hanshu.
Feng Zhiqi had broken into the Martial Saint Four Openings; though strong, facing Lü Taibai and the unfathomably mysterious Fang Hanshu, he had little chance of victory.
Feng Zhiqi's aura was transforming, and he burst out laughing, clasping his fists toward the two.
"Taibai Sect Master, this time I make a move, also making a decision for myself; if I die in battle, that's the end of it—how the court forces in Primordial Yuan Dao City develop has nothing to do with a dead man like me."
"But if I break through in battle… then I will abandon my identity as a Dàjǐng court official and join the Primordial Yuan Divine Sect!"
Feng Zhiqi clasped his fists and bowed deeply.
Behind him, there was also the phenomenon of the Heavenly Gate Pull; thus, at this moment, the scene gave a strong impact to all factions in Primordial Yuan Dao City.
Fang Hanshu stroked his beard with great satisfaction.
Feng Zhiqi's sense of the times pleased him greatly.
Feng Zhiqi is unlike Yue Weizheng; Yue Weizheng is completely entangled by Yue Huanglong and Yan Jing, so he wants to live, but Fang Hanshu, in his anger, is unwilling to let him live.
But Feng Zhiqi wants to live, and Fang Hanshu gives him this chance.
"Sect Master, the position of Inner Sect Fourth Elder in our Primordial Yuan Divine Sect happens to be vacant; let Governor Feng fill it, how about that?"
Fang Hanshu looked toward Lü Taibai and proposed.
Lü Taibai heard this, smiled, and looked toward Feng Zhiqi.
Feng Zhiqi clasped his fists, laughed heartily, and naturally had no objection.
Fang Hanshu looked at Feng Zhiqi: "Then within Primordial Yuan Dao City, please have Elder Feng pay more attention to the Divine Guard Army and the Temple Suppression Office."
"In a few days, the Sect Master will hold an initiation ceremony for Elder Feng to report to the founding ancestor."
Feng Zhiqi heard this, and his expression turned solemn.
"Feng has long been stationed at the Temple Suppression Office of Primordial Yuan Dao City; I know well what the Primordial Yuan Divine Sect does, striving to suppress the Guiyi Miao. If weird or monster creatures emerge from the Guiyi Miao to harm the people, the Divine Sect responds even more actively than Primordial Yuan Dao City……"
"Feng feels ashamed, yet also admires this."
"Feng, in his youth, also traveled the Dàjǐng mountains and rivers, visited various Dao cities, and saw various Divine Sects… but those Divine Sects, high and mighty, treat the Guiyi Miao as wealth and treasure, while the lives of the people are, in their eyes, already worth nothing."
"Thus Feng admires the Primordial Yuan; this is also the main reason he wishes to join the Primordial Yuan."
Feng Zhiqi clasped his fists and spoke in a low voice, indicating that he was not joining the Primordial Yuan merely to survive.
Lü Taibai's expression eased considerably.
He naturally likes to hear pleasant words.
Over these years, the Primordial Yuan Divine Sect under his governance has indeed, as Feng Zhiqi said, upheld the essence of a Divine Sect, restricting the divine contamination of the Guiyi Miao, constantly monitoring the surrounding populace; once encountering demonic evils and monsters born of divine contamination, it will immediately mobilize to protect the people and suppress the demonic evils.
Boom—rumble—
Above the firmament, thunder exploded and roared.
Feng Zhiqi raised his head; Lü Taibai and Fang Hanshu also looked up.
Heavenly Tribulation Thunder released a terrifying oppression, as if the entire vast Primordial Yuan Dao City were subdued by this moment's thunderous pressure; countless cultivators only felt heart palpitations and oppression.
It seemed as if an infinitely wrathful deity, behind the dark clouds, revealed a face woven from countless thunderbolts, wrathful to the extreme, opening its mouth to spew thunder like spears, seeking to pierce those who defy heaven, mortal beings!
The great wind rises!
When the dark clouds were torn apart, a bolt of lightning that almost illuminated the whole sky descended, like a divine spear drawn by a god, at extreme speed, shooting downward!
The Divine Sect Mountain Gate, midway up the mountain.
Li Che's dark, luxuriant hair flew wildly; he tapped a foot and shot upward, reversing the flow, his golden flesh bursting forth with extreme brilliant light.
The divine spear struck Li Che's crown, seeming to emit a metallic clash, then erupting in a terrifying blast, like the divine spear's unbearable explosive roar.
The circular ripples undulated without cease, spreading inch by inch; after expanding, they filled the sky like endless howling gales.
Heaven overturned, earth shifted, mountains moved, seas overturned!
Like an apocalyptic calamity, it shook the entire Dao City!
Lü Taibai's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the thunder that had burst open, entwined around Li Che, and was slowly being continually drawn in and absorbed by Li Che……
Exchanging a glance with Fang Hanshu, their breathing suddenly grew a bit heavier.
Because they both recognized it.
That which Li Che's powerful flesh bore head‑on, finally exploded upon impact……
It was one of the Three Calamities…… Divine Firmament Thunder!
Although not entirely Divine Firmament Thunder, it contains at least one‑third of its power!
Feng Zhiqi did not recognize the Divine Firmament Thunder, merely feeling that the Martial Saint Heavenly Thunder Li Che is enduring now is far more terrifying than his own heavenly tribulation.
Watching Li Che sit cross‑legged on the mountainside, bathed in countless thunderbolts, letting the thunder wash over him and absorb its terrifying essence……
Feng Zhiqi couldn't help but exhale.
Having just entered the Martial Saint realm, a single punch can suppress him.
Li Che's future is bound to be terribly formidable.
And the Primordial Yuan Divine Sect, possessing such a heavenly‑talented prodigy holding the fort, even if it truly turns against the Dàjǐng court, what of it?
In fact, Feng Zhiqi is somewhat disappointed with the court.
The court abandoned the dispersal of forces to the subordinate cities of each circuit, prefecture, and commandery, leaving them to help the common folk resist and fight the power of Guiyi Miao.
Leaving the people to fend for themselves, the court handed the task of suppressing Guiyi Miao to the Divine Sect, allowing the Divine Sect to self‑govern; Feng Zhiqi is thus very dissatisfied with the present court.
Although the court's strength has waned, it is still sufficient to fend off Guiyi Miao's erosion of ordinary people, yet the court still abandons, contracts its forces, and lets the people fend for themselves.
Li Che emerged from Fei Lei City, which was once nearly razed; it was the court's withdrawal of forces to use Guiyi Miao's power to suppress the Divine Sect that has, over the years, produced many cities like Fei Lei City.
Many other cities have not been as fortunate as Fei Lei City.
Cults such as the Lingying Sect, Ghost Mother Sect, Hehuan Faction, etc., under the Corpse God Cult…
To ordinary people, they are like nightmarish existences.
Only the Qian Yuan Divine Sect harbors a hatred of evil, upholding the principle that the Corpse God Cult's wicked ones must die, and it saves city after city!
This is why Feng Zhiqi is willing to abandon the court and join the Qian Yuan Divine Sect.
Just as Feng Zhiqi was pondering this.
The crossing of the Thunder Calamity was drawing to a close.
Heavenly thunder roared, yet it posed little threat to Li Che; possessing the Thunder Magnetic Track Body, Li Che is practically a born lightning‑evading saint. Even this time, the pure‑martial extreme heavenly thunder, stirred by opening the Ten‑Thousand‑zhang Qi Sea Golden Pool and containing Divine Sky Thunder, was easily crossed by Li Che.
Buzz—
Watching Li Che seated on the mid‑mountain slope, having finished the heavenly thunder crossing, he slowly opened his eyes, radiating an immensely powerful heavenly‑human resonance.
Lu Taibai, Fang Hanshu and Feng Zhiqi drifted down onto the mid‑mountain clearing.
"Sect Master, Grand Elder…"
Li Che's dark robe fluttered, his aura contracted, his blood concealed within, and the thunder vanished without a trace.
Seeing the three approaching, he smiled warmly, clasping his fists.
"Congratulations, Li Half‑Saint, for stepping into the Realm of the Martial Saint!"
Feng Zhiqi congratulated him.
Feng Zhiqi had indeed heard of Li Che's feats in Shendu.
Li Che had already broken through to the Divine Embryo, and, using the Divine Embryo Secret Technique, he was invincible throughout the Heroes' Tournament in Shendu.
"Governor Feng has chosen to join our Qian Yuan Divine Sect; from now on he is also a member of Qian Yuan," Lu Taibai introduced.
Li Che raised an eyebrow, his expression growing ever more gentle.
He understood Feng Zhiqi's decision.
After all, with Qian Yuan and Dàjǐng at odds, they would naturally seek full control over Qian Yuan Dao City's power, and the court's influence would likely be constrained.
Of course, the Qin Tian Observatory is exempt, since it and Qian Yuan Dao City are essentially the same camp.
The three chatted with Li Che for a while; Lu Taibai and Li Che returned together to Tai Bai Peak, while Fang Hanshu left the Divine Sect with Feng Zhiqi, beginning to gradually take control of the Divine Guard and the Temple Garrison Office.
……
……
Lu Taibai and Li Che drifted down onto Tai Bai Peak.
Above the clearing.
Xixi pursed her lips, looking sulky, and practiced martial arts together with Jin Taishui, Lu Qingxuan, Zhou Peng and Yun E and the other youngsters.
In terms of combat power, Xixi, now having entered the Grand Master and Divine Avatar realms, truly stands unrivaled; although Xixi's dragon‑head was obtained through a mechanism, her strength is undeniably peerless.
"Dad!"
When Li Che and Lu Taibai drifted back.
Xixi, pouting and frowning while holding a horse‑stance, circulating Qi and blood within her flesh, instantly spotted Li Che, whom she hadn't seen for over a month!
A brilliant smile and joy instantly lit Xixi's face.
All the unhappiness vanished in an instant!
She dropped her companions, kicked off her shoes, and sprinted wildly toward Li Che!
Bang—
Halfway there, sparks burst incessantly from beneath Xixi's feet, whirling and propelling her body like a cannonball, shooting forward at high speed.
"Dad, I'm here!"
Xixi's head, like a cannonball, barreled straight ahead.
If it were Zhang Ya, she might actually be killed by the collision, so Xixi wouldn't dare play like that with Zhang Ya.
But with her mysterious and powerful dad, Xixi is completely unabashed.
Then Li Che pinched her head, halted her instantly, and lifted her up.
Xixi looked like a cat whose back of the neck had been lifted, her face involuntarily showing a dumbfounded expression.
Then her limbs began to flail continuously.
"Stinky dad, does Xixi the Great Emperor care about face?!"
Xixi's face flushed bright red in an instant.
Li Che burst into hearty laughter, his mood bright as he looked at his lively daughter.
He scooped her into his arms, and Xixi immediately clutched Li Che's neck.
"Dad, Xixi missed you!"
Xixi's little face rubbed against Li Che's cheek.
Lu Taibai, watching the affectionate father and daughter, felt a twinge of envy.
Fortunately, although he has no daughter to dote on, he still has a wife to dote on.
"Tell me, did you again upset your mother?" Li Che patted her head, saying with a smile.
Hearing that, Xixi's face once again wore a petulant pout, her lips pursed so tightly they could almost hold a teapot.
Daddy, the Sect Master said that Xixi's cultivation is now sufficient to go out for training.
Translation: "Daddy, the sect master said that Xixi's cultivation is now sufficient to go out for training."
Daddy, the Sect Master said that Xixi's cultivation is now sufficient to go out for training.
We need to keep the quotes: Use double quotes.
Thus: 【241】 "Daddy, the Sect Master said that Xixi's cultivation is now sufficient to go out for training."
This is the rule set by the Founding Ancestor; every Young Sect Master of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect must go down the mountain for training, wander the Red Dust, and receive the baptism of the Red Dust...
Translation: "This is the rule set by the Founding Ancestor; every Young Sect Master of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect must go down the mountain for training, travel the Red Dust, and receive the baptism of the Red Dust."
Now translate: Primordial Origin Divine Sect, Founding Ancestor, Young Sect Master, vast universe, and power of the Red Dust...
Thus: 【242】 "This is the rule set by the Founding Ancestor; every Young Sect Master of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect must go down the mountain for training, travel the Red Dust, and receive the baptism of the Red Dust..."
Xixi pouted: "Mommy won't allow it!"
Translation: Xixi pouted: "But Mommy doesn't allow it!"
We need to keep quotes. So: 【243】 Xixi pouted: "But Mommy doesn't allow it!"
Xixi pressed her lips, eyes brimming with tears, feeling wronged, as if seeking Li Che to uphold justice.
Translation: Xixi pressed her lips, eyes brimming with tears, feeling wronged, as if seeking Li Che to uphold justice.
Xixi pressed her lips, eyes brimming with tears, feeling wronged, as if seeking Li Che to uphold justice.
Upon hearing that, Li Che immediately understood the main source of this second family dispute.
Translation: Upon hearing this, Li Che immediately understood the main source of this second family conflict.
Thus: 【245】 Upon hearing this, Li Che immediately understood the main source of this second family conflict.
Lü Taibai beside him, upon hearing that, said: "This is indeed the rule set by the Founding Ancestor of our Primordial Origin Divine Sect; I myself came up this way—every Young Sect Master must go down the mountain to train, traverse the vast universe, wander the Red Dust, and comprehend the power of the Red Dust."
Translation: Lv Taibai beside him, upon hearing this, said: "Indeed, this is the rule set by the Founding Ancestor of our Primordial Origin Divine Sect; I myself went through it back then—every Young Sect Master must go down the mountain for training, traverse the vast universe, travel the Red Dust, and comprehend the power of the Red Dust."
Lü Taibai is a person's name; we romanize it as Lü Taibai. We'll keep it as Lü Taibai, though it is not in the glossary and should be added.
Now translate: Primordial Origin Divine Sect, Founding Ancestor, Young Sect Master, vast universe, and power of the Red Dust...
Thus: 【246】 Lü Taibai beside him, upon hearing this, said: "Indeed, this is the rule set by the Founding Ancestor of our Primordial Origin Divine Sect; I myself went through it back then—every Young Sect Master must go down the mountain for training, traverse the vast universe, travel the Red Dust, and comprehend the power of the Red Dust."
Li Che raised an eyebrow: "The power of the Red Dust?"
Translation: Li Che raised his eyebrows slightly: "Power of the Red Dust?"
Thus: 【247】 Li Che raised his eyebrows slightly: "Power of the Red Dust?"
Lü Taibai pondered for a moment, then said: "That is a unique secret art of our Primordial Origin Divine Sect; it can condense a Red Dust seal, the Red Dust seal can absorb the power of the Red Dust, and if the Red Dust seal accumulates fully, it will be released, then feed back onto oneself, allowing one's cultivation to achieve a great breakthrough, at least breaking through a major realm."
Translation: Lü Taibai pondered for a moment, then said: "That is a unique secret art of our Primordial Origin Divine Sect; it can condense a Red Dust Seal, which can absorb the power of the Red Dust. When the Red Dust Seal accumulates fully, it will be released, then feedback onto oneself, granting a major breakthrough in cultivation—at least enough to break through a major realm."
Thus: 【248】 Lü Taibai pondered for a moment, then said: "That is a unique secret art of our Primordial Origin Divine Sect; it can condense a Red Dust Seal, which can absorb the power of the Red Dust. When the Red Dust Seal accumulates fully, it will be released, then feedback onto oneself, granting a major breakthrough in cultivation—at least enough to break through a major realm."
"Under normal circumstances, a Young Sect Master of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect whose cultivation reaches Grand Master or Divine Origin Realm will be assigned to travel, and the scope of that travel is the Eleven Circuits of Dàjǐng..."
Translation: "Under normal circumstances, the Young Sect Masters of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect who have reached the Grand Master or Divine Origin Realm are arranged to travel, and their range of travel is the Eleven Circuits of Dàjǐng..."
Now translate: Grand Master, Divine Origin Realm, and Eleven Circuits of Dàjǐng...
Thus: 【249】 "Under normal circumstances, the Young Sect Masters of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect who have reached the Grand Master or Divine Origin Realm are arranged to travel, and their range of travel is the Eleven Circuits of Dàjǐng..."
"During the journey, one accumulates Red Dust qi; when the Young Sect Master has gathered enough Red Dust qi and returns to the sect, receiving the feedback of the Red Dust seal, they can generally break into Martial Saint or Divine Fetus."
Translation: "During the travels, they accumulate Red Dust Qi; when the Young Sect Master has accumulated sufficient Red Dust Qi and returns to the sect, they receive feedback from the Red Dust Seal, which generally allows them to break into the Martial Saint or Divine Fetus realm."
Thus: 【250】 "During the travels, they accumulate Red Dust Qi; when the Young Sect Master has accumulated sufficient Red Dust Qi and returns to the sect, they receive feedback from the Red Dust Seal, which generally allows them to break into the Martial Saint or Divine Fetus realm."
"Traveling is itself a form of cultivation."
Translation: "Traveling is itself a cultivation."
Thus: 【251】 "Traveling is itself a cultivation."
Lü Taibai said.
Translation: Lü Taibai said.
Thus: 【252】 Lü Taibai said.
Back then, he did not become a Martial Saint by relying on the Red Dust seal; he relied on his own talent, but with the Red Dust seal he opened up a golden pond in his Qi Sea spanning three thousand zhang!
Translation: He did not become a Martial Saint back then by relying on the Red Dust Seal; he relied on his own abilities, but with the aid of the Red Dust Seal, he opened up a three-thousand-zhang golden pond in his Qi Sea!
Now translate: golden pond in his Qi Sea!
Thus: 【253】 He did not become a Martial Saint back then by relying on the Red Dust Seal; he relied on his own abilities, but with the aid of the Red Dust Seal, he opened up a three-thousand-zhang golden pond in his Qi Sea!
In one fell swoop he surpassed the shackles of the second and third openings of the martial path and stepped into the fourth opening of Martial Saint!
Translation: In one fell swoop he surpassed the shackles of the Second and Third Openings of the Martial Path, stepping into the Fourth Opening of the Martial Saint!
Thus: 【254】 In one fell swoop he surpassed the shackles of the Second and Third Openings of the Martial Path, stepping into the Fourth Opening of the Martial Saint!
His Red Dust training seemed like a process of martial arts mountain climbing.
Translation: His Red Dust training was like a process of climbing the mountain of the Martial Path.
Thus: 【255】 His Red Dust training was like a process of climbing the mountain of the Martial Path.
"So... does Xixi also have to wander the Red Dust?"
Translation: "So… does Xixi also have to travel the Red Dust?"
Thus: 【256】 "So… does Xixi also have to travel the Red Dust?"
Li Che asked.
Translation: Li Che asked.
Thus: 【257】 Li Che asked.
Lü Taibai nodded: "But Xixi is too young; we can wait until she grows a bit older before sending her."
Translation: Lü Taibai nodded: "But Xixi is too young; we can wait until she grows a bit older before sending her."
Thus: 【258】 Lü Taibai nodded: "But Xixi is too young; we can wait until she grows a bit older before sending her."
"Sect Master! Xixi isn't little anymore!" exclaimed Xixi, who was clinging to Li Che's neck, suddenly becoming anxious.
Translation: "Sect Master! Xixi isn't little anymore!" Xixi, who was clinging to Li Che's neck beside him, immediately became anxious.
Thus: 【259】 "Sect Master! Xixi isn't little anymore!" Xixi, who was clinging to Li Che's neck beside him, immediately became anxious.
How could our own Sect Master sabotage things like this!
Translation: How could our own Sect Master sabotage us like that!
Thus: 【260】 How could our own Sect Master sabotage us like that!
Upon learning she could go to the Red Dust for training, Xixi was so excited she couldn't sleep for three days.
Translation: When she learned she could go to the Red Dust for training, Xixi was so excited she couldn't sleep for three days.
Thus: 【261】 When she learned she could go to the Red Dust for training, Xixi was so excited she couldn't sleep for three days.
Although Xixi would be reluctant to leave Daddy and Mommy, she still wants to become stronger!
Translation: Although Xixi would miss Daddy and Mommy, … she wants to become stronger!
Thus: 【262】 Although Xixi would miss Daddy and Mommy, … she wants to become stronger!
This trip to the Divine Capital also stimulated Xixi somewhat.
Translation: This trip to Shendu also stimulated Xixi somewhat.
Thus: 【263】 This trip to Shendu also stimulated Xixi somewhat.
The importance of strength is deeply engraved in Xixi's mind; on this trip to the Divine Capital, if it weren't for the appearance of the Underworld Yama King, everyone might have been left stranded in the Divine Capital!
Translation: The importance of strength is deeply etched in Xixi's mind; this trip to Shendu, if not for the appearance of the King of Hell from the Underworld, perhaps everyone would have been left stranded in Shendu!
Thus: 【264】 The importance of strength is deeply etched in Xixi's mind; this trip to Shendu, if not for the appearance of the King of Hell from the Underworld, perhaps everyone would have been left stranded in Shendu!
Xixi might even be forced to become something like a Crown Prince's consort……
Translation: Xixi might even be forced to become some prince's consort…
Thus: 【265】 Xixi might even be forced to become some prince's consort…
That would be too miserable!
Translation: That would be too terrible!
Thus: 【266】 That would be too terrible!
Li Che seemed to understand Xixi's thoughts, rubbing her head.
Translation: Li Che seemed to understand Xixi's thoughts, and rubbed her head.
Thus: 【267】 Li Che seemed to understand Xixi's thoughts, and rubbed her head.
He, however, was not worried about Xixi going for training.
Translation: He wasn't worried about Xixi going out for training.
Thus: 【268】 He wasn't worried about Xixi going out for training.
Because, no matter where Xixi goes, as long as he leaves a Flying Thunder seal on her, her safety will be somewhat ensured.
Translation: Because, no matter where Xixi goes, as long as he leaves a Flying Thunder Piece on her, her safety will be somewhat assured.
Thus: 【269】 Because, no matter where Xixi goes, as long as he leaves a Flying Thunder Piece on her, her safety will be somewhat assured.
Moreover, are all those captured gods he keeps really vegetarians?
Translation: Moreover, are the many God-Binding beings he keeps really vegetarians?
Thus: 【270】 Moreover, are the many God-Binding beings he keeps really vegetarians?
Let's not talk about that; Li Che's army of captured gods has grown stronger, adding three top-tier pinnacles.
Translation: First of all, Li Che's God-Binding Army has gained more strong members, adding three top-tier absolute peaks.
Thus: 【271】 First of all, Li Che's God-Binding Army has gained more strong members, adding three top-tier absolute peaks.
Even originally, Li Che sent Yue Huanglong to secretly protect her, so Xixi basically faces no danger.
Translation: Even originally, Li Che sent Yue Huanglong to secretly protect her; basically Xixi would face no danger.
Thus: 【272】 Even originally, Li Che sent Yue Huanglong to secretly protect her; basically Xixi would face no danger.
"Training... actually isn't impossible; Xixi has obtained the Third Prince's inheritance, but she still lacks two of the Third Prince's mythic weapons: 【Indestructible Prison Lotus Chaos Heaven Sash】 and 【Profound Thunder Diamond Universe Ring】..."
Translation: "Training… is actually not impossible; Xixi has obtained the Third Prince's inheritance, but she still lacks two of the Third Prince's Mythic Divine Weapons: the Indestructible Prison Lotus Chaos Heaven Sash and the Profound Thunder Diamond Universe Ring…"
Now translate the weapon names: 【Indestructible Prison Lotus Chaos Heaven Sash】 and 【Profound Thunder Diamond Universe Ring】.
Thus: 【273】 "Training… is actually not impossible; Xixi has obtained the Third Prince's inheritance, but she still lacks two of the Third Prince's Mythic Divine Weapons: the Indestructible Prison Lotus Chaos Heaven Sash and the Profound Thunder Diamond Universe Ring…"
"【Indestructible Prison Lotus Chaos Heaven Sash】, located on the Ancestral Dragon Island of the Dragon God lineage; as for the 【Profound Thunder Diamond Universe Ring】, it originally lay on the Dragon Abyss Path, but now it has fallen into the hands of the Corpse God Sect..."
Translation: "The Indestructible Prison Lotus Chaos Heaven Sash is located on the Ancestral Dragon Island of the Dragon God lineage; as for the Profound Thunder Diamond Universe Ring, it originally lay in the Dragon Abyss Circuit, but now it has fallen into the hands of the Corpse God Sect."
Thus: 【274】 "The Indestructible Prison Lotus Chaos Heaven Sash is located on the Ancestral Dragon Island of the Dragon God lineage; as for the Profound Thunder Diamond Universe Ring, it originally lay in the Dragon Abyss Circuit, but now it has fallen into the hands of the Corpse God Sect."
Li Che said softly.
Translation: Li Che said softly.
Thus: 【275】 Li Che said softly.
Lü Taibai's eyes flickered slightly.
Translation: Lü Taibai's eyes flickered slightly.
Thus: 【276】 Lü Taibai's eyes flickered slightly.
It seems Li Che is inclined to let Xixi go for training.
Translation: It seems Li Che is inclined to let Xixi go out for training.
Thus: 【277】 It seems Li Che is inclined to let Xixi go out for training.
However, Li Che changed the subject: "But your mother worries about you, wants you to grow a bit more before training, so you should listen to your mother...."
Translation: However, Li Che changed his tone: "But your mother worries about you and wants you to grow a bit older before going out for training, so you should listen to your mother…"
Thus: 【278】 However, Li Che changed his tone: "But your mother worries about you and wants you to grow a bit older before going out for training, so you should listen to your mother…"
Li Che's words made Xixi feel extremely wronged, even throwing a little tantrum.
Translation: Li Che's words made Xixi feel extremely wronged, even sparking a little temper.
Thus: 【279】 Li Che's words made Xixi feel extremely wronged, even sparking a little temper.
Xixi has always been well-behaved and sensible.
Translation: Xixi has always been well-behaved and sensible.
Thus: 【280】 Xixi has always been well-behaved and sensible.
But perhaps her stubbornness flared up; unhappy, she broke free from Li Che's embrace, crossed her arms, turned her head away in anger, leaving only the back of her head for Li Che.
Translation: But perhaps her stubbornness flared up; unhappily, she broke free from Li Che's embrace, crossed her arms, turned her head away in anger, leaving only the back of her head for Li Che.
Thus: 【281】 But perhaps her stubbornness flared up; unhappily, she broke free from Li Che's embrace, crossed her arms, turned her head away in anger, leaving only the back of her head for Li Che.
"Daddy is also a bad person! Daddy only cares about Mommy's feelings, not Xixi's at all!"
Translation: "Daddy is also a bad person! Daddy only cares about Mommy's feelings, not caring about Xixi's feelings at all!"
Thus: 【282】 "Daddy is also a bad person! Daddy only cares about Mommy's feelings, not caring about Xixi's feelings at all!"
Xixi is unhappy.
Translation: Xixi is unhappy.
Thus: 【283】 Xixi is unhappy.
The Sect Master said that Xixi now has the qualifications to go for training.
Translation: The Sect Master has said it—Xixi's current strength qualifies her for training.
Thus: 【284】 The Sect Master has said it—Xixi's current strength qualifies her for training.
Moreover, Xixi has become the chief of the young dragons at the Peach Blossom Victory Assembly—how impressive!
Translation: Moreover, Xixi has become the Young Dragon Chief of the Flat Peach Victory Assembly—how impressive!
Thus: 【285】 Moreover, Xixi has become the Young Dragon Chief of the Flat Peach Victory Assembly—how impressive!
"Will this little girl still sulk?"
Translation: "Even the little girl still gets sulky?"
Thus: 【286】 "Even the little girl still gets sulky?"
Li Che was momentarily speechless, then laughed.
Translation: Li Che was momentarily speechless, then laughed.
Thus: 【287】 Li Che was momentarily speechless, then laughed.
He held Xixi's head, turning the sulky little girl around.
Translation: He pressed down on Xixi's head, turning the sulky little girl around to face him.
Thus: 【288】 He pressed down on Xixi's head, turning the sulky little girl around to face him.
"Your mother is reluctant to let you go; she worries you'll suffer, get hurt, feel cold, feel wronged—she cares about you."
Translation: "Your mother is reluctant to let you go; she worries you'll suffer hardship, get hurt, feel cold, feel wronged—she cares about you."
Thus: 【289】 "Your mother is reluctant to let you go; she worries you'll suffer hardship, get hurt, feel cold, feel wronged—she cares about you."
Li Che slowly squatted down and gently patted Xixi's head.
Translation: Li Che slowly squatted down, patted Xixi's head, and spoke gently.
Thus: 【290】 Li Che slowly squatted down, patted Xixi's head, and spoke gently.
"Xixi wants to train and become strong so she can protect Daddy and Mommy; unlike this time in the Divine Capital, where we suffered great injustice..."
Translation: "Xixi wants to train and become strong so she can protect Daddy and Mommy—not like this time in Shendu… we suffered such great injustice."
Thus: 【291】 "Xixi wants to train and become strong so she can protect Daddy and Mommy—not like this time in Shendu… we suffered such great injustice."
"... If Xixi were strong enough, when we suffer injustice in the Divine Capital, if she struck down that emperor, we wouldn't feel wronged...."
Translation: "If Xixi were strong enough, when we suffer injustice in Shendu, if she struck down that emperor, we wouldn't feel wronged…"
Thus: 【292】 "If Xixi were strong enough, when we suffer injustice in Shendu, if she struck down that emperor, we wouldn't feel wronged…"
Li Che was speechless, as if he saw a shining rebellious streak on Xixi's forehead.
Translation: Li Che was momentarily speechless, as if he could see the gleaming rebellious bone on Xixi's forehead.
Thus: 【293】 Li Che was momentarily speechless, as if he could see the gleaming rebellious bone on Xixi's forehead.
"... Daddy will accompany you to convince Mommy; once Xixi turns seven, let her go for training, okay?"
Translation: "How about this… Daddy will accompany you to persuade Mommy, and once Xixi turns seven, we'll let you go out for training?"
Thus: 【294】 "How about this… Daddy will accompany you to persuade Mommy, and once Xixi turns seven, we'll let you go out for training?"
Li Che rubbed Xixi's rebellious streak gently.
Translation: Li Che rubbed Xixi's rebellious bone gently.
Thus: 【295】 Li Che rubbed Xixi's rebellious bone gently.
Upon hearing that, Xixi's teary, wronged eyes instantly brightened.
Translation: Upon hearing this, Xixi's tear-filled, wronged eyes instantly brightened.
Thus: 【296】 Upon hearing this, Xixi's tear-filled, wronged eyes instantly brightened.
"Really?!!"
Translation: "Really?!"
Thus: 【297】 "Really?!"
Li Che chuckled: "Daddy would never lie to you, would he?"
Translation: Li Che chuckled: "Daddy wouldn't lie to you, would he?"
Thus: 【298】 Li Che chuckled: "Daddy wouldn't lie to you, would he?"
Xixi clenched her little fists, then put her hands on her hips, sticking out her happy little belly: "Xixi wants to grow up quickly; Xixi will be seven soon!"
Translation: Xixi clenched her little fists, then put her hands on her hips, sticking out her happy little belly: "Xixi wants to grow up quickly, Xixi will be seven right away!"
Thus: 【299】 Xixi clenched her little fists, then put her hands on her hips, sticking out her happy little belly: "Xixi wants to grow up quickly, Xixi will be seven right away!"
Then, as if recalling something, they hooked their pinky and, with a very sneaky feeling, pulled a hook with Li Che to hang themselves.
Xixi laughed, swinging her head tied with two sky‑piercing braids.
Seven years old…
It feels like it's close.
……
……
The last rain of late spring arrived like a friendly chat between old companions, right on schedule.
Water droplets dripping from the edge of the black tiles struck the ground, shattering into pieces as if the years themselves were being crushed.
Since Feng Zhiqi pledged allegiance to the Qianyuan Divine Sect and became one of the Four Elders.
The Temple Office and the Divine Guard of Qianyuan Dao City completely abandoned resistance; under Fang Hanshu's unceremonious grasp, they were seized in one fell swoop and fully controlled.
Fang Hanshu even personally trained the Temple Office's Divine Envoys and the Divine Guard.
Moreover, he tightened the rules of Qianyuan Dao City; every day the Divine Guard must be inspected by a Grand General.
Any wandering cultivator entering or leaving Qianyuan Dao City must register in detail before being allowed entry, the city ever ready for war.
Not long after Li Che broke through to the Martial Saint's third opening, Li Qingshan, Nie Yang and Jin Mao Xun and others finally returned from Shendu.
Jin Mao Xun, having lost a bet, became Li Che's servant; even without Li Che's command, he rushed from Shendu to arrive.
Thus Qianyuan Dao City gained an additional fighting force.
A month later, as summer began, Hong Shi Fo returned from Shendu bearing news that caused a huge stir.
The Peach Banquet incident enraged Emperor Jing, who summoned the plain‑clothes National Master Xie Yunshen to enter Shendu's First City nine times for private negotiations.
Finally, at a court meeting a month earlier, Emperor Jing issued a royal decree appointing National Master Xie Yunshen as an imperial envoy to gather the power of the Six Great Divine Sects and capture the underworld criminal Li Che in Shendu, as well as prosecute the Qianyuan Divine Sect for sheltering the underworld criminal!
In addition, Emperor Jing sent an urgent decree to Jizhou, ordering Prince of Pacifying Chaos Ji Mo Li to lead troops to Lingnan Dao to cooperate with the National Master in prosecuting Qianyuan!
The news Hong Shi Fo brought back instantly caused a massive uproar.
Yet the entire Qianyuan Dao City remained under Fang Hanshu's control, showing no sign of trouble; however, all major families were summoned and formed a great army together with the sect's disciples.
Though the call for a punitive expedition arrived, the court's actions were naturally not that swift.
Li Che's days returned to tranquility.
Xixi, striving to mature early through cultivation, seemed to think that a little more practice would make her grow quickly.
Time drifted amid summer rain and autumn wind, reflected in the sand slipping through an hourglass, silently passing.
Li Che's recent days were rather peaceful.
No change came merely because his cultivation had broken through.
As the Fifth Elder of Divine Eagle Ridge of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, his life was full and regimented: daily martial training, absorbing the temple's divine essence, visiting Divine Eagle Ridge to teach disciples the Divine Eagle techniques, carving half‑saint Divine Eagles.
During this period, Li Che also labored to refine the eighth Qimen Divine Seed; his pure martial flesh purity reached 96%, giving him confidence to refine the final Divine Seed.
Martial training, divine refinement, mechanisms, Divine Eagles—time was fulfilling and beautiful.
When the summer cicada hid in the trees and let out its last scream,
the autumn wind withered ten thousand trees, lifted the reddened maple leaves that quivered like fire, scattering them to the ground, then welcomed the northern cold wind.
A snowflake rolled, glittering like a crystalline flower of heaven and earth.
It fell to the mortal world, piling into a thick layer of snow.
Qianyuan Dao City.
Disciple City, Elder Hall.
Li Che sat in the courtyard.
A invisible field seemed to surround him, keeping all snowflakes from landing and the cold from seeping in.
It was a terrifying domain belonging solely to the Martial Saint, constantly sensing through heavenly‑human resonance.
A Heaven‑and‑Earth chessboard stretched across the sky.
Li Che's spine trembled, as if seven small vortices gathered and swirled, distorting the Qi of heaven and earth.
Beneath those seven vortices, Li Che's mind drew forth terrifying golden blood, continuously crashing.
It seemed to strive to coalesce into a vortex shape, forming an eighth vortex!
Consolidating the eighth Qimen Divine Seed!
Boom—
It felt as if an invisible force from the heavens struck down.
The blood vortex about to solidify burst open abruptly.
Li Che, who had once again failed to condense the Divine Seed,
slowly opened his eyes.
In an instant, the entire courtyard fell into profound silence; wind ceased, snow fell.
Li Che's Martial Saint domain gradually dissipated.
"Huh—"
"Still can't make it."
"The eighth Qimen Divine Seed… truly difficult; breaking the shackles, reaching the human pinnacle, yet the heavens refuse it."
He sighed.
Li Che lifted his head.
Pure white snowflakes, after the Martial Saint domain receded, instantly floated down in quiet beauty.
A flake landed on Li Che's palm.
Slowly it melted into a drop of icy water.
A faint upward curve appeared at the corner of Li Che's mouth.
It seemed as if, in a expanse of snow, I saw myself back then in Fēiléichéng, newly a father, feeling that nervous anticipation.
"My Xixi."
"Seven years old."
End of Chapter
