Chapter 556: with translation of title, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities/coined terms appearing in these lines

"Xixi… husband, it's Xixi!"

Under the teleportation platform.

Bustling crowds, heads jostling.

Cultivators from all the great ancient villages gathered, each with eyes dazzlingly bright, looking at the teleportation platform with curiosity and a touch of excitement, fixing on the Prison Lotus Daughter's position.

Everyone was overly curious about the Prison Lotus Daughter; her name is famous throughout Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and legends about her have long circulated among the great ancient villages.

After all, the Prison Lotus Daughter signifies slaughter and death, a manifestation of Heaven and Earth's will, the executioner presented by that will's descent, carrying out terrifying killings in each divine tide.

Thus, the great name of the Prison Lotus Daughter is known to everyone in Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Not only because the Prison Lotus Daughter's identity concerns the massive wager of this thousand‑village divine gambling war, but also because any Prison Lotus Daughter, once grown, will eventually slay an immortal.

To slay an immortal, one must be a strong one of immortal level; that is to say, the Prison Lotus Daughter… might be a quasi‑immortal that those present can encounter.

Zhang Ya and Li Che also appeared in the crowd; Li Che restrained his breath and concealed himself with a Heaven‑and‑Earth chessboard.

His eyes, joyful, excited and gentle, looked at the proudly held head, the vibrant Xixi.

The little girl… may not yet know that she has already become a target of the three major divine camps.

The three major divine camps, to provoke Xixi and force her into darkness, are constantly harming the people around her.

The married couple quietly stood in the crowd, watching Xixi appear.

Their hearts were considerably relieved.

At this moment, Li Che also realized that forcing a reunion with Xixi would only plunge their family into danger, given their insufficient strength.

Facing the targeting and scheming of the three major divine camps would endanger their lives.

On the contrary, Xixi, before her destiny is fulfilled, will not have safety of life.

The many immortal deities of Nine Heavens and Ten Earths will not, and do not allow, Xixi to face life danger.

If the Prison Lotus Daughter dies, the divine tide she has raised cannot end, the ninth divine tide cannot arrive, and the immortal deities' plan will be completely stranded.

Therefore, Xixi's safety need not be worried about.

In Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, she may be the safest person.

Xixi placed her hands on her hips, squinting; the nine‑year‑old little girl already showed a hint of a big girl's demeanor, her pretty face bearing a few sparks of vigorous spirit.

She scanned the whole venue, facing the scorching gazes, without any fear.

Behind her were the prodigies of Earth Village.

Li Che had also learned about Earth Village; this ancient village from the Northern Dipper Heaven is a Three Purities ancient village, not weak in strength, with a Nirvana King stationed in the village, and more than one.

It belongs to the top‑tier ancient villages under the Two Saints ancient village.

Thus, the prodigies of Earth Village are impressive; together with Xixi, a total of five prodigies came to join the divine gambling war.

Among these prodigies, the oldest is fifteen, the youngest is Xixi, who is nine.

There are three nine‑year‑old prodigies, one fifteen‑year‑old, and one twelve‑year‑old.

Beside Xixi, a boy and a girl stepped forward; the boy was handsome and graceful, the girl gentle and beautiful, their clothing rather odd, wearing beast‑skin armor, faces painted with patterns.

After the two said some words to Xixi, the leading strongman of Earth Village stepped forward.

He was an elderly man dressed in beast‑skin, his head white with age, yet his whole body was robust, muscles full of explosive power.

Li Che glanced; this elder was a Sword‑cutting Divine, and faintly on his body were three Sword‑cutting marks, marking him as a Cut‑Three‑Realm strongman, not a Cut‑One‑Realm divine like Xuan Li.

The Sword‑cutting realm has three stages: cutting the flesh, cutting the source, cutting the soul; only those who cut all three can reach Nirvana.

"This person should be the one mentioned in the inn's sold information, the Earth Village leading strongman, a Half‑step King of Cut‑Three‑Realm, Tuoba Ye."

Li Che was deep in thought.

Normally, the leading strongmen of ancient villages would not assign a Cut‑Three‑Realm strongman.

Most are Cut‑One‑Realm Sword‑cutting Divines.

Obviously, Earth Village also knows Xixi's identity, so they place great importance, dispatching a strongman specifically for protection.

On the teleportation platform, Xixi was preparing to leave with the team.

Suddenly, her steps halted, feeling as if the blood inside her body were boiling and burning.

Her small face flushed bright red, eyes widened, and she sharply scanned the crowd.

"Xixi, what's wrong?" the beast‑skin‑clad boy couldn't help but ask.

The leading Tuoba Ye also couldn't help but look over.

"I think… I felt my father's and mother's gazes."

"My parents… could they have arrived in Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?"

Xixi felt a sensation like flames scorching her whole body.

Her gaze burned, continuously scanning.

"From the mortal world to Nine Heavens and Ten Earths is not easy; your father was exceptionally outstanding in the mortal world, a peerless martial immortal. If he were to ascend to Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, his movements would be huge and could not be hidden."

Tuoba Ye said.

"Moreover, the immortals of the three major divine camps will not easily allow your father to ascend to Nine Heavens and Ten Earths."

"It must be a mistaken feeling."

"You haven't seen your parents for too long; you may be overly… missing them."

Tuoba Ye patted Xixi's head and sighed.

"The Prison Lotus Daughter… for a child, what a cruel identity, both a curse and a torment."

In fact, Tuoba Ye also does not wish to easily become entangled with the Prison Lotus Daughter.

However, after rescuing Xixi and learning that Xixi is the Prison Lotus Daughter, the village's relationship with Xixi can no longer be easily severed.

Nevertheless, Tuoba Ye is not worried about Xixi's safety, just as Li Che knows; Tuoba Ye and the ancestors of Earth Village also know.

Therefore, Earth Village was willing to take Xixi in, letting Xixi represent them in the divine gambling war to earn resources.

Xixi rubbed her eyes and pressed her lips together.

She was a little bewildered.

Was it really a mistaken feeling?

That blood‑bond feeling—could it truly be wrong?

After so many days, Xixi had never had this sensation, but today, the familiar gaze mixed among countless crowds made her soul tremble.

"And… Xixi, listen, even if your parents truly ascend to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, you must not readily acknowledge them."

Tuoba Ye transmitted the words solemnly.

Xixi heard it, instantly understood, and nodded.

In the crowd.

Li Che wrapped his arm around Zhang Ya's waist and smiled lightly: "Xixi's perception is truly sharp."

"She must have sensed our gaze, yet she cannot find us."

Li Che sighed.

He had already made his decision: temporarily not reunite with Xixi.

Helping Xixi from the shadows is far better than openly revealing themselves, becoming the target of the Divine Pantheon camp and a tool to force Xixi's corruption.

Dicun has a Nirvana King stationed, giving it that confidence.

Unless the Immortal intervenes, Dicun still has the confidence to resist.

But the couple themselves are different.

"Xixi has indeed grown up…"

"If it were the old Xixi, sensing our presence, she would have started shouting and crying long ago."

Zhang Ya said softly.

"The little girl has been through so much; growing up is inevitable," Li Che smiled lightly.

Taking Zhang Ya with him, his figure vanished in an instant and returned to the inn.

It is not the time to meet; as parents, they must not become a hindrance to their child.

Protecting from the shadows and silently offering support is what they, as parents, should do now.

Many things one only learns to do after becoming a parent.

Inside the inn.

After Li Che returned, he summoned Yun Huang and Yun Lei.

"Master."

Yun Huang and Yun Lei remained extremely respectful toward Li Che; after Li Che displayed his power, their admiration and fervor grew.

This admiration and fervor differ from mere reverence; they stem from his personal charisma and strength.

"Have you seen Yulian's daughter?"

Li Che looked at Yun Huang and Yun Lei and spoke slowly.

The two were instantly startled, then fierce fighting spirit flared in their eyes.

"Master, rest assured, we will strive to defeat Yulian's daughter in the Thousand Villages Divine Gambling War! We heard the wager for beating her has already risen to thirty times!"

"If we defeat Yulian's daughter, the wager can be multiplied thirtyfold!"

Yun Lei spoke, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"Bet or no bet, it doesn't matter; I mainly want to prove that the Master's disciples will never be weak! Even Yulian's daughter is no fear!"

Li Che looked at Yun Lei with a half‑smile.

Yun Huang seemed to sense something, her face slightly stiff, repeatedly signaling Yun Lei, whose words flowed like a river.

But Yun Lei did not catch on, instead reveling in his own soaring spirit.

"Yulian's daughter... is my daughter."

Li Che spoke calmly.

His words finished.

The room fell silent at once.

Yun Huang stared in shock, while the nonstop chatter of Yun Lei suddenly felt as if a huge hand had clamped his throat.

Ah?

Master, what are you saying?!

Yulian's daughter... is the one you have been searching for, the daughter you specially cultivated to enter the Thousand Villages Divine Gambling War?!

So exaggerated?!

He only felt as if a light slap were gently striking his face.

This Master's daughter—should he win or not?

He felt a bit numb.

Li Che chuckled lightly, looking at Yun Lei with a half‑smile; the kid was more outgoing than Yun Huang.

Yun Huang was still more mature and steady, after all she was the elder sister.

"If you can win, then you may; no need for mercy—when facing Xixi, give it your all."

"Xixi doesn't need you to hold back."

Li Che said lightly.

Yun Lei instantly kept nodding.

Yun Huang, however, sensed a different meaning, her eyes narrowing: "Master... you summoned us because you need us to share some of the pressure on little sister Xixi in the Thousand Villages Divine Gambling War?"

Li Che looked at Yun Huang admiringly; the girl was indeed clever.

No wonder he is Li Che's most admired disciple.

"Right."

"Your sister Xixi's status is special, and the problems she faces are huge… you also saw the wager at the inn, and you understand Xixi's current situation clearly."

"One could say… all the prodigies in the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War should be sprinting with the goal of defeating Xixi."

Li Che said.

Yun Huang solemnly nodded, putting herself in Xixi's shoes; if she were in Xixi's position now, she would surely feel boundless pressure.

"Therefore, for the upcoming Thousand Village Divine Gambling War, I permit you to use… celestial craft mechanisms."

Li Che's words fell.

Yun Huang and Yun Lei's eyes instantly brightened.

The celestial craft mechanisms Li Che taught them opened the door to a new era.

However, in the previous divine gambling wars, Li Che never allowed them to employ those mechanisms.

Now that the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War has arrived, has he finally relaxed the conditions and finally released their restraints and seals?

Yun Lei's whole body trembled, his excited face flushed with a burst of excitement!

Li Che's heart stirred.

Yun Huang and Yun Lei instantly vanished, taken by him into Mo City Fengdu.

After its previous ruin, Mo City Fengdu has begun rapid restoration.

Although the whole city remains dilapidated, it can now accommodate outsiders' entry.

Within Mo City Fengdu, Li Che conducted special training on celestial craft mechanisms for Yun Huang and Yun Lei, teaching them upgraded Level‑8 rank celestial craft Dao fruit transformed into celestial craft Gatling, Barrett, and Mudu Crow.

This was Li Che's purpose.

By having Yun Huang and Yun Lei deploy these celestial craft mechanisms, hidden messages would be conveyed to Xixi.

To let Xixi know one thing…

Dad is coming!

Indeed, Li Che does not intend to reunite with Xixi or reveal himself voluntarily.

Yet he must give the Xixi who now faces worldwide opposition some confidence and encouragement, informing Xixi.

Dad is here.

Always here.

The Thousand Village Divine Gambling War is held in Divine Treasury City.

This city, under the jurisdiction of the Buddhist Gate Black Xumi, is vast and majestic, shrouded in countless Buddha lights, full of Buddhist nature.

Three days passed in an instant.

All the village cultivators from the ancient villages of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths who entered the divine gambling war gathered via teleport platforms into Divine Treasury City; the city is enormous.

The gathering of so many cultivators placed no burden on the city.

During those three days, Xixi, as the Prison Lotus's daughter, had already become a hot favorite in the divine gambling war; prodigies from the major ancient villages were all rubbing their fists, eager to try.

The wager for defeating the Prison Lotus's daughter had already risen to sixty times the original bet!

In other words, if one personally defeats the Prison Lotus's daughter in the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War, one can obtain sixty times one's own wager in resources!

What a sky‑splitting fortune this is!

Who could endure such wealth?!

Therefore, within the entire Divine Vault City, the divine youths who wished to participate in the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War all clenched their fists, full of excitement and anticipation, only wanting to stake everything in a life‑or‑death battle, to defeat the Prison Lotus Maiden and inflict her first defeat.

Li Che sat quietly, holding a piece of divine wood in his hand, slowly carving it as the divine nature of heaven and earth continuously condensed upon it.

Village chief Yun He of Cloud Sky Village brought back the rules of the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War.

"Mr. Mo Che, the rules for this session of the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War have been released; they differ from before and are not a ring‑match."

Yun He's expression was very solemn.

Li Che did not stop his carving, asking while continuing to work.

"This time, the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War will take place in a cave heaven within Divine Treasury Heaven; a total of 1,300 ancient village teams are participating."

"Based on a village's rank and the wager it stakes, they exchange for Divine Treasury Tokens, each token representing a portion of resources…"

"As long as one can safely leave the cave heaven holding a Divine Treasury Token, one gains an extra token; the tokens can be exchanged for resources, and the amount of resources depends on the village's wager exchange."

"As long as one can safely leave the Cave Heaven holding a Divine Vault Token, they can additionally obtain another Divine Vault Token; the Divine Vault Token can be exchanged for resources, and the resources obtained depend on the wager that the village has exchanged."

Li Che, thoughtful, said: "So, as long as you possess a Divine Treasury Token, leave the cave heaven, and join this divine gambling war, you basically profit."

"If, within the cave heaven, you defeat other village teams and obtain their Divine Treasury Tokens, then after leaving you can use the seized tokens to exchange for resources?"

Yun He nodded; that is basically how it works.

"These rules… are completely aimed at Xixi."

Li Che felt a slight stir in his heart.

Because losing one round is nothing; it only means losing a Divine Treasury Token.

There is still a chance to regain and retrieve the token.

However, if Xixi loses the first round, she must continue fighting to obtain a token, risking a second loss, a third…

Know that the gambling hall of the entire Divine Treasury City has already raised the wager for Xixi's third loss to ten times!

Anyone who can claim Xixi's third loss can obtain ten times the wager!

"These kinds of divine gambling war rules have appeared before."

The rules of this kind of divine gambling battle have appeared before.

Yun He said.

Translation: Yun He said.

Under such rules, it is very easy to raise a wealthy ancient village team.

Translation: "Under such rules, it's very easy to raise a wealthy ancient village team."

Under such rules, it's very easy to raise a wealthy ancient village team.

Indeed, if an overwhelming village team appears, it could even collect everyone's God's Treasury Token stakes in hand.

Translation: "Indeed, if a crushing village team appears, it could even collect everyone's God's Treasury Token stakes in hand."

Indeed, if a crushing village team appears, it could even collect everyone's God's Treasury Token stakes in hand.

In other words, it's completely scraping resources!

Translation: "In other words, it's completely scraping resources!"

Li Che nodded, saying that targeting Xixi was perhaps too early; maybe their rules are just like that.

Translation: "Li Che nodded, saying that targeting Xixi was perhaps too early; maybe their rules are just like that."

Li Che nodded, saying that targeting Xixi was perhaps too early; maybe their rules are just like that.

After all, under such rules, competition will become extremely fierce.

Translation: "After all, under such rules, competition will become extremely fierce."

Moreover, this God Gambling Battle is also divided into Divine Realm and Divine Child, two battlefields, both taking place within the same Cave Heaven.

Translation: "Moreover, this God Gambling Battle is also divided into Divine Realm and Divine Child, two battlefields, both taking place within the same Cave Heaven."

Moreover, this God Gambling Battle is also divided into Divine Realm and Divine Child, two battlefields, both taking place within the same Cave Heaven.

Yun He pursed his lips, looking at Li Che, his eyes flickering, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Translation: "Yun He pursed his lips, looking at Li Che, his eyes flickering, wanting to speak but hesitating."

Li Che glanced at Yun He and immediately understood what he was thinking.

Translation: "Li Che glanced at Yun He and immediately understood what he was thinking."

Do you want me to represent Cloud Heavens Village in the God Gambling Battle?

Translation: "Do you want me to represent Cloud Heavens Village in the God Gambling Battle?"

Do you want me to represent Cloud Heavens Village in the God Gambling Battle?

Li Che asked.

Translation: "Li Che asked."

Yun He immediately broke into a grin, laughing hehe nonstop.

Translation: "Yun He immediately broke into a grin, hehe-laughing nonstop."

Cloud Heavens Village has performed extremely well in this God Gambling Battle, with Yun Huang and Yun Lei both performing excellently; if I were to participate, I would truly be dragging the two kids down...

Translation: "Cloud Heavens Village has performed extremely well in this God Gambling Battle; Yun Huang and Yun Lei have both performed excellently, and if I were to participate, I would truly be dragging the two kids down..."

Cloud Heavens Village has performed extremely well in this God Gambling Battle, with Yun Huang and Yun Lei both performing excellently; if I were to participate, I would truly be dragging the two kids down...

So, Mr. Mo Che participating would naturally be the best.

Translation: "So, if Mr. Mo Che participates, that would naturally be best."

So, Mr. Mo Che participating would naturally be the best.

Yun He believes Li Che's strength and cultivation are absolutely superior to his.

Translation: "Yun He believes Li Che's strength and cultivation are absolutely superior to his."

"Are there cultivation limits in the God Gambling Battle?" Li Che chuckled.

Translation: "Are there cultivation restrictions for the God Gambling Battle?" Li Che smiled.

He did not reject participation; after all, Xixi represents the Earth Village, and he, Li Che, can likewise represent Cloud Heavens Village.

Translation: "He didn't reject participation; after all, Xixi represents the Earth Village, and he, Li Che, can likewise represent Cloud Heavens Village."

after all, Xixi represents the Earth Village, and he, Li Che, can likewise represent Cloud Heavens Village.

Moreover, after participating, Li Che can personally experience the situation Xixi faces, so Li Che does not resist.

Translation: "Moreover, after participating, Li Che could personally experience the situation Xixi faces, so Li Che does not resist."

Yes, the Divine Realm limit in the God Gambling Battle is Merged Dao Realm and below.

Translation: "Yes, the God Gambling Battle's Divine Realm restriction is at the Merged Dao Realm and below."

Yes, the Divine Realm limit in the God Gambling Battle is Merged Dao Realm and below.

That is to say, Divine Beings of the Slain Dao Realm are not permitted to participate.

Translation: "That is to say, Divine Beings of the Slain Dao Realm are not permitted to participate."

That is to say, Divine Beings of the Slain Dao Realm are not permitted to participate.

Yun He immediately said.

Translation: "Yun He immediately said."

Li Che laughed: "Then why do you think I wouldn't be a Slain Dao Realm Divine Being?"

Translation: "Li Che laughed: 'Then why do you think I wouldn't be a Slain Dao Realm Divine Being?'"

Upon hearing this, Yun He stiffened: "Indeed, Mr. Mo Che... why wouldn't you be a Slain Dao Divine Being?"

Translation: "Yun He stiffened at the words, 'Right, Mr. Mo Che... why wouldn't you be a Slain Dao Divine Being?'"

Li Che looked at Yun He, who seemed to have turned into a statue, and laughed: "Just joking, my cultivation complies with the rules..."

Translation: "Li Che looked at Yun He, who seemed to have turned into a statue, and laughed: 'Just joking, my cultivation complies with the rules...'"

Yun He couldn't help but say: "Mr. Mo Che, you cannot conceal your cultivation to participate... the God Gambling Battle's cultivation screening is personally overseen by an Immortal Will."

Immortal Will

If the Immortal Will discovers any issues, our Cloud Heavens Village will be completely disqualified and must compensate a huge amount of resources!

Translation: "Once the Immortal Will detects a problem, our Cloud Heavens Village will be completely disqualified and must compensate a huge amount of resources!"

Cloud Heavens Village cannot afford to pay that.

Translation: "Cloud Heavens Village cannot afford to pay."

Li Che nodded: "I understand the situation; rest assured, I will not exceed the limit."

Translation: "Li Che nodded: 'I understand the situation; rest assured, I won't exceed the limit.'"

As for his own cultivation, Li Che is indeed merely a Divine Being who has just ignited the Divine Fire.

Translation: "As for his own cultivation, Li Che is indeed merely a Divine Being who has just ignited the Divine Fire."

Li Che is indeed merely a Divine Being who has just ignited the Divine Fire.

Naturally, he will not exceed the limit and will not attract the Immortal Will's lock.

Translation: "Naturally, he won't exceed the regulations, nor will he attract the Immortal Will's attention."

"Dang——!!!"

Translation: "Dang——!!!"

"Dang——!!!"

The bell rang explosively, the bell waves spreading layer by layer, forming ripples that expanded toward the entire God's Treasury City.

Translation: "The bell rang explosively, the bell waves spreading layer by layer, forming ripples, expanding toward the entire God's Treasury City."

God's Treasury City

This is the summoning signal.

Translation: "This is the summoning signal."

All the ancient village cultivators residing in the inns left the inns and headed toward the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda Plaza of God's Treasury City.

Translation: "All cultivators of the ancient villages residing in the inns left the inns, heading toward the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda Plaza of God's Treasury City."

ancient village cultivators, inns, Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda Plaza

Upon the immense plaza, pagodas rose one after another; within the pagodas were carved lifelike figures, like true Buddhas seated, looking down upon all beings—Divine Eagles.

Translation: "Upon the immensely vast plaza, pagodas rose from the ground; within the pagodas were carved lifelike Divine Eagles, as if true Buddhas seated, overlooking all beings."

Divine Eagle

Those Divine Eagles are of extremely high quality, all crafted by the Divine Eagle Immortal's hand; the Divine Eagle in the main pagoda, moreover, seems to have come alive, its eyes lively, gathering vital essence.

Translation: "Those Divine Eagles are of extremely high quality, all crafted by the Divine Eagle Immortal's hand; the Divine Eagle in the main pagoda especially seems to have gained life, appearing to come alive, its eyes lively, gathering vital breath."

Divine Eagle Immortal's hand

This Divine Eagle is even more so the work of the Great Immortal Divine Eagle!

Translation: "This Divine Eagle is even more the work of the Great Immortal Divine Eagle!"

Great Immortal Divine Eagle

That is a height and realm even the present Li Che has not yet reached!

Translation: "That is a height and realm even the present Li Che has never reached!"

? cO

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These Ten Thousand Buddha Pagodas conceal Divine Eagles, standing tall here; invisible formation aura intertwines, clearly the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda is a fearsome Divine Eagle Formation.

Translation: "These Ten Thousand Buddha Pagodas, with Divine Eagles hidden within, stand densely packed here; invisibly, formation aura intertwines, clearly, the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda is a fearsome Divine Eagle Formation."

Divine Eagle Formation

One thousand three hundred ancient village teams gathered in the plaza.

Translation: "One thousand three hundred ancient village teams gathered in the plaza."

The lively Divine Eagle in the main pagoda actually opened its eyes, lifelike, opened its mouth to speak human words, beginning to recount the rules everyone already knows.

Translation: "The lively Divine Eagle in the main pagoda actually opened its eyes, lifelike, opened its mouth to speak human words, beginning to recount the rules everyone already knows."

After the rules were spoken, Buddhist chants echoed, winding throughout the plaza.

Translation: "After the rules were finished, Buddhist chants echoed, winding around the entire plaza."

Thereafter, each ancient village team was gathered by light.

Translation: "Then, each ancient village team was gathered by light."

Yun He exchanged resources for God's Treasury Tokens and gave them to Li Che; this token was exchanged using one hundred One Leaf Dao Essence God Crystals and three hundred Four Sovereign Divine Nature Crystals.

Translation: "Yun He exchanged resources for God's Treasury Tokens and gave them to Li Che; this token was exchanged using one hundred One Leaf Dao Essence God Crystals and three hundred Four Sovereign Divine Nature Crystals."

One Leaf Dao Essence God Crystal, Four Sovereign Divine Nature Crystal

These are the resources earned by Yun Huang and Yun Lei in the God Gambling Battle selection.

Translation: "These were the resources earned by Yun Huang and Yun Lei in the God Gambling Battle selection."

Now, having learned that Li Che chooses to participate, Yun He hesitates not, going all in at once.

Translation: "Now, having learned that Li Che chose to participate, Yun He hesitated not, going all in at once."

He placed all of Cloud Heavens Village's future and hopes upon this God Gambling Battle.

Translation: "He placed all of Cloud Heavens Village's future and hope as a bet in this God Gambling Battle."

The God's Treasury Tokens Yun He exchanged are on par with those exchanged from the resources of upper-tier Four Sovereign ancient villages.

Translation: "The God's Treasury Tokens Yun He exchanged are comparable to those exchanged from the resources of the upper-tier Four Sovereign ancient villages."

upper-tier Four Sovereign ancient villages

"Mr. Mo Che, please."

Translation: "Mr. Mo Che, please."

Yun He said solemnly.

Translation: "Yun He said solemnly."

Thereafter, he was expelled by an invisible force from the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda area.

Translation: "Afterward, he was driven out of the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda area by an invisible force."

Space trembled; under the myriad Buddha chants, a distorted spatial force erupted.

Translation: "Space trembled; under the myriad Buddha chants, a distorted spatial power burst forth."

Li Che's 【Time-Space Golden Wheel】 Dao Fruit in his chest trembled slightly, absorbing and swallowing this spatial tempering to enhance himself.

Translation: "Li Che's chest-held 【Time-Space Golden Wheel】 Dao Fruit trembled slightly, capturing and absorbing this spatial tempering to enhance himself."

【Time-Space Golden Wheel】 Dao Fruit

However, this spatial force was merely a fleeting glimpse.

Translation: "However, this spatial power was merely a fleeting glimpse."

Then the transmission ended; all one thousand three hundred ancient village teams were sent into the Cave Heaven of God's Treasury Heaven.

Translation: "Then the transmission ended; all one thousand three hundred ancient village teams were transmitted into the Cave Heaven of God's Treasury Heaven."

God's Treasury Heaven, Cave Heaven

Bitter Sea Cave Heaven!

Translation: "Bitter Sea Cave Heaven!"

Rush rush——

Rush rush——

Massive waves surged; as the waters collided, they exploded into boundless roaring sounds.

Translation: "Huge waves surged; as the currents collided, boundless roaring sounds exploded."

As far as the eye could see, a stretch of dark black seawater lay heavy as molten iron, seeming to exude a bitter, astringent taste.

Li Che only now discovered that he was standing on an island.

The island was huge, with rows of figures standing across it, totaling one thousand three hundred people, each a Divine Realm cultivator.

The weakest were the Three Disasters Supreme, ancient village cultivators from a village of the Five Elders rank, like Cloud Heaven Village.

Of course, compared to Cloud Heaven Village it is somewhat stronger; an ancient village of middle Five Elders rank like Cloud Heaven Village, in the entire Thousand Villages Divine Gambling War…… there is only this one.

The strongest were Divine Spirits of the Merging Dao Realm, their aura terrifying.

Most were ancient villages from the Three Pure Ones and the Four Emperors.

Li Che mobilized his physical strength, changed his gaze, his eyes swept over, and looked toward a figure clad in animal skins.

This figure……

This was indeed a Merging Dao cultivator from Earth Village, his stature burly and broad, obviously also following the body-tempering path, but tempering the body with divinity, the path of the Merging Dao Martial God.

Li Che, based on information from Earth Village, knew this person was one of the two Merging Dao Realm cultivators leading the team from Earth Village this time, Tuoba Long.

This person was extremely ferocious; due to his identity as an Earth Village cultivator, plus the connection to the Prison Lotus Maiden, Tuoba Long instantly became the target of all sides.

"What are you looking at?! If you have the guts, come directly!"

Tuoba Long's thick hair behind him danced wildly, his arrogant gaze sweeping over the remaining cultivators around him.

Even Li Che was caught up in it.

Li Che smiled, but his eyebrows quickly rose.

A phantom of a mountain loomed above the endless dark sea opposite the island; on that sea, Buddha light shone, and the mountain rose up from the depths.

"Spirit Mountain!"

"Spirit Mountain Cave Heaven, I heard the headquarters of Black Sumeru is located here?"

"Wrong, the headquarters of Black Sumeru is in the Formless Heaven; this Spirit Mountain Cave Heaven is merely a projection of Spirit Mountain."

……

Many Divine Realm cultivators around began to converse.

"The rules say that the Divine Children over there need to cross seven islands of the Bitter Sea, handing over the Divine Treasure Seal to us, while we only need to hold the Divine Treasure Seal and ascend to the ninth island where Spirit Mountain is located to complete the Thousand Villages Divine Gambling War."

"This causes the Divine Treasure Seal to gain tenfold resources!"

Merging Dao Divine Spirits began to breathe rapidly.

Undoubtedly, this is a revelry of the powerful.

Holding the Divine Treasure Seal and setting foot on Spirit Mountain, bathed in Buddha light, the Divine Treasure Seal gains tenfold expansion.

No matter how many Divine Treasure Seals one holds and sets foot on Spirit Mountain, one can gain expansion!

So……

There truly exists a tremendous temptation here!

Hum——

The Buddha's sound resounded vast.

Thereafter, it seemed as if a pair of embroidered cicada-patterned eyes opened in the sky above Spirit Mountain.

Endless Buddha light swept over, containing immortal power.

It swept over the bodies of every Divine Realm cultivator, causing their cultivation to be fully revealed, unable to be concealed.

Li Che's cultivation was also revealed, divine fire blazing on the Divine Terrace, signifying that his cultivation was that of a Divine Fire Divine Spirit.

Divine Fire Divine Spirit……

Many strong individuals who had originally paid attention to Li Che snorted and then ignored him.

"Hey, the interesting part is still the situation over on the Divine Children's side……"

"That Prison Lotus Maiden, can she actually cross the Bitter Sea and come here?"

"I heard that the bets on the Prison Lotus Maiden's failed rounds have all been placed on her tenth loss, truly extravagant."

"Hahaha…… this Divine Gambling War was actually prepared for the Prison Lotus Maiden!"

"The Thousand Villages Divine Gambling War is also called 'Crossing the Bitter Sea with the Prison Lotus Maiden,' haven't you all forgotten?"

The surrounding noise was incessant, streams of light burst forth from the island one after another, the strong ones' gazes all swept over, beginning to watch the Divine Children's battle.

Li Che stood with his hands behind his back, the black robe embroidered with golden lotus fluttering, his brows involuntarily furrowed slightly.

"Crossing the Bitter Sea with the Prison Lotus Maiden…… now I understand."

Li Che seemed to have vaguely heard of such a grand event in the mortal world before.

Never expecting that, upon just arriving in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, he would participate in this way.

"Encircling and suppressing the Prison Lotus Maiden……"

"They estimate my daughter will lose ten rounds? The bets for the tenth round have already appeared?"

"Heh…… really looking down on Xixi."

Li Che stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze gradually deepening.

He had Cloud Phoenix and Cloud Thunder use the Immortal Craft Mechanism Technique to jointly protect Xixi; besides that, he also gave Xixi some extra things……

These things were enough to break all rules.

Let Xixi, in this "Crossing the Bitter Sea with the Prison Lotus Maiden" convention, give everyone a shock!

Crossing the Bitter Sea with the Prison Lotus Maiden?

No, it will be the Prison Lotus Maiden overturning the Bitter Sea!

……

……

Bitter Sea, First Island.

On the Bitter Sea, there are a total of nine Buddha Islands, each island has a Ten Thousand Buddha Tower Formation, which can be used to teleport to the next island.

To teleport from the first island to the second island, each person needs to activate with ten Divine Treasury Commands.

From the second island to the third island, twenty are needed, and so on, each time requiring an increase of ten Divine Treasury Commands.

To reach the seventh island, send the Divine Treasury Commands to the village's Divine Realm powerhouse, so they can complete the final crossing and ascend to the Ninth Island Spirit Mountain Island, letting the Divine Treasury Commands expand and obtain the vast wealth after expansion.

As for how many resources the Divine Treasury Command can expand into, that depends on luck.

This is also a kind of high-stakes gamble.

The first island is very large.

However, the number of prodigies dispatched by each ancient village is mostly two or three, so thousands of prodigies have gathered on the first island.

Bang bang bang—

The prodigies' eyes were sharp, their fighting spirit high, and they immediately completed the gathering of their respective teams.

Afterward, they began searching on the island for the traces of the Prison Lotus Maiden!

Moreover, the prodigies from the ten ancient villages rated as the strongest in this session erupted with an overbearing aura, openly displaying it on the island.

They unabashedly searched for the traces of the Prison Lotus Maiden.

After all, the Prison Lotus Maiden's first defeat has already reached a sixty-fold expansion of the wager!

So, everyone wants to take the Prison Lotus Maiden's first blood!

Noisy, chaotic, it erupted all at once.

Of course, aside from targeting the Prison Lotus Maiden, the prodigy teams of the major ancient villages are also seeking out weaker prodigies to seize their Divine Treasury Commands.

Some prodigy teams whose strength is not top-notch plan to quickly gather enough Divine Treasury Commands, teleport to the second island, and strive to deliver them as fast as possible to the Divine Realm powerhouse on the seventh island.

That way, their mission is completed.

……

……

On the seventh island.

Li Che stood with his hands behind his back, staring ahead, as the great waves of the Sea of Suffering surged upward, forming a water curtain.

In the water curtain, the image reflected was of the area where the divine aura was most intense.

Not only Li Che, but all Divine Realm cultivators on the seventh island narrowed their eyes, the atmosphere heavy and solemn.

……

In the image.

On the first island.

In the dense forest, birds flapped their wings in fright, scattering and spreading.

A figure burst open with blood mist, shooting out like a cannonball, violently slamming into the trunk of an ancient tree, embedding itself, blood gushing like a pillar.

Hum—

A spear burst forth with purple flames, coiling and spitting like a poisonous snake, instantly piercing the heart of the prodigy pinned to the tree trunk.

The moment it was pulled out, his entire heart exploded with a bang.

That prodigy instantly lost all strength, had his vitality drained, and fell within the tree trunk.

Xixi gripped the Purple Flame Serpent Fire-Tip Spear with her five fingers, her eyes icy cold, killing intent piercing.

She held back nothing; against those prodigies who wanted to take her first blood and claim the sixty-fold wager, her every move was a killing strike, directly taking their lives.

In the Divine Gamble War, what is wagered is not only resources, but also one's own life!

So, Xixi showed no mercy at all.

Pfft pfft—

Two spurts of blood echoed.

Two figures, blasting apart the airflow with their backs, like comets sweeping in, slammed heavily into the ground beside Xixi, gouging ravines in the forest floor.

Heavy panting, continuously rising and falling.

Xixi looked over; they were exactly the other two prodigy siblings from Earth Village.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

On the tree trunks surrounding the forest.

Powerful divine aura fluctuations continued, blood and qi surging in impact.

Figures like javelins swooped down fast, embedding themselves into the surrounding tree trunks.

Fierce winds raged, rustling the leaves of the ancient forest.

The many prodigies from the Ancient Villages, like bats in the night, perched on the tree trunks, eyes glowing, staring at Xixi.

"Prison Lotus Maiden..."

"You shouldn't have come to participate in the Thousand Village Divine Gamble War."

"No more nonsense, first kill the two prodigies from Earth Village."

"If you can force the Prison Lotus Maiden to give up resistance and accept the Prison Lotus Curse's dark transformation, you could obtain wealth even greater than the sixty-fold wager!"

……

Cold, playful, teasing voices came from the mouths of the Ancient Village prodigies who were the first to arrive around.

Xixi's eyes surged with killing intent.

These people, they're not even pretending……

She never expected that the rules of this Thousand Village Divine Gamble War would turn out like this.

What was supposed to be an arena match, how did it become these rules……

"Sea of Suffering Crossing the Prison Lotus……"

This is aimed at her!

She thought of Tuoba Ye's words, and a sudden understanding arose in her heart; Tuoba Ye said, even if her parents truly came to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, she should not lightly go to recognize and reunite with them.

Otherwise...

It will only bring disaster to her parents!

Xixi felt a surge of anger like a volcano erupting in her heart.

She took a deep breath.

She looked at the tree trunks around, where more and more prodigies appeared, and she also glanced at the two village prodigies who were swaying, about to fall.

In her eyes full of anger, a hint of worry inevitably appeared.