Chapter 569: Immortal Craft Seven Metamorphoses Ascend to Divine Eagle Immortal, Observing the Origin of Heaven and Earth

In front of me, flowing light flickered slowly and intertwined!

Li Che's eyes suddenly filled with a hint that flowed like babbling water.

The Dao Fruit Immortal Craft successfully achieved the seventh metamorphosis!

This is Li Che's confidence, and also why he is sure to join the Thus: Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly, intending to rise to the forefront in the Assembly and secure the means to rescue the Qi Tian Temple deity.

The fourth Heaven-and-Earth ancient talisman took Li Che three months to forge, almost a death‑seal, and it was the longest seclusion he had endured since beginning his cultivation.

The result lived up to Li Che's hopes: he successfully condensed the fourth Heaven-and-Earth ancient talisman, causing the ten‑thousand‑demon engraving on the Insightful Demon Saint Halberd to raise the Immortal Craft Dao Fruit to 80% maturity, leaping over the bottleneck and achieving the seventh metamorphosis!

With the Dao Fruit's metamorphic upgrade, the Divine Eagle techniques naturally rose to the level of a Divine Eagle Immortal.

Thus, Li Che dared to say confidently that joining the Thus: Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly would be a dimensional‑reduction strike!

That reflects his absolute confidence in his own strength.

The four ancient talismans rotated continuously around his body, subtly warping the void, vibrating incessantly, as if the very space fell into disorder.

The Heaven-and-Earth Nine Talismans forge a Heaven's Will Chopping Blade that is extremely terrifying.

It is the most terrifying force Li Che has ever faced directly.

Therefore, Li Che's impression of the Heaven's Will Chopping Blade is profoundly deep.

Li Che's eyes dimmed, his spirit stirred, and the four ancient talismans returned to his flesh, nurturing within the mysterious Immortal Seed orifice.

"The only regret is... the fourth Heaven-and-Earth ancient talisman condensed successfully, but the mental image I had of the Heaven's Will Chopping Blade completely shattered, and I can no longer recapture or condense it."

Li Che furrowed his brows, looking somewhat solemn.

The image of the Heaven's Will Chopping Blade slashing the boss was completely erased from Li Che's mind.

It was a scene that, even employing the Temporal Golden Wheel Dao Fruit or time reversal, could not be seen again.

As for why the image vanished, it seemed linked to the number of Heaven-and-Earth ancient talismans Li Che had condensed.

When the fourth talisman condensed, it appeared to involve a unique and powerful will; that descending will shattered the image outright.

Of course, this does not mean Li Che forgets the Heaven's Will Chopping Blade.

He remembers, but he can no longer discern the nine ancient Heaven-and-Earth runes on the blade.

It seems that if Li Che continued condensing, he might breach a taboo, so the vision was preemptively extinguished.

Tuoba Lian sensed an ancient aura erupting from Li Che, his heart trembling slightly, and at a moment he seemed to grasp a fragment of Heaven-and-Earth willpower.

The elder's smile grew ever richer on his face.

"It seems... I have been over‑cautious; Mr. Mo Che is extremely confident in his Divine Eagle techniques."

Li Che nodded, "No big problem."

"Since that's the case, I shall cease my admonitions, hoping Mr. Mo Che can stand out at the Thus: Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly and successfully obtain a Divine Pill."

Tuoba Lian said.

Li Che heard this and was momentarily stunned, then let out a mute laugh.

So Tuoba Lian had thought Li Che entered the Thus: Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly aiming for the Divine Pill forged by the Immortal Lao after refining Qi Tian?

In fact, for most Divine Eagle Immortal Hands attending the Assembly, this is probably the main motivation.

But Li Che's purpose was not that; he intended to stir trouble in secret.

His plan was first to stand out in the Thus: Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly, then infiltrate the mysterious formation that the Immortal Lao set up to refine Qi Tian, and within that formation commit minor misdeeds to sabotage the alchemical pill plan.

Li Che offered no explanation, merely smiling lightly.

Afterwards, Li Che stayed in Yunxiao City for a while, teaching siblings Yun Huang and Yun Lei Divine Eagle techniques, mechanical divine arts, and imparting Divine Craft Gatling, Divine Craft Barrett, and other skills to them.

Having done that, he spent another day training with Xixi.

Li Che finally decided to set his plans in motion.

Zhang Ya chose not to accompany Li Che, opting instead to wait in Yunxiao Village.

She knew what her husband intended, and she could not help much, so she preferred to stay in Yunxiao Village, keep her daughter company, and await her husband's return.

Wearing a Meng Po mask, Zhang Ya saw Li Che off outside the village.

"Husband, no matter what you do out there, your safety is paramount; Xixi and I will wait for you at home."

Zhang Ya adjusted Li Che's collar.

The dark shirt Li Che wore had always been the embroidered golden lotus garment she sewed.

From the mortal world to the present Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, Li Che's attire has never changed, prompting a gentle smile to tug at the corner of Zhang Ya's masked lips.

Li Che patted Zhang Ya's head, "When I'm away, you must train diligently, follow Xiao Su Da's practice; I've left you some Divine Weapons, refine them to boost your strength."

Zhang Ya practices the pure Fusion Weapon Method, enlarging herself by merging the power of Divine Weapons.

The more Divine Weapons she fuses, the greater the enhancement.

Thus, Li Che consciously prepares some Divine Weapons for Zhang Ya.

The last time in the Thousand Village Divine Gambling War, after Li Che crushed his opponents, he would confiscate their Divine Weapons, earmarking them for his wife Zhang Ya.

He fed his wife with Divine Weapons to make her strong.

However, the Fusion Weapon Method has a ceiling; how to break through it, Li Che will devise later.

At least, the current Fusion Weapon Method gives Zhang Ya a chance to catch up with the father‑daughter pair.

After bidding Zhang Ya farewell, Li Che turned and walked along the shaded path.

A sudden stir of spirit raised the Heaven-and-Earth Chessboard skyward, expanding in an instant like a cascade of starlight ribbons, shielding his location.

The current Heaven-and-Earth Chessboard has reached Lv8, achieving the sixth metamorphosis; with full firepower, even Nirvana can be concealed from perception.

However, if a Nirvana Heavenly King or the Immortal's descending will appears, the sixth‑metamorphosis Chessboard is somewhat insufficient.

Because the Nirvana Heavenly King who has traversed the Nine‑Nether Path of life and death, and the Immortal, both have comprehended the origin of Heaven and Earth; it is no surprise they can see through the Chessboard.

But if the Chess Saint Dao Fruit attains the seventh metamorphosis, it may achieve shielding.

Above the Heaven-and-Earth Chessboard, four stars seemed to flicker; they were the Nirvanas of the three major divine camps guarding the surroundings of Yunxiao Village.

Moreover, among them is a Quasi-Emperor of the Nine Nether Death Path who is about to reach its end!

Such a lineup…

I must say, the three great divine camps truly spare no expense!

This Quasi-Emperor hides within the void, and even senior elder Tuoba Lian did not sense him; one could say he is hidden deep enough.

However, these powerful ones are only tasked with guarding Yunxiao Village and do not intend to act against it for now.

Perhaps they plan to let the Prison Lotus Daughter develop more affection with Yunxiao Village.

Only when the bond is sufficiently cultivated will the outbreak of slaughter cause inner pain, prompting one to accept the inheritance of power by any means!

Like the Earth Village…

Not enough.

The failure of Earth Village already illustrates the problem.

"Four Nirvanas."

Li Che's eyes glowed faintly.

Now, he is still no match for Nirvana, for the time being.

Unless he can achieve the Unified Dao.

"Unified Dao… when the eight great Dao rivers one has comprehended all reach their ends, one can realize the Unified Dao…"

"Others cannot reach the end, but I can, because I have a boat."

Li Che smiled lightly.

In his mind, he has already begun planning the Unified Dao; confronting the Unified Dao Xuan Immortal is one of Li Che's most important upcoming schemes!

Rescuing Qi Tian is important, but improving one's own cultivation is equally vital!

Fortunately, Li Che already has some ideas about the Unified Dao realm, unlike before when the prospect of striking the Xuan Immortal realm left him bewildered and blind.

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard expands.

Flying Star Relocation!

Li Che became like a meteor, streaking across the chessboard at such speed that it seemed to surpass light!

Buzz—

Somewhere in the void outside Yunxiao Village.

In an instant, the void split, a slender fissure like a sharp blade cutting through.

A figure emerged, eyes opening, a powerful life-and-death aura surging forth; even a slight release made heaven and earth change hue!

"Hmm? Just now… it seemed something passed by?"

It is the Quasi-Emperor of the Dark Heavenly Court hidden in the void.

He was specially summoned by Ji Shaohao to take charge here.

After returning to the Dark Heavenly Court, Ji Shaohao did not come to Yunxiao Village himself, but went to Tai Su Heaven; even Ji Shaohao places great importance on this Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly.

One could say this Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly has become a grand event for the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Almost all cultivators have taken notice of this grand event, for after all, Lord Lao's Immortal seeks to forge the Qi Tian Alchemy, and the unique nature of the Qi Tian Temple Deity ensures the Divine Pill produced is extraordinary, perhaps allowing one to comprehend the origin of heaven and earth and break through immortality!

Even many Earth Immortals are paying attention.

An Earth Immortal striving to break the shackles and ascend to the higher tier of Heaven Immortal finds it exceedingly difficult.

Perhaps one could use the Qi Tian Divine Pill to see if an opportunity can be found.

"Could it be that I have misperceived?"

A powerful divine spirit will sweep across a thousand-mile radius around Yunxiao Village, yet it perceives no human silhouettes.

Instead, within Yunxiao Village.

Many cultivators sensed this strong Nirvana intent.

Tuoba Lian, hunched, leapt a step to the heavens, his eyes flashing like two divine spears, tearing the firmament.

"A Quasi-Emperor…"

"The Dark Heavenly Court truly holds the tiny Yunxiao Village in regard."

Rumble—

The Quasi-Emperor hidden in the void tore it open, revealing a terrifying form as if a dharma manifestation.

"Yunxiao Village is where the Prison Lotus Daughter resides; even an Immortal's attention is not excessive, and you need not think we are making a fuss."

"The Prison Lotus Daughter, whose fate concerns the ending of the Divine Tide, involves the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and pertains to countless beings in the world…"

The Quasi-Emperor's voice thundered as he conversed with Tuoba Lian.

Tuoba Lian brushed his sleeve and let out a cold snort, his complexion darkening slightly.

Facing a Quasi-Emperor, Tuoba Lian's aura was still considerably weaker.

The two Nirvanas faced each other and conversed in the void, drawing little attention.

Li Che, however, does not worry; as long as no real fight breaks out and Tuoba Lian remains stationed, Li Che need not be overly concerned about Yunxiao Village's situation.

Rumble—

Li Che spanned thousands of miles, performing Flying Star Relocation, like a meteor streaking across the sky.

After stabilizing his form, Li Che continued to conceal his aura, and the powerful divine spirit thought spread outward.

The Heaven and Earth Chessboard also unfolded, perceiving the ancient village within its range.

Soon, Li Che locked onto an ancient village; there he sensed the aura of a Zhan San Realm Zhandao Divine Spirit, surging into the clouds like war smoke, scorching a swath of the heavens.

This is a lower-tier ancient village of the Four Sovereigns; without a Nirvana stationed, the Zhan San Divine Spirit is the topmost powerhouse.

That is normal; only the upper-tier villages of the Four Sovereigns might have a Nirvana who has just stepped onto the Nine Nether Death Path stationed there. Village ranks, given the extreme resource limits in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, essentially indicate the strongest resident.

"Within the Mysterious Celestial Realm, ancient villages are countless, exceeding ten thousand, not to mention those in other heavens and regions."

Li Che crossed his arms, within the isolation of the Heaven‑and‑Earth Chessboard, and couldn't help but sigh.

He sighed at the vastness of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths' territories, and at the number of strong ones far exceeding those of the mortal world.

Yet, likewise, because there are so many strong ones, resources become extremely tight and strained, and with the three great divine camps plundering resources, cultivation in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths becomes very stingy.

This is somewhat different from what Li Che originally imagined.

Li Che probed the ancient village through the Heaven‑and‑Earth Chessboard; unfortunately, in this lower‑tier Four Sovereigns ancient village, there is no Divine Eagle Holy Hand.

However, Li Che was not disappointed; next, he continued to walk through several ancient villages.

Finally, he still managed to find it.

A mid‑level Four Sovereigns ancient village, where three Sword‑Cutting Divine Spirits are stationed, was holding a mobilization assembly.

The Divine Eagle Holy Hand of their village is about to go to Ru Xuan Mountain to take part in the selection of the Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly!

The whole village was bustling beyond measure, the atmosphere was lively.

For this Divine Eagle Holy Hand, participating in the selection of the Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly is mostly just for show, but he does have a chance to learn something at such a gathering.

Observing many Immortal Hands and Holy Hands carving Divine Eagles, if he grasps some techniques, perhaps he could break through to the Divine Eagle Immortal Hand level, which would be of great significance for the whole village.

Li Che smiled; at last he had found it.

This ancient village, called Canglan Village, is mid‑level among the Four Sovereigns; two Sword‑Cutting Third Divine Spirits, one Sword‑Cutting Second Divine Spirit, and that Second Realm Divine Spirit is responsible for escorting this Divine Eagle Holy Hand to Ru Xuan Mountain.

After the village's revelry, the party set off.

A Divine Vessel roared up, turning into flowing light, racing toward Ru Xuan Mountain.

Li Che stood with his arms crossed, under the Heaven‑and‑Earth Chessboard, stars glittering, following behind the Divine Vessel.

The Divine Vessel's speed was extremely fast, yet Li Che's current speed could keep up.

On the Divine Vessel, the escorting Sword‑Cutting Second Divine Spirit felt a slight tremor in his heart.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

"Who?!"

A strong stimulus made this Sword‑Cutting Second Realm Divine Spirit's hair stand on end.

He looked up and saw on the deck of the Divine Vessel, at an unknown time, a slender figure standing, its face covered by a mask woven with starlight, obscuring its features.

A rival from the enemy village?

This Sword‑Cutting Second Divine Spirit's hair stood on end, giving him a very bad premonition.

Yet before the premonition could dissipate, he saw the figure remove the mask, revealing a face identical to the village's Divine Eagle Holy Hand.

"You!"

Inside the Divine Vessel, that Divine Eagle Holy Hand was shocked beyond words.

"Don't be nervous."

"How about we make a trade?"

Li Che looked indifferently at the Sword‑Cutting Second Divine Spirit and the Divine Eagle Holy Hand before him.

In fact, Li Che could choose to cruelly kill them, but it was unnecessary; after all, Li Che is not a wanton slayer.

Moreover, he worried that killing them would cause some perception feedback in Canglan Village, and later causing trouble at the Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly would be undesirable.

"What trade?"

The Sword‑Cutting Second Realm Divine Spirit was extremely solemn.

Though he could not sense Li Che's cultivation level, a strong instinct made him feel a grave danger.

"I can help this Divine Eagle Holy Hand break through to the Immortal Hand level, but… I need to borrow his name for a while."

"He is attending the Divine Eagle Immortal Hand Assembly to observe techniques and break his own level; with my assistance, he can easily break into the Immortal Hand level and be more stable."

Li Che said warmly with a smile.

This is a choice, but in reality there is nothing to hesitate over.

As Li Che said, one path requires observation and insight, possibly becoming a Divine Eagle Immortal Hand, while the other has a mentor and will surely enter…

Thus, when Li Che displayed the Divine Eagle Immortal Hand technique, the two from Canglan Village immediately made their choice.

Li Che chuckled and snapped his fingers.

Instantly, that Divine Eagle Holy Hand from Canglan Village was swallowed by a black vortex and fell into Mo City Fengdu.

"Before the trade is completed, this Holy Hand will temporarily enter my small pocket heaven."

"You Canglan villagers also do not wish a rare‑born Divine Eagle Holy Hand, who has hope to become an Immortal Hand, to run into trouble, do you?"

Li Che smiled and spoke to the Sword‑Cutting Second Divine Spirit.

The Sword‑Cutting Second Divine Spirit's expression turned sour.

However, after Li Che also brought him into Mo City Fengdu and saw that the Divine Eagle Holy Hand was safe, this Sword‑Cutting Divine Spirit ultimately decided to cooperate with Li Che.

Thus, Li Che finally obtained a new name.

Canglan Village, Divine Eagle Holy Hand, Cang Che.

……

……

The Divine Vessel sliced through the void, stirring rippling circles that expanded outward.

"Brother Cang Che, below is Ru Xuan Mountain."

The Sword‑Cutting Second Divine Spirit, Cang Yuan, spoke to Li Che.

The two traveled together, chatting continuously; originally Cang Yuan had some objections to Li Che, but after Li Che offered some Dao Essence Crystals, Cang Yuan basically told Li Che everything, becoming extremely friendly.

Li Che even suspected that he didn't need to say anything to help the Divine Eagle Holy Hand Cang Che reach the Immortal Hand realm; just presenting Dao Essence Crystals would make them comply.

Yet, pointing out a Holy Hand's breakthrough is nothing for him now, who has already reached the Divine Eagle Great Immortal level.

Ru Xuan Mountain, located in Xuan Xiao Heaven, is not the same Ru Xuan Mountain that hosted the last Thousand‑Village Divine Gambling War.

The mountains rose high, thrusting into the clouds, like divine spears, shattering idle clouds.

Halfway up the slope, an ancient city stretched across, immense beyond measure.

Countless divine vessels converged from all directions; it's not that every vessel contained a Divine Eagle Saint Hand, but many came to watch the spectacle and to see if they could recruit some Divine Eagle Saint Hands or Immortal Hands who wished to change villages.

"This Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly is highly valued by the Dark Heavenly Court, and its scale is the largest ever. In the past, Great Simple Heaven also held such assemblies, but never with such solemnity as this."

"It seems that this time Lao Jun Immortal will appear in person. Lao Jun Immortal… but he is one of the two Great Immortals of the Dark Heavenly Court! His status there is extremely high!"

Cang Yuan talked a lot, with a somewhat loquacious demeanor.

Of course, it could also be that after receiving money, he is handling things earnestly.

Upon ascending Xuan Shan and entering the ancient city, Cang Yuan kept competing to assist Li Che—checking into the inn, obtaining the participation plaque for the Immortal Hand Assembly, and so on…

His attentiveness was such that he hardly seemed a Zhan Er Realm deity, leaving Li Che bewildered.

In the face of resources, this Zhan Er Divine Spirit's legs went weak as if boneless.

"You need not be so servile…"

Li Che, somewhat unaccustomed, said to Cang Yuan.

Cang Yuan smiled: "I have taken your resources, so my attitude must show it. After all, these resources are prepared for the children of our Canglan Village. If my demeanor can yield you more resources… I could be even more servile, since you are the sponsor."

Li Che, hearing this, fell silent for a moment; he had still underestimated the importance of resources within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

"Brother Cang Che, you needn't worry too much… The juniors in the village wish to cultivate properly and obtain resources for training; we elders cannot shirk our heavy responsibilities."

Cang Yuan was very carefree.

"I don't know what your purpose in joining this Immortal Hand Assembly is… It's none of my business. I only care about resources, and that Li Che can truly break through to the Divine Eagle Immortal Hand tier; then Canglan Village's future resource pressure will be considerably eased."

Inside the inn.

Li Che sat cross‑legged, a celestial chessboard hovering above his head, radiating cascading starlight.

His mind stirred, accompanied by the rush of flowing water; a compressed Great Dao River enveloped his surroundings, its currents surging endlessly.

A Dao boat roared up, cutting waves upon the Great Dao River!

It sped onward toward the river's depths.

After a while, the river's illusory image faded, Li Che opened his eyes, spread his arms, his powerful qi surged, emitting a thunderous roar.

"Although the Dao boat is formed, racing it to the end of the Great Dao River is not an easy task."

"To achieve Unity of Dao, one must traverse all eight Great Dao Rivers to their ends…"

"The preparatory work beforehand consumes considerable effort."

Unity of Dao, Unity of Dao… is naturally not easy.

Li Che also knew that each step on the martial path is exceedingly difficult!

In this era, the martial path has no road; the one Li Che walks becomes the road!

A knock sounded, echoing through.

Li Che's eyes flashed open, sharp as a blade.

"Brother Cang Che, the Divine Craft Immortal Hand Xuanxiao Heaven selection is about to begin; we should head to the venue."

Cang Yuan's voice came from outside the door.

Li Che, hearing this, stopped his cultivation, packed up briefly, and left the room.

Cang Yuan looked at Li Che's eyes, which were noticeably different; he could not see through Li Che, even when Li Che was cultivating inside, he could not discern him.

However, Cang Yuan didn't mind; as he said, all he wanted… was simply what would benefit the village.

The two exited the inn, heading toward the venue.

"I heard that for this selection, the Dark Heavenly Court's Young Emperor will sit in person to observe, and will specially pick some Immortal Hands to join his recruited team…"

Cang Yuan eagerly relayed the information he had gathered to Li Che.

After all, the sponsor paid the resources, so Cang Yuan naturally must provide the best service.

If… more money could be added, that would be even better.

"This recruitment isn't outright bribery; it's more like the Young Emperor assembling a team with great resources, to contend with other divine camps and the Divine Eagle Saint Hands of the Two Saints Ancient Village."

"Hei Xumi and Guiyao Cave are famed for their mastery of Divine Eagles, and this time Lao Jun Immortal is forging divine pills; the Dark Heavenly Court naturally refuses to hand over those resources. So if we can secure more slots among the Divine Eagle Immortal Hands selected by Lao Jun Immortal… that would be even better."

Cang Yuan's words left Li Che enlightened.

In the pause of their conversation, the two had already arrived at the venue.

Calling it a venue is an understatement; it was a cluster of splendid palaces, with ornate beams, painted rafters, and buildings adorned with glazed gold tiles.

Because this selection sought Divine Eagle Immortal Hands, it could not be compared to the arena of the former Thousand Villages Divine Gambling War.

The Divine Eagle represents a refined art, a skill of elegance, its reputation naturally maxed out.

Cang Yuan led Li Che toward the palace indicated by the plaque.

Inside the antique‑styled palace, a maid attended them; she was exceedingly beautiful, clad in white gauze, like a fairy.

Li Che sat upright at the table, upon which lay spiritual fruits and fragrant spiritual wine and tea.

Of course, within this palace complex, there was not just one Li Che; five tables were set beside him.

Each palace housed six Divine Eagle Saint Hands.

The palace where the Divine Eagle Immortal Hands were present had only three tables.

As for the palace of the Divine Eagle Immortal, naturally it was one person per palace.

Even the Divine Eagle Immortal, of whom there is only one across the entire Xuanxiao Heaven, was in a palace, chatting over tea with the Dark Heavenly Court's Young Emperor's princess Shao Hao, laughing heartily.

The Divine Eagle Immortal need not join the selection; in fact, he is the judge of the Divine Eagle Immortal Hand selection.

Li Che's gaze swept briefly, then he withdrew his eyes.

"Brother Cang Che, you now represent Canglan Village; if you succeed in securing a slot, Canglan Village could become famous!" Cang Yuan showed a hint of anticipation and excitement.

"We don't aim to seize first place; this time, the Young Emperor will choose ten Immortal Hand slots to form a team heading to Great Simple Heaven for the Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly…"

"As long as we can make it into the top ten, that counts as success!"

Cang Yuan rubbed his hands, his eyes bright, looking a bit like a petty money‑lover.

"Brother Cang Che, do you know how huge the benefits are for joining the Young Emperor's Immortal Hand team?"

"The Young Emperor has already announced that anyone who joins his Immortal Hand team will receive a guaranteed three Four‑leaf Dao‑Essence Spirit Crystals!"

"Moreover, before the Tai Su Heaven Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly begins, you can claim each day one Three‑leaf Dao‑Essence Spirit Crystal and a Three Pure Divine Nature Crystal as cultivation resources!"

Cang Yuan's breathing became rapid.

Li Che's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Truly befitting the wealthy and powerful Gods' camp…"

Glancing at Cang Yuan, Li Che smiled: "If I succeed in entering Ji Shaohao's Immortal Hand team, I'll give you all the resources he provides."

"Just don't expose my identity."

Li Che's words made Cang Yuan shudder all over; the next moment, a hint of shyness showed: "This… feels a bit awkward, doesn't it?"

"Don't worry, I don't need those resources."

Li Che said lightly.

When his words finished, his gaze had already turned toward the center of the venue.

In the palace where Li Che stood, the other five Divine Roc Holy Hands watched Li Che with a hint of indifference.

Because since they entered the palace, Li Che had never paid attention to them.

This person… is indeed a bit too arrogant, isn't he?

He looks down on everyone!

Even as a Divine Roc Holy Hand, what gives him the right to look down on them like that!

Li Che, however, was too lazy to bother them and gave them no response at all.

With Li Che's current Divine Roc skill, aside from the Great Immortal in the central palace, he disregards all other Divine Roc Immortal Hands.

This confidence comes from the Seven Sheddings of the Divine Craft Dao Fruit!

There, the Young Emperor Ji Shaohao and that Divine Roc Great Immortal sat upright in the central palace.

Ji Shaohao glanced at the time and tossed out a divine ancient bell.

"Dong—"

The ancient bell trembled, emitting a deafening roar!

Throughout the palace, every Divine Roc Holy Hand and Immortal Hand cast their gazes.

And Ji Shaohao, under the gaze of the crowd, slowly rose.

He wore a white robe, a divine mark of fire blazing at his brow, a gentle smile at his lips, handsome and otherworldly.

"Divine Roc Holy Hands and Immortal Hands, this selection for the Xuan Xiao Heaven Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly, the Dark Heavenly Court takes it very seriously; after all, Lord Lao Immortal needs to summon eighty‑one Divine Roc Immortal Hands to set up the alchemy array…"

"The number of Immortal Hands participating in the alchemy array determines the share each major faction can obtain."

"Lord Lao Immortal is the immortal of our Dark Heavenly Court; the divine pills he forges, our Dark Heavenly Court wishes to spare with all our effort…"

"Therefore, we ask all of you."

"This time the Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly's selection will be stricter."

"I have invited the sole Divine Roc Great Immortal of Xuan Xiao Heaven, Zhao Yuan, to serve as the judge for this selection."

Ji Shaohao's voice rolled like thunder, resonating throughout.

His cultivation is extremely strong; having cut to the third extreme, he possesses ample authority and pressure.

When his words ended, many Divine Roc Immortal Hands in the palace immediately answered his call, swearing to give their all to secure a share of the alchemy array.

Ji Shaohao smiled, clasped his fists, and faced each direction.

One could say his attitude was excellent.

After all, Divine Roc Immortal Hands… are all talents.

Many Divine Roc Immortal Hands come from ancient villages, but the Dark Heavenly Court recruiting them is no problem.

Ancient‑village Divine Roc Immortal Hands can be swayed as long as there are resources.

The Gods' camp that controls massive resources of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths can manipulate many ancient villages with resources.

After concluding the ceremony, Ji Shaohao straightened his posture and began to explain the rules of this selection.

He spread his arms, then from the Qian Kun space produced a palm‑sized jade carving.

He crushed it violently.

A terrifying Heaven‑Earth primal aura surged like a storm.

It poured through the venue like a breached river.

It made the previously enthusiastic Divine Roc Immortal Hands and Holy Hands feel as if they were drenched with a bucket of cold water.

Ji Shaohao's eyes glittered as he scanned each palace, looking at the Divine Roc Holy Hands and Immortal Hands frozen with fear by the Heavenly King's primal source.

His heart felt slightly heavy.

The Dark Heavenly Court is not adept with Divine Roc; it is uncertain whether this selection can find capable Divine Roc Immortal Hands…

"This is the Heaven‑Earth primal source of a Nirvana Heavenly King from our Dark Heavenly Court; you all will sense this source and carve a Heavenly King Divine Statue!"

"Based on the amount of Heaven‑Earth primal source contained in the carved King statue, rankings and slots for the Tai Su Heaven Divine Craft Immortal Hand Assembly will be decided!"

"Everyone, begin!"

(End of chapter)