Chapter 653: with translation of title

Feigning death…

Li Che indeed felt that the Hellfire Divine Tree was feigning death.

Such heaven-earth divine trees possess their own spirituality; if not for the suppression of heaven-earth's will, these divine trees could long ago have taken human form and walked the world.

However, even if unable to take human form and confined by heaven-earth's will, a terrifying divine tree like the Hellfire Divine Tree can, through the accumulation of corpse qi and the piling of hell's origin, plus the corpses of fallen powerhouses, be refined into a divine spirit corpse.

It can even construct and create the terrifying existence of an undying corpse; undying corpses are very powerful, possessing combat strength comparable to that of undying divine spirits.

But even among the many powerful divine spirit corpses refined by the Hellfire Divine Tree, undying corpses are also among the highest-tier existences.

Therefore, Li Che wanted to cut open the Hellfire Divine Tree, treating it like other divine trees to carve parts for the mechanized armor; he had to suppress, even exterminate, its spirituality!

This is crucial; only after exterminating its spirituality could Li Che begin carving freely and easily.

The carving of the mechanized armor is a vital link in Li Che's resurrection of Qitian and San Taizi, allowing no margin for error.

The Prison Lotus faction wishes to launch a counteroffensive against the three major divine factions; these two top-tier combat powers, Qitian and San Taizi, are absolutely indispensable.

Moreover, the manufacture of the mechanized armor must reach a level capable of fully bearing the origin power of Qitian and San Taizi.

Only then can the strongest combat power of Qitian the Great Sage and San Taizi be unleashed, reaching a level comparable to an Imperial-grade Heavenly Immortal!

"Dao Tree..."

Boom—

In the vast heaven-earth, terrifying divine winds howl incessantly, as if they wished to blow out and shred one's soul.

The Dao Tree space is very mysterious, its suppressive force extremely strong; even now, when Li Che enters the Dao Tree space, he still feels an intense oppression, making it hard to fully exert his strength.

It seems as if a mighty will in the dark is suppressing him.

Li Che knows that should be the will of the Dao Tree, namely the consciousness born of this immensely powerful Dao Tree.

"Dao Tree... perhaps it had consciousness from the very beginning; even when I had just awakened and entered the Dao Tree space, the Dao Tree already possessed a strong will capable of suppressing everything."

Li Che pondered.

He stood upon the vast desolate land; his gaze swept over an expanse of barrenness, only broken stones, countless gusts of dust and sand howling, wind lifting gravel to roll, the sound of scraping and washing like waves!

The whole land was a desolate waste, as if, between heaven and earth, aside from the Dao Tree that towers into the starry sky, enveloping the stars, there was no other living thing.

Upon the vast desolate land, not a single blade of grass ever existed.

All life had its vitality stripped away, all its energy plundered by the Dao Tree.

Thus the Dao Tree could grow to towering heights, upon which it could bear plentiful Dao Fruits.

Hum—

Li Che dragged the Hellfire Divine Tree with his five fingers, standing upon the barren land, raising his gaze to behold the sky-reaching Dao Tree, feeling its terrifying pressure.

The Hellfire Divine Tree in his hand fell utterly silent, as if the will contained within had slit its own throat.

It dared not leak even a trace.

Li Che withdrew his gaze, the corners of his lips curling into a smile.

The Dao Tree space is one of Li Che's greatest secrets; he has never brought anyone else, or any powerful being, inside.

Although the Hellfire Divine Tree is merely a branch, because it possesses consciousness, it also counts as a living spirit.

It is the first conscious living spirit Li Che has ever brought in.

"Looks like the effect is indeed good; feigning the tiger's might as a fox—I'm best at that."

Li Che laughed, his mood quite exhilarated.

Feeling the Hellfire Divine Tree's extreme obedience, Li Che spread his five fingers, and seven Heaven-Earth ancient glyphs flowed upon his fingertips.

Then they transformed into a Heaven-Earth Seven Glyph carving knife.

News of the Dao Fruit's transformation kept coming, but Li Che couldn't be bothered to pay much attention.

Going through the procedure meant little to Li Che as he is now.

Mainly, after having once furtively peered into the Pure Heart Dao Fruit and seen the shadow of its master.

The Dao Tree should have grown wiser; it will surely not give Li Che another chance to sneak a look.

So Li Che also couldn't be bothered to follow that prescribed process.

The Dao Fruit's eight transformations automatically matured, hanging upon it.

It exuded a rich fragrance and energy.

Li Che merely glanced, then withdrew his gaze; the Hell Dao Fruit and the Immortal-in-the-Painting Dao Fruit had achieved the eight transformations.

Li Che left them to undergo transformation on their own.

He, meanwhile, seized the opportunity of the Dao Tree suppressing the Hellfire Divine Tree to begin cutting and carving it.

Slice—

The blade cut into the Hellfire Divine Tree, as if crimson blood flowed out.

Li Che could clearly feel the Hellfire Divine Tree incessantly trembling, the amplitude minute and extremely subtle, yet clearly a fury was building up.

It seemed to want, as in the netherworld, to constantly sway to break free from the slash of Li Che's carving knife.

As it struggled and swayed, it became hard for Li Che to bring the knife down upon it.

The Hellfire Divine Tree's thought was still simple, yet very useful.

However, now within the Dao Tree space, feeling the suppression from the Dao Tree's higher, more lofty and terrifying level of authority.

The Hellfire Divine Tree dared only to tremble furtively, like having its teeth smashed and swallowing its grievance.

Allowing Li Che to do as he pleased with its body.

Li Che almost couldn't help laughing; this Hellfire Divine Tree is simply too adorable.

It's adorable to the point that one can't help wanting to carve a few more strokes.

The carving knife fell in succession; Li Che's gaze gradually sharpened as he began carving the Qitian Armor.

This Hellfire Divine Tree has plenty of timber, enough for Li Che to complete the carving and manufacture of the Qitian Armor; however, the timber might be insufficient for San Taizi's mechanized armor.

But it's not a big problem; the Third Prince has a divine flesh sphere developing, which will eventually give birth to a true mortal body, and once it's clad in a bit of mechanized armor, it will be fine.

It doesn't need to be completely covered by the mechanized armor.

The Qitian Armor is the Gundam version, while the Third Prince's armor is the close‑fitting suit version.

There is a difference between them, but as long as each can exert its combat power, that's enough!

Because the earlier Qitian Armor wasn't forged by Li Che, yet with Li Che's current divine carving skill, he could already see through its manufacturing process and difficulties.

One could say that a 1:1 replica of the Qitian Armor is hardly an issue.

However, Li Che naturally cannot choose a 1:1 replica; he wants to forge the Qitian Armor with his own mechanized craftsmanship!

The old Qitian Armor shattered, just in time… to craft a brand‑new Qitian Armor!

Bzz—

The Heaven‑and‑Earth Seven‑Symbol Carving Knife in Li Che's palm constantly shifts, expanding and contracting; seven ancient symbols flash continuously, driving blade light that sweeps over the Hellfire Divine Wood.

In a single breath, as if ten million blade rays cut, countless patterns are etched, stitching together continuously to form a network as fine as human meridians.

Li Che's qi and blood erupt explosively throughout his body; leaving a mark on the incredibly resilient Hellfire Divine Wood is no easy feat.

Li Che must fully manifest his strength to land one slash after another.

As the carving proceeds, the will of the Hellfire Divine Wood seems to gradually calm, as if it has become accustomed to Li Che's carving and yields to the blade.

Soon the Qitian Armor's head takes shape; every monkey hair is vivid, and when the wind blows they collide with one another.

On each monkey hair, the Mechanism Nine‑God Seal is etched, and Heaven‑and‑Earth ancient symbols are affixed.

Li Che continues carving; the Heaven‑and‑Earth Seven‑Symbol Knife in his hand spins continuously, slashing the Hellfire Divine Wood into a body, and the body is not merely an external carving—its internal organs, meridians, and bones are all present.

All formed under the knife's carving!

Li Che's blade slows, because the internal carving requires forceful penetration through the outer layer; the Hellfire Divine Wood's toughness makes this extremely difficult.

Some internal vessels, if handled carelessly, could be cut and ruptured, causing severe consequences!

Thus, as Li Che's blade slows, its power output actually becomes more massive.

Time drips away moment by moment.

The Dao Tree Space does not expel Li Che; perhaps now that Li Che has become the master of many Eight‑Molting Dao Fruits, he holds some autonomy within the Dao Tree Space.

Perhaps the Dao Tree itself sensed the Hellfire Divine Wood and is assisting Li Che in suppressing its will.

Consider it an extra gift to the Dao Fruit Master.

No one knows how long passed; Li Che even lost his sense of time.

When the final slash falls.

The Qitian Armor's final component, its tail, is instantly carved successfully.

On the tail alone, Li Che etched over a million Mechanism Divine Seals, each formed from Heaven‑and‑Earth ancient symbols.

Even Li Che's complexion turned deathly pale, his essence heavily drained.

The qi and blood in his body flickered like unstable smoke, beginning to waver.

Rumble—

Within the Dao Tree Space.

All Qitian Armor components are fully carved: head, torso, both arms, both legs, tail…

The Hellfire Divine Wood, used as raw material, is carved; hellfire constantly burns within, and a massive hellish primal source churns and spills out.

Now Li Che's task is to assemble.

However…

Rumble—

The Dao Tree Space trembles loudly.

Li Che then realized he could no longer stay in the Dao Tree Space; he took a step forward, exiting the space while carrying the Qitian Armor parts.

Boom—

Upon leaving the Dao Tree Space, Li Che appears directly within the Netherworld.

The Heaven‑and‑Earth Chessboard expands with a roar, enveloping Li Che's figure, and additionally suppresses the faint rebellious will of the Hellfire Divine Wood within the Qitian Armor.

Li Che's eyes flash coldly as he scans, lifts his hand, and taps his forehead.

The powerful Martial Immortal Will instantly transforms into countless tentacles spreading, linking each Qitian Armor component and communicating with the Hellfire Divine Wood's will.

Directly using the Dao Tree to intimidate!

In fact, the will of the Hellfire Divine Wood had already been shredded during Li Che's carving.

Now, with its will suppressed, it no longer affects Li Che.

Li Che's eyes open and close, as if golden light flickers.

With a flicker of his spirit, the Qitian Armor parts begin to connect and seal together, producing a resonant clang, rippling air, and stirring a terrifying hellish primal aura!

The Qitian Armor closes, towering ten zhang, its Mechanism Divine Seals flashing, seven ancient symbols interweaving, seemingly unleashing qi, causing the armor to expand further.

It can reach heights of a hundred zhang, a thousand zhang, even ten thousand zhang!

"I have left carving space for the remaining two ancient symbols in each Mechanism Divine Seal… once I comprehend the two remaining Heaven‑and‑Earth ancient symbols, I can upgrade the Hellfire Qitian Armor with a single thought."

A slight curve lifts Li Che's lips.

He admires his masterpiece. Since it is a remake rather than a modification of the original Qitian Armor, Li Che can pre‑install some preventative patches.

"However, because it is carved from Hellfire Divine Wood, activating the Hellfire Qitian Armor still requires a massive amount of hellish primal source…"

"If I now return to the Hell Abyss, I fear there will be no way back… I won't be able to escape."

Li Che's eyes flicker.

The hellish primal source is not easy to obtain.

However…

Li Che had the idea in his mind as early as when he was making and designing the Qitian Armor.

Now, he puts it into action directly.

His figure floated up and slowly hovered to the chest area of the Hell Qitian Armor.

Here, Li Che also left a space, which is the spot where the Qitian primal source is injected, also the place where the Qitian will revives.

Now, Li Che does not need to insert the Ruyi Golden Cudgel into it as an energy source.

He directly switches to another source.

He lifts his hand and slaps it onto the chest.

The next moment…

It seems as if he plucked a sparkling, crystal‑bright Dao Fruit from a Dao Tree, and the dense Hell primal source continuously coils around the fruit.

Eight‑Exuviated Hell Dao Fruit!

Li Che directly plucked it down, descending from the Dao Tree's space, from illusion into reality!

Li Che, without any hesitation, forcefully slaps the Hell Dao Fruit into the chest of the Hell Qitian Armor.

Buzz—

On the cold, ruthless monkey head of the Hell Qitian Armor, its eyes suddenly flash with brilliance, an extremely dark radiance, even countless Hell flames roaring and burning.

The will of the Hell Fire Divine Tree, which had been somewhat resistant, instantly lies flat, fully accepting this new form and identity.

Rumble—

"So powerful!"

Using the Eight‑Exuviated Dao Fruit as the source, the surging Hell primal source makes the Hell Qitian Armor seem as if it has fully revived.

"Let me test it…"

Li Che lifts a smile at the corner of his lips.

Then he steps forward, and his whole being directly enters the interior space of the Hell Qitian Armor.

Thump thump thump—

It feels as if a huge heart is constantly beating.

That beating heart is the Hell Dao Fruit.

The dense Hell primal source, as if turned into countless threads, spreads outward, penetrating every part of the Hell Qitian Armor's space, becoming the source that links all its vessels and nerves.

And Li Che appears in this space, the instant his martial immortal will communicates with the Hell primal source.

He instantly gains the qualification to control the Hell Qitian Armor!

Buzz—

Li Che suddenly opens his eyes, and the next moment the Hell Qitian Armor seems to open its eyes, its scarlet pupils flashing with cold ruthlessness.

Li Che lifts his head, and the Hell Qitian Armor follows suit, gazing toward the imperial‑grade immortal Asura Emperor, the Death Sovereign Mai Xia, who sits at the Nethermouth beyond the veil of the Heaven‑Earth Chessboard.

"This feeling… is it like piloting a Gundam?"

Li Che smiles.

Unwittingly, the thoughts he built when he first descended into this world have now all come true.

The Heaven‑Earth Chessboard trembles; Li Che snaps his fingers, and a golden ray instantly bursts forth, striking the barrier inside the Hell Qitian Armor's interior space.

The barrier writhes, as if swallowing the Mixed‑Primordial Ruyi Golden Cudgel, and in its movement it channels along the Qitian Armor's meridians into the Hell Qitian Armor's eardrum.

Then, with a puff.

The golden light breaks the sheer wall, like an embroidered needle, blasting out from the Hell Qitian Armor's eardrum!

Buzz buzz buzz—

As it spins, it becomes thicker and larger!

Bang—

Finally, it is firmly grasped by the monkey‑hair‑covered palm of the Hell Qitian Armor.

In reality, the Hell Qitian Armor now towers a hundred zhang, gripping a Ruyi Golden Cudgel of the same height, countless Hell flames spewing and burning from every mechanical divine seal.

The Heaven‑Earth Chessboard vanishes in an instant.

Li Che transforms into a streak of flowing light, continuously extracting the Hell primal source from within the Hell Dao Fruit.

He hurls it fiercely toward the Asura Emperor seated at the Nethermouth, meditating on the death source!

One strike, stepping into the heavens!

Boom boom boom—

The Nether seems to vibrate, the airflow shatters, and the void continuously trembles.

Li Che, wielding the Hell Qitian Armor, fully expels the Xuanxian Qi and blood of the Open Two Heavens, and together with the Hell Dao Fruit inside the Qitian Armor, his aura climbs steadily, and his combat power rises steadily!

The Hell Qitian Armor acts like an amplifier, constantly elevating Li Che's combat power into the air!

The Asura Emperor suddenly opens his eyes; seated in the funnel, his eyes are filled with glassy scarlet.

"Audacious! Where do these petty thieves come from!"

The Asura Emperor roars angrily, instantly stands, his flawless flesh etched with ancient Nether sigils, and four bat‑like wings behind him spread wide, covering the sky.

He spreads his five fingers, and a three‑pronged trident appears in his hand, clenched tightly, the death source surging turbulently.

The Asura Emperor at a glance sees the hundred‑zhang‑tall Hell Qitian Armor.

The scorching Hell primal fire burns, warping the void; as the Ruyi Golden Cudgel strikes down, the Asura Emperor finally discerns the shape of the Hell Qitian Armor!

"This is…"

"Jail Lotus Qitian?!"

The Asura Emperor is startled.

As the imperial‑grade immortal Death Sovereign Mai Xia of the Nether camp, he naturally knows Jail Lotus and also knows Qitian!

Dang—!

A single collision shook heaven and earth, the ripples of impact spreading, as if the vortex funnel of the Nether Gate exploded with a roar!

Upon the Heaven-Equal Armor, billions of mechanical divine seals operated to their limit, the primal source extracted by the Eight-shed Hell Dao Fruit wildly turned into an energy spring, driving the Hell Heaven-Equal Armor's offensive to become even fiercer!

Li Che swept out with a staff, unleashing the Heaven-Equal Battle Victory Secret Technique.

In this moment, Li Che seemed to have become a true Heaven-Equal.

Now he is completely different from the time when he could only rely on a trace of Heaven-Equal's primal source.

He can now truly match the power of the Immortal Heaven tier!

With a flicker of mind, Li Che manipulated the Hell Heaven-Equal Armor to unleash lethal force, forcing the Asura Emperor to shift position and reveal his stance.

A flick of his finger, a shot.

Four black pieces shot out.

In an instant, they became the four great Immortals under the Heaven-Piercing Divine Emperor.

They were the four great Earth Immortals: God-Executing, God-Slaying, God-Trapping, and God-Extinguishing!

As the four let out a long howl, they formed the God-Executing Sword Formation, instantly becoming a lethal field that enveloped the Asura Emperor.

Back then, this God-Executing Sword Formation even blocked the Heaven-Equal, holding it at bay for a long time.

The Asura Emperor's combat power now exceeds that of the original Heaven-Equal that ignited its primal source, yet the God-Executing Sword Formation can still restrain him for a moment, buying Li Che a little time.

All Li Che needs is time.

"Boom—!!!"

"Thief!!!"

And as Li Che removed the Heaven-Earth chessboard,

Two terrifying auras erupted almost simultaneously from the Nether, like two pillars supporting the Nether.

They were the Lord of Death and the Lord of the Nether!

The Lord of Death appeared because the Asura Emperor was attacked, a report from the Asura Emperor.

The Lord of the Nether simply memorized Li Che's aura; this ragged thief's aura he remembered far too vividly!

Within the Hell Heaven-Equal Armor, Li Che's complexion shifted slightly.

"So fast..."

Li Che inhaled deeply; he had just shown a trace of aura, and the two great Lords immediately tracked him.

All one can say is…

These two Lords of the Nether truly hold grudges.

Boom—!!!

Li Che flicked his finger again, firing.

Immortal Sparrow Emperor, Immortal Toad Emperor and other powerful Immortals burst forth, roaring, to block the two Lords.

Though at the Earth Immortal level, they are merely a mantis arm against a chariot.

Yet for Li Che, it is enough.

Boom—!!!

Within the Nether Gate, not only the Asura Emperor but also numerous Nether Immortal strongmen under the Lord of Death!

They surged up to block Li Che.

But now, clad in the Hell Heaven-Equal Armor, Li Che wielded the Hell Dao Fruit, his combat power unmatched.

The Ruyi Golden Cudgel slammed down, suppressing those Immortal deities one after another.

Li Che showed no desire to linger in battle; his aim was to dash out beyond the Nether Gate.

The Nether barrier stretched across.

Li Che directly triggered the Hell Origin against it, and the sheer wall burst open with a boom!

And in that brief interval,

the terrifying auras of the two great Lords rolled in!

Li Che hesitated not, and surged out of the Nether Gate!

At the same time,

At the Nether Gate, a graceful figure stood, gazing at him with complex eyes.

Wa Huang!

Wa Huang's glance instantly saw through the Hell Heaven-Equal Armor to Li Che.

In her eyes, countless images flashed and intertwined at once; they were the message conveyed by her reincarnated self, Zhang Ya.

The message said she and Li Che raised the daughter Xixi, becoming the Prison Lotus's daughter.

And Li Che, for this family, has been constantly traveling and growing stronger, from destitution to now standing at the pinnacle of Nine Heavens and Ten Earths...

It made Wa Huang's expression soften slightly.

"Fated bond..."

She sighed softly.

Terrifying demonic aura erupted from Wa Huang.

It formed an enormous snake tail, which swept out with a boom.

It struck hard at the Lord of Death and the Lord of the Nether, who were about to dash out of the Nether Gate in pursuit.

(End of Chapter)