As a father, I just want to quietly watch you live a long life Chapter 1531 - 408: Unleashing 8 Qi Gates and the Qilin’s Kick, Gathering Qi Fortune Under Heaven and Assembling Qian Yuan [Monthly Ticket Requested]...

A crushing weight descended from above, threatening to snap Li Che’s spine under its immense pressure.

With a mere flicker of thought, Li Che invoked the Heaven and Earth chessboard, creating a barrier that isolated and concealed his presence.

Utilizing the Seven-orifice Exquisite Heart, he then channeled his divinity to occupy and seal the location of the Eighth Strange Gate Divine Seed within his vertebrae.

As the energy dissipated, the Heavenly Might vanished entirely.

It was as though he had successfully manipulated the rules of reality, deceiving the world itself in a high-stakes game against Heaven and Earth.

...

...

The roof was blanketed in a layer of pristine white snow.

Dark clouds drifted across the sky, vanishing as quickly as they had arrived.

Warm rays of sunlight spilled through the doorway, casting flickering patterns like molten gold across the floor.

Li Che performed a lazy stretch, his joints emitting a rhythmic series of pops and cracks.

Since the confrontation with the imperial army, Li Che had not allowed his Cultivation to stagnate, entering a period of intense seclusion that had only just concluded.

Without him noticing, several days had already slipped by.

Stepping out of his quarters, he found Zhang Ya, Xi Xi, and others like Jin Taixui engaged in training within the courtyard.

Their faces brightened the moment they saw Li Che appear.

"Husband!"

"Daddy!"

The mother and daughter called out almost at the exact same time.

Both of them immediately sprinted toward him.

With a wide grin, Li Che opened his arms wide to catch his wife and daughter, who flew into his embrace like swallows returning to their nest.

With a life such as this, what more could a man desire?

Li Che gently stroked their heads as the two figures clung to him with deep affection.

The sharp intensity in his gaze softened, replaced by a rare moment of tenderness.

"Master."

The Golden-haired Hou approached and bowed with deep respect upon seeing Li Che finish his seclusion.

Li Che glanced at the Golden-haired Hou, an unusual shimmer momentarily flashing in his eyes.

"Transform into the Golden Lion King; I wish to see it," Li Che commanded.

The Golden-haired Hou was briefly taken aback.

"As you wish!"

Without a moment's hesitation, the Golden-haired Hou ignited his Qi-blood. In an instant, his form began to swell as his flesh and muscle proliferated rapidly, thick veins bulging across his body.

In a matter of breaths, accompanied by the manifestation of the Golden Lion King’s illusory phantom, the Golden-haired Hou completed his transformation.

An immense and potent demon energy surged outward from the Golden Lion King’s frame.

His massive size dominated the courtyard, looming over them like a small peak.

Roar——!!!

A thunderous roar vibrated through the rooftop, shaking the accumulated snow loose.

Li Che’s eyes gleamed with interest.

Deep within his chest, the [Ten Thousand Demon Emperor] Dao Fruit began to throb rhythmically.

As if closing his fist around it, Li Che took hold of the Ten Thousand Demon Emperor Dao Fruit.

With a swift step, Li Che instantly appeared directly in front of the Golden Lion King.

The Golden-haired Hou tilted his massive head in confusion.

He watched as Li Che reached out, pressing his palm against the Lion King’s brow.

Suddenly, the overwhelming demon energy found a new outlet, spiraling frantically into the [Ten Thousand Demon Emperor] Dao Fruit lodged in Li Che’s chest.

Li Che observed as the maturity level of the [Ten Thousand Demon Emperor] Dao Fruit began to climb at a staggering speed!

In his Golden Lion King form, the Golden-haired Hou possessed the peak power of a Martial Saint Four Transformations, equaling a demon king of the Demon Race.

While the [Ten Thousand Demon Emperor] was a nascent Dao Fruit, unlike Li Che’s [Immortal Artisan] or [Dragon Elephant Vajra] Dao Fruits which began at the bottom, this one was different.

This Ten Thousand Demon Emperor Dao Fruit started its journey at a high level, and it was voraciously consuming high-grade demon energy.

The Golden-haired Hou felt his internal demon energy being drained away at a terrifying rate.

A sudden sense of dread washed over him, and his look toward Li Che turned into one of pure terror and total submission.

This wasn't the mere compliance of someone who had lost a wager.

It was a fundamental submission of the soul, mind, and very existence!

It made the Golden-haired Hou feel...

As if he were standing before the Great Witch God of Wushen Mountain.

How could this be possible?!

Bang!

The Golden Lion King dropped to the ground in a gesture of absolute obedience.

Whish——

The turbulent winds died down.

Li Che frowned slightly; the demon energy had been drained to its current limit.

[Dao Fruit: Ten Thousand Demon Emperor (lv1, 90%)]

He was just a hair’s breadth away from reaching level 2. It wasn't that the Golden-haired Hou lacked power, but rather that he wasn't a pure-blooded member of the Demon Race. His demon energy was ultimately limited by his hybrid bloodline.

"And there are four more powerful demons like him..."

Li Che’s eyes sparkled.

Only eight hundred li away.

In the imperial encampment, there was the Dragon God Crown Prince and three other major demons capable of summoning a half-step Dragon God phantom. They were perfect targets.

"I’ll head over for a look once darkness falls."

Li Che had finished his seclusion, but word arrived that Lv Taibai had just entered his own.

For now, Fang Hanshu was overseeing the operations of the entire Divine Sect.

Hearing that Li Che had emerged, Fang Hanshu dropped his duties and hurried to the courtyard.

"A Che, have those resources been helpful? Do you require me to gather more?"

The moment Fang Hanshu laid eyes on Li Che, his hair stood on end for reasons he couldn't explain.

A scholar’s keen intuition warned him that the current Li Che was someone who should not be crossed.

Li Che seemed like he could become quite formidable and uncompromising.

"Yes, keep collecting them. Just let me know how many Divine Crystals are required for the trade. I can provide Holy Hand Divine Sculptures in exchange," Li Che replied.

"The Grandmaster wanted to convene a meeting with you, but since you were occupied, he has returned to his rest..."

"There is no news from Xie Yunshen, but the imperial army remains stationed outside. They are like a sword hanging over our heads, keeping everyone on edge."