As a father, I just want to quietly watch you live a long life Chapter 1622 - 427: Purgatory Opens, Earthly Hell’s Evil Hail the Ghost Emperor; The State Preceptor Is the Imperial Court’s Loyal Dragon God, Believe Me [Requesting Monthly Ticket]...

Lv Taibai's plan to advance his cultivation realm remains almost totally concealed, known to hardly anyone at all.

As a result, the mood across Qianyuan Taoist City feels far more relaxed than it did previously, with the Imperial Court locked in a tense impasse against the city. It appears no clash will break out in the immediate future, letting plenty of folks breathe easier.

Within the study room.

In the days that followed, Li Che's daily routine settled into a highly predictable pattern.

In addition to refining the Divine Crystal through cultivation, he ramped up his sessions inside the Tao Tribulation Space, enduring the scorching agony of the Tao Tribulation Fire.

All to withstand even greater amounts of the Tao Tribulation Fire.

[Tao Tribulation: Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame (2%)]

Yet, pushing forward with the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame proves far tougher than Li Che had anticipated.

Since he first obtained that strand of Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame and shifted into the Earthly Ghost Emperor form using Ghost Fire, Li Che has devoted much of each day to enduring the Tao Tribulation, managing only a slim 1% gain in progress.

The core problem lies in how the Martial Immortal Golden Body struggles to hold up under the strain.

Li Che tried merging the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame into his Eight Extraordinary Meridians, much like he did with Qi-Blood, but that effort turns out to be incredibly demanding.

Li Che's concept is straightforward: should the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame surge through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians akin to Qi-Blood, sparking explosive advancement, it could massively elevate his overall strength.

Buzz——

A quick snap of the fingers.

A dark Confining God Chess Piece abruptly unfurls within the study.

It gradually coils into a humanoid form, revealing Xie Yushen, who waves a feather fan as if summoning a gentle spring gust.

He cups his fists in deep respect and bows low.

"Subordinate Xie Yushen greets the Lord."

Xie Yushen declared with a grin.

He wasted no time, succinctly outlining the Old Dragon God’s reasons for contacting him, while passing along the Emperor’s somewhat urgent message from the Divine Capital.

"The Emperor grows restless, and the Old Dragon God feels the same..."

"The Old Dragon God’s worry makes sense; he aims to clear away all threats before Qi Tian City unlocks, but what troubles the Emperor?"

"With Qi Tian City’s opening, the Emperor won’t even enter... so why the haste?"

Li Che found himself mildly confused; maybe the Emperor grasps some hidden truth about the Strange Que.

Or perhaps the Emperor desperately covets the Gathering Immortals Flag that Li Che possesses.

When it comes to the Gathering Immortals Flag, Li Che himself anticipates the one held by the Emperor, hoping against hope... Out of eight total, Li Che owns just one, still miles from the full set, and the Gathering Immortal Yellow Flag’s power remains rather underwhelming.

"The Divine Capital holds so many treasures, such as the Qiankun Kunlun Mirror and the Gathering Immortals Flag... All these Three Pure Ones Divine Weapons stand out as top-tier."

Li Che let out a breath.

Xie Yushen gave the feather fan a soft wave, then let out a chuckle: "Lord, doesn’t this present a prime chance to settle your grudge against the Emperor?"

"That Mr. Lian at the Emperor’s side enjoys great favor and unshakeable confidence from him. Should you bring Mr. Lian under my wing as a fellow operative, my missions ahead would flow much smoother."

Xie Yushen suggested with subtlety.

Still, Li Che grasped Xie Yushen’s underlying aim right away.

That said, Li Che recognized this issue carried real weight...

"Only concern is whether this eunuch has the nerve... or if he’ll refuse to submit."

Li Che narrowed his eyes.

But if he resists, so be it...

It’s merely a question of survival or demise.

Though slaying Mr. Lian could spark the Emperor’s suspicion toward Xie Yushen, the fallout wouldn’t prove too severe.

Li Che gave a faint nod.

Xie Yushen’s gaze lit up, as he clasped his fists in salute and bowed, before dissolving into dark mist and slipping back to the court’s encampment.

Evidently, the Lord had endorsed his idea and greenlit the move.

Thrilled at the prospect of plotting on the Lord’s behalf, Xie Yushen felt a surge of excitement.

...

...

Back in his own tent, Xie Yushen fanned himself lightly, his spirits high.

The Emperor had sent Mr. Lian bearing an imperial decree, not just to press for action but also to issue a stern warning.

Clearly, the Emperor harbored strong discontent over his handling of the campaign.

Dispatching his closest confidant, Mr. Lian, in person went beyond mere delivery of the edict—it signaled a sharp verbal reprimand.

Unhappy with the Emperor’s meddling, Xie Yushen nursed his own resentment.

A commander in the field might overlook the ruler’s orders at times.

Yet the Emperor kept interfering...

Xie Yushen thought back to the immense strains of that initial clash, frustration boiling up instantly; if the Emperor had the skill, he ought to command the troops himself and face the horrifying, convoluted might of the Underworld firsthand.

During the Mountain Destruction Sect Breaking’s opening skirmish, Xie Yushen had woven countless schemes.

In the end, though, defeat struck.

Now, he stands remade by the Underworld’s influence!

The Emperor keeps sending envoys to hurry things along, as if itching for rebirth!

With Mr. Lian showing up just now, he’ll end up like a morsel tossed to a hound—gone for good!

Xie Yushen shook his head, clutching the feather fan tightly while clad in his Crane Robe, his features paling from the rebound of Qi Fortune.

Right beyond the tent flap, Grandmaster Huang Mei emerged with a serene look; their gazes locked, and mutual intent flashed between them.

They made their way to the tent housing Mr. Lian.

Xie Yushen clutched the imperial edict still, and upon hearing the stir, Mr. Lian hurriedly parted the entrance to welcome Xie Yushen in.

"State Preceptor... is there something unclear in His Majesty’s decree?"

Mr. Lian asked with an involuntary smile.

He eyed Xie Yushen, then shifted to the silent Grandmaster Huang Mei positioned behind Xie Yushen.

For no clear reason, Mr. Lian’s pulse raced wildly.

A chilling premonition of disaster twisted the elderly eunuch’s expression in an instant.