As a father, I just want to quietly watch you live a long life Chapter 1872 - 483: Emperor Xi Xi Returns Triumphant to Qian Yuan, Ancestral Ceremony Approaches—Martial Saint Proven at 8 (Part 2)

The renowned name of the Equal Heaven Temple is tied to all of this. Should a collapse occur, their reputation would be irrevocably lost, and a subsequent rebuilding would be as arduous as reaching the heavens.

"We still require time... which means we cannot allow the Gathering Immortals Flag to fall into the possession of Supreme Xuanzhen," Li Che stated with a deep voice.

"Thus, claiming the flag... is absolutely critical."

"Do you require my assistance?" Fang Hanshu inquired. His current cultivation and combat prowess were exceptional, positioned at the half-step Supreme stage, merely one opportune moment away from achieving true Supreme status.

Even after devouring two Supreme Lord of Gods from the Second Calamity and Third Tribulation, which hastened his journey towards becoming a Supreme, some time was still necessary.

Swish, swish—

A torrential downpour commenced, resembling pillars descending from the darkened sky, drumming against the dark tiles and creating a dreamlike splash.

An profound silence enveloped the interior of the room.

Abruptly, Li Che's gaze settled on Fang Hanshu, a flicker of recollection in his eyes.

"Old Fang, can you elucidate the composition of the Godhunting Pavilion?"

"Are they in an alliance with the Prison Lotus Camp?"

Li Che recalled Fang Hanshu's alternate identity as an assassin within the Godhunting Pavilion, an organization of profound mystery within the Deceit Camp, holding a power and enigmatic status comparable to the All Gods Camp.

Fang Hanshu contemplated for a moment before responding, "The Godhunting Pavilion... in truth, maintains no affiliation with any of the major All Gods Camps. Their sole objective is the hunt for deities, be they resurrected Temple Gods or ancient deities; all are considered targets."

"Hunting deities? Would the Daughter of Prison Lotus have any interest in this?" Li Che's brow lifted slightly as he posed the question.

Indeed, this organization possessed a veil of secrecy far thicker than that of the Corpse God Cult, which was secretly manipulated by the deity Golden Cicada from the Western Regions Buddha Land. However, the mastermind behind the Godhunting Pavilion remained unknown to Li Che.

Even Fang Hanshu possessed limited knowledge. His induction into the Godhunting Pavilion occurred after his entry into the Deceit Camp, largely due to the abundance of cultivation resources available through its exchange system.

Fang Hanshu took a deep inhalation and stated with candour, "The Prison Lotus Camp... naturally, the Godhunting Pavilion also directs its attention towards them. Their quarry includes the deities within the Deceit Camp, which consequently encompasses the Daughter of Prison Lotus."

Upon hearing this, Li Che's understanding crystallized, declaring, "Since our objectives diverge, the situation becomes simpler..."

"Old Fang, you still retain that assassin's mask from the Godhunting Pavilion, correct?"

Fang Hanshu immediately grasped Li Che's intention to frame the Godhunting Pavilion for the impending actions...

The prospect was not entirely unfeasible.

"A Che, however, undertaking this... may result in us offending a force like the Godhunting Pavilion, whose might rivals that of the All Gods Camps," Fang Hanshu's distinguished beard swayed gently in the wind heavy with rain.

Nevertheless, Li Che offered a soft chuckle, "Back when our family journeyed from Golden Light Prefecture to Qianyuan Taoist City... we found ourselves targeted by assassins from the Godhunting Pavilion."

"Therefore, whether we offend them anew or not, it makes little difference to me."

Fang Hanshu stroked his beard, engaged in a brief period of contemplation, then broke into a broad smile, "Indeed... the Godhunting Pavilion is no stranger to accepting blame, so this is of no consequence."

"Presently, we are uninformed about the route the Dark Heavenly Court has established within the Deceit Camp that leads directly to Qi Tian City, but this is not a significant issue... Lao Lian will proceed according to the original plan."

"Understood."

Mr. Lian acknowledged the directive, offered a few words of praise, and then dissolved into a wisp of black mist.

Within the pavilions, only Li Che and Fang Hanshu remained.

"Action is unavoidable... we are still too weak at this juncture and must continue to grow stronger, thus we absolutely require more time to consolidate our strength," Li Che exhaled.

Fang Hanshu inclined his head in agreement, his countenance etched with utmost seriousness.

"On the front concerning the Third Prince's Mysterious Temple, owing to the premature revival of Equaling Heaven, this particular action... within the All Gods Camp, it is plausible that a true deity might descend, or even if not a true deity, perhaps a quasi-god could make a significant step into the Realm of Divine..."

Quasi-god and true deities...

Li Che's gaze subtly lowered; at this moment, even contending with a Supreme proved challenging, let alone facing a deity...

His arsenal of trump cards remained insufficient.

Most critically, his comprehension of deities was presently too superficial.

What precise realm does that of a deity truly encompass?

Every cultivation realm possesses its distinct levels, and the realm of deities is no exception.

The yearning for a secure environment where he could quietly observe his daughter's growth... a path stretching long and arduous lay before him.

...

...

Fang Hanshu conveyed a response to Lv Taibai, explicitly confirming that Li Che intended to escort Xi Xi back to Qian Yuan, to assume the mantle of Sect Master, thereby offering reassurance.

Li Che found himself with no alternative but to accept Lv Taibai's petition. After all, his family had once benefited from the protection of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect; therefore, they couldn't simply turn their backs on it, especially now that Xi Xi had achieved greater strength.

Lv Taibai had consistently prepared Xi Xi for the role of Young Sect Master, and the disciples within the Qian Yuan Divine Sect acknowledged her as such.

Nevertheless, Li Che opted not to depart immediately to bring Xi Xi back to the Qian Yuan Divine Sect.

He intended to postpone their departure slightly, recognizing that Xi Xi's cultivation was currently undergoing a critical phase.

After bidding farewell to Fang Hanshu, Li Che stepped out into the downpour. The rain, as it descended, was repelled by an unseen barrier surrounding him.

He soon reached a courtyard situated in the Outer City.

This particular courtyard was expansive, covering a significant area. Although Fang Hanshu was superficially responsible for managing the Qitian Outer City, the true authority figure, the Emperor of Qi Tian City, was Li Che. Thus, procuring a commodious courtyard for his family was a perfectly fitting action.

Within the confines of the courtyard, Qi and blood pulsed vigorously, centered around a colossal Qi Blood Furnace that blazed intensely. The heavy rain vaporized upon contact with the furnace's searing heat, sending billows of steam upward like an unending, surging fog!

Encased within the furnace was the figure of Xi Xi. At the tender age of eight, the young girl's form had grown considerably taller than before.