As a Father, I Just Want to Watch You Achieve Immortality Chapter 1756: A Monkey Who Defies Heaven Dwells in the Heart, Gathering the Last Qitian Mask Piece

"Unless a person emerges who can harmonize with the four aspects of Qitian Temple..."

"Does such an individual exist?"

Fang Hanshu shook his head; the groups stood in direct opposition, so how could any cultivator possibly align with every single one of the four factions?

Including both demons and Buddhas, tied to the Prison Lotus, and linked to the Dark Heavenly Court...

What sort of freakish existence would that represent?

No matter what, Fang Hanshu simply couldn't picture it.

Yet a faint chill crept into his heart all the same.

Fang Hanshu's eyes shifted to Li Che, masked in the Divine Monkey Mask.

He murmured in a low voice.

His voice carried a hint of uncertainty, replacing the firm assurance he'd shown before.

The primary reason... lay in the profound shock the Underworld had inflicted on him.

This power appeared utterly unbreakable.

"Could that be... demon energy?!"

All at once.

Lv Taibai cried out, his finger aimed at the Divine Monkey's location; he stared in shock as the Divine Monkey...

Suddenly flared with incredibly thick demon energy!

...

...

Rumble——

Demon energy burst forth from his body, the Ten Thousand Demon Emperor Tao Fruit trembled, squeezing every bit of demon energy tight, making the entire world darken as if shrouded.

The Monkey King, enthroned, halted briefly, then brought his hands together in a gesture resembling fluttering butterfly petals.

"So you're one of my demon kin after all! Delighted to know you, delighted indeed!"

The Monkey King abruptly bounded from his seat, hauling up Li Che—who unleashed demon energy and morphed into a supreme Great Demon of sorts—onto the throne beside him.

The fearsome presence of the surrounding Demon Saints appeared to ease up a great deal.

Cascading waters poured down, thundering in mighty surges.

Demon energy loomed massively over all of Huaguo Mountain, with endless demon monkeys dashing gleefully across the peaks, gathering fruits and arranging them into stone basins as offerings.

Campfire blazes leaped high, a boar felled and skewered on sticks, positioned over the fire to roast until golden-brown, fat drops sizzling into the flames and sending embers scattering.

Monkeys with flushed faces circulated, serving exquisite wine to every Demon Saint.

A lush aroma of liquor drifted everywhere.

Pulled along by the Monkey King, Li Che settled into a seat, sipping premium wine, munching on fruits and greens, thoroughly enjoying himself.

The demon folk proved remarkably straightforward, reveling in their raw, unadulterated delight typical of demons.

At first, Li Che harbored no particular liking for demons, yet now his feelings toward them warmed a touch.

Naturally, the Li Che in question encountered this merry bunch within the Temple God Resonance, unlike the demons from the Deceit Demon Cave confronting him presently.

Those Deceit Demon Cave fiends aimed at his daughter, scheming to claim her; such an outrage Li Che refused to tolerate—he'd strike down without mercy.

Should killing become necessary, he'd do so decisively.

In the past, with insufficient cultivation strength, Li Che had no choice but to bide his time against foes threatening or desiring his daughter.

These days, though, Li Che possessed the assurance and power to strike back and settle scores right away.

The festivities among the demons stretched on for who knows how long.

Li Che lost track of the Monkey Wine he consumed, ending up surprisingly intoxicated, his head spinning and senses reeling.

Upon regaining awareness, he discovered himself soaring on clouds, with the Monkey King at his side.

Yet calling him the Monkey King no longer fit, for he sported an official's hat cocked to one side, draped in vibrant garments that lent him a ridiculous air.

"Do you reckon this king occupies a lofty post in the Heavenly Court?"

The Monkey King grinned, baring his fangs.

Next, he hopped about playfully, narrowing his eyes: "Securing a top role in the Heavenly Court rocks—my monkey folk back on Huaguo Mountain can relax fully since their ruler's a bigwig official!"

"They've got connections and clout; even battling beasts from rival peaks, name-dropping their king earns respect, letting them live wild and free!"

The Monkey King chuckled heartily.

Snatching a peach, the Monkey King chomped a few times before flinging it away carelessly, casting a sly look at Li Che: "Are you an official?"

Li Che felt somewhat stunned.

Was he one?

Meeting the Monkey King's gaze, he offered a gentle smile and shook his head.

"No."

Unshackled by titles, he roamed unbound and wild.

Rather than letdown, the Monkey King's expression showed subtle ease.

"Staying clear of officialdom's wise—what's the appeal in it... stuck in a hat daily, forced to act proper, zero freedom left."

The Monkey King wagged his head.

"This king somewhat admires your way."

Buzz buzz buzz——

Once those words landed, Li Che's sight wavered once more; he sensed his resonance had surged notably.

Li Che had paused over the matter of officialdom.

Unsure of his reply.

Truth be told, Li Che might have claimed official status, given his role as a Special Class Guest Elder at Qintian Observatory—sort of an official spot.

Still, Li Che opted to deny it in the end.

And clearly, that choice proved spot-on.

Within Qitian, official life held no draw for him.

Visions kept shifting; the Monkey King maintained his Heavenly Court post, shielding his Huaguo Mountain monkeys via his rank.

Soon after, with the Peach Festival underway and no invite in hand, he slipped into the Immortal Peach Orchard, gobbled down the flat peaches, and even scolded a fairy.

The Monkey King bit into a flat peach, discarded it on the ground, let out a satisfied belch, and shot Li Che a sideways peek.