# Chapter 1041: Told a Lie
The new Divine Son of the Blood God Sect was even more domineering than the rumors suggested, exceeding all cultivators' expectations.
Everyone present had to give him a new evaluation: "Not only is he lecherous, but he also has a heavy murderous aura. He's a ruthless person, best not to provoke him."
The other four great commanders of the Azure Dragon Army had all appeared.
Among them, the most powerful, Yan Tong, stepped forward, wanting to help Chi Zhongshan out of his predicament.
Yan Tong's cultivation realm had reached the peak of the Ninth Order Half-Saint, making him the number one among the ten commanders. He was also Yan Honglie's elder brother, naturally a prominent figure in Saint Ming City.
With his background in the Azure Dragon Army and the Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor, Yan Tong could even speak with some Saint realm titans, making him far more formidable than Chi Zhongshan.
A smile on his face, Yan Tong clasped his hands and said, "Divine Son Your Highness, it was indeed Chi Zhongshan who was in the wrong first. Yan personally apologizes to you. Additionally, here are three drops of Divine Blood, hoping Your Highness will accept them."
With that, Yan Tong took out three drops of Divine Blood and offered them to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen did not take the Divine Blood from Yan Tong's hand. He only glanced coldly and said, "Not to mention three drops of Divine Blood, even three hundred drops cannot quell this Divine Son's anger."
Yan Tong's palm hung awkwardly in midair, his smile gradually freezing, a flicker of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Was this Divine Son of the Blood God Sect so arrogant that he wouldn't even give him face? Did he truly think he was already the Sect Leader of the Blood God Sect?
Zhang Ruochen ignored Yan Tong, his gaze coldly fixed on Chi Zhongshan, and said, "Kneel and apologize. This Divine Son will give you one last chance."
The three cultivators of the Blood God Sect simultaneously stepped forward, activating their Saint Soul Domain, moving to surround Chi Zhongshan at the center.
This time, Shangguan Xianyan represented the Blood God Sect in coming to Saint Ming City to form an alliance with the Cai Clan, so she had only brought a few cultivators with her.
Of course, all the cultivators who came with her were top-tier experts.
Especially the blood-robed elder who had previously struck back Chi Zhongshan with a single blow—he possessed peak Ninth Order Half-Saint cultivation, his strength no less than Yan Tong's.
"Gu Linfeng, you go too far..."
Chi Zhongshan roared, veins bulging all over his body.
"Attack." Zhang Ruochen said coldly.
The three Blood God Sect experts struck simultaneously, attacking Chi Zhongshan. The cultivation of all three was not inferior to Chi Zhongshan's, so even if he wanted to flee, he couldn't escape.
The other four commanders of the Azure Dragon Army simultaneously shouted, wanting to step forward to help Chi Zhongshan.
Even if Chi Zhongshan was in the wrong, this was still the Azure Dragon Army's military camp. If Chi Zhongshan was humiliated here, the entire Azure Dragon Army would lose face and be ridiculed by cultivators throughout the world.
However, the four of them were intercepted by another group of Blood God Sect cultivators.
As for the other Azure Dragon Army soldiers, none dared to rush forward. This was a game of gods and immortals; mortals charging in would be no different from seeking death.
Qing Mo walked to Huang Yanchen's side, stuck out her tongue, and transmitted her voice, saying, "Princess, Young Master Zhang is so domineering! Compared to before, it's like he's a completely different person."
"As the Divine Son of the Blood God Sect, if he weren't a bit arrogant, it would actually arouse suspicion."
Huang Yanchen's deep blue eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen, revealing a smile. "Besides, one must have different attitudes toward different people."
"Crack!"
Two sounds of bones breaking rang out simultaneously.
Chi Zhongshan's legs were struck hard, breaking at the knees. A muffled sound escaped his mouth as he fell to his knees.
"Gu... Linfeng..."
Chi Zhongshan roared, supporting himself with his hands on the ground, trying to get up, but was suppressed again.
Zhang Ruochen walked toward Chi Zhongshan, took the three Ruins Realm ship tickets from him, glanced at them, and smiled. "If you had handed over the ship tickets earlier, none of this trouble would have happened."
Then, Zhang Ruochen looked toward the crowd and asked, "How much is a Ruins Realm ship ticket?"
"Thirty thousand Spirit Crystals."
Someone in the crowd answered.
Zhang Ruochen took out a Sacred Stone and casually tossed it to Chi Zhongshan, saying indifferently, "Fair is fair. This Divine Son never takes things from others without reason. The three ship tickets are mine now. Keep the rest to buy healing pills."
"Let's go."
Zhang Ruochen held the three ship tickets, appearing carefree and unrestrained, walking ahead toward the Ruins Realm ship.
Behind him, a commotion erupted.
"As expected of a Divine Son of an ancient sect, he's so generous, casually tossing out a Sacred Stone."
"If I could get a Sacred Stone, I'd be willing to have my legs broken and kneel for three days and three nights."
A nearby cultivator snorted dismissively. "Do you know what it means to prefer death to humiliation? Chi Zhongshan is someone with a chance of becoming a Saint. Being forced to kneel by the Blood God Sect's Divine Son in front of everyone will definitely become a lifelong stain on his record."
"Although Gu Linfeng is ruthless, he still has some principles."
"Principles? He's clearly humiliating Chi Zhongshan. Even if he throws out a Sacred Stone, Chi Zhongshan will never pick it up."
...
Chi Zhongshan's eyes were bloodshot, filled with shame and anger. He roared, punching out, striking the Sacred Stone.
With a bang, the Sacred Stone shattered.
The ground was covered with dense cracks like a spiderweb.
"Gu Linfeng, this commander will never rest until you're dead."
Chi Zhongshan's Saint Qi spread outward, knocking back some innocent cultivators.
The other four commanders of the Azure Dragon Army also showed extremely angry expressions.
Yan Tong's gaze was rather gloomy, but he eventually suppressed his anger and calmed Chi Zhongshan down. "Gu Linfeng is only relying on his status as the Blood God Sect's Divine Son to act so arrogantly. His own cultivation isn't that impressive. Once we reach the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, there will definitely be a chance for revenge. Pull yourself together."
"When we reach the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, this commander will tear him apart limb from limb."
Chi Zhongshan mobilized his Saint Qi, enveloping his body, floating up, the killing intent in his eyes unprecedented and intense.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen walked side by side, boarding the Ruins Realm ship. Immediately, the cultivators on the ship all stepped back, afraid of provoking this ruthless man from the Blood God Sect.
Zhang Ruochen didn't mind. As a Divine Son, he needed to establish his authority.
Zhang Ruochen transmitted his voice, "Senior Sister, you were actively looking for trouble for me just now. That doesn't seem like your style."
"Is that so?"
Huang Yanchen said, "As far as I know, you once fought fiercely with the Young Hall Master of the Bright Hall over a woman. Moreover, for her sake, you didn't hesitate to make enemies of the Demon Sect, killing two Demon Sect Saints. That's not false, is it?"
Since Gu Linfeng and Zhang Ruochen were the same person, what they had done at the Black Market headquarters in Tiantai Prefecture naturally came from the same hand.
Her own husband, for the sake of a woman, didn't hesitate to offend the Bright Hall and the Demon Sect, fighting fiercely—how could she not be jealous?
Huang Yanchen wore a Phantom Gold Mask on her face, so Zhang Ruochen couldn't see her expression at that moment.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Just a friend."
"Meaning you can make enemies of the whole world for a friend, but not for me?"
Huang Yanchen's eyes stared straight at Zhang Ruochen.
Kong Lanyou had cultivated for eight hundred years yet remained simple-minded. Huang Yanchen had only been in seclusion for fifteen years, but she had already become shrewd. With a casual remark, she left Zhang Ruochen speechless.
Zhang Ruochen's lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing.
The more he said, the more mistakes he would make.
Huang Yanchen spoke casually, then suddenly stopped and looked at Zhang Ruochen. "Chen Ge, why did you become the Divine Son of the Blood God Sect?"
Seeing that Huang Yanchen didn't continue pressing, Zhang Ruochen breathed a slight sigh of relief. "I went to the Blood God Sect because I had some important matters to handle. Competing for the position of Divine Son was entirely coincidental."
Huang Yanchen bit her lip. "As far as I know, the Divine Son and Holy Maiden of the Blood God Sect will eventually become Dao partners."
Zhang Ruochen knew it wouldn't be that simple. He tried to remain calm. "I competed for the position of Divine Son, not for Shangguan Xianyan."
"Then why did you compete for the position of Divine Son? And what important matters did you have at the Blood God Sect that you can't even tell me?" Huang Yanchen asked.
Zhang Ruochen had gone to the Blood God Sect to rescue Shengshu Cainü.
But if he said that directly, wouldn't it be adding fuel to the fire?
"Fine. I competed for the position of Blood God Sect's Divine Son precisely to get close to Shangguan Xianyan."
Since it had come to this, he had to choose the lesser of two evils and not drag Shengshu Cainü into this.
After all, Shengshu Cainü was too outstanding. Once Huang Yanchen knew that he had some ambiguous relationship with Shengshu Cainü, she would definitely feel a sense of crisis, even inferiority.
Whether for Zhang Ruochen or for her, it wouldn't be a good thing.
If he could keep it hidden, it was best to do so.
Zhang Ruochen put on a serious expression, half-truthfully saying, "The ancestor of the Shangguan Clan, Que Shengwang, was my master. Given his status, he certainly knows what happened eight hundred years ago. However, through recent events, I suspect that the Shangguan Clan has deep connections with the Undying Blood Clan."
Huang Yanchen said, "You suspect that the palace coup eight hundred years ago was related to the Undying Blood Clan. By getting close to Shangguan Xianyan, you have a chance to enter the Shangguan Clan and investigate the truth?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Even if the palace coup eight hundred years ago has nothing to do with the Undying Blood Clan, I still need to investigate this matter thoroughly. Because I really want to know whether my master is alive or dead."
Huang Yanchen shook her head. "No, that's not right..."
"What's not right?" Zhang Ruochen asked without changing his expression.
Huang Yanchen said, "With your transformation technique, entering the Shangguan Clan would be effortless. So why go to the Blood God Sect to get close to Shangguan Xianyan? Isn't that taking a detour?"
Zhang Ruochen hadn't expected Huang Yanchen's thinking to become so meticulous. For a moment, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.
He had told one lie, and now he would need more lies to cover it up. In the end, the flaws would only increase.
Just then, a faint fragrance wafted over.
Following that, rings of white sacred light spread out between Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen. A woman of pure and ethereal beauty stood between the two of them.
Shangguan Xianyan's face carried a charming smile. "Divine Son, the way you dealt with Chi Zhongshan just now truly showcased the Blood God Sect's style."
The Cai Clan and the Blood God Sect had long reserved their tickets. Hundreds of Half-Saints all boarded the Ruins Realm ship, belonging to the same batch as Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen.
"Come with me. I have some important matters to discuss with you alone. This is a sect secret; no third person must know."
Shangguan Xianyan emphasized the word "alone," casting a provocative, challenging glance at Huang Yanchen. Then, she extended a soft jade hand, grabbed Zhang Ruochen's wrist, and with an intimate demeanor, led him toward a cabin below the deck.
Zhang Ruochen was just at a loss for how to answer Huang Yanchen's question. Shangguan Xianyan's appearance helped him out of his predicament.
But would this misunderstanding only deepen?