Chapter 1116: World Son
Having reached the peak of the Eighth-Step Half-Saint realm, Zhang Ruochen’s strength had advanced by leaps and bounds.
At this moment, he closed his eyes, sensing his newly increased power while slowly practicing the Luo Water Fist Art.
The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm was an extremely firm and fierce palm technique, whereas the Luo Water Fist Art was extremely soft and gentle. Even as Zhang Ruochen’s fist slowly pushed forward, circles of translucent energy ripples formed in the air.
After completing the thirty-six moves of the Luo Water Fist Art, the unruly yang energy rampaging inside Zhang Ruochen’s body calmed down. All the flames at his feet completely retracted back into his body.
Zhang Ruochen exhaled a long white breath, which transformed into a misty river dozens of miles long, hanging horizontally in the air in a winding, nine-bend form.
“Could it be that when Senior Luo Xu passed the Luo Water Fist Art to me, he hoped I would use its yin-soft power to balance the yang energy generated from cultivating the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm?” Zhang Ruochen mused.
At Luo Xu’s level and height, some words were never spoken directly, nor were many explanations given. Yet Zhang Ruochen silently remembered this debt of gratitude.
Having met only once, Luo Xu had passed his ultimate technique to Zhang Ruochen.
Such magnanimity and breadth of mind were enough to win over many.
“Rustle, rustle.”
The branches of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree swayed gently, and from its trunk, a fluctuation of spiritual power emerged, communicating with Zhang Ruochen.
“The Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, from the dawn of heaven and earth to its impending destruction, has existed for twelve million, nine hundred and sixty thousand years—exactly one hundred eons. That is to say, the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm has endured ninety-nine minor calamities and is now about to face its first great calamity.”
Zhang Ruochen looked up and transmitted his spiritual power in response: “Senior, what are you trying to tell me?”
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree said, “In the domain of time, one eon is one hundred and twenty-nine thousand six hundred years. Every eon, a world undergoes a minor calamity. Every hundred eons, it undergoes a great calamity.”
“Whether it survives a minor or a great calamity, the world’s space expands correspondingly.”
Zhang Ruochen was somewhat astonished. He had not expected that a world would also undergo tribulations and automatically grow. Did all things truly possess spirituality?
Zhang Ruochen asked, “If the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm survives this great calamity, how much would its world space expand?”
“At least double.”
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree continued, “However, given the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm’s foundation, it cannot survive this great calamity and will head toward destruction.”
Clearly, the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree knew that Zhang Ruochen was about to compete for the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, which was why it shared this information.
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree went on, “The World Spirit and native cultivators of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm will certainly not resign themselves to destruction. They will use certain methods to prolong the realm’s existence.”
“What methods would they use?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree said, “Perhaps by devouring the World Spirit of another ruins realm, transforming that realm into a new Azure Dragon Ruins Realm.”
“Alternatively, the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm might choose a World Son to bear the world, evolving a new world within that son’s body.”
A strange light flickered in Zhang Ruochen’s eyes. “The World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm can choose a World Son to bear the entire world?”
“Correct. That is a true World Son, carrying a world within his body, able to mobilize part of its power—vastly different from the nine Realm Sons of the Kunlun Realm.”
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree continued, “Of course, regardless of the method used to prolong the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, their first priority must be to protect the World Spirit, ensuring it is not seized by cultivators from the Kunlun Realm.”
“Once the Azure Dragon Dynasty selects a prodigy to merge with the World Spirit and become the World Son, they may well unleash a massacre. For you all, that would be a disaster.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly, his expression growing increasingly serious. “You mean that to compete for the World Spirit, I must succeed. I cannot allow the World Son of the Azure Dragon Dynasty to be born. If I fail, I will likely die.”
“That is exactly it.”
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree said, “The path lies beneath your feet. The choice is yours in a single thought. If you do not wish to take such a great risk, it would be best to leave the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm now and not stay any longer.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly and asked, “Since the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm can devour the World Spirits of other ruins realms, can you, Senior, absorb the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm?”
“Of course I can.”
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree said, “Do you intend to seize the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, expand the Scroll World, and evolve it into a great world comparable to a high-grade ruins realm?”
Zhang Ruochen asked, “If I absorb the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, what changes will occur in the Scroll World?”
“An earth-shattering transformation will take place. The most obvious point is that the Cosmic Divine Wood Map can no longer bear this world. The scroll will shatter, and the world will manifest.”
“From then on, this world must be borne by your body.”
“At that point, it will no longer be called the Scroll World but the Qiankun Realm, and you will be its World Son. For you, this is both a great blessing and a great curse.”
Zhang Ruochen felt puzzled. Becoming the World Son of a world, able to mobilize part of its power, should be a good thing. Why would it be a curse?
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree seemed to read Zhang Ruochen’s confusion and continued transmitting its spiritual power: “The more a person bears, the greater the burden. Bearing a world is no easy task. The price to pay exceeds your imagination. Unless you can cultivate to become a god in the future, you will never escape the drag of the Qiankun Realm.”
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree did not specify the exact drawbacks of bearing a world, but Zhang Ruochen could sense that the cost was not something an ordinary person could endure.
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree said, “For now, you need not consider that. After all, seizing the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm is no easy task. I can sense that in the royal capital, about ten native saints have gathered.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “How is that possible? According to the intelligence from the Ministry of War, the native saints of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm have long fled and hidden in other ruins realms. Moreover, saint-level figures staying in the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm would cause large-scale spatial collapse.”
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree responded, “Indeed, some native saints have fled, but some have remained. If they stayed elsewhere, they would certainly cause large-scale spatial collapse. Staying in the royal capital, however, does not, because it is protected by the World Spirit of the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm.”
“Of course, the World Spirit is now very weak and can only mobilize limited power, enough to bear about ten native saints. They will be the main force in the battle for the World Spirit, and the World Son chosen by the World Spirit is likely among them.”
Ten saints in the royal capital—this was earth-shattering news.
If it spread, many forces would surely withdraw from the battle for the World Spirit.
“I hope they are all Lower Realm Saints. At least then there is a chance to fight.”
Given the World Spirit’s current weakened state, even if it could bear ten saints, they would likely be Lower Realm Saints. After all, Lower Realm Saints were the weakest and easiest to bear.
Of course, even among Lower Realm Saints, strength varied greatly.
Even cultivators with a sacred body, upon reaching the Lower Realm Saint level, could not fight across realms. At best, they were considered strong among Lower Realm Saints.
This also showed how vast the gap was between Lower Realm Saints and Mid Realm Saints.
“If there are really ten native saints in the royal capital, then the World Spirit must definitely be underground in the royal capital. Otherwise, the space there would have already collapsed.”
Zhang Ruochen finally had a clear target. He left from beneath the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, arrived at a city in the Scroll World, climbed a four-story green-tiled tavern, and ordered some wine and food.
Then, he sent out sound waves to notify everyone else to come immediately.
Years ago, Xiao Hei had captured many laborers to build cities. This city was one of them, with a wide urban area and considerable scale.
Half a year ago, Princess Bai Li had approached Zhang Ruochen, hoping he would agree to settle the survivors from the ancient city into the Scroll World.
Zhang Ruochen agreed but also set some conditions.
At the time, Princess Bai Li only felt that the survivors were pitiful and wanted to save them. Without much thought, she agreed to all of Zhang Ruochen’s conditions and swore never to break her promise under any circumstances.
As for what exactly those conditions were, even she could not remember clearly.
Those were millions of lives—what could be more important than saving them? Whatever the cost, she was willing to bear it.
In any case, Princess Bai Li’s nature was very kind and simple.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen agreed to Princess Bai Li not only because she was valuable and worth recruiting.
More importantly, Grand Minister of Works, Second Minister of Works, Sun Dadi, Qing Mo, and others also shared the same wish, hoping Zhang Ruochen would save those native humans.
If Zhang Ruochen had refused to save them, they might not have harbored resentment.
But by saving them, he earned their trust even more, strengthening the cohesion and unity of the entire Ming Sect.
Princess Bai Li was the first to arrive at the tavern, flying to the fourth floor and appearing to Zhang Ruochen’s left. A snow-white long tail dragged on the ground, making her look like a stunning female demon.
“City Lord, you came quickly,” Zhang Ruochen said with a slight smile.
“I live in Bai Li City, so of course I came the fastest.” Princess Bai Li blinked her eyes, her long eyelashes shimmering with a crystalline glow.
This city, home to millions of native humans, was named Bai Li City, with Princess Bai Li as its city lord, managing it.
Now, Zhang Ruochen had formally tied her to the chariot of the Ming Sect. Even if she regained her memories in the future and wanted to leave, there would be some bonds.
Soon, Xiao Hei, Huang Yanchen, Qing Mo, Grand Minister of Works, Second Minister of Works, Murong Yue, as well as Sun Dadi and Zhao Shiqi, who had gone to the royal capital to gather information, all arrived at the tavern and gathered with Zhang Ruochen.
“This trip to the royal capital nearly made my lungs explode with anger!” Sun Dadi gnashed his teeth in hatred, the red hair on his head standing on end.
…
(Little Fish wishes everyone a Happy New Year in advance! Notice: From January 26th to January 30th, one chapter will be updated daily. Updates will resume on January 31st, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.
I am truly sorry. With so many social engagements during the New Year at home, it is hard to find time to write. Of course, during these days, I will guarantee at least one chapter. If I can write two, I will definitely update two. Sorry, sorry.)