Chapter 1121: Zhang Ruochen Loses His Rationality
Zhang Ruochen stirred up endless turmoil on Dragon Summit Mountain, causing the entire Azure Dragon Ruins Realm to explode into chaos. More than half of the top-tier powerhouses on the Half-Saint Ranking had arrived.
A century later, this group of beings, having fully matured, would become the rulers of the Kunlun Realm, determining the structure (geju) of the entire world.
Therefore, today's battle was not merely a clash among the younger generation; it held profound significance and far-reaching consequences.
Bei Gonglan and Chi Wansui stood at the edge of a thousand-zhang sheer cliff. One wore a white martial robe, the other a golden sacred armor, intimidating the savage beasts and undead in this area.
Bei Gonglan possessed an extraordinary aura, bearing the demeanor of a peerless female sword saint. She said, "I long expected that before the struggle for the World Spirit, there would be a earth-shattering collision between the human race and the savage beasts. I originally thought the leaders would be Lidi and the Devouring Demon Dragon, but I never imagined it would be Zhang Ruochen."
Chi Wansui's eyebrows were thick, his nose prominent like a gall bladder, and his eyes revealed a solemn expression. He said, "Today, Zhang Ruochen is somewhat abnormal. The killing intent on him is overwhelming. Could he really have gone berserk from cultivating the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm?"
Bei Gonglan's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a hint of worry appearing.
She had no significant interactions with Zhang Ruochen, having exchanged no more than three sentences, yet he had left a deep impression on her.
Whether at the Realm Son Banquet or in Ying Sha City, Zhang Ruochen always stepped forward at the most critical moments for the human race, turning the tide. He not only defended the dignity of humanity but also saved many elite human cultivators.
However, this man was very reclusive. No matter what righteous deeds he performed, he would immediately withdraw, paying no heed to others' opinions or accepting their gratitude.
Encountering such a person made it hard not to leave a deep impression.
Overall, Bei Gonglan held considerable goodwill toward Zhang Ruochen. She said, "The Vermilion Bird Fairy, the Kun Clan Prince, and the Bi'an Heavenly King have all appeared. Besides them, there are at least a dozen ancient bloodline descendants standing in the rain curtain. Regardless of whether Zhang Ruochen has gone berserk, we can't just stand by and do nothing, can we?"
Chi Wansui's eyes narrowed. "Xue Wuye and Lidi have already headed to Dragon Summit Mountain, probably to confirm Zhang Ruochen's condition. If Zhang Ruochen hasn't gone berserk, we can decide whether to act later."
Chi Wansui did have some grudges with Zhang Ruochen, but facing the threat from the savage beasts, he could temporarily set aside those grievances and unite against a common enemy.
"And if Zhang Ruochen has truly gone berserk?" Bei Gonglan asked.
Chi Wansui's gaze fixed on the direction of Dragon Summit Mountain, remaining silent.
If Zhang Ruochen had truly gone berserk, he would undoubtedly become a second Dead Zen Ancestor. Allowing him to grow would be a massive disaster for the human race—a threat even greater than the Devouring Demon Dragon.
If they could kill him now, they must do so.
Though cruel, it was necessary. At least in the future, fewer people would die.
Unless someone had a deep bond with him, willing to pay any price and remain loyal unto death, they might continue to support him unwaveringly and stand on his side.
How many such people were there?
Even close relatives might not be able to do so.
Xue Wuye and Lidi had already reached the foot of Dragon Summit Mountain and were climbing upward.
Facing the two most powerful humans below the Saint realm, the sixth-rank savage beasts dared not block their path, retreating like a tide to clear two routes.
The Vermilion Bird Fairy, the Kun Clan Prince, and the Bi'an Heavenly King seemed to understand Xue Wuye and Lidi's purpose, so they did not act hastily.
"Xue Wuye and Lidi are climbing the mountain. Could they really have been provoked by Feng Yinchang to compete with Zhang Ruochen?" Mu Lingxi was extremely nervous and worried.
Now, Zhang Ruochen was besieged on all sides. If Xue Wuye and Lidi also attacked him, it would only make matters worse.
Qi Feiyu stood beside Mu Lingxi, her gaze like water. "Junior Sister Mu, your concern clouds your judgment. Do you really think Xue Wuye and Lidi are so easily manipulated? They should be confirming Zhang Ruochen's condition to decide their next move."
"Next move? What next move?" Mu Lingxi's mind was indeed in turmoil, having lost her usual intelligence and wit.
Qi Feiyu remained silent, her expression complex.
Another Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect, Lan Caisang, revealed a smile. "If Zhang Ruochen hasn't gone berserk and still retains his rationality, then Xue Wuye and Lidi will likely help him. Even if more powerful beings from the savage beast clans arrive, they won't be intimidated."
Mu Lingxi breathed a slight sigh of relief. With Xue Wuye and Lidi intervening, other human powerhouses would surely join in. Regardless of the battle's outcome, Zhang Ruochen's immediate crisis would be temporarily resolved.
Lan Caisang's tone shifted. "But if Zhang Ruochen has truly gone berserk, his nature changing into a bloodthirsty demon, then Xue Wuye and Lidi... probably won't personally suppress him, but they will leave Dragon Summit Mountain."
Qi Feiyu added, "This is unavoidable. You should try to see it clearly. Since ancient times, countless outstanding talents have lost control of their rationality due to unrestrained, frantic cultivation, unable to master their swelling power, ultimately walking a path of no return."
"Going berserk" didn't mean entering the demonic path but losing rationality, no longer being a normal human, no longer thinking in normal ways—either knowing only slaughter, or only destruction of everything around them, or committing extreme acts.
"Impossible. Zhang Ruochen has always been a very rational person with strong spiritual power. How could he go berserk?" Mu Lingxi shook her head vigorously, refusing to believe their words.
Lan Caisang smiled faintly. "Zhang Ruochen's behavior today doesn't seem like that of a rational person."
Qi Feiyu shook her head gently. "Actually, Zhang Ruochen is indeed quite different from before. The killing intent on him is too heavy, unlike his usual character."
Ouyang Heng sat in his wheelchair and said, "He has been suppressed too harshly by the Empress, the Ministry of War, the Undying Blood Clan, the Black Market First Class Hall, the Ghost-Raising Ancient Clan, the Corpse-Driving Ancient Clan... and other major powers. He has to go all out to improve his cultivation."
"His cultivation has indeed been rising rapidly, leaving his peers far behind, but such a speed inevitably plants hidden dangers."
"Not long ago, when his cultivation was far weaker than now, he dared to single-handedly fight nineteen beast kings and challenge the Qingtian Tribe alone. This shows his mindset was already inflating."
"Even if Zhang Ruochen has gone berserk, I wouldn't find it strange."
Ouyang Heng's analysis wasn't without reason. Even Mu Lingxi, who firmly believed in Zhang Ruochen's character, began to waver, growing even more worried.
Xue Wuye held an oil-paper umbrella, walking along the corpse-strewn mountain path. He appeared elegant and carefree, untouched by dust, stopping only when he reached the mountainside.
Lidi, tall and imposing, carried a large blade case on his back, climbing from another direction and also arriving at the mountainside.
"Amitabha! Benefactor Zhang, we meet again after parting in the Black Tortoise Ruins Realm."
Lidi pressed his palms together, smiling, yet exuding a fierce aura. He didn't look like a monk but rather a butcher.
Xue Wuye's lips curled upward. "Brother Zhang, we didn't fully enjoy our last drink. Shall we have another round?"
Zhang Ruochen naturally understood the purpose of Lidi and Xue Wuye's visit, but the offerings needed for the sacrificial ceremony were still far from sufficient.
If he joined forces with Lidi and Xue Wuye now to force the savage beast clans to retreat, wouldn't all his efforts be wasted?
Moreover, even if the savage beast clans weren't afraid of mutual destruction and insisted on killing Zhang Ruochen, it would only lead to a large-scale battle between humans and savage beasts.
In the end, countless would die.
If those human cultivators later learned that Zhang Ruochen's true purpose was to refine sacred pills for his own benefit, wouldn't they instead resent him?
No matter what, at this stage, Zhang Ruochen couldn't reveal his real intentions.
It wasn't just about refining sacred pills; it was also about luring more enemies here to eliminate them using this opportunity.
Just now, Xiao Hei had sent a message telling Zhang Ruochen that the altar had been repaired and perfected. As long as enough offerings were accumulated, the sacrifice could begin.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze darkened, bloodshot veins appearing in his eyes. He scanned the two across from him with a wild, arrogant posture. "You two also want to challenge me?"
Lidi and Xue Wuye exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of worry in each other's eyes. They shook their heads slightly.
Unwilling to give up—after all, he had some friendship with Zhang Ruochen—Lidi continued, "Benefactor Zhang, if you trust this humble monk, come with me to the Brahma Path..."
"Talking monk, you talk too much!"
Zhang Ruochen grabbed the Abyssal Ancient Sword and directly used Sword Five, transforming into a streak of sword energy that flew toward Lidi.
The Great Butcher Buddha Sword on Lidi's back let out a blade cry, flying up on its own, along with the blade case, to block in front of him.
"Boom!"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword shattered the blade case and clashed with the Great Butcher Buddha Sword's blade.
Lidi was pushed back dozens of zhang, his feet leaving the ground, flying into midair before gradually neutralizing the sword's power.
Huang Yanchen knew Zhang Ruochen's purpose, so she stepped forward and advised, "You two should leave quickly, or he will kill you too."
Lidi and Xue Wuye were both deeply regretful but helpless.
Back then, the Buddhist holy monks who tried to persuade Dead Zen Ancestor to "turn back from the brink" were all killed without exception. Now, who dared to persuade Zhang Ruochen?
Xue Wuye looked at Huang Yanchen. "You're not leaving?"
"I am his wife. Where he is, I am," Huang Yanchen replied.
Lidi and Xue Wuye eventually left, descending Dragon Summit Mountain.
In the rain curtain, Feng Yinchang revealed a delighted smile. "Zhang Ruochen! Zhang Ruochen! I never expected you to have truly gone berserk. Is there any place left for you in this world?"
Mu Lingxi felt despair, a sharp pain stabbing her heart. She hated Empress Chi Yao to the extreme. If not for her oppression, how could someone with Zhang Ruochen's strong willpower have been broken?
A Le tightened his grip on his sword hilt, his eyes staring straight ahead, his pupils becoming somewhat hollow and vacant. After a long while, they slowly recovered. (To be continued.)