Chapter 1186: Shengshu Cainü's Concern
Since Shengshu Cainü was able to compile the "Half-Saint List" and the "Half-Saint External List," she naturally knew quite well the identities and information of Grand Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works, as well as their relationship with Zhang Ruochen.
The two monks took out a transcribed copy of the "Blood Clan Secret Scroll" and handed it over to Shengshu Cainü.
This was absolutely an unexpected delight; even with Shengshu Cainü's state of mind, it was difficult to remain calm.
She quickly took it and flipped through it rapidly.
Although Shengshu Cainü had never seen the "Blood Clan Secret Scroll" before, her knowledge was vast and her experience broad, allowing her to judge its authenticity.
The legendary "Blood Clan Secret Scroll" was a sharp weapon against the Undying Blood Clan. For Zhang Ruochen to send someone to deliver it to her hands at such a critical moment was like offering charcoal in snowy weather—a timely aid.
Shengshu Cainü slowly closed the transcribed copy of the "Blood Clan Secret Scroll," her heart still pounding, and asked, "He... did he have any other words for you to bring to me?"
Second Minister of Works was very honest, saying, "No, Uncle-Master is fully occupied dealing with the Undying Blood Clan infiltrators in the Blood God Sect..."
"Cough, cough."
Before Second Minister of Works could finish, Grand Minister of Works coughed twice, stopping him from continuing.
Shengshu Cainü was initially a bit disappointed, then showed a thoughtful expression and nodded slightly. She had clearly known about the situation in the Blood God Sect for a while and was still quite worried about Zhang Ruochen's safety.
The Blood God Sect was a place of trouble, hiding many dangers. Even if she went, she wasn't confident she could handle it properly. Could Zhang Ruochen manage?
After settling Grand Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works, Shengshu Cainü held the "Blood Clan Secret Scroll" and returned to Lianzhu Mansion.
The various Confucian sages of the Confucian path saw Shengshu Cainü return, and all eyes fixed on her.
"What's with all of you?" Shengshu Cainü asked with a smile.
Mei Xiansheng, the Sect Leader of the Qin Sect, stroked his beard and said, "We're just curious about which outstanding talent is so fortunate as to win Shengshu Cainü's favor."
"I'm even more curious about what gift that fellow sent you, making you smile so brightly," said Chu Siyuan, the Sect Leader of the Painting Sect.
"It's certainly a great gift."
Shengshu Cainü held the transcribed copy of the "Blood Clan Secret Scroll" and raised her arm slightly.
"Whoosh—"
From the transcribed copy, a large swath of text detached from the pages and flew out, like countless stars drifting above the mansion.
Everyone present was highly sensitive to text. Even if the words were arranged chaotically, they could sense their extraordinary nature and quickly form a complete book in their minds.
Grand Chancellor Wang Shiqi had the highest spiritual power attainment. He was the first to organize the text into a book and fully memorize it, saying with some surprise, "This is... the legendary 'Blood Clan Secret Scroll'..."
Then, the sect leaders of the four Confucian sects and the various Confucian sages also organized the text in their minds.
Seeing the content of the book, they all exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe.
The book not only recorded methods to identify Undying Blood Clan disguises but also some secret techniques to deal with them.
"Is it really the 'Blood Clan Secret Scroll'? Girl, who exactly sent it to you? Are you sure no tampering was done to the book?" Chu Siyuan asked.
Shengshu Cainü said, "Everyone can rest assured; my friend is trustworthy. With the 'Blood Clan Secret Scroll,' dealing with the Undying Blood Clan will become much easier."
Wang Shiqi made a decision, saying, "For now, do not make the 'Blood Clan Secret Scroll' public. We must first use covert means to clear out the infiltrators within the Confucian path and the imperial court."
Wang Shiqi acted with swift decisiveness. Though he appeared to sit motionless in his chair, he had already sent out dozens of orders, launching a sweeping purge.
At the same time, a transcribed copy of the "Blood Clan Secret Scroll" was immediately sent to the Ministry of War's camp in the Northern Domain.
Chu Siyuan probed, "It's said that the 'Blood Clan Secret Scroll' disappeared along with the treasury of the Sacred Bright Central Empire and is likely in the hands of the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion Master. Girl, what exactly is the identity of your friend?"
"Is Sect Leader Chu so curious?" Shengshu Cainü said.
Chu Siyuan was indeed very curious, and not just him—all the Confucian sages present wanted to know the answer, pricking up their ears to listen closely.
Shengshu Cainü's eyes flickered as she scanned everyone present, then added, "If Sect Leader Chu can agree to one condition, I will tell you that secret alone."
Knowing Chu Siyuan's personality, Shengshu Cainü deliberately set a trap for him.
Chu Siyuan's heart stirred, and he asked, "Really only tell me alone?"
"Of course." Shengshu Cainü nodded.
Seeing the disappointed expressions on the other old fellows, Chu Siyuan broke into a smile. He knew that if he could grasp this secret, he could extort more benefits from the others.
Their curiosity was even greater than his.
"I am the dignified Sect Leader of the Painting Sect. Not just one condition, even ten conditions are no problem." Chu Siyuan said calmly.
"Good."
Shengshu Cainü, without any hesitation, directly told Chu Siyuan Zhang Ruochen's name.
"It's that kid."
Chu Siyuan's expression shifted slightly, and he couldn't help blurting it out.
Zhang Ruochen's identity was quite sensitive because the entire Kunlun Realm was spreading rumors that he might be the Crown Prince of the Sacred Bright Central Empire from eight hundred years ago.
Now that Zhang Ruochen had sent someone to deliver the "Blood Clan Secret Scroll," his suspicion naturally grew even stronger.
Although Chu Siyuan had a stubborn temper, he was very shrewd and fully understood how sensitive this matter was, so he dared not speak of it casually.
The other Confucian sages were all very curious and asked repeatedly, but Chu Siyuan refused to say a single word.
Shengshu Cainü invited Chu Siyuan alone into the Ninth Mansion, arriving again beside the Heaven and Earth Chessboard.
Chu Siyuan immediately said, "Girl, you'd better stay far away from that kid Zhang Ruochen. That child is definitely a source of trouble; don't jump into a fire pit."
Shengshu Cainü smiled faintly, her eyes fixed on the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, observing something.
Chu Siyuan added, "If that fellow Zhang Ruochen really is the Sacred Bright Crown Prince from eight hundred years ago, then he probably has some grudges with Her Majesty the Empress. Her Majesty has only temporarily left the imperial city to seek the opportunity to become a god; she will return one day. Getting too close to Zhang Ruochen will do you no good."
Shengshu Cainü seemed not to hear Chu Siyuan's advice, pointing a finger at the area where the Blood God Sect was located, saying, "The situation in the Blood God Sect is very complex. Zhang Ruochen alone won't be able to handle it; he needs someone to help him."
"What do you mean?" Chu Siyuan asked.
Shengshu Cainü said, "Zhang Ruochen is the Divine Son of the Blood God Sect, Gu Linfeng."
"So what?" Chu Siyuan said.
Shengshu Cainü said, "The Blood God Sect has already begun to fall into chaos. In the past few days, more than one Saint has fallen, and the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. The imperial court absolutely cannot stand idly by. I want to invite a strong expert to take charge at the Blood God Sect, preferably to wipe out the Undying Blood Clan completely."
"And then support Zhang Ruochen as the Sect Leader of the Blood God Sect?" Chu Siyuan said.
Shengshu Cainü said, "It's better for the Blood God Sect to be in Zhang Ruochen's hands than in the hands of the Undying Blood Clan."
"This matter has nothing to do with me; it's Zhang Ruochen's own business... Why are you staring at me? I have to go fight in the Northern Domain; I don't have the leisure to go to the Blood God Sect?"
Seeing Shengshu Cainü staring at him, Chu Siyuan immediately sensed something was wrong, turned around, and fled in panic.
Shengshu Cainü said, "Sect Leader Chu just agreed to one of my conditions. Is the dignified Sect Leader of the Painting Sect going to break his word?"
Chu Siyuan stopped in his tracks and sighed, "Girl, you had this planned all along, didn't you?"
Shengshu Cainü's expression turned serious, saying, "The Blood God Sect is one of the seven great ancient sects, with influence spanning the nine provinces of the Central Domain. If the Undying Blood Clan controls the Blood God Sect, the entire Central Domain will be in turmoil. This matter is of great importance; you, Elder, must personally go."
"Fine, I'll make the trip myself. Regardless, the fact that Zhang Ruochen sent the 'Blood Clan Secret Scroll' shows that he still has a sense of righteousness. Helping him is also helping the entire human race." Chu Siyuan said with righteous indignation.
In the end, Chu Siyuan couldn't bear to lose face. After all, he had agreed to Shengshu Cainü's condition in front of a group of Confucian sages; going back on his word would surely make him a laughingstock.
Shengshu Cainü reminded him, "According to the intelligence I've received, a major figure from the Yellow Heaven Tribe of the Undying Blood Clan is heading to Taizhou to fully take control of the Blood God Sect. You must be very careful, Elder. It's best to meet with Zhang Ruochen and not act rashly alone."
"I've weathered countless storms. Don't worry, even if it's not just one major figure, even if the Undying Blood Clan sends ten major figures, I, this Sect Leader, will make sure they never return."
Chu Siyuan said this with great fervor, then took Grand Minister of Works and Second Minister of Works, boarded a flying boat, and headed straight for the Blood God Sect.
Shengshu Cainü was still somewhat worried, feeling that Chu Siyuan wouldn't consult with Zhang Ruochen and would likely act alone, possibly causing trouble.
...
Moyou Valley.
Zhang Ruochen took the healing pills sent by Princess Mo Ran, and both his external and internal injuries were recovering quickly.
Staying in Moyou Valley, surrounded by illusion arrays, Zhang Ruochen was constantly under surveillance and dared not enter the Scroll World.
Though it seemed like a haven of comfort, it was actually fraught with danger. The slightest misstep would lead to utter ruin.
While recovering, Zhang Ruochen also worked hard on cultivation, striving to get through the second Quasi-Saint Tribulation as soon as possible, or to open the final aperture and achieve physical sainthood.
"Since my spiritual power has already reached sainthood, I can now merge the memories and sacred insights of my fourth and fifth lives. As long as my sacred insights improve, I can soon undergo the second Quasi-Saint Tribulation."
Zhang Ruochen's injuries had recovered by sixty to seventy percent, enough to fight against Saint-level beings.
Therefore, instead of continuing to heal, he began to merge the memories and sacred insights of the fourth life from the "Seven Lives Seven Deaths Diagram," striving to elevate his cultivation further.