Chapter 1196: Meeting of Senior and Junior Brothers
Yao Ji could be certain that this person was definitely not a close friend with a life-or-death bond. Instead, his intentions were hostile, and he was likely a formidable enemy.
In an instant, three white fox tails shot out, resembling three white waterfalls, streaking across the hall and striking at the young figure standing below.
The three fox tails twisted and coiled rapidly, forming a strangling force.
Under the influence of that force, the walls, pillars, and glazed tiles of the hall all surfaced with profound defensive formation inscriptions, like thousands of flowing light chains.
A light snort came from the young figure’s mouth.
“Whoosh—”
The blood energy surrounding his body spun rapidly, forming an increasingly massive vortex.
The three fox tails collided with the blood energy vortex and were immediately repelled by a tremendous force, scattering strands of white fox fur.
Yao Ji felt a sharp pain on her tail, and her pert buttocks trembled slightly. Biting her red lips, she left her seat, charged into the blood energy vortex, and pointed a finger forward.
Yao Ji’s finger, carved like celestial jade, was slender and snow-white.
“Sizzle, sizzle.”
This finger contained extremely profound sacred dao power. Around her finger, rings of flame radiance formed, extending in a long chain straight toward the young figure’s brow.
The blood energy was pierced through, and Yao Ji finally saw the true face of the young figure—it was Zhang Ruochen, the Heir of Time and Space.
“It’s him…”
Yao Ji had once dealt with Zhang Ruochen, attempting to seize the treasures on him. Therefore, her first thought was that Zhang Ruochen had come for revenge.
Zhang Ruochen revealed a calm smile. His right palm shot out swiftly, arriving first despite being later, striking Yao Ji’s chest.
“Boom!”
All the sacred qi Yao Ji had mobilized was scattered, and she flew backward.
Zhang Ruochen had already achieved a saintly physical body. Even without using sacred qi, the palm strike he delivered was more than Yao Ji, a Lower Realm Saint, could withstand.
Zhang Ruochen’s palm pressed against Yao Ji’s chest as they flew together. With a thunderous crash, he pinned her against the steps in the hall.
“Ugh!”
Blood spilled from Yao Ji’s mouth. The steps beneath her sank inward, covered in cracked patterns.
Under the suppression of Zhang Ruochen’s palm force, she couldn’t get back up.
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his palm force, stepped up the stairs, and walked to the seat at the top of the hall. He sat down and said, “It’s been so long, and Yao Sect Leader’s cultivation hasn’t improved at all.”
Yao Ji climbed up from the ground, supporting herself with her hands, like a beautiful fox woman. She stared at Zhang Ruochen above, both shocked and angry. “Zhang Ruochen, what exactly do you want?”
The power Zhang Ruochen had just unleashed was so overwhelming that Yao Ji felt suffocated.
How long had it been? Zhang Ruochen’s cultivation could already crush her.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Do you think, with my current cultivation, I could destroy the Tianluo Sect?”
Yao Ji’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly suppressed her anger, lowering her posture. “That incident back then was indeed this Sect Leader’s fault. I shouldn’t have acted out of greed and attacked you. Here, I apologize to you. Zhang Ruochen, you are a mighty dragon crossing the river, destined to soar through the nine heavens. Why bother with a small sect like ours?”
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Yao Ji, a slight curl at the corner of his mouth. “Do you think a few words of apology will make me let you off?”
“What do you want? If it catches your eye, you can take any treasure from the Tianluo Sect,” Yao Ji said.
Faced with absolute power, Yao Ji had no choice but to bow her head.
If offering some treasures could resolve the enmity with Zhang Ruochen, that would be the best outcome.
Zhang Ruochen possessed a world and had obtained the treasury of the Azure Dragon Dynasty, commanding immense cultivation resources. He didn’t care for any of the Tianluo Sect’s treasures.
Zhang Ruochen tapped his fingers lightly on the table and smiled. “What if I want the Sect Leader herself?”
Yao Ji was momentarily stunned. Then, a seductive, water-like smile spread across her charming face. She swayed her slender willow waist and walked gracefully toward Zhang Ruochen, her voice soft. “The Heir of Time and Space, whose fame resounds across the world, deigning to favor this Saint’s humble appearance—it is truly this Saint’s honor.”
Yao Ji had been cultivating for over three hundred years and was still only a Lower Realm Saint. It could be said that she would likely never break through to a higher realm in this lifetime.
Zhang Ruochen, however, was different. He had become a saint at a young age, rising with astonishing speed and limitless future potential. If she could truly become his woman, it would be an opportunity for Yao Ji.
“Yao Sect Leader misunderstands.”
Zhang Ruochen’s voice was very cold. “I have no interest in your body. I only want you to do something for me. If you can complete this task honestly, our enmity will be wiped clean from now on.”
Yao Ji remained composed, showing no embarrassment, and asked, “What task?”
Then, Zhang Ruochen told her about the experts of the Yellow Heaven Tribe hiding in the Black Market Headquarters.
Upon hearing the news, Yao Ji’s expression turned quite serious. “Actually, not long ago, the Big Steward also sent us a message that a large number of strong warriors from the Yellow Heaven Tribe would arrive at Taizhou. He told us to be vigilant and report immediately if we had any information.”
Zhang Ruochen knew that the so-called “Big Steward” was the leader of the Black Market Headquarters in Taizhou, a top-tier figure in the entire Black Market.
All the rulers of the evil path forces in Taizhou had to obey the Big Steward.
He could be called the number one evil path figure in Taizhou.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “What is the Black Market’s stance toward the Undying Blood Clan?”
Yao Ji raised a finger, pointing upward. “It is said that at the highest level of the Black Market, the Evil Emperor in Huanyu Tian has issued a supreme decree: any Undying Blood Clan encountered must be killed.”
Huanyu Tian was a place name, historically the sacred land of the Black Market.
Except for the evil path saints of the Black Market, no one knew where Huanyu Tian was located.
Now, the Evil Emperor in Huanyu Tian was clearly not the same Evil Emperor from eight hundred years ago.
Zhang Ruochen nodded. “Go. Pass the message to the Big Steward of the Black Market Headquarters. I’m very curious to see what the Big Steward will do next.”
After Yao Ji left, Zhang Ruochen didn’t stay in the Tianluo Sect. He left as well.
In truth, Zhang Ruochen didn’t fully trust Yao Ji. What if she leaked his information and led a group of evil path saints to deal with him?
Zhang Ruochen had to be cautious.
Leaving the Tianluo Sect, Zhang Ruochen received a message light talisman. Seeing the content on the talisman, a smile appeared on his lips. “Second Senior Brother is quite fast. He’s already arrived in Taizhou.”
Zhang Ruochen booked a room at an inn not far from the Tianluo Sect. Then, he sent a message to his Second Senior Brother, telling him the location.
Xuanji Sword Saint’s second disciple, Zhu Hongtao, stood four meters three tall, with a big head and big ears. His waist was as thick as a millstone. He wore a large red pair of shorts, a green silk shirt on his upper body, and carried a round, bulging belly as he walked into the inn.
Xuanji Sword Saint’s third disciple, Wan Ke, walked beside Zhu Hongtao. He looked about thirty years old, with a fair, beardless face, composed manners, and a humble smile always on his face.
Fortunately, Wan Ke was by Zhu Hongtao’s side. Otherwise, with Zhu Hongtao’s fierce appearance, even evil path cultivators would be scared away.
The three senior and junior brothers finally met.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen, Zhu Hongtao and Wan Ke both showed excited expressions.
“Sixth Junior Brother, you’re really still alive! Why haven’t you come to find us all these years? When I got your message and learned you were in trouble, Third Junior Brother and I rushed to Taizhou without stopping.”
Although Zhu Hongtao looked very fierce, he was quite loyal.
Wan Ke appeared much calmer, smiling. “Sixth Junior Brother, I’ve heard all about the things you’ve done. Now, besides Master, you’re the one I admire most.”
“That’s right. I heard you went to the Underworld to find the resurrection medicine and revived Master. That’s something we senior brothers should have done. How could you go alone?” Zhu Hongtao said with some reproach.
Wan Ke continued, “In the battle at the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, you made the barbarian beast clans and the Undying Blood Clan tremble with fear. According to the students of the Eastern Domain Sacred Academy, wherever you passed, barbarian beasts and Undying Blood Clan members fled, and no one dared to challenge you. If Third Senior Brother hadn’t broken through to the Saint Realm, I would probably have been fighting alongside you in the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm back then.”
“It is said that in the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, many human cultivators owe you a debt of gratitude. They admire you to the utmost, regard you as the number one strong warrior of the new generation of humanity, and see you as a role model and object of worship for young cultivators.”
…
…
Zhu Hongtao and Wan Ke were both very excited, proud to be Zhang Ruochen’s senior brothers.
Every time other cultivators mentioned Zhang Ruochen’s name and talked about some great thing he had done, Zhu Hongtao and Wan Ke would immediately say, “That’s our junior brother.”
Zhang Ruochen knew that Zhu Hongtao and Wan Ke were both passionate people. Being praised by them like this made him a bit embarrassed. He smiled and said, “It’s not easy for us senior and junior brothers to reunite. Let’s sit down and talk.”
Then, the three of them talked about many things, including how Feng Han had poisoned Xuanji Sword Saint, leading to his defeat and death.
“How hateful! I always thought Master was stronger than Jiuyou Sword Saint. How could he have been defeated and killed? So it was that traitor’s doing.”
“Now, all the sword cultivators in the Eastern Domain believe Jiuyou Sword Saint is the number one sword saint of the Eastern Domain. Many have gone to Jiuyou City to take him as their master.”
“Especially Jiuyou Sword Saint’s disciples and descendants—they are even more detestable, belittling Master and elevating Jiuyou Sword Saint. I must reveal the truth and let them know that the number one sword saint of the Eastern Domain is Xuanji Sword Saint, not Jiuyou Sword Saint.”
Zhu Hongtao was furious, filled with pent-up anger. With a bang, he smashed the table with his palm and issued a harsh vow. “Even if Feng Han is already dead, I will still settle accounts with the Undying Blood Clan. I’ll go to the Northern Domain battlefield right now. If I don’t kill ten Undying Blood Clan saints, I won’t come back.”
“Why go to the Northern Domain to kill the Undying Blood Clan?” Zhang Ruochen said.