# Chapter 1340: South Cliff
"With your strength, going head-to-head against True Saint level figures is nothing but a path to death."
Zhu Qingyi sat on the ground, a cold sneer on her face as she continued, "True Saints and Heaven-reaching cultivators are completely different levels. Those who can reach that realm are all old monsters who have cultivated for hundreds of years. Even a Heaven-reaching Blood General has to bow and pay respects when meeting a True Saint."
"Boom."
A fiery red streak of light descended from the sky, landing in the ruins not far away, condensing into Canglan Martial Saint's tall and slender figure.
A powerful, domineering, and profound force naturally radiated from her, making her stand like a towering divine peak that could only be looked up to.
"Zhang Ruochen, how about we cooperate one more time?" Canglan Martial Saint said.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "How?"
"Together we deal with Situ Fengcheng. You rescue the people, and the Blazing Heaven Sword belongs to me," Canglan Martial Saint said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Can you even keep the Blazing Heaven Sword?"
These words seemed to strike a nerve with Canglan Martial Saint, a cold glint flashing in her eyes as she snorted lightly, "Last time, I was merely careless. There won't be a second time."
Zhang Ruochen stared at her for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, I'll trust you once. Let's see if your performance in this battle is worthy of being the Blazing Heaven Sword's wielder."
Canglan Martial Saint ground her teeth in anger. With her current cultivation, aside from Zhang Ruochen, who would dare speak to her in such a tone?
However, losing the Blazing Heaven Sword was indeed a stain on her Sacred Path, one that had nearly shattered her mental state.
Only by personally reclaiming the Blazing Heaven Sword could she wash away this stain.
Zhu Qingyi could naturally tell that Canglan Martial Saint had already broken through to the Heaven-reaching realm. With her True Phoenix physique, her combat power was likely not inferior to a True Saint in the slightest.
"The ones you're about to face are far more than just one True Saint. Trying to rescue people and reclaim the sword is nothing but throwing an egg against a rock." Zhu Qingyi didn't think highly of them.
After all, the Senior Brother's strength was at least on par with Canglan Martial Saint, if not higher. Moreover, the Senior Brother had a Sword Saint-level blood slave by his side.
With just Zhang Ruochen and Canglan Martial Saint, they were far from enough.
Suddenly, Zhu Qingyi's gaze sharpened. In her ears, she faintly heard the sound of metal clashing and horses galloping, as if an army of thousands was marching—an incredibly imposing sound.
When she looked in the direction the sound came from, she saw no army at all, only a tall figure clad in pitch-black battle armor walking against the wind and sand.
Behind him, countless battle shadows continuously appeared and disappeared. The sound of thousands of troops was actually formed by the aura radiating from his body.
An expert, definitely an expert.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen saw this person, and their tense faces relaxed slightly, both revealing faint smiles as they said in unison, "Senior Brother."
The one who had arrived was none other than Xuanji Sword Saint's eldest disciple, Qingxiao.
"I heard that the Seventh Junior Sister was in trouble, so I rushed over from Zhilin Pass immediately. Seeing you all safe and sound, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
Qingxiao carefully examined Zhang Ruochen, revealing a smile. "On the way, I heard the news that the Sixth Junior Brother actually killed Qi Zhenhuan. When we have the chance, how about we brothers spar a bit?"
"There will definitely be a chance, but right now, there are more important matters to attend to."
With that, Zhang Ruochen told Qingxiao about Shi Ren's situation.
Qingxiao's expression turned serious. "I also have some bad news from the Eastern Domain. The royal clan of Qian Water Commandery has been massacred. The Seventh Junior Sister's parents, the Qian Water Commandery King and Liuli Half-Saint, are missing and suspected to have been captured by Saint realm experts of the Undying Blood Clan."
Qingxiao did not hide this from Huang Yanchen, as she would eventually learn of it anyway.
"How... could this be?"
Upon hearing the news, Huang Yanchen was struck as if by a thunderbolt. Her face turned deathly pale in an instant, and she could barely stand.
Zhang Ruochen quickly supported her waist, pulling her into his embrace, the guilt in his heart deepening even further.
"This is most likely the work of Situ Fengcheng. I've clashed with him more than once and know him somewhat. This man will stop at nothing to deal with his enemies, using every means available. He is a truly terrifying figure," Qingxiao said.
The fury in Zhang Ruochen's eyes seemed ready to erupt. "This battle will be his death."
"Situ Fengcheng daring to bypass the defense line and enter Hongchuan Prefecture is already an act of extreme arrogance. He truly deserves a heavy lesson. However, Situ Fengcheng is a meticulous man. Once, a Heavenly King from the Ministry of War laid out a heaven-and-earth net but still couldn't kill him. To deal with him, I need to go find another helper."
Having said this, Qingxiao's figure moved and vanished on the spot, transmitting a message to Zhang Ruochen that he would definitely arrive at the South Cliff of Xianji Mountain on time.
Qingxiao's appearance made Zhu Qingyi unable to smile any longer. This man was truly someone who could contend with Situ Fengcheng, a figure who made countless Blood Saints tremble in fear.
Zhang Ruochen felt Huang Yanchen's body growing cold, worried that she couldn't handle this blow. He said with concern, "Leave this to me. Go to the Qiankun Realm to rest."
Huang Yanchen shook her head vigorously, a look of hatred and sharpness in her eyes. "I'm not as fragile as you think. This battle must include me."
The group set out, rushing rapidly toward the South Cliff of Xianji Mountain.
The human cultivators watching from a distance saw Canglan Martial Saint and Qingxiao appear one after another, knowing that something major was about to happen. They too followed toward Xianji Mountain.
---
At the South Cliff of Xianji Mountain.
Situ Fengcheng stood atop the towering cliff, his pupils emitting dazzling light as he looked down at the sea of clouds below, a faint smile on his lips. "They're here."
"As expected of Zhang Ruochen. He truly has extraordinary courage, daring to actually come." Yinghuo stood on layers of clouds, her face radiating an incredibly seductive smile.
"Since he dares to come, it means he must be prepared. We need to be cautious."
Situ Fengcheng took a step forward, leaping directly off the ten-thousand-zhang cliff, landing on the ground to begin overall planning and arrangement.
The South Cliff of Xianji Mountain was a relic from the Middle Ages, filled with numerous ancient buildings. The ground was covered in dense white bones, and beneath the surface, some ancient formations were arranged. However, most of those formations were already damaged, their power limited.
Zhang Ruochen, Huang Yanchen, Qing Mo, and Guo Guo stood on the demon ape's shoulder, stepping into this relic, constantly approaching the South Cliff.
The closer they got, the denser the blood mist in the air became.
After a moment, a deep voice came from within the blood mist: "Zhang Ruochen, I didn't expect you would actually come to die."
Through layers of blood mist, Zhang Ruochen saw the massive figure of Miefeng Blood Saint and said in a deep voice, "Who lives and who dies is still uncertain."
Miefeng Blood Saint only let out a laugh and said no more.
The demon ape quickened its pace and finally arrived at the foot of the cliff.
The Undying Blood Clan cultivators, seeing the demon ape's enormous body, all showed expressions of surprise. "It really is a Giant Spirit Demon Ape."
It was well known that Giant Spirit Demon Apes were legendary ferocious beasts from the Primordial Era, capable of battling Divine Dragons.
The Undying Blood Clan gathered at the South Cliff were not many in number—only about four or five hundred—but each one was extremely powerful, capable of standing alone on the battlefield.
After observing the surrounding environment, Zhang Ruochen's gaze locked onto the position halfway up the cliff, where he saw Shi Ren hanging there. Dense bloodshot veins immediately appeared in his eyes.
"Whoosh—"
Zhang Ruochen mobilized his spatial power and charged forward, preparing to cross through space to rescue Shi Ren from the halfway point.
"Stop."
Yinghuo waved her sleeve, sending out twelve radiant Sacred Bones that landed in twelve directions.
The Sacred Bones crashed into the ground like twelve mountains striking the earth, producing a rumbling sound that violently shook the entire area.
Zhang Ruochen had only taken one step into the space when he was bounced back.
The space became extremely stable, so much so that even the Heir of Time and Space could not control it at will.
Yinghuo, looking very much like a seductive fairy, descended from the sky and laughed. "Those are twelve Great Saint Bones, each inscribed with extremely complex inscriptions. Combined, they can stabilize space. How could we deal with the Heir of Time and Space without some preparation?"
Zhang Ruochen clenched his fists, struggling to stay calm. "I didn't expect the Undying Goddess to personally come to Hongchuan Prefecture."
"I missed you!"
Yinghuo's voice was full of seduction, enough to make a man's bones go weak.
Situ Fengcheng walked out, standing on a higher vantage point with his hands behind his back. "Zhang Ruochen, where is Qingyi?"
"If you want to see her, you have to release the person first," Zhang Ruochen said.
"Fine."
Situ Fengcheng was quite straightforward, signaling two Blood Saints to lower Shi Ren from where he was hanging halfway up the cliff.
At the same time, a ball of crimson flame appeared in midair. Canglan Martial Saint stood at the center of the flame, holding Zhu Qingyi in her arms, looking down at Situ Fengcheng below. "I want not only the person but also the sword."
Seeing Canglan Martial Saint appear, Situ Fengcheng was not at all surprised. He smiled and nodded. "As long as you release Qingyi, both the person and the sword will be given to you."
"Clang—"
The sound of a sword ringing rang out, and the next moment, the Blazing Heaven Sword appeared in Situ Fengcheng's hand, its blade burning with scorching flames.
Zhang Ruochen said, "If I'm not mistaken, besides Shi Ren, there are others in your hands as well, aren't there?"
Situ Fengcheng let out a somewhat reproachful laugh. "I was planning to give you a surprise, but it seems you've already learned the news. I wonder who leaked it?"
"So it really was you."
Huang Yanchen could no longer remain calm and was about to rush forward to duel Situ Fengcheng.
Zhang Ruochen stopped her.
There were three captives in total: Huang Yanchen's father, the Qian Water Commandery King; her mother, Liuli Half-Saint; and her younger sister, the Thirteenth Princess.
All three had their legs broken, and each had an iron chain wrapped around their neck. Miefeng Blood Saint held the three chains in one large hand, dragging them out of a stone cave, leaving three long trails of blood on the ground.
The physical pain was secondary. For the Qian Water Commandery King and Liuli Half-Saint, who had long held high positions, the humiliation in their hearts was what made life worse than death.
A Commandery King and his Queen of an entire commandery, with their legs broken and dragged by chains around their necks—what kind of humiliation was this? If they weren't suppressed and unable to commit suicide, they would have ended their own lives long ago.