# Chapter 1362: Reflecting Heaven and Earth
(The chapter cannot be split; both chapters must be updated together. This chapter is six thousand words.)
In the Qiankun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen walked along the bank of a great river, following the watercourse downstream. In the distance, the outline of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree stood against the horizon, presenting a scene both mystical and magnificent.
"This is the story between Chi Yao and me. At that time, she was only fifteen or sixteen, in the most innocent and carefree period of her life. Who could have imagined she would become so ruthless?"
Zhang Ruochen recounted all those past events with Chi Yao, pouring out his heart to Huang Yanchen.
Huang Yanchen understood very well that Zhang Ruochen's willingness to share these matters meant he had already regarded her as his closest person, opening the final psychological defenses and completely revealing himself before her.
Only by truly loving someone, trusting someone, and completely regarding them as the other half of one's life could one reach this point.
"So, the person you love most has always been Chi Yao. Yet she killed you, so the person you hate most is also her? Perhaps you also have a deeper confusion—since you were the two who loved each other most, why did she suddenly kill you?" Huang Yanchen said.
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "I shouldn't have told you these things."
Huang Yanchen shook her head. "You should have told me earlier. Otherwise, how would I have known such deep pain was buried in your heart? People are not made of grass or wood; everyone's heart has its most vulnerable place. Although I know I am far inferior to Empress Chi Yao, I am willing to do my utmost to fill that vulnerable place in your heart. Even if you only see me as Chi Yao's shadow."
Zhang Ruochen stopped walking, took Huang Yanchen's hand, and gazed at the mist and clouds on the water's surface. "In the past, I did see Chi Yao's shadow in you. But we have experienced so much together and become true husband and wife. Now, in my eyes, you are Huang Yanchen, you are my wife. You are no one's shadow, and no one can replace you."
A sweet smile appeared in Huang Yanchen's eyes. "In that case, stop thinking about those unhappy things. Practice swordsmanship with me."
"Whoosh—"
From Huang Yanchen's brow, drops of silver liquid flew out, coalescing into the Hunyuan Sword.
Then, like a beautiful butterfly, she flew to the center of the great river, standing on the water's surface. She swung her long sword, and instantly nine identical figures appeared.
"Yin Yi Nine Swords."
Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly, took out the Abyssal Ancient Sword, and also flew to the river surface. His body split into nine, executing the Yang Yi Nine Swords.
A total of eighteen figures stood in different positions, arranged in a circle. Their sword intents intertwined in pairs, like the union of yin and yang, the harmony of heaven and man.
The sword formation they practiced was the most powerful two-person sword formation of the Kunlun Realm—the Yin-Yang Two Instruments Sword Formation.
Many people practiced the Yin-Yang Two Instruments Sword Formation, but very few could unleash its true power.
This was because only when the two people practicing the sword formation had deep feelings for each other and profound sword dao attainments would the formation's power be greater. It could even mobilize the rules of heaven and earth as its own strength, unleashing combat power far beyond their own cultivation levels.
Only by being extreme in emotion could one be extreme in the sword.
"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a thousand miles has been mobilized and integrated into the sword formation. The Yin-Yang Two Instruments Sword Formation they are executing can actually unleash such tremendous power."
Ling Feiyu stood beneath the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, gazing at the distant river surface, watching Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen practicing their sword techniques. A look of envy flashed in her eyes.
No one knew how long they practiced before Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen finally stopped.
Zhang Ruochen noticed Ling Feiyu standing beneath the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree. His heart stirred, and he brought Huang Yanchen over.
Ling Feiyu had already withdrawn her gaze. With her hands behind her back, she stared at the Sun-Moon Crystal Coffin floating in midair. "In the Qiankun Realm, I can actually see an ancient sacred artifact of my sect."
Zhang Ruochen walked over. "I was just about to ask you—who is buried in the Sun-Moon Crystal Coffin?"
Ling Feiyu gently shook her head. "Too long ago. Who knows? Perhaps only by returning to consult the relevant records from the Middle Ages can we find clues. But one thing is certain—the woman inside the coffin must have a remarkably astonishing identity. She might even be a certain sect leader from the history of the Divine Sect, or perhaps even…"
At this point, Ling Feiyu paused slightly.
Zhang Ruochen's expression shifted. "Perhaps what?"
"The Moon God."
When she spoke these two words, Ling Feiyu's eyes held a sense of reverence and worship. She continued, "The Moon-Worshipping Cult is called the Moon-Worshipping Cult because our sect venerates the Moon God. The Moon God is eternal and undying, incomparably beautiful. The Moon-Worshipping Cult was not founded by the Moon God, but the records state that our sect's founding patriarch received guidance from the Moon God before cultivating to become a god."
Zhang Ruochen found it difficult to remain calm. Recalling the terrifying power of the Sun-Moon Crystal Coffin, could the woman inside really be the legendary Moon God?
Ling Feiyu smiled again. "You don't really think she's the Moon God, do you? To tell you the truth, the possibility is extremely slim."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Why?"
Ling Feiyu said, "The Moon God does not belong to our world. She is not a god of the Kunlun Realm but lives on the moon."
"Legend has it that the bright moon visible from the Kunlun Realm is a world as vast as the Kunlun Realm itself, called the Guanghan Realm. However, that world is incredibly far from the Kunlun Realm, located deep in the universe. Even a saint could not reach it in a lifetime, which is why it appears only as large as a plate."
"Therefore, the Moon God is a god of the Guanghan Realm. Even if she once traveled the universe and came to the Kunlun Realm, she would have left long ago."
What Ling Feiyu spoke of were some mythological secrets of the Moon-Worshipping Cult, unknown to the outside world.
Of course, since they were mythological secrets, their authenticity could not be verified. The Moon God and the Guanghan Realm might both be fabrications of the ancients.
"Since she is continuously absorbing the life force of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, it means she hasn't truly died. Perhaps one day she will awaken. Then you'll know her identity," Ling Feiyu said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I hope that day really comes."
Ling Feiyu stared at Huang Yanchen, who stood beside Zhang Ruochen, and fell silent. After a long while, she said, "Send me out. I should leave."
Zhang Ruochen said, "The imperial court has sealed off the entire city and activated the Guizhen Mirror, searching everywhere for us. Stay in the Qiankun Realm for now. It won't be too late to leave once the situation dies down."
"The Central Imperial City is the most densely populated city for human cultivators. Tens of millions of cultivators enter and leave the city every day. How long can the imperial court maintain the blockade? By tomorrow morning, the blockade will definitely be lifted," Ling Feiyu said.
Zhang Ruochen understood very well why Ling Feiyu was in such a hurry to leave, so he didn't try to persuade her further.
What they had experienced together in the "Seven Lives Seven Deaths Diagram" was merely a fateful encounter.
But there were too many people in the world who had fate but no destiny. Their pair was not lacking among them. Perhaps starting from emotion and stopping at propriety was the best outcome.
Zhang Ruochen tightened his grip on Huang Yanchen's hand, having decided not to merge the memories of his seventh life anymore, letting them be forever sealed in his mind, never to be touched again.
The next day, the blockade of the Central Imperial City was indeed lifted. Zhang Ruochen sent Ling Feiyu out of the Qiankun Realm and watched her leave.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Huang Yanchen. "Let's leave the Central Imperial City too."
"Tonight is New Year's Eve. Do you want to stay until after the New Year?" Huang Yanchen asked.
New Year's Eve was a day for reunion, the end of the year.
Zhang Ruochen thought of his mother. On this special day, it really wasn't suitable to be running around. He should properly accompany his family and have a New Year's Eve dinner.
"That's a good idea. Tonight, let Qing Mo prepare a big feast for us. We'll bring Mother, the Commandery Prince, and the Princess Consort out too. Our whole family should have a proper New Year celebration," Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhang Ruochen couldn't enter the Qiankun Realm in person, so he could only bring everyone out to the Yao Chi.
Lin Fei, Qian Shui Commandery Prince, Liu Li Half-Saint, the Thirteenth Princess, Kong Xuan, Qing Mo, Guo Guo, the Demon Ape, Princess Bai Li, and Shi Ren—Zhang Ruochen brought them all out.
In Zhang Ruochen's eyes, they were all his family. Being able to gather together for the New Year was an extremely happy and fulfilling thing.
Qing Mo began busily preparing ingredients. Guo Guo and the Demon Ape cleared the weeds from the Yao Chi, while the others decorated and arranged this abandoned estate.
By the time night fell, the Yao Chi was no longer in its dilapidated state. It was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, filled with festive joy.
Of course, with the formations arranged by the two Great Emperors, the outside world couldn't see the earth-shattering changes happening inside.
The New Year's Eve dinner Qing Mo prepared naturally did not disappoint. It was so delicious one could swallow one's tongue. Guo Guo and the Demon Ape ate the most, as if someone were competing with them. They even bit through several plates.
They completely ruined the festive atmosphere, causing everyone headaches. In the end, Princess Bai Li stepped in and gave them a thorough beating, after which the two beasts obediently sat in their seats, no longer daring to fight over food.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, Zhang Ruochen sent everyone back to the Qiankun Realm. Only he and Huang Yanchen remained in the estate.
The two sat on the roof of a hall, gazing at the lights of the Central Imperial City, leaning against each other, feeling each other's warmth. Time seemed to stand still.
Zhang Ruochen held Huang Yanchen's delicate body and said softly, "It's been a long time since I've been this happy. What is the purpose of hard cultivation? It's not to become a god. Actually, being able to stay together with one's family and loved ones forever is enough."
"Wanting to live such a life is even harder than becoming a god. The Undying Blood Clan, the Underworld, and the Death Clan could trigger a great upheaval in the Kunlun Realm at any time, causing our family to be destroyed," Huang Yanchen said.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "As long as I'm here, I won't let you suffer any harm. I will redouble my efforts in cultivation, making myself stronger. You only need to be my wife, carefree and happy."
Hearing this, a hint of a smile curved on Huang Yanchen's red lips, showing an extremely happy expression. She took the initiative to kiss Zhang Ruochen.
After a while, Zhang Ruochen carried Huang Yanchen, flew down from the roof, entered a room in the estate, and placed Huang Yanchen on the bed. The two entwined together.
Outside the window, snow began to fall again.
Inside the room, however, it was boundless spring, accompanied by the panting sounds of a man and a woman, weaving together into a moving melody.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
Resounding bell chimes rang out in the imperial city.
The new year had arrived!
Zhang Ruochen gradually woke up. His head ached terribly. It took great effort for him to get out of bed. His mind was a blur.
Only he remained in the room. Huang Yanchen was nowhere to be seen.
"What exactly happened?"
Zhang Ruochen rubbed his temples, trying to recall. "Last night, New Year's Eve, everyone ate the New Year's Eve dinner together, and then Yan Chen and I…"
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen remembered everything. His eyes shook. He quickly stared at the bed. On the snow-white bedsheet were drops of blood.
That was a woman's maiden blood.
"Impossible."
Zhang Ruochen gritted his teeth, tightly clenching his fingers. He closed his eyes again, took a deep breath, and then roared, "Who exactly are you?"
"Boom."
The power of the sound wave shattered the entire room into dust.
The entire estate was silent, with no one responding to him.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen had long been husband and wife in truth. How could there be maiden blood again?
This could only mean that this Huang Yanchen was not the same Huang Yanchen from before.
Yet Zhang Ruochen could be certain that she was definitely Huang Yanchen.
A person's form could change, but their sacred soul could not. He had clearly sensed Huang Yanchen's sacred soul aura from her. How could she not be Huang Yanchen?
What was going on?
Zhang Ruochen hated deception and betrayal the most. Dense blood vessels appeared in his eyes. His heart held both hatred and anger.
"She actually left the Yao Chi. The Yao Chi has formations arranged by two Great Emperors. How could she get out?"
Zhang Ruochen searched the entire Yao Chi but found no trace of the fake Huang Yanchen.
Zhang Ruochen thought of Qing Mo. She had appeared together with the fake Huang Yanchen. She must know the fake Huang Yanchen's true identity. But when Zhang Ruochen immersed his spiritual power into the Qiankun Realm, he discovered that Qing Mo was not inside.
Besides her, Qian Shui Commandery Prince, Liu Li Half-Saint, and the Thirteenth Princess had also disappeared without a trace.
Clearly, after Zhang Ruochen had fallen unconscious, something must have happened. Someone had taken them from the Qiankun Realm.
"Was everything an illusion? A dream?"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze became dull. Standing in the estate, he seemed to have lost his soul. This world seemed to have only him left.
The sky had not yet brightened.
Snow continued to fall, landing on his hair, eyebrows, shoulders, and feet, as if trying to engulf him.
Above his head, a seven-colored divine cloud appeared in the sky, with brilliant divine light raining down. As the divine cloud grew wider, it covered the entire Central Imperial City, the entire First Central Empire, and the entire Kunlun Realm.
That was true divine light, shining on the ground, enveloping heaven and earth.
"Boom."
Throughout the entire Kunlun Realm, on the altars of all temples, a new divine statue emerged from underground. The statue emitted seven-colored divine light.
At the center of the Central Imperial City, a divine statue also rose, incomparably huge, three thousand zhang tall, like a towering pagoda reaching into the clouds, exuding a powerful aura.
At this moment, all living beings in the Kunlun Realm were shocked. Among them, those who had reached the Saint Realm all recited in unison: "A new god is born, reflecting heaven and earth. A divine statue appears, all beings pay homage."
Such astonishing heavenly phenomena were only recorded in ancient texts, occurring only when a god was born.
After the Middle Ages passed, for a hundred thousand years, had the Kunlun Realm finally given birth to a god?
Including saints, all living beings under heaven knelt on the ground, devoutly worshipping the divine statue.
"That's… Her Majesty the Empress. She has finally crossed the final step."
In the Lianzhu Mansion, Grand Chancellor Wang Shiji stared at the enormous divine statue standing at the center of the imperial city. Trembling with excitement, he knelt and bowed to the statue.
Facing a god, let alone him, even a Great Emperor had to kneel.
"The Empress has become a god. The Empress has returned!"
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the Central Imperial City grew increasingly dense, soon surpassing what it had been before. Gradually, the spiritual energy transformed into sacred energy of heaven and earth. At the center of the imperial city, wisps of seven-colored divine energy surged forth.
All cultivators bathed in the divine light experienced rapid advancement in their cultivation. Many broke through realms on the spot. Overjoyed, they rushed outside the Ziwei Palace and knelt in neat rows.
With the birth of a god, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth throughout the Kunlun Realm became abundant. Many barren places sprouted spiritual medicines and sacred medicines, giving birth to auspicious signs.
All cultivators knew that a new era had arrived.
In the Yao Chi, Zhang Ruochen was naturally also bathed in the divine light. The Xuanhuang Qi within his body rapidly transformed, and his cultivation surged, about to break through to the Xuanhuang Realm.
But he couldn't be happy at all. His entire body trembled, and the cold light in his eyes grew increasingly intense. "So that's how it is, so that's how it is… Chi Yao, it really is you. I should have known it was you all along."
The fake Huang Yanchen must have been Chi Yao. Perhaps Chi Yao approached him to mend the flaw in her heart, to pass the final tribulation of becoming a god—the love tribulation.
And Zhang Ruochen was merely a stepping stone on her path to godhood, a tool to help her make up for the defect in her heart.
"Boom!"
Zhang Ruochen's eyes turned completely blood-red. A powerful surge of sacred energy erupted from his body, rushing out of the Yao Chi. With disheveled hair, he walked step by step toward the Ziwei Palace at the center of the imperial city.
The streets were filled with kneeling figures. Only Zhang Ruochen walked, standing out conspicuously.
"Who is this person? He doesn't kneel to the god and even holds a blade. This is disrespect to Her Majesty."
A cultivator at the Half-Saint realm shouted, "How dare you! Kneel immediately and pay homage to the true god!"
"Pfft."
Zhang Ruochen swung his sword, cutting off the man's head, then continued forward.
"Stop him. This person is a demon."
"On the day Her Majesty becomes a god, he still dares to kill."
…
More people attacked Zhang Ruochen, but all were slain by him. None survived.
By the time Zhang Ruochen reached outside the Ziwei Palace, his entire body was stained with blood. Behind him stretched an eight-hundred-mile bloody path. Countless cultivators had been killed. Even four saints had been slain.
The cultivators showed fear and no longer dared to block him.
"Is this person a murderous madman?"
"He's crazy! Her Majesty becoming a god means the Kunlun Realm will welcome a new era. Yet he dares to kill so many people. He's simply seeking death."
"Look, doesn't he look a bit like the Heir of Time and Space, Zhang Ruochen?"
"I've seen Zhang Ruochen's portrait. It really looks like him. Could it actually be him?"
…
Those human cultivators knelt on the ground, not daring to speak loudly, but they communicated using sound waves.
Zhang Ruochen's appearance shocked everyone.
Zhang Ruochen carried the blood-dripping Abyssal Ancient Sword, standing beneath the towering city wall. He roared, "Chi Yao, get out here!"
The sound waves shook, spreading throughout the imperial city.
Within the Ziwei Palace, many important figures were angered, feeling Zhang Ruochen was too presumptuous. They wanted to strike and kill him. However, they suddenly woke up, realizing something was wrong.
The Empress couldn't possibly be unaware that Zhang Ruochen was slaughtering people in the imperial city. Yet she hadn't stopped him. Why?
Those important figures in the court were all shrewd. They all calmed down, realizing this matter was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Just then, the palace gates opened.
A beautiful figure in red robes appeared, walking at the very center of the palace gate, step by step, until she stood opposite Zhang Ruochen.
It was Huang Yanchen.
Seeing Huang Yanchen's form, Zhang Ruochen's eyes grew even redder. His killing intent surged. At his fastest speed, he thrust his sword toward her brow.
Kill, kill, kill.
Huang Yanchen held the Hunyuan Sword, blocking horizontally.
"Bang."
She slid backward dozens of zhang, leaving a long trail in the snow.
The killing intent on Zhang Ruochen's body dissipated somewhat. A confused expression appeared in his eyes. "You're not her. You're Yan Chen?"
"Mm."
Huang Yanchen spoke softly, her expression very indifferent. She added, "Master told me to tell you that today, she doesn't want to kill you. She wants you to leave on your own. If you behave yourself in the future, she can spare your life."
"Spare my life… Now that she has become a god, does she think I'm just an ant, no matter how much I cultivate, I can never threaten her?"
Zhang Ruochen stared into Huang Yanchen's eyes, his heart filled with hatred and anger—not only hatred for Chi Yao but also resentment toward Huang Yanchen's attitude. Because she called Chi Yao "Master," it meant she had already sided with Chi Yao.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, his heart convulsing. Still, he asked, "Will you come with me?"
Huang Yanchen shook her head.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Why? Did Chi Yao threaten you with your parents? Don't be afraid of her. I'll die with you if I have to."
"Master has already become a god. How could she threaten a mortal? I… I willingly stay by her side." Huang Yanchen dared not look into Zhang Ruochen's eyes but still spoke these words, her expression still very cold.
Blood tears flowed from Zhang Ruochen's eyes. He asked one final question. "The person who went with me to the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm to train, who experienced the dangers of the Yin-Yang Sea together, who faced life-and-death trials at the Xianji Mountain together—was that you or Chi Yao?"
"It was me, and also her."
Pausing, Huang Yanchen added, "I lent her my sacred soul. Do you understand now?"
Zhang Ruochen felt as if all his strength had left him, even his life. Yet he still refused to give up. He roared coldly, "Did she force you?"
Huang Yanchen's gaze was somewhat dull. In the end, she shook her head.
"You conspired with her to deceive me. Why? Why? You should have known she is my greatest enemy… Pfft…"
Zhang Ruochen's heart ached as if it would split. His throat was bitter, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the snow on the ground red.
If Chi Yao's body hadn't contained Huang Yanchen's sacred soul, how could Zhang Ruochen have failed to see through her? Originally, Zhang Ruochen had been suppressing his emotions, not wanting and not daring to love anyone again.
Huang Yanchen had pried open his heart bit by bit. Zhang Ruochen thought he had found true love, willing to give everything for her. Yet he never expected to be deceived again, to suffer betrayal again, to be used as a tool for someone to break through to the divine realm.
Huang Yanchen's sacred soul was inside Chi Yao's body, meaning she had experienced countless life-and-death trials with Zhang Ruochen. She must have known about Zhang Ruochen's feelings for her.
Yet in the end, she still chose Chi Yao.
Zhang Ruochen was willing to die with her, but she… was not willing.
Fake. Everything was fake.