Chapter 1398: True God Body
Death Zen Ancestor wore a large red kasaya and rode a strange barbaric beast.
The reason that barbaric beast was considered strange was because it had a tiger's head, dog's ears, a lion's body, and dragon claws on all four limbs, like a chimera.
The saints from the temporary camp rushed out one after another, looking like they were facing a great enemy, surrounding Death Zen Ancestor in the center, worried that he might harm Zhang Ruochen.
Throughout the entire Kunlun Realm, those who could withstand a blow from the Empress and still survive could be counted on one hand, and Death Zen Ancestor happened to be one of them. With this achievement alone, Death Zen Ancestor could look down on the world.
Of course, that was five hundred years ago.
Now, no one in the entire Kunlun Realm could withstand even a single move from the Empress.
Mingjiang Wang's eyes held a hint of wariness, but he still blocked the strange barbaric beast and called out loudly, "Death Zen Ancestor, didn't you swear you would never set foot in Kunlun Realm again?"
Death Zen Ancestor wore a smile, with not a trace of evil aura, like a deeply learned old monk. He pressed his palms together and said, "A clone, just a clone."
Mingjiang Wang was somewhat puzzled, because even with his cultivation, he couldn't tell that this was merely a clone.
Moreover, even a single clone gave him a great sense of pressure.
At that moment, Zhang Ruochen, dressed in a golden silk imperial robe, exuding a heroic spirit, walked out of the tent and said, "The Ancestor is a friend invited by this Crown Prince. Everyone, withdraw and continue with your own tasks."
The saints present, including the family heads and organization leaders, all looked at each other in disbelief.
This Crown Prince truly had far-reaching connections. It was understandable that he could recall the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion, but now he had even managed to invite a figure like Death Zen Ancestor. It was truly impressive.
Entering the tent, Death Zen Ancestor praised, "Little benefactor Zhang is actually the son of Ming Emperor and the Crown Prince of the Holy Bright Central Empire. No wonder you looked down on the position of the Death Zen Sect's Buddha Son back then."
Zhang Ruochen didn't want to engage in pleasantries and got straight to the point, "Ancestor should know why this Crown Prince invited you, right?"
Death Zen Ancestor smiled, "Little benefactor Zhang, to repay a debt of promise, you acted in a rage, stirring up the world's winds and clouds, all for a smile from your beloved. This poor monk, to repay a debt of gratitude, naturally must go all out to help."
In the presence of a powerful figure like Death Zen Ancestor, Zhang Ruochen remained calm and composed, without any pressure, saying, "Ancestor only sent a clone here. Can that really be called going all out?"
Death Zen Ancestor said, "This poor monk has refined a divine corpse into a battle corpse and can use Death Zen Buddhist Dharma to drive it. The combat power unleashed by the divine battle corpse is even stronger than this poor monk's true body."
Zhang Ruochen's eyelids twitched, and he couldn't help but admire Death Zen Ancestor.
After all, even a dead god still has immensely powerful divine thoughts lingering in its corpse. How could it willingly be refined into a battle corpse and enslaved?
Yet Death Zen Ancestor had managed to do it.
Since Death Zen Ancestor had brought the divine corpse to Kunlun Realm, Zhang Ruochen could accept it. He then called out Han Qiu and had her explain the plan to deal with the Fire Clan in detail to Death Zen Ancestor.
After listening, Death Zen Ancestor stared deeply at Han Qiu, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and said, "In all the world, there is truly someone who can comprehend the Way of Darkness. Impressive, truly impressive."
Han Qiu just sneered, crossed her arms, and showed no pressure at all.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Ancestor, can you accompany her to the Fire Realm?"
Death Zen Ancestor chuckled, "The Divine First Ghost King and the divine battle corpse are originally the soul and body of the same god, essentially one source. If there's an opportunity this time, this poor monk would very much like to subdue it together and fuse it with the divine battle corpse. Perhaps it could elevate the power of the divine battle corpse to another level."
"In that case, this Crown Prince will wait in the Central Domain for your good news."
Actually, Zhang Ruochen also wanted to go to the Fire Domain and personally meet the one known as the number one under heaven in the same realm, "Qiu Yu." But he simply couldn't get away, having to visit several places every day to bring large numbers of Sacred Bright Remnants into the Qiankun Realm.
After Death Zen Ancestor and Han Qiu left, Zhang Ruochen went to find A Le and told him about joining the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion.
A Le was sitting by the river fishing. According to him, he wasn't fishing for fish but capturing life. It was because he understood how to capture life that every time he fell into death, he could successfully come back to life.
Others passively waited for death, but he was contemplating how to actively seize life.
"Okay."
A Le answered with just one word.
Zhang Ruochen sat down beside him, staring at the rushing river, and said, "The water flows too fast; the fish can't stop. How could they have a chance to take your bait?"
"That means the water is alive," A Le said.
Zhang Ruochen smiled, knowing that the world he saw was different from the one A Le saw, so he didn't press further on this matter.
"You've fought Qiu Yu. How strong is he?" Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious.
"Very strong."
A Le said, "Before crossing the seventh turn, I was no match for him at all, not even a one-in-ten chance of winning. As for now, there should be a fifty-fifty chance of killing him, and a fifty-fifty chance of being killed by him."
Zhang Ruochen knew that A Le was someone who could kill a True Saint peak expert with a single sword, and his strength could probably rival an early-stage Supreme Saint. For Qiu Yu to have a fifty-fifty life-or-death match with him was truly extraordinary.
Zhang Ruochen squinted, "As far as I know, before you crossed the seventh turn, you could still severely wound him."
"First, he was too careless at the time. Second, I paid the price of my life, while he only suffered severe injuries."
A Le continued, "My Death Sword Dao has only one strike. To withstand my one strike and not die only means the opponent's strength far surpasses mine."
"Moreover, I've only just completed the seventh turn now. I need to go through at least ten life-or-death crises to reach the peak of the seventh turn. Each life-or-death crisis greatly enhances my strength. Give me some more time, let me experience one or two more life-or-death crises. If I'm still alive, I'll definitely kill him for you."
Zhang Ruochen patted A Le on the shoulder and laughed, "Since Qiu Yu is the Parasol Tree Divine Tree, he has a True God Body, a veritable young god. He's a very good opponent. If you kill him, where would I find another opponent?"
With that, Zhang Ruochen stood up and walked back.
A Le's voice came from behind, "Killing a tree is different from killing a person. There are many ways to kill a person, but to kill a tree, you have to cut through the trunk and destroy the roots."
"I heard you!"
Zhang Ruochen didn't stop, already disappearing over the horizon.
It had to be said, Qiu Yu was indeed a formidable opponent. In the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, only he, Qi Sheng, and the Heavenly Fate Corpse Emperor could contend with Zhang Ruochen.
Being called the number one under heaven in the same realm wasn't without reason.
What Zhang Ruochen needed most now was to improve his cultivation. Fortunately, for him, this was also the simplest thing.
With Zhang Ruochen's current understanding of the Sacred Dao, far surpassing the initial stage of the Thorough Earth Realm, he only needed to refine sacred medicine or sacred pills to advance quickly.
Capturing Lingxiao Heavenly King's Mansion had yielded quite a few sacred pills and sacred medicines.
Zhang Ruochen sent out a spiritual thought. Moments later, Qin Yutong personally delivered a sacred pill for cultivation enhancement and placed it on Zhang Ruochen's desk.
Zhang Ruochen picked up the sacred pill, identified it, and said, "It's actually a Chongling Pill. Lingxiao Heavenly King's Mansion had such a treasure."
The Chongling Pill, reaching the level of a mid-grade sacred pill, was very helpful for enhancing the cultivation of True Saints and Supreme Saints.
Even a low-grade sacred pill was rare and hard to come by.
For a force like Lingxiao Heavenly King's Mansion to find only one mid-grade sacred pill for cultivation enhancement showed just how precious the Chongling Pill was.
In the following time, Zhang Ruochen cultivated while traveling to various prefectures to guide the Sacred Bright Remnants, working day and night without a moment's rest.
...
Southern Domain, Fire Realm.
A few days ago, Qiu Yu had already received news that Zhang Ruochen had led an army to destroy Lingxiao Heavenly King's Mansion. However, he remained very calm, not disrupting his daily routine, and devoted himself fully to cultivation day and night.
Because he also understood the principle of "if you don't advance, you fall back."
The Nine Realm Sons, Zhang Ruochen, the Heavenly Fate Corpse Emperor, and the top-tier ancient descendants in the wilderness were all beings capable of dominating an era.
A slight slack could lead to being surpassed.
An elder of the Fire Clan walked in, appearing below Qiu Yu, and said, "There is confirmed news that Zhang Ruochen does indeed possess a world, and the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree has taken root there, sprouting a sapling."
Qiu Yu temporarily stopped cultivating, a smile appearing on his handsome face, and said, "Excellent! Have you found out where that world is?"
The Fire Clan elder shook his head, "We have already mobilized the Douzhan Heavenly King to use the Ministry of War's power to investigate various ruins realms, but no news has come back yet."
"No matter. On the seventh day of next month, Zhang Ruochen will definitely show up. When that time comes, as long as we capture him, why worry about not finding the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree?" Qiu Yu said lightly.
The Fire Clan elder said, "Zhang Ruochen was able to destroy Lingxiao Heavenly King's Mansion, meaning the forces he controls are quite vast. Capturing him will likely cost the Fire Clan a great price."
Qiu Yu gently touched his nose, smiled faintly, and said, "Why do we have to act ourselves? Spread the news: using the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree as nourishment can double my growth rate, allowing me to become the World Spirit of Kunlun Realm sooner."
"Whoever helps us capture Zhang Ruochen and seize the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree will be a permanent friend of me and the Fire Clan. When I become the World Spirit, they can bring their clans to cultivate closest to the Parasol Tree Divine Tree and receive my protection."
The Fire Clan elder laughed, "Once this news spreads, by the seventh day of next month, many forces will be scrambling to deal with Zhang Ruochen. Heh heh."
"Of course, that's natural..."
"Boom."
Suddenly, the entire world shook violently, causing the Fire Clan elder and Qiu Yu to nearly fall to the ground.
"What happened?"
Qiu Yu's face darkened as he looked up into the sky. Dense ghostly aura covered the heavens, making the scorching Fire Realm feel eerily cold.