# Chapter 1410: The Empress Returns
"Offering sacrifice to heaven and earth."
The cultivators of the Sacred Bright Remnants stood in various positions, simultaneously letting out a great roar. Ear-splitting voices resounded throughout the entire Sacred Wood Peak.
Immediately afterward, they all struck out simultaneously, sending streams of Saint Qi into the Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron.
The Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron emitted a dazzling golden light.
If one looked from ten thousand miles away, Mount Wuding had completely turned golden, with a powerful wave of energy continuously radiating outward.
In an instant, Qiu Yu was refined by the Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron back into his original form, becoming an enormous flaming divine tree. Within the flaming divine tree, a faint divine power surged forth, yet even so, it could not escape from the Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron.
From within the flaming divine tree, Qiu Yu's voice of compromise emerged: "Zhang Ruochen... spare my life, and from now on I will follow your commands."
Hearing this, those Saint realm experts who had previously been on good terms with Qiu Yu felt nothing but contempt in their hearts.
One must understand that even an ordinary Saint valued their reputation and integrity more than life itself.
Qiu Yu, as the Parasol Tree Divine Tree and the future World Spirit Root of the Kunlun Realm, was actually begging for mercy from his enemy. This was truly unacceptable to many cultivators.
The World Spirit Root was not merely a medium connecting the World Spirit and the rules of heaven and earth; it also represented the spiritual will of an entire world.
To let Qiu Yu represent the spiritual will of the Kunlun Realm was unacceptable to the vast majority of cultivators present.
"I don't need you to do anything for me."
Zhang Ruochen stood beneath the Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron, speaking coldly. Then, he raised his head and slowly lifted both hands, preparing to open the world gate of the Qiankun Realm, allowing the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree to absorb the power of the Parasol Tree Divine Tree.
But just as Zhang Ruochen looked up at the sky, he saw thirty-three extremely bright stars appearing in the heavens.
Those were... Chi Yao's Star Soul Divine Throne.
On the ground, other cultivators also noticed the Star Soul Divine Throne flickering in the sky, and their hearts trembled.
"The Empress... the Empress is about to return to the Kunlun Realm..."
A Saint Ancestor of the Fire Clan was overjoyed, letting out an excited long cry. Then, he respectfully knelt on the ground, kowtowing to the Star Soul Divine Throne, saying: "Paying homage to the Empress, paying homage to the True God."
Even the Saint Ancestor knelt, so naturally all the other cultivators of the Fire Clan knelt and kowtowed as well.
The next moment, a vast and boundless divine might surged forth from the thirty-three stars, transforming into strands of starlight that descended to the ground, enveloping the entire region where Mount Wuding was located.
"Paying homage to the Empress!"
"Paying homage to the True God!"
At the top of Sacred Wood Peak, all cultivators showed expressions of fear and trepidation, kneeling on the ground. No cultivator could resist the will of a god.
At the foot of the mountain, Shi Qianjue, Huo Zun, Death Zen Ancestor, Vice Hall Master, Murong Yefeng, and Jin Ni, who had been fighting, all stopped. Under the awe-inspiring intimidation of the divine might, even they knelt on the ground.
In truth, with the cultivation and spiritual will of a Great Saint, as long as they were not specifically targeted by a god, they could resist divine might and at least remain standing without kneeling.
However, the several Great Saints present could sense that the Star Soul Divine Throne in the sky not only emitted divine might but also carried the anger of a god.
No one would be foolish enough to deliberately provoke a god.
Moreover, kneeling and paying respects to a god was not a shameful matter.
"Whoosh."
A seven-colored divine light flew out from the starry sky where the thirty-three stars were located, descended to the sky above Sacred Wood Peak, and condensed into the figure of Empress Chi Yao.
Empress Chi Yao stood atop a seven-colored divine cloud, wearing a divine garment, her jet-black long hair tied atop her head. She had eyes more beautiful than stars, and her entire body exuded an aura of majesty and sanctity.
In this entire expanse of heaven and earth, only one person did not kneel—Zhang Ruochen.
"Chi Yao..."
Zhang Ruochen's eyes were bloodshot. Standing at the top of Sacred Wood Peak, he supported his body with his sword, using his powerful will to resist the divine might.
Unfortunately, his cultivation and spiritual power were still too weak compared to a god. He could not contend with Chi Yao at all. His legs trembled and bent continuously, as if he would soon kneel to the ground.
Empress Chi Yao's eyes revealed a cold, sharp expression, locking onto Zhang Ruochen: "You actually dared to annihilate the Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor. You truly have audacity."
With each divine sound that emerged, the divine might Zhang Ruochen endured grew stronger by one degree.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen let out a great roar, a resolute expression appearing in his eyes. He swung his sword, and with a "puchi" sound, severed his own legs.
"Bang."
Zhang Ruochen's body, lacking the support of his legs, heavily fell to the ground.
Among the cultivators present, some secretly admired him, while others laughed at Zhang Ruochen for being a fool.
Had they not seen that even Great Saints knelt at the Empress's feet? Kneeling to a god was not a shameful matter. Why was it necessary to sever one's own legs?
Within the Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron, Qiu Yu was ecstatic, letting out laughter: "Zhang Ruochen, this young master told you long ago that opposing the entire Kunlun Realm is seeking your own death. Now that the Empress has returned, you and those reckless Sacred Bright rebels will all die. Haha..."
Qiu Yu was laughing heartily, but halfway through his laughter, he could no longer laugh.
Because he saw that beside Zhang Ruochen, there was another person still standing, having actually resisted the Empress's divine might.
To be precise, it was not a person, but a beautiful female Ghost King.
On that Ghost King's brow was a blood moon mark. She extended a snow-white finger and gently pointed at Zhang Ruochen's legs.
In an instant, Zhang Ruochen's severed legs reconnected.
Zhang Ruochen could no longer feel the suppression of divine might. He stood up again. Clearly, the Blood Moon Ghost King had blocked Chi Yao's divine might, allowing him to remain standing.
"To be so composed before a god, and even able to protect Zhang Ruochen. Just what kind of existence is this?"
"No wonder Zhang Ruochen dared to annihilate the Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor and attack Mount Wuding. He had a powerful backer."
"Could it be another god?"
...
The Imperial Court, Sacred Bright Remnants, Demon Sect, Fire Clan... all the cultivators present showed expressions of disbelief. Their gazes fixed on the Blood Moon Ghost King, all guessing at her identity.
The Blood Moon Ghost King and Empress Chi Yao locked eyes. Two streams of divine might interwove in the space between them. Zhang Ruochen could clearly see that space developing cracks, as if it would shatter into fragments.
After the initial probing, they did not launch further attacks. Instead, they simultaneously withdrew their divine might.
The Blood Moon Ghost King said: "I thought you would die in the Heavenly Court Realm. I didn't expect you to return to the Kunlun Realm so quickly. It seems the sacred path between the Kunlun Realm and the Heavenly Court Realm has already been opened."
Empress Chi Yao stepped on seven-colored divine clouds, with thirty-three stars above her head, and asked: "Why are you protecting Zhang Ruochen?"
The Blood Moon Ghost King's voice was cold and clear: "I protect him naturally because I see potential in him. How about letting him go to me?"
"Impossible." Empress Chi Yao said.
The Blood Moon Ghost King said: "What if I insist on sparing his life?"
Empress Chi Yao said: "This is the Kunlun Realm. My Star Soul Divine Throne is in the sky above, able to provide me with an endless stream of divine power. Are you certain you want to start a divine war with me over a Saint?"
The Blood Moon Ghost King was fearless, saying: "If a divine war begins, I can assure you that all living beings within a million miles will die. There are quite a few Saints and Great Saints gathered here, aren't there? If they all fall, how will you still compete for a place in the Heavenly Court Realm? You have already been to the Heavenly Court Realm. You should understand that our power is not important there. What matters is their strength."
The Blood Moon Ghost King and Empress Chi Yao each had their own concerns. In the end, they did not erupt into divine war. They could only choose to compromise, agreeing to each other's conditions and signing a divine contract.
Of course, the conversation between the two gods could only be heard by themselves from beginning to end. Outsiders had no idea what they discussed.
After signing the divine contract, the Blood Moon Ghost King said to Zhang Ruochen: "Bring the two old men who refine pills and brew wine, and come with me. We're going to the Heavenly Court Realm now."
Zhang Ruochen frowned, saying: "No. I must first bring all the Sacred Bright Remnants into the Qiankun Realm before I can leave with you."
"That's impossible. The divine contract I signed with your Empress can only protect your life alone." The Blood Moon Ghost King said.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was extremely firm, saying: "If I leave them in the Kunlun Realm, how could Chi Yao let them go? If I don't bring them into the Qiankun Realm, I won't go with you."
The Blood Moon Ghost King showed displeasure, saying sharply: "Zhang Ruochen, you must understand one principle. Before a god, mortals have no right to speak. They can only obey. Unless you want to die here."
"So what if I die? So what if I live?" Zhang Ruochen appeared very calm.
"Choosing death is undoubtedly cowardice. Choosing to live, at least you can still fight."
The Blood Moon Ghost King walked with unhurried steps to Mingjiang Wang's side, speaking as she did so. Then, a jade hand formed into a blade and swung toward Mingjiang Wang's neck.
"You... what are you doing? Are you forcing me?"
Zhang Ruochen roared in anger, his five fingers tightening as he grabbed the Abyssal Ancient Sword and charged toward the Blood Moon Ghost King.
But he had only taken one step before his entire body became immobile. He could not stop the Blood Moon Ghost King at all. He could only watch helplessly as the Blood Moon Ghost King removed Mingjiang Wang's head.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen fully experienced what helplessness meant. Never had he longed for powerful strength, the power to contend with gods, as he did at this moment.
The Blood Moon Ghost King appeared very cold. She then walked toward Mu Lingxi, her hand once again forming into a blade.
"Roar——"
Zhang Ruochen let out a long cry from his mouth, his entire body trembling, trying to break free from the Blood Moon Ghost King's suppression, but he simply could not do it.
The Blood Moon Ghost King's hand did not swing down. It only rested against Mu Lingxi's neck as she said calmly: "Firmly remember the helplessness in your heart at this moment. Having the heart and courage to defy gods is far from enough. You must also have the power to defy gods."
"Before the great tide, all living beings are chess pieces. If you want to survive, if you want to protect your family, friends, and loved ones, you must make yourself stronger and become the most useful chess piece. Right now, to me, you are a fairly decent chess piece. Therefore, you have the qualification to speak with me and can receive my protection."
The Blood Moon Ghost King walked back to Mingjiang Wang's side and reattached his head.
Immediately, Mingjiang Wang became a complete body again, his eyes showing a terrified expression as he said: "Paying homage to the True God."
The Blood Moon Ghost King could not be bothered to look at Mingjiang Wang. She continued speaking to Zhang Ruochen: "Very unwilling, aren't you? There's no helping it. Reality is this cruel. If you don't want to be someone else's chess piece, you must continuously grow stronger. When you become strong enough to a certain extent, you may be able to jump out of the chessboard and become the player. Now, do you choose death or life? Do you choose to be a coward, or do you choose to fight?"
Zhang Ruochen stared coldly at the Blood Moon Ghost King, not saying a word.
The Blood Moon Ghost King added: "Rest assured, Empress Chi Yao cannot kill those cultivators of the Sacred Bright Central Empire. Because she must gather all the power of those above Half-Saint in the entire Kunlun Realm to do one thing. It is also for this reason that she absolutely cannot allow you to bring the Sacred Bright cultivators into the Qiankun Realm. That is her bottom line."
"What does she want to do?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Blood Moon Ghost King did not hide it, saying frankly: "The same thing I want you to do."
Zhang Ruochen understood. It seemed the matter the Moon God wanted him to do was more important than he had imagined. Since that was the case, he still had room for greater negotiation.
Even if before a god, all living beings were merely chess pieces, Zhang Ruochen still had to ensure the safety of those cultivators from the Sacred Bright Central Empire. This was a responsibility.