Chapter 1683: Space-Splitting Inscription Patterns
Gu Feng believed that beneath the Great Saint realm, aside from the Space Controller, Young Master Gongzi Yan, no one's mastery of space could compare to his. Naturally, he refused to believe Zhang Ruochen possessed such extraordinary means. He said coldly, "Opening a path through the space barrier is utterly impossible. Only an elder of the Space Divine Temple could possibly achieve it."
Li Qinghai, Mo Xiaogu, and the others also found it hard to believe, but they dared not jump to conclusions. After all, Lin Yue's space mastery was indeed far superior to theirs.
Wu Shen Tianzi strode over with a dragon's gait and a tiger's step, saying, "Brother Lin, don't bother with Gu Feng. Focus all your efforts on opening the path. If you need anything, just ask."
"Opening a path through the space barrier is extremely dangerous. If an accident occurs, I hope someone can pull me back from the brink," Zhang Ruochen said cautiously.
Wu Shen Tianzi was about to speak...
Tianchu Xianzi's clear, beautiful voice drifted out first: "Luo Ji can lend you a hand, young master."
Tianchu Xianzi wore an immaculate white sacred robe, a veil covering her face. She stepped forward with lotus-like grace, carrying a faint fragrant breeze, and arrived at Zhang Ruochen's other side. Her aura was pure, elegant, and ethereal, like one who partook of no worldly sustenance.
Seeing such a peerless beauty, one understood what it meant to "topple kingdoms and captivate cities," and what it meant to "envy not the immortals, but only the mandarin ducks." If one could fly with Tianchu Xianzi as a pair, what harm would there be in abandoning the sacred path?
"Chi."
Tianchu Xianzi extended a jade finger. The jade ring on her finger transformed into a slender white chain, winding around Zhang Ruochen's waist. Extremely fine threads of light spread from the chain, enveloping most of Zhang Ruochen's body.
"Let me try first."
Zhang Ruochen took out an inscription brush and began carving space inscription patterns on the ground.
As the patterns emerged, the space barrier actually split open to form an opening, continuously deepening inward.
Zhang Ruochen stepped into the opening and continued carving space inscription patterns.
Before long, the path through the space barrier had already extended more than ten meters deep.
The cultivators present watched in amazement, having never seen such formidable space techniques.
Mo Xiaogu's beautiful eyes grew wider and wider. She exclaimed, "It's space-splitting inscription patterns! Young Master Lin can actually master such profound and terrifying inscription patterns!"
"Impossible! Legend says space-splitting inscription patterns are terrifying patterns capable of tearing a great world in two. They fall under forbidden patterns in the Space Divine Temple, and even elders are not allowed to cultivate them." Li Qinghai's throat felt dry.
Gu Feng's eyes were filled with disbelief. How old was this Lin Yue? How could he be so powerful?
The Heavenly Sons, Heavenly Daughters, Divine Sons, and Divine Daughters present were overjoyed, seeing hope in Lin Yue.
Suddenly, an accident occurred.
The path beneath Zhang Ruochen's feet shattered, turning into countless space cracks. At the same time, the space barriers on both sides pressed inward, rapidly closing.
Tianchu Xianzi's fingers exerted force, using the white chain to pull Zhang Ruochen back and escape.
"Bang."
The path they had opened vanished, and the space barrier returned to its original state.
"Brother Lin, what happened?" Wu Shen Tianzi immediately asked.
"It's my first time carving space-splitting inscription patterns. I'm not skilled enough yet—I made a small mistake in the carving."
Zhang Ruochen was still shaken. Fortunately, Tianchu Xianzi had reacted quickly and saved him in time. If he had fallen into the space barrier, even with the Space-Time Secret Scripture, his life and death would have been uncertain.
Zhang Ruochen added, "Two more tries, and I should succeed."
Wu Shen Tianzi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Brother Lin, don't rush. Take it slow, and be careful."
Tianchu Xianzi also said, "Safety first."
Now that Zhang Ruochen had become their only hope, they were naturally very concerned about his safety and didn't want any mistakes.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to try opening the path a second time, a voice rang out: "Before Lin Yue opens the path, I think there's something we should discuss in advance."
Qianxing Tiannu stepped down from the Star Radiance Sacred Chariot. Her mood seemed to have recovered, and she walked step by step toward the space barrier.
Tianchu Xianzi asked, "Xiao Jing, what do you want to discuss?"
Qianxing Tiannu said, "Lin Yue is a space cultivator I invited at great cost. If he successfully opens a path through the space barrier and leads everyone into a deeper spatial region, then when we seize the divine spring, I want to take thirty percent."
"Aren't you not interested in the divine spring?" Wu Shen Tianzi asked.
Qianxing Tiannu said, "Times change. Since there's a chance to seize the divine spring, of course I want a share."
Suddenly, Qianxing Tiannu frowned, because she noticed that many cultivators present were staring at her with strange expressions.
It was one thing for male cultivators to stare—she was used to that. As a proud daughter of heaven like herself, she stood out like a crane among chickens wherever she went, drawing attention.
But even Tianchu Xianzi was looking at her differently, which was quite strange.
Qianxing Tiannu felt very uncomfortable under these strange gazes. She channeled the power of origin to her ears and immediately heard the whispered transmissions of the crowd.
"See that? Qianxing Tiannu changed into a long dress too. Dare to say she and Lin Yue didn't do anything in the Star Radiance Sacred Chariot?"
"Didn't she just say she paid a great price to invite Lin Yue? Could that price be... heavens, Qianxing Tiannu is also a Tiannu of an ancient civilization. How could she do something like that? If word gets out, can she still be the Tiannu of the Thousand Star Civilization? They say there are several other supremely talented figures in the Thousand Star Civilization who have always coveted the Tiannu position."
"It doesn't have to be such a sordid transaction. Maybe Lin Yue and Qianxing Tiannu truly love each other. They could be a couple."
"Lin Yue's mastery of space is extremely high. He's worthy of Qianxing Tiannu."
...
Hearing these transmissions, Qianxing Tiannu nearly spat blood.
Especially when she heard some cultivator say she and Lin Yue had "car-shaken" for half an hour, she almost went mad and wanted to rush over, drag that person out, and beat him until even his mother wouldn't recognize him.
But she restrained herself.
She had to stay calm. The angrier she got, the more they would think she and Zhang Ruochen had some sordid transaction.
Explaining now was useless. Unless she revealed Zhang Ruochen's true identity, it would only make things worse. But if she revealed Zhang Ruochen's true identity, the marriage contract would be exposed, and the secret that she possessed the Truth Esoterica would also be exposed.
Qianxing Tiannu had never imagined she would one day find herself in such a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat. She truly wanted to cry but had no tears.
At that moment, Da Zun stepped forward and said, "Lin Yue was indeed invited by Xiao Jing. She must have given Lin Yue generous compensation. Taking thirty percent of the divine spring is not excessive."
Since Da Zun had spoken, the crowd naturally had no objections.
Qianxing Tiannu gritted her teeth lightly, trying to keep her tone calm as she said to Tianchu Xianzi, "Sister, step back. Let me assist him."
"Alright."
Tianchu Xianzi withdrew the white chain wrapped around Zhang Ruochen and retreated to a slightly farther position.
"I think the fairy and I cooperated... quite well..."
Zhang Ruochen knew Qianxing Tiannu had no good intentions and tried to keep Tianchu Xianzi, but Qianxing Tiannu had already shot out nine chains, wrapping around his body. Each chain released a different power.
"Ah Yue, go carve the patterns. I'll pull you back when you're in the most danger." Qianxing Tiannu's gaze was extremely cold.
Zhang Ruochen naturally didn't trust her. If he really encountered danger, it would be a miracle if Qianxing Tiannu saved him. More likely, she would take the opportunity to kill him.
"Yu Chenjing, if you stand by and do nothing, you won't get the divine spring or the Truth Esoterica on me." Zhang Ruochen transmitted.
Qianxing Tiannu was so angry her fingers trembled. "Zhang Ruochen, you've ruined me! Do you know what they're saying about us now?"
"You already know? Isn't it just car-shaking."
Zhang Ruochen smiled nonchalantly, then added, "You can only blame yourself, not me."
Qianxing Tiannu said, "I've lost my reputation, so you'll lose your life."
This time, it was Zhang Ruochen's turn to try to calm her down. He said, "Everything in the world has both blessings and misfortunes. Actually, this might not be a bad thing for you."
"A good thing?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "This can temper your state of mind. People only grow when they endure slander and withstand setbacks. Look at those truly great figures—do they care about what others say about them? No, because they have a firm Dao heart unaffected by others. Right and wrong, what does it matter to them?"
"You've never suffered setbacks, never been belittled, insulted, slandered, or deceived. You've stood too high, like an immaculate fairy untouched by a single speck of dust, which is why your state of mind has flaws."
"If you get through this, your state of mind will definitely grow significantly, and breaking through to the Great Saint realm will be much easier than before."
Hearing Zhang Ruochen say this, Qianxing Tiannu's emotions inexplicably calmed down a little. But soon, she said coldly, "No matter how eloquently you speak, it won't change the fact that you've harmed me. Carve the patterns properly. If you make another mistake, I definitely won't save you."
Carving space-splitting inscription patterns was extremely risky, and mistakes were hard to avoid. Zhang Ruochen no longer wanted to go fetch the divine spring; he wanted to escape immediately.
But the nine chains were bound to his body, and he couldn't escape.
Zhang Ruochen had to tense his nerves, focusing his attention to the utmost, carving carefully, afraid of any mistake.
As time passed, the path opened by the space-splitting inscription patterns grew longer and longer.
Behind Zhang Ruochen, Qianxing Tiannu saw the sweat continuously rolling down his neck, and a smile finally appeared on her beautiful face. In the Space-Time Secret Scripture, being controlled by Zhang Ruochen's life and death had made her extremely depressed.
Now, she would make Zhang Ruochen taste what it was like to have someone else control his life and death.
Perhaps because Zhang Ruochen was extremely cautious, this time, there were no mistakes. He successfully penetrated the space barrier, opening a path more than sixty zhang long.
Qianxing Tiannu frowned, somewhat disappointed. "Space-splitting inscription patterns are both profound and complex. This guy actually succeeded. Is his life not meant to end?"
The cultivators of the ancient civilization factions were all ecstatic, rushing forward into the spatial region inside the space barrier.
Zhang Ruochen was the first to arrive on the other side of the space barrier, but before he could be happy, he felt a familiar ancient yin qi rushing toward him. Instantly, his heart sank heavily.