# Chapter 1737: Sudden Change
"There's an extra Divine Rule Pill. It's for you."
Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden's pale white palm held the Divine Rule Pill, which was shrouded in purple mist, as she handed it to Zhang Ruochen, appearing extremely gentle and refined.
Zhang Ruochen knew that the consciousness of the current Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden was Shengshu Cainü.
The other eight Mysterious Maidens had all severed their consciousness and entered a deep cultivation state. Canglan Martial Saint was refining and absorbing the inheritance of the Ice Fire Phoenix, Qing Mo was comprehending the true essence of the Food God, Siming Shennü was studying the mysterious secret techniques in the ancient divine temple...
It was precisely because of this that Zhang Ruochen still held a good impression of Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, even trusting her.
But seeing the Divine Rule Pill she was handing over, Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "No need!"
"The Divine Rule Pill is a Heavenly Grade Sacred Pill. Even in the Heavenly Court Realm, it's quite rare. If you swallow it, your cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds."
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen remained unmoved, Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden revealed a look of sudden understanding. "Is it because it's a Sacred Pill bestowed by the Empress that you refuse to accept it?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I understand what you want to do, and you understand me. Why must you still try to persuade me?"
Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden sighed inwardly. It seemed that trying to ease the conflict between him and the Empress was simply impossible.
The Empress was the person she admired most, while Zhang Ruochen was the one she appreciated most—even somewhat admired. Yet the two of them were enemies with a deep-seated hatred and grievances.
Being caught in the middle, how could Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden not be troubled? She had always wanted to do something to ease their conflict, but... everything was futile.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze swept across the entire hall, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "This Divine Rule Pill probably wasn't an extra one at all, was it? It belongs to you. I appreciate your kindness, but the grievances and grudges between Chi Yao and me—you really shouldn't get involved."
Beside them, Chi Kunlun and Chi Kongle had been staring at Zhang Ruochen and Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden.
But Zhang Ruochen and Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden were communicating through spiritual power, so they couldn't hear their conversation.
However, they were extremely puzzled. Since Zhang Ruochen was a rebel of the previous dynasty, a traitor to the Kunlun Realm, and even a murderous demon, why would the pure and virtuous Mysterious Maiden have a good relationship with him? And why did Luo Xu and Wan Zhaoyi hold him in such high regard?
Zhang Ruochen asked the question that worried him most.
Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden was not at all surprised. With a solemn expression, she said, "We've also considered this problem. It's very likely that our secret operation has long been known to the Paradise Realm. But there's no other choice. Attacking Xumi's Dao Field is imperative."
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly. Since Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden had considered this, she must have prepared some countermeasures.
"Actually, the time to attack Xumi's Dao Field is not tomorrow at dawn," Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Then when is it?"
"One hour from now. No more than five cultivators know about this. Even if the Paradise Realm knew in advance that we were going to attack Xumi's Dao Field, the change in timing should be enough to regain some advantage. Moreover, they absolutely wouldn't expect that we could get you to help."
It was four hours earlier than the original plan. This should be a surprise move by the Kunlun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "So I count as one of your trump cards?"
"As long as you activate 'Equality for All Living Beings,' who in the same realm can be your opponent? In my view, you're not a trump card—you're a heavenly card for defeating the enemy." Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden's beautiful eyes were misty as she looked at Zhang Ruochen with an extremely appreciative gaze.
"I'll go out for a while."
Zhang Ruochen stood up and walked toward the main door.
Stepping out of the hall, Zhang Ruochen looked at the increasingly dark sky and was silent for a long time. Then he carved out one Message Light Talisman after another and sent them flying.
To be safe, Zhang Ruochen sent messages to Zhen Yuan, Ci Hang Xianzi, A Le, and Han Qiu.
Zhen Yuan and Ci Hang Xianzi might not personally fight alongside the Kunlun Realm, but if a major upheaval occurred in tonight's battle, they certainly wouldn't stand idly by.
Even if they could just mobilize the power of the Daoist and Buddhist lineages to hold back some of the Paradise Realm's experts, that would be a good thing.
Zhang Ruochen returned to the hall. Everyone had already swallowed the Great Dragon Marrow Divine Pill and the Divine Rule Pill and were now refining and absorbing them.
"Roar!"
A Saint-level cultivator from the imperial court, a rising star, refined the Great Dragon Marrow Divine Pill. His cultivation broke through two realms in a row, and his spirit energy reached its peak. A layer of gaseous golden dragon scales appeared on his skin.
"Haha, I broke through! This feeling is wonderful!"
One by one, the Saint-level cultivators refined the Great Dragon Marrow Divine Pill. Some of them directly broke through to the Saint King realm, releasing powerful Saintly Might.
Every cultivator had a layer of golden dragon scales on the surface of their bodies, like a full-body suit of armor.
The Saint King realm cultivators, after refining the Divine Rule Pill, saw a rapid increase in the number of Sacred Dao Rules in their Qi Seas. Their cultivations all made significant breakthroughs, and they were all elated and extremely excited.
Morale was greatly boosted.
Everyone was even more confident that they could capture Xumi's Dao Field in one go.
Luo Xu had refined part of the Divine Rule Pill, and his cultivation broke through to the Six-Step Saint King realm. He stood up from his seat and said, "The Empress attaches great importance to this battle at Xumi's Dao Field. If everyone captures the Dao Field tonight, there will be even greater rewards."
Wan Zhaoyi also stood up and said, "Xumi's Dao Field was created by the Saint Monk and should be a cultivation treasure land for us Kunlun Realm cultivators. But it has been occupied by the Paradise Realm for a hundred thousand years. Tonight, we will bloodwash Xumi's Dao Field and reclaim what belongs to us."
"Tonight?"
"Isn't the time to attack Xumi's Dao Field tomorrow at dawn?"
Many cultivators were confused.
"That's right, it's tonight. To be precise, it's right now."
Li Xian, the leader of the various barbarian beast clans, stood up. Her slender and graceful figure appeared exceptionally beautiful as she looked at Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden with a heroic gaze. "Xumi's Dao Field is more than a million miles away from us. What is the method the Mysterious Maiden mentioned for quickly reaching Xumi's Dao Field?"
"A Space Teleportation Array," Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden said.
Immediately, hundreds of eyes turned to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen was somewhat surprised at first, but he quickly understood.
Beside him, a cold snort sounded.
The Space Divine Martial Mark on Chi Kunlun's brow emerged, slowly rotating. "It's not just Zhang Ruochen who can set up a Space Teleportation Array. I can too. Let's go. We'll set off now. Either we break Xumi's Dao Field, or we die fighting there."
Hundreds of Saints and Saint Kings, with momentum like a rainbow, flew out of the hall and headed toward the location of the Space Teleportation Array.
"I'll go get my friend and meet up with you all later."
Zhang Ruochen said this to Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, then rushed out of Tianluo Dao Field, shooting like a streak of light and disappearing into the continuous snowy mountains.
"Is Zhang Ruochen just running away?"
"Wasn't he supposed to be arrogant? How could he flee before the battle?"
Zhuque Xianzi sneered mockingly. "Maybe it's because you were all ostracizing him earlier. He finally couldn't take it anymore and left in a fit of anger."
"Let him leave. If he activates 'Equality for All Living Beings,' everyone will be at the same cultivation level anyway. No one is much stronger than anyone else. Losing him won't make a difference," Devouring Demon Dragon said.
Only Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden knew that Zhang Ruochen wasn't fleeing before the battle. He really had gone to bring a very powerful friend.
However, that friend had a special identity and wasn't suitable to appear before the Kunlun Realm crowd, so Zhang Ruochen had left him outside Tianluo Dao Field.
That friend of Zhang Ruochen's was Xie Chengzi.
The Kunlun Realm cultivators already had a great prejudice against Zhang Ruochen. If they saw Xie Chengzi, they would probably cause an uproar immediately. That was why Zhang Ruochen hadn't brought him to the Kunlun Realm cultivators' meeting.
Meeting up with Xie Chengzi, Zhang Ruochen stood in midair and said, "Follow me. There's probably going to be a tough battle tonight... Hmm..."
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen sensed something and shouted, "Come out."
Not far from Xie Chengzi, the air vibrated slightly. Xiao Hei's big round face poked out, grinning at Zhang Ruochen. "Your alertness is getting better and better. The concealment formation this emperor set up can't even fool you anymore."
Immediately after, Zhenmiao Xiaodaoren also walked out of the concealment formation, his face stiff as he smiled. "Zhang Ruochen, we were forced to come here. It was her, all her. She used cruel methods against me, and that's why the Butcher of Heaven and Destroyer of Earth Emperor brought her to find you."
"Do I have that much ability? It was clearly you who led the way. I have nothing to do with it."
"It was clearly you who wanted to follow. I have nothing to do with it."
Xiao Hei and Zhenmiao Xiaodaoren immediately started quarreling, rolling into a ball in the snow.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fixed on Qianxing Tiannü, his brow furrowing. "What do you want from me?"
"Nothing. This heavenly daughter is just curious about where you were sneaking off to," Qianxing Tiannü's starry eyes gently turned as she smiled. "Now I finally know. It seems you really have a big operation tonight. How about taking this heavenly daughter along for some fun?"
Xiao Hei and Zhenmiao Xiaodaoren also stopped and said in unison, "We want to go have some fun too."
"Have fun? In tonight's battle, who knows how many cultivators will die. You'd better not go."
Time was extremely tight. Zhang Ruochen couldn't be bothered to explain and was about to take Xie Chengzi back to Tianluo Dao Field.
"Boom!"
At that moment, an earth-shattering sound came from afar.
Zhang Ruochen abruptly turned around and looked toward Tianluo Dao Field at the top of the snowy mountain hundreds of miles away. He saw a blood-colored blade nearly a thousand zhang long, erupting with Six Yao Perfect Power, suspended above Tianluo Dao Field.
The formation of Tianluo Dao Field had been split open by that blade strike. A corner of the nearly ten-thousand-meter-high snowy mountain had been cut off.
Fierce blade energy came from hundreds of miles away, making a "shua shua" sound, leaving dense blade marks on the ground below Zhang Ruochen.
This showed just how terrifying that blade strike was.
"Boom!"
In the snowy mountain, an avalanche erupted.
"Damn it, something big has happened!"
Zhang Ruochen activated his movement technique, like a meteor streaking across the sky, flying rapidly toward Tianluo Dao Field.
"There's a good show to watch. Let's go, follow him."
Xiao Hei didn't realize the seriousness of the situation at all. Instead, he was quite excited, spreading his wings and closely following behind Zhang Ruochen.