Chapter 1856: Vying for Favor
Just moments ago, within the span of half a stick of incense, the number of Sacred Dao Rules in Zhang Ruochen’s Qi Sea had increased by over a thousand.
If that state had continued, he could have easily gained tens of thousands of Sacred Dao Rules.
Such a speed of enlightenment was nothing short of astonishing.
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen did not respond, Li Miaohan assumed he was an intruder. Immediately, she exuded a sharp aura, and her jade-like slender fingers pointed through the air toward Zhang Ruochen’s chest.
A sword aura condensed, forming into a finger sword.
“Whoosh—”
The penetrative power of the sword aura was immense, far beyond what a mortal body could withstand.
Yet, just as the finger sword aura reached Zhang Ruochen, it slid aside automatically, flying past his right side and striking the jade-like cliff behind him, leaving a bowl-sized, bottomless sword hole.
A flicker of surprise passed through Li Miaohan’s spirited, beautiful eyes. She then summoned the Waterfall Meteor Sword.
On the sword’s body, five layers of Sacred Power light waves emerged.
Semi-transparent sword qi automatically condensed, swirling around Li Miaohan’s captivating figure like a spirit sword fairy.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to explain, the sword light was already before his eyes, slicing small cuts into his robe. Forced to act, he formed a sword finger and clashed with the Waterfall Meteor Sword.
Thanks to the Fire God Armor gloves, Zhang Ruochen was not worried about his fingers being severed.
“Bang, bang.”
Li Miaohan launched dozens of strikes in quick succession, all effortlessly deflected by Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen closed two fingers, catching the Waterfall Meteor Sword. The power of the Fire God Armor gloves erupted, shattering the five layers of Sacred Power light waves into a mist of light.
“Miss Miaohan, please allow me a word,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Li Miaohan’s willow-like brows furrowed, and from her brow surged a river of Sword Dao Rules, merging with the Waterfall Meteor Sword.
“Bang.”
The Waterfall Meteor Sword exploded, splitting into over a thousand silver beams.
Each beam was a needle-sized sword.
The thousand silver beams turned into a rain of swords, flying toward Zhang Ruochen.
The Waterfall Meteor Sword was formed from 1,763 swords combined; when separated, its power was even greater.
“Li Miaohan’s cultivation has reached such a level. It seems the Nine-Bend Star is truly a sacred ground for enlightenment.”
At the Divine Enshrinement Platform, both Li Miaohan and Zhang Ruochen were at the Half-Saint King realm.
Zhang Ruochen had managed to reach the Eight-Step Saint King in such a short time thanks to the Sundial and the Truth Esoterica.
Li Miaohan’s cultivation had now reached the Five-Step Saint King or even Six-Step Saint King realm.
Such a cultivation speed could only mean she had also encountered extraordinary fortune.
The world was vast, full of wonders.
The Sundial and the Truth Esoterica were not necessarily the most powerful auxiliary treasures; everyone had their own opportunities, and all paths led to the divine realm.
Zhang Ruochen took out the Eight Dragon Umbrella and opened it. Golden light bloomed, blocking all the flying swords. The swords clashed against the umbrella with a “bang, bang” sound, like rain beating on banana leaves.
“So strong.”
Li Miaohan released her Sword Soul. A tiny figure identical to her appeared above her head, like a beautiful, exquisite spirit.
“She’s even cultivated a Sword Soul,” Zhang Ruochen remarked in greater surprise.
Judging by the intensity of Li Miaohan’s Sword Soul, her Sword Dao attainment had likely reached the level of Sword Nine Minor Achievement.
“Stop.”
A clear, melodious voice came from afar.
Li Miaohan quickly withdrew her Sword Soul and the Waterfall Meteor Sword, bowing respectfully in the direction of the voice. “Master.”
Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden and the Fool slowly emerged, appearing by the banks of the Divine River.
“This person…”
Before Li Miaohan could finish, Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden raised her hand to stop her. “He is Zhang Ruochen, the Divine Envoy of the Moon God. He came to the Nine-Bend Star with the Fool.”
“Zhang Ruochen.”
Li Miaohan looked at the man standing on the water, her eyes showing surprise, curiosity, and astonishment.
Whether it was his identity as the Heir of Time and Space or the various legends surrounding Zhang Ruochen, it was enough to pique the curiosity of any cultivator in the world.
“The news of Zhang Ruochen’s arrival at the Nine-Bend Star must not be spread for now. What brings you here?” Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden’s gaze never once fixed on Zhang Ruochen.
Li Miaohan said, “Lion Green Divine Son has come to the Nine-Bend Star. He said that Blood Bee Shura King has arrived at Luo River, worried for Master’s safety, and came to lend a hand.”
“News travels fast; everyone knows already,” Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden murmured to herself.
Li Miaohan added, “Master should go and take a look. Otherwise, Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince and Lion Green Divine Son might start fighting. They already have deep conflicts.”
Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden nodded slightly, then turned her clear gaze to Zhang Ruochen. “The Fool said you have something important to discuss with me? What matter is it?”
Seeing the look in Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden’s eyes, Zhang Ruochen realized she likely regarded him only as a friend worth knowing, with no intention of developing things further.
The nine celestial maidens on the “Nine Immortal Beauties Painting” were indeed all aloof and proud, none easily drawn into emotional entanglements that could hinder their cultivation.
“Boom.”
A thunderous explosion echoed from the sky, causing the entire Nine-Bend Star to tremble slightly.
Then, the sky turned golden, illuminated by a blazing golden sun.
Zhang Ruochen looked up and saw a towering figure. The Sacred Light emanating from him was so brilliant it resembled a sun.
“They’re actually fighting.”
Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden’s brows furrowed slightly. “Zhang Ruochen, we’ll discuss your matter later.”
“Whoosh.”
Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden and the Fool transformed into two streams of light, breaking through the clouds and flying toward the sky like meteors.
A apologetic smile appeared on Li Miaohan’s delicate, refined face. “Young Master Ruochen, I’ve long admired your name. My apologies for earlier. You called out my name directly—have we met before?”
They had met, of course, but at that time, Zhang Ruochen was not in his current form.
Zhang Ruochen said, “The proud daughters of heaven ranked twentieth on the Sacred Merit Ranking are few. Besides, Miss Miaohan’s beauty rivals that of your master—how could I not recognize you?”
It turned out that praising a woman’s beauty was always more effective than praising her abilities.
Li Miaohan’s lips curled into a smile. “The fact that Fool Elder brought you to the Nine-Bend Star shows you are trustworthy and can be a friend of Heavenly Beginning Civilization. What is the urgent matter you wish to discuss with my master?”
“It is indeed an important matter,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen did not reveal the matter, Li Miaohan’s eyes showed a hint of understanding. She secretly guessed that the so-called important matter was likely just an excuse to meet her master alone.
Since she had been training under Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden, she had seen countless proud sons of heaven use similar excuses.
In that moment, Zhang Ruochen’s image in her heart dropped a few notches.
The so-called Heir of Time and Space and Divine Envoy of the Moon God was just another mortal lusting after beauty.
Li Miaohan even speculated that Zhang Ruochen’s true motive for pursuing her master was to latch onto the great tree of Heavenly Beginning Civilization. After all, the situations of Guanghan Realm and Kunlun Realm were dire.
“That Fool Elder is truly foolish; he must have been used by Zhang Ruochen,” Li Miaohan thought to herself.
Zhang Ruochen looked up at the clouds above, worried that Divine Cliff Master might already be near the Nine-Bend Star. “Let’s go take a look too.”
“Young Master, wait.”
Li Miaohan blocked Zhang Ruochen. “Young Master Ruochen… Master seems reluctant to have the news of your arrival at the Nine-Bend Star spread. If we rush over, Master will surely scold me.”
Zhang Ruochen frowned, deep in thought.
“Please don’t misunderstand. Heavenly Beginning Civilization is not afraid that your identity will bring us trouble. It’s just that there are too many proud sons of heaven pursuing Master. Yet, all of them have been turned away, not allowed to set foot on the Nine-Bend Star.”
“If you appear on the Nine-Bend Star, what will those proud sons of heaven think? It would be very disadvantageous for you.”
Zhang Ruochen thought to himself, “No wonder she made it into the top twenty of the Sacred Merit Ranking—sharp-minded. When she grows up, she might not be much weaker than Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden.”
“I won’t cause trouble for the Celestial Maiden or Miss Miaohan.”
With that, Zhang Ruochen’s body shimmered, transforming into a handsome man who bore a striking resemblance to Li Miaohan.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “Could I temporarily act as Miss Miaohan’s elder brother?”
Li Miaohan stared at Zhang Ruochen, inwardly shocked. This transformation Sacred Art of his was flawless.
If he were an enemy of Heavenly Beginning Civilization, he could throw them into chaos with just this transformation Sacred Art.
Li Miaohan nodded slightly. “Since you insist on going… very well.”
Zhang Ruochen and Li Miaohan flew out of the atmosphere of the Nine-Bend Star.
Less than a thousand miles from the Nine-Bend Star, there was a floating island on the water.
On the island, figures were numerous, exuding various intimidating Sacred Wills.
By the time Zhang Ruochen and Li Miaohan landed on the island, Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince and Lion Green Divine Son had already stopped fighting.
Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden stood at the center of the island with unparalleled grace, surrounded by Sacred Light. The Sacred Will emanating from her suppressed the auras of all other cultivators.
“Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden’s cultivation has grown even stronger,” Zhang Ruochen thought.
Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden’s voice spread across the island. “If you want to fight, go elsewhere. Do not do it near the Nine-Bend Star.”
A burly, handsome man said, “Since the Celestial Maiden has spoken, this Divine Son will naturally not strike again. But if someone else provokes me, I am not afraid and will fight to the heavens and earth.”
This man was the renowned Lion Green Divine Son.
Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince snorted coldly. “With a great enemy at hand, I have no interest in bickering with you. Celestial Maiden, I have already sent experts to seal off Luo River. If Blood Bee Shura King does not come, fine. But if he dares to come, he will never return.”
Lion Green Divine Son laughed loudly. “Haha! Blood Bee Shura King is a terrifying existence. The few people you sent are not even enough to fill his teeth. Celestial Maiden, against a powerhouse like Blood Bee Shura King, we must focus on defense. I have invited a master whose formation skills are close to Earth Master level. He can set up a top-tier Eighth-Rank defensive formation for the Nine-Bend Star.”
(End of Chapter)