# Chapter 1858: Heavenly River Divine Fist
Zhang Ruochen walked out of the cave dwelling. The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince and the others had already left.
"Whoosh——"
A faint fragrant breeze drifted over, and Li Miaohan's picturesque figure appeared before him. She asked, "Young Master Ruochen, are you planning to leave Nine Bends Heavenly Star, or stay and seek opportunities?"
"Since Blood Bee Cultivation King, that great enemy, has come to Luo River, how could I possibly leave now?"
After a pause, Zhang Ruochen asked, "What exactly are the opportunities on Nine Bends Heavenly Star?"
Many cultivators had come to Nine Bends Heavenly Star, which naturally meant the opportunities on the planet had already been opened to the public.
Li Miaohan smiled and said, "Speaking of opportunities, outsiders actually cannot obtain them at all."
The two of them conversed as they walked toward the first divine river.
"In a certain sense, Nine Bends Heavenly Star should be considered a Dao-Enlightenment Planet. Just like a god's Divine Throne Planet, it can help cultivators quickly comprehend Sacred Dao Rules, allowing their cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds. Of course, Nine Bends Heavenly Star is even more powerful than a Divine Throne Planet."
The Divine Throne Planet Li Miaohan referred to was the Divine Throne Planet of a living god, one that could illuminate the starry sky, providing such a cultivation environment.
For example:
The seven Divine Throne Planets controlled by Little Man Zhenmiao were left behind by ancient gods.
Those ancient gods had long since fallen, so naturally they could no longer help cultivators comprehend the Dao.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the first divine river.
A pair of brilliant light wings emerged from Li Miaohan's back as she flew above the azure-green divine river.
At this section of the river, the water was as still as a calm lake.
Li Miaohan stood as if on a huge emerald mirror. As the cultivation method within her body circulated, a spiritual pearl emerged from her lower abdomen, emitting a hazy radiance.
"That is... a Sword Pellet."
Zhang Ruochen was somewhat surprised.
Not every sword cultivator practiced the "Wordless Sword Manual." Clearly, Li Miaohan cultivated a different path of swordsmanship, one that allowed her to cultivate a Sword Pellet.
The Sword Pellet was no less important to her than a Sacred Source.
The sacred meridians and channels within Li Miaohan's body were like sacred rivers, all converging toward her lower abdomen, continuously refining the Sword Pellet.
The cultivation method Li Miaohan cultivated was integrated with the Sword Dao.
As the cultivation method circulated faster and faster, Zhang Ruochen keenly sensed that the rules of heaven and earth were rapidly gathering toward her. Some passed through her body, while others remained within her, transforming into Sacred Dao Rules.
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then activated the Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture.
However, the speed at which he comprehended Sacred Dao Rules did not increase much. It seemed to be of little use.
About a quarter of an hour later, Li Miaohan stopped circulating her cultivation method and returned to the shore, smiling sweetly. "Young Master Ruochen's cultivation method is probably very powerful, but it won't be of much use on Nine Bends Heavenly Star."
"Why?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Li Miaohan said, "Nine Bends Heavenly Star is a relic left by an ancestor of Heavenly Beginning Civilization. Only the cultivation methods and sacred arts of Heavenly Beginning Civilization can resonate with the rules of heaven and earth here. The higher the resonance, the faster one can comprehend Sacred Dao Rules while cultivating in the divine river."
"Think of Sacred Dao Rules as fruits hanging high above. The cultivation methods and sacred arts of Heavenly Beginning Civilization are the tools for picking those fruits. The better the tool, the more fruits you can pick, and the faster you can pick them."
"For cultivators who haven't practiced the cultivation methods and sacred arts of Heavenly Beginning Civilization, they have no tools. They can only stand on the ground and sigh in vain."
"Just now, in a mere quarter of an hour, I comprehended six hundred Sacred Dao Rules. Even in the Truth Divine Temple, it would be difficult to achieve such a cultivation speed. Of course, that's because the Truth Divine Temple primarily helps cultivators comprehend the Way of Truth."
"I see."
Zhang Ruochen recalled how, on the third divine river, he had used the Luo Water Fist Art and comprehended over a thousand Sacred Dao Rules in just half an incense stick's time.
The Luo Water Fist Art was most likely a top-tier sacred art of Heavenly Beginning Civilization.
Luo Xu's opportunity might also have been obtained on Nine Bends Heavenly Star.
Li Miaohan said, "If Young Master Ruochen wishes to comprehend the Dao, I can teach you a sacred art of Heavenly Beginning Civilization. Once you cultivate the sacred art to Great Perfection, you will be able to resonate with the rules of heaven and earth on Nine Bends Heavenly Star, greatly increasing your comprehension speed."
"Wouldn't you be punished by your master for teaching me a sacred art of Heavenly Beginning Civilization?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Li Miaohan smiled. "As long as they aren't the most top-secret arts, the sacred arts of Heavenly Beginning Civilization can be analyzed by Great Saints from other realms even if they aren't passed down. They're not exactly secrets. As for the top-secret arts, even if I wanted to teach them, I couldn't."
"I have actually cultivated a fist art that should be a sacred art of Heavenly Beginning Civilization."
Zhang Ruochen wanted to learn more about the Luo Water Fist Art through Li Miaohan.
Currently, he had only cultivated the Luo Water Fist Art to the tenth level, which was equivalent to a mid-rank sacred art. Only Heavenly Beginning Civilization likely had the cultivation method for the eleventh level.
Zhang Ruochen and Li Miaohan arrived at the third divine river.
Entering the river, Zhang Ruochen carefully sensed the rules of heaven and earth, then slowly began executing the Luo Water Fist Art.
The reason he came to the third divine river was that Li Miaohan had told him the rules of heaven and earth in each divine river were different. Not every cultivation method or sacred art could resonate with them.
At first, Li Miaohan thought that even if Zhang Ruochen had cultivated a sacred art of Heavenly Beginning Civilization, it would definitely be an ordinary low-rank sacred art.
But as Zhang Ruochen executed the Luo Water Fist Art, her expression grew increasingly astonished.
Although Zhang Ruochen's fist movements were slow, the momentum they created grew more and more immense. The water mist rising from the divine river thickened, transforming into pythons, flood dragons, and war beasts that circled around Zhang Ruochen as they charged.
Zhang Ruochen's state grew better and better. The meridians and blood vessels within his body seemed to transform into rivers, flowing with a rumbling sound.
A profound and mysterious artistic conception was born out of nowhere. At this moment, Zhang Ruochen actually comprehended the cultivation method for the eleventh level of the Luo Water Fist Art.
However, the cultivation method for the eleventh level was extremely profound and could not be fully understood in a short time.
Almost in an instant, Zhang Ruochen returned to reality. He opened his eyes and found himself still standing on the surface of the third divine river. The Sacred Dao Rules within his body had increased by nearly ten thousand.
But what puzzled him was that when he continued executing the Luo Water Fist Art, he could no longer resonate with the rules of heaven and earth.
"How can this be?" Zhang Ruochen muttered to himself.
Li Miaohan said, "That's because you've already cultivated for three hours."
"What do you mean?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Li Miaohan sighed softly. "Although the Dao-Enlightenment environment of Nine Bends Heavenly Star far surpasses other places, ordinary cultivators can only comprehend the Dao for one hour each day. Beyond that hour, the comprehension speed drops sharply."
"Only my master and I can comprehend the Dao for three hours each day. I didn't expect that you, a cultivator not belonging to Heavenly Beginning Civilization, could also comprehend the Dao for three hours."
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Perhaps it's because I have a connection with this place."
In truth, Zhang Ruochen had previously comprehended the Dao on the third divine river for half an incense stick's time. So the total time he had spent comprehending was slightly longer than Li Miaohan and the Heavenly Beginning Fairy.
"Zhang Ruochen."
Suddenly, Li Miaohan called out Zhang Ruochen's name, her expression serious. "Where did you learn the Heavenly River Divine Fist?"
"Heavenly River Divine Fist... Are you referring to the Luo Water Fist Art, Miss Miaohan?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Li Miaohan said, "The Heavenly River Divine Fist is an ultimate fist art comprehended by Lord Luo Shen on the Heavenly River. He once used the Heavenly River Divine Fist to kill a Demon God from the Hell Realm. It is one of the most top-secret arts of Heavenly Beginning Civilization and is never passed down to outsiders."
"Moreover, the difficulty of cultivating the Heavenly River Divine Fist is enormous. Among all beings below the Great Saint realm in the entire Heavenly Beginning Civilization, only my master has successfully cultivated it."
"Is it really that difficult? I found it quite easy to cultivate."
Zhang Ruochen had never encountered any difficulties while cultivating the Luo Water Fist Art. He had almost completed it in one go.
Li Miaohan frowned deeply, thinking that Zhang Ruochen was simply a freak. The Heavenly River Divine Fist was not that easy to cultivate. She had spent a great deal of time and effort back then and still hadn't been able to get started.
Not wanting to be misunderstood, Zhang Ruochen recounted the entire story of how he had come to cultivate the Luo Water Fist Art.
Li Miaohan did not suspect Zhang Ruochen.
This was because their Heavenly Beginning Civilization had already been in contact with Luo Xu. They even suspected that Luo Xu was a successor of Lord Luo Shen, having obtained part of Lord Luo Shen's inheritance.
"I have seen Luo Xu use the Heavenly River Divine Fist. Your Heavenly River Divine Fist seems to be on par with his. How is that possible? You know, Luo Xu was able to achieve such a high level of mastery because..."
Li Miaohan shook her head gently, unable to figure it out. In the end, she could only attribute it to Zhang Ruochen's terrifying comprehension ability.
"Someone is coming."
Zhang Ruochen's spiritual power stirred, and he looked toward the south.
Several figures flew over on the wind and landed by the shore of the third divine river. They emitted powerful sacred might, with sacred light flowing around their bodies.
The leader was none other than the Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince.
"Miss Miaohan."
The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince smiled and cupped his hands toward Li Miaohan, then turned his gaze to Zhang Ruochen. With a somewhat surprised expression, he asked, "How should I address this brother?"
"My elder brother, Li Ruohan." Li Miaohan said.
The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince smiled. "So it's Brother Ruohan."
Behind the Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince, a cultivator with red hair and golden eyebrows stepped forward. "Earlier, Brother Ruohan blocked Old Mother Qushan's Immortal Pupil Sting with a single palm strike. Such cultivation truly impresses me, Xian. Since we've met here, I wonder if Brother Ruohan would be willing to exchange a few moves?"
Li Miaohan could see that the Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince and his group had ill intentions, so she quickly said, "Xian Gongming of the Can Tian Sect is a renowned senior expert and a distinguished disciple of the Can Tian Sect Leader. How could my elder brother dare to cross hands with a senior?"
"My little sister speaks the truth."
Zhang Ruochen did not want to stir up trouble, so he smiled and nodded.
He secretly admired Li Miaohan's quick thinking. She had already placed the label of "senior expert" on Xian Gongming.
If Xian Gongming insisted on fighting, it would be fine if he won. But if he lost, he would lose all face.
Of course, since this person was Gongming of the Can Tian Sect, his combat power was likely extraordinary.
Xian Gongming said, "No need to be modest. Even Old Mother Qushan said he is a first-rate expert, so he is certainly qualified to fight me."
Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly. "Xian Gongming's cultivation is profound, but Nine Bends Heavenly Star is too small. If we were to make a move, it would surely shake the mountains and rivers. If we disturb the Fairy, she might get angry again."
"Then let's fight outside Nine Bends Heavenly Star." Xian Gongming said.
This battle seemed unavoidable.
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment and said, "Since Xian Gongming insists on sparring, to avoid harming our goodwill, how about we each release our sacred manifestations and fight?"
"This Li Ruohan is really asking for humiliation. Doesn't he know that my strongest aspect is my sacred manifestation? Heh heh." Xian Gongming laughed inwardly.
Xian Gongming immediately said, "Fine, let's compete with sacred manifestations. But a simple sparring match seems a bit dull. How about we add a wager?"
(End of this chapter)