# Chapter 1912: Encounter with Shang Zihong Again
Inside the Sword Tomb Palace, Zhang Ruochen, Ji Fanxin, Bao Lie, and others gathered together, doing their utmost to help Shi Mingyuan expel the Nether King Blood Poison.
The main reason was that Shi Mingyuan's condition at that time was not suitable for entering the area covered by the Sundial's power, so the poison removal had been delayed until now.
Fortunately, Zhang Ruochen had previously asked the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree to take action, purifying the evil Dao consciousness within him. Coupled with Bao Lie spending some time each day helping him expel the poison, his condition had been steadily improving.
At a certain moment, no more Nether King Blood Poison was forced out from Shi Mingyuan's body. Zhang Ruochen and the others stopped their efforts.
This was not to say that Shi Mingyuan's body was completely free of Nether King Blood Poison, but rather that with their current strength, they could no longer do anything about the remaining Nether King Blood Poison.
Just like the last time when Shi Qiankun was afflicted with Nether King Blood Poison, it was only after asking the Martial Venerable to take action that it was completely removed.
"The rest will depend on the old clan leader's own will," Zhang Ruochen said, turning to Shi Qiankun and Shi Ren.
"Brother Zhang, words cannot express my gratitude. From now on, no matter what happens, I, Shi Ren, will go through fire and water for you without hesitation." Shi Ren's expression was extremely serious, his eyes reddening.
Zhang Ruochen reached out and patted Shi Ren on the shoulder, smiling. "If you consider me a brother, then don't say such things. Take good care of the old clan leader, and if anything happens, remember to tell me."
Shi Ren nodded heavily. "Alright, I will stay here and keep watch."
Shi Qiankun's eyes were also filled with gratitude. Zhang Ruochen had saved the lives of their entire family, and he had also protected the entire Zhenyu Ancient Clan. These debts of gratitude could never be repaid.
From now on, no matter what Zhang Ruochen needed, the Zhenyu Ancient Clan would never say a single word of refusal.
Leaving Shi Mingyuan's resting place, Zhang Ruochen found Lu Huaiyu.
"Grandmaster Uncle, do you have any instructions?" Lu Huaiyu asked respectfully.
Zhang Ruochen was his grandfather's junior disciple, and Zhang Ruochen had done a great kindness to the Divine Sword Sacred Land, so this address of "Grandmaster Uncle" came from the heart.
Moreover, calling him "Grandmaster Uncle" also brought him closer to Zhang Ruochen, which was better than calling him "Crown Prince."
"I recently obtained some top-grade materials and would like to ask your Divine Sword Sacred Land for help in refining the Eight Dragon Umbrella and Nine Dragon Chariot anew."
Zhang Ruochen spoke with a smile.
As he spoke, he took out all the materials he had collected.
Some of these materials were obtained from Luo Water, while others came from the Divine Sons, Emperor Sons, and Emperor Daughters of the Undying Blood Clan. Each type was extremely precious, difficult to purchase with Sacred Stones.
For example, the Divine Blood Crystal could be called a treasure of heaven and earth, extremely rare in the world. It was more than enough to refine a Ten-Shining Ten-Thousand-Pattern Sacred Artifact.
Lu Huaiyu's eyes lit up as he carefully examined each precious material, then said excitedly, "Leave this matter to me. I will do my utmost to raise the grades of the Eight Dragon Umbrella and Nine Dragon Chariot."
He had once read the "Heavenly Works Complete Record," and his artifact refining skills could be said to be among the best in the entire Kunlun Realm.
As long as he had good materials, crafting top-tier war weapons was completely within his ability.
Previously, when Zhang Ruochen's strength was weaker, the Eight Dragon Umbrella and Nine Dragon Chariot were barely sufficient. But as his strength increased, they had clearly become somewhat inadequate.
If their grades could not be raised, they would have to be discarded.
However, the Eight Dragon Umbrella and Nine Dragon Chariot had been used by successive Ming Emperors. Zhang Ruochen had deep feelings for them and was unwilling to abandon them.
After waiting only two days, Shi Ren brought good news: Shi Mingyuan had awakened.
Zhang Ruochen immediately went to see him.
"The old one thanks the Sword Holder for saving my life."
Seeing Zhang Ruochen arrive, Shi Mingyuan stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.
Zhang Ruochen quickly stepped forward to support Shi Mingyuan. "Old Clan Leader, you flatter me. Shi Ren and I are brothers; doing all this is only right."
Shi Ren also came forward and, together with Zhang Ruochen, helped Shi Mingyuan sit back down.
Shi Mingyuan sighed. "I never imagined that while I was in seclusion in the Nether Prison, so many things would happen to the Zhenyu Ancient Clan. I have truly failed my people and failed the Kunlun Realm."
"Old Clan Leader, you must not blame yourself. This was not your wish; it was the Nether King who was too cunning," Zhang Ruochen said comfortingly.
Shi Mingyuan nodded lightly. "The Nether King is indeed cunning. At a critical moment in my cultivation, he invaded with evil Dao consciousness, causing me to lose myself and become a monster. If not for you, young friend, rescuing me, I fear I would have sunk forever."
Thinking back on his experiences in the Nether Prison over the years, Shi Mingyuan couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle with fear.
If he had carelessly released the Nether King, he would truly have become the greatest sinner of the Zhenyu Ancient Clan.
"Old Clan Leader, there is a matter on which I would like to ask for your help," Zhang Ruochen said somewhat seriously.
Shi Mingyuan revealed a smile. "Shi Ren has already told me. Although I cannot guarantee that I can successfully refine a Great Saint-grade Blood-Suppressing Talisman, I will do my best to try."
"Then I entrust this matter to you, Old Clan Leader," Zhang Ruochen said with a nod.
As he spoke, he took out the Divine Bone from the White Bone Sacred Mountain and handed it to Shi Mingyuan.
A Great Saint-grade Blood-Suppressing Talisman required Divine Bone as its main material.
Of course, what was even more important was that a Great Saint-grade Talisman Master was needed.
Although Shi Mingyuan's Spiritual Power had not yet reached the sixtieth rank, it was infinitely close to it, surpassing even Ming Xian.
If he wished, he could break through very easily.
But if he did so, he would have to leave the Kunlun Realm.
Now was a very special time, and the Zhenyu Ancient Clan needed him to hold things down, so he could not break through for the time being.
With his Spiritual Power infinitely close to the sixtieth rank, combined with his profound Talisman Dao attainments, there was still hope that he could refine the Great Saint-grade Blood-Suppressing Talisman.
If even he could not do it, then Zhang Ruochen did not know who else to ask.
Just as he came out from inside, Zhang Ruochen encountered Ji Fanxin.
"Zhang Ruochen, when do we set out for the Northern Domain?"
Ji Fanxin asked.
She had wanted to go to the Northern Domain for a very long time. Having been delayed until now, she naturally did not want to keep putting it off.
One had to know that the Kunlun Realm could now be considered a gathering place for all kinds of forces. Too many people had come, and the situation was extremely complex, changing at every moment.
If someone else took away the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree's trunk first, she would truly be left crying without tears.
Zhang Ruochen naturally understood what Ji Fanxin was thinking and smiled slightly. "Fairy, don't worry. Let me first go to the Merit General Station to exchange merits, and then we will immediately set out for the Northern Domain."
This time, they had annihilated hundreds of thousands of Undying Blood Clan troops, which could be exchanged for a massive amount of merit points. There was no reason to waste them.
Without any delay, Zhang Ruochen left the Zhenyu Ancient Clan alone and headed for the nearest Merit Station.
Throughout the entire Kunlun Realm, a total of seventy-two Merit Branch Stations had been established, each equipped with a Space Teleportation Array that could directly teleport to the Merit General Station, also known as the Heavenly Dog Star.
Of course, cultivators from the Heavenly Court Realm could also use the Merit General Station to continuously rush to the Kunlun Realm.
On the other side, cultivators from the Hell Realm were also frantically pouring into the Kunlun Realm, impossible to block.
It was precisely because of this that the situation in the Kunlun Realm was becoming increasingly complex, with no place left that was peaceful.
The Merit Branch Station closest to the Sword Tomb was the Twenty-Fifth Merit Branch Station.
Through the Space Teleportation Array, Zhang Ruochen quickly traveled from the Twenty-Fifth Merit Branch Station to the Merit General Station.
Just like when he had first come here from the Kunlun Realm, it was still as lively as ever—in fact, one could say it had become even more lively.
Some people were heading to the Kunlun Realm through the Merit General Station, while others, like Zhang Ruochen, had come here to exchange merit points or to return to the Heavenly Court Realm.
This time, the Merit Divine Temple had implemented a change: cultivators could directly exchange the merit points they obtained in the Kunlun Realm for merit treasures. This was one of the important reasons why so many people were flooding into the Kunlun Realm.
In the past, even if the Merit Divine Temple deliberately withheld merit treasures, there was often nothing that could be done about it.
For example, during the last Ancestor Spirit Realm Merit War, the Guanghan Realm had obtained the most merit points. But just because Zhang Ruochen had offended the Yan God, the Guanghan Realm ended up not receiving a single merit treasure.
Otherwise, with the merit points the Guanghan Realm had obtained at that time, they would definitely have been able to receive quite a few merit treasures, and the leading figures would all have had a share.
Exiting the Space Teleportation Array, Zhang Ruochen headed straight for the Merit Exchange Hall.
There, one could both exchange merit points and exchange merit points for merit treasures.
"That seems to be Zhang Ruochen."
"Yes, it is indeed him. Strange, why would he suddenly come to the Merit General Station? Is he planning to leave the Kunlun Realm?"
"As far as I know, after entering the Kunlun Realm, he doesn't seem to have gone to the Merit Battlefield. He's only fought fiercely with Mr. Shenya."
"Without killing any Hell Realm cultivators, what is he doing going to the Merit Exchange Hall?"
"Come on, let's go take a look."
…………
Immediately, many people recognized Zhang Ruochen and began discussing among themselves.
These discussions clearly reached Zhang Ruochen's ears, but he paid them no attention.
The Merit Exchange Hall was extremely magnificent and grand, filled with authority, inspiring a sense of reverence in anyone who entered.
Since its establishment, many cultivators had come and gone here every day, including Saints and Saint Kings, as well as some extremely famous extraordinary geniuses.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to enter the Merit Exchange Hall, some commotion suddenly arose nearby.
A group of people escorted several individuals, walking toward this side in a very ostentatious manner.
Seeing the faces of those being escorted, Zhang Ruochen's expression froze, and a few traces of cold light flickered faintly in his eyes.
He hadn't expected that a trip to the Merit General Station would allow him to encounter several old acquaintances.
"Shang Zihong, Si Han, Da Xi Wang, Huan Ji. It's been a long time." Zhang Ruochen's eyes gleamed with cold light as he stared fixedly at the escorted individuals.
"Hmm?"
Shang Zihong sensed something and cast his gaze over.
The moment he saw Zhang Ruochen, Shang Zihong's eyes instantly turned ice-cold.
He had always been a proud son of heaven, getting whatever he wanted, until he met Zhang Ruochen, who made him suffer two major setbacks in a row. His hatred for Zhang Ruochen could not be washed away even by the waters of the Heavenly River.
Thinking back to before coming to the Kunlun Realm, when he had undergone the hellish punishment in the Life-Death Refining Furnace and nearly died because of it, Shang Zihong, no matter how gentle and refined he usually was, wished he could tear Zhang Ruochen into a thousand pieces.
"Zhang Ruochen."
Da Xi Wang's expression was complicated, her gaze evasive, not daring to meet Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
To her, Zhang Ruochen was simply a nightmare. Her leverage and treasures were all in Zhang Ruochen's hands, and she wanted nothing more than to take them back at every moment.
Encountering Zhang Ruochen here made her feel extremely uncomfortable, and she wanted nothing more than to retreat immediately.