Chapter 1972: Spreading Rumors
Leaving Wuding Mountain, Zhang Ruochen donned the Flowing Light Merit Armor, brought along Shoushu, and burst forth at a thousand times the speed of sound, heading straight for the Sixty-Sixth Merit Relay Station, the closest one to Wuding Mountain.
Just as he was about to reach the Sixty-Sixth Merit Relay Station, Zhang Ruochen separated from Shoushu, letting the rat go ahead first.
Estimating that Shoushu was ready, Zhang Ruochen unhurriedly entered the Sixty-Sixth Merit Relay Station.
"Zhang Ruochen."
Canglong revealed himself, his eyes filled with venomous resentment.
Since he had stepped onto the path of cultivation, he had always been invincible, never expecting to suffer a defeat at Zhang Ruochen's hands—and such a devastating one at that. It was a massive stain on his life, one that could only be washed away with Zhang Ruochen's blood.
Zhang Ruochen wore a smile as he walked over slowly. "Canglong, did you bring what I asked for?"
"Where is Ruan Ling?" Canglong's face was extremely gloomy.
Zhang Ruochen knew full well that without seeing Ruan Ling, Canglong would never hand over the Five Elements Divine Objects. So, without hesitation, he opened the Qiankun Realm and released Ruan Ling.
He had already used a secret technique to seal Ruan Ling's spiritual power, rendering her completely unable to resist, making the use of the Saint-Binding Rope unnecessary.
"Junior Sister." Canglong's eyes showed deep concern.
Zhang Ruochen extended a hand and placed it on Ruan Ling's fragrant shoulder. "Relax, I've always been gentle with women. Your junior sister hasn't suffered at all. Give me the items, and I'll return her to you."
Ruan Ling showed no extreme reaction. With her spiritual power sealed, any resistance was futile.
She could only wonder in her heart what condition Canglong had agreed to, for Zhang Ruochen to be willing to let her go.
"Isn't that Canglong? Why is Ruan Ling with Zhang Ruochen?"
"The Nether God Hall and Zhang Ruochen are like fire and water. What's going on here?"
"It is indeed strange. Could there be some hidden story?"
…………
The Merit Relay Station was bustling with people, and soon many noticed the presence of Zhang Ruochen, Canglong, and Ruan Ling, sparking murmurs of discussion.
Hearing these words, Canglong's face grew even darker, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"All of you, get lost!"
Canglong's heart burned with rage as he roared at the onlookers.
If this weren't the Merit Relay Station, he would have torn every one of them to pieces.
Feeling the terrifying killing intent radiating from Canglong, the onlookers quickly dispersed, afraid of inviting disaster upon themselves.
Calming himself slightly, Canglong took out a brocade box and said in a deep voice, "Everything you want is inside. Release Ruan Ling now."
Zhang Ruochen released his spiritual power, probing into the brocade box in Canglong's hand.
Canglong did not stop him, allowing Zhang Ruochen's spiritual power to enter.
A moment later, Zhang Ruochen withdrew his spiritual power, a satisfied smile appearing in his eyes. "Good, the items are fine. Let's make the exchange now."
As he spoke, he walked toward Canglong together with Ruan Ling.
Since fighting and killing were forbidden in the Merit Relay Station, there was no need for excessive caution.
When they were close, Zhang Ruochen reached for the brocade box in Canglong's hand, while Canglong grabbed Ruan Ling's hand.
Almost simultaneously, Zhang Ruochen removed his hand from Ruan Ling's shoulder, and Canglong released the box.
"Shua."
Canglong pulled Ruan Ling back quickly, putting distance between them and Zhang Ruochen.
"Junior Sister, are you alright?" Canglong asked with great concern.
Ruan Ling stared intently at Zhang Ruochen and said coldly, "I'm fine. What did you give Zhang Ruochen?"
"Naturally, something good. Canglong, thank you for the generous gift. You two take your time; I'll be going now." Zhang Ruochen lightly shook the brocade box and walked away.
Leaving that remark, Zhang Ruochen vanished from the spot.
"Damn it!" Canglong clenched his fists, his chest seething with murderous intent.
He wanted nothing more than to strike now, intercept Zhang Ruochen, and reclaim the two Five Elements Divine Objects.
But his injuries had not yet healed, and he was wary of the methods Zhang Ruochen had used last time, so he had to hold back.
Canglong had also considered asking for help, setting up an ambush for Zhang Ruochen, but that would likely result in the two Five Elements Divine Objects falling into someone else's hands.
Moreover, given Zhang Ruochen's cunning, since he dared to come, he must have prepared for such a scenario.
So, that idea had to be abandoned.
"What exactly did you give Zhang Ruochen?" Ruan Ling asked again.
Canglong's face darkened. "Heavenly Blood Mother Gold and Primordial Earth Source."
Hearing this, Ruan Ling's expression changed instantly. She had never imagined the brocade box contained such precious treasures.
She knew Canglong possessed a piece of Heavenly Blood Mother Gold, and the Primordial Earth Source was undoubtedly bestowed by the Nether God.
"We must eliminate Zhang Ruochen and reclaim those two divine objects," Ruan Ling thought to herself.
This time, the Nether God would surely be deeply disappointed. If they failed to complete the mission, neither of them would have an easy time.
As soon as Zhang Ruochen left, Shoushu immediately became active.
"Do you know what's going on?" Shoushu looked around and said.
"Do you know?" someone asked curiously.
Shoushu chuckled, revealing two white rat teeth, and said lecherously, "Of course I do. Not long ago, Canglong and Ruan Ling set a trap to deal with Zhang Ruochen, but instead, they got outsmarted. Not only did Canglong escape severely injured, but his lover Ruan Ling was captured by Zhang Ruochen."
"With his lover captured, Canglong was frantic, trying every way to rescue Ruan Ling."
"And you know what? Zhang Ruochen actually made an exception this time, agreeing to a deal with Canglong, letting him prepare treasures in exchange for Ruan Ling."
One person shook his head vigorously. "Impossible. With Zhang Ruochen's personality, how could he let a tiger return to the mountain? Especially since he and the Nether God Hall are mortal enemies, destined for a fight to the death. There's no reason to let Ruan Ling go."
Shoushu said, "But the problem is, Zhang Ruochen did release Ruan Ling. Everyone saw it with their own eyes. Isn't that strange? Actually, the reason is simple: Ruan Ling had already been won over by Zhang Ruochen long ago. Canglong, however, was completely in the dark and foolishly used treasures to get her back. Isn't that ridiculous?"
"Ruan Ling would be won over so easily? How is that possible?" another person questioned.
Shoushu glared. "Why not? I heard that Ruan Ling used an illusion technique, transforming into Ling Feiyu's appearance to seduce Zhang Ruochen, but ended up making it real. Heh heh, Zhang Ruochen took full advantage, so he couldn't bear to kill her. After all, Zhang Ruochen isn't a heartless man. Look, does Ruan Ling have a single scratch on her?"
Hearing this, the crowd all turned to look at Ruan Ling, scrutinizing her carefully.
Though they didn't fully believe Shoushu, seeing was believing. Zhang Ruochen had indeed taken the treasure from Canglong and then released Ruan Ling—they had witnessed it.
"It's true. Ruan Ling doesn't have a single injury, and she looks radiant. When did Zhang Ruochen become so gentle?"
"Gentle? Are you joking? When has Zhang Ruochen ever shown mercy to his enemies?"
"From the looks of it, there really is something between Ruan Ling and Zhang Ruochen."
"Do you even need to ask? If Ruan Ling hadn't willingly given herself, how could Zhang Ruochen have let her go? If it were just for the treasure, I wouldn't believe it even if I were beaten to death."
"Poor Canglong, still completely in the dark, foolishly using treasures to get Ruan Ling back, treating her like a pure and chaste goddess."
"Exactly. You have to admit, Zhang Ruochen is ruthless. He takes what he's done with and gives it back to Canglong, while also taking treasures from him. That move is just too clever."
"Stop talking. Don't you see Canglong's face turning green?"
…………
Though their voices were low, they couldn't escape Canglong's ears.
At that moment, Canglong's face was indeed green. His chest was filled with rage, and he nearly spat blood.
Ruan Ling's spiritual power was sealed, so she hadn't heard the gossip. Seeing Canglong's changing expression, she was puzzled. "Canglong, what's wrong?"
"Slap!"
The more Canglong thought about it, the more he felt the cultivators' words made sense. Anger and resentment surged within him, and his lungs felt like they would burst. When he looked at Ruan Ling, the image of Zhang Ruochen lying on top of her involuntarily appeared in his mind.
Unable to contain his fury, Canglong slapped Ruan Ling hard across the face. "Bitch! How dare you collude with Zhang Ruochen to deceive me! I'll trample Zhang Ruochen to death right in front of you!"
Struck by Canglong's slap, Ruan Ling felt a burning pain on her face and was momentarily stunned. Canglong had never dared to treat her like this before.
"Canglong, have you lost your mind?" Ruan Ling shouted angrily.
Canglong's face was dark, his fists clenched. "Don't you know what you've done yourself?"
With that, Canglong turned and walked straight into the Space Teleportation Array, unwilling to look at Ruan Ling any longer.
He couldn't bear to stay in this place any longer, or he would be so angry he'd cough up blood.
He had already suspected something between Ruan Ling and Zhang Ruochen, but he hadn't wanted to believe it. Now, he had no choice but to accept it.
Ruan Ling was both furious and confused. Canglong had used two Five Elements Divine Objects to exchange for her, so why was he treating her like this?
Her top priority was to break the seal Zhang Ruochen had placed on her, then find out what had happened and settle accounts with Canglong.
Given her spiritual power, breaking the seal was only a matter of time.
Seeing this outcome, a satisfied smile appeared in Shoushu's eyes, and he promptly withdrew.
By a stream not far from the Sixty-Sixth Merit Relay Station, Shoushu emerged from underground and flashed to Zhang Ruochen's side.
"How did it go?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Shoushu grinned smugly. "Master Chen, you can count on me. I exceeded expectations. Canglong has gone berserk. If only you could have seen his face—tsk tsk, it was priceless."
"Exceeded expectations?"
Shoushu then vividly recounted the rumors he had spread.
At first, Zhang Ruochen was quite satisfied, but the more he listened, the darker his face became, his forehead covered in lines. He had only asked Shoushu to spread the news that he had won over Ruan Ling, to make Canglong and even the entire Heavenly Realm Faction suspicious of her.
Who would have thought Shoushu would embellish it, escalating the rumor to claim that Zhang Ruochen had forcibly taken Ruan Ling and made her his woman? Wouldn't Canglong be furious?
Such a rumor would naturally be more effective.
But didn't he, Zhang Ruochen, have a reputation to maintain?
"You... ah..."
Zhang Ruochen didn't know whether to laugh or cry, shaking his head. "Forget it. You're quite the rat talent. Well done. Here's your reward."
Zhang Ruochen tossed a pair of gleaming fist gloves to Shoushu.
Shoushu chuckled, quickly catching them, and his eyes lit up. "Nine-Light Ten-Thousand-Pattern Saint-level fist gloves! Thank you, Master Chen!"
He was only at the Six-Step Saint King level, and these Nine-Light Ten-Thousand-Pattern Saint-level fist gloves were more than enough for him.
With these gloves, his strength would greatly increase. Combined with his status as an ancient relic, he could even hold his own against an Eight-Step Saint King.
Zhang Ruochen didn't care much. He had recently eliminated too many Hell Realm experts and had plenty of high-level Ten-Thousand-Pattern Saint artifacts.
Without lingering here, Zhang Ruochen took Shoushu and headed straight back to Wuding Mountain.
(Chapter End)