Chapter 1973: The Return of the Supreme Sacred Artifact
News of Zhang Ruochen subduing Ruan Ling and cuckolding the Azure Dragon spread rapidly through the Kunlun Realm, even reaching the Heavenly Court and various other worlds.
In an extremely short time, the Azure Dragon became a complete laughingstock, with people everywhere discussing the matter.
As a result, Zhang Ruochen's fame rose once again. Compared to his annihilation of hundreds of thousands of Hell Realm troops, it seemed people preferred to talk about this kind of amusing anecdote.
Zhang Ruochen did not pay attention to how the situation would develop. He returned to Wuding Mountain as quickly as possible with Shou Shu.
As soon as they arrived at Wuding Mountain, Zhang Ruochen parted ways with Shou Shu and ascended Saint Water Peak alone.
Just as he reached the front of the Saintess Palace, Qi Feiyu greeted him with a smile, saying, "Young Master Zhang, the Palace Master has gone into seclusion. You won't be able to see her for now."
"Seclusion?" Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly.
He had only been gone for less than half a day, and Ling Feiyu had already entered seclusion. This was quite unexpected.
However, matters between him and Ling Feiyu had already been made clear, so there was no need to dwell on it further.
His thoughts turning quickly, Zhang Ruochen said, "In that case, I should take my leave as well. Senior Sister Qi, until we meet again."
Matters at Wuding Mountain had come to an end. Since Ling Feiyu had gone into seclusion, there was no point in him staying any longer.
"Until we meet again," Qi Feiyu nodded.
Taking one last look at the closed doors of the Saintess Palace, Zhang Ruochen turned around and executed a Space Displacement, appearing directly at the foot of Wuding Mountain.
In no time at all, Shou Shu emerged from underground.
"Master Chen, are we heading to Phoenix Lake so soon?" Shou Shu asked curiously.
They had only just returned from outside. He had thought Zhang Ruochen would stay at Wuding Mountain for a few days.
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Matters here are settled. Let's set off for Phoenix Lake immediately."
"No problem, whatever you say, Master Chen," Shou Shu replied promptly.
Without further delay, the two set off, heading once again for the Sixty-Sixth Merit Post Station.
Wuding Mountain and Phoenix Lake were far apart, so using the Space Teleportation Array at the Merit Post Station would be more convenient.
Zhang Ruochen activated his Radiant Light Merit Armor and sped across the Bronze Furnace Plain.
Suddenly, a large amount of mist rose up ahead, turning everything white and hazy. A strange aura spread through the air.
"Hmm? Something's wrong."
Zhang Ruochen's expression shifted, and he immediately tried to retreat.
But before he could react, the surrounding environment had already changed. He and Shou Shu found themselves in a bamboo forest.
The bamboo forest was dense, with a gentle breeze rustling through the bamboo leaves, carrying the unique fragrance of green bamboo.
"Master Chen, what's going on?" Shou Shu asked, shrinking his head.
Zhang Ruochen said nothing, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.
Faint, melodious notes reached his ears, as if from a qin and xun playing together, serene and ethereal, their source unknown.
Zhang Ruochen attempted to use Space Displacement to leave the bamboo forest but failed.
Letting out a slow breath, Zhang Ruochen said, "Let's go. Let's see who the mysterious figure is that brought us here."
"Master Chen, wait for me."
Shou Shu quickly followed, afraid of being left alone.
At a time like this, sticking close to Zhang Ruochen was undoubtedly the safest option.
Following the sound of the qin and xun, Zhang Ruochen walked through the bamboo forest for a long time before finally seeing the players.
They were two old men. One had slightly curly red hair, wore coarse linen clothes, and was tall and imposing, with a resolute face and sharp, domineering eyes. He was playing the qin.
The other old man, dressed in green robes, was slightly stooped, with eyes as vicious as a venomous snake. A dense, fierce aura emanated from him, inspiring fear. He was playing the xun.
As his gaze swept over the two old men, Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed slightly. Both gave him a feeling of unfathomable depth and danger.
The green-robed old man felt very familiar to him. The fierce aura he emitted was exactly like the artifact spirit consciousness inside the Azure Sky Floating Tower, only far more powerful in essence.
In an instant, he guessed the green-robed old man's identity.
"Greetings, two seniors." Zhang Ruochen stepped forward and bowed.
The red-haired old man and the green-robed old man stopped playing their instruments, both turning their gazes to Zhang Ruochen.
A sharp glint flashed in the green-robed old man's eyes. Suddenly, he extended a hand and lightly struck out a palm.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen's expression changed drastically. Sensing a great threat, he quickly channeled the sacred qi within him and struck out with all his might.
A dragon and an elephant flew out, as if to fill the heavens and earth, with myriad visions unfolding.
"Boom."
The dragon and elephant shadows both shattered. A powerful palm force struck Zhang Ruochen solidly.
Zhang Ruochen staggered back a few steps before completely dispersing the palm force.
Fortunately, the Radiant Light Merit Armor had absorbed most of the force, and his body, tempered by the Life-and-Death Bronze Furnace, was able to withstand the blow without injury.
"Oh?"
Seeing Zhang Ruochen unharmed, the green-robed old man showed a hint of surprise.
Just as he was about to strike again, the red-haired old man stood up and said, "Brother Qing, don't forget your purpose."
"Fair enough."
The green-robed old man responded, then reached out and grabbed at the air toward Zhang Ruochen.
Instantly, the Azure Sky Floating Tower flew out from within Zhang Ruochen, completely beyond his control.
The green-robed old man was none other than the artifact spirit of the Azure Sky Floating Tower.
Just as the artifact spirit consciousness had said before, its true body would soon return, and no one would be able to forcibly control the Azure Sky Floating Tower then.
It was certain that the green-robed old man's cultivation was that of a true Great Saint, and not just at the Immortal Realm. That he could move freely in the Kunlun Realm meant he must be using some secret technique to conceal his aura, thus evading the patrols of the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm.
Being blocked by the artifact spirit of the Azure Sky Floating Tower was far from a good thing.
After all, the Azure Sky Floating Tower guarded the Chi Clan, and he had led his forces to annihilate the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion lineage, creating a deep, blood-soaked enmity.
"Zhang Ruochen, do you know your crime?" the green-robed old man demanded coldly.
Zhang Ruochen straightened his back, neither humble nor arrogant. "What crime have I committed?"
"For personal reasons, you destroyed the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion, and yet you claim to be innocent?" the green-robed old man snorted.
Unfazed by the terrifying aura the green-robed old man exuded, Zhang Ruochen said with righteous indignation, "So it's acceptable for the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion to slaughter my Zhang Clan members indiscriminately, but I am not allowed to destroy the Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion?"
A cold light flickered in the green-robed old man's eyes. "Sophistry. In my view, you have fallen into demonic possession. Kneel immediately."
As he spoke, the green-robed old man released an incredibly terrifying pressure, bearing down on Zhang Ruochen like a divine mountain crushing him.
Zhang Ruochen bore the immense pressure, keeping his body straight. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Do you think that just because you are a Great Saint, you can bully me? I am not afraid of even Chi Yao, so why would I fear an artifact spirit like you?"
He had long realized that even if he begged for mercy, the green-robed old man would not let him go.
Moreover, it was not in his nature to beg for mercy, especially not to the Chi Clan.
"How dare you! Showing disrespect to me is a capital offense." The green-robed old man released a fierce killing intent. A cyan light gathered at his fingertip, and he stabbed it toward Zhang Ruochen.
This finger strike was terrifying. Zhang Ruochen tried to dodge, but his body was completely immobilized.
Just as he thought he was doomed, the red-haired old man suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking the cyan light and also shielding him from the terrible pressure, allowing him to move again.
"Brother Chi, what is the meaning of this?" the green-robed old man asked in a deep voice.
The red-haired old man smiled faintly. "Brother Qing, why be so angry? The situation in the Kunlun Realm is dire. Zhang Ruochen holds great significance for this war. You cannot touch him."
"Brother Chi, you overestimate him. He may be the Heir of Time and Space, but how much help can his strength be in stopping the Hell Realm? Compared to those ancient sleepers, he is far too lacking." Contempt flickered in the green-robed old man's eyes.
The red-haired old man shook his head. "Do not doubt the judgment of Xumi Saint Monk. Time will tell."
Hearing this, the green-robed old man's brow furrowed deeply. He could see that the red-haired old man was determined to protect Zhang Ruochen, leaving him no further room to act.
"Fine. I will give you face, Brother Chi, and let him off this time. But if there is a next time, do not blame me for being ruthless." The green-robed old man retracted his killing intent and stopped targeting Zhang Ruochen.
After a pause, he continued, "Since I have already retrieved the Azure Sky Floating Tower, I will return to the Central Imperial City. Brother Chi, farewell."
The red-haired old man said nothing, merely nodding slightly.
The green-robed old man cast a cold glance at Zhang Ruochen, then transformed into a beam of cyan light and vanished.
Seeing the green-robed old man leave, Shou Shu quickly ran over. "Master Chen, are you alright?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly, then bowed to the red-haired old man in thanks. "Thank you, senior, for saving my life."
By now, he had figured it out. If his guess was correct, the red-haired old man was the artifact spirit of the Life-and-Death Bronze Furnace.
The aura emanating from the red-haired old man felt familiar—it was the same one he had sensed within the Life-and-Death Bronze Furnace.
The red-haired old man smiled faintly. "No need to be polite. You are the heir of Xumi Saint Monk and also the divine envoy of the Moon God. How could I stand by and watch you come to harm?"
Unlike the green-robed old man, the red-haired old man was friendly toward Zhang Ruochen, showing no arrogance at all.
"I have some questions. I wonder if senior could answer them for me?" Zhang Ruochen said solemnly.
The red-haired old man raised a finger and immobilized Shou Shu, then motioned for Zhang Ruochen to sit down.
Putting away his qin, the red-haired old man said with a smile, "I know what you want to ask. You want to know why we artifact spirits disappeared. One hundred thousand years ago, all the artifact spirits of the Supreme Sacred Artifacts in the Kunlun Realm vanished. There were two reasons for this."
"First, to avoid the Eon Calamity. Like gods, the artifact spirits of Supreme Sacred Artifacts and Divine Artifacts must undergo the Eon Calamity. If they survive, they grow stronger; if not, they are reduced to ashes."
"Second, to evade a Divine Artifact from the Hell Realm called the Soul-Devouring Lamp. If we had not hidden, none of the Supreme Sacred Artifact spirits would have escaped being devoured by that lamp."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen finally understood.
In truth, he had already suspected that the disappearance of the Kunlun Realm's Supreme Sacred Artifact spirits was likely to avoid the Eon Calamity. But he had not expected there to be another reason.
Without a doubt, the Soul-Devouring Lamp must be extremely terrifying. If it had devoured all the Supreme Sacred Artifact spirits, those Supreme Sacred Artifacts of the Kunlun Realm would have been essentially crippled.
A Supreme Sacred Artifact without an artifact spirit was worlds apart from one with an artifact spirit.
"Where could one hide from the Eon Calamity and the Soul-Devouring Lamp?" Zhang Ruochen asked curiously.
The red-haired old man said, "You should have heard of one of the Kunlun Realm's Ten Great Divine Artifacts—the Dao Soul Platform. All these years, we have been hiding within it."
"The Dao Soul Platform."
Zhang Ruochen's expression changed drastically.
As a cultivator of the Kunlun Realm, he naturally knew about the Ten Great Divine Artifacts. Each possessed earth-shattering, terrifying power.
But by now, the Ten Great Divine Artifacts had all become legends. Some were said to have been destroyed in unimaginably fierce battles.
Others had vanished without a trace, never seen again since the Middle Ages.
As far as Zhang Ruochen knew, only the Imperial Ruler Divine Ruler had been preserved within the Inscription Masters Guild. The other was the Divine Dragon Sun-Moon Chaos Cauldron, held by the mysterious powerhouse of Yin-Yang Sea.
As for the other Divine Artifacts, he had no idea where they were.
"Where is the Dao Soul Platform?" Zhang Ruochen asked again.
The red-haired old man shook his head slightly. "The Dao Soul Platform is of great importance. It is not yet time for you to know these things. What I can tell you is that the existence of the Dao Soul Platform will determine the survival or destruction of the entire Kunlun Realm. It will be the key to the Kunlun Realm's resistance against the Hell Realm."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's heart was thrown into turmoil. He believed the red-haired old man was not exaggerating. It could only mean that the Dao Soul Platform held an incredible secret, a trump card kept by the Kunlun Realm.
From this, it seemed that although the Kunlun Realm had failed one hundred thousand years ago, it had left behind some contingencies that would come into play in this era.
For a moment, Zhang Ruochen thought of many things—many seemingly unrelated matters that now connected.
All the other realms thought the Kunlun Realm was weak, with only a few scattered cultivators. But was that really the case?
Even Zhang Ruochen was finding it increasingly difficult to see through the situation in the Kunlun Realm. The waters here were far too deep.
"Zhang Ruochen, don't overthink things. Just do what you need to do. Everything will become clear in time. Then you will know the mission you must bear." The red-haired old man spoke with great significance.
With that, he transformed into a streak of red light and left the bamboo forest, presumably heading back to Wuding Mountain.
In the bamboo forest, Zhang Ruochen stood in silent contemplation, his mind unable to calm down for a long time.
...
This chapter has 4000 words, so the update is late. I gritted my teeth and finished writing this segment before updating. Everyone's recommendation tickets and monthly tickets... haha.