Chapter 1999: The Fairy Makes Her Move
Outside Peacock Manor, after Kong Lanyou and Di Feng’s battle erupted, the others also made their moves one after another, with no one able to stand aloof.
On the side of the Heavenly Realm Faction, there were several hundred powerful Saint King realm experts, with nearly a hundred of them reaching the Nine-Step Saint King realm. In terms of numbers, they held an absolute advantage.
At this moment, only a portion of the Nine-Step Saint Kings had made their moves, while the other experts stood guard nearby, sealing off all escape routes.
Figures like Jin Yu, Luo Chen, Bao Lie, and Mo Yin were given special attention, with top-tier experts like Xing Yuan and Chen Hu personally dealing with them.
Clearly, the Heavenly Realm Faction intended to specifically target those close to Zhang Ruochen.
“Swish, swish.”
Sounds of tearing air rang out as many cultivators successively arrived near Peacock Manor.
None of those who came dared to get too close to Peacock Manor; they only dared to watch from afar, afraid of getting caught up in the conflict.
“It’s already turned into a bloody fight so quickly. Weren’t those Nine-Step Saint Kings controlled by Feng Gudao using the Soul-Holding Great Art? How come they’re helping Zhang Ruochen instead?”
“Feng Gudao, Zi Ziling, Chi Sheng, and Gu Tianyin were all captured alive by Zhang Ruochen and brought to Peacock Manor to exchange for Chi Kunlun. Why are they nowhere to be seen now?”
“You arrived too late. The four of them, Feng Gudao and the others, were already killed. Shang Zihong is ruthless enough—he refused to exchange Chi Kunlun no matter what.”
“In Shang Zihong’s eyes, are Feng Gudao and the others not even as important as Chi Kunlun?”
“Zhang Ruochen has too few experts on his side. This time, he’s truly inescapable. It’s hard to imagine another reversal happening.”
…
Watching the fierce battle that had already erupted outside Peacock Manor, many cultivators couldn’t help but sigh with regret for Zhang Ruochen.
In their view, Zhang Ruochen had wiped out all the Heavenly Realm Faction experts in Shengming City and could have retreated unscathed. Yet he insisted on coming to Peacock Manor, walking right into a trap. The miracle of Shengming City couldn’t possibly repeat itself at Peacock Manor.
“Being able to take control of the experts Feng Gudao had dominated and use them for himself—Zhang Ruochen is quite capable. Fight on, fight slowly. It’s best if they both suffer heavy losses. Then this princess can make her move.”
Rakshasa Clan Princess Luo Sha hid in the shadows, her gaze locked tightly on Zhang Ruochen.
If Zhang Ruochen were severely injured here, she could seize the opportunity to capture him and take him back to the Hell Realm. She had never given up on that idea.
From another direction, Heavenly Beginning Fairy, Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden, Dullard, and Butcher were also hidden in the darkness, watching the battle before Peacock Manor from afar.
“That Zhang Ruochen really isn’t afraid of death. Shang Zihong is clearly out to kill him. This time is far more dangerous than at the Daluo Dao Field,” Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden said, shaking her head.
Although she cared about the Truth Esoterica within Zhang Ruochen, it was clearly impossible for her to intervene at this moment. She didn’t want to bring trouble to the Thousand Star Civilization by opposing the Heavenly Realm Faction for Zhang Ruochen’s sake.
Heavenly Beginning Fairy turned to look at Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden and said, “Chenjing, aren’t you planning to make a move?”
“Make a move? My friendship with Zhang Ruochen hasn’t reached that point. We’ve only cooperated in the past. At other times, I might lend him a hand, but going against the Heavenly Realm Faction is absolutely out of the question,” Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden said resolutely.
Heavenly Beginning Fairy frowned slightly. “I’ve heard rumors between you and Zhang Ruochen…”
The news of Zhang Ruochen and Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden’s “car shaking” had once spread far and wide.
Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden gritted her silver teeth. “That’s completely baseless. I didn’t expect you, sister, to believe it too.”
Hearing this, Heavenly Beginning Fairy’s brow relaxed, and a look of determination appeared in her eyes. She turned to Dullard and Butcher and said, “You two stay here. Don’t act rashly.”
“If the Heavenly Maiden intends to help Zhang Ruochen, I request to join as well. Zhang Ruochen saved my life at Luo River. I must repay that debt,” Dullard immediately spoke up.
“Count me in too,” Butcher added.
Hearing their words, Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden showed a look of surprise. “Sister, aren’t you afraid this will bring great trouble to the Heavenly Beginning Civilization?”
“I represent only myself, not the Heavenly Beginning Civilization. I owe Zhang Ruochen a debt, and it must be repaid,” Heavenly Beginning Fairy said firmly.
With that, Heavenly Beginning Fairy immediately flashed forward, decisive and resolute.
Dullard and Butcher didn’t hesitate either, following closely behind.
“Shua.”
A light thread, as fine as a hair, flew out from Heavenly Beginning Fairy’s body, hugging the ground.
Then, the light thread shot into the sky, winding upward, piercing through three Saint Kings in succession.
The light thread trembled slightly, and the three Saint Kings let out miserable screams as their saintly bodies shattered into countless pieces, falling from the air.
In the blink of an eye, three Saint Kings had perished, without even a chance to resist.
What Heavenly Beginning Fairy used was naturally the Rain Silk Divine Sword, which could kill without a trace and was always effective.
“Hmm? Luo Ji, how dare you interfere in this matter? What audacity!” a strong expert from the Heavenly Realm Faction immediately shouted.
This man was thin, with a ruthless look in his eyes. He carried a bronze-colored ancient sword on his back and exuded an extremely sharp aura, like an unsheathed divine sword.
His name was Yu Lin, from the Tian Gui Realm, and he was the leader among those below the Great Saint realm in the Tian Gui Realm.
Although the Tian Gui Realm was one of the weaker major worlds under the Heavenly Court, Yu Lin, as its leader, was not weak in strength.
For example, the Guanghan Realm, which ranked at the bottom, had still produced some top-tier experts.
Over the years, the Tian Gui Realm had been clinging tightly to the Heavenly Realm Faction’s coattails, supporting whatever the Heavenly Realm Faction did without question.
“So what if I interfere?”
Heavenly Beginning Fairy’s eyes were cold as she held the Rain Silk Divine Sword and directly attacked Yu Lin.
Her sword qi spread out like a silk net, enveloping Yu Lin.
Seeing Heavenly Beginning Fairy make her move, Yu Lin’s eyes flashed with a fierce killing intent. “Hmph, since you’re looking for death, I’ll grant your wish.”
Daring to interfere in the Heavenly Realm Faction’s affairs, even if Heavenly Beginning Fairy was one of the beautiful fairies on the Nine Immortal Beauties Chart, he would show no mercy.
“Hua.”
Yu Lin drew the bronze-colored ancient sword from his back and slashed out.
“Bang.”
The sword light Yu Lin unleashed was devastatingly powerful, but it failed to destroy the silk net of sword qi formed by the Rain Silk Divine Sword.
Seeing this, Yu Lin showed a look of surprise, not expecting Heavenly Beginning Fairy’s strength to be so formidable.
Immediately, he dared not be careless and used all his strength to deal with her.
While Heavenly Beginning Fairy clashed with Yu Lin, Dullard and Butcher also made their moves, attacking the Nine-Step Saint Kings of the Heavenly Realm Faction.
Both were top-tier experts at the Dao Domain realm, and no one dared to underestimate them.
Watching Heavenly Beginning Fairy, Dullard, and Butcher engage the Heavenly Realm Faction’s experts, Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden’s eyes showed a flicker of astonishment. She truly hadn’t expected Heavenly Beginning Fairy to actually make a move for Zhang Ruochen’s sake.
Was it merely to repay a debt, or were there other factors involved?
Regardless, Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden herself had no intention of getting involved. That Zhang Ruochen was too arrogant and too shameless—he needed to suffer a bit to learn what respect meant.
“Luo Ji.”
Zhang Ruochen also noticed Heavenly Beginning Fairy at the first moment. He was initially surprised, then a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth, forming a slight arc.
This situation was far more dangerous than when they were at the Eastern Domain Sacred City. He truly hadn’t expected Heavenly Beginning Fairy to intervene again, nor had he thought she would appear in the Central Domain.
If her appearance in the Central Domain was just a coincidence, Zhang Ruochen wouldn’t believe it.
He just didn’t know whether this move by Heavenly Beginning Fairy was to repay a debt or if it involved personal feelings.
Shang Zihong also detected Heavenly Beginning Fairy’s arrival and snorted coldly. “Zhang Ruochen, one Luo Ji alone can’t change anything. She’ll only be buried with you.”
“My life is very tough. Many have wanted to kill me, but in the end, they all died by my hand. This time will be no exception,” Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
With that, Zhang Ruochen struck first, raising the Abyssal Ancient Sword and slashing at Shang Zihong.
“Nine Returns to One.”
As soon as he made his move, Zhang Ruochen executed a sword technique from the True One Thunderfire Sword Art.
Nine phantom figures appeared, attacking Shang Zihong from different directions, as if nine Zhang Ruochens were striking together.
In an instant, the nine phantom figures merged into one, stabbing at Shang Zihong, who held the Red Child Sword, from an extremely tricky angle.
The True One Thunderfire Sword Art was a saint-level sword technique passed down through the Skyward Sword Lineage, profound and immensely powerful.
By integrating the power of time and space into it, Zhang Ruochen had made the True One Thunderfire Sword Art unfathomable, impossible for anyone to see through.
Although Zhang Ruochen’s cultivation level couldn’t compare to the past patriarchs of the Skyward Sword Lineage, he had cultivated the True One Thunderfire Sword Art to a level they had never reached.
It was a case of the student surpassing the master.
“Well done.”
Shang Zihong’s Flame Corpse showed no fear, holding the Red Child Sword as he met Zhang Ruochen’s attack.
Dense golden light patterns appeared on the Red Child Sword, unleashing a towering wave of fire.
“Boom.”
The thunder and flames released by the Abyssal Ancient Sword collided violently with the towering fire wave from the Red Child Sword.
A violent surge of air formed, spreading in all directions.
The force of the air wave was so strong that both Zhang Ruochen and Shang Zihong’s Flame Corpse were pushed back several steps, creating some distance between them.
At that moment, Shang Zihong’s Prime Corpse turned into a streak of light and suddenly unleashed the Five-Colored Merit Divine Stele, pressing down on Zhang Ruochen.
At the same time, Shang Zihong’s Cold Corpse also acted, unleashing the Ten-Thousand Refining Tower.
The Ten-Thousand Refining Tower instantly transformed into a giant tower hundreds of feet tall, releasing waves of terrifying supreme power, as if it could crush everything.
Although the Ten-Thousand Refining Tower was not a complete Supreme Sacred Artifact, its power was still formidable, as it could still unleash supreme power.
Zhang Ruochen activated the Flowing Light Merit Divine Armor and shot out instantly.
The Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror trembled, manifesting the phantom images of countless majestic demon mountains, meeting the Five-Colored Merit Divine Stele and the Ten-Thousand Refining Tower.
“Bang.”
The Five-Colored Merit Divine Stele and the Ten-Thousand Refining Tower were blocked, both retreating backward.
The phantom images of the demon mountains manifested by the Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror also shattered, and the mirror itself flew back above Zhang Ruochen’s head. Its surface was still covered with numerous supreme inscription runes, emitting a dark and eerie demonic light.
In their first clash, Zhang Ruochen and Shang Zihong were evenly matched, with neither gaining an advantage.
Zhang Ruochen lowered his brows slightly, calculating silently in his mind.
Shang Zihong was indeed a formidable enemy. Not only was he exceptionally talented, but he also possessed a mountain of treasures. The Red Child Sword was a Divine Relic Ancient Artifact, the Ten-Thousand Refining Tower was part of a Supreme Sacred Artifact, and the Five-Colored Merit Divine Stele was a supreme treasure forged by the Merit Divine Temple. Each piece was incredibly powerful.
Moreover, the battle armor Shang Zihong wore and the various ornaments on his body were all extraordinary items, almost all rare treasures.
Facing an opponent loaded with treasures like this would give anyone a headache.
…
(There should be another chapter tonight.)