Chapter 2013: A Stirring Upheaval
Watching the three depart, Zhang Ruochen sighed. Born into this chaotic era, there were too many things beyond one's control.
Aside from Zhang Ruochen, no one else noticed that two people had quietly slipped away.
The two who left silently were none other than Han Qiu and A Le.
The reason they left was to investigate the next moves of the Heavenly Realm Faction. If possible, they wouldn't mind taking some retaliatory actions against the Heavenly Realm Faction.
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his gaze, turned to Xiao Hei, and said, "The protective grand formation of Peacock Manor has been destroyed. Rearrange it to ensure the safety of Peacock Manor."
"A trivial matter, leave it to this Emperor. Even with a casual arrangement, I can make Peacock Manor as impregnable as an iron fortress." Xiao Hei said smugly.
Then, Zhang Ruochen looked at the Nine-Step Saint Kings who had been controlled by Feng Gudao using the Soul-Holding Great Art.
After this battle, of the twenty-six Nine-Step Saint Kings, only seventeen remained. Nine had unfortunately died in battle, and those who survived were basically all injured.
Zhang Ruochen cupped his hands and said, "Thank you all for your assistance this time. You are all injured, so why not rest in Peacock Manor for a while? After your injuries heal, you can make other plans."
"We should thank Young Master Ruochen for slaying Feng Gudao, which allowed us to gain our freedom."
"Thank you, Young Master Ruochen."
The seventeen Nine-Step Saint Kings all expressed their gratitude to Zhang Ruochen.
They had no objections to Zhang Ruochen's proposal. With injuries at present, if they were attacked outside, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Especially those strong experts of the Heavenly Realm Faction—they were unlikely to let things rest.
Immediately, led by Kong Lanyou, everyone entered Peacock Manor.
Peacock Manor was indeed a piece of awakened sacred land. The sacred qi of heaven and earth within it was extremely rich, not much inferior to Phoenix Lake. Kong Lanyou provided the best healing grounds for everyone and even picked sacred medicines for healing.
Without any delay, Zhang Ruochen immediately began to heal his injuries.
This time, he was severely wounded, and it was a series of severe injuries, compounding the damage. If not healed as soon as possible, it might leave some aftereffects.
At this moment, outside Peacock Manor, it was already in an uproar.
"The Heavenly Realm Faction took a huge hit this time. They failed to eliminate Zhang Ruochen and instead suffered heavy losses."
"Just the death of Shang Zihong, the leader of the Merit God Hall, is enough to trigger a major earthquake. Add to that Feng Gudao, the leader of the Soul Realm, Zi Linglong, the leader of the Hongyang Realm, Chi Sheng and Cang Long, the leaders of the Ruiya Realm, Gu Tianyin, the leader of the Cha Realm, Yan Ba, the top expert of the Yin Yang Realm, Mu Jian, the top expert of the Space Divine Temple, and so on. I wonder how many deities will be jumping with rage."
"The Heavenly Realm Faction has many strong experts. It's just that they didn't take Zhang Ruochen seriously before, only sending Shang Zihong. Now that Shang Zihong is dead, those famous top experts of the Heavenly Realm Faction will probably all set their sights on Zhang Ruochen."
"This matter has nothing to do with us. It's better not to get involved. Let's leave this place quickly."
…………
Many cultivators who had been watching the battle left one after another, not daring to stay near Peacock Manor for fear of being implicated.
Because of the many cultivators who had witnessed the battle, the events that had taken place in Shengming City and Peacock Manor spread like wildfire, spreading in all directions at an astonishing speed. Not only did it quickly spread throughout the entire Kunlun Realm, but it also reached many major worlds.
As the news spread, all parties were greatly shaken.
Those cultivators who were at odds with the Heavenly Realm Faction were very pleased to hear this news, hoping that the Heavenly Realm Faction's losses would be even greater.
As for the cultivators of the Heavenly Realm Faction, they were furious. After all, since the Heavenly Realm became the ruling world of the Western Universe, no one had ever dared to bully the Heavenly Realm Faction like this.
Within the Northern Domain camp, in Zhen Yuan's estate.
A message light talisman flew in from the horizon and was caught by Zhen Yuan.
After checking its contents, Zhen Yuan couldn't help but smile. He turned to Feng Yan, Xiang Chunan, and Pei Yutian and said, "You don't need to worry anymore. Zhang Junior Brother's troubles have been temporarily resolved. The Heavenly Realm Faction suffered a considerable loss this time."
"What happened?" Feng Yan asked hastily.
Upon learning that the Heavenly Realm Faction was going to make a move against Zhang Ruochen, Feng Yan, Xiang Chunan, and Pei Yutian were extremely anxious. They immediately wanted to rush to the Central Domain to help Zhang Ruochen, but unfortunately, someone secretly intervened to stop them, and even Zhen Yuan couldn't do anything about it.
With no other option, they could only wait anxiously in the Northern Domain camp.
"See for yourselves." Zhen Yuan smiled and handed the message light talisman to the three of them.
Feng Yan and the others crowded together, carefully examining the contents of the message light talisman.
"Hahaha, as expected of Big Brother. Truly formidable! He even killed Shang Zihong. How satisfying! How incredibly satisfying!" Xiang Chunan couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Feng Yan also smiled and said, "Big Brother has really poked a hole in the sky this time. The Heavenly Realm Faction must be going crazy."
"If Kunlun Realm had a few more Zhang Ruochens, why would Kunlun Realm fear challenges from all sides?" Pei Yutian said with some emotion.
After reading the contents of the message light talisman, Feng Yan and the others were undoubtedly very happy. The hanging stone in their hearts finally fell.
At the same time, the Murong Family in the Central Domain also received the news.
"The Heavenly Realm Faction wants to cut off the roots of our Shengming. What wishful thinking! With His Highness here, Shengming will never perish." Murong Yefeng said excitedly.
He had actually wanted to rush to Shengming City to stop the Heavenly Realm Faction's conspiracy.
But unfortunately, strong experts were blocking the Murong Family's entrance, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the Murong Family.
Although he had made a forceful move, he was still blocked back and couldn't break out.
Moreover, even if he could break out, the Murong Family would likely be reduced to ashes in an instant.
Murong Yue said, "His Highness has completely displayed Shengming's might this time. Even if the Heavenly Realm Faction wants to harm our Shengming, they will have to pay a heavy price."
"When Shengming's strength grows a bit more, we will definitely settle accounts with the Heavenly Realm Faction." Murong Yefeng said with high spirits.
Once he completely refined the Kirin Supreme Perfect Fruit and cultivated the Supreme Perfect Physique, he would fear no one.
On the other side, not long after the events in Shengming City and Peacock Manor spread, the Heavenly Realm Faction responded.
"Anyone who dares to oppose the Heavenly Realm will come to no good end. No one can trample on the dignity of the Heavenly Realm. Zhang Ruochen, keep your head well. I, Zhou Yu, will come to collect it."
A top expert of the Heavenly Realm spoke out, once again causing a stir.
"Zhou Yu is a top-tier expert of the same caliber as Xuan Yuan Lie Kong. Not long ago, a Seven Calamity Ghost King of the Undying Great Saint level appeared in the Underworld, managing to evade the Patrol Envoy. Unfortunately for it, it ran into Zhou Yu. The two fought for thousands of rounds, causing thousands of miles of the Underworld land to sink. In the end, Zhou Yu won and killed that Seven Calamity Ghost King."
"Although Zhou Yu paid a considerable price for this, this battle proved his own formidable strength."
"At the present stage, Zhou Yu is one of the most promising candidates to reach the level of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Heavenly Palace."
"Unexpectedly, Zhou Yu intends to personally deal with Zhang Ruochen. This time, I'm afraid no one can save Zhang Ruochen."
"Even Zhou Yu has been alarmed. It must be that a big shot in the Heavenly Realm is furious and wants to make an example of Zhang Ruochen."
"Zhou Yu is currently fighting in the Underworld. Once he returns, Zhang Ruochen's life will probably be in danger."