Chapter 2032: Leaving
Xue Hou's words stirred Zhang Ruochen's heart, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
He believed that there was genuine affection between Xue Hou and Ming Emperor; otherwise, he would not exist at all.
Yet, even so, accepting Xue Hou right now remained extremely difficult.
If Ming Emperor were by his side now, perhaps Zhang Ruochen would not have to be so troubled.
Zhang Ruochen's spirits sank. "I'm a bit tired. You should go first."
Xue Hou could sense that Zhang Ruochen's resistance toward her had noticeably weakened, which was undoubtedly a good start.
"Chen'er, rest well. If you need anything, just tell your mother," Xue Hou said softly.
As if to maintain a good impression in Zhang Ruochen's mind, Xue Hou did not linger long and turned to leave decisively.
Feelings needed to be nurtured. She had already waited eight hundred years; there was no need to rush now.
"Are you alright?"
As soon as Xue Hou left, Mu Lingxi asked softly.
She could see that Zhang Ruochen's emotions had fluctuated greatly earlier. In her memory, few things could make Zhang Ruochen lose control of his emotions like this.
It could only be said that the matter of his previous life's physical body and the affairs concerning Ming Emperor had hit Zhang Ruochen too hard, making him deeply concerned.
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto his face. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'm not that fragile. As long as Father is still alive, I will definitely find him."
And once he found Ming Emperor, many of the doubts in his heart might be answered.
Hearing this, Mu Lingxi felt relieved. She had been afraid that Zhang Ruochen was pushing himself too hard and might run into problems.
In the following days, Xue Hou continued as before, visiting several times each day to check on him, always bringing treasures like Heavenly Grade Sacred Pills and Eon Sacred Medicines, as if she wanted to gather all the best things for Zhang Ruochen.
Although Zhang Ruochen was no longer as cold as before, he still showed no sign of closeness. He also refused every treasure Xue Hou sent.
After another failed attempt to deliver Beast Emperor Meat, Xue Hou walked out of Zhang Ruochen's room and encountered Kong Lanyou in the garden.
"Lanyou, keep me company for a while," Xue Hou said gently.
Kong Lanyou hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, not refusing Xue Hou.
They walked to a pavilion and sat down.
Perhaps because she hadn't spoken with anyone properly in a long time, Xue Hou talked a lot with Kong Lanyou, reminiscing about some past events at Peacock Manor.
Xue Hou was not a heartless person. Having lived in Peacock Manor for so many years, she had naturally developed some feelings for it.
Unfortunately, eight hundred years had passed, and Peacock Manor had long since changed. The familiar faces from the past were all gone. Only Kong Lanyou still mattered to Xue Hou.
As for Xue Hou, Kong Lanyou's feelings were quite complicated. For eight hundred years, she had believed she had an aunt and often went to the Royal Clan's tomb forest to sweep her grave. But later, when she learned her aunt's true identity—the infamous Xue Hou whose name had spread terror across Kunlun Realm—she couldn't help but feel deeply emotional.
"Lanyou, the Second Gradient has many mysterious places. Based on my investigations over the years, there should be opportunities there that can help you rebuild your Immortal Sacred Body," Xue Hou suddenly said.
Kong Lanyou's expression changed. "Is there really such an opportunity?"
What mattered most to Kong Lanyou were two things: Zhang Ruochen and rebuilding her Immortal Sacred Body. But she also understood that the difficulty of rebuilding an Immortal Sacred Body was unimaginable. Without a special opportunity, success was impossible.
"Yes, but obtaining it won't be easy, and it comes with some danger," Xue Hou nodded.
Hearing Xue Hou's confirmation, Kong Lanyou's heart trembled. Even with her eight hundred years of cultivation experience, she couldn't help but feel a huge surge of emotion.
A glint of determination flashed in Kong Lanyou's eyes. "If such an opportunity exists, no matter how dangerous, I have to try."
Xue Hou nodded approvingly. "The danger is extraordinary. You might fall, your divine form annihilated. Or you might soar to new heights, forging a peerless Immortal Sacred Body and gaining the qualifications to become a god. Think it over. No need to answer right away."
With these words, Xue Hou stood up and drifted away.
Only Kong Lanyou remained in the pavilion, quietly contemplating the matter.
Luo Shenjian was one of the most mysterious places in the Second Gradient.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen stood outside the abyss, his gaze fixed on a figure sitting cross-legged inside.
That figure was none other than Chi Kunlun.
Although Xue Hou said Chi Kunlun didn't want to see him, Zhang Ruochen still wanted to meet Chi Kunlun in person to truly feel at ease.
Luo Shenjian was eerie and unpredictable, its spatial forces extremely violent, filled with space rifts and occasional space storms. Even Great Saint-level cultivators dared not venture in easily.
The area where Chi Kunlun sat was the center of Luo Shenjian, seemingly dangerous but actually the safest spot.
"Chen'er, rest assured. Kunlun is perfectly safe here. The space rules in Luo Shenjian are the most active, greatly aiding Kunlun's comprehension of the Way of Space. Moreover, there are Space Blood Crystals in Luo Shenjian. If Kunlun can obtain one, not only will his Way of Space improve significantly, but his True God Body will also be further activated," Xue Hou said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Let Kunlun cultivate here. I hope that when he emerges from seclusion, he can stand on his own."
Regardless, Chi Kunlun possessed a True God Body and was a Space Controller. Zhang Ruochen naturally had high expectations for him.
After standing outside Luo Shenjian for a while, Zhang Ruochen turned and left.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen leave, Xue Hou breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The Chi Kunlun in Luo Shenjian was, of course, not the real Chi Kunlun. It was only a fake body Xue Hou had condensed using a Space Blood Crystal.
Since Chi Kunlun was still in the hands of that Yama Clan person, and Zhang Ruochen insisted on seeing him at this time, Xue Hou had no choice but to handle it this way.
With a flicker of movement, Xue Hou appeared in the cave where Zhang Ruochen's previous life's body was being nurtured.
"It hasn't been many days. Why are you here again?" Xue Mo asked.
Xue Hou's expression was serious. "Xue Mo, your strength has almost fully recovered. There's something I need you to do for me."
"What could possibly make you, Xue Hou, ask for my help? Tell me about it," Xue Mo said with surprise.
Xue Hou said, "Help me deal with a junior from the Yama Clan and rescue my grandson from his hands."
"A junior from the Yama Clan is worth my intervention?" Xue Mo was clearly reluctant.
Xue Hou said calmly, "When you see him, I believe you'll be interested."
Then, Xue Hou turned to Qiu Yichi and said, "You'll lead this mission. Take Xue Mo and Yan Liren with you. Yan Wushen's combat power is invincible, but his mental state may not be without flaws. Take this Heart-Seizing Pearl. Use it if necessary."
"Remember, you must bring Chi Kunlun back. No mistakes."
Qiu Yichi quickly took the Heart-Seizing Pearl and said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Master. I will bring Chi Kunlun back safely."
"Good. Go now. Return soon," Xue Hou nodded.
Xue Mo chuckled. "Someone you value so highly must be interesting. I'll help you with this. It'll be good to stretch my limbs."
With that, Xue Mo followed Qiu Yichi out of the cave.
Watching them leave, Xue Hou murmured, "I hope everything goes smoothly."
The next time Zhang Ruochen wanted to see Chi Kunlun, she hoped to show him the real Chi Kunlun, not a fake body condensed from some object.
In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.
Zhang Ruochen truly felt that his physical body had reached saturation. Before he broke through to the Reaching Heaven Realm, he probably couldn't absorb any more of the strange primal energy from the Second Gradient.
During these days, Zhang Ruochen, Mu Lingxi, and Kong Lanyou had roughly explored the Second Gradient, but without much gain. The places hiding great secrets were beyond their reach.
"It seems it's time to leave."
Zhang Ruochen ended his cultivation and muttered to himself.
When Zhang Ruochen stated his intention, Mu Lingxi naturally had no objection. Wherever Zhang Ruochen went, she would follow.
But Kong Lanyou hesitated. "Cousin, I plan to stay here for a while. Aunt told me there's an opportunity here to rebuild my Immortal Sacred Body. This is very important to me."
"Do you believe what she said?" Zhang Ruochen asked seriously.
Kong Lanyou said, "I believe Aunt wouldn't lie to me."
Although she wasn't entirely sure in her heart, since such an opportunity existed, she didn't want to miss it.
"Do you need my help?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Kong Lanyou shook her head gently. "No, I can handle it. I'm no longer the little girl who relied on you for everything. Eight hundred years ago, with my Great Saint-level cultivation, I could sit on equal footing with Qing Emperor and Ming Emperor."
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "I believe you can succeed too. Be careful. I'll come back to see you when I have time."
In truth, Zhang Ruochen could also see that Xue Hou meant no harm.
Kong Lanyou said, "Mm."
If not for wanting to help Zhang Ruochen more in the future, Kong Lanyou truly didn't want to part ways with him at this time.
After bidding farewell to Kong Lanyou, Zhang Ruochen took Mu Lingxi and used Spatial Displacement to leave the palace atop the peak. Then, the two soared into the air, flying at top speed toward the entrance and exit of the Second Gradient.
...
One more chapter to come. ()