Chapter 2104: Is He the World Gate Key?
The Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring fled away, and the vast underground space immediately became dim and deathly silent, with nothing else present.
Dragon Fiend Emperor wasted no time. Opening its mouth, it swallowed all the mist lingering in the underground space. After all, this mist was emitted by the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring, and when condensed, it was equivalent to dozens of drops of ordinary sacred spring water.
It had gained tremendous benefits this time. The cluster of sacred spring water it had swallowed earlier contained over a thousand drops, including nearly a hundred drops of sacred spring essence. This was enough to restore a significant portion of its strength and help it completely refine the Dark Son.
Thus, perhaps before long, it could recover its former peak power.
A flash of sacred light passed by, and a delicate jade ring appeared in Zhang Ruochen's hand. It was a space ring of extremely high quality, belonging to the Alchemy Emperor.
As one of the five overlords on True Dragon Island and the most skilled at treasure hunting, the Alchemy Emperor must have collected an enormous number of treasures. Naturally, it was worth examining.
Sweeping his spiritual power over the space ring, Zhang Ruochen's expression shifted slightly. As he had expected, even though the Alchemy Emperor had refined many treasures itself, the remaining ones were still countless—over a hundred million items—though no sacred pills were among them.
With a flip of his hand, Zhang Ruochen took out an object from the jade ring. It was a seven-leafed grass, each leaf shimmering with an extraordinary radiance, flowing with color and light, dreamlike and illusory.
Above the seven-leafed grass, various lights converged, condensing into a seven-colored divine dragon that soared through the nine heavens, vivid and lifelike.
"Roar!"
The seven-leafed grass trembled, emitting a tangible dragon roar that was deafening.
Dragon Fiend Emperor's gaze locked tightly onto the seven-leafed grass, and it exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't expect the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring to have truly nurtured a Dragon Transformation Grass. The Alchemy Emperor was indeed fortunate to have been able to pick it."
Dragon Transformation Grass was an extremely special sacred medicine. For beings with divine dragon bloodlines, its value surpassed even that of Eon Sacred Medicine.
In particular, various ancient remnant species with rich divine dragon bloodlines, such as the Devouring Demon Dragon and the Azure Heaven Sacred Dragon, yearned desperately for a Dragon Transformation Grass. With it, they could transform into a divine dragon in one leap, achieving limitless potential.
"This Dragon Transformation Grass must have been picked by the Alchemy Emperor not long ago. It's fortunate that it wasn't squandered by him," Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
It seemed that if the Alchemy Emperor hadn't been using the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring to baptize its own pill qi, it might have already refined the Dragon Transformation Grass.
After all, the Alchemy Emperor's original form was an Emperor-grade sacred pill refined by the Divine Dragon Clan, inherently containing dragon qi. The Dragon Transformation Grass would greatly benefit it.
Looking around, Zhang Ruochen said, "Let's recuperate here first. Once our injuries heal, we'll leave."
Earlier, when they were caught in the chaotic space faults, both Zhang Ruochen and Dragon Fiend Emperor had sustained considerable injuries. It was only because they sensed the aura of the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring that they hadn't immediately begun healing.
True Dragon Island was fraught with dangers. It would be very risky not to keep themselves in optimal condition.
With a wave of his hand, Zhang Ruochen took out the Sundial and activated it, its time power covering an area of two hundred zhang in radius.
He still had many things to do, so naturally, he couldn't afford to waste too much time here. Using the Sundial to heal was the best choice.
Sitting cross-legged beneath the Sundial, Zhang Ruochen took a small amount of sacred spring essence from the Water Star Gourd and swallowed it in one gulp, intending to cultivate while healing.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed. Both Zhang Ruochen's and Dragon Fiend Emperor's injuries had fully healed, and their cultivation levels had improved somewhat.
Especially Dragon Fiend Emperor. Taking this opportunity, it had not only refined the sacred spring water it had obtained but also the Dark Son. Although its strength hadn't fully recovered to its peak, it wasn't far off.
Three months under the Sundial meant only three hours had passed in the outside world. It was unlikely that any major changes had occurred.
Emerging from the underground space, Zhang Ruochen observed the surroundings and murmured, "It seems this divine power eruption on True Dragon Island is about to subside."
He said this because he noticed that the surrounding space was stabilizing. It probably wouldn't be long before it returned to normal.
"Divine power eruptions usually don't last long—at most a few days, at least a few hours. This one was relatively short, so not many treasures should have appeared," Dragon Fiend Emperor said.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen wasn't too concerned. Having suppressed the Alchemy Emperor, his gains were already enormous. What he was thinking about now wasn't searching for more treasures but finding the World Gate Key.
Immediately, Zhang Ruochen and Dragon Fiend Emperor set off, hoping to reunite with Xiao Hei and the others as quickly as possible.
He had left a space mark on Xiao Hei, and despite the many space faults blocking the way, he could still vaguely sense it.
The World Gate Key was of great importance and had to be seized as soon as possible. Delay could lead to unforeseen changes.
Because the space on True Dragon Island was gradually stabilizing, Zhang Ruochen and Dragon Fiend Emperor found it much easier to traverse the space faults.
Along the way, they encountered many groups, both from the Heavenly Court side and the Hell Realm side.
Whenever they encountered Hell Realm forces, Zhang Ruochen showed no mercy, annihilating them all.
After spending a considerable amount of time, Zhang Ruochen and Dragon Fiend Emperor finally managed to find Xiao Hei and the others, including Mo Yin, who had finished devouring all the Nether Snake souls.
"Did you catch that old fellow?" Zhang Ruochen asked immediately.
Xiao Hei raised its head proudly and said, "With this emperor taking action, it was naturally a sure thing. However, this old fellow has a very hard mouth. Whenever the World Gate Key is mentioned, he plays dumb."
As it spoke, Xiao Hei took out the formation, revealing the short, thin old man.
The moment he saw the short, thin old man, a strange look appeared in Dragon Fiend Emperor's eyes. "You managed to capture him?"
"Do you recognize him?" Zhang Ruochen asked immediately.
Dragon Fiend Emperor said, "Not long ago, an unusual disturbance occurred on True Dragon Island. A dense aura of origin power burst forth, alarming all five overlords. When we arrived, we saw him emerging from underground. We all tried to capture him, but he still managed to escape."
"Did he appear at the time of the origin power eruption?" Zhang Ruochen asked again.
Dragon Fiend Emperor nodded. "Yes. That's why the five overlords became interested in him, suspecting he might be hiding some secret."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but form a bold guess.
"Could it be..." Zhang Ruochen's eyes blazed with sharp sacred light as he carefully examined the short, thin old man. "Does the World Gate Key have to be a key? Could it be a person? Or perhaps the key has taken human form."
Xiao Hei's eyes widened. "What are you saying? How is that possible?"
Ao Xinyan and the others also looked astonished, staring intently at the short, thin old man sealed in the formation, wondering why Zhang Ruochen would make such a guess.
After a moment of thought, Zhang Ruochen said, "None of us know what the World Gate Key really looks like. This old fellow appeared just when the World Gate Key was supposed to emerge. Moreover, he carries the origin power of the Kunlun Realm, is incredibly intimate with the rules of heaven and earth, and has the ability to appear and disappear mysteriously. There are too many peculiarities about him."
In fact, when the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden said that the short, thin old man carried the origin power of the Kunlun Realm, Zhang Ruochen had already begun to suspect.
"Perhaps Zhang Ruochen's guess is correct. We were biased from the start, never considering that the World Gate Key could be a person. But since it involves the origin of the Kunlun Realm, anything is possible," Xiao Hei said seriously.
Hearing this, Ao Xinyan and the others fell into deep thought. It wasn't that they were unwilling to believe Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei, but they didn't want any mistakes.
If their guess was wrong and the real World Gate Key fell into the hands of the Hell Realm, it would be a great disaster for the Kunlun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen suddenly said, "Xiao Hei, let me in."
Although he didn't know what Zhang Ruochen intended to do, Xiao Hei immediately used its means to send him into the formation.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen appear, the short, thin old man was greatly startled and quickly begged for mercy, "Holy Lord, spare me! Give me another chance!"
"We are cultivators from the Kunlun Realm. We came to True Dragon Island to find the World Gate Key, only to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Hell Realm or the Heavenly Court Realm. There's no need for you to be so guarded," Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
The short, thin old man's small eyes darted around. "But I really don't know where the World Gate Key is. I..."
Before he could finish, Zhang Ruochen suddenly struck out with a palm. Vast sacred qi condensed into a terrifying palm print, slamming solidly into the short, thin old man's chest.
This palm was delivered with full force. Even an ordinary Undying Great Saint might not be able to withstand it.
Before the short, thin old man could react, he was sent flying.
Logically, as a mere One-Step Saint King, receiving such a palm should have resulted in the complete destruction of his form and spirit.
But in reality, although the short, thin old man rolled awkwardly on the ground a few times, he was completely unharmed.
"Holy Lord, let's talk this out. Besides the World Gate Key, I can get you anything," the short, thin old man said, standing up and looking warily at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen said flatly, "Are you still trying to pretend? If I'm not mistaken, you are the World Gate Key."
At these words, the short, thin old man's mind shook violently. Although he tried his best to hide it, his expression still changed slightly.
Noticing this change, Zhang Ruochen immediately sent a telepathic message to Xiao Hei, asking it to bring Dragon Fiend Emperor inside.
As soon as Dragon Fiend Emperor appeared, the short, thin old man's face changed drastically, and he involuntarily stepped back a few paces.
At Zhang Ruochen's signal, Dragon Fiend Emperor swallowed the short, thin old man in one gulp.
After a moment, Dragon Fiend Emperor spat the short, thin old man back out and said to Zhang Ruochen, "Master, his body is entirely composed of the origin power of the Kunlun Realm."
Hearing this, a smile appeared in Zhang Ruochen's eyes. "Do you have anything else to say?"
"I really shouldn't have come out to watch the excitement," the short, thin old man sighed helplessly.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "You're wrong. This time, the Hell Realm has mobilized in force. No matter how well you hide, they will surely find a way to locate you. The Kunlun Realm will be pushed toward destruction as a result. Only by being found by us can you be protected."
Leaving these words, Zhang Ruochen and Dragon Fiend Emperor left the formation, saying nothing more to the short, thin old man.
Whether he was willing or not, Zhang Ruochen would forcibly take him out of True Dragon Island, foiling the Hell Realm's plan.
By now, everyone was convinced that the short, thin old man was the World Gate Key, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Since they had obtained the World Gate Key, they should withdraw from True Dragon Island to avoid any further unexpected changes.
However, the group of Awakened Ones showed hesitation, seemingly unwilling to leave so soon.
After a brief discussion, Zi Xin Saint King stepped forward and said, "We plan to stay on True Dragon Island for a while to see if we can find the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring."
"Do you urgently need the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring?" Zhang Ruochen asked curiously.
Zi Xin Saint King explained, "We need the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring to baptize ourselves, restore our strength, and erase the lingering aura of our long slumber. This will make it easier for us to move about in the Kunlun Realm."
The situation in the Kunlun Realm was becoming increasingly complex. These Awakened Ones naturally didn't want to remain hidden in the Yin-Yang Sea forever; they wanted to play a greater role.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen smiled. With a flip of his hand, he took out the Water Star Gourd and poured out a large mass of sacred spring water—a full ten thousand drops.
Of course, these were only ordinary sacred spring water, not the essence.
"Is this enough?"
For a moment, everyone's gaze locked onto the large mass of sacred spring water, as if time itself had frozen.
"Captain, how do you have so much Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring water?" Ao Xinyan's eyes were full of surprise.
The Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring had long gained sentience. Legend had it that except for the gods of the Divine Dragon Clan, no one else could take more than a very small amount of spring water.
And now, Zhang Ruochen had suddenly produced ten thousand drops of sacred spring water. Ao Xinyan almost suspected that Zhang Ruochen had collected the very spring of the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring.
Zhang Ruochen laughed. "I happened to discover the Sun-Moon Divine Dragon Spring emerging earlier and used the Water Star Gourd to collect some. Since you all can use it, that's wonderful."
"Please, don't stand on ceremony. Feel free to take what you need. If this isn't enough, there's more in this gourd."
Hearing this, a strange light flickered in the eyes of the Awakened Ones, and their emotions surged strongly. Yet, no one stepped forward to take the sacred spring water.
They had been born in the most glorious Middle Ages of the Kunlun Realm, each of them a peerless genius with immense pride. So, at the very beginning, they had somewhat looked down on Zhang Ruochen.
But now, their feelings had changed drastically. The powerful strength Zhang Ruochen had displayed in his battle against the Dark Son had left them deeply shaken.
Even Chi Jin Wang and Qian Jue Dao Wang now had unusual glints in their eyes, their gazes fixed on Zhang Ruochen.
Both of them had extraordinary backgrounds. One had once received guidance from the Dragon Lord, and the other had listened to the teachings of the Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun. After centuries of cultivation and numerous opportunities, they had reached the peak of the Saint King Realm, sweeping through their respective eras invincibly. Many regarded them as legends.
Yet Zhang Ruochen had cultivated for a much shorter time, in a far less favorable environment, and still possessed strength surpassing theirs. Perhaps that was what truly deserved to be called a legend.
After a brief silence, Chi Jin Wang said, "To restore our strength and erase the special aura of the Awakened Ones, we don't need too much sacred spring water. Fifty drops per person is enough. Thank you."
With that, Chi Jin Wang extended a hand and took fifty drops of sacred spring water.
"I look forward to you becoming the second Xumi Saint Monk," Qian Jue Dao Wang said, a rare faint smile appearing on his face.
He, too, took fifty drops of sacred spring water.
Seeing Chi Jin Wang and Qian Jue Dao Wang act, Zi Xin Saint King and the others stopped holding back, since this was indeed something they needed.
Zhang Ruochen didn't take back the remaining sacred spring water. Instead, he turned to Ao Xinyan and said, "Keep this sacred spring water. It will be useful in the future."
The dozen or so Awakened Ones had only taken a few hundred drops of sacred spring water. The remaining amount could still be used to restore the strength of over a hundred and eighty Awakened Ones.
Ao Xinyan didn't stand on ceremony. With a wave of her hand, she collected the remaining sacred spring water. More Awakened Ones would surely emerge from the Yin-Yang Sea in the future, and this sacred spring water would be invaluable.