Chapter 2115: Defeating a Great Saint
(Note: In a previous chapter, there was a line referring to the Dark Son as one of the top three strongest in Hell Realm before the Great Saint realm. When writing the later parts, I forgot about this line, which created some inconsistencies. I have changed that line to: "The Dark Son is one of the top three in the Underworld Clan.")
After a series of fierce battles, the starry sky outside the Merit General Station had become empty and desolate. Originally, there were nearly ten small planets, each hundreds of miles in diameter, in the vicinity, but they had all been blasted into ashes.
At the beginning, Zhang Ruochen was at a disadvantage, but gradually, he was able to fight Jin Hui Great Saint to a standstill, showing no signs of weakness.
Relying on the Space-Time Secret Scripture, he could wield any time-based or space-based technique with ease, and their power was doubled.
"How can Zhang Ruochen's time and space techniques be so troublesome? I can't even get close to him." Jin Hui Great Saint's eyes were solemn, his heart filled with anxiety and frustration.
His power was indeed much greater than Zhang Ruochen's, and when combined with his Halberd Dao Sacred Intent, his halberd techniques were overwhelmingly domineering. Yet, he was being suppressed, and the effects of all his attacks were greatly diminished.
Being unable to suppress Zhang Ruochen for so long made Jin Hui Great Saint grow anxious.
If this continued, what face would he have left?
"Roar!"
Jin Hui Great Saint let out a long howl towards the sky, and over a hundred million Sacred Dao Rules emerged from his body.
No matter who it was, once they broke through to the Great Saint realm, the number of Sacred Dao Rules within their body would immediately double and become more condensed.
Therefore, as long as one's foundation was not particularly poor, after becoming an Immortal Great Saint, the sheer quantity of Sacred Dao Rules would not be less than that of the most top-tier Saint Kings.
Jin Hui Great Saint had cultivated over forty million Sacred Dao Rules at the Saint King realm. Upon breaking through to the Great Saint realm, this number immediately became ninety million. After nearly a thousand years of arduous cultivation, his Sacred Dao Rules had reached one hundred and fifty million, more than three times Zhang Ruochen's count.
However, the Sacred Dao Rules cultivated by Jin Hui Great Saint were primarily minor rules, accounting for over eighty percent. The rules derived from the Great Dao and Supreme Sacred Dao were less than thirty million. In terms of overall quality, they simply could not compare to Zhang Ruochen's.
A cluster of brilliant sacred light flew out from Jin Hui Great Saint's body, releasing a sharp and domineering aura, and instantly merged into his Fangtian Huaji.
That was the Halberd Dao Sacred Intent that Jin Hui Great Saint had condensed. Now that it was released, it was clear he intended to use his strongest technique.
As the Fangtian Huaji swung, Jin Hui Great Saint's own Sacred Dao Rules, along with the Heavenly and Earthly Rules within ten thousand miles, were all mobilized, surging like a tidal wave.
Even before the halberd technique was fully executed, a large area of the starry sky was already rippling violently, and even Zhang Ruochen's Space Domain could not suppress it.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed. Without any hesitation, he formed hand seals at the fastest possible speed. The vortex-shaped Time Sacred Aspect and Space Sacred Aspect appeared on his left and right sides respectively.
As the two invisible vortices spun, they released immensely powerful time and space energies, which were injected into the Space-Time Secret Scripture.
Immediately, countless time fragments and space fragments flew out from the Space-Time Secret Scripture, colliding, intertwining, and merging into one. They formed an unimaginably powerful force, as if it could pierce through all time and space, past and future.
Fusing time power and space power into space-time power was Zhang Ruochen's strongest technique. Although his control over this power was not yet very proficient, he could barely manage to execute it.
Of course, space-time power could not be used casually. If control slipped even slightly, he himself could be trapped and consumed by time and space.
Fortunately, this time, Zhang Ruochen was well-prepared. He had been continuously using time and space techniques in his battle with Jin Hui Great Saint, and he was confident enough to condense the space-time power.
"Boom!"
The space-time power struck first, ignoring the barriers of space, and collided violently with the strongest halberd technique Jin Hui Great Saint had unleashed.
In an instant, a vast expanse of the starry sky shattered into pieces, giving rise to terrifying space storms. Even the mysterious River of Time faintly appeared.
No matter how domineering Jin Hui Great Saint's halberd technique was, it was instantly shattered.
Affected by the space-time power, the large area of shattered starry sky could not be repaired. Instead, it twisted horrifically, forming a massive black hole that seemed ready to devour everything.
"Pfft!"
Jin Hui Great Saint was struck by the time power and spat out a large mouthful of blood, suffering significant injuries.
Worse still, Jin Hui Great Saint was now caught by the black hole's suction and could not break free no matter what.
In the area where he was, time and space were completely chaotic. Terrifying power invaded his body, and even his Immortal Saint Body could barely withstand it. Cracks appeared on his surface, and blood spurted out continuously.
If this continued, before he was even pulled into the black hole, Jin Hui Great Saint's Immortal Saint Body would shatter first.
"No..."
Feeling the threat of death, Jin Hui Great Saint's eyes filled with terror.
He never imagined that dealing with a junior at the Saint King realm could be so dangerous, to the point where his life was at stake.
Zhang Ruochen's face was slightly pale. The condensed space-time power was too strong and had completely slipped out of his control. He still could not perfectly master space-time power.
In fact, let alone a Saint King, even a Great Saint would find it extremely difficult to perfectly control space-time power. If mishandled, they could be exiled to an unknown time and space.
Seeing that Jin Hui Great Saint was about to be devoured by the black hole, Zhang Ruochen's brow furrowed slightly. He immediately activated the Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror, expanding it to several hundred miles in size, blocking it between Jin Hui Great Saint and the black hole.
Feeling the suction disappear, Jin Hui Great Saint felt as if he had been granted a pardon. Without any hesitation, he immediately retreated at top speed.
The Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror released vast demonic qi, condensing into towering demonic mountains that forcibly suppressed the black hole.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen activated the Space-Time Secret Scripture, using time power and space power to repair the chaotic time and space.
It did not take long for the black hole formed by the twisted time and space to vanish, and the starry sky returned to calm.
Zhang Ruochen actually did not care whether Jin Hui Great Saint lived or died. However, if he killed Jin Hui Great Saint in front of so many people, the consequences would be unimaginable. The conflict with the Blazing Sun Civilization would likely have no room for reconciliation.
Putting away the Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror and the Space-Time Secret Scripture, Zhang Ruochen looked at the severely injured Jin Hui Great Saint and said coldly, "If you want me to release the Blazing Sun Twin Kings and the others, the Blazing Sun Civilization had better send someone with a better attitude. Also, I am now returning to the Merit Battlefield to continue fighting against Hell Realm. I do not want anyone stabbing me in the back again. Otherwise, do not blame me for showing no mercy."
Zhang Ruochen's voice was not particularly loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone in the Merit General Station. Clearly, these words were not only meant for Jin Hui Great Saint.
Leaving these words behind, Zhang Ruochen moved and directly flashed towards the Merit General Station.
Jin Hui Great Saint's face turned extremely ugly, alternating between pale and green. He never expected to be defeated by Zhang Ruochen.
An Immortal mid-stage Great Saint being defeated by a Saint King would surely become a joke, and it would soon spread throughout the Heavenly Court Realm and Hell Realm.
Correspondingly, Zhang Ruochen's reputation would soar even higher, with an impact surpassing his defeat of the Dark Son on True Dragon Island.
"How is this possible? Zhang Ruochen actually defeated Jin Hui Great Saint!"
In the Merit General Station, all the cultivators were stunned.
This result felt like a dream, utterly unreal.
That was an Immortal mid-stage Great Saint who had condensed Sacred Intent and wielded a Monarch Sacred Artifact. How could he be defeated by a Saint King?
Chen Hu's face changed drastically, and he said tremblingly, "How can this be? Is the Heir of Time and Space truly invincible?"
Xing Yuan's face also turned solemn. Given the terrifying strength Zhang Ruochen had displayed, he even began to wonder if even the Archangel King Michael, once he emerged from seclusion, could suppress him.
"Bang!"
Zhang Ruochen appeared in the Merit General Station like a descending heavenly god.
For a moment, everyone in the Merit General Station involuntarily stepped back, and most of them showed awe in their eyes.
Xing Yuan and Chen Hu were now panicked and wished they could find a hole to crawl into. After all, they had been constantly urging Jin Hui Great Saint to attack Zhang Ruochen.
However, Zhang Ruochen did not even glance at them, clearly dismissing them.
This both relieved Xing Yuan and Chen Hu and filled them with resentment. With their status and strength, they had actually been so thoroughly disregarded.
Ji Kong Yuan appeared beside Zhang Ruochen, his expression serious, and said, "Divine Envoy, although you have defeated Jin Hui Great Saint this time, the Blazing Sun Civilization will certainly not let this go. No matter what, you must ensure the Blazing Sun Twin Kings are safe."
"Why is that?" Zhang Ruochen asked curiously.
Ji Kong Yuan said, "In the history of the Blazing Sun Civilization, there once appeared a pair of immensely powerful twin deities. Legend has it that they both mastered Profound Meaning, lived for multiple epochs, and finally buried themselves in a hidden location, leaving only the Golden Crow Ancient Cauldron they used in the outside world."
"These twin deities possessed many treasures, and the Blazing Sun Civilization has always wanted to obtain them. Unfortunately, their burial ground can only be opened by their bloodline descendants holding the Golden Crow Ancient Cauldron."
"However, over the years, none of their descendants have had particularly pure bloodlines. Due to various changes, this clan was nearly on the verge of extinction."
"Until this generation, the Blazing Sun Twin Kings appeared. Their bloodlines are very strong, reminiscent of the twin deities in their youth, and they have gained the recognition of the Golden Crow Ancient Cauldron. Therefore, the Blazing Sun Civilization places great importance on them and has been cultivating them with focus."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ruochen suddenly understood. He had not expected the Blazing Sun Twin Kings to have such a background.
If he had actually killed the Blazing Sun Twin Kings and kept the Golden Crow Ancient Cauldron, it would be strange if the Blazing Sun Civilization did not go berserk.
"After this battle, the Blazing Sun Civilization will likely seek out the Moon God, which should save you, Divine Envoy, a lot of trouble," Ji Kong Yuan added.
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. Although he did not want to trouble the Moon God with everything, if the Moon God could step in, this matter would indeed be much simpler.
However, he also understood that this matter would not be easy to resolve. After all, he had killed a crown prince of an ancient civilization, and it had become widely known.
If it were not for this, the Blazing Sun Civilization would not have sent a Patrolling Celestial Envoy to deal with him.
After chatting with Ji Kong Yuan for a few more moments, Zhang Ruochen did not linger at the Merit General Station. He directly used the Space Teleportation Array to return to Kunlun Realm.
Jin Hui Great Saint stood in the starry sky, watching Zhang Ruochen leave, but was powerless to stop him.
He was severely injured this time. If he had not cultivated to the Great Saint realm for nearly a thousand years, his Immortal Saint Body might have been shattered.
Eastern Domain, Kunlun Realm, Demon Ridge.
After all the twists and turns, Zhang Ruochen had returned to this homeland.
Because of Luo River, Demon Ridge had become very lively, with people often coming here to seek opportunities.
Zhang Ruochen did not pause for a moment and rushed at top speed to the Royal Mountain of Yunwu Commandery.
"Who dares to trespass on the Royal Mountain? Take this fist from me!"
With a loud shout, a rabbit as fat as a pig suddenly appeared from somewhere.
This rabbit looked fierce, standing upright on its hind legs, and struck out with its front legs like fists.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes were calm, as still as an ancient well, and he casually slapped out.
Heavenly and Earthly Rules and Heavenly and Earthly Yuan Qi were mobilized, condensing into a hundred-zhang giant hand, carrying unmatched power.
"Bang!"
The pig-like rabbit had no power to resist and was directly sent flying by the giant hand, embedded into a stone mountain.
It must be said that Zhang Ruochen controlled his power with exquisite precision. Otherwise, not to mention a stone mountain, even a small planet would likely have been shattered into pieces.
"Cough, cough, Master Chen, I was just joking with you. Did you have to hit so hard?" The rabbit struggled out of the stone mountain, its eyes full of grievance.
This rabbit was, of course, the gluttonous alien species Devouring Heaven Rabbit. Not only did it steal and eat various sacred medicines, but it had even stolen and eaten a leaf of the Seven Star Divine Lingzhi.
Whenever he thought of this, Zhang Ruochen felt like he was about to vomit blood from anger. That was a divine medicine, rare in the world. Even the Moon God, by refining just one leaf, could recover fifty percent of her divine power. Its value was immeasurable.
"How dare you disrespect the Crown Prince! You deserve it!"
The Demon Ape appeared and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Crown Prince."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze swept over the Devouring Heaven Rabbit and the Demon Ape, and he nodded inwardly. It had been a while since he last saw them, and their cultivation had already reached the Nine-Step Saint King, Rule Small Heaven and Earth realm. It seemed the divine medicine had not been stolen in vain.
Given their physiques, they should have no problem dealing with ordinary Rule Large Heaven and Earth experts, and they could even contend with Dao Domain realm experts for a while.
Shifting his thoughts, Zhang Ruochen asked calmly, "Has anything happened while I was away?"
"Master Chen, you don't know this, but shortly after you left, someone set their sights on this place. If it weren't for me, Guo Guo, the Royal Mountain would have been in danger," the Devouring Heaven Rabbit said, trying to take credit.
The Demon Ape shot the Devouring Heaven Rabbit a glare and said, "Crown Prince, don't listen to its nonsense. It's true that someone wanted to make a move on the Royal Mountain, but it was the fairy from Luo River who took action, wiping out several groups of people and deterring all sides."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. He did not need to think to know that the Luo River fairy the Demon Ape mentioned was undoubtedly the Heavenly Beginning Fairy, Luo Ji.
It had been some time since their parting at the Peacock Manor. Now that he was back at Demon Ridge, he might as well go to Luo River to see the Heavenly Beginning Fairy.
Luo River contained the legacy left by the Luo God and the Nine-Bend Heavenly Star. Unless something special happened, the Heavenly Beginning Fairy likely would not leave.
"Crown Prince, the Master is waiting for you."
Just as Zhang Ruochen was deep in thought, the Demon Ape's voice sounded again.
The Master the Demon Ape referred to was none other than Xiao Hei.
It was by becoming Xiao Hei's disciple that the Demon Ape had received the teachings of the "Great Demon Ten Heavens" and step by step achieved its current accomplishments.
Zhang Ruochen snapped back to reality and said, "Take me to see him."
Without hesitation, the Demon Ape and the Devouring Heaven Rabbit led the way.
As Zhang Ruochen had requested, Xiao Hei had arrived at the Royal Mountain ahead of time and hidden the World Gate Key.
Zhang Ruochen had set foot on more than one Awakened Sacred Land, but none could compare to the Royal Mountain. This place was extremely mysterious, filled with the extraordinary, making it an excellent location to hide the World Gate Key.
Sometimes, Zhang Ruochen even wondered if this place might be an Awakened Divine Land?
(Recommended: A friend's new book, "Urban Youth Medical Immortal.")