Chapter 2129: Returning to the Holy Academy
The Azure Sky Sacred Dragon took out seven dragon pearls, each left behind by a fallen Dragon Clan Great Saint, containing dragon souls and possessing the immortal power of a Great Saint.
It dripped seven drops of sacred blood into the dragon pearls, then infused seven strands of its own sacred soul into them, condensing seven doppelgangers that headed to the other seven ferry crossings, while its true body remained stationed at the Tiankun Ferry Crossing.
With the Azure Sky Sacred Dragon's current cultivation, even a mere dragon pearl doppelganger, after drawing upon its immortal power, was enough to suppress most Nine-Step Saint Kings.
If it encountered a top-tier strong one, it could simply have its true body rush over.
Zhang Ruochen did not linger long at the Tiankun Ferry Crossing. Taking Jiang Yunchong and Mo Yin with him, he boarded the White Dragon Ferry Boat and headed toward the Eastern Domain Sacred City.
The Eastern Domain Sacred City was protected by ancient inscriptions, making it impossible for anyone to force their way in. One had to ride this specially made ferry boat.
Even Yan Wushen had previously only managed to infiltrate the Eastern Domain Sacred City by sneaking in. After being attacked by the ancient inscriptions, he had no choice but to retreat.
In an extremely short time, the ban Zhang Ruochen had issued spread across all eight ferry crossings and was written out in sacred script. Anyone entering the eight ferry crossings could see it.
"Zhang Ruochen is too overbearing! He's restricting us from entering the Eastern Domain Sacred City and forcibly collecting sacred stones. Does he think the cultivators from our various realms are easy to bully?"
"We absolutely cannot compromise on this matter. We can't let Zhang Ruochen act recklessly. I don't believe no one can suppress him."
"We cultivators from various realms have come to participate in the Merit War. There is no place in the Kunlun Realm we cannot set foot in. Even that so-called Central Imperial City, we can still enter. No matter how strong Zhang Ruochen is, he can't cover the sky with one hand."
...
As the news spread, it stirred up a huge uproar. Cultivators from all sides of the Heavenly Court were almost universally resisting and putting pressure on Zhang Ruochen.
However, although these people shouted loudly, because the Azure Sky Sacred Dragon was stationed at the eight ferry crossings, no one dared to act recklessly.
Standing on the White Dragon Ferry Boat, Jiang Yunchong sighed emotionally, "The Eastern Domain Sacred City is one of the most miraculous places in the Eastern Domain. It's a natural treasure star. A large number of sacred medicines are born here every day, along with various other rare and exotic treasures."
"Not long ago, a Eon Sacred Medicine even revealed its traces, attracting many strong ones."
"The vast majority of the continuously generated cultivation resources are taken away by outsiders. We native cultivators of the Kunlun Realm get very little and are constantly oppressed. The ban you've just issued is truly satisfying."
"However, this will inevitably cause dissatisfaction from all sides, and might bring no small amount of trouble."
He had been staying in the Eastern Domain Sacred City for a long time and was extremely familiar with the situation there. But because he was an Awakened One, unless necessary, he kept a low profile and did not act easily.
Otherwise, with his strength, he could have gone to seize those heavenly materials and earthly treasures.
Zhang Ruochen said calmly, "If I were afraid of trouble, I wouldn't have agreed to become the King of the Eastern Domain back then, nor would I have provoked the cultivators of the Heavenly Realm Faction."
No matter how big the trouble, it could not make him back down.
Sensing Zhang Ruochen's calmness, Jiang Yunchong said no more and instead changed the subject, "With your current spiritual power intensity, you are already enough to control the Xinhuo Token. Let's go to the Xinhuo Tower first and retrieve the Xinhuo Token from Yanruo."
Back then, Zhang Ruochen had obtained the Xinhuo Token from Chen Yuhua and became the new King of the Eastern Domain. However, because his spiritual power had not reached the fifty-ninth rank, he could not control it, so he entrusted it to Jiang Yunchong's Dao companion, Yanruo, to hold on his behalf.
During the time he had left the Eastern Domain Sacred City, it was Yanruo who had been responsible for repairing the ancient inscriptions of the Eastern Domain Sacred City. Otherwise, it might not have been able to withstand Yan Wushen's attack this time.
"I might not stay in the Eastern Domain Sacred City for long. It's better to keep the Xinhuo Token with Yanruo. I'll leave it to you to guard the Eastern Domain Sacred City," Zhang Ruochen said.
The current situation in the Kunlun Realm was very severe. A strong one with spiritual power reaching the fifty-ninth rank had to hold the Xinhuo Token and remain stationed in the Eastern Domain at all times, something he clearly could not do.
Jiang Yunchong shook his head helplessly, "You're really taking it easy as the King of the Eastern Domain. Oh well, you have more important things to do. We'll help you guard the rear."
Before long, the White Dragon Ferry Boat flew over the inscription barrier above the Eastern Domain Sacred City and landed on the most prosperous Golden Rainbow Continent.
As soon as they got off the boat, Jiang Yunchong parted ways with Zhang Ruochen and hurried toward the Xinhuo Tower.
Zhang Ruochen had already carefully sensed that Jiang Yunchong's cultivation seemed to have fully recovered, and he no longer had the special aura of an Awakened One. So, he did not give him the spring water of the Sun-Moon Divine Spring.
As Jiang Yunchong had said, because the ancient inscriptions were activated in time, Yan Wushen had not caused too much damage to the Eastern Domain Sacred City. Only one or two city districts on the Golden Rainbow Continent had been impacted, and they had been mostly repaired during this time.
Compared to before the Kunlun Realm became a Merit Battlefield, the population of the Eastern Domain Sacred City had increased more than tenfold. Besides local cultivators who had come to take refuge, there were also a large number of foreign Saint Realm cultivators. It was a mixed bag, making management extremely complex.
And once a problem arose, the casualties it would cause would undoubtedly be terrifying.
Zhang Ruochen had agreed to meet Luo Xu at the Holy Academy, so he did not delay and headed straight for the Seventh City District where the Holy Academy was located.
The cultivation environment of the Holy Academy was already excellent. With the revival of the Eastern Domain Sacred City, it had become even more of a cultivation holy land.
Speaking of which, Zhang Ruochen had not returned to the Holy Academy for a long time. He wondered if any old acquaintances were still there.
Without alerting anyone, Zhang Ruochen silently arrived at the heart of the Holy Academy, the Holy Mountain.
Then, he entered a secluded valley filled with pear trees.
Because of the revival of the Holy Mountain, the three thousand six hundred Spirit Crane Pear trees had grown even more lush. The trees were heavy with fruit, and the ground beneath them was covered with white pear blossoms.
Passing through the pear orchard, Zhang Ruochen arrived before a steep black cliff. His gaze swept over the cascading waterfall and finally locked onto an irregular stone platform at the foot of the cliff.
In a daze, Zhang Ruochen saw an old man with white beard, white hair, and white robes smiling at him.
This was the place where he had taken Xuanji as his master. It could be said that his path as a Sword Saint had begun here.
Zhang Ruochen was filled with reverence and gratitude toward Xuanji. Not only had Xuanji imparted all his sword cultivation knowledge to him, but when Empress Chi Yao ordered his arrest, Xuanji had risked everything to save him. Later, for Zhang Ruochen's sake, he had fought to the death with the Nine Nether Sword Saint.
"I wonder where Master is now? What important thing is he doing?" Zhang Ruochen murmured.
The so-called Underworld was clearly part of the Hell Realm and must be fraught with danger. Zhang Ruochen was genuinely worried that Xuanji might encounter danger.
Unfortunately, he still had many things to do in the Kunlun Realm and could not go to the Underworld.
Walking slowly to the stone platform, a look of gloom appeared in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
There was no news of his master, and of his several senior and junior brothers, only he and Qingxiao remained.
Thinking of Second Senior Brother Zhu Hongtao, Third Senior Brother Wan Ke, and Fifth Senior Sister Lingshu, Zhang Ruochen's heart ached with pain. He was filled with guilt and also endless anger.
He would never forget how the heads of Zhu Hongtao and the others had been hung on the gate of the Yin-Yang Hall, finally exploding before his eyes, while he could do nothing.
If he had been strong enough, perhaps the tragedy would not have happened.
After a long time, Zhang Ruochen walked out of the secluded valley and came outside the Holy Mountain.
He still remembered that right after he had taken Xuanji as his master, he had fought a duel here with Ao Xinyan, who was dissatisfied with his appointment as team leader.
Ao Xinyan, as the proud daughter of the Divine Dragon Half-Human Clan, possessed a Divine Dragon Soul and was extremely proud.
In that battle, Ao Xinyan suffered a crushing defeat at Zhang Ruochen's hands. From then on, she obeyed him in everything.
Even though Ao Xinyan had now become the Divine Dragon Princess, she still called Zhang Ruochen "Team Leader," just as before.
Some things had changed, but some had remained the same.
Zhang Ruochen stood there for a long time, scenes clearly surfaced in his mind, as if they had happened only yesterday.
Wandering around, Zhang Ruochen arrived at the starting point of his entry into the Holy Academy, the Saint-Ascent Heavenly Staircase.
Back then, Zhang Ruochen was only a Heavenly Extreme Realm martial artist. Half-Saints and Saints seemed unattainable to him, requiring him to look up to them.
In the blink of an eye, many years had passed, and he now stood at the peak below the Great Saint realm. Only he knew how much hardship he had endured.
Zhang Ruochen stepped forward, ascending the Saint-Ascent Heavenly Staircase step by step. Scenes from the past flashed through his mind. With his current cultivation and strength, the sacred might emitted by the Saint-Ascent Heavenly Staircase could no longer affect him in the slightest.
Unconsciously, Zhang Ruochen reached the end of the Saint-Ascent Heavenly Staircase and entered the Saint Hall.
This Saint Hall was very special. It housed stone statues of Saints who had emerged from the Holy Academy throughout the ages, for future disciples to worship forever.
One had to become at least a Half-Saint to be qualified to enter.
The Saint Hall was filled with countless stone statues, densely packed, all lifelike, emitting sacred might of varying strengths. In front of each stone statue was a stone platform, some with items placed on them, others empty.
This was also a tradition of the Holy Academy. Every Saint would leave a treasure in the Saint Hall.
Turning his gaze, Zhang Ruochen was surprised to see a stone statue belonging to him. However, this stone statue was ordinary and unremarkable, with no sacred power present.
Thinking about it, it was normal. After all, when the Holy Academy had carved this stone statue for him, his true body had not been present.
"Chi chi."
Suddenly, as if some resonance had been triggered, Zhang Ruochen and that stone statue produced a wonderful resonance. The heaven and earth rules in the entire Saint Hall became active in an instant.
The originally ordinary stone statue instantly gained a sacred charm, emitting powerful sacred might.
In that moment, the stone statue had finally become sacred.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the stone statue that was identical to him, as if looking in a mirror. However, the aura emitted by the stone statue made him feel somewhat unfamiliar, as if he did not even recognize himself.
"It's just a stone statue."
Zhang Ruochen dispelled the distracting thoughts in his heart and took out a sacred artifact, placing it on the stone platform in front of the stone statue.
No matter what, he would always be a member of the Holy Academy. He could never forget his roots.
"From ancient times to the present, the number of Saint Realm cultivators born from the Holy Academy must be extremely vast. It cannot be just these few hundred."
His gaze sweeping over the several hundred stone statues in the hall, Zhang Ruochen murmured.
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. He released his spiritual power and carefully probed.
Upon probing, he indeed made a discovery. There was a folded space within the Saint Hall, very hidden, difficult even for ordinary space cultivators to find.
"Such a strong space barrier. Even with my current space attainments, I cannot forcefully penetrate it. It seems this folded space is very unusual, likely hiding a great secret," Zhang Ruochen said.
The Holy Academy had deep foundations, so it was normal for it to have secrets. Although Zhang Ruochen was somewhat curious, he did not rashly investigate.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen turned around and looked toward the entrance of the Saint Hall.
There stood a middle-aged man who looked about fifty years old, with broad shoulders and bronze skin, exuding a sense of power.
Zhang Ruochen moved and appeared before this person, bowing respectfully, "Disciple pays respects to Master."
It was none other than Zhang Ruochen's first master, Lei Jing.
As the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for life. Especially since Lei Jing had helped him greatly, Zhang Ruochen would never forget.
When he first returned to the Kunlun Realm, Zhang Ruochen had seen Lei Jing once. At that time, Lei Jing was still a Half-Saint, stationed at the Martial Market Bank branch in Qianshui Commandery.
Unexpectedly, he met him this time at the Holy Academy, and Lei Jing had already condensed a sacred source, becoming a true Saint.
Perhaps because of this, Lei Jing was able to return to the Holy Academy from Qianshui Commandery.
Lei Jing quickly helped Zhang Ruochen up and joked, "You are now the strongest below the Great Saints, and you still bow to me. I can't bear it."
"No matter how strong I am, am I not still your disciple? Or is it that Master is not satisfied enough with his disciple?" Zhang Ruochen straightened up and also joked.
Lei Jing couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Satisfied? How could I not be satisfied? Having you as my disciple is the proudest thing in my life. Also, what's with the 'you'? What's with the 'you'? Stop putting on airs with me!"
Zhang Ruochen laughed heartily in response.
"You don't know, those people who used to look down on me have changed their attitudes so much. I couldn't stand them, so I went to the Martial Market Bank in Qianshui Commandery. It wasn't until I recently broke through to Sainthood that I returned to the Holy Academy."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "If not for that, how could I have met Master at the Holy Academy? I should congratulate Master on transcending the mundane and becoming a Saint."
"It's all thanks to the sacred source you left last time. Otherwise, I don't know how long it would have taken me to become a Saint. Being able to become a Saint, I am completely satisfied." Lei Jing's eyes were filled with intense joy.
Lei Jing stepped into the Saint Hall, waved his hand to take out a stone statue belonging to him, and left a treasure.
"I, Lei Jing, have finally left my name in the history of the Holy Academy." Lei Jing's eyes were full of excitement.
Leaving a stone statue in the Saint Hall was a supreme honor for every disciple of the Holy Academy.
"Shua."
Suddenly, a beam of sacred light flew down from the sky.
Zhang Ruochen stretched out a hand and grabbed it. It was a message light talisman sent by Luo Xu.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at it, then said to Lei Jing, "Master, I have matters to discuss with Academy Head Luo. After I'm done, I'll accompany you... forget it, haha. When the time comes, we'll have a few good drinks together. I have quite a few fine wines on me."
"Handle the important matters first. Don't keep Academy Head Luo waiting. I have plenty of time." Lei Jing nodded, his smile growing even brighter.
Unlike others, no matter how strong Zhang Ruochen became, Lei Jing never felt any pressure, because he knew very well what kind of person Zhang Ruochen was.
Zhang Ruochen did not delay. He performed a space displacement and left directly. Since Luo Xu had already arrived at the Eastern Domain Sacred City, it was time to go and exchange for the Sacred Dao Ancient Tea Tree.