Chapter 2136: Army at the Gates, Three Million Hell Realm Soldiers
The Monarch Tribulation dissipated, and Zhang Ruochen also ended his cultivation, stepping closer to the Abyssal Ancient Sword. A gratified smile could not help but appear on his face.
Toward the Abyssal Ancient Sword, Zhang Ruochen harbored an extremely special feeling. They had grown together, being the most tacit partners, each recognizing only the other.
Now, Zhang Ruochen had grown into the top-tier powerhouse below the Great Saint realm, while the Abyssal Ancient Sword had advanced to become a Monarch War Artifact, with neither falling behind.
His gaze sweeping over the Abyssal Ancient Sword, Zhang Ruochen discovered that although the sword had just successfully crossed the tribulation, the King-level inscriptions contained within had increased by over twenty thousand, reaching a total of one hundred fifty thousand. This could be described as accumulating thickly and bursting forth.
At the same time, the purple divine stone embedded in the sword hilt had clearly become more tightly integrated with the Abyssal Ancient Sword, truly merging into one, causing the sword to undergo some indescribable and peculiar changes.
This purple divine stone was far from ordinary, suspected to be related to the Stone Clan. It was a rare and precious treasure with endless marvelous uses, but it needed to be excavated first.
It had to be said, Heavenly Tribulation was truly miraculous. It could transform ordinary inscriptions into King-level inscriptions and also allow the purple divine stone to perfectly fuse with the Abyssal Ancient Sword—something beyond human capability.
Especially the transformation of inscriptions, which seized the creation of heaven and earth, was ineffably wonderful. It was completely different from those carved by human hands, containing an innate and unique Dao resonance.
"No wonder so many people want to obtain a Sacred Artifact that can continuously grow. Just becoming a Monarch War Artifact can bring such an extraordinary transformation. If it were to become a Supreme Sacred Artifact in the future, how astonishing would that transformation be?" A strange light flickered in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
Turning his gaze, Zhang Ruochen looked at the four peculiar marks on the sword's body. These were imprinted by the Abyssal Ancient Sword as it absorbed the power of the Heavenly Tribulation, containing the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, extremely profound and complex.
He had come into contact with many Monarch War Artifacts before, but had never seen similar marks. Clearly, such marks were not something that could be obtained casually.
It was likely due to the special material of the Abyssal Ancient Sword, combined with the fact that during the tribulation process, it had absorbed all the power of the four tribulations, leading to this situation.
"Marks containing the mysteries of Heavenly Tribulation are indeed obscure and difficult to understand. If they could be activated, I wonder what effect they would have," Zhang Ruochen mused inwardly.
Regardless, the Abyssal Ancient Sword gaining these four marks was absolutely beneficial without any harm.
Just then, the Abyssal Sword Spirit manifested, having grown considerably, with a temperament even more similar to Zhang Ruochen's.
"Zhang Ruochen, I need to go into seclusion for a while to comprehend these four marks," the Abyssal Sword Spirit said.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, saying, "Perfect timing. My physical body also needs some further refinement."
He had just absorbed part of the power scattered from the Heavenly Tribulation to temper his internal organs and brain, achieving significant results, but it had not yet reached his set goal.
While the Abyssal Sword Spirit was comprehending the tribulation marks, Zhang Ruochen planned to push through in one go, cultivating his physical body to the extreme of the Saint King realm.
With a flip of his hand, Zhang Ruochen took out a Heaven-grade Sacred Pill that aided in immortalization and swallowed it, then entered a cultivation state once more.
In the blink of an eye, ten days passed. Zhang Ruochen and the Abyssal Sword Spirit successively ended their cultivation.
The Abyssal Sword Spirit had largely digested the gains from the Heavenly Tribulation, initially comprehending the mysteries of the four tribulation marks, and could now freely use its own power.
"Still a bit short. The brain and heart remain, not yet immortalized," Zhang Ruochen sighed slightly.
The immortalization of the physical body became increasingly difficult the further one went, with the brain and heart usually being the last to be completed.
It wasn't that Zhang Ruochen had no way to immortalize these two, but it was somewhat difficult to control his own power. With a slight misstep, he would break through his cultivation and step into the Great Saint realm.
Since only the final step remained, Zhang Ruochen was not in a hurry.
Perhaps once he cultivated his Sacred Dao rules to the extreme, his physical body would naturally reach its limit.
With a thought, Zhang Ruochen withdrew the Abyssal Ancient Sword into his Divine Light Qi Sea. Then, without lingering any longer, he leaped several times and directly left the Endless Abyss.
Since it was confirmed that Chi Kunlun had fallen into Yan Wushen's hands, Zhang Ruochen naturally would not sit idly by. No matter what, he had to rescue him as soon as possible.
Although Bore had said that the one who took Chi Kunlun was Yan Wushen's good incarnation, and that he was eager to take Chi Kunlun as a disciple, in Zhang Ruochen's view, Yan Wushen's motives were probably not that simple.
However, Yan Wushen's whereabouts were secretive, and finding him was no easy task.
Under the guidance of Blood God Sect experts, Zhang Ruochen passed through three interlocking Ninth-rank formations and entered the Blood God Sect.
Recently, the Blood God Sect had been keeping a low profile, sealing off the mountain gate and striving to improve its strength.
Knowing that the entire Blood God Sect was in seclusion for cultivation, Zhang Ruochen did not disturb them. He only summoned Elder Yuanxing to inquire about some matters.
As one of the Seven Ancient Sects, the Blood God Sect had disciples spread across the Nine Provinces of the Central Domain, forming a powerful intelligence network.
"Sect Leader, a monumental event has occurred in the Central Domain recently," Elder Yuanxing said.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "What event?"
"Three days ago, the Hell Realm mobilized thirty million Saint-level troops, arriving at the gates of the Central Domain and surrounding the Central Imperial City. The Ten Clans of Hell have all dispatched top-tier powerhouses below the Great Saint realm, and each clan has sent more than one," Elder Yuanxing said.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's brow furrowed slightly. The Hell Realm suddenly making such a large move was truly unexpected.
"Thirty million Saint-level troops. How did the Hell Realm manage to transfer so many troops into the Kunlun Realm's mainland?" Zhang Ruochen was filled with deep confusion.
At this stage, the war with the Hell Realm was still concentrated in the various Merit Battlefields of the Five Domains. Hindered by spatial barriers and intercepted by the Heavenly Court's army, only a small portion of Hell Realm cultivators could enter the Kunlun Realm's mainland.
Before this, the wars erupting on the Kunlun Realm's mainland had not been large in scale, with the Hell Realm mobilizing no more than a million troops at most.
Otherwise, the Kunlun Realm would have long become a living hell, with countless lives lost.
Suddenly, thirty million Saint-level troops appearing was truly strange. Logically, there should have been some signs.
Either the Hell Realm had been plotting for a long time and made ample preparations, or something had gone wrong in the Merit Battlefields.
"The Central Imperial City represents the Imperial Court. The Hell Realm seems intent on shattering the Imperial Court in one fell swoop. Then, the Kunlun Realm will fall into chaos, hastening its destruction. But this should only be one reason. The Hell Realm must have an even greater scheme."
Elder Yuanxing said, "In fact, signs had already appeared several months ago. Hell Realm cultivators kept appearing out of nowhere in the Central Domain, and their numbers grew. However, the leaders of the various Heavenly Court realms in the Kunlun Realm did not take it seriously, leading to today's disaster."
"The Kunlun Realm is not their homeland, so of course they wouldn't take it seriously. In their eyes, once the Kunlun Realm is shattered, other Merit Battlefields will naturally open up. What is the current situation at the Central Imperial City?" Zhang Ruochen asked thoughtfully.
Elder Yuanxing said, "The Central Imperial City is protected by layers of formations and is temporarily safe. However, the Hell Realm has sent ten Earth Masters with profound formation skills to break the formations. The situation is not optimistic."
"Ten Earth Masters... Quite a grand move."
Zhang Ruochen was not surprised by this. As the stronghold of the Imperial Court, Chi Yao must have made many arrangements, making it unlikely to be easily breached.
The Imperial Court had played an indispensable role in maintaining the relatively stable situation in the Kunlun Realm. It was unimaginable what the Kunlun Realm would become without the Imperial Court.
Moreover, if even the Central Imperial City were breached, no place in the entire Kunlun Realm would be safe, including the Eastern Domain Sacred City. People's hearts would fall into complete panic.
Although Zhang Ruochen was hostile to Empress Chi Yao, he saw things more clearly than anyone when it came to matters of right and wrong. In the face of a great enemy, no matter how great the grudges, they had to be set aside to unite against the external threat.
A single Earth Master possessed the power to overturn rivers and seas.
With ten of them combined, even the formations of the Central Imperial City might not hold.
Moreover, the thought of thirty million Saint-level troops was enough to make one's heart tremble. Even a hundred Great Saints would likely have to retreat.
This was a true full-scale war, a clash between the Ten Clans of Hell and the Myriad Realms of the Heavenly Court.
In the face of such a general trend, individual power seemed insignificant. Not just one Zhang Ruochen, but even ten Zhang Ruochens would be beaten until their souls scattered.
"Since the Ten Clans of Hell are acting together, Yan Wushen should not be absent," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
He had been worrying about where to find Yan Wushen. Waiting at the Central Imperial City might be the best choice.
Even if the Central Imperial City was in turmoil and no one could stand against the general trend, Zhang Ruochen had to go there for both public and private reasons.
"Even if the Central Imperial City is to be breached, it should be by the army of the Sacred Bright, not the Hell Realm."
After some deliberation, Zhang Ruochen inscribed several Message Light Talismans in succession and waved them out. Since the storm had arrived, the hidden forces of the Kunlun Realm should also be mobilized.
Zhang Ruochen left the Blood God Sect and quietly made his way to the nearest Merit Sub-Station.
Before entering the Merit Sub-Station, Zhang Ruochen used the "Thirty-Six Transformations of Formless and Faceless" to change his appearance and physique, transforming into a refined scholar, gentle and elegant, somewhat resembling Shengshu Cainü disguised as a man, even in temperament.
The "Thirty-Six Transformations of Formless and Faceless" was profoundly mysterious. Zhang Ruochen had spent considerable time comprehending it. Combined with the cultivation method of the fourth volume of the "Forty-Nine Arcane Arts," he had already grasped some of its essence.
Especially in human form transformations, Zhang Ruochen had reached a flawless level, with few means able to see through his true identity.
The situation at the Central Imperial City was complex. Zhang Ruochen did not want to go there in a conspicuous manner, making himself known to everyone. With the enemy in the open and him in the dark, it was more convenient to do many things.
Through the Space Teleportation Array of the Merit Sub-Station, Zhang Ruochen first arrived at the Heavenly Dog Star Merit Main Station.
The main reason was that the situation at the Central Imperial City was critical. For safety, the various Merit Sub-Stations could no longer teleport directly to the Central Imperial City; they had to transfer through the Merit Main Station.
As soon as he arrived at the Merit Main Station, Zhang Ruochen saw a sea of people.
With the Hell Realm army besieging the city, the Heavenly Court side naturally had to respond. They had already mobilized a large number of Saint-level experts at the fastest speed to reinforce the Central Imperial City.
"I heard the Hell Realm is still transferring troops. It's now close to thirty-five million. The Central Imperial City will be hard to defend."
"From the moment the Hell Realm breached the World Membrane of the Kunlun Realm, its destruction was sealed. It's just a matter of time. The Hell Realm clearly wants a quick victory now, not giving the Kunlun Realm any chance to turn things around."
"Although the great war hasn't started yet, the top experts on both sides have already fought dozens of battles. All are from the three strongest levels below the Great Saint realm. It seems our side has suffered losses, with several top experts falling."
...
Listening to the various discussions, Zhang Ruochen's emotions could not help but fluctuate slightly.
Zhang Ruochen looked up at a light screen above the Merit Main Station, which displayed the scenes inside and outside the Central Imperial City.
This was a battlefield mirror image specially set up by the Merit Divine Hall, constantly monitoring the situation at the Central Imperial City.
Tens of millions of Hell Realm Saint-level troops tightly surrounded the vast Central Imperial City, leaving no gaps. No one could enter or leave.
Fortunately, countless formation patterns emerged, firmly protecting the Central Imperial City like an iron fortress. The ten Earth Masters of the Hell Realm could do nothing for the time being.
"Look! Nie Xiangzi, one of the Ten Divine Disciples of the Truth Divine Hall, has left the city. I wonder who he will fight."
Suddenly, a commotion arose in the Merit Main Station.
Through the mirror image, one could see a heroic man in silver armor walking out of the Central Imperial City, calmly facing the imposing Hell Realm army.
"Plucking stars with one hand, the indifferent Nie Xiangzi."
Among the Ten Divine Disciples of the Truth Divine Hall, the only one Zhang Ruochen was somewhat familiar with was Nie Xiangzi.
Back when he was in the Truth Heaven Domain and was schemed against by Shang Zihong, Nie Xiangzi had come to his aid.
After Nie Xiangzi left the city, a strong figure also emerged from the Hell Realm army. He was nearly three meters tall, clad in blood-colored armor, with an unusually handsome face and a sinister smile.
"It's Blood Chen Heavenly Lord of the Undying Blood Clan, the top powerhouse below the Great Saint realm of the Blood Heaven Tribe. He has come to the Kunlun Realm too!" Some cultivators recognized the Hell Realm expert, their eyes showing deep shock.
Among the Ten Clans of Hell, Zhang Ruochen was most familiar with the Undying Blood Clan, having dealt with them since he was very weak.
However, he was not very familiar with the situation of the Undying Blood Clan in the Hell Realm. The strongest he had encountered was Xue Tu, who was at the second level below the Great Saint realm.
Zhang Ruochen only knew that the Undying Blood Clan in the Hell Realm was also divided into Ten Tribes, each vast and containing many geniuses.
Even someone as strong as Xue Tu, with a danger index of ten and at the second level below the Great Saint realm, could only rank in the top five among the Undying Blood Clan's strongmen on the "Ten Clans of Hell Ten Thousand Evil Record."
Of course, those at the first level below the Great Saint realm all had danger indices exceeding ten, and most were not recorded on the "Ten Clans of Hell Ten Thousand Evil Record."
In the Undying Blood Clan, "Heavenly Lord" was a title for Great Saint realm experts. In the Saint King realm, only those who reached the first level below the Great Saint realm were qualified to bear the title "Heavenly Lord."
Speaking of which, Xue Tu also came from the Blood Heaven Tribe and was a divine offspring, but he had always been suppressed by Blood Chen Heavenly Lord. Even after obtaining the Boundless Hell Refining Tower, he still could not contend with Blood Chen Heavenly Lord.
Of course, Blood Chen Heavenly Lord's background was not inferior. He was a divine grandson of the War God Xue Jue, having cultivated for hundreds of years, with unfathomable strength.
Hearing the discussions around him, Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred: "So it's the lineage of War God Xue Jue."
War God Xue Jue was a powerful deity of the Blood Heaven Tribe of the Undying Blood Clan, highly esteemed, with many divine sons and grandsons.
Most importantly, Xue Hou was the daughter of War God Xue Jue.
In other words, War God Xue Jue was the maternal grandfather of Zhang Ruochen's previous life.
By this logic, Blood Chen Heavenly Lord was undoubtedly a cousin of Zhang Ruochen.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen never acknowledged any relationship with the Undying Blood Clan, so naturally, he would not recognize this so-called cousin.
But it had to be said, the lineage of War God Xue Jue was terrifying, producing too many extraordinary figures. Nether King and Xue Hou were both peerless figures, and now Blood Chen Heavenly Lord had emerged.