# Chapter 2144: Emperor Divine Ruler
As if knowing what Zhang Ruochen was thinking, Yin Yuanchen sighed: "Grandmother has long become a god and once participated in that ancient divine war one hundred thousand years ago, yet she was powerless to change the reality of Kunlun Realm's decline. She very much wants to return to her homeland, but the rulers of Paradise Realm do not permit it."
"Unable to return to her homeland, coupled with the entanglements of grievances between Kunlun Realm and Paradise Realm, over these years, Grandmother has been filled with inner conflict and has lived a very bitter life."
A trace of gloom appeared in Yin Yuanchen's eyes, and one of his fists unconsciously tightened, as if he empathized with his grandmother's plight.
"You seem to know the details of your grandmother's affairs with exceptional clarity." Zhang Ruochen said flatly.
Yin Yuanchen said: "To be honest with Brother Zhang, when I was very young, my mother was killed by a Hell Realm strong one. I was raised single-handedly by my grandmother. She dotes on me greatly, giving me the best of everything, even using the secret methods contained in the supreme technique 'Heaven-Penetrating Record' to repeatedly wash my marrow and refine my body."
Speaking of these matters, Yin Yuanchen couldn't help but feel some sadness, along with a sense of hatred—hatred toward Hell Realm for killing his mother.
If not for having a grandmother who loved him, his childhood might have been shrouded in darkness, and it would have been difficult to achieve what he had today.
A strange light flashed in Zhang Ruochen's eyes as he rapidly searched his mind for information about the "Heaven-Penetrating Record."
Kunlun Realm had a profound foundation with countless cultivation techniques, a large number of King-rank techniques, and even the six great strange books renowned across the realms.
Logically speaking, the cultivation technique practiced by the daughter of Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun should be the same as his. Even if different, it would certainly be extremely extraordinary.
After thinking for a long time, Zhang Ruochen could not find any information about the "Heaven-Penetrating Record." In today's Kunlun Realm, there seemed to be no inheritance of this technique.
In fact, he was equally ignorant of the cultivation technique practiced by Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun himself.
With a thought, Zhang Ruochen extended a strand of spiritual power into the Qiankun Realm and inquired of the Sky-Connecting Divine Wood: "Senior, do you know the 'Heaven-Penetrating Record'?"
The Sky-Connecting Divine Wood was absorbing the essence of its former trunk, having already become extremely tall with lush branches and leaves. Its life aura was so dense it could not be dispersed, forming a river of life spring beneath the tree.
"The 'Heaven-Penetrating Record' is the cultivation technique practiced by Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun. It originates from outside the realm, is extremely mysterious, and extremely difficult to cultivate. Even Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun himself never truly cultivated it to its peak and limit. And one of Kunlun Realm's three great divine temples, the Heaven-Penetrating Divine Temple, was established by Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun and named after the 'Heaven-Penetrating Record.'" After a moment's pause, the Sky-Connecting Divine Wood replied.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. He truly had not expected that a peerless strong one like Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun would practice a technique that was not one of the six great strange books, but rather a mysterious technique from outside the realm.
For it to enable Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun to become a peerless strong one was enough to show that the "Heaven-Penetrating Record" was far from ordinary, likely no inferior to Kunlun Realm's "Six Great Strange Books."
But strangely, in the "Supreme Divine Technique Ranking" compiled by the Heavenly Court, the "Heaven-Penetrating Record" was not included.
If it wasn't because the "Heaven-Penetrating Record" was of insufficient rank, then it was because it was too mysterious, known to very few.
"Senior, can you sense the power of the 'Heaven-Penetrating Record'?" Zhang Ruochen asked again.
The Sky-Connecting Divine Wood said: "I can."
Immediately, Zhang Ruochen opened a slit in the Qiankun Realm, allowing the Sky-Connecting Divine Wood to perceive the outside world.
"This person indeed carries the unique power aura of the 'Heaven-Penetrating Record.' He should have had his physique tempered by this power." The Sky-Connecting Divine Wood said.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen thought to himself: "Could this Yin Yuanchen's grandmother really be the daughter of Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun?"
According to what the Sky-Connecting Divine Wood said, the "Heaven-Penetrating Record" was the cultivation technique mastered by Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun. It had never been circulated in Kunlun Realm, so Paradise Realm should be unlikely to possess it.
Thus, what Yin Yuanchen said should have a certain degree of credibility.
That is to say, Yin Yuanchen was very likely a descendant of Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun. This status was in no way inferior to that of Yao Tian Gongzi, and even surpassed it.
Many thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind. Zhang Ruochen looked directly at Yin Yuanchen and said: "After saying so much, what exactly do you want by coming to see me?"
"I hope to fight alongside Brother Zhang, to jointly resist the strong ones of Hell Realm. I know that Brother Zhang is now invincible below the Great Saint realm, but Hell Realm has countless strong ones, not something one person can oppose. Though I am not talented, I wish to contribute what little I can." Yin Yuanchen said solemnly.
Zhang Ruochen gazed at Yin Yuanchen for a moment, then said: "As long as one truly wishes to oppose Hell Realm, regardless of their origin or background, I welcome them."
"But if one has ulterior motives and seeks to harm Kunlun Realm, I will not be polite either. I hope you and I will not meet on the battlefield."
Clearly, Zhang Ruochen always maintained a degree of vigilance toward people from Paradise Realm.
"I believe we will become friends, not enemies. Brother Zhang should still have matters to attend to, so I will not disturb you further. Farewell." Yin Yuanchen clasped his hands, smiled, and turned to leave.
Watching Yin Yuanchen's retreating figure, Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then inscribed a message light talisman and sent it to Shengshu Cainü, inquiring about information regarding Yin Yuanchen.
If it were anyone else, he could completely disregard them, but Yin Yuanchen being a possible descendant of Ten Calamities Wen Tianjun piqued his considerable interest.
"Hua—"
Before long, a message light talisman flew back.
After reading the content on the talisman, a strange color appeared in Lin Ke's eyes.
"This Yin Yuanchen is truly an outlier in Paradise Realm." Zhang Ruochen murmured.
According to the intelligence provided by Shengshu Cainü, Yin Yuanchen was indeed the divine grandson of a powerful god in Paradise Realm, but his relationships with other Paradise Realm cultivators were not harmonious. He always acted alone, spending years training in merit battlefields, killing a large number of Hell Realm strong ones.
However, because he kept a low profile and was not well-liked by other Paradise Realm cultivators, he had never been famous.
Speaking of it, Yin Yuanchen had been in Kunlun Realm for quite some time, almost always staying in the merit battlefield behind the Fallen God Tomb Forest in the Eastern Domain, causing heavy losses to the Ghost Clan and Corpse Clan. He had also saved humans in multiple cities in the Eastern Domain and even disrupted some plans formulated by Paradise Realm.
After the Central Imperial City fell into crisis, Yin Yuanchen was also one of the earliest strong ones to come for support. He made two consecutive moves against top Hell Realm strong ones, achieving one victory and one draw, greatly boosting the morale of the Heavenly Court side.
"It seems Paradise Realm is not entirely composed of sinister and vicious people. There are still those who single-mindedly oppose Hell Realm. If the Heavenly Court side could have more people like this, how could Hell Realm continue to press forward?" Zhang Ruochen sighed with emotion.
Regardless, having someone like Yin Yuanchen in Paradise Realm was always a pleasing thing.
Collecting his thoughts, Zhang Ruochen strode toward the headquarters of the Inscription Rune Guild.
Perhaps because the Hell Realm army was at the city gates, the place appeared quite desolate. There wasn't even a guard at the entrance, as if anyone could enter.
"Hmm?"
Just as he crossed the gate, the "Formless and Faceless Thirty-Six Transformations" he had activated instantly failed, restoring him to his original appearance.
However, Zhang Ruochen showed no sign of panic.
Although he wanted to keep a low profile in the imperial city, revealing his true form was not a big deal.
As Zhang Ruochen had expected, the Inscription Rune Guild indeed contained hidden dimensions, extremely vast, like a small world. Within it, sacred mountains stood tall, spirit springs flowed, heaven and earth sacred aura was extremely dense, and heaven and earth rules were very active, making it a sacred ground for cultivation.
Just then, a white-robed old man emerged from somewhere. His hair and beard were white, but his spirit was vigorous. He was very thin and small, with no trace of sacred aura fluctuation, feeling like an ordinary old man.
"Eastern Domain King has finally come. This old man has been waiting for you for a long time."
The white-robed old man showed a warm smile and walked toward Zhang Ruochen.
"Waiting for me?"
Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes, immediately seeing that the white-robed old man was extremely extraordinary. He was a spiritual power saint king, infinitely close to the sixtieth rank.
Although Zhang Ruochen's spiritual power was now also very close to the sixtieth rank, that was only in terms of "quantity."
In terms of "quality," he could not compare to the white-robed old man before him.
The white-robed old man's spiritual power cultivation should be in no way inferior to that of Grand Chancellor Wang Shiqi.
It could be seen that the Inscription Rune Guild was truly unfathomable, no wonder it could guard one of the ten great divine artifacts, the Emperor Divine Ruler.
"That's right, waiting for you."
In the blink of an eye, the white-robed old man walked up to Zhang Ruochen and said: "This old man is Bai Qianli, one of the ten great elders of the Inscription Rune Guild."
Since the other party was so polite, Zhang Ruochen naturally would not be arrogant. He said: "So it's Elder Bai. It seems the Inscription Rune Guild had long anticipated my arrival."
"With the identity of the Heir of Time and Space and the Eastern Domain King, with the strength of the number one below the Great Saint realm, and with the influence of the Emperor Divine Ruler in Kunlun Realm, how could you possibly not come?" Bai Qianli laughed.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, having to admit that he was extremely curious about the Emperor Divine Ruler and the Inscription Rune Guild. Thus, he stated his purpose: "This king wishes to go to the Emperor Divine Ruler to comprehend the Dao."
Since the other party addressed him as "Eastern Domain King," it meant he was recognized as having this identity, thus qualified to enter the Inscription Rune Guild.
If he came as a cultivator of the Guanghan Realm, he might be turned away at the door.
Using "this king" to refer to himself, he formally acknowledged this identity.
"Of course. Eastern Domain King, please follow this old man. However, be careful. There are many formations in the Inscription Rune Guild. If you take a wrong step, it will be very dangerous." Bai Qianli was very polite and close to Zhang Ruochen, not treating him as an outsider, so he specially reminded him.
"Such powerful formations? Even with this king's current cultivation, there would be danger?"
Zhang Ruochen followed behind Bai Qianli and couldn't help asking.
Bai Qianli smiled without speaking.
Ahead was a stone gate formed by nine stone dragons intertwined. Each stone dragon was tens of thousands of meters long, like nine dragon-shaped mountain peaks twisted into curves, forming this majestic form.
Standing beneath the Nine Dragon Stone Gate, Zhang Ruochen felt extremely small and insignificant.
The so-called invincible cultivation below the Great Saint realm seemed insignificant.
A sacred light appeared in Zhang Ruochen's pupils, allowing him to see the interior of the Nine Dragon Stone Gate, which contained countless formation patterns. It turned out...
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen drew in a breath of cold air.
Each stone dragon was a ninth-rank formation.
Nine stone dragons meant nine ninth-rank formations.
The nine ninth-rank formations were interconnected, combining into an even more powerful grand formation. Within the formation were nine formation spirits, the dragon souls of nine giant dragons. Each dragon soul contained a might that seemed capable of swallowing an entire heaven and earth.
Zhang Ruochen revealed a bitter smile and finally became cautious, carefully following behind Bai Qianli.
Crossing the Nine Dragon Stone Gate, they formally entered the small world.
This small world was extremely vast, with the naked eye unable to see its boundaries. Many areas were shrouded in mist, with strange power concealing them, making them impossible to see through.
On the ground, in the sky, and underground, formation patterns were densely packed. There were no telling how many tens of thousands of formations, but the vast majority were not activated, lying in a dormant state.
Some of the formation patterns were ones Zhang Ruochen could not even see through.
Compared to the jungle small world Zhang Ruochen had seized from Xuankong Saint King, this small world was of a much higher rank. Moreover, divine power permeated its interior, so it must have been created by a god.
"Hmm? The power of time. Can the time flow within this small world be adjusted?" Zhang Ruochen was shocked again.
Just now, he had clearly captured a trace of the power of time, perfectly fused with the entire small world.
Being able to combine artifact refining, the Way of Time, and the Way of Space, Zhang Ruochen immediately thought of Xumi Saint Monk.
But this was clearly impossible. The Inscription Rune Guild had existed for much longer than Xumi Saint Monk.
"Could it be that the Inscription Rune Guild is related to the Time-Space Human Ancestor?" Zhang Ruochen speculated secretly.
The era of the first generation Time-Space Controller was too distant, with too few legends left behind by later generations. Many things had long become unverifiable.
Passing through layers of mist, Zhang Ruochen followed Bai Qianli into the depths of the small world.
Before him was a vast expanse of white. Even using the Divine Seal Eye, he could not see clearly.
"Eastern Domain King, we have arrived before the Emperor Divine Ruler." Bai Qianli said.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen frowned, showing a trace of confusion.
There was only white mist ahead. Where was the Emperor Divine Ruler?
Bai Qianli waved his hand, and the white mist dispersed, revealing a divine jade bridge before Zhang Ruochen's eyes. It was extremely wide, a full hundred miles wide, leading to unknown areas shrouded in white mist.
Zhang Ruochen said: "Crossing this bridge will lead to the Emperor Divine Ruler?"
"No, it IS the Emperor Divine Ruler." Bai Qianli shook his head.
Zhang Ruochen's expression changed slightly, his gaze fixed tightly on the divine jade bridge. He truly found it difficult to connect it with the Emperor Divine Ruler.
This was not surprising. Although he had heard legends of the Emperor Divine Ruler, he had never actually seen it, so naturally he did not know what the Emperor Divine Ruler looked like.
"The main body of the Emperor Divine Ruler is enormous. Every hundred miles, there is a measurement stele. Only by reaching the Saint King realm can one reach the first measurement stele, representing that one's cultivation and strength have reached the One-Step Saint King realm, and so on." Bai Qianli said.
Zhang Ruochen nodded. He knew of the existence of the measurement steles.
He remembered that when he first came to the Central Imperial City, Shengshu Cainü had mentioned the Emperor Divine Ruler to him, saying that the Spirit King Saint Ancestor of the Ghost-Raising Ancient Clan had reached the second measurement stele of the Emperor Divine Ruler.
At that time, he had felt that the Spirit King Saint Ancestor's cultivation was unfathomable. Now thinking about it, he had merely barely reached the Two-Step Saint King realm.
Of course, before Kunlun Realm revived, being able to cultivate to the Saint King realm was undoubtedly a matter of extremely outstanding talent.
"I wonder how many measurement steles I can reach with my current strength?" A look of anticipation appeared in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
Each measurement stele contained profound and mysterious Great Saint Dao, greatly aiding in comprehending the sacred Dao. The further forward one went, the better the comprehension effect.
According to legend, the Emperor Divine Ruler had a total of ninety-nine measurement steles. If one could cross them all, one might hope to comprehend the secrets of becoming a god.
Zhang Ruochen turned to look at Bai Qianli and said: "I am indebted to Elder Bai."
"It's a small matter. I wish Eastern Domain King great gains." Elder Bai laughed.
As he spoke, Bai Qianli made a gesture of invitation.
Zhang Ruochen directed his gaze straight ahead, quietly adjusting his own state without any haste.
After a moment, Zhang Ruochen began to move, stepping onto the divine jade bridge that the Emperor Divine Ruler had transformed into.
The moment he stepped onto it, Zhang Ruochen felt an extremely special sensation. The sacred Dao rules within his body involuntarily began to flow, faintly emerging outside his body.
A vast majesty pressed down upon him, causing his mind to tremble slightly, and the circulation of his sacred aura became much slower.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen sensed several obscure spiritual powers imperceptibly sweeping over him.
"The foundation of the Inscription Rune Guild is truly astonishing. So many powerful spiritual power saint kings, several of whom are no weaker than Bai Qianli. They should also be among the ten great elders."
"Hmm? This spiritual power... could it be a spiritual power Great Saint?"
Zhang Ruochen was not actually very surprised that the Inscription Rune Guild had a spiritual power Great Saint. After all, the Inscription Rune Guild recruited spiritual power cultivators from all over the world, mastering various mysterious methods of spiritual power cultivation. In any era, they almost always had a spiritual power Great Saint in residence.
But for a spiritual power Great Saint to remain in Kunlun Realm without being discovered by the Patrol Envoy was no small matter.
It could only mean that the small world of the Inscription Rune Guild headquarters was too extraordinary, such that even gods could not perceive everything within the world.
Perhaps it was the only well-preserved transcendent place in Kunlun Realm after the great calamity at the end of the Middle Ages.