Chapter 2147: True Purpose
Zhang Ruochen's eyes were cold and heavy. He had never imagined that something like trading beauty for a path to survival would happen in the Kunlun Realm. It was truly lamentable.
However, given the current situation in the Kunlun Realm, it was indeed enough to drive some people to despair. It was hard to blame them for wanting to prepare an escape route in advance.
But even if they managed to join those powerful realms, without sufficient personal strength, life would likely be no easier. They would have to grovel before others, live without dignity, like slaves.
"Do you have a way to save Xue Wuye?" The Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden looked at Zhang Ruochen with hopeful eyes.
Every Realm Son bore an important mission. To let one die so pointlessly would be far too great a pity, and it would be a massive blow to the Kunlun Realm.
A strikingly beautiful and alluring sword attendant kept kowtowing to Zhang Ruochen, weeping as she said, "It's all my fault. I brought harm to the young master. Lord Ruochen, please, you must save the young master. Even if it costs my life, I will gladly give it."
Zhang Ruochen studied the sword attendant for a moment. She was indeed exceptionally beautiful, with a natural allure that was innate. No wonder Gu Xin'ao had taken a liking to her.
"All of you, leave first," Zhang Ruochen said.
Hearing this, no one hesitated. They quickly exited the cultivation chamber. Xue Wuye's life hung by a thread, and not a single moment could be wasted.
Sealing the cultivation chamber, Zhang Ruochen took a deep look at Xue Wuye lying on the jade bed. Then, with a flip of his hand, he produced an object the size of a fist, emerald green in color, radiating an incredibly dense life force.
This was the Divine Wood Heart nurtured by the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree. It possessed the miraculous power to revive the dead and regrow flesh and bone. Only one could be nurtured in an entire eon, making it priceless. Even gods would yearn to obtain it.
When he had collected the trunk of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree at the Celestial Mechanism Mountain in the Northern Domain, Zhang Ruochen had only obtained seven Divine Wood Hearts. He had given two to the Hundred Flowers Immortal and Mu Lingxi, leaving five remaining.
"Xumi Saint Monk once guided Xue Wuye in swordsmanship for a month and left him with Time Imprints and Space Imprints. There must be deep meaning behind that. No matter what, I have to save Xue Wuye's life. In a sense, we are even fellow disciples. Xue Wuye, I hope you don't waste one of my Divine Wood Hearts. If you fail to become a top-tier strong one in the future, I will personally take back your Time Imprint and Space Imprint on behalf of our master," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
Having obtained the Space-Time Secret Scripture and the Cosmic Divine Wood Map, Zhang Ruochen was naturally a disciple of Xumi Saint Monk, though he had not been as fortunate as Xue Wuye to have met him in person.
Without further hesitation, Zhang Ruochen flipped his hand and pressed the Divine Wood Heart into Xue Wuye's body.
He didn't need to do anything more. The Divine Wood Heart began to emit a vast life force on its own, merging into Xue Wuye's flesh, blood, sinews, and bones, starting to repair his critically shattered body.
This was undoubtedly a great fortune for Xue Wuye. By fusing with the Divine Wood Heart, he would not only save his life but also gain tremendous benefits that would have a profound impact on his future cultivation.
Nourished by the life force, the cracks on Xue Wuye's body rapidly healed, and even his shattered three meridians were being reshaped.
Zhang Ruochen opened his heavenly eye at his brow, carefully observing Xue Wuye's condition. This was an excellent opportunity for him to analyze the mysteries of the Divine Wood Heart.
It didn't take too long for the physical injuries to Xue Wuye's body to be completely repaired. His physique was greatly enhanced, elevating him to a perfect physique.
Repairing the Sacred Soul was somewhat more troublesome, but it was only a matter of time.
Given Xue Wuye's current cultivation level, he naturally couldn't fully refine the Divine Wood Heart all at once. Most of its essence would be stored within his body, gradually released over time.
Three hours later, Xue Wuye's injuries were fully healed, and he woke up leisurely.
"Thank you, Brother Zhang, for saving my life," Xue Wuye said, rising and bowing to Zhang Ruochen with utmost sincerity.
He knew very well how severe his injuries had been. Now that he was safe and sound, with only Zhang Ruochen by his side, everything was obvious.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I had you fuse with a Divine Wood Heart. I hope you will make good use of it."
Hearing this, Xue Wuye's heart trembled. He knew how precious the Divine Wood Heart was. No wonder even injuries as severe as his could be healed.
Moreover, he could now clearly feel the enhancement of his physique and Sacred Soul. Even his cultivation had improved, and a large number of Life Rules had been added within his body.
"Xumi Saint Monk once said that I would face a great calamity. If I couldn't overcome it, I would perish, body and soul. If I did, I would gain unimaginable benefits. Now, it has indeed come true," Xue Wuye remarked with a sigh.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's eyes flickered with a strange light. He hadn't expected that Xumi Saint Monk had already foreseen today's events.
However, the future was ever-changing, so even Xumi Saint Monk couldn't be certain whether Xue Wuye would survive the great calamity.
Zhang Ruochen fixed his gaze on Xue Wuye and asked, "Given your temperament, how could you be so easily provoked by Gu Xin'ao?"
Although Zhang Ruochen had little contact with Xue Wuye, he knew that Xue Wuye was not an impulsive person. Even for the sake of a sword attendant, he wouldn't foolishly go to his death.
Especially since Xue Wuye, as the city lord of Ten Thousand Fragrance City and a Realm Son of the Kunlun Realm, bore heavy responsibilities and should not act rashly.
"I knew that I was no match for Gu Xin'ao. So, I initially had no intention of fighting him. I planned to leave with the sword attendant. But he said he simply wanted to spar with me in swordsmanship, without comparing cultivation levels. As a sword cultivator, how could I back down?"
"However, I didn't expect Gu Xin'ao to be so despicable. As a leader of the Sword God Realm, he went back on his word. After just a few dozen exchanges, he used his overwhelming power to severely injure me and took my Ten Sword Token," Xue Wuye said in a deep voice.
Even with his excellent composure, enduring such a frustrating experience filled his heart with anger.
If Gu Xin'ao had truly defeated him with pure swordsmanship, Xue Wuye would have had nothing to say. But using such a despicable means to gravely wound him was something he could never accept.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen understood clearly. Gu Xin'ao had indeed acted with premeditation. Taking a liking to the sword attendant was merely a pretext. Dealing with Xue Wuye was the real goal.
Moreover, the "Flying Immortal Sword Technique" of Ten Thousand Fragrance City was clearly something Gu Xin'ao wanted to obtain.
Xue Wuye suddenly spoke with great seriousness, "Brother Zhang, I have an impertinent request. I wonder if you would agree."
"What is it?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xue Wuye said, "I would like to ask Brother Zhang to retrieve the Ten Sword Token. The 'Flying Immortal Sword Technique' of Ten Thousand Fragrance City must not fall into the hands of the Sword God Realm."
"Since Gu Xin'ao has already taken the Ten Sword Token, he will surely try to comprehend it. Even if we retrieve it, it may be too late," Zhang Ruochen said.
Xue Wuye shook his head. "The Ten Sword Token I wore is a symbol of the city lord of Ten Thousand Fragrance City. It has been layered with numerous seals and restrictions. It will not be easily cracked."
After a pause, Xue Wuye continued, "Since entering the Kunlun Realm, the cultivators of the Sword God Realm have been tirelessly collecting various sword dao scriptures, even trying to get their hands on the Sword Pavilion. Although the Sword God Realm claims to be the sacred land of the sword dao, they are incredibly eager for the 'Wordless Sword Manual.'"
"The 'Flying Immortal Sword Technique' originates from the 'Wordless Sword Manual' and contains the mysteries of Sword One through Sword Ten. The Sword God Realm has coveted it for a long time. Perhaps this is the true reason Gu Xin'ao acted personally."
Zhang Ruochen's mind stirred. The "Flying Immortal Sword Technique" was one of the most powerful sword techniques in the Kunlun Realm. Even with the Sword God Realm's foundation, among scriptures of the same level, they would be hard-pressed to find a few that could match it, let alone surpass it.
In fact, many great worlds coveted the various powerful inheritances of the Kunlun Realm. For example, demonic great worlds like the Black Demon Realm sought to plunder the "Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription."
The six great scriptures of the Kunlun Realm had long been renowned across myriad worlds, becoming targets for countless great realms.
And once these powerful inheritances were lost, the Kunlun Realm might decline completely, with no hope of rising again.
...
Many readers have been saying that the story has been dragging on too long below the Great Saint level. In truth, the author has no choice. Some plot holes dug earlier must be filled in at this stage, which will inevitably take some time.
However, the storyline in the Kunlun Realm is now down to the final segment: the Central Imperial City.