Chapter 2160: Reports of Victory Fly Everywhere
"Report of victory!"
"Report of victory!"
...
"The Eastern Domain King battled Bone You Emperor at the Four Emperor Ridge, defeating him in seven moves, slashing one hundred and eighty swords to extinguish his soul. The strongest below Great Saint of the Bone Clan has fallen."
Within the calm royal capital, a high-pitched voice suddenly rang out.
A heavily armored royal city knight, riding a tall and fierce barbarian beast, shouted reports of victory as he hurried toward the Lianzhu Mansion.
Hearing this voice, the entire royal capital was immediately shaken.
"Zhang Ruochen killed Bone You Emperor? How is that possible?"
"Bone You Emperor is the strongest below Great Saint of the Bone Clan, with strength ranking among the top ten of the Ten Clans of Hell. His half-divine bone body is indestructible, and his Hell Destruction Flame can incinerate all things. Just yesterday, he defeated a divine disciple of the Time Divine Temple."
"Who is spreading false rumors? Such words cannot be spoken carelessly!"
...
The royal capital was too vast, and because the time was too short, not all cultivators in every district knew that Zhang Ruochen had left the city alone to challenge the Hell Realm.
Most cultivators from various realms clearly held a skeptical attitude toward the report of victory delivered by the royal city knight.
There was no help for it; Bone You Emperor's identity was too extraordinary. Known as the strongest below Great Saint of the Bone Clan, he possessed the potential to become a god. How could he die so easily under Zhang Ruochen's sword?
On Qingluan Avenue, there was an uproar. Many cultivators from the Kunlun Realm still believed Zhang Ruochen had such strength.
On the left side of the street, on a six-story building, more than ten formation masters from the Formation Destruction Palace gathered together, watching the departing knight with puzzled expressions.
"Uncle Master Zhou, you have fought Zhang Ruochen. Is he really that strong, able to slay Bone You Emperor with his sword?" asked a talented formation master from the Formation Destruction Palace in surprise.
Zhou Zhen cast a cold glance at the talented formation master, frightening the other into immediately shutting up.
Fight?
There had been no fight at all; he, Zhou Zhen, had been suppressed in an instant. Was this junior nephew mocking him?
A dignified Formation Earth Master, someone who could sit on equal footing with a Great Saint, had first been suppressed and captured by Zhang Ruochen, then suspected and ostracized by the people of Paradise Realm.
Among the leaders of the Formation Destruction Palace, no one had fared worse than him.
Mentioning Zhang Ruochen made Zhou Zhen angry, but in front of his juniors, he still had to maintain his dignity. He said lightly, "Zhang Ruochen's strength is very formidable, very, very formidable. He is already invincible below Great Saint. I am actually very shocked that Bone You Emperor could withstand seven of his swords."
The formation masters present all held skeptical attitudes, always feeling that Zhou Zhen was deliberately elevating Zhang Ruochen.
Yes, Zhang Ruochen was already invincible, and Bone You Emperor was defeated in seven moves. That Zhou Zhen had been suppressed by Zhang Ruochen was no longer a disgrace but rather an honor.
At least, after fighting Zhang Ruochen, he had still managed to survive.
How many people could survive Zhang Ruochen's hands?
He, Zhou Zhen, had done it!
Zhou Zhen paid no attention to what these formation masters were thinking, thinking to himself, Zhang Ruochen, oh Zhang Ruochen, make your battle achievements even more magnificent. It would be best if you also killed Yan Wushen!
"Report of victory!"
"Report of victory!"
...
"The Three Emperors of the Bone Clan joined forces to strike powerfully, wanting to avenge Bone You Emperor. Zhang Ruochen fought them. Now, victory and defeat have been decided. The Vajra Power of the Three Emperors could pierce through the void but could not break Zhang Ruochen's sword formation. The Three Emperors died in battle, their skeletons all shattered. The Bone Clan has suffered a severe loss of vitality."
"Report of victory! The Three Emperors of the Bone Clan died in battle, perishing in Kunlun."
As the second knight galloped past, cultivators from various realms in the central royal capital were shaken once again.
"The Three Emperors of the Bone Clan inherited the Vajra Power and excelled in combined attack techniques. Joining forces, they were enough to sweep away all opposition. Even if Zhang Ruochen is strong, he shouldn't be able to kill them."
"Impossible, absolutely impossible."
...
In the eyes of many, the Three Emperors joining forces were enough to contend with the Four Heavenly Kings of the Heavenly Palace. How could they die under Zhang Ruochen's sword?
"Report of victory!"
"Report of victory!"
"The Eastern Domain King faced the Seven Absolute Killing Gods of the Nether Hall and was invincible. Of the Seven Absolute Killing Gods, three died and four were wounded, fleeing in disgrace."
Just as cultivators from various realms had not yet recovered, a third royal city knight rode his mount at extreme speed, shouting reports of victory, his voice clearly filled with extreme excitement.
"Too insane! When the Seven Absolute Killing Gods of the Nether Hall join forces, even Yan Wushen has to give way. It is said that they are destined to become gods. How could nearly half of them die at Zhang Ruochen's hands?"
"Hurry out of the city to take a look. There was such a big commotion in the city just now. Perhaps Zhang Ruochen really has left the city to challenge the strong of the Hell Realm."
For a time, cultivators from various realms in the city could no longer sit still and rushed toward the Eastern City Gate.
As the saying goes, hearing is false, seeing is true. Everyone wanted to see for themselves what the situation was.
At the same time, one royal city knight after another rushed into the Lianzhu Mansion, reporting the battle results outside the city to the high-ranking officials of the imperial court.
At this time, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden was also in the Lianzhu Mansion, studying the Heavenly Earth Chess Game together with Grand Chancellor Wang Shiqi and others, discussing some important matters.
Hearing the matters reported by the royal city knights, everyone in the Lianzhu Mansion could not help but show shocked expressions, finding it very hard to believe.
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden's eyes shimmered with strange light. She had not been separated from Zhang Ruochen for long, yet she never expected Zhang Ruochen would create such a big commotion.
Bone You Emperor, the Three Emperors of the Bone Clan, and the Seven Absolute Killing Gods of the Nether Hall—which of them was an ordinary person? Each possessed a fearsome reputation, roaming across various merit battlefields, having killed countless strong cultivators from the Heavenly Court Realm.
Just mentioning them made many cultivators from the Heavenly Court Realm tremble with fear. No one had ever imagined they would die on the battlefield.
"Well killed!"
"The Eastern Domain King is indeed the heir of Xumi Saint Monk, indeed an extraordinary hero of our Kunlun Realm. From now on, who would dare to bully our Kunlun Realm, claiming it has no one?"
A Saint Confucian said excitedly, feeling a sense of vindication.
Recently, the atmosphere in the central royal capital had been extremely oppressive. The reports of victory coming in now were undoubtedly able to greatly uplift spirits and boost morale.
The top strong cultivators of the Heavenly Court Realm had fought in succession, but most had returned in miserable defeat, and many strong cultivators had even fallen. No one could be optimistic.
Now, Zhang Ruochen alone was suppressing the Hell Realm, consecutively killing seven top strong cultivators of the Hell Realm. This was precisely what the Heavenly Court Realm side needed.
Unable to help themselves, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, Wang Shiqi, and others set out, also heading toward the Eastern City Gate, wanting to see the real situation on the battlefield.
At this moment, outside the central royal capital, Zhang Ruochen stood towering in the sky, his long black hair flying, looking down on heaven and earth. The Abyssal Ancient Sword and the Blood Drop Sword circled around him, both releasing overwhelming killing intent, making him appear like a peerless god of slaughter.
The skeletal bodies of the Three Emperors of the Bone Clan were scattered on the ruined earth. Although every bone was intact, their sacred souls had already been annihilated.
Bone You Emperor's half-divine body was not broken, but his soul had been extinguished.
Three of the Seven Absolute Killing Gods of the Nether Hall also lay on the battlefield, dark red blood flowing, soaking the earth, and a powerful curse force lingered for a long time without dissipating.
The remaining four had already fled back to the Hell Realm camp, looking up at Zhang Ruochen standing in the sky. There was anger in their eyes, but more than that, fear.
If they had been slower to escape just now, they would probably have ended up dead as well.
Since their debut, the Seven Absolute Killing Gods of the Nether Hall had almost always swept through everything. The only two defeats they had suffered were both because of Zhang Ruochen, and this time, they had lost so miserably.
Having witnessed Zhang Ruochen's peerless demeanor, no one on the Hell Realm side dared to go out and fight anymore. How could face be more important than one's own life?
In the Undying Blood Clan camp, Xue Ningxiao's beautiful eyes sparkled. "He really is formidable. Now I somewhat believe he can defeat Yan Wushen."
"Zhang Ruochen's character should be very much to Grandfather's liking. After all, Grandfather also rose step by step with this kind of domineering posture, sweeping away all opponents. I really look forward to him going to the Blood Absolute Family. I wonder what expressions those direct-line descendants will have." Xue Chen Tianjun's eyes held a hint of anticipation.
He alone could not suppress the direct-line geniuses within the family, but what if Zhang Ruochen went back?
"Return to the Hell Realm?" Xue Ningxiao gently shook her head.
That was simply impossible!
...
"Zhang Ruochen's momentum is already established. Below Great Saint, who can still restrain him?"
For a time, this thought arose in the hearts of many cultivators from both the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm.
The matter of Yan Wushen having good and evil bodies was very secret, known to very few.
Moreover, looking at the terrifying strength Zhang Ruochen had displayed, even those who knew Yan Wushen's secret felt very uncertain in their hearts.
With a wave of his hand, Zhang Ruochen collected the corpses and treasures of Bone You Emperor, the Three Emperors of the Bone Clan, and the three Nether Hall killing gods. These were his spoils of war.
Especially the skeletal bodies of Bone You Emperor and the Three Emperors of the Bone Clan were priceless and had many uses.
Seeing this, no one on the Hell Realm side dared to step forward to stop them. Their eyes were blazing with rage, but there was nothing they could do.
"The Eastern Domain King is invincible, undefeated in battle!"
At that moment, an excited voice rang out.
"The Eastern Domain King is invincible, undefeated in battle!"
Immediately, many cultivators from the Kunlun Realm shouted loudly, their blood boiling, and some even could not help but shed tears of excitement.
Zhang Ruochen looked down in all directions and said loudly, "Yan Wushen, I await your life-and-death battle. You had better show yourself soon."
Leaving these words, Zhang Ruochen did not linger. He took a step and directly returned to the central royal capital.
The purpose of his action this time had been fully achieved, even far exceeding expectations. Since no one from the Hell Realm was coming out to fight, there was naturally no need to waste time here.
The group of strong cultivators gathered on the city wall mostly had unnatural expressions on their faces. No one dared to say anything at this time.
At the beginning, when they saw Zhang Ruochen attacking the Hell Realm camp, they all thought Zhang Ruochen was crazy, seeking his own death. Many could not help but laugh out loud.
But seeing the result now, no one could laugh anymore.
Especially Xue Tianxiejun and Radiant Heavenly Prince, who were as silent as cicadas in winter, hiding among the crowd, afraid of being noticed by Zhang Ruochen.
However, Zhang Ruochen paid no attention to anyone. He took another step and disappeared from the spot.
For the next period of time, Zhang Ruochen fell completely silent, no longer revealing his whereabouts. No one knew what he was doing.
But the more this was the case, the more wary cultivators from various realms became. Everyone restrained themselves and strictly followed the realm rules Zhang Ruochen had established.
One hundred thousand miles away from the central royal capital, there was a very hidden canyon with a natural maze formation. Even Saint King realm strong cultivators could easily get lost.
The heaven and earth sacred qi within the canyon was extremely rich, and a large number of sacred medicines grew there, making it a true cultivation treasure land.
At the center of the canyon, there was a huge piece of dark green sacred jade. At this moment, a tall figure was sitting cross-legged on it.
This person was none other than Yan Wushen, who had fought a great battle with Zhang Ruochen in the royal capital.
Yan Wushen's current state was very unstable. Sometimes his body emitted a sacred aura, sometimes an evil aura, as if he might split back into his good and evil bodies at any moment.
Just as Zhang Ruochen had perceived, Yan Wushen had not truly been able to merge his two bodies. Good and evil could not coexist, and a significant problem had arisen.
Even though he had come to this place and gone into seclusion for several days, he still could not fully merge. The origins of his good and evil bodies were extremely repulsive to each other.
Thinking about it, it was very normal. If this path were easy to walk, the Buddhist sect would not have classified it as taboo.
"Who is it?"
Suddenly, Yan Wushen opened his eyes and cast his gaze toward the entrance of the canyon.
The next moment, a figure appeared within the canyon. Although it was humanoid, it had four eyes and four arms, and its body emitted a strong demonic killing battle qi. It came from the Shura Clan among the Ten Clans of Hell.
"Wan Xin, what do you want by entering my secluded cultivation site?" Yan Wushen asked coldly.
Wan Xin smiled. "I went to great effort to find you, so naturally I have something important. For you, it is definitely a great good thing."
"If you have something to say, say it." Yan Wushen said.
Wan Xin did not waste words. "I am here on my master's orders to give you a treasure that can help you fix the flaws in your cultivation method, allowing good and evil to completely merge, letting you truly reach your peak state."
Hearing this, Yan Wushen's heart stirred. Wan Xin's master was an extremely powerful god of the Shura Clan, very ancient, having survived multiple eon calamities, and what he cultivated was the Way of Time.
In the tragic divine war ten thousand years ago, this god had participated in the siege of Xumi Saint Monk but was severely wounded by Xumi Saint Monk, damaging his foundation, and had never been able to recover.
Since that divine war, this god had rarely appeared, leading many to speculate whether he had already fallen.
"What does Xiu Chen Heavenly God want?" Yan Wushen asked directly.
He did not believe that Xiu Chen Heavenly God would be so kind as to send help in a time of need. A treasure that could allow good and evil to merge was definitely no ordinary thing, so he must have a special purpose.
Wan Xin said, "My master has only one request: after you defeat Zhang Ruochen, bring his physical body back to the Hell Realm."
"Oh? Does Xiu Chen Heavenly God want to seize Zhang Ruochen's physical body?" Yan Wushen immediately understood.
As far as he knew, Xiu Chen Heavenly God was extremely severely injured, his origin on the verge of collapse. If he could not find a way to repair it, he could only find a suitable physical body to seize.
However, Xiu Chen Heavenly God cultivated the Way of Time, and an ordinary physical body would certainly not meet the conditions for seizure.
Zhang Ruochen possessed the Five Elements Chaos Body and also had a divine destiny. All aspects were perfect, making him an excellent choice.
Wan Xin did not answer, just stared intently at Yan Wushen.
Yan Wushen was a decisive person and immediately said, "Good, I agree."
He and Zhang Ruochen were destined to determine victory and defeat, life and death.
If he, Yan Wushen, became the final victor, Zhang Ruochen would only have to die. As for how he died, what difference did it make?
If he lost to Zhang Ruochen, how could he live? Being devoured by Shi Shenghua was the most likely outcome.
Hearing this reply, a smile appeared on Wan Xin's face again. He turned his hand and took out a delicate jade box. "Inside is the Yin-Yang Two-Life Flower, which can solve your current problem."
Yan Wushen reached out and took the jade box.
Wan Xin put his palms together and bowed respectfully. "I await good news."
With that, Wan Xin's figure turned ethereal and he left the canyon very cleanly.
Yan Wushen opened the jade box and took out a strange flower from inside. It was black and white in color, shaped like a Taiji Yin-Yang, with yin qi and yang qi interweaving, transforming into each other, forming a seamless whole.
Just by looking at it, many insights arose in Yan Wushen's heart, and he understood some of the problems he had.
With the treasure in hand, Yan Wushen naturally did not delay. He immediately began to refine it, wanting to merge good and evil as quickly as possible. Only then could he truly become invincible under heaven.
...
Central Royal Capital. After disappearing for several days, Zhang Ruochen finally appeared again.
Under the watchful eyes of cultivators from various realms, Zhang Ruochen entered the Merit Branch Station alone and, through the Space Teleportation Array, directly left the Kunlun Realm.
"Zhang Ruochen has gone to the Truth Heaven Domain!"
Soon, news spread back to the royal capital.
"Why would Zhang Ruochen go to the Truth Heaven Domain at this time? Is he going to cross the Truth Sea?"
"That should be right. Zhang Ruochen is most likely trying to cross the tenth layer of the Truth Sea and obtain the reward from the Truth Divine Temple."
"The tenth layer of the Truth Sea is not so easy to cross. Even among the ten divine disciples of the Truth Divine Temple, only a few have crossed the ninth layer and barely entered the tenth layer."
"Since the birth of the Heavenly Court Realm, only thirteen people below Great Saint have crossed the tenth layer and ascended Truth Mountain. Each one has become a great figure of earth-shattering importance. Although Zhang Ruochen is very strong, he has not formally joined the Truth Divine Temple. His chances of success should be extremely slim."
Cultivators from various realms discussed endlessly, all paying close attention to Zhang Ruochen's movements.
Now that Zhang Ruochen's reputation was at its peak, not many people actually wanted to see him cross the tenth layer of the Truth Sea.
After all, Zhang Ruochen was already so powerful. If he obtained that legendary reward that could make even gods jealous, he might become even stronger, suffocating everyone.
...
After Zhang Ruochen left, outside the Ziwei Imperial Palace, an ancient and elegant sacred chariot descended from the sky. A tall, handsome figure stepped out of the sacred chariot.
This person was none other than Radiant Heavenly Prince, who had been quite low-key recently.
Because of Zhang Ruochen, Radiant Heavenly Prince had not come to see the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden for some time.
Just as Radiant Heavenly Prince was about to enter the Ziwei Imperial Palace, he suddenly sensed something and turned his head to look to the side. A face so handsome it seemed unreal came into his view.
"Yin Yuanchen."
Radiant Heavenly Prince's expression changed slightly.