Chapter 2162: Three Brothers Crossing the Sea Together
Qingsi Xue stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Brother Ruochen, for taking care of my senior brother."
What was quite surprising was that despite her fierce and masculine appearance, her voice was very soft and pleasant to the ear.
"I haven't really given Chunan any care. On the contrary, Chunan has helped me a lot. I should be the one thanking him," Zhang Ruochen said.
He wasn't just being polite. In the Kunlun Realm, Xiang Chunan had indeed helped him greatly, accompanying him through life-and-death situations time and again, never asking for anything in return.
Xiang Chunan put on a stern face and said, "We're brothers, big brother. If you say things like that again, I'll be unhappy."
Hearing this, a warmth surged in Zhang Ruochen's heart. To have such a brother meant the heavens had treated him well.
"In the battle outside the royal city, you faced many enemies alone and killed seven top-tier experts from the Hell Realm. Big brother, I truly can't imagine how powerful you've become," Feng Yan said.
Compared to when they were in the Northern Domain, Zhang Ruochen was now unfathomably deep. Even though Feng Yan's own cultivation had improved considerably, he couldn't see through Zhang Ruochen at all.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Everything was forced by circumstances. Too many people want my life. To survive, I have to keep getting stronger."
Anyone could hear the helplessness in his words.
Others only saw his glorious side, unaware of how much hardship and sweat—and even the risk of death—he had endured to gain his current strength.
"Big brother, let's cross the sea first, then find a place to gather and have a few drinks," Feng Yan suggested.
Xiang Chunan immediately agreed, "We definitely need to get together. It's been so long since I've had a good drink. This time, I'll drink until I'm drunk."
"Alright, big brother will join you," Zhang Ruochen said.
No matter what, he didn't want to dampen the spirits of his two sworn brothers.
Without further delay, the four of them walked toward the seaside.
Wherever they passed, cultivators stepped aside, not daring to provoke them.
Several Truth Boats were moored at the shore, more than enough for them to cross the sea.
As Zhang Ruochen had expected, Qingsi Xue also needed to cross the sea.
Xiang Chunan's master was very mysterious, allowing him to study the Way of Truth outside the Truth Heaven Domain. Since Xiang Chunan's attainment in the Way of Truth was so high, his junior sister should be no worse, perhaps even stronger.
With a flicker of movement, the four each boarded a Truth Boat, riding the wind and waves as they began crossing the sea.
Just after they set off, streaks of light gathered from all directions, landing on the shore and transforming into figures.
If Zhang Ruochen were still on the shore, he would have recognized many familiar faces.
The Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden stood on a reef, her gaze locked on Zhang Ruochen. "Zhang Ruochen has finally come to cross the Truth Sea again. Perhaps he is confident enough to cross the tenth layer."
After her trip to True Dragon Island, she had mended the flaws in her state of mind and rushed straight to the Truth Heaven Domain. She had already crossed the eighth layer and obtained a large amount of time to cultivate in the Truth Divine Temple.
Beside the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden stood a stunning beauty, her friend from the Truth Divine Temple and a Divine Heir Disciple, Qie Huairou.
Qie Huairou chuckled, "Everyone wants to cross the Truth Sea and reach the tenth layer, but since the establishment of the Heavenly Court, no Saint King has ever succeeded. Even among the ten Divine Heir Disciples that the Truth Divine Temple has painstakingly trained, only three have barely managed to cross the ninth layer."
"Zhang Ruochen is strong, but he hasn't even condensed a Truth Realm Form. Whether he can cross the ninth layer is still a question, let alone the tenth."
As a Divine Heir Disciple of the Truth Divine Temple, she knew well that crossing more layers required a Truth Realm Form to be especially important.
Without the secret teachings of the Truth Divine Temple, Qie Huairou didn't believe Zhang Ruochen could find a way to condense a Truth Realm Form.
Not to mention the top-tier "Unbounded Universe" form, even the worst "Heaven Above" form was not easy to condense.
In fact, even among the Divine Heir Disciples of the Truth Divine Temple, most could only condense the "Heaven Above" form. Very few could achieve the "Earth Below" form.
As for the "Star Sea Without Shore" form, aside from the ten Divine Heir Disciples, not many had succeeded.
The "Unbounded Universe" form was legendary; even among the gods of the Truth Divine Temple, few possessed it.
"You underestimate Zhang Ruochen. With him, anything is possible. Coming to cross the Truth Sea at this time, his goal is definitely not limited to the ninth layer," the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden said with a smile, seemingly full of confidence in Zhang Ruochen.
In her eyes, Zhang Ruochen was different, not comparable to ordinary people.
Qie Huairou shook her head. "It's not that I underestimate Zhang Ruochen, Chenjing. You're being too blind. I really don't understand how you can be so sure Zhang Ruochen can cross the tenth layer. Do you think his attainment in the Way of Truth can surpass the ten Divine Heir Disciples?"
No matter what the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden said, Qie Huairou didn't believe Zhang Ruochen could cross the tenth layer, because it was simply impossible.
"That's because you don't know Zhang Ruochen well enough. Just wait; it won't be long before we see the result," the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden insisted.
Qie Huairou looked at her with surprise. "Chenjing, could it be that you've fallen for Zhang Ruochen? You're defending him so much."
Hearing this, the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden shot Qie Huairou a glare but said nothing, her gaze fixed on Zhang Ruochen, a hint of anticipation flickering in her eyes.
"Senior Brother Nie, how many layers do you think Zhang Ruochen can cross?" Dongfang Qingyu asked with a smile.
Nie Xiangzi pondered for a moment. "Perhaps he can surpass all of us."
"I wouldn't be so sure. Crossing the Truth Sea isn't just about strength. The key is attainment in the Way of Truth. Even with a ninefold attack boost, whether one uses a Truth Realm Form makes a huge difference. Zhang Ruochen's chances of crossing the ninth layer are extremely low," Dongfang Qingyu said.
Nie Xiangzi said, "Then let's wait and see."
Although he hadn't interacted much with Zhang Ruochen, he was good at judging people and trusted his instincts.
Dongfang Qingyu said nothing more, gently fanning his jade folding fan, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.
If he could make Zhang Ruochen taste defeat in the Truth Sea, that would be a very satisfying thing.
In another direction, petals of flowers rained down as the Hundred Flowers Fairy descended from the sky.
Normally, the Hundred Flowers Fairy's appearance would attract the attention of countless cultivators, but now, everyone's focus was on Zhang Ruochen.
Recently, the Hundred Flowers Fairy had been cultivating in the dojo of the Mandala Flower God, comprehending and refining the Divine Wood Heart, with tremendous gains.
"Invincible below the Great Saint realm. Since the Northern Domain, in such a short time, what opportunity did Zhang Ruochen obtain? Could it be because of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree trunk?" the Hundred Flowers Fairy speculated.
Even cultivators personally guided by gods couldn't match one-tenth of Zhang Ruochen's cultivation speed. The reason behind it would surely pique anyone's curiosity.
Hearing the discussions of the surrounding cultivators, the Hundred Flowers Fairy murmured, "The tenth layer? Perhaps Zhang Ruochen might actually manage it."
As time passed, more and more cultivators gathered at the Truth Sea, quickly exceeding ten thousand. Among them were not only Saints and Saint Kings but also Great Saints.
Although four people were crossing the sea at the same time, everyone's attention was on Zhang Ruochen.
Qingsi Xue was crossing the Truth Sea for the first time and needed to advance layer by layer.
Zhang Ruochen, Feng Yan, and Xiang Chunan had all already crossed the first six layers. The seventh layer was their starting point this time.
The three moved at a similar pace, reaching the threshold of the seventh layer before long.
"Big brother, let's compete to see who can enter the eighth layer first," Feng Yan said with a smile.
Before going to the Kunlun Realm, Feng Yan had crossed the sixth layer, earning him the status of a Divine Heir Disciple of the Truth Divine Temple, so he no longer had to endure his sister's ridicule.
If he could cross the seventh or even the eighth layer this time, he would be able to speak more confidently with his sister in the future.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The loser pays for the drinks."
"Haha, big brother, second brother, you two take your time. I'm going to charge ahead," Xiang Chunan laughed loudly.
Feng Yan said, "Third brother, being sneaky like that isn't right."
As he spoke, he steered his Truth Boat and quickly chased after him.
The next moment, guardians materialized in front of each of the three.
The three guardians struck simultaneously, unleashing majestic fist techniques that drew upon the rules of heaven and earth and the sacred qi of the world, stirring up towering waves.
However, these waves had no effect on Zhang Ruochen and the others. The Truth Boats beneath their feet remained steady, without any rocking.
A gentle breeze blew, and tens of millions of sacred rules emerged, intertwining behind Feng Yan to form a towering divine shadow, radiating powerful divine might.
"Roar."
The divine shadow leaned forward and let out a terrifying roar.
Endless gale-force winds howled, enveloping the incoming fist seals and the guardian.
"Take this punch from your Grandpa Xiang!"
Xiang Chunan shouted, surging demonic qi erupting from within him.
The demonic qi combined with fist rules to form a hundred magnificent demon mountains, connected as one, releasing a world-suppressing might.
Compared to the grand displays of Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan, Zhang Ruochen's move was simple—a casual wave of his hand, slashing out a faint sword light.
"Rip."
The mighty fist seal was instantly cut apart by the sword light, and the guardian's body was split in two.
The guardian's form dissipated, turning into a mass of silver light mist that merged into the light curtain ahead.
But Zhang Ruochen showed no joy. Instead, he frowned slightly, thinking, "Why is there no Truth Esoterica?"
In the past, every time he crossed the Truth Sea, he received Truth Esoterica after each layer, and the amount had been increasing.
When he crossed the sixth layer, the reward had reached three ten-thousandths of Truth Esoterica.
But this time, he didn't receive even one ten-thousandth of Truth Esoterica. It was very strange, and he didn't know what had gone wrong.
...
I've been in Shanghai for the past two days attending the author's annual meeting. I'll try to keep up with updates, but they might be very late sometimes. Today, for example, I spent most of the day on the road and on a plane, so the update is late!