# Chapter 2163: The Ninth Layer Sea Region
While Zhang Ruochen was pondering, Xiang Chunan and Feng Yan also successively defeated their gate guardians, very clean and decisive, appearing quite relaxed.
Feng Yan smiled bitterly and said, "You two are impressive. I'll treat you to a meal later."
Although he was only a hair's breadth behind, he was still a step slower and could only accept the bet and pay up.
"Haha, Second Brother is treating us to a meal, so there will definitely be plenty of good wine!" Xiang Chunan couldn't help but burst into laughter.
He was a true lover of wine; otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten so drunk back then that his master had carelessly thrown him into the Truth Heaven Domain.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Let's continue crossing the sea first."
With that, Zhang Ruochen steered the Truth Boat, smoothly passing through the light curtain ahead and entering the eighth layer sea region.
Seeing this, Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan didn't hesitate and immediately followed. Their goal this time was naturally not just to cross the seventh layer sea region.
The limit for Saint Kings was the seventh layer sea region, but that was only for ordinary Saint Kings. They definitely did not fall into that category.
The eighth layer sea region was already considered breaking the limit, and the difficulty of crossing the sea increased exponentially. The horizontal waves became extremely fierce, continuously battering the Truth Boat.
However, Zhang Ruochen was like an immovable divine mountain, suppressing the Truth Boat. No matter how the waves crashed, it remained completely still.
His goal was to cross ten layers of sea regions. If he encountered trouble at the seventh layer, how could he continue crossing?
The Truth Boats carrying Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan experienced slight turbulence, but they quickly stabilized as well.
After entering this layer of sea region, Zhang Ruochen gradually pulled away from Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan, taking the lead. In just the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he arrived directly at the checkpoint.
On the light curtain ahead, dazzling holy light burst forth, interweaving to condense a holy general clad in silver armor. His body was extremely solid, radiating vast holy might, with unfathomable power.
The holy general made his move, and the water-attributed rules of heaven and earth were completely mobilized. On the sea surface, a hundred-zhang-tall giant wave rose up, carrying unmatched holy power, crashing toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen appeared extremely calm. He drew a drop of water from the sea and flicked it with his finger.
Under the influence of holy qi and spatial power, the water droplet instantly transformed into a vast world, encompassing the holy general and the giant wave he had raised.
This world seemed very fragile on the surface, but it was extremely resilient. No matter how the holy general charged, it never shattered.
The next moment, the water droplet world compressed at extreme speed, and a force capable of destroying heaven and earth acted upon the holy general's body.
"Bang."
In the blink of an eye, the holy general's body exploded, once again transforming into streams of holy light that vanished into the light curtain ahead.
The sea surface returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened.
Seeing this scene, the shore of the Truth Sea immediately became lively.
"Zhang Ruochen's strength is too great. He can even defeat the gate guardian of the eighth layer sea region so easily. It seems he really has hope of challenging the tenth layer sea region."
"Naive. Zhang Ruochen hasn't even condensed his Truth Realm Form. Whether he can cross the ninth layer sea region is already a question, let alone dreaming of the tenth."
"That's right. The ninth layer of the Truth Sea is very different from the previous eight layers. Having a Truth Realm Form is a basic condition. Even Zhang Ruochen will find it hard to break this rule."
"With strength invincible below the Great Saint level, it may not work at the Truth Sea. Here, Zhang Ruochen is destined to be inferior to Archangel Michael."
...
While many were discussing, Zhang Ruochen was frowning before the light curtain. Just like before, after passing this checkpoint, he still hadn't received any Truth Esoterica reward.
"Where exactly is the problem? Could it be that there is no more Truth Esoterica in the Truth Sea? Or is it because I already possess enough Truth Esoterica?" Zhang Ruochen was full of doubts.
One of his important purposes in coming to cross the Truth Sea this time was to obtain more Truth Esoterica, making it easier to comprehend the sacred path.
Truth Esoterica was incredibly miraculous. Even increasing it by just ten-thousandth could produce many inconceivable changes.
"If I can't continue to obtain more Truth Esoterica, I'll have to find a way to get the rewards given by the Truth Divine Temple," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
Immediately, he set sail again, steering the Truth Boat through the light curtain ahead and charging into the ninth layer sea region.
At this moment, the cultivators on the shore paid even closer attention.
"Chen Jing, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed soon. Zhang Ruochen doesn't have much hope of crossing this layer, let alone having any connection with the tenth layer sea region."
"Zhang Ruochen deliberately chose to cross the sea right after Michael crossed the ninth layer sea region. If he fails, it will likely have a considerable impact on his reputation. Not a wise move."
Qie Huairou shook her head repeatedly.
Like most people, regarding the matter of crossing the Truth Sea, Qie Huairou was very pessimistic about Zhang Ruochen. It wasn't that she underestimated Zhang Ruochen, nor was it due to prejudice, but rather based on the facts. She didn't believe anyone could break the established rules.
The Thousand Star Celestial Maiden smiled and said, "How about we make a bet? Let's bet on whether Zhang Ruochen can cross the ninth layer sea region."
"Alright, what do you want to bet?" Qie Huairou showed great interest.
The Thousand Star Celestial Maiden thought for a moment and said, "Haven't you always wanted my Celestial Maiden Feather Robe? If you win, I'll give it to you. But if you lose..."
"I know what you want. If I lose, I'll give you the Flying Immortal Flute," Qie Huairou interrupted.
A cunning smile flashed in the Thousand Star Celestial Maiden's eyes. "Then it's settled."
"I'll personally take the Celestial Maiden Feather Robe off your body later. Don't be shy then," Qie Huairou said with a charming laugh.
The Thousand Star Celestial Maiden said nothing more, just fixed her gaze on Zhang Ruochen. No matter what others said, she always believed that Zhang Ruochen would never be stopped by the ninth layer sea region.
"Swish."
Several streams of light flew out from the Truth Divine Temple and landed on the shore of the Truth Sea, transforming into five figures. They all wore crane-and-blue-sky robes, marking their identity as divine transmission disciples of the Truth Divine Temple.
The leader was a woman with a graceful figure, long, straight jade legs, and a veil over her face. She exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura, like a divine maiden untouched by worldly dust, making it impossible for anyone to harbor profane thoughts.
She was none other than Feng Yan's sister, Feng Xi.
Feng Xi held a very high position in the Truth Divine Temple. Apart from the ten great divine transmission disciples, few could surpass her.
Unlike others, when Feng Xi arrived at the Truth Sea, her first concern was not Zhang Ruochen, but Feng Yan.
At this moment, Feng Yan was at the checkpoint of the eighth layer sea region, engaged in fierce battle with the gate guardian.
The gate guardian of this layer of sea region was extremely powerful and could not be defeated as easily as before.
But after exchanging hundreds of moves, Feng Yan finally used the miraculous techniques recorded in the "Nuwa Dao Code" to shatter the gate guardian into pieces.
Seeing this, a smile couldn't help but appear in Feng Xi's eyes. This time, Feng Yan had finally not disappointed her and hadn't disgraced the Feng family.
Being able to cross the eighth layer sea region of the Truth Sea already counted as being among the best of the divine transmission disciples. After all, even most of the ten great divine transmission disciples had only crossed the eighth layer sea region.
For the vast majority of divine transmission disciples, crossing the seventh layer sea region was already the pinnacle.
The reason Feng Xi held such a high position in the Truth Divine Temple was not only because of her background but also because she had long ago crossed the eighth layer sea region and reached the checkpoint of the ninth layer sea region.
"Junior Brother Feng Yan is truly formidable. He came from behind and puts us senior brothers to shame," a divine transmission disciple behind Feng Xi sighed in admiration.
Another divine transmission disciple, Yan Shiju, showed an expression of amazement. "Junior Brother Feng Yan has extraordinary talent. He has actually cultivated the 'Nuwa Dao Code' to such a level. The Feng family's three heads and six arms truly live up to their reputation."
Feng Yan had always held a very special position in the Feng family, as he had inherited the three heads and six arms of the Feng family's ancestor, Feng Shen. This had drawn attention from all sides, putting him under immense pressure to do his best in everything.
Although Feng Xi was satisfied with Feng Yan's performance this time, she still said calmly on the surface, "He still has a long way to go. He hasn't reached the height the ancestor expects of him."
What she said was true. Over the years, no descendant had ever received such attention from Feng Shen, who had personally trained him since childhood. Even the treatment of a divine son could not compare to Feng Yan's.
Shifting her gaze, Feng Xi looked at the ninth layer sea region.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen was already approaching the checkpoint of the ninth layer sea region.
"The number one powerhouse below the Great Saint level is indeed formidable. Entering the ninth layer sea region, the Truth Boat can still remain so stable and travel at great speed."
"Speed is useless. Without condensing a Truth Realm Form, he is destined to be unable to cross the ninth layer sea region. Unless Zhang Ruochen joins the Truth Divine Temple, he will only be able to stop at this layer of sea region for his entire life."
"With Zhang Ruochen's strength, even if he only condenses the worst Truth Realm Form, he should be able to cross the ninth layer sea region. What a pity."
Behind Feng Xi, several divine transmission disciples spoke one after another.
The necessity of condensing a Truth Realm Form to cross the ninth layer sea region was almost a common understanding among all disciples of the Truth Divine Temple, and this understanding was deeply rooted and hard to change.
Feng Xi didn't speak, but she had a feeling that the result of Zhang Ruochen's sea crossing this time might surprise many people.
"Hmm? Who is that?"
Suddenly, Feng Xi cast her gaze toward the seventh layer sea region.
When she looked over, she happened to see a tall, burly figure punch the gate guardian of the seventh layer sea region into pieces. It was simple and brutal, without any hesitation.
This person was naturally Xiang Chunan's junior sister, Qingsi Xue.
This was her first time crossing the Truth Sea, and she clearly had no experience at all. Yet her speed of crossing the sea was extremely fast, breaking through like a splitting bamboo, with almost no delays along the way.
At this moment, Xiang Chunan had just crossed the eighth layer sea region, and Qingsi Xue had already caught up.
Given her momentum, crossing the eighth layer sea region should not be difficult.
A divine light flickered in Feng Xi's eyes as she stared intently at Qingsi Xue and murmured, "At least a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saint, with extremely high attainment in the Way of Truth. But why does she look so unfamiliar?"
Given her status, she was very familiar with the saint-level geniuses who came to cultivate in the Truth Heaven Domain. But she had no impression of Qingsi Xue at all, as if she had appeared out of nowhere.
Yan Shiju said, "I just asked around, and no one knows the origin of this Great Saint. However, Junior Brother Feng Yan seemed to be with her earlier."
Hearing this, Feng Xi's heart stirred, and she vaguely thought of something.
As Feng Xi had expected, Qingsi Xue indeed crossed the eighth layer sea region without much effort, much more easily than Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan.
"My god! Four people have entered the ninth layer sea region at the same time. They're a bunch of monsters!"
A cultivator couldn't help but exclaim.
Although many people came to cross the Truth Sea every day, such a scene was rarely seen.
At the checkpoint of the ninth layer sea region, Zhang Ruochen turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan before finally settling on Qingsi Xue.
Vaguely sensing the Great Saint pressure emanating from Qingsi Xue's body, Zhang Ruochen couldn't help but show a strange expression. "Xiang Chunan's junior sister is actually a Great Saint, and like Xiang Chunan, she possesses profound attainment in the Way of Truth as soon as she arrives in the Truth Heaven Domain. Just who are her parents?"
Earlier, Qingsi Xue had completely concealed her aura, so Zhang Ruochen hadn't noticed.
Moreover, given her identity as Xiang Chunan's junior sister, it would be hard for anyone to associate her cultivation level with the Great Saint realm.
With Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation and strength, he couldn't see through Qingsi Xue at all and couldn't determine what realm she had reached.
But one thing Zhang Ruochen could confirm was that he was definitely no match for Qingsi Xue at present.
After observing for a moment, Zhang Ruochen turned his gaze back to the light curtain ahead.
As the Truth Boat advanced a little further, the gate guardian of this layer of sea region condensed.
The powerful holy might emanating from its body alone was enough to rival, or even surpass, the top-tier powerhouses below the Great Saint level.
More importantly, beneath this gate guardian's feet was a very thick and solid piece of land, exuding an extremely heavy and firm aura, as if it could contain all things.
"Truth Realm Form, Thick Earth Below," Zhang Ruochen murmured.
He had encountered the Truth Realm Form long ago, back when he entered the Divine Seal Platform and faced the divine transmission disciple Yu Wenjing. At that time, Yu Wenjing's strongest technique was the Truth Realm Form, but it was the worst kind, "Imperial Heaven Above."
Not long ago, outside the Central Imperial City, Nie Xiangzi had fought against Blood Chen Heavenly Lord and displayed the top-tier Truth Realm Form, "Starry Sea Boundless."
Facing the gate guardian's Truth Realm Form, Zhang Ruochen clearly felt a very powerful oppressive force, which even affected the circulation of holy qi within his body.
The Truth Realm Form not only allowed cultivators to unleash multiple times the attack power at will but was itself a powerful attack method that ordinary means could not counter.
At this moment, on the shore of the Truth Sea, many cultivators were watching Zhang Ruochen with different thoughts.
"With the Truth Realm Form, the gate guardian can freely mobilize the power contained in the Truth Sea. Only by possessing a Truth Realm Form as well can one counter it. Zhang Ruochen is doomed to lose."
"Zhang Ruochen is the Heir of Time and Space. Perhaps he can break the shackles."
"Although time and space are both eternal paths, in the Truth Sea, they will still be suppressed by the Way of Truth, greatly reducing their power. In short, facing the Truth Realm Form, any means are futile."
"I'm very curious to see how many rounds Zhang Ruochen can last against this checkpoint's gate guardian. I hope he doesn't lose too quickly."