# Chapter 2166: The Number One in a Hundred Thousand Years
The narrow Truth Boat, resisting the violent wind and waves, advanced slowly. After spending an entire day, it finally carried Zhang Ruochen to the checkpoint of the tenth layer sea region.
This was the final checkpoint. If he could pass through, he would be able to ascend Truth Mountain and become a legend unprecedented in history.
The light curtain burst forth with dazzling golden sacred light. In an instant, it wove together into a golden-armored sacred general, a hundred zhang tall. His entire body seemed forged from divine metal, emitting a sacred might even more powerful than that of an ordinary Great Saint.
Zhang Ruochen stood on the Truth Boat, looking up at the golden-armored sacred general. Even with his strength, he could not help but feel tremendous pressure at this moment. The general's power was far stronger than the guardian of the ninth layer sea region, not by just a small margin.
The golden-armored sacred general was full of majesty. His cold gaze fixed on Zhang Ruochen as he said, "I am your final opponent. Defeat me, and you can ascend Truth Mountain."
As he spoke, a vast amount of Truth Rules surged up from the surrounding sea region, gathering behind the golden-armored sacred general to condense into a vast starry sky. Golden light flickered within it, extremely magnificent.
"Indeed, the Truth Realm Form of this layer's guardian has directly risen by one level, with even stronger suppression of external power," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
In his view, even if a cultivator had condensed a Truth Realm Form, if it had not reached the "Starry Sea Without Shore" level, no matter how strong their strength, they would only be mercilessly crushed here.
Thinking about it, it made sense. If the difficulty were not greater, why would only thirteen Great Saints have crossed the tenth layer sea region since the establishment of the Heavenly Court Realm?
Just as Zhang Ruochen was thinking, the guardian had already made his move. A golden giant hand, infinitely enlarged, descended from the sky, completely enveloping him.
Before the palm even pressed down, the seawater had already begun to boil. Terrifying undercurrents surged, continuously battering the Truth Boat.
Zhang Ruochen dared not be careless in the slightest. He released his Spiritual Power without reservation, carefully controlling the Truth Boat to keep it stable.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen mobilized millions of powerful rules within his body and punched upward like lightning.
"Boom rumble."
Golden waves rolled. Dozens of water columns wrapped around a vast fist imprint, rushing upward to meet the guardian's giant hand.
This fist imprint contained indestructible power, transforming from the softest to the hardest, as if it could shatter the very sky.
"Bang."
The fist imprint collided with the golden giant hand. Two powerful forces clashed, like two stars crashing into each other.
Under this impact, waves thousands of zhang high rose from the sea surface. The entire sea region trembled violently.
However, suppressed by special rules, these violent forces quickly dissipated into nothingness.
"Exactly ten times the attack power. Even ordinary sacred arts can erupt with power comparable to Eternal Paths. Combined with the Truth Realm Form, even Eternal Paths are suppressed. No wonder no Saint King has ever crossed the tenth layer sea region in all these years," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
For a Saint King to defeat the guardian of the tenth layer sea region, they had to reach the limit in every aspect. They needed to condense a Truth Realm Form at the "Starry Sea Without Shore" or even "Universe Without Bound" level, and their attack methods had to be strong enough—preferably having cultivated other Eternal Paths.
"Bang."
The golden sea surface exploded. Countless Heaven and Earth Rules emerged, condensing into ferocious beasts that pounced toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze sharpened. He immediately released his Space True Domain to resist the guardian's Truth Realm Form.
Then, the Sword Soul rushed out from Zhang Ruochen's body, holding a sacred sword condensed from Sword Dao Rules, and met the pouncing ferocious beasts.
By using merit to wash his sword marrow, Zhang Ruochen had already elevated his Sword Soul to the Earth Sword Soul level. Later, as his Sword Dao realm improved, the Sword Soul continued to grow stronger.
Especially after achieving Sword Dao Great Perfection, the Sword Soul had undergone a qualitative transformation, with extremely terrifying attack power.
"Even the 'Starry Sea Without Shore' Truth Realm Form cannot suppress Zhang Ruochen. Could it be that he has condensed the One Yuan Space True Domain?"
Archangel Michael's heart sank.
For other Eternal Paths to resist the guardian's Truth Realm Form in the Truth Sea, their level had to be higher.
However, Archangel Michael found it very hard to believe that Zhang Ruochen could condense the legendary One Yuan Space True Domain.
This kind of Space True Domain, even in the Space Divine Temple, would be difficult for even one person in an entire eon to successfully condense.
But the facts were right before his eyes, leaving Archangel Michael no choice but to believe.
After all, if he did not have the One Yuan Space True Domain, Zhang Ruochen would most likely have been knocked into the sea by the guardian long ago, unable to remain so calm and composed.
What Zhang Ruochen had condensed was indeed the One Yuan Space True Domain. If not, how could he have the confidence to cross the tenth layer sea region of the Truth Sea?
The so-called "One Yuan" referred to chaos. Zhang Ruochen's ability to condense the One Yuan Space True Domain was closely related to his possession of the Five Elements Chaos Body.
Unfortunately, he had not yet condensed the River of Time. Otherwise, crossing the sea would have been much easier.
When the Way of Time is cultivated to a certain level, one can condense a real River of Time, aligning with the River of Time that exists in the void. This allows for better utilization of the power of time.
If one's realm is high enough, they can even use the River of Time they have condensed to enter the real River of Time and travel across time and space.
In the past, Xumi Saint Monk had reached such a realm, arriving at different points in the future, becoming the Future Buddha of Buddhist legend.
Relying on his Space True Domain to resist the suppression of the Truth Realm Form, Zhang Ruochen went all out, displaying the various techniques of the Sword Dao, the Way of Space, and the Way of Time to their fullest.
In the blink of an eye, he had already fought over a thousand rounds with the guardian. Although he was not at a disadvantage, he had not gained any advantage either. The battle had entered a stalemate.
At a certain moment, a large amount of Five Elements Chaos Qi surged out from Zhang Ruochen's body, condensing a half-real, half-illusory Chaos World behind him.
As if struck by a sudden inspiration, Zhang Ruochen integrated the Truth Esoterica and the Truth Rules he had cultivated into the Chaos World.
In this way, the Chaos World immediately underwent a wondrous change, becoming increasingly hazy and mysterious, as if it were about to evolve into a boundless universe.
"It seems this method is feasible. Perhaps I can use the phenomenon of the Five Elements Chaos Body as a foundation to evolve my own Truth Realm Form," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
However, he also understood that although the idea was good, actually realizing it was not easy. He would need a lot of time to experiment and comprehend the various mysteries involved.
For now, this was just an initial attempt. The phenomenon of the Five Elements Chaos Body had already acquired some characteristics of a Truth Realm Form.
Zhang Ruochen could clearly feel that the suppression from the guardian's Truth Realm Form had significantly weakened.
Under these circumstances, his Space True Domain gradually gained the upper hand.
"I cannot maintain this state for long, and next time, it might not go as smoothly. I must finish this quickly." A sharp light suddenly flashed in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
He gathered the power of time in his left hand and the power of space in his right. Bringing his hands together, the two forces violently collided.
Under Zhang Ruochen's precise control, the power of time and the power of space combined in a most wondrous manner.
A silver light streaked across the sky, piercing through the powerful sacred art unleashed by the guardian and directly slashing into his golden body.
"Boom."
The guardian's body was extremely tough, resisting Zhang Ruochen's attack.
Zhang Ruochen was shaken by the recoil force, spitting blood, but his battle intent was high. He shouted, "Slash again!"
"Boom."
Another silver light slashed down.
"Slash again."
...
"Slash!"
With each strike, Zhang Ruochen was shaken by the guardian's power and spat blood. However, the guardian was not having an easy time either. He was completely suppressed by Zhang Ruochen, with cracks appearing all over his body.
When Zhang Ruochen delivered the seventy-first strike, the power within him was almost completely depleted. Even the Chaos World behind him had become tattered and broken. Finally, he tore the guardian's body in two.
"Bang."
The Chaos World behind Zhang Ruochen also collapsed and shattered with a loud crash.
Forcibly combining the Way of Truth with the phenomenon of the Five Elements Chaos Body, Zhang Ruochen simply could not control it. He inevitably suffered backlash, with numerous cracks appearing all over his body, like a ceramic about to break.
Zhang Ruochen did not care about this. Instead, a smile appeared on his face, because he had succeeded. He had defeated the guardian.
The guardian's tall body dissipated, transforming back into streams of golden sacred light that sank into the light curtain ahead.
At that moment, a gentle force entered Zhang Ruochen's body, merging into all one hundred and forty-four acupoints, flowing through his meridians and sacred veins.
"Since the establishment of the Heavenly Court Realm, the first Saint King to cross the ten layers of sea region. Exceptional talent. Reward: ten ten-thousandths of Truth Esoterica." A ethereal voice sounded in Zhang Ruochen's mind.
Zhang Ruochen was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought that crossing the Truth Sea would no longer yield Truth Esoterica. He had not expected to receive ten ten-thousandths all at once.
After all, when he had crossed the first six layers of sea region, he had only received a total of ten ten-thousandths of Truth Esoterica.
Counting it up, Zhang Ruochen now possessed a total of forty-nine ten-thousandths of Truth Esoterica. If he could more than double this amount, he would gather one percent and become a Truth Envoy.
However, obtaining more Truth Esoterica in the future would clearly not be easy. Perhaps he could only plunder the Truth Esoterica that others possessed.
For now, Zhang Ruochen did not consider these matters. To him, the increase of ten ten-thousandths of Truth Esoterica was exactly what he needed at the moment. It would greatly help him comprehend the Sacred Dao and condense his Truth Realm Form.
Looking at the golden light curtain ahead, Zhang Ruochen did not hesitate. He immediately drove the Truth Boat through it.
At this moment, on the shore of the Truth Sea, all the cultivators gathered there could not help but show expressions of shock.
"Zhang Ruochen has actually crossed the tenth layer sea region! We have witnessed a legend."
"Without condensing a Truth Realm Form, he still managed to cross ten layers of sea region. Just how strong is Zhang Ruochen?"
"According to the ancient divine decree issued by the Truth Divine Temple, if a Saint King crosses the tenth layer sea region, they will receive a reward that even gods would envy. What could it be?"
...
No one's heart could remain calm. They could hardly believe what they had seen.
"He is simply a monster. He can even condense the One Yuan Space True Domain. I am completely convinced." Qie Huairou shook her head.
There were not many people she admired, but Zhang Ruochen had undoubtedly become one of the people she admired most.
Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden smiled and said, "Yan Wushen is known as the number one genius of this eon in the Hell Realm, undefeated at the same realm. Since Zhang Ruochen could defeat him, who in this eon could be more outstanding than him? If he cannot do it, who can? Moreover..."
Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden wanted to say, moreover, Zhang Ruochen possessed a large amount of Truth Esoterica. With the blessing of Truth Esoterica, crossing the Truth Sea would naturally be somewhat easier.
Of course, she absolutely could not say this out loud.
"How could he have succeeded?"
Archangel Michael's heart sank to the bottom.
Compared to Zhang Ruochen, what were his achievements?
Dongfang Qingyu's gaze also became very complicated, but he could not say a single word. He had not expected that everything would be as Nie Xiangzi had predicted.
In fact, Nie Xiangzi's heart was also not calm. Feeling that Zhang Ruochen could cross and personally witnessing Zhang Ruochen cross were two completely different things.
The so-called Ten Divine Transmission Disciples were actually the Truth Divine Temple's cultivation of peerless geniuses in each era to challenge the tenth layer sea region.
Unfortunately, what they could not achieve, a cultivator who was not a Divine Transmission Disciple of the Truth Divine Temple had accomplished.
For the Ten Divine Transmission Disciples, this was absolutely a kind of irony and spur.
"The heir of Xumi Saint Monk, the one recognized by the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, truly cannot be judged by common standards. Zhang Ruochen, has your path to becoming a strong one finally begun today?" Baihua Fairy said.
Previously, one could still call Zhang Ruochen a genius, an outstanding talent.
But from today onward, perhaps such titles could no longer be used.
Having crossed the tenth layer sea region, Zhang Ruochen could already be called a strong one.
Xiang Chunan could not help but laugh loudly, saying, "Big Brother is mighty and valiant! Worthy of being my Xiang Chunan's big brother. Who can compare?"
"If Big Brother is willing to join the Truth Divine Temple, I think many gods would want to take him as a disciple," Feng Yan said with a smile.
"Boom."
Within the Truth Divine Temple, several divine lights flew out one after another, transforming into hazy divine shadows that stood in the sky, gazing toward the rear of the golden sea region.
Among them, one divine shadow stood on a seven-colored divine cloud, surrounded by seven-colored divine light, emitting a cold and vast divine might. This person was none other than Empress Chi Yao.
Empress Chi Yao had not cultivated the Way of Truth before. Since the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm had not erupted in a divine war, she took the opportunity to come to the Truth Divine Temple to comprehend it.
The Truth Divine Temple did not have many restrictions on gods. As long as they were gods from worlds under the Heavenly Court Realm, they could come here to seek the Dao.
With a god's comprehension ability, comprehending the Way of Truth was undoubtedly much easier than for cultivators in the Saint realm.
"Crossing the tenth layer sea region is not easy. But obtaining the reward from the Truth Divine Temple is not that simple," Empress Chi Yao murmured.
As a god, she clearly knew many things that cultivators in the Saint realm did not know.
"Shua."
A tall and mighty divine shadow appeared a hundred zhang away from Empress Chi Yao. His body was as sturdy as a primordial demon mountain, with a pair of ox horns on his head. Outside his body, terrifying demonic energy as thick as ink permeated, each wisp capable of crushing a world.
That Demon God said, "Empress Chi Yao, do you find it regrettable? Such a peerless genius was driven out of the Kunlun Realm by you and became the Divine Envoy of the Moon God. I have also heard some rumors. It is said that your relationship with him is quite unusual, and you even gave birth to..."
Empress Chi Yao's gaze suddenly turned ice-cold. Traces of killing intent naturally flowed from her body. "Black Heart Demon Lord, are you trying to force me to kill you?"
Black Heart Demon Lord had once betrayed the Kunlun Realm, willingly acting as a lackey for the Paradise Realm. Even the severing of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree was vaguely related to him. His detestability surpassed even the gods of the Paradise Realm.
If she had the chance, Empress Chi Yao would definitely find a way to kill Black Heart Demon Lord.
In response to Empress Chi Yao's threat, Black Heart Demon Lord was completely unconcerned. He sneered, "Want to kill me? You cannot do it. The Kunlun Realm is in imminent danger. How long can you remain arrogant?"
"I must say, Zhang Ruochen is a clever fellow. He left the Kunlun Realm early and joined the Guanghan Realm, finding the Moon God as a powerful backer. He does not have to slowly wait for death like other Kunlun Realm cultivators. This is what is called 'a fine bird chooses a tree to nest in.' I actually admire him a little."
"Admire? It seems that your Black Demon Realm has not suffered enough losses at Zhang Ruochen's hands. You want the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription? You are delusional," Empress Chi Yao said coldly.
Although Black Heart Demon Lord had narrowly survived one Eon Calamity, he had not been able to grasp Esoterica. However, if he obtained the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription, the situation would be different.
Once Black Heart Demon Lord grasped Esoterica, he might be able to survive two or even three Eon Calamities. He would become even more powerful and difficult to deal with.
Black Heart Demon Lord snorted heavily and said no more. His gaze also turned toward Truth Mountain, with a terrifying killing intent flashing in his eyes.
Back then, on Moon God Mountain, Zhang Ruochen had made him lose face. Later, he had repeatedly ruined the good plans of the Black Demon Realm. Truly detestable.
If he found an opportunity, Black Heart Demon Lord would not mind lowering his status and personally erasing Zhang Ruochen.
As for admiration...
Unless Zhang Ruochen submitted to his sect, that would be a different story.
...
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