# Chapter 2174: The Plan of Paradise Realm
Looking at the mirror image scroll in Zhang Ruochen's hand, Great Xi King's expression shifted slightly, a flash of resentment and anger appearing in her eyes. She wished she could immediately strike and seize it from him.
Back then in the Eastern Domain Sacred City, Zhang Ruochen had forced her to activate the Xinhuo Tower, killing a large number of Paradise Realm cultivators, and had specifically recorded it all, forcing her to obediently cooperate.
"To think that the so-called Moon God Divine Envoy would resort to such despicable tactics. It's truly disgraceful." Great Xi King said coldly.
Zhang Ruochen's expression remained calm. "Without some means, how could I contend with you? Did you expect me to charge in with boiling blood, like a reckless brute, and wage war against the entire Paradise Realm faction? You overestimate me, and you underestimate me."
"Don't think that by holding a single mirror image scroll you can threaten me. Even if you make it public, it's nothing significant." Great Xi King said.
Regardless, she did not want to be coerced by Zhang Ruochen. If she gave in once, there would be a second time, and it would never end.
Killing a large number of Paradise Realm cultivators was indeed a major leverage point, but it wasn't something that couldn't be resolved.
Zhang Ruochen was completely unconcerned. "I have some other things here. I wonder if the fairy would be interested?"
As he spoke, Zhang Ruochen turned his hand and produced a crystal necklace.
The moment she saw the necklace, Great Xi King's expression changed considerably. She immediately struck out, wanting to seize it.
But no matter what method she employed, she simply couldn't get close to Zhang Ruochen. The two of them seemed to exist in different times and spaces.
"Return the Space Necklace to me."
This necklace had once been Great Xi King's personal possession, containing a vast collection of treasures, including several items of extreme importance to her.
Especially the special soul jade bestowed by the World Spirit of the Soul Realm, which was crucial to her cultivation progress and future achievements. It was her opportunity and fortune.
With that soul jade in her possession, her future would be legendary, not ordinary. She absolutely could not afford to lose it.
There was also the crystal scepter, which had an extremely significant origin and held great meaning for her.
Great Xi King thought about recovering these things constantly, but every time the Paradise Realm faction's experts made a move, they could do nothing against Zhang Ruochen. Even Shang Zihong had fallen into Zhang Ruochen's hands.
"Since the fairy wants it, take it then."
Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly, flicked his wrist, and tossed the Space Necklace toward Great Xi King.
Great Xi King caught the Space Necklace somewhat numbly, feeling extremely puzzled.
Immediately, she released her spiritual power to examine the contents of the Space Necklace.
The next moment, a strange look appeared in Great Xi King's eyes. All her treasures were inside the Space Necklace. Zhang Ruochen had actually returned everything to her. This left her unable to fathom what Zhang Ruochen was trying to do.
"I've returned it to you now, but I can take it back at any time. Unless you hide in the Soul Realm forever, in which case I can only say it's a pity—the Heavenly Court will lose a beautiful sight." Zhang Ruochen said flatly.
Hearing this, Great Xi King's gaze darkened. She truly felt the powerful confidence radiating from Zhang Ruochen's words.
For her not to come to the Heavenly Court Realm? Was that even possible?
Although the Soul Realm was a powerful realm, how could its cultivation environment compare to the Heavenly Court Realm?
"Fairy, it's rare for us to meet in the Truth Heaven Domain. How about sharing a few drinks together?" Zhang Ruochen suddenly extended an invitation to her.
His tone sounded very gentle, yet it carried an undeniable sense of authority.
Great Xi King was silent for a moment, but in the end, she nodded and did not refuse.
It wasn't that she didn't want to refuse, but that she simply couldn't.
Facing Zhang Ruochen, she felt an immense pressure weighing down on her.
Immediately, Zhang Ruochen took Great Xi King with him, performed a Spatial Displacement, and headed toward the tavern where Feng Yan and the others were.
Drunken Breeze was the most famous tavern in the Truth Heaven Domain, with a history as long as the Truth Heaven Domain itself.
Before long, Zhang Ruochen and Great Xi King entered a private room at Drunken Breeze.
Seeing Great Xi King, Feng Yan and the others all showed expressions of surprise, finding it very unexpected.
They all knew Great Xi King's identity, so they were curious as to why Zhang Ruochen had brought her here.
"Big Brother, why did you bring this ugly woman from the Soul Realm here?" Xiang Chunan asked directly.
He had always been straightforward, saying whatever was on his mind, and he was especially blunt with those who were enemies of Zhang Ruochen.
Hearing the words "ugly woman," Great Xi King felt that Xu Dayu was deliberately humiliating her. Her eyes flashed with cold light. She was one of the beauties on the "Nine Immortal Beauties Chart," her fame spreading across all heavens and realms. There was no way she could be associated with the word "ugly."
"Third Brother, you must not be rude to Fairy Lianxi. The fairy is a guest I specially invited."
Following that, Zhang Ruochen patted Great Xi King on her fragrant shoulder, as if treating her as a close ally, and said, "My third brother speaks bluntly. Fairy, please don't take offense. Have a seat."
Great Xi King was oppressed by Zhang Ruochen's aura to the point of barely being able to breathe. Suppressing the anger in her heart, she sat down and did not bother arguing with Xiang Chunan.
Zhang Ruochen also sat down, personally pouring a glass of wine for Great Xi King, displaying considerable grace. "Fairy Lianxi, there's a question I hope you can help me answer."
"What do you want to ask?" Great Xi King inquired.
Zhang Ruochen stared intently into her beautiful eyes. "I want to know, what exactly is Paradise Realm's plan? Fairy should understand what I'm referring to."
Through Zhou Zhen, he had already learned part of Paradise Realm's plan, but it wasn't specific enough. He needed to understand it more clearly.
Only then could he formulate a counter-strategy in advance.
"I can only say you've asked the wrong person. I left Kunlun Realm long ago. Even if Paradise Realm has some plan, I wouldn't know about it." Great Xi King said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The fairy is the future master of the Soul Realm. Given the relationship between the Soul Realm and Paradise Realm, how could the fairy know nothing? Such words are hardly convincing."
"Believe it or not, that's your business. I truly know nothing. However, since you're constantly opposing Paradise Realm and have now received a reward from the Truth Divine Temple, you'd best be careful." Great Xi King said with a cold sneer.
She wasn't concerned about Zhang Ruochen's well-being; she just wanted to put some pressure on him.
These matters were all obvious, and she was simply deliberately bringing them to light now.
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then said, "If you truly don't know, that's fine. Given the fairy's status, it should be easy for you to find out this information. I hope the fairy can help me with this favor."
"Why should I help you?" Great Xi King said.
She was the Divine Maiden of the Soul Realm, holding an exalted position. Who dared to order her around?
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen was asking her to spy on Paradise Realm's plans, which was equivalent to betraying Paradise Realm. If discovered, not only she herself, but even the Soul Realm could face major trouble.
Zhang Ruochen picked up the wine glass in front of him, took a small sip, and said with a faint smile, "Ever since I entered the Heavenly Court Realm, I've killed so many Divine Sons, yet the gods of the Paradise Realm faction can do nothing to me. It seems one more or one less doesn't make a difference. If I were to kill you now, do you think I would be executed? Sister Sixue, the Hall Master would probably protect me, wouldn't she?"
"Brother Chenruo has ascended the Truth Mountain, so the Truth Divine Temple will naturally protect him with all its might. Besides, you're Senior Brother's sworn brother, so Mother would certainly side with you." Qing Sixue said.
Xiang Chunan also chimed in, "Junior Sister is right. We're all family; the Master's wife will definitely protect us. Even if we kill her now, we can just say she accidentally wandered into some dangerous place in the Truth Heaven Domain and lost her life."
"How dark!" Zhang Ruochen sighed.
Hearing their coordinated remarks, Great Xi King's heart sank to the bottom.
How could she not understand Zhang Ruochen's meaning? Given Zhang Ruochen's current special status, even if he killed her, as long as he handled it cleanly, there would be no trouble. The Heavenly Palace probably wouldn't investigate deeply either.
The Truth Hall Master might even help cover up the traces, preventing the gods of the Soul Realm from sensing what had happened.
Just as Zhang Ruochen had said, it was too dark!
Previously, only the four major ruling worlds dared to do such things.
Strength and background could truly overshadow everything.
"Fairy probably doesn't know yet. Just before this, Black Heart Demon Lord nearly died. He had to compensate the Moon God with a Tribulation-Transcending Divine Lotus before War God Bian Zhuang spared his life." Zhang Ruochen added.
Hearing the words "War God Bian Zhuang," Great Xi King's heart sank once more. This supreme titan was someone no one in the Soul Realm could afford to provoke.
Originally, Zhang Ruochen only had the Moon God as his backing, but now he had gained the even more fearsome War God Bian Zhuang and the Truth Hall Master as supporters. How many people would dare to openly move against him?
Great Xi King stared intently at Zhang Ruochen, her mind filled with countless thoughts. For a moment, she didn't know what choice to make.
Zhang Ruochen didn't look away. Instead, he smiled and raised his glass. "Fairy, I toast to you. You won't disappoint me, will you?"
Great Xi King was silent for a moment, but in the end, she raised the glass in front of her. The situation was stronger than she was; she had no capital to resist.
So this was what it felt like to be weak.
"Then I'll await the fairy's good news."
With that, Zhang Ruochen drained the fine wine in his cup.
Great Xi King said nothing, silently drinking the wine in her glass, but her heart felt extremely oppressed. With her status and position, she had never imagined she would one day be so threatened.
Great Xi King did not stay long. Soon, she stood up and left. She truly had nothing to say to Zhang Ruochen and the others.
And as soon as Great Xi King left, Zhang Ruochen silently followed her out of Drunken Breeze.
This matter was extremely important, so he naturally couldn't afford to be careless. Under no circumstances could he let Great Xi King slip out of his sight.
As for Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan, he told them to make their way to the Central Imperial City on their own. They could regroup there later.
What pleased Zhang Ruochen considerably was that after leaving Drunken Breeze, Great Xi King departed from the Truth Heaven Domain and went straight to the Merit General Relay Station.
"It seems she guessed that I'm nearby, ready to take her life at any moment." Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
Great Xi King was very efficient. Upon arriving at the Central Imperial City of Kunlun Realm, she quickly found a Paradise Realm expert.
As it happened, Zhang Ruochen was not unfamiliar with this expert. It was Hong, who had previously received Zhou Zhen. He came from a super clan of Paradise Realm, the Giant Eye Calamity Clan.
The two arranged to meet in a manor located in a bustling area.
Zhang Ruochen used his space techniques to circle around the manor once, then walked into a tea house across the street. He sat at a table by the window, yet no one could detect his presence.
As soon as he sat down, he heard many discussions.
"Zhang Ruochen is truly heaven-defying. As a Saint King, he managed to cross the tenth sea of the Truth Sea. I wonder what reward he received?"
"He was already invincible below the Great Saint realm, and now with the Truth Divine Temple's reward, who knows how formidable he'll become."
"After ten thousand years, War God Bian Zhuang has struck again. With a single incarnation, he crushed Black Heart Demon Lord and Jia Tianxia. The foremost of the Heavenly Palace's Nine War Gods still has his style."
"His fury was for a beauty. War God Bian Zhuang is truly a heroic figure, unmatched by anyone."
...
Originally, Zhang Ruochen's ascent of Truth Mountain should have been the center of attention, but because of War God Bian Zhuang, the level of attention on him had dropped significantly.
For Zhang Ruochen, this was actually a good thing, saving him a lot of trouble.
He had been away from Kunlun Realm for about a month and a half. Although the Imperial City was temporarily safe, the situation had become even more tense.
The Saint realm army mobilized by Hell Realm had already exceeded fifty million, and the number of top experts gathering was increasing.
Moreover, Hell Realm had dispatched even more formation geomasters, trying to dismantle the Imperial City's formation divine patterns as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, the Heavenly Court Realm side had also mobilized a large number of Saint realm cultivators, ready to engage in a great battle with Hell Realm at any moment.
As for the native experts of Kunlun Realm, they needed no mention—they were all gathering toward the Imperial City.
"News travels fast. It seems every move I make is being watched by those with ulterior motives." Zhang Ruochen murmured.
After obtaining the Heart of Truth, Zhang Ruochen's hearing and eyesight were far superior to before. Even though the manor across the street was protected by formations, they couldn't escape his senses.
Inside the manor, Great Xi King and Hong sat down and conversed in secret.
Hong had shrunk his form to appear normal, treating Great Xi King with great enthusiasm.
After all, having the chance to be alone with a peerless beauty like Great Xi King was a rare opportunity.
And this was clearly why Great Xi King had sought out Hong. Compared to others, it was easier to extract the information she wanted from him.
After some pleasantries, Great Xi King asked, "In the Truth Heaven Domain, I met with Archangel Michael. At the time, he seemed very anxious and rushed to Kunlun Realm in a hurry. Is there some important plan underway?"
Great Xi King had always believed that Zhang Ruochen had become suspicious because he had noticed Archangel Michael rushing to Kunlun Realm. Therefore, she naturally brought this matter up.
Hearing this news, in the tea house across from the manor, Zhang Ruochen's brow slightly furrowed as he fell into thought.
Hong said with some surprise, in a low voice, "Fairy is one of the leading figures of the Soul Realm. You should be qualified to know about this. How could you..."
Great Xi King interrupted him. "I've been busy with cultivation lately and haven't paid much attention to the Kunlun Realm Merit Battlefield. But I'm afraid of missing something important, so I came to ask you for advice."
Hong didn't think much of it, but he hesitated.
This matter was of great importance. Should he tell her or not?
Opportunities to converse with Fairy Lianxi were rare. If he deliberately concealed things from her, would it make her unhappy?
Great Xi King said, "It seems there really is something big going on. Don't worry, I've already set up a spiritual power barrier. No one can hear our conversation."
"There is indeed an important plan underway—finding the exact spatial coordinates of the Peach Tree." Hong said.
Great Xi King's expression changed, and she was greatly shocked. "What are you doing looking for the Peach Tree's spatial coordinates? That Peach Tree is a World Spirit Root, like a deity. Even if we find it, we can do nothing to it."
"Of course, we don't need to act. As long as we find the Peach Tree's spatial coordinates, top-tier gods will move out, forcibly open a passage, and launch a thunderous strike to destroy the Peach Tree. In the past, the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree was cut down in this way, catching the gods of Kunlun Realm off guard." Hong said with a smile.
Beneath the building, Zhang Ruochen heard every word Hong said, and understanding dawned on him.
So that was why Gu Xin'ao had severely wounded Xue Wuye back then—to obtain the blood of a Realm Son, in order to extract the Peach Tree's aura and lock onto its location. So this was their plan.
Without the World Spirit Root, Kunlun Realm would sink into silence once more. How could it resist Hell Realm's attacks?
He had to admit, Paradise Realm's intentions were utterly malicious. They wanted to cut off Kunlun Realm's hope at its root.
But thinking about it, it made sense. During the Middle Ages Catastrophe, Paradise Realm had done so many disgraceful things. How could they wait for Kunlun Realm to settle accounts later?
Great Xi King knew Zhang Ruochen was nearby, and she hadn't intended to hinder his eavesdropping.
After a moment's thought, Great Xi King said, "The space where the Peach Tree resides must be extremely secret. Finding it won't be an easy task."
Hong quickly explained, "Empress Chi Yao, in order to cultivate the several Realm Sons she selected, had them eat peaches from the Peach Tree. Through the sacred blood of these Realm Sons, there is a way to locate the Peach Tree. Originally, Gu Xin'ao had successfully obtained Xue Wuye's sacred blood, but it was lost due to some circumstances."
"However, that's not a big problem. Besides the Realm Sons who have eaten peaches, there are also those who know the exact location of the Peach Tree. As long as we capture them, we can naturally find the Peach Tree."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred, and he seized upon extremely crucial information.
As far as he knew, before the Peach Tree had grown into a World Spirit Root, Emperor Wen had been silently guarding it, disappearing from the world for eight hundred years.
And to have contact with the Peach Tree, one would have to be extremely close to Emperor Wen and hold a very high position in the imperial court.
In an instant, Zhang Ruochen thought of two people. One was Emperor Wen's granddaughter, Nalan Danqing. The other was Emperor Wen's disciple, Grand Chancellor Wang Shiqi.
They were the closest to Emperor Wen, held high positions in the imperial court, and were most trusted by Empress Chi Yao. The probability of them having come into contact with the Peach Tree was extremely high.
That meant the Paradise Realm faction would likely make a move against these two next.
Or rather...
They might have already made a move.
Connecting this with Archangel Michael's urgent arrival in Kunlun Realm, Zhang Ruochen realized that the situation had reached a critical point. He could no longer sit still.
"Danqing is in the Ziwei Palace, guarded by the Dripping Blood Sword, and the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden is united there. There shouldn't be any problem. Wang Shiqi is in the Lianzhu Mansion. Although it also has formation protection, the Paradise Realm faction has geomasters who can break the formations."
"Paradise Realm's target can only be Wang Shiqi."
Zhang Ruochen's thoughts raced, and then he suddenly lifted his head, looking in the direction of the Nine Stars Lianzhu Mansion.