Chapter 2219: The Formation Path Supreme
Xuanji Sword Saint's expression immediately turned serious, a contemplative look appearing in his eyes.
After a moment, Xuanji Sword Saint said, "Indeed, there is a very important matter—one that could change the current situation of the Kunlun Realm."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen grew even more curious.
The Kunlun Realm had already become a Merit Battlefield, with both the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm seeking to seize the opportunities and treasures within it. What method could possibly change all this?
But if it truly could, that would undoubtedly be for the best.
At the very least, the cultivators of the Kunlun Realm would no longer have to bleed and sacrifice.
Pausing for a moment, Xuanji Sword Saint continued, "You should already know that, a hundred thousand years ago, in that brutal divine war that swept across the entire Heavenly Court Realm, nearly half the gods from both the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm fell, leaving their forces severely weakened. The Kunlun Realm was completely crippled in that war, riddled with holes and wounds. It was only because Xumi Saint Monk sacrificed himself that those world rifts were temporarily sealed, isolating the realm from the outside. Otherwise, the Kunlun Realm would have long since become a territory of the Hell Realm."
Zhang Ruochen nodded.
By now, these matters were naturally already clear to him.
The catastrophe of the Middle Ages was far more than brutal. The Kunlun Realm, at its most glorious and prosperous peak, had suffered a near-fatal disaster. The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree was severed, the gods fell, and for the following hundred thousand years, it entered a complete godless era.
From the summit, it was cast down into the abyss.
"Everyone believed that all the gods of the Kunlun Realm had died in battle. But that is not the case. At the very least, one great titan still lives within the Hell Realm," Xuanji Sword Saint said solemnly.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "The Hell Realm has a titan from the Kunlun Realm? How is that possible?"
"That titan was jointly suppressed by the gods of the Hell Realm. Unable to kill him, they could only imprison him in the Destiny Temple, hoping to slowly wear him down with the power of fate," Xuanji Sword Saint said thoughtfully.
Zhang Ruochen stared into Xuanji Sword Saint's eyes, already having an answer in his heart. "So, Master's stay in the Hell Realm is related to that titan? Was the heavenly secret covering Master also concealed by that titan?"
Since the Hell Realm couldn't kill that titan, his cultivation must have reached a lawless, heaven-defying level.
Even the consciousness he left behind in heaven and earth possessed extraordinary divine powers, capable of doing many things.
Xuanji Sword Saint nodded. "Indeed, it is all related to that titan. What I, your master, must do is rescue that titan from the Destiny Temple."
"Rescue that titan?"
Zhang Ruochen's heart shook.
To him, this was an unimaginable task. The Destiny Temple had expended tremendous effort to imprison that titan—who had the ability to rescue him?
Even a god could not possibly accomplish it.
"In truth, the rescue plan began a hundred thousand years ago, initiated by Qiangu Nüdi. Back then, Qiangu Nüdi sensed the consciousness of that titan and ventured deep into the underworld, entering the Hell Realm to secretly make various arrangements."
"However, this matter is no small feat. It cannot be completed overnight, nor can it succeed through the efforts of a single person. Over the past hundred thousand years, many cultivators from the Kunlun Realm have infiltrated the Hell Realm one after another, joining the rescue plan."
"I, your master, followed in the footsteps of the empress, delving deep into the underworld, crossing the second Corpse River. I was fortunate enough to learn of all this and became a part of the rescue plan," Xuanji Sword God said with a solemn expression.
Rescuing someone from the Hell Realm, especially the Destiny Temple, was more difficult than ascending to heaven. It required both a meticulous plan and enough manpower to ensure that every link in the chain went without error.
Involuntarily, Zhang Ruochen thought of the peerlessly elegant figure he had seen before the Ghost Gate, whose name Xiao Hei had called out.
Could it be... that was truly Qiangu Nüdi?
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen thought of something, his expression complex. "Is she also part of this plan?"
Since that titan was imprisoned in the Destiny Temple, Zhang Ruochen naturally associated it with Huang Yanchen, who had transformed into Bore.
Moreover, in his view, the most critical point in rescuing someone from the Destiny Temple should be infiltrating its interior to achieve coordination from within and without.
Therefore, the Kunlun Realm cultivators who had entered the Destiny Temple were probably not limited to Huang Yanchen alone.
In particular, Huang Yanchen had only recently entered the Destiny Temple yet had already become a candidate for Divine Maiden. Without the support of Kunlun Realm cultivators behind the scenes, it was hard to imagine how that could be possible.
Had Chi Yao known about this all along?
For a moment, many thoughts raced through Zhang Ruochen's mind, and his usually calm emotions began to surge violently.
Xuanji Sword Saint fell silent, as if reminiscing about something. After a long while, he said, "She... she has more important things to do."
Hearing this answer, Zhang Ruochen immediately knew that Xuanji Sword Saint and Bore had definitely met in the Hell Realm.
"Ruochen, do you know why so many Kunlun Realm cultivators like me want to rescue that titan?" Xuanji Sword Saint suddenly asked.
Zhang Ruochen gently shook his head. The deeper meaning behind it was truly beyond his imagination.
According to Xuanji Sword Saint, rescuing that titan could change the situation of the Kunlun Realm, essentially reversing the course of fate.
Who had such ability?
Even ten Chi Yao's could not do it.
Even gods at the level of Xue Jue War God or Moon God still could not accomplish it.
This was nearly impossible... unless Xumi Saint Monk were resurrected, that might be close.
Xuanji Sword Saint grew somewhat excited, his eyes filled with fervor and fire. "Everything is for the future of the Kunlun Realm. With the deterrent power of that titan, once he breaks free, the situation of the Kunlun Realm may be completely transformed."
Then, he began to explain.
"A hundred thousand years ago, the Yellow Spring Star River of the Hell Realm flew toward the Kunlun Realm, intending to swallow the Kunlun Realm and the surrounding starry sky together. However, it was discovered by that titan."
"That titan was the Formation Path Supreme. Using the stars of the heavens as formation points and the Ghost Gate as the formation eye, he laid out an immensely grand formation, isolating a stretch of starry sky spanning countless trillions of miles, blocking the Yellow Spring Star River outside. Even after a hundred thousand years, the Hell Realm has still been unable to breach that formation."
Lin Ke was shocked. "He single-handedly held back the entire Hell Realm?"
The Yellow Spring Star River, in a sense, was the Hell Realm.
Although it was said that he relied on a formation to do so, such a feat was far too terrifying.
"This is the unparalleled divine power possessed only by a Formation Path Supreme," Xuanji Sword Saint said with a sigh.
What was a Supreme?
It meant reaching the highest level in a certain field, earning the title of "Supreme."
For example: Formation Path Supreme, Talisman Path Supreme, Illusion Path Supreme... and so on.
Throughout history, cultivators who could earn the title of Supreme in a certain field were exceedingly rare, appearing perhaps once in an eon at most.
For that titan to become the Formation Path Supreme, it was unimaginable just how profound his mastery of the formation path had reached. All things in heaven and earth could serve as formations—who could not fear him?
It was conceivable that if that titan were rescued, both the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm would be extremely wary, no longer daring to set their sights on the Kunlun Realm.
How strong could a Supreme's spiritual power be?
Seventy steps? Eighty steps? Ninety steps? Or had it already reached a full hundred steps?
"The Ghost Gate was actually the work of that titan imprisoned in the Destiny Temple," Zhang Ruochen sighed inwardly.
That titan's significance to the Kunlun Realm was immense, truly a matter of life and death for the realm.
Xuanji Sword Saint spoke freely, adding, "A hundred thousand years ago, when that titan was setting up the formation, he killed a large number of Hell Realm experts. Divine blood stained the starry sky red, instilling fear in the Hell Realm. In the end, they dispatched a host of top-tier gods and paid a tremendous price to barely suppress that titan."
Zhang Ruochen felt as if his breathing had stopped, his heart pounding violently. He looked at Xuanji Sword Saint and asked, "Master, what can I, your disciple, do?"
He believed that the reason Xuanji Sword Saint had taken the risk to meet him at this time was that the rescue plan required his help, needing him to contribute.
To this, he was naturally duty-bound.
The Kunlun Realm was where Zhang Ruochen was born and raised, carrying countless memories for him. It was his homeland, the resting place of his heart.
No matter what, he did not want to see it gradually march toward destruction, nor did he want to see its accumulated heritage of ten thousand years plundered by the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm.
As long as there was hope, he was willing to give everything to stop it.
"Your master came to find you hoping that you could contribute to rescuing that titan. This upcoming Heaven Hunting Feast is extremely important, and I want you to participate," Xuanji Sword Saint said.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Why is that?"
He believed that Xuanji Sword Saint must know the truth about the Heaven Hunting Feast, yet he still insisted that Zhang Ruochen attend. There had to be deep meaning behind it.
Xuanji Sword Saint said seriously, "The Heaven Hunting Feast originated a hundred thousand years ago. This session happens to be the hundredth, and the Destiny Temple places great importance on it, offering rewards far surpassing those of the past."
"Whoever can claim the overall first place among the ten clans will be directly granted thirty ten-thousandths of the Fate Esoterica by the Destiny Temple, as well as a Fate Heavenly Token. With it, one can enter certain secret grounds of the Destiny Temple for cultivation."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen was momentarily stunned. Thirty ten-thousandths of the Fate Esoterica—the Destiny Temple was indeed generous. That was the esoterica of an eternal path. Even a ten-thousandth part was incredibly precious, enough to make gods envious.
For instance, Zhang Ruochen himself possessed fifty-eight ten-thousandths of the Truth Esoterica. If that were exposed, it would undoubtedly invite great disaster.
"Is the Fate Esoterica related to rescuing that titan?" Zhang Ruochen inquired.
Xuanji Sword Saint nodded. "The Fate Esoterica and the Fate Heavenly Token are of great significance to the rescue of that titan."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze sharpened. Was claiming the overall first place among the ten clans an easy task?
The Hell Realm was teeming with experts. Since this Heaven Hunting Feast was so important, the ten clans of Hell would undoubtedly send their strongest lineups. There were far too many formidable opponents to face.
Not to mention others, even within the Undying Blood Clan, there were many powerful rivals.
"I will give it my all," Zhang Ruochen said with a sharp look.
He could not make any promises to Xuanji Sword Saint now. He could only do his best to fight in the Heaven Hunting Feast. As for the outcome, it would only be known then.
Now, no matter what, he had to participate in the Heaven Hunting Feast and could not afford any slack.
It could be predicted that facing the elites of the ten clans of Hell, this would be a difficult and bitter battle.
Xuanji Sword Saint gazed at Zhang Ruochen for a long time. "Just do your best. No matter the result, I, your master, will always be proud of you."
Although this matter was very important, Xuanji Sword Saint did not want to put too much pressure on Zhang Ruochen.
After chatting a bit more with Xuanji Sword Saint, Zhang Ruochen left the place and reappeared on the streets of Tianlin Ancient City.
Without lingering, Zhang Ruochen immediately headed back to the Blood Absolute Family.
Once he entered the area covered by his spiritual power, Zhang Ruochen directly withdrew this spiritual power clone.
"The Heaven Hunting Feast... I need to make more preparations. Perhaps I should start refining the Water Star Gourd," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
To claim the overall first place among the ten clans was no easy feat. The more trump cards he had, the greater his chances.
Often, treasures could have a tremendous impact on one's strength.
Previously, Zhang Ruochen had only wanted to refine the Water Star Gourd into a time-space treasure, but now he had a better idea.
The palm techniques and fist techniques he primarily cultivated were one extremely yang and rigid, the other extremely yin and soft. Yin and yang cycled, hardness and softness complemented each other, with balance being the most important.
To ensure no errors occurred in his cultivation, the best method was to refine a treasure that could assist in training.
According to Zhang Ruochen's idea, if he could refine the Destruction Golden Sun together with the Water Star Gourd, it might perfectly solve this problem.
More importantly, the combination of water and fire would inevitably produce astonishing changes, turning it into a great killing weapon.
Of course, refining the Destruction Golden Sun and the Water Star Gourd together was no easy task. It required extremely high proficiency in artifact refinement.
In this regard, Zhang Ruochen had made preparations in advance. Long ago, he had consulted the Divine Sword Holy Land about artifact refinement methods and had also read a transcribed copy of the "Heavenly Craftsmanship Complete Record." Although he did not specialize in the path of artifact refinement, he had a very deep understanding of it.
With his current cultivation and strength, he had a certain degree of confidence in undertaking this task.
However, refining such a supreme treasure could not be accomplished in a short time and required an extraordinary refining environment.
"Within the Blood Absolute Family, there must be a dedicated place for refining war artifacts," Zhang Ruochen thought.
Immediately, Zhang Ruochen returned to the Hanhai Bieyuan to visit Qingsheng Dasheng.
Qingsheng Dasheng was the acting patriarch of the Blood Absolute Family, so all such matters naturally had to go through him.
Zhang Ruochen did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose to Qingsheng Dasheng.
"You want to refine a war artifact?" Qingsheng Dasheng said.
He had never heard that Zhang Ruochen also understood artifact refinement. Moreover, he had come specifically to borrow the Blood Absolute Family's artifact refining grounds, as if he intended to forge some extraordinary war weapon.
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Yes."
Suddenly, Qingsheng Dasheng's gaze fixed on a certain direction beyond the sky, adopting a listening expression.
After a long moment, he gave Zhang Ruochen a deep look. "The War God already knows about your artifact refining. He has just issued a decree for me to take you to the Heaven and Earth Divine Furnace. Follow me."
With that, Qingsheng Dasheng flew out of the Hanhai Bieyuan.
Zhang Ruochen did not hesitate and immediately followed.
He had not expected this matter to alarm Xue Jue War God. It seemed that within the territory of the Blood Absolute Family, very few things could escape his notice.
As for his meeting with Xuanji Sword Saint, Xue Jue War God should not have detected it, as the heavenly secret had been obscured.
"Xue Jue War God must have guessed that my purpose in refining artifacts at this time is to prepare for the Heaven Hunting Feast, which is why he places such importance on it."
Following Qingsheng Dasheng, passing through layers of divine pattern barriers, Zhang Ruochen entered a special space. A wave of heat rushed toward him. Even with his demigod body, he felt a certain scorching heat.
This space was vast and boundless, composed of a single sky and a single earth, like an infinitely massive furnace.
The earth was the furnace body, and the sky was the furnace lid.
Between heaven and earth, there were only pure flame rules, and they were exceptionally active. Not a single trace of other heavenly and earthly rules could be sensed.
Within the furnace, the flames were pure gold, dazzling to the eye.
Fire dragons, fire phoenixes, fire qilins... and other flame divine beasts flew out from the furnace, soaring through the sky. They were not true divine beasts but were condensed from flames, having already given birth to spirituality and intelligence. The power fluctuations they emitted were no less than those of ordinary Great Saints.
Any one of them falling to the ground could probably ignite a star, burning it into tens of thousands of miles of magma.
Qingsheng Dasheng's face was illuminated by the flames, turning golden. "This place is called the Heaven and Earth Divine Furnace. It contains countless mysteries and all sorts of incredible secret powers, filled with divine fire. Refining war artifacts here can achieve twice the result with half the effort."
"In the past, the War God refined the Blood Dragon War Halberd here. Without the War God's permission, ordinary people cannot set foot in this place."
In truth, Zhang Ruochen had already sensed the extraordinary nature of this Heaven and Earth Divine Furnace without Qingsheng Dasheng's explanation. It was no wonder it could refine a supreme divine weapon like the Blood Dragon War Halberd.
In the Sea of Time, Zhang Ruochen had witnessed the terrifying power of the Blood Dragon War Halberd. In the hands of Xue Jue War God, it could slay gods and demons.
"Thank you for guiding the way," Zhang Ruochen said with clasped hands.
"Don't forget, in seven days, we will set out for the Wugui Forest. Do not delay the important matters."
Qingsheng Dasheng did not leave. He hovered in the air near the Heaven and Earth Divine Furnace. He was genuinely curious—why had the War God ordered him to bring Zhang Ruochen here to refine artifacts?
What was Zhang Ruochen going to refine that required the use of the Heaven and Earth Divine Furnace?
Even refining a Monarch Sacred Artifact would not necessitate this.
...