Chapter 2235: At Sword's Point
In the end, Zhang Ruochen still chose to entrust the Mingyang Divine Wheel to Sanjin Great Saint, to be consigned for auction at the Star Sea World.
Beyond that, he inquired about a top-tier treasure that aids in condensing Sacred Intent, called the "Divine Illumination Lotus." The higher its age, the greater its help in refining Sacred Intent.
The Divine Illumination Lotus is born in the void of the universe, rootless and leafless. It is formed when the power of heaven and earth's origin condenses into a single point, becoming a lotus seed, which then blossoms into a lotus flower.
The Sacred Intent condensed by a Great Saint, in turn, is a manifestation of the Sacred Dao's origin.
Upon learning that the Divine Illumination Lotus had such a marvelous use, Zhang Ruochen was momentarily stunned.
Because Zhang Ruochen hadn't sold the Mingyang Divine Wheel to her, Luo Sha was very angry. But now, seeing his surprised expression, she immediately laughed and said, "Didn't expect that, did you? The treasure you're looking for turns out to be the Divine Illumination Lotus. Do you regret not bringing your beloved, the Hundred Flowers Fairy, to the Hell Realm?"
The Hundred Flowers Fairy's true form is a Divine Illumination Lotus born in the Primordial era, so her help in cultivating Sacred Intent goes without saying.
Sanjin Great Saint said, "The Hundred Flowers Fairy, under the Mandala Flower God of the Thousand Stamen Realm, is the oldest known Divine Illumination Lotus in the known universe."
"If you could gain her help, with your talent, Zhang Ruochen Great Saint, cultivating a fifth-grade or higher Sacred Intent would not be difficult. In fact, she is even quite helpful to gods comprehending Profound Meaning."
Zhang Ruochen's expression grew heavy, and he murmured to himself, "Since the Divine Illumination Lotus is born from the power of heaven and earth's origin, it should be quite sensitive to the Way of Origin. Why have I never seen her use the power of origin?"
"What?"
Luo Sha showed a surprised expression, her eyes blinking. "Don't you know that the Divine Illumination Lotus is a natural-born Origin Controller? Hehe, aren't you and that Hundred Flowers Fairy inseparable? Did she never tell you the secret that she is an Origin Controller? My dear Zhang Ruochen Great Saint, now you see how hard it is to guess a woman's heart, don't you?"
"Everyone has their own secrets. What's so strange about that?"
Although Zhang Ruochen said this, he still felt a bit uncomfortable inside.
You see, he truly regarded the Hundred Flowers Fairy as a close friend and confidante, even giving her a Divine Wood Heart to help her comprehend the Way of Life.
Perhaps there was another reason.
Luo Sha said, "I'm just worried that you often flirt with women and might be used by some without realizing it."
Zhang Ruochen didn't argue with her. Instead, he asked Sanjin Great Saint, "What grades of Divine Illumination Lotus does the Star Sea World have?"
"Those aged over ten thousand years but less than one Eon can be presented right now. As for the Divine Illumination Lotus that has survived an Eon Calamity, there is only one, and it will be sent to the auction block," Sanjin Great Saint said.
Zhang Ruochen frowned. "Only one Eon-grade Divine Illumination Lotus?"
"The Divine Illumination Lotus is already rare and precious, and with the vastness of cosmic space, even a ten-thousand-year-old one is quite uncommon. As for the Eon-grade, I estimate that only the Star Sea World in the entire Hell Realm can sell it. It's something that Supreme Realm Great Saints, demigods, and even gods would bid on," Sanjin Great Saint said.
"An Eon-grade Divine Illumination Lotus is so precious. It will be too difficult to secure it at auction."
Thinking this, Zhang Ruochen said, "First, give me a hundred-thousand-year-old Divine Illumination Lotus so I can see its quality. Also, send me ten Earth-grade Artifact Pills and ten Heaven-grade Artifact Pills. As for Heaven-grade Sacred Pills to aid in cultivating Spiritual Power, give me... fifty first."
The artifact spirits of Heaven-grade Sacred Pills are comparable to Saint King-level beings, each one worth a fortune.
Immortal Realm and Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints almost always use Heaven-grade Sacred Pills to aid their cultivation and enhance their cultivation realm.
Even someone of Luo Sha's status was secretly shocked when Zhang Ruochen bought fifty Heaven-grade Sacred Pills for cultivating Spiritual Power at once. She snorted coldly, "No one has ever dared to flaunt their wealth in front of me. You're the first."
Was he flaunting wealth?
At the Dragon God Palace, Zhang Ruochen had obtained a King-grade Sacred Pill for cultivating Spiritual Power from Stone Emperor.
It was just that he had only recently broken through to become a Spiritual Power Great Saint and didn't dare take it lightly.
After digesting these fifty Heaven-grade Sacred Pills, he would then swallow that King-grade Sacred Pill. Perhaps he could directly raise his Spiritual Power intensity to the sixty-first rank.
Just as Sanjin Great Saint stepped out of the pavilion, a group of noble cultivators arrived at the lakeshore. Among them were nearly ten Great Saints, and a squad of Death Saint Guards in battle armor cleared the way.
Those Death Saint Guards were trained by the Destiny Temple, all top-tier experts among Saint Kings.
Such a grand lineup naturally drew the attention of Zhang Ruochen and Luo Sha.
Sanjin Great Saint quickly approached them, saying, "Wanshou Great Saint, Dasenluo Emperor, Yuanfei Great Saint, why didn't any attendants inform me of your arrival? I failed to welcome you from afar—truly a great offense."
The three leading Great Saints each had extraordinary auras, and even under the suppression of heaven and earth's rules, their presence was immense.
Luo Sha said quietly to Zhang Ruochen, "You're in luck. Wujiang has arrived. That guy called Wanshou Great Saint is him."
"Wujiang? The Wujiang from the Darkness Temple?"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fixed on Wanshou Great Saint.
Not long ago, Luo Sha had told him that this was a powerhouse ranked fifth among the Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection cultivators and one of his three strongest enemies.
Wanshou Wujiang looked like a human, extremely handsome, with a tall and straight figure. He had a black lightning mark on his brow and an aura of pride that looked down on all beings in heaven and earth.
Yet his eyes held a sincere and warm divine light that made it hard to dislike him.
In short, he was a Great Saint with great personal charisma, and it was difficult to see through his heart.
If he were an enemy, he would undoubtedly be a very fearsome one.
The moment Zhang Ruochen's gaze rested on Wujiang, the latter sensed it. His eyes shot over, meeting Zhang Ruochen's.
In an instant, Wujiang deduced Zhang Ruochen's identity. His eyes narrowed sharply, and he said to the few Great Saints beside him, "Arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right time. Dasenluo Emperor, the murderer of your brother is right there."
Immediately, more gazes turned toward Zhang Ruochen.
Luo Sha giggled and explained to Zhang Ruochen, "Dasenluo Emperor is the son of the Dead Clan's Red Soul Monarch, a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection cultivator. More importantly, he is the elder brother of the Red Star Divine Son you killed—another great enemy of yours."
"Red Star Divine Son?"
Zhang Ruochen had killed too many divine sons, divine daughters, and divine descendants, and he couldn't remember them all. He had to think carefully.
Dasenluo Emperor's eyes were icy cold, and he seemed about to walk over, but Sanjin Great Saint stopped him, using Spiritual Power to transmit a message and persuade him.
Zhang Ruochen looked very unconcerned, sitting calmly in the pavilion, watching them.
Suddenly, the group of cultivators fell silent and stepped aside.
A tall figure in a white robe stepped forward. She was dressed as a man, but no one would mistake her for one. Her features were exquisitely perfect, with red lips and white teeth, eyes like two immortal springs, and snow-white skin flowing with spiritual radiance.
Even in men's clothing, she was stunningly beautiful.
Seeing this figure, Zhang Ruochen's gaze was no longer calm. Even his heart churned violently, and the hand resting on the table trembled slightly.
Sanjin Great Saint cupped his hands again and approached with his trademark smile. "So, Your Highness Bore has also come. This way, esteemed Great Saints. I've already had the attendants prepare an excellent spot..."
"Wait."
Bore raised a slender jade hand, stopping Sanjin Great Saint from continuing.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen and Luo Sha not far away, staring intently, her gaze filled with endless depth. After a long while, she said, "No need to arrange another spot. I want to be right next to them."
"This..."
Sanjin Great Saint showed a troubled expression.
How could he not see the enmity between this group and Zhang Ruochen? What if they suddenly started fighting and disrupted the auction?
Yuanmo Divine Son followed closely behind Bore, his gaze cold. "Zhang Ruochen, didn't expect to meet again, did you?"
Zhang Ruochen still had an impression of Yuanmo Divine Son.
On the Merit Battlefield in the Northern Domain of the Kunlun Realm, he had almost been the one in charge, leading a large army of Dead Clan Saint Realm cultivators. His cultivation was quite formidable, and he could be considered a talented figure.
Zhang Ruochen knew that Yuanmo Divine Son had been pursuing Bore. Seeing him still by her side, a nameless coldness arose in his heart. "I am indeed a bit surprised. I thought you died at Xianji Mountain. Since you're alive, cherish it well. Don't gamble with your life again—you won't be lucky every time."
Luo Sha looked surprised, staring at Zhang Ruochen.
She had never seen Zhang Ruochen speak so venomously, completely provoking Yuanmo Divine Son, trying to anger him. Or perhaps he just wanted to kill Yuanmo Divine Son?
What kind of grudge was this? What kind of hatred?
Sure enough, Yuanmo Divine Son was enraged and roared, "At Xianji Mountain, if you hadn't used external help, how could you have been a match for me, a Great Saint?"
"Oh, so you've broken through to the Great Saint realm. Good. Since you're unconvinced, do you dare to fight me on the Life-and-Death Platform?" Zhang Ruochen said.
"You..."
Yuanmo Divine Son was immediately speechless.
Not long ago, news had reached him that Moluo Six Great Saint had lost to Zhang Ruochen on the Life-and-Death Platform.
Although Yuanmo Divine Son was confident, he knew well the huge gap between himself and Moluo War Emperor. Naturally, he couldn't be a match for Zhang Ruochen.
Going to the Life-and-Death Platform would be no different from seeking death.
Dasenluo Emperor pushed Sanjin Great Saint aside and strode forward. "Zhang Ruochen, don't be so arrogant. Do you dare to fight me on the Life-and-Death Platform?"
"Why not?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Dasenluo Emperor said, "Good courage. In that case, there's no need to attend the auction. Let's go to the Life-and-Death Platform now and settle this with life and death."
Just then, a melodious and pleasant laugh came from afar. "The mighty Dasenluo Emperor of the Dead Clan, a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection powerhouse, is bullying an Immortal Realm Great Saint from my clan. Does the Undying Blood Clan have no strong warriors?"
Another group of cultivators arrived at the lakeshore.
Leading them was a woman in colorful clothes, a golden mask on her face, surrounded by misty radiance, with a mysterious aura.
Behind her was a large number of strong warriors, including nearly ten Great Saints. Saint Realm guards in golden armor cleared the way on both sides.
Seeing the newcomers, Sanjin Great Saint was even more troubled, afraid the two groups would clash. He immediately went forward to welcome the woman in colorful clothes, also separating them.
Luo Sha tugged at Zhang Ruochen's wrist, pulling him back to his seat, and said quietly, "Don't you want to attend the auction? Calm down a bit. Don't always think about solving problems with your fists. Wind Empress has arrived. Two Divine Maiden candidates have met—why not sit back and enjoy the show?"
Although many things had been let go, Bore still had a considerable influence on Zhang Ruochen's heart. After all, she was the only wife he had ever had in his life.
Even if she was now his ex-wife.
If he hadn't loved her, why would he have married her?
If he had loved her, how could he forget her so easily?
The two groups collided, and the atmosphere immediately became heated. Everyone was at sword's point, as if a single wrong word would lead to a battle that would turn heaven and earth upside down.
Yuanmo Divine Son, Dasenluo Emperor, and the others set Zhang Ruochen aside and confronted the Great Saints beside Wind Empress.
Clearly, this wasn't the first time the two sides had met. They had clashed many times before, which was why they were so hostile to each other.
But Bore's gaze had already fallen on the pavilion. Seeing Luo Sha's intimate gesture toward Zhang Ruochen, her two slender willow-like brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Dasenluo Emperor said rudely, "Wind Empress is indeed unreasonable. It was Zhang Ruochen who provoked first. How is that me bullying him? Besides, this so-called Immortal Realm Great Saint you speak of defeated Moluo War Emperor. Only the most foolish would truly treat him as an Immortal Realm Great Saint."
Luo Sha, looking like she wanted to see the world burn, pretended to be surprised. "Dasenluo Emperor, are you indirectly calling Wind Empress foolish?"
Immediately, three figures stepped out from behind Wind Empress, all Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection cultivators, clearly intending to teach Dasenluo Emperor a lesson.
The two sides became even more confrontational.
Zhang Ruochen's mind had completely calmed down. He saw it clearly: Luo Sha's provocation just now was entirely meant to harm Dasenluo Emperor while also helping him out of a tight spot.
In her view, with Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation, he was certainly no match for a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection cultivator and absolutely could not go to the Life-and-Death Platform.
"You should be curious why Bore, who hasn't even reached the Great Saint realm, can make Wujiang, Dasenluo Emperor, and these Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection cultivators follow her lead, right?" Luo Sha used this to divert Zhang Ruochen's attention.
"I am a bit curious."
Zhang Ruochen said lightly, then added, "What is so special about the Destiny Temple's Divine Maiden?"
"Before talking about the Divine Maiden, I need to first tell you about the differences between the three Divine Maiden candidates. Bore represents the interests of the Upper Three Clans. Wind Empress represents the interests of the Lower Three Clans."