Chapter 2251: Thought Desire
"Easily?"
Yu Huang, Yi Xuan Great Saint, Gu Chenzi, and Xue Qi Great Saint—the four Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints—all wore expressions of disbelief, feeling that Zhang Ruochen was far too arrogant.
Thinking about it, it was understandable. An Immortal Realm Great Saint could hardly comprehend the difficulty of cultivating in the Hundred Shackles Realm.
If Yu Huang hadn't been completely out of options, she wouldn't have turned to Zhang Ruochen in desperation, trusting him.
Zhang Ruochen's confidence naturally stemmed from possessing the Truth Esoterica and the Heart of Truth.
The most basic ability of cultivating the Way of Truth was to see through falsehood and find the ultimate truth. With the Heart of Truth and fifty-eight ten-thousandths of the Truth Esoterica, his ability to detect the shackles within a Great Saint's body could even surpass that of gods.
Zhang Ruochen mobilized Truth Rules, gathering them in his eyes, and directed his gaze at Xue Qi Great Saint. "Xue Qi, you've only broken fourteen shackles, right?"
"Mm."
Xue Qi Great Saint nodded in acknowledgment.
"Sit cross-legged. I'll help you find the fifteenth shackle," Zhang Ruochen said.
Xue Qi Great Saint didn't hold high expectations for Zhang Ruochen's ability. However, as the team leader, Zhang Ruochen's strength and status were undeniable, so basic respect had to be given.
After a moment's hesitation, Xue Qi Great Saint sat cross-legged on the ground.
Zhang Ruochen walked over, stood behind Xue Qi Great Saint, and said, "Close your eyes, adjust your mental state, and circulate the Blood Fiend Qi within your body in the most natural way."
The Blood Heaven Trio exchanged glances and then stepped back.
Yi Xuan Great Saint transmitted his voice to Yu Huang and Gu Chenzi, saying, "Zhang Ruochen doesn't seem to be joking. He's very serious. Can he really help Great Saints find the shackles within their bodies?"
Yu Huang transmitted back, "How is that possible? If there really were a way to help Great Saints find their shackles, why would so many Great Saints in both the Heavenly Court and Hell be stuck in the Hundred Shackles Realm, unable to break through for their entire lives?"
At this point, Yu Huang began to regret placing her hopes on Zhang Ruochen, feeling it was a foolish move.
"Rustle."
Zhang Ruochen released his Truth Realm Form, and instantly, the entire Star Universe Palace was covered in starlight points, as if transformed into a miniature star field.
Xue Qi Great Saint, sitting cross-legged, felt the world spin around him. It was as if he were sitting at the center of the universe, with countless stars above, below, and all around him.
"Don't let stray thoughts arise. Carefully sense the shackles within your body," Zhang Ruochen said.
So-called "shackles" were the various formless forces binding a Great Saint, existing throughout the body.
Only by finding them all and breaking them could the power of the Immortal Sacred Body be fully unleashed, achieving freedom of strength, freedom of the body, and freedom of the spirit.
Zhang Ruochen quietly activated the power of the Heart of Truth, raised his hand, and placed it on Xue Qi Great Saint's head.
Xue Qi Great Saint instinctively resisted, his body trembling slightly.
"If you trust me, don't resist," Zhang Ruochen said.
Since it could threaten his life, Xue Qi Great Saint clearly didn't trust Zhang Ruochen to that extent yet. His eyelids fluttered, as if he were about to open his eyes and forcefully break free.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Blood Heaven Tribe's banquet attendees are dispensable to the entire Undying Blood Clan. And your cultivation, Xue Qi, is also dispensable to the Blood Heaven Tribe. You've only broken fourteen shackles—you're too weak."
"If you want to be respected, to grow stronger quickly, and to help the Blood Absolute Family win dignity and glory, you have no choice but to trust me."
Xue Qi Great Saint gritted his teeth and gradually gave up resisting, completely surrendering himself to Zhang Ruochen.
"Whoosh—"
A patch of starlight appeared in Zhang Ruochen's palm, illuminating Xue Qi Great Saint's head with incredible brightness and clarity.
The light extended downward, eventually illuminating Xue Qi Great Saint's entire body.
Because the light was so intense, the Blood Heaven Trio had to close their eyes, unable to look directly, and could only use their spiritual power to sense.
But as soon as they released their spiritual power, it was shattered by the force erupting from Zhang Ruochen's body, preventing them from detecting anything.
Six hours passed.
The Blood Heaven Trio heard Xue Qi Great Saint's excited voice: "I found it! I found the fifteenth shackle. I really found it. Great! Zhang Ruochen, how did you do it?"
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his Truth Realm Form, and the blinding light in the Star Universe Palace vanished.
"What's there to be excited about? It took six hours just to find one shackle. With talent like that, you still dare to call yourself the Blood Absolute Family's number one of this millennium?"
Zhang Ruochen was exhausted, sweat beading on his forehead.
Xue Qi Great Saint was too thrilled to mind Zhang Ruochen's disdain.
There was no helping it—he was completely convinced by Zhang Ruochen.
At the Ascension Banquet, Zhang Ruochen had defeated the Blood Heaven Trio, showcasing his strength as a powerful figure, leaving Xue Qi Great Saint in awe. And now, Zhang Ruochen could even help the Blood Heaven Tribe's Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints improve their cultivation, potentially changing the tribe's situation—something even gods couldn't do.
How could he not be convinced?
"I'll go call all the Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints from the Blood Heaven Tribe right now. At the Heaven Hunting Banquet, we'll either stay silent or make a thunderous debut," Xue Qi Great Saint said.
Zhang Ruochen quickly stopped him. "What are you doing? When did I say I'd help all the Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints of the Blood Heaven Tribe improve their cultivation?"
"But you have this ability—why not help?" Xue Qi Great Saint asked.
"Just because I have the ability, I have to help? When would I ever get to cultivate myself?"
Zhang Ruochen continued, "At the Heaven Hunting Banquet, only Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection experts can make the biggest impact. The other Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints, even if they break a few more shackles or dozens, won't matter much. I was willing to help you because you're a member of the Blood Absolute Family, and I carry the blood of the Blood Absolute Family in my veins."
Hearing this, the last trace of estrangement and resentment in Xue Qi Great Saint's heart vanished. He stared intently at Zhang Ruochen, the words "because you're a member of the Blood Absolute Family" echoing in his mind.
The sense of pride in being a Blood Absolute Family member surged to its peak.
"Zhang Ruochen, I, Xue Qi, am completely convinced today. From now on, even if you want to compete for the position of family head, I will support you with all my might," Xue Qi Great Saint said resolutely.
Zhang Ruochen flipped his palm and, from the cauldron, retrieved a Divine Wandering Pill, tossing it to him. "Take this Divine Wandering Pill and break the fifteenth shackle as soon as possible."
"Thank you."
Xue Qi Great Saint caught the Divine Wandering Pill and took out twenty Divine Stones, handing them to Zhang Ruochen.
Holding the twenty Divine Stones, Zhang Ruochen sighed lightly. "I took a loss. The auction price of this Divine Wandering Pill alone was more than twenty Divine Stones. Plus, I spent a lot of effort helping you find the shackle. I think I should charge fifty Divine Stones."
Xue Qi Great Saint's heart skipped a beat, afraid Zhang Ruochen would demand an exorbitant price.
After all, even if Zhang Ruochen really asked for fifty Divine Stones, he would still have to seek his help.
Divine Stones could be earned again.
But the chance to improve his cultivation—if he missed Zhang Ruochen, where would he find another?
"No, no, Zhang Ruochen, you set the price yourself—how can you go back on it? Twenty Divine Stones per Divine Wandering Pill, and you guarantee to help us find one shackle. Anyway, I don't care. I'll give you two hundred Divine Stones now, and you have to give me ten Divine Wandering Pills and help me find ten shackles."
Yi Xuan Great Saint had already rushed over first, forcefully stuffing a bag of Divine Stones into Zhang Ruochen's hand, afraid he wouldn't accept.
Gu Chenzi, usually calm and composed, also took out a bag of Divine Stones. "I have two hundred and eighty Divine Stones—I'll give them all to you. Zhang Ruochen, as a Great Saint, you must keep your word and not renege."
Yu Huang reached out and pushed Yi Xuan Great Saint and Gu Chenzi aside. "Zhang Ruochen, you have to help me find the Thought Desire Shackle first. Name your price. Forget fifty Divine Stones—I'll pay even a hundred."
In just six hours, Zhang Ruochen had helped Xue Qi Great Saint find a shackle. If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it.
Their hearts were shaken, and all doubt vanished.
Zhang Ruochen knew that even if he set a higher price, they would still pay.
But compared to a few dozen or a few hundred Divine Stones, Zhang Ruochen valued the potential and future of these four Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints more.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I was just talking. Why are you all so nervous? Compared to earning Divine Stones from you, I care more about the Blood Heaven Tribe's ranking at the Heaven Hunting Banquet, and more about the Blood Heaven Tribe's honor and dignity."
"I've been waiting for you to say that," Yi Xuan Great Saint said.
Gu Chenzi remained as cold as ever. "With those words, at the Heaven Hunting Banquet, we'll follow your lead."
A strange light flickered in Yu Huang's eyes, as if she were reassessing Zhang Ruochen. Previously, she had been hostile toward him, even harboring killing intent when they fought.
But now, her impression of him had slightly improved.
Zhang Ruochen met her gaze. "Yu Huang, you're right. I also think we should help you find the Thought Desire Shackle first. The Blood Heaven Tribe needs a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection expert to hold things together, so no force dares to underestimate us. Then, we'll make the other nine tribes of the Undying Blood Clan come to us, begging. Not thinking we're dispensable."
"What do you want in return?" Yu Huang asked.
Zhang Ruochen held up two fingers. "Twenty Divine Stones."
Yu Huang's eyes were beautiful—not blood-red, but a jade-like cyan. Her eyelashes were soft and long, and a hint of mockery gleamed in her gaze. "I'm not falling for your tricks. Don't think you can make me owe you a favor. I'll give you a hundred Divine Stones."
With that, she tossed a bag of Divine Stones, placing it heavily in Zhang Ruochen's hand.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Thought Desire Shackle is the hundredth and final shackle, the hardest of all. I don't have absolute confidence in finding it. If you give me the Divine Stones now... what if I can't find it? I might not return them."
"Do your best. Even if you fail, I won't ask for these hundred Divine Stones back."
Yu Huang was a straightforward woman. She sat cross-legged, removed the purple-gold phoenix hairpin from her head, and let her long hair cascade down like a waterfall. "Let's begin. Whether we succeed or fail, I won't blame you."
Xue Qi Great Saint retreated to the edge of the Star Universe Palace, swallowed the Divine Wandering Pill, and focused entirely on cultivation.
Yi Xuan Great Saint and Gu Chenzi, however, were even more nervous than Yu Huang.
If Zhang Ruochen could find even the hardest Thought Desire Shackle, didn't that mean the two of them also had a chance to reach Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection before the Heaven Hunting Banquet?
Three Great Perfection experts from one tribe—that was unimaginable.
"Zhang Ruochen must succeed."
Gu Chenzi's hands involuntarily clenched into fists.
"Rustle."
The light from the Truth Realm Form once again filled the Star Universe Palace.
As Zhang Ruochen's hand gently pressed down on Yu Huang's head, her graceful, delicate body was illuminated like a glowing divine jade. Her slender brows furrowed slightly, then gradually relaxed.
Yu Huang's talent was undoubtedly a cut above Xue Qi's.
But the process of finding the shackle was not smooth.
She had already broken ninety-nine shackles, leaving only the last one. This one wasn't in her body but in her sacred soul, connected to her consciousness.
It was called "Thought Desire."
Yu Huang's consciousness consisted of billions of threads, and the Thought Desire Shackle was hidden within one of them.
After a full ten hours, both Zhang Ruochen and Yu Huang were exhausted, but the Thought Desire Shackle still hadn't appeared. Yu Huang's heart began to waver noticeably, and her emotions started to spiral out of control.
Zhang Ruochen remained calm. "Guard your true heart. Next, I need to probe the consciousness you least want anyone to know about."
"Don't... don't pry into... those thoughts of mine."
Yu Huang's resistance grew stronger.
"Everyone has their most painful wounds. Uncovering them isn't scary. What's scary is not daring to face them."
"There's hatred in your heart—strong hatred—and at the same time, it's your weakest part. You don't want anyone to see this side of you. If you keep resisting, I can't help you."
"Do you want to be forever stuck at your current realm?"
Zhang Ruochen's voice was gentle, ethereal, and lingering, continuously entering Yu Huang's mind.
"Zhang Ruochen, let me go. I don't want to keep going. I don't want to cultivate to Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection anymore..." Tears streamed from Yu Huang's eyes, and she spoke to Zhang Ruochen in a pleading tone.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head gently. Like peeling away layers of her clothing, he forcibly opened her hidden consciousness and finally learned of her weakest side.
Yu Huang's background was indeed quite tragic.
As a child, her parents were forcibly sent to the Merit Battlefield, where both died tragically, with only two white skeletons sent back.
Afterward, her status in the family plummeted, and she suffered all kinds of unfair treatment, silently wiping away her tears, gritting her teeth, and stubbornly training with all her might.
Later, her only elder brother emerged from seclusion and took her away from the family to train on the Merit Battlefield.
But because she underestimated the enemy, she fell into a trap set by Heavenly Court cultivators. To save her, her brother was pierced through the heart by ten thousand swords and burned to death by flames. In the end, she could only carry her brother's bones back to Hell.
As her cultivation talent gradually emerged, she finally caught the attention of the family's upper echelons. She was even taken as a disciple by a godly ancestor, and her status in the family rose higher and higher, her cultivation growing stronger.
But not long after, this godly ancestor, who doted on her the most, was refined to death in the starry sky by gods of the Heavenly Court.
Losing the protection of a god, Yu Huang's family declined, constantly being encroached upon and oppressed by surrounding forces. So, she longed to become strong, putting on a cold and ruthless facade to make all cultivators fear her, unwilling to be bullied again.
Zhang Ruochen could tell that the consciousness she was most unwilling to open was the part about "her brother dying because of her."
This, he believed, was her hundredth shackle.
And also her Thought Desire.