Chapter: 2256 - A Belated Invitation
Zhang Ruochen stood within a Divine Realm World, with winding rivers of blood flowing beneath his feet and countless blood-colored stars twinkling overhead. The space was vast and boundless, stretching beyond sight.
His body bore the weight of two immense divine auras, yet he stood tall and straight, his bearing extraordinary.
"War God, I wish to be the one cultivator among the Undying Blood Clan to wield the Supreme Sacred Artifact," Zhang Ruochen said.
Blood Jue War God remained focused on his game of Go with Blood Yao Divine Lord, not looking at him. "Do you believe your strength is sufficient for the task?"
"Yes."
Zhang Ruochen's tone was firm.
Blood Jue War God said, "The Qitian Tribe ranks first in overall strength among the ten great tribes. Dao Yu Huang ranks first in cultivation among all cultivators. So why would the gods of the Undying Blood Clan choose you over him?"
"The Huangtian Tribe ranks among the top three in overall strength among the ten great tribes. Feng Hou's cultivation is not necessarily weaker than Dao Yu Huang's, and she is a candidate for Divine Maiden. If she wields the Supreme Sacred Artifact and seizes the position of Divine Maiden, she can fight for the interests of the Lower Three Clans. Why would the gods choose you over her?"
Zhang Ruochen replied calmly, "In this upcoming Heaven Hunting Banquet, the Qitian Tribe's overall strength may not remain number one. Dao Yu Huang's strength may not necessarily surpass mine. As for Feng Hou seizing the position of Divine Maiden, I can assist her."
Blood Jue War God's gaze finally fixed on Zhang Ruochen. "You think you can defeat Dao Yu Huang?"
Those eyes were like ancient stars—both bright and filled with infinite mysteries. Their seemingly calm gaze seemed capable of piercing through Zhang Ruochen's soul, seeing through all his secrets at a glance.
Facing this legendary War God who shook both the Heavenly Court and Hell, Zhang Ruochen remained composed, without a trace of panic.
Slowly, Zhang Ruochen raised his arms, his hands forming palm seals.
The moment he raised his arms, three dragon souls and three elephant souls manifested on either side of him. The dragon souls stretched for a thousand miles, and the elephant souls sat like divine mountains, all emitting the aura of the Thousand Questions Realm.
At the same time, the blood rivers beneath Zhang Ruochen's feet ceased flowing, and blood trees, blood vines, and blood flowers grew from the riverbeds.
Blood Yao Divine Lord sensed something and a brilliant divine light flickered in his eyes as he let out a soft exclamation.
"Ooooh."
Zhang Ruochen struck out with a palm, and the souls of the three dragons and three elephants leaped up, some extending claws, others stamping elephant legs, merging with his palm imprint as they hurtled toward Blood Jue War God and Blood Yao Divine Lord, who were still playing Go.
To strike at gods without being one oneself required earth-shattering courage.
It required a heart that defied the gods.
Unfortunately, this palm strike, which could move heaven and earth and make gods weep, shattered before it even reached the two gods, dissolved into nothingness by the invisible divine might emanating from their bodies.
Zhang Ruochen was not discouraged. This palm strike was meant to demonstrate his resolve to the two gods and to showcase his current strength.
A hint of satisfaction flickered in Blood Jue War God's eyes. "Since you possess such strength, I have enough confidence to persuade the gods of the Undying Blood Clan to let you replace Dao Yu Huang and Feng Hou's positions. Go."
Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands and bowed slightly before leaving the Divine Realm World.
Blood Yao Divine Lord let out a long sigh. "He has already fused the Way of Wood within the Five Elements, taking on the initial form of a Second-Rank Sacred Intent. He's only a hair's breadth away from a true Second-Rank Sacred Intent. For someone who doesn't cultivate a primary path to reach such a height in fusing Sacred Intents, he's truly a freak."
Blood Jue War God said, "In fact, it can already be considered a Second-Rank Sacred Intent. However, his Sacred Intent is not yet complete and cannot maintain a balanced state, hence that slight gap."
"Is there no way to resolve it?" Blood Yao Divine Lord asked.
"There is."
Blood Jue War God said, "If he fuses the Palm Path, Fist Path, and Five Elements Path all together, it will become complete—a great perfection that aligns with heaven and earth."
Blood Yao Divine Lord shook his head gently, not believing that Zhang Ruochen's chosen path could succeed.
"He has already fused four types of Sacred Intent. If he could fuse the Sword Dao at this point, he would surely cultivate a top-tier Second-Rank Sacred Intent. That path, though difficult, has a chance of success. Why didn't you tell him to try?" Blood Yao Divine Lord asked.
Blood Jue War God's gaze grew heavy. "During his seclusion, he did not comprehend the sword, nor did he cultivate the Way of Space or the Way of Time. He only studied the Five Elements Profound Meaning Imprints. This was to strengthen his resolve and walk a path of burning his bridges. Since that's the case, why not let him try?"
Blood Yao Divine Lord did not press the matter further. After all, Zhang Ruochen was not his grandson.
"Zhang Ruochen wants to wield the Supreme Sacred Artifact. He will surely face opposition from the entire Undying Blood Clan and the Undying Divine Temple. Are you really going to persuade those stubborn old fossils?" Blood Yao Divine Lord asked.
"It's not about persuading them, but using strength to force their submission. This time, my Blood Heaven Tribe has three Hundred Shackles Great Perfection cultivators, plus a peerless Great Saint who has cultivated a Second-Rank Sacred Intent. Whether they accept it or not, they will have to."
Blood Jue War God's eyes were sharp as he heavily placed a Go piece.
At the Hanhai Manor.
Zhang Ruochen sat together with Yu Huang, Gu Chenzi, Yi Xuan Great Saint, and Blood Qi Great Saint, discussing the arrangements for the Heaven Hunting Banquet.
Mo Yin walked over gracefully, holding an invitation, and handed it to Zhang Ruochen.
Ever since news of Yu Huang defeating Shen Nansheng spread, both Zhang Ruochen and Yu Huang had received numerous invitations and visiting cards. After all, Yu Huang had broken through to the Hundred Shackles Great Perfection at the Hanhai Manor.
The Hanhai Manor had become legendary.
Yu Huang broke through here, Princess Luo Sha was in seclusion here, and the Heavenly Court's Wu Ying Fairy resided here. Each of them was stunningly beautiful and the subject of countless cultivators' discussions. Gathered together, it was impossible for the Hanhai Manor not to become famous.
After reading the invitation, Zhang Ruochen said, "It's an invitation from Feng Hou, inviting me and Yu Huang to tonight's Ten Great Tribes Banquet hosted by the Huangtian Tribe."
"We're not going. Even if they beg, we won't go."
Yi Xuan Great Saint's anger had not subsided. He still harbored resentment over the previous Ten Great Tribes Banquet.
Blood Qi Great Saint snorted coldly. "With the Blood Heaven Tribe's current strength, we don't need to ally with the other nine tribes to dominate the Heaven Hunting Banquet."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Gu Chenzi. "What do you think?"
Among those present, Gu Chenzi was the calmest.
Gu Chenzi said, "The Heaven Hunting Banquet is imminent. For Feng Hou to invite important figures from the ten great tribes at this time, she must be finalizing the strategies for the banquet. At the same time, the candidate to wield the Supreme Sacred Artifact should also be decided."
"I see things differently from you. I believe the Blood Heaven Tribe still needs to unite with the other nine tribes. This is a conflict between clans. Relying solely on our strength is still too thin. The Heaven Hunting Banquet is of great importance; we cannot act on emotion."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I agree with Gu Chenzi's view. The Blood Heaven Tribe's representative must attend tonight's banquet. Moreover, we must act forcefully enough to intimidate them. The face we lost must be reclaimed. I'll leave this matter to Yu Huang. Yi Xuan Great Saint and Gu Chenzi, continue to conceal your strength. You two are our Blood Heaven Tribe's trump cards."
"What do you mean? You're not going?"
A strange look appeared in Yu Huang's eyes.
Zhang Ruochen looked up at the vast sky. "Tonight, I have another appointment to keep, one I cannot miss."
His tone was thought-provoking.
...
After nightfall.
Nine dragon souls pulled a golden, radiant carriage out of the Hanhai Manor.
It was Zhang Ruochen's carriage, the Nine Dragon Chariot.
Driving it was Blood Qi Great Saint.
During the decades of seclusion in the Seven Star Divine Palace, Blood Qi Great Saint's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. He had already broken seventy-two shackles, becoming a top expert among the Hundred Shackles realm.
However, he could not afford the divine stones needed to purchase Divine Wandering Pills and Divine Blood, leaving him deeply in debt to Zhang Ruochen.
With no other choice, he had to work for Zhang Ruochen to slowly repay the debt.
Inside the dragon carriage, Zhang Ruochen sat upright on the exquisitely carved carriage bed, his palm pressed against Lian Xi's snow-white back as he extracted strands of Yang Gang Qi from her body.
Lian Xi, like a white civet cat, sat limply on his lap, letting out heart-stirring gasps.
Half of her dress had slipped to the ground, revealing large swaths of creamy skin. Her two jade-white peaks were pressed tightly against Zhang Ruochen's chest, and her two incredibly long, jade-like legs were spread apart on either side, gently swaying.
During the decades of seclusion, every time Zhang Ruochen focused all his energy on condensing Sacred Intent or attempting to fuse Sacred Intents, he would first transfer part of his Yang Gang Qi into her body, using her special constitution to preserve it, preventing interference.
After reclaiming the Yang Gang Qi back into his body, Zhang Ruochen picked up Lian Xi, whose body was drenched in sweat and soft as spring mud, and laid her on the bed. He covered her with a soft blanket, hiding her breathtakingly beautiful body.
Lian Xi's jet-black hair was covered in sweat beads. Her voice was weak. "How much longer are you going to torment me?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Can't bear it anymore?"
Lian Xi's gaze was somewhat dazed. "I've already paid enough for what I did in the past. But back then, it wasn't entirely my fault. We each served our own masters. You were forced into those situations, and so was I."
Zhang Ruochen straightened his white sacred robe and fastened his belt. "Indeed, it wasn't entirely your fault."
"But you turned me into a cauldron for your cultivation," Lian Xi said, her eyes reddening, pitiful and sorrowful. Her pale, jade-like shoulders, exposed above the blanket, trembled slightly.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Fifteen years ago, I told you that if you wanted to leave, you could go at any time. You chose to stay. On that first night in the Seven Star Divine Palace's harem, I also gave you a choice. You chose to be my woman."
"In Hell, I had no other choice. If you told me to leave, where could I go?" Tears almost spilled from Lian Xi's eyes.
Zhang Ruochen turned his back, not meeting her gaze. "In Hell, I had no other choice either. You, at least, could choose to stay by my side. Haven't I treated you well enough?"
"Don't overthink it. Since you're in Hell, focus on cultivating. The humiliation and grievances you feel now will be your greatest motivation. You've already endured decades. Why not endure a little longer? If, one day, you gain enough power, you can come and kill me."
The Nine Dragon Chariot entered the central area of the Hanye Saint Domain, arriving at the Jiayin District.
Two cultivators in black robes were already waiting there.
Under their guidance, Zhang Ruochen and Blood Qi Great Saint entered the district and arrived outside a magnificent palace, walking up the steps.
Blood Qi Great Saint's expression was uneasy. He transmitted his voice, "The Jiayin District is where the Yama Clan cultivators reside. Are you sure we haven't come to the wrong place?"
"Why are you so alarmed?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Blood Qi Great Saint said, "Generally speaking, before the Heaven Hunting Banquet, the major forces of the ten clans frequently hold events and banquets, inviting cultivators from other clans to probe their strength."
"However, although the Yama Clan always ranks first in the Heaven Hunting Banquet, they don't place much importance on it. They rarely invite cultivators from other clans before the banquet."
Zhang Ruochen said, "If the Undying Blood Clan always took first place, they would also place less importance on the Heaven Hunting Banquet."
At that moment, Yan Wushen's laughter rang out from within the palace. "Brother Ruochen, you are mistaken. The Yama Clan does not look down on the Heaven Hunting Banquet because they are confident in their strength. Rather, they find all these events and banquets boring. They would rather spend that energy on cultivation."
Blood Qi Great Saint's eyes showed shock as he looked at Zhang Ruochen, noticing a hint of strangeness on his face as well.
They had just been communicating through spiritual power telepathy, yet Yan Wushen had perceived it.
How could they not be alarmed?
Zhang Ruochen strode into the palace, raising his voice. "I've long heard that Brother Wushen was already a Spiritual Power Great Saint before entering the Kunlun Realm Merit Battlefield. I thought reaching the sixty-first rank would already be impressive. But now I realize I've greatly underestimated you."
During the decades of seclusion, Zhang Ruochen's spiritual power had made another massive breakthrough, reaching the peak of the sixty-first rank.
For Yan Wushen to hear his spiritual power telepathy, his spiritual power must be at least at the sixty-second rank, or even higher.
Blood Qi Great Saint intended to follow Zhang Ruochen into the palace, but a cultivator guarding the gate stopped him. "Prince Wushen only invited Great Saint Ruochen. All other cultivators, please wait outside."
"What do you mean? With my Hundred Shackles cultivation, I'm not qualified to enter the gate?" Blood Qi Great Saint said angrily.
That Yama Clan cultivator said, "Great Saint Ruochen can enter because of his powerful cultivation. As for you, even if I didn't stop you, you wouldn't be able to get in."
"I don't believe it. It's just a door."
After his rapid cultivation progress, Blood Qi Great Saint's confidence had soared. He stepped forward. But before his foot could touch the ground, he entered a chaotic space and became lost within it.
This palace was covered in space inscriptions.
Every step held a space trap, a tremendous test for any cultivator who entered.
After entering the palace, Zhang Ruochen saw Yan Wushen sitting alone on the ground in the center of the hall. Before him was a long, narrow red copper table with a jug of wine and two cups.
Other than that, there was nothing else.
Simple.
So simple it was almost shabby, not like a place that had invited an important guest.
Stepping through the space traps one by one, Zhang Ruochen walked steadily to the table and looked at Yan Wushen across from him. "After arriving in Fate Divine Domain, I've been waiting for you to come out of seclusion. Finally, we meet again. Did you receive my reply to your challenge letter? This palace is cleverly arranged. Could this be the battlefield you've chosen?"