Chapter 2261: Gate of Destiny
The Hunting Heavenly Feast occurred once every thousand years.
The feast came first, the hunt followed.
By tradition, the feast was held at the Fate Stream at the foot of Fate Divine Mountain.
To reach the Fate Stream, one had to first pass through the Gate of Destiny.
At this moment, on the Wujin Square outside the Gate of Destiny, a large number of banquet attendees from the Ten Clans had already gathered. Sacred carriages, bone palanquins, ghost ships... were densely arranged, each releasing formidable and boundless Great Saint auras, displaying their power through sacred might.
The camps of the Ten Clans were clearly demarcated.
When the Blood Heaven Tribe arrived, it attracted the attention of many cultivators.
Among them, the Seven Star Divine Palace, carried by eighteen Six-Calamity Ghost Kings, was the most eye-catching, eliciting shock and admiration from various forces.
The Eighth Son of the Ghost Lord, Ming, had a cold, heavy gaze. "Using Six-Calamity Ghost Kings to carry a palace—the Blood Heaven Tribe is clearly provoking us, the Ghost Clan. Aren't they afraid of being jointly suppressed by the entire Ghost Clan?"
"In previous Hunting Heavenly Feasts, the Blood Heaven Tribe has repeatedly suffered losses at our hands, ending up last among the ten tribes of the Undying Blood Clan every time, receiving the fewest resources. From the gods down to the low-level cultivators in the Blood Heaven Tribe, they all hold grudges against us. Xue Jue War God's arrangement here is perfectly normal," Xu said with a mocking smile.
The enmity between Xue Jue War God and the Ghost Lord was well-known throughout the Hell Realm.
As a result, every Hunting Heavenly Feast saw cultivators from the Earth Evil Ghost City deliberately targeting the Blood Heaven Tribe.
Although the Ghost Lord's strength was inferior to Xue Jue War God's, the Earth Evil Ghost City's overall power far surpassed that of the Blood Heaven Tribe.
It was worth noting that the Earth Evil Ghost City ranked third among the nine major ghost cities of the Ghost Clan, second only to "Fengdu Ghost City" and "Wuchang Ghost City."
The Ghost Lord was the master of the Earth Evil Ghost City, commanding seventy-two Yin realms and one hundred thousand ghost stars.
Xu stared at the Seven Star Divine Palace. "It seems the previous few Hunting Heavenly Feasts infuriated Xue Jue War God to no end. He must have lost his head, betting heavily on Zhang Ruochen, this calamity star who is an enemy to the world. At this year's Hunting Heavenly Feast, Xue Jue War God's illustrious reputation is destined to be ruined. The Blood Heaven Tribe will be cast into the abyss and continue to sink for another thousand years."
Ming said, "The Blood Heaven Tribe has produced a Yu Huang, who has the strength to contend for a top-ten spot among the Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection. They probably won't be as easy to deal with as before."
Xu was very confident, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "But this year, the Earth Evil Ghost City has produced me."
In previous Hunting Heavenly Feasts, the Ghost Clan's number one powerhouse always came from either Fengdu Ghost City or Wuchang Ghost City. This year was an exception, with Xu becoming the Ghost Clan's strongest.
It could be said that Xu represented not just the Earth Evil Ghost City, but the entire Ghost Clan. He was the most talented, most powerful existence to emerge from billions of ghost cultivators over a thousand years.
...
...
The Seven Star Divine Palace descended onto Wujin Square. Zhang Ruochen sat inside the hall, its doors wide open. Looking up, he could see the distant Gate of Destiny.
The gate was forged and condensed from tens of thousands of star cores, engraved with various runes—some burning like magma, others flowing with bloody patterns.
The Gate of Destiny emitted a white light, forming a curtain of radiance.
The light on the curtain seemed capable of traversing to the past and future, giving it a mysterious and unfathomable feeling.
"So this is the legendary Gate of Destiny!"
Lianxi, Zhou Zhen, Hong, and Shen Tu Yun Kong all felt as if they were in a dream. They had never dared to imagine that, as cultivators from the Heavenly Court side, they could one day stand at the foot of Fate Divine Mountain and gaze upon the Gate of Destiny from up close.
"Legend says that once you cross the Gate of Destiny, you receive the baptism of fate, and Fate Rules can spontaneously generate within your body, making you a cultivator of the Path of Fate."
"Cultivators qualified to enter the Gate of Destiny are extremely rare even in the Hell Realm. Could it be that today, we will have this qualification?"
Not only them, but all the servants, maids, and relatives brought by the banquet attendees showed delighted expressions, their excitement impossible to suppress.
"Rustle."
At that moment, a golden sacred carriage pulled up beside the Seven Star Divine Palace.
It carried a faint, elegant, and captivating fragrance.
Wind Queen, wearing a gold-thread mask, her fair skin faintly visible, her bright eyes like blood-red amber exposed above the veil, stared at Zhang Ruochen in the hall. "If Chen Great Saint, we meet again."
Zhang Ruochen gave her a slight nod in response.
Wind Queen showed no displeasure at his coldness. "If Chen Great Saint is the leader of the Blood Heaven Tribe, yet has not participated in the Undying Blood Clan's council feasts, and has repeatedly declined my invitations and visits. Such an aloof attitude is hardly conducive to cooperation during the Hunting Heavenly Feast."
Zhang Ruochen had considerable respect for Wind Queen's depth and character.
No matter how he treated her, she always maintained a kind attitude, showing no trace of dissatisfaction or resentment. She perfectly embodied the softness of a woman.
But the more she did so, the more vigilant Zhang Ruochen became.
A woman's heart was inherently hard to fathom.
A powerful woman who could perfectly conceal her true emotions was even more unpredictable.
Since he had agreed to Xue Jue War God to fulfill the two conditions set by the Undying Blood Clan's gods, Zhang Ruochen could no longer ignore Wind Queen as he had before.
At the very least, during this Hunting Heavenly Feast, their cooperation would be extremely close.
Countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Ruochen's mind. "My past behavior was indeed inappropriate. If Wind Queen doesn't mind, you may enter the Seven Star Divine Palace for a talk. Is it still timely for us to discuss matters now?"
"If Chen Great Saint extends an invitation, I am honored."
Under the gaze of countless cultivators, Wind Queen entered the Seven Star Divine Palace.
"Whoosh—"
On the palace walls, dense Great Saint inscriptions and divine patterns emerged, blocking any external probing.
The banquet attendees from other Undying Blood Clan tribes all showed angry expressions, feeling that Wind Queen was too accommodating and tolerant of Zhang Ruochen. A reckless and rude fellow like him deserved a harsh lesson, not constant flattery and appeasement.
Of course, their anger stemmed from jealousy.
Wind Queen was the dream wife of every Undying Blood Clan cultivator, yet the vast majority, no matter how hard they tried, could barely earn a glance from her.
Only the leaders of each tribe knew that Wind Queen's actions were born of necessity.
They had received news that Zhang Ruochen would become the sole cultivator of the Undying Blood Clan to wield a Supreme Sacred Artifact. This made his standing within the clan extremely significant.
Although Wind Queen represented the interests of the Lower Three Clans,
the Shura Clan and Rakshasa Clan were competitors with the Undying Blood Clan, and their support for Wind Queen during the Hunting Heavenly Feast would be quite limited.
Thus, Wind Queen had to secure the greatest internal support within the Undying Blood Clan.
Zhang Ruochen became the target she had to win over.
Wind Queen was an exceptionally charming and beautiful woman. Though adorned in gold and jewels, she did not appear vulgar. Her noble temperament and elegant demeanor stirred a strong desire for conquest in men.
With her tall figure, firm and upright chest, and skin so delicate it seemed to yield water, she stood straight in the center of the hall, locking eyes with Zhang Ruochen, who sat above.
All the light in the hall seemed to converge on her.
Lianxi, hailed as one of the most beautiful women in the Heavenly Court Myriad Realms and the dream goddess of countless beings, now felt her own radiance overshadowed by Wind Queen, a faint sense of inferiority rising within her.
Wind Queen got straight to the point. "At the Hunting Heavenly Feast, I need If Chen Great Saint's full support. Our interests are bound together on the same boat. No other cultivator has a closer stake than we do."
Zhang Ruochen put down the scroll he was reading. "Oh? Does Wind Queen place such high value on me, a cultivator with only half Undying Blood Clan bloodline?"
Wind Queen's eyes were as bright as stars, but her tone carried a hint of melancholy and helplessness. "Even Xue Jue War God values you, how could I underestimate you? Besides, you are my only choice. Whether I like it or not, I must place my hopes on you."
Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly. "Does Wind Queen say this to every supporter?"
Wind Queen gently shook her head, her gaze dim. "Supporters? Who are you referring to?"
"Isn't Dao Yu Huang one of them?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Wind Queen replied, "Dao Yu Huang's Qitian Tribe ranks first among the ten tribes of the Undying Blood Clan. The Huangtian Tribe's ranking is either second or third. Therefore, my Huangtian Tribe and the Qitian Tribe are potential competitors."
"Even if Dao Yu Huang supports me, he must first ensure the Qitian Tribe's ranking remains above the Huangtian Tribe. With this barrier, his support will be greatly diminished."
"Jin Kun Great Saint of the Qingtian Tribe and Yue Tinghai of the Jingtian Tribe share similar competitive interests with the Huangtian Tribe."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze remained calm. "What about Baiyu Crazy Lion of the Stone Clan? From what I know, his infatuation with you has reached a maddening level. He once declared he would be your mount."
Wind Queen smiled and shook her head. "Setting aside whether his so-called infatuation is real, just in terms of strength, he is far inferior to the Blood Heaven Tribe. Besides, can a cultivator from the Stone Clan truly be trusted?"
"Why can Wind Queen trust me?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Wind Queen said, "The Blood Heaven Tribe ranks last among the ten tribes. Even if they win first place in this Hunting Heavenly Feast, their tribal ranking cannot enter the top three, posing no threat to the Huangtian Tribe. Thus, our two tribes have no conflict of interest."
"Second, Xue Jue War God should have already informed you of the conditions set by the Undying Blood Clan's gods. So, I have reason to believe you will go all out to help me."
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly, a hint of a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Then let me ask a more selfish question. If I give you my full support, what benefits do I get?"
This time, Wind Queen removed her gold-thread mask, revealing her flawless face. Her red lips were moist and sparkling, her nose delicate and refined. In terms of beauty alone, she was not inferior to Lianxi or Yu Huang.
She flashed a stunning smile. "If you help me secure the position of Goddess, I will marry you in a thousand years. Even if I fail and do not become the Goddess, I can still marry you."
If any other cultivator heard this, they would be overjoyed, willing to lay down their lives for Wind Queen.
But Zhang Ruochen merely raised an eyebrow, remaining indifferent.
It wasn't that he thought Wind Queen would break her promise.
Rather, he recalled what Qingsheng Great Saint had said: "If you condense two Second-Rank Sacred Intents, even the Hell Realm forces that hold grudges against you might set aside their hatred and willingly marry their proud daughters to you."
Now, Zhang Ruochen had yet to break through to the Hundred Shackles Realm, yet he had already condensed a quasi-Second-Rank Sacred Intent.
The gods of the Huangtian Tribe and Wind Queen had likely already learned of this. If Wind Queen failed in her bid for the Goddess, marrying Zhang Ruochen, a Great Saint with a Second-Rank Sacred Intent, would be a good outcome, wouldn't it?
As for succeeding and becoming the Goddess, she would have to sever emotions and desires for a thousand years.
Who could say what would happen after a thousand years?
Wind Queen's promise, though seemingly alluring, was actually a no-lose proposition.
It was likely a strategy already decided by the gods of the Huangtian Tribe.
"Is Wind Queen trying to use a honey trap on me?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Wind Queen smiled charmingly, putting her mask back on. "I'm just telling If Chen Great Saint that, if you are willing, regardless of the outcome, I will be your wife—your closest ally. Among the three Goddess candidates, you would naturally choose your own wife to be the Goddess, right?"
After Wind Queen left the Seven Star Divine Palace, Mo Yin let out a cold snort. "The Goddess candidates selected by the Destiny Temple are nothing special, resorting to using beauty to win the master's support."
Lianxi added, "Indeed, she is unworthy of being a Goddess."
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Lianxi, and she immediately thought of something, lowering her head with a pained and sorrowful expression. As the daughter of a god and the leading figure of the Soul Realm in this generation, she had been reduced to a bed-serving maid in Zhang Ruochen's harem. How could she judge Wind Queen?
How could she be worthy of being the future Realm Lord of the Soul Realm?
In Zhang Ruochen's mind, however, a different feeling arose.
As his cultivation deepened and he repeatedly proved himself with absolute strength, his influence within the Undying Blood Clan grew heavier. Now, even a peerless Great Saint like Wind Queen had to lower her stance and flatter him.
The Hell Realm was indeed a very pragmatic place.
As long as one was powerful, they could obtain everything they desired.
Back in her golden sacred carriage, Wind Queen was immediately visited by Yan Beijun.
The space inside the golden carriage was vast. Wind Queen's exquisite figure stood at the center, her left arm, like a snow-white lotus root, resting behind her slender waist as she pondered something.
Yan Beijun was quite irritated, a cold glint in his eyes. "Senior Sister is ranked twelfth on the Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection Ranking and is a Goddess candidate of the Destiny Temple. With such strength and status, why lower yourself to visit an Immortal Realm cultivator like Zhang Ruochen? How will the cultivators present view you? Bore and Yanhong Great Saint are probably laughing at you behind your back."
Wind Queen kept her back to him. "There are things you simply don't understand."
Yan Beijun sighed. "With the support of Dao Yu Huang, Jin Kun Great Saint, and Baiyu Crazy Lion, your chances of winning the Goddess position are still quite high. Why do you have to humble yourself?"
"Zhang Ruochen may have escaped from Xu and Yanhong Great Saint, but that only proves the Heir of Time and Space is good at fleeing. That's all. His combat power might not even match an ordinary Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection, let alone a powerhouse like you, Senior Sister."
Wind Queen turned around, fixing him with a gaze colder than he had ever seen. "You know nothing about Zhang Ruochen. From now on, he is our closest ally. You had better not offend him."
Yan Beijun felt a chill run through his body under her stare and dared not speak further.
But in his heart, he grew even more dissatisfied. He felt Zhang Ruochen was unworthy of such treatment. Compared to Dao Yu Huang, Jin Kun Great Saint, and Baiyu Crazy Lion, Zhang Ruochen was far inferior.
His senior sister must have been blinded to make such a wrong decision.
"Get out," Wind Queen said.
After Yan Beijun withdrew from the golden carriage, Wind Queen let out a soft sigh. "Zhang Ruochen possesses a Demigod Body and has condensed a Second-Rank Sacred Intent. Even if I become the Goddess, my future achievements may not match his."
"Zhang Ruochen's current strength may not be great, but he has Yu Huang by his side and wields a Supreme Sacred Artifact. No matter what, I have to take this gamble. Betting alongside Xue Jue War God shouldn't lead to loss."
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
...
Nine consecutive bell tolls rang out, spreading across the Fate Divine Domain.
The Gate of Destiny opened, revealing the towering outlines of Fate Divine Mountain and the Destiny Temple within. An ancient and mysterious aura surged forth, washing over all the cultivators.
The banquet attendees from the Ten Clans mounted their steeds and sacred carriages, entering the Gate of Destiny one after another.
As the Seven Star Divine Palace, carried by the eighteen Six-Calamity Ghost Kings, drew closer to the Gate of Destiny, a strange thought arose in Zhang Ruochen's mind.
Looking at this Gate of Destiny, he felt as if he were standing in the void of the universe, staring at the Ghost Gate from up close.
Why did he feel this way?
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, clearing his mind, and carefully sensed the energy released by the Gate of Destiny. He wanted to know if the legend was true—could passing through the Gate of Destiny really allow one to condense Fate Rules?
Was it that simple?
Just as the Seven Star Divine Palace passed through the Gate of Destiny, before Zhang Ruochen could experience the Fate Rules, a bizarre image flashed in his mind. It was as if he had suddenly glimpsed his own destiny, seen the future.
It was in the most luxurious hall of the Blood Absolute Family, decorated very festively. Red lanterns, red oil-paper umbrellas, and red drapes hung everywhere—it was clearly a wedding night.
He was dressed in red, standing as the groom, facing a woman wearing a red veil, as if they were about to bow to each other.
...
The festive image flashed and vanished.
It should have been a joyful event, but Zhang Ruochen's entire demeanor turned gloomy. His ten fingers clenched tightly together.
He was certain that the image he had just seen was not an illusion created by someone.
Rather, it felt like the images he had seen in the Fate Pool—familiar, as if he had personally experienced them, yet also strange and terrifying.
Why would something he had never experienced feel familiar?
Was everything in the world truly predestined? Had fate already arranged everything?
"Was that the power of the Gate of Destiny, showing me my future? The wedding location is in the Blood Absolute Family. Who is that woman? Wind Queen?"
Zhang Ruochen unconsciously recalled Wind Queen's earlier words. The two seemed to have a cause-and-effect relationship.
If Wind Queen failed in her bid for the Goddess, the gods of the Huangtian Tribe would marry her to Zhang Ruochen. Would Xue Jue War God agree?
He certainly would.
Perhaps the gods of the Huangtian Tribe and the Blood Heaven Tribe had already decided everything, laying out his fate clearly.
"In that case, Wind Queen, it's better for you to become the Goddess."
Zhang Ruochen deeply hated being controlled, planned, and bound. His gaze turned cold as he decided to resist fate, to break the destiny the Gate of Destiny had shown him.