Chapter 2270: Banquets of the Various Divine Temples
Trading a small jungle world for five Evolution Dao Sacred Fruits was a steep price, yet Zhang Ruochen felt it was worth it.
He collected the five Evolution Dao Sacred Fruits that had been placed before Xu, arranging them alongside the previous five in a single row on the jade table. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
Gazing at the ten gleaming sacred fruits, every cultivator at the banquet felt their eyes burn with greed, envy, and jealousy.
"If only they were mine," many cultivators thought.
Ten Evolution Dao Sacred Fruits represented a billion Dao rules and thirty thousand years of lifespan.
Some felt Zhang Ruochen had won too easily—just two matches—and now possessed the highest number of Evolution Dao Sacred Fruits in any Hunting Heaven Grand Banquet in history.
Yet more cultivators, through these two ritual duels, had come to see Zhang Ruochen in a new light, regarding him as a formidable rival in the upcoming Hunting Heaven Battlefield.
Defeating the Great Senluo King could still be chalked up to luck and opportunism.
But when even the supremely powerful Xu fell to Zhang Ruochen, who dared underestimate him?
Wind Queen’s crystalline eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen, and an enchanting smile involuntarily surfaced. She finally understood why the Blood Heaven War God had made him the leader of the Blood Heaven Tribe and fully supported him in wielding the Supreme Sacred Artifact.
Through these two ritual duels, a strange, inexplicable feeling arose in Wind Queen’s heart. Zhang Ruochen, merely at the Immortal Realm, had become unfathomable.
"Even if I fail to win the Divine Maiden title and marry him, with his talent and my support, this era will belong to the two of us. Perhaps even the Divine Maiden’s radiance will be overshadowed. I hope to see more miracles from him on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield," Wind Queen thought, her approval of Zhang Ruochen skyrocketing.
When the Yellow Heaven Tribe’s deity had intended to marry her to Zhang Ruochen, Wind Queen had been quite resistant.
But now, she felt it might be a good fallback.
Blood Butcher watched Zhang Ruochen win again but couldn’t muster any joy. Gloomy and hesitant, he finally gritted his teeth and walked upstream.
"I’ll give up everything else, but I must get that Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit. If Zhang Ruochen won’t return it, I’ll fight him to the death," Blood Butcher muttered, clenching his fists, his gaze dark and resolute, ready for a desperate battle.
Bore didn’t linger. Without a glance at Zhang Ruochen or Xu, she turned and left, as cold and aloof as an iceberg from start to finish.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t look at her either. His gaze fixed on Xu across the Fate River—or rather, on the giant sword in his hand. "Is he still alive?"
Xu knew who Zhang Ruochen meant. He stood, lifting the giant sword. "Alive. And you’ll see him soon—on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield."
Zhang Ruochen’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart was engulfed by a storm of negative emotions.
Rage, killing intent, pain, and helplessness.
Once sent to the Hunting Heaven Battlefield, Man Sword Great Saint would become prey for Hell Realm cultivators. They would be mortal enemies—kill or be killed.
Xu’s mental state clearly surpassed the Great Senluo King’s. A smile appeared on his face. "I’m curious—when you meet him on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield, can you bring yourself to kill him?"
Zhang Ruochen stared at him in silence.
Xu continued, "The grand banquet has just begun, and I’ve already lost two matches to you. But strangely, I feel neither anger nor regret. Instead, I’m grateful for these two defeats. At least I lost face and five Evolution Dao Sacred Fruits, not my life."
"These two losses have shown me my weakness clearly—I was too arrogant. Even a lion must use full force when hunting a rabbit. In dealing with you and Yu Huang, I only thought about humiliating you, forgetting the fundamental goal: to defeat you."
"Before, I enjoyed the process of crushing opponents too much. Your lesson has taught me I need to change. The result matters more than the process."
"So, as thanks, I’ll give you a piece of advice: when you meet that man, kill him with one strike. If you can’t firmly cut ties with Heavenly Court cultivators, you’ll never truly integrate into Hell Realm. A hesitant, wavering person can never achieve great things."
"Zhang Ruochen, you are a formidable opponent. I look forward to a real battle with you on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield."
Zhang Ruochen tapped his fingers lightly on the jade table, suppressing himself. He exhaled. "Fine. See you at the Hunting Heaven Grand Banquet."
"It’s yours!"
Xu hurled the giant sword—tip first, hilt trailing—sending it as a streak of sword light straight at Zhang Ruochen.
It flew with incredible speed, thrown with Xu’s full force.
Zhang Ruochen twisted his body, and the giant sword grazed past his face.
The blade reflected Zhang Ruochen’s features—sharp brows and eyes.
"Whoosh!"
Countless Time Imprints materialized, slowing the flow of time in that space. Zhang Ruochen reached out and grabbed the sword’s hilt, pressing his wrist downward.
The blade slanted down, and with a *chi* sound, it stabbed into the ground.
Even so, the impact embedded in the sword pushed it back several zhang, carving a deep trench.
Fortunately, the Fate Divine Mountain’s structure was solid and dense with Divine Marks.
Otherwise, the force from that throw would have spread a thousand li.
Zhang Ruochen pulled the giant sword from the earth, lifting it for a closer look. Memories of his cultivation days in the Heavenly Court flooded back. "A Monarch Sacred Artifact-level war sword, given away so casually—truly a great gift."
Xu had already turned to leave, waving a hand. "I’ve already given away five Evolution Dao Sacred Fruits. Adding a sword is no big deal."
Gu Chenzi sent a voice transmission to Zhang Ruochen: "He gave you the sword to disturb your mind."
Zhang Ruochen knew Xu’s intentions all too well. He had to admit, the sword’s appearance had shaken his once-steadfast resolve.
He had decided to be unaffected, to kill without mercy.
But now…
Sigh!
"Senior Brother!"
Blood Butcher’s voice came from behind.
Zhang Ruochen was in a foul mood. If not for the Hunting Heaven Grand Banquet’s rules, he would have attacked Xu just now. He spun around sharply. "What is it? Do you have something to say?"
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes gleamed with cold light, carrying killing intent.
Blood Butcher had no idea the killing intent was aimed at Xu. Stunned by Zhang Ruochen’s glare, he felt a chill run through him, his throat frozen. Stammering, he said, "Senior Brother… I… I congratulate you on defeating Xu and winning the second ritual duel."
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his emotions completely, nodding lightly. "Mm. Go ahead."
Blood Butcher turned and took two steps, then his heart jolted: "I came to ask for the Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit. Why am I leaving like this?"
Summoning his courage, he walked back and whispered, "Senior Brother, about the Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit you borrowed from me… can you… can you return it now?"
"Borrowed things must be returned, right?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Blood Butcher nodded. "Right."
"But why haven’t you returned the Endless Hell Pagoda you borrowed from me? Let this Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit settle the debt," Zhang Ruochen said.
Blood Butcher was momentarily speechless, unwilling to give up. "I can repay the debt slowly. Can you give me this Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit first? After I consume it, my cultivation will skyrocket, benefiting the Blood Heaven Tribe’s performance on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield."
Zhang Ruochen raised a finger, gathering Space Rules at its tip.
Remembering how Zhang Ruochen had sent him flying with a single finger earlier, Blood Butcher’s face changed. He quickly retreated downstream, muttering, "Damn Xiu Chen—why did he have to capture Zhang Ruochen’s daughter? If he hadn’t, Zhang Ruochen wouldn’t have come to Hell Realm. If he hadn’t come, with my talent, I’d be dominating this era. Why am I being crushed by him?"
"Living like a grandson! No, I can’t keep enduring like this. I have to fight back."
Zhang Ruochen watched Blood Butcher’s retreating figure, pondered for a moment, then called out, "Blood Butcher, I can lend you an Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit, but…"
Blood Butcher’s heart leaped with joy. He rushed back, grabbed Zhang Ruochen’s arm with trembling excitement, and declared solemnly, "Senior Brother, just give the order! I, Blood Butcher, will go through fire and water without a single complaint!"
"Uh… forget it. Remember, you owe me another huge debt." Zhang Ruochen handed him a blooming sacred flower containing an Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit.
Blood Butcher clutched the flower tightly, his eyes red with emotion, and nodded heavily.
Zhang Ruochen couldn’t stand his gaze and waved him away.
After Xu’s defeat, a few more cultivators came to challenge Zhang Ruochen, but he refused them all, unwilling to continue.
Winning two matches had already pushed the Blood Heaven Tribe’s morale to its peak.
Continuing would risk losing—first, he wasn’t confident of victory; second, a loss would shatter the hard-won morale.
As five thousand Mysterious Extreme Sacred Fruits flowed down from the Fate River’s upper reaches to the five thousand top-tier Saint Kings, ritual duels became more frequent, with battles erupting everywhere.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Lian Xi, still kneeling beside him. "Rise."
Lian Xi’s eyes were vacant, and she stood like a puppet.
Seeing her like that, many cultivators felt a pang of pity, wanting to pull her into their arms and protect her from any harm.
At the same time, many wanted to teach Zhang Ruochen—this heartless scoundrel—a lesson.
Especially the Heavenly Court cultivators watching the projection, who shouted slogans across various Merit Battlefields: "Charge into Hell Realm, cut down Zhang Ruochen with a sword, and rescue Great Xi King!"
"Pool sacred stones together to hire the Earth Kill Organization’s assassins to go to Hell Realm and sever Zhang Ruochen’s head."
"Zhang Ruochen is now of the Undying Blood Clan and a Great Saint. His life force is strong—cutting off his head won’t kill him. He must be dismembered."
Zhang Ruochen had no idea that the Heavenly Court cultivators on various Merit Battlefields had formed a "Cut Down Dust Alliance," branding him the era’s greatest traitor.
"Clink, clink."
He poured a cup of Divine Jade Nectar from a flask and handed it to Lian Xi. "You helped me win an Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit. This cup of Divine Jade Nectar is your reward."
Each divine temple provided banquet fare.
The Rakshasa Divine Temple offered "Divine Flesh."
The Shura Divine Temple offered "Dragon Liver and Phoenix Gallbladder."
The Undying Divine Temple offered "Long-Life Marrow."
…
Zhang Ruochen’s jade table was now laden with various dishes, each capable of stirring even a deity’s desire. Some enhanced cultivation, some strengthened the sacred soul, some boosted spiritual power, and so on.
Divine Jade Nectar, provided by the Wine Divine Temple, was brewed from Divine Jade essence mixed with divine blood and rare treasures from various clans, aged for nine hundred years. A single cup could induce an epiphany.
Each Great Saint received only one flask.
Lian Xi didn’t take the tripod cup. She remained silent and motionless, her thoughts unknown, as if in silent resistance.
"Ungrateful."
Zhang Ruochen snorted and downed the Divine Jade Nectar in one gulp.
But as he tilted his head back, a deep, bitter, self-mocking smile flickered in his eyes.
Coming to Hell Realm, even he—a deity’s son—was often not his own master. How much worse for a captive?
Toward Lian Xi, Zhang Ruochen had no feelings at first—only hostility and exploitation.
Even now, there were no feelings, but something different had grown in his heart.
No matter his original intentions, she had become his woman. Zhang Ruochen knew that once this cause was set, he would have to bear whatever karmic fruit it bore.
Lian Xi said she wanted to return, and Zhang Ruochen had agreed to let her go.
But returning like that would lead to no good end.
All cultivators speculated that Zhang Ruochen deliberately humiliated Lian Xi, forcing her to kneel, as an indirect insult to the Heavenly Court and a gesture of allegiance. But Zhang Ruochen only wanted to play the villain more thoroughly, so the Heavenly Court cultivators would know Lian Xi hadn’t truly submitted to him—she was just a victim, a pitiful soul.
That way, she could go back.
That way, after she escaped, Hell Realm wouldn’t think he had let her go intentionally.
She was just a maidservant. Her path was ultimately hers to walk.
"Divine Jade Nectar aids enlightenment; Evolution Dao Sacred Fruits help cultivate high-rank sacred arts. I wonder if their power is truly that miraculous."
Zhang Ruochen consumed an Evolution Dao Sacred Fruit, preparing to cultivate a Thousand Questions-level high-rank sacred art.
He knew that many cultivators at the Great Perfection of the Hundred Shackles Realm had mastered such arts. Once unleashed, without his Supreme Sacred Artifact, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t withstand them.
But each clan’s Supreme Sacred Artifact was primarily for deterrence.
In the early Hunting Heaven phase, no clan would reveal their Supreme Sacred Artifact, so no one knew who wielded it, preventing rash battles.
Thus, mastering a Thousand Questions-level high-rank sacred art was crucial.
Without a Thousand Questions-level dragon soul and elephant soul, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t yet elevate "Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm" to that level. So he chose to cultivate the fifth layer of Divine Demon Prison Suppression.
His plan was not only to master the fifth layer but also to combine it with the Immovable Wisdom King Sacred Image and the Yin-Yang Five Elements Sacred Intent, forging a true killing move specifically for cultivators at the Great Perfection of the Hundred Shackles Realm.