Chapter 2282: The Home Clan Star
"Still pulling this trick? If this is all the power you have, it shows you're quite a failure as a time controller."
Que didn't turn his head or pay any attention to the Time Imprint light points flying toward him from behind.
"Chi chi."
The dense clusters of Time Imprint light points, as soon as they approached him, immediately dimmed in luster and then vanished, like one lamp after another being extinguished, causing him no harm whatsoever.
Only the "Absolute Self Time Imprint," condensed from Zhang Ruochen's Time Rules, silently attached itself to him without a sound.
Time Imprints exist everywhere in heaven and earth, including within Que's own body.
A single special Time Imprint landing on one's body is almost imperceptible.
Other cultivators, unaware of the existence of the "Absolute Self Time Imprint," saw Que dissolve Zhang Ruochen's Time Imprints without using any countermeasures, and they all gasped in shock.
Just what level of powerhouse was he?
Was he really only in the Hundred Shackles Realm?
Was time power so fragile?
To deal with Zhang Ruochen, many cultivators in the Hell Realm had been pondering ways to suppress time power. They had indeed come up with some methods, but they required a great deal of manpower and resources, as well as careful preparation.
Que's effortless neutralization of time power exceeded their understanding.
Only a few cultivators immediately associated it with the Way of Nothingness, and their expressions grew even heavier.
Yu Huang's eyes showed deep helplessness as she sighed, "He's the one you mentioned, isn't he? It seems everyone was wrong, including the gods. Que, ranked first on the Hundred Shackles Great Perfection List, is a person, a living, breathing person. He's too strong, so strong that he's simply unbeatable. Among the Great Saints of the Thousand Questions Realm, is there anyone who could be his match?"
In her view, Que was no longer just invincible at the same realm; he could be invincible even across realms.
Even if Zhang Ruochen, this Eon-level genius, cultivated to the Hundred Shackles Great Perfection, he might not be Que's match.
Zhang Ruochen said, "He might not be as powerful as you imagine. What you see is just the surface."
Yu Huang looked at him sideways and said, "Just now, the three of us unleashed our strongest combined attacks in succession. Even Lan Ying and Yan Wushen probably couldn't withstand that. But he neutralized it easily, proving his strength far surpasses ours, and also far surpasses Lan Ying and Yan Wushen. None of us banquet participants are on the same level as him."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "The reason you think our three-person combined attack could contend with Lan Ying and Yan Wushen is because you have some understanding of their strength and know the heights they've reached."
"But regarding Que, you know nothing."
"There are no records of Que's information or achievements. That's precisely why you find him as unfathomable as an abyss, as unclimbable as a high mountain, and think he's already unbeatable. Before the actual fight has even begun, your own heart has already been defeated. In terms of mental state, you've already lost."
"When you stand at the edge of an abyss and look down, seeing only white mist ten zhang below without reaching the bottom, your heart is filled with fear. But if, on a clear day, you saw the abyss was only twenty zhang deep and understood it well enough, that fear would naturally diminish."
Yu Huang found it hard to understand Zhang Ruochen's optimism. "You think Que's strength isn't much greater than Lan Ying's or Yan Huangtu's? But the three of us—you, me, and Yi Xuan Great Saint—joined forces and made preparations in advance, yet we were easily crushed. And the time power you just used was silently neutralized. His various methods have reached an unimaginable level."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Mist hides the abyss, making it impossible to see its depth. But the abyss itself is very clear about its own depth. That's why, when pursued by eight top experts, Que chose to flee rather than stay and crush them all, further expanding his record."
As he said this, Zhang Ruochen pointed in the direction Que had fled. Lan Ying, Yan Huangtu, and the others were pursuing him.
"Even if everything you say is correct, Que's strength is definitely above Lan Ying's and Yan Huangtu's. He's a top-tier powerhouse we can never defeat. He is well-deserving of the title 'First on the Hundred Shackles Great Perfection List.' With the aid of the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill, his strength will surely reach an even higher level."
Then Yu Huang added, "You're just jealous, and deep down, you're afraid. Afraid that even after cultivating to the Hundred Shackles Great Perfection, you still won't be his match, and the title of Eon-level genius will be taken from you."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed deeply, and he smiled nonchalantly. "One day, I will personally defeat him and make you clearly understand that there is no enemy in this world that cannot be overcome. The only thing you can't overcome is the terror within your own heart. Put other matters aside for now. Let's go. First, to the Undying Blood Clan's home clan star."
In the dark void.
Dan Shi and the Fortune-Luck Black Robe High Priest stood side by side.
Given their status, even they showed expressions of shock, bewilderment, and surprise when Que appeared. It was a long time before the two of them recovered.
Dan Shi sighed and remarked, "I didn't expect this millennium to produce so many monstrous talents in the Hell Realm. This can be called the golden generation of this Eon. That Void Controller—what is his background?"
The Fortune-Luck Black Robe High Priest shook his head with a wry smile. "Unclear. He didn't appear at the grand banquet, yet he's appeared on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield. This is very strange."
Dan Shi was surprised. "He's not one of the ten thousand banquet participants from the ten clans?"
The Fortune-Luck Black Robe High Priest nodded. "Since the Heaven Hunting Grand Banquet began a hundred sessions ago, there has never been such an exception. Since even I don't know of his existence, it can only mean that behind him is a figure at the God Venerable level. His appearance on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield must also have special significance."
Dan Shi said, "A cultivator who shouldn't have appeared on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield appears miraculously, and no god strikes him down. Does that mean he's a rule-breaker?"
The Fortune-Luck Black Robe High Priest said, "The Heaven Hunting Battle itself represents many things. The cultivators of the ten clans are competing for the distribution of benefits for their own clans. The three candidates for Goddess are competing for the position of Goddess. Including Zhang Ruochen, Yan Wushen, Lan Ying, Yan Huangtu... every cultivator has a special meaning for participating in the Heaven Hunting Battle. I'm very curious now—what meaning does Que represent?"
Dan Shi said, "Since the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill has already fallen into Que's hands, this pill struggle should come to an end. Aren't you going to stop them?"
The Fortune-Luck Black Robe High Priest nodded lightly. Just as he was about to make a move, he suddenly received a transmission. His face immediately showed a respectful expression as he listened carefully.
"I understand. So that's how it is."
After hearing the transmission, the Fortune-Luck Black Robe High Priest gave up on intervening and said to Dan Shi beside him, "I now understand the meaning of Que's appearance on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield. The God Venerable has issued a divine decree: on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, regarding matters involving Que, Zhang Ruochen, and Yan Wushen, no intervention is required. The three of them are outside the Heaven Hunting rules."
The Heaven Hunting Battlefield was vast and boundless, filled with starry mist, shimmering in six colors.
The Undying Blood Clan's home clan star was thirty thousand li in diameter.
Looking at it from the starry sky, the planet had ten continents and a blood-red ocean, resembling a gigantic blood-colored eyeball, rotating from east to west and constantly flying through space.
On the Undying Blood Clan's home clan star lived a total of 240 million Undying Blood Clan members, with cities and civilizations established.
Wind Empress and Blade Prison Emperor had gone to pursue Que but failed. After returning to the home clan star, they immediately contacted the leaders of the ten major tribes, including Zhang Ruochen.
After some discussion, they named the ten continents of the home clan star after the ten major tribes: Qingtian Continent, Huangtian Continent, Qingtian Continent, Qitian Tribe, Motian Tribe, Xuetian Tribe...
Each tribe was responsible for one continent.
For example, the Xuetian Continent, guarded by the Xuetian Tribe, was home to 30 million Undying Blood Clan members. If the Xuetian Continent was invaded by Heavenly Slaves and ten clan members were killed, one point would be deducted.
This point would be deducted from the Xuetian Tribe's total.
If all the clan members on the entire Xuetian Continent were killed, the Xuetian Tribe's total points would be halved and distributed among the other nine tribes.
Zhang Ruochen led the ninety-eight Great Saints of the Xuetian Tribe and two Saint Kings who hadn't broken through to the Great Saint realm to the Xuetian Continent. There, he explained the content of the discussion in full detail.
In the city lord's mansion of Yun City, the largest city on the Xuetian Continent, all the strong members of the Xuetian Tribe gathered in the main hall.
Yu Huang's expression was quite cold. "Having the ten major tribes each be responsible for one continent will divide the power between the tribes and increase competition and internal conflict. If the Heavenly Slaves attack, it's very likely that the other nine tribes will stand by and do nothing. Blade Prison Emperor and Wind Empress have made a huge mistake."
Gu Chenzi said, "There's no way around it. The ten major tribes have always been in a competitive relationship."
Yi Xuan Great Saint said indignantly, "What do you mean there's no way around it? Why should the Undying Blood Clan be dictated by Blade Prison Emperor and Wind Empress? With so many strong members in our Xuetian Tribe, can't we seize power? I support Zhang Ruochen as the leader of the entire Undying Blood Clan!"
Gu Chenzi said, "Your support alone is useless. If we seize power now, it will be internal strife. Even if we succeed, the Undying Blood Clan will be severely weakened, and internal conflicts will intensify. Won't that make the other nine clans laugh at us?"
...
...
Just as they were arguing, Zhang Ruochen finally spoke. "Stop arguing. Everyone, listen to my arrangements. Yu Huang, you immediately contact the formation masters of the ten major tribes and have them set up defensive formations, concealment formations, and attack formations in the outer starry space of the home clan star. This was agreed upon in advance with the leaders of the ten major tribes, so there shouldn't be any resistance. You are the strongest formation master of the Undying Blood Clan, so this matter is your responsibility."
"Gu Chenzi, you carefully inspect all the secret places on the continent. Find all the Heavenly Slaves hiding on the continent and kill them without mercy."
"Yi Xuan Great Saint, you lead all the Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints of the Xuetian Tribe to the starry battlefield to kill Heavenly Slaves and earn points for the tribe. How is your injury recovery?"
Yi Xuan Great Saint stood up abruptly. His external injuries had long since healed, and his spirit was full. "I am a Great Saint of the Undying Blood Clan. Sucking some Sacred Blood is more effective than any healing pill. As long as I don't encounter a Thousand Questions Realm Heavenly Slave, I guarantee I'll slaughter them all without leaving a single one."
Zhang Ruochen nodded and continued giving orders. "Blood Qi, you lead all the Spiritual Power Great Saints of the Xuetian Tribe to form an intelligence unit. Track down the Heavenly Slaves' whereabouts and then send messages to Yi Xuan Great Saint for them to kill. Also, keep a close watch on the movements of the other nine tribes and find the locations of their home clan stars. Remember, safety first."
"Cultivators who have just broken through to the Great Saint realm will temporarily stay on the Xuetian Continent. After their realm is stabilized, they can go hunt Heavenly Slaves."
...
...
One order after another was issued, and everyone began to act.
Everyone understood that Zhang Ruochen was adopting a strategy focused on defense and steady progress. This might yield fewer points, but it was safer.
Zhang Ruochen activated the Supreme Inscription Rune in the gourd, unleashing its Supreme power, and subdued three Quasi-Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pills, thirty-seven King-Grade Sacred Intent Pills, and four hundred fifty-eight top-tier Heaven-Grade Sacred Intent Pills.
Then, he brought the cultivators of the Xuetian Tribe who had just broken through to the Great Saint realm into the Purple Gold Gourd to cultivate.
With Divine Stones powering it, the time ratio inside the gourd could reach one to nine.
Unfortunately, the Sundial couldn't be brought into the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, or Zhang Ruochen could have gained an even greater time advantage.
"According to Wind Empress, only Lan Ying and Yan Huangtu are still pursuing Que. With the two of them holding him back, Que shouldn't be able to swallow and refine the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill in the short term. I still have a chance. But before that, I must break through to the Hundred Shackles Realm."
Based on Zhang Ruochen's speculation, even if Que could shake off Lan Ying and Yan Huangtu, he wouldn't be able to swallow the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill anytime soon.
First, the Dao that Que was best at had surely already condensed Sacred Intent. To swallow the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill, he would have to cultivate a new Dao in the near future.
Only by cultivating a single Dao to an extremely high level would swallowing the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill be meaningful.
Zhang Ruochen didn't think Que could cultivate a single Dao to produce a Third-Rank Sacred Intent. His only worry was that Que had already condensed nine types of Sacred Intent and, with the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill, was condensing a tenth.
For a Great Saint to condense a tenth type of Sacred Intent would mean surpassing the ancients, a groundbreaking achievement.
No one knew if condensing a tenth type of Sacred Intent would grant some special power and trigger a transformation.
After all, cultivators who break their limits are always favored by heaven.
Second, the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill was essentially equivalent to a Supreme Realm Great Saint. Even though the pill spirit's spiritual will had been refined, refining it at the Hundred Shackles Realm would still be quite difficult.
Even if Zhang Ruochen obtained the Emperor-Grade Sacred Intent Pill, he wouldn't dare to swallow and refine it on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield. If he was disturbed, the consequences would be disastrous.
"I hope the Dao-Derived Sacred Fruit can really help break the shackles."
Zhang Ruochen took out a Dao-Derived Sacred Fruit, held it in his hand, his eyes hazy, his heart full of anticipation.
Because he couldn't bring pills into the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, before entering the battlefield, Zhang Ruochen had swallowed a cauldron of Divine Travel Pills, a full hundred of them.
The medicinal power of the Divine Travel Pills couldn't be digested in a short time, so Zhang Ruochen had sealed and suppressed all of it in his bloodline and heart. Only when assaulting the shackles would he unseal part of it and release the medicinal power.
Besides the Divine Travel Pills, Zhang Ruochen had also swallowed quite a few Sub-Divine Soul Pills that could enhance Spiritual Power, and King-Grade pills with healing effects. The medicinal power of all of them was still sealed.
This was a loophole in the rules of the Heaven Hunting Battlefield.
Any cultivator with some brains would do this.
Of course, not every cultivator had Zhang Ruochen's powerful physical body, able to withstand the medicinal power of so many pills and the impact of the pill spirits on the body.