# Chapter 2366: Heartless and Unfeeling Zhang Ruochen
Although her body had been reconstituted, the aura emanating from Qi Die had weakened considerably.
Only her spiritual power remained full and robust.
Zhang Ruochen gave her no chance to catch her breath, erupting with extreme speed. His left arm blazed like divine iron heated red-hot, his palm strike aimed at Qi Die's chest.
His speed was so great that his body seemed to vanish entirely.
Due to her powerful spiritual power, Qi Die's reaction speed was astonishing, far surpassing other Thousand Questions Realm Great Saints. The moment Zhang Ruochen formed his palm strike, she had already mobilized her spiritual power, drawing upon the ten directional wind forces.
These wind forces were a hundred or a thousand times more terrifying than astral winds, capable of reshaping the terrain of worlds and altering the trajectories of stars.
The ten directional wind forces condensed into ten semi-transparent humanoid Wind Emperors.
The humanoid Wind Emperors let out long howls, wielding long blades as they slashed forward.
"Boom! Boom! Boom..."
In an instant, six humanoid Wind Emperors were shattered by Zhang Ruochen's palm force, transforming into chaotic blades of wind energy. Countless Saint realm Heavenly Slaves were chopped into chunks of flesh.
Some of the humanoid Wind Emperors' blades struck Zhang Ruochen's body, producing sounds of metal clashing against stone.
All were blocked by his ten golden wings, unable to harm him in the slightest.
"Boom!"
Zhang Ruochen's palm strike ultimately landed on Qi Die, shattering her Saintly body once again.
In an instant, Qi Die's body reconstituted elsewhere.
She clasped her hands together and shouted, "Condense!"
The remaining four humanoid Wind Emperors collided into one another, forming a knight over ten zhang tall, clad in wind armor, wielding a long spear, and riding an earth dragon.
"Rustle, rustle!"
The wind forces of heaven and earth continuously converged toward it.
The sound of air flowing was like a great river surging.
The knight's aura grew increasingly powerful. Its eyes emitted blue light, lightning interweaving within its body as it rode the earth dragon, charging toward Zhang Ruochen.
"Rumble."
Wherever the knight passed, violent winds raged.
Within a hundred zhang, Saint realm Heavenly Slaves instantly had their bodies turned into blood mist, shredded into particles by the wind force. Even Undying Blood Clan Great Saints were all sent flying, their bodies covered in deep bloody wounds.
Some Great Saints had their bodies severed in two.
Zhang Ruochen stood at the center of the street, watching the knight charging toward him. His long hair flew upward as he said, "I don't believe I can't actually kill you."
The might unleashed by the knight was already comparable to that of Zuo Mu Shengjun back then.
However, Zhang Ruochen was no longer the same. Having broken fifty shackles, even if he encountered Zuo Mu Shengjun again, he was confident he could defeat him without using a Supreme Sacred Artifact.
"Clatter."
Thirty-six Space Swords manifested, suspended around his body in all directions.
"Merge!"
The thirty-six swords merged into one.
He slashed straight down.
This sword strike cut through the stable space within Snow Stone Ancient City, tearing open a long spatial rift that pierced down from the knight's crown, penetrating through.
The knight formed from gathered wind forces was split directly in two.
"How is this possible?" Qi Die's expression changed drastically.
"Pfft."
The sword energy was extremely sharp, passing through the knight and spanning several dozen zhang, cleaving her body in two.
Zhang Ruochen gave Qi Die no further chance to reconstitute her body. He released his Space True Domain, forcibly pulling the two halves of her body to the left and right. Strands of Space Rules condensed into Space Chains, wrapping around her two halves.
The two halves struggled desperately, erupting with powerful Saintly power, trying to break free.
"You won't escape," Zhang Ruochen said.
"What use is trapping my physical body? My strongest aspect is my spiritual power."
Behind Zhang Ruochen, Qi Die's gloomy voice rang out.
Countless spiritual power thoughts gathered together, condensing into a giant shadow resembling a soul body.
It took Qi Die's form.
A Qilin's body, butterfly wings.
"Soul Devouring," Qi Die said.
Zhang Ruochen seemed to have anticipated this. His Spiritual Power Saintly Aspect, the Lightning Venerable, and the Immovable Wisdom King Saintly Aspect simultaneously surged from his back, combining into an Immovable Wisdom King covered in interweaving lightning.
This Immovable Wisdom King looked exactly like Zhang Ruochen, carrying boundless might as it stomped down.
Qi Die struggled desperately against it, but the lightning erupting from the Immovable Wisdom King Saintly Aspect continuously shattered her spiritual power thoughts, making her increasingly weaker.
"No... impossible... your spiritual power is only at the sixty-fifth rank, how can you possibly contend with me?"
Qi Die was extremely unwilling, roaring in grief and indignation.
On the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, she felt the threat of death for the first time.
With her spiritual power intensity and her Thousand Questions Realm cultivation, she believed she could look down on all opponents on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield. Even the number one expert of the Stone Clan, once caught in her spiritual power trap, couldn't escape. In the end, he was killed by Chi Emperor, his soul scattered.
But in this battle with Zhang Ruochen, she felt extremely stifled. Not only could she not gain the upper hand, but her physical body had been shattered several times.
With the Space True Domain restricting her, escaping didn't seem easy either.
Zhang Ruochen said calmly, "Your spiritual power is indeed much stronger than mine, and your application is superb. However, I have the spiritual will of two Primordial Ancestors backing me. Even if your spiritual power is at the sixty-sixth rank, or even the sixty-seventh or sixty-eighth rank, you cannot break through my spiritual defense. If you can't break my spiritual defense, how can you contend with me in combat?"
The Immovable Wisdom King Saintly Aspect contained the spiritual will of the Immovable Wisdom King. After combining with Zhang Ruochen's Spiritual Power Saintly Aspect, it naturally could suppress Qi Die.
Zhang Ruochen knew that Qi Die would definitely fight desperately next, possibly even self-destructing her Saintly Heart and Saintly Source, annihilating all living beings in Snow Stone Ancient City.
Thus, he shot a glance at Mo Yin.
Qi Die became completely frenzied, laughing loudly, "Fine, Zhang Ruochen, traitor of the Heavenly Court. Today, even if I die, I will make you suffer divine form annihilation, and make all Undying Blood Clan Great Saints accompany me in death!"
The Blood Pattern Formation's light membrane shattered. Luo Sha took the lead, flying to the area above Zhang Ruochen and Qi Die, her expression extremely tense. "Be careful! She's not only self-destructing her Saintly Source but also her Saintly Heart. Once the Saintly Heart self-destructs, the destructive power will be even more terrifying."
Her jade arm swung, sending out the Yin Spirit Lotus.
Immediately after, Luo Sha mobilized her sixty-fifth rank spiritual power, forcibly suppressing Qi Die's spiritual power thoughts that wanted to self-destruct.
She absolutely could not let her succeed.
"Finally, I can enter Snow Stone Ancient City and kill wildly, collecting a large number of points. A group of Heavenly Slaves below Great Saint realm, this Emperor can cut down a swath with one slash."
The formation light membrane shattered. Dao Yu Huang was ecstatic, raising his blade as he charged in.
But seeing Qi Die about to self-destruct, with chaotic energy filling the entire ancient city, his expression immediately changed drastically with fear.
"Heavens! This is... flee..."
Dao Yu Huang certainly wouldn't be as foolish as Luo Sha, running to the most concentrated area of destructive energy. He immediately spread his flesh wings, turned around, and fled into the distance at maximum speed.
Flee!
Flee quickly!
"Zhang Ruochen is definitely dead, the Undying Blood Clan is finished, everything is over!" Only this thought remained in Dao Yu Huang's mind.
Zhang Ruochen and Luo Sha both had powerful spiritual power, among the top level of their generation, but they still couldn't stop Qi Die. Qi Die's two halves of her Saintly body had already ignited.
Her spiritual power body even released a spiritual power storm, causing Zhang Ruochen and Luo Sha's heads to ache as if splitting.
At this critical moment, Mo Yin activated the Purple Gold Gourd, aiming the gourd's mouth at Qi Die's location. Her red lips parted slightly as she softly chanted, "Collect!"
Zhang Ruochen seized this fleeting opportunity, waving his hand to mobilize the power of his Space True Domain, sending Qi Die's two halves of her body and spiritual power body toward the Purple Gold Gourd.
"Swoosh—"
After collecting Qi Die into the gourd, Mo Yin acted decisively, throwing the Purple Gold Gourd away with all her strength.
No one knew whether the Purple Gold Gourd could withstand the destructive energy formed by a Thousand Questions Realm Great Saint's self-destruction. After all, the Purple Gold Gourd wasn't a pure Supreme Sacred Artifact; it was a vessel Zhang Ruochen had haphazardly refined.
Whether intentionally or not, the direction Mo Yin threw the Purple Gold Gourd was exactly the direction Dao Yu Huang was fleeing.
In the dark void, Dao Yu Huang flew at extreme speed, silently reciting: "I must escape, flee as far as possible. Staying there would only mean death. I must preserve my useful body; the future of the Undying Blood Clan still needs this Emperor to hold up the sky."
"Boom."
Behind him came a thunderous sound.
Space trembled.
Dao Yu Huang was horrified. Why was the sound so close? The destructive power of a Thousand Questions Realm Great Saint's self-destruction was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
Dao Yu Huang even considered burning his Saintly blood and using forbidden arts to burst forth with greater speed.
But in the end, he couldn't help looking back. He saw a pillar of energy charging straight toward him, already right before his eyes.
That energy pillar was the aftermath of Qi Die's self-destruction, surging from the mouth of the Purple Gold Gourd.
Dao Yu Huang was so frightened he didn't dare move, watching the energy pillar, stronger than Supreme power, rush past him, extending into the dark space a thousand li away.
He and that energy pillar were separated by only a few zhang.
A long time passed before the destructive energy subsided.
Dao Yu Huang was petrified for a long while. His blank mind finally regained its thoughts, and he couldn't help but draw in a cold breath. Immediately after, he acted decisively, retrieving the Purple Gold Gourd and flying rapidly back toward Snow Stone Ancient City.
Standing in the ruined and broken city, Zhang Ruochen let out a long breath.
He would rather face a Thousand Questions Realm peak Great Saint than fight a Great Saint with sixty-sixth rank spiritual power. The latter was too troublesome, and once they decided to self-destruct, it was completely unstoppable, equivalent to wanting to die together with you.
If Qi Die hadn't been determined to die, but instead used self-destruction to negotiate terms with Zhang Ruochen...
Zhang Ruochen would most likely have chosen to let her leave.
Just now, if Luo Sha hadn't risked her life, joining the battle circle in time, mobilizing her spiritual power to suppress Qi Die, buying that most precious instant, whether Qi Die could have been collected into the Purple Gold Gourd was uncertain. At least Zhang Ruochen didn't have absolute confidence.
Too dangerous!
It was practically risking his life.
Luo Sha's long skirt fluttered as she lightly landed on the ground, spreading one hand to hold the Yin Spirit Lotus.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fell on her. "I'm starting to believe what you said that day."
Just that one sentence.
Luo Sha was extremely intelligent; of course, she knew which words he was referring to. But she deliberately pretended not to know, asking, "This princess has said so many things; which sentence are you referring to?"
The sounds of battle were incessant all around, flames rising to the sky.
But the place where the two of them stood was exceptionally quiet, falling into a peculiar atmosphere.
What had just happened was extremely dangerous, yet Luo Sha had unhesitatingly rushed forward to help him. No more words were needed; Zhang Ruochen had remembered all the affection in his heart.
Perhaps she had said many false things, but that one sentence should be true.
Unfortunately, they were not on the same path. Rather than suffering in the future, it was better to curb the spread of feelings now and cut off all possibilities. In the Hell Realm, Zhang Ruochen absolutely would not allow himself to fall into the predicament of love, which would become his greatest weakness and entanglement.
Dao Yu Huang, holding the Purple Gold Gourd, descended from the sky, laughing loudly, "Ruo Chen Great Saint, this Emperor has retrieved your gourd. Truly worthy of being a Supreme Sacred Artifact; not a bit damaged."
There was not a trace of shame on his face. Instead, he looked like a great contributor, continuing to laugh, "Fortunately, this Emperor had sharp eyes and quick hands; otherwise, it would have flown ten thousand li away. The void is too vast; once it flies too far, it would be very hard to find."
Luo Sha stared at Dao Yu Huang with extreme disgust. "Supreme Sacred Artifacts have artifact spirits; they can fly back to their master on their own."
Dao Yu Huang played dumb, feigning surprise. "Really? That amazing? Unfortunately, this Emperor doesn't have a Supreme Sacred Artifact."
Luo Sha said, "Dao Yu Huang, don't you need to collect points? The battle isn't over yet!"
"Leave the next fierce battle to this Emperor."
Dao Yu Huang presented the Purple Gold Gourd to Zhang Ruochen with both hands, then erupted with blood fiend aura like rivers and seas, charging into the formation of Saint realm cultivators.
In the past, if Dao Yu Huang had obtained the Purple Gold Gourd, he would have been overjoyed and kept it for himself, absolutely not returning it to Zhang Ruochen.
Now, even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare.
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew that Dao Yu Huang had just abandoned all Undying Blood Clan Great Saints and fled alone.
According to the rules, fleeing from battle should be severely punished.
But Zhang Ruochen didn't expose him.
In the face of life and death, choosing to flee wasn't a great sin.
It was precisely because of this that Luo Sha's choice to face the difficulty head-on and fight alongside him was so precious. How could one not be moved?
Finally waiting for Dao Yu Huang to leave, Luo Sha thought Zhang Ruochen would say some human words. For example, "Thank you, Princess, for your assistance. Ruochen will definitely remember it in his heart."
Or, "Princess, your affection is profound. Even if Ruochen cannot marry you in this life, you will certainly hold an important place in my heart."
...
Unfortunately, the heartless and unfeeling Zhang Ruochen turned and left, going with Mo Yin to hunt Heavenly Slaves.
Luo Sha was so angry her eyes bulged, her fragrant cheeks trembling as she stomped her foot. "Truly an ungrateful wolf. Do you think this princess's kindness to you is all deserved? This princess swears that if I ever say another word to you, smile at you again, think of you in my heart, or care whether you live or die, I'll slap myself."
After thinking about it, there was no need to abuse herself because of this bastard. Luo Sha immediately regretted in her heart, silently thinking, "Even if I slap someone, it should be him."
...
Destiny Temple.
In the Gate of Destiny of the Fortune and Blessing God Venerable, the scene of that battle just now was manifested.
Blood Jue War God walked out from the Divine Realm World. "Why wasn't Qi Die's spiritual power sealed? Who was responsible for this? They must be severely punished."
It had been too dangerous just now; a large number of Undying Blood Clan Great Saints had nearly died.
"Not even discovering that a Heavenly Slave had hidden spiritual power—such a ridiculous thing has never happened before."
"Punishing the negligent god is secondary; the key is to reward points. Qi Die was too powerful. Killing her should give the Undying Blood Clan at least five million points."
"Yes, Qi Die's points must be above Zuo Mu Shengjun's."
"Today, the Destiny Temple must give the Undying Blood Clan an explanation. Our clan's young Great Saints were nearly completely annihilated."
...
The gods of the Undying Blood Clan stepped forward one after another.
Of course. For the sake of first place in the Heaven Hunting Battle, Zhang Ruochen and the Undying Blood Clan's young Great Saints were fighting desperately on the battlefield. Outside the battlefield, they naturally argued based on reason, striving for the best situation for the Undying Blood Clan.
For five million points, for first place, for the entire Undying Blood Clan to hold their heads high, the gods of the Undying Blood Clan set aside all past grievances and united today.
Anyway, they had reason on their side now and weren't afraid of making a big scene.
Instead, it was the Destiny Temple that couldn't afford to lose face and needed to control the situation, lest the outside world also learn of this matter.