Chapter 2369: One Step Ahead

The home star of the Undying Blood Clan was blood-red, exceptionally dazzling within the starry sky.

At this moment, Zhang Ruochen flew to the outer atmosphere of the home star.

Below, clouds churned like a boundless sea of blood, revealing the outlines of continents and the distribution of oceans.

"Whoosh——"

A corner of the planet's surface formation opened.

Wind Queen emerged from within, without her gold-thread mask, a moving smile on her beautiful, painting-like face: "Why has Sacred Lord Ruochen suddenly returned?"

Zhang Ruochen said, "Seeing that the formations are intact, my anxious heart has finally settled. I received news that the Yama Clan had annihilated all the Heaven Slaves on the fifth Dark Star, and I feared Yan Huangtu might come to the home star to massacre our clan members. It seems my worries were unnecessary."

Wind Queen said, "With this Queen and Yu Huang guarding the home star, even if Yan Huangtu came, it would be no great matter. Why did Sacred Lord Ruochen have to return personally? I see the Undying Blood Clan's points have increased significantly by tens of millions. How goes the battle on the seventh Dark Star? Has it been taken?"

Zhang Ruochen shook his head, "The seventh Dark Star has Chi Di stationed there. To completely annihilate them is not so simple. Let's return to the home star first. I have some ideas that must be implemented immediately. If the Yama Clan's strong ones dare to come, I will make sure they never return."

...

Yu Huang had led the Undying Blood Clan's formation masters in setting up formations since the beginning of the Heaven Hunting Battle.

Three defensive grand formations were arranged, one layered atop another. Even if Chi Di came personally, wielding a Supreme Sacred Artifact, he would not be able to cleave through them.

There were as many as six offensive grand formations.

Additionally, grand Heaven-Earth Talismans were deployed, specifically to deal with the strong among the Great Saints.

The Undying Blood Clan had made all these preparations to block enemies outside the home star. These formations and rune patterns formed the most solid first line of defense.

Like the city walls of a fortress.

"Whoosh!"

...

The formations of the home star opened layer by layer.

Led by Wind Queen, the two passed through three layers of defensive grand formations, walking through the void as if on solid ground.

Suddenly, Wind Queen, walking ahead, said, "Why would Sacred Lord Ruochen return from the starry sky instead of directly using the Space Teleportation Array of the home star?"

Zhang Ruochen, walking behind, flashed a sharp glint in his eyes and decisively punched Wind Queen in the back.

As the punch was thrown, a heaven-shaking dragon roar erupted.

One after another, Nine Dragon Divine Patterns manifested on his fist, releasing violent divine power.

Wind Queen seemed to have anticipated this, activating her Wind Dao Sacred Intent a step ahead, merging it into her movement technique, turning into a streak of flowing light and vanishing into the formation patterns.

Zhang Ruochen's punch, its divine power, sank like a stone into the sea, swallowed by the formation.

"Yan Huangtu, I had long guessed you would come. Do you think your transformation technique could fool this Queen's Gate of Destiny?"

Wind Queen appeared a hundred zhang ahead of Zhang Ruochen, hovering in the air, a Gate of Destiny condensed behind her.

The Gate of Destiny was like a mirror, reflecting Zhang Ruochen's true appearance.

It was precisely Yan Huangtu's domineering and imposing figure.

Since he was recognized, Yan Huangtu twisted his body, returning to his original form, and snorted heavily: "I underestimated you. To become a candidate for Goddess, you do have some skill. But to contend with me, you are still far off."

Yan Huangtu's Yama Qi surged forth, like dragons and snakes, evolving into a golden world scroll.

"Having lured you into the formation, do you think this Queen will fight you one-on-one?" Wind Queen laughed.

Yu Huang descended slowly from above Wind Queen, her long skirt fluttering.

Following that, countless formation inscription patterns emerged all around Yan Huangtu.

The Seven-Star Ghost Lotus, the most important formation hub, also appeared, each petal seventy-seven zhang long. Formation inscription patterns had already surfaced on the petals.

"Calamity of Heavenly Fire."

Yu Huang flicked her finger, the formation activated, and the attack power erupted.

"Chi chi."

The formation condensed hundreds of rivers of fire, releasing scorching energy. All the rivers twisted together, converging into a single torrent that crashed into Yan Huangtu's body.

Even with the Supreme Sacred Artifact, Tongtian Ruyi, protecting him, Yan Huangtu's defenses were still pierced by the formation's power. He spat blood, flying backward like a meteor into the cosmic void.

The torrent of fire carried Yan Huangtu a thousand li before its energy was exhausted.

Wind Queen clearly saw Yan Huangtu's flesh burning from the flames, revealing large amounts of golden divine bones. A hint of pride welled up in her heart.

Yan Huangtu, such a formidable figure, the strongest of the supreme clan, possessing a divine destiny.

In this era, who could make him suffer such a loss?

She had done it.

The gods should have all seen it, right? With this brilliant performance, after the Undying Blood Clan seizes first place among the ten clans, who could still compete with her for the position of Fate Goddess?

The Innate Imperial Dao Divine Bones made Yan Huangtu's defense astonishingly strong. Even after suffering unprecedented severe injuries, he still did not fall.

His body was almost half-skeletal, his aura weakened to the extreme, his eyes showing unwillingness and resentment: "Once I recover from my injuries, I will lead the Yama Clan's Great Saint army to trample the Undying Blood Clan. Wind Queen, Yu Huang, don't laugh too soon."

After saying this, Yan Huangtu coughed up blood again.

"You still want to trample the Undying Blood Clan? This Queen will expel you from the battlefield today."

Wind Queen spread silver wings on her back and chased after Yan Huangtu at full speed.

After refining the Sacred Blood Shadow, Wind Queen's combat power had improved considerably. She feared nothing in her heart, only wanting to eliminate this great enemy, Yan Huangtu, and absolutely not let the tiger return to the mountain.

For her, this was a golden opportunity.

If she could deal with Yan Huangtu and seize the Yama Clan's Supreme Sacred Artifact, Wind Queen's influence could even surpass Zhang Ruochen's.

As for Yu Huang, although she had used the formation to severely wound Yan Huangtu, she could only be Wind Queen's foil, merely creating the opportunity for her, achieving her future glory that would shine across the world.

Yan Huangtu was too severely injured, clearly unable to contend with Wind Queen, a top-tier Hundred Shackles Great Perfection powerhouse. After temporarily suppressing his injuries, he immediately fled at top speed.

"You can't escape! This Queen is titled Wind, Wind Dao is my primary path, and Wind Dao excels in speed. Not to mention you are severely injured now, even at your peak, your speed might not surpass mine."

Wind Queen smiled, pushing her Wind Dao rules to the extreme, merging her body with the wind.

It was not ordinary wind, but the Silent Void Wind that could stir up storms in the starry sky, reaching extreme speeds.

Being able to hunt down Yan Huangtu was definitely something to boast about. With such a record, after becoming Goddess, no cultivator in the entire Hell Realm would dare to underestimate her.

Logically, Yu Huang should have joined Wind Queen, combining their strength to have a better chance of expelling Yan Wushen from the battlefield.

But Yu Huang always remembered Zhang Ruochen's instructions: no matter what happened, she could not leave the home star and must guard the Star-Protecting Grand Formation.

Watching Wind Queen and Yan Huangtu, one chasing and one fleeing, disappear ten thousand li away, a sense of unease arose in Yu Huang's heart.

With Yan Huangtu's reputation, how could he be chased so miserably by Wind Queen?

This scene was truly hard to believe.

"Yan Huangtu is also human; he will stumble sometimes." Yu Huang repeated this in her heart, trying to convince herself.

"Wind Queen is ranked in the top ten on the Hundred Shackles Great Perfection Ranking. Chasing a severely injured Yan Huangtu should not be a problem. Even if she can't expel Yan Huangtu, she can certainly protect herself. What do I have to worry about?"

Yu Huang thought carefully, "What would Zhang Ruochen do in such a situation?"

After a moment, she calmed down and continued to guard the home star.

After a long wait, Wind Queen finally returned.

Yu Huang also finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yu Huang, why didn't you come with this Queen to hunt down Yan Huangtu? Do you know the consequences of letting the tiger return to the mountain?" Wind Queen's face was clouded, scolding.

Clearly, Wind Queen had failed to deal with Yan Huangtu, and he had escaped.

Yu Huang was very calm, "My mission is to guard the home star; I cannot leave for a single step."

"Do you even understand what it means to adapt to circumstances? If you had joined this Queen just now, how could Yan Huangtu have escaped? We could even have seized the Yama Clan's Supreme Sacred Artifact. A great opportunity was ruined by you." Wind Queen said.

Yu Huang did not argue with Wind Queen. In any case, the Undying Blood Clan was currently in an absolute advantage. As long as the home star was not lost, they would not lose.

Nothing was more important than guarding the home star.

As for the responsibility for Yan Huangtu's escape, if Wind Queen insisted on placing it on her, she would accept it. After all, the gods were watching; whether she had done wrong or not, the gods would judge in their hearts.

If Zhang Ruochen returned, he would certainly approve of her actions.

She did not care how Wind Queen saw her.

Wind Queen said, "With such an attitude, do you still think you can cultivate to the Divine Realm in the future? Revitalize the Xia Clan? Dream on! Better rely on Zhang Ruochen. He favors you now; once he cultivates to the Divine Realm, he will surely be a formidable figure among the gods. He will certainly take care of you then. Relying on a man is always easier than relying on your own efforts. After all, with your beauty, you have the capital to rely on a man."

If it were Yu Huang's former personality, she would have been unable to suppress her anger and would have taught Wind Queen a lesson.

But now, she understood that the overall situation must take precedence.

The home star still depended on her and Wind Queen to guard. If the two of them fought, it would certainly give the Yama Clan an opportunity.

Therefore, Yu Huang remained silent.

"Forget it. This Queen is not the leader of the Undying Blood Clan; I cannot punish you. I'll wait for Zhang Ruochen to return and see how he punishes you. Why aren't you opening the formation?" Wind Queen said.

Yu Huang was very cautious, using her spiritual power to inspect Wind Queen. Only after confirming there was no mistake did she open the formations layer by layer.

Wind Queen turned into a streak of light, flew into the atmosphere, stood on the sea of clouds, looked down at the Undying Blood Clan members on the continents, and the corners of her rosy lips curled up slightly, "Finally inside."

Her charming gaze looked up, landing on Yu Huang's slender figure, and she laughed like silver bells: "Wind Queen's greatest weakness is her desire for success, her extreme eagerness to prove herself to the gods. The more so, the easier she is to deal with. But you... how should I put it, Xia Yu, you have really changed a lot. Your caution surprised me; I almost thought I couldn't break into the Star-Protecting Grand Formation."

Yu Huang's heart tightened, and she said coldly, "Who are you?"

With a thought from Yu Huang, the offensive formation of the Star-Protecting Grand Formation activated, and dense lightning shuttled above her head, emitting a thunderous roar of majestic power.

Wind Queen continued, "Your spiritual power is very strong, already at the peak of the sixty-fourth level, right? There is some deviation from the information I obtained. But still, you are weaker than me, so your spiritual power cannot see through my true form."

"You are Yan Zhexian." Yu Huang said.

Yu Huang's spiritual power was already top-tier.

Throughout the entire Heaven Hunting Battlefield, there were fewer than ten cultivators with stronger spiritual power than hers.

Among the Yama Clan, only Yan Zhexian and Xi had such spiritual power.

Xi was a man; no matter how marvelous his transformation technique, he could not imitate a woman's subtle expressions and movements to perfection. Therefore, the Wind Queen before her must be Yan Zhexian.

Everything was clear!

Yan Huangtu had never intended to transform into Zhang Ruochen and break into the Undying Blood Clan's home star. Instead, he had used a bitter play and a diversion tactic.

Only by luring Wind Queen away could they have the opportunity to enter the Undying Blood Clan's home star, which was defended like an iron bucket.

To deceive Wind Queen and Yu Huang, Yan Huangtu had gone to great lengths and was ruthless enough with himself.

Wind Queen gently twisted her willow waist, her form changing into Yan Zhexian's appearance, wearing a white robe, as pure and refined as a fairy who did not eat the worldly dust. She smiled, "Since I have entered the Undying Blood Clan's home star, your formations can no longer harm me. Once your formation attacks fall, the first to die will certainly be the Undying Blood Clan members."

Yan Zhexian spread her arms, like a white swallow, flying towards the nearest continent.

Yu Huang did not activate the formation attack. After all, to kill a strong one like Yan Zhexian, the destructive power unleashed would inevitably affect the entire planet.

Back then, when Yanhong Great Saint and Xu dealt with Zhang Ruochen, they had specifically cleared out a continent and arranged a large number of Great Saint inscriptions and formation patterns to prevent the destructive power from instantly sweeping the entire home star.

"Boom!"

...

Every time Yan Zhexian flew over a city, she would strike out a talisman.

Immediately, the city sank, and all the Undying Blood Clan members in the city turned to ashes.

A strong sense of pleasure arose in her heart.

"Zhang Ruochen, you shameless scoundrel. When you humiliated me that day, did you ever think the Undying Blood Clan's home star would have such a day? This is just collecting a little interest. In the future, I will cut off that hand of yours, cut out your tongue, and make you pay a greater price."

Every time Yan Zhexian thought of Zhang Ruochen, she gnashed her teeth in hatred, always feeling something crawling on her face that could not be washed clean.

Perhaps only his blood could wash it clean.

"I have already destroyed six continents. The Undying Blood Clan's points should have been deducted a lot by now, right?"

Yan Zhexian took out the rhombus mirror and looked, but she was stunned.

On the mirror, the Undying Blood Clan's points had hardly changed.

"Could the Myriad Realm Divine Eye be delayed?"

Yan Zhexian immediately denied this, a strong sense of unease rising in her heart, "No! Something is definitely wrong."

"Of course there is a problem."

Yu Huang's figure appeared in midair, standing at the center of the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus, emitting a gorgeous blood-colored radiance, "Yan Zhexian, your spiritual power is indeed stronger than mine. But can it be stronger than all the formation masters and talisman masters of the Undying Blood Clan combined? You are so proficient in illusion techniques; can't you see that you are in a huge illusion formation?"

Yan Zhexian's heart skipped a beat, realizing she had underestimated Yu Huang too much and made a fatal mistake.

Underestimating an enemy was the easiest mistake for top geniuses to make.

Yan Zhexian was still too young and lacked experience, unlike Yu Huang, who often tempered herself on the Merit Battlefield. Although her personality was extreme, her battlefield instincts were sharper than any cultivator's.

Yan Zhexian quickly calmed down, "Did you know my identity from the start?"

"No, you really fooled me, I must admit that is your skill. If this Queen had not made subsequent arrangements, the Undying Blood Clan might have suffered a great loss today."

Then, Yu Huang continued, "The home stars of the Ghost Clan, Yama Clan, and Shura Clan were successively attacked. Do you think this Queen, as the guardian of the home star, did not make corresponding arrangements? To tell you the truth, there is not a single clan member on the Undying Blood Clan's home star now, only an illusion formation, waiting for you to jump in."

Yan Zhexian was silent for a long time, "In this era, there are not many cultivators I consider my opponents. From today on, you, Xia Yu, are one of them. Now, let me see if you have the ability to deal with me."

Yu Huang had no intention of fighting Yan Zhexian one-on-one. She waved her arm, and figures of Undying Blood Clan Great Saints appeared, activating the formations to their fullest.

"Zhang Ruochen, this Queen will prove to you that you did not give your Supreme Sacred Artifact and Sacred Blood Shadow to the wrong person. Yan Zhexian is the gift this Queen gives you."