Chapter 2395: Ambushed
Bore's mastery of the Path of Fate was profound, possessing the Gate of True Self, which allowed her to deduce the secret that all members of the Undying Blood Clan were within Zhang Ruochen, and even track him.
Zhang Ruochen naturally had to capture her.
"Whoosh—"
Zhang Ruochen spread his ten wings, weaving through branches as he flew at top speed.
The Great Saints of the Death Clan had long been left far behind.
Yan Wushen chased for a while but was also left in the dust.
Only Que, employing a Light Stream Path sacred art, was slightly faster than Zhang Ruochen, pursuing closely and occasionally unleashing attacks with the Shadow Dan Sword.
Zhang Ruochen dared not stop, fearing he might be surrounded.
If it were just some Immortal Realm or Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints surrounding him, Zhang Ruochen wouldn't be too afraid. But if among those Immortal Realm and Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints were also experts like Yan Wushen and Que, the trouble would be immense.
"Bang, bang."
The Seven Star Ghost Lotus hovered behind Zhang Ruochen, clashing fiercely with the Shadow Dan Sword flying from behind.
Sword qi and supreme power collided, creating clusters of dazzling energy clouds.
"I must fly out of the White Jade Divine Tree as quickly as possible. Once I'm out, my Space Path can be fully utilized, and Que won't be able to catch up."
This thought had just flashed through Zhang Ruochen's mind when suddenly, hundreds of powerful fluctuations of sacred power surged from all directions ahead.
The Great Saints of the Yama Clan, having received Yan Wushen's message, had regained their fighting spirit. They mobilized all their Great Saints to block Zhang Ruochen, making one final push to secure first place in the Heaven Hunting Battle.
"Stop Zhang Ruochen! Annihilate all members of the Undying Blood Clan!"
"The Yama Clan still has a chance. This is a life-or-death hard battle. Spare no expense to halve the Undying Blood Clan's points!"
"Fight! Fight until heaven and earth are overturned, die without regret!"
...
Hundreds of Yama Clan Great Saints, their battle intent boiling like a tidal wave, surged toward Zhang Ruochen.
As he flew, Zhang Ruochen roared, "Step aside, or die!"
"We won't retreat! We'll fight even if it means death!"
Voices of Great Saints came from all directions.
The Yama Clan's Great Saint army was united in purpose, their resolve to claim first place among the ten clans unshakable, willing to pay with their lives.
The only pity was that time was too short, Zhang Ruochen's speed too fast, and the Yama Clan lacked top-tier experts to lead and organize, preventing them from forming a combined attack formation.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes turned cold as he clasped his hands together.
Particles of time imprint light emerged, coalescing into a giant bell of light and shadow that enveloped his body at the center.
"Bell toll!"
Zhang Ruochen shouted softly.
The Time Bell rang, sending time imprints and sound waves surging outward like a tsunami, crashing into the Yama Clan Great Saints.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
...
With each toll of the bell, Yama Clan Great Saints were sent flying.
They suffered not only the impact of the sound waves but also had their lifespans severed by the time imprints.
Que slowed his pursuit, raising the "Void Treasure Mirror" to block the impact of the time imprints, inwardly shocked: "Zhang Ruochen has already suffered backlash from his sacred will, with severe internal injuries, yet he dares to continuously use such a powerful time attack sacred art? Isn't he afraid of suffering time backlash again?"
Previously, Que thought that with Zhang Ruochen's mastery of time, being able to make the Time Bell toll three times in a row was already impressive.
But now, the Time Bell had tolled five times in a row.
One must know that each toll of the Time Bell causes a strong impact on the Time Sacred Aspect. If overused, the Time Sacred Aspect could shatter.
The five tolls of the Time Bell sent countless Yama Clan Great Saints flying, leaving them in a weakened state.
Yet these Yama Clan Great Saints, as if unafraid of death, still charged at him.
"Those who block me die!"
Zhang Ruochen spun rapidly, channeling the Purifying Divine Flame within him to form a long, cone-shaped fiery tornado.
His ten golden wings, like ten sharp, invincible blades, sliced through any Yama Clan Great Saint who came close.
"Bang, bang, bang..."
Some Yama Clan Great Saints had their sacred bodies split open by the golden wings, blood spraying everywhere; others were turned into clouds of blood mist as Zhang Ruochen crashed into them, their sacred bodies exploding; still others caught fire from the Purifying Divine Flame, becoming human torches.
In just four breaths, Zhang Ruochen broke through the Yama Clan Great Saints' encirclement and flew free.
Behind him, dozens of severely injured Yama Clan Great Saints were left behind, countless others tainted by the Purifying Divine Flame, and some had even fallen, their sacred bodies and souls destroyed.
Zhang Ruochen appeared majestic, tearing through hundreds of Yama Clan Great Saints with irresistible force, but in reality, his injuries had worsened significantly. As soon as he broke free, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
If it were any other time, he would never have clashed head-on with hundreds of Great Saints.
Fortunately, he had previously driven out the Yama Clan's top experts, formation masters, and talisman masters from the battlefield. If a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection Great Saint like one of the Eight Life and Death Sons had appeared and blocked him for even one or two strikes, the consequences would have been disastrous.
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen flew out of the White Jade Divine Tree and saw the Wind Queen and the Undying Blood Clan's Great Saint army.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen break free, all the Undying Blood Clan Great Saints were overjoyed, their gazes toward him filled with respect.
It was because of Zhang Ruochen that they felt, for the first time, how great the Undying Blood Clan could be, even surpassing the Yama Clan.
Killing Chi Di and securing the crucial thirty million points had elevated Zhang Ruochen's status among the Undying Blood Clan Great Saints to its peak.
Although Zhang Ruochen was injured, in their eyes, he was like an insurmountable divine peak.
"Great Saint Ruochen, we will fight alongside you!"
Hundreds of Undying Blood Clan Great Saints shouted almost in unison.
Sensing the large number of Death Clan and Yama Clan Great Saints pursuing from behind, Zhang Ruochen instructed, "I must leave immediately to find a safe place to hide and protect the remaining Undying Blood Clan members."
Since the Undying Blood Clan had a large force here, Zhang Ruochen didn't want to stubbornly continue fighting, nor did he want to damage the foundation of his sacred will. Finding a place to control his injuries was the key.
Zhang Ruochen was confident that with his Space Path and the Thirty-Six Transformations of Formlessness and Invisibility, as long as he focused on hiding, no one could find him in a short time.
The Wind Queen, with her exquisite and beautiful face, held the blood-colored Asura Sword and said, "Go with peace of mind. This Empress and the Undying Blood Clan Great Saints will do everything to intercept them."
Having just defeated Xi, the Wind Queen was full of confidence and high battle intent.
Barring any accidents, the position of Fate Goddess was already within her grasp.
Zhang Ruochen extended his right hand and pressed forward.
"Rustle."
A Space Wormhole Mirror formed.
He was about to step through the mirror and cross through space...
Suddenly, a blood-red sword light, carrying sharp killing intent, shattered the Space Wormhole Mirror, slashing straight toward Zhang Ruochen's neck.
The Space Wormhole Mirror was less than a zhang away from Zhang Ruochen.
Faced with such a fast sword, even Zhang Ruochen, let alone a Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm or even a Supreme Realm Great Saint, could not dodge.
"Rip."
The sword light passed through, severing Zhang Ruochen's neck, separating his head from his body.
The Undying Blood Clan Great Saints, never expecting such a turn of events, roared in fury.
More gazes turned to the Wind Queen.
The Wind Queen's hands were dripping with blood.
The Asura Sword, which had been in her hand, had forcibly broken free, flown out, and severed Zhang Ruochen's neck.
Lan Ying's body emerged from the Asura Sword, looking like a child, letting out a piercing laugh: "Zhang Ruochen, on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, you've stolen the spotlight, fighting heaven and earth, defeating one expert after another, seizing the Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill, driving Yan Huangtu and Wujiang out of the battlefield, and even cultivating a remarkable sacred will. But all your achievements will ultimately belong to me."
"Lan Ying, what are you doing?" the Wind Queen demanded sternly.
Lan Ying glanced at her and smiled, "Our cooperation is to deal with the Yama Clan together and help you ascend to the position of Goddess. Rest assured, I will fulfill both promises. But how to handle Zhang Ruochen is not part of our agreement."
"You're using me? Using me to get close to Zhang Ruochen and kill him with one sword strike when he's off guard?" the Wind Queen said.
Lan Ying replied, "I just want to devour Zhang Ruochen and take the Sacred Intent Pill from him. After refining him, who knows, I might not need to cultivate myself to obtain a Second-Rank Sacred Intent."
"Wind Queen, my cooperation with you can still continue. I can help your Undying Blood Clan resist the Yama Clan's attacks and ultimately secure first place among the ten clans."
"All you Undying Blood Clan Great Saints here, it's best to control your emotions and think about what choice benefits you the most. If you attack me now to avenge Zhang Ruochen, you'll be adding another powerful enemy. Why not take a step back?"
"Taking a step back is good for all of us."
"Fighting to the death will only benefit the Yama Clan."
"For a dead Zhang Ruochen, it's not worth it. From now on, I will take Zhang Ruochen's place and lead your Undying Blood Clan to seize first place among the ten clans."
Although the Heaven Hunting Battle had led the Undying Blood Clan Great Saints to accept Zhang Ruochen, and many even admired him, seeing him as a goal and direction, Zhang Ruochen had once belonged to the Heavenly Court and killed countless Undying Blood Clan cultivators.
There was a rift between them that couldn't be bridged in a short time, let alone reaching a state of intimate camaraderie. Becoming friends who would share life and death was even more difficult.
When Zhang Ruochen was alive, they naturally respected him and were willing to follow his orders from the heart.
But now that Zhang Ruochen was dead, it was unrealistic for anyone to disregard everything and fight to the death to avenge him. Their relationship hadn't reached that point.
Among the Undying Blood Clan Great Saints, only Yu Huang might have done so.
The Undying Blood Clan Great Saints, their eyes bloodshot, glared at Lan Ying, but in the end, none stepped forward. Some feared Lan Ying's strength, others considered the interests of the Undying Blood Clan.
Seeing this, Lan Ying laughed heartily, raised the Asura Sword, and flew toward Zhang Ruochen's head. Opening a mist-like giant mouth, he prepared to swallow it and refine it directly.
But something strange happened. Zhang Ruochen's head, floating in the void, suddenly regained its vitality, its eyes blazing with sharp light.
"Not good, Zhang Ruochen isn't dead!"
Sensing the danger, Lan Ying rapidly retreated.
But it was too late. Zhang Ruochen spat out a mouthful of flame from his mouth, striking Lan Ying and burning his body, causing wisps of green smoke to rise.
On the other side, Zhang Ruochen's headless body, holding the Seven Star Ghost Lotus, struck Lan Ying.
"Bang."
Lan Ying's body shattered, turning into a mass of killing qi.
The Seven Star Ghost Lotus was about to absorb all the killing qi, but the Asura Sword flew over swiftly, seizing all the killing qi first and storing it within the sword.
"Whoosh."
The Asura Sword flew into the distance, its emitted light dyeing the surrounding starry sky blood-red, dazzling and eerie.
From within the sword, Lan Ying's cold voice sounded: "When the Asura Sword severs the neck, the powerful killing qi instantly devours all your life force and destroys your Qi Sea. How can you still be alive?"
Lan Ying's sword strike had been long prepared and caught Zhang Ruochen off guard, containing even more killing qi than the strike that had once cleaved Que.
Back then, Que had been prepared in advance, mobilizing void power to neutralize a large amount of killing qi, so even when his body was split in two, he didn't die. Could Zhang Ruochen also have been prepared in advance and neutralized the Asura Sword's killing qi?
Lan Ying didn't believe it.
How could the Asura Sword, such a powerful divine weapon, have its killing qi neutralized by just anyone?
Zhang Ruochen's head and body flew together, merging into one, his body burning with fierce divine flames. "Do you think that bit of killing qi you mobilized could destroy my Five Elements Chaos Undying Sacred Body?"
If it had been before encountering the Blood Shadow Spirit Mother, being struck by such a sword from Lan Ying, Zhang Ruochen wouldn't have been sure he could withstand it.
But now, with his physical body having refined the White Cang Blood Earth, even the Asura Sword couldn't kill him. At least, with Lan Ying's cultivation, he couldn't.
Sensing the auras of Yan Wushen and Que, Zhang Ruochen's expression changed. He glanced at the Wind Queen, then immediately performed a Great Space Teleportation, crossing through space and fleeing.
The next moment, he appeared five hundred li away.
Then, he opened a Space Wormhole Mirror and stepped inside.
Zhang Ruochen's earlier sneak attack and subsequent words had intimidated Lan Ying. In reality, the killing qi within him had not yet been fully neutralized, and his combat power had significantly declined.
So, he had to escape, avoiding a direct confrontation with Que, Yan Wushen, and Lan Ying.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen couldn't figure out whether the Wind Queen's cooperation with Lan Ying included him.
Had the two been putting on an act just now?
Logically, when Lan Ying struck to sever his neck, there must have been a process of gathering power. At that time, the Asura Sword was in the Wind Queen's hand—how could she have been completely unaware?
If not for the Wind Queen using the Path of Fate to erase the killing intent on the sword, how could Zhang Ruochen have been completely unsuspecting?
Besides, in this Heaven Hunting Battle, Zhang Ruochen had been too prominent, overshadowing all other Undying Blood Clan cultivators. As long as he lived, even if the Wind Queen became the Fate Goddess, she would surely be discussed by cultivators across the world, seen as relying entirely on Zhang Ruochen.
The Undying Blood Clan Great Saints participating in this Heaven Hunting Battle also revered Zhang Ruochen more than her, the unrightful Goddess.
Only if Zhang Ruochen died, and died on the last day after losing his value, would it be the outcome the Wind Queen most desired.
Then, she could reap all the fruits of victory that originally belonged to Zhang Ruochen.
...
The final wrap-up is harder than I imagined. Sorry, I still couldn't finish it. It will probably take another chapter or two.