Chapter 2399: The Guide
"What is it?"
The voice of Fulu Divine Venerable resounded like a great bell, its waves spreading across heaven and earth.
Zhang Ruochen's heart was thrown into turmoil, but he did not lose his composure. His thoughts raced as he formulated a response.
Zangjin Baihu spoke, "This cultivator on my back has fused with the Extreme Burial Gold Qi, so I can read his thoughts and some of his memories. I discovered that he comes from the Heavenly Court on the other side of the starry sky and has a deep friendship with a Heavenly Slave from the Heaven Hunting Battlefield. Yet, for some purpose, he killed that Heavenly Slave. That Heavenly Slave, named Man Jian, was a Great Saint of Guanghan Realm."
Fulu Divine Venerable's divine eyes blazed as they fixed on Zhang Ruochen. "Zhang Ruochen, why did you kill Great Saint Man Jian?"
"To be honest, in the past, I was forced to flee to the Heavenly Court, and Great Saint Man Jian indeed took good care of me, treating me as both a teacher and a friend. But now, I am a member of the Hell Realm, representing the Undying Blood Clan. My maternal grandfather set aside all objections and placed all his hopes on me. On the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, no matter how reluctant I was, I had to act."
"Moreover, Great Saint Man Jian knew he could never leave the Heaven Hunting Battlefield alive. He didn't want to implicate me, nor did he wish to fall into the hands of other Hell Realm cultivators and die in agony. So, during that meeting, he was intent on seeking death." Zhang Ruochen spoke calmly and unhurriedly.
Many things could not be hidden from Fulu Divine Venerable.
Rather than denying his relationship with Great Saint Man Jian, it was better to present the most truthful account directly.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Clearly, Zangjin Baihu's earlier move was merely a probing threat, not an attempt to corner him.
If Zhang Ruochen continued to refuse to be its guide, what it revealed next would surely be far more critical.
Fulu Divine Venerable said, "It is a good thing that you recognize yourself as a member of the Hell Realm and understand your camp. However, since Great Saint Man Jian was close to you, like a teacher and a friend, why didn't you persuade him to join the Hell Realm? That way, you could have saved his life. With your talent and strength, backed by the Blood Absolute Family, sparing the life of a Great Saint would not have been difficult."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "Great Saint Man Jian is different from me. In Guanghan Realm, he has disciples and clansmen. If he joined the Hell Realm, countless people would die because of him. Moreover, given his integrity, if I had asked him that question, he would have felt I was insulting him."
Fulu Divine Venerable fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you truly not wish to become Zangjin Baihu's guide? Do you even know what a guide is?"
Zhang Ruochen dared not refuse hastily, so he asked with curiosity, "Indeed, I do not understand. Please, Divine Venerable, enlighten me."
"This begins with the origins of Zangjin Baihu and Zi Qinglong. They were brought out of the Ancient Divine Nest by Fengdu Dadi. The Ancient Divine Nest is known as a relic of prehistoric civilization, and 'prehistoric' refers to the era before fifty thousand eons ago."
"The gods unanimously believe that about fifty thousand eons ago, a great cataclysm occurred in the universe, destroying everything from that time. Only five prehistoric civilization relics survived. There may be other such relics, but at least the Heavenly Court and the Hell Realm have yet to discover them."
"The fetal eggs of Zangjin Baihu and Zi Qinglong were preserved from fifty thousand eons ago, surviving the great cataclysm. After fifty thousand eons, in this very eon, they finally hatched. Thus, they are called prehistoric divine seeds."
Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen were deeply shaken.
Two fetal eggs, undestroyed in the great cataclysm, preserved for fifty thousand eons.
Fifty thousand eons, and they didn't become dead eggs but actually hatched.
This...
Lan Ying, a cosmic divine fetus nurtured over three eons, and the Flower Fairy, who had survived since the Primordial Era, were already rare wonders of the universe. But compared to Zangjin Baihu and Zi Qinglong, they fell short.
These two were likely the only prehistoric divine seeds in existence.
Fulu Divine Venerable continued, "They survived the great cataclysm and may have even absorbed its special power. In the future, they are destined to become supreme overlords of heaven and earth. Yet, they cannot leave the Ancient Divine Nest."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen looked puzzled.
Cannot leave the Ancient Divine Nest?
Fulu Divine Venerable said, "The current era's Heavenly and Earthly Rules are completely different from prehistoric times. Once they leave the Ancient Divine Nest, they will be attacked by the Heavenly and Earthly Rules, drawing divine punishment."
"Thirty thousand years ago, Fengdu Dadi hid them in his Divine Realm World to bring them out of the Ancient Divine Nest and deliver them to the Hell Realm. Even so, they could only stay within the independent worlds of their own natal stars, unable to venture out."
"It took thirty thousand years for them to slowly adapt to the Heavenly and Earthly Rules of this era, no longer being attacked."
"But once they unleash their inner power to a certain degree, the Heavenly and Earthly Rules will detect them again, bringing divine punishment and certain death."
Zhang Ruochen began to understand. Zangjin Baihu and Zi Qinglong were beings incompatible with this era, meant to have died before the great cataclysm.
For example:
In prehistoric times, the Heavenly and Earthly Rules required all life to live in water.
In this era, the rules required life to live on land.
Zangjin Baihu and Zi Qinglong were like two powerful fish living in water. But no matter how strong, a fish on land would still die.
The rules were different.
Even gods could not resist.
Fulu Divine Venerable added, "Moreover, under this era's Heavenly and Earthly Rules, they cannot cultivate."
Yan Wushen asked, "If leaving is so dangerous, why don't they stay in the Ancient Divine Nest?"
Fulu Divine Venerable replied, "As I said, they survived the great cataclysm and may have absorbed its special power, destined to become overlords of the universe. But there is a prerequisite: they must leave the Ancient Divine Nest and integrate into this era. Otherwise, they are like dragons trapped in shallow waters, and their current achievements are their limit."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Can a guide help them solve the problems of being rejected by the Heavenly and Earthly Rules and being unable to cultivate?"
"Exactly."
Fulu Divine Venerable said, "You have fused with the Extreme Burial Gold Qi, and the other with the Extreme Qing Qi, already merging with their power to a preliminary degree. As long as they stay by your side, the Heavenly and Earthly Rules' rejection of them will lessen."
Zhang Ruochen said, "But that only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. It cannot fundamentally change their situation."
Fulu Divine Venerable said, "So, after becoming their guides, you must help them cultivate until they can fully integrate into this era. As a reward, they will protect your lives and teach you prehistoric techniques and knowledge. At the same time, you will establish a close relationship with the Ancient Divine Nest, gaining a powerful backing and background."
The Ancient Divine Nest also housed other beings, all originating from prehistoric times but born in this era, not rejected by the Heavenly and Earthly Rules, able to roam the world.
The fact that the five prehistoric civilization relics still existed, unflattened by the Heavenly Court or the Hell Realm, showed their strength.
Yan Wushen asked, "They are divine beasts, and we are only Great Saints. How exactly do we help them cultivate?"
Fulu Divine Venerable said, "That, you must figure out through mutual communication."
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a long time before asking one last question, "Divine Venerable, I still don't understand one thing. Since being a guide has so many benefits, why choose us, two Hundred-Shackle Realm Great Saints, as guides? Wouldn't it be better to choose someone like you, Divine Venerable, or Fengdu Dadi?"
"It's not that simple."
Fulu Divine Venerable was very patient, speaking slowly, "When you fused with the Extreme Burial Gold Qi, you should know how difficult it was. In thirty thousand years, the Undying Blood Clan has produced countless prodigies, but only you succeeded."
Zhang Ruochen frowned, "Can Divine Venerable and Fengdu Dadi not fuse with the Extreme Burial Gold Qi?"
Fulu Divine Venerable said, "They can, but to fully fuse it with our bodies, even draining Zangjin Baihu dry would not reach saturation. Without full fusion, one cannot become a guide."
"Even if other gods could fully fuse with the Extreme Burial Gold Qi, the amount absorbed would leave Zangjin Baihu weakened for a long time. That's the first reason."
"Second, many gods' growth potential is something Zangjin Baihu looks down upon, unwilling to have them as guides."
"Third, and most importantly, a god's body and Dao are already fixed and formed, which would affect Zangjin Baihu. In contrast, cultivators at the Great Saint realm have a larger pool, making it easier to find the most compatible one."
After hearing this, Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen roughly understood what being a guide entailed.
Fulu Divine Venerable asked, "Zhang Ruochen, do you still refuse to be Zangjin Baihu's guide?"
"No, I am willing to be Zangjin Baihu's guide." Zhang Ruochen said.
Jokingly, from the moment Zangjin Baihu started exposing him, Zhang Ruochen had no choice.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen felt that becoming Zangjin Baihu's guide might indeed be a fallback. If he could no longer stay in the Heavenly Court or the Hell Realm and faced death, he could at least take refuge in the Ancient Divine Nest.
Zangjin Baihu snorted lightly.
It was unclear whether it was dissatisfaction with Zhang Ruochen or pride in his compromise.
Fulu Divine Venerable said, "Since your injuries have healed, it's time to go out. The Heaven Hunting Battlefield ended about an hour ago."
Suddenly, a white light enveloped Zhang Ruochen and Zangjin Baihu. With a whirl of heaven and earth, Zhang Ruochen found his surroundings had changed, and he appeared on the Wujin Square at the foot of Fate Divine Mountain.
Zangjin Baihu's aura was restrained, standing majestically to the side.
Ahead of the square stood the Gate of Destiny, built from tens of thousands of star cores, imposing and awe-inspiring, as if it could pierce through past and present, across the starry sea.
"Look, Zhang Ruochen is back!"
"It really is Zhang Ruochen. He didn't die, and the Sacred Might radiating from him is truly powerful."
...
Countless eyes turned to Zhang Ruochen. Some were overjoyed and excited, others disappointed and frowning.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen bared his muscular upper body, his long hair loose, his pupils edged with a blood-red light. He exuded a strange yet masculine beauty, fatally attractive to female cultivators.
From another direction, Yan Wushen and Zi Qinglong returned to the Yama Clan's camp, also causing a huge stir, surrounded by many cultivators.
Strangely, the divine beasts Zangjin Baihu and Zi Qinglong were overlooked, as if their terrifying power was imperceptible, and they were merely ordinary sacred beasts.
Zhang Ruochen communicated with Zangjin Baihu in his mind, asking, "Can you really only read part of my memories?"
"Yes, your Sea of Consciousness is sealed by many powerful forces. Even I cannot break in. If I tried to force a reading, your Sea of Consciousness would shatter, and you would die." Zangjin Baihu said.
Zhang Ruochen felt a strange connection with Zangjin Baihu, vaguely sensing that it was telling the truth, not deliberately deceiving him.
"Many forces? Besides my mother, Xue Jue War God, and Moon God, are there other gods who have placed sealing chains in my Sea of Consciousness?" Zhang Ruochen frowned.
Zangjin Baihu said, "One seal is extremely powerful. I sense that the one who cast it has stronger spiritual power than me. That seal even blocks your own awareness."
"What do you mean?" Zhang Ruochen's eyes sharpened.
Zangjin Baihu said, "It means there is a memory you don't even know about yourself."
"How is that possible?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Even if a god had cast a spell on Zhang Ruochen, he would at least have some impression. How could he be completely unaware?
Mo Yin was the first to arrive at Zhang Ruochen's side, her eyes fixated on his body with fascination, smiling, "Congratulations, Master, on your improved cultivation."
Zhang Ruochen's expression was grave, and he merely nodded.
Mo Yin said no more, turning into a beam of light that shot into Zhang Ruochen's back.
Then, Feng Hou, Dao Yu Huang, Yi Xuan Great Saint, Gu Chenzi, and others surged forward, asking Zhang Ruochen about the results of the Heaven Hunting Battlefield. More Undying Blood Clan Great Saints rushed forward to pay their respects.
Zhang Ruochen had already taken on the demeanor of a leading figure of the Undying Blood Clan in this era.
Feng Hou and Dao Yu Huang were completely overshadowed, reduced to mere foils.
Before Zhang Ruochen could speak, at the peak of Fate Divine Mountain, the towering Fulu Black Robe High Priest, thousands of feet tall, stepped forward, holding a scroll. He slowly unrolled it and said, "Now, I announce the rankings of the ten clans in the Heaven Hunting Battlefield."
The cultivators of the ten clans all looked solemnly at Fulu Black Robe High Priest, no one daring to speak or discuss.
In truth, only the top four rankings were in suspense.
The Yama Clan and the Undying Blood Clan had fought until the very last moment.
On the natal star of the Underworld Clan, the Underworld Clan and the Rakshasa Clan had clashed fiercely for third place, their scores very close.
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew the final outcome, so he remained calm.
But the entire Hell Realm's cultivators were now tense to the extreme. Many gathered near Fate Divine Mountain held their breath.
Although it was just a ranking, it concerned a clan's honor and vast interests.