# Chapter 2408: Dark Primordial Spirit
The void space was boundless and empty, containing nothing.
Any object from the real world that entered it would be eroded by the power of nothingness, eventually dissipating into formlessness.
Zhang Ruochen's Space True Domain had been eroded by the void force until it was only ten zhang in diameter. Therefore, after killing Yan Wushen, he did not dare stay any longer and prepared to leave.
Just then, he suddenly sensed something and stared with astonished eyes at the spot where Yan Wushen's body had dissipated.
Using his Truth Eye, he finally saw clearly. In the void space, Yan Wushen's two severed body halves had turned into particles, merging with the darkness, yet they had not been voided.
Those particles moved and flowed like wisps of black qi.
The void was actually unable to erode them in a short time.
"Such pure darkness qi, even purer and of higher quality than the power cultivated by Wujiang, the Darkness Controller," Zhang Ruochen said in disbelief.
He had fought Yan Wushen many times and knew the other's power thoroughly. Yan Wushen had cultivated the Path of Darkness and had considerable skill in it, but he was far from reaching Wujiang's level.
So where did this darkness qi come from?
The dark power continued to strengthen, its fluctuation intensity rapidly surpassing the Hundred Shackles Realm, then the Thousand Questions Realm, and even the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm... as if it would never reach its peak.
The momentum forced Zhang Ruochen back repeatedly.
Even the divine projections suspended in the void space showed expressions of disbelief.
"Clatter."
One wisp of darkness qi after another gradually solidified, twisting like braided rope, and finally condensed into Yan Wushen's body.
His long hair stood on end, his gaze fierce and intimidating. His imposing aura was something few cultivators below the divine realm could match. If Yan Huangtu or Wujiang stood before Yan Wushen at this moment, they would surely tremble, as if facing an evil god.
Zhang Ruochen was pushed back eight hundred li by the aura erupting from Yan Wushen's body. He felt that Yan Wushen had become completely different from usual, as if he had entered an evil state, very similar to the Evil Wushen from before.
Yet there were also differences.
He was even more sinister than Evil Wushen.
Zhang Ruochen recalled the Space-Time Secret Scripture, the Mountain-Hiding Demon Mirror, and the Seven Star Ghost Lotus, facing Yan Wushen like a formidable enemy. "It's the aura of Dark Star Number Three. You absorbed the dark power there?"
Yan Wushen was like an evil god descending upon the world, his pupils blood-red, his voice long and drawn out. "Dark power? No, I swallowed the entire Dark Star Number Three."
"Swallowed..."
Zhang Ruochen muttered to himself, his expression extremely grave.
Dark Star Number Three had a diameter of several thousand li, with a density one hundred thousand times that of ordinary iron. Picking up a random stone would weigh over a million jin. Could a Great Saint swallow such a thing?
Calling it a star was an understatement; it was more like a great world, formed from the condensation of hundreds of thousands of stars.
Even divine beasts roaming the cosmos could not swallow it.
In a corner of the void space, the Swastika Azure Dragon coiled its body, its scales emitting azure mist. It spoke with slight smugness, "Zhang Ruochen is very powerful, but it's a pity he was born in the same era as Yan Wushen. He is destined to become Yan Wushen's stepping stone to the pinnacle of the universe. Tiger, after Zhang Ruochen dies, why don't you make him a guide too?"
Zangjin Baihu stood atop a patch of golden light the size of a lake. "Isn't it too early to say such things now?"
The Swastika Azure Dragon shook its dragon head. "Dark Star Number Three, though only medium-small among dark stars with a diameter of several thousand li, is extremely ancient. The dark power within it gave birth to intelligence, creating a Dark Primordial Spirit."
"That Dark Primordial Spirit devoured the Stone Clan Great Saint, Blue Marrow True Lord, who had entered Dark Star Number Three to cultivate. It seized a trace of Blue Marrow True Lord's consciousness, learned the methods of cultivation, and reached a cultivation level comparable to a Supreme Realm Great Saint."
"When Yan Wushen was cultivating inside Dark Star Number Three, the Dark Primordial Spirit pursued him for decades, nearly devouring his sacred soul and physical body, attempting to possess him."
"Unfortunately, the oppression of the Dark Primordial Spirit instead allowed Yan Wushen to fuse a fifth type of Sacred Intent, bringing his Six Paths Reincarnation Sacred Intent nearly to perfection. He turned around and suppressed the Dark Primordial Spirit into the Six Paths Reincarnation, using his Half-Buddha Body to imprison it."
"After decades of refinement and purification, the Dark Primordial Spirit was almost completely absorbed by Yan Wushen, becoming part of his body and sacred soul."
"When fusing the fifth type of Sacred Intent, cosmic anomalies appeared. Yan Wushen resonated with the rules of heaven and earth, his lifespan increasing against all odds, creating a miracle unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated. Dark Star Number Three has been integrated into Yan Wushen's Qi Sea. His physical body and the dark star have become one, inseparable."
"If he activates the power of Dark Star Number Three and the Dark Primordial Spirit, Yan Wushen can even contend with Supreme Realm Great Saints. How could Zhang Ruochen possibly defeat him?"
Zangjin Baihu remained calm, smiling. "With a Hundred Shackles Realm cultivation, activating power at the Supreme Realm Great Saint level, even if Yan Wushen kills Zhang Ruochen, he will die himself."
"Not necessarily. Yan Wushen has a Half-Buddha Body and powerful spiritual power. He can withstand power at the Supreme Realm Great Saint level," the Swastika Azure Dragon said.
Zangjin Baihu said, "Insufficient realm is like a naive child wielding a world-destroying war weapon. Even if he can kill the enemy, he will hurt himself. In the end, everyone will die without a burial place."
This time, the Swastika Azure Dragon did not argue with Zangjin Baihu. "This is their life-and-death battle. Yan Wushen has reached the point where he must use the power of the dark star."
More and more gods received the news.
Some of them, interested in Yan Wushen and Zhang Ruochen, descended divine projections or divine avatars to watch the battle.
Xue Hou's true divine body appeared not far from Xue Jue War God, her eyes showing concern.
Any god could see that Yan Wushen had absorbed the Dark Primordial Spirit and was carrying a dark star within his body.
"This battle is no longer in doubt. As long as the gods of the Blood Absolute Family don't interfere, Zhang Ruochen will surely die," Ghost Lord said, looking at the solemn-faced Xue Jue War God, a delighted smile on his face.
Zhang Ruochen's death would be a heavy blow to the Blood Absolute Family.
Having just won the Heaven Hunting Battle, Xue Jue War God was receiving congratulations from all sides. Everyone could see that the Blood Absolute Family had produced geniuses for three generations, a sign of great prosperity. After several epochs, they would likely dominate the Undying Blood Clan and shake the entire Hell Realm.
Not only within the Blood Heaven Tribe and the Undying Blood Clan, but even forces from other clans had sent congratulatory gifts, proactively showing goodwill.
As one of the biggest losers in the Heaven Hunting Battle, Ghost Lord was naturally jealous.
Now, only half a month later, the Blood Absolute Family's prized son Zhang Ruochen was about to fall. How could Ghost Lord not be delighted?
Green Deer God King nodded, slightly relieved. "The Green Deer Divine Temple has already formed enmity with the Blood Absolute Family. Fortunately, Zhang Ruochen will die at Yan Wushen's hands. Otherwise, the Green Deer Divine Temple's days ahead would be very difficult."
Once Zhang Ruochen reached the Great Perfection of the Hundred Shackles Realm and broke all the shackles in his body, he could fully unleash the power of his Demi-God Body. In a situation where gods could not interfere in mortal affairs, only a handful of people in the Green Deer Divine Temple could suppress Zhang Ruochen.
When Zhang Ruochen reached the Thousand Questions Realm and the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm, mastering the power of his Demi-God Body more perfectly, combined with his cultivation realm, he would be even more invincible below the divine realm.
If gods did not act, Zhang Ruochen would sweep through the Hell Realm.
If gods did act, Xue Jue War God, Emperor Luo Yan, and Fortune God Venerable would come knocking together. Who could withstand that?
Green Deer God King placed great importance on cultivating the younger generation, so he was very worried about that day. After all, when Zhang Ruochen was in the Saint King Realm, he had nearly wiped out an entire generation of the Paradise Realm.
Green Deer God King transmitted to Ghost Lord, "Zhang Ruochen is about to fall. The gods of the Blood Absolute Family will likely try to stop it."
Ghost Lord smiled cruelly. "With the two of us here, how could we give them a chance to interfere? Since this is a life-and-death duel, naturally, life and death must be decided."
Source Heaven Lord of the Death Clan descended into the void space, accompanied by three Great Saints—his children: Source Demon God Son, Source Fei Great Saint, and Source Shu True Emperor.
Source Demon God Son was his seventh son.
Source Fei Great Saint was his sixth son.
Both were proud talents of their generation, renowned in their era, with the potential to become gods. Source Heaven Lord had invested heavily in their cultivation, considering them his pride.
But Source Heaven Lord valued his fourth daughter, Source Shu, the most.
Source Shu was not much older than Source Fei Great Saint, born less than two thousand years ago. She was the first child Source Heaven Lord had after surviving the Eon Calamity. Her cultivated Sacred Intent had reached the peak of Third-Rank Sacred Intent, and her cultivation had broken through to the Supreme Realm.
Barring accidents, Source Shu would surely become a god before ten thousand years of age.
Thus, Source Shu was titled True Emperor, managing all affairs under Source Heaven Lord, ruling over a starry sky.
Though Source Shu True Emperor was of the Death Clan, she had no deathly aura. Instead, she was lively and beautiful, with snow-white translucent skin and a blazing sacred light, exuding the aura of a female emperor ruling the world.
Source Demon God Son and Source Fei Great Saint stood before Source Heaven Lord with considerable awe, not standing straight.
But Source Shu True Emperor had a firm heart, showing no weakness in her mental state. Her gaze was vast yet sharp.
Source Heaven Lord sighed deeply. "Even a Supreme Realm Dark Primordial Spirit can be devoured and fused. Not just this epoch, but in the past several epochs, no such genius has emerged. Within a thousand years, Yan Wushen will surely become a god. Source Shu, would you be willing to marry him?"
Source Demon God Son and Source Fei Great Saint were shocked. Their father god valued Source Shu so much, treating her as his successor, yet to win over Yan Wushen, he was willing to marry her off.
Source Fei Great Saint bowed. "Father God, Sister Source Shu also has the potential to become a god, and she might even become a god before Yan Wushen. Why force her to marry a man she doesn't love? Besides, Bore was betrothed by the God Venerable and would be the primary wife. If Sister Source Shu marries him, her position would be very awkward."
Source Demon God Son followed, "Sister has reached the Supreme Realm, a top-tier existence below the divine realm. Yan Wushen is only at the Hundred Shackles Realm. We can consider this matter after Yan Wushen becomes a god."
Source Heaven Lord snorted heavily. "Your vision is too short-sighted. You have no understanding of the divine realm world. Many forces, to accomplish one thing, will lay plans hundreds of thousands or even millions of years in advance. Now, laying plans around Yan Wushen, I feel it's already somewhat late! Fortune God Venerable is truly formidable, arranging marriages for Yan Wushen and Zhang Ruochen right after the Heaven Hunting Battle ended."
"By the time Yan Wushen becomes a god, if Source Shu wants to marry him, he might not even look at her anymore!"
Source Fei Great Saint never imagined that his father god valued Yan Wushen to such an extent. No wonder the life-and-death duel between two Great Saints like Yan Wushen and Zhang Ruochen could attract so many gods to watch.
Not to mention someone like him, Source Fei Great Saint, even Wujiang and Yan Huangtu were far from having such weight.
Was it because of condensing a Second-Rank Sacred Intent?
Suddenly, Source Heaven Lord spoke meaningfully, "Yan Wushen might very well open a precedent and condense a First-Rank Sacred Intent. After becoming a god, no one knows how terrifying a height he will reach. Even God Venerables and God Kings might be trampled under his feet. A son should be like Yan Wushen!"
A light flashed in Source Shu True Emperor's eyes. "Yan Wushen is indeed unparalleled, with overwhelming luck, rare in ancient and modern times. Marrying him would not be a grievance. But defeating Zhang Ruochen will not be easy."
Source Heaven Lord showed surprise. "Shu'er actually thinks Zhang Ruochen can resist the power of a dark star?"
Source Shu True Emperor gazed at the two figures in the distant void space. "If it were any other Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saint, they would have already fled in terror from the momentum Yan Wushen is releasing. But Zhang Ruochen hasn't fled. Instead, his battle intent has grown stronger!"
"Could he be scared stupid?" Source Demon God Son said.
Source Shu True Emperor said, "If you think that, then you are the fool. I think Zhang Ruochen definitely has trump cards he hasn't used yet. He should still have the strength to fight. I'm somewhat looking forward to it—who will be king in this epoch?"
...
Yan Wushen's physical body reassembled, his momentum vast and unparalleled. He even repelled the constantly encroaching void force, the dark power erupting from his body covering ten thousand li.
"Six Paths Reincarnation, Life and Death Indestructible."
Yan Wushen raised his hands slightly, and the dark power condensed into a palm above his head, pressing down toward Zhang Ruochen.
This palm contained the power of the dark star, embodying the true essence of the Six Paths Reincarnation Sacred Intent. Though it did not reach the level of a Supreme Realm Great Saint's strike, its power was still terrifying, far surpassing Yan Wushen's own strength.
Zhang Ruochen stood in the darkness, feeling as if heaven and earth were pressing in on him from all sides, with walls everywhere, each side unleashing power more than ten times stronger than Yan Wushen's previous attacks.
"Yin-Yang Five Elements, Heaven and Earth Rotation, Endless Generation."
Zhang Ruochen unleashed all his war treasures, pouring out every bit of his power, and activated the Yin-Yang Five Elements Sacred Intent, forming a Taiji Seal suspended above his head.
"Bang bang."
One Supreme Sacred Artifact after another was sent flying. The Space True Domain, Truth Realm Form, and Virtual Time Domain were all pierced through.
The dark great hand and the Taiji Seal collided.
Zhang Ruochen let out a long roar, controlling his Sacred Intent, absorbing the dark power surging from the great hand with all his might. But that great hand was like a deep dark ocean, impossible to exhaust.
Like tearing through a sheet of paper, the dark great hand pierced through the Taiji Seal and struck Zhang Ruochen's body.
"It's all over."
Ghost Lord smiled, his mood extremely pleased.
Green Deer God King said, "The Yin-Yang Five Elements Sacred Intent Zhang Ruochen cultivated is not weaker than Yan Wushen's Six Paths Reincarnation Sacred Intent. But Yan Wushen can control the power of the dark star and has fused with a Supreme Realm Dark Primordial Spirit. His power is far beyond what Zhang Ruochen can withstand... What! He actually blocked it!"
All the gods who had descended here were greatly shocked.
They saw Zhang Ruochen, his whole body burning with flames, his arms holding up that dark great hand. Then, a beam of light shot from his brow, shattering the dark great hand into pieces, causing it to dissipate into nothingness.
"What is a dark star? My grandson has a great world inside him. Mobilizing the power of a world, as long as no Supreme Realm Great Saint appears, who can fight him?" Xue Jue War God snorted.
Just now, Xue Jue War God had unsealed the Qiankun Realm, allowing Zhang Ruochen to enter his strongest state, no longer suppressed in any way, able to fully mobilize all the power he possessed.
Whether on the Merit Battlefield or the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, Zhang Ruochen had never used the power of the Qiankun Realm.
In truth, the Qiankun Realm was part of Zhang Ruochen's body and did not count as external power.