Chapter 2463: Luo Sha Has Arrived
Time flew by, and another half month passed.
With the sundial activated, that meant fifteen years.
In a spirit apricot courtyard located in the northwest section of the Divine Maiden City's City Lord Mansion, Zhang Ruochen pushed open the door and stepped out. Sunlight fell upon his face, warm and pleasant, and his mood was indescribably comfortable.
On this icy planet, sunlight was a luxury, visible only for about ten days out of the entire year.
After fifteen years of seclusion in cultivation, he had broken ninety-nine shackles within his body.
Only the final "Thought-Desire Shackle" remained. Once he broke it, Zhang Ruochen would step into the Great Perfection of the Hundred Shackles Realm. At that time, his demigod body would no longer be bound by any restrictions. Divine power would surge, blood energy would shake the heavens, and his cultivation and strength would surely enter a brand new realm.
The injuries to his Sacred Source had fully recovered.
Only his Qi Sea remained unhealed, still unable to withstand the impact of the power of an entire world like the Qiankun Realm. To mobilize the power of the world and deal with the Seven-Handed Old Man, he would have to wait a little longer.
The Thought-Desire Shackle was located within the Sacred Soul, connected to consciousness, and often represented a cultivator's obsession or desire.
Zhang Ruochen had attempted to break the Thought-Desire Shackle, but his mind was flooded with distracting thoughts, illusions appeared frequently, and even his inner demons began to stir restlessly. In the end, his father the Ming Emperor, Qing Di, Chi Yao, Chi Kongle, Chi Kunlun, Manjian Dasheng, Huang Yanchen, the Heavenly Beginning Celestial Maiden... and many others, all appeared one after another, magnifying his seven emotions and six desires infinitely. Sometimes he laughed uncontrollably, sometimes tears streamed down his face, showing signs of qi deviation.
Zhang Ruochen had no choice but to withdraw his thoughts and temporarily give up on breaking the Thought-Desire Shackle.
Although it was very difficult to break through this final barrier on his own, Zhang Ruochen had received a quasi-emperor-grade sacred pill, the "Thought-Desire Pill," bestowed by the Undying Divine Temple, which could help him forcefully break through.
However, the energy of the Thought-Desire Pill was too strong, and Zhang Ruochen's injuries had not yet fully healed, so he had not taken it directly.
"Wait a little longer. Once my Qi Sea heals a bit more, it won't be too late to take the Thought-Desire Pill."
Being only one step away from the Great Perfection of the Hundred Shackles Realm, Zhang Ruochen's heart had instead become calmer, no longer so impatient.
In the twenty years of cultivation with the sundial activated, Zhang Ruochen's cultivation base, sacred arts, spiritual power, and even his understanding of Sacred Will had all made significant progress. He did not seek to reach the sky in a single step, but only to take one step at a time, steady and solid, not disgracing the name of an Eon-level genius.
"Master Xunmu, what makes you so happy?" Ji Wenwu walked into the small courtyard and asked.
Master Xunmu was not a Great Saint, so he was not yet qualified to reside in the Divine Vein Cave Heaven opened by the Goddess Twelve Pavilions. He could only live in this small courtyard with Ji Wenwu.
Zhang Ruochen looked up at the sky, stroking his beard, and said, "Having received the sacred medicine bestowed by the Goddess Twelve Pavilions, this old man's spiritual power has broken through, reaching the fifty-ninth rank. Naturally, I am very happy. It seems that achieving the Great Saint Realm in this lifetime is within reach."
Ji Wenwu was greatly surprised. "You broke through so quickly?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Perhaps it's because the bitter cultivation of over a thousand years before accumulated deeply enough. Now, with the aid of sacred medicine, my spiritual power naturally advances by leaps and bounds."
"This is a great joyous occasion. How about we go to the Divine Maiden Tower to celebrate?" Ji Wenwu suggested.
Zhang Ruochen was about to refuse when his mind suddenly shifted. He thought that half a month had already passed, and he didn't know the current situation in Divine Maiden City. It would be good to go out and move around, and incidentally gather some information.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen hesitate, Ji Wenwu immediately understood and smiled. "My treat."
Zhang Ruochen's aged face relaxed, and he readily agreed. "Alright! It's settled then!"
As a cultivator under the Goddess Twelve Pavilions and a strong Saint King, entering the Divine Maiden Tower naturally came with great discounts.
That night, Ji Wenwu, familiar with the place, found twelve young and beautiful women to accompany them, and also introduced Zhang Ruochen to several Nine-Step Saint King level Saint Army strongmen.
The meal was a pleasant conversation for all.
After eating and drinking their fill, Ji Wenwu and those Saint Army strongmen each took two women and went to the rear hall chambers.
Zhang Ruochen claimed to be old and uninterested in women, so he did not join them in their debauchery.
He walked out of the courtyard, holding his divine envoy wooden staff, standing by the lake. Facing the bright lights on the opposite shore, he listened to the pleasant sounds of song and dance, watching the people coming and going.
How many cultivators knew that behind the laughter, song, wine, and lust, there lurked infinite killing intent?
Zhang Ruochen secretly released his spiritual power, carefully probing and sensing the various conversations of the passersby.
"The Divine Maiden Tower has gathered quite a number of Great Saint-level experts. All the major forces are determined to get the Origin Divine Temple, and they've all come to Ice King Star. Eh? Why is it her?"
Zhang Ruochen suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on one of the lotus-shaped palace buildings. He pondered for a moment, then turned into a shadowy figure and flashed over.
...
Luo Sha wore a long robe, tied with a blue belt, with black edges on her collar and cuffs. She had a headband, red lips, and white teeth, her hands clasped behind her back, exuding the charm of a handsome young man.
Behind her followed two cultivators, each three meters tall, clad in thick armor, their true faces hidden.
However, as the two armored cultivators walked down the corridor, the aura they emitted caused the passing maids to tremble and immediately kneel to the ground.
"You two wait outside."
Instructing the two armored cultivators, Luo Sha pushed open the door and entered the palace building.
The lotus-shaped palace building had a vast interior space, capable of accommodating a thousand people without issue. Eight stunning Saint Realm women were dancing gracefully on a circular stage, their movements beautiful, their figures exquisite, extremely pleasing to the eye. They were several grades higher than the women Ji Wenwu and the others had taken away.
Another woman in red, her beauty ten times greater than the eight dancers, held a pipa, standing alone like a red lotus on a lake. Her jade-like fingers plucked the strings, producing a moving melody.
It was an ancient tune, created by a deity, capable of touching a person's heart, evoking emotions and leading one into a wondrous state of emotional fusion. Only those who had reached an extraordinary level in the art of music could play it.
As soon as Luo Sha entered the palace building, a series of shouts of reprimand immediately sounded inside.
However, when those reprimanding Saint Guards saw the figure who had entered, they immediately fell silent, clasped their fists, bowed their bodies, and dared not speak further.
Luo Shengtian, who was sitting cross-legged above, had a flash of surprise in his eyes. He quickly waved his hand, signaling the dancing women to immediately withdraw.
The sound of the pipa stopped.
The woman in red's gaze fell upon Luo Sha.
Luo Sha stared at her for a long time before looking at Luo Shengtian, who had regained his composure, and said, "Imperial Brother has quite the refined taste. The way you are, it doesn't look like you came to Ice King Star to handle serious matters."
Luo Shengtian forcibly concealed the anxiety in his heart, putting on a stern face. "Sha'er, why have you come to Ice King Star? Weren't you in seclusion?"
Luo Sha's eyes were cold. "Have them all withdraw."
Luo Shengtian waved his hand.
The eight Saint Realm dancers, as if granted amnesty, quickly walked out of the palace building.
The woman in red holding the pipa was about to leave when Luo Sha's gaze returned to her. "Miss Shang Xia is a top-tier Great Saint of the Goddess Twelve Pavilions and the flower my imperial brother has chosen. She is not an outsider and may stay."
"This young woman is called Yipinhong. I do not know any Shang Xia. Your Highness the Princess must have mistaken me for someone else," the woman in red said, gently and elegantly bowing to Luo Sha.
Luo Shengtian said, "Sha'er, don't cause trouble."
Luo Sha gave a light smile. "Imperial Brother, I wonder if Senior Sister Qingli knows about this red-faced confidante of yours from the Goddess Twelve Pavilions?"
Luo Shengtian's expression changed slightly. He signaled to the woman in red. "You may withdraw first."
"Farewell."
The woman in red walked gracefully, her figure lithe, and went out, closing the palace door behind her.
Her gaze swept over the armored cultivators standing on either side of the door, then she hugged her pipa and disappeared into the night.
A moment later.
The woman in red arrived outside Bai Qinger's residence, bowed, and said, "Master, Luo Sha has arrived at Ice King Star and has also seen through my identity."
Bai Qinger's voice came from inside the room. "The Tianluo Divine Kingdom has immense power, and Heavenly Sound Divine Mother was once the Fate Divine Maiden. It was only a matter of time before your identity was exposed. But you must ensure that the Divine Prince has indeed developed feelings for you."
"Disciple understands!" the woman in red said. "Two Han Sha Iron Emperors came with Luo Sha."
"Oh!"
Bai Qinger opened the wooden door, wearing a simple white robe, and walked into the snow-covered courtyard. "The Tianluo Divine Kingdom is the number one divine kingdom of the Rakshasa Clan, with many gods standing tall. It cannot be underestimated."
"The Han Sha Iron Emperors are Luo Yan Great Emperor's personal imperial guards. They bathe in divine energy all year round, sensing the mysteries of divine rules. They are top-tier experts below the divine realm."
"As for Luo Sha, she is said to have been exceptionally talented and brilliant since childhood. Even in the Saint Realm, she could lead millions of Saint Army to attack a major world, showing even greater strategic brilliance than her imperial brother."
The woman in red said with some worry, "Since the Tianluo Divine Kingdom has sent Princess Luo Sha with two Han Sha Iron Emperors, other forces will likely dispatch strong experts to Ice King Star soon. If the major forces join forces to apply pressure, Night Tower Master will probably not be able to hold out. And Zhang Ruochen has disappeared without a trace, likely having already escaped Divine Maiden City. The situation will become increasingly unfavorable for us."
"No! Zhang Ruochen has definitely not escaped Divine Maiden City."
Bai Qinger pondered for a moment. "Danghu."
"Old servant is here."
A white-haired old woman emerged from the shadows, her figure gaunt, her hair disheveled, but her eyes exceptionally sharp, with countless rules interweaving in her pupils. She was a powerful Great Saint.
Bai Qinger said, "Your stealth techniques are extraordinary, capable of evading Supreme Realm Great Saints. Follow Luo Sha secretly; you might find the hidden Zhang Ruochen."
"Rustle."
The white-haired old woman soared into the air, transforming into a black strange bird, and flew towards the lotus-shaped palace building.
The woman in red said, "Divine Maiden City has been sealed for twenty days. The number of cultivators in the city is increasing, and Great Saint-level conflicts often break out. If this continues, the day the city is destroyed is not far off."
Bai Qinger said, "No need to worry. The Minister of Works of the Heavenly Fate Department is carrying the divine artifact, the Celestial Pivot Needle, and is already on his way to Ice King Star. I have an open scheme that will surely force Zhang Ruochen to reveal himself."
...
About a quarter of an hour later, Luo Sha walked out of the palace building, led the two Han Sha Iron Emperors, left the Divine Maiden Tower, and boarded a luxurious sacred carriage.
Zhang Ruochen restrained his aura, concealed his form, and quietly followed.
The sacred carriage traveled three streets before turning into a sacred mansion.
Luo Sha's tall figure stepped down from the sacred carriage, standing on the white snow. Her gaze seemed to glance behind her, a slight smile curling at the corner of her mouth before she walked into the room.
The moment she entered the room, she flicked a wisp of flame from her fingertip, lighting the lamp hanging on the wall.
There, sitting in the room, was an old figure.
It was Zhang Ruochen in the guise of Master Xunmu.
Luo Sha was not surprised at all. She stared at him for a long while, then frowned slightly, saying with disgust, "Better change back to your original appearance quickly. This look is too ugly!"
"Everyone grows old; everyone becomes ugly. Does Your Highness the Princess care so much about external appearance?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Luo Sha smiled seductively, boldly throwing her delicate body into Zhang Ruochen's arms. "Of course I care. To tell you the truth, from the very beginning, this princess was attracted to your looks. Don't you like women with beautiful faces and good figures? Would you prefer an old lady?"
With the warm, fragrant, soft jade in his arms, Zhang Ruochen's mouth twitched a couple of times. He maintained a stern expression. "What about Lingxi? Has she come to Ice King Star as well?"
Luo Sha wrapped her jade-like arms around Zhang Ruochen's neck. "Change back to your original appearance, and I'll tell you."
Zhang Ruochen had no choice. His form and features quickly changed, returning to his true appearance—clear brows, handsome eyes, young and beautiful.
Luo Sha stared at the contours of Zhang Ruochen's face, her delicate nose sniffing lightly. "I smell Jingjing's unique fragrance on you. Have you been with her?"
Zhang Ruochen's heart skipped a beat, and he was quite startled.
What worried him was not Luo Sha's misunderstanding.
Rather, if Luo Sha could smell Gu Shejing's unique fragrance, other cultivators could certainly detect it too. It was fortunate that he had walked out of the Divine Maiden Tower so openly and still managed to come out alive.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Is there residual fragrance? I clearly cleaned off the scent before I left."
Luo Sha pressed a palm against Zhang Ruochen's chest, her soft, delicate body flying backward like a gust of wind, landing upright in the room. She snorted, "Men are indeed no good. As soon as they are let out, they go around flirting with flowers and grass. I only tested you with one sentence, and you exposed yourself!"
Zhang Ruochen breathed a slight sigh of relief, realizing that there was no flaw in the scent. He said calmly, "My relationship with Gu Shejing is purely cooperative."
"Who knows? With the great reputation of an Eon-level genius, I'm sure many stunning women are throwing themselves at you. This princess doesn't mind; I'm quite open-minded. If a man doesn't have the charm to attract bees and butterflies, how could he possibly win this princess's heart? But Miss Lingxi would probably be very disappointed in you." Luo Sha sighed softly.
Zhang Ruochen stood up abruptly. "Where is she?"
"I won't tell you, unless you first tell me where Jingjing is," Luo Sha said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The City Lord's Mansion of Divine Maiden City."
"Not bad, hiding there. Good place." Luo Sha praised with a smile.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Answer my question."
"I won't, unless you answer another question of mine first." Luo Sha tilted her snow-white neck, looking as if she was determined to oppose Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Don't push your luck."
"This princess likes to push her luck, and I also like to see you looking helpless." Luo Sha felt the temperature in the room drop sharply, realizing that she might have angered Zhang Ruochen, so she decided to stop while she was ahead. "Last question, really the last question."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Speak."
"Where is the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal?" Luo Sha stared into Zhang Ruochen's eyes and asked.