Chapter 2473: Storming the Divine Maiden Tower
On the highest observation platform within the Divine Maiden Tower, the leaders of over a dozen top-tier forces from the Hell Realm had gathered.
Ling, Luo Sheng Tian, Gu She Jing, Huo Xing, Zhuo Yu Nong, Yan Huang Tu… all were present, each a figure of immense prestige with formidable power and background.
At this moment, they gazed into the sky, observing the sea of blood and divine light that filled the heavens.
The arrival of the Minister of Works from the Heavenly Fate Bureau on Ice King Star, coinciding with Ice Emperor's emergence from seclusion, was no coincidence. Could it be that activating the divine artifact had offended the elder?
As the number one expert of the Destiny Temple, Zhuo Yu Nong remained remarkably composed.
Divine beings could not interfere in mortal affairs. Even if Ice Emperor had emerged from seclusion, it would not change Zhang Ruochen's fate.
Moreover, given Ice Emperor's cultivation level, watching them was likely akin to observing children at play—how could he possibly intervene?
Ye Man Man, the mistress of the Divine Maiden Tower, was a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her twenties. Her jade-like back was bare, adorned with a pair of broad, luminous wings. Though her exterior exuded boundless charm, her eyes were deep and restrained. Her true age exceeded ten thousand years.
She arranged a line of maids to place various rare soul foods, sacred fruits, sacred meats, and blood wine onto the tables.
"Since Ice Emperor has emerged from seclusion, today's matter should not escalate too far, and it certainly should not be tainted with bloodshed. Man Man believes that as long as Zhang Ruochen hands over Seven-Hand Old Man and the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal, he should be allowed to leave," Ye Man Man said softly.
"Allow him to leave? He and Seven-Hand Old Man disrupted the order of the Fate Divine Domain, killed Xing Qian and Cang Bai Zi, and committed such grave offenses—how can he be forgiven? Arbiter, do you think forgiveness is possible?"
After Yuan Ben Ji finished speaking, he slightly cupped his hands and looked toward Zhuo Yu Nong, who had remained silent with closed eyes.
"If all of this truly was his doing, the Arbitration Division will not show leniency. Upon returning to the Destiny Temple, I will go and apologize to the Fortune and Blessing God Venerable," Zhuo Yu Nong said.
A smile of "as it should be" appeared on Yuan Ben Ji's face.
He was well aware that the Arbitration Division had always regarded Zhang Ruochen as a heretic, eager to eliminate him. However, due to the protection of Xue Jue War God, the Fortune and Blessing God Venerable, and Emperor Luo Yan, they could not kill him without just cause—they needed a legitimate reason.
Luo Sheng Tian let out a cold snort: "To convict the number one in the Heaven Hunting Battle based solely on the one-sided words of a woman from the Goddess Twelve Pavilions—you show far too little regard for the Blood Absolute Family and the Tian Luo Divine Kingdom."
Yuan Ben Ji was unafraid of Luo Sheng Tian's status, sneering, "Is the Divine Prince trying to tie the Tian Luo Divine Kingdom to Zhang Ruochen? Could it be that Zhang Ruochen's actions were secretly orchestrated and supported by the Tian Luo Divine Kingdom? Has the Divine Prince already obtained a top-grade Origin Divine Crystal?"
Luo Sheng Tian was enraged, divine light surging from his eyes. "You had better watch your words, or even your elder brother won't be able to save your life."
"Everyone heard that—the Divine Prince wants to kill me. If anything happens to me, it will surely be the Tian Luo Divine Kingdom's doing," Yuan Ben Ji said with a laugh.
Luo Sheng Tian trembled with anger, ready to strike.
Yan Han Yi stopped him, lowering his voice: "Although Yuan Ben Ji dares to disregard your status as Divine Prince only because of his elder brother, his own cultivation is extremely powerful. You have only recently broken through to the Thousand Questions Realm, so do not act rashly."
Ling said, "What is the point of all this arguing? Once the Minister of Works arrives and activates the Celestial Pivot Needle to capture Zhang Ruochen, everything will become clear."
"Exactly. Whether Seven-Hand Old Man and the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal are with Zhang Ruochen will be known once he is taken. Haha!"
Yuan Ben Ji raised an ancient bronze cup, gestured toward Luo Sheng Tian, and took a sip of Yin Soul Spring.
…
Bai Qinger sat in a palace not far from the observation platform, playing a game of Go with Shang Guan Que. "Teacher's skill in Go is admirable, and Qinger is impressed. I wonder, have you passed this skill on to Zhang Ruochen?"
The Go board was set beneath a large willow tree.
The snowflakes falling from the sky melted upon approaching the willow, turning into wisps of white mist.
Shang Guan Que said, "Ruochen learns everything as quickly as you do, but he has never liked Go. He says the game is too tedious, with too many schemes weighing on the mind—only those with deep cunning would study it."
"Then trouble arises. How will he break this dead end today?" Bai Qinger asked.
Shang Guan Que held a black stone, intending to place it, but upon hearing this, his hand paused, and he returned the stone to the box. He said, "For someone who does not like Go, there is actually a way to break a dead end."
Bai Qinger smiled faintly: "Please, teacher, enlighten me."
"Bang!"
Shang Guan Que struck down with his hand, splitting the Go board in two.
Black and white stones scattered across the ground.
"One who does not like Go simply overturns the board," Shang Guan Que said.
Bai Qinger remained calm, rising to her feet. Beneath the willow tree, she outlined an exquisitely graceful figure, her gaze turning toward the suddenly noisy observation platform, where something unbelievable seemed to have occurred.
Had the Minister of Works from the Heavenly Fate Bureau arrived?
"That is… Zhang Ruochen. He has actually appeared of his own accord."
Ye Man Man gazed into the distance at the snow-covered white street. Zhang Ruochen, accompanied by a large bird as tall as a person, walked down the center of the street toward the Divine Maiden Tower. Wherever they passed, gale-force winds arose, howling fiercely.
Cultivators from various major forces all turned to look, finding it hard to believe.
"This kid truly does not know how to spell 'death,'" Luo Sheng Tian thought with worry, fully aware of everyone's greed for the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal and the Arbitration Division's determination to kill him.
Gu She Jing shook her head gently, her brow furrowed.
She had thought Zhang Ruochen would surely use the Way of Space to forcibly break through the Divine Maiden City's formations and escape, which would give him a slim chance. Yet, she never expected him to be so bold as to head straight for the Divine Maiden Tower.
Did he think his special status would prevent them from killing him?
What was to be done now?
Though she wished to secretly help, she dared not act recklessly. No cultivator would risk defying over a dozen top-tier forces.
Yuan Ben Ji stood up in disbelief, excitement on his face.
Huo Xing, from the Hidden Bone Sea, spoke in a sinister tone: "What strange bird is that beside him? An eagle?"
"It is an owl, calling itself the Emperor of Slaughtering Heaven and Destroying Earth, with considerable cultivation," Ye Man Man said.
Huo Xing let out a disdainful laugh. "The stronger, the better. It will make for a good roast."
Not only the cultivators in the Divine Maiden Tower saw Zhang Ruochen.
In Divine Maiden City, some forces unaware of the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal's emergence, who had come purely to gather information, were also stirred.
Bai Qinger was silent for a moment, then said, "Zhang Ruochen's move is somewhat unexpected. His courage surpasses that of ordinary cultivators. Unfortunately, his cultivation is too weak—far from enough to overturn the board. The strong can break the game with power. For the weak to do so is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
Shang Guan Que let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.
…
Xiao Hei walked beside Zhang Ruochen, his body swaying, wind force spilling outward, giving off a domineering and unrestrained demeanor.
"Can you hold back the wind force?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"No. This is this emperor's first true major battle since recovering my cultivation. I must make a grand entrance. If not for Ice Emperor's seclusion breaking, shrouding the sky in blood mist, I would have created some celestial phenomena," Xiao Hei insisted stubbornly.
Zhang Ruochen found it hard to imagine that this was an ancient monster who had lived for over a hundred thousand years. His personality was second to none.
Where was the slightest hint of steadiness?
Xiao Hei added, "This emperor is still curious—why go to the Divine Maiden Tower to see those people instead of just fighting our way out of Divine Maiden City?"
"For Bai Qinger," Zhang Ruochen said.
Xiao Hei shook his head. "You want to confront her? It's useless. Among those forces, most are your enemies. But few are hers. Besides, much of what Xiao Bai says is factual and well-reasoned. What you say, however, is hard to explain in many places. If it were this emperor, this emperor would believe her too."
"I don't ask them to believe me. I just want to remind them, in this way, to be wary of Bai Qinger. It's also a deliberate misdirection to make it harder for them to discern the truth."
Zhang Ruochen continued, "If I just fight my way out, even if I escape, I will face endless pursuit, and it will solidify the claim that I have the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal. But by meeting them, I can sow doubt in their minds. From now on, they won't ignore Bai Qinger. With them keeping her in check, things will be easier for me. This trip is necessary."
Unimpeded, Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei entered the Divine Maiden Tower and flew up to the observation platform.
All eyes turned to Zhang Ruochen. Some cultivators even drew their sacred artifacts, ready to act.
Every Great Saint present had cultivation far surpassing Zhang Ruochen's.
Yet, under the pressure of their saintly might, Zhang Ruochen remained composed. He picked up a sacred fruit from the table, took a bite, and said with a hearty laugh, "I heard that cultivators from the Goddess Twelve Pavilions have falsely accused me of stealing the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal. Is there anyone here bold enough to confront me face to face?"
Seeing Zhang Ruochen's lack of presence, Xiao Hei roared beside him, "Confront face to face!"
Zhang Ruochen added, "You all seem surprised to see me? No need for surprise. I, Zhang Ruochen, have walked through blood and storms. I have seen every kind of scene. Some clowns jumping around do not frighten me."
Xiao Hei roared, "Do not frighten me!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Bai Qinger, I am here. Why do you not show yourself?"
Xiao Hei roared, "Why do you not show yourself?"
Yuan Ben Ji let out a cold snort, stepping out from the crowd. Deathly energy spread around him like thread patterns. "Zhang Ruochen, you have been hiding like a turtle for so long. Finally, you dare to come out? It seems you know the Minister of Works from the Heavenly Fate Bureau has arrived on Ice King Star."
Zhang Ruochen stared at him. "Who are you? State your name."
Xiao Hei roared, "State your name."
"Yuan Ben Ji."
Yuan Ben Ji clasped his hands behind his back, not looking directly at Zhang Ruochen, instead gazing obliquely at the sky, deliberately showing contempt.
He believed that once he stated his name, Zhang Ruochen would surely show fear.
"I am the grandson of Xue Jue War God, representing the honor of the Blood Absolute Family. I am also the bearer of the Destiny Heavenly Token, representing the honor of the Destiny Temple. You dare insult me? Today, I will surely cut you down."
Zhang Ruochen touched his space ring, drawing out the supreme sacred artifact, the Black Gold War Heaven Pillar, and swung it directly at Yuan Ben Ji's head.
"I will surely cut you down!"
Xiao Hei roared, forming claws with both hands and striking at Yuan Ben Ji's lower body.
This coordinated attack from above and below was perfectly executed.
The sudden turn of events not only startled Yuan Ben Ji but also shocked the other cultivators, who quickly retreated.
What was happening?
With so many experts present, where did Zhang Ruochen get the audacity to strike first?
…
Another chapter will be posted in the early morning.