Chapter 2515: Human, Earth, Heaven, Dao
Zhang Ruochen had already fused six of the Yin-Yang Five Elements Sacred Intents—the Palm Sacred Intent representing "Yang," the Fist Sacred Intent representing "Yin," and the "Metal," "Wood," "Water," and "Earth" of the Five Elements. Only the "Fire" Element Sacred Intent remained unfused.
Knowing that the Dragon Lord intended to guide him in cultivating Sacred Intents, Zhang Ruochen naturally felt joy. After all, even gods yearned for guidance from such a top-tier powerhouse of the universe.
As the Yin-Yang Five Elements Sacred Intents manifested, Zhang Ruochen's body radiated a five-colored wondrous light. Chaos Qi spread in all directions, and the surrounding space seemed to transform into part of chaos itself, with heaven and earth's yin and yang splitting apart.
"Swoosh—"
A faint Taiji Yin-Yang imprint emerged, rotating slowly, containing the most exquisite and true principles of the world.
Haitang Popo, Xue Lingxian, and Xiao Hei had all seen Zhang Ruochen use this Sacred Intent on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield through the projections of the Myriad Realms Divine Eye in the Kunlun Realm. But standing beside him and watching it in person felt completely different.
"This is a fusion of six types of Sacred Intents!" A hint of surprise appeared in Xue Lingxian's eyes.
Xiao Hei stepped back a few paces and said, "I feel like everything in heaven and earth is about to be drawn into him. The Space Rules and Time Rules have become somewhat strange—really strange. But his Sacred Intent doesn't include Space Sacred Intent or Time Sacred Intent!"
Haitang Popo's face lit up with joy. "Fusing six types of Sacred Intents must have reached the Second-Rank level. Perhaps the Zhang Clan can once again rise to glory under his leadership in the future."
After completing one demonstration, Zhang Ruochen stopped and looked toward the Dragon Lord.
The Dragon Lord said, "Demonstrate it again."
Zhang Ruochen immediately began again. This time, he merged the Yin-Yang Five Elements Sacred Intents with the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm, striking out in an attack form.
Surprise flickered in the eyes of both Xue Lingxian and Haitang Popo.
With this fused Sacred Intent, the power of his attacks was immense. With his Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection cultivation, Zhang Ruochen could defeat a Ten-Thousand Deaths One Life Realm Great Saint.
The Dragon Lord said, "Demonstrate it again."
Zhang Ruochen continued, over and over.
After seven demonstrations, the Dragon Lord spoke meaningfully, "Are you trying to walk the path of First-Rank Sacred Intent?"
"Does the Dragon Lord also believe this is a dead end?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Dragon Lord did not answer. Instead, standing a few zhang away, he reached out a hand, piercing through space to touch Zhang Ruochen's brow.
"Boom!"
In an instant, Zhang Ruochen's body lost its weight, plunging into a sea of chaos. He arrived at the dawn of time and space, before all things in the world were born. Before him lay a vast, boundless, eternal silence.
The next moment.
Zhang Ruochen shuddered, pulled back, and stood once again on the cosmic rock.
Everything just now had felt so real. Yet, after returning, it seemed like a dream.
The Dragon Lord had already withdrawn his hand. "So you are indeed a Space-Time Controller. That old monk Xumi passed his path on to you. Yet, you cultivate the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable's *Thirty-Three Heavens*, transforming from a crippled body into an innate Five Elements Chaos Body through acquired cultivation. Why is that?"
The Dragon Lord seemed to be questioning, or perhaps talking to himself.
"Space-Time, Five Elements, Chaos, Yin-Yang..."
After a long pause, the Dragon Lord suddenly seemed to grasp something. He laughed somewhat uncontrollably, "Haha!" He asked, "Zhang Ruochen, you have reached the Hundred Shackles Realm. Have you already set a vision in your heart?"
"This chaotic and cruel universe needs a new order," Zhang Ruochen said.
With just that one sentence, the Dragon Lord understood everything. "With such a vision, it no longer matters whether you choose the Kunlun Realm or the Undying Blood Clan."
After saying this, he laughed again. "That old monk Xumi is truly formidable."
Zhang Ruochen knew full well that his achievements were closely tied to Xumi Saint Monk, but he could not grasp the deeper meaning behind the Dragon Lord's words.
"Dragon Lord, could you guide this junior on how to impact the perfect path of Yin-Yang Five Elements?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Guide?"
The Dragon Lord shook his head. "Human follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows Dao. Human, Earth, Heaven, Dao—you already possess the first three. Only the final Dao remains."
"When you truly understand what your Dao is, you will be close to success. I can see that your state of mind is undergoing transformation. You are not far from realizing the Dao. I hope you do not disappoint that old monk Xumi. That day, I too look forward to it greatly."
Xiao Hei muttered quietly, "Is it really that exaggerated? Realizing the Dao—I, the Emperor, have already realized it long ago!"
The Dragon Lord glanced at it. "You will come with me later."
Xiao Hei was stunned. "Huh?"
"Some things must eventually be faced," the Dragon Lord said.
Xiao Hei shook its head vigorously.
Zhang Ruochen fell into deep thought. The "Human" the Dragon Lord spoke of likely referred to his heart, his vision. "Earth" probably referred to his physical body, the Five Elements Chaos. "Heaven" referred to his identity as a Space-Time Controller—space-time was Heaven.
But what was "Dao"? Sacred Dao? Heavenly Dao?
"I cannot help you with the cultivation of Sacred Intents, but I can help you improve your Spiritual Power."
The Dragon Lord opened his palm, and a mass of deep blue flame floated up.
"This is a wisp of my heart's Origin Divine Dragon Fire. It can help you refine the impurities in your Spiritual Power thoughts, making your Spiritual Power purer and accelerating your progress."
"Thank you, Dragon Lord."
Zhang Ruochen did not refuse. He received the Origin Divine Dragon Fire.
Throughout his journey, Zhang Ruochen's Spiritual Power had rapidly risen to the sixty-sixth level mainly through refining pills and absorbing the Divine Wood Heart, which had created significant drawbacks. The Dragon Lord had likely seen this and thus gifted him this wisp of Origin Divine Dragon Fire.
With this Dragon Fire, Zhang Ruochen had greater confidence in raising his Spiritual Power to the sixty-ninth level while in the Hundred Shackles Realm, laying a solid foundation for cultivating First-Rank Sacred Intent.
"If you walk the path of First-Rank Sacred Intent, do not forget Time and Space. I take my leave!"
With that final remark, the Dragon Lord turned and walked away, appearing utterly carefree.
Surprisingly, Xiao Hei took the initiative to follow him.
Catching up to the Dragon Lord's side, Xiao Hei grinned, "Uncle, I was locked in the Cosmic Divine Wood Map by that old bald monk Xumi for a hundred thousand years. My spirit has been tempered to be incredibly strong. I'm only one Origin Divine Dragon Fire short of achieving Spiritual Power godhood. What do you think?"
"Uncle, look at our relationship—it's way closer than yours with Zhang Ruochen, right? Besides the Dragon Fire, do you have any other good stuff?"
...
The figures of the Dragon Lord and Xiao Hei gradually faded into the distance.
Zhang Ruochen looked at Xue Lingxian and Haitang Popo with slight surprise. "Aren't you leaving with the Dragon Lord?"
"We can't interfere directly in such a major matter as rescuing the Island Lord. We can only help from the sidelines. You're the Sect Leader of the Blood God Sect, which makes you my junior. Since you gave me a Life-and-Death Great Return Pill, if you encounter any trouble you can't solve on your way to the Origin Divine Temple, you can send me a message," Xue Lingxian said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "You're going to the Origin Divine Temple too? I understand."
As soon as he asked the question, Zhang Ruochen suddenly realized. The so-called "helping from the sidelines" might mean creating a diversion, drawing the attention of the Hell Realm toward the Origin Divine Temple.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "No need to wait for later. I have a request right now."
After all, the Life-and-Death Great Return Pill couldn't be taken for free.
Xue Lingxian hadn't expected Zhang Ruochen to be so unceremonious.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fixed on the stone sword in his hand. "The *Wordless Sword Manual*—I'd like to study it for a while."
"That's not for me to decide."
Xue Lingxian looked at Haitang Popo and tossed the stone sword to her.
Holding the stone sword, Haitang Popo's eyes showed a trace of hesitation. It wasn't that she didn't trust Zhang Ruochen, but the *Wordless Sword Manual* was of great importance. If it were lost, she would be a sinner against the entire Kunlun Realm.
"Forget it, I was just joking. I wouldn't dare take something so important," Zhang Ruochen said, not wanting to put Haitang Popo in a difficult position.
Haitang Popo placed the stone sword before him. "This sword is the origin of all Sword Dao in the world and one of the most important inheritances of the Kunlun Realm. You must not lose it."
"Popo, rest assured. The sword lives, I live; the sword is lost, I die."
Zhang Ruochen took the stone sword with the utmost solemnity.
Zhang Ruochen knew that cultivating First-Rank Sacred Intent would be as difficult as reaching the heavens, nearly impossible in a short time. But he possessed the Imperial-Rank Sacred Intent Pill, so perhaps he could first try cultivating Sword Dao Sacred Intent. His goal, of course, was not Fourth-Rank Sword Dao Sacred Intent, but the Third-Rank Sword Dao Sacred Intent that no one had ever successfully cultivated since ancient times. The *Wordless Sword Manual* was thus extremely important to him.
Fortunately, the *Wordless Sword Manual* was guarded by Haitang Popo. If it had been anyone else, given his ambiguous stance now, who would lend it to him?
Haitang Popo sighed softly and then took out five more scrolls, handing them to him. "These scrolls were left behind by some legendary figures of the Kunlun Realm. They might be helpful to you."
"Popo's kindness, Ruochen will always remember," Zhang Ruochen said.
Haitang Popo snorted lightly. "Who told you, boy, that you are the descendant of that person? Consider it a debt I owe to your Zhang Clan."
Zhang Ruochen grew curious. "Who does Popo mean?"
"A dead man."
There was a hint of anger in Haitang Popo's tone.
Seeing that Haitang Popo seemed unwilling to say more, Zhang Ruochen asked another question that puzzled him. "Popo, exactly how old are you? I... I mean no disrespect, just pure curiosity."
Haitang Popo said, "Counting from when I first sprouted, I have lived for four Eons. From when I was tricked by that dead man of your Zhang Clan into becoming the artifact spirit of the Sword Pavilion, it has been two Eons. But counting from when I cultivated a physical body, it has only been twenty thousand years."
Zhang Ruochen was stunned, never imagining that Haitang Popo was merely a crabapple flower, with such a winding and twisting life. She was both a plant and an artifact spirit, and had cultivated a physical body.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Popo, did you cultivate a physical body to avoid the Eon Calamity?"
"For plant-type lifeforms, the Eon Calamity is not so hard to endure," Haitang Popo said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Then why?"
"I'll tell you, it's no secret. The Sword Pavilion is only one step away from transforming into the eleventh divine artifact of the Kunlun Realm. That final step is for the artifact spirit to become a god," Haitang Popo said.
...
Some readers have mentioned that the Ming Emperor killed the Blood Queen.
Actually, in Chapter 2438, where the Blood Queen and the Ming Emperor met, it was already written that the Ming Emperor did not kill the Blood Queen but only made her hide in the Endless Abyss.
Because a book is written so long, many things in the main text might be forgotten!
Interested readers can go back and check:
Shangguan Que being controlled by the Blood Queen was mentioned in Chapter 2018, "Pointing Fingers."
The Blood Queen's disciple, Qiu Yichi, who was proficient in Soul-Confusing Blood Art and Heart Dao, was mentioned in Chapter 1814, "Invitation from the Endless Abyss."
Zhang Ruochen's aunt, the Eldest Princess, leading a group of Zhang Clan disciples to hide in the Ruins Realm, was mentioned in Chapter 1025, "A Great Event That Shook the World."
Kong Shangling seizing control of the imperial court and entering the Ming Emperor Palace was mentioned in Chapter 636, "Crown Prince," as told to Zhang Ruochen by Murong Yue.
...
All clues are scattered throughout the book. When I have time, I will organize them in detail and publish them on the WeChat public account.