Chapter 2542: Resolved Smoothly
Zhang Ruochen made a round of the top-tier sacred stores, merchant associations, and even the Divine Maiden Tower in the Hundred Clans Royal City, gaining some slight harvests.
He bought a small half-bottle of "Divine Sword Cleansing Liquid," used to refine Sword Dao rules, and three King-rank pills called "Nether Soul Pills," which enhance a cultivator's Sacred Soul.
Divine Sword Cleansing Liquid is a liquid produced inside Divine-rank swords, extremely precious, and for sword cultivators, it is something encountered only by chance, not sought after.
Nether Soul Pills are a type of pill refined by the Nether Hall to enhance a cultivator's Sacred Soul. Their price is also considerable, and they are scarce in quantity.
Without spending much time, Zhang Ruochen completely refined the Divine Sword Cleansing Liquid and the Nether Soul Pills. His Sword Dao rules were indeed somewhat refined, and his Sacred Soul increased by ten to twenty percent. However, compared to Zhang Ruochen's goal, it was still far off.
Now, Zhang Ruochen finally understood that some things truly cannot be bought just by having Divine Stones.
Take the Nether Soul Pills, for example. Zhang Ruochen wanted to buy more, but the seller directly told him that the Nether Hall had only released this many, and there were only three pills in the entire Hundred Clans Royal City. Yet, within the Nether Hall's Divine Temple, a Great Saint could buy up to ten Nether Soul Pills at a lower price.
If it were a descendant of some deity from the Nether Hall, their allocated share would be even greater.
As for the Divine Sword Cleansing Liquid, Zhang Ruochen first thought of the Underworld King's Starfire Divine Sword. However, the Underworld King had most likely already set off for the Sword South Realm.
Moreover, the Starfire Divine Sword is a fire-attributed Divine Sword, and it most likely cannot produce Divine Sword Cleansing Liquid.
As for the even more precious Divine Star Soul, there was simply none for sale.
It must be noted that the Hundred Clans Royal City is a super sacred city. If even the Hundred Clans Royal City couldn't buy it, going to a Divine City would likely yield the same result.
Zhang Ruochen turned his attention to Zangjin Baihu, but Zangjin Baihu simply ignored him.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was at his wit's end, his mind stirred, and he sensed the aura of the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor. Accompanying him was another major figure.
"It's actually him! Excellent, now I don't have to worry anymore."
Zhang Ruochen was overjoyed. With a flick of his sleeve, a gust of wind lifted, the door opened, and he strode out quickly into the courtyard to receive them.
The major figure who came with the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor was the Black Robe High Priest of Fortune.
Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands and said, "Clan Emperor, High Priest."
The Fortune High Priest was very concerned about Zhang Ruochen's safety. Upon hearing news of Zhang Ruochen, he immediately rushed from Ice King Star to the Hundred Clans Royal City.
After all, Zhang Ruochen was a rising hero of the new generation valued by the Fortune God Venerable, and with the background of the Blood Absolute Family and the Ancient God Nest, he absolutely could not afford any mishaps.
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen was indeed unharmed, the Fortune High Priest was in a good mood. Then, he noticed the seven monks in the courtyard and recognized Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi among them. His expression turned both shocked and somewhat strange.
The Fortune High Priest spoke in a tone like an elder, earnestly, "Ruochen, it is good for young people to have sharpness, but the Death God Temple is full of powerful experts and their methods are ruthless. It's best not to offend them too deeply, and certainly not to damage their dignity."
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi had long been disheartened, having lost all hope in the Destiny Temple. They knew even more that the Blood Absolute Family was a faction under the Fortune God Venerable's lineage. Expecting the Fortune High Priest to seek justice for them was less likely than hoping the Buddha would manifest and let them break free from the Dark Light Curse and escape on their own.
Zhang Ruochen said, "What the High Priest says is very reasonable. I also do not wish to form a mortal enmity with the Death God Temple. Therefore, I have had the two Dharma Masters use Buddhist teachings to dissolve the resentment and killing intent in their hearts. I believe it has already achieved considerable results."
"The three White-robed Death Gods, after refining the Seven Emotions and Six Desires Pills, have an increasingly devout heart towards Buddhism. The killing intent in their hearts has almost completely vanished."
"As for Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi, their minds have also calmed down considerably. They can now recite the 'Great Benevolence and Great Emptiness Sutra' without missing a single word."
The Grand Minister of Works puffed out his chest and interjected from the side, "They can also recite the 'Amitabha Sutra' and the 'Wondrous Dharma Sutra'."
A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Zhang Ruochen's face, and he nodded at Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi with a confirming gaze.
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi were overwhelmed with shame, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
This was too much! Humiliating them like this in front of the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor and the Fortune High Priest was unbearable; what could be endured, what could not?
Forget it, they would continue to endure.
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi gritted their teeth and loudly chanted a Buddhist title, suppressing their agitated and indignant hearts. After finishing the chant, they realized something was wrong, but it was too late to regret.
The Fortune High Priest and the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor were both stunned. Could it be that these five Great Saints of the Death God Temple, who had survived ten thousand deaths, were truly going to convert to Buddhism?
The universe is vast and full of wonders!
After the Fortune High Priest and Zhang Ruochen exchanged inquiries about various matters, the High Priest prepared to leave and return to Ice King Star. After all, for the Destiny Temple, the top priority at present was dealing with the already formidable Eon-level genius Ji Fanxin and recovering the Celestial Pivot Needle.
Ice King Star, this escape route, had to be sealed off.
"High Priest, please wait. I wish to purchase a batch of items," Zhang Ruochen said.
The Fortune High Priest was not at all surprised; instead, he revealed a smile and said, "You, Zhang Ruochen, are incredibly wealthy. For you to purchase through me, the items you want must be extraordinary."
Within the Destiny Temple's Three Departments and Twelve Palaces, the Fortune Divine Palace was not renowned for its combat power, which was far inferior to the Death Divine Palace and the Fierce Terror Divine Palace.
However, in terms of wealth and cultivation resources, the Fortune Divine Palace ranked first in the Destiny Temple.
This was because the Fortune Divine Palace's duty was never combat, but managing the vast majority of the Destiny Temple's industries, being the largest source of the Destiny Temple's wealth.
The Star Sea World was the largest commercial empire in the Hell Realm, with immense power, known as the Eleventh Clan of the Hell Realm. It controlled billions of shops and countless planets, ruins realms, and cosmic secret realms under its banner.
And behind the Star Sea World was the Fortune Divine Palace pulling the strings.
Of course, in a sense, the Fortune Divine Palace was merely the manager. The wealth and benefits generated by the Star Sea World actually belonged to the entire Destiny Temple.
Zhang Ruochen told the Fortune High Priest about his intention to condense a Third-rank Sword Dao Sacred Intent, and then stated his needs.
"Condensing a Third-rank Sword Dao Sacred Intent?" Even the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor, with all his vast experience, was greatly shocked.
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi, upon hearing Zhang Ruochen's account, were initially quite startled as well, but soon sneered inwardly, thinking Zhang Ruochen was indulging in wishful thinking.
The Fortune High Priest, however, was somewhat moved, because Zhang Ruochen had frankly revealed this secret, signifying trust in him.
Condensing a Third-rank Sword Dao Sacred Intent was almost impossible, but what if Zhang Ruochen succeeded?
If he succeeded, the significance would be extraordinary.
It would be a massive shock to the Hell Realm, to the billions of cultivators in the Heavenly Court's Myriad Realms.
It might even rewrite the cultivation history of the entire universe.
Since it was a matter that could be recorded in history and passed down for ages, even if Zhang Ruochen was indulging in wishful thinking, he had to do his best to help him.
The Fortune High Priest said, "The cultivation resources you need are all of extremely high grade. Only the Star Sea World headquarters in the Fate Divine Domain has them. Moreover, you need a large quantity, which will be difficult to gather in a short time. Are you in a hurry?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Quite urgent."
Beside them, the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor lowered his head in contemplation, his mind calculating something unknown. Suddenly, he spoke, "The Earth Demon Clan does have some Divine Star Souls stored."
"Clan Emperor, can you sell them all to me? Name your price."
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew that the price of Divine Star Souls was exorbitant. He currently didn't have many Divine Stones left, but he possessed a considerable amount of various treasures and resources, which he could sell off in a batch.
To cultivate the Heavenly Sword Soul and condense the Third-rank Sword Dao Sacred Intent, Zhang Ruochen could bear any cost.
The Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor smiled and said, "Great Saint Ruochen may not know this, but Divine Star Souls are never sold."
"Not sold? Then why mention it?" The Grand Minister of Works glared coldly at the old man.
"Only given as gifts," the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor added.
Zhang Ruochen understood the deeper meaning and quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Clan Emperor. I will remember this kindness."
The Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor grabbed Zhang Ruochen's hand and patted it gently, saying, "Great Saint Ruochen, saying this makes it seem distant. It's just a bit of Divine Star Soul."
"Clan Emperor, just call me Ruochen," Zhang Ruochen said.
In recent days, first Yan Yu had actively befriended Zhang Ruochen, then the newly ascended Destiny Goddess had visited him. Now, even the Fortune High Priest had come. With various forces showing goodwill, how could the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor, a shrewd old hand, fail to see Zhang Ruochen's future potential?
Now, this latent dragon, Zhang Ruochen, was residing in the Earth Demon Clan's sacred land. If he didn't build ties now, would he wait until Zhang Ruochen grew to the level of the Blood Absolute War God?
This perfect opportunity to offer timely help had been a long time coming for the Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor, and he naturally had to seize it firmly.
If Zhang Ruochen could condense the Third-rank Sword Dao Sacred Intent, that would be best. Even if he failed, giving away some Divine Star Souls to forge a good connection was a fine thing.
No, just giving away Divine Star Souls would only make Zhang Ruochen owe a small favor. He should use this chance to bind the relationship more tightly.
The Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor said with a beaming smile, "Ruochen, what do you think of our clan's Qingying? Does she have the fortune to marry into the Blood Absolute Family?"
"This..."
Having just received a great favor from the Earth Demon Clan, Zhang Ruochen found it hard to refuse outright. Otherwise, how could the dignified Clan Emperor save face?
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi were already burning with jealousy, gnashing their teeth on the side, their eyes nearly spitting fire.
Giving away Divine Star Souls was one thing; it could be considered the Earth Demon Clan using Zhang Ruochen to befriend the Blood Absolute Family.
But Xuan Qingying was one of the Ten Beauties of the Hell Realm's border regions. Her own cultivation was also very powerful. In the future, if she reached the Supreme Realm, she would most likely enter the "Divine Storage Volume." Such a proud daughter of heaven had countless suitors, even deities would find her worthy.
Now, the Clan Emperor had lowered his stance so much, practically begging you to accept her, and you were still hesitating? Too pretentious! Unbearable!
The Earth Demon Clan's Clan Emperor, however, didn't think that far. After all, the Yama Clan had sent the Second Master personally to probe Zhang Ruochen's intentions regarding marrying their eldest daughter.
Although Xuan Qingying was outstanding, compared to that eldest daughter of the Yama Clan, what was she really?
(End of this chapter)