# Chapter 2546: Sister-in-Law
Zhang Ruochen was filled with heroic spirit, saying, "If you want these ten boxes of divine stones, you can have them. Let the strongest of the Hundred Shackles Realm or the strongest of the Thousand Questions Realm from the Decay Clan come to take them. If they can defeat me, they can take them all."
Yan Zhexian stood within the Seven Star Imperial Palace, watching Zhang Ruochen's domineering and overbearing back, momentarily lost in thought.
This guy had just been acting gentle and submissive, but suddenly, how had he become so sharp and aggressive? Who in the world didn't know Zhang Ruochen's strength?
Was he suffering from a split personality?
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi, who had been planning to flee back to the Death God Temple camp immediately, were also startled. At this moment, Zhang Ruochen's killing intent soared into the sky, as if he had become a different person, leaving them indecisive.
The Decay Clan's Clan Emperor paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "What a fine title of Future War God, and a battle oath that rings loud enough. But why should the Decay Clan accept this challenge?"
Although this move by the Decay Clan's Clan Emperor seemed somewhat weak, it was very effective.
If they actually sent their strongest in the Hundred Shackles Realm and Thousand Questions Realm to be killed by Zhang Ruochen, the loss would be considerable. After all, the entire Decay Clan only had a few dozen Great Saints.
Zhang Ruochen patted his War God Belt and said, "I carry the Undying Blood Clan's War God Belt, representing the entire Undying Blood Clan. I issue this challenge in the name of the War God. Is the Decay Clan trying to show contempt for the Undying Blood Clan, or for the Undying Divine Temple, or perhaps they simply don't take the Thirteen War Gods of the Undying Blood Clan seriously?"
Every word Zhang Ruochen spoke was like a sharp sword, piercing straight into the weakest point of the Decay Clan's Clan Emperor's heart.
He had finally understood—if the Decay Clan refused to accept the challenge today, they would certainly offend the entire Undying Blood Clan. Even the successors of the other twelve War Gods would likely harbor ill will toward the Decay Clan.
Although the Undying Blood Clan cultivators present felt that Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation was insufficient to command the entire Undying Blood Clan, they deeply revered the War God Belt, regarding it as the supreme faith.
Thus, their eyes revealed hostile expressions.
You, the Decay Clan, are merely a small clan. When challenged in the name of the War God Belt, you dare to refuse?
A broad-shouldered, imposing figure, covered in blood fiend aura, rushed out from the watching crowd and roared: "One who wears the War God Belt is like the War God himself in person. The Undying Blood Clan's War God issues a challenge to you—this is your supreme honor. If you refuse, you insult the War God. Those who insult the War God shall be attacked by the entire Undying Blood Clan!"
"Those who insult the War God shall be attacked by the entire clan!"
"Those who insult the War God shall be attacked by the entire clan!"
...
The Undying Blood Clan cultivators present shouted in unison.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at the burly Undying Blood Clan cultivator, somewhat surprised—it was Xue Tu.
Xue Tu turned and bowed to Zhang Ruochen, who stood on the Seven Star Imperial Palace, saying, "The Decay Clan dares to disrespect the War God—I, your junior brother, can no longer tolerate it. Senior Brother, why don't you take out the Fate Heavenly Token and issue a challenge in the name of the twelve Divine Venerables of the Fate Divine Temple? Let's see if the Decay Clan dares to disrespect the Fate Divine Temple as well."
The Decay Clan's Clan Emperor was greatly alarmed. He hadn't expected this suddenly appearing Undying Blood Clan Great Saint to be even more ruthless than Zhang Ruochen, as if he wanted to annihilate the Decay Clan entirely.
A thunderous voice came from within the Decay Clan's sacred mountain gate: "A dignified Divine Son of the Undying Blood Clan, bullying a small clan—what kind of skill is that? How about I challenge Great Saint Ruochen? Does Great Saint Ruochen dare to accept?"
Nan Sheng and Hai Ke walked out from the formation's light gate.
The one who had just spoken was Nan Sheng.
The Decay Clan's Clan Emperor let out a long sigh of relief and stepped aside.
Seeing these two, Xue Tu's face changed drastically, and he regretted it deeply. If he had known they were in Hundred Clans Royal City, he should never have stuck his neck out.
Now, not only would Zhang Ruochen gain nothing, but he might even lose his life here today.
But regret was already too late!
Now, he had to tough it out, even if he had to grit his teeth.
"Boom!"
The cultivators of various clans around them erupted into an uproar.
"Nan Sheng has actually come to Hundred Clans Royal City—this is the direct disciple of the Seventh Master, a figure who emerged from Tiannan."
"Hai Ke possesses a divine body. Back in the Hundred Shackles Realm, he could already defeat peak Thousand Questions Realm Great Saints. After all these years, who knows how terrifying his cultivation has become?"
"This time, Zhang Ruochen has truly kicked an iron plate. He might very well fall today."
"Even if Nan Sheng and Hai Ke kill Zhang Ruochen, no one would dare say anything. Would the gods of the Blood Absolute Family dare to attack Wuding Divine Sea and Tiannan?"
...
The Undying Blood Clan cultivators present all sighed, some even blaming Zhang Ruochen.
If Zhang Ruochen, wearing the War God Belt, were killed by Nan Sheng and Hai Ke, it would be a great disgrace to the entire Undying Blood Clan.
The cultivators of the Death God Temple and the Decay Clan all revealed mocking smiles.
"Let's see how Zhang Ruochen gets out of this now."
"Run. At least he's a Space-Time Controller—his escape skills should be impressive."
"He's already surrounded by Death God Temple Great Saints. How can he escape?"
"If I were Zhang Ruochen, since I've already made a fatal mistake, I should immediately self-destruct my sacred source. At least I could die gloriously. Better than being captured by Nan Sheng and Hai Ke, suffering humiliation, disgracing not only myself but the entire Undying Blood Clan."
...
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi were overjoyed. They exchanged glances and then rushed toward Nan Sheng and Hai Ke.
Finally, they could escape!
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
Zhang Ruochen acted decisively, slashing twice with his sword.
Sharp sword light flew out, severing both their legs at the thigh.
Their legs remained in place, while their upper bodies flew forward, crashing to the ground, rolling and bleeding profusely.
Que Shenzi and Tian Shuzi lay on the ground with their half-bodies, staring blankly at Zhang Ruochen. Changed. Zhang Ruochen, you've really changed!
You, who always claimed to resolve grudges, were so friendly and kind. How have you suddenly become so cold-blooded and ruthless?
All those years of calling you "Master Ancestor" were wasted!
Zhang Ruochen's tone was cold and heavy: "Xue Tu, their legs are yours. If they dare to flee again, kill them directly. Truly incorrigible."
Xue Tu's heart leaped with joy, his eyes burning as he stared at the four legs on the ground.
Those legs contained fresh blood from Great Saints of the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm—an irresistible temptation for Undying Blood Clan cultivators. They could greatly boost his cultivation.
"Courting death!"
Hai Ke roared, his body erupting with dazzling divine light, rising like a blazing sun.
Dense sacred dao rules surged within the divine light, numbering nine trillion—surpassing over ninety percent of Supreme Realm Great Saints. Only the number of sacred dao rules of a Demigod could exceed his.
And he was still in the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm, having not yet condensed his Supreme Dharma Body.
In other words, once he broke through, he could be called a Demigod.
Hai Ke's fist was as large as a water vat, its power shaking heaven and earth. The escaping energy blasted Tian Shuzi and Que Shenzi, who lay on the ground, along with Xue Tu standing nearby, flying away like fallen leaves.
Behind Zhang Ruochen, Fei Zhong's puppet body charged out, swinging a war axe straight at Hai Ke.
"Boom!"
Fei Zhong's puppet body had combat power close to a Supreme Realm Great Saint. Even Tian Shuzi, who had cultivated five trillion sacred dao rules, could only fight him to a draw.
But before the axe blade of Fei Zhong's puppet body even approached Hai Ke's fist, the arm holding the axe emitted a "crackling" sound and exploded.
"Bang!"
Fei Zhong's broken puppet body and the war axe flew backward, crashing heavily onto the steps of the Seven Star Imperial Palace.
Hai Ke laughed loudly, his fist power undiminished, striking toward Zhang Ruochen, who stood upright.
Zhang Ruochen's hair and robes were blown back by the fist wind. Suddenly, purple vines carrying thunder and fire light shot out from his back.
Hundreds of purple vines twisted together, forming a palm print larger than Zhang Ruochen's body.
"Boom!"
Fist and palm collided.
The vine palm print exploded, turning into fragments of branches and leaves.
Hai Ke flew backward, landing on the ground and retreating three more steps before stabilizing himself. He looked at Zhang Ruochen, still standing at the gate of the Seven Star Imperial Palace, with considerable surprise. "Has your Devouring Demon Flower reached the Supreme Realm?"
Clearly, although Hai Ke was arrogant, he was not blindly reckless. He had checked Zhang Ruochen's information.
The Devouring Demon Flower's voice sounded in Zhang Ruochen's ears: "Master, this man is extremely strong. I am no match for him."
Zhang Ruochen remained expressionless and nodded slightly.
Xue Tu, with bloodstains at the corner of his mouth, saw Hai Ke repelled and was overjoyed. He rushed back beneath the Seven Star Imperial Palace and laughed loudly: "Truly, reputation is nothing compared to meeting in person. The famous Hai Ke can't even defeat a plant my senior brother keeps."
Hai Ke's killing intent surged, and his anger turned to laughter: "Haha! So what if it's a Supreme Realm Devouring Demon Flower? That was just a probing punch. Now, I formally challenge you, Zhang Ruochen. Do you dare to accept? Win or lose, only life and death matter."
Xue Tu laughed again: "I've only ever heard of lower-cultivation cultivators challenging higher-cultivation ones. I've never heard of someone two realms higher challenging someone lower. Hai Ke, you've disgraced Wuding Divine Sea!"
Hai Ke glared at him coldly.
"Senior Brother, save me!" Xue Tu said.
Zhang Ruochen traced his finger, opening the defensive formation of the Seven Star Imperial Palace and letting him in.
Standing on the steps of the Seven Star Imperial Palace, Xue Tu felt much safer and continued to taunt Hai Ke: "If that lord stationed at Wuding Divine Sea knew his disciple was so pathetic, what would he think? If I were you, I'd challenge top figures among Supreme Realm Great Saints to life-and-death duels—like Wuma Jiuxing, Yuan Qianmo, or Ji Fanxin."
Hai Ke trembled with rage, baring a mouthful of sharp fangs, and laughed grimly as he gave the order: "Attack together. Break through the Seven Star Imperial Palace's defensive formation. Kill that talkative Undying Blood Clan Great Saint first, then kill Zhang Ruochen."
The many Great Saints of the Death God Temple all summoned their sacred artifacts, unleashing devastating power.
The cultivators watching nearby all retreated far away.
If this wave of attacks landed, not only would the Seven Star Imperial Palace's formation be broken, but all cultivators inside would be annihilated, body and soul. Zhang Ruochen had finally brought death upon himself.
Xue Tu, watching the rising sacred artifacts, felt cold sweat on his back. He turned to look at Zhang Ruochen, wanting to ask, "Senior Brother, shouldn't we run?"
But his mouth wouldn't open, and he couldn't utter a word.
And Zhang Ruochen seemed to have no trump cards prepared, still standing there like he was waiting to die.
Just as Xue Tu was filled with regret, a stunning figure walked out from within the Seven Star Imperial Palace. Dressed in white, ethereally beautiful, she addressed all the Death God Temple Great Saints: "The legendary Hai Ke and Nan Sheng are truly disappointing. Does the Death God Temple have no cultivator worthy of the stage?"
Nan Sheng, seeing Yan Zhexian standing beside Zhang Ruochen, was slightly startled. He quickly sent a telepathic message, stopping the Death God Temple Great Saints who were about to attack.
Of course, killing Zhang Ruochen was one thing, but if Yan Zhexian also died in the Seven Star Imperial Palace, the matter would blow up. Even if he fled back to Tiannan, he might not escape disaster.
Xue Tu, who had been feeling numb and even desperate, saw Yan Zhexian and his worries vanished. He quickly cupped his hands and smiled: "So it's Sister-in-Law! What Sister-in-Law says is absolutely right. The Death God Temple's actions are truly disgraceful. A Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm Great Saint challenging a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saint—the Undying Blood Clan and the Yama Clan have never had such a laughable affair."
"Oh, and Sister-in-Law is with child. If these Death God Temple Great Saints attack without restraint and disturb Sister-in-Law's pregnancy, how would that be handled? Who would bear that responsibility?"
Xue Tu kept calling out "Sister-in-Law," leaving Da Sikong and Er Sikong nearby staring wide-eyed at each other. Back when this Divine Son Xue Tu led an army to attack the Sword Grave in the Kunlun Realm, who would have thought he was such a clever little opportunist?
"Amitabha!"
"Amitabha!"
The two monks closed their eyes and recited the Buddha's name.
Hai Ke and Nan Sheng's expressions turned grave. The Decay Clan cultivators and even other Death God Temple Great Saints might not care about reputation, but the two of them couldn't afford not to.
Yan Zhexian's appearance caught them off guard.
It seemed their plan to kill Zhang Ruochen with lightning speed was no longer feasible.
Yan Zhexian said, "Zhang Ruochen challenged the Decay Clan. If the Death God Temple wants to stand up for the Decay Clan and send Hundred Shackles Realm or Thousand Questions Realm Great Saints, I have no objection. But if you, Nan Sheng and Hai Ke, make a move, can I go find Second Uncle to challenge you?"
"Excellent!"
Xue Tu roared, beaming with joy.
He had never dreamed that his senior brother was so formidable as to have won over the eldest daughter of the Yama Clan. What was there to fear now? Flattering the Yama Clan's eldest daughter might bring even more benefits than flattering his senior brother.
Nan Sheng and Hai Ke exchanged telepathic messages and ultimately decided not to clash head-on with the Yama Clan. They could wait until they left Hundred Clans Royal City to find another opportunity to kill Zhang Ruochen.
...
This chapter is 4000 words. There will be another chapter tonight.