Chapter 2: Not Sure If I Can Finish Writing It.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was deep and profound. He stared at the black-clothed old man, who was emitting a terrifying aura, and said, "You are the one who has been secretly protecting me all these years?"
The black-clothed old man's eyes flickered, and he said coldly, "Protecting you? Hah, I was just waiting for you to grow up. Now that you have finally reached the Saint King Realm, it's time to take back what belongs to me."
"Take back what belongs to you?" Zhang Ruochen's brows furrowed slightly.
The black-clothed old man's body suddenly erupted with a monstrous aura. The black mist around him surged, transforming into a giant black hand that grabbed toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen's expression changed slightly. He immediately activated the Space Rule, wanting to use spatial displacement to dodge.
However, the black-clothed old man's speed was too fast. The giant black hand seemed to tear through space itself, arriving in front of Zhang Ruochen in an instant.
"Not good!"
Zhang Ruochen's heart tightened. He hurriedly activated the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram, forming a black and white light shield around his body.
Boom!
The giant black hand struck the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram, producing a deafening explosion. The light shield trembled violently, and cracks appeared.
Zhang Ruochen's body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into a mountain wall behind him. The mountain wall instantly shattered, and rubble flew everywhere.
"You are... a Great Saint?!"
Zhang Ruochen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face full of shock.
The black-clothed old man's strength was far beyond his expectations. Even with his current cultivation at the Saint King Realm, he was no match for him.
"Heh heh, you're not stupid. I am indeed a Great Saint." The black-clothed old man sneered, "But I'm not an ordinary Great Saint. I am a Great Saint of the Supreme Realm!"
"Supreme Realm Great Saint?!"
Zhang Ruochen's pupils contracted sharply.
He knew very well what a Supreme Realm Great Saint represented. That was a realm that even some Heavenly Gods could not reach!
"Who exactly are you?!" Zhang Ruochen asked in a deep voice.
The black-clothed old man's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, and he said, "Since you're about to die, I'll let you know. I am a member of the Dark Abyss Yan Clan, and my name is Yan Wushen!"
"Yan Wushen?!"
Zhang Ruochen's face changed dramatically.
He had heard of this name. Yan Wushen was a legendary figure of the Dark Abyss Yan Clan, a peerless powerhouse who had lived for countless epochs.
"You are Yan Wushen? But haven't you already died in the River of Time?" Zhang Ruochen said incredulously.
"Die? Hah, with my cultivation, how could I die so easily?" Yan Wushen laughed, "I was just sealed in the River of Time, and now I have finally broken free."
"Then why are you targeting me?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Yan Wushen's eyes turned cold, and he said, "Because you possess the Cosmic Divine Wood Map. That is a treasure I have been searching for for countless years. Hand it over, and I might spare your life."
"The Cosmic Divine Wood Map?"
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. He finally understood why Yan Wushen had been secretly watching him all along.
"So that's how it is." Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath and said, "But I'm sorry, the Cosmic Divine Wood Map has already merged with me. I can't hand it over."
"Then you can die!"
Yan Wushen's eyes flashed with a fierce light. He raised his hand and struck out with a palm.
This palm seemed to contain the power to destroy the world. The surrounding space began to collapse, and terrifying energy surged toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen's face was extremely solemn. He knew he was no match for Yan Wushen, but he would not give up without a fight.
"Great Space Teleportation!"
Zhang Ruochen roared, activating the Space Rule to its limit. His figure flickered and instantly disappeared from the spot.
"Hmph, trying to escape? Dream on!"
Yan Wushen sneered, his figure also flickering as he chased after Zhang Ruochen.
The two figures shuttled through the void, one chasing and the other fleeing, disappearing into the distant starry sky in the blink of an eye.
...
In a desolate star field, Zhang Ruochen's figure suddenly emerged from the void. His face was pale, and his aura was chaotic.
"This Yan Wushen is too strong. I'm no match for him at all." Zhang Ruochen gasped for air, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes.
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded in his mind: "Kid, do you want me to help you?"
"Senior Xumi?!"
Zhang Ruochen was startled, then overjoyed.
It was the voice of Xumi Saint Monk!
"Senior, are you awake?" Zhang Ruochen asked urgently.
"I've been awake for a long time, just too lazy to pay attention to you." Xumi Saint Monk's voice carried a hint of laziness, "That Yan Wushen is indeed a bit troublesome. With your current strength, you're no match for him."
"Then what should I do?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"What else can you do? Run, of course." Xumi Saint Monk said, "I'll teach you a movement technique. Although you can't beat him, escaping shouldn't be a problem."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Zhang Ruochen was overjoyed.
Immediately, a stream of information surged into Zhang Ruochen's mind—it was a movement technique called "Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow."
Zhang Ruochen quickly comprehended it and then activated it.
His figure transformed into a streak of light, instantly disappearing into the distant starry sky.
A moment later, Yan Wushen's figure appeared at the spot where Zhang Ruochen had just been. His brows furrowed slightly.
"This kid's escape technique is quite impressive." Yan Wushen muttered to himself, then sneered, "But do you think you can escape from my grasp? How naive."
As he spoke, his figure flickered and continued the pursuit.
...
In the following days, Zhang Ruochen fled while Yan Wushen pursued. The two engaged in a chase across the vast starry sky.
Zhang Ruochen relied on the "Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow" movement technique to narrowly escape danger time and again. However, Yan Wushen's strength was too great. No matter how Zhang Ruochen fled, he could not shake him off.
"Damn it, this old guy is like a plaster, impossible to get rid of." Zhang Ruochen cursed inwardly.
"Kid, if this keeps up, you'll be caught sooner or later." Xumi Saint Monk's voice sounded again.
"Then what should I do?" Zhang Ruochen asked helplessly.
"There's a way, but it's a bit risky." Xumi Saint Monk said, "I can use my power to send you into a mysterious space. But that space is extremely dangerous. Even I'm not sure if you can come out alive."
"What space?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"The Seventy-Two Layer Tower." Xumi Saint Monk said slowly.