Chapter 2637: Meeting an Old Acquaintance at Sea
By candlelight, Yan Wushen finished reading the secret letter handed over by the Great Senluo Emperor. His gaze was heavy for a moment, then a feeling of incomparable elation surged within him, and he threw his head back in a long laugh.
The laughter startled the candle flame, causing it to flicker unsteadily.
Chi Kunlun stood nearby and asked, "Master, why are you so delighted?"
"Your father has invited me to the Heavenly Court to attend the Red Dust Assembly. A thousand years have passed, and my heart has never been as joyful as it is today. It feels as if a sweet spring has been poured into my soul. Haha!" Yan Wushen said.
"Father he…"
Chi Kunlun’s heart shook violently, his face filled with disbelief.
In an instant, he recovered, his expression turning blank, though his emotions still churned like a stormy sea.
Yan Wushen and Zhang Ruochen had clashed many times, each battle a life-and-death struggle, each holding significant weight in the other’s heart. A thousand years later, receiving a letter from a former rival naturally stirred intense emotions.
There was mutual admiration, a eagerness to test each other, and an underlying pressure.
It was this powerful emotional surge that allowed Yan Wushen, after sitting in stillness for sixteen hundred years, to suddenly break through the final critical point.
What he had been missing was a surge of emotion.
Over the years, his heart had been too calm.
"Boom!"
On Yan Wushen’s body, saintly light, Buddhist light, dark light, Yama Qi radiance… and various other glows flickered incessantly. His aura rose step by step, shaking thousands of miles.
In the surrounding space, the rules of heaven and earth began to boil along with him.
"Today, I enter the Supreme Realm."
Yan Wushen’s gaze fixed on Chi Kunlun and said, "Kunlun, it’s time for you to return to the Heavenly Court."
"Is there still a place for me in the Heavenly Court?" Chi Kunlun gave a bitter smile.
"As long as you go back, there will naturally be a place for you. Once your master has condensed his Supreme Dharma Body, I will go with you to the Heavenly Court."
Yan Wushen then turned his gaze to the Great Senluo Emperor.
He pointed a finger.
"Whoosh!"
The Great Senluo Emperor’s body rapidly shrank, becoming the size of an ant, sealed within a palm-sized piece of ice crystal.
Yan Wushen tossed this ice crystal to Chi Kunlun and then waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw.
Chi Kunlun naturally understood why his master had sealed the Great Senluo Emperor—it was to prevent news of his father still being alive from leaking. But he could not fathom why his master dared to accept the invitation to the Heavenly Court.
What kind of relationship did his master and his father truly share?
Mortal enemies? Or close friends?
Adversaries? Or kindred spirits?
Perhaps all of the above.
…
Under the sundial, Zhang Ruochen had cultivated for one hundred and fifty-two years. The number of sacred dao rules within his body had reached ten trillion six hundred billion.
Although he was not yet a demigod, the sacred dao rules he had cultivated were no fewer than those of a demigod.
Additionally, his spiritual power had advanced further, reaching the peak of the sixty-ninth rank.
All the divine stones on him were exhausted, and even the Eon Sacred Medicine he had obtained from the Origin Divine Temple was nearly depleted, forcing him to end his seclusion.
"I need to find a place to exchange for a batch of divine stones."
Zhang Ruochen stood up, extended his right hand, and reached into the void. Instantly, a five-colored chaotic light radiated from his palm, and dense sacred dao rules burst forth, causing the space around the island to tremble violently.
Although the number of sacred dao rules had reached ten trillion, Zhang Ruochen’s combat power had not increased significantly.
This was because his previous combat power had mainly relied on his physical body and spiritual power. The combat power derived from his cultivation level had been almost negligible.
Now, with his cultivation elevated and the number of sacred dao rules reaching ten trillion, the combat power from his cultivation would gradually replace his physical body and spiritual power, taking on a dominant role.
To contend with demigods, or even peak demigods, having one of the three—cultivation, physical body, or spiritual power—at the top level would suffice.
However, to fight against Eon-level representatives, or those close to that level—such as the former Xue Lingxian, Xing Luo, Yan Yu, Wu Ma Jiuxing, or Gu She Jing—he could not afford any weaknesses.
Cultivation, physical body, and spiritual power all had to reach extremely high levels.
Ten trillion sacred dao rules were nothing compared to an Eon-level representative, falling several tiers short. But Zhang Ruochen had his own advantages, powers that others lacked.
Thus, with the number of sacred dao rules reaching ten trillion, although he was still in the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm, he had initially gained the ability to contend with that level.
The pinnacle of the mortal world.
Kong Lanyou, her white hair like frost, stood behind him, watching the sacred dao rules surging from Zhang Ruochen’s palm. Her eyes showed a look of amazement. She thought to herself, "As expected, my cousin is formidable. After just over a hundred years of seclusion, his sacred dao rules have already exceeded ten trillion. Such a cultivation speed is astonishing. If word got out, no one would believe it."
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his sacred dao rules and asked, "Lanyou, how many sacred dao rules have you accumulated now?"
"With the aid of the Eon Sacred Medicine, during this seclusion, the number of sacred dao rules in my body has increased to about six trillion four hundred billion. Now, the cultivation speed is slowing down. I think I’m nearing my limit," Kong Lanyou said.
In the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm, accumulating four trillion sacred dao rules was the minimum threshold for a cultivator to have a chance at reaching the demigod or divine realm in the future.
The further one went, the more difficult cultivation became, increasing exponentially.
In many major worlds, such a figure might not appear even once in ten thousand years.
Those who pushed to ten trillion sacred dao rules in the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm were invariably universe-level figures. From the start of their cultivation journey, they had to excel in every realm. Their sacred soul, spiritual power, and physical body—none could afford mistakes.
Take the Death Clan’s Nan Sheng and Hai Ke, for example. Born into prestigious families, with divine-level giants as teachers, and being exceptionally talented themselves, ten trillion sacred dao rules was still a threshold for them.
Although Kong Lanyou had obtained great fortune in the second gradient of the Endless Abyss, she still fell short compared to them. She would likely struggle to cross the seven trillion mark, and even ten thousand years of cultivation would be useless.
Cultivating four trillion sacred dao rules in the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm was the minimum threshold for a future attempt at becoming a demigod.
Seven trillion was the minimum for a future attempt at becoming a peak demigod.
Ten trillion was the minimum for a future attempt at becoming an Eon-level representative.
The more one exceeded these thresholds, the greater the future hope.
In truth, after surpassing ten trillion sacred dao rules, Zhang Ruochen already felt a noticeable decline in his comprehension speed. The subsequent cultivation would not be easy.
Kong Lanyou’s gaze was firm. "I’ve decided to go to the Merit Battlefield to train, to temper myself at the edge of life and death, to stimulate my potential. No matter what, I must break through the seven trillion barrier."
She had high aspirations for the future.
The Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm ultimately required cultivators to face ten thousand deaths to achieve their own breakthroughs.
"Don’t rush into that decision. The universe has undergone tremendous changes, and there will be no shortage of fierce battles ahead. I support your goal of breaking through the seven trillion barrier. But you must understand that reaching that level is not just ten thousand deaths but nine deaths and one life. Out of ten cultivators like you, only one will survive," Zhang Ruochen said.
Kong Lanyou did not hesitate. "If it’s nine deaths and one life, then so be it."
"Good! Since you’re so determined, how can your cousin not do his utmost to help you? Extend your hand," Zhang Ruochen said.
Somewhat puzzled, Kong Lanyou stretched out her palm.
Zhang Ruochen pressed his hand against hers.
At the point where their palms met, a bright origin light radiated.
On the island, flowers, grass, and trees grew rapidly, and the sacred stones on the ground became even more crystalline and translucent.
"I possess ninety-nine ten-thousandths of the Origin Esoterica. Now, I’ll give you thirty ten-thousandths. Since consuming Eon Sacred Medicine that has absorbed origin power can increase sacred dao rules, the Origin Esoterica can do even more," Zhang Ruochen said, withdrawing his hand.
Esoterica was the most miraculous power in heaven and earth.
If even the esoterica of the eternal dao could not help Kong Lanyou ascend to the next level, Zhang Ruochen could not think of any other way.
In this era, the Hell Realm could simultaneously produce ten Eon-level representatives. Zhang Ruochen suspected this might be related to the emergence of the Origin Divine Temple.
After all, the Origin Divine Temple had fallen into the hands of the Hell Realm.
Among the nine eternal daos, besides the power of origin, the power of truth could also help cultivators quickly comprehend the dao and achieve higher-level breakthroughs.
Five months had passed, and Jie Zunzhe had not returned. Zhang Ruochen was quite worried that he might have met with some mishap. After all, the power of the black curtain in the Heavenly Court was too strong, and many ancient gods coveted the divine source of the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable.
Zhang Ruochen inscribed a message light talisman and sent it out.
But after waiting half a day, there was no reply.
Zhang Ruochen pondered whether to send a message to his grandmaster to inquire, but after thinking it over, he dismissed the idea.
Since his grandmaster was in the Heavenly Court, even if the old man truly revealed the secret of his survival, he should not be in danger.
With that thought, he no longer worried about Jie Zunzhe.
As for sending a message, it was unnecessary.
He couldn’t trouble his grandmaster with everything. Even if his grandmaster had immense spiritual power, he would be overwhelmed.
"The Red Dust Assembly is next month. I can’t wait any longer. I need to set off immediately."
Zhang Ruochen mobilized the power of the Fate Esoterica to calculate the location of the Red Dust Absolute World Tower.
Kong Lanyou said, "The Red Dust Absolute World Tower is said to be in the Heavenly Court’s Suo Po Sea Region, suspended above the Red Dust Archipelago."
Zhang Ruochen had already deduced the result, and his expression was somewhat strange. "The sea region we are in now is Suo Po Sea Region. It seems we are not far from the Red Dust Archipelago."
"It seems that Zhang family ancestor deliberately placed you on this island," Kong Lanyou said.
"I’ve been fooled by him again! That old man is so cunning. Why was I even worried about him?"
Kong Lanyou once again entered the Qiankun Realm to cultivate. Zhang Ruochen took out the paper scroll he had obtained from Wen Di and put on the face that the Confucian Ancestor had once drawn.
In an instant, he transformed into a scholar in a green Confucian robe, with a face that was seven-tenths handsome and three-tenths righteous.
Leaving the small island, Zhang Ruochen walked on the waves, heading toward the Red Dust Archipelago.
He had intended to use the Divine Spirit Step, but he found that the spatial veins of the Heavenly Court were unpredictable, and the spatial structure was stable. With his current cultivation, he could not manage it.
The Suo Po Sea Region was vast and quite dangerous. Saint King-level ferocious beasts often attacked him from beneath the water.
After traveling for an entire day, Zhang Ruochen had covered countless thousands of miles.
Night fell, and a bright moon rose over the sea, with rosy clouds connecting to the sky.
A sub-divine ancient ship, covered in dragon scales, sped across the sea, cutting through the waves.
The ship’s hull was a thousand zhang long, with three iron-cloth divine sails raised. A millstone-sized divine stone hovered above the ship, providing energy, emitting a divine light brighter than the moon in the sky.
Zhang Ruochen looked over and had some thoughts. He muttered to himself, "Such a massive divine stone can be cut into thousands of pieces, enough to power the sundial for several thousand years."
But he quickly dismissed the idea, as he sensed a familiar aura on the sub-divine ancient ship.
Moreover, a sub-divine-level ancient ship could unleash unparalleled combat power. It was not something to be easily plundered. In the Heavenly Court, Zhang Ruochen did not want to act rashly or make enemies.
The cultivators on the ancient ship had clearly noticed him and stopped several dozen miles away.
Ao Xukong, with a head of golden hair, radiated golden saintly light. He called out, "Sir, are you a cultivator from the Kunlun Realm?"
"I am Shu Qianchi from the Kunlun Realm."
Zhang Ruochen, imitating the manner of a Confucian disciple, cupped his hands in a salute.
Ao Xukong frowned slightly. He had never heard of that name. "I am Ao Xukong from the Heavenly Dragon Realm. If you are also heading to the Red Dust Archipelago, you may board the ship, and I will give you a ride."
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew Ao Xukong. He had seen him at the Dragon God Palace ruins in the Kunlun Realm and had fought alongside him in the Central Imperial City.
Because of the Dragon Lord’s connection, in the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Dragon Realm was one of the few major worlds that showed goodwill to the Kunlun Realm, often offering help.
"So it’s the Third Prince. I have long admired your reputation."
Zhang Ruochen did not stand on ceremony. A bridge formed by characters appeared beneath his feet, and he floated onto the sub-divine-level ancient ship.
Once on board, Zhang Ruochen asked with a smile, "Third Prince, how did you know I was a cultivator from the Kunlun Realm?"
Ao Xukong said, "In the world, those who cultivate the Confucian path and reach extremely high levels are only found in the Kunlun Realm, the Confucian Realm, the Book Realm, the Qin Realm, the Chess Realm, and the Painting Realm."
"I am somewhat familiar with the top great saints of the Confucian Realm and the Qin, Chess, Book, and Painting Realms. Only the Kunlun Realm, because many of its strong ones are sleepers from the medieval period, would have unfamiliar faces."
Cultivating the Confucian path was not just about training spiritual power. In fact, one had to cultivate a unique dao method, forming a distinct Confucian aura.
Just like Zhang Ruochen now, because he wore the face drawn by the Confucian Ancestor, a vast righteous qi (hao ran zheng qi) constantly emanated from him.
Vast righteous qi was a type of qi that only Confucian path cultivators could cultivate.
As for the Qin Realm, Book Realm, Chess Realm, and Painting Realm that Ao Xukong mentioned, they were actually major worlds from the Kunlun Realm faction a hundred thousand years ago. The Kunlun Realm’s Confucian path had spread its teachings, forming their cultivation systems.
After the Kunlun Realm sealed its borders, these four realms also suffered suppression from the Paradise Realm faction. However, these four realms each had more than one god still alive, unlike the Guanghan Realm, where the gods had withered away and were suppressed without any power to fight back.
The gods of the Qin Realm and the Painting Realm found the Pangu Realm, voluntarily joined the Eastern Universe, and relocated to the Eastern Victory Divine Continent.
The gods of the Book Realm found the Heavenly Dragon Realm and moved to the Southern Jambu Continent.
The gods of the Chess Realm had close ties with the Five Elements Temple and thus remained in the Western Ox Continent.
The Paradise Realm faction did not give up suppressing the four realms. Instead, because of the attitudes of the Pangu Realm, the Heavenly Dragon Realm, and the Five Elements Temple, they became even more dissatisfied with the four realms. Thus, the Paradise Realm faction strongly supported rebels and those with ill intentions within the four realms, establishing the Confucian Realm.
Over the past hundred thousand years, the Confucian Realm’s strength had grown day by day, reaching a point where it could only be countered by the combined forces of the Qin, Chess, Book, and Painting Realms.
…
Today, still just one chapter. This chapter is 4000 words.