# Chapter 2711: Princess Royal Highness
No one dared to accept the challenge!
Before today, everyone believed that the Ten Realms Battle would surely end with Hell Realm's complete victory over Heavenly Court, demonstrating their overwhelming secular power to boost morale for the upcoming cosmic-level war.
Who could have imagined that in the end, Zhang Ruochen alone would defeat both Heavenly Court and Hell Realm?
This was the momentum of one man challenging the world!
Young as he was, he had already become the master of ten realms, shaking the universe, displaying the first signs of an unrivaled, domineering aura.
Heavenly Court's cultivators retreated like a tidal wave, withdrawing from the sea region where Guixu was located.
The seawater rippled.
The chaotic energy currents on the sea surface would likely take a thousand years to dissipate completely.
The treasure-blue ancient warship swayed gently amidst the waves.
The saints of Destiny Temple discussed among themselves.
Some were excited by Zhang Ruochen's formidable combat power. Others had gloomy faces, ghostly flames flickering in their eyes, their expressions displeased. Still others wore worried looks, whispering softly with nearby cultivators.
Bore held the Fate Decision Staff. Perhaps due to severe damage to her primordial energy, she appeared somewhat delicate and weak. "Let's go! The Ten Realms Battle has ended. It's time to leave Wuding Divine Sea!"
"Divine Maiden, please wait a moment."
A hundred zhang away from the ancient warship, space trembled.
Zhang Ruochen flew out from the void, landing on the deck of the ancient warship, stopping before Bore.
The murmuring on the warship ceased, but all the Destiny Temple cultivators' gazes fell upon Zhang Ruochen—eyes filled with wariness, reverence, and fervor.
But mostly curiosity.
Curious about what relationship this unmatched combat power Ruochen Great Saint had with the Divine Maiden.
As for Xue Tu, he had already slipped away quietly when the battle of the four Eon-level geniuses ended.
Zhuo Yunong's expression was quite unnatural.
A thousand years ago, he had considerable grievances with Zhang Ruochen and feared retaliation.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes carried a hint of concern. "Your injuries..."
"It's nothing!"
Bore's face was ice-cold. "The Gate of True Self has already been re-condensed. After some time in seclusion, my cultivation should recover. No need for Ruochen Divine Son's concern."
Zhang Ruochen had wanted to use the Wuji Sacred Intent to help her recuperate a few more times, and also wanted to find a private opportunity to clarify some doubts in his heart.
But seeing her push him away like this, Zhang Ruochen found countless words stuck in his throat.
If she truly had no feelings, why could she so decisively abandon her entire cultivation to help him break through?
If she only wanted to make up for the harm she had caused him in the past, Zhang Ruochen had already said long ago that they owed each other nothing.
Zhang Ruochen felt—toward her, or rather, toward the former Huang Yanchen—always a sense of guilt and indebtedness. Perhaps she felt the same.
When a relationship between two people becomes burdened with guilt and debt, it has already become heavy, no longer pure.
Moreover, they both had unspeakable identities and secrets, and many words simply couldn't be spoken.
Bore seemed to feel that treating Zhang Ruochen this way was inappropriate, given that her earlier actions were definitely not those of two unrelated cultivators.
Deliberate distance would only arouse suspicion.
She said, "Congratulations to Ruochen Divine Son for returning after a thousand years, and congratulations on becoming the master of ten realms. Bore will always remember the life-and-death friendship forged inside the Dark Star. If the Divine Son ever visits Fate Divine Mountain in the future, please don't forget this old friend."
The Destiny Temple cultivators standing nearby all showed expressions of sudden understanding.
So the friendship between Divine Maiden Bore and Zhang Ruochen was established during the Heaven Hunting Battle.
They wondered how many years they had spent together inside the Dark Star, and what had happened between them.
Their imaginations ran wild, even connecting to the life-and-death battle between Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen on the day of the engagement banquet. Who dared say that battle had nothing to do with Divine Maiden Bore?
Zhuo Yunong silently memorized Bore's words, planning to report them to the Judgment Hall's gods upon returning.
Zhang Ruochen's mind was sharp; he understood why she said this. His eyes shifted, and he deliberately put on a frivolous look, smiling. "Divine Maiden, rest assured. Even if I, Zhang Ruochen, forget everyone in the world, I will never forget you."
The cultivators of Hell Realm all knew Zhang Ruochen was naturally romantic, so they didn't suspect anything.
But many cultivators were jealous, cursing inwardly: "Damn Zhang Ruochen, to have such an intimate relationship with the Divine Maiden—he's hogged all the good fortune in the world!"
Some also sighed that Zhang Ruochen, carrying the glory of the Ten Realms Battle, had shaken the world and become the most sought-after legendary figure of the era. From now on, countless peerless women would fall into his clutches. How infuriating.
"Chen Ge!"
In the distance, the divine warship of Tianluo Divine Kingdom sailed over, like a crystal-red elongated island.
Luo Sha was noble and elegant, her long hair swaying, standing at the warship's bow. Behind her stood figures radiating powerful auras, all top-tier great saints of the Rakshasa Clan.
Bore's phoenix eyes were calm. "The Princess Royal Highness has come to find you."
Zhang Ruochen wanted to say something, but held back. He stepped back, clasped his hands, and said, "Farewell!"
The Destiny Temple cultivators all showed expressions of envy and jealousy.
Both the Fate Divine Maiden and Princess Luo Sha were extraordinary women who combined beauty, talent, and natural gifts. To gain the favor of even one was the dream of every cultivator in the world.
Yet Zhang Ruochen could move between the two women freely—truly enviable.
"Hua—"
The warship's formation activated.
Zhang Ruochen transformed into a streak of blood light and flew inside.
"Greetings, Ruochen Great Saint."
A group of Rakshasa Clan great saints all cupped their hands and bowed to Zhang Ruochen.
Their faces wore smiles, their emotions excited.
Clearly, Zhang Ruochen's cultivation and strength had earned their respect and admiration. Coupled with his special relationship with Princess Luo Sha, they naturally regarded him as one of their own.
Zhang Ruochen returned their greetings, not appearing too aloof.
Luo Shengtian put on a stern face and snorted coldly. "Finally deigned to come! On Jiwen Island, this imperial prince visited you several times but was always turned away at the valley entrance. Now that Ruochen Great Saint's cultivation is higher, his face is bigger too!"
"Imperial Brother!"
Luo Sha shot him a resentful look.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fell on Luo Shengtian, and he smiled. "I heard about this from Xiayu. At that time, I was truly in seclusion, trying to break through to two Eon numbers before the Ten Realms Battle. If I have offended, please forgive me, Divine Prince."
Luo Shengtian said, "When the Divine Maiden visited, you weren't in seclusion. When this imperial prince visited, you were. What a coincidence."
"Imperial Brother, everyone is watching. You are a dignified Divine Prince—why are you so petty?" Luo Sha's eyes carried a hint of reproach.
"This imperial prince is petty? Who am I doing this for... forget it..."
Luo Shengtian turned and strode away, fuming.
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew that Luo Shengtian was not a petty person. His resentment was definitely not over such a trivial matter. It must be because, after returning after a thousand years, Zhang Ruochen hadn't gone to see Luo Sha first.
Luo Shengtian was standing up for his sister.
Yet even so, Luo Sha still spoke up for him. Zhang Ruochen was quite moved.
Zhang Ruochen stared at Luo Sha's snow-white, charming face, meeting her lively eyes. "A thousand years gone, and the Princess Royal Highness's beauty surpasses the past."
"Was that the same line you just said to Divine Maiden Bore?" Luo Sha blinked her eyes and asked.
Zhang Ruochen was speechless.
"I'm just joking with you."
Luo Sha turned and instructed a group of beautiful Rakshasa women. "Today, Ruochen Great Saint has defeated all the heroes and talents of Heavenly Court and Hell Realm, becoming the master of ten realms. This is a day of great celebration. We must have singing and dancing, fine wine and delicacies, and hold a banquet to celebrate."
Zhang Ruochen wanted to decline, but thinking of the important matters he needed to discuss with Luo Sha, he agreed.
"Princess Royal Highness, we will see to it immediately."
Those Rakshasa women quickly withdrew.
...
The soldiers of the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp had been watching the battle from the distant sea.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen win battle after battle, growing stronger with each fight, not only killing Chu Jian and Shang Zihong but also defeating three Eon-level geniuses, they were all boiling with blood and pride.
But Qi Linzi, Qing Xunyun, and Huo Xi felt ice-cold all over.
Huo Xi's face was pale. She hadn't felt such intense fear in many years. "It's said that Zhang Ruochen repays grievances and is ruthless."
"It's not just said—it's a fact. Didn't you see that if Divine Maiden Bore hadn't intervened, Nan Sheng would most likely have been killed by him." Qing Xunyun sighed deeply. "We've provoked an enemy we shouldn't have. Huo Xi might be okay—Zhang Ruochen generally doesn't kill beautiful women. She can probably keep her life."
Huo Xi's face regained some color. If Zhang Ruochen really took a liking to her, this matter might turn from disaster to fortune.
Qi Linzi said, "Why are you all so panicked? Even if Zhang Ruochen is strong, does he dare kill the camp master of the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp? Besides, although we offended him, it's not a mortal enmity. It might not be impossible to resolve."
"In my opinion, to settle this matter, we need to take two steps."
"First step: we proactively offer divine stones and apologize. And I can hand over the camp master position to him or Xiayu, showing sufficient sincerity."
"If he still doesn't accept our apology after that, then we can only immediately return to the Undying Divine Temple and attempt to break through to the God Realm. Once we step into the God Realm, naturally we won't fear him anymore."
"Let's go find Xiayu first. She should be easier to talk to," Huo Xi said.
Qing Xunyun nodded solemnly. "Zhang Ruochen is too domineering. We really shouldn't go see him directly. If we can first obtain Xiayu's forgiveness, it should be easier to resolve this grudge."
Huo Xi and Qing Xunyun didn't think stepping into the God Realm would guarantee safety, because with Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation, he would likely break into the God Realm soon as well.
Moreover, breaking through hastily was very dangerous.
The treasure-blue ancient warship sailed rapidly away from Guixu.
Bore looked back once at the Tianluo Divine Kingdom's warship, her heart filled with mixed emotions—perhaps jealousy, perhaps envy, perhaps longing.
How she wished she could have more time alone with Zhang Ruochen. But she was afraid of becoming addicted to the present happiness and forgetting her purpose in coming to Hell Realm.
"You are Bore now. You are no longer Huang Yanchen."