Chapter 2713: Sisterly Affection
“Really?”
Gu Ye Jing’s apricot eyes held a misty allure, her red lips slightly pouting: “I don’t have any excessive demands, I just want to borrow your *Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription* to study for a few years.”
Zhang Ruochen’s expression turned stern, and a powerful surge of energy erupted from his body, blasting her back. “You should know that’s impossible.”
Gu Ye Jing didn’t seem angered; her pretty face still wore a smile.
“Do you know why Mu Lingxi was able to enter Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm?”
Gu Ye Jing’s body surged with deathly demonic Qi, forming a crimson demonic domain. A ferocious white wolf, its blood-red eyes glaring, appeared atop the highest peak of the demon realm, letting out a long howl.
“The Heavenly Demon Greedy Wolf Diagram!” Zhang Ruochen exclaimed in shock.
Gu Ye Jing withdrew her demonic Qi. “Mu Lingxi offered the *Heavenly Demon Greedy Wolf Diagram* to Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm in exchange for a disciple’s identity.”
“Impossible.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes turned cold. His hand shot out like a claw, tearing through the air to seize Gu Ye Jing’s delicate neck. “Where is Lingxi? I want the truth.”
Gu Ye Jing choked under Zhang Ruochen’s grip.
The power in Zhang Ruochen’s fingers intensified, white Purifying Divine Flame flickering between them.
“What she said is the truth.”
Luo Sha flew out from the Blue Min Stone.
Zhang Ruochen slowly released Gu Ye Jing and turned to Luo Sha. “That’s impossible.”
A red five-finger mark remained on Gu Ye Jing’s neck. She snorted, “Why is it impossible? She’s a human woman, alone and without support in the Rakshasa Clan. If she couldn’t prove her value, she’d have died long ago. Do you think she’s like you, backed by Xue Hou and Xue Jue War God?”
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze grew heavy. He could imagine how hard Mu Lingxi’s life must have been in Hell Realm all these years.
Luo Sha said, “Offering the *Heavenly Demon Greedy Wolf Diagram* and joining Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm was her own choice. I can swear that no one forced her.”
“No need.”
Zhang Ruochen frowned deeply. “I want to go to Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm.”
“Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm isn’t a place even Rakshasa cultivators can visit freely, let alone you. Mu Lingxi was able to enter because, a thousand years ago, the Heavenly Mother and the Demon-Protecting General happened to visit Emperor Luo Yan, creating that opportunity. And it was through my influence that she kept both the diagram and her life.”
Gu Ye Jing seemed to have completely forgotten that she had just seduced her close friend’s fiancé, still addressing her affectionately as “Sha Sha.”
Luo Sha acted as if nothing had happened at all.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Take me to Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm, and I’ll cancel the thirty percent of your power you owe me. Otherwise, I’ll reclaim it now.”
“Why so harsh? You should know I respond better to kindness than force.” Gu Ye Jing’s large eyes were pitiful and tearful, blinking gently as if Zhang Ruochen had just bullied her, on the verge of crying.
It was Luo Sha who went to comfort her.
Luo Sha took her hand, stroked her snow-white neck, and asked with concern, “Does it still hurt?”
Gu Ye Jing nodded slightly.
Luo Sha shot Zhang Ruochen a glare with her phoenix-like eyes. “You’re the master of ten realms. How can you be so heavy-handed with a woman? Is your tolerance even smaller than my imperial brother’s?”
Zhang Ruochen truly felt inferior. In terms of magnanimity, he couldn’t compare to Luo Sha.
At the very least, if another man dared to treat Luo Sha the way Gu Ye Jing had treated him, Zhang Ruochen would surely seek vengeance to the death, no matter who it was.
Or perhaps Luo Sha was merely hiding a knife behind her smile and would soon sever Gu Ye Jing’s neck with a single sword strike?
But seeing their sisterly affection and sincere gazes, which seemed even deeper than the bond between a man and a woman, made Zhang Ruochen’s heart skip a beat. Could there be something between them?
Especially recalling that Gu Ye Jing liked to dress as a man and showed no interest in men at all, Zhang Ruochen grew even more uneasy.
Now wasn’t the time for such wild thoughts. Zhang Ruochen said, “Take me to Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm. As long as I see Lingxi safe and sound, I’ll lend you a few of the *Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription* diagrams to study. But you must stay within my sight.”
Rubbings of the *Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription* had already spread far and wide.
Without the original, it was difficult to cultivate the *Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription* to a very high level.
So, if only Gu Ye Jing alone studied it, it wasn’t a big deal.
“Fine! It’s settled. When do we go to Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm?” Gu Ye Jing asked.
“As soon as I’ve arranged matters in the ten realms, we’ll leave immediately.”
Zhang Ruochen was deeply worried and couldn’t wait a moment longer.
He knew Mu Lingxi’s character well. She would rather die than give up the *Heavenly Demon Greedy Wolf Diagram*.
Unless what she needed to do was more important than both her life and the diagram combined.
After Zhang Ruochen left.
Gu Ye Jing’s demeanor turned icy cold. Her posture was proud as she touched her still-painful neck, her gaze sharp as a blade. “I really can’t understand why you and Huan Huan both fell for him. Zhang Ruochen is too promiscuous and harbors deep secrets. Coming back to Hell Realm now must be to rescue Qi Tian.”
“Isn’t rescuing one’s father a matter of course? If he didn’t go, I’d be deeply disappointed in him.”
“Zhang Ruochen is a man of deep loyalty. Whether promiscuous or affectionate, a top-tier strongman like him naturally attracts countless women who admire, love, and worship him.”
“His ability to fight the heroes of the heavens and be unmatched is why I like him.”
“His concern for Mu Lingxi’s safety is also why I like him.”
“If he were a cunning sycophant who only wanted to use the Tian Luo Divine Kingdom’s power, he’d flatter me endlessly and avoid mentioning Mu Lingxi, discarding her like a worn-out shoe. But such a heartless, profit-driven man would never catch my eye.” Luo Sha smiled charmingly.
Gu Ye Jing said, “In the end, he’s still a detestable man.”
“In your eyes, isn’t every man detestable?” Luo Sha replied.
…
At Ji Wen Island.
Zhang Ruochen met Xia Yu, accompanied by Qi Linzi, Qing Xunyun, and Huo Xi.
These three, as leaders of the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp, naturally had formidable cultivation. Even Huo Xi, with the lowest realm, had made it onto the *Red Dust Peerless List*’s Red Dust Scroll.
But now, all three were tense, holding their breath.
The aura Zhang Ruochen released put considerable pressure on them.
Zhang Ruochen was aware of their behind-the-scenes maneuvers but didn’t take them to heart. With his current vision focused on the entire universe, he wouldn’t waste time on cultivators far weaker than him.
It was too much of a waste.
However, since they intended to apologize and make amends, Zhang Ruochen planned to make good use of them.
Before him lay three space treasures, all filled with Divine Stones.
Qi Linzi’s space treasure contained the most—fully two hundred thousand Divine Stones.
Qing Xunyun and Huo Xi each offered eighty thousand Divine Stones.
This was no small amount. Even an average Supreme Realm Great Saint might not be able to scrape together such a sum even if they went bankrupt.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t immediately take the Divine Stones. Instead, he looked at Qi Linzi. “I heard you targeted me and the Yu Emperor to avenge the Blade Prison Emperor? Are you close to him?”
Qi Linzi, true to his status as camp master of the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp, maintained his composure. “The Blade Prison Emperor’s father god is an ancient god of the Qi Tian Tribe, so we are indeed somewhat connected. But it’s not to the point where I must follow his orders.”
“I also have ancient gods backing me.”
“Of course, if I could avenge the Blade Prison Emperor, I’d gain some benefits.”
“And this revenge?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Qi Linzi said, “This revenge no longer concerns me. Ruochen Great Saint is the number one strongman of our Undying Blood Clan. All major worldly matters should naturally be led by you.”
“I’m afraid some cultivators of the Undying Blood Clan still don’t recognize my status. So, I’ll need Camp Master Qi’s full cooperation.” Zhang Ruochen said.
Hearing this, Qi Linzi and the other two visibly relaxed, smiles spreading across their faces.
“We naturally follow Ruochen Great Saint’s lead.”
“Great Saint, you can assign any task to Xi Xi.”
“With the great war approaching, having a peerless strongman like Ruochen Great Saint leading the Undying Blood Clan will surely bring countless benefits.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Right now, there is indeed a thorny issue that requires the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp’s help.”
Qi Linzi guessed Zhang Ruochen’s thoughts. “Great Saint refers to the ten realms?”
“Camp Master Qi is indeed a clever man.”
Zhang Ruochen said solemnly, “Though I defeated the strong from both Heavenly Court and Hell Realm and won the ten realms, some forces will surely obstruct me from taking control. If the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp can help me seize control of the ten realms, no force should be able to stop us.”
Zhang Ruochen knew well that relying solely on the Blood Absolute Family’s strength and influence wouldn’t be enough to claim the ten realms.
He needed to leverage the Undying Divine Temple.
Huo Xi said, “But the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp’s next focus will be the battlefield between Heavenly Court and Hell Realm in the ancient civilization faction’s cosmic starry sky.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “So you’re unwilling to help. Fine, take your Divine Stones and leave. Am I the kind of person who holds grudges? I won’t dwell on this hatred. You worry too much.”
Qing Xunyun and Huo Xi’s faces changed, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
Qi Linzi’s tone softened, and he slightly bowed. “Since it’s Ruochen Great Saint’s matter, no matter how difficult, we will see it through. However, if the ones obstructing us are Lan Ying, Yuan, Nan Sheng, and the like, we won’t be able to defeat them.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Don’t worry. I’ll find a top-tier strongman to assist you. Xia Yu, send a message to Blood Butcher and have him come see me.”
Zhang Ruochen didn’t believe Qi Linzi and the others were truly loyal to him. But before they stepped into the God Realm, they wouldn’t dare defy his will, even if they had the nerve.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen didn’t believe the Blood Emperor Divine Demon Camp couldn’t handle mere Lan Ying, Yuan, and Nan Sheng. The reason he summoned Blood Butcher was to entrust him with a more important task.