Chapter 2835: Reasoning
At the central heartland of the Life-Death Ruins.
"Blood Absolute has always had that temper—explosive at the slightest spark. Look at me, Luo Yan. Even though Zhang Ruochen is the future consort of the Tianluo Divine Kingdom, I, this Emperor, feel not a trace of emotion. I can remain calm and composed. This is the steadiness befitting a superior, a state of mind cultivated through years of practice."
Luo Yan Emperor, his towering and imposing figure standing at the entrance of the temple, spoke thus to the blue silhouette inside. He appeared to be standing there casually, but in truth, he blocked the blue figure's path out.
"Is the Emperor telling this old man that you too harbor anger in your heart, but you can restrain it?" the blue figure said.
Luo Yan Emperor said, "What I mean to say is that beings at our level wield too much influence. We can determine the course of major events under heaven. In everything we do, we cannot act impulsively like Blood Absolute, reckless and unrestrained. Above all, we must not break those unspoken rules; otherwise, we will surely suffer backlash, and the consequences may spiral beyond our control."
Standing beside the blue figure, Seventh Master understood the underlying meaning in Luo Yan Emperor's words.
He was telling Ancestor Qing that Luo Yan Emperor himself possessed immense authority, capable of commanding the Rakshasa Clan and deciding major affairs under heaven. If Luo Yan Emperor were to act as recklessly as Xue Jue War God, the Tiannan might not be able to withstand such an impact. The eventual development of events would spiral beyond the control of both Ancestor Qing and Luo Yan Emperor, likely leading to heaven-shaking upheaval.
Seventh Master sighed inwardly. Xue Jue War God and Luo Yan Emperor were truly two completely different people.
One was fierce as fire, expressing what he wanted to do in the most direct way.
The other was steady without losing his domineering edge, seemingly reasoning but full of sharp wit in his words. He did not confront head-on, yet surpassed confrontation.
What Seventh Master did not know was that Luo Yan Emperor had not originally planned to reason so patiently. It was only after sensing that Xue Jue War God was slaughtering outside, even beyond his expectations, causing his heart to pound with the feeling that a great chaos was about to erupt, that he shifted to reasoning.
This reasoning—Zhang Ruochen was not qualified to have with Ancestor Qing, Xue Jue War God lacked the standing, and even if Fulou Divine Venerable came, he would fall short.
But Luo Yan was the Emperor of the Tianluo Divine Kingdom. In extreme circumstances, he could even command the seven divine kingdoms of the Rakshasa Clan, representing the entire Rakshasa Clan. Whether in cultivation, authority, or the energy he could mobilize behind him, he was qualified to face Ancestor Qing directly.
He could reason, and he could also arm-wrestle.
Of course, with Xue Jue War God outside slaughtering the Tiannan into such a miserable state, if Luo Yan Emperor further provoked Ancestor Qing, the consequences would be unimaginable. So, reasoning was the only option.
What is justice?
Justice exists only when strength is equal.
Sensing that Xue Jue War God had suppressed and killed ten divine generals of the Tiannan, captured Sixth Master, and fought his way into the Life-Death Ruins, Luo Yan Emperor's brow twitched, and he quickly added, "See? If you hadn't broken the rules and personally struck at a junior, how could Blood Absolute have gone mad? A great clan leader, driven mad by you! Losing control of his emotions, not even knowing what he was doing."
"If it had been the third-generation heir of the Tiannan who made the move, even if he beat Zhang Ruochen to death, Blood Absolute would have accepted it. Breaking the rules invites backlash."
"This is precisely why both the Heavenly Court and the Destiny Temple have decreed that gods must not interfere in mortal affairs. Once they do, chaos will surely follow, and everyone will be finished."
"Is the Emperor lecturing this old man?" Ancestor Qing's tone was calm.
But these words were anything but calm, already carrying a killing edge.
If not for Luo Yan blocking the entrance, Ancestor Qing would have already struck to suppress Xue Jue War God. In Ancestor Qing's view, Luo Yan's rambling was far too much. If not for the status of the Rakshasa Clan's First Divine Kingdom Emperor, he would have already made his move.
Luo Yan Emperor said, "Ancestor Qing is an elder, a master of the universe. How would I dare lecture you? In all the world, there is no one who would dare utter the word 'lecture' before you. But Ancestor Qing, you were indeed in the wrong in this matter, and the Tiannan must pay the price."
At first, Luo Yan Emperor's tone was very gentle, but by the end, it turned cold and heavy.
Their gazes clashed. Though they did not mobilize divine qi, Seventh Master, standing beside Ancestor Qing, felt a chill run through his bones, his heart suddenly tightening.
If these two were to go to war, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Just as Seventh Master was about to dissuade them, Ancestor Qing spoke, "Zhang Ruochen is the heir of Xumi, a pawn of the Kunlun Realm, seeking to overthrow the Hell Realm and avenge the grudge of a hundred thousand years ago."
Luo Yan Emperor said, "Do you have evidence?"
"Not long ago, that old man Huaying intervened, using his spiritual power to help Zhang Ruochen escape," Ancestor Qing said.
Luo Yan Emperor said, "What kind of evidence is that? Huaying was imprisoned in the Destiny Temple. It was with the help of Zhang Ruochen's father that he escaped. Now, Zhang Ruochen's father is trapped in the Destiny Temple. Huaying saving his son is merely repaying a favor."
"Do you truly dare to let this child grow up, unafraid that he will bring calamity to your Rakshasa Clan in the future?" Ancestor Qing's figure remained shrouded in chaos, only a blue shadow visible.
Luo Yan Emperor said, "If we must kill every rising prodigy out of fear that they might threaten us in the future, then shall we discuss killing Blood Absolute, Huang Tian, and Yan Wushen first, to eliminate all threats? Ancestor Qing, Ancestor Qing, you must understand one principle: others become your enemies only because you first chose them as your enemies. I understand this truth. With your great wisdom, how could you not?"
"It is precisely because I understand it too well that I must cripple Zhang Ruochen, at any cost. Because our enmity was forged a hundred thousand years ago," Ancestor Qing said.
Luo Yan Emperor looked up at the sky and said, "Very well, let us stop debating right and wrong. Zhang Ruochen's cultivation has been crippled, and your goal has been achieved. As long as you promise me that from now on, everyone will act according to the rules and you will not target him again, I will take Blood Absolute away and put an end to this matter."
"Too late! No one will take Blood Absolute away today," Ancestor Qing said firmly, with an unshakable will.
Luo Yan Emperor grew anxious, "I just spoke to you about rules, and you, elder, have already forgotten them? If you strike at Blood Absolute, will the Undying Blood Clan let it go? Are you trying to provoke a war between the Undying Blood Clan and the Death Clan? Is the Hell Realm about to descend into internal strife?"
"Before I came to the Life-Death Ruins, the gods of the Blood Heaven Tribe were already gathering, and Fulou Divine Venerable was on his way. The clan leader of the Undying Blood Clan..."
"Swoosh!"
A beam of blood light descended from the sky, coalescing into a weathered figure.
"I'm here! You called for me, didn't you?"
The clan leader of the Undying Blood Clan was covered in dirt, his hair as messy as a chicken's nest, his clothes tattered, like an old corpse that had just crawled out of the ground.
Luo Yan Emperor was also taken aback that a clan leader of such stature would be so careless about his appearance. After a moment of stunned silence, he said, "Look, look! The old clan leader, who had been sleeping underground for thirty thousand years, has been roused. This is going to..."
"This is going to throw the world into chaos, a great disaster, a great disaster!" Luo Yan Emperor's words were again snatched by the Undying Blood Clan leader.
Inside the temple, Ancestor Qing stepped forward a few paces, finally revealing his true face. His aged countenance now bore a hint of caution.
The weight of Luo Yan Emperor and the Undying Blood Clan leader was already considerable.
Ancestor Qing said, "Everything I have done is for the sake of the Hell Realm."
"Who isn't..." Luo Yan Emperor began.
The Undying Blood Clan leader said, "Who isn't doing it for the Hell Realm? We rushed to the Life-Death Ruins also for the Hell Realm. If we fight among ourselves, only the Heavenly Court will benefit."
Luo Yan Emperor nodded, "This matter..."
"Let this matter end here! The Tiannan has also suffered heavy losses this time, but our Undying Blood Clan has lost even more. Yet we are willing to take a step back, to turn a big matter into a small one, and a small matter into nothing."
The Undying Blood Clan leader turned to Luo Yan Emperor and asked, "What did the Emperor want to say? Go ahead."
You've already said everything. What is left for me, the Emperor, to say?
Luo Yan Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Zhang Ruochen's martial cultivation has been crippled. The Tiannan must not target him from now on. Only then can I find a way to persuade Blood Absolute and Fulou Divine Venerable. Otherwise, this matter will be very difficult to resolve."
How could Ancestor Qing not see the purpose of Luo Yan Emperor and the Undying Blood Clan leader? If this matter were simply dropped, who would still respect the Tiannan in the future?
"Blood Absolute may not be killed, but he must pay a price. You should understand that my will and the dignity of the Tiannan cannot be challenged by anyone. Just as if Xue Jue War God were to have his cultivation crippled by another god in the Undying Divine Temple, or if a god of the Tianluo Divine Kingdom were killed in the Daluo Divine Palace, it could not simply be brushed aside," Ancestor Qing said.
Luo Yan Emperor and the Undying Blood Clan leader exchanged glances.
Xue Jue War God had killed too ruthlessly. This matter could not be resolved peacefully. No one in the world could make Ancestor Qing take a step back on this issue. Even if all ten clan leaders came together, it would be useless.
Luo Yan Emperor said, "What price do you want him to pay?"
Just as Ancestor Qing was about to speak, he suddenly sensed something. He walked out of the temple and looked toward the western sky of the Life-Death Ruins.
Luo Yan Emperor and the Undying Blood Clan leader also sensed something, their eyes showing expressions of disbelief.
They saw a divine decree appear out of thin air, suspended in the clouds, slowly unfurling.
Then, a figure with red robes and white hair manifested, like the true form of Heavenly Mother, radiating a peerless and terrifying divine might. She declared in a loud voice, "Let all gods under heaven know that from this day forth, Zhang Ruochen is under my protection. He is the Divine Envoy of Heavenly Mother."
After that brief statement, Heavenly Mother's form dissipated, transforming into strands of rule divine patterns and spiritual thoughts that flew toward the eight directions of the universe.
This voice then reached the ears of all gods in both the Heavenly Court and the Hell Realm.
"She... she is still alive, my goddess..." The Undying Blood Clan leader's throat moved, his eyes burning with fervor.
Luo Yan Emperor's expression, however, was extremely grave. "Did you notice? Her rule divine patterns have changed. Has she already stepped into that realm?"
"No mistake. The goddess is in that realm. If it were thirty thousand years ago, she would surely have become one of the Twenty Heavens. Not all of the Twenty Heavens have stepped into that realm, but those who have are certainly among them," the Undying Blood Clan leader said, his spirits soaring, letting out a long, hearty laugh.
The appearance of Heavenly Mother's divine decree made this already tumultuous day even more shocking.
The world of the gods was in complete uproar.