Chapter 2959: Before the Opening
Returning to Xinghuantian, Snow Domain Market Master Liu Qingcheng immediately went to the Divine Maiden Royal Palace to pay respects to Zhang Ruochen.
She handed a list to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen took the list, and densely packed points of light flew out from it, each one a name.
Liu Qingcheng’s blue hair was bright and lustrous, her temperament ethereal, beautiful like a Blue Spirit Elf, standing below to report, “According to the Realm Lord’s requirements, all cultivators from the thirteen realms of the Heavenly Court army who have committed heavy crimes of slaughter have been listed separately. The total is…”
“Qingcheng, sit down and speak.” Zhang Ruochen said.
Liu Qingcheng felt a slight sense of strangeness, sitting down in the seat on the left side of the hall. She pursed her red lips before continuing, “A total of one million seven hundred and forty thousand, among them five hundred and seventy-two Great Saints, and thirty-four thousand five hundred and sixty who committed first-degree heavy crimes, all unpardonable.”
On the list, not only were the crimes divided into three levels, but the number of Saint Realm soldiers from each realm and the count at each cultivation level were all clearly tallied.
It was truly done with care.
Zhang Ruochen put away the list, and the points of light in the hall disappeared.
He smiled with satisfaction, “Qingcheng, you have done well. What do you think should be done with these people?”
Liu Qingcheng quickly stood up, “I will follow the Realm Lord’s instructions.”
Zhang Ruochen gestured for her to sit down, “I want to hear your suggestion.”
Liu Qingcheng had not expected Zhang Ruochen to truly entrust this matter entirely to her. For her, this was an excellent opportunity to showcase herself.
If done well, she would surely gain Zhang Ruochen’s strong support, and her position in Xinghuantian would be even greater than now.
If done poorly, she would likely be suppressed for tens of thousands of years by Yu Qiancheng, who enjoyed more of Zhang Ruochen’s trust.
Liu Qingcheng’s red lips were like cinnabar, “In my opinion, if the gods of the thirteen realms want to redeem their Saint Realm soldiers, they must pay Divine Stones. The ransom for a Great Saint, depending on their cultivation strength, ranges from five Divine Stones to five thousand Divine Stones.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded inwardly. Liu Qingcheng’s approach deeply pleased him.
The Divine Stones collected were not too high, but accumulated, they would be enough to make the gods of the thirteen realms ache to the bone.
Most importantly, with the Sundial about to be activated for secluded cultivation, Zhang Ruochen was in great need of a large number of Divine Stones.
Liu Qingcheng continued, “The one million seven hundred and forty thousand Saint Realm soldiers who committed heavy crimes must absolutely not be let off. In my opinion, the thirty-four thousand five hundred and sixty Saint Realm soldiers who committed first-degree heavy crimes must be executed by slow slicing in various countries, so that mortal cultivators know that the gods of Xinghuantian are still strong and can protect them. Only then will they not lose their spirit and energy because of this calamity.”
“As for the other one million plus Saint Realm soldiers, they can be sold to the Hell Realm, which will also give the gods of the Hell Realm an explanation.”
She did not know if this approach aligned with Zhang Ruochen’s wishes, carefully observing his expression, hoping to glean something from his face.
But Zhang Ruochen’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze restrained.
Zhang Ruochen said, “What about the Thousand Petal Realm?”
Liu Qingcheng seemed to have long guessed that Zhang Ruochen would ask about the Thousand Petal Realm, “There are not many cultivators from the Thousand Petal Realm who committed heavy crimes of slaughter in Xinghuantian. Does the Realm Lord think we should exempt them from punishment?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, “I do have some friendship with the Thousand Petal Realm. But friendship is friendship, official business is official business. If people were killed, they must pay the price. I cannot chill the hearts of Xinghuantian’s cultivators because of my personal connections.”
“However, Xinghuantian cannot only make enemies and not keep friends.”
“How about this: treat the cultivators who committed heavy crimes equally. But the ransom for the other Saint Realm soldiers of the Thousand Petal Realm can be halved. The Mandala Flower God should be able to feel the goodwill of this Realm Lord.”
Zhang Ruochen continued, “Your suggestions just now were all very good, watertight. But I don’t think we should sell that one million plus Saint Realm soldiers who committed heavy crimes to the Hell Realm.”
“Xinghuantian is a neutral force. If we do this, it will send the wrong signal to the Heavenly Court, making them think we have begun to lean toward the Hell Realm.”
Liu Qingcheng’s holy, jade-like face showed a look of fear, “It was my oversight. But should we execute them all?”
“If we execute them all, the killing intent would be too heavy, and it would surely provoke the Heavenly Court’s overwhelming wrath.”
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment, “Send them to the Taichu Ancient Mine.”
The Taichu Ancient Mine was located in the Haishi Star Harbor. It not only produced Divine Stones and Time-Space Crystals but also contained many ancient god tombs, burying countless great figures from ancient times.
The Seven-Colored Coral Tree and Space Chaos Worm that Zhang Ruochen had encountered were both dug out from the Taichu Ancient Mine.
Liu Qingcheng nodded inwardly, feeling admiration for Zhang Ruochen.
His age was far younger than hers, but he was more experienced and mature in handling affairs.
Liu Qingcheng said, “The envoys from the thirteen realms have already arrived at the First Divine Maiden City. When will the Realm Lord meet them?”
“You go and negotiate with them. From now on, you will manage Xinghuantian on my behalf. You may make your own decisions on all matters of Xinghuantian.” Zhang Ruochen waved his hand, signaling her to withdraw.
It was at this moment that Nether Flower Market Master Yu Qiancheng walked in from outside. When she met Liu Qingcheng face to face, a hint of envy and jealousy flashed coldly in her eyes before disappearing.
Nether Flower Market Master walked directly up the steps and sat down in Zhang Ruochen’s embrace. The coldness in her eyes vanished, replaced by a full, seductive charm. She spoke in a coquettish voice, “Master, how can you be so partial, handing Xinghuantian over to her to manage? Is your disciple lacking in some way?”
Her body was fragrant and soft, her buttocks full, her long, jade-like legs exuding infinite temptation.
Zhang Ruochen did not pretend to be serious and push her away. He let her tempt him like this but remained unmoved, “I have entrusted the entire Goddess Twelve Pavilions to you and made you the Deputy City Lord. Isn’t that enough? She handles internal affairs, managing Xinghuantian. You handle external affairs, controlling the One Hundred and Eighty Pavilions and the World Divine Maiden City. You should cooperate well.”
Yu Qiancheng was about to speak.
Zhang Ruochen said somewhat forcefully, “Your goal is to reach the Upper-Level God realm as soon as possible, to prepare for the future Eon Calamity. Taking on too many worldly affairs is not good. In my eyes, you are the most trustworthy. I will definitely help you reach the Great God level.”
Hearing this, all the displeasure in Yu Qiancheng’s heart vanished, replaced by extreme joy, “Master, you can’t lie to me!”
“Of course not.”
Zhang Ruochen took out several Divine Talisman Letters, “I have an important matter for you to handle. Use the channels of the Goddess Twelve Pavilions to send these letters out.”
Liu Qingcheng was deliberately promoted by Zhang Ruochen to counterbalance Yu Qiancheng.
Any ruler must understand the art of balance, mutual restraint, and not let one person dominate. Otherwise, after a long period of secluded cultivation, who knows what might happen?
…
Ice King Star.
The Ice Imperial Palace was buried under thick ice and snow, revealing only red walls and jade pillars. The surrounding snow-capped mountains were shrouded in clouds and mist, and the sky was filled with divine clouds like rivers—a rare sacred place in the universe.
“Zhang Ruochen hasn’t forgotten this Emperor after all.”
Receiving the Divine Talisman Letter, Xiao Hei laughed uproariously, shaking the snowflakes flying wildly.
He walked down the steps, waved at the Qingyu Tower, and said with heroic spirit, “When I return this time, this Emperor will be invincible under heaven.”
Wearing a black cloak that covered his furry cat head, Xiao Hei disappeared into the wind and snow.
…
In the starry sky of the Starry Sky Battlefield, Bore, wearing the Hundred Dragon Bright Emperor Armor, stood with heroic grace beneath a majestic divine hall.
From within the hall, a deep voice sounded, “If you want to go, then go. What are you hesitating about? The Starry Sky Battlefield will not change because of your departure.”
Bore cupped her hands, “Master, secluded cultivation requires a calm mind. If I go, I fear my mind cannot be calm!”
“Then you must go all the more. If you cannot calm your mind, it means there is a demonic barrier in your heart. If you can overcome it, you will rise to the next level. The opening of the Sundial is a great opportunity and also a shortcut for you to quickly reach the Great God level.” The voice in the hall said.
“Disciple understands. Thank you for your guidance, Master.”
Bore shattered the void and departed, a river of the underworld stretching ten thousand miles behind her, a hundred dragons roaring together, disappearing into the endless starry sky.
…
Yama Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Yan Yu and Yan Zhexian stood at the foot of a divine mountain shaped like a furnace. On the ground, divine flames blazed, never extinguishing.
From within the divine mountain, pills flew out one by one.
The light of the pills was as bright as stars.
After collecting the pills, the two left Yama Heaven Beyond Heaven and headed toward Xinghuantian through a Space Teleportation Array.
…
Yan Wushen sat on a planet outside the Abyss of Darkness. Sometimes golden light radiated from him, sometimes he was deep and dark. Dense Rule Divine Marks enveloped the entire planet.
The light and shadow of the Six Paths Reincarnation always hovered above his head.
Even gods dared not approach this planet.
He caught the flying Divine Talisman Letter, “Zhang Ruochen actually sent me a letter!”
“The Sundial is opening, with only ten spots. Zhang Ruochen giving you one of them shows he values you as a friend.” A voice sounded from the starry sky.
Yan Wushen said, “I appreciate his goodwill, but I cannot accept it.”
The voice in the starry sky asked curiously, “Why?”
“If I borrow Zhang Ruochen’s power, the unyielding spirit in my heart that refuses to bow to him will be greatly damaged. In the future, how can I talk about surpassing him or going further than him? Cultivation is ultimately one’s own business. I must walk my own path. Time is not the only shortcut in this world. The Nine Eternal Paths all have their merits, all have ways to quickly improve cultivation.”
Yan Wushen stood up, his heroic eyes gazing at the boundless entrance to the Abyss of Darkness, “The sea has no bounds, the sky is the shore; the mountain reaches the peak, I am the summit! One day, I will rely on my own strength to step by step reach the highest position in this world.”
“Do you think Zhang Ruochen is still worthy of being your opponent?”
Yan Wushen revealed a smile, “Others might think his martial arts cultivation is crippled, greatly limiting his future achievements. But martial arts is just one way to become strong, created by predecessors. This shows that martial arts is not the only path to strength!”
…
I’ve been exhausted outside these past few days. I can only resume updates on the 2nd. I’m very sorry.