Chapter 2963: Arriving at Meteorite Star Divine Temple
"The martial arts of the world originate from three paths, spreading through nine schools and a hundred clans," a saying widely circulated in the Kunlun Realm.
The Taiji Dao was one of the three paths of the Kunlun Realm, a culmination of Daoist teachings, giving rise to an endless stream of powerful figures. Since ancient times, most of the renowned strong individuals in the Kunlun Realm had ties to the Taiji Dao.
Since Zhang Ruochen was born in the Kunlun Realm, he naturally set his first destination as the Taiji Dao.
From Xinghuantian to the Kunlun Realm, there were three routes to choose from.
The first was to depart from Xinghuantian, cross the boundless starry sky, enter the Southern Universe, and then take a detour from the Southern Universe to the Western Universe, where the Kunlun Realm was located.
Not to mention how difficult it was to traverse the boundless starry sky—without accurate wormhole positions, even gods could lose their way with a single misstep. Simply going to the Southern Universe, given Zhang Ruochen's sensitive identity, carried immense danger.
Cultivators from the Heavenly Court could reach Xinghuantian through the Southern Universe.
But Zhang Ruochen could not use the Southern Universe to go to the Kunlun Realm.
This was the negative consequence of his reputation as the "Eon-Level Great Traitor."
The second route was to return to the Kunlun Realm via the Wuding Divine Sea.
This path was no longer viable.
Both the Heavenly Court and Hell had heavy forces stationed on both sides of the Wuding Divine Sea.
Given Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation at the God Realm, he could not possibly evade the Infinite Realm strong ones from the Heavenly Court stationed by the Wuding Divine Sea.
Although, as the Realm Lord of Xinghuantian, even if discovered, the other side might not be able to do much to him, they would certainly block him and refuse to let him cross the Wuding Divine Sea.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen had only one path left.
Return to the Kunlun Realm via the Shura Star Pillar Realm.
The Shura Star Pillar Realm was now the frontline of the Starry Sky Battlefield, where cultivators from the various clans of Hell and the armies of the Heavenly Court's myriad realms were locked in a chaotic battle, staining the starry sky with blood.
There, at the storm center of the entire universe, chaos reigned.
But precisely because of the chaos, it was relatively easier for Zhang Ruochen to quietly return to the Kunlun Realm.
Knowing that Zhang Ruochen's cultivation had hit a bottleneck that urgently needed resolution, Luo Sha did not press him about marriage again. She only said at their parting, "I will always wait for you."
Zhang Ruochen felt deeply guilty.
But he understood that in this chaotic era, nothing was more important than powerful cultivation and striving to survive.
The next evolution of the Taiji was crucial to Zhang Ruochen, a vital step in forging his own path of cultivation. For now, he could only firmly remember Luo Sha's affection in his heart, vowing never to let her down.
Accompanying Zhang Ruochen to the Shura Star Pillar Realm were Xiao Hei, Xue Tu, Bore, Yan Yu, Yan Zhexian, and Fengchen Sword God. However, aside from Xiao Hei, the others headed directly to the Starry Sky Battlefield.
Their cultivations had all advanced by leaps and bounds, and they were eager to find opponents on the battlefield, fighting fiercely to integrate the gains from thousands of years of secluded cultivation.
Xiao Hei had little interest in fighting, clamoring to return to the Kunlun Realm with Zhang Ruochen, claiming he wanted to pay respects to his master's master, saying he missed him dearly. His true purpose, however, was anyone's guess.
The Shura Star Pillar Realm stood like a pillar in the universe, its height impossible to measure. Even with Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation level, gazing at it from the starry sky, he couldn't help but feel awe.
This was a world!
But it was larger than a thousand great worlds combined.
Passing through nine layers of clouds, they landed on the ground of the Shura Star Pillar Realm. The soil was dark red, as if perpetually soaked in blood. White bones of unknown creatures jutted out of the earth, visible everywhere.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, sensing the flow of air, and said, "No wonder it's called the Shura Realm. The spiritual energy, saintly energy, and divine energy here are completely different from elsewhere, with an extremely heavy baleful aura. Cultivating here long-term, even if one isn't a Shura, they would become bloodthirsty and murderous."
"This emperor thinks Fengchen Sword God has been in the Shura Star Pillar Realm for so many years, yet he hasn't become bloodthirsty?" Xiao Hei retorted.
Zhang Ruochen said, "His will is firm, rare in the world. The Shura baleful aura cannot assimilate his spiritual will."
Xiao Hei knew that the Shura Star Pillar Realm was teeming with powerful figures and gods, and didn't want to stay long. "Let's go. This place is too desolate, no fun at all. We should hurry back to the Kunlun Realm. This emperor is already eager to pay respects to the master's master."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Do you know how to avoid the gods of the Heavenly Court and Hell on the Starry Sky Battlefield?"
"You can! You can even evade the Heavenly Venerable's divine patterns," Xiao Hei said matter-of-factly.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The starry sky is vast and cannot be crossed. Do you know the distribution of space wormholes in the nearby starry sky of the Shura Star Pillar Realm?"
"Fengchen Sword God must know. We should have kept him and had him take us to the Kunlun Realm."
Zhang Ruochen's expression was cautious. "It's best he doesn't get involved in anything related to the Kunlun Realm."
Xiao Hei realized that Zhang Ruochen was unhurried, clearly having made arrangements. "Alright, you're in charge. This emperor will follow you."
"That's more like it."
Zhang Ruochen took out a Message Light Talisman, using his fingers and divine power to carve words onto it.
The talisman flew out into the sky.
"Who are you sending a message to?" Xiao Hei asked.
"You talk too much. Come on, I'll take you to visit a friend."
Zhang Ruochen stepped forward, his pace like flowing light, heading straight for the horizon.
"You have friends among the Shura?" Xiao Hei hurried after him.
The Meteorite Star Divine Temple ranked seventeenth among the twenty-four divine temples of the Shura Clan, occupying a vast territory in the Shura Star Pillar Realm. Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei had landed within this territory.
Before long, Zhang Ruochen sensed Fang Mofeng's aura and went directly to find him.
...
A thousand years ago, during the Heaven Hunting Battle, Fang Mofeng was the leader of the Meteorite Star Divine Temple. With Zhang Ruochen's help, his cultivation had reached the Great Perfection of the Hundred Shackles Realm.
A thousand years had passed, and his cultivation had advanced significantly, now at the peak of the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm, on the verge of breaking into the Supreme Realm.
Such talent was undoubtedly a seed of godhood, holding an extraordinary status in the Meteorite Star Divine Temple.
At this moment.
Fang Mofeng sat in a sacred chariot pulled by nine golden-scaled flood dragons, exuding a majestic aura, looking down at the cultivators of the Meteorite Star Divine Temple escorting a long line of Sea Clan prisoners.
At the same time, the bodies of fallen Meteorite Star Divine Temple cultivators were being transported back.
Some of the Sea Clan tried to escape, only to be slashed down by a blade.
Others wept, only to be crushed into meat paste.
Gradually, they all fell silent, trembling with fear, their faces filled only with terror.
A female Shura Saint King, clad in armor, revealing slender jade-like legs and a supple waist, held a scroll of sacred records and knelt outside the chariot. "Great Saint, this is today's list of Sea Clan prisoners being escorted back. Please review it."
"Hmm."
The sacred scroll flew up on its own, landing in Fang Mofeng's hands.
Scanning it with his spiritual power, Fang Mofeng closed the scroll. "The Hanhai Civilization has been breached. All major forces in Hell are scrambling to reap benefits. Our Meteorite Star Divine Temple, with its geographical advantage, should gain more. These prisoners have some value. Confine them together for now. Huh?"
Suddenly, Fang Mofeng let out a surprised exclamation.
Facing a Great Saint like Fang Mofeng, the female Shura Saint King was already under immense pressure. Hearing his exclamation, her face turned pale, and she quickly asked, "Great Saint, is something wrong?"
"It's nothing to do with you. Withdraw."
Fang Mofeng stepped down from the chariot, walking swiftly across the dark red hills to greet two figures.
The female Shura Saint King was extremely curious—who could warrant Mofeng Great Saint personally descending from the chariot to welcome them?
She looked over, and an even more shocking sight unfolded.
Mofeng Great Saint actually bowed to the other party, appearing very respectful.
She couldn't make out the faces of the two figures, only distinguishing that one was dressed in white, like a young man. The other wore a black cloak, exuding an air of mystery.
"Could they be two gods?"
The female Shura Saint King felt a surge of reverence, deeply bowing to the two figures before leaving.
Fang Mofeng clasped his hands and bowed to Zhang Ruochen. "Greetings to Ruochen Sword God... no, to Ruochen Realm Lord!"
Zhang Ruochen accepted the bow calmly, smiling. "Rise!"
A Great Saint bowing to a god was a matter of course, a distinction of rank and status.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen smile, Fang Mofeng felt the pressure ease and relaxed. "Realm Lord, your arrival at the Meteorite Star Divine Temple—why didn't you notify us in advance? I'll immediately send word to the Temple Lord. We must welcome you with the highest temple protocol."
"Don't disturb the Temple Lord. I couldn't bear such an honor," Zhang Ruochen said.
Fang Mofeng said solemnly, "How could you not bear it? A thousand years ago, during the Heaven Hunting Battle, without your help, Realm Lord, the Meteorite Star Divine Temple might have been completely wiped out. Later, we achieved a very high ranking, even helping the temple rise from eighteenth to seventeenth place, elevating our status and influence within the Shura Clan."
The temple's ranking had improved more due to its overall strength increasing, with the Heaven Hunting Battle ranking only playing a supporting role.
Nevertheless, the Meteorite Star Divine Temple owed Zhang Ruochen a great debt.
Especially Fang Mofeng, who owed Zhang Ruochen his life.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I need to keep a low profile on this trip."
Fang Mofeng showed a look of understanding. "May I ask why the Realm Lord has come to the Meteorite Star Divine Temple?"
Zhang Ruochen's cultivation was now vastly different, making him a major figure capable of shaking the gods of the world. Fang Mofeng didn't believe he had come just to see him.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Is your master at the Meteorite Star Divine Temple? I met him briefly at the Divine Maiden Tower in the world."
Fang Mofeng's master was Shuo Qianhai. Zhang Ruochen didn't need anyone to tell him this; he could discern it with his Heart of Truth.
"My master is currently stationed at the temple, overseeing it."
Fang Mofeng didn't ask why Zhang Ruochen wanted to see his master and directly led him to the Meteorite Star Divine Temple.
On the way, Zhang Ruochen asked about the Yan Cuo Two Saints.
He had vivid memories of Yan Hanyu and Mo Cuo, two extraordinarily talented Great Saints of the Meteorite Star Divine Temple. In particular, Yan Hanyu, known as the number one beauty of the temple, was said to be a direct descendant of the Heavenly Lord lineage of the Heavenly Beginning Civilization. She had betrayed the Heavenly Beginning Civilization and joined the Shura Clan because of her love for Mo Cuo.
Fang Mofeng had an excellent relationship with the Yan Cuo Two Saints. He sighed regretfully. "Yan Hanyu recently betrayed the Meteorite Star Divine Temple."
"How could that happen?" Zhang Ruochen asked in surprise.
Fang Mofeng said, "She returned to the Heavenly Beginning Civilization! In her heart, some things are more important than love and a lover. When she left, she left a final letter for Junior Brother Mo Cuo, saying that since the civilization was about to be destroyed, she should live and die with her people. If they met on the battlefield, they would only part ways in life or death."
...
Today, I sorted out some discarded characters, foreshadowing, and character relationship networks. It took seven or eight hours, writing several thousand words. It's so hard! The later stages are too difficult to write—too many characters, too many details!
I calculated that if there's an average of one detail description per thousand words, then ten million words would have ten thousand detail descriptions.
The key is that many details were written years ago. Today, I looked back at quite a bit of earlier content and realized I had forgotten many details. For example, whether Xiao Hei calls Yunshen Daozhu "master's master" or "grandmaster's master" required me to re-read to confirm.