Chapter 3015: Zhang Ruochen's Influence
Zhang Ruochen and Luo Ji did not immediately head to the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain. Instead, they first returned to the Heavenly Beginning Civilization.
One reason was that he had promised Jie Zunzhe to help Grandmother Tianhu resolve the Three Calamities Corpse Poison.
The second reason was that, since he had decided to help the Heavenly Beginning Civilization escape its predicament, he naturally needed to inform powerful figures like King Yu or the Heavenly Lord of his plan. Only cultivators of their level possessed divine bodies capable of bearing a world as vast and heavy as the Heavenly Beginning Civilization.
The Heavenly Beginning Civilization's great world, whether in terms of volume or the stability of its matter, could not be compared to the degenerated Jiannan Realm, let alone the Qiankun Realm, which was currently only slightly larger than an upper-level Ruins Realm.
In a great world, the denser the spiritual energy, sacred qi, and divine qi, the more stable the matter. This made it harder for cultivators to cause destruction within such a world, effectively placing it on a higher plane of existence.
Ruins realms were divided into three levels: lower, middle, and upper.
However, even a rare upper-level Ruins Realm was less than one hundred-thousandth the size of an ordinary great world. Compared to a top-tier great world like the Heavenly Beginning Civilization, it was only one in several million, or even tens of millions, of its size.
When factoring in differences in material structure and density, the weight of the Heavenly Beginning Civilization's great world was at least a hundred million times greater than that of an upper-level Ruins Realm. How could an ordinary god bear such a burden?
Even King Yu, if he were to carry the Heavenly Beginning Civilization's great world within his body, would feel like a mortal carrying hundreds of pounds of boulders on his back. He could not sustain it for long, and his combat power would be greatly diminished.
When Zhang Ruochen had carried the Qiankun Realm back then, a large part of the reason was the Space Esoterica within the Divine Martial Mark of Time and Space that had assisted him.
Zhang Ruochen still wore the face of Qing Pingzi, painted by Tai Shang. He boldly passed through the Star Gate, heading straight for the Heavenly Beginning Civilization's great world.
It was worth noting that the Hell Tide had ended three days ago, and the destroyed Star Gate had been rebuilt.
Zhang Ruochen entered Doushuai City and went directly to the Divine King Manor.
Since his identity was already exposed, and the Heavenly Beginning Civilization's Fire Seed had been sent to the Kunlun Realm, he had nothing to fear. Why should he be afraid of King Yu?
Just as he arrived outside the Divine King Manor, Luo Jinshu appeared before him, calling out from a distance, "Daoist Qing Pingzi!"
Zhang Ruochen was not surprised that Luo Jinshu was here. After all, his entry through the Star Gate had been too conspicuous. Someone had likely already informed Luo Jinshu.
Zhang Ruochen walked over, clasped his hands, and bowed, "Daoist Luo!"
Luo Jinshu asked with concern, "Where have you been these past few days? Jinshu was very worried, afraid that the Cha Realm would vent its anger on you."
So his identity had not been exposed. It seemed Xuanyuan Lian and King Yu had not spread the news.
Zhang Ruochen had deliberately entered the Star Gate so boldly, partly to test whether his identity had been exposed through the Truth Temple Hall Master. If the Truth Temple Hall Master and Tai Shang had secretly communicated, they would surely protect him and prevent him from entering the Star Gate.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Hmph! The Cha Realm itself is not clean, raising an Upper-Level God Shura. What right do they have to blame me?"
"True, but the Cha Realm has many evil cultivators. You must be cautious."
Luo Jinshu asked, "Are you here to see the Divine King?"
Zhang Ruochen looked toward the gates of the Divine King Manor and said, "These past few days, I've been restless, feeling unsettled in my heart. I keep asking myself, even if I fear the Three Calamities Corpse Poison, shouldn't I at least try? Otherwise, if I later hear that Grandmother Tianhu failed her tribulation and fell, wouldn't I be burdened with guilt for the rest of my life?"
Luo Jinshu immediately showed great respect and bowed deeply to Zhang Ruochen.
"Daoist Luo, please rise."
Zhang Ruochen quickly helped Luo Jinshu up, knowing that Luo Ji was currently inside the *Sixth Patriarch's Zen Meditation Diagram*.
"Your righteousness comes first, putting your own life at risk for others. You deserve this bow. Come, please enter." Luo Jinshu took Zhang Ruochen's arm and strode into the Divine King Manor.
As soon as they stepped through the gate, the world's rules changed dramatically. Before them, chaos and mist swirled, and divine qi drifted ethereally.
Zhang Ruochen felt his body grow heavy, as if stepping into a void. The world spun, and when he landed again, he found himself on a barren land, dust swirling in the air.
Luo Jinshu was gone. Only a broad-shouldered, imposing figure stood ten zhang away, his back to Zhang Ruochen.
A vast and domineering divine might, like a hundred thousand divine mountains, pressed down on Zhang Ruochen. It forced a Buddha's light to emerge from his body, turning him golden as he used the power of the Buddha Emperor Relic to resist.
The pressure increased.
Zhang Ruochen had to press his hands down, releasing a Taiji circle.
How terrifying! Was this the cultivation of the Infinite Realm? Even standing still, he could crush him, forcing him to use all his strength to resist.
Zhang Ruochen was not afraid; instead, his confidence soared. With his current cultivation, even standing before a generation of Divine Kings, he could hold his spine straight. The opponent could not break him.
But inwardly, he cursed Jie Zunzhe. That damned old man! The Divine King had certainly not agreed to let him take the Heavenly Lord Mountain and the Fire Seed.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Junior understands that the Divine King is angry, but may I first speak before you act?"
"Do you know that because of you, my plan fell short? And you still dare to come to Doushuai City? Do you really think that old bastard from your Zhang family can protect you?"
Thunder roared above King Yu's head.
Zhang Ruochen wanted to use the Fire Seed as a trump card, but he knew that threatening a Divine King with his current cultivation would not end well.
He said, "The Divine King should understand that the chances of your plan succeeding were minuscule. Ruochen is not opposing you; I want to save the Heavenly Beginning Civilization. Why don't we join forces and implement the next plan?"
King Yu turned around, his eyes deep as a black abyss. "Plan? Which side do you represent? The Kunlun Realm? Xinghuantian? Or the Undying Blood Clan? In my view, you represent the Undying Blood Clan, don't you?"
Zhang Ruochen felt the killing intent from King Yu and sighed inwardly. The Heavenly Beginning Civilization and the Hell Realm truly had a blood feud.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I represent myself. If the Divine King does not believe me, let Luo Ji explain in detail."
King Yu's expression shifted unpredictably, and the thunder above him grew louder.
Suddenly, the divine might that had been crushing Zhang Ruochen dissipated. He could faintly hear King Yu's helpless sigh.
Zhang Ruochen took out the *Sixth Patriarch's Zen Meditation Diagram* and summoned Luo Ji.
"Grandfather!"
Luo Ji bowed to King Yu.
King Yu's eyes lost their severity and gloom, filled instead with affection. He said, "You should not have returned to the Heavenly Beginning Civilization. You have your own responsibilities."
Luo Ji said, "My home is here, and all my family is in this city. How could I not return? Grandfather says I bear the responsibility of passing on and reviving our civilization. But if there is truly a chance to preserve it, why must we revive it?"
Zhang Ruochen did not listen to their exchange. He observed his surroundings, confirming this was King Yu's Divine Realm World.
Unfortunately, this Divine Realm World was severely damaged, filled only with boundless desolation, no longer its original form. Clearly, King Yu had also fought in the starry sky.
After a long while, King Yu turned his gaze to Zhang Ruochen and said, "You are truly naive. The Dark Great Triangle Star Domain is bizarre and perilous. Even a spiritual power master above the ninety-step, Heaven Round No Gap level might not be able to walk out. With your cultivation, going in search of the Sword Realm is nothing short of seeking death."
Zhang Ruochen said, "It is precisely because even Heaven Round No Gap spiritual power masters fear the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain that it is the best place for the Heavenly Beginning Civilization to avoid war. The Divine King may not know, but this search for the Sword Realm was actually the intention of the Tai Shang. In his view, I have a better chance of finding it than he does."
"Divine King, do you understand the meaning of these words?"
Hearing this, King Yu put away the doubt and disdain in his eyes. Then he said, "What a pity! Even if you find the Sword Realm, the Heavenly Beginning Civilization cannot leave. Xuanyuan Lian must have reported the matter. The Heavenly Court is on guard, and the Heavenly Beginning Civilization will not have a second chance."
Zhang Ruochen stood tall, his eyes filled with confidence. "Actually, the reason I believe the Divine King's previous plan, no matter how perfect, would be discovered is because the Heavenly Court has spiritual power masters above the ninety-step who can observe the Divine King's every move."
"But with my involvement, it is different. I can invite a spiritual power master above the ninety-step to help us cover our tracks and deceive the heavens. This influence, Divine King, you do not have, do you?"
King Yu fell into deep thought.
Zhang Ruochen pressed on, "If the Divine King feels one spiritual power master above the ninety-step is not enough, I can invite two, or even try for a third. For the Heavenly Beginning Civilization, for Luo Ji, I will do everything in my power."
"When it comes to the number of powerful figures I can mobilize, even Xuanyuan Lian, the son of the Heavenly Venerable, may not surpass me."
King Yu stared intently at Zhang Ruochen, realizing that this young man had indeed gathered a terrifying force behind him. More importantly, was this all just coincidence?
Or had the great figures behind him already secretly united, waiting only for him to grow before overturning heaven and earth?
King Yu shuddered at the thought, realizing he had been blind to this before. Qingtian's intervention might have been because he sensed the underlying scheme.
The more King Yu thought about it, the more he felt this was no ordinary matter. If the Heavenly Beginning Civilization also boarded this warship, the force built around this young man could indeed carve out a territory, making both the Heavenly Court and the Hell Realm hesitate to act.
It was a pity that this young man's cultivation was still too weak. If he were already at the Infinite Realm, King Yu would not hesitate to go and persuade the Heavenly Lord.
King Yu said, "For this trip to the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, how many people do you need me to provide?"
"I will go alone. I do not need the Heavenly Beginning Civilization's help," Zhang Ruochen said.
Luo Ji said, "I will go with him. Grandfather, do not try to dissuade me. My mind is made up."
Surprisingly, King Yu did not try to stop her. Instead, he took out a talisman and handed it to Zhang Ruochen. "You, Zhang Ruochen, have countless treasures. There is not much I can give you. This is a Divine King Talisman. Remember, whether you find the Sword Realm or not, you must bring Luo Ji back alive. She is the Heavenly Beginning Civilization's last hope."
Zhang Ruochen put away the Divine King Talisman and said, "Thank you for your trust, Divine King. Ruochen will surely find the Sword Realm and return."
King Yu said, "You have not yet earned my trust. I trust Tai Shang. Tai Shang trusts you, believes you will never become a helper of the Hell Realm, and believes you will achieve great things. I trust that Tai Shang will not be mistaken."
Zhang Ruochen was not angry. This was only natural. With his close ties to the Hell Realm, why should King Yu trust him?
Moreover, with his current cultivation, he was still far too weak in the eyes of Infinite Realm experts.
One hundred thousand years ago, although the Kunlun Realm's gods had all fallen, figures like Wen Tianjun, Yunshen Daozhu, and Xumi Saint Monk had earned the respect and trust of countless powerful beings.
King Yu was like that.
Perhaps the Truth Temple Hall Master was as well.
"Go. I still have matters to discuss with Luo Ji."
King Yu waved his hand, and Zhang Ruochen's body flew out like a leaf.
The world spun again. When he landed, he found himself standing beside Luo Jinshu. Before him were layered towers, abundant divine qi, and a garden with spiritual mountains, flowers, lakes, pavilions, and terraces arranged in harmony with the Dao, full of beauty.
Luo Jinshu seemed to have just stepped through the gate, completely unaware that Zhang Ruochen had been pulled into King Yu's Divine Realm World. He said, "Grandmother Tianhu is temporarily staying at Qiyun Palace, separated from the central hall of the World-Protecting Divine Formation by only a wall. Come, I will take you there."
"Infinite Realm gods are truly terrifying. An Upper-Level God was completely unaware, and even his spiritual consciousness paused. If I encountered this on the battlefield, I wouldn't even be able to escape!" Zhang Ruochen sighed inwardly.
Although Grandmother Tianhu had a strange temperament, she was not unreasonable. Since Zhang Ruochen was kindly helping her resolve the Three Calamities Corpse Poison, how could she refuse him at the door?
After Luo Jinshu left, Zhang Ruochen immediately bowed to the hall ahead, his attitude extremely respectful. "Greetings, Ancestor!"
Through the door, he looked into the hall.
Inside, divine mist swirled like a nebula, hiding Grandmother Tianhu's true form.
Grandmother Tianhu's cold snort came from within. "Stinking Daoist, are you here to resolve the Three Calamities Corpse Poison, or do you have some other agenda?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Junior is not a Daoist, nor do I have any other agenda. I was entrusted by an elder of my family to help you resolve the Three Calamities Corpse Poison. He said that back then, he lied to you, claiming he had become a monk, but he did not. He actually returned to the Kunlun Realm, to a home full of wives and children."
Grandmother Tianhu appeared at the hall's entrance, her fox tails visible behind her. Her eyes were fierce to the extreme, and a tidal wave of divine qi surged toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen continued, "He also said he should not have deceived you out of your divine medicine, so you could have used it to heal your injuries. He also said he should not have faked his death to trick you, causing you to be poisoned by the Three Calamities Corpse Poison, and he dared not come personally to cure you."
A cold wind swept in!
Zhang Ruochen's body was covered in white frost, and a fox tail wrapped around him, lifting him into the air.
Tai Shang's painted face was torn off by the enraged Grandmother Tianhu.
Grandmother Tianhu's claws were sharp, and her voice was icy. "Speak! How do you know all this? Cough!"
Her tone was pained and furious, filled with boundless hatred.
Zhang Ruochen felt great sympathy for Grandmother Tianhu. "Grandmother, perhaps you do not even know his true identity? He is my family's ancestor, known as Jie Zunzhe. Right now, he should be in the Kunlun Realm, Eastern Domain, Demon Ridge."
Zhang Ruochen gave the location in detail and added, "If you still cannot find him, you can ask the Tai Shang."
Zhang Ruochen fell from midair, and Grandmother Tianhu had already vanished from the courtyard. He quickly added, "The ancestor said his greatest regret in life is that he never had a child with you."
Picking up the face from the ground, Zhang Ruochen dusted it off and muttered to himself, "If you want to cure the poison, do it yourself."
...
Yesterday, I won the live stream PK and said I would write an extra thousand words, updating to seven thousand. But now that I've counted, it's almost eight thousand! A loss, a loss!