Chapter 3081: The Dragon Lord’s Scheme
The eyes of Famous Sword God, filled with boundless sharpness, gradually dimmed.
The Dragon Lord withdrew his palm, pulling streaks of bright light threads from within him, condensing them into a mass of Sword Dao Essence Divine Light.
"Boom!"
Another punch struck Famous Sword God’s abdomen.
This punch pierced through heaven and earth, forming a spatial wormhole, sending the blood-spitting Famous Sword God tumbling into the void, flying toward the Lost Paradise Star Domain, billions of miles away.
The Famous Lord Sword spun several times in the void before falling into the Dragon Lord’s hand.
Zhang Ruochen had already suppressed his injuries, watching the Sword Dao Essence Divine Light in the Dragon Lord’s hand. He sighed inwardly—truly, this was one of the foremost titans of the world. Even without cultivating the Sword Dao, he could still seize Sword Dao Essence.
What other god possessed such ability?
"Greetings, Lord Dragon Lord!" Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands in salute.
Given Zhang Ruochen’s current status and cultivation, he still had to show reverence before an Infinite Realm god.
The Dragon Lord examined him with a scrutinizing gaze, then smiled: "Xiao Tian calls me Uncle Dragon. You two are as close as brothers, so from now on, you may call me Uncle Dragon as well."
Zhang Ruochen did not stand on ceremony, knowing that this recognition came because his current cultivation had earned the Dragon Lord’s approval—he was truly worthy of notice.
"Uncle Dragon, why did you spare Famous Sword God’s life?"
The Dragon Lord replied: "What benefit is there in killing him? Gaining another Divine Source? Famous Sword God is a figure of note—in our Eon, he would rank among the top ten, with boundless potential ahead. I’ve already checked; he is not a member of the Quantity Organization, so I spared him."
Hearing "Quantity Organization" again, Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred.
Before he could ask anything, the Dragon Lord continued: "Even if I were to kill him, it should be left to you. I have no personal enmity with him—only some grudges, all stemming from Sword Dao Essence. Now that I’ve reclaimed the Sword Dao Essence for the Kunlun Realm and taken his Famous Lord Sword, I’ve collected both principal and interest."
Zhang Ruochen did not believe that the Dragon Lord, who had risen to such heights, would have such soft methods. He said: "Famous Sword God killed Shang Hong. Even if he returns, he may not live well. Behind him stands the Blade Venerable, while Shang Hong was the future of the Shang Clan. There will likely be a fine drama within the Heavenly Realm Faction."
The Heavenly Realm Faction was too powerful. If they could be divided from within, it would be most advantageous for the Kunlun Realm.
The Dragon Lord knew his schemes could not fool this exceptionally shrewd young prodigy. He smiled: "The Blade Venerable is a heroic figure. To classify him as part of the Heavenly Realm Faction would be to underestimate him. However, he does indeed walk closely with them. This time, let’s see whether he protects Famous Sword God or not!"
Famous Sword God’s memories of the Sword Realm had clearly been scattered by the Dragon Lord.
The Dragon Lord dared to spare him, confident that no one could restore those memories.
Zhang Ruochen still had concerns: "Won’t this leave traces?"
"What are you worried about, Ruochen?"
The Dragon Lord laughed, looking at Zhang Ruochen: "Given Famous Sword God’s past deeds in the Kunlun Realm, even if I killed him, the Heavenly Palace would at most voice some criticism. I only took his Sword Dao Essence and divine sword, without even crippling his cultivation. The gods of the Heavenly Court will likely praise my mercy and regard for the greater good."
Zhang Ruochen smiled: "Famous Sword God is an unshakable mountain in my eyes. But in Uncle Dragon’s view, he is indeed an insignificant pawn. Yet, by erasing his memories, haven’t you revealed traces? Letting the Heavenly Court know that the Sword Realm has fallen into your hands?"
The Dragon Lord said: "That you can think of this shows you have truly grown, with increasingly meticulous thinking. But you must understand—if we truly found the Sword Realm this time, dealings would be frequent in the future. How could the secret be hidden forever? The only thing we can conceal is the Sword Realm’s location. Your Grandmaster will handle this personally."
"Grandmaster has also come to the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain?" Zhang Ruochen’s face lit up with joy.
The Dragon Lord sighed: "This matter is perilous. Do you think your Grandmaster would truly let you come alone? In his eyes, you are more important than the Sword Realm."
Zhang Ruochen thought of something and quickly asked: "Was it Grandmaster who fought against Void Heaven?"
The Dragon Lord nodded, a trace of worry in his eyes: "If not for your Grandmaster restraining that old ghost Xu Fengjin, how could you have escaped? How could you have encountered Lan Wuteng and found your way here?"
Zhang Ruochen’s face showed a strange expression: "Uncle Dragon has been following me all along?"
The Dragon Lord said: "There were several times I intended to act, but your Grandmaster repeatedly instructed that unless absolutely necessary, I must never interfere in your affairs—whether good or bad. Good is your fortune; bad is your tempering."
"So, after that day when Wu Yue and I were struck by the spiritual power storm, you’ve been following?" Zhang Ruochen pressed, unwilling to give up.
The Dragon Lord replied: "Correct."
Zhang Ruochen smiled bitterly: "Uncle Dragon, when I was drifting in the Void Space, you could have not saved me. When I was hunted by Feima Wang, you could have not saved me. But how could you watch me being bullied by that demoness Wu Yue and do nothing? Did you kill her to avenge me?"
The Dragon Lord remained calm: "The Sword Realm is of great importance. Killing her would only create complications. Moreover, Wubian had also arrived at the Lost Paradise Star Domain. If he learned of my presence, it would be troublesome. Ruochen, don’t be ungrateful—such a delightful affair, countless people in the world would envy you!"
"Delightful? Uncle Dragon, were you doing this on purpose? Now, everyone in the Hell Realm will want to kill me, and I’ll have no choice but to return to the Kunlun Realm with you!" Zhang Ruochen said, half-joking, half-testing.
The Dragon Lord turned serious: "Having acknowledged you as a nephew, how could I scheme against you like this? Back when your Grandmaster escaped from the Destiny Temple, I did intend for you to return to the Kunlun Realm. That was the only chance for you to return to the Heavenly Court Universe openly without facing obstacles from all sides. Staying in the Hell Realm, with Qingcang, Feng Caiyi, and that one from your Undying Blood Clan eyeing you like tigers, you had almost no path to survival."
"But once that opportunity passed, returning to the Kunlun Realm was no longer suitable. Moreover, the battle at Xinghuantian had already occurred."
"Now, sending you back to the Kunlun Realm wouldn’t be helping you—it would be harming you."
Returning to the Kunlun Realm meant re-entering the entire environment of the Heavenly Court. Given Zhang Ruochen’s past actions, even the Dragon Lord and Yunshen Daozhu could only protect him within the Kunlun Realm itself.
Just as the Dragon Lord wanted to kill Famous Sword God, the Blade Venerable could protect him, but only within his line of sight.
Zhang Ruochen bowed deeply to the Dragon Lord, truly recognizing this foremost titan as not only righteous and heroic but also open and aboveboard—not the kind of hypocrite who only looked after his own interests.
The Dragon Lord laughed and scolded: "No need to look so ashamed. Speaking your mind boldly is the true way we peers interact. Actually, you don’t need to worry too much. If handled well, this matter could make the Darkness Temple lose both its wife and its soldiers."
"Teach me, Uncle Dragon," Zhang Ruochen said.
The Dragon Lord said: "The key still lies with that old ghost Xu."
Zhang Ruochen understood instantly but shook his head gently: "Void Heaven gave me a sword strike, but his killing intent toward me is heavy. He wants to kill me as if I were the Saint Monk, to perfect his state of mind. How could he help me? In his eyes, what am I?"
The Dragon Lord said: "That’s enough. As long as he doesn’t want you dead now, you have a chance to win his help. Think about it—he came to the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, didn’t find the Sword Realm, stirred up trouble, and lost face. But if he could say a word or two, he might avoid being mocked by the world’s cultivators."
"Getting him to speak won’t be easy," Zhang Ruochen said.
The Dragon Lord said: "It depends on how many benefits you can promise him. That old ghost Xu might not care about being mocked, but he certainly won’t be content being used. This old fellow’s cultivation is unfathomable, yet he is not a bloodthirsty killer, nor is he very interested in war. You must stabilize him, let him remain immersed in cultivation, and keep him from meddling in worldly disputes. The Saint Monk used the same strategy back then."
Intercepting a Heaven’s prize and then making him speak a fair word—Zhang Ruochen felt this was utterly fantastical.
It would be a miracle if Void Heaven didn’t just cleave him with a sword.
Zhang Ruochen said: "If the situation deteriorates to an uncontrollable point, I will try. Not for myself, but for my close friends and family, so they won’t be implicated. Was the Universe Cauldron really taken by Wu Yue?"
"Since the Universe Cauldron was exposed, keeping it would be a curse, not a blessing. Whoever holds it will be thrust into the storm. Not only can Wu Yue and Wubian not hold onto it, even Jiusi Yitianhuang would face immense pressure trying to control it."
The Dragon Lord smiled: "You can give the Universe Cauldron to that old ghost Xu. This grand gift will surely move him."
"Uncle Dragon means…"
Zhang Ruochen glanced sideways at the Dragon Lord. This move was extremely venomous.
But he didn’t find it objectionable. Being upright and honorable was only for one’s own people. Toward enemies, one should use any means necessary. Otherwise, it would be pedantic.
Did Void Heaven want the Universe Cauldron?
Certainly—he wanted it desperately.
What Zhang Ruochen could do was give him a legitimate reason to demand it from the Darkness Temple.
"Sword Dao Essence is useless to me. Would you like to take charge of it?" the Dragon Lord asked.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and shook his head: "Uncle Dragon, can’t you see that all the Essences of the various Daos are meaningless to me?"
Not entirely meaningless.
Becoming the Sword Dao Lord God, at least before evolving the Four Symbols, the Sword Dao rules mobilized by the Essence would far surpass the Wuji Divine Dao, greatly enhancing Zhang Ruochen’s combat power.
But since the Dragon Lord didn’t intend to hide the secret of seizing the Sword Dao Essence and the Famous Lord Sword, how could Zhang Ruochen dare to take Famous Sword God’s Sword Dao Essence?
Openly, Zhang Ruochen could not yet be seen as being this close to the Kunlun Realm.
Otherwise, Xue Jue War God would face immense pressure within the Undying Blood Clan and the Destiny Temple, possibly even losing his position as clan leader.
The Dragon Lord understood Zhang Ruochen’s concerns and did not insist. He asked: "That sword strike of yours earlier had some trick to it. What exactly happened?"
The Dragon Lord simply could not believe that, at Zhang Ruochen’s current cultivation level, he could injure Famous Sword God—even using the Sword Ancestor’s Soul Sword. If realm barriers were so easily crossed, why would the ancient sages have divided them?
Moreover, Famous Sword God was himself a rare opponent within the same realm.
A hint of confusion also appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s brow. He looked deep into the Night Realm Gate, pulled out the Sword Seal, and asked: "Uncle Dragon, was Shangqing Patriarch truly slain by Biluozi’s sword?"