Chapter 3085: Three-Way Division of the World
Watching Bai Qinger leave resolutely, Huang Tian's stone heart felt as if it were splitting with pain, the bitterness in his heart something he could not share with anyone.
If he did not care for this daughter, why would he have sent Turtle King and Pillar General to her side to ensure her safety?
As a so-called Great God, his reputation shook the universe, yet compared to enemies like Yi Tianjun and Shang Tian, the gap remained vast, requiring careful, gradual planning.
If he could not endure and conceal his true intentions, how could he have survived until today?
How could he have personally slain Duotian Shenhuang?
Moreover, the fate of the Inverse Clan—not even he, ten thousand years ago, let alone with his current power, could change it in the slightest.
What he could not achieve, Zhang Ruochen had accomplished!
It was not that Zhang Ruochen was stronger or more excellent than him, but that behind Zhang Ruochen stood more formidable figures orchestrating moves, each action capable of altering the starry sky's pattern.
One could say Zhang Ruochen was far luckier than him.
With that luck, combined with Zhang Ruochen's disregard for life and death, resilient character, loyalty and magnanimity, generosity in wealth, and all-embracing personality, he had secured a position no one could replace today.
Why did Jiutian support Zhang Ruochen? Was it merely because of Zhang Ruochen's cultivation talent?
In truth, the greater reason was that Zhang Ruochen, even when making enemies of all cultivators under heaven, unwaveringly protected Bai Qinger, who bore the blood of the Inverse Clan, and guarded the Divine Maiden City. Even when he seemed overreaching at the time.
Why was Tianmu willing to break precedent and step out of the Abyss of Darkness for Zhang Ruochen?
Was it only because he was a descendant of the Great Venerable?
If that were the reason alone, why did she not act when Jie Zunzhe was in danger?
In truth, it was because the spirit of struggle in Zhang Ruochen earned her admiration. It was this very spirit that made him reject the divine decree she offered in the Abyss of Darkness, unwilling to live a life of mediocrity beneath the divine realm.
Of course, the greater reason was that she had always intended to shelter the Inverse Clan and contend with the forces seeking to annihilate them.
She, too, possessed a fearless spirit.
Why did the Dragon Lord support Zhang Ruochen?
It was because the Dragon Lord saw Zhang Ruochen's sacrifices for the Kunlun Realm.
...
In terms of methods, wisdom, will, and talent, Huang Tian believed he was second to none. His gap with Zhang Ruochen perhaps lay in lacking too much human warmth, and that open, inclusive mindset.
Huang Tian emerged from his thoughts and said, "Did Senior Jiutian send you here? What has happened outside?"
Yu Yao recounted the major events of the past few decades in detail, then said, "Master hopes you can go to the Yecha Clan's ancestral realm."
Huang Tian, a man of great wisdom, understood instantly. "The Hell Realm and Heavenly Court are surely going to destroy Xinghuantian and Xingtiaya. They won't allow you to remain neutral. If you don't plan ahead, when the tide of momentum crashes in, you can only wait for destruction."
"Uniting the Hundred Clans Royal City is inevitable. But that's still not enough. To achieve a three-way division of the world with the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm, you'll need to pull in the Kunlun Realm, the Undying Blood Clan, and the Rakshasa Clan. With Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation, does he have such influence?"
"Moving on the Hundred Clans Royal City now is too early. Would the Hell Realm let you have your way?"
"I see this move as more likely to anger the Destiny Temple and the Darkness Temple, probably drawing the storm here."
Yu Yao said, "What if Zhang Ruochen finds the Sword Realm?"
Huang Tian nodded slightly. "If so, this matter can be managed to some extent. But before that, we need to use some methods to make the Hundred Clans Royal City irreconcilable with the Hell Realm. This is a risky move. If Zhang Ruochen cannot find the Sword Realm, we will have no retreat and may face pincer attacks from both the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm."
"You said... we?" Yu Yao was momentarily stunned.
Huang Tian gave a bitter smile. "The Stone Clan is no longer an option, and the Heavenly Court is even less so. Aside from staying in Xinghuantian, where else can I go? Since those old fellows want to overturn the heavens, I should at least be qualified to be a vanguard, shouldn't I?"
Yu Yao never expected Huang Tian to speak so lightheartedly. She felt genuine joy, and her fair face bloomed with a breathtakingly beautiful smile.
...
Beneath the azure Dao Palace, Zhang Ruochen practiced his sword techniques once more.
Taiqing appeared even older than Yuqing, devoid of any sharpness, holding a whisk with a kind face and benevolent eyes. He smiled, "Is this truly a disciple of our Liangyi Sect?"
The Dragon Lord said, "In truth, his achievements today are all due to the efforts of Saint Monk Xumi."
Yuqing showed displeasure. "Saint Monk Xumi was certainly mighty, but he fell a hundred thousand years ago. How could he have personally taught him? In the end, it is the merit of our Liangyi Sect. I sense a sword intent I left behind within his body."
"I sense it too," Taiqing said.
Zhang Ruochen bowed upward. "When I entered the Fish-Dragon Realm, I indeed obtained the sword intents left by the three patriarchs from the Sacrificial Heaven Bronze Cauldron."
Yuqing and Taiqing both stroked their beards and smiled.
The Liangyi Sect was their creation. Seeing a descendant disciple produce such a remarkable sword cultivator, how could they not be delighted?
The Dragon Lord said, "Unfortunately, his cultivation is still not high enough. If he now had the Infinite Realm, with the support of us elders, a third of the world would fall into his hands."
Taiqing's smile faded, understanding that the Dragon Lord had come with important matters to discuss.
Yuqing heard this claim for the first time and could not help asking, "What does this three-way division of the world mean?"
"Haven't you always worried about being betrayed by your own people? Worried that everything you do is preordained by others? If so, why not step forward and accomplish something great yourself?"
The Dragon Lord then turned to Taiqing. "Brother Taiqing, how about we go into the Dao Palace for a detailed discussion and share a cup of fine wine?"
"Jiwang, you really don't treat yourself as an outsider."
Taiqing chuckled, leading the Dragon Lord and Yuqing into the Dao Palace, disappearing behind a shimmer of colored glaze divine light.
The words they exchanged afterward were not heard by Zhang Ruochen.
The Dao Palace was situated on a floating island a thousand miles long, covered with sacred trees, numerous strange peaks, and divine energy swirling like smoke—a cultivation paradise even for gods.
Yet it was too quiet.
Using his spiritual power to probe, Zhang Ruochen sensed only eight cultivator auras. Aside from two Dao children, the other six were exotic demonic beasts. The most powerful among them had already stepped into the divine realm.
"Greetings, Great God."
A superior god in a blue Daoist robe appeared before Zhang Ruochen and bowed.
Zhang Ruochen saw his true form was an old ginseng and asked, "May I ask who you are?"
"I am a disciple under Taiqing, named Li Ni."
"No need to call me Great God. My name is Zhang Ruochen; you may call me Ruochen," Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
Li Ni, initially wary of outsiders, found Zhang Ruochen's easygoing nature refreshing. "Brother Ruochen, I have been ordered by my master to show you around."
"Excellent. I am eager to see the scenery of the Sword Realm."
Zhang Ruochen followed Li Ni as they flew out from the floating island.
The floating island was already covered with spiritual herbs and sacred medicines, opening Zhang Ruochen's eyes. Below the island stretched an endless, boundless continent with undulating mountains. Between the rugged peaks, spiritual light flickered and medicinal energy soared skyward.
The revived Kunlun Realm was also a resource-rich great world, but compared to the Sword Realm, it fell far short.
Flying south for thirty million miles, Zhang Ruochen could not help asking, "Are there no human nations in this Sword Realm? Why have we seen only birds, beasts, plants, and spirits along the way?"
"The Sword Realm has been like this since ancient times," Li Ni said.
After a moment's thought, he added, "However, in the distant past, the Sword Realm must have had a human civilization, and a very prosperous one at that, leaving behind many ruins. But for some reason, humanity went extinct, not a single one left."
"Master once brought some humans to the Sword Realm, but after they achieved cultivation success, they tried to leave. Master naturally forbade it, worried that outsiders with greedy intentions would learn the Sword Realm's location and disturb its peace. So, he never brought any other beings here again."
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly. It seemed Yuqing trusted the Dragon Lord enough to boldly invite them to the Sword Realm.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Brother Li Ni, do you know where the Sword God Temple is?"
"The Sword God Temple?"
Li Ni looked confused and shook his head, saying he had never heard of it.
Zhang Ruochen was even more bewildered. With Li Ni's cultivation, how could he not know of the Sword God Temple?
Could it be that the Sword God Temple was not in the Sword Realm at all?
"The Sword Realm has five continents, named after the Five Elements. This is Azure Wood Continent. Come, Brother Ruochen, let me take you to see Golden Metal Continent."
...
The Sword Realm was vast beyond measure. After Zhang Ruochen and Li Ni toured Golden Metal Continent, they received a message from the Dragon Lord, crossed the Cloud Sea, and returned to Taiqing's Dao Palace.
Yuqing seemed preoccupied, his gaze at Zhang Ruochen growing complicated. "Ruochen, would you be willing to stay in the Sword Realm and cultivate for a thousand years? Jiwang says you possess a sundial and can use the power of time to rapidly advance your cultivation. With a thousand years of training, you should be able to reach the Grand Void Realm."
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Sword Realm is a pure cultivation paradise. To be taken in by the patriarch fills me with gratitude. If time permits, I would be willing to stay not just a thousand years, but even ten thousand."
Yuqing said, "Oh? Do you have important matters outside?"
"Nothing is more important than cultivation right now," Taiqing interjected.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I have countless enemies outside. If they cannot find me, they will surely target my relatives and friends, forcing me to reveal myself."
"A good child who values loyalty and friendship." Taiqing smiled approvingly. "Rest assured, you can leave this to your Uncle Dragon. He will bring all your loved ones to the Sword Realm, leaving you with no worries."
Zhang Ruochen bowed again in gratitude but said, "It is not that simple. I have an impertinent request, and I hope the two patriarchs will grant it."
"Speak," Yuqing said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I want to save the Heavenly Beginning Civilization and bring them to take refuge in the Sword Realm."
Yuqing and Taiqing had clearly learned of the outside situation from the Dragon Lord. They communicated telepathically. After a moment, Taiqing said, "The Heavenly Beginning Civilization is the origin of the Daoist lineage. The old Heavenly Lord is a virtuous and esteemed great sage whom I deeply admire. I once even attended his lectures."
"Now that the Heavenly Beginning Civilization is in imminent danger, your Yuqing patriarch and I are naturally willing to help. We do not mind the Heavenly Beginning Civilization relocating to the Sword Realm. However, given the old Heavenly Lord's temperament, he may be unwilling to betray the Heavenly Court and act as a deserter."
Zhang Ruochen's heart shook violently. He looked up at Taiqing and Yuqing seated above, hardly daring to believe they had agreed so readily to let the Heavenly Beginning Civilization move to the Sword Realm.
Had they already decided to emerge from seclusion? To involve themselves in this turbulent worldly struggle?
How exactly had the Dragon Lord convinced them?