Chapter 3288: Allies
Zhuque Huowu stood atop the wall of a ghost city, her figure tall and straight, bright eyes and white teeth, her fiery hair dancing in the wind. Her fragrant sleeve swept outward, gathering the ghostly qi clouds in the sky into her palm.
She spread her hand, looking at the ghost cloud in her palm, and sighed, "Quite cunning! I wanted to catch the big turtle in the jar, but the big turtle didn't enter the jar—only a small shrimp came in."
Chi Xuan Guijun condensed his ghostly form, now only the size of a grain of rice, feeling quite indignant.
Was the Tai Xu Great God being called a small shrimp?
But upon seeing Zhuque Huowu, Chi Xuan Guijun immediately put on a smile and said, "So it's Lady Huowu! Could there be some misunderstanding? I came to Hanshi Ancestral Realm with no ill intentions. I have urgent news to inform the gods of Fengdu Ghost City. Danger is approaching!"
"If I had known Lady Huowu was here, I wouldn't have wasted this trip!"
Zhuque Huowu gave a disdainful smile, not bothering to say more to Chi Xuan Guijun. She lifted her gaze to the sky and said in a melodious voice, "Zhang Ruochen, since you're already here, why not show yourself?"
A doppelganger of Zhang Ruochen materialized, standing outside the realm, locking eyes with Zhuque Huowu from a distance.
He smiled, "I've long heard of Zhuque Huowu's great name. Today, I finally have the honor of meeting you."
Zhuque Huowu said, "I've heard that you, Zhang Ruochen, are bold enough to defy heaven. So why are you acting like a coward today? Don't you dare reveal your true body?"
"The protective divine formation of Hanshi Ancestral Realm is formidable, and Zhuque Huowu is one of the top experts below the Infinite Realm. Naturally, I am wary," Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhuque Huowu laughed, "If I threatened to kill Chi Xuan Guijun, would you dare to enter Hanshi Ancestral Realm with your true body?"
"Since Chi Xuan Guijun has pledged allegiance to me, the Realm Venerable, he is now a member of Xinghuantian! I must protect his life, even if Hanshi Ancestral Realm is a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, I will charge in without hesitation," Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhuque Huowu showed a surprised expression. This outcome was completely unexpected.
Originally, she had intended to use this to drive a wedge between Zhang Ruochen and Chi Xuan Guijun, and even between Zhang Ruochen and the gods of the Darkness Temple. Then, using Xia Xiaotian's life, she would force Zhang Ruochen to enter Hanshi Ancestral Realm.
Zhang Ruochen's response left her puzzled, filling her with countless doubts.
She wondered whether Zhang Ruochen was truly wary of the protective divine formation or if he had some hidden confidence.
Chi Xuan Guijun was stunned. Was he really that important in Zhang Ruochen's eyes?
As an old ghost who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, he naturally wouldn't be moved by Zhang Ruochen's words, but there was still some resonance. If it were any other god from the Darkness Temple, even if they were just saying it, most likely no one would utter such words.
Since suppressing the Divine Crow, Xiuchen Heavenly God had maintained a stern expression, as if returning to the era ten thousand years ago when she looked down on all the gods of the world.
She transmitted her voice to Zhang Ruochen, "If we join forces, we are invincible. Once inside Hanshi Ancestral Realm, use the Time Esoterica to capture Zhuque Huowu as quickly as possible, and the victory will be sealed."
Zhang Ruochen glanced at her and said, "Are you making decisions for me, the Realm Venerable? You are just an artifact spirit. Come, follow my lead."
Zhang Ruochen led Xiuchen Heavenly God and Cang Jue into the protective divine formation, while the other gods were all taken into his Divine Realm World.
One by one, ghost clan great gods appeared on the walls of the ghost city, each with a body as massive as a mountain.
Zhuque Huowu's gaze swept over Zhang Ruochen, Xiuchen Heavenly God, and Cang Jue, and she was secretly shocked. "Realm Venerable Ruochen has great courage, truly a representative of an era. With so many talents by your side and your skill in winning people's hearts, you will surely become a pole in the universe."
Zhang Ruochen stood outside the city and said, "In Fengdu Ghost City, I did you all a great favor. Hun Qi owes me a huge debt of gratitude, yet he sends you to deal with me—quite dishonorable."
Zhuque Huowu showed her teeth in a smile, "In the face of war, what use are debts of gratitude and past connections? If Realm Venerable Ruochen leads the Hundred Clans Royal City and Xinghuantian to join Fengdu Ghost City, I will open the city gates right now, set up a banquet, and personally toast you in thanks."
"Alright, I agree. Open the city gates first," Zhang Ruochen said.
How could Zhuque Huowu believe Zhang Ruochen? Suddenly, she looked up at the lightning in the dark clouds and said, "If I give the order now and activate the killing power of the protective divine formation, can you withstand it, Realm Venerable?"
Zhang Ruochen released the more than ten ghost clan gods, including Se Jie Wang, and said, "I entered Hanshi Ancestral Realm because I believe you, Zhuque Huowu, carry some weight, and I wanted to have a proper discussion with you. But if you truly want war, then when you activate the formation, you might as well kill the gods of Fengdu Ghost City as well."
"But think carefully—can you really kill me?"
Zhuque Huowu said, "Are you underestimating the power of the protective divine formation?"
"Do you think I have no other trump cards? Do you truly believe the protective divine formation is under your control? If I weren't confident, would I risk my life to come in?" Zhang Ruochen's eyes were filled with confidence.
This confidence formed a will strong enough to influence Zhuque Huowu's judgment.
Zhuque Huowu pondered for a moment, then her stern expression softened, and she laughed, "Zhang Ruochen, you are very lucky. If the second Starry Sky Defense Line had been breached, the killing power of the protective divine formation would have already descended."
"If the Destiny Temple and the Undying Blood Clan choose not to attack, you should understand the current stance of the Hell Realm," Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhuque Huowu sighed, "In truth, you really don't need to play the neutral faction. At most, you can only drag things out until the second Starry Sky Defense Line is breached. But by then, you will have already offended both the Heavenly Court and the Hell Realm. No matter which side you eventually join, even if there is initial goodwill, the seeds of disaster will have already been sown."
"For now, there is no irreconcilable hatred between you and Fengdu Ghost City. Coupled with your previous help, this is the perfect time to surrender. With the identity of a Heavenly Venerable, you can suppress all parties and secure a place for yourselves."
"Can you speak for Fengdu Dadi?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhuque Huowu knew there was no need to persuade further and said, "How about we exchange hostages first? After that, whether it's war or peace, it's entirely your choice."
Zhang Ruochen grabbed Se Jie Wang's left shoulder and said, "Exchanging Se Jie Wang for Chi Xuan Guijun—this deal is a huge gain for Fengdu Ghost City!"
Zhuque Huowu didn't haggle. She opened a gap in the city-protecting formation and exchanged hostages with Zhang Ruochen at the same time.
Chi Xuan Guijun landed beside Zhang Ruochen, his face full of shame. He bowed deeply and said, "I have disgraced the Realm Venerable!"
"Say no more."
Zhang Ruochen gestured for him to step back.
Zhuque Huowu examined Se Jie Wang's ghostly body and found that Zhang Ruochen hadn't tampered with it secretly.
She said, "Realm Venerable Ruochen truly has great boldness. Your actions are indeed straightforward—admirable!"
"Zhuque Huowu is also a person of her word!" Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhuque Huowu said, "Then let's proceed with the second transaction! Bring him out."
A camel-shaped ghost clan great god walked upright, carrying an iron cage, and placed it on the city wall.
Xiao Hei stood up from the cage, chains dragging on his arms, and said joyfully, "Zhang Ruochen, I knew you would come to save me, the Emperor!"
Zhuque Huowu's smile was full, "Realm Venerable Ruochen, exchanging him for the remaining sixteen gods of Fengdu Ghost City—you have no objections, do you?"
Zhang Ruochen's face darkened for a moment, then he laughed, "No! This man is my dear friend and sworn brother. How could he be worth only sixteen gods? You need to add conditions!"
Zhuque Huowu was stunned, "Add conditions?"
"Exactly, otherwise, it won't reflect how much I value him. If word gets out, won't I be laughed at by the world? Trading my dear friend for sixteen gods—I, the Realm Venerable, can't bear the reputation of being heartless."
Xiao Hei was thrown off by Zhang Ruochen's antics but quickly caught on and urged, "Do you even know how to negotiate? Who voluntarily tells the enemy to add conditions?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Don't worry, I will save you."
Zhuque Huowu didn't know what game Zhang Ruochen was playing and asked, "Have you captured other gods of Fengdu Ghost City? By the way, Zhao Wu is in your hands, right? Hand over this traitor to me. Can you agree to this condition?"
"Of course! But it's still not enough. Add more," Zhang Ruochen said.
"Add more?"
Zhuque Huowu frowned, "How about you hand over the gods and saint realm cultivators of the Death Clan to me as well?"
"Certainly, keep adding," Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhuque Huowu didn't want to add anymore. She felt Zhang Ruochen was insulting her intelligence.
Xiao Hei also saw through it. Was Zhang Ruochen simply unwilling to save him?
Xiao Hei grabbed the two iron bars, shaking them vigorously, and said, "Stop the nonsense! I think Zhuque Huowu's conditions are already harsh enough and worthy of my status. Agree to them!"
"No, you are my dear friend and sworn brother," Zhang Ruochen said.
"Shua!"
Zhuque Huowu produced a long spear in her hand, pointing it at Xiao Hei's brow, scaring him into stillness. She said, "Zhang Ruochen, do you think I dare not kill him? He insulted the Great Emperor—that is a capital offense."
"Is that so? Insulting a Heavenly Venerable... what a pity. It seems I can't save him." Zhang Ruochen's eyes showed pity, and he let out a regretful sigh.
Xiao Hei was completely stunned, wondering what he had done to offend Zhang Ruochen to be set up like this.
Xiao Hei said in a low voice, "Lady Huowu, how about you open the city-protecting formation and let Zhang Ruochen in? I'll talk to him alone. Maybe there's a misunderstanding between us. Once it's cleared up, he'll definitely agree to the exchange."
Zhuque Huowu's gaze turned icy cold. Zhang Ruochen was one thing, but this owl-faced man was also trampling on her intelligence.
Zhang Ruochen saw that it was enough and said, "Make your move!"
Cang Jue and Xiuchen Heavenly God thought the order was for them, but before they could act, divine power fluctuations like earth-shattering quakes erupted from all directions in Hanshi Ancestral Realm.
The formation bases of the protective divine formation, distributed across various continents, were being destroyed one by one.
"How is this possible?"
Zhuque Huowu's eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Roar!"
A tiger's roar sounded, and brilliant golden divine light rose from the eastern horizon.
A white tiger, as massive as a mountain, walked from the end of the horizon, with a proud and peerless figure standing on its head.
Zhuque Huowu's divine soul sensed the entire great world and instantly understood. Before she had rushed to Hanshi Ancestral Realm, the realm had already been taken over.
"Shenguchao has finally made its choice," she said with a bitter smile.
(End of chapter)