Chapter 3297: Calm and Open
The internal meeting of Xinghuantian and the Goddess Twelve Pavilions had many participants, including the various Great Saint Pavilion Masters. Most were women of stunning beauty, a gathering of beauties vying for attention.
Knowing they were to meet the Realm Lord, many women had put considerable effort into their appearance.
But with Bai Qinger and Chi Yao present, they all lost their luster.
Truly important matters had already been decided by the gods.
Gathering all the cultivators was more about stabilizing morale.
In the current Xinghuantian, only the top few gods could influence Zhang Ruochen’s decisions.
Zhang Ruochen consulted Xu Wenzhi about the possibility of the Space Divine Temple’s Grand Minister of Works being a member of the Quantity Organization. This spiritual power luminary from Xingtianya was known as “all-knowing.”
After analysis, Xu Wenzhi believed the secret letter from Hun Qi was likely not false.
After the meeting, the cultivators withdrew one after another, leaving only Yu Ling Shen, Chi Yao, and Bai Qinger in the Divine Maiden’s main hall.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Hell Realm’s compromise is inevitable, but they will definitely stall for time. You can be more assertive. As for how to control the force, I trust you understand better than I do.”
His gaze fell on Chi Yao and Bai Qinger. “You two must not reveal any flaws.”
Having two women who disliked each other pretend to be lovers made Zhang Ruochen somewhat worried. More critically, they were both strong-willed.
Bai Qinger stood within a mass of divine light, always in a state of cultivation, with starlight shimmering around her. “If you can trust her enough to entrust Xinghuantian, and even the survival of this star domain, to her, then she must be capable. As long as she doesn’t cause trouble for this god, this god is happy to cooperate.”
Compared to wielding power, Bai Qinger cared more about her own cultivation.
If her cultivation fell too far behind, she would have no power to resist in the future.
Chi Yao summoned the Blood-Dropping Sword and the Space-Time Chaos Lotus, waved her sleeve, and sent them flying toward Zhang Ruochen. “Chen Ge, transform into me and go to Paradise Realm. If you encounter danger, at least in Heavenly Court, there are still some allies.”
Chi Yao then told Zhang Ruochen about some gods from trustworthy major worlds. These worlds, due to the influence of Tai Shang and the Dragon Lord, had considerable dealings with Kunlun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen accepted the Blood-Dropping Sword and the Space-Time Chaos Lotus, leaving the Abyssal Ancient Sword with Chi Yao.
Other war tools, like the Divine Sword and the God-Defying Stele, were not worth leaving behind. After all, even if Chi Yao transformed into Zhang Ruochen’s appearance, she would almost never have the chance to fight. She would only need to make occasional appearances to serve as a deterrent.
Yu Ling Shen said, “The Hundred Clans Royal City should be peaceful for a while. Why not let this god accompany Realm Lord Ruochen to Paradise Realm?”
Seeing Chi Yao and Bai Qinger’s gazes turn to her, she continued calmly, “The Grand Minister of Works of the Space Divine Temple has extraordinary spiritual power and space mastery, making him one of the few formidable figures in the world today. Moreover, the Realm Lord has many enemies in Paradise Realm. Having an extra helper would certainly make things more relaxed.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “No need. This time, I’m going to rescue someone, not attack Paradise Realm. Bringing too many cultivators would actually be counterproductive.”
A divine general guarding outside the temple came in to report: “Realm Lord, Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan from Heavenly Court seek an audience.”
Zhang Ruochen looked at the three women one by one. “If there’s nothing else, you may go. After I leave, it’s best if you handle matters concerning Xinghuantian and the Hundred Clans Royal City together.”
Chi Yao, Bai Qinger, and Yu Ling Shen walked out of the temple one after another.
Zhang Ruochen also stepped out, looking at Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan waiting outside. He laughed heartily, “If you two hadn’t come, I was planning to find you. Since you’re here at First Divine Maiden City, how can we not have a good drink? I must fulfill my duties as host!”
Xiang Chunan, with his boisterous and straightforward personality, said in a rough voice, “The three sisters-in-law who came out just now—who was the last one? She looks a bit unfamiliar.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. That’s Yu Ling Shen of the Yaksha Clan, an ancient god at the peak of Grand Unbound Infinite.” Feng Yan said.
Xiang Chunan said, “She’s not a sister-in-law now, but who knows if she will be in the future?”
Zhang Ruochen didn’t refute, because his marriage alliance with Yu Ling Shen was already a done deal. Earlier, she had volunteered to go to Paradise Realm, which was a way of currying favor.
This was because one of the two ancestors of the Yaksha Clan had fallen at the North Marsh Great Wall.
If the Yaksha Clan wanted to establish a foothold in the future Sword Realm, and continue to occupy major clan resources alongside Heavenly Beginning Civilization, Xinghuantian, and Kunlun Realm, they would inevitably need a consort in Realm Lord Ruochen’s harem.
Who else but Yu Ling Shen was qualified for this?
Without this relationship, the Yaksha Clan would likely be surpassed by the Demon Wolf Clan and the Fire Ghost Clan in the future, making life difficult. After all, the Demon Wolf Clan had the Dragon Lord behind them, and the Fire Ghost Clan had the Star Sea Angler.
At the same time, if Zhang Ruochen wanted to firmly control the Yaksha Clan, marrying Yu Ling Shen was also inevitable.
These were unspoken understandings.
Even Chi Yao and Bai Qinger understood this perfectly.
When Zhang Ruochen sat in this position, many things were no longer up to him. By the time Sword Realm truly became a third-party force and a pole in the universe, more women would be sent to Zhang Ruochen’s side. Some he could choose to refuse, but others he had to keep.
It had nothing to do with feelings—it was pure interest.
In a palace of the Divine Maiden Tower under heaven, lanterns were bright and spiritual mist filled the air.
Zhang Ruochen, Feng Yan, and Xiang Chunan had been drinking for a long time, but each had their own worries, unable to be as carefree as before.
Zhang Ruochen told Feng Yan about Feng Xi, telling him not to worry.
After that, there was a long silence.
Xiang Chunan finally couldn’t take it anymore. He threw the wine jar in his hand into the lake. “This time, I didn’t really want to come! As brothers, even if we’re apart for a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand years, as long as we can have a happy drink, it’s still like the old days. The feelings are genuine, no need to think about those petty schemes. What is this now? Trying to persuade Big Brother? Hmph, once interests and calculations are mixed in, all feelings become worthless!”
Zhang Ruochen set down his cup.
Yes, he didn’t know when, but nothing was pure anymore.
Feng Yan didn’t manifest his three heads and six arms. He looked like a carefree young man, but he could contain his emotions. “What do you think about Hell Realm coming to negotiate peace, Big Brother?”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “If it were Qing Yusheng or Chi Chaluo sitting here, I would definitely tell them that I will never negotiate peace with Hell Realm. But in front of you and Chunan, I have nothing to hide.”
“I’ll give you the bottom line: I won’t join forces with Heavenly Court to wage an all-out war against Hell Realm. But if Hell Realm wants peace, they will have to pay a heavy price—one that will hurt them deeply.”
Feng Yan sighed. “Is Big Brother so disappointed in Heavenly Court?”
Zhang Ruochen picked up the bronze triangular cup and drank it all in one gulp. It was very light, with almost no taste.
He said, “Heavenly Court has ten thousand realms, and internal conflicts are something I can understand. Let’s not even talk about the grudges from a hundred thousand years ago. Just look at the Merit Battlefield of Kunlun Realm a thousand years ago. Hell Realm’s army was overwhelming, and the enemy was at the gates. What did the various realms of Heavenly Court do? They plundered Kunlun Realm and spent a great deal of effort dealing with me.”
Feng Yan’s lips moved, but in the end, he didn’t refute.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes softened. “I know that there are many truly righteous people in Heavenly Court who genuinely want to protect the lives of the myriad realms. In the face of war, they don’t hesitate and can sacrifice their own lives. But to maintain the unity and stability of the entire Heavenly Court, they also have to make choices and compromises.”
“Xinghuantian is still very weak now. If they join forces with Heavenly Court to crush Hell Realm’s army, the only way to survive would be to join Heavenly Court.”
“And joining Heavenly Court, the best outcome would be to retreat to the second Starry Sky Defense Line, still at the forefront of the war, facing the constant threat of total destruction.”
Feng Yan tapped the table. “But Xinghuantian can’t remain neutral forever! Hell Realm’s current peace talks are clearly a delaying tactic.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Of course I know it’s a delaying tactic. But isn’t it also my delaying tactic? I must buy time to avoid an all-out war with Hell Realm or Heavenly Court. Once the Infinite Realm’s northern expedition returns, the situation will change dramatically.”
After a moment of silence, Feng Yan asked, “Have you found Sword Realm?”
Xiang Chunan’s expression shifted dramatically. He hadn’t expected Feng Yan to ask this directly.
Even with his boisterous personality, he knew this question shouldn’t be asked.
Zhang Ruochen toyed with the bronze cup, shrinking the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram to within eighteen zhang. “Yes, just as the outside world speculates, a third-party force is about to emerge in the universe. Sword Realm is my retreat, so I’m not afraid of Hell Realm’s delaying tactics.”
“Sword…” Xiang Chunan immediately lowered his voice. “Can I join Sword Realm? By the way, Sword Realm should have some top-tier figures, right? They’re all immensely powerful. Big Brother, do you have the final say?”