# Chapter 3299: Moon God Follows
The next day, before dawn, Zhang Ruochen quietly left Xinghuantian and headed straight for the Wuding Divine Sea.
The situation at the second starry sky defense line was now tense, with no deity able to cross, leaving only the Wuding Divine Sea as the route. This path was the fastest way to the Western Heavenly Court Universe.
Before departing, Zhang Ruochen released Xiao Hei and "explained" the earlier misunderstanding, casually asking if he had ever been to Paradise Realm.
"There's no place in Paradise Realm that this emperor hasn't been! A hundred thousand years ago, when this emperor went to Paradise Realm, the divine sons and divine daughters of every great divine temple personally came out to welcome me. What does that mean? That's called face!"
As Xiao Hei spoke these words, he didn't forget to glance at Zhuque Huowu, looking extremely pleased.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen brought him along on this trip!
He also brought Zhuque Huowu.
Several hours later, they had already traveled far from Xinghuantian, continuously taking Divine Spirit Steps through the void.
"What? Just us? Directly charging into Paradise Realm to rescue people? Zhang Ruochen, have you lost your mind?" Xiao Hei stopped immediately upon learning the purpose of this trip, wanting to back out.
It wasn't that he didn't want to rescue Chi Xingtian and Princess Shenba, but he was all too aware of how terrifying Paradise Realm's various realm-protecting methods were.
A great god might have a chance to break into Paradise Realm, and might even destroy a few clans there. But they would definitely be unable to escape—certain death!
Xiao Hei quickly added, "This emperor has long since found out that although Xuan Yi is the hall master of the Tongtian Divine Temple, behind him stands Shang Tian, Yi Tianjun, and the Great Shang Divine Dynasty. Everyone knows this is the perfect time to rescue them, so there must be a Heaven Net Earth Trap waiting there. Aren't we just walking to our deaths?"
"Moreover, you've brought a burden along."
Xiao Hei pointed at Zhuque Huowu.
Zhuque Huowu didn't even bother lifting her eyelids, saying, "A mere upper-level god dares to call the most top-tier great gods of the world a burden. I've never seen such an arrogant person!"
"Hey, today you're seeing one!" Xiao Hei was very bold in front of Zhuque Huowu.
What did higher cultivation matter?
With her power sealed, what difference was there between a Zhuque and a sparrow?
Zhang Ruochen had brought Zhuque Huowu because he still couldn't determine whether the Space Divine Temple's Grand Elder was a member of the Quantity Organization, and whether this was Fengdu Ghost City's scheme to kill with a borrowed knife.
If Fengdu Ghost City truly wanted to use Paradise Realm to kill Zhang Ruochen, bringing Zhuque Huowu would at least ensure someone to accompany him in death.
Xiao Hei sighed, "You just heard it too—this emperor is only an upper-level god, with limited strength..."
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Female Emperor has returned and has already set off ahead."
"What? The Female Emperor has come out of Haishi Xingwu?" Xiao Hei was overjoyed, his cat eyes wide like two stars, then grew suspicious. "Zhang Ruochen, you're not lying to this emperor, are you?"
Zhang Ruochen moved his mind, making the time rules throughout the star domain become active. "Can you see anything?"
"So much time esoterica! When did you become a time master god?" Xiao Hei was already mostly convinced.
Aside from obtaining time esoterica from the Female Emperor, how else could Zhang Ruochen have become a time master god?
Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly and walked forward quickly.
Xiao Hei carried Zhuque Huowu and hurriedly caught up, asking urgently, "Zhang Ruochen, did the Female Emperor really go to Paradise Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen had never said this, so he just smiled without speaking.
"Zhang Ruochen, how could you let the Female Emperor go rescue people alone? There are so many experts in Xinghuantian—you should have brought them all." Xiao Hei was truly worried, urging Zhang Ruochen to return to Xinghuantian and bring more Taixu great gods.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Female Emperor has already broken through the Soul Stop. Her cultivation has likely reached the pinnacle below the Infinite Realm."
"Then it's settled—the Female Emperor is invincible under heaven. Paradise Realm is about to face great misfortune. It's a pity Xuan Yi is already dead, or when he saw the Female Emperor, he would definitely flee at the mere sight of her."
Xiao Hei was in a great mood, his desire to go to Paradise Realm becoming urgent. He kept urging Zhang Ruochen to hurry.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen stopped and looked behind him. "Moon Goddess, using Divine Spirit Steps to travel consumes too much divine qi. How about we take a divine ship?"
Xiao Hei and Zhuque Huowu both looked behind them but saw nothing.
"Hua!"
A cluster of bright moonlight bloomed one Divine Spirit Step away.
Moon God stood within the white light, wearing a veil, walking forward. She carried an unparalleled beauty, agile, natural, and ethereal, as if all the beauty in the world was gathered upon her, without a single flaw.
If Zhang Ruochen didn't know that Moon God had another side—a woman's pettiness and a strange fondness for squeezing her divine envoy—he would truly suspect she didn't belong to the mortal world.
Her beauty was unreal.
Zhuque Huowu was momentarily stunned by Moon God's beauty, then quickly shocked by Moon God's current cultivation. Although Moon God's aura was restrained, as a strong practitioner, Zhuque Huowu could sense that Moon God's cultivation had reached the Heart Stop level.
Another top-tier expert had emerged from the Heavenly Court.
"In terms of cultivation, you're far inferior to the Female Emperor. In terms of beauty, you're a hundred thousand miles behind Moon God." Xiao Hei sighed.
Hearing this, flames burst from Zhuque Huowu's pupils.
If her power weren't sealed, she would love to smash that cat-faced man's face to pieces.
In terms of cultivation, she was not convinced by Qiangu Nüdi at all.
In terms of beauty, while she might not match Moon God, it wasn't an exaggeration of a hundred thousand miles.
Constantly targeting her—this owl-faced man must be tired of living.
"Zhang Ruochen, your perception is truly sharp. It's definitely not inferior to some god kings." Moon God said.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Is Moon Goddess returning to Guanghan Realm or the Heavenly Court?"
"The second starry sky defense line is in a precarious state. As a deity of the Heavenly Court, how could I not go and contribute?" Moon God's voice was melodious, like heavenly music.
Xiao Hei fumbled around on Zhuque Huowu's body.
Zhuque Huowu kept retreating, her eyes filled with anger and coldness. "Don't go too far!"
"Hand over your divine ship!" Xiao Hei shouted at Zhuque Huowu, then smiled at Zhang Ruochen and Moon God. "In this starry sky, it's safer to use a Hell Realm divine ship."
Seeing that Xiao Hei was only looking for a divine ship, Zhuque Huowu relaxed and took out a divine ship.
These two had been imprisoned together recently. Mutual mockery was the norm, and they often came to blows.
All of Zhuque Huowu's power, including her physical strength, had been sealed, so she had suffered many losses. She recorded every debt in her heart, and even if the other party was the sole son of the Ice Emperor, she would not let it go.
Traveling by divine ship, they soon arrived at the Wuding Divine Sea.
Zhang Ruochen, Zhuque Huowu, and Moon God were all inconvenient to show themselves, so they hid in Xiao Hei's divine realm world and entered a port sacred city.
After entering the city, they did not immediately set out to sea.
Zhang Ruochen had Xiao Hei take Zhuque Huowu to find the deities of Fengdu Ghost City to gather accurate information, not wanting to fall into Hun Qi's schemes.
Zhang Ruochen wore a spiritual power cloak, all in black, covering even his face and eyes. He walked through the city with Moon God, communicating through divine thought, discussing various matters.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Legend has it that this largest suspended ocean in the universe was once the territory of the Thunder Clan, with the Thunder Realm floating in the three hundred billion li Wuding Divine Sea. Which was stronger, the Thunder Clan or the Holy Clan?"
"I have never seen the Thunder Realm, so I don't know how prosperous it was when Thunder Punishment Heavenly Venerable was in power. But according to historical records and the descriptions of some ancient gods, the Thunder Clan's strength was not much weaker than the Holy Clan."
In front of Zhang Ruochen, Moon God was not cold at all, quite talkative. She continued, "Of course, the Holy Clan is the Holy Clan, and the Holy Realm is the Holy Realm. The Holy Realm was much more prosperous than the Thunder Realm. In that era, sacred cultivators from all realms had to go to the Holy Realm to cultivate."
"There are many massive celestial bodies in the universe. Such as the Holy Realm, the Wuding Divine Sea, the Shura Star Pillar Realm, the three World Trees, the ten Wing Worlds, the Santu River... They all far exceed the scale of great worlds and ninth-level planets. Stars before them are like glowing pellets."
"Of course, there are also the more mysterious North Marsh Great Wall and the Jade Emperor Realm."
"Some formed naturally, some were left behind by ancient ancestors."
"The Wuding Divine Sea should be similar to the Shura Star Pillar Realm. The Thunder Clan's peak strength was definitely not weaker than the Shura Clan, perhaps even stronger. After all, the Hell Realm truly rose to power because of the war of the past three hundred thousand years."
"The killing, plundering, and devouring in war have increased the overall strength of the Hell Realm by at least several times. This is the advantage of the dead spirit clans, the Undying Blood Clan, the Rakshasa Clan, and the Shura Clan—as long as there is enough blood food and soul food, cultivation can rapidly advance."
"This is also why the main war faction of the Hell Realm has full confidence that after destroying the Heavenly Court's myriad realms, they can gain the strength to resist the Calamity of Quantities. Imagine, give them another three hundred thousand years—how strong would the Hell Realm become? Perhaps they could give birth to half-ancestors and ancestors!"
Zhang Ruochen told Moon God the news of the Thunder Clan's emergence.
He also told her that Wu Yue very much wanted to meet her.
Moon God pondered, "Wu Yue is extremely shrewd. She probably has some guesses about Jiusi Yitianhuang's secrets, so she wants to see me to confirm certain things, afraid of following the fate of the Moon Tribe's people and becoming nourishment for Jiusi Yitianhuang to live his tenth life. She might think I know something."
"If she truly wants to see me, bring her to me. I also want to see her—to see if she really is the earth soul of the ancient Moon God that became a spirit."
"Speaking of which, my divine envoy's wife can be considered half my divine envoy."
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen and Moon God both stared at a group of Stone Clan cultivators, because these Stone Clan cultivators were actually discussing Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen even heard the names Moon God and Wu Yue.
"The Hell Realm army at the Hundred Clans Royal City is truly useless, being toyed with by Zhang Ruochen. It's said that a large number of deities have been captured. They've lost all face!"
"Since the Middle Ages, when has the Hell Realm suffered such a great loss?"
"On the starry sky defense line and at the Wuding Divine Sea, we've beaten the Heavenly Court's myriad realms allied forces back step by step. But we've stumbled at the Hundred Clans Royal City, stumbled at the hands of a young junior."
"But you can't treat Zhang Ruochen as a young junior. It's said he can now contend with Taixu peak great gods. How many years has he been famous? Only a thousand years, right?"
"First he became the master of Xinghuantian, now the Hundred Clans Royal City will likely fall into his hands, plus the Ancient God Nest, and the Kunlun Realm. Many great saints above are saying that a third faction is about to emerge in the universe."
"That can't be, can it? Can the Kunlun Realm leave the Heavenly Court?"
"At Hanshi Ancestral Realm, Empress Chi Yao has already made her move. There are rumors that Zhang Ruochen is the new generation master figure pushed forward by the Tai Shang of the Kunlun Realm, meant to change the pattern of heaven and earth."
...
Zhang Ruochen smiled and shook his head. "See? When one's strength reaches a certain level, it's hard to keep a low profile. Ambition can't be hidden. The Heavenly Court and Hell will definitely tighten the pressure next. Either be destroyed, or choose a side. The pressure on me is immense. Moon Goddess, how about staying in Xinghuantian to help me?"
Moon God looked into his eyes, about to say something.
Among those Stone Clan cultivators, one said, "What's most enviable about Zhang Ruochen isn't his cultivation or his status as the realm master of Xinghuantian. His unparalleled romantic fortune is what can drive all men in the world to death. His reputation for romance will surely be passed down for ten thousand ages."
"Yes! Think back to when, in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, news of him and Wu Yue spread. On the surface, it seemed he suffered greatly, being ravaged terribly. But countless people envied him."
A Stone Clan cultivator lowered his voice, "It's said that Zhang Ruochen's willpower is strong, and the reason he did that kind of thing was because of Moon God!"
Zhang Ruochen's eyes gradually darkened. "A group of sacred realm cultivators dare to slander this realm master. Seeking death!"
Moon God released divine light, stopping Zhang Ruochen. "Why are you so narrow-minded? They're just a few sacred realm cultivators. Do you have to argue with them? Let's listen—I'm still very interested in the matter between you and Wu Yue."
That Stone Clan cultivator's voice grew even lower, as if afraid that Zhang Ruochen's divine thought in Xinghuantian might sense them. "Back then, Wu Yue's spirit was injured and she lost her memory. Zhang Ruochen tricked her, telling her she was Moon God, and then what happened afterward. Many say Zhang Ruochen was the victim, but I think Wu Yue might be the real victim."
"After all that talk, aren't you just saying that Zhang Ruochen has always coveted Moon God, couldn't have her, so he found a substitute? If that's the case, then Hall Master Wu Yue is truly pitiful!"
"But in the end, Zhang Ruochen went to beg Void Heaven to decree his marriage to Wu Yue. Who can reason with that?"
"Shh, keep your voice down. With Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation, he might not be unable to sense our discussion."
Zhang Ruochen couldn't bear it anymore. The rumors were too terrifying, severely distorting the truth.
More critically, Moon God was right beside him, hearing everything clearly and distinctly.
Zhang Ruochen felt he had already cultivated to death—not from shame, but from the theoretical death of his self-image in the cultivation world.
Moon God frowned. "You invited me to stay in Xinghuantian—what exactly is your purpose? Tell me honestly, in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, was it you who schemed against Wu Yue, or Wu Yue who schemed against you?"
Zhang Ruochen didn't know whether to laugh or cry, unsure how to answer.
Steadying his emotions, he said, "The pure are self-purifying, the muddy are self-muddy. I married Wu Yue out of necessity, with no other choice. Those cultivators can slander me all they want, but slandering Moon God will surely bring divine punishment."
"But I've heard that at your critical moment, it was Wu Yue who saved you. How can you be so heartless, dismissing your relationship with a single 'no other choice'?"
Moon God's face was cold and stern, a hint of contempt in her eyes, and at the same time, something like a thorn in her heart, making her very uncomfortable.
For anyone, marrying a woman who looked exactly like oneself was a very troubling matter. Moreover, this person was her divine envoy!
Never mind the rumors outside—even Moon God herself didn't believe that this divine envoy had no thoughts about her, his divine master.
"I was wrong, alright? I admit I was wrong. Xiao Hei and Zhuque Huowu should have results by now. We should hurry back to the Western Universe."
In the end, Zhang Ruochen didn't deliver divine punishment, feeling that he deserved this.
If he continued to explain, Moon God would only think he was covering up, being calculating, and having ulterior motives.
But toward Moon God, Zhang Ruochen had truly never used any schemes. He had always treated her sincerely, with respect and appreciation, even though she had hurt him a thousand times.
Moon God watched Zhang Ruochen's departing figure, her form ethereal and slender. "Your cultivation is indeed different from before, but your courage isn't what it used to be. If you like someone, just like them. Why are you afraid to admit it?"
For hundreds of thousands of years, Moon God had had too many pursuers, admirers, and secret admirers. She had long been unruffled, used to it.
But toward romantic feelings, she had no sensation at all, otherwise she wouldn't have cultivated alone until now.
In her heart, Zhang Ruochen was still that youth from before, someone she had watched grow step by step. A junior, a divine envoy! Someone trustworthy, with deep friendship.
It was precisely because of this that she had never been polite with Zhang Ruochen, and she hoped Zhang Ruochen wouldn't be polite with her either. If he liked her, he could say it directly, and she could reject him directly.
Clarifying attitudes could avoid many misunderstandings.
Of course, she hoped she was misunderstanding!