# Chapter 3323: Return to Kunlun
Zhang Ruochen looked at Zhuque Huowu and said, "Miss Huowu, you may leave now!"
A strange expression appeared on Zhuque Huowu's face. "You're just letting me go like this?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded.
"I'm quite valuable. You could use me to extort great benefits from Fengdu Ghost City." Zhuque Huowu added, "If you think this alone will make me grateful to you, then you're definitely overthinking it!"
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "At Xinghuantian, you should know the conditions I proposed to the gods of Hell Realm. I never intended to use hostages to extort Hell Realm. The conditions I put forward were all reasonable demands!"
"By letting you go, I genuinely want to befriend you. Given what we've experienced during this time, I think there's a possibility for us to become friends."
"At the same time, I also want to use you to tell Fengdu Ghost City and the gods of Hell Realm that I, Zhang Ruochen, now have the qualifications to propose conditions to them. If they cannot meet my demands, by the time I return to Xinghuantian, there will be no possibility of negotiation. I will directly launch a counterattack."
Zhuque Huowu's expression gradually turned serious.
She could hear Zhang Ruochen's goodwill, but also the threatening undertone in his words.
With Zhang Ruochen's current strength, plus Chi Xingtian, Xiu Chen Heavenly God, and Shenpi Princess, as long as the Infinite Realm cultivators did not return, even if Hell Realm assembled a divine army, they would not have a sure victory.
Moreover, even if they did assemble a divine army, it would only be used for the second Starry Sky Defense Line, not Xinghuantian.
"Fine! I, Zhuque Huowu, will befriend you, Zhang Ruochen, today. At the same time, on behalf of Fengdu Ghost City, I accept your conditions. Before you return to Xinghuantian, the troops under Fengdu Ghost City's banner will withdraw from the star domain where Xinghuantian and Hundred Clans Royal City are located."
Zhuque Huowu transformed into a Vermilion Bird, carrying a cloud of crimson fire, and flew toward the direction of Hell Realm's universe.
Through their interactions during this period, Zhuque Huowu had discovered that Zhang Ruochen was worth befriending, possessing many qualities that other gods lacked.
More importantly, her journey to Lihentian had yielded tremendous gains, with her ghost body and divine body partially quantified.
These quantitative forces would be enough for her to comprehend for some time.
When she eventually attempted to break through to the Infinite Realm, she might still need Zhang Ruochen's help. Of course, she would prefer to reach the Infinite Realm through her own strength.
At the same time, Zhuque Huowu was well aware that Zhang Ruochen's initiative in letting her go was partly to sow discord between her and the gods of Hell Realm. It didn't matter—the innocent would clear themselves.
Xiao Hei watched Zhuque Huowu leave and said, "You shouldn't have let her go."
"If you like her, go chase after her!" Zhang Ruochen said.
"Like her? Hmph! Besides the Empress, when has this Emperor ever taken any woman seriously?" Xiao Hei added, "This Emperor has a deep grudge with her. I'm just worried she'll seek revenge in the future."
"By the way, didn't you say the Empress is in Paradise Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen was indeed somewhat worried about the Empress and Huang Tian, since Xuan Yi had higher cultivation and deeper foundations.
At the same time, he was very concerned that their confrontation might affect Kunlun Realm.
"Let's go, return to Kunlun Realm first!" Zhang Ruochen said.
The group set out, heading toward Heavenly Court Universe.
Zhang Ruochen's decision to release Zhuque Huowu and proactively extend goodwill was based on his own considerations.
They had killed too ruthlessly in Paradise Realm, which would inevitably bring serious consequences.
Zhang Ruochen was not afraid of Paradise Realm's retaliation, nor of the Heavenly Court Myriad Realms forming a coalition army to attack—he had confidence in dealing with that. However, he was very worried that Heavenly Court and Hell Realm might join forces.
This possibility was very high!
Because his power was now powerful enough to threaten both Heavenly Court and Hell Realm.
The joint attack on the Seventy-Two Pillar Demon Gods was a precedent.
Therefore, Zhang Ruochen had to make arrangements in advance, winning over worthy cultivators in both Heavenly Court and Hell Realm to prevent the worst-case scenario.
Along the way, Zhang Ruochen inscribed over a dozen message divine talismans and sent them to Hell Realm.
Some were sent to Xue Jue War God, some to Ni Xuan Beishi, some to Hai Shang Youruo, some to Xue Zhi Gu Shen, some to Yao Guang Di Fei...
He informed them of A Fuya and Bei Xi's situation, and also gave them advance warning of the great changes in Lihentian.
Finally, he told them that what happened in Paradise Realm was his doing, Zhang Ruochen's. Xinghuantian and Heavenly Court had formed an irreconcilable enmity. If Heavenly Court attacked, he hoped to receive their assistance.
He also promised some benefits, revealing the secret that the First-Rank Divine Path could help them comprehend "quantity."
These cultivators Zhang Ruochen sent messages to either had deep friendships with him, owed him favors, or had entangled interests. In any case, they could influence the decisions of Hell Realm's gods to a certain extent.
Next, Zhang Ruochen began to think about which forces he could ally with in Heavenly Court.
On the way, Shenpi Princess and Chi Xingtian learned from Zhang Ruochen about Xuan Yi's news, and the two became even more eager to return to Kunlun Realm.
"The mistakes I made back then, I want to personally make amends." Shenpi Princess's eyes were sharp.
Chi Xingtian was somewhat worried. "Can you really harden your heart to personally kill Xuan Yi?"
He knew that one hundred thousand years ago, Shenpi Princess had genuine feelings for Xuan Yi, and deeply so.
"One hundred thousand years have passed. All feelings have been worn away. Only regret and boundless killing intent remain in my heart." Shenpi Princess said.
They returned to Kunlun Realm.
The realm was peaceful and harmonious, unaffected by the divine battle.
Zhang Ruochen took out the Celestial Pivot Needle but temporarily found no trace of Xuan Yi's aura.
Then, Zhang Ruochen found traces of the divine battle in the nearby starry sky of Kunlun Realm. The shattered space had not yet recovered, with residual divine power from Xuan Yi and Huang Tian.
He used the Celestial Pivot Needle again to search, but could not find any trace of Huang Tian or Xuan Yi.
Returning to Kunlun Realm, Zhang Ruochen reported this result to Chi Xingtian and Shenpi Princess.
Chi Xingtian said, "A confrontation at the level of Huang Tian and Xuan Yi cannot be silent. Even if it happened in a desolate star domain of the universe, it would be sensed."
Zhang Ruochen said, "There are many possibilities! First, Xuan Yi might have fled and hidden himself, avoiding a direct confrontation with Huang Tian."
"That's possible. Compared to direct confrontation, Xuan Yi is better at assassination." Shenpi Princess said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Second, their confrontation might not be in the real world. They could have gone to the Void World, or Lihentian, or entered some secret realm similar to the Ancestor Realm."
Everyone present—Zhang Ruochen, Chi Xingtian, Shenpi Princess, and even Xiu Chen Heavenly God—all wanted to fight Xuan Yi and kill him.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God said, "Lucky for him. Let's see how long he can hide. With our strength, surrounding and killing him would be more than enough."
Zhang Ruochen could see the unwillingness in Chi Xingtian and Shenpi Princess's eyes. "Since you're back, you should focus on healing your injuries. Moreover, the Tongtian Divine Temple is severely damaged and needs repair. Paradise Realm will inevitably retaliate against Kunlun Realm. You'll need to handle that."
Shenpi Princess's emotions gradually calmed. "I made a great mistake in the past, causing the gods of Kunlun Realm to suffer a great calamity. Now that I've returned, even if it costs my life, I will protect this land."
"I want to visit some old places."
Shenpi Princess stood up and left.
"I'll accompany you!" Chi Xingtian quickly followed.
Xiao Hei scratched his cat whiskers, looking troubled. "This time in Paradise Realm, we stirred up such a big commotion. The Paradise Realm faction will definitely not let this go. How about we take Kunlun Realm and leave now?"
"You'll carry Kunlun Realm?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Xiao Hei said matter-of-factly, "Of course you'll do it!"
Xiu Chen Heavenly God said, "A great world like Kunlun Realm is not something an ordinary God King or God Venerable can carry. Moreover, Kunlun Realm has formations arranged by Tai Shang that connect to the surrounding heaven and earth. It's not something you can just take away."
Wasn't this obvious?
If any random God King or God Venerable could take away Kunlun Realm, how could Tai Shang have left with peace of mind?
"Whoosh!"
In the void, a red light appeared.
Ling Feiyu materialized out of thin air, appearing before Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei.
She said, "I have a letter here for you."
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred, thinking of the strange monk "Can Deng" he had encountered in Wuding Divine Sea. This thought flashed by—the letter in Ling Feiyu's hand obviously couldn't have been left by him.
He took the letter, opened it, and read carefully.
The more he read, the more furrowed Zhang Ruochen's brow became!
"Who gave you this letter?" Xiao Hei asked curiously.
Zhang Ruochen said, "It's from the Empress."
Xiao Hei immediately pounced forward, snatching the letter from Zhang Ruochen's hand.