Chapter 3426: The Angler
Desolate Heaven laughed loudly, his gaze meeting the white-robed elder's, his eyes gradually growing profound. He said, "Only the weak feel jealousy! If one's heart is strong enough, then no matter who the opponent is, no matter how outstanding they are, one's heart of being number one under heaven will never waver."
The white-robed elder was naturally the current clan leader of the Stone Clan of the Hell Realm, one of the Twenty Heavens, Stone Heaven.
He was also the number one strong one of the Stone Clan!
Four thousand years ago, Stone Heaven would have undoubtedly been the elder Desolate Heaven respected the most.
But the matter of White Empress had torn a deep, irreparable rift between them.
Desolate Heaven understood Stone Heaven very well.
Although Stone Heaven had cultivated a flesh-and-blood body, his heart was ice-cold, walking the "toward death" path of the Stone Clan of the Hell Realm.
A heart like a boulder, devoid of emotion and desire.
If he did not compromise today, Stone Heaven would definitely make a move against Zhang Ruochen, and the possibility of Zhang Ruochen escaping was minuscule.
Desolate Heaven said, "Can I still trust you?"
The white-robed elder said, "I am sorry about the matter of Yu Baiwei. But her existence is your weakness. I only wanted to make you realize that emotions are the most superfluous thing in this world. As a member of the Stone Clan, only by severing emotions can one become flawless."
"Entering emotion, forgetting emotion, severing the threads of emotion, cutting off human desires—this is the process of cultivation, capable of forging your will. One day, you will be grateful for everything I have done for you!"
"Since I want you to return and wish to entrust the Stone Divine Temple to you, I will certainly fulfill the conditions I have promised you."
Desolate Heaven would naturally not forgive Stone Heaven because of his explanation. The rift between master and disciple could never be repaired.
But Stone Heaven's "I am sorry" still shook Desolate Heaven's heart.
Because Stone Heaven had been strong-willed his entire life, with an unyielding character, and had never apologized to anyone.
"My condition is that Zhang Ruochen must leave the Annihilation Star Sea alive. You must never make a move against him. Otherwise, from now on, you and I will be mortal enemies," Desolate Heaven said.
This condition seemed simple, but it actually contained many hidden conditions.
Including that if Zhang Ruochen encountered a life-and-death danger in the Annihilation Star Sea, Stone Heaven would have to step in to save him.
Stone Heaven did not think much about it and said, "I agree."
Desolate Heaven tore through the void, flying into the Night Soil, heading for the Hundred-Foot Emperor Mausoleum.
He had sensed the aura of Xuan Yi!
Whatever Stone Heaven was doing in the Night Soil was none of his concern. He could not get involved in the affairs of figures at that level, nor did he want to.
But Xuan Yi must die.
Not long after Desolate Heaven left, Stone Heaven let out a long sigh, and his body vanished from the spot.
When he reappeared, he was already inside the Night Soil, standing on the surface of a black lake.
On the lake, the wind was fierce.
But there was not a single ripple on the water.
Stone Heaven's beard, hair, and robes remained utterly still, untouched by the wind.
Not far away, a dilapidated wooden boat was moored.
On the boat stood a mottled, rotten wooden mast, from which hung a black canvas sail.
The wooden boat was right there before his eyes, yet it seemed billions of miles away. Space here had become very unreal, with all the laws of space altered.
Space is determined by space rules.
By comprehending space rules, one can control space to a certain extent, alter it, or even destroy it.
But space rules also have their own patterns, known as order.
Under normal circumstances, only a Space Master God can perceive space order.
Of course, there are abnormal situations. For example, when one's spiritual power reaches above the ninetieth rank, one can sense space order through spiritual power. When one's cultivation reaches the Indestructible Infinite realm, one's divine soul can also sense space order.
Being able to sense it does not mean being able to use it.
The person on the wooden boat could use space order, showing just how extraordinary he was.
That elder sat at the bow of the wooden boat, holding a fishing rod, but there was no line.
He said, "Is it really appropriate for someone of your status to meddle in the affairs of a few juniors? Do you want to end up like Qing Cang, ridiculed by the Heavens?"
"Qing Cang failed to kill that junior and even made him stronger, which is why he was ridiculed. If I were to make a move, it would not be like that," Stone Heaven said.
"In a game of chess, no piece can be killed casually. On this chessboard of the Annihilation Star Sea, I am your opponent."
The elder at the bow continued, "You should have known that with me here, you cannot kill Zhang Ruochen. Yet you used this as a condition to deceive your own disciple."
Stone Heaven said, "I did not say a single word that deceived him! Besides, returning to the Stone Clan is the best choice for him. The future of the Stone Clan needs him, and he also needs the protection of the Stone Clan."
The elder at the bow said, "Do you think the Sword Realm cannot protect him?"
"The Sword Realm seems to have gathered the most outstanding talents of this era, with great promise for the future. But in reality, it is nothing more than an empty dream. After the Heavenly Court is destroyed, you will be next," Stone Heaven said.
The elder at the bow said, "What if you cannot destroy the Heavenly Court?"
"Then you will still be next. If Hao Tian or Fengdu Dadi truly decides to destroy the Sword Realm, you cannot stop them, and neither can Nine Heavens," Stone Heaven said.
The elder at the bow pondered for a moment and said, "Aren't you curious why I am here?"
This time, it was Stone Heaven's turn to ponder.
Stone Heaven looked at the fishing rod in the elder's hand and said, "No line, no hook, no bait."
"There is a line, there is a hook, and there is bait, all right here in the Night Soil," the elder at the bow said.
Stone Heaven smiled and said, "I understand! Xuan Yi and the Quantity Organization are the line, you are the hook, and the bait is the Night Soil. Are you trying to catch the Quantity Emperor of the Quantity Organization? Is this your agreement with Fengdu Dadi?"
The elder at the bow said, "I will find the Chief Quantity Emperor for him, and he will give the Sword Realm one Eon of time."
"Is it him personally, and not the entire Hell Realm?" Stone Heaven said.
The elder at the bow said, "Is there a difference? As long as he does not make a move, who in the Hell Realm can do anything to the Sword Realm?"
"What about this Heaven?"
The aura around Stone Heaven suddenly changed. He no longer appeared as kind and benevolent as before, and the entire lake began to boil.
The fishing rod in the elder's hand was no longer as steady as before, gently trembling.
But he remained calm and said, "Very strong, but still a little short. You cannot destroy the Sword Realm."
Stone Heaven's beard and hair flew wildly as he took a step forward. A large area of space rules around the wooden boat collapsed, and the lake water surged into huge waves. He asked again, "Then if the two of us fight, who wins and who loses?"
Although Stone Heaven had only taken one step, the space he had crossed was no less than an entire star domain.
As a spiritual power cultivator, daring to let Stone Heaven get close, the elder at the bow's greatest reliance was the space rules before him.
The elder at the bow had already stood up. The fishing rod in his hand shimmered with endless talisman patterns, and his gaze was blazing as he met Stone Heaven's eyes. He said, "If you can take another step forward within one breath, at this distance, you win. But at the current distance, you lose!"
Victory or defeat hinged on a single step.
If Stone Heaven had the strength to defeat the Star Sea Angler, then he would naturally have the ability to destroy the Sword Realm.
One breath passed in an instant.
Stone Heaven did not take that step.
It was not that he could not take it, but that he did not attempt it.
Once he tried, it would inevitably lead to a fierce battle. But he had not come to the Night Soil to compete with the Star Sea Angler; that would delay the real matter.
Stone Heaven said, "Forget it. How many covet the Sword Realm? Why should I be the one to take the lead? Even if I destroy the Sword Realm, if I do not kill you, it will be a disaster for the Stone Clan."
"You should be more worried about how Fengdu Dadi will deal with you," the Star Sea Angler said.
Stone Heaven frowned slightly and said, "You should understand that this Heaven is not the fish you want to catch. The spiritual power of the Chief Quantity Emperor is formidable; he is definitely one of the eight Heaven Round No Lack ones."
"But you came to the Night Soil and took the bait," the Star Sea Angler said.
Stone Heaven smiled and said, "You followed the line of Xuan Yi and the Quantity Organization and set the hook in the Night Soil. But do you know why the Night Soil is the bait? What exactly is this bait?"
"I am waiting for you to give me the answer," the Star Sea Angler said.
...
Stone Axe Lord was broken. He had been blown up eight times by Chi Xingtian.
Moreover, Chi Xingtian had lost patience and wanted to search his soul, no matter how much he explained.
"Great God Chi Xingtian, wait," Stone Axe Lord said.
Chi Xingtian had cat whiskers on his face and eyes like bronze bells. He had already pulled out half of Stone Axe Lord's divine soul. Seeing him beg for mercy, he put it back.
Qiangu Nüdi said, "Are you willing to talk now?"
Stone Axe Lord said, "Actually, what this Lord knows about the Night Soil is really not much."
"Let's just search his soul directly. We can't waste any more time!" Zhang Ruochen suggested.
Stone Axe Lord immediately took out a scroll and presented it with both hands.
Zhang Ruochen looked at him with a puzzled expression, took the scroll, and opened it.
On the scroll was painted a woman of extreme beauty, wearing a light blue dress, a jade hairpin in her hair, and a vermilion flower-shaped forehead ornament in the shape of a butterfly on her brow.
It was painted so vividly and naturally that it seemed as if she could step out of the scroll.
She was truly stunning!
Even Zhang Ruochen, a romantic Sword God who had seen countless fairies and divine maidens, felt a sense of astonishment. And this was just a painting!
Chi Xingtian squeezed over to take a look and immediately flew into a rage. "What is the meaning of this? Even if you want to curry favor and bribe Zhang Ruochen, you should at least send a real one! A painting... this is too perfunctory. I can't stand it."
With that, Chi Xingtian was about to search Stone Axe Lord's soul.
Zhang Ruochen stopped Chi Xingtian and looked seriously at Stone Axe Lord. "What do you mean by bringing out the portrait of Lady Shiji?"
"Is this the legendary Lady Shiji?"
Chi Xingtian's gaze shifted back to the scroll.
The Stone Clan had ten Stone God Stars, each a super ninth-level planet, a hundred times larger than a great world.
Legend had it that these ten Stone God Stars were formed from the bodies of ten Primordial Ancestors of the Stone Clan after their deaths.
This was not entirely a legend, because the ten Stone God Stars were truly special. They were enormous in size, but not pieced together; they were ten complete cosmic rocks.
It was impossible for ten such massive stone planets to form naturally and remain undestroyed through countless calamities.
There were many legends about the ten Stone God Stars, but it was difficult for cultivators from other clans to enter them. The truth of those legends was known only to the top gods of the Stone Clan.
Among them, the Shiji God Star was said to be formed after the death of the Stone Clan's last Primordial Ancestor, Lady Shiji.
Of course, even the Stone Clan gods themselves did not believe that the Ten Clans had produced ten Primordial Ancestors. But the beings who left behind the ten Stone God Stars, even if not Primordial Ancestors, were certainly Half-Ancestors in the eyes of the Stone Clan gods.
Regardless, Lady Shiji was a hegemon of her era, a figure with extraordinary cultivation.
The universe was vast, and the ages were long. There were always a few such outstanding figures in history, like Lady Shiji. But another reason many stories and legends about her circulated in the world was her unparalleled beauty.
Portraits of Lady Shiji had been passed down from ancient times to the present, spreading across all realms of the universe, even to some mortal planets. Countless masters of painting had tried to depict her!
This special status was not something any Primordial Ancestor or any woman could possess.
Stone Axe Lord said, "God Venerable, please look at the lower left corner of the scroll."
In the lower left corner of the scroll were a few elegant characters:
Painted by Su Zilian.
Stone Axe Lord said, "This Lord has consulted the historical records of the White Fox Clan and found that Su Zilian was no ordinary person. She was the most outstanding strong one of the White Fox Clan after the Twelve-Tailed Heavenly Fox. And... she lived in the same era as Lady Shiji."
"Do you mean to say that this painting is of great value and might have been passed down from Lady Shiji's time? That it has great collectible value?"
Chi Xingtian rushed over, wanting to beat him up again.
Stone Axe Lord quickly said, "Legend has it that Lady Shiji was an extremely narcissistic person, considering herself the most beautiful woman under heaven. Any other woman who dared to be called the most beautiful would definitely not live past that day. And this painting should be the only one she treasured. Because it was painted the most truthfully and the best."
Chi Xingtian could barely control himself, feeling that Stone Axe Lord was wasting too much time. But seeing that Zhang Ruochen seemed very interested, he held back.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Why do you think this painting was always treasured by Lady Shiji?"
"Because this painting was found by this Lord in a secret realm at the deepest part of the bottom of the Lazy Minister Sea. In that secret realm, there were residual traces of rules beyond the Infinite realm. And besides this painting, there was also a cauldron. That cauldron was the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron used by the ancestors of the Night Demon Six Clans to suppress the Night Soil. It is very likely one of the legendary Nine Cauldrons."
Stone Axe Lord slapped his thigh and said, "What a pity! This cauldron has been lost!"
Hearing such an extraordinary tale, Qiangu Nüdi and Chi Xingtian were both greatly stirred. They did not believe at all that the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron had been lost and intended to search Stone Axe Lord's soul.
Chi Xingtian released demonic qi, his five fingers turning into sharp claws, and said to Stone Axe Lord in a "discussing" tone, "Stop acting. Since you've taken out the scroll, hand over the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron as well! This Lord can promise you that as long as you hand over this supreme treasure, I will protect your life."
"I'm not acting. The Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron really was lost, stolen by a Great Saint," Stone Axe Lord said.
Chi Xingtian really couldn't take it anymore. This was getting too absurd!
Qiangu Nüdi noticed that Zhang Ruochen's expression was very strange.
Not exactly strange.
It was just too calm.
Had this guy's state of mind already reached such a profound level?
The Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron, or the Nine Cauldrons, couldn't even stir any emotional fluctuation in him?
Zhang Ruochen pushed Chi Xingtian aside and said, "You've said all this just to tell me that Lady Shiji came to the Night Soil and that the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron was taken by her. So, the secret of the Night Soil is related to the Stone Clan?"
"Di!" Stone Axe Lord said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "What does that mean?"
"Di is a character on the stone platform beneath the statue of Lady Shiji in the Shiji Divine Temple, trampled underfoot. No one knows what this character represents, but I think it might be related to the one in the Night Soil."
Stone Axe Lord lowered his voice and said, "Legend has it that Lady Shiji was not only narcissistic but also very petty. She must have suffered a great loss to trample someone underfoot for thousands of years. In that era, no one was a match for Lady Shiji."
"She came to the Night Soil, took the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron, but did not destroy the Night Soil, nor did she release the taboo beneath it. That says a lot."
(End of Chapter)