# Chapter 3436: Rebirth and Farewell
Zhang Ruochen had experienced life and death, had comprehended life and death, and it was between life and death that he had realized Wuji and been reborn into new life.
Therefore, his perception of the aura between life and death was extremely sharp.
...
Self-detonating one's divine source was supposed to be certain death.
But there were always exceptions.
For instance, Desolate Heaven had once reversed life and death, reconstituted his divine source, and achieved a major breakthrough in cultivation.
Another example was the Undying Blood Clan's god, Huang Bahu, who had self-detonated his divine source more than once yet survived, returning to the path of cultivation and cultivating a new divine source.
To achieve this, aside from being related to the cultivation technique (gongfa) and Dao of the god, it also depended on the spiritual will of the one whose divine source had shattered. At the same time, external objects and many coincidental factors were needed.
Desolate Heaven possessed ten percent of Life Esoterica and ten percent of Death Esoterica, making him the master god of life and death.
Huang Bahu had swallowed White Pale Blood Soil.
The technique (gongfa) A Le cultivated was the Undying Bird Clan's "Nine Turns Life-Death Decision." He had died countless times already, but each time, relying on the mysteriousness of the technique (gongfa) and his own will, he had come back to life.
This was his special trait!
Desolate Heaven gazed at the slowly flowing nebula dust before him and said, "Strange! After your friend self-detonated his divine source, the residual divine substance was not taken away by Xuan Yi."
"These divine substances are entwined with the Life Rules and Death Rules of heaven and earth—such a strong obsession."
"Body dies, but thought does not perish!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Xuan Yi dealing with him was probably just a casual move. What he was more urgent about was releasing that taboo in Night Soil. As for Yin Yuanchen..."
Yin Yuanchen was one of the most outstanding prodigies of this Eon, second only to Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen. His cultivation level would definitely not be weak. It was impossible for him not to sense the fluctuation (bodong) of the divine substance in the nebula dust.
He also had enough understanding of A Le, definitely knowing that A Le had awakened from death many times.
Yet he did not take away or obliterate these divine substances—that was somewhat intriguing.
Divine substances could be used to refine artifacts, refine pills, and draw talismans. They were valuable. Why not take them away?
Could it be, as Princess Shenba said, that he had a kind side?
Princess Shenba had once begged Zhang Ruochen, hoping that in future life-and-death battles, he would spare Yin Yuanchen's life.
Zhang Ruochen stopped thinking about it. If Yin Yuanchen really was as Princess Shenba said, he could feel a bit more at ease. At least Yun Qing should not be in mortal danger.
Zhang Ruochen released all the Life Esoterica and Death Esoterica on his body, merging them into the nebula dust.
"A Le, let me help you!"
Zhang Ruochen teleported above the nebula dust, cut his wrist, and blood continuously dripped down from the wound.
Every drop of blood contained vast blood qi.
After leaving his body, it transformed into a cloud of blood.
Seeing the drops of blood continuously merging with the nebula dust, the woman transformed from the Blood Leaf Parasol Tree bit her lips and said, "Just a Heaven Supplement Realm god. To awaken his life, the price you're paying is too great! Why not give your blood to me? I can exchange it with treasures."
The Blood Leaf Parasol Tree could feel the White Pale Blood Soil contained in Zhang Ruochen's blood, naturally tempted.
Zhang Ruochen ignored her and looked at Desolate Heaven.
Desolate Heaven nodded, activated the Death Esoterica and Life Esoterica within him, and used his divine thought to preach the Dao to the nebula dust.
Just like back in Xinghuantian, when he had taught Zhang Ruochen the true essence of the Way of Life and the Way of Death.
The Blood Leaf Parasol Tree looked toward the direction of Night Soil. The battle fluctuation (bodong) there had never stopped. The starry sky had been shattered, showing signs of spreading this way.
"Crazy, absolutely crazy. Two God Venerables, just to save a Heaven Supplement Realm god, is it worth it? What if the battle spreads here? Then see how you escape!"
The Blood Leaf Parasol Tree very much wanted to forcibly take them away, including that nebula dust.
But she had been warned by Zhang Ruochen!
If she dared to act rashly, Zhang Ruochen would skin her.
The Blood Leaf Parasol Tree stomped her foot, so angry her trunk shook. How many gods in Hell Realm dared to speak to her like this?
It was only because of Feng Tian's favor that he dared to disregard her so.
Zhang Ruochen naturally had his own concerns, afraid that the faint fluctuation (bodong) in the nebula dust would vanish due to spatial movement.
Zhang Ruochen had too few true friends.
A Le was definitely the most steadfast one.
Zhang Ruochen dared not take any risk.
Qiangu Nüdi arrived, appearing in the nearby void near the nebula dust. She looked at Zhang Ruochen and Desolate Heaven for a moment, then transmitted, "The taboo in Night Soil has emerged. It's likely a Half-Ancestor. Senior Yu asked us to leave Xinghuantian immediately."
Seeing the nebula dust begin to contract, Zhang Ruochen stopped releasing blood. It was impossible to say he wasn't shocked.
A Half-Ancestor!
Even Hao Tian and Fengdu Dadi might not have reached that realm yet.
Once such a figure emerged, they could instantly change the landscape (geju) of Heavenly Court and Hell, becoming a pole of the universe.
The Blood Leaf Parasol Tree had clearly also received Feng Tian's transmission and immediately said, "We must leave! Feng Tian has decreed that if you don't leave, I am to forcibly take you away."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was fixed tightly on that nebula dust. He found it contracting faster and faster. Before long, its diameter reached several hundred zhang, like a chaotic sphere.
Gradually, the chaotic sphere condensed again, taking on a human form.
A Le's body materialized, very weak, even weaker than a Saint.
Zhang Ruochen appeared before him, took off his white robe, and draped it over him. "Don't say anything. Xuan Yi is already dead. I'll tell you about other things on the way."
A Le gazed at Zhang Ruochen for a long time, then looked at Desolate Heaven, the Blood Leaf Parasol Tree, and Qiangu Nüdi. Finally, he nodded.
"Hua!"
Zhang Ruochen used the Taiji Four Symbols Diagram to envelop Desolate Heaven, Qiangu Nüdi, and A Le. Borrowing the Ancestor Boots, he rapidly fled into the distance.
Behind them, the Blood Leaf Parasol Tree couldn't catch up and was nearly furious.
"Zhang Ruochen, you can't escape. You are the person Feng Tian has her eyes on. You cannot escape Feng Tian's palm."
...
Half a month later.
After passing through wormholes and spatial teleportation, Zhang Ruochen and his group had already left Huanmie Star Sea, entering the vast cosmic desert between the Southern Universe and Huanmie Star Sea.
They had not stopped, wanting to return to the Starry Sky Battlefield as quickly as possible.
A Le and Zhang Ruochen stood at the stern of the divine ship, watching the ever-receding Huanmie Star Sea.
"This is my fault. Xuan Yi went to You Star to capture you, wanting to use you against me," Zhang Ruochen said.
A Le said, "Do you always like to take all the blame on yourself?"
Zhang Ruochen didn't know how to comfort him. "Xuan Yi should still have residual souls in Lihentian. You must pull yourself together and cultivate again. And Yun Qing... one day, he will return. You have to live well."
A Le said, "I will naturally live well. Whether it's Xuan Yi's residual souls or the forces behind Xuan Yi, I will personally bury them all."
"What technique (gongfa) do you plan to cultivate?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
A Le said, "The 'Nine Turns Life-Death Decision'!"
"I have better technique (gongfa) options here," Zhang Ruochen said.
A Le shook his head. "A technique (gongfa) is just a tool for cultivation. The most suitable is the best. Having experienced this life and death, I have some new insights into the 'Nine Turns Life-Death Decision.'"
Even if one could survive self-detonating their divine source, they would have to cultivate again.
If they couldn't reach a cultivation realm capable of withstanding the Eon Calamity before it arrived, they would still die.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the coffin on the ground. "Have you really decided this? If you do this, you may never see her again."
Peach Blossom's corpse lay quietly in the coffin, white-haired and withered like firewood.
A Le took a deep, affectionate last look, then gritted his teeth and resolutely picked up the coffin lid, closing it.
"She always longed for freedom, but she always lived in the shadow of the Tian Sha Organization. Even when she fled to the edge of the border universe, her heart was still uneasy. Now it's good. No one will disturb her anymore. Send her off!"
A Le closed his eyes.
Seeing him so resolute, Zhang Ruochen's heart was stirred even more, feeling even more dejected and pained.
She and A Le could have lived in seclusion at the border, living an enviable life like a divine couple. All of this had been destroyed by Xuan Yi and the Quantity Organization.
Zhang Ruochen used divine qi to lift the coffin and gently pushed it.
The coffin flew into the boundless universe.
The divine ship beneath their feet was too fast. Before long, the coffin had disappeared into the darkness.
Zhang Ruochen understood very well why A Le was doing this. To cultivate the "Nine Turns Life-Death Decision," one had to sever their emotions. If they kept living in the past, they would be unable to face the future.
Zhang Ruochen knew that A Le would definitely be able to walk out of his grief.
But he hadn't expected his will to be so strong, able to make such a cruel decision toward himself so quickly.
Zhang Ruochen could see that every muscle in his body was trembling, tears hanging at the corners of his eyes.
Who knows how long passed, A Le opened his eyes. In the end, he did not look for the coffin that had disappeared into the universe. He only said faintly, "I'm going to ask Desolate Heaven God Venerable for guidance on the Way of Death!"
Chi Xingtian stood on the second level of the divine ship and suddenly spoke up. "He's a ruthless one. With such spiritual will, he should cultivate the technique (gongfa) of my Demon Heaven Mountain and walk the path of the demonic Dao."
"His path is for him to walk himself," Zhang Ruochen said.
Chi Xingtian looked into the distance. "The fluctuation (bodong) of heaven and earth rules is fading. The battle in Huanmie Star Sea has ended. I wonder if that Half-Ancestor has been suppressed. If he can't be suppressed when he's at his weakest, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"He must have been suppressed already!" Shi Fu Jun said, sitting on the ground.
Chi Xingtian kicked him. "You're a Tai Xu Great God. Can't you be more rigorous? What makes you so sure that Half-Ancestor will be suppressed?"
Shi Fu Jun had been lectured by Chi Xingtian countless times along the way. Suppressing the anger in his heart, he said calmly, "You don't understand! Based on my speculation, the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron has a big problem. Its artifact spirit is very likely... Oh heavens, look, isn't that the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron?"
Shi Fu Jun stood up from the ground, somewhat terrified as he looked behind the divine ship.
The Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron was flying toward them, getting closer and closer.
Qiangu Nüdi and Desolate Heaven both came to the deck, joining Zhang Ruochen, as if facing a great enemy.