Chapter 3659: Returning to White Clothes Valley
"Another peerless powerhouse has emerged from the Kunlun Realm. Truly worthy of being the most prosperous great world since ancient times—its foundation is unfathomably deep."
Star Rainbow Divine Consort cast a glance at Proud Snow Divine Consort, genuinely envious.
That Jie Venerable was clearly a level of existence comparable to the Heavens, most likely at the Indestructible Infinite level.
In other words, since Qing Su had taken Zhang Ruochen as her master, she now had a Heavenly Venerable as her backing in the Heavenly Court.
Proud Snow Divine Consort's eyes sparkled with joy and excitement. She asked, "A single punch severely wounded the Thunder Ancestor! Divine Lord, is Jie Venerable at the Indestructible Infinite level?"
Imperial Ancestor Divine Lord was silent for a moment, then said, "He wields the ancestral divine power of the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable. What realm he is in matters little. What matters is that the ancestral divine source within him will now carry even greater deterrent force!"
After another moment of contemplation, his voice carried a hint of coldness. "Proud Snow, go to the Five Elements Temple and tell Nie Lin that the matter from back then is over."
Proud Snow Divine Consort looked puzzled but ultimately nodded in agreement.
Nie Lin was a name from long ago. She was born into the Julu Divine Dynasty, one of the three great divine dynasties of the Imperial Dao Great World, and possessed extraordinary talent. At that time, Imperial Ancestor Divine Lord was rising with unstoppable momentum, and the Imperial Ancestor Divine Dynasty was flourishing.
The Julu Divine Dynasty did not wish to clash head-on with the Imperial Ancestor Divine Dynasty and sought to ease their conflicts. Thus, they proposed a marriage alliance.
The woman chosen by the Julu Divine Dynasty was none other than Nie Lin.
Initially, the Julu Divine Dynasty's envoy had already negotiated terms with Imperial Ancestor Divine Lord, and the wedding date was even publicly announced. However, for reasons unknown, the matter ultimately fell through.
Later, Nie Lin joined the Five Elements Temple and became a Daoist nun.
This incident caused a massive uproar back then, with countless rumors circulating. Imperial Ancestor Divine Lord suffered a great loss of face and, wielding divine punishment, killed many cultivators. In the end, the Julu Divine Dynasty had to compensate with eighty resource planets to settle the matter.
Proud Snow Divine Consort did not know exactly what had happened back then, but seeing the Divine Lord suddenly mention a name that had not been spoken in a hundred thousand years, countless thoughts arose in her heart. Could it be that the matter back then was related to Jie Venerable?
Even if she suspected as much, she could only bury it deep within her heart, daring not utter a single word to anyone.
...
Light Whisper frowned slightly and transmitted a message to Xuanyuan Lian. "This is somewhat off. According to the intelligence from the Flying Immortal Valley, Jie Venerable..."
Xuanyuan Lian cut her off with an icy glare. "Your spiritual power has not yet reached the level of 'a single thought determines the universe,' yet you dare to speak recklessly about Elder Jie? A single punch severely wounded the Thunder Ancestor, and even the Refining God Tower could not stop it. With his twenty-first level of the 'Thirty-Three Heavens' and the ancestral divine source, Jie Venerable already possesses combat power at the Indestructible Infinite level. This is a blessing for the myriad worlds of the Heavenly Court, a divine spine supporting one corner of the universe!"
"Use the power of the Flying Immortal Valley and the Red Dust Peerless Tower to spread this matter far and wide!"
"This young master will also report to the Heavenly Venerable. Since Elder Jie no longer wishes to remain in seclusion and intends to emerge into the world, then a seat among the Heavens must be reserved for him."
"Heaven blesses my Heavenly Court!"
Light Whisper bowed respectfully. "Understood! However, I fear that even without our vigorous promotion, the Hell Realm will spread the news quickly on their own. We are not the only ones who witnessed the battle."
"It is different. If we spread it, it represents the will of the Heavenly Palace," Xuanyuan Lian said.
By having the Heavenly Palace publicly proclaim Jie Venerable's achievements and build momentum for his ascension to the Heavens, any intelligent person would understand the Heavenly Palace's intent. Even if they harbored doubts, they would not dare to test Jie Venerable further.
A seat among the Heavens was not merely a title; it was also a division of power and interests.
Allowing Jie Venerable to ascend to the Heavens was a clear signal that the Heavenly Palace intended to support the Kunlun Realm, thereby balancing the influence of the Paradise Realm in the Western Universe.
"Jie Venerable!"
"Jie Venerable!"
...
On the vast wilderness, war banners fluttered in the wind. Heavenly Court soldiers clad in sacred armor roared in unison.
Many young cultivators were boiling with excitement, exhilarated by the birth of a new Heavenly Venerable, weaving grand visions and forging their own cultivation dreams.
...
For safety, Zhang Ruochen concealed his aura and chose to travel through the Void World and the Santu River. After much trouble and nearly a month, he finally arrived at White Clothes Valley.
Many days had passed since the battle between Nutian Shenzun and Thunder Punishment Heavenly Venerable, but its aftermath only grew more intense. Countless deities came to visit daily.
Such influence far surpassed that of the Nether Hall.
Zhang Ruochen, Xiu Chen Heavenly God, and Qing Su walked along a stream deep within the valley. On the stone walls on both sides were carvings of gods and demons, exuding a solemn and majestic aura.
Qing Su had never imagined that one day she would venture deep into the Hell Realm and arrive at a fearsome forbidden land like White Clothes Valley.
Along the way, she had seen many Hell Realm deities, including some at the Divine Venerable level. Walking at the rear, her expression was grave, feeling as though her life had taken a completely different direction.
Arriving before the graves of Kong Fannin and Xumi Saint Monk, Zhang Ruochen paused briefly, then entered a nearby thatched hut.
Inside the hut, Nutian Shenzun, Nie Zang Venerable, Yan Shu Chan Master, and Jue Miao Chan Nu were already waiting.
After greeting each one, Zhang Ruochen took out the Suddhodana Silver Tree and returned it to Yan Shu Chan Master, offering his sincere thanks.
Although it had originally been a trade, the Suddhodana Silver Tree was far more valuable than the Bodhi Tree and was the most important protective treasure of White Clothes Valley. Since he had returned from the Abyss of Darkness, Zhang Ruochen was not a greedy man and naturally had to return it.
Yan Shu Chan Master glanced at Jue Miao Chan Nu and waved his hand. "I said it was a gift. Why are you returning it? Do you mean to say I should return the Bodhi Tree to you? Not happening. What are you thinking?"
Jue Miao Chan Nu, with prayer beads on her snow-white wrist, clasped her hands together. "It is merely an external object. White Clothes Valley has no use for it at present. Divine Lord Ruochen walks the world with countless enemies; it can serve to protect you. If one day Divine Lord Ruochen's cultivation reaches great heights and he no longer needs it, returning it then would not be too late."
Zhang Ruochen did not stand on ceremony and put away the Suddhodana Silver Tree.
Qing Su found this unbelievable. Was this the infamous White Clothes Valley?
These Nether Clan deities were all so easy to talk to?
Moreover, the renowned Nutian Shenzun and Nie Zang Venerable did not exude an overwhelming aura. They were like two ordinary people living in a thatched hut. This was completely different from the image she had imagined before coming here.
Recalling the sacred grandeur of the Heavenly Palace and the splendor of the Imperial Ancestor Divine Palace, White Clothes Valley was like a mountain temple, isolated and ethereal.
It was hard to imagine that this was the starry territory of the Nether Clan in the Hell Realm.
Though Nutian Shenzun had concealed all his aura, he still carried an innate majesty. "Where is the item you mentioned?"
Zhang Ruochen took out the demon heart frozen in space and handed it to Nutian Shenzun.
The moment Nutian Shenzun received the demon heart, his expression changed. "You met her?"
On the demon heart, Nutian Shenzun sensed the power and aura of Kong Yinxue.
Before this, he did not know that Kong Yinxue was still alive. How could his heart not be stirred?
Nie Zang Venerable sniffed the air, his expression shifting dramatically. His eyes fixed on the demon heart, growing moist, then he laughed with joy. "She didn't die. She really didn't die. Has she returned? Zhang Ruochen, has she returned?"
Yan Shu Chan Master and Jue Miao Chan Nu could not remain calm either. They released their divine thoughts to sense the aura on the demon heart.
Zhang Ruochen looked at their expectant eyes and said, "The ancestor has already fallen."
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Nie Zang Venerable shook his head vigorously. "I have already sensed it. The power sealing the demon heart is extremely strong, likely at the Half-Ancestor level. She reached the Half-Ancestor realm. In this world, who could kill her? She cannot have fallen. Zhang Ruochen, stop joking. Where is she? Tell us the truth."
Zhang Ruochen took out the painting he had made of Yinxue Heavenly and handed it to Nie Zang Venerable.
He said, "Time can kill anyone. When I met the ancestor, she had only a quarter-hour of lifespan left. She used her last strength to perish together with the Chaos Ancestor, turning into a rain of light that scattered by the Black River."
Then, Zhang Ruochen took out the "Nether Soldier Scroll" and "Nether Sea Scroll" and placed them on the wooden table. "The ancestor also asked me to bring these back."
"How could this be? How could this be? If I had known I could see her one last time, I would have gone with you to the Abyss of Darkness. Why didn't I go? I should have gone... This cowardly old dog... I should have gone..."
Nie Zang Venerable held the painting, gazing at the peerlessly elegant white-haired woman within. His aged body seemed to lose all strength as he collapsed back into his seat, tears streaming down his face, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yan Shu Chan Master and Jue Miao Chan Nu both began chanting scriptures.
It was the "Rebirth Sutra."
Nutian Shenzun only closed his eyes for a moment before completely regaining his composure. "One day, I will go to the banks of the Black River to pay my respects to her and erect a monument for her on Great Nether Mountain. Did she have any words for us to pass on?"
A pair of eyes all fixed on Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The ancestor said, 'Born with nothing, why leave words behind in the world.'"
"This is her. This must be her words. She was exactly that kind of person." Nie Zang Venerable nodded vigorously.
Zhang Ruochen secretly transmitted a message to Nutian Shenzun. "The ancestor said, beware of the Yama Clan."
Then, Zhang Ruochen recounted the relationship between Jiusi Yitianhuang and the Great Demon God, including the Great Demon God's birth in the Yama Clan, as well as Jiusi Yitianhuang's threatening words.
Nutian Shenzun's expression grew grave, and he let out a cold snort. "Jiusi Yitianhuang wants to destroy White Clothes Valley and take revenge on Yinxue Heavenly? Very well. If he dares to make an enemy of White Clothes Valley, I will certainly see it through to the end."
Zhang Ruochen said, "As things stand, it is already a life-or-death situation between Jiusi Yitianhuang and White Clothes Valley."
Nutian Shenzun looked at the demon heart, understanding what Zhang Ruochen meant.
Whether it was the demon heart or Wu Yue, who was cultivating in hiding at White Clothes Valley, both were essential for Jiusi Yitianhuang to perfect his Nine Lives Nine Deaths Yin-Yang Path. This was the most fundamental conflict!
In other words, White Clothes Valley had cut off Jiusi Yitianhuang's path to assault the Half-Ancestor realm, and even the Ancestor realm.
Nutian Shenzun said, "With my cultivation, naturally I do not fear Jiusi Yitianhuang. But it is easy to be a thief for a thousand days, yet hard to guard against one for a thousand days. Moreover, I have obvious weaknesses, while Jiusi Yitianhuang has none, allowing him to act without restraint."
Nutian Shenzun naturally knew what weakness Zhang Ruochen was referring to.
It was precisely the cultivators of White Clothes Valley, including the living beings of the great world where White Clothes Valley was located.
The reason he had gone beyond the realm to face Thunder Punishment Heavenly Venerable that day was precisely because he cared about the lives of these beings. And once this weakness was seized upon by Jiusi Yitianhuang, how could he not exploit it?
How could Nutian Shenzun not know what Zhang Ruochen was thinking?
He said, "For now, there is no need to relocate to the Sword Realm. If Jiusi Yitianhuang is truly so impatient to act, he will be making enemies of all the deities in the Hell Realm, and it will not end well for him."
With this statement, Nutian Shenzun had clearly conveyed his and White Clothes Valley's stance to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen quickly said, "Once matters in the Heavenly Court are settled, I will immediately return to the Sword Realm to reorganize. By then, there will surely be a new atmosphere, and all beings from the Kongming Realm are welcome to come and cultivate."
Nutian Shenzun knew that the true secret lay within the demon heart in his hand. Otherwise, Yinxue Heavenly would not have expended so much effort to seal it and have Zhang Ruochen bring it back specifically to him.
Perhaps only someone of his cultivation level could handle this matter.
Nutian Shenzun said, "Everyone, leave. Nie Zang Venerable and Zhang Ruochen, stay behind."