Chapter 3686: The Great Demon King Zhang Ruochen
Emperor Ancestor God Lord naturally did not believe that Zhang Ruochen himself would have created such a "blacklist."
As for the Jie Tian behind Zhang Ruochen, he would presumably not instruct him to be so high-profile in settling scores within the Heavenly Court. After all, if the forces on this list truly united, Jie Tian and the Kunlun Realm would definitely be unable to suppress them and would suffer backlash.
So, who formulated the list went without saying.
What did it mean that the Imperial Dao Great World was listed on it?
...
Xuanyuan Lian walked into the Wind Snow Continent, stood beneath a formation flag as tall as a heavenly pillar, and looked up.
The flag pierced into the clouds, countless formation patterns interwoven, carrying the sound of wind and thunder.
Her fingers touched the flagpole.
"Divine forged material, quite the extravagant move. The materials consumed to refine this formation must be greater than forging a divine artifact."
Xuanyuan Lian soared a thousand zhang into the air, then stomped down heavily with one foot.
When she landed on the snowy plain, snowflakes scattered in all directions, and the earth continuously sank.
From the soil, layers upon layers of white bones turned up, like a pit of billions of corpses.
Xuanyuan Lian felt suffocated, then her gaze turned cold to the freezing point, fully believing Zhang Ruochen's words.
"Rustle!"
One mountain range after another in the Wind Snow Continent was blasted apart by Xuanyuan Lian's divine power.
At the bottom of the mountains, formation chains were buried.
All the formation chains converged at the bottom of the corpse pit.
Moments later, amidst brilliant rosy clouds, a mass of chaotic light cloud flew out from the corpse pit. Strands of formation chains coiled around it, imprisoning it.
It was the World Spirit of the Wind Moon Realm.
Every great world has a spirit!
The World Spirit possesses consciousness, jointly constructing all things with the World Spirit Root—the great realm's dao rules, the life force of living beings, and the tracks of fate.
Like the World Spirit Root, the World Spirit can nurture a certain amount of power but cannot cultivate.
Cultivation is an act defying heaven.
Defying heaven invites the Eon Calamity, and the entire great world would be destroyed.
The World Spirit's consciousness is actually even weaker than the World Spirit Root's. It's like some cultivators say fate is the consciousness of heaven and earth.
Of course, history also records extremely mad individuals who found the World Spirit, nurtured its consciousness, taught it cultivation methods, and ultimately, through the World Spirit, controlled the power of the entire great world. They turned a great world into a war vessel, roamed the universe, annexed other great worlds, and were invincible.
Yan Wuque was not a cultivator of the Wind Moon Realm, so he was naturally rejected by its World Spirit.
Although he had refined the World Spirit into a formation spirit, he could only forcibly enslave it!
If the Wind Moon Realm's World Spirit had been willing to be driven by him, achieving unity of heaven and man, Zhang Ruochen and Emperor Ancestor God Lord would not have found it so easy to suppress him.
Xuanyuan Lian used a secret art to communicate with the World Spirit, learning about a tragic and bloody history of the Wind Moon Realm.
The air echoed with howling wind, as if billions of wronged souls were weeping.
Xuanyuan Lian had traveled through the various realms of the Heavenly Court since childhood, mediating among all parties. What she least wanted to see was internal strife within the Heavenly Court over personal gains and losses, leading to mutual attrition.
As the highly respected Palace Master of the Array Extinction Palace, one hundred thousand years ago, during the Heavenly Court's most difficult battle, he had sacrificed an entire realm for personal gain.
How could this be tolerated?
"Yan Wuque!"
Xuanyuan Lian's Confucian headband snapped, her long hair scattering. She summoned the Radiant Divine Sword, flew toward Zhang Ruochen, and slashed directly at Yan Wuque, who was suppressed under the Bright Mirror Platform.
"Bang!"
Zhang Ruochen raised his hand, using a sword finger to block the Radiant Divine Sword.
Xuanyuan Lian withdrew her sword and slashed again.
Blocked again.
The Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal erupted beneath Zhang Ruochen's feet, repelling Xuanyuan Lian. He said, "Lian Gongzi, with your current cultivation, even if I hand Yan Wuque over to you, you cannot kill him. You have more important things to do."
"Boom!"
The Wind Snow Continent shook violently.
A powerful aura appeared in the eastern sky, thick divine energy dyeing the sky golden.
Guangmu War God forcibly crossed through the divine formation. The pair of golden Roc wings on his back were like two heavenly blades, moving as fast as flowing light, cutting through space, carrying unparalleled majestic might, straight toward Zhang Ruochen.
In an instant, the supremely strong, sun-like aura of masculine power reached Zhang Ruochen.
Emperor Ancestor God Lord and Xuanyuan Lian both knew there was a misunderstanding here, but before they could explain to Guangmu War God, Zhang Ruochen had already punched back. Bones in his body crackled, all his strength mobilized.
The fist was the Heavenly Venerable divine ability, Immovable Wisdom King Fist.
On his hand, he wore the Qilin Fist Gloves, lightning discharging outward, ten billion times space gravity shifting horizontally.
"Boom!"
Thunder, golden light, divine flames... all kinds of powerful energies formed ripples that nearly tore the Wind Snow Continent in two.
Emperor Ancestor God Lord immediately took Xuanyuan Lian and retreated far away, entering the Ten Thousand Buddha Forest.
Moments later, the violent energy subsided.
Zhang Ruochen and Guangmu War God stood facing each other on the continent, now cracked like a spiderweb.
The Bright Mirror Platform was still beneath Zhang Ruochen's feet, his body wrapped in Qilin and lightning, his breath like a divine dragon, his eyes like a blazing sun. In terms of aura, he was in no way inferior to the Heavenly Court's third-ranked peerless War God opposite him.
Xuanyuan Lian immediately transmitted a voice to Guangmu War God, explaining many things.
Guangmu War God had no intention of continuing to fight. He gradually restrained his divine power.
Loud laughter rang out.
Zhao Gongming, riding a black tiger, flew over and said, "Everyone, don't be alarmed. Guangmu War God only wanted to test the strength of Ruochen Da Zhanglao; there's no hostile intent. We are all working for the Heavenly Venerable—we're on the same side!"
Guangmu War God wore red armor and a dragon helmet. His gaze fell on Yan Wuque under the Bright Mirror Platform. "Ruochen Zhanglao, can Yan Wuque be handed over to the Heavenly Palace for judgment?"
If Zhang Ruochen hadn't just blocked his claw, displaying extraordinary combat power, he would never have spoken in this tone.
In the Heavenly Court, when a Heavenly Palace War God wanted to take someone, did he need to ask anyone's opinion?
Zhang Ruochen was gentle as jade, but his gaze was very firm. "Yan Wuque broke into the Space Divine Temple and injured its elders. Naturally, he should be dealt with by the Space Divine Temple."
"Can such a small matter convict him? The great crime of the Wind Moon Realm one hundred thousand years ago is what can execute him. Executing him can deter those other selfish people. That is what the Heavenly Venerable wants to see." Guangmu War God was resolute, showing his will to take Yan Wuque away.
Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, easing the atmosphere. "Guangmu War God is not good with words, but I can guarantee that he has no intention of forcefully taking the person, nor does he want to seize the various interests, wealth, and resources behind Yan Wuque. Rather, behind Yan Wuque, there are both the interests of the Radiant Divine Temple and the background of Houtu, that descendant of the Demon Ancestor. The Space Divine Temple and Da Zhanglao may not be able to withstand this pressure."
Xuanyuan Lian floated over. "That's right! If Yan Wuque is imprisoned in the Space Divine Temple or dies there, it will inevitably provoke figures at the level of the Twenty Heavens. But if the Heavenly Palace judges him..."
Zhang Ruochen interrupted her. "Why don't you think about why the Heavenly Venerable didn't act himself, but instead had me deal with Yan Wuque?"
Xuanyuan Lian, Zhao Gongming, and Guangmu War God were all stunned.
They quickly saw through the key point and came to their senses.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Yan Wuque and Xie Tianyi have been captured. Now that the Array Extinction Palace is leaderless, this is precisely the time for you to go and clean up and reorganize. I, Zhang Ruochen, am the Great Demon King, while you should be the saviors. Only then can the Heavenly Palace truly control the Array Extinction Palace. Everyone, please."
Xuanyuan Lian gazed deeply at Zhang Ruochen's handsome yet cold face, clasped her hands together, and bowed deeply.
This bow contained too many things.
...
Xuanyuan Lian and Guangmu War God left the Space Divine Temple and immediately headed toward the Array Extinction Palace.
Guangmu War God said, "The Heavenly Venerable must have some kind of deal with Zhang Ruochen; otherwise, Zhang Ruochen would never have become the Heavenly Venerable's blade, bearing all this karma. You didn't need to bow to him. If I'm not mistaken, the Heavenly Venerable's true body has likely gone to the Kunlun Realm. The coming storm in the Kunlun Realm can only be withstood by the Heavenly Venerable."
"In this deal, Zhang Ruochen and the Kunlun Realm are the beneficiaries."
Xuanyuan Lian was weighed down with worries. She shook her head. "The Kunlun Realm hasn't yet moved to the Sword Realm and is still a member of the Heavenly Court. Even if the Heavenly Venerable goes to the Kunlun Realm, it's his duty. But what about Zhang Ruochen? Doesn't he know how dangerous what he's doing is? Doesn't he know he'll offend many people? Yet, for the sake of the Heavenly Court, he bears all the karma alone. He deserves that bow."
Guangmu War God nodded. "That kid does have guts."
Xuanyuan Lian regained her sharp and capable demeanor. "Let's not rush to the Array Extinction Palace first! First, spread the news that Yan Wuque and Xie Tianyi have been suppressed by Zhang Ruochen, and that Zhang Ruochen suspects these two are connected to Chi Kunlun's death. His anger is burning, and he intends to raze the Array Extinction Palace."
"Once the Array Extinction Palace is in panic, all thinking disaster is imminent, we will appear."
"Also, the news that Yan Wuque sacrificed the Wind Moon Realm one hundred thousand years ago can be appropriately released. Let all parties find it hard to discern truth from falsehood. If they don't know the truth, they won't dare to get involved easily."
Chi Cha Luo and Qing Yu Sheng accepted the order and immediately set to work.
Guangmu War God said coldly, "Why not just reveal the truth directly? Someone like Yan Wuque deserves divine punishment, let the gods witness it, to serve as a warning to others."
Xuanyuan Lian sighed. "Those who understand will naturally see this as the Heavenly Venerable's warning. If we make it too explicit and put everything on the table, it will inevitably spiral out of control, creating a chain reaction. Then, the Heavenly Court will fall into civil strife. Even if there's no civil strife, it will split apart, and many will defect to the Hell Realm and the Wuding Divine Sea."
"What is one Yan Wuque? The people behind him are the ones the Heavenly Venerable wants to strike."
"If they remain obstinate, then there will be no mercy next time."
...
Zhang Ruochen put away the three hundred and sixty formation flags into a wooden box, his gaze strange as he looked at Zhao Gongming standing in the hall. "Senior, why haven't you left?"
"Don't call me senior. If you don't mind, calling me Brother Gongming is fine."
Zhao Gongming glanced at Emperor Ancestor God Lord and secretly transmitted a voice to Zhang Ruochen. "Has the Heavenly Venerable gone to the Kunlun Realm?"
Guessing that Hao Tian had gone to the Kunlun Realm was not difficult.
After all, Tai Shang had never fallen, and there were rumors that he had found a divine medicine to extend his life.
Top-tier gods all knew that Tai Shang's spiritual power was number one in the world, reaching the ninety-third level. Once he recovered to his peak, his combat power would definitely not lose to the Heavenly Venerable level.
Too many people did not want this to happen.
Too many people also coveted the various inheritances and treasures of the Kunlun Realm.
Undoubtedly, in the next ten thousand years, the Kunlun Realm would become the center of the storm.
To block Ba Er, Qishier Pin Lian, Kui Huang Liang, Jiusi Yitianhuang, Lei Fa Heavenly Venerable, and even the Yama Clan's Tai Shang, who coveted the Second Confucian Ancestor's Ancestor Realm, the Void Heaven, who coveted the Sword Heart, and many, many other heavenly-level figures with various purposes—in the current world, only Hao Tian could do it.
At the same time, Hao Tian also needed a formation-based Tai Shang at the Heavenly Venerable level to return and help him support the grand structure of the Heavenly Court.
Zhang Ruochen said, "How could we guess the Heavenly Venerable's actions? The world thinks he has gone to the Kunlun Realm, but he could very well be in the Heavenly Court, or even in the Space Divine Temple. Only by concealing his tracks can he maximize deterrence against enemies."
(Chapter End)