Chapter 3687: Guardian Divine Emperor
Zhao Gongming understood in his heart and no longer pressed about the Heavenly Venerable matter. He said, "Brother, I do have another matter here. It concerns this beast!"
Zhang Ruochen looked at the majestic black tiger, even taller than Zhao Gongming, and showed a puzzled expression.
Zhao Gongming carried none of the overbearing might of a generation's War God; his divine power was completely restrained. Only the magnificent divine robe he wore shimmered with strange runic patterns. It could be assumed that even if he stood still, ordinary Divine Kings and Divine Venerables would find it impossible to break his defense.
He stomped his foot in a manner of frustration, sighing, "This beast, ever since seeing Zangjin Baihu, has been unable to walk properly, can't fly fast, and has no strength in battle. However, its bloodline is pure, absolutely a rare breed among the divine beasts of this era."
"Like Zangjin Baihu, it is the only one of its kind in the world. In their situation, it is impossible for them to conceive pure-blooded offspring."
"But their bloodlines are both powerful, and their cultivation has reached the Infinite level. Perhaps they can give birth to offspring with even more extraordinary physiques."
The black tiger clearly knew Zhao Gongming was praising it.
It raised its massive tiger head a bit higher, its eyes bright and spirited, looking very majestic.
Zhang Ruochen was stunned, then smiled awkwardly, "This matter... I cannot make the decision. Zangjin Baihu's current guide is Empress Chi Yao, and it also holds a special status in the Ancient Divine Nest, with an extraordinary position."
"This kind of thing requires its own willingness!"
Zhao Gongming showed a disappointed expression, saying, "Indeed, this beast is reaching above its station! Bie Hu is a prehistoric relic, its future achievements immeasurable."
The legends about Zangjin Baihu and the Swastika Azure Dragon had long spread throughout the universe.
Even Fengdu Dadi dared not take them as mounts, fearing to bear the karmic consequences. One could imagine how extraordinary these two beasts were.
They had an equal relationship with their guides.
Zhang Ruochen had the intention of befriending Zhao Gongming, so he gave him a way out, saying, "I will discuss this with Zangjin Baihu and see what it thinks."
"Then I thank Brother Ruochen!"
Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, then lowered his voice, "Since we are both working for the Heavenly Venerable, I will ask directly: does the Space Divine Temple need any help?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I am not working for the Heavenly Venerable; I merely promised him to serve as the Great Elder of the Space Divine Temple for ten thousand years. After ten thousand years, I will leave."
Zhao Gongming nodded, showing deep respect, and said, "Brother Ruochen is truly someone valued by Yunshen Daozhu and the Saint Monk. I, on behalf of the Heavenly Palace and the Heavenly Court's myriad beings, thank you for your noble righteousness."
"Brother Gongming, there is no need for this."
Even facing an ancient existence as renowned as Zhao Gongming, Zhang Ruochen remained calm and composed, without any pressure.
The address "Brother Gongming" was spoken with full confidence.
Zhang Ruochen added, "When the time comes that Brother Gongming's help is needed, I believe you will come."
Zhao Gongming understood the implication in Zhang Ruochen's words and said, "Rest assured, I have been keeping an eye on the Space Divine Temple. If any anomaly occurs, I will arrive at the first moment."
In the eyes of ancient gods like Dai Xue Nüwang, Quan Zhongsheng, and Ao Xue Shenfei, Zhao Gongming was undoubtedly a divine dragon of the nine heavens, a true War God and giant, capable of contending with some of the Twenty Heavens.
They did not even have the right to speak in front of Zhao Gongming, bearing immense pressure from his aura.
In contrast, Zhang Ruochen, having cultivated for only a few thousand years, was already calling Zhao Gongming "brother" and treating him as an equal.
This was a symbol of strength and status!
After Zhao Gongming left, Dizu Shenjun and Zhang Ruochen began a private discussion.
Zhao Gongming's attitude toward Zhang Ruochen completely exceeded Dizu Shenjun's expectations.
Was this still the domineering and sharp War God of the Heavenly Palace?
Although Dizu Shenjun had full confidence in himself, he had no certainty of victory against Zhao Gongming.
Whether he could catch up to Zhao Gongming in the future was also unknown.
After all, while he was improving, Zhao Gongming was also improving.
Zhao Gongming's cultivation speed was not slow!
In Dizu Shenjun's mind, the scene of his younger self first arriving at the Saint Realm and seeing Zhao Gongming involuntarily surfaced. At that time, Zhao Gongming was already a Divine Venerable, descending upon a Heavenly Domain, and all the cultivators within that domain went to pay homage.
What a majestic and awe-inspiring sight, one to be admired.
Dizu Shenjun restrained the nostalgic look in his eyes, lowered his posture a bit more, and spoke in a tone of seeking guidance, "May I ask, Great Elder Ruochen, why is the Imperial Dao Great World on the list?"
Zhang Ruochen looked at him with a strange expression.
Dizu Shenjun was extremely proud and had long been a supreme ruler, undoubtedly one of the highest-spirited figures in the Heavenly Court.
That he could seek guidance in this tone truly surprised Zhang Ruochen.
Dizu Shenjun had seen through life and death, so it was not out of fear. Clearly, he was worried about the future of the Imperial Dao Great World.
Although Zhang Ruochen was the Heavenly Venerable's blade, he did not intend to offend everyone to death. He said, "Shenjun, there is no need to worry so much. The Heavenly Venerable's intention is that the Imperial Dao Great World's three dynasties ruling together has caused severe internal strife. It would be best to unify and end the conflicts. A single great world only needs one voice!"
"If Shenjun does not mind, you may simply call me Ruochen."
Dizu Shenjun's grave expression dissipated, revealing a carefree demeanor, and he laughed, "Since Ruochen is willing to speak frankly, I will remember this favor. The Dizu Divine Dynasty still has the position of Guardian Divine Emperor vacant. Why not have Ruochen take on a nominal post?"
Before Zhang Ruochen could refuse, Dizu Shenjun continued, "The position of Guardian Divine Emperor has existed since ancient times. There is no need to be stationed in the Divine Dynasty or to do anything, but each year, a considerable tribute of Divine Stones will be provided. You only need to lend a hand when the Dizu Divine Dynasty faces a crisis of annihilation."
If the Imperial Dao Great World needed only one voice, whose voice would it be?
It might not necessarily be his, Dizu Shenjun's.
But if Zhang Ruochen became the Guardian Divine Emperor of the Dizu Divine Dynasty, even if only a nominal position, it would undoubtedly send a signal to the Yuqian Divine Dynasty and the Julu Divine Dynasty.
It would then be much easier for Dizu Shenjun to unify the Imperial Dao Great World.
Of course, by doing this, Dizu Shenjun would have no retreat and would be completely bound to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen admired Dizu Shenjun's boldness and said, "I will only be the Great Elder of the Space Divine Temple for ten thousand years."
"I know," Dizu Shenjun said.
Zhang Ruochen added, "In these ten thousand years, I may offend many people."
"That is only natural," Dizu Shenjun said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Since Shenjun understands all the consequences, then I will accept this great gift."
Ao Xue Shenfei said with a smile, "The Divine Emperor Chen has always been one of us! Shenjun, should we immediately prepare for the enfeoffment ceremony?"
"No need for such trouble."
Zhang Ruochen looked toward the outer universe, using his divine thought to cross space, tearing apart heaven and earth with his Profound Meaning, and transporting divine power to the distant shores of endless star domains.
In the Imperial Dao Great World, countless trillions of miles away from the Heavenly Court, within the resplendent Divine Emperor's Palace, a statue identical to Zhang Ruochen rose with a thunderous roar, reaching hundreds of feet tall, sacred and majestic.
Strange phenomena appeared in the sky.
The Taiji Four Symbols Diagram manifested above the Imperial Dao Great World, like the imprint of the Great Dao, the incarnation of heaven.
Cultivators who sensed the change in heavenly mechanisms knelt and kowtowed, knowing that the Dizu Divine Dynasty had a new Guardian Divine Emperor.
This news immediately spread to the Julu Divine Dynasty and the Yuqian Divine Dynasty, causing earth-shattering waves.
Dizu Shenjun naturally could perceive what had happened in the Imperial Dao Great World, knowing that the general situation was settled. He became much more open with Zhang Ruochen and directly asked, "After ten thousand years, does Ruochen have the confidence to reach the level of the Twenty Heavens?"
"The span of the Twenty Heavens level is vast! The peak of Great Unbound Infinite can be a Heavenly Lord, and the peak of Indestructible Infinite can also be a Heavenly Lord," Zhang Ruochen said. "Shenjun, would you like to return to the Imperial Dao Great World after the Heaven-Slaying Assembly?"
"That is only natural!"
Dizu Shenjun knew that Zhang Ruochen needed him to help guard the Space Divine Temple, so he said, "An event like the Heaven-Slaying Assembly is not something one can witness at any time. I just fear that the Quantity Organization will be unwilling to sacrifice two Heavenly Lord-level experts."
Zhang Ruochen said no more, instructing Dai Xue Nüwang to arrange accommodations for Dizu Shenjun and Ao Xue Shenfei, while he himself left the Space Divine Temple and arrived at a floating island not far from the temple.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen appear, Chi Xingtian immediately asked, "What exactly is going on? Why did you even attract the Heavenly Palace War God? Was the Array-Destroying Palace Master stopped? Has this crisis been resolved?"
"You mean Yan Wuque? He has been suppressed by me."
Zhang Ruochen said this very casually, preparing to go find Chi Yao.
Suddenly, he sensed something and looked up into the sky.
"Hua!"
A foot-long rift opened in space, breaking the barrier between Lihentian and the Heavenly Court.
A divine message talisman flew out from the rift.
Zhang Ruochen caught the talisman and, after reading its contents, his tense and cold expression finally relaxed considerably.
Chi Xingtian recovered from his shock and exclaimed, "What did you say? You suppressed the Array-Destroying Palace Master, Yan Wuque? Damn it, you've caused a huge disaster! No, wait—the Array-Destroying Palace Master's spiritual power is at least at the eighty-eighth level. Could you really suppress him?"
The Eight-Winged Yaksha Dragon stood in the distance, frowning deeply, and immediately walked over, saying, "Has the Array-Destroying Palace Master really been suppressed?"
"How could it be false? That Yan Wuque is nothing but a showpiece, living off a reputation. How dare he come to the Space Divine Temple to provoke? He truly doesn't know his place."
Zhang Ruochen took a step forward, then suddenly stopped, saying, "After the Heaven-Slaying Assembly, I will take you to Lihentian to repair your foundation and help you step into the Infinite realm. Of course, don't forget what you promised back then."
Chi Xingtian stood together with the Eight-Winged Yaksha Dragon, his heart unable to calm down.
Just how much of a showpiece was the Array-Destroying Palace Master to be suppressed by Zhang Ruochen?
Could his spiritual power only be at the eighty-seventh level?
The Eight-Winged Yaksha Dragon said, "Zhang Ruochen being able to help you repair your foundation is indeed a great blessing. The First-Rank Divine Path is truly mysterious. By the way, what did you promise him? He can probably already stand shoulder to shoulder with the Twenty Heavens now. Don't agree to anything lightly. Once you agree, going back on it will not be easy."
"What kind of private matter is this that you need to ask so many questions? Would I agree to something I can't accomplish?"
How could Chi Xingtian tell the Eight-Winged Yaksha Dragon that he had promised Zhang Ruochen to win her over and become a dragon son-in-law?
Besides, Jie Zunzhe had long finalized the marriage alliance between Zhang Ruochen and Linglong Xianzi, and had even collected several betrothal gifts. Could Zhang Ruochen escape?
Anyway, he would first repair his foundation.
Once he broke through to the Infinite realm, he would just fly far away.
Marry a dragon? Become a dragon son-in-law?
Only a madman would do that.
(Chapter End)