Chapter 3698: Prioritizing the Big Picture
Zhang Ruochen stepped out from the spatial rift and returned to the temple. Jie Tian, Zhao Gongming, Guangmu War God, and Xuan Yuan Lian were all waiting inside.
Jie Tian sat on the highest divine throne, his bearing transcendent, and said, "See? I told you all, no need to worry about him."
Earlier, Xuan Yuan Lian had asked Jie Tian to divine the whereabouts of Zhang Ruochen and the black shadow, but Jie Tian had refused. After all, he truly couldn't calculate it. As a dignified All Heaven, he couldn't afford to reveal his weakness.
Xuan Yuan Lian immediately stepped forward and asked cautiously, "How did it go?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I wasn't injured."
A look of surprise appeared on Xuan Yuan Lian's face, then she said with exasperation, "I can see that! I'm asking you, where did that person flee? Did you identify their identity?"
Zhang Ruochen glanced around the hall, noticing that Chi Yao, the Eight-Winged Yecha Dragon, Dai Xue Queen, and Quan Zhong Sheng were all present. Finally, his gaze stopped on Guangmu War God.
Guangmu War God's expression instantly turned extremely cold. Zhang Ruochen was clearly showing distrust toward him. He snorted and was about to walk out of the temple.
Xuan Yuan Lian blocked Guangmu War God and said, "I swear on my life, Guangmu War God can absolutely be trusted."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I have no intention of offending, but Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng was born in Wanxu Realm, and Guangmu War God was also born in Wanxu Realm."
"Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng and I were both born into the Xuan Yuan Clan!" Xuan Yuan Lian said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "You're different. The bond between us has long surpassed the word 'trust.'"
Although she didn't know Zhang Ruochen's purpose, hearing this, Xuan Yuan Lian felt somewhat pleased. At the same time, she agreed with the sentiment.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Any gains from Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng's side?"
Xuan Yuan Lian's expression instantly turned cold, and she shook her head, saying, "He was cursed to death. The power of the curse was hidden within the divine source inside his body."
Zhang Ruochen wasn't too surprised and said, "Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng was a Tai Xu Great God. With the pride of a Great God from the Xuan Yuan Clan, forcing him to act with just a curse wouldn't be that simple. I think it would be better for you, Lian Gongzi, and Guangmu War God to make a trip to Wanxu Realm and send Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng's remains back to the Xuan Yuan Clan."
Xuan Yuan Lian instantly understood. This was the trap Zhang Ruochen had set for her.
Was Zhang Ruochen suspecting the Xuan Yuan Clan?
Before they could refuse, Zhang Ruochen said, "Since Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng had problems, according to my usual way of doing things, I would have captured all his clan members and disciples, interrogating and investigating each one. But the Xuan Yuan Clan is ultimately transcendent. If this blows up, it won't benefit anyone."
"It's different if you, Lian Gongzi, step in. After all, you share the same roots, so you can handle things amicably, and many matters will be easier to discuss."
How could it be that simple?
What did sending Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng's remains back mean? Was it to accuse, or to intimidate?
This was bound to be an offensive task.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Although you, Lian Gongzi, were born into the Xuan Yuan Clan, I fully trust you. I absolutely don't believe you would shield your clansmen."
Hearing the same words again, Xuan Yuan Lian no longer felt any joy.
Even the Eight-Winged Yecha Dragon couldn't bear to watch, feeling that Zhang Ruochen had set Xuan Yuan Lian up too harshly. He said, "Xuan Yuan Yin Cheng was only a Great God. The secrets he could access must have been limited. Now that he's fallen, investigating through him will be even harder. Great Elder, where did that black shadow flee to?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Buzhou Mountain!"
Many gods in the Heavenly Court had trained at the Space Divine Temple in their youth, even entering certain specific areas of Buzhou Mountain for trials.
If a Quantity Venerable was hidden inside the Space Divine Temple, hiding in the chaotic space of Buzhou Mountain wasn't impossible.
Therefore, at first, they didn't think of the Hall Master.
Zhang Ruochen said, "That person's spiritual power should have reached the mid-stage of the eighty-ninth rank, possibly stronger. Moreover, their mastery of the Way of Space and the Way of Formations is extremely high. They have a very deep understanding of the Space Divine Temple, are familiar with all the formations inside, and can suppress my ability to mobilize Space Esoterica."
It was like a thunderbolt striking everyone in the hall.
In the current era, who could meet the conditions Zhang Ruochen described other than the Space Divine Temple's Hall Master?
No wonder Zhang Ruochen had been reluctant to reveal it earlier.
If the Hall Master was a Quantity Venerable, what reason was there for the Space Divine Temple to continue existing?
This was even more serious than the situation with the Array Extermination Palace.
Xuan Yuan Lian wanted to say something, but Zhang Ruochen spoke first: "The Heavenly Venerable appointed me as the Great Elder of the Space Divine Temple, which already shows how serious the internal problems are. He sent me to break the deadlock, just as I hope you will go to the Xuan Yuan Clan to break theirs."
If the Space Divine Temple's Hall Master was a Quantity Venerable, then Zhang Ruochen—who had once protected the God-Defying Clan and was chosen by Jiu Tian—was the most suitable person to handle this.
Zhang Ruochen changed the subject and said, "However, ancient powerhouses occasionally descend. That person could also be one of the past Hall Masters of the Space Divine Temple."
Silence fell for a moment.
Zhao Gongming's gaze sharpened, and he said, "Then let's attack Buzhou Mountain and find him. With Jie Tian here, even forbidden lands will be leveled, and even ultimate foundations won't stop us."
Xuan Yuan Lian showed a worried expression and said, "The Space Divine Temple has been making moves these past few days, imprisoning over a hundred true gods from dozens of major worlds. The various realms of the Heavenly Court are already in an uproar. Attacking Buzhou Mountain at this time is not a wise move. Besides, we have no solid evidence! What if the Quantity Organization exploits this?"
Guangmu War God nodded deeply and said, "Buzhou Mountain is the number one divine mountain of West Ox Continent, and indeed of the entire Heavenly Court. It contains a vast sea of spiritual herbs and sacred medicines, with resources as abundant as a hundred major worlds. Every year, a massive amount of cultivation resources is tributed to the Heavenly Palace. If it's destroyed in battle, it would be a huge loss for the entire Heavenly Court. It would only bring grief to allies and joy to enemies."
Jie Zunzhe was indeed afraid of being pushed by the crowd into attacking Buzhou Mountain, but he couldn't lose the momentum of an All Heaven. He said solemnly, "So what if it's forbidden land? So what if it's ultimate foundation? I carry the Ancestor Divine Source; what place can I not level? But this is clearly a divisive scheme by the Quantity Organization, using the Space Divine Temple as a battlefield to split the Heavenly Court. We absolutely cannot fall into their trap!"
The Eight-Winged Yecha Dragon nodded and said, "Right now, the Space Divine Temple is a storm center of intense conflict. A single spark could ignite it, and then it would spread to the entire Heavenly Court universe."
Everyone's gazes, filled with worry, turned to Zhang Ruochen.
After all, in their view, the one most eager to attack Buzhou Mountain was Zhang Ruochen. The black shadow was definitely the main culprit behind Chi Kunlun's death.
If Zhang Ruochen insisted on fighting regardless of consequences, they would have to follow.
Zhang Ruochen said, "How could Buzhou Mountain not have Space Teleportation Arrays? Ordinary space teleportation arrays can be neutralized by locking down the space. But if they are space teleportation arrays left by Half-Ancestor or Ancestor-level predecessors, we cannot lock them down."
"So attacking Buzhou Mountain would be useless?" Jie Tian said regretfully.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head and said, "At the very least, we can force him out, making it impossible for him to continue hiding in the Space Divine Temple. However, this is not the best strategy."
"What is the best strategy?" the Eight-Winged Yecha Dragon asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Wait! Wait until we have cleared out the hidden dangers, until the Heavenly Court's situation stabilizes, until they let their guard down. Then, we will join forces with several All Heavens and attack Buzhou Mountain together. Now is not the right time, nor have we made thorough preparations. In short, once we act, we must not give them any chance to escape!"
Seeing Zhang Ruochen so understanding of the bigger picture, Xuan Yuan Lian breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "What do they mean?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Ancient powerhouses, some past Hall Masters of the Space Divine Temple. This is just my speculation."
"However, Buzhou Mountain has abundant resources, excellent cultivation conditions, and a chaotic variety of spaces. The mountaintop even connects to the Yu Xu. For ancient powerhouses wanting to hide and restore their cultivation, this would definitely be the first choice."
"If not, why didn't the black shadow activate a space teleportation array to escape after fleeing into Buzhou Mountain? None of you sensed any spatial fluctuations, right?"
"Such a treasure land—once you leave, where would you find a second one?"
"Of course, to lull him, we need Brother Gongming and Elder Jie to enter Buzhou Mountain and put on a show."
Chi Yao asked, "What if that black shadow is indeed the Space Divine Temple's Hall Master?"
Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes and said, "Then the Hall Master will definitely emerge from seclusion in the near future."
The gods in the hall couldn't help but feel complicated emotions.
If Zhang Ruochen's guess was correct and the Space Divine Temple's Hall Master really did emerge, would they act or not?
What they didn't know was that the biggest reason Zhang Ruochen was strongly stopping them from attacking Buzhou Mountain was the legend of the "Purple Heart Heavenly Venerable Orchid."
This divine medicine, beneficial even to Heavenly Venerable-level powerhouses, was a rare and priceless treasure.
If they really let several All Heavens attack Buzhou Mountain and level the forbidden land, how could Zhang Ruochen get a share of the Purple Heart Heavenly Venerable Orchid?
Besides, now was indeed not the right time to act. On one side were people like Xun Yangzi and Murong Huan waiting for Zhang Ruochen to make a mistake, and on the other were Kui Huang, Ba Er, Lei Fa Heavenly Venerable, and Qishier Pin Lian watching eagerly, not to mention the gods of the Hell Realm watching from across the star sea.
If things went wrong and they failed to control the situation, many would die.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen broke the silence and said, "I want to take this opportunity to kill Yan Wuque."
Truly, shocking words. Everyone immediately moved to dissuade him.
Xuan Yuan Lian's face turned ashen. Not long ago, she had told Zhang Ruochen not to act rashly. Killing Yan Wuque might not be as big as attacking Buzhou Mountain, but he was a Palace Master. It would trigger an earthquake.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was firm, clearly decided, and said, "Yan Wuque escaped from the Divine Prison on his own, and under our siege, he self-detonated his divine heart, severely injuring all of us. This is an opportunity to lure the snake out of its hole, and I don't want to miss it."
Zhao Gongming's eyes lit up, and he said, "This plan is excellent! Keeping Yan Wuque around is ultimately asking for trouble. If he manages to escape, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Xuan Yuan Lian thought for a moment and nodded, finding the plan feasible. She said, "The spiritual power fluctuations from a self-detonating divine heart will be considerable."
Zhang Ruochen said, "So, we need to ask that person from the Chixia Feixian Valley for help."
"That old lady might not go along with our nonsense. I'll go invite her personally!" Zhao Gongming restrained his aura and vanished from the temple.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze turned deep as he looked into the sky beyond, saying, "This plan isn't particularly clever. But fortunately, we've already pushed them a few steps, and the water is now muddy enough. Whether they take the bait depends on how strong their desire to kill me is!"