Chapter 3730: Dust Heaven?
The news of the battle between Zhang Ruochen and Murong Tailai caused a massive earthquake across the universe, overshadowing everything that had happened before.
The fall of the Order Divine Palace Lord became insignificant.
Time Divine Temple's Temple Master Murong Huan being suppressed by the Five Elements Temple Master was only of concern to relevant stakeholders. Other cultivators had little interest in him, focusing instead on the person who had pulled back the curtain—Zhang Ruochen.
There was no choice; this battle was too legendary.
It involved the Heavens, the Nine Cauldrons, and a young Primordial Ancestor.
Regardless of what war weapons Zhang Ruochen had used, the moment he could stand as an equal against Murong Tailai, it was already destined that he had stepped into the highest echelon of the world, becoming the youngest top-tier powerhouse.
The Eastern Universe had only three Heavens: Pan Yuan Ancient God, Feng Tian, and Hunyuan Tian.
After the fall of the Mother Goddess Qiwada, the Southern Universe had only two Heavens: Chongming Laozu and the Five Dragon Divine Emperor.
…
In other words, Zhang Ruochen’s combat power could rank in the top four of the Eastern Universe and the top three of the Southern Universe.
He looked down upon an entire universe, dominating thousands of great worlds. Who could not look up to him?
Admittedly, there were special existences like Yunshen Daozhu, Xuanyuan Taizhen, and Meng Ge, who were powerful, and even Blade Venerable had combat strength not inferior to Murong Tailai, yet they were not listed among the Heavens. But they were ultimately a very small minority and would not affect Zhang Ruochen’s current influence and status in the universe.
In this chaotic era of rising prodigies and numerous powerhouses, Zhang Ruochen was writing his own brilliant chapter with an unstoppable momentum.
Zhang Ruochen’s takeover of the Time Divine Temple should have caused a huge uproar, but now it was unusually calm. All his enemies seemed to have vanished overnight.
A few days later, Yu Dongxuan’s divine soul was completely obliterated, and his Divine Throne Planet extinguished above the Paradise Realm.
Half a month later, Xun Yangzi’s Divine Throne Planet fell from above the Tianquan Great World.
Then, the Divine Throne Planet of the Immortal-Worshipping Cult Leader shattered outside the realm of the Cha World.
The consecutive fall of three Great Unbound Infinite peak figures shook the Heavenly Court Myriad Realms. Below the Infinite Realm, no one was unshaken.
But the Divine Kings and Divine Venerables above the Infinite Realm seemed to have anticipated it and were not panicked. However, many of them rushed to Nan Zhan Bu Zhou, seeking connections through the Heavenly Dragon Realm, the Wind Clan, the Truth Divine Temple, the Thousand Star Civilization, and others, hoping to meet Zhang Ruochen.
Yet, all were turned away.
The Time Divine Temple was majestic and sacred, as large as a star, half in the Heavenly Court and half in the Void World.
Zhang Ruochen stood on the suspended corridor, his hand resting on the jade railing, his gaze fixed on the empty and dark Void World, lost in thought.
Koro and Shang Tian had not come to the Time Divine Temple to rescue Yu Dongxuan, the Immortal-Worshipping Cult Leader, or Xun Yangzi. This was unexpected for Zhang Ruochen and seemed highly abnormal.
Were they deliberately distancing themselves, sacrificing the pawns to save the king? Or was there another reason?
“The matter of the Soul Realm involves Qishier Pin Lian and the Soul Mother, as well as Ba’er and the Kui Emperor, and possibly the greatest black curtain in the universe. Koro and Shang Tian would certainly avoid it, not daring to get involved. Of course, this battle in the Soul Realm couldn’t have caused such a commotion with just Yu Dongxuan and Murong Huan. The masterminds behind it are most likely still Koro and Shang Tian, or one of them.”
The Dragon Lord, Qiangu Nüdi, and Chi Yao appeared together in the Dan Pavilion behind Zhang Ruochen.
It was the Dragon Lord who had just spoken.
Zhang Ruochen had taken over the Time Divine Temple for a month, and during that month, the Dragon Lord and Qiangu Nüdi had gone to the Cha World, while Chi Yao had gone to the Tianquan Great World.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Uncle Dragon, how is the situation in the Cha World?”
“When we arrived, the Divine Throne Planet of the Immortal-Worshipping Cult Leader had not yet shattered. The evil cultivators of the Immortal-Worshipping Cult did not know their leader had already fallen, so they were caught off guard. All cultivators guilty of heinous crimes, whether at the Saint Realm or Divine King and Divine Venerable levels, were killed. Those with lesser sins were taken into my Divine Dragon Sun-Moon Chaos Tower, where I plan to give them a chance to atone. The Heavenly Court cultivators imprisoned in the Immortal-Worshipping Cult were also rescued,” the Dragon Lord said.
Zhang Ruochen said, “To deter the world’s evil cultivators and establish rules, this battle had to be ruthless. Uncle Dragon, what proportion were the heinous ones?”
“Ninety percent,” the Dragon Lord said.
Zhang Ruochen felt relieved.
Although it couldn’t be said that the Immortal-Worshipping Cult had been completely wiped out—since many of its cultivators were scattered across the Cha World and even other realms—it was still a bloodbath, enough to make the evil cultivators of the Cha World tremble in fear.
Qiangu Nüdi said, “You can rest assured, Dust Heaven. This battle will definitely deter the world. This Emperor and the Dragon Lord have stained our hands with no small amount of blood, and our reputations in the Heavenly Court Universe are thoroughly ruined!”
“At that time, the other two sects in the Cha World were so frightened that they immediately sealed their mountains and sent Divine King-level envoys to pay respects, swearing on the spot that they would never dare to oppose Dust Heaven or the Kunlun Realm. They promised to restrain their followers in the future, not to kill indiscriminately, and to obey the Heavenly Palace’s orders, uniting against external threats.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly, saying, “The world is indeed not lacking in clever people. They have clearly seen the real reason for the bloodbath of the Immortal-Worshipping Cult. A warning to them is enough; there’s no need to resort to further force. By the way, Female Emperor, what does this title ‘Dust Heaven’ mean?”
Chi Yao said, “Dust, in these days, you have been busy reorganizing the Time Divine Temple and refining pills. Don’t you know that Murong Tailai of the Murong family has voluntarily stepped down from his Heavenly position, offering it to you, claiming he is yielding his position to the worthy?”
“That battle dealt a heavy blow to Tailai Heaven,” Qiangu Nüdi said with a smile.
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then asked, “Is there someone on our side pushing this behind the scenes?”
A Heavenly position represented the right to speak and came with enormous interests. If not pressured by others, how could Murong Tailai voluntarily give it up?
He had not lost that battle.
That was precisely why Zhang Ruochen suspected that someone on their side was creating public opinion, putting pressure on Murong Tailai to push him into the Heavenly position.
Zhang Ruochen was self-aware. Currently, he had only perfected the Earth and Metal Paths. If not for borrowing the power of the Earth Cauldron and the Hong Cauldron, he would definitely not have been a match for Murong Tailai.
Of course, even if he one day gained the strength to defeat Murong Tailai, Zhang Ruochen would never want this Heavenly position.
He was already envied enough.
Moreover, ten thousand years later, he would definitely leave the Heavenly Court. Taking on a Heavenly position would bring no benefits, only a burden.
Fortunately, the sealing of a Heaven was not decided by Murong Tailai alone.
Sealing a Heaven required the Heavenly Venerable to personally preside over the Sealing Heaven Ceremony in the Heavenly Palace.
Murong Tailai’s statement of “yielding his position to the worthy” was more of a gesture. Whether he could actually step down depended on the Heavenly Venerable’s attitude.
Chi Yao said, “The cultivators below are quite excited, some joking that Murong Tailai should indeed yield his position to the worthy. But their influence is too light, and there was no deliberate effort to create momentum. It shouldn’t have caused such a big impact.”
The Dragon Lord said, “Perhaps, because of Murong Huan, the Murong family is preparing to retreat in order to advance, lying low for a while.”
“That’s possible,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Qiangu Nüdi said, “It could also be that the Heavenly Venerable intervened, forcing Murong Tailai to step down. News of the Bhuo Primordial Ancestor’s arrival has already spread. With such a major event, the Heavenly Venerable couldn’t possibly be unaware. And after learning of it, he couldn’t possibly avoid visiting the Murong family.”
Zhang Ruochen thought of something and said, “It seems I still need to go to the Five Elements Temple. Murong Huan must know many secrets.”
Chi Yao said, “Dust, given your current status, every move you make will be closely watched by all sides. Why do you need to handle such matters personally? I can go in your stead!”
Chi Yao knew very well that because of Feng Tian’s matter, there was considerable friction between Zhang Ruochen and the Five Elements Temple Master. Going there personally might not yield good results.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and asked gently, “What’s the situation in the Tianquan Great World now?”
“After Xun Yangzi fell, the Tianquan Great World was left without a leader. With the State-Protecting War God stepping in, there was no chaos. However, the gods of the great worlds that once followed the Tianquan Great World’s orders are now in a state of panic. Many have come to me, seeking to attach themselves to the Kunlun Realm or to you. Dust, if you just give the word, hundreds of great worlds will immediately heed your command. A single decree could mobilize trillions of cultivators to fight for you,” Chi Yao said.
Qiangu Nüdi and the Dragon Lord both looked at Zhang Ruochen.
Recently, quite a few gods had come to them as well, as if they had returned to the scene a hundred thousand years ago, when thousands of realms and gods paid homage to the Kunlun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand, saying, “I am here to be the Heavenly Venerable’s blade, not to be the Heavenly Venerable himself. What use do I have for such great influence? The Heavenly Venerable needs the voices of all realms to unite, to follow the Heavenly Palace’s orders.”
“Our current favorable situation in the Heavenly Court is all because of the backing of the Heavenly Venerable. If the Heavenly Venerable feels that our threat is greater, then there will surely be another blade of the Heavenly Venerable to cut us down.”
“As for the Tianquan Great World, leave it to the State-Protecting War God. With him in charge, the situation in that star region can be controlled. Of course, since I and Uncle Dragon fought tooth and nail in the Soul Realm, it’s not excessive for the Kunlun Realm to take some benefits. Yao Yao, you can arrange some people to seize some resources and wealth. After all, if we don’t take them, other forces will carve them up.”
Chi Yao nodded, saying, “That’s right. The Western Buddha Realm has already sent people to the star region where the Tianquan Great World is located to spread their teachings. The Famous Sword God of the Sword God Realm has also personally gone there. The Chaoyun Realm, the Talisman Spirit Realm, and even the Paradise Realm are all taking action. That star region, with its hundreds of great worlds, holds enormous interests now that Xun Yangzi has fallen. However, only the great worlds of the Western Universe can participate; many things are governed by unspoken rules.”
“Hasn’t the Western Buddha Realm always been aloof from worldly affairs?” Zhang Ruochen wasn’t really asking anyone; he was just muttering to himself.
But the Dragon Lord, Qiangu Nüdi, and Chi Yao all caught the profound implication in his words.
Just as Chi Yao was about to leave, Zhang Ruochen called out to her, “Yao Yao, bring Dan Qing and the other eight to the Time Divine Temple.”
Chi Yao naturally knew that Zhang Ruochen was referring to the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maidens. A strange look flickered in her eyes, and she smiled faintly.
Zhang Ruochen explained, “Xun Yangzi, like the Nine Radiance Divine Lord from back then, also cultivated the Nine Radiances Nine Paths. I have refined him into the Nine Radiance Divine Pill. Granting the Nine Radiance Divine Pill to them will allow them to maximize its effects.”
“I know, no need to explain. Over at the Tianquan Great World, I will also have people search for Nine Radiance treasures. They are the nine I trust the most. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have focused on cultivating them. I was planning to ask you for the Nine Radiance Divine Pill after returning from the Five Elements Temple.” Chi Yao thought of something and, as she was leaving, added, “My main worry was that you might give the Nine Radiance Divine Pill to that First Queen.”
The Dragon Lord and Qiangu Nüdi both chuckled, catching a strong whiff of jealousy.
(End of this chapter)