Chapter 3829: Whose Responsibility?
Over ten thousand years after that battle, the Starry Sky Defense Line had become the absolute center of the entire universe. Heavenly Court Continent lay sprawled there, with the World Tree and Shura Star Pillar Realm facing it across the void.
The Undying Blood Clan's Ten-Winged World had relocated here.
Of the Stone Clan's ten Stone God Stars, six had been moved.
Of the Bone Clan's twelve Bone Seas, seven had been relocated, floating in the starry sky, wrapped by countless Divine Throne Planets and gray nebula gases.
There were also the Death Clan's Divine City and the Corpse Clan's Ancestral Territory.
More than half of the powerhouses from Hell Realm and Heavenly Court gathered here.
During truce, undercurrents surged.
When war broke out, heaven and earth shattered.
If not for the Heavenly Venerables of Heavenly Court and Hell Realm being rational enough, any single spark could have ignited this place.
Blood Heaven Tribe Great World.
The mountain range spanning a million miles where the Blood Absolute Family resided was now completely unrecognizable, almost leveled to the ground. In many places, the earth had collapsed, and molten lava had formed golden rivers.
Heaven and earth were shrouded in darkness.
The corpse of Blood Absolute Half-Ancestor, suppressed by ninety-nine divine temples and over a thousand Divine Throne Planets, lay on the ground, nearly as tall as that shattered mountain range.
It had not yet been refined and killed. Its mouth still spewed corpse Qi, radiating a heart-shaking might.
Blood Qi, the current secular family head of the Blood Absolute Family, strode swiftly across the black scorched earth littered with bones. Some of these bones belonged to Great Saints, others to gods. Now they were unrecognizable, no different from mud.
"Splash!"
Blood-red puddles were everywhere. He dragged his heavy steps, trampling through them, and arrived before the Blood Absolute Clan Leader.
"Clan Leader... the death list has been compiled..."
Blood Qi handed over a thick register stained with blood. The Blood Absolute Clan Leader sat amidst a pile of rubble. The stone beneath him was once the stone platform in the Blood Absolute Family's ancestral hall where the spirit tablets of past ancestors were placed. Much of his armor had melted, his face covered in blood and grime. His deep-set eyes stared at the bones littering the ground.
Before his eyes, nothing was visible but white bones covering the plain.
The Blood Dragon War Halberd was thrust into the ground beside him, its entire body soaked through with divine blood. Only a wisp of red tassel beneath the halberd tip fluttered in the wind. The Blood Absolute Clan Leader did not look at the death list. "The Blood Absolute Family has failed the cultivators who died in this turmoil. Discuss with Blood Chen how to compensate and make amends. Every god who came to help must be thanked individually. Although I am the clan leader and, in the face of a world-destroying calamity, it was their duty to be deployed, this disaster ultimately originated from the Blood Absolute Family."
Blood Qi acknowledged the order. "This time, Xiu Chen Heavenly God and Bai Shenzun contributed the most. If they hadn't blocked the Blood Absolute Half-Ancestor who returned through possession, the entire Blood Heaven Tribe's clansmen might have been devoured and turned into the blood Qi within the Blood Absolute Half-Ancestor's body!"
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader took out the divine artifact, the Purple Sea Shura Lamp, and said, "Our Undying Blood Clan never owes favors. Take this lamp to her."
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader was unwilling to see Xiu Chen Heavenly God, unwilling to owe her a favor, for two major reasons.
He certainly knew that Xiu Chen Heavenly God had come to aid the Blood Heaven Tribe on Zhang Ruochen's orders. The Blood Absolute Clan Leader could refuse to owe anyone a favor, but he could openly accept Zhang Ruochen's favor.
In his heart, Zhang Ruochen was closer than his own son, his greatest pride.
But now, he was no longer just the head of the Blood Absolute Family, and Zhang Ruochen was not just his grandson. As the clan leader of the Undying Blood Clan, standing from the perspective of the entire clan, this favor had to be repaid.
Otherwise, if the Undying Blood Clan faced turmoil again, who would come to help without expectation of return?
That was the first reason. Second, back then, the Blood Absolute Clan Leader and Xiu Chen Heavenly God had indeed formed a grudge. Xiu Chen Heavenly God had been beaten badly, losing all face. Now that Xiu Chen Heavenly God's cultivation had fully recovered and was even stronger, who knew if she might take the opportunity to retaliate?
Such retaliation would certainly not be a life-and-death struggle, but being mocked and ridiculed was inevitable.
"Whoosh!"
A wisp of black ghostly mist descended from the sky, condensing into the ghostly body of Night Wanderer God.
He bowed to the Blood Absolute Clan Leader, his expression solemn. "Rakshasa Divine City has indeed been destroyed. All cultivators in the city perished; no one escaped."
"At least a quarter of the Rakshasa Clan's gods died in this battle. More than half of the god kings and god venerables above the Infinite Realm fell. The power of a half-ancestor is too terrifying. If Heavenly Mother hadn't broken through, the entire Rakshasa Clan might have been wiped out!"
For the first time in his life, the Blood Absolute Clan Leader felt both physically and mentally exhausted. He asked in a low voice, "What about Luo Yan Great Emperor?"
"At that time, the Great Emperor was also in the city... he did not survive." Night Wanderer God said.
"Alright, you may withdraw."
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader closed his eyes, gritting his molars. The skin on his face twitched, and his steel-like, resolute body trembled slightly.
The three lower clans were united in spirit. There might be internal conflicts of one kind or another, but when it came to major decisions, no one held back.
And when facing external enemies, they always stood together.
Since the Blood Absolute Clan Leader began his cultivation, four elders had shown him the most care and were closest to him.
They were: the "Old Clan Leader" of the Undying Blood Clan, "Ni Xuan Shenzun" of the Shura Clan, "Luo Yan Great Emperor" of the Rakshasa Clan, and "Fu Lu Shenzun" of the former Destiny Temple.
Now, of these four elders, the first three had fallen one after another, while the last had become his greatest enemy.
Past memories kept surfacing in his mind.
Arguing with the Old Clan Leader, even when he was dying.
Bickering over seniority with Luo Yan Great Emperor and teasing him about marrying Tian Yin.
As for the always steady and mature Ni Xuan Shenzun, the Blood Absolute Clan Leader regarded him with deep respect, seeing him as a father.
The pain in his heart was beyond words. He clearly wanted to cry but absolutely could not, because he was the clan's War God, the clan leader, representing the clan's backbone. He could never show a weak side.
"In the end, no one can protect me anymore. From now on, I can only rely on myself... This day has come too early, catching me completely unprepared. Luo Yan, Ni Xuan Shenzun..."
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader reopened his eyes, a cold gleam flashing in his pupils. "I will definitely avenge you, blood for blood! And you, old fellow, why were you the only one to die a natural death, the only one to go so quickly... I miss you a bit!"
At that moment, excited and joyful voices rose around him: "Ice King has returned!"
"Ice King is back!"
...
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader recovered from his emotions of loss, pain, and hatred. He looked up.
He saw Zhang Ruochen walking across the broken earth, flying with countless black dust particles, carrying two wine jars.
"Catch!"
Zhang Ruochen threw one of them over.
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader caught it, a smile appearing on his face. "Is Bai Cang Star doing well?"
"Drink."
Zhang Ruochen sat down beside the Blood Absolute Clan Leader, opened the seal of the wine jar, and casually tossed it aside. Then, holding the jar by its mouth, he looked at the dark, heavy sky and took a sip.
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader understood. The last stone in his heart fell. He said with full vigor, "With the current situation and circumstances, you actually want this clan leader to drink?"
"It's my wedding wine."
Zhang Ruochen added, "I got married in Heavenly Court. I owe you this."
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader hugged the wine jar with both hands, letting his inner bitterness pour out, and drank it all in one go.
Zhang Ruochen watched him, knowing very well that this grandfather, though seemingly cold and ruthless, was actually full of blood and emotion. The deaths of Luo Yan Great Emperor and Ni Xuan Shenzun must have dealt him a heavy blow.
This drink could only be shared by Zhang Ruochen.
"Slap!"
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader threw the wine jar to the ground, his emotions gradually calming. "Your wedding with Luo Sha should have been held earlier. If Luo Yan had seen it, he would have been very happy. It's too late to say this now."
Zhang Ruochen's mind conjured Luo Sha's beautiful figure and sly smile. "They won't be in trouble."
"Rakshasa Divine City has already been destroyed. No one escaped." The Blood Absolute Clan Leader said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Wait a little longer."
The Blood Absolute Clan Leader knew that Zhang Ruochen must have made other arrangements, and hope rekindled in his heart. "What exactly happened? It's said that the Hall Master took Shang Tian and the others to Bai Cang Star?"
The divine battle between Ice King and the Hall Master had lasted a long time, and news had already spread across the starry sky.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Hall Master has been captured. You can ask him yourself."
All of the Blood Absolute Clan Leader's emotions seemed to find an outlet. If the Hall Master had participated in the scheme against the three lower clans, he deserved to die ten thousand times.
...
The Blood Clan Leader and Ice King escorted the Hall Master to the Undying Divine Temple.
At the same time, the clan leader's order spread through the ten tribes.
All true gods in the Ten-Winged World rushed to the divine temple. A trial assembly was about to be held.
Zhang Ruochen had no interest in this matter, so he temporarily stayed in the Blood Heaven Tribe, helping to guard the Blood Absolute Half-Ancestor.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the massive divine corpse that blocked the view. "What's the point of a remnant soul returning? As soon as it returns, it devours blood Qi to restore itself, annihilating its own descendants, ruining a lifetime of reputation. Future cultivators—who will still respect you? Sing your praises? Worship you?"
"The victor is king, the loser a bandit. Winning is the truth; losing is always wrong." A voice sounded.
It didn't come from the Blood Absolute Half-Ancestor, but from Xiu Chen Heavenly God.
She had deep insight into this matter.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God floated down lightly from midair, graceful and poised, standing proudly to the side. "Zhang Ruochen, didn't I do well this time? Even Blood Absolute gave me the Purple Sea Shura Lamp to express gratitude. If it weren't for me, there would be no living beings left in the entire Blood Heaven Tribe!"
"You still have the nerve to accept the Purple Sea Shura Lamp?"
Zhang Ruochen showed no good expression at all.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God frowned. "This god has a great favor to the Undying Blood Clan. Why wouldn't I have the nerve? You're not trying to help Blood Absolute take it back, are you?"
"Hmph!" Zhang Ruochen said coldly. "The Blood Heaven Tribe was saved. But what about the Shura Clan? Did you accomplish what I instructed? Ni Xuan Shenzun fell, the Shura Divine Temple changed hands, and the entire Shura Clan has fallen. All of this is your fault. You bear the greatest responsibility!"
Bai Qinger stood not far away, pure white as snow, untouched by dust, silently pondering what Zhang Ruochen was up to.
The upheaval in the Shura Clan originated from Luo Tong Luo and Qing Lu God King. Even that Heavenly Venerable of the Yama Clan couldn't react in time to stop it. How could it possibly be blamed on Xiu Chen Heavenly God?
Xiu Chen Heavenly God not going to the Shura Clan was the wise choice.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God's red lips trembled with anger. "I already sent a message to old Ni Xuan..."
Zhang Ruochen interrupted her. "Stop shifting the blame. As a Heavenly God of the Shura Clan, at the moment of life and death for the Shura Clan, you chose to escape. Your escape handed over the advantage on the cosmic chessboard to the opponent, leaving us in a passive position now. Whether as a god of Sword Realm or a god of the Shura Clan, you have truly disappointed me!"
"Without a sense of responsibility, no matter how high your cultivation, you are nothing but a selfish and self-serving person. In the future, if I encounter danger, if Sword Realm encounters danger, you will definitely be the first to flee."