Chapter 3844: Yama Clan Crisis
"It was Lord Xue Zhi who gave the order. We dared not stop him."
The two divine generals spoke with trepidation to Yan Huangtu.
The chains binding Yan Huangtu had been removed by Chi Kongle, restoring his freedom.
Hearing the name "Xue Zhi," a fierce hatred surfaced in his expression.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen, standing within the divine realm world, had some inkling of the situation.
"Let's go!"
Yan Huangtu returned to the Blood Wing Divine Ship, steering it into the Yama Heavenly Gate.
Chi Kongle naturally boarded the ship as well.
Zhang Ruochen's divine voice transmitted into Yan Huangtu's ears, asking, "Has something happened to Lord Xue Zhi?"
Lord Xue Zhi was Yan Huangtu's grandfather. During Zhang Ruochen's most difficult times, he had helped him on multiple occasions, a highly respected elder.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen was happy to call him Great-Grandfather, just like Yan Zhexian.
Seeing Yan Huangtu remain silent, Zhang Ruochen added, "Was he possessed by the remnant soul of an ancient powerhouse?"
Yan Huangtu's emotions flared, "The one who should have been possessed was me, not him. He died in my place. Zhang Ruochen, are you satisfied now? You've torn down the last veil of the Yama Clan. Ha! What supreme clan? They can sacrifice even their own kin. A joke, a complete joke..."
Zhang Ruochen waited quietly for his emotions to settle.
Yan Huangtu seemed to be talking to himself, his eyes filled with tears and hatred, "Don't you find it ridiculous? Grandfather was the Yama Clan's master of enlightenment, the most direct bloodline, yet he was sacrificed and abandoned just like that. This is what the supreme clan does!"
Zhang Ruochen said calmly, "Who possessed Great-Grandfather?"
A strange look flickered in Yan Huangtu's eyes. He hadn't expected that, with Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation level, he still referred to Lord Xue Zhi as Great-Grandfather.
"I don't know! But starting over ten thousand years ago, Grandfather's personality changed drastically. He was no longer gentle and kind to us as before, becoming cold and violent. For cultivation, he committed mass slaughter, most of which were Yama Clan disciples. He extracted souls and refined blood pills. I once saw millions of Yama Clan boys and girls locked in cages, devoured by him. Who knows how many more I didn't see?"
"Do you think that's still Grandfather?"
Zhang Ruochen sighed, "It's likely that the one who possessed Great-Grandfather is the remnant soul of some powerful figure from Yama Clan history. That's why absorbing the souls and blood of Yama Clan disciples is most effective."
Yan Huangtu nodded, "Yes, it must be so. I once discussed this with Second Brother. He seemed to know more than me. He told me that Grandfather sacrificed himself for us. Second Brother and I have stronger cultivation foundations than Grandfather, are younger, and have higher potential for growth."
Zhang Ruochen said, "If Great-Grandfather willingly allowed himself to be possessed, the success rate of that ancient remnant soul would greatly increase, with much lower risk. Moreover, Great-Grandfather's cultivation far surpasses yours, which is also an advantage. Second Uncle must be in great pain too, right?"
"Second Brother's heart is stronger than mine. He chose to endure and train even harder, while I... I was utterly despondent, wanting only to escape."
Yan Huangtu smiled bitterly through tears, as if mocking his own cowardice.
Zhang Ruochen could understand Yan Huangtu. If even Yan Huangtu knew about Lord Xue Zhi's possession, how could Renhuan Heavenly Venerable and Yama Tai Shang not know? Yet they allowed Lord Xue Zhi to slaughter within the Yama Clan unchecked. How could Yan Huangtu not despair? How could he not suffer, knowing his grandfather was possessed because of him?
Chi Kongle said, "Setting aside emotions, as a supreme clan, they must be at the forefront. With the chaotic cosmic situation, Renhuan Heavenly Venerable and Yama Tai Shang, for the clan's benefit, summoning the remnant souls of ancestral predecessors to strengthen their power is understandable. As leaders, sacrificing personal lives for the clan's interests is unavoidable."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I've communicated with Renhuan Heavenly Venerable. He has no fondness for ancient remnant souls and doesn't seem heartless. As for Yama Tai Shang... Great-Grandfather is his own son. If he can sacrifice him, that is indeed rather cold."
From what Zhang Ruochen knew, among Yama Tai Shang's surviving offspring, there were very few, unlike Jie Tian who pursued thousands of descendants.
Yan Huangtu fell into recollection, "Tai Shang is definitely not cold-hearted. He was always good to us younger ones, spending time refining the most suitable pills for each of us. Everyone got their share."
Zhang Ruochen stepped out of Chi Kongle's divine realm world.
Yan Huangtu was startled, "Why are you coming out? Do you know how dangerous the Yama Clan is right now?"
"Hiding in Kongle's divine realm world might fool others, but it certainly wouldn't fool Yama Tai Shang. However, I haven't sensed any spiritual power locked onto me."
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, using the Heart of Truth to sense the Yama Heaven Beyond Heaven, listening to the conversations of various cultivators.
His perception spread outward.
It was as if billions of voices whispered in his ear.
"In seclusion!"
Zhang Ruochen opened his eyes.
Yan Huangtu said, "Who told you that?"
"The cultivators of Tai Shang Qingyun Hall. Moreover, I know that Yama Tai Shang went into seclusion to break through to a higher level of spiritual power; otherwise, he couldn't withstand the next Eon Calamity. Calculating the time, Yama Tai Shang's Eon Calamity isn't far off."
Zhang Ruochen said.
Yan Huangtu said, "It must be because Tai Shang is in seclusion that they dare to stir up trouble in the Yama Clan."
Zhang Ruochen didn't confirm or deny, "Do you think the problem lies with Renhuan Heavenly Venerable?"
"Otherwise? He hasn't gone into seclusion, and the disappearance of Clan Leader Huanyu a hundred thousand years ago is definitely connected to him. Why else would Wuqing Zong leave the Heaven Beyond Heaven?"
Yan Huangtu said.
"With my field barrier, Renhuan Heavenly Venerable can't hear this."
Zhang Ruochen said.
"Anyway, I don't want to live anymore. Let him hear it—what does it matter? Where are you going?"
Yan Huangtu noticed the Blood Wing Divine Ship changing direction, controlled by Zhang Ruochen.
"To the Heavenly Venerable Hall."
Zhang Ruochen said.
Yan Huangtu's face turned pale, his earlier bravery gone. He thought Zhang Ruochen must be insane. Breaking into the Yama Heaven Beyond Heaven was already walking into a trap. Going to the Heavenly Venerable Hall was no different from seeking death.
Zhang Ruochen had confidence in Yan Renhuan. After all, he had sent Yan Ying'er and Chi Kongle out of the Yama Heaven Beyond Heaven, away from trouble. If he wanted to harm Zhang Ruochen, wouldn't it be better to hold Yan Ying'er and Chi Kongle hostage? Besides, to understand the current situation of the Yama Clan, Zhang Ruochen had to meet him.
...
The Yama Clan's ancestral residence, after Yan Renhuan became the Heavenly Venerable of the Hell Realm, was renamed the Heavenly Venerable Hall as a mark of honor.
"Fifth Brother!"
Yan Yu's voice rang out as he walked out step by step, "You shouldn't have come back."
Yan Huangtu said, "Second Brother, why are you at the clan residence? Where are the cultivators? Why is it so quiet?"
Yan Yu's gaze shifted from Yan Huangtu to Chi Kongle, a strange light flickering in his deep eyes, "A lot has happened since you left. Come with me. We brothers haven't seen each other in years; it's time to catch up."
Yan Huangtu stood still, "I want to pay respects to the Heavenly Venerable."
"The Heavenly Venerable is not seeing anyone."
Yan Yu said.
"Why?"
"Boom!"
The ground of the entire clan residence shook.
The thunderous sound of battle came from afar, like divine thunder clashing.
Yan Huangtu, Yan Yu, and Chi Kongle rushed over.
They saw that all the defensive divine formations near the main hall of the Heavenly Venerable Hall had been activated. Layers of light barriers and highly active space rules indicated that an independent divine formation space had formed inside.
Through the layers of formation light, they could see two people fighting outside a magnificent palace.
One of them, clad in silver robes and golden armor, wielding a divine lance, with a heroic build, was Mi Tian War God.
Mi Tian War God's cultivation had reached the Infinite Realm. His battle aura was fierce, each step shaking the earth. He had been repelled once, blood at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were resolute, his war soul condensed behind him.
Mi Tian War God roared, "I want to see the Heavenly Venerable! Who dares stop me?"
On top of a stone beast outside the Heavenly Venerable Hall stood a cultivator wrapped entirely in black robes. He was tall and thin, like a bamboo pole, hands behind his back, speaking with a smile, "The Heavenly Venerable won't see you. Please return!"
"Who are you? How do you know the Heavenly Venerable won't see me?"
Mi Tian War God said.
"If the Heavenly Venerable wanted to see you, he would have spoken. His silence says it all."
The tall, thin black-robed cultivator said.
"Hmph!"
Mi Tian War God was certain something had happened to the Heavenly Venerable. Otherwise, given their relationship, how could he refuse to see him? His son had died at the hands of Lord Xue Zhi, and the Yama Clan was in turmoil. He had come to seek an audience four times. This time, he would break in no matter what.
"Let me see what face is hidden under that black robe!"
"Wu Xing Battle Art, Heaven and Earth as One."
Mi Tian War God shot forward, releasing countless witch lightning bolts, darkening the surrounding space. His divine lance struck down with immense force.
"The gap is too great!"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head.
Yan Yu immediately looked toward Chi Kongle's side, where there was no one, but Zhang Ruochen's voice came from there. He understood completely, not surprised at all. How could Zhang Ruochen let Chi Kongle return to the Yama Clan alone? He knew Zhang Ruochen too well.
"Boom!"
Mi Tian War God flew back, crashing through seven layers of formation light barriers.
The terrifying impact even penetrated the remaining light barriers, reaching Yan Yu, Chi Kongle, and Yan Huangtu, knocking them back and churning their blood and qi.
Mi Tian War God's silver robe and golden armor shattered, his chest pierced through with a palm print the size of a basin.
Divine blood gushed like a spring.
Not only was his physical body severely injured, but his divine soul was also heavily damaged. For a moment, he couldn't gather divine qi or mobilize rule divine patterns. He fell to the ground, unable to stand.
For a war god, this was undoubtedly the most painful thing. A war god stands; there are no lying war gods. Even death must be standing.
The tall, thin black-robed cultivator held the divine lance taken from Mi Tian War God, letting out a sharp laugh, "Since you're so ungrateful, I'll send you on your way today."
Yan Yu rushed out, standing before Mi Tian War God. His long hair and robes were blown backward by the black-robed cultivator's divine qi, his skin stinging.
"You want to die too?"
The black-robed cultivator's eyes were cold and sharp, emitting a piercing laugh.
Yan Yu knelt on one knee, bowing, "Honored One, Mi Tian War God cannot be killed. His influence in the Hell Realm is considerable. If he falls, the heavens will sense it, and everyone will know that a shocking change has occurred in the Yama Clan."
Then he added, "Heavenly Mother has broken through to the Half-Ancestor Realm!"
Yan Huangtu couldn't believe it, his heart aching. His proud Second Brother was kneeling before another.