Chapter 3909: Enemies Meet
The Stone Clan possessed ten divine planets, all of which were ninth-level planets, with volumes up to a hundred times that of some major worlds. Legend claimed they were formed from the bodies of ten Stone Clan Primordial Ancestors after their deaths.
This was clearly an exaggeration!
It was impossible for the Stone Clan’s history to have produced ten Primordial Ancestors.
For instance, Lady Shiji, one of the so-called Ten Primordial Ancestors in legend, was not actually a Primordial Ancestor. Exalting one’s ancestors was a common practice among cultivators of all clans.
At this moment, Shiji Divine Planet, one of the ten divine planets, appeared before Zhang Ruochen’s eyes.
It was a complete cosmic rock, irregular in shape, resembling a graceful young girl. Whether it was truly formed from Lady Shiji’s remains was uncertain. However, it was far too massive. Even from tens of billions of miles away, Zhang Ruochen could feel the oppressive pressure of the celestial body, which obscured the brilliant sea of stars.
Upon entering Shiji Divine Planet, Lianxi did not immediately take Zhang Ruochen to pay respects to Lady Shiji. Instead, she instructed him to first bathe, change clothes, burn incense, and tie up his hair.
The Black and White Daoist said, “With the cultivation of this seat and Imperial Dust, we have long been free of dust and filth. Is such fussing really necessary?”
Lianxi said coldly, “The Empress is the most beautiful woman in history, past and present, and she is also a lover of beauty. She cannot tolerate flaws or ugliness. If the two of you do not wish to anger her, please follow the instructions.”
Zhang Ruochen had no objection. After a series of battles, he was not only covered in wounds but also exhausted and weary. Taking this opportunity to bathe and rest—why not?
Zhang Ruochen followed two Jade Clan women into a spring pool.
He didn’t need to do anything himself. The two Jade Clan women would undress him, scrub his back, and wash his hair. The Selfless Lamp insisted on following, floating nearby on the misty water surface.
The Jade Clan was a noble clan within the Stone Clan. Both men and women of the clan possessed peerless beauty.
Zhang Ruochen sat with his eyes closed by the pool, enjoying the massage from the two Jade Clan women. His fatigue melted away, and his divine soul entered the Embryonic Altar.
Luo Tuoluo’s cultivation was indeed formidable, far beyond what Yuan Sheng could compare to. However, she had been severely injured earlier, and part of her Primordial Ancestor divine soul and bodily essence had been sealed, significantly weakening her strength.
Under the suppression of Yuan Sheng and the Universe Cauldron, she could not escape from Zhang Ruochen’s Embryonic Altar.
At this moment, Yuan Sheng had already emerged from the Shura Battle Soul Sea. Together with the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation and the Universe Cauldron, they were suppressing Luo Tuoluo.
It was worth mentioning that when Gong Nanfeng rushed out of Zhang Ruochen’s Embryonic Altar, he left behind the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation and many of Feng Tian’s divine artifacts.
Bore, Mu Lingxi, Cang Jue, Qi Tian, as well as Blood Leaf Parasol Tree, Xu Qiong, Yan Ju, and other gods of the Death God Palace were all within the Ten Thousand Buddha Forest, activating the formation.
Zhang Ruochen was uncertain about Lady Shiji’s attitude toward the Primordial Beings. He had previously communicated with Yuan Sheng, hoping she would leave quickly. However, Yuan Sheng believed that facing a Half-Ancestor, staying within Zhang Ruochen’s Embryonic Altar was safer.
If she lost Zhang Ruochen’s protection, a Half-Ancestor would kill her without any hesitation.
This was not only trust in Zhang Ruochen but also recognition of his current strength. She believed that even a Half-Ancestor would have to show him some respect.
For Zhang Ruochen, this was a difficult problem that could even lead to a direct conflict with Lady Shiji.
Regardless, Yuan Sheng had helped him greatly this time, and he had to protect her safety. Whether they would be friends or foes in the future, and how the situation would evolve, was a matter for later.
After bathing, the two Jade Clan women dressed Zhang Ruochen in a brocade robe embroidered with orchids and blue clouds, combed his long hair, put on a purple jade crown, tied a blue jade belt, and draped a white wide-sleeved cloak over him.
He appeared graceful and incomparably handsome, like a sword immortal or Confucian saint descending from the Nine Heavens.
The two Jade Clan women, both at the Great Saint realm and cultivating the Path of Death, were not of flesh and blood. Yet, seeing Zhang Ruochen in this state, their faces flushed like peach blossoms, and their eyes were full of affection.
If Zhang Ruochen said a single word, they would immediately switch to the Path of Life, undress, and serve him.
Lianxi’s arrival shattered their various fantasies, and their minds returned to calm.
But even Lianxi, upon seeing Zhang Ruochen’s handsome appearance, dared not look directly at him. Many past memories were stirred in her mind.
“The Empress is currently receiving Qingtian and the Second Master.”
Lianxi secretly transmitted a message, reminding him.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked toward the glazed divine temple floating in the clouds.
He saw the terrifying aura of a Half-Ancestor erupt from the divine path, forming a halo that continuously expanded outward.
Then, the Second Master’s spiritual power was released, creating a shadow hundreds of thousands of feet tall that overlapped with the temple.
As Zhang Ruochen and Lianxi walked through the temple’s main gate, the Second Master was fully integrating the three long rivers of spiritual power thoughts from Kui Liang Huang into his body. The bright light on his body gradually dimmed.
The Second Master clasped his hands and respectfully bowed upward, saying, “The Empress’s divine abilities are unfathomable, and the Half-Ancestor’s might surpasses the age. Today, with the Empress’s help, I have broken through to the ninetieth level of spiritual power. I will remember this great kindness and repay it with my life.”
Qingtian, seated in the first position on the lower right side of the temple, opened a slit in his wrinkled eyes and stared at Zhang Ruochen, who had just entered.
Zhang Ruochen also stared back at him, his gaze sharp.
Qingtian showed no emotional fluctuation and closed his eyes again, as if asleep.
Zhang Ruochen quickly stepped forward, bowed to the upper seat, and said, “Empress, you may not know this, but the person beside me is one of the Quantity Organization’s Quantity Venerables.”
The Second Master’s eyes showed a hint of sarcastic coldness.
Did Lady Shiji not know that he had once been a Quantity Venerable? Did she need Zhang Ruochen to remind her?
Was Zhang Ruochen implying that Lady Shiji was blind to people?
The words the Second Master had just spoken were deliberately meant to provoke Zhang Ruochen.
Lianxi was secretly worried. She knew that although Lady Shiji was a Half-Ancestor, she was notoriously petty. Offending her would bring no good results.
Zhang Ruochen naturally could not tolerate this. He knew exactly what he was doing—he had to expose this matter.
Lady Shiji sat behind a layer of bead curtains and a layer of white drapes, revealing only a blurry, beautiful shadow.
Without any stormy rage, her voice was gentle and vast, saying, “Kui Liang Huang is dead, and the Quantity Organization has been destroyed. Now is a time for employing people. Let the past be the past.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Some things can be let go with the wind. Some people can be given a chance to reform. But what about the Rakshasa Clan clansmen who died because of the Second Master?”
“In the Rakshasa Clan war, blood stained the dangerous city, the Heavenly Venerable was exiled, some were left without even bones, and some self-destructed their divine sources. This emperor and the Rakshasa Clan cultivators fought desperately to defend and turn the tide. Yet the instigator now roams free and has broken through to the Heavenly Round Without Defect realm. How pitiful are the deceased?”
“How should the Rakshasa Clan cultivators feel? How should the Heavenly Mother feel?”
The Second Master was very pleased to see Zhang Ruochen so aggressive, especially when he heard Zhang Ruochen invoke the “Heavenly Mother.” He almost laughed out loud.
It was the pleasure of a successful scheme.
Zhang Ruochen knew that his words might anger Lady Shiji.
But what about the anger in his own heart?
Just because the other party was a Half-Ancestor, he could not abandon his principles. When he should speak out, he had to speak out. If he had reached the Indestructible Infinite realm but could not express his will, what was the point of cultivation?
Zhang Ruochen’s toughness made Huang Tian, seated in the second position on the left, look at him sideways. He silently pondered whether, if his own cultivation reached the Indestructible Infinite realm, he could still stand straight and say “no” before a Half-Ancestor, knowing it was taboo.
After a moment of silence, Qingtian said, “Imperial Dust’s words are not without reason. If one commits a crime, they must be punished; otherwise, how can the masses be convinced? Second, I order you to help the Ghost Clan guard Wuchang Ghost City to atone for your crimes. If the city falls, your cultivation will be stripped. Are you willing?”
The Second Master respectfully bowed to Qingtian, completely setting aside the airs of a Heavenly Round Without Defect cultivator, and said, “Disciple has long repented and is naturally willing to contribute to the Hell Realm. Now that the Middle Three Clans are weak, it is precisely the time for all clans to help each other and unite. If Wuchang Ghost City falls, there is no need for the master to act personally; this disciple would have no face to continue living in this world.”
“Lord Imperial Dust, may I ask if you and the Heavenly Mother can give this minor god a chance to reform? And also give the Empress and Qingtian some face?”
Zhang Ruochen was well aware of the Second Master’s scheme.
He was clearly branding Zhang Ruochen with the mark of the Heavenly Mother while also aligning himself with Lady Shiji, thereby creating a rift between Zhang Ruochen and Lady Shiji.
If Zhang Ruochen continued to target him, he would be disrespecting Lady Shiji.
A smile appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s face. Without warning, he struck out with a finger.
The talisman light on his fingertip blazed, and space shattered like glass, cracks spreading to the Second Master.
How could the Second Master have expected Zhang Ruochen to be so reckless?
He had no time to defend, and his eyes were filled with shock.
“Pfft!”
The Second Master flew backward, crashing heavily onto the steps below the divine throne.
Countless Half-Ancestor rule divine patterns emerged, but the steps were not damaged, and the temple quickly returned to stability.
A bowl-sized bloody hole appeared in the Second Master’s chest, and his entire body was covered with tearing wounds. His eyes were cold as he stared at Zhang Ruochen.
But he was deeply calculating. He did not get up to counterattack. Instead, he coughed weakly, spitting out a mouthful of divine blood.
The Black and White Daoist walked into the temple gate and, seeing this scene, was momentarily stunned. Lady Shiji was indeed a Half-Ancestor, too domineering. She was even judging the Second Master in front of Qingtian.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Clan Leader, during the time when the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm’s Infinite cultivators were campaigning in the North Marsh Great Wall, it was this man who instructed Tiannan Laosi to cause chaos in Fengdu Ghost City, leading to the fall of many Ghost Clan gods. Clan Leader, how should this man be dealt with?”
The Black and White Daoist did not forget to bow to Lady Shiji, nor did he forget to display the Ghost Clan’s authority. He said solemnly, “Send him to the God Execution Platform. This old man is willing to personally oversee the execution.”
“Whoosh!”
Suddenly, a powerful spiritual pressure filled the entire temple.
Zhang Ruochen immediately felt the squeezing force from all directions. He looked at Qingtian, who had stood up, and felt a chill in his heart. Over the years, Qingcang’s spiritual power had greatly improved, even surpassing Kui Liang Huang by three points.
Qingtian said, “Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes circumstances leave no choice. Even your master, Xumi, once said, ‘Lay down the butcher’s knife and become a Buddha on the spot.’ If you want to put Second to death, then how should Qi Tian be dealt with? He betrayed the Destiny Temple, causing the fall of many Destiny Temple cultivators.”
Zhang Ruochen sighed inwardly. Qingcang, the old ghost, was indeed formidable. He had immediately seized Zhang Ruochen’s greatest weakness. At this point, any further words from Zhang Ruochen would fall into the trap Qingtian had laid.
If he said this was a matter of the Destiny Temple and outsiders had no right to judge, then Qingtian could also say this was a matter of the Hell Realm and outsiders had no right to interfere.
If you don’t strike, fine. But once you do, you must seal off all your opponent’s escape routes.
The Black and White Daoist sensed the tense atmosphere and also saw Qingtian’s confidence. The Second Master’s spiritual power was now unprecedented. He was greatly alarmed and dared not speak further.
What was going on?
Zhang Ruochen displayed an arrogant demeanor and said, “May I ask Qingtian, if you order Tiannan Lao’er to guard Wuchang Ghost City, and the city falls, allowing the strange blood spring to erode the entire Santu River basin, can he bear that responsibility with his death? Clan Leader, are you willing to entrust Wuchang Ghost City to a Quantity Venerable?”
The Black and White Daoist deliberated for a moment and said, “This matter indeed requires caution. Empress, the strange blood spring in Wuchang Ghost City must be dealt with as soon as possible; otherwise, it will always be a huge hidden danger.”
The Black and White Daoist naturally knew that the strange blood spring was likely the blood of an Immortal, a rare divine treasure.
However, he had already tried to refine the strange power within it and had failed.
Lady Shiji finally spoke, “Zhang Ruochen, since you are not at ease with Second, then you handle the strange blood spring. Any problem?”
“Since the Empress herself has spoken, I naturally have no reason to refuse.”
Zhang Ruochen then said, “Since the Second Master wishes to atone for his crimes, I have a suggestion. The Yellow Spring Great Emperor was severely wounded by the Fate Ancestor and is now on the run. This is a hidden danger for the Ghost Clan. If the Second Master and Qingtian can suppress him, that would truly demonstrate their merit to the Hell Realm and silence all criticism. As for Qi Tian and the Destiny Temple’s grievances, I have also compensated with tenfold or hundredfold merit.”
The Black and White Daoist’s eyes lit up, and he said, “This old man seconds the motion!”
“Then it is settled,” Lady Shiji said.
“Second will not disappoint the Empress.”
The Second Master and Qingtian walked out of the temple together. As he passed by Zhang Ruochen, he gave him a dark look, filled with many messages.
“That Yuan Dao Clan’s clan emperor is with you, isn’t she?”
Lady Shiji’s voice came faintly from behind the curtain.
Then, branches of the Yinhuai Divine Tree grew out from the void, soon covering the temple.
Without a doubt, Yuan Jieyi had fallen into Lady Shiji’s hands.
Zhang Ruochen was well aware that Lady Shiji must be angry. Otherwise, she would not have used this matter to pressure him, because she had no need to do so.
After all, she didn’t even care whether the Second Master was a Quantity Venerable, so why would she care about a Yuan Sheng?
Her perspective was already at the level of the cosmic chessboard, requiring at least the scale of a clan or a peak Indestructible Infinite cultivator to attract her attention.
She could have given Zhang Ruochen face and not asked about this matter.
But once she spoke, it was no longer a trivial matter, nor was it just an inquiry. Because Zhang Ruochen had not given her face!
Since Lady Shiji had drawn her sword, Zhang Ruochen knew he was far from being able to spar with a Half-Ancestor. He must not give her a chance to strike. So he said, “Yuan Sheng is not only the clan emperor of the Yuan Dao Clan but also my fiancée. This marriage was arranged by the elders of my family.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
There was a hint of amusement in Lady Shiji’s voice.
Zhang Ruochen said, “It is precisely because of this engagement that she helped me in the previous battle instead of helping the Fate Ancestor. Sincere feelings transcend everything, even life.”
“Good, that is excellent!”
Lady Shiji said, “The situation in the Kunlun Realm is critical. I, Hao Tian, and the Heavenly Mother have initially reached a consensus to join forces within a thousand years to enter the Nether Prison and eliminate the hidden danger of the Great Demon God.”
“Before that, we must stabilize the situation in the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm, ensuring that there is no chaos in the outside world while we are in the Nether Prison.”
“Among the most difficult problems to solve are the Primordial Beings of the Abyss of Darkness.”
“Since you have a marriage with a clan emperor of the Primordial Beings, this is the best bridge. If you can stabilize them during this period and prevent them from attacking the Hell Realm, that will be your greatest merit.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “There is still some difference…”
“No need to refuse. You are the best candidate,” Lady Shiji said.
Zhang Ruochen felt that Lady Shiji seemed to see through his lie and was deliberately setting a trap for him.
But if the situation in the Kunlun Realm was truly dire, to the point where the current Half-Ancestors had to join forces to campaign, then helping to maintain stability in the rear was his duty.
Neither the hidden danger of the Great Demon God’s emergence nor the Primordial Beings starting a cosmic war was a situation Zhang Ruochen wanted to see.
Lady Shiji said, “Just being a fiancée lacks persuasiveness, and it will be difficult for you to gain the full support of the Yuan Dao Clan. How about I preside over your wedding ceremony and make everything concrete?”