Chapter 3927: Return to the Ancient Desolate Ruins City
This welcoming banquet naturally included discussions on revising battle strategies. At the same time, Zhang Ruochen learned from the four clan emperors about the arrangements of the Primordial Beings in the lower realm and some unknown secrets of that realm.
Throughout this process, Zhang Ruochen's spiritual power remained focused on the Hongmeng Hall and Yuan Sheng.
The Divine Music Master had kept Yuan Sheng behind alone—there must be a reason for it.
"After leaving the Hongmeng Hall, Yuan Sheng didn't come directly to me. Instead, she went to inspect the Thousand Heads Pass at the southern end of Overlord Ridge. It seems the Divine Music Master has grown suspicious of her, making her afraid to act rashly." Zhang Ruochen secretly transmitted this to the Life Bone.
The Life Bone replied, "The Divine Music Master's cultivation has reached the pinnacle—invincible below the Half-Ancestor level. His divine thoughts cover the entire Overlord Ridge; every move any cultivator makes cannot escape his perception. You are definitely one of the most closely watched. You'd better not act rashly either!"
"No, I must meet Yuan Sheng. After leaving the Hongmeng Hall, instead of returning to the Primordial Path Clan camp, she went unusually to the Thousand Heads Pass, which Yuan Jieyi guards. That is undoubtedly a hint that she has something to say to me," Zhang Ruochen said.
The Life Bone said, "Perhaps she simply went to inspect."
"The Primordial Path Clan guards several city passes, but among them, only Yuan Jieyi is the one who would not expose my identity," Zhang Ruochen gave his reasoning.
The Life Bone said, "What do you plan to do?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "You must distract the Divine Music Master for me; otherwise, I can do nothing. Take the four clan emperors to the Hongmeng Hall now to discuss revising battle strategies with the Divine Music Master. Stir things up and make it intense. Also, I may have to slip away from here. Overlord Ridge is in your hands!"
The Life Bone panicked, "Don't do this! The Primordial Twelve Clans are full of experts. If my identity is exposed, I'll definitely die without even a bone left. I, the old man, value loyalty most—if you go, I go; if you stay, I stay."
Zhang Ruochen was speechless for a moment, then said patiently, "You are the Mountain Lord, the leader of the Primordial Twelve Clans, and a Heavenly Venerable-rank expert. I, who am not even at the Indestructible Infinite initial stage, am not afraid. What are you afraid of? Can't you show some backbone?"
"The key is that I, the old man, only have the cultivation of Indestructible Infinite peak, and my identity as Mountain Lord is also fake. More importantly, since the Divine Music Master already suspects Yuan Sheng, he must also suspect me. No way, Zhang Ruochen, you can't leave. You're pushing me into a fire pit while slipping away yourself."
The Life Bone couldn't help but reach out and grab Zhang Ruochen's arm.
The Four Emperors naturally knew that the Saint Music Master and the Mountain Lord were communicating secretly through sound transmission. After exchanging glances, Yun Hunxuan spoke up, "May I ask the Mountain Lord, when will you go to discuss revising battle strategies with the Divine Music Master?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "This matter cannot be delayed."
The Four Emperors all showed delighted expressions.
Zhang Ruochen continued, "But as you can all see, the Divine Music Master's cultivation is now unfathomable, and with the support of the First Seven Sword Emperor, the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor, and others, he has no intention of relinquishing control. For the sake of the greater good and to avoid splitting the Primordial Clans, the Mountain Lord has been enduring, unwilling to break ties with him."
"However, once the Mountain Lord raises the issue of revising battle strategies, it will undoubtedly tell everyone that the Divine Music Master was wrong before. Will the Divine Music Master easily admit his mistake? If he backs down again and admits error once more, he will completely lose his authority."
The Gold Clan Emperor said, "Facing the general trend, the Divine Music Master will have no choice but to compromise. As long as our four clans fully support the Mountain Lord, as long as the Divine Music Master doesn't want to trigger a civil war, he will have to yield."
Zhang Ruochen said gravely, "Never mention the words 'civil war.' What we seek is only fair and just treatment."
Yun Hunxuan and the others nodded inwardly, trusting Zhang Ruochen a bit more.
In truth, at the beginning, they had some doubts about the Saint Music Master and the Mountain Lord before them, not fully trusting them.
But the Mountain Lord's identity had been personally verified by the Divine Music Master—there was no way it could be fake. That was the fundamental reason they dared to stand against the Divine Music Master.
Zhang Ruochen said, "My only concern is that the Divine Music Master might divide us from within. If one of the four clan emperors defects to his side for a small benefit first, we will surely be picked off one by one."
"The Saint Music Master worries too much. How could we be the kind of people who forget honor for profit?"
"I dare to swear an oath—the Gold Clan will absolutely follow the Mountain Lord's lead."
"I think the Saint Music Master is right. We should sign a non-betrayal agreement, lest someone uses divisive tactics and we fall into chaos."
...
Soon, the Four Emperors, Zhang Ruochen, and the Life Bone signed an agreement.
With the full support of the four clan emperors before him, the Life Bone would be able to handle things at Overlord Ridge with ease and could no longer make excuses.
If he wanted to slip away again, he would have no reason.
"I think the Phoenix Emperor and the Dragon Emperor can be won over. You can try," Zhang Ruochen said.
Surrounded by the Four Emperors, the Life Bone reluctantly headed to the Hongmeng Hall.
Zhang Ruochen, using the excuse of scouting the Great Radiance's situation, parted ways with them. Then, he concealed his aura, changed his appearance, and rushed to the Thousand Heads Pass.
...
Inside Yuan Jieyi's divine hall, divine lamps were lit, sealing off the heavenly secrets with their light.
Yuan Sheng stood beneath the lamps, wearing the Ancestral Nightwalker robe. Her tall, graceful figure cast a long shadow under the light. Her expression was extremely complex. "Are you really using me?"
The hall was silent, as if echoing.
Zhang Ruochen stood three steps away, his gaze deep and sincere. "Yuan Sheng, I can tell you with certainty that the so-called Great Radiance did not come on behalf of Paradise Realm. He is one of the destroyers. He has been cultivating in the Nightmare Land all these years. This time, he is working for Bone Yanluo, aiming to provoke war and use the Primordial Twelve Clans to create a great upheaval in the universe. Another thing—I have received news that the Nightmare Land has already infiltrated the lower realm."
Yuan Jieyi and Yuan Sheng's expressions both changed slightly.
Even the lamps in the hall flickered.
They naturally believed Zhang Ruochen. Otherwise, Yuan Sheng would not have played along with him in the Hongmeng Hall. That act gave Yuan Sheng a strong sense of guilt, feeling she had betrayed the Primordial Clans.
Yuan Sheng might still be a bit inexperienced in handling matters, but she was a woman of great insight. Soon, she thought of many things.
She said, "Do you mean that the Nightmare Land is hiding within the Heavenly Mechanism Clan, or has already taken control of them?"
"It's only a possibility."
Zhang Ruochen continued, "I came not only to stop the war but also to find the Nightmare Land. While Bone Yanluo may have gone to the Nether Prison, I want to uproot it."
Zhang Ruochen did not mention his plan to rescue the Starry Sea Angler. If he did, Yuan Sheng and Yuan Jieyi would surely overthink things.
The fewer complications, the better.
But every word he spoke was the truth.
Yuan Sheng pondered for a long time, then said, "This matter is too significant. I want to inform the Divine Music Master immediately. Will you stop me?"
Zhang Ruochen could understand Yuan Sheng's feelings. "If you tell him, then I will be exposed."
Yuan Sheng said, "You can return to the Hell Realm's defense line now. Rest assured, the Primordial Twelve Clans will conduct their own investigation to find the Nightmare Land. In the short term, they won't attack the Hell Realm. Moreover, the clan emperors actually don't want to declare war now; they agree with what you said—wait for a better opportunity. Otherwise, in the Hongmeng Hall, the Divine Music Master wouldn't have admitted his strategic mistake. This is the will of the people. He knows he can't reverse it."
Yuan Jieyi remained silent on the side, not daring to speak.
Zhang Ruochen smiled bitterly. "Are you doubting my ability or my determination?"
Afraid that Zhang Ruochen would misunderstand, Yuan Sheng quickly explained, "No, I just think that in the lower realm, the Divine Music Master can handle this matter more calmly. But if you go looking for the Nightmare Land, you will face double danger from both the Nightmare Land and the Primordial Twelve Clans. Since it can be avoided, why take the risk?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Do you think someone like the Divine Music Master would really make a strategic mistake? Would he be so easily used by the destroyers?"
Yuan Jieyi's pupils contracted sharply. "Does Imperial Dust believe that the Divine Music Master did it on purpose? But why?"
"I don't know. But if something is abnormal, there must be a problem," Zhang Ruochen said.
Yuan Sheng frowned deeply and shook her head. "Impossible. The Divine Music Master is the leader of the lower realm. How could he deliberately drag the Primordial Twelve Clans into the quagmire of war? What benefit would that bring him? As a member of the Primordial Beings, who doesn't want to return to the upper realm and live a different life?"
Yuan Jieyi said, "Clan Emperor, I think Imperial Dust is right. Even if the possibility is only one in ten thousand, we must be wary of the Divine Music Master. Moreover, Imperial Dust must know how dangerous this mission is, yet he still came. I believe he has a reason he must go."
One was someone she absolutely trusted; the other was someone absolutely loyal to her.
Their words moved Yuan Sheng.
"If even the Divine Music Master cannot be trusted, who can we trust? If the Primordial Twelve Clans cannot solve their internal problems, how can they return to the upper realm? The lower realm lacks a spiritual leader worthy of everyone's trust!"
Yuan Sheng looked at Zhang Ruochen meaningfully.
Zhang Ruochen averted his gaze and asked, "Has the old clan emperor broken out of the stone shell?"
Hearing this, Yuan Sheng and Yuan Jieyi's expressions turned grave.
Yuan Sheng said, "This is exactly why I had to see you before leaving. Zhang Ruochen, I may have been wrong."
"What do you mean?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Yuan Sheng said, "The old clan emperor has broken out of the stone shell, but his state is very strange."
Then, Yuan Sheng detailed to Zhang Ruochen the various anomalies that occurred after the old clan emperor emerged from the stone.
Among them, what frightened Yuan Sheng and Yuan Jieyi the most was that the old clan emperor had a sinister personality and cruel methods. He barely communicated with anyone and forbade them from leaking the secret of his emergence.
To that end, the old clan emperor personally killed all those who knew the truth except Yuan Suyin, Yuan Sheng, and Yuan Jieyi.
That night, the garden was filled with bloodied corpses. It was a horrific sight.
Yuan Sheng still shuddered at the memory. "The Great Elder said that in her memory, the old clan emperor was never the kind of person who would kill even his own clansmen so cruelly. Moreover, the old clan emperor's cultivation far exceeded the Great Elder's expectations, as if he had become a completely different person. Perhaps your guess is right. Something terrifying and unknown may have happened ten eons ago. The Immovable Bright King Great Venerable sealing the twelve old clan emperors in stone might have had another reason."
Yuan Jieyi said, "If that's the case, doesn't it prove that the Divine Music Master cannot be trusted?"
Yuan Sheng bit her lip lightly, seemingly quite conflicted, but soon she relaxed, took a deep breath, and regained the spirit of a clan emperor. "Jieyi, take Imperial Dust to the lower realm. You must find the Nightmare Land and get to the bottom of this. I will follow the Divine Music Master's decree and go to the Hell Realm's defense line to meet Zhang Ruochen. This is his test for me."
Yuan Jieyi said worriedly, "Imperial Dust is not at the Hell Realm's defense line at all. This trip is too dangerous for you!"
"If I don't go, wouldn't that be even more dangerous?" Yuan Sheng said.
"If you must go, it's not impossible. There is one person you can trust. Give me your hand!" Zhang Ruochen said.
Yuan Sheng stared at Zhang Ruochen with her bright, star-like eyes for a long moment. Slowly, she extended her hand but turned her head away, not looking at him.
Zhang Ruochen extended his index finger and traced on her palm.
A tingling sensation spread from her palm—itchy and strange. Yuan Sheng had to purse her lips tightly, forcing herself to stay calm, and urged, "Are you done yet?"
"Done! Hold this Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal and go find the clan leader of the Undying Blood Clan. He will help you," Zhang Ruochen said.
Yuan Sheng left first. Soon after, Zhang Ruochen hid inside Yuan Jieyi's divine realm world, left Overlord Ridge, and headed toward the Abyss of Darkness.
At the entrance of the Radiant Flame River and the Abyss of Darkness, divine realm experts were stationed, questioning Yuan Jieyi about his reason for leaving Overlord Ridge.
Yuan Jieyi secretly transmitted to them, "The Clan Emperor received a secret order from the Divine Music Master and left Overlord Ridge. I am under the Clan Emperor's command to return to the lower realm and invite the Great Elder to come and oversee the Primordial Path Clan's affairs at Overlord Ridge."
With this reason, they passed several checkpoints.
Until they entered the Abyss of Darkness and arrived beneath the Ancient Desolate Ruins City.
Now, the Ancient Desolate Ruins City had completely fallen under the control of the Primordial Beings, becoming a garrison for the twelve clans and the most important city pass preventing upper realm cultivators from infiltrating the lower realm.
Yuan Jieyi transmitted to Zhang Ruochen, "The Ancient Desolate Ruins City is guarded by the Great Elder, and there should be other experts secretly stationed here. Be careful. Also, the old clan emperor is in the city."
Zhang Ruochen said, "What about the Immortal Music Master?"
"The Immortal Music Master must be stationed at the Great Nether Mountain," Yuan Jieyi said.
Since Yuan Suyin was guarding the Ancient Desolate Ruins City, it was naturally easy for Yuan Jieyi to enter the city.
But just as the formation opened, two sounds of breaking air came from behind Yuan Jieyi.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
The Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor and Yu Zhuan almost simultaneously landed beside Yuan Jieyi.
This made Yuan Jieyi, who knew Yu Zhuan's true nature, immediately alert. He quickly clasped his fists in salute. "Greetings, Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor! This senior looks unfamiliar?"
All the heads of the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor stared at Yuan Jieyi, scrutinizing him from head to toe. "Didn't the Yuan Clan Emperor tell you?"
Yuan Jieyi said, "The Clan Emperor only instructed me to invite the Great Elder to oversee Overlord Ridge. May I ask why the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor is also returning to the lower realm?"
The seven heads of the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor all smiled. "The Divine Music Master already knows the purpose of your trip to the Ancient Desolate Ruins City, so he has sent me to replace the Great Elder in guarding this city."
Yuan Jieyi's heart sank to the bottom, even suspecting that the Divine Music Master already knew he had not come to the lower realm alone.
Yu Zhuan took the initiative to introduce himself. "I am a cultivator from Paradise Realm. You may call me Yu Zhuan. It seems you already know my identity. Why aren't you surprised?"
Yuan Jieyi forced himself to stay calm. "You overestimate yourself. You are not Hall Master Koro of the Radiant Divine Temple, so why should I be surprised?"
Leaving this remark, Yuan Jieyi quickly walked into the Ancient Desolate Ruins City.
Staring at Yuan Jieyi's retreating figure, the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor's gaze grew increasingly dark. "Well? Did your ancestral divine soul sense anything?"
Yu Zhuan smiled with satisfaction. "I saw a trace of familiar heavenly mechanism entwined around him."
The Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor said, "Then why didn't you act?"
"Act? Of course, I will act."
Without any warning, Yu Zhuan struck a palm against the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor's back.
The palm emitted circles of gentle Radiant Divine light, enveloping the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor's entire body, suppressing his ability to mobilize divine qi.
The fourteen eyes of the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor all bulged wide, filled with shock. He never expected Yu Zhuan to attack him, leaving him completely unable to escape.
"Whoosh!"
Yu Zhuan's five fingers clenched, and the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor, along with the Radiant Divine light, rapidly shrank, caught in his hand and sealed.
"Can't even calculate your own heavenly mechanism fate, and you call yourselves the Heavenly Mechanism Clan? The Primordial Beings have truly declined."
Yu Zhuan adjusted his collar and strolled leisurely into the Ancient Desolate Ruins City.
The Primordial Beings cultivators at the city gate had no idea what had just happened. What they saw was still the Heavenly Mechanism Clan Emperor and Yu Zhuan.
Heavenly mechanism was concealed; scenes were illusory.
Yu Zhuan naturally had no fear. After all, the strongest in the Ancient Desolate Ruins City was only Yuan Suyin at the Indestructible Infinite initial stage. She could not see through his methods.