Chapter 3939: Fate Twelve-Phase Divine Formation
Using the sword bone as a guide, Zhang Ruochen employed the Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal to absorb strands of dark sword qi that had invaded Yuan Sheng's body, gathering them around the Yin "Jade Tree Dark Moon" phenomenon.
The bloodline wound on Yuan Sheng's neck gradually faded.
However, the seal set by Nutian Shenzun also dissipated. Following that, Luo Tuoluo's remnant ancestral soul surged like a tide within Yuan Sheng's body, striking her divine source, attempting to seize control of her divine form.
Zhang Ruochen struck out with a finger.
"Whoosh!"
Talisman light flickered at his fingertip, striking the vertical eye spot on Yuan Sheng's brow.
From within the light spot, Luo Tuoluo's cold voice rang out: "Zhang Ruochen, you still want to seal me? How long can you suppress me? Darkness has already spread through the universe and will soon fall upon your head."
"I'll be waiting."
Zhang Ruochen traced one talisman pattern after another, driving them into Yuan Sheng's body.
"I am an ancestral soul, already spread throughout her entire body. Unless you seal her soul as well, you cannot seal me. Unless you extinguish her soul, you cannot kill me."
Luo Tuoluo's sneer came from within Yuan Sheng.
Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly, raised his right hand, and lightly shouted: "Soul Dao Platform!"
The Soul Dao Platform appeared in Zhang Ruochen's hand, radiating divine light for ten thousand zhang, releasing powerful soul-capturing and soul-suppressing force.
Zhang Ruochen directly struck the Soul Dao Platform into Yuan Sheng's brow, finally suppressing Luo Tuoluo's remnant ancestral soul.
Jue Miao Chan Nu's gaze had been fixed on the handsome figure on the relic altar, filled with endless emotion. Now he stood at the top of the universe, able to do what even her grandfather could not.
Stopping the ancient twelve clans from starting a war was one such thing; healing Yuan Sheng was another.
She herself did not notice that her eyes were no longer those of a passionless, desireless Buddhist cultivator. But Bore, standing nearby, did notice.
On the altar.
Yuan Sheng's eyelashes trembled, her eyes opened, she glanced at Zhang Ruochen beside her, then closed them: "Thank you."
She had been aware of everything that happened, but her body's dominant consciousness had been seized by Luo Tuoluo.
Her body was soft and weak, as if she had fallen to the mortal realm.
Zhang Ruochen said: "In the near future, I will help you control the Soul Dao Platform. Use it to nurture and protect your own soul while suppressing Luo Tuoluo's remnant soul. Once you recover a bit, I will gradually help you undo the seals on your body. After you completely refine Luo Tuoluo, your cultivation will surely advance by a great step."
"Dream on. An ancestral soul is not something the likes of you can refine."
Yuan Sheng's voice suddenly changed, and it was Luo Tuoluo speaking.
Zhang Ruochen tapped a finger on Yuan Sheng's head, dispersing Luo Tuoluo's soul power, frowned, and said: "For now, you cannot return to the Abyss of Darkness. Stay by my side."
Bore, Feng Xi, Jue Miao Chan Nu, Mu Lingxi, and even Xue Hou all thought they had subtly observed each other's expressions, acting with remarkable tacit understanding.
After observing, only Xue Hou showed a smile; the others returned to calm and natural, as if without any ripples.
Zhang Ruochen recounted his speculation about why she had been ambushed. After hearing it, Yuan Sheng's expression became extremely grave. She could not believe that Divine Musician was the one scheming against her.
It was not until Zhang Ruochen told her about the events in the Ancient Desolate Ruins City that Yuan Sheng's expression shifted from gravity to bitter smile and self-blame.
"Zhang Ruochen, I was wrong. I was truly wrong. Back then, I should never have forced you to release the old clan emperor. Otherwise... such a great upheaval would not have happened..."
Yuan Sheng sat on the relic altar, looking up at Zhang Ruochen, biting her lip, tears filling her eyes, like a little girl who had made a mistake.
Zhang Ruochen crouched down to comfort her, saying: "Don't blame yourself too much. Isn't this good? At least it helped me confirm that the twelve stone men are very dangerous and must not be unsealed. Unsealing one person keeps the danger within controllable limits. Don't worry about the lower realm; Immortal Musician is there!"
The women present had rather playful, even somewhat disdainful expressions in their eyes.
How could an Indestructible Infinite cultivator cry and sob like this?
How could a clan emperor have such a fragile heart?
They all silently labeled Yuan Sheng as "deeply calculating."
With deep cultivation, able to act, perform, and cry—who could be her match?
Even Chi Yao, within the divine realm world, fell into silence, unable to believe that a woman of such high cultivation could show such weakness before a man.
Nutian Shenzun, Void Heaven, Feng Tian, Blood Absolute Clan Leader, and Desolate Heaven Hall Master successively entered the Buddha Domain courtyard.
Seeing the scene inside—a flock of females with Zhang Ruochen as the sole standout—Void Heaven laughed directly: "I said why Emperor Chen wouldn't give Feng Tian face and refused to meet with us old fellows for discussion. Turns out he was meeting his lovers! If I had such a bevy of beauties by my side, I would definitely choose the gentle embrace too."
Blood Absolute Clan Leader said: "Senior Void Heaven is too modest. In your youth, you surpassed my Ruochen by a hundred times, didn't you?"
"Given up, long given up. I have decided to sheathe my sword and nurture it, waiting to break through to Half-Ancestor," said Void Heaven.
Nutian Shenzun, who knew Void Heaven well, said: "If Tian Mu and Lady Shiji hear these words, they will surely bring trouble."
Everyone present could feel that Void Heaven, having broken through to the Heavenly Venerable rank, was truly getting carried away.
Feng Tian's gaze was sharp as a sword, sweeping over the few in the courtyard, settling on Zhang Ruochen and Yuan Sheng on the relic altar, and said: "The clan emperor visits the Hell Realm. Do you have any instructions?"
Yuan Sheng wiped the tears from her eyes and slowly stood up.
At this moment, including Death God Temple Hall Master "Hu Shang Old Woman" and "Nie Zang Venerable," more Hell Realm cultivators entered from outside, all of them giant-level figures.
Their expressions toward Yuan Sheng carried a degree of hostility.
In recent years, Hell Realm cultivators and the ancient twelve clans had engaged in small-scale conflicts multiple times, building up no small amount of hatred.
Zhang Ruochen stepped forward, ignoring Feng Tian's gaze, and said: "Have you all forcibly moved the meeting venue here? Yuan Sheng is my friend. She helped greatly in preventing the ancient twelve clans from launching a full-scale war."
Void Heaven transmitted a message to Nutian Shenzun: "Women are easily emotional. Don't let Feng Caiyi lead the rhythm. Zhang Ruochen is no longer the easy target he once was. This is your territory. You handle it."
Nutian Shenzun said: "I need to discuss some matters alone with Emperor Chen. Everyone, please leave first."
"Alright, no more show to watch!"
Void Heaven waved, signaling everyone to leave.
With two Heavenly Venerable-rank figures speaking, everyone naturally had to obey and filed out.
Only Yuan Sheng and Feng Tian remained.
Feng Tian, wearing a veil, remained silent, sat down on a stone bench under the Bodhi tree, and crossed one leg, completely disregarding Nutian Shenzun and Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew that earlier, in front of the many giants of the Upper Three Clans, he had not given Feng Tian face by not attending the meeting but instead coming here to treat Yuan Sheng, which had already angered her.
For now, Zhang Ruochen set aside her emotions. Behind him, a corner of his divine realm world appeared, releasing the millions-of-li blood sea, Chao Tian Que, and the Nine Heavens Celestial World.
Even Nutian Shenzun, with his steady mind, saw the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable's Nine Heavens Celestial World and his eyes sharply contracted.
Nine-colored ancestral divine light continuously radiated from Zhang Ruochen's divine realm world.
Chi Yao sat cross-legged above the Nine Heavens Celestial World, with twenty-one layers of heavenly realms appearing above her head, magnificent and splendid, with the phantom of the Chaos Divine River flowing around her.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Feng Tian. Seeing that she did not flare up, he felt relieved.
After all, bringing people from both the Heavenly Court and the ancient twelve clans into the Hell Realm was entirely challenging Feng Tian's bottom line.
Although Feng Tian did not flare up, she could feel the terrifying aura inside the Nine Heavens Celestial World and said: "You actually brought Chao Tian Que out? That Nether River is no small matter."
Zhang Ruochen said: "That Nether River is at the Half-Ancestor level."
This time, Feng Tian could not sit still. She walked to the entrance of Zhang Ruochen's divine realm world, looked at the Nether River and the dark hand suppressed under the ninth layer of the celestial world, and said: "Void Heaven said that dark hand is as dangerous as Hao Tian. Can that little girl alone suppress two great evils?"
Zhang Ruochen looked at Nutian Shenzun and said: "The Nine Heavens Celestial World and the Nether River were left by the Great Venerable and Ling Yanzi for you, Divine Venerable. They hoped to compensate for the debts of those years."
Nutian Shenzun was not a sentimental person, so he kept his emotions within.
He stepped into Zhang Ruochen's divine realm world, and with each step, a layer of heavenly realm light appeared above his head, resonating with the Nine Heavens Celestial World.
Zhang Ruochen could feel the Nine Heavens Celestial World becoming more active, silently sighing. As expected of the Great Venerable's own son, there was a certain degree of inheritance in bloodline, divine qi, and rules.
"With the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable's Nine Heavens Celestial World, Nutian Shenzun can at least be invincible at the Heavenly Venerable rank, and might even defy and strike down a Half-Ancestor. With the Nether River, he has a ferry to strike at Half-Ancestor and Ancestor! This is the ancestral legacy. Outsiders simply cannot compare!"
Feng Tian's tone carried no lack of emotion.
For cultivators at her level, the longing for the Half-Ancestor realm surpasses everything in the world.
If Void Heaven saw this scene, he would definitely gnash his teeth in "envy."
Soon, Feng Tian's eyes returned to normal, and she said: "Zhang Ruochen, what are your plans regarding the Sword Realm and the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain?"
Zhang Ruochen said: "I'll know when I go back."
"You really intend to go back?"
"Can I avoid it?"
Feng Tian said: "Perhaps the dark anomaly is using this to lure you out. Wouldn't going be walking into the trap? Earlier, we discussed a method."
Zhang Ruochen showed a surprised expression and said: "The Upper Three Clans discussed it together?"
Feng Tian nodded and said: "The Hell Realm and the Sword Realm are allies. You have helped the Hell Realm through many crises. How could the Hell Realm stand by and watch you die?"
Zhang Ruochen said: "How do you plan to save me?"
"Have you heard of the Fate Twelve-Phase Divine Formation?" Feng Tian said.
Zhang Ruochen nodded.
Feng Tian said: "With Void Heaven sitting in the Fate Divine Temple controlling the formation's hub, and another twelve Great Unbound Infinite or above cultivators sitting in the twelve divine palaces, it is enough to meet in battle a Half-Ancestor. If each of the twelve divine palaces has twelve Boundless cultivators, totaling one hundred and forty-four divine kings and divine venerables, activating the Great Twelve-Phase Divine Formation, its power will double."
Zhang Ruochen silently calculated. One hundred and forty-four divine kings and divine venerables—the Hell Realm certainly could not spare that many now, but they could make up the numbers with Grand Void Realm great gods.
Feng Tian said: "As long as it is true, as you said, that the ancient twelve clans will not start a war, then Void Heaven, Nutian Shenzun, and I will all go with you. On the defense line, Shi Tian and Qing Tian will hold the fort. Therefore, the ones sitting in the twelve divine palaces will not be twelve Great Unbound Infinite cultivators; more than half will be at the Indestructible Infinite level. If you count Desolate Heaven and Blood Absolute, those sitting in the twelve divine palaces will at least be at the peak of Great Unbound Infinite."
Zhang Ruochen said: "Will Qing Cang and Shi Bei Ya agree so easily? What are their conditions?"
Between individuals, one can appeal to emotion.
Between major powers, interests must be discussed.
Feng Tian said: "The Sword Realm must be relocated to the Wugui Forest."
The Wugui Forest star domain was precisely the star domain where the Fate Divine Temple was located.
Zhang Ruochen immediately understood why Hu Shang Old Woman had appeared here earlier. She undoubtedly represented the will of the Death Clan.
He said: "There is no free lunch in the world. You want to completely incorporate the Sword Realm into the Hell Realm's camp."
Feng Tian said: "The Sword Realm still belongs to you. No one will interfere. Zhang Ruochen, the Sword Realm needs to be moved out of the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain. It needs a safe place to settle and a place where the universe's veins converge. You can choose between the former locations of Fengdu Ghost City and Yama Heaven Beyond Heaven. Ask yourself, in the current universe, can you find a better place?"
"In the Wugui Forest, the Sword Realm and the Fate Divine Domain can watch each other's backs. Then, with each of us sitting in one place, it will surely be as solid as gold and as strong as a fortress."
Chi Yao walked out of the divine realm world and said: "Chen Ge, you absolutely must not agree. Once the Sword Realm is relocated to the Wugui Forest, it will undoubtedly be living under someone else's roof. It can never be separated from the Hell Realm, and it will have to get involved in the interest games of the Ten Clans of Hell. Moreover, the heaven and earth rules and qi of the Hell Realm are completely different from those of the Sword Realm. In the long run, it will surely evolve into a yin realm filled with death qi."
Feng Tian said: "If the Hell Realm helps the Sword Realm, but the Sword Realm relocates to the Heavenly Court, wouldn't all the gods of the Hell Realm become a joke? I can help Emperor Chen for free out of past friendship, but the other gods of the Hell Realm act for interests."
Chi Yao was not afraid of Feng Tian's authority and met her gaze, saying: "Chen Ge, we can first return to the Heavenly Court and find a way in Kunlun. The heaven and earth rules and qi of the Sword Realm are more compatible with the Heavenly Court universe."
Feng Tian said: "When Zhang Ruochen's cultivation reaches the Ancestor level in the future, he can naturally move the Sword Realm away. How could the Sword Realm become a yin realm? Your vision is too limited! What we seek now is survival, not a battle of pride."
"Given the current situation in the Heavenly Court, they probably cannot form a great formation like the Fate Twelve-Phase Divine Formation. There are too many heavens in the Heavenly Court universe. Not only do they cherish their lives, but they also deeply hate Zhang Ruochen. How could they support him as wholeheartedly as the Hell Realm?"
Chi Yao said: "Feng Tian is clearly seeking private interests, yet speaks so righteously. Truly worthy of being a senior who has lived for over a million years."
The last sentence was spoken with heavy emphasis.
Zhang Ruochen interrupted their continued argument, saying: "Feng Tian and the gods of the Hell Realm are willing to go all out to help the Sword Realm. I have already recorded in my heart this bond of loyalty and righteousness. If things truly become impossible to do, I will definitely come to visit and seek help. But before that, I indeed need to return to the Heavenly Court universe to discuss with Grandmaster."