Chapter 3940: Time Ice Silkworm
"It's a pity there's no time. Otherwise, with the ancestral power of the Nine Heavens Celestial World, I would have liked to test that so-called world-destroying Dark Weirdness."
Nutian Shenzun led Zhang Ruochen along a stream, heading deeper into White Clothes Valley.
Zhang Ruochen appeared very calm, saying, "For you, Divine Venerable, the most important matter right now is to suppress the two great evils, the Nether River and the Dark Hand. If they are allowed to emerge, their threat will be no less than that of the Dark Weirdness."
Nutian Shenzun asked, "What do you think of Gai Mie?"
"He can be an ally, but must be guarded against. This man has immense ambition and is far too arrogant and self-willed," Zhang Ruochen replied.
Nutian Shenzun nodded lightly, looked ahead, and said, "We've arrived."
At the end of White Clothes Valley stood a crystal-clear, ten-thousand-zhang ice wall.
The cold was bone-piercing, and goose-feather-sized snowflakes flew through the air.
Within the ice wall was the Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army, renowned throughout the universe. They wore uniform armor, with Dao patterns flowing across their skin.
Once they formed a battle formation, the Dao patterns on their bodies would merge with the formation inscriptions on their armor, achieving unity of power, spirit, and battle intent.
Back then, Kong Yinxue had traveled across the cosmos, digging up the ancestral graves of countless clans to gather three thousand divine soldiers.
Now, only eight hundred remained.
Nutian Shenzun said, "You've studied the military Dao Nether Curse from the *Nether Soldier Scroll*, haven't you? Try to see if you can control them."
A strange light flickered in Zhang Ruochen's eyes. "This is White Clothes Valley's strongest foundation!"
"White Clothes Valley's strongest foundation now is the Nine Heavens Celestial World you brought back."
Nutian Shenzun continued, "With my current cultivation, the Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army is no longer of much use. Can I fight a Half-Ancestor with them? But these eight hundred divine soldiers can greatly enhance your combat power. At a critical moment... you can sacrifice them to save your life."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Jue Miao told me that controlling the Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army requires more than just the military Dao Nether Curse; one must be a blood descendant of Yinxuetian."
Nutian Shenzun was prepared. He handed Zhang Ruochen a blood-red cubic crystal.
This brilliantly colored crystal was formed from Nutian Shenzun's divine blood.
Zhang Ruochen could sense the surging blood energy within, compressed into a highly dense crystalline state.
Between men, there was no need for excessive sentimentality.
Zhang Ruochen took the divine blood crystal and immediately activated the military Dao Nether Curse.
Instantly, the eight hundred divine soldiers sealed within the ice wall opened their pitch-black eyes simultaneously, releasing a sky-piercing killing intent and fighting spirit.
"Crack!"
The ice wall split open, and the eight hundred divine soldiers marched out one after another, each standing upon a Nether Earth Divine Realm world.
Eight hundred worlds pressed together in a confined space, giving off an immense sense of oppression.
The divine soldier at the very front was a three-eyed woman with long blue hair. Around her, ancestral rules and ancestral divine energy radiated—she was the divine body of the ancestor "Luo Tuoluo."
A look of surprise appeared in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
During the battle between Nutian Shenzun and Lei Fa Heavenly Venerable in the Wuding Divine Sea, he hadn't seen Luo Tuoluo's divine corpse.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to voice his doubts, he keenly sensed a growing life force surging within Luo Tuoluo's divine corpse.
Nutian Shenzun said, "It seems everything is fated by destiny. Who would have thought it would break its cocoon and transform into a butterfly at this moment?"
With a loud cicada cry echoing through the empty valley, brilliant light bloomed from behind Luo Tuoluo's divine corpse, and two zhang-long butterfly wings slowly unfurled.
Powerful time fluctuations radiated from the light.
Countless time imprint light points surged in all directions, but upon reaching Nutian Shenzun and Zhang Ruochen, they were neutralized by their protective divine light.
Luo Tuoluo's divine corpse burned away in the light.
A woman bearing a ninety percent resemblance to Luo Tuoluo spread her butterfly wings and flew out from the radiance.
Zhang Ruochen's face was filled with disbelief. "Using an ancestor's divine corpse as a cocoon and nourishment to break through and transform into a butterfly... with such strong time fluctuations, could she be the Time Ice Silkworm?"
Nutian Shenzun nodded gently.
The fundamental reason Kong Yinxue's lifespan far exceeded that of cultivators at the same realm was her possession of the Time Ice Silkworm.
The Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army, transformed into Nether Clan deities, had survived to this era only because of the Time Ice Silkworm's absolute self-time freezing.
This showed just how miraculous the Time Ice Silkworm was, certainly no less than the Space Chaos Worm.
Of course, now the Time Ice Silkworm should be called the Time Ice Butterfly.
The Time Ice Butterfly landed on the ground, scanned the two before her, and finally fixed her gaze on the blood crystal in Zhang Ruochen's hand. "You handed the Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army over to Master's enemy!"
Nutian Shenzun said, "Without his help, the Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army could not have returned to White Clothes Valley."
"I could have returned on my own once I broke my cocoon," the Time Ice Butterfly said.
Nutian Shenzun asked, "Do you know who Yinxuetian saw before she died?"
The Time Ice Butterfly's gaze shifted to Zhang Ruochen. "Him?"
Nutian Shenzun said, "Yinxuetian had already let go of her grudges before death. She had him paint her portrait and place it in the Zhang family ancestral hall of the Kunlun Realm."
"That's impossible!"
"Why is it impossible? No one wants hatred to be passed down from generation to generation. Only when both sides work to resolve the hatred, to be tolerant and make concessions, can hatred and resentment turn into kinship and reliance. After all these years, enough blood and tears have been shed between our two families. I must put an end to this while I'm still alive. Otherwise, there will never be an end, unless one lineage is completely wiped out."
The Time Ice Butterfly said, "What about Fan Ning? Can you pretend her death never happened?"
...
Zhang Ruochen left the matter to Nutian Shenzun and the Time Ice Butterfly. He walked alone into the divine army formation to study the soldiers' power and the formation inscriptions on their armor.
Within those formation inscriptions, Zhang Ruochen discerned traces of the Sixth Patriarch. He couldn't help but marvel at the Sixth Patriarch's lofty state of mind.
Drawing formations on divine corpses was considered an evil act by many Buddhist cultivators, yet he didn't care at all.
Zhang Ruochen wondered if he had been forced by Kong Yinxue.
By the time Zhang Ruochen emerged from the divine army formation, Nutian Shenzun had evidently told everything to the Time Ice Butterfly. The hostility in her gaze toward Zhang Ruochen had vanished, replaced by a very complex expression.
Nutian Shenzun said, "Ruochen, when you return to the Sword Realm this time, Senior Ice will accompany you."
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand with a smile. "No need, no need to trouble Senior Ice."
"Without me, the power of the Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army will be at least halved. With me, given your spiritual power and cultivation, there will be few below the Half-Ancestor level you need to fear."
The Time Ice Butterfly lifted her snow-white chin, speaking coldly and arrogantly. "You may call me Ice Ancestor."
Zhang Ruochen smiled but said nothing.
The Time Ice Butterfly said, "What are you laughing at? Given my age and seniority, calling me 'ancestor' is only fitting."
Nutian Shenzun knew very well that with Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation and status, he would never casually call someone "ancestor" unless it was a true old-timer like Jie Tian, a Half-Ancestor, or an ancestor.
He said, "Senior Ice is joking with you. Her name is Chan Bing. Ruochen, you mentioned the problem you encountered with your Wuji Divine Dao. If the yang attribute Dao light truly cannot be suppressed, Senior Ice might be able to help you through the crisis. As a time controller, you have advantages that other cultivators lack. Her unique Time Cold Ice Divine Energy complements yours perfectly."
"Moreover, she has absorbed Luo Tuoluo's ancestral divine source and the nutrients from his divine corpse. Her understanding of the *Luo Shu* surpasses even Luo Tuoluo's remnant soul. She will certainly be of help to you."
"If you encounter the Qishier Pin Lian again, Senior Ice can also use her time Dao to restrain her to some extent."
Although Zhang Ruochen had obtained the Five-Colored Glass Cover to protect his Xuan Tai from breaking, this was undoubtedly forcibly suppressing the yang attribute power within him. Before his cultivation reached the peak of the Indestructible Infinite realm, this was extremely dangerous.
Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly. "A great expert like Senior Chan Bing wouldn't follow me to the Sword Realm for no reason. What are the conditions?"
Chan Bing said, "No conditions."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Nutian Shenzun.
If Nutian Shenzun could command Chan Bing, Zhang Ruochen would believe there were no conditions. But clearly, Nutian Shenzun still respected this senior sister; they were not in a master-servant relationship.
Nutian Shenzun said, "Senior Ice has already formed a strong karmic connection with Luo Tuoluo. To break through further in her cultivation, she must comprehend the *Luo Shu*."
Zhang Ruochen showed an expression of understanding. "If that's the only condition, I can agree."
Zhang Ruochen knew that Nutian Shenzun was acting out of goodwill, repaying Zhang Ruochen for bringing back the Nine Heavens Celestial World. Chan Bing's conditions were certainly not limited to viewing the *Luo Shu*; the other conditions would be fulfilled by Nutian Shenzun himself.
...
In the Fourth Heaven Celestial World.
Nutian Shenzun walked into the dimly lit Xiongxiao Demon God Hall, his footsteps heavy. His gaze fixed on Gai Mie, who sat at the highest seat. Both men were imposing and exuded dominance—one arrogant and unruly, the other commanding respect without anger.
"Divine Venerable, have you come to fulfill your promise?"
A sinister smile curled at the corner of Gai Mie's mouth.
Nutian Shenzun said, "You did not fulfill your promise to me. Why should I give you the one-tenth Devouring Heavenly Dao Esoterica?"
"The process doesn't matter. What matters is that the Twelve Ancient Clans no longer have the power to wage war against the Hell Realm in the short term."
Seeing Nutian Shenzun silent, Gai Mie laughed loudly. "Since the Divine Venerable hasn't come to deliver the esoterica, you must be here to expel me. Don't worry, I'll take the Xiongxiao Demon God Hall and leave the Celestial World immediately!"
Nutian Shenzun said, "Heavenly Mother, Ba Er, Gu Yanluo, Jiusi Yitianhuang, and even Meng Ge—these top demonic cultivators of the world have all risked their lives to go to the Nether Prison for their future cultivation paths. What about you? As the Supreme Third Pillar, your cultivation has almost recovered. Where does your future path lie?"
For a brief moment, a flicker of confusion passed through Gai Mie's eyes, but it quickly turned sharp again. "Does the Divine Venerable have any advice?"
Nutian Shenzun took out the Great Demon God's demon heart and held it in his palm.
The thick blood energy inside the demon heart was like a vast ocean, producing ear-splitting waves.
What Jue Miao Chan Nu had obtained was only the spiritual power divine heart within the demon heart, representing the Great Demon God's spiritual power attainment.
But the demon heart's ancestral blood energy, ancestral rules, and ancestral matter remained.
Feeling the ancestral aura of the Great Demon God, a blazing light appeared in Gai Mie's eyes. "What are the conditions?"
This was something Jiusi Yitianhuang and Gu Yanluo dreamed of obtaining. How could Gai Mie not be tempted?
Nutian Shenzun said, "You go with Zhang Ruochen to the Sword Realm. Once the matter is accomplished, the demon heart and the Devouring Heavenly Dao Esoterica will both be yours."
"This journey is very dangerous!" Gai Mie said.
Nutian Shenzun said, "If it weren't dangerous, would the reward be so generous?"
Gai Mie said, "Words are empty. What if you go back on your word after it's done?"
"Many people covet this demon heart. Rather than keeping it in White Clothes Valley, it's better to give it to you and let you share that part of the danger." Nutian Shenzun spoke frankly.
...
Returning to the Buddha Domain Courtyard, Zhang Ruochen met successively with Blood Absolute Clan Leader, Jue Miao Chan Nu, Desolate Heaven Hall Master, Bore, and other cultivators, all of whom wanted to go to the Sword Realm with him. But he declined them all.
If, as Feng Tian had said, they were willing to activate the Fate Twelve-Phase Divine Formation and go together, Zhang Ruochen naturally wouldn't refuse.
But Zhang Ruochen hadn't yet finalized his strategy, so he absolutely couldn't easily lead them into danger.
Zhang Ruochen didn't want to bring others, but he very much wanted to invite Void Heaven to go with him.
Unfortunately, that old fox was extremely cunning and had been avoiding Zhang Ruochen. It took Zhang Ruochen a great deal of effort to corner him.
Void Heaven waved his hand repeatedly. "That's the Dark Weirdness! Three Half-Ancestors together couldn't suppress it. I'm only invincible at the Heavenly Venerable level. How could I be its match? Zhang Ruochen, I'm telling you, either you agree to activate the Fate Twelve-Phase Divine Formation, or you get the hell back to the Kunlun Realm and let Hua Ying old man figure it out. There's no way I'm risking my old life."
Zhang Ruochen had expected this outcome, so he settled for the next best thing. "Lend me the Heavenly Mechanism Brush!"
"Impossible!" Void Heaven was very blunt.
Zhang Ruochen turned and left, sighing. "What a pity. The sword Dao left by Sword Ancestor before his death seems no one in the world today is qualified to comprehend it!"
"Whoosh!"
A figure flashed.
Void Heaven appeared before Zhang Ruochen. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing."
"Don't play these little tricks with me. Show me that sword Dao you mentioned. If it's really useful, I might consider lending you the Heavenly Mechanism Brush."
Zhang Ruochen smiled, raised his right arm, and waved out a divine light virtual mirror.
On the mirror's surface was the light shadow Zhang Ruochen had copied when he first saw Sword Ancestor's skeleton.
There, Sword Ancestor's skeleton sat beneath a crimson divine tree. His right hand's index and middle fingers formed a sword finger, while his left hand held a branch, drawing small figures practicing swordplay on the ground.
Clearly, Sword Ancestor had been deducing some kind of sword technique even at his deathbed.
This sword technique's appeal to Void Heaven couldn't be described as small—it was enough to drive him crazy for hundreds of thousands of years.
After staring for a long time, Void Heaven excitedly grabbed Zhang Ruochen by the collar, his face flushed. "Your cultivation was too weak when you copied this image! You couldn't capture the Dao essence within the sword. Where's the original? Take it out now!"
"Sword Ancestor is one of the few recorded ancestors who fought against the Calamity of Quantities and survived. The sword Dao he deduced with his life before death might very well be able to cut down the Calamity of Quantities."
Zhang Ruochen remained very calm. "Void Heaven, you've only cultivated Sword Twenty-Four. You haven't even fully mastered the *Wordless Sword Manual*. There's still an insurmountable gap between you and Sword Ancestor back then. Why are you so impatient, wanting to learn a sword Dao that can cut down the Calamity of Quantities?"