Chapter 3943: Joining Forces
In the subsequent discussions, details were hammered out one by one to ensure absolute perfection.
Facing the dark and bizarre, no mistake could be tolerated.
Suddenly, Gai Mie rose to his feet and said, "The Sword Realm is teeming with experts, and Emperor Chen has clever strategies up his sleeve. This matter is sure to succeed. It seems there is no use for me here. I take my leave."
All the cultivators in the hall turned their gazes to Gai Mie.
"Supreme Pillar, please wait."
Zhang Ruochen walked out of the hall and caught up to Gai Mie, saying, "Supreme Pillar, are you heading to the Nether Prison?"
"I have to try my luck," Gai Mie said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "But there are still two major difficulties that require Supreme Pillar's help."
"I want to study the thirty-six stone carvings left by the Heavenly Demon." Gai Mie stated his condition without changing his expression, as if he had already thought it out.
Zhang Ruochen guessed that this great demon was pretending to leave, but in reality, he was after the "Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription."
With the emergence of the Underworld Sea, the Nether Prison had become the most dangerous place in the universe. How could Gai Mie possibly take that risk?
Meng Ge dared to go because he went with Hao Tian.
Gu Yanluo and Jiusi Yitianhuang had Bal behind them.
Even if Gai Mie fully recovered his cultivation, he would still be far from a Half-Ancestor.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Supreme Pillar, why not stay at the Heavenly Demon Mountain for a while? That is the former territory of the Heavenly Demon. You can also help guide the cultivation of the demonic cultivators from the Kunlun Realm. As long as the master of the Heavenly Demon Mountain agrees, Supreme Pillar can certainly view the 'Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription.'"
The master of the Heavenly Demon Mountain was none other than Chi Xingtian.
Zhang Ruochen deliberately said this to secure some benefit for Chi Xingtian. After all, you, Gai Mie, a dignified Supreme Pillar, couldn't possibly take advantage of the Heavenly Demon's descendants for nothing, could you?
That would be too degrading.
Gai Mie seemed thoughtful and said, "You want me to guard the Kunlun Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded and said, "The Qishier Pin Lian and the mysterious sword cultivator will surely make a move to coordinate with the dark and bizarre. Right now, Grandmaster is stationed at the Wuding Divine Sea, setting up the Starry Sky Grand Formation. Once they learn that Wen Tianjun is not in the Kunlun Realm, they will definitely strike."
"Alright, I'll have a chat with Huaying Cangjie."
Gai Mie returned to the hall and communicated with Yunshen Daozhu through divine thought, learning about the various defensive measures and formation hubs of the Kunlun Realm.
After the meeting, Gai Mie left the Wuding Divine Sea with Chi Xingtian.
Five Dragon God Emperor said, "Can this demon be trusted?"
"He probably has some agreement with Nutian Shenzun, so we can make use of him. However, we cannot hand over the entire Kunlun Realm to him. We need a backup plan. I intend to set up an ultra-long-distance space teleportation array between the Kunlun Realm and the Wuding Divine Sea. If something happens there, we can assemble an army and rush over immediately," Zhang Ruochen said.
Qiangu Nüdi said, "I think we could simply move the Kunlun Realm here. The cosmic veins of the Wuding Divine Sea can fully support the active Heavenly and Earthly Rules and the Heaven and Earth Qi that the Kunlun Realm needs."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Yunshen Daozhu.
Yunshen Daozhu said something that moved everyone present: "The Kunlun Realm is different from the Dragon Realm and the Thousand Star Civilization. Once it is moved, it can never return."
Indeed, the Kunlun Realm, as an eternal, indestructible great world, occupied a star field with numerous cosmic veins. Once moved, another great world would immediately move in and occupy it.
At the same time, if the Kunlun Realm were moved, they would be completely cut off from the Heavenly Court Universe.
Leaving the Kunlun Realm behind meant leaving a bridge to communicate with the Heavenly Court Universe. At the very least, major powers like the Truth Divine Temple, the Five Elements Temple, the Western Buddha Realm, and the Wind Clan could interact with them openly.
Another factor was the geographical location. The Kunlun Realm and the Wuding Divine Sea were the closest, forming a pincer formation in the starry sky, allowing them to support each other.
Zhang Ruochen said, "From what Grandmaster says, it seems the Dragon Realm has encountered trouble?"
The Thousand Star Civilization's relocation was understandable. It had always been on the front lines of the Starry Sky Defense Line, bearing the brunt of any crisis. It could face annihilation at any moment. Moving after suffering such a heavy blow was only natural.
Five Dragon God Emperor said calmly, "The Mingzu Old Zu's spiritual power has reached the ninety-third level. He sent a message, asking to move the Dragon Nest into the Demon God Realm."
Zhang Ruochen showed an understanding expression and said, "Is it really as the legends say? Did the Mingzu Old Zu devour the remnant soul of the Demon Ancestor?"
Five Dragon God Emperor nodded and praised, "Although Emperor Chen is in the Hell Realm, he knows everything under heaven."
Zhang Ruochen's information came from Xu Kun War God, a top-tier figure in the Demon God Realm. His understanding of the Mingzu Old Zu's situation might even surpass that of Five Dragon God Emperor.
The Dragon Nest originated from the Ancestral Dragon and was a secret realm comparable to the Demon Ancestor Ridge and the Nuwa Palace.
The Mingzu Old Zu's desire to take the Dragon Nest was equivalent to forcing Five Dragon God Emperor and the Dragon Realm to leave the Southern Universe.
At the end of the Primordial Era, during the War of the Primates, the Ancestral Dragon was one of the top experts among the primate races. They drove the various primordial races into the Abyss of Darkness, turning the primates from slaves into masters of the universe.
This historical status was no less than that of Nuwa or the Human Ancestor.
Five Dragon God Emperor extended an invitation to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "If Emperor Chen wishes to enter the Dragon Nest, let Linglong accompany you. She is familiar with all the secret realms inside."
"Thank you for the invitation, Dragon Emperor. Once we reclaim the Sword Realm, I will definitely come to see this ancestral realm of the Dragon Clan."
Zhang Ruochen did not choose to go to the Dragon Realm or the Thousand Star Civilization. On the first night at the Wuding Divine Sea, he spent it with Chi Yao in the Emperor Chen Palace.
The second night, he slept on a boat with Mu Lingxi, their dreams filling the starry river.
The third night, he had dinner with Ling Feiyu and Zhang Hongchen. After Zhang Hongchen left, the two stayed up all night, reminiscing about the past. There was too much worth remembering, because that world of martial arts could never be returned to.
The fourth night, Zhang Ruochen and Yu Chenjing visited the Thousand Star Civilization.
The fifth night, Zhang Ruochen toured famous sites across the Dragon Realm with Ao Linglong, but did not go to the Dragon Nest. Time simply did not permit.
Over these consecutive days, Zhang Ruochen handled matters between several women with ease, without expending much energy or stamina.
He was not idle. His spiritual power thoughts were always extended outward, surveying the various realms. In the end, he chose to set up the first space teleportation array in the Sword God Realm.
The most important reason for this was that the famous Sword God's cultivation was high enough, making him an excellent candidate to guard the space teleportation array.
For the Sword God Realm, this was both an opportunity and a challenge.
On the sixth day, the person Zhang Ruochen was waiting for finally arrived at the Wuding Divine Sea.
Coming with the Starry Sea Angler were not only Bai Qinger and Xiu Chen Heavenly God, but also Wu Yue, Ji Fanxin, Chi Kongle, Yan Zhexian, Yan Ying'er, Xiao Hei, Mi Tian War God, Feng Chen Sword God, and a large number of other cultivators.
Such a major event quickly caused a stir at the Wuding Divine Sea, raising the morale of cultivators from all realms to a new height.
Compared to the reverence the cultivators had for the Starry Sea Angler, the legend of "Wu Yue" made them even more curious.
Was there truly a woman in the world who looked exactly like the Moon God?
Those who came to watch all returned disappointed.
Because the cultivators who descended from the Starry Sea Angler's wooden boat were all surrounded by divine light, their true faces obscured. The few celestial-like women among them all wore veils, mysterious and unfathomable.
When dealing with a figure of the Starry Sea Angler's caliber, even Yunshen Daozhu had to be cautious. He had already arrived in person at the Emperor Chen Palace.
Five Dragon God Emperor and Thousand Star God Ancestor were naturally no exception.
As soon as they met, the Starry Sea Angler's gaze locked onto Yunshen Daozhu, as if their world contained only each other, and all other cultivators had ceased to exist.
The Starry Sea Angler's eyes held a smile, spreading from his eyes to the corners, to his wrinkles, to his lips, his entire body exuding an aura of relaxed ease.
This was the perfect fusion of spiritual power into a smile, which then infected the surroundings, making the cultivators present feel light and joyful.
Yunshen Daozhu had already stood up and walked forward, a smile on his face as well.
The two elders' footsteps were perfectly synchronized, stopping precisely at the very center of the hall.
The Starry Sea Angler said, "So this is the realm of the ninety-third level of spiritual power? I am inferior!"
Just now, both had infused their spiritual power into their smiles.
However, Yunshen Daozhu could see the traces in the Starry Sea Angler's smile, while the Starry Sea Angler could not find any traces in Yunshen Daozhu's smile. The difference was clear.
It was like two top-tier painters competing in painting. If your eye could not find flaws in the other's painting, then you were likely the slightly inferior one.
Only figures of Zhang Ruochen's and Five Dragon God Emperor's caliber present sensed the Starry Sea Angler's probing of Yunshen Daozhu.
Yunshen Daozhu said, "Being imprisoned in the Destiny Temple for a hundred thousand years allowed some breakthrough in my state of mind."
This greatly shocked the Starry Sea Angler, because before Yunshen Daozhu was imprisoned, he was suspected to have already reached the ninety-third level. Another breakthrough in his state of mind, coupled with taking the Udumbara Flower, meant he might have a chance to strike at the ninety-fourth level!
Fortunately, the Starry Sea Angler had an optimistic personality. The distracting thoughts in his heart quickly dissipated, and he laughed, "Haha, being imprisoned in the Nightmare Land for ten thousand years was already more than enough for me. I wouldn't want to be imprisoned for another ninety thousand years. This kind of breakthrough in state of mind is not something anyone can endure."
Yunshen Daozhu said, "I can see that your spiritual power is not far from the ninety-third level. A breakthrough is only a matter of time. It's great that you're here. With your help, the time needed to set up the Starry Sky Grand Formation can be greatly shortened."
Currently, the Sword Realm truly had a say only among the four major forces: the Kunlun Realm, the Starry Sky Cliff, the Dragon Realm, and the Thousand Star Civilization.
The old drunkard of Xinghuantian and the various clans of the Hundred Clans Royal City were essentially forces under the Starry Sky Cliff faction.
The other realms all followed the lead of the Kunlun Realm, the Dragon Realm, and the Thousand Star Civilization. Even figures at the level of God Venerables like the Moon God and the famous Sword God could not change this.
This was also the fundamental reason Zhang Ruochen had to form marriage alliances with the Starry Sky Cliff, the Dragon Realm, and the Thousand Star Civilization—to weaken the influence of his origins in the Kunlun Realm.
Moreover, in the future, he was destined to distance himself from the Kunlun Realm.
Of course, he did not need to completely sever ties like Hao Tian did with the Xuan Yuan family.
The Starry Sea Angler detailed the current situation of the Shura Star Pillar Realm. The Shura Clan had indeed suffered heavy losses, but fortunately, before the Underworld Sea's impact, a large number of gods had released their Divine Realm Worlds, taking their clansmen and fleeing first, greatly preserving their living forces.
"Swoosh!"
The Starry Sea Angler released the Shura War Soul Sea.
The sea was vast, the Shura War Qi thick, forming a world of its own.
"Green Deer God King is a formidable figure. I misjudged him before." The Starry Sea Angler said, "When I tried to take the Shura War Soul Sea away, he appeared to intercept me."
Zhang Ruochen said, "What level has his cultivation reached?"
"Unfathomable." The Starry Sea Angler said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Did you two fight?"
"We did, but it was only a probing strike. I could sense that he wasn't using his full strength." The Starry Sea Angler said.
Five Dragon God Emperor asked curiously, "In that case, how did he let you take the Shura War Soul Sea away?"
The Starry Sea Angler treated the Dragon Clan as equals, and his cultivation was a full level above Five Dragon God Emperor's, so the latter naturally addressed him as "Senior."
Of course, this was more out of respect!
Given Five Dragon God Emperor's current cultivation at the Indestructible Infinite level and his status, he could also sit on equal footing with the Starry Sea Angler.
The Starry Sea Angler laughed and said, "He naturally had conditions. He hopes that Emperor Chen can step in and help the Shura Clan retrieve the other half of the Shura Star Pillar Realm."
The Shura Star Pillar Realm had been broken in two. One half had crashed into the Heavenly Court, and naturally, it had been kept by the various heavens of the Heavenly Court. It would not be easily returned.
Bai Qinger said, "Emperor Chen once had the Ghost Clan's clan leader return the Shura War Soul Sea. Green Deer God King said he believed that after Emperor Chen was done using it, he would return it again."
As the representative of the Shura Clan, Feng Chen Sword God said, "Though I am reluctant to admit it, I must say that Green Deer God King played a crucial role in preserving the Shura Clan's living forces during this great calamity. After the disaster, he immediately stepped forward, leading the Shura Clan's gods to quickly stabilize the situation and restore morale and confidence."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Xiu Chen Heavenly God and said in a teasing tone, "You are the Shura Clan's clan leader. This is your responsibility. Why don't you learn from Green Deer God King?"
Xiu Chen Heavenly God showed Zhang Ruochen no face and rolled her eyes, saying, "You told me to become a woman, and I did! You told me to become the Shura Clan's clan leader, and I went! You told me to activate the Sundial at White Desolate Star to cultivate a divine army for you, and I did! You told me to defect to Lady Shiji, to refine the World Spirit of the Peacock God Star, and become the master of the God Star, and I did that too! Who am I now? Which faction do I belong to?"
"Are you resentful?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God's almond eyes were frosty as she said, "I am just an artifact spirit. Your demands on me are too high! I am not even an Indestructible Infinite. How can I compare to Green Deer God King? He is the reincarnation of the remnant soul of the Ancestral Asura!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Refining the World Spirit of the Stone God Star is a tremendous opportunity. You didn't break through to Indestructible Infinite even with that, and you blame me?"
"Whatever. My path was chosen by you. If I can't break through to Indestructible Infinite, it's your fault as my master."
Xiu Chen Heavenly God had only recently learned that Zhang Ruochen had used the Purple Heart Heavenly Venerable Orchid to refine ten divine pills. Five Dragon God Emperor and the Dragon Lord had broken through to Indestructible Infinite, thanks in part to the Dragon Nest's help, but the Heavenly Venerable Orchid Divine Pill had also played a crucial role.
If Xiao Hei hadn't let it slip, she wouldn't even have known about it. How could she not be angry?
Xiu Chen Heavenly God was no small figure. She was only one step away from Indestructible Infinite. With the wonders of the Sundial, she could absolutely be enfeoffed as a Heavenly God in either the Heavenly Court or the Hell Realm.
That was why no one stepped in to mediate. Even the elders watched the scene with smiles.
Thousand Star God Ancestor, known for his aggressive style, shot Zhang Ruochen a meaningful look, hinting that he should use this opportunity to establish his authority. By using Xiu Chen, who was at the level of a Heavenly God, to set an example, he could intimidate the cultivators from all sides.
But Zhang Ruochen did not do so. He always believed that authority could not be established by targeting one's own people. Even if he had to make an example of someone, it had to be someone who had committed a grave mistake.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God, in the end, was just anxious because she saw cultivators who were once on par with her breaking through to Indestructible Infinite, while the younger generation had successively stepped into the Great Unbound Infinite.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen remain silent, Xiu Chen Heavenly God restrained herself a little and directly stated, "The divine pills refined from the Purple Heart Heavenly Venerable Orchid—why does everyone have one except me? As the artifact spirit of the Sundial, I have made the greatest contributions. I deserve one."
Zhang Ruochen immediately searched the crowd, but Xiao Hei was nowhere to be seen.
The matter of refining the Heavenly Venerable Orchid Divine Pills was extremely secret. Among the younger generation, only Xiao Hei, who had been responsible for delivering the pills to the Dragon Lord, knew about it.
Who else could have leaked the secret?
"Everyone has one? Why didn't I get one?"
Chi Yao stepped forward, ready to play the good cop for Zhang Ruochen.
With her current cultivation at the peak of the Great Unbound Infinite, she certainly had the qualifications to do so.