Chapter 3944: The First Visitor After Returning to Heavenly Court
Wu Yue secretly transmitted a message to Xiu Chen Heavenly God: "Many matters cannot be discussed in public. If you keep arguing, there will be no way to end this. Emperor Dust will have no choice but to make an example of you to establish authority."
Xiu Chen Heavenly God realized the situation was unfavorable, but how could she back down at this moment?
Everyone would only think that she had been intimidated into retreating by Chi Yao.
From now on, in Sword Realm, her prestige would inevitably plummet. She still wanted to contend for a position among the Twenty Heavens. How could someone bearing such a stain be worthy of that rank?
Wu Yue wore a white veil, her steps light and graceful as she walked to Zhang Ruochen's side and said, "Heavenly God, you have indeed rendered great service. Without you, many cultivators would not have reached their current cultivation realms. But you must understand, the person in this world who most wishes for you to break through to Indestructible Infinite is undoubtedly Emperor Dust."
"The Time Source Bead Divine Source was retrieved for you by Emperor Dust. The World Spirit of Peacock Divine Star was also secured for you from a Half-Ancestor by Emperor Dust."
"If you break through to Indestructible Infinite, the Sundial will be able to support cultivators at that realm in their training. That is what Emperor Dust most wants to see."
"I believe that Emperor Dust did not bestow the Heavenly Venerable Orchid Divine Pill upon you because he has full confidence in you, believing you can break through your shackles with your own ability. Heavenly God, you should have greater faith in yourself!"
Wu Yue's words not only resolved the tension between Xiu Chen Heavenly God and Zhang Ruochen but also gave Xiu Chen Heavenly God face and a graceful way to retreat. It was flawless.
Compared to Chi Yao's forceful suppression, Wu Yue employed the tactic of softness overcoming hardness.
Yunshen Daozhu and Star Sea Angler exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
With Chi Yao and Wu Yue—one firm, one gentle—by his side, they could help Zhang Ruochen resolve many troubles, allowing him to extricate himself from scheming.
The reason Wu Yue did this was clear to them. Compared to the other women around Zhang Ruochen, who all had powerful backgrounds, Wu Yue, as Zhang Ruochen's officially wedded wife, was like a rootless floating weed.
More importantly, she had been too hostile toward the major powers of the Heavenly Court Universe in the past. Forming an alliance with Xiu Chen Heavenly God, who also hailed from the Hell Realm, was her best choice.
Seeing the atmosphere return to harmony, Mi Tian War God and Yan Zhexian approached.
"Greetings, Tai Shang. Greetings, Senior Yu."
Mi Tian War God clasped his fists in salute, then took out a letter and presented it with both hands to Zhang Ruochen. "Lord Emperor Dust, this is a personal letter from the Clan Leader. He originally intended to come to Wuding Divine Sea in person to express gratitude for your assistance to the Yama Clan nine hundred years ago. However, the Starry Sky Battlefield is unstable, and the situation changes rapidly. He truly cannot get away."
Zhang Ruochen accepted the letter, his peripheral vision catching Yan Zhexian's guilt-laden eyes, which seemed to contain countless words. After a brief thought, he understood and offered her a smile.
While opening the letter to read, he said, "Zhexian, don't put so much psychological pressure on yourself. I understand the Clan Leader's difficulties."
Back then, in the Santu River region, when facing the triple crisis of Gu Yama, Life Ancestor, and Qishier Pin Lian, Zhang Ruochen had asked Yan Zhexian to seek help from Yama Clan Leader Yan Huanyu.
But at that time, Yan Huanyu, Heavenly Mother, and Lady Shiji were plotting against Ba Er, attempting to lure out this most threatening Half-Ancestor. Therefore, they did not rush to aid Zhang Ruochen immediately.
It was because of this matter that Yan Zhexian felt guilty, believing she had failed Zhang Ruochen's trust.
It was also because of this matter that Mi Tian War God personally made this trip, carrying Yan Huanyu's letter to build momentum for Zhang Ruochen.
This was to tell everyone that the Yama Clan was a friend of Emperor Dust.
If Sword Realm faced trouble in the future, the Yama Clan would help. But they would help Emperor Dust, because of the friendship between Emperor Dust and the Yama Clan, not because of Sword Realm.
Yan Zhexian's heart knot was untied. She said softly, "I won't leave this time. If Sword Realm is reclaimed, I plan to open a cave dwelling and cultivate there."
Zhang Ruochen understood her intentions. He folded the letter and put it away. "Stay with Ying'er. We'll establish a Pill Sect to help elevate the alchemy skills of all realms."
"Husband, have you forgotten that I am also a Divine Alchemy Master? Zhexian and I will surely have much to discuss." Wu Yue said with a smile, as radiant and enchanting as a blooming flower, yet dignified and elegant.
Who could connect her with the ruthless Wu Yue Hall Master of the Darkness Temple from before?
She was like a Moon God who had descended into the mortal world.
Zhang Ruochen had Chi Yao and Wu Yue lead everyone away to settle in, receiving them with the highest protocol. A banquet would be held at nightfall.
Inside the hall, only Yunshen Daozhu, Star Sea Angler, Five Dragon Divine Emperor, and Thousand Star Divine Ancestor remained.
Zhang Ruochen said solemnly, "The Yama Clan Leader promised in his letter that if a divine war breaks out in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, no matter who Sword Realm faces, he will definitely lend his aid."
A look of admiration appeared in Star Sea Angler's aged eyes. "Thirty thousand years ago, when Fengdu Dadi, Nutian Shenzun, Void Heaven, and others were still relatively young, Yan Huanyu was already one of the strongest in the Hell Realm. These years, he has been hiding behind the scenes, in seclusion, cultivating. His cultivation must have advanced considerably. For him to dare say such words, he must be not far from the Half-Ancestor realm."
Five Dragon Divine Emperor said, "After lighting the World Tree, Yan Huanyu can even contend with Half-Ancestors. This way, even if something unexpected happens when Wen Tianjun retrieves Sword Realm, we will have some means to deal with it."
Faced with the Dark and Strange, no one wanted to confront it head-on. Thousand Star Divine Ancestor asked, "Lord Emperor Dust, where do you plan to refine and kill Luo Tuoluo to contain the Dark and Strange?"
"How about the Heavenly Court?" Zhang Ruochen said.
...
After the discussions were settled, Zhang Ruochen crossed space and appeared on the eastern shore of Wuding Divine Sea, intercepting Xiao Hei, who was trying to escape back to Kunlun Realm.
"Tell me, how many benefits did Wu Yue give you?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xiao Hei took off the black bamboo hat on his head, his face full of bitterness. "This Emperor didn't expect Xiu Chen to be so stubborn, daring to confront you in front of all the gods. I thought... I thought she's a woman now, with a beautiful face and an obvious figure..."
He gestured curves with his hands and continued, "Relying on her own assets, if she asked you for a Divine Pill, you would surely soften... Who knew, who knew..."
Xiao Hei saw Xiu Chen Heavenly God erupting in the Emperor Dust Palace and knew things would go wrong, so he immediately fled.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I didn't ask you about that."
Xiao Hei deflated and sighed. "How did you guess that Wu Yue was scheming against Xiu Chen?"
"Do you think their little tricks could easily fool me?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Xiao Hei stammered, "Wu Yue did give me some treasures, but what this Emperor values isn't that. It's because of one thing she said."
"What did she say?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xiao Hei said solemnly, "She said that the Sundial and Xiu Chen Heavenly God hold extraordinary significance to you and will surely be courted by all sides. You are busy with major matters in the universe and cannot keep the Sundial by your side at all times. Rather than letting Xiu Chen lean toward other powers, causing internal imbalance in Sword Realm, it's better to get close to her."
"This Emperor thinks she might be referring to the Kunlun Realm faction and Empress Chi Yao, and the Xinghuantian faction of Bai Qinger and Ji Fanxin."
Zhang Ruochen showed a thoughtful expression, then gave Xiao Hei a light but firm warning. "If you meddle in this, aren't you afraid that Chi Yao and Bai Qinger will deal with you later? You should understand their methods. Tell me, how would I help you then?"
"Furthermore, if Xiu Chen finds out that you and Wu Yue schemed against her, what do you think she would do, given her personality?"
The more Xiao Hei thought about it, the more frightened he became. "Your family's troubles are too many. Benefits really can't be taken casually. This Emperor won't meddle anymore from now on."
"Don't run away. Come back with me. Tonight, we'll hold a grand banquet to feast the gods."
Zhang Ruochen had immense tolerance for Xiao Hei. The bond between them could not be replaced by any cultivator.
This was not just a friendship forged through shared hardships.
In a sense, Xiao Hei was the teacher who taught Zhang Ruochen the most. He was the guide left for Zhang Ruochen by Xumi Saint Monk, and the one who had helped Zhang Ruochen the most.
The divine banquet at night was harmonious and joyful. The gods seemed to forget the crises in the universe and the cruelty of war. Some sang with wine, some competed in swordplay and magic, some played the zither and flute.
After the banquet, only Chi Yao and Bai Qinger noticed Zhang Ruochen pulling Wu Yue away, but they did not follow.
In the middle of the night, the gods had long since left, each returning to their own realms and duties. Outside the hall, it was silent, with only a row of bright yellow sacred lanterns swaying in the clear wind.
Zhang Ruochen wore only an open, loose robe. He pushed open the wooden door and leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance.
In the sky, the Guanghan Realm was huge and bright, reflecting layers of silver-scaled ripples on the surface of Wuding Divine Sea, giving the mist a hazy, flowing glow.
Wu Yue's melodious and gentle voice came from inside the room. "With your current cultivation, if you are just a bit more forceful, you can surely take the Moon God. Why gaze at the moon in the water at night?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly. "A bit more forceful?"
"Just like you were with me just now."
Wu Yue draped a thin gauze over herself, her long hair falling straight to her waist. Barefoot, her snow-white jade-like feet silent as a kitten's, she walked behind Zhang Ruochen, wrapped her arms around his waist and abdomen, her slender fingers naturally resting where they should not.
"As a man, doesn't Emperor Dust want both moons to shine together?"
Zhang Ruochen could feel the intoxicating softness against his back. The flame in his Mysterious Fetus reignited. He turned around, picked her up, and walked into the room, inhaling the soul-stirring fragrance. "Shining is enough. Both moons shining together—only you would dare think of that. From now on, scheme less and focus your energy on cultivation."
"Is Emperor Dust encouraging... encouraging this servant to scheme... scheme against the Moon God..."
That night, the sound of waves outside the hall had a moving rhythm and melody.
Zhang Ruochen both hated the disguise on Wu Yue and loved it. It was extremely contradictory.
This disguise was like a gorgeous dress covering her true self, but it precisely piqued Zhang Ruochen's interest. He wanted to see when she would finally take off this dress.
As long as he had this anticipation, Wu Yue would always hold a place in Zhang Ruochen's heart.
Perhaps Wu Yue understood this too. In terms of emotional connection with Zhang Ruochen and his trust in her, she could never compare to Chi Yao and Mu Lingxi. To hold onto the position of Emperor Dust's principal wife and eventually become Empress, she would have to give more and use more means.
Since ancient times, even in mortal dynasties, empresses were not obtained by waiting but by fighting for them by any means necessary.
If she did not fight now, would she wait until Zhang Ruochen reached the Ancestor realm?
By then, the interests represented by the Empress would be enough to make any major power in the world envious.
...
After setting up the Space Teleportation Array connecting to Kunlun Realm, Zhang Ruochen took the Sundial, Shura War Soul Sea, Yuan Sheng, Chan Bing, and Qiangu Nüdi and headed straight for the Heavenly Court.
This trip to the Heavenly Court was not only to use Luo Tuoluo to contain the Dark and Strange but also to borrow the Sundial's time power to first raise his cultivation to the middle stage of Indestructible Infinite.
If his cultivation realm was insufficient, Zhang Ruochen feared he would not be able to contain the Dark and Strange at all. Instead, the enemy might use powerful space power to kill him from afar.
He had no idea how formidable a Half-Ancestor's methods truly were.
He had even less idea about the Dark and Strange's methods.
Zhang Ruochen's Indestructible Dharma Body had long reached the strength of the middle stage of Indestructible Infinite. The amount of Indestructible Matter he possessed was not inferior to that of a peak Indestructible Infinite cultivator. Even his divine soul had long surpassed the critical point for breaking through.
The only thing missing was time.
Breaking through required a great deal of time.
With Xiu Chen Heavenly God's current cultivation at the peak of Great Unbound Infinite, activating the Sundial could not support Zhang Ruochen, who was at the initial stage of Indestructible Infinite, in his training.
But fortunately, Chan Bing's cultivation was high enough, and few in the current universe surpassed her in the Way of Time.
With Qiangu Nüdi's Time Esoterica assisting, it should be enough to elevate the Sundial's power to another level.
The best place to activate the Sundial was naturally the Time Divine Temple.
The current Great Elder of the Time Divine Temple was Qiangu Nüdi. Thus, this became Zhang Ruochen's first stop upon arriving at the Heavenly Court and the place he chose for his breakthrough.
No matter how low-key and cautious they were, the news of Qiangu Nüdi's return to the Time Divine Temple could not be hidden from the Heavenly Palace.
Xuanyuan Lian drove a golden chariot and was the first to arrive at the Time Divine Temple to pay a visit.
Back then, when Zhang Ruochen activated the Sundial for ten thousand years at the Time Divine Temple, Xuanyuan Lian naturally entered to cultivate. Her cultivation was now vastly different from before, not inferior to the Heavenly Palace War God. She had firmly secured the position of Great Elder of the Space Divine Temple and had become a major power.
This world was like this—some fell, some rose.
The younger generation would eventually grow up, replacing the fallen old-timers to become the new masters of the universe. Generation after generation, the world remained the same, with rise and fall alternating.
She wore splendid male attire, a jade crown binding her hair. Stepping down from the chariot, she directly asked Qiangu Nüdi, who had come to welcome her, "Where is Zhang Ruochen? Tell him to come out and see me!"
With hundreds of major worlds relocating to Wuding Divine Sea, there was much to do. In such a chaotic time, Qiangu Nüdi's return to the Time Divine Temple would inevitably make anyone speculate about the reason.
Xuanyuan Lian's probing words were within reason.
Just as Qiangu Nüdi was unsure whether to answer truthfully, Zhang Ruochen, hidden within her Divine Realm World, transmitted a message: "Xuanyuan Lian's state is off. Be careful."
Based on Zhang Ruochen's understanding of Xuanyuan Lian, after her experience of selling porridge in the mortal world, she would never let the pride in her bones show on the surface.
Moreover, Xuanyuan Lian had been helping Hao Tian manage the Heavenly Palace and balance the various realms of the Heavenly Court Universe. She valued etiquette the most.
When Zhang Ruochen's cultivation was inferior to hers, she might have acted proud and forceful.
But given Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation realm and status as a dominant power, how could Xuanyuan Lian speak in such a tone?
Zhang Ruochen did not know what had happened, but he was certain that the Xuanyuan Lian before him was definitely not right. The tone of her words seemed more like telling Zhang Ruochen, "Don't come out."