# Chapter 3961: The Next Generation's Leader
White Abyss Peak was located at the northern end of Demon Ancestor Ridge. In the cosmos above the mountain peaks, forty-two brilliant stars were visible even during the day.
These forty-two stars had appeared together with Demon Ancestor Ridge.
A verdant green parasol tree grew out from space, spreading its branches and leaves, while its trunk and roots grew in Lihentian (Separation Heaven).
One tree spanned two realms.
The green light rain that scattered over Demon Ancestor Ridge overflowed from the leaves of this parasol divine tree, capable of tempering the physiques of all demons.
Chongming Old Ancestor was in human form, his head adorned with colorful feathers, exuding an elegant and leisurely demeanor. He leaned against the momentum of White Cliff Mountain, standing amidst the green light rain.
Behind him were the powerful experts of the Southern Universe.
The Houtu War God "Four Unlike," Phoenix Clan Chief "Feng Jiutian," Xuanwu Clan Chief "Wu Zhen," Peacock Heavenly Queen, Golden Winged Great Peng King..., as well as Xuanwu Divine Ancestor and Void Kun War God.
Except for the Dragon Clan, representatives from all ten clans and ten demon realms were present, resembling a small Heavenly Court.
Seeing Yan Wushen walking over from the light rain, Xuanwu Clan Chief said coldly: "A god from Hell Realm comes alone to Demon God Realm. Do you think that with the protection of Yan Huanyu and Shengu Nest (Divine Ancient Nest), no one can touch you?"
Yan Wushen walked with leisurely steps, saying: "What if I said that behind me stands an Ancestor? Who among those present here would still dare to touch me?"
These words were like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, causing the divine kings and divine venerables present to tremble in their hearts.
Like striking the mountain to shake the tiger.
In an instant, Yan Wushen had gained absolute superiority in momentum.
Even Chongming Old Ancestor began to regard this young man seriously, saying: "The Ancestor you speak of, it couldn't be the Great Demon God, could it?"
Yan Wushen bowed respectfully to Chongming Old Ancestor, saying: "Old Ancestor lives up to his reputation. It seems you know that the Great Demon God originated from the Yama Clan."
Void Kun War God was a hundred zhang tall, with a bright red cockscomb and sharp eyes, saying: "Do you think the words spoken by the Dark Weirdness when fleeing can frighten us? The Great Demon God cannot still be alive. It has been over ten million years; even Ancestors have fallen silent."
Xuanwu Divine Ancestor's voice was deep: "Alarmist talk."
Yan Wushen said: "According to you, then what was Hao Tian, a great divine power, doing going to the Nether Prison? You know very well that the Nether Prison holds beings so terrifying that even Half-Ancestors fear them. The Great Demon God is about to emerge. Just as the Dark Weirdness said, both Heavenly Court and Hell Realm will be destroyed. The time left for you is not much."
"Moreover, it is true that the Dark Weirdness fled. But if It were to bypass Heavenly Court and enter the Southern Universe, who among those present here could stop It?"
"To put it bluntly, even destroying Demon God Realm would not be difficult for It."
Yan Wushen's words left the demon gods present speechless, unable to find a point to refute.
Because every sentence was the truth.
Yan Wushen suddenly added: "But why didn't It do so?"
Chongming Old Ancestor smiled: "Then you tell us, why didn't It do so?"
"It is waiting for the Ancestor calamity, waiting for the Great Demon God to emerge. When that time comes, myriad realms will wither, all living beings will be annihilated, and then It will emerge, able to more calmly devour the blood qi and souls of all realms." Yan Wushen's tone and eyes were filled with confidence and certainty.
Chongming Old Ancestor said: "In the end, the Dark Weirdness is still wary of the current cultivators!"
Yan Wushen said: "In this era, with hidden cultivators like Candle Lamp, who would not be wary? If forced to the point where a Heavenly Venerable-rank cultivator self-detonates their divine source, even the Dark Weirdness would have to retreat."
Peacock Heavenly Queen's beautiful eyes held mist, saying: "Why not first tell us your purpose in coming?"
Yan Wushen cast a cheerful smile toward Peacock Heavenly Queen, saying: "I have come on behalf of the Great Demon God, to give you all a path to survival."
Some sneered, while others fell into contemplation.
This was the effect of Yan Wushen's earlier words!
If he had come and immediately spoken such arrogant words, before he could even utter a second sentence, he would have been killed by the demon gods present.
Now, at least some cultivators were considering whether to leave themselves a way out.
Void Kun War God said: "Give us a path to survival? Even if the Great Demon God is still alive, after being suppressed for so many years, how much power does he have left? Not to mention that Hao Tian, Heavenly Mother, and Lady Shiji all want him dead; even Ba'er, Gu Yanluo, Jiusi Yitianhuang and others still want to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Can he even walk out of the Nether Prison?"
Yan Wushen said: "So Void Kun War God is betting his life on the Great Demon God not emerging? Leaving himself no way out at all? Or perhaps, he already has a way out?"
Chongming Old Ancestor, who had been scrutinizing Yan Wushen, spoke again: "Actually, compared to the Great Demon God, this old man is more concerned about the Immortal behind the Great Demon God. Little friend, could you enlighten us?"
The expressions of the demon clan experts present all turned grave.
If it were only the crisis of the Nether Prison, the demon gods present had great confidence in Hao Tian and others, and were not so worried.
But the emergence of the Dark Weirdness, the appearance of unknown power in the God Realm, the anomalies in the Nether Sea... matters of this sort undoubtedly indicated the existence of the Immortal.
This had already surpassed their understanding!
This was also what terrified them the most!
Yan Wushen's gaze swept over Void Kun War God, Xuanwu Divine Ancestor, Peacock Heavenly Queen, and others, saying: "For such a major matter, Old Ancestor is sure you want everyone to know?"
...
"Chuanzong, you've finished your cultivation so quickly?"
In Sword Realm, Xiao Hei saw Zhang Chuanzong and was quite surprised.
Zhang Chuanzong respectfully bowed to Xiao Hei, saying: "Reporting to Uncle Hei, Master said that after a thousand years of cultivation, I have achieved godhood through the Way of Life. He has taught me all he should, and there is no need for me to continue staying in the Stone Clan. Besides, I miss my mother very much; it's time to go back and see her."
Xiao Hei had the steady demeanor of an elder, nodding: "Alright, then come back to Kunlun Realm with us! Come, Uncle Hei will introduce you. This is your Aunt Yan, and this is your sister Ying'er. You've just stepped into the divine realm; you need to learn well from your sister Ying'er."
Yan Ying'er had her hands behind her back, circling around Zhang Chuanzong, her big bright eyes gazing at him, smiling: "Call me sister."
Zhang Chuanzong's handsome fair face instantly flushed red, and he said softly: "Sister Ying'er."
Yan Ying'er tilted her head, very happy, her smile brilliant: "Call me two more times, hehe."
"Sister Ying'er, we... we should set off!"
...
Zhang Ruochen sensed that Chi Kunlun had returned, so he decided to see him first before going with Feng Yan to deal with the ancient hall master of Space Divine Temple who was causing chaos in Heavenly Court Universe.
"Father!"
Chi Kunlun turned into a streak of light and appeared before Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen gazed at the Chi Kunlun before him, who had completely shed his childishness. His physique was imposing, his brow sharp and forceful, like a towering mountain that could support a whole world.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes were complex, saying: "Not bad, your realm has already reached this level. It seems you have trained hard over the years. Come, your mother is waiting inside."
Chi Kunlun followed half a step behind Zhang Ruochen as they walked into the hall.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen asked: "Have you been to Western Buddha Realm?"
Chi Kunlun's expression was slightly unnatural, knowing that his whereabouts could not escape his father's spiritual power perception, saying: "I went to visit grandfather."
"How is the old gentleman?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Chi Kunlun nodded.
Chi Yao walked out from behind a screen, her white dress trailing behind her, her expression solemn as she examined Chi Kunlun with a scrutinizing gaze.
Chi Kunlun quickly bowed: "Mother, your son has returned!"
Chi Yao sat down first, saying: "Sit! Your father has some questions for you."
Chi Kunlun's reverence for Chi Yao was clearly far greater than for Zhang Ruochen. He carefully retreated to the seat on the right and sat down.
Zhang Ruochen sat beside Chi Yao, smiling: "So afraid of your mother?"
Chi Kunlun forced a smile: "Perhaps because mother has always been strict since I was young."
Zhang Ruochen picked up the jade tea bowl presented by Qing Qing, pondered for a moment, and said: "Have you seen your master? Qing Qing, you don't need to withdraw; get familiar with your senior brother Kunlun."
Qing Qing retreated to the left side of the hall beneath an ancient painting, her hands placed before her, listening attentively, while her gaze studied Chi Kunlun.
In terms of talent, Qing Qing surpassed Chi Kunlun, inheriting Zhang Ruochen's Wuji Divine Dao. But in terms of drive, opportunities, life-and-death battles... and other acquired factors, she was far inferior to Chi Kunlun.
Chi Kunlun's heart had completely calmed down, saying: "I saw him at Shengu Nest (Divine Ancient Nest). Father, why do you suddenly ask about this?"
"Your master's whereabouts are unpredictable. After parting at the Abyss of Darkness, there has been no trace of his aura in the universe! If you can learn three-tenths of this concealment skill, the vast world will be yours to explore!"
Zhang Ruochen continued: "You comprehended Six Paths Reincarnation and were reborn from remnant soul, weren't you? Show me, let me see."
Chi Kunlun calmly rose, raised both hands level, and slowly lifted them upward.
"Whoosh!"
As space trembled, the Six Paths Reincarnation Seal manifested behind him. Five halos, Buddha light on the inside, dark light on the outside, with three halos in the middle each of different colors.
And the outermost layer was actually another halo, but it represented the Way of Space, completely merging with space.
Like a swirling reincarnation gate.
Zhang Ruochen watched calmly, saying: "Buddha light inside, darkness outside, exactly opposite to your master's Six Paths Reincarnation. Kunlun, what are the Six Paths?"
Chi Kunlun answered without hesitation: "The Six Paths: space as the foundation, fate as the driving force, life and death before and after, good and evil on both sides."
Zhang Ruochen said: "What does 'good and evil on both sides' mean?"
Chi Kunlun said: "Good on the right, evil on the left, humans in the middle. Those who treat me well, I repay with good. Those who treat me with evil, I repay with evil."
Zhang Ruochen said: "How does the Six Paths reincarnate?"
"Borrowing the power of fate to drive reincarnation." Chi Kunlun said.
Zhang Ruochen said: "Borrow..."
Chi Yao said: "Borrowed power is like rootless duckweed. Once others take it back, you will have nothing."
Chi Kunlun said: "I am cultivating the Path of Fate."
"Do you believe in fate?" Chi Yao said.
Chi Kunlun said: "Without faith, one cannot achieve the Dao. Your son does not think there is anything wrong with this. Ask yourself, does Void Heaven, Feng Tian, or Nutian Shenzun (Heavenly Venerable Nu) not believe in fate?"
Chi Yao was about to speak again but was stopped by Zhang Ruochen.
He said: "Since you have chosen this path, cultivate it well. The theory of Six Paths Reincarnation originates from the ancient Qi Refiners. You should do more research in this area, striving to break free from your master's shadow as soon as possible and walk a path of your own."
"This is the Fortune Gate left to you by the Fate Ancestor, representing the Fortune and Emolument of the Twelve Aspects of Fate. It is the crystallization of his lifelong cultivation. With this gate, you can contend with Divine Venerables. If you fully comprehend and integrate the Dao within it, you should be able to enter the ranks of the Twenty Heavens."
"This is a protective gate. Do you understand the responsibility on your shoulders?"
Zhang Ruochen struck the Fortune Gate into Chi Kunlun's Six Paths Reincarnation Seal.
Chi Kunlun carefully sensed the existence of the Fortune Gate, a hint of confusion in his brow: "May I ask what responsibility Father refers to?"
Zhang Ruochen said: "You are the eldest brother of Kongle, Hongchen, Ying'er, Yuyan, Chuanzong, and the others. You are the ancestor of the hundreds of millions of descendants of the Zhang Clan. Among your siblings, you have the most stable temperament and the richest experience. When your mother and I are not here, you must support this family, protect your younger sisters and brothers, as well as your own wife, children, and descendants. This is the responsibility of a family, and the responsibility of an elder brother!"
Chi Kunlun withdrew his Six Paths Reincarnation Seal, knelt on one knee, and bit his lip, saying: "Father, rest assured. No matter when, even if I have to risk my life, I will protect the Zhang Clan and not let any family member suffer harm."
Zhang Ruochen nodded, saying: "Just in time, there is something I want to entrust to you! The Nine Heavens Celestial World left by the Great Venerable has emerged, suppressing two great evils. Only Zhang Clan descendants can activate the Ancestor power within the Celestial World."
"Since you have returned, go to the Celestial World and help. Everything below the Infinite Realm is your responsibility. Settle the Zhang Clan descendants who have migrated in. The Calamity Elder doesn't like dealing with these troublesome matters. You and Beigong Lan should share more of the burden for him."
Zhang Ruochen took out the Space-Time Chaos Lotus, holding it in his palm, saying: "Your mother and I will be leaving Kunlun Realm for a while. You will take charge of the Space-Time Chaos Lotus, leading your younger siblings, junior brothers, and junior sisters in cultivation. Can you handle this?"
The Space-Time Chaos Lotus could absorb the essence of all matter from the surrounding heaven and earth, gathering it inside the lotus, thereby creating an excellent cultivation environment.
If combined with the Sundial, cultivators who entered would have their cultivation speed increase a thousandfold.
However, the Sundial was currently being used to suppress the mysterious sword cultivator and could not be extracted from the Time Divine Tree.
Fortunately, the time flow inside the Space-Time Chaos Lotus was already far slower than the outside world; it was itself a time treasure.
Chi Yao said: "Your father hopes that you will be the leader of the next generation!"
Chi Kunlun had never expected the Space-Time Chaos Lotus to come so easily. His emotions were complex and difficult to express, saying: "I will not disappoint Father's expectations!"
Chi Yao changed the subject, saying: "The leader is not decided by your father's words, nor by mine, but must be earned through strength. Qing Qing, go and give the order. Have all of your master's disciples and my disciples come to Kunlun Realm, including Hongchen, Yuyan, Ying'er, and Chuanzong. Whoever is strongest and can command the respect of others will take charge of the Space-Time Chaos Lotus."
Qing Qing nodded lightly and left to carry out the order.
In Qing Qing's view, this was just a formality. No one of their generation could defeat Chi Kunlun. Moreover, Chi Kunlun was the legitimate eldest son, once the emperor of the First Central Empire of Kunlun Realm. Who could command more respect than him?
After Chi Kunlun withdrew, Chi Yao said: "Do you really intend to entrust the Space-Time Chaos Lotus and the Celestial World to his charge?"
"What are you worried about?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Chi Yao said: "You know very well that he hides many things in his heart. Especially regarding Father..."
Zhang Ruochen made a silencing gesture, saying: "Senior Jingxiu was willing to be bait, and I granted his wish. But who would want to catch their own son on the hook? Since you are worried that Kunlun might take the wrong path, then recall Kongle. As it stands now, only Kongle, the eldest daughter, can check and balance him."
Chi Yao's competitive spirit was strong, saying: "The two of them indeed need to settle who is superior. The next generation must have a leader who can make the final call."
(End of Chapter)