Chapter 3983: The Envoy's Intent
The Divine Martial Envoy's imposing aura was extremely strong, the radiance blooming from between his brows brighter than the light emitted by the thousands of Divine Throne Planets belonging to the gods of the Thousand Bone Camp and the countless stars in the sky. He resembled a deity transcending the universe itself, inspiring awe and reverence.
Zhang Ruochen and the Dragon Lord's arrival, with their might radiating outward, shattered his imposing aura, diluted the sense of inferiority among the gods of the Thousand Bone Camp, and lifted their flagging morale. War banners rustled loudly in the distance. It was conceivable that, setting aside the innate reverence for the Divine Realm, as long as Zhang Ruochen gave the order, all the gods would dare to follow him and charge into the Divine Realm itself.
This was the battle record Zhang Ruochen had forged through countless victories, the confidence and authority he had instilled in them. It was also the hearts he had won over fifty thousand years by bestowing grace upon the world.
The Divine Martial Envoy's spiritual will locked onto Zhang Ruochen. "Are you Zhang Ruochen?"
"Does the likes of you have the right to utter this Emperor's name directly? Since you have come to the Wuding Divine Sea to pay a visit, you should show this Emperor sufficient respect. Otherwise, you are no guest!" Zhang Ruochen's every word carried the weight of a thousand jun, each syllable pressing down upon the starry river.
The Divine Martial Envoy said, "Is it important whether I am a guest or not?"
"The Sword Realm has its own way of treating guests. A guest is respected. One who is not a guest is rejected."
Zhang Ruochen did not care much about titles when interacting with cultivators of the Sword Realm. But against an outsider who disrespected him and the cultivators of the Sword Realm, he had to make sure the other party learned a lesson. Otherwise, all he would get in return was further contempt and arrogance. This was not just about his own honor or disgrace.
The Divine Martial Envoy pondered for a moment, then said, "Forgive me, Imperial Dust. This Envoy has truly come with the sincere intention of rescuing the living beings of the various realms in the Wuding Divine Sea, and by no means meant to offend. I wonder where the Flower Shadow Half-Ancestor is? There are some matters that must be discussed with him face to face."
Clearly, the other party still felt Zhang Ruochen lacked sufficient weight.
Zhang Ruochen responded with a smile. "All matters concerning the Sword Realm can be decided by this Emperor. Speaking with me is the same."
The Qiangu Nüdi put away the Wujian Divine Sword and walked out from behind the formation's light curtain, her heroic bearing unmatched in the world. Nowadays, no one talked about her beauty anymore, because her cultivation, her stunning talent, and her wise and valiant charm had long since overshadowed that attribute. She appeared on Zhang Ruochen's other side, scrutinizing the Divine Martial Envoy up close, and transmitted her voice: "Is he really an envoy from the Divine Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen neither confirmed nor denied it. "We'll know after we meet him."
The Qiangu Nüdi added, "A man arrogant to the bone suddenly lowers his stance and suppresses himself. That means he must have a grand scheme."
"Let's first see what he wants to do," Zhang Ruochen said.
...
The Divine Martial Envoy made his decision. "This Envoy has shown Imperial Dust sufficient respect. Shouldn't Imperial Dust invite me into the Sword Realm? Or are we to talk here in the void? Is this the way to treat a guest?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I am truly sorry. For an expert like yourself, who would dare to lightly invite you into the realm? If you harbor ill intentions, the consequences would be unthinkable. If you were to self-detonate your Divine Source, it would be a calamity no less severe than an Ancestor's disaster. I hope the Envoy can understand!"
The Dragon Lord said, "Why doesn't the Envoy first tell us how you plan to help the Sword Realm deal with the Ancestor's disaster? If we feel your sincerity, we will naturally treat you with courtesy, welcome you with a feast, and invite you into the Sword Realm."
Zhang Ruochen thought of something and said, "Regarding the Divine Realm, we have the greatest longing and respect. But we are afraid that, as the legends say..."
He stopped there.
The Divine Martial Envoy asked, "What do the legends say?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Legend has it that the so-called Divine Realm is the Divine Realm World of a certain Immortal. The blood energy and souls sacrificed every year on the Winter Solstice are used to nourish that Immortal. And the Divine Martial Marks bestowed by the Divine Realm are actually meant to control the life and death of all cultivators in the universe. Of course, these are just legends, and I mean no offense."
The Divine Martial Envoy's tone was filled with coldness. "All nonsense! This must be the scheme of some malicious individual. Imperial Dust is wise and mighty; surely you don't believe such things?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Of course I don't."
The Dragon Lord was thoughtful. "I do have a doubt. May I ask the Envoy, why did the Divine Realm release that black hand of the Dark Abyss fifty thousand years ago?"
If the Divine Realm had not released the black hand, luring away the Lamp Master, the Dark Abyss of the Sword God Temple might have already been suppressed by the World Tree of the Heavenly Court and the Yama Clan. The mysterious sword cultivator would never have dared to break into the Heavenly Academy to rescue the remnant of the Dark Abyss. It was precisely because of this that cultivators across the world, including Zhang Ruochen and the Dragon Lord, were wary of the Divine Realm, even subconsciously hostile.
The Divine Martial Envoy said, "This Envoy has heard of this matter, but I am not clear on the specifics. When I return to the Divine Realm, I will certainly investigate and give you all an explanation."
The Qiangu Nüdi said, "I am very interested in the Divine Realm. I wonder if the Envoy could enlighten us a little?"
The Divine Martial Envoy avoided the question. "The Ancestor's disaster is imminent. Why don't we first discuss the main business?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Other matters are indeed of little importance. Let's first hear the Envoy's wise opinion."
The Divine Martial Envoy said, "As everyone knows, the so-called Ancestor's disaster refers to the Great Demon God imprisoned in the Nether Prison."
"Now, fifty thousand years have passed. The fluctuations in the starry domain where the Nether Prison is located have become increasingly active. Once the Ancestor emerges, it will mean that the three Half-Ancestors who entered the prison have fallen. This further demonstrates the ferocity of the Great Demon God."
"In the current universe, the Heavenly Court, the Sword Realm, the Hell Realm, and the Primordial Beings are each operating independently, checking and balancing one another. Individually, none of them can withstand the Great Demon God. Only by uniting and borrowing the power of all living beings can we fight."
Zhang Ruochen was thoughtful. "These words do carry some truth!"
The Divine Martial Envoy said, "But you four powers do not trust each other and cannot cooperate sincerely. That is why the Divine Realm had no choice but to send envoys to lobby all sides."
The Qiangu Nüdi did not trust the Divine Realm, nor did she trust this Divine Martial Envoy of unknown origin. "For fifty thousand years, the Great Demon God has not escaped. This shows he is not that strong."
"At the same time, Hao Tian, Heavenly Mother, and Lady Shiji have bought us fifty thousand years. Whether it is the Sword Realm, the Heavenly Court, or the Hell Realm, their overall strength has risen to a new level. We have enough confidence to block a struggling Ancestor."
The Divine Martial Envoy said, "Relying on your pitiful War Ancestor Divine Army? Forgive this Envoy for speaking bluntly, but an Ancestor, no matter how weak, is not something that mortals like you can resist. Only by borrowing the power of the Divine Realm and integrating the power of the entire universe can he be suppressed again."
A cold light flickered in the Qiangu Nüdi's eyes. This was already the several time today she had heard the words "mortals like you" from the Divine Martial Envoy's mouth. It was only because Zhang Ruochen and the Dragon Lord had good tempers that they could listen to his arrogant remarks with equanimity. Those who cultivated the way of the blade must not lose their momentum. Those who cultivated the way of the sword must not lose their sharpness.
Zhang Ruochen said, "There should be more than one Divine Martial Envoy, right? I heard that the Divine Martial Envoy who went to the Heavenly Court did not have a smooth negotiation and even clashed."
The Divine Martial Envoy was nonchalant. "Imperial Dust need not worry about that. Faced with life and death, the Heavenly Venerables of the Heavenly Court will inevitably compromise. Besides, although their cultivation is mediocre, they are not fools. They surely understand the principle of win-win cooperation."
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Sword Realm is very willing to cooperate with all parties to jointly deal with the Ancestor's disaster."
The Divine Martial Envoy nodded approvingly. "Imperial Dust is truly the foremost hero of this era!"
"Then what do we need to do?"
"Imperial Dust only needs to hand over the command authority of the Sword Realm's cultivators to this Envoy, including the control of all divine formations on the Wuding Divine Sea. Then, the Ancestor's disaster can be easily resolved."
Zhang Ruochen showed a surprised expression, then gave a faint smile.
The Dragon Lord and the Qiangu Nüdi re-examined the Divine Martial Envoy opposite them, wanting to see if he truly intended to help the Wuding Divine Sea survive the Ancestor's disaster, or if he was deliberately provoking them. Such words did not seem like something a rational person would say.
The Divine Martial Envoy seemed to realize his previous words were somewhat inappropriate and added, "The Heavenly Court, the Hell Realm, and the Primordial Beings will naturally do the same. Led by the four Divine Martial Envoys, we can form a true army and proactively attack the Nether Prison, eliminating the hidden danger before it escapes. Otherwise, once the Great Demon God emerges, even if we can repel him, it will be extremely difficult to suppress and seal him again."
Zhang Ruochen said, "This Emperor now understands the Divine Realm's intention. You plan to unite the forces of the universe and proactively attack the Nether Prison?"
The Divine Martial Envoy nodded.
Zhang Ruochen said, "What if the Great Demon God self-detonates his Divine Source? Wouldn't that wipe us all out in one fell swoop?"
The Divine Martial Envoy said, "Imperial Dust is worrying too much!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "This Emperor has personally seen the consciousness sea of an ancient powerhouse tampered with, turning him into a tool for self-detonating his Divine Source. I have also seen an Indestructible Infinite controlled, nearly self-detonating his Divine Source. The Great Demon God has been suppressed for so many years without dying. Who knows if it is the work of an Immortal? Who knows if, in his weakened state, his soul has been tampered with?"
"To be honest, the Sword Realm is not afraid of the Ancestor's disaster. What it fears is the Immortal hidden in the shadows."
Zhang Ruochen's eyes were fixed on the Divine Martial Envoy. "Envoy, you overestimate the influence of the Divine Realm over mortals like us. With just a few words, you want to seize power. Who gave you that confidence? Setting aside the fact that I do not trust you at all, your strength is far from sufficient to lead the Sword Realm."
Zhang Ruochen's self-deprecating use of "mortals like us" was both an expression of his ordinary mindset and a counter to the Divine Martial Envoy's earlier belittling remark of "mortals like you."
"Chi chi!"
The halo between the Divine Martial Envoy's brows grew brighter, as if burning. Everyone could feel the anger radiating from him, clearly unwilling to continue suppressing himself.
"Zhang Ruochen, you are truly arrogant. This Envoy calling you the foremost hero of this era was merely giving you some face. In the eyes of the Divine Realm, what are you and those behind you?" the Divine Martial Envoy said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Can't take it anymore? Your arrogance earlier far exceeded mine."
The Divine Martial Envoy said, "Do you know what the consequences are for opposing the Divine Realm?"
The Divine Martial Marks between the brows of the Dragon Lord and the Qiangu Nüdi, beyond their control, manifested, emitting a bright light and radiating a terrifying heat that burned their physical bodies. Their expressions turned solemn. They immediately retreated, releasing their Rule Divine Patterns and using their Profound Meaning to mobilize the rules of heaven and earth to protect their bodies and isolate the outside world.
Zhang Ruochen was unaffected. Instead, he stepped forward, still confronting the Divine Martial Envoy. "I don't know! Why doesn't the Envoy first tell me who the master of the Divine Realm is? On whose orders are you acting? So that this Emperor can know which sacred being he has offended."
"If you want to know, go to the Divine Realm and find the answer yourself!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I will go, sooner or later. I hope the envoys sent down from the Divine Realm are not all as arrogant as you. Otherwise, you won't be able to negotiate with any party."
"If I were you, I would first understand the people and affairs of this universe, especially getting to know me, Zhang Ruochen, instead of coming here and flaunting how extraordinary you are, demanding that everyone obey your commands. The way you look now makes me think you are very foolish."
The Divine Martial Envoy could no longer remain calm. "Zhang Ruochen, one day, you will come begging to this Envoy. Then, look back at your attitude now. You will surely regret it. Farewell!"
"Envoy, wait! You said earlier that the War Ancestor Divine Army is pitiful. This Emperor, as the Camp Master of the Chen Bai Camp of the War Ancestor Divine Army, would like to exchange a few moves with you."
Zhang Ruochen raised his hand and assumed a stance. A gentle breeze coiled around his fingers, his sleeves like clouds, seemingly soft and powerless. But billions of miles away, a cosmic storm was stirred up, causing the colorful nebula to flow rapidly and space to twist violently.
He struck out with a palm from afar. It was the prehistoric divine ability he had learned from Zangjin Baihu, the first form of the Origin Eight Methods, the Taiqing Cloud-Pushing Hand.
Having reached the Indestructible Infinite realm, Zhang Ruochen had finally come to truly appreciate the profoundness of the Origin Eight Methods.
The Divine Martial Envoy moved all four hands simultaneously, forming different finger seals. In the void, four divine power rivers of different colors manifested, moving with the finger seals to meet the invisible palm force. At the same time, the halo between his brows flickered rhythmically, brightening and dimming.
"Hua!"
The four divine power rivers were dispersed by the invisible force, as easily as a palm piercing through clouds and smoke.
"Boom!"
The Divine Martial Envoy was sent flying by Zhang Ruochen's palm, pushed out of the starry domain where the Wuding Divine Sea was located, and thrown countless billions of miles away.
"Your Divine Martial Mark... how is it unaffected? You... how is this possible? Zhang Ruochen, this Envoy has just arrived in this universe and is unfamiliar with its rules and order. You got the upper hand by luck. I will surely seek a rematch in the future!"
The Divine Martial Envoy's voice came from deep within the starry sky, only to provoke a burst of laughter from the gods of the Thousand Bone Camp.
"I hope the Divine Martial Envoys of the Divine Realm are not all such blindly confident individuals. Otherwise, I will be greatly disappointed in the Divine Realm," the Dragon Lord said.
Zhang Ruochen's expression was solemn and worried. "I would rather the Divine Martial Envoys were all like this, making them easier to deal with. I'm just afraid... at this critical juncture, I really don't know if they truly want to help us deal with the Ancestor's disaster or if they are here to cause trouble."
From his earlier exchange with the Divine Martial Envoy, Zhang Ruochen had already sensed the other party's strength. Even with the Dragon Lord and the Thousand Bone Camp added, they could not have held him back.
The Qiangu Nüdi looked back at the "Thousand Bone Camp" war banner. The sharpness in her eyes faded. "Xiu Chen Heavenly God has stepped into the Indestructible Infinite realm, hasn't he? I have accumulated enough in the early stage of the Indestructible Infinite. It's time to borrow the Sundial and break through to the middle stage. Imperial Dust, find someone else to be the Camp Master of the Thousand Bone Camp. I am taking this banner with me today!"
Zhang Ruochen understood very well that the Qiangu Nüdi was brooding over her earlier defeat, blaming it all on herself.
"Borrowing the Sundial is fine, but I will still keep the banner of the Thousand Bone Camp erected here for you. I await your emergence from seclusion. I believe in your ability and your future strength."
Zhang Ruochen looked at the solemn-faced gods of the Thousand Bone Camp, including Xiao Hei and Hanxue. "A single defeat is nothing. Consider it an early training exercise."
"But, just facing a Divine Martial Envoy, your state of mind suffered such a great shock. How will you face the Ancestor in the future? I have said it before: to fight the Ancestor, the hardest part is not strength, but overcoming the fear in your heart and having the courage to fight him. I believe none of you fear death and are prepared to die for the Sword Realm. But how many of you can look the Ancestor in the eye without your resolve wavering?"
...
[Author's Note: In the previous chapter, I wrote that the Sundial was activated for 50,000 years, with an internal time of over 18 million years. Many readers complained, thinking there was a problem with the writing. There is no problem here! This is also why many things in this book must be explained repeatedly. Because this book is too long and has been written for too long, it's normal for everyone to forget. It is also because many parts that everyone thinks are filler are actually bringing out necessary details and settings, but everyone skims over them. Some plot threads might have been laid in 2017 or 2018 and only filled in 2023, spanning five or six years. High school students from back then have already graduated from university. So, many things can't be helped; they must be explained repeatedly.]