# Chapter 4008: Zhang Ruochen's Conditions
Qingtian naturally understood what Zhang Ruochen meant by the "second account."
It referred to that time when Zhang Ruochen had successfully transcended the Divine Tribulation outside the Abyss of Darkness, only to have his cultivation crippled by Qingtian's single strike.
To cripple without killing was itself a great taboo.
To bear the karmic consequences now could not be blamed on anyone else.
"Imperial Dust has achieved great cultivation, capable of fighting Half-Ancestors, and carries the momentum of the entire Sword Realm. If you wish to settle accounts, who in this world today would dare not repay?"
Qingtian had already calmed down again, saying: "May I ask Imperial Dust, how do you intend for this old man to repay?"
Zhang Ruochen said: "Before coming to the Hell Realm, Senior Nine Heavens invited me for a drink. He said that back when the Inverse God Clan suffered their extermination calamity, all the clansmen were burning under the Blood Curse, and it was you who brought him back to the Death God Temple in Tiansheng Death Ruins to hide, to avoid the curse. Of course, as everyone later learned, Nine Heavens was not among those cursed."
"He did not plead for you, but I know the purpose of him telling me this."
"You crippled my cultivation, and I originally intended to take your Divine Heart. But Senior Nine Heavens has shown me kindness, and I must give face to him."
"Qingcang, you are a man of dignity, so I will not make a move. Choose a successor yourself, pass on your Divine Heart to him, and make him the future master of Tiannan. From now on, I will not trouble any cultivator of Tiannan. What do you think?"
Qingtian sat like a bell, unmoving, saying: "You want to force me to cripple myself? With your current cultivation, you cannot yet do this, can you?"
Ten zhang in front of Qingtian was his order's small world, which no cultivator could easily break through to harm his true body.
With the divine tree beside him supporting him, he could continuously draw upon the world's energy and the inscriptions left by past sages of Tiansheng Death Ruins. Among them were Half-Ancestor inscriptions and Ancestor inscriptions, allowing him to unleash combat power far beyond his own cultivation realm.
A spiritual power cultivator, when occupying favorable terrain and being fully prepared, could remain undefeated at the same realm.
Even across one realm, they could trade one for one.
It was precisely for this reason that Yunshen Daozhu, as a Half-Ancestor of spiritual power, could become the only being in this world with a chance to self-detonate his Divine Heart before an Ancestor.
Zhang Ruochen's pupils shone with Truth light, and the Abyssal Divine Sword in his hand trembled continuously.
As the power of the God-Defying Stele's substance was released from the sword, the inscriptions beneath the divine tree were affected, gradually becoming faint.
"Death Ruins is indeed a unique place. Here, I truly have no certainty of defeating you. But since Qingtian does not wish to maintain dignity, then let us fight. Let us see whether your formations, talisman patterns, and Death Thought Power are stronger, or whether the sword in my hand will first shatter this heaven and earth?"
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen would never underestimate Qingtian, directly releasing his Ancestor Blood Wings.
Vast blood qi overflowed, contending against the world's power of Death Ruins.
Ancestor Divine Qi and Ancestor Rules collided with the rule inscriptions beneath the divine tree.
A great battle was about to erupt.
Lady Shiji's sweet and pleasant voice rang out in Tiansheng Death Ruins: "Young people have such hot tempers. How deep can the enmity be that you cannot sit down and talk properly?"
This might be the most beautiful sound in the world, diluting the murderous atmosphere, like water extinguishing a blazing fire.
Lady Shiji walked gracefully from the Life-Death Gate, her divine robe sleeves like clouds, her slender waist delicate, her skin white with flowing radiance, her forehead ornament crimson. Languid, noble, cold, proud—various different auras constantly shifted on her.
The breathtaking beauty on her was filled with immortal charm and spiritual energy, making the scene of Death Ruins completely different. No longer deathly still, but instead vibrant with life, like a celestial realm.
This title of "Number One Beauty Through Ten Thousand Ages" was absolutely well-deserved, without any discount.
Lian Xi followed behind her, her beautiful eyes lowered.
Having absorbed the Half-Ancestor divine soul of the Soul Mother and inherited the Half-Ancestor body of the Soul Mother, Lian Xi already possessed extraordinary cultivation. But under Lady Shiji's peerless beauty halo, both her cultivation and beauty were overshadowed, no longer so stunning.
Yet she also gained a kind of worldly beauty that invited pity, without the sense of distance that Lady Shiji had.
From the moment Zhang Ruochen entered Tiansheng Death Ruins, he had been waiting for Lady Shiji to appear. Seeing her now, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Taking revenge on Tiannan, settling accounts, and killing people—these naturally had to be done.
But these were secondary.
Zhang Ruochen had never forgotten the true purpose of coming to the Abyss of Darkness defense line. Charging into Tiannan was only to fish for Lady Shiji, this beautiful mermaid.
If she did not appear, how could he negotiate conditions with her?
Zhang Ruochen remained expressionless, saying coldly: "Lady probably has never had her cultivation crippled by someone, and does not understand what kind of feeling that is. That is why you can say such sarcastic words."
A fragrant breeze arrived.
Lady Shiji's moving figure appeared before Zhang Ruochen and Qingtian.
The smile on her face faded, and she said: "Qingcang is refining the Finite Elixir for me. Before the elixir is completed, no one can touch his life or cultivation."
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew what the word "Finite" represented.
Finite corresponded to "Infinite."
The limit of the Way of Space was Infinity.
The limit of the Way of Time was Eternity.
And the limit of the Way of Light and Darkness was Infinity.
Infinity, Eternity, and Boundlessness were all unattainable realms. That was why the Dark Anomaly had compromised and cultivated the "Myriad Forms Formless" within the Way of Space.
Clearly, Lady Shiji also knew she could not cultivate "Boundlessness," so she had set her Ancestor Path as "Finite."
Zhang Ruochen said: "The Finite Elixir? May I ask Lady, where is the end of darkness within the Finite? Forgive my shallow cultivation, but I cannot yet see the end of darkness. Is the Finite Elixir merely words to placate me?"
Lady Shiji deeply understood that with Zhang Ruochen's current strength, she could no longer easily send him away. She would inevitably need to give an explanation.
She said: "In the ways of this world, it is not only darkness that has the concepts of Finite and Infinite. The way of the Stone Clan cultivators also has the concepts of Finite and Infinite."
"I would like to hear the details," Zhang Ruochen said.
Lady Shiji said: "Do you still remember how Di came into being? The Night Soil was his body, and every star in the Illusory Extinction Star Sea was part of his body."
"After a Stone Clan Half-Ancestor's stone body is decomposed, it can transform into a star sea."
"So, do you understand now?"
"The Stone Clan has a kind of Heavenly Dao, which is to continuously absorb and assimilate matter from the universe, then integrate it into the body, making it part of oneself."
"When there is enough petrified matter, one can naturally advance to Half-Ancestor, or even Ancestor. This coincides precisely with the devouring attribute of the Dark Path!"
Zhang Ruochen pondered, saying: "The petrified matter that Di possessed was the size of the Illusory Extinction Star Sea. If Lady takes this path to prove the Ancestor Dao, how much matter would be needed? The entire Hell Realm?"
"Gathering the matter of the entire Heavenly Court Universe would also be sufficient," Qingtian said.
"One universe! This is your Finite?"
Zhang Ruochen gently shook his head: "If Lady takes this path, what difference is there from the Immortal who wants to harvest the world? This is a dead path, destined to be rejected by all cultivators of the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm. Of course, including the Sword Realm."
Lady Shiji seemed to have anticipated he would say this, her red lips slightly curling as she smiled: "If possessing matter meant one could directly absorb it, then all Stone Clan cultivators could charge toward the Ancestor Great Dao! How could it be that simple?"
"If I wanted to absorb one universe, I would have first absorbed the ten Stone God Stars of the Stone Clan back then, rather than distributing them."
"Actually, to collect enough petrified matter to refine the Finite Elixir, one does not necessarily have to sacrifice the Heavenly Court Universe or the Hell Realm."
"Just one Di possesses enough petrified matter to allow me to take a great step forward. The Jade Desolate Realm, the Abyss of Darkness, the North Marsh Great Wall—any one of these places contains matter that might help me step into the Finite."
"Besides that, the Nightmare Land, the Bridge of Helplessness, and the Nine-Headed Stone Man all contain no less matter than Di."
"Of course, there is also the most important Dark Anomaly, or call it Bai Yuan. I believe that in the long history of countless eons, the matter it devoured through the Dark Path and Space Path absolutely rivals a universe like the Heavenly Court or Hell Realm."
"It is my greatest target."
Zhang Ruochen fell into deep thought, considering the truth of Lady Shiji's words.
Facing an ancient Half-Ancestor like her, he had to be extremely cautious.
After a long while, Zhang Ruochen said: "So, the so-called Finite Elixir is actually to be refined using the two remnant bodies of the Nine-Headed Stone Man plus Di's head?"
"This is only the earliest batch! And only the main ingredients," Qingtian said.
Zhang Ruochen smiled, saying: "Actually, my spiritual power is also very strong, and I possess the Earth Cauldron. When it comes to alchemy, it may not be necessary to rely on him."
"Is this the same?"
Lady Shiji gave him a sidelong glance, saying: "Imperial Dust is the master of the Sword Realm. You must both focus on cultivation and travel the world. How much time do you have to refine elixirs for me? This is the first point."
"Secondly, you speak well now, but if Qingcang is truly crippled by you, who knows what outrageous conditions you might propose to me. How could I entrust this matter to someone I cannot control at all?"
"Thirdly, Qingcang can mobilize the entire Death Clan's power to help me collect resources and matter. Can you mobilize the entire Sword Realm's power to help me do this? Even if you agree, the gods of the Sword Realm would not agree."
Lady Shiji cast a glance at Lian Xi.
Lian Xi stepped forward gracefully, saying softly: "Imperial Dust, Second Master was a Perfect Round cultivator. Killing him has already severely wounded Tiannan. Lady can turn a blind eye to this matter and grant you face."
"As for substance, since Qingtian originally crippled your cultivation and created enmity, compensating with some cultivation resources and divine medicine should be sufficient to make amends."
Zhang Ruochen stared sternly at her, saying in a deep voice: "Lian Xi, after staying by Lady Shiji's side for so long, have you forgotten whose woman you are? Do you need me to help you recall?"
Meeting Zhang Ruochen's sharp gaze, Lian Xi was not angry, but instead felt an inexplicable excitement inside. But she showed none of it on her face, snorting coldly, and silently retreated behind Lady Shiji.
Qingtian said: "This old man has already lived long enough! Imperial Dust's proposal is not impossible, but can we wait until I finish refining the Finite Elixir for Lady Shiji? By then, with an Ancestor protecting Tiannan, this old man will die without regret."
"I cannot wait that long. Who knows if this is a delaying tactic? I want a result today," Zhang Ruochen said.
Lady Shiji was an extremely wise figure. In her impression, Zhang Ruochen rarely acted so aggressively. Facing the Dark Anomaly that might attack White Clothes Valley at any time, he should not be so disregarding of the overall situation.
Zhang Ruochen should understand that killing Second Master was already her bottom line.
If she were to force Qingcang to cripple himself at this critical juncture, how could the Death Clan not fall into chaos?
And what face would she, Lady Shiji, have left? Who would still follow her in the future?
Lady Shiji said: "Zhang Ruochen, even if I do not act, if we truly fight to the death, how much certainty do you have of defeating Qingcang in Death Ruins? How about this: give me one day. One day later, I will give you a satisfactory answer."
"Fine! I must give face to a Half-Ancestor."
Zhang Ruochen was even more decisive than they had imagined. Leaving these words, he directly left Tiansheng Death Ruins.
"Focus on refining the elixir for me. I will handle this matter. Your second disciple offended too many people. Being able to protect him for these tens of thousands of years was already the limit. If he wants to blame anyone, he can only blame himself for not being worthy. If he could have made up for his flaws and truly achieved Perfect Round, how could he have been found?"
Leaving these words, Lady Shiji walked out of the Life-Death Gate with Lian Xi, standing beneath the Time-Reaping Death God Tree covered with fruits like planets.
Lian Xi transmitted sound: "Qingtian will probably bear resentment! Back then, Lady agreed to help protect Second Master, which was why he led the Death Clan to pledge allegiance to you."
"Qingcang is a smart man. He should understand the current situation. Of course, even if he bears resentment, there is nothing to be done. You also saw how resolute Zhang Ruochen's intention to kill Tiannan's Second Master was, with no room for negotiation. Compared to offending him, what is Qingtian's resentment?" Lady Shiji said.
Lian Xi was shocked. In her heart, Lady Shiji had always been in control, with wisdom as deep as the sea, as if there was nothing in the world she could not accomplish.
But when speaking of Zhang Ruochen, her tone actually carried strong fear.
"If I had acted to save him, Heavenly Mother would definitely have intervened. Not to mention the hatred between the Rakshasa Clan and the Quantity Organization, just the fact that she obtained the Houtu Wedding Gown from Zhang Ruochen means she would definitely help Zhang Ruochen block all enemies above Half-Ancestor."
Lady Shiji looked at Lian Xi, saying: "In front of Qingcang, many things are not convenient to discuss. Go find Zhang Ruochen alone. I want to know what he truly wants."
Lian Xi said: "Lady, aren't we too weak this time?"
"Zhang Ruochen carries the residual momentum of defeating the Dark Anomaly. Right now, his edge is fully exposed. What benefit is there for me to clash head-on with him? Only by appropriately showing weakness can I make him reveal his true purpose first. Whoever's true purpose is revealed first will be more passive from then on."
Lady Shiji also had her own plans. What she wanted to obtain from Zhang Ruochen went far beyond just protecting Qingtian.
Lady Shiji said: "You won't tell him what I said, will you?"
"Lady can rest assured, Lian Xi will definitely keep silent."
"Tired. Time to go back for a short rest. There are more and more troublesome matters. I cannot handle everything myself. I need to think of a way to be lazy."
Lady Shiji stretched lazily, turned into a wisp of white light, and disappeared into the void.
...
The next day, Lian Xi dragged her exhausted body back to the Glazed Divine Temple, her expression strange, and cautiously reported to Lady Shiji: "Imperial Dust... Imperial Dust said that if he wants to change his mind, unless Lady marries into the Sword Realm. Once she is one of his own, naturally he can let it go."
Lady Shiji lay languidly on the jade couch, only covered by a wisp of half-silver, half-blue light gauze, saying: "So, you still told him what I said yesterday, which is why he opened his mouth so wide, wanting to swallow me whole in one bite. Otherwise, with his current cultivation, how would he dare to be so greedy? At the very least, he should wait until he reaches the Half-Ancestor realm before daring."
(End of Chapter)