Chapter 4090: I Have a Strategy
Outside the Death God Temple.
Third Senior and Seventh Senior knelt on one knee before Qingtian, recounting their experiences in the Underworld Clan and Stone Clan.
Qingtian’s eyes were lowered, half-closed, as he said, “Although Gong Xuanzang and Shi Bei’ya are among the Heavens, above them, the Underworld Clan has Nutian Shenzun, and the Stone Clan has Lady Shiji. They cannot be blamed.”
“Since ancient times, strength has determined status. In this era, one must be at least a Half-Ancestor to play the game.”
“Zhang Ruochen, riding the Golden Lion Ancestor as his mount, cleaving the Dark Anomaly with his sword, settled the storm with a single battle, forging the momentum he holds today.”
Third Senior was indignant, his voice cold: “It was precisely this battle that made even Lady Shiji…”
Qingtian shot him a glare.
Third Senior felt as if struck by lightning, his body stiffening. The words at his lips seemed caught in his throat, unable to emerge.
Seventh Senior knew Third Senior had violated a taboo and changed the subject, saying, “The life-or-death battle between Second Senior and the Ice King is not yet over. However, it is said that the Ice King’s cultivation has already broken through to the middle stage of Indestructible Infinite.”
“That is the path he chose back then. All the karma, he must bear himself. Xia Huangchao is proud; he will not allow outsiders to interfere in this battle. That is already the best outcome.”
Qingtian’s mind had long since calmed. Suddenly, a strange light flickered in his eyes as he looked toward the entrance of the Heavenly Palace Hall.
A disheveled figure stood there.
The figure walked in step by step, the pungent smell of alcohol spreading through the hall.
“Senior Brother!”
Third Senior and Seventh Senior both bowed to the Old Drunkard, their expressions a mix of shock and joy.
A rare smile appeared on Qingtian’s wrinkled face, tinged with emotion and nostalgia: “I didn’t expect you to return to Tiannan.”
The Old Drunkard plopped down opposite Qingtian.
This seat was something Third Senior and Seventh Senior wouldn’t even dare to imagine—it represented equality with their master.
Casually pulling out his gourd and taking a sip, the Old Drunkard said, “I didn’t want to come, but after drinking too much, I unconsciously ended up back in Tiannan. But something’s off—this isn’t Tiannan, is it?”
“Senior Brother, the Tiannan Star Domain has been relocated to the Abyss of Darkness defense line,” Seventh Senior reminded him.
Third Senior said, “Senior Brother, Tiannan is facing an unprecedented crisis. The Underworld Clan and Stone Clan have abandoned us to save themselves. For you to return at this moment is the utmost loyalty. I cannot express my respect in words.”
“Stop putting a crown on my head.”
The Old Drunkard spat, nearly hitting Third Senior, and said, “Second Senior took the wrong path, allying with the Quantity Organization, manipulating the war, treating the gods of Hell Realm like monkeys, and offending Fengdu Ghost City, the Rakshasa Clan, and the Undying Blood Clan to the core. If he doesn’t die, the entire Tiannan will perish. In this era, don’t be surprised even if an entire clan is wiped out.”
Third Senior said, “Zhang Ruochen goes too far. He not only wants Second Senior’s life but also forces Master to cripple himself. Senior Brother, I know you are now a cultivator of the Sword Realm, standing with Zhang Ruochen. But don’t forget how many years you cultivated in Tiannan. Can you just watch him bully Tiannan and bully Master?”
The Old Drunkard stood up, walked over, and slapped Third Senior hard across the face. Then he calmly returned to his seat and said, “No respect for seniority. Needs discipline.”
Third Senior stood still, his face swelling. His eyes remained cold, but he dared not speak further.
The Old Drunkard met Qingtian’s gaze and said, “Third Senior should stay home more in the future, lest his careless words bring unnecessary trouble to Tiannan.”
Qingtian nodded slightly.
The Old Drunkard continued, “From my understanding of Zhang Ruochen, he is not one to hold grudges. He hasn’t even exterminated the cultivators of the Heavenly Realm Faction.”
“Crippling you would only vent his anger, with no benefit to him. It would instead destabilize the Hell Realm.”
“For the sake of stability, Fengdu Dadi and Heavenly Mother have held back against Second Senior. Zhang Ruochen knows the terror of the Immortals and wouldn’t go that far.”
Qingtian said, “Are you telling me his true purpose? If he finds out about this, the Sword Realm may not have a place for you.”
The Old Drunkard laughed heartily: “Do you know why I admire him? Why I follow his lead despite the age difference? Because he cannot be such a narrow-minded person!”
His laughter fading, the Old Drunkard said, “For the Heavenly Court, Sword Realm, and Hell Realm, the most important task now is to quickly master means to counter the Ancestors. One of the Sword Realm’s strategies is to collect the Seventy-Two Layer Tower.”
Qingtian said, “I understand. Zhang Ruochen’s target is the Ghost Gate Pass in Lady Shiji’s hands.”
“Not just that.”
The Old Drunkard continued, “There’s also Di. Di captured the Divine Martial Envoy Wu Shi and gave him to Zhang Ruochen, but secretly took the Hundred Banners Chaos Diagram, a treasure the God Realm used to counter the Ancestor calamity. Zhang Ruochen must reclaim the Hundred Banners Chaos Diagram, or the Sword Realm will be the God Realm’s first target.”
“With the Hundred Banners Chaos Diagram, the Sword Realm would have a second means to counter the Ancestors.”
“To find Di, even with Huaying Half-Ancestor’s spiritual power, Di’s head is needed to calculate his location.”
Seventh Senior said, “Although Emperor Chen is strong, Lady Shiji is a Half-Ancestor. Taking the Ghost Gate Pass and Di’s head from her is nearly impossible.”
The Old Drunkard snorted coldly: “Then why did he target Tiannan? If Tiannan falls, what face does Lady Shiji have left? Though this is far from forcing Lady Shiji to compromise, it seizes the initiative. The subsequent negotiations will be easier, and the price to pay smaller.”
Third Senior said, “So, Tiannan’s calamity doesn’t exist? As long as Lady Shiji agrees to Zhang Ruochen’s terms, everything will pass?”
The Old Drunkard shot him a cold look: “Given Zhang Ruochen’s current cultivation and status, the debts can be temporarily set aside because of Lady Shiji. But they will be repaid in the future, and the higher his cultivation, the more you will have to repay.”
“I have a strategy that might work.”
“Zhang Ruochen won’t care what you say, only what you do. Of course, I believe you, old immortal, are not in the same boat as Second Senior, and have the resolve to fight the Immortals. But Zhang Ruochen won’t believe it. Even Lady Shiji, Heavenly Mother, and Fengdu Dadi don’t trust you completely.”
“Start the Death God Sacrifice. Help him find Di. Perhaps this can also locate the Dark Anomaly that is fusing with its remnant body. This is Tiannan’s only way out!”
Third Senior and Seventh Senior were astonished and asked, “Death God Sacrifice? What is the Death God Sacrifice?”
No one answered them.
Qingtian pondered for a long time, then said, “Di’s head is of great use to Lady Shiji. She won’t let Zhang Ruochen take it back to the Sword Realm. Besides, although Huaying Cangjie’s spiritual power has reached the ninety-fourth level, he specializes in formations. Even with Di’s head, his chance of calculating Di’s hiding place is only fifty percent.”
The Old Drunkard said, “In calculating heavenly secrets, Tiannan is no less than the Destiny Temple or the Murong Clan. But the Murong Clan has no successors, and Xu Fengjin’s spiritual power is far inferior to yours. He’s obsessed with martial arts. Even with the Heavenly Mechanism Brush and the Destiny Heavenly Book, he can’t compare to you.”
“Tiannan has no Half-Ancestor. If it doesn’t show its value, it will only become a sacrifice. Old immortal, you’re not really going to blow up your divine heart and take the entire Tiannan down with you, are you?”
“Anyway, I’ve said what I should and shouldn’t say. The choice is yours.”
…
White Clothes Valley.
Zhang Ruochen ascended the Nine Heavens Celestial World brought back from the Ancient Desolate Ruins City, gazing at the “Underworld River” and “Dark Hand” sealed within the Nine-Colored Chaos Divine Qi.
The Nine Heavens, nine great worlds, were all desolate, with few cultivators to be seen.
“Descendants of the Zhang Clan with the Great Venerable’s bloodline can, to some extent, mobilize the Ancestral power of the Nine Heavens Celestial World. I now understand Old Man Jie somewhat. God Venerable, your lineage is truly sparse. In the past, there was the Withering Death Art. Now, do you plan to expand the clan?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Nutian Shenzun radiated nine-colored light, and the sound of wind and thunder could be heard with each breath.
His blood energy was surging, his aura far stronger than before.
Clearly, after breaking free from the Withering Death Art, with the aid of the Nine Heavens Celestial World and the Underworld River, Nutian Shenzun’s cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.
Nutian Shenzun said, “The sparse population of White Clothes Valley is not only due to the Withering Death Art but also the Buddhist teachings left by the Sixth Patriarch and Yinshui Tian. Those who cultivate Buddhism have weak desires. Moreover, the Underworld Clan reproduces far more slowly than humans.”
Zhang Ruochen did not delve deeper into this topic and asked, “How far is God Venerable from the Half-Ancestor realm?”
Nutian Shenzun said, “One step away! Either a single step, or an endless distance.”
“What does this step refer to?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Nutian Shenzun stared at the winding, vast Underworld River, feeling its mysterious aura, and said, “Over the years, I have gained more insights from the Underworld River than from the Nine Heavens Celestial World. Perhaps it’s because I primarily cultivate the *Underworld Scripture*, not the *Bright King Scripture*.”
“I intend to refine this Underworld River into my Underworld River Dharma Form to assault the Half-Ancestor realm.”
Zhang Ruochen’s expression turned serious. “This Underworld River is part of the Underworld Ancestor’s Divine Realm World and has developed its own spiritual will. Does God Venerable have the confidence to tame it? Or to extinguish its spiritual will?”
Nutian Shenzun shook his head. “If I had the confidence, I wouldn’t have waited until now.”
“Use the Sword Heart. Even if you can’t cut off its spiritual will, you should be able to severely wound it to the point where it can’t resist God Venerable,” Zhang Ruochen said, not daring to boast lightly. After all, the Underworld River involved the Immortal.
If it were so easy to extinguish, the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable would have done so back then.
Like that Dark Hand, even though the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable had once extinguished its spiritual will, a new soul was born years later.
Zhang Ruochen said, “The hidden danger is great. God Venerable must make this decision carefully.”
“You mean the Underworld Ancestor?”
Nutian Shenzun’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit. “I don’t know what the future holds. But for now, all cultivators in the world know that the Dark Anomaly has set White Clothes Valley as its next target. If I don’t break through to the Half-Ancestor realm, how can I fight it? Ruochen, the arrow is already on the string. I have no retreat!”
Zhang Ruochen stared intently into Nutian Shenzun’s eyes, seeing his unwavering resolve, and said, “Chan Bing, go find Void Heaven and bring the Sword Heart here!”
Chan Bing looked at him coldly, feeling that Zhang Ruochen was disrespecting her, especially with Nutian Shenzun present.
If she wouldn’t be called “Ice Ancestor,” at least “Ice Senior” was acceptable.
Zhang Ruochen raised his voice. “Sister Bing!”
“I heard you!”
Chan Bing turned and left.
Nutian Shenzun looked meaningfully at Chan Bing’s retreating figure and said, “If I refine the Underworld River, you must guard White Clothes Valley for a time. The Dark Hand can only be suppressed by you. You have found the Great Venerable’s Eighteen Heavens Celestial World. With these nine, that makes twenty-seven complete. Do you have the confidence to face the Dark Anomaly?”
Zhang Ruochen smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Borrowing the Ancestral power of the Eighteen Heavens Celestial World to unleash the Sword Heart already backfired to the point of losing consciousness. To bear the Ancestral power of twenty-seven Heavens Celestial Worlds? How could that be easy? Unless I break through another realm.”
“How long until you break through another realm?” Nutian Shenzun asked.
Zhang Ruochen sighed. “I have found the path, but it cannot be done overnight. I hope time allows.”
“Indeed, time is too pressing.”
Nutian Shenzun said, “How do you plan to handle the grudge with Tiannan? I didn’t want to ask, but over the past two days, groups of Death Clan gods have come to White Clothes Valley to seek help from me. Several of the more radical ones even burned their divine bodies to force my hand.”
“These people are not afraid of death at all!” Zhang Ruochen said.
Nutian Shenzun said, “Tiannan is the banner of the Death Clan! If you were in such a situation, there would be no shortage of cultivators in the Sword Realm willing to die for you.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “I no longer hold much hatred for Qingcang. I targeted him because he was too protective of Tiannan’s Second Senior. At the same time, I’m using this matter to negotiate a deal with Lady Shiji. If Qingcang can’t repay the debt, let Lady Shiji do it. After all, she claims to be the master of the Death Clan.”
Void Heaven’s impatient voice drifted from beyond the sky: “Zhang Ruochen, if you’re willing to lend it, lend it. If not, forget it. I haven’t even had it for a few days, and I haven’t warmed it up yet!”
“Fine, then I won’t lend it!” Zhang Ruochen said.
Void Heaven and Chan Bing appeared in the Nine Heavens Celestial World.
Void Heaven didn’t mention the Sword Heart loan at all and said, “I just heard you talking about making a deal with Lady Shiji? What deal?”
“This has nothing to do with you. Don’t pry,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“Shua!”
Jue Miao Chan Nu appeared in the Nine Heavens Celestial World, looking at Zhang Ruochen with a complex and puzzled expression. “Lady Shiji just announced to the outside world that if Emperor Chen truly wishes to marry her, he must use the Houtu Wedding Gown as a betrothal gift and give her the status of Empress.”
Nutian Shenzun looked at Zhang Ruochen with a scrutinizing gaze.
Chan Bing snorted coldly, already used to it. She knew too many of Zhang Ruochen’s secrets, especially the origins of Wu Yue’s two children.
“This can be a deal?”
Even Void Heaven, with all his experience, was stunned. For a moment, he felt that his years of obsession with sword cultivation had caused him to miss many things and many people.
Zhang Ruochen hadn’t expected Lady Shiji to pull this move either. He muttered to himself, “Is this playing right into her hands?”
Recommended a friend’s book: *Fengshen: I, Di Xin, Will No Longer Simulate*.
“‘The Shang dynasty is ending; the Zhou dynasty is about to rise?’”
When Di Xin first saw these words, he only sneered.
But when he saw in the simulator the fall of the Shang, the suffering of his people, and the machinations of the saints that he could not overcome no matter how he struggled, he realized that everything in the mortal world was merely a game for the saints.
Can man not overcome heaven? Di Xin… did not believe it!
With the simulator in hand, Di Xin, years later, could finally say to his people the words he had hidden in his heart for so long—
“If the saints do not die, the great thieves will never cease!”
(End of chapter)