# Chapter 4066: Heavenly Will
Zhang Ruochen made a symbolic visit to the former site of the Darkness Temple in the Sword Realm, then left and headed toward Qiankun Continent.
With such an elaborate scheme laid out by the other side, how could they possibly leave any clues in the Darkness Temple?
But if he didn't go, wouldn't that contradict the stubbornness he had been performing?
Facing the Nether Ancestor, Zhang Ruochen deeply understood that he had no chance of winning. The only thing he could do now was to show weakness to the enemy as much as possible and expose more vulnerabilities.
When the Nether Ancestor was paying attention to him, he could do nothing!
For the next round, if Zhang Ruochen wanted to accomplish something, he first had to shift the Nether Ancestor's attention away from himself.
...
Qiankun Continent was the Qiankun Realm formed from the Cosmic Divine Wood Map left behind by Xumi Saint Monk. Zhang Ruochen had placed it to the east of Qingmu Continent, separated only by a strait several dozen miles wide.
This strait had now become the busiest waterway in the entire Sword Realm.
Over a hundred thousand years had passed, and the once barren shores of the strait now had port cities built on both sides, filled with cultivators, prosperous and flourishing.
For cultivators below the Divine Realm, these two port cities could already be considered ancient cities, having weathered the baptism of countless years.
On Qiankun Continent, led by Kong Lanyou, the Holy Bright Central Empire had been established.
The original inhabitants of the empire were descendants of the Sacred Bright remnants, mostly from the Kunlun Realm.
Beneath Qiankun Continent flowed a main divine vein, rich in heaven and earth energy.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen had placed the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, the Sword Mountain, the Sea Gold Divine Mulberry, and the Sixth Patriarch's Buddha World, along with other treasures, on the continent, establishing Qiankun Continent's special status within the Sword Realm.
After thousands of large worlds were moved to the Wuding Divine Sea, elite cultivators from all realms flooded into the Sword Realm, invisibly driving further development of Qiankun Continent.
Deities from various large worlds had established sect forces within the Holy Bright Central Empire.
Those deities from the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm who had initially submitted to Zhang Ruochen—such as "Huang Daozi" from the Talisman Spirit Realm, "Second Elder" from the Array Destruction Palace, the Tai Xu Great Gods "Chi Xuan Ghost Lord" and "Wu Gan" from the Darkness Temple, the Great God "Xue Mu" from the Corpse Clan, the Great God "Huang" from the Bone Clan, "Yuan Tian Lord" and "Chi Hun Lord" from the Death Clan... and other cultivators—had all set up their divine halls on Qiankun Continent.
However, in the current Sword Realm, the vast majority of deities had gone to the Yu Huang Realm, with very few remaining behind.
The Sixth Patriarch's Buddha World was a Buddhist land perpetually shrouded in golden light, located in the western part of Qiankun Continent, where many temples and meditation halls had been built.
In the extreme west of the Buddhist land, facing the sea, lay a mountain range thousands of miles long. Here, deathly energy abounded, undead spirits could be seen everywhere, completely out of place with the outside world.
Zhang Ruochen arrived at the foot of this mountain range and walked along the winding stone path, step by step toward the Death Zen Temple at the summit. He walked unhurriedly, pondering something.
There were many Buddhist cultivators along the way, but none were evil; each appeared kind and compassionate.
Among them were even female Buddhist cultivators with hair, possessing outstanding appearances and dignified, serene temperaments.
After walking for half a day, Zhang Ruochen finally arrived outside the temple gate near the mountaintop. Amidst the incense smoke and bustling figures, he spotted at a glance the Heart Technique Buddhist Master waiting early by the stone carving beside the gate.
The Heart Technique Buddhist Master had once entered the Sundial to cultivate and was now several hundred thousand years old. He no longer looked as young and handsome as before, appearing to be in his forties or fifties, with a beard on his chin and fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, his gaze filled with vicissitude and restraint.
"His Imperial Dust has graced us with his presence. The Death Zen Sect is deeply honored. Abbot Can Deng has been waiting for a long time. Please follow this humble monk."
Led by the Heart Technique Buddhist Master, Zhang Ruochen entered the Death Zen Temple.
Once enemies in the past, now there was only calm without ripples.
Inside the temple, there were many monks and believers.
Among them, the three undead clans made up the majority.
There were translucent ghost souls kneeling beneath the statue of the Death Zen Ancestor, reciting scriptures; tens of thousands of white bones sitting cross-legged in the square, listening to an old monk expound the Dao; rotting corpses lined up in long rows, hands clasped together, murmuring softly as they walked past prayer wheels.
Passing through a forest of pines and cypresses, Zhang Ruochen saw Abbot Can Deng and the Death Zen Ancestor sitting facing each other by a pool covered in fallen leaves.
Although they sat as equals, anyone could see the humble, seeking attitude on the Death Zen Ancestor's face.
The Death Zen Ancestor rose and bowed to Abbot Can Deng, saying, "His Imperial Dust has arrived. This humble monk will take his leave."
"Go ahead."
Abbot Can Deng nodded gently.
As he passed by Zhang Ruochen, the Death Zen Ancestor bowed deeply, and soon his figure disappeared at the end of the forest.
"Death Zen was able to create his own Buddhist path, showing remarkable talent. Unfortunately, he walked an evil path. But I see that Master has already led him onto a very different righteous path!" Zhang Ruochen said.
Abbot Can Deng smiled and said, "In this world, there is originally no good or evil. When there are many people and many interests, good and evil arise. In this world, there is originally no righteousness or evil. When there are many affairs and many disputes, righteousness and evil arise."
"Master sees through things clearly, your realm is much higher than mine!" Zhang Ruochen said with a carefree smile.
Abbot Can Deng waved his hand and said, "I have my own good and evil, righteousness and evil in my heart, but they may not be correct. You should have your own ideals. Everyone sees all things differently."
Zhang Ruochen didn't care about these things and said directly, "Does Master know why I have come?"
Abbot Can Deng said, "I can only tell you that I have not sensed anything."
"That is already enough!"
With Abbot Can Deng's words, Zhang Ruochen could rule out the two most powerful beings in the current world's Path of Darkness—the Dark Lord and Lady Shiji.
Because if the Dark Lord and Lady Shiji wanted to capture Jiusi Yitianhuang and take the Darkness Temple, they absolutely could not escape Abbot Can Deng's perception.
Now it could be determined that the one who acted must be an Ancestor.
Most likely the Nether Ancestor!
Zhang Ruochen sat down across from Abbot Can Deng and said, "May I ask Master two questions?"
"Must I answer?" Abbot Can Deng said.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head and said, "Consider it a casual chat between friends."
"That is to say, everyone can hear?" Abbot Can Deng said with a smile, his handsome face appearing even more sunny and cheerful.
"Everyone" here obviously referred only to the Nether Ancestor.
Throughout the entire Wuding Divine Sea, only the Nether Ancestor could eavesdrop on their conversation without being detected.
Zhang Ruochen was surprised and said, "Oh! Does Master have a way to prevent other cultivators from hearing our conversation?"
"We can try, but I cannot guarantee it will work." Abbot Can Deng said.
With Abbot Can Deng's level of cultivation, if he dared to say "try," his confidence must be considerable.
Zhang Ruochen made a gesture of invitation and said with a smile, "I really want to see this today!"
Abbot Can Deng did not act immediately and said, "If you could teach me the Wuji Divine Dao, I might have a better chance."
Zhang Ruochen's Wuji Divine Dao could form its own small world, isolated from the outside. But facing the Nether Ancestor, who was in the Wuding Divine Sea, and possibly even in the Sword Realm, he had no confidence in deceiving the heavens and crossing the sea.
Zhang Ruochen said, "How much does Master know about the Nether Ancestor?"
Abbot Can Deng understood that Zhang Ruochen did not trust his strength, so he laughed heartily without any pretense: "The Nether Ancestor is very powerful, but He still needs to hide, which shows He has not yet become omnipotent. Although this humble monk is ashamed to be inferior, taking a piece of my own territory within heaven and earth is still something I can do."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I can teach the Wuji Divine Dao to Master without reservation. Does Master know the reason?"
Abbot Can Deng said, "I guess you have something to ask of me."
"Eh, it cannot be considered asking."
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand and said, "Because I know that Master is a person who does not like to owe favors. If you owe one, you usually repay two. If I teach the Wuji Divine Dao, how will Master repay it?"
Abbot Can Deng looked at Zhang Ruochen with great interest and said, "How about this: I first ask you to teach me the Wuji Divine Dao, and then you ask me."
"Is there a difference?"
"There is a difference! If you calculate too clearly, you will never be friends for life. If you trouble each other, your friendship will instead grow deeper. Didn't you just mention the word 'friend'?"
Abbot Can Deng's words moved Zhang Ruochen, who became solemn and respectful, saying, "Compared to Master, I am indeed still lacking in realm. Does Ruochen have the qualification to be Master's friend?"
"If you invite me to drink, then you have the qualification." Abbot Can Deng said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Then this drink, I will definitely treat! Let's go, I have a good place, quiet and elegant, perfect for drinking heartily."
"No rush! First, answer me one question. Why do you trust me so much? Aren't you worried that I am the one behind all this?" Abbot Can Deng asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Lord Wen Tianjun told me about you. I believe he would not misjudge a person. Lord Wen Tianjun was once betrayed and paid a terrible price. It has become very difficult for him to trust anyone again, yet you became his close friend. Is this reason enough?"
"When did he become such a talkative person?" Abbot Can Deng muttered this to himself, then slowly stood up and said, "Let's go, to your place."
Zhang Ruochen and Abbot Can Deng left the Sword Realm and arrived at the Kunlun Realm, located in the northern waters of the Wuding Divine Sea. Then, crossing the Xue Sea, they ascended the Book Mountain and arrived at the Heavenly Man Academy, which had been relocated here.
A gentle breeze brushed their faces, bamboo branches swayed.
Abbot Can Deng, in his plain white robe with flowing cloud sleeves, said, "So you still don't trust my strength!"
"So, Master also believes that the Nether Ancestor is hiding in the Sword Realm?" Zhang Ruochen walked side by side with him.
Within the same realm, the Nether Ancestor's ability to see through the truth was obviously stronger.
Leaving the Sword Realm and coming to the Kunlun Realm was a way to weaken the Nether Ancestor's abilities. Naturally, Abbot Can Deng thought that Zhang Ruochen had doubts about his strength.
Abbot Can Deng said, "If I said that I can vaguely sense His existence, would you believe me?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head.
Abbot Can Deng revealed a profound and unfathomable smile and said, "Not believing is correct. That is rational."
"But it also means that my understanding of you is still not deep enough."
Zhang Ruochen's understanding of Abbot Can Deng was indeed too little. He had only met him a few times in total. For this reason, he had not initially thought of forming a friendship with him.
The word "friend" was still very heavy.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Actually, bringing Master here to drink is precisely because I trust in Master's strength."
"I don't quite understand this statement!"
Abbot Can Deng looked toward the distant Heavenly Man Academy, lost in thought.
"You will understand in a moment!" Zhang Ruochen said.
Nalan Danqing stood quietly outside the bamboo cottage of the academy, watching Zhang Ruochen and Abbot Can Deng arrive together. For a moment, she was somewhat dazed.
It was because both of them were too abnormal.
Abbot Can Deng was always deep and quiet, but today his face was filled with a smile.
With the Truth Temple destroyed, the Darkness Temple and Senior Nine Heavens missing, such two major events occurring, given Zhang Ruochen's personality, he should have been fully committed to investigating and rescuing them. But Zhang Ruochen was acting as if nothing had happened, looking at her with a full smile.
Nalan Danqing said, "To have the two of you disturbed to come here, is the Heavenly Man Academy about to experience some major event?"
"A huge event."
Zhang Ruochen nodded and looked at Abbot Can Deng.
Abbot Can Deng understood and spread his hands wide. Immediately, black and white light points, like pieces on a chessboard, unfolded in the void.
Heaven and earth were isolated, and the entire Heavenly Man Academy was as if moved onto a giant chessboard.
While observing these dark light points, Zhang Ruochen also sensed the spiritual power fluctuations on Abbot Can Deng's body and said, "Master's spiritual power is very strong. Is this the Heavenly Man Chess Formation?"
The Heavenly Man Chess Formation was the ultimate technique of the Second Confucian Ancestor, which Abbot Can Deng had studied for many years.
"This is not spiritual power, nor the Heavenly Man Chess Formation. It is Heavenly Will!" Abbot Can Deng said.
Zhang Ruochen was slightly startled and said, "Master has actually cultivated Heavenly Will? Legend has it that Heavenly Will is the Ancestor Dao method of the Second Confucian Ancestor, a technique that only a Spiritual Power Ancestor can master."
"This humble monk has not heard that one must be a Spiritual Power Ancestor to execute Heavenly Will." Abbot Can Deng continued, "This humble monk comprehended Heavenly Will from the Heavenly Man Chess Formation and the 'Fate Heavenly Scripture.' The Second Confucian Ancestor you mentioned, who was able to create Heavenly Will, should also have drawn from the Path of Fate."
Zhang Ruochen had been observing the chessboard and black and white light points beneath him and said, "I understand! It is the 'River Diagram.' Heavenly Will contains not only the 'Fate Heavenly Scripture' but also traces of the 'River Diagram.'"
Zhang Ruochen felt even more confusion arise in his heart.
The Second Confucian Ancestor, Yan Tingqiu, in his era, his greatest opponent was the artifact spirit Xi Zhan of the Soul-Devouring Lamp of the Destiny Temple.
Undoubtedly, various signs indicated that the Second Confucian Ancestor had a close connection with the Destiny Temple, and many interesting things must have happened between them in the past.
Because the "River Diagram" was kept in the Destiny Temple.
What Zhang Ruochen was most concerned about, of course, was who had created the "River Diagram"?
The "River Diagram" and the "Luo Document" had a tremendous impact on Zhang Ruochen's Wuji Divine Dao. The "Luo Document" originated from the Empress Wa. The creator of the "River Diagram" should be no less than the Empress Wa.
The first thought that came to Zhang Ruochen's mind was the Space-Time Human Ancestor.
After all, the Second Confucian Ancestor was able to attain the Ancestor Dao, most influenced by the Space-Time Human Ancestor.
"What are you thinking about?" Abbot Can Deng asked.
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen released the Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal, covering only an area of eighteen zhang in radius, and said, "I think the only one who can truly make the Nether Ancestor wary is the Space-Time Human Ancestor. But the Space-Time Human Ancestor is even more deeply hidden than the Nether Ancestor. I need to find a way to make the Nether Ancestor believe that the Human Ancestor has revealed traces, drawing His attention away. Only then can I proceed with my next plan!"
Abbot Can Deng did not know what Zhang Ruochen's plan was, but he kindly reminded him: "She is still here. If you let her know too much, it might get her killed."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Nalan Danqing, who stood quietly like an orchid beside him, and felt an unprecedented regret and pain in his heart. Because, many years ago, he had already involved Nalan Danqing.
Unfortunately, besides Nalan Danqing, there were not many people he trusted who could also help him.
Nalan Danqing's apricot eyes held mist as she stared straight at Zhang Ruochen and said, "If His Imperial Dust had not saved me, Danqing would have died many years ago. Your Imperial Dust, the materials you asked me to look up back then, after my analysis and verification, I have indeed discovered some clues. They are related to the Human Ancestor and might be able to help you."
Abbot Can Deng frowned deeply and said, "I now understand what you meant earlier. You actually entrusted the most dangerous thing in this world to her. As someone who wants to be your friend, I hope you can be more manly and not let down the woman who truly cares for you. Today's drink, I hope it is a wedding drink!"