Chapter 4070: Lighting a Fire in the Universe
After passing the eighteenth level of the Sword Pavilion, one entered the Nether Prison.
The Nine-Headed Stone Man's demonic continent, formed from the fusion of the Great Demon God's and Heavenly Demon's Ancestor Realms, had been left here forever.
The Ancestral Demon Qi, rules, and order were all very dense.
"Demon Heaven Mountain" stood tall on this vast demonic continent. One could faintly see palaces and towers standing in rows on the mountain, with countless demonic shadows. Zhang Ruochen sensed Chi Xingtian's aura, clearly in seclusion. He did not disturb him and proceeded to the next level of the tower.
Passing through the eighteen levels of the Nether Prison, he entered the Gate of Ghosts.
The Gate of Ghosts was also known as the Mirror of Fate.
These eighteen levels were refined by the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable. The tower was filled with the power of fate, and the deathly aura was thick, making it feel like entering a Nether Ghost Domain.
Arriving at the eighteenth level of the Gate of Ghosts, Zhang Ruochen finally stopped.
Before him, ghostly blue flames filled the air. Within the ghostly flames flowed rivers of space rules, interweaving to form a realm wall.
Back then, before she had stepped into the Divine Realm, Bore had walked through the eighteen levels of the Gate of Ghosts, enduring the baptism of endless Nether Fire and Nether Calamity Lightning, transforming into a wisp of a ghostly soul. She passed through this realm wall, entered the Hell Realm, appeared in the Nether Purgatory, and became a disciple of Nutian Shenzun.
To forge the Seventy-Two Layer Tower, one would need to reconnect the Nether Purgatory with the realm wall here, merging them into one.
This was absolutely not something that could be done overnight.
Zhang Ruochen did not plan to start forging the Seventy-Two Layer Tower right now.
He sat down cross-legged, took out the Eternal Soul Fire belonging to the Dark Lord, and held it in his right palm.
He took a deep breath.
He inhaled the soul fire, wisp by wisp, into his abdomen.
Then, he took out the "Myriad Forms Formless Cultivation Method" given by the Dark Remnant, placed it on the ground, and slowly flipped through it, understanding and comprehending it.
The mass of Dao light shaped like the "Myriad Forms Formless Seal" emerged above his head.
It went from faint to gradually bright.
Before he had the strength to guard the Seventy-Two Layer Tower, Zhang Ruochen chose restraint, focusing all his energy on cultivation, hoping to light up the last three masses of Dao light as quickly as possible and reach the Half-Ancestor realm.
...
A few days later.
The Ancestor battle in Lihentian had ended, and no one knew the outcome.
The turbulent world energy and world rules had finally calmed down, and the starry sky returned to silence. However, the sense of fear and uncertainty about the future still left all cultivators feeling uneasy, not knowing what tomorrow would bring.
Facing an Ancestor, even the Twenty Heavens felt despair and powerlessness, with no effective countermeasures.
It was in this strange atmosphere that a piece of news, shaking the entire universe, quietly spread among the gods.
"A secret about the Immortal?"
Luo Sha, wearing a cyan dragon robe, sat on a dark red divine throne, her long jade legs crossed. Divine light rippled around her in circles, reflecting a soul-stirring aura of authority.
A Rakshasa woman clad in silver scale soft armor stood below, speaking respectfully, "This matter is of great importance. Goddess Qianxi ordered me to come precisely to verify it. Given the relationship between the Empress and Emperor Chen, you should know the truth."
Luo Sha's gaze was deep and profound, her pupils like two black holes, revealing no fluctuation. She said, "I only heard about it yesterday. A painting involving multiple Ancestors, including the mysterious Master Can Deng, always feels like there's a conspiracy behind it."
The Rakshasa woman below, possessing a Tai Bai realm cultivation, said, "It shouldn't be that bad, right? Most of the rumors that have spread can be traced back to some clues."
Luo Sha's red lips curled slightly upward as she smiled, "So the Goddess is tempted and wants to find that painting?"
The Rakshasa woman said, "Even Ancestors are searching for it; who wouldn't be tempted? It's not just the Qianxi Divine Kingdom. The gods of several other divine kingdoms have also mobilized, issuing secret orders and dispatching large numbers of cultivators to search. Empress, this matter is already somewhat out of control."
Luo Sha sensed the danger, but in this world, there was never a shortage of people who would seek profit amidst danger.
There would definitely be many who would take risks.
"You go back and tell Goddess Qianxi that I will send an envoy to the Sword Realm to pay respects to Emperor Chen and inquire about this matter. Once I have an answer, I will inform her immediately," Luo Sha said.
After the Rakshasa woman left, Luo Sha fell into deep thought. Then, using the Dream Entry Great Technique from the "Cloud Dream Thirteen Chapters," she tried to communicate with Zhang Ruochen in a dream.
But it failed.
"Chen Ge, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Although this matter was initiated by Master Can Deng, Luo Sha always felt that Zhang Ruochen must be involved.
Luo Shengtian strode in quickly and said, "The eldest disciple of the Eternal True Ruler, the one who has been causing a stir lately—the Fourth Confucian Ancestor—has finally spoken!"
"Oh? What happened now?" Luo Sha asked.
Luo Shengtian said, "That Fourth Confucian Ancestor went to the Confucian Realm. After finishing his lecture there, he publicly declared that whoever finds Su Zilian's authentic painting will be accepted as his personal disciple. Even providing clues will earn a generous reward, including the chance to cultivate in the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom."
Luo Sha smiled charmingly, "It seems there's no need to ponder the truth any longer. A personal disciple of the Confucian Ancestor—what a tempting offer. Hey, wasn't the Confucian Realm a traitor to the Kunlun Realm faction? This Confucian Ancestor is quite broad-minded."
Luo Shengtian said, "After the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom was established, a large number of cultivators from the Heavenly Court, the Sword Realm, and even the Hell Realm have defected to it. Those who are restless and eager to move are countless."
"The conditions set by the Fourth Confucian Ancestor are fatally attractive to many big shots in the Hell Realm. Previously, they didn't defect because they were worried about their origins in the Hell Realm, fearing the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom would shut them out. Now, that worry is gone."
"Luo Sha! You need to prepare in advance. If this matter is exploited by those with ulterior motives, it will inevitably trigger a cataclysmic upheaval."
Luo Sha nodded gently, "Brother, Emperor Chen has returned from the North Marsh Great Wall. Go to the Sword Realm and ask him personally what's going on."
"Alright."
Luo Shengtian's form dissipated, turning into a mass of light.
...
Sword Realm, Bright Moon Dust Heart Hall.
In the colorful sacred flower spirit garden, Wu Yue, Ji Fanxin, and Bai Qinger, like celestial consorts, graceful and elegant, gathered together, beautiful as a painting.
Ever since Zhang Ruochen had questioned them, the relationship between the three women had become much closer, and they now discussed many things together.
Wu Yue, in her magnificent purple robe, her hair in a high bun, her colorful ribbons fluttering, sat by the green jade stone table. "Emperor Chen has entered the fifty-fourth level to go into seclusion, bringing only Nalan Danqing. There's no doubt he truly doesn't trust us anymore. Once the seed of suspicion is planted in a person's heart, it will quickly sprout, grow, and eventually become a towering tree, filling the entire heart."
Bai Qinger, wearing a veil, ethereal and hazy, said, "In the past, when Emperor Chen went into seclusion, he would entrust worldly affairs to Chi Yao, with us assisting. But this time, he has handed over all matters of the Sword Realm to the Dragon Lord and Qiangu Nüdi."
Ji Fanxin, dressed in white as snow, her skin whiter than her clothes, said, "According to the news from the Wangshan Zhang Clan, Emperor Chen is now certain that Jiu Tian is the Nether Ancestor. This means that Qinger and the cultivators of Xinghuantian will have no place to stand in the Sword Realm. As the news spreads, without Emperor Chen even needing to speak, the gods of the War Ancestor Divine Army, the Zhang Clan, the Kunlun Realm, the Heavenly Dragon Realm, the Thousand Star Civilization... these forces will act on his behalf, suppressing and pushing you out. Qinger, you must prepare early."
Wu Yue's face was full of smiles, but it seemed slightly bitter. "Qinger is an Indestructible Infinite cultivator; who would dare to touch her? It's me who is in a precarious position. I've heard that some are already spreading rumors that the theft from the Darkness Temple was because I helped Jiusi Yitianhuang."
Bai Qinger and Ji Fanxin both frowned.
In the past, who would have dared to spread such words?
Ultimately, it was Emperor Chen's attitude that had caused all this.
Bai Qinger said, "We can't just sit and wait for death. We must do something. Let's go to the fifty-fourth level. We must face Emperor Chen and explain everything clearly. After so many years of feelings, can they just vanish like smoke?"
Wu Yue said, "I sent Su'e, but even she couldn't knock on the tower door."
Ji Fanxin said, "Among the three of us, I have known Emperor Chen the longest. I know him well. He is definitely not an ungrateful person. Could it be that he injured his divine soul in the North Marsh Great Wall, causing his temperament to change drastically?"
Among the three women, Bai Qinger and Wu Yue had initially been Zhang Ruochen's enemies, only later coming together with him step by step.
But Ji Fanxin had no such experience, and her relationship with Zhang Ruochen was obviously closer.
Wu Yue knew well that Zhang Ruochen had never fully trusted her. "Perhaps it was people like Gong Nanfeng, Corpse Nightmare, and A Fuya that gave birth to a demon in his heart, making him unable to trust anyone around him. I suggest we bring Xue Hou and the Ming Emperor back to the Sword Realm. Emperor Chen must trust them."
"What if something happens to them on the way? Wouldn't our suspicion only deepen?" Bai Qinger felt a strong sense of powerlessness. Recalling the various dangers she and Zhang Ruochen had faced together, she never imagined it would end like this today.
She envied Feng Xi and the Jue Miao Chan Nu, who had entered the Buddhist sect, far from the whirlpool of the mundane world, enjoying such peace and freedom.
"Hua!"
Divine light flashed, and Yu Shi appeared before the three women.
She said, "Reporting to Master, two more pieces of news have arrived."
"Speak!"
Wu Yue composed herself, gently smoothing her hair, returning to her shrewd and wise demeanor.
Yu Shi said, "The Void Kun War God has gone to the Painting Realm in the Eastern Universe. The Wind Clan and the Truth Divine Temple have also sent cultivators there."
Wu Yue lightly bit her crimson lips and said softly, "The Void Kun War God is Emperor Chen's man, an Indestructible Infinite level existence. He didn't return to the Sword Realm but went directly to the small Painting Realm. It seems he has a major mission. Feng Yan of the Wind Clan and Xiang Chunan of the Truth Divine Temple are Emperor Chen's sworn brothers. They met in the Heavenly Court... It seems they are also working for Emperor Chen."
Ji Fanxin was beautiful and pure, flawless and spotless. "So, the secret scroll that Master Can Deng supposedly investigated was actually given to him by Emperor Chen. In the Heavenly Court, Emperor Chen had already obtained the scroll and started making arrangements. Who gave it to him?"
Bai Qinger said, "Perhaps it was discovered in the ruins of the Truth Divine Temple, or maybe in the Nether Kingdom of the North Marsh Great Wall."
Wu Yue said, "Although the Painting Realm is average in strength, the cultivators of this great world love to travel to all corners of the universe searching for paintings to collect. The number of famous paintings owned by the Painting Realm alone equals half the universe. Su Zilian's authentic painting might really be in the Painting Realm."
Ji Fanxin agreed with Wu Yue's view. "Emperor Chen knows Hua Chunqiu of the Painting Realm. He wouldn't deliberately bring danger to the Painting Realm."
"But once the news spreads, cultivators from all sides will swarm there," Bai Qinger said.
Wu Yue looked at Yu Shi. "What is the second piece of news?"
Yu Shi said, "Master Can Deng went to the Wanxu Realm. At the Xuan Yuan Clan, he fought fiercely with the Xuan Yuan Ancestor and severely wounded him."
"How is that possible?"
Bai Qinger's eyes were full of disbelief. "Master Can Deng has always been indifferent to worldly affairs, with a detached temperament. He would never do something like this without reason."
Yu Shi said, "It is said... Master Can Deng wanted to enter Kongming Ruins to observe and comprehend the Great Dao of Emperor Xuan. The Xuan Yuan Ancestor refused, which triggered this great battle. Master Can Deng forced his way in!"
"Kongming Ruins has appeared?" Bai Qinger was even more shocked.
The Goddess Twelve Pavilions' information network, if not the best in the world, could be considered among the top few.
Such a major event, and she had received no news about it before this.
"No, no."
Wu Yue frowned deeply. "How could Master Can Deng have reached the Wanxu Realm so quickly? Could it be that after parting with Emperor Chen, he went straight there?"
Ji Fanxin said, "The news of Kongming Ruins' appearance must be top secret. Master Can Deng couldn't have known. There's only one possibility: Emperor Chen told him."
Yu Shi said, "That's right, it was Emperor Chen."
"How do you know?" Wu Yue asked.
Yu Shi said, "Not long after the Xuan Yuan Ancestor was severely wounded, Xuanyuan Lian returned to the Xuan Yuan Clan and publicly declared that Emperor Chen was a faithless villain, and that they had broken off relations. It should be because of the secret of Kongming Ruins."
Wu Yue said, "Everything is connected! The Painting Realm is just a decoy. The painting is most likely in Kongming Ruins. For such an important matter, a strong cultivator like Master Can Deng had to go personally."
...
The Godfall Sect was overcrowded.
Envoys from all sides demanded to see Emperor Chen. Xiao Hei couldn't stop them, and there were a few he couldn't afford to offend.
For example, Yan Shu Chanshi from the White Clothes Valley, Yu Huang from the Undying Blood Clan, Zhuque Huowu from Fengdu Ghost City, Zhao Gongming from the Heavenly Court...
These people seemed ready to storm the fifty-fourth level tower, squeezing Xiao Hei back until he was almost trampled underfoot.
In the end, the Dragon Lord arrived and stopped everyone at the foot of the fifty-fourth level tower.
The Dragon Lord didn't know exactly what Zhang Ruochen's plan was, but he knew that this fire had been thoroughly ignited.
Therefore, he didn't mind letting this fire burn even more fiercely, preparing to answer everyone's questions one by one.
"Emperor Chen is in a death-seclusion and is not available to see everyone," the Dragon Lord said.
Someone sneered, "Who are you trying to fool? If he's in a death-seclusion, why did he take a woman in with him?"
Everyone was shocked into silence.
Who had the guts to slander Zhang Ruochen like this?
Nowadays, even the Twenty Heavens had to bow when meeting Zhang Ruochen.
Luo Shengtian stepped out from the crowd and continued, "We have traveled from all over the universe just to ask for the truth. Emperor Chen refuses to see us and comes up with such a lame excuse. Does he truly see us as allies?"
Luo Shengtian, of course, was not afraid. He knew Zhang Ruochen would never kill him.
As long as he wasn't killed, he dared to say anything.
(End of this chapter)