Chapter 4077: The Plan
Within the Thunder Altar Grand Hall, the words of Qinglu Divine King plunged the space into a brief silence.
All those present were powerhouses, each having been undefeated among their peers in youth, capable of overcoming adversity and looking down upon the masses. Naturally, they harbored a pride within their hearts.
It was precisely because of this that they understood clearly: among the strong, there must always be a spirit of competition.
Qinglu Divine King's words carried a hint of sowing discord between Heavenly Mother and Di Chen, but they also voiced the curiosity in everyone's hearts, did they not?
The strong compete for victory.
The weak compare their misery.
Heavenly Mother was already hailed as the number one powerhouse of the Hell Realm before Di Chen was even born. She had reached the Half-Ancestor realm for over an Eon, and now, no one knew just how high her cultivation had soared.
In the last eighty thousand years, Heavenly Mother had rarely made a move.
Yet the universe had always held the saying, "Houtu's wedding robe covers the Xuanhuang."
This meant that Heavenly Mother, clad in the Houtu wedding robe, possessed combat power surpassing Hao Tian, who wielded the Xuanhuang halberd.
In other words, before Zhang Ruochen emerged from seclusion with his cultivation perfected and resolved the Ancestor-level talisman, Heavenly Mother could be considered the foremost figure of the era.
Who was stronger—the new number one or the old?
Heavenly Mother broke the silence, saying, "Actually, I too am very curious: just how far has Di Chen's combat power reached? How about a couple of moves?"
Blood Absolute Clan Leader showed a worried expression, saying, "Is there really a need for this? The two of you are the twin pillars of this era. If any accident occurs and the Ancestor hiding in the shadows takes advantage, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Everyone present believed that Heavenly Mother and Zhang Ruochen possessed the strength to fight an Ancestor to a mutual destruction.
Even if they were not a match, they could inflict heavy damage on an Ancestor at the cost of their own lives.
Such an ability alone was enough to make any Ancestor think twice!
"Grandfather worries too much. I will merely spar with Heavenly Mother, stopping at the point of contact." Zhang Ruochen seemed to have taken an interest as well, waving his hand, "Everyone, please step outside."
Ni Xuanbei frowned, "The two of you will fight here?"
"Does anyone wish to stay and watch? Let me warn you, I have only recently broken through and cannot yet perfectly control my power."
Zhang Ruochen gently waved his palm, and instantly, the space shattered like broken glass, covered in dense cracks.
One must know, this was the Undying Divine City, the Thunder Altar.
If he could shatter space so easily, he could just as easily destroy the Thunder Altar.
And this was merely the residual power leaking out.
Everyone's expressions shifted slightly, and they rose one after another, walking out of the hall.
Stepping out of the Thunder Altar, Ice King said to Ni Xuanbei, "Both Di Chen and Heavenly Mother have the ability to open an alternate space battlefield with a single thought. Even within the Thunder Altar, they could spar on a single leaf or atop a grain of sand."
Qinglu Divine King, with a human body and deer head, showed disappointment in his eyes, "What a pity, we cannot witness a quasi-Ancestor duel."
"Do you not recognize Di Chen's Ancestor-level combat power?"
Blood Absolute Clan Leader was not particularly polite to Qinglu Divine King.
Although this old fellow had stood firmly on the side of the Hell Realm in recent years, accomplishing many practical deeds and propping up the Shura Clan, back when Luo Tuoluo caused chaos in the Shura Clan, he was definitely involved.
The master of the Shura Divine Temple had most likely died at his hands.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen and Blood Absolute Clan Leader had a long history of grievances with the Qinglu Divine Temple, though none had escalated to the point of life-and-death conflict.
In short, the relationship was delicate.
Qinglu Divine King spoke seriously and solemnly, "Shi Yan only unleashed a single talisman, while Di Chen borrowed the power of the entire Undying Divine City to neutralize it. This does not resemble Ancestor-level combat power."
Blood Absolute Clan Leader said, "If the Divine King borrowed the power of the entire Shura Star Pillar Realm, would you be confident in receiving an Ancestor's strike without injury?"
Qinglu Divine King seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in Blood Absolute Clan Leader's tone, smiling, "If this old man wore the Victory King Crown, I would like to give it a try. Best if I also wore the Houtu wedding robe."
"That image would be rather hard to look at!" Yan Huanyu joked.
Immediately, everyone burst into laughter.
The awkward atmosphere of confrontation dissipated without a trace.
As Blood Absolute Clan Leader laughed heartily, he inwardly reflected that compared to these old-timers, he still lacked some finesse—his thoughts were too easily revealed.
Although everyone distrusted Qinglu Divine King and was on guard against him, Yan Huanyu could handle it flawlessly.
"If I were Qinglu Divine King, which side would I stand on? Which side would yield the greatest benefit? Who could help him return to the Ancestor realm?" Blood Absolute Clan Leader closed his eyes, asking himself this question.
He felt as if he had overlooked a crucial point.
...
Within the Thunder Altar, Zhang Ruochen and Heavenly Mother did not open an alternate space battlefield.
Heavenly Mother still stood by the window, her figure slender and light, her red robe and white hair strikingly vivid, like a beautiful paper-cut painting. She said, "Qinglu Divine King should have close ties with the Nether Ancestor faction."
Zhang Ruochen sat alone in the high seat, leaning back until his back was fully pressed against the divine throne. His eyes, through the skylight of the Thunder Altar, gazed into the universe. "The remnant soul of the Asura Ancestor possessed a Divine King. A Divine King can never break through the shackles of Qiankun Infinite. Even if he possesses an Ancestor's remnant soul!"
After a pause, he added, "Back then, it should have been Shi Yan who helped him in Lihentian. Only a true Ancestor has such ability. The power of Liang Yan?"
"Actually, I don't think Qinglu Divine King has defected to the Nether Ancestor faction. With his personality, he would never willingly submit to Shi Yan. He is extremely ambitious and likely wants to navigate among the major powers in this era of great change in the rules of heaven and earth, seeking the greatest benefit. Sitting back and watching the various sides fight and wear each other down, to emerge as the final victor."
"Let's not talk about him anymore. A man who will never have a chance is not worth our time. It would be different if the Ancestor Asura descended across the River of Time into this era."
Heavenly Mother could feel that Zhang Ruochen had truly grown up, both in cultivation and mindset, completely reborn.
His eyes were filled with determination and authority.
As if he could calmly handle any challenge.
Heavenly Mother said, "You shouldn't have come to the Undying Divine City, and you definitely shouldn't have made a move. Now, you've directly ignited the situation. I can already see the stormy waves ahead. With your display of strength, many people will be unable to sit still. You should have waited, given me, Hao Tian, and Fengdu some more time."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "Shi Yan sent Thunder Lord to attack Grandfather, precisely to force my hand and test the results of my eighty-thousand-year cultivation."
"If I hadn't responded, even if Grandfather had survived this calamity, Shi Yan would have used even more aggressive methods to force me out next time."
"Who would be the next target? Uncle Long, Ice King, Mother, Father, Kong Le, Hong Chen, Bore, Feng Yan, Chu Nan... anyone is possible, and they wouldn't be so lucky again. Grandfather could repel Shi Yan's probing attack, but others might not."
"That reason doesn't convince me." Heavenly Mother added, "The more you care about Blood Absolute's life or death, the more you expose your weakness. You once said you had to draw a line with those closest to you, change your temperament, become cold and suspicious, arrogant and stubborn, harsh and paranoid. Because the closer they are, the more dangerous they become. It's been less than a hundred thousand years—have you forgotten?"
"I haven't forgotten."
Zhang Ruochen tapped his fingers on the armrest of the divine throne. "Grandfather himself is the decoy I placed in plain sight!"
Heavenly Mother said, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Ruochen's expression was solemn. "Fifty thousand years ago, I already settled this matter with Grandfather. From that day on, he was to play the role of the person I care about most in this world. If one day the Immortal wants to get a hold on me, I hope He will strike at Grandfather first, because Grandfather is strong enough to have a chance to survive."
Heavenly Mother was first surprised, then a softness appeared in her eyes. She could understand Zhang Ruochen's helplessness. "Blood Absolute is indeed exceptionally talented. Not to mention Ancestor potential, a Half-Ancestor future is definitely within reach. Does he know that his opponent will be the Immortal?"
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes and nodded. "From the fact that Shi Yan targeted Grandfather this time, the plan is working."
Heavenly Mother said, "Of course it works! When you were not yet a god, Blood Absolute helped you immensely, treating you better than his own children. Moreover, Blood Absolute holds great power, has top-tier talent, and his potential is immeasurable. If I were the Immortal, I would certainly guess that you are grooming Blood Absolute as your helper—your only trusted helper, the only one qualified to participate. That value is greater than any other relative, irreplaceable."
A flash of pain crossed the depths of Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
"Are you feeling guilty?" Heavenly Mother asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I have always told myself that I gave Grandfather the choice. But I can't fool myself, because I know very well that as long as I ask, Grandfather will definitely agree."
Heavenly Mother said calmly, "Zhang Ruochen, you really don't need to feel guilty! First, Blood Absolute is someone who loves challenges the most. With this challenge, he can move faster, live more brilliantly, spread his wings and soar. Perhaps he can reach heights beyond our expectations."
"Second, is Blood Absolute really just playing the role of the person you care about most? Do you think that if you didn't do this, the Immortal wouldn't target him?"
Zhang Ruochen regained his calm and wisdom. "I have another reason why I had to reveal my strength. Because my Minor Derivation is not yet complete—I am still missing the most crucial step."
"Not complete?"
Even with Heavenly Mother's state of mind, her face showed an expression of disbelief.
If the Minor Derivation was not complete, then he had not truly reached the Half-Ancestor realm.
Without fully stepping into the Half-Ancestor realm, he could already block Shi Yan's Ancestor-level talisman. Once the Minor Derivation was complete, how strong would he become?
Zhang Ruochen said, "Deliberately hiding my strength would certainly not fool an Ancestor's eyes; it would backfire. Showing weakness to the enemy, hiding the true power of the First-Rank Divine Path, making them feel that the Half-Ancestor Zhang Ruochen is nothing special—that is the real goal."
"Your scheming is getting deeper and deeper!" Heavenly Mother asked, "But I think the Immortal should not wait any longer. Never underestimate Their wisdom."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Before the Immortal acts, They will do at least one more thing."
"What?"
"Confirm that the Great Venerable has fallen."
"Has the Great Venerable fallen or not? You should give me an answer today," Heavenly Mother said.
Zhang Ruochen could see that Heavenly Mother was much calmer facing this question now than before. "How about you go ask Ling Yanzi yourself?"
"Alright! When do we go?"
Heavenly Mother could roughly guess where Ling Yanzi was hiding, but if Ling Yanzi didn't want to see her, even if she went, she probably wouldn't meet her.
Zhang Ruochen dared to say such a thing, meaning he was confident enough to let Heavenly Mother meet Ling Yanzi.
"We still need to wait for the right moment. With our current identities, every move we make is under the surveillance of various powerhouses. It could easily bring trouble to her," Zhang Ruochen said.
Heavenly Mother asked, "You said you are still missing a crucial step for the Minor Derivation to be complete. Do you need help?"
Zhang Ruochen gently shook his head. "Cultivation problems can only be solved by myself. I only ask that when I implement my plan, Heavenly Mother will believe in me without hesitation and do her utmost to protect the friends and family I care about."
Even the usually aloof Heavenly Mother showed a faint smile. "Zhang Ruochen, believe it or not, you are the only person I have trusted since the Great Venerable. I trust not only your character and integrity, but also your strength. When will you implement the plan?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Since I have already revealed my strength, the time the Immortal can give me is limited. If I want to avoid being led by the nose, I have to break Their plans and overturn everything."
"How do you overturn everything? So far, no one has been able to match the Immortal," Heavenly Mother said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I can! Not because I already have the ability to match the Immortal, but because I am the stage They have built. I can dismantle the stage myself."
Heavenly Mother said, "You want to fake your death?"
"Only if I die can I break the Immortal's arrangements over the years and throw Them into disarray. Only if I die can I break free and see the Immortal more clearly. This is the only way to turn passivity into initiative!" Zhang Ruochen said.
Heavenly Mother shook her head, thinking Zhang Ruochen was too bold. "That's impossible. You can't fool the Immortal, let alone the several Ancestors."
Zhang Ruochen was silent for a moment, then said, "So, I hope you can absolutely believe in me! Even if the whole world thinks I am dead, that I am beyond saving, you must believe that I am still alive, that one day I will return."
"Alright, I believe you. Can you tell me your plan?" Heavenly Mother asked.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "No. After I die, the Immortal will certainly not believe it at first. They will strike at those closest to me to force me out. The first will most likely be Grandfather. Then, it will be anyone around me!"
Heavenly Mother said, "Rest assured. Once Blood Absolute encounters danger, that will be the alarm bell. I will step in immediately to protect them for you—unless I die too."
Zhang Ruochen let go of the last stone in his heart. "I will try my best to buy you time, to delay the plan as much as possible... Huh..."
Both Zhang Ruochen and Heavenly Mother's expressions changed drastically, as if the end of the world had come. They simultaneously turned into two streaks of light, rushing out of the Thunder Altar, looking out at the starry sky.
No.
The starry sky had vanished!
All the stars in the universe had disappeared, leaving only darkness. (End of chapter)