Chapter 4085: For Real
"Well said!"
Zhang Ruochen fully agreed with that statement, saying, "Every deity in the world knows that Yuansheng is my fiancée. If she stays in the Abyss of Darkness for long, it will inevitably invite gossip. Since she has come this time, let's remove the word 'fiancée' and make it official. I happen to be in need of people by my side."
Everyone would only take Zhang Ruochen's words as a joke and not take them seriously.
Including Jie Zunzhe!
When he had said that earlier, it was just a casual remark to lighten the mood.
Yuan Suyin and Yuansheng were both beings at the Indestructible Infinite level, and Yuansheng was even the empress of an entire clan. How could she possibly marry a cultivator from the upper realm?
Just as everyone was thinking their own thoughts, Zhang Ruochen suddenly said, "Immortal Musician left the Abyss of Darkness with you, didn't she?"
Although Yuan Suyin and Yuansheng kept their expressions unchanged, their hearts were shaken violently.
It was truly hard to understand how Zhang Ruochen knew this secret.
Could it be that his cultivation had reached a level where he knew everything, to the point that even a Heavenly Venerable-level existence couldn't conceal their aura and whereabouts?
As if he could see through their hearts, Zhang Ruochen said, "Is it that shocking? Is it that hard to deduce? A matter concerning the life and death of the Twelve Ancient Clans, yet only Yuan Jieyi went back alone to report. What if he died on the way? From the Wuding Divine Sea to the Abyss of Darkness, one must cross the entire Yellow Spring Star River. How dangerous is that?"
"The answer is simple: Yuan Jieyi wasn't heading back to the Abyss of Darkness; he was going to report this matter to an existence whose status and strength surpass both of you. In the entire Abyss of Darkness, there are only a few such people."
So rational and logically meticulous—could this be a person with a damaged spirit and soul?
Yuan Suyin glanced at Jie Zunzhe.
Jie Zunzhe returned a helpless look, feeling that Zhang Ruochen was very eerie, and he had no idea what his current condition was.
If all his various behaviors over the past eighty thousand years were an act, there had to be a reason, right?
Zhang Ruochen had no reason to do any of this, and it was simply inexplicable.
Jie Zunzhe asked, "Suyin, tell me the truth. Did Immortal Musician really come to the Wuding Divine Sea?"
Yuan Suyin knew about the grudge between Immortal Musician and Zhang Ruochen. If he learned of her whereabouts, the consequences would be disastrous. Therefore, she chose to remain silent.
Silence was itself an answer.
Yuansheng did not hide this matter, saying, "Immortal Musician did leave the Abyss of Darkness with us, but we parted ways at the Life-and-Death Boundary Star, and we don't know where she went. However... if there's an emergency, we can contact her using a special divine talisman."
Zhang Ruochen's eyes turned cold as he looked outside the hall, saying, "So, as long as I catch up to Yuan Jieyi and seize the divine talisman from him, I can wait for Immortal Musician to fall into my trap and capture her?"
There was no doubt that Zhang Ruochen absolutely had the strength to do so.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall became tense.
"I revealed this secret because I believe you won't betray me."
Seeing Zhang Ruochen's icy gaze without any hesitation, Yuansheng's face showed a pleading expression, and she said softly, "Can the Imperial Dust spare Immortal Musician this once?"
"Since I could guess that Yuan Jieyi went to find Immortal Musician, do you think I wouldn't lock my divine sense onto him? So, whether you tell me or not, it makes no difference."
Zhang Ruochen continued, "Yuansheng, why are you pleading for her? If she had come to apologize today, I might have let bygones be bygones, considering her friendship with my ancestor Ling Yanzi. Unfortunately, she didn't come."
Jie Zunzhe couldn't gauge Zhang Ruochen's pulse and tentatively said, "How about you go and invite Immortal Musician here? Although there have been conflicts and disputes, nothing irreversible has happened. The Zhang family has deep ties with the Primordial Beings, so everything can still be negotiated."
"Which side are you on?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Jie Zunzhe said firmly, "I am, of course, on your side! Think about it—if they invite Immortal Musician here, won't she be at your mercy?"
"Fine!"
Zhang Ruochen was quite straightforward, saying, "If you can invite Immortal Musician here, I might consider helping you get through this calamity."
"Does the Imperial Dust mean what he says?" Yuansheng said happily.
Zhang Ruochen said, "A word is a promise."
Yuan Suyin felt that the current Zhang Ruochen was definitely not so easy to deal with, and she asked worriedly, "How does the Imperial Dust plan to retaliate against Immortal Musician?"
"Retaliate? Am I that narrow-minded?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Immortal Musician is a city-toppling beauty, unparalleled in playing the pipa. I once entered her boudoir, and the fragrance there is still unforgettable. I cherish the fair and delicate; who doesn't know my romantic reputation? What I want is Immortal Musician herself, not revenge."
"That makes sense," Jie Zunzhe muttered to himself.
"What makes sense?"
Yuan Suyin could no longer hold back and shouted, "First, you want Yuansheng to marry you, and now you won't let Immortal Musician go. Do you really think the Primordial Beings can be slaughtered and humiliated at will? Forget whether the Divine Realm and the Nether Ancestor Faction are really going to join forces against the Hongmeng Black Dragon. Even if it's true, my ancient clans will fight to the death and burn every last drop of blood. Yuansheng, let's go!"
Yuansheng stood still, her gaze fixed on Zhang Ruochen, whose expression was growing darker.
Zhang Ruochen's aura and presence were too powerful. They could influence the rules of heaven and earth, as well as the divine souls and spirits of Indestructible Infinite beings, making them extremely intimidating.
Outside the hall, the sky was already covered with dark clouds.
At this moment, no one doubted the killing intent radiating from Zhang Ruochen.
Even Jie Zunzhe felt that he might suddenly strike and kill Yuan Suyin.
"Is this already too much to bear? Is this humiliating you? If Yuansheng hadn't had the title of the Imperial Dust's fiancée back then, she would have died long ago in the Hell Realm. Immortal Musician broke her promise first and then tried to seize the Desolate Moon. Shouldn't she pay the price?"
Jie Zunzhe scolded Yuan Suyin while pushing her outward.
It was too terrifying!
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen's killing intent soared to the heavens, like a demon god. Even Jie Zunzhe felt his scalp go numb and dared not provoke him.
Yuansheng remained standing, her eyes pitiful.
She knew that if she walked out of this hall with Yuan Suyin, she would completely infuriate Zhang Ruochen. Even if Zhang Ruochen let them leave, he would definitely make an example of Immortal Musician.
The key question was: would Zhang Ruochen really let them leave?
The unfamiliarity in Zhang Ruochen's demeanor was suffocating.
She could no longer be sure if Zhang Ruochen had truly not changed.
This kind of pressure, Yuansheng had only felt from the Hongmeng Black Dragon. Even with her cultivation at the peak of Indestructible Infinite, her entire body felt as if it were crushed by ten realms.
She said softly, "If I agree to marry the Imperial Dust, would you spare Immortal Musician and help the Primordial Beings get through this calamity?"
Zhang Ruochen's aura dissipated somewhat. He walked up to Yuansheng, extended a finger, and lifted her icy, jade-like chin, saying arrogantly, "Since you want to make a deal with me, the deal must be fair. I can only agree to one of your requests! As for the other request, Immortal Musician will have to come and meet my conditions herself."
...
Everyone saw the thick black clouds above Zhenlu Island, with lightning and thunder interweaving within them, and the sharp wind cutting like blades.
That was the celestial phenomenon triggered by the Imperial Dust's anger.
"Hmph! The envoys from the Abyss of Darkness have angered the Imperial Dust. Just wait and see—none of them will leave the Wuding Divine Sea alive."
"Thirty thousand years ago, envoys from the Paradise Realm came, wanting to exchange secret treasures for the Radiant Ancestral Source, but they offended the Imperial Dust with their words and were all slaughtered."
"Eight thousand years ago, the birthday envoy from the Thousand Star Civilization accidentally broke a lamp, angering the Imperial Dust, who directly ordered him to be cut in half and thrown into the sea. The blood didn't dissipate for a thousand years."
"Are you talking about Yu Zhenhai? He deserved to die; he was never a good person anyway."
"But he was from the Yu family, the son of Yu Taizhen."
...
Many cultivators were discussing, speculating on the fate of the envoys from the Abyss of Darkness.
As for the powerful cultivators, they were already frightened. Although the Imperial Dust had undergone a drastic change in temperament over the past eighty thousand years and was ruthless in killing, this was the first time his anger had triggered a celestial phenomenon.
Jie Zunzhe, while sending Yuan Suyin away from the Wuding Divine Sea, tried to calm her, saying, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Zhang Ruochen is just putting on a show. As an emperor, he must have authority; otherwise, how can he intimidate the deities below? Which deity isn't arrogant and proud?"
Having recovered from Zhang Ruochen's spiritual pressure, Yuan Suyin felt a lingering fear, knowing she had just brushed past death. She realized she could no longer stay in the Wuding Divine Sea and said, "Yuansheng stayed behind to protect Immortal Musician. You must promise me that you won't let Zhang Ruochen bully her."
"Don't worry! Although Zhang Ruochen is indeed somewhat different from before, he still has his bottom line. He will never make things difficult for Yuansheng."
Urged by Jie Zunzhe, Yuan Suyin took a step and disappeared into the cold, dark space.
Jie Zunzhe let out a long sigh and muttered to himself, "Isn't it good to stay in the Wuding Divine Sea?"
He wasn't sure if he was referring to Yuan Suyin or Yuansheng.
In the current situation, Jie Zunzhe didn't dare to return to Zhenlu Island.
Three days later, he slowly arrived at the divine hall that originally belonged to Xu Wenzhi. Seeing the famous Sword God standing outside, he took the initiative to approach and said with a smile, "Has the Imperial Dust's anger subsided these past few days?"
Jie Zunzhe had a special status, and even the famous Sword God dared not offend him. He replied, "Reporting to Jie Tian, the Imperial Dust has been in an excellent mood these past few days. What anger could there be? The Yuan Clan Empress... no, the Imperial Consort Yuansheng is considerate and deeply favored by the Imperial Dust. Why would the Imperial Dust bother with such trivial matters?"
Jie Zunzhe was stunned, saying, "What did you say? Imperial Consort Yuansheng?"
"Since the Imperial Dust has declared himself emperor, the Yuan Clan Empress will naturally become an imperial consort in the future. What difference does it make whether we call her that a day earlier or later?" the famous Sword God said.
Jie Zunzhe grabbed the famous Sword God's collar and said, "Is that what I meant? I'm asking, how did they end up... favored?"
The famous Sword God remained calm, looking at Jie Zunzhe's old face with a puzzled expression, and said, "Does Jie Tian not know about the relationship between the Imperial Dust and Imperial Consort Yuansheng? They had... ah... never mind..."
Seeing Jie Zunzhe rush into the divine hall in a hurry, the famous Sword God shook his head slightly and said no more.
Guarding outside Zhang Ruochen's bedchamber were Xiu Chen Heavenly God and Wuwo Lamp.
Just as Jie Zunzhe arrived at the door, he saw Zhang Ruochen, dressed in a white inner robe, push the door open and walk out, his long hair loose. Jie Zunzhe shouted, "Zhang Ruochen, where is Yuansheng?"
Smelling the unique fragrance of Yuansheng on Zhang Ruochen, Jie Zunzhe frowned deeply.
Was he for real?
Zhang Ruochen didn't bother with Jie Zunzhe's address and said casually, "Inside!"
Jie Zunzhe was about to barge in but was stopped by Zhang Ruochen.
"Old fellow, are you looking for death? How dare you barge into my bedchamber? There are some things you shouldn't see," Zhang Ruochen said.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God raised his chin and said, "The Yuan Clan Empress is probably still in bed and hasn't dressed yet. This old fellow really shouldn't barge in."
After a while.
Yuansheng walked out from inside, dressed in pure white robes, her long hair untied, a slight moisture on her beautiful face. She said softly, "Elder Jie, is there something urgent?"
What kind of person was Jie Zunzhe?
His skill in recognizing women might not be number one in the world, but it was close. With just one glance, he could tell that Yuansheng was no longer a virgin.
Jie Zunzhe gritted his teeth, fury flashing in his eyes. He grabbed Zhang Ruochen's wrist and said, "Come with me."
"Swoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen was dragged by Jie Zunzhe into the Divine Realm World.
"Why?" Jie Zunzhe asked in a deep voice.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I don't think I need to explain myself to you."
Jie Zunzhe had patted his chest and guaranteed Yuan Suyin, only to be slapped in the face immediately.
This was the empress of an entire clan!
Zhang Ruochen said, "Isn't this what you and Yuan Suyin have always wanted? Haven't you already discussed it, letting Yuansheng marry me?"
"Is it the same? Before, it was mutual affection; now, it's taking advantage of her vulnerability," Jie Zunzhe said.
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand and said, "No, no! Before, it was at most a political marriage; now, it's true feelings revealed in times of hardship. Don't you want to ask what I promised her?"
Jie Zunzhe said, "You want to help her save the Twelve Ancient Clans?"
"I just helped her think of a way," Zhang Ruochen said.
Jie Zunzhe was successfully led astray by Zhang Ruochen, temporarily forgetting to question him, and asked, "What way?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Twelve Ancient Clans are incredibly powerful, especially with the return of several old clan emperors, which has greatly increased their strength. Moreover, the environment of the Abyss of Darkness is special, and cultivators from the upper realm will have severely limited combat power there. It won't be easy for the Divine Realm and the Nether Ancestor Faction to destroy them."
Jie Zunzhe said, "In front of an Ancestor, those old clan emperors are nothing more than a slap away."
Zhang Ruochen said, "An Ancestor's opponent is naturally another Ancestor."
"But there is only one Ancestor in the Abyss of Darkness," Jie Zunzhe said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "But among the opponents of the Divine Realm and the Nether Ancestor Faction, there is more than one Ancestor."
Jie Zunzhe's eyes lit up, and he said, "You mean the Dark Lord?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded and said, "The Divine Realm and the Nether Ancestor Faction can join forces to destroy the Abyss of Darkness and kill the Hongmeng Black Dragon. In the future, they can join forces to deal with the Dark Lord. As long as the Twelve Ancient Clans offer enough sincerity, the Dark Lord will definitely step in to help them."
Jie Zunzhe's worries finally settled, but then he thought of something and said coldly, "Is this your excuse for doing whatever you want? Do you even know what you're doing right now?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I know very well! Didn't you, old man, instruct me back then to let Yuansheng give the Zhang family a child with pure enough Primordial bloodline? The offspring of a Primordial royal clan, upon reaching adulthood, will be at the Infinite realm. That's worth looking forward to."
Jie Zunzhe's mouth hung open, stunned for a long time, before he said, "But she has to be willing! You can't pressure her."
"How do you know she isn't willing?"
Zhang Ruochen patted Jie Zunzhe on the shoulder and said, "Elder Jie has no right to judge me. When you deceived Yuan Suyin back then, you were far worse than I am."
Zhang Ruochen turned and left Jie Zunzhe's Divine Realm World.
"Don't slander me; ours was true love," Jie Zunzhe shouted.
Zhang Ruochen wrapped his arm around Yuansheng's slender waist and walked back into the bedchamber, the door closing behind them.
Yuansheng nestled in his arms and whispered, "Elder Jie must be very angry, but don't let his words affect you. Go do what you need to do. I stand firmly by your side, with no regrets at all. Chen Ge, are you sure Immortal Musician went to the Ancient Divine Nest?"
"Where else could she go?"
Zhang Ruochen gently stroked Yuansheng's smooth hair, looking at the large expanse of snow-white skin and the alluring cleavage on her chest, and said, "But by going there, she is undoubtedly telling the Nether Ancestor Faction and the Divine Realm that Ling Yanzi is likely still alive. This will bring great trouble to the Ancient Divine Nest. What must come has finally come!"
It was Immortal Musician who had told Zhang Ruochen that Ling Yanzi was still alive.
So, it wasn't surprising that Immortal Musician knew Ling Yanzi was in the Ancient Divine Nest.
Zhang Ruochen slid his left hand down Yuansheng's jade-like back, lifted her soft, light body, and walked toward the bed, saying, "No matter what, the Abyss of Darkness is already a place of trouble. I won't let you go back. So, I must give you a sufficient reason to stay in the Wuding Divine Sea—for example, carrying a child for my Zhang family."