Chapter 4091: The Power of the Zither Strings
"I don't know. Perhaps so!"
Although Ling Yanzi had crossed the River of Time and waited ahead in the future, she still understood what had happened in the ancient and medieval eras. The Ancestral God of the Divine Ancient Nest clearly knew of her existence—there must have been communication.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Ling Ancestor just mentioned that before the Great Venerable departed, he told you two things. What was the other?"
After a moment of contemplation, Ling Yanzi said, "He said he was going to a very distant place to seek the original answer. If he could not find that answer, everything would eventually descend into silence."
The Heavenly Mother asked, "What place? What answer?"
Ling Yanzi shook her head.
The River of Time grew quiet, leaving only the sound of flowing water and the occasional leap of a fish.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The distant place the Great Venerable spoke of might lie in an extremely remote past. Perhaps he went to the ancient era, the primordial era, or even the archaic era."
Ling Yanzi said, "Yes, that is what I believe as well. That is why I must wait here, nurture the He Luo, control the He Luo, and build a bridge that spans a single day—an eternal wait. Perhaps, one day, he will return from beneath the Time-Cutting Waterfall alongside the He Luo fish. At that moment, he will surely come with the wind dancing in his sleeves, carrying laughter to recount a thousand autumns, asking me what year it is now."
Anyone could hear the deep emotion in Ling Yanzi's words and the intense longing accumulated over millions of years.
Yet it also concealed a sense of pessimism.
Perhaps, in the endless waiting day after day, year after year—and with the appearance of the Great Venerable's Ancestral Divine Source and the Twenty-Seven Layers of Celestial World—the hope in her heart was slowly fading.
Only the flame of faith remained unextinguished, the belief that the Great Venerable could accomplish what ordinary people could not and break through the shackles of time.
Zhang Ruochen said, "So, the Ling Ancestor cannot leave the Divine Ancient Nest at all, not even to reach our era? What should be done next? Corpse Yan's retreat is surely only temporary. Once he reaches an agreement with the Eternal True Ruler or meets the Nether Ancestor, he will certainly return in full force to eliminate the potential threat of the Divine Ancient Nest."
Immortal Music Master picked up Zhang Ruochen's thread and said, "By then, the secrets of this place will be fully exposed. Once the junior sister makes a move, she will no longer be able to feed the He Luo fish with Primordial Qi. The bridge formed by the He Luo fish will break, and the Great Venerable will never return. Therefore, the only solution is to relocate the Divine Ancient Nest to the Abyss of Darkness."
Zhang Ruochen and the Heavenly Mother frowned, clearly not agreeing with Immortal Music Master's proposal.
"No, that is not the only solution."
Ling Yanzi's gaze fell on Zhang Ruochen. "Ruochen, could you lend me the Universe Cauldron?"
Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred. "The Ling Ancestor wants to hide the Divine Ancient Nest inside the Universe Cauldron?"
"Just hiding the Divine Wood Nest inside the cauldron is enough. Without this sole entrance, even an Ancestor would be unable to find the Divine Ancient Nest," Ling Yanzi said.
The Universe Cauldron was a cauldron of space.
If Ling Yanzi activated it, she could hide the cauldron deep within space, making it vanish completely.
But this was not foolproof. Once an Ancestor realized that Ling Yanzi might be hiding at the broken point of the River of Time and entered through the domain of time, there would be nowhere to hide.
Zhang Ruochen had already planned to retrieve the Nether City and then go to his death, to verify the conjectures in his heart and find a way to break free from the endgame chessboard set by the Immortal.
By then, all the treasures on him would be lost.
Leaving even one would be a flaw.
Thus, giving the Universe Cauldron to Ling Yanzi was better than leaving it to an enemy.
The Universe Cauldron flew into the Primordial Qi mist. Soon after, Ling Yanzi's voice emerged: "Lending the cauldron merits the gift of a zither. The Cause Zither has accompanied me for years like an old friend. Now I entrust it to you, hoping you will treat it well until the day its life ends."
The Cause Zither flew out from the clouds.
Clearly, Ling Yanzi did not want to take advantage of a younger generation as an elder and intended to compensate him.
Zhang Ruochen did not reach for the Cause Zither. Instead, he said cheerfully, "The Universe Cauldron is of little use to me. But the Ling Ancestor stands alone by the River of Time, day after day, year after year. The Cause Zither holds great meaning for you—how could I take what you cherish? Besides, it is merely a loan of the cauldron—why must a zither be gifted?"
Ling Yanzi said, "This zither has seven strings, each imbued with a divine ability personally set by the Great Venerable. The offensive divine ability is no weaker than his full-force strike. The concealment divine ability can hide from heaven and earth. The speed divine ability can allow escape from any powerful being in the world."
"Over the years, I have used up the divine abilities on five strings, leaving only these two—the azure and the white. They represent 'Returning Home' and 'Orchid and Mugwort Burning Together.'"
"Activating the former allows one to escape with one's life."
"Activating the latter destroys the zither and the body, annihilating both form and spirit together—unless the enemy is an Ancestor. Even an Ancestor will not fare well. Of course, I hope you never have to activate this divine ability."
The divine ability representing "Returning Home" needed no further explanation.
The divine ability representing "Orchid and Mugwort Burning Together" was undoubtedly a method Ling Yanzi gave Zhang Ruochen to deal with an Ancestor. Naturally, it was not meant for Zhang Ruochen to carry the zither to his death, but for him to choose a cultivator willing to die and severely wound an Ancestor.
If Zhang Ruochen's wisdom was deep enough and his layout meticulous enough, he might have a chance to hunt a severely injured Ancestor.
This was the only way when there was no other choice.
No one wanted to actively become an enemy of an Ancestor.
But in this era, the stronger one's cultivation, the more one was caught in circumstances beyond control. When an Ancestor wanted to kill you, they would not reason with you.
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand. "This zither is too precious. I cannot accept it."
Ling Yanzi said, "If you truly do not want it, you can find it a master. Use every treasure and every bit of power wisely—only then can you live longer and wait for hope. If you truly feel the Cause Zither is too valuable, I do have a favor to ask, concerning Butterfly Senior Sister and the Primordial Beings."
Zhang Ruochen already had a guess. "Ling Ancestor, please speak freely."
Ling Yanzi said, "The strength of the Divine Realm and the Nether Ancestor Faction far surpasses any other force. Even if all the forces in the universe united, they could only make the price they pay a little heavier."
"To win, to achieve something, to defy fate, you must fight for more time. To fight for more time, you absolutely cannot let them pick you off one by one."
"I understand."
Zhang Ruochen said, "The Ling Ancestor hopes that when the Abyss of Darkness faces a dead end, I can extend a helping hand."
Ling Yanzi said, "Actually, I share your thoughts. The Primordial Black Dragon may not be trustworthy, may not shoulder the responsibility of reviving the Primordial Beings, and may not be worthy of respect. But its power can restrain the Nether Ancestor Faction and the Divine Realm, holding extraordinary value."
Zhang Ruochen observed Immortal Music Master's expression. "As long as they are not ambitious and ready to counterattack the upper realm at any time, I am very willing to help the Primordial Beings."
Immortal Music Master wore a veil, revealing no expression. "The Entropy Calamity has appeared, and the Great Calamity is imminent. Life and death are before our eyes. How could I continue to cling to revenge and the restoration of the Primordial Era's glory? Imperial Dust need not worry about this."
Ling Yanzi said, "I wish to mediate the grievances between you and Butterfly Senior Sister. Ruochen, can you agree to this request?"
Zhang Ruochen's face turned cold. After a long silence, he said, "What I hate most in this life are those who betray trust. If you do wrong, you must pay the price. If Immortal Music Master can hand over the Netherworld Seal as compensation and kneel to apologize, I can give the Ling Ancestor face and no longer hold a grudge."
The Heavenly Mother breathed a silent sigh of relief. The current Zhang Ruochen truly possessed the heart of a strong person. Even facing Ling Yanzi, an ancestor, he was not blindly obedient.
The self-will of a strong person would not change for anyone.
Immortal Music Master already knew that the Divine Realm and the Nether Ancestor Faction were about to move against the Primordial Black Dragon, and the Primordial Beings of the Abyss of Darkness would be hard-pressed to survive. Now, Ling Yanzi clearly could not return to help, and the only one who could still aid the Abyss of Darkness was Zhang Ruochen.
Kneeling to apologize was nothing. Even if she had to strip naked and kneel beneath Zhang Ruochen, she would not hesitate.
In her heart, the survival of the Twelve Primordial Clans far outweighed her own honor or disgrace.
Immortal Music Master's eyes were calm as a spiritual lake. Her tall and slender figure walked step by step toward Zhang Ruochen, her white veil gently swaying. She took out the Netherworld Seal, presented it with both hands, then closed her eyes and bent her knees to kneel.
Suddenly.
A pair of broad and powerful hands caught her by the shoulders, stopping her from kneeling.
Immortal Music Master opened her eyes and looked up.
Zhang Ruochen helped her up, then tucked the Netherworld Seal into his sleeve, tucked the Cause Zither under his right arm, and strode away, waving his hand. "Forget it! You are the Ling Ancestor's senior sister, so I'll save you some face. These legs of yours belong to me from now on. If you offend again, I'll take them."
The Heavenly Mother followed Zhang Ruochen away.
Immortal Music Master stared at Zhang Ruochen's back, slowly exhaled, and said with misty eyes, "I have always regarded him as a child."
"If that child's cultivation has already surpassed yours, then you need to find a new position for yourself. Senior Sister, Zhang Ruochen is not hard to deal with—he clearly has a soft spot." Ling Yanzi said.
...
Void Heaven stared at Zhang Ruochen, who seemed petrified.
He saw a shadowy figure holding a zither fly out from the dense time rules and merge with Zhang Ruochen's body.
Zhang Ruochen opened his eyes, meeting Void Heaven's gaze.
"The Cause Zither! How did the Cause Zither end up in your hands?" Void Heaven exclaimed.
The cultivators waiting in the Divine Wood Nest all turned their gazes toward him.
Zhang Ruochen put away the Cause Zither. "Didn't you go into the Divine Ancient Nest to find Ling Yanzi? Did you find her?"
Void Heaven felt as if Zhang Ruochen was mocking him. He snorted, "Ling Yanzi is not in the Divine Ancient Nest at all. I searched every corner—no trace. The Heavenly Mother and Immortal Music Master are also gone. Strange, why did the Cause Zither fall into your hands?"
*Ling Yanzi is in the He Luo Sea, but in the past, at the broken point of time in the He Luo Sea. How could you find her in this era?* Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
"The Cause Zither is an heirloom of the Zhang Clan's ancestors. It is only fitting that I inherit it. What business is it of yours, old ghost Void?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Void Heaven said, "I... am I asking about the Cause Zither? I am asking about Ling Yanzi's whereabouts! I want to know whether the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable is alive or dead."
"Only the Divine Realm and the Nether Ancestor Faction care about that... Hey..."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Void Heaven with a strange expression.
"You dare suspect me?"
Void Heaven was furious, unable to maintain a good mood around Zhang Ruochen, and was about to start cursing.
Chi Yao said, "Can you two stop arguing? Danger could come at any moment. Can't you think about something useful?"
Zhang Ruochen was, of course, thinking.
Now that he understood the truth—that the Great Venerable was trapped in the past and Ling Yanzi could not act—he had to readjust his previous plans.
Previously, Zhang Ruochen had dared to face death without worry because he knew Ling Yanzi was still alive. If he died, Ling Yanzi would surely leave the Divine Ancient Nest and take charge.
Since the Divine Ancient Nest was unreliable, he had to find another Ancestor-level combat power to stabilize the situation.
Otherwise, after his death, without the Nether Ancestor Faction or the Divine Realm making a move, the Dark Lord and the Primordial Black Dragon might devour the Sword Realm clean.
"Hua!"
A thick pillar of demonic qi flew from the depths of the starry sky and landed on the Divine Wood Nest, condensing into a burly figure.
It was Meng Ge, ranked fifth among the Seventy-Two Pillar Demon Gods.
He represented the Heavenly Court Universe.
"Senior Meng Ge, you have arrived just in time."
Zhang Ruochen quickly stepped forward to greet him.
Meng Ge was slightly surprised. "I thought I was late."
"No, no, you are just in time. I happen to have something related to the Truth Hall Master that I wish to discuss with you." As Zhang Ruochen said this, he secretly glanced at Void Heaven, on guard.
Then, Zhang Ruochen released the Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal, blocking outside eavesdropping.
"Related to the Truth Hall Master? Isn't that related to me? Why is he guarding against me? Meng Ge has only known the junior sister for how many years? Zhang Ruochen must have seen Ling Yanzi—what did he learn from her?"
Void Heaven's curiosity grew stronger as he carefully observed Zhang Ruochen and Meng Ge.
He saw that after hearing Zhang Ruochen's words, Meng Ge's expression grew increasingly serious, and finally his eyes turned cold as frost.
Then, Zhang Ruochen handed a mysterious object to Meng Ge.
The Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal reopened, and Zhang Ruochen said earnestly, "This matter can only be entrusted to Senior Meng Ge. Any other cultivator would be useless. Perhaps this is fate's decree."
"Since Imperial Dust says so, Meng Ge naturally will not refuse. I will surely slay Jiusi Yitianhuang." Meng Ge said in a deep voice, his five fingers gripping the mysterious object tightly.
Void Heaven understood now—Zhang Ruochen knew the whereabouts of Jiusi Yitianhuang. He immediately became displeased, strode over, and said coldly, "Him? Can he be a match for Jiusi Yitianhuang? Zhang Ruochen, have you lost your mind? After the master's death, the one with the deepest bond with the junior sister is me. When it comes to avenging her, when does it fall to someone who couldn't even protect her?"
"I, Xu Fengjin, a Half-Ancestor of this era, have slain Bone Yanluo. My sword exists only to kill Jiusi Yitianhuang. Give me that thing and tell me Jiusi Yitianhuang's whereabouts—I am more qualified than him."
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment, then said, "It's not impossible, but Senior Meng Ge can go to avenge the Truth Hall Master without hesitation. As for Void Heaven Senior... how sincere you are is hard to say... Eh, forget it. Senior Meng Ge, let's discuss this in detail. This matter is dangerous, and the fewer people who know, the better."