Chapter 4096: Clash with Four Half-Ancestors
"Zhang Ruochen, we had no intention of killing you originally, but you have walked yourself onto a dead-end path."
The Mother of Weak Water grabbed the golden scepter left behind after Koro's death, taking human form, stepping upon a long river as spatial rule divine patterns flowed around her body. In an instant, she crossed vast void distances, swinging the scepter straight at Zhang Ruochen's head.
She had not yet appeared, but the scepter arrived first.
The golden scepter, left behind by the Ancestor Hidden, was considered the number one divine artifact of the Undying Blood Clan, undoubtedly listed in the first chapter of the *Taibai Divine Artifact Chapter*.
Driven by Half-Ancestor divine qi, the golden scepter erupted with world-destroying power, unstoppable by any defensive light curtain or Dao technique.
If struck by a single blow, no matter how strong Zhang Ruochen's physical body was, he could not withstand it.
Ahead, Lady Shiji controlled the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron, pressing down like a divine mountain. Behind, the Soul Mother thrust the Eternal Spear toward his back. Countless Half-Ancestor rule divine patterns intertwined like chains and spiderwebs, binding Zhang Ruochen's movements.
Not even his physical body could move, let alone his divine soul.
In this moment of extreme danger, Zhang Ruochen remained calm. Within his lower abdomen's Mysterious Womb, forty clusters of Dao light spun rapidly. Then, a Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal spread beneath his feet, expanding outward.
This Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal was like a mirror's surface, with another Zhang Ruochen's figure appearing inside it.
Like a reflection in water.
"Time and space are in chaos!"
Lady Shiji had seen Zhang Ruochen use this technique before.
With his supreme mastery of time and space, he could open up a new time-space in a short period, creating a superimposed state where two versions of himself coexisted.
His combat power directly doubled.
Even with her Half-Ancestor peak cultivation, Lady Shiji could not perform such a technique!
Breaking this technique was not difficult—use time or space methods to disrupt the balance between time and space.
As this thought arose, Lady Shiji parted her crimson lips and called out, "Demon Shrine."
"Too late!"
The independent new time-space had already opened.
From the two Zhang Ruochens, one above and one below, divine qi clouds burst forth simultaneously. Every pore inside their bodies seemed to contain a divine stone vein.
Although the Zhang Ruochen above was suppressed by Lady Shiji and the Soul Mother, the Zhang Ruochen below was unaffected. He pulled out the Heavenly Demon Stone Blade and strode forward.
Blood flowed like rivers within his body as he swung the blade toward the sky, clashing with the descending golden scepter.
The Mother of Weak Water's strength was no match for Zhang Ruochen's.
"Boom!"
In the collision, black demonic light and golden lightning erupted.
The hand with which the Mother of Weak Water held the golden scepter cracked, liquefied and deformed, water splashing everywhere. It nearly shattered as her form rapidly retreated along the Weak Water Long River.
"Two Zhang Ruochens? Which one is the real body? Are both real bodies?"
The Mother of Weak Water quickly condensed her body, unwilling to believe that Zhang Ruochen could repel a Half-Ancestor like herself with just a doppelganger.
The Zhang Ruochen holding the Heavenly Demon Stone Blade did not pursue the Mother of Weak Water. His second strike turned back to slash at the Soul Mother.
He showed no mercy, even though she looked exactly like Lian Xi.
"Die!"
Zhang Ruochen's aura was magnificent, his blade intent capable of splitting mountains and rivers. Before the blade edge arrived, the blade intent had already entered the Soul Mother's body, as if it would sever her divine soul as well!
The Soul Mother knew well how terrifying Zhang Ruochen's combat power was. Startled, she retreated with her spear, unwilling to clash head-on with him.
Even though she was fast enough, the blade tip still grazed her back, cutting a foot-long gash in her divine robe, blood gushing like a spring.
Her physical body had not reached the Half-Ancestor level—it was Lian Xi's body.
Without the Eternal Spear piercing his back, the Zhang Ruochen holding the Abyssal Ancient Divine Sword roared, his long hair flying upward as he attacked Lady Shiji together with the Zhang Ruochen holding the Heavenly Demon Stone Blade.
"One Sword Sweeps Away the Path of Mortals!"
"Heavenly Demon Draws Blade, All Things Crumble!"
The two divine abilities merged, one horizontal and one vertical, forming a black cross.
The sword light's killing intent was fierce, the blade's aura's malevolence strong, stirring up endless storms that sent the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron, the Demon Shrine, and Lady Shiji flying backward.
Lady Shiji retreated tens of thousands of miles away, lifting her sleeve to look—there were seven or eight torn openings.
She looked back at Zhang Ruochen.
The two versions of him had already merged.
The newly opened time-space had disappeared!
The last time she saw Zhang Ruochen use this time-space technique, he could only open the new time-space for an instant, enough for just one move. This time, it lasted much longer.
"So he broke the deadlock like this. Quite troublesome!" said the Mother of Weak Water.
The wound on Zhang Ruochen's back healed quickly. His gaze was cold as he swept his eyes over the four Half-Ancestors standing in the four directions.
Around each Half-Ancestor, clouds of rules interwove.
Lady Shiji took a step back, entering the Demon Shrine, standing inside like a beautiful goddess. "I understand now! You didn't bring the Sundial or the No Self Lamp, and you naturally entrusted the Victory Crown to others, because you suspected I might be the Nether Ancestor. You came with the resolve to die. But Zhang Ruochen, today you truly have no chance of victory!"
Zhang Ruochen held a sword in one hand and a blade in the other. The Hong Cauldron, Wu Cauldron, and Earth Cauldron all expanded to the size of mountains, circling around him for protection.
His gaze was arrogant, his tone calm. "Four against one is an unfair victory. Lady, with your cultivation and status, why not duel me one-on-one?"
The Demon Shrine was the number one divine artifact of the Demon Ancestor, a time treasure. The time rules and time imprint light points it derived covered the entire Hundred Flowers Garden Small World.
Lady Shiji said, "Even among Half-Ancestors, cultivation levels differ. My cultivation has reached the Half-Ancestor peak, with one foot stepping into the Ancestor realm. Without the Victory Crown, you cannot be my opponent."
Zhang Ruochen said, "So, Lady agrees to a one-on-one duel?"
"No!"
Lady Shiji gently shook her head. "If it were merely a contest of techniques, I am one hundred percent confident of defeating you. But you, Zhang Ruochen, are no ordinary person. You came ready to die, fighting like a cornered beast. If you try to take me down with you, I have not even a ten percent chance of survival. So, it is safer for the four of us to join forces."
Zhang Ruochen smiled bitterly and shook his head, as if somewhat regretful. "If even one of the Universe Cauldron or the Victory Crown were in my hands today, you could not keep me here."
"Saying this now is meaningless. Let's fight—delay invites change."
The golden scepter in the Mother of Weak Water's hand grew to several thousand feet tall, like a metal divine tree, illuminating the Hundred Flowers Garden Small World, which had turned into chaos, with a golden glow.
The Soul Mother caught the flying Ghost Seal and raised it above her head.
Countless ghosts flew out from within, condensing into patches of yin clouds.
In an instant, this place became a ghost realm, bone-chillingly cold, with ghost soldiers and generals everywhere, numbering in the trillions.
"Lady, go ahead. I will support this world and prevent the outside from discovering anything," said Red Crow King, his voice dry, like wood rubbing together.
"Caw! Caw!"
Fire crows flew out in flocks from the branches of the Red Crow Tree, like stars in the sky, attaching themselves to the void.
At this moment, the Hundred Flowers Garden Small World completely transformed into a different time-space battlefield, isolated from the outside world.
"Do you know the price you will pay for killing me?"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was cold and fierce. He would not sit idly and wait for death!
Divine blood burned within his body, his aura continuously rising. His long hair turned into fire serpents, his skin like molten iron, his pupils pitch-black and profound.
The Mother of Weak Water attacked first, but Zhang Ruochen charged forward, sending her flying backward.
"Whoosh!"
His right arm swung, and the Mother of Weak Water's head was severed by the Abyssal Ancient Divine Sword.
"You, a mere weak water spirit, dare to engage me in close combat?"
The Abyssal Ancient Divine Sword contained God-Defying Stele material. Once it touched her, a large number of rule divine patterns were immediately erased.
Before Zhang Ruochen could further wound the Mother of Weak Water, the Eternal Spear flew like an arrow from a bow, dragging a tail hundreds of miles long, colliding to create ripples of time.
"Bang!"
The Hong Cauldron flew out, clashing with the Eternal Spear just a hundred meters from Zhang Ruochen.
Like a universe explosion, intense Truth Divine Light and time light burst forth.
The Mother of Weak Water's head took this opportunity to escape and recombine with her body.
"Blood Devouring Curse!"
The Mother of Weak Water formed hand seals, and an ancient curse pattern appeared on her forehead.
Invisible curse power entered Zhang Ruochen's body.
She knew well that Zhang Ruochen carried the Mani Pearl, which could resist curses. So she did not intend to curse him to death, but rather to use the Blood Devouring Curse to suppress his burning of divine blood.
Burning divine blood harmed himself, but it also greatly boosted Zhang Ruochen's combat power.
Zhang Ruochen ignored the Blood Devouring Curse. He shifted his position, grabbed the Eternal Spear, stroked his hand over the spear shaft, and immediately suppressed its artifact spirit. Then, he hurled it toward the Mother of Weak Water.
He was well aware that the four Half-Ancestors had sealed off the different time-space battlefield like four layers of iron walls. Even if he had not lent out the Universe Cauldron, escaping today would be difficult.
He had to fight to the death.
But fighting to the death required strategy.
Injuring ten fingers is not as good as breaking one.
He had to severely wound one of the Half-Ancestors to the point of losing combat capability. Only then would the unbreakable defense here show a flaw. Only then would he have a chance to break out!
Only by breaking out could he force the Nether Ancestor to act personally and reveal his true form.
The Mother of Weak Water immediately stopped casting the curse and used the golden scepter to deflect the Eternal Spear.
"Whoosh!"
Before her eyes blurred, Zhang Ruochen stood before her, the Heavenly Demon Stone Blade slashing straight down.
Thirty-six Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription scenes appeared behind Zhang Ruochen, with countless Heavenly Demon figures, each majestic and awe-inspiring.
As the blade fell, all the Heavenly Demon figures overlapped onto Zhang Ruochen.
"Not good!"
The Mother of Weak Water swung the golden scepter, drawing the Weak Water Long River to form layer after layer of water curtains before her, rapidly retreating.
"Pfft!"
It was unstoppable. The countless water curtains were broken by a single slash.
Her body split from the forehead down to the legs, dividing into two, with large amounts of weak water essence and divine qi rules dispersing.
For a Half-Ancestor, this still did not harm the source.
The two halves of the Mother of Weak Water's body turned into two rivers, fleeing left and right, hoping to quickly recombine.
Taking this opportunity, Zhang Ruochen used the Way of Truth to see through the location of the Mother of Weak Water's divine sea. With a thought, the Earth Cauldron flew out.
"Whoosh!"
On the cauldron's body, the images of the Primordial World flickered like light marks, then detached, transforming into a vast and expansive real world that enveloped the two halves of the Mother of Weak Water's body.
"Bang!"
The Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron fell heavily, smashing a huge hole in the Primordial World.
Seeing that the Mother of Weak Water and the Soul Mother were no match for Zhang Ruochen, Lady Shiji finally acted.
She held the Eternal Spear, using it as a staff, swinging it from top to bottom to block Zhang Ruochen's pursuit of the Mother of Weak Water.
"Boom!"
Zhang Ruochen raised his blade to block.
Overwhelming power surged toward him, and countless time imprint light points pierced through his body. The robe on his body, as if subjected to a million years of erosion, became withered and tattered.
It was a completely different level of power. Lady Shiji was far stronger than the Mother of Weak Water.
Their eyes met, all previous friendliness and smiles gone.
Zhang Ruochen could not help but wonder: if he had made a different choice when Lady Shiji removed her clothes earlier, what would the outcome have been?
Of course, this thought appeared for only an instant before he cut it off.
One wrong step leads to a thousand wrong steps.
In the end, it would only lead to utter ruin.
If he had chosen the warmth of jade and fragrance earlier, that would have been the first wrong step.
The second step might have been to become a member of the Nether Ancestor faction. In the end, he would have completely become the Nether Ancestor's enforcer, or a pawn, with no further qualification to contend with him.
The Destiny Ancestor, who once knelt at the Nether Ancestor's feet and called himself the Nether Son, might have only wanted to temporarily compromise to obtain a more comfortable cultivation environment. But later, without realizing it, he became a member of the Nether Ancestor's faction, never able to be himself again.
Zhang Ruochen did not want to become the second Destiny Ancestor!
"Zhang Ruochen, I offered you a better path. We could have entered the new era hand in hand, but you did not cherish it. You forced me to kill you."
Lady Shiji had lived for eons and was proficient in all techniques. With the spear in hand, her moves were unpredictable. Each strike could summon a long river of time, cutting off an eon's worth of a cultivator's lifespan.
Her physical body seemed forged from the essence of heaven and earth, like an Ancestor in person. A single finger could crush a star river. Her strength was one or two levels above Zhang Ruochen's, giving her absolute superiority.
She had hidden her true power before. At the very least, she had never used the Way of Nothingness.
With the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron and the Demon Shrine in her possession, her combat power was not much less than that of the Heavenly Mother or Zhang Ruochen at their peak.
The two clashed for hundreds of moves, various divine abilities flying. Even burning divine blood, Zhang Ruochen could barely hold his ground, continuously retreating, falling into a disadvantage.
"Where are your Ancestral Blood Wings? Your Twenty-Seven Layers of Heavenly Realm World? Your Sword Ancestor Sword Heart?" Lady Shiji asked.
"Knowing that coming here would leave little chance of survival, how could I leave these treasures for you? If I choose to shatter everything, how many of you here can I take with me?"
Zhang Ruochen's green robe was stained red with blood, but his battle intent remained strong. A wild smile appeared in his eyes, as if he might unleash a mutual destruction technique at any moment.
No one doubted Zhang Ruochen's resolve.
He had proven time and again that he did not fear death.
Such resolve was the true deterrent!
"Nether Heavenly Flame, burn the spirit!"
Red Crow King used a curse-like divine ability to attack Zhang Ruochen's essence, qi, and spirit.
Once his essence, qi, and spirit burned away, no matter how high a cultivator's realm, they would fall from their pedestal, becoming like a puppet or a plant.
"Floating Life Great Dream, Suppress the Soul!"
In the distance, the Soul Mother held the Ghost Seal with both hands, raising it above her head, unleashing her strongest technique.
All the ghosts in heaven and earth shot toward Zhang Ruochen at the speed of light.
"Boom!"
Zhang Ruochen's divine soul seemed to be struck from above and below by heaven and earth. His body shook violently, briefly losing consciousness.
"Has he not reached the Half-Ancestor realm?"
Lady Shiji narrowed her eyes slightly, this thought flashing through her mind, but she found it unlikely. There was no way a cultivator at the Heavenly Venerable level could match her; the realm gap was too great.
If Zhang Ruochen carried several heavy treasures, he could definitely match her.
The thought flashed by, and Lady Shiji seized the opportunity, thrusting her spear straight at Zhang Ruochen's Mysterious Womb.
"Pfft!"
The Eternal Spear pierced through Zhang Ruochen's abdomen, divine blood flowing.
But no matter how much power Lady Shiji exerted, the Eternal Spear could not advance another inch, as if stuck in mud.
It seemed she had lost control of the Eternal Spear.
"You fell for it! Do you think mere Red Crow King and Soul Mother can suppress my soul?"
Zhang Ruochen's pupils burst with divine light, his gaze extremely sharp. He thrust his sword at Lady Shiji's forehead.
This sword traced a perfect "one" stroke, surpassing time and space rules, giving Lady Shiji no chance to react.
"Whoosh!"
Lady Shiji abandoned the Eternal Spear and retreated. With a flicker of her form, she was already tens of thousands of miles away.
The flower ornament on her forehead was even more vivid, a drop of blood flowing out.
If she had been even a moment slower, her physical body would have been severely wounded.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes showed disappointment. In that instant just now, Lady Shiji's forehead had erupted with darkness and nothingness rule divine patterns, neutralizing most of the Abyssal Ancient Divine Sword's power.
This was the realm of a Quasi-Ancestor!
Every rule divine pattern was like a divine chain, indestructible, containing infinite Dao power.
"Everyone thinks my weakness is in my Mysterious Womb, but they do not know that the Mysterious Womb is the strongest part of my entire body."
Zhang Ruochen grabbed the spear shaft with his left hand and pulled the Eternal Spear from his abdomen. The spear tip was crimson, divine blood dripping continuously, turning into clusters of blood mist that drifted in the void.
He looked to his left.
There, Red Crow King, who had not directly participated in the battle, had taken the opportunity during the lull to suppress the Hong Cauldron, binding it under layers of tree roots.