Chapter 4159: Meeting Chi Yao
Zhang Ruochen stood at the prow of the divine ship, gazing into the starry space ahead where mist-like nebulae drifted. There, countless great worlds and star-sized Divine Throne Planets were densely arranged, majestic and awe-inspiring, shaking the soul.
In terms of material abundance, the number of cultivators, and the vibrancy of Heaven and Earth Rules, this place surpassed any other location in the cosmos.
Over five thousand great worlds and five thousand life-bearing main stars were crowded into this star domain, spanning merely one light-year in size. Additionally, Divine Throne Planets were countless, dotting the expanse like gems, continuously emitting divine Qi and Rule Divine Marks.
The most important great worlds and main stars of the Heavenly Court Universe had all been relocated here.
The great worlds were linked together into formations, with rivers of Formation Inscription Marks flowing and shuttling between them.
The Divine Throne Planets were distributed on the periphery, forming an indestructible doomsday fortress.
The Heavenly Court lay at the very center of this star domain. The Heavenly River, which once flowed around the Heavenly Court, had been replaced by a Formation Divine River, eighty-four thousand miles wide.
The Merit Divine Star still stood by the riverbank, but the master of the Merit Divine Temple had long since changed, now replaced by Zhen Yuan, the peerless prodigy of the Five Elements Temple.
The Merit Divine Star was not spherical but terraced in shape.
The Merit Divine Temple sat at the very top of the Merit Divine Star, its size equal to the star itself, shrouded in clouds and mist, appearing immensely towering.
Zhen Yuan wore a Daoist robe, with a brown wooden hairpin tucked into his hair. He still looked as vigorous and handsome as in the past, only his eyes now held more weariness and depth.
He gazed at the Bone Divine Ship sailing toward the Formation Divine River, about to enter the Heavenly Court, and called out, "Heavenly Venerable, please stay. The Merit Divine Temple has a cup of clear tea to offer."
Zhang Ruochen, standing at the ship's prow, looked over and met Zhen Yuan's slightly smiling eyes. At this moment, only Zi Xi, wearing a purple gauze hat, was beside Zhang Ruochen; the others had all entered the Divine Refining Tower to cultivate.
Zi Xi's personality was heavily influenced by the Soul Mother, and her tone was cold: "He seems to know quite a few things he shouldn't. Should we eliminate him?"
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment. He was in no rush to head to the Heavenly Court. With a thought, he steered the divine ship to dock outside the Merit Divine Temple.
Before he could disembark, Zhen Yuan had already approached and took the initiative to say, "Lord Shang, Prince Lian, and the Compassionate Navigation Venerable passed by the Merit Divine Star and informed me of the events at the Gray Sea. I have been waiting outside the temple for three days."
The bond between the Compassionate Navigation Venerable and Zhen Yuan was no less deep than her bond with Zhang Ruochen.
It was not surprising that she had shared some matters with Zhen Yuan.
Zhen Yuan's cultivation was formidable, displaying a late-blooming, surging momentum. His realm had already reached the peak of Indestructible Infinite, surpassing some Eon-level geniuses of his era.
His talent lay in absolute focus and unparalleled comprehension, rare among cultivators across the universe.
While other cultivators found cultivation slower as they progressed, he found it easier, as if realm bottlenecks did not exist for him.
Among his peers, only Zhang Ruochen, Yan Wushen, and Chi Yao could firmly suppress him.
Even the Compassionate Navigation Venerable, who was the ten-thousandth reincarnation of the Kṣitigarbha Buddha, only surpassed him in realm—reaching the Heavenly Venerable level—after fully merging ten thousand lifetimes of merit at the Life-and-Death Boundary.
It could be said that those among his peers stronger than him were all figures with extraordinary foundations or heaven-defying opportunities.
Those relying solely on innate talent, like Yin Yuanchen, Bai Qinger, and Que, had all fallen behind him in realm.
Among his contemporaries in the Heavenly Court Universe, only Feng Yan—who had obtained the "Five-Colored Pool" and "Heaven-Mending War Soul" from the Nüwa Palace and, with Zhang Ruochen's help, fused the "Five-Colored Glass Canopy"—and Xiang Chunan, who had fused the "Heart of Truth," could keep pace with him.
As for others, even the brilliant Xuan Yuan Lian was actually one or two Eons older, not of the same generation.
If the departure of figures like the Dragon Lord and the Divine Ancestor God Lord, and the fall of Qingcheng Yun and Murong Tailai, had nearly severed the middle generation of the Heavenly Court Universe, then the new generation—represented by Xuan Yuan Lian, Zhen Yuan, the Compassionate Navigation Venerable, Feng Yan, and Xiang Chunan—could absolutely support the future of the Heavenly Court Universe.
Zhang Ruochen stepped off the divine ship and asked, "How did you know I would arrive at the Heavenly Court in these few days?"
Zhen Yuan made a gesture toward the temple gate, inviting him in.
They walked together. Zhen Yuan naturally knew the cultivation level of this "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable," but he was not restrained, remaining calm and composed as he walked and said, "The time required to travel from the Bone God Temple to the Heavenly Court is not hard to calculate. The Heavenly Venerable must have slowed down out of caution, to avoid being detected by the Eternal True Ruler, which is why you arrived three days late."
"Are you testing me?" Zhang Ruochen said.
The plan to subdue Xuan Yuan the Second and the Black-and-White Daoist as blades against the Divine Realm was unknown even to the Compassionate Navigation Venerable and Xuan Yuan Lian. How had Zhen Yuan learned of it?
Zhen Yuan shook his head, smiling, "I wouldn't dare test the Heavenly Venerable! Rather, I am certain that the mastermind behind the Second Heavenly King and the Black-and-White Daoist is undoubtedly the Heavenly Venerable."
When the Sundial was activated on a large scale, Zhen Yuan had cultivated within it for hundreds of thousands of years, his actual age approaching a million years. During that time, Zhang Ruochen had imparted all his understanding of the Five Elements to him.
It could be said that Zhen Yuan's current cultivation realm was due to his own extraordinary comprehension, diligence, and focus. But Zhang Ruochen's help had also played a decisive role; otherwise, he might not have achieved Indestructible Infinite cultivation now.
Since Zhang Ruochen had valued him enough to help him wholeheartedly, it was clear that Zhang Ruochen trusted him.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen did not deny it and asked, "What's your reasoning?"
Zhen Yuan said, "Those who dare to oppose the Divine Realm and escape unscathed, even if not Primordial Ancestors, are definitely top-tier among Half-Ancestors. Beings like the Corpse Demon, the Dark Sovereign, and the Hongmeng Black Dragon could have done it long ago if they wished. But though they are Primordial Ancestors, they are weighed down by concerns, scheming against each other, each wanting the other to act first to reap the benefits."
"Excluding them, not many remain!"
"Coincidentally, the Compassionate Navigation Venerable informed me that Hao Tian had passed on the throne and a new Heavenly Venerable was coming. The new Heavenly Venerable, having crossed the Fire Domain, must have unfathomable cultivation."
"Moreover, to win over the masses, revive morale, take control of the Heavenly Palace, and gather hearts, the new Heavenly Venerable would have to display strength and a tough stance to awe the world."
"The battle at the Bone God Temple is enough!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I did not intend to use the Bone God Temple battle to establish my might. Now is not the time for a direct confrontation with the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom. As you said, it would only let others reap the benefits."
Zhen Yuan smiled, "You don't need to let the world know; just let everyone speculate about the Heavenly Venerable. Just as everyone guesses that the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable used the Seventy-Two Layer Tower to suppress the Nether Ancestor, drawing countless cultivators to worship at the Kunlun Realm."
"If everything in this world were crystal clear, there would be no room for buffer."
"Does the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom truly want to wage war directly against the Heavenly Court Universe? I doubt it."
Zhen Yuan continued, "Once the Heavenly Venerable becomes the master of the Heavenly Palace, there will be no shortage of people—including the Eternal True Ruler—speculating about the Heavenly Venerable. Even now, I am not the only one guessing it was the Heavenly Venerable. Empress Chi Yao has been waiting in the temple for some time."
They entered the Merit Divine Temple.
Indeed, Chi Yao was already waiting inside, standing at the very center of the temple.
She was disguised as a man, with Chaotic Divine Radiance flowing around her.
Her aura was extraordinary, and her sharp eyes had been observing Zhang Ruochen.
What startled Chi Yao was that the Daoist before her seemed to distort the space around him, his form shifting like Myriad Forms Formless, revealing no heavenly secrets, let alone allowing her to discern his realm or cultivation.
"Heavenly Venerable, the clear tea is ready. Please!" Chi Yao said.
The Compassionate Navigation Venerable and Xuan Yuan Lian had returned to the Heavenly Court several days ago. It was not surprising that Chi Yao had sought them out.
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The waters of the Sword Realm ran deep, and Zhang Ruochen had no intention of revealing his identity to Chi Yao now. He did not take a seat but asked, "As I understand, aside from the Fallen God Island Master, all cultivators above the Heavenly Venerable level in the Sword Realm have gone into hiding. Your Majesty is active in the Heavenly Court—are you not afraid of inviting deadly trouble?"
"No matter the danger, I must come."
Chi Yao added, "The return of the Compassionate Navigation Venerable and Lord Shang was kept secret, but no wall is impermeable. News has already spread quietly. This is the most important matter in the universe!"
"What exactly happened at the Gray Sea and Biluo Pass? Have the Nether Ancestor, Hao Tian, and the Fourth Confucian Ancestor truly fallen?"
"These questions stir many hearts and concern everyone's life and death. Soon, many cultivators will seek out the Heavenly Venerable to ask for answers."
Zhang Ruochen walked to the tea table and sat down, unhurriedly saying, "I heard that Your Majesty once cultivated in the Western Buddha Realm and has a deep friendship with the Compassionate Navigation Venerable. Did she not tell you?"
Chi Yao, not yielding in presence, sat upright across from him, "Precisely because of our deep friendship, the Compassionate Navigation Venerable informed me of the Heavenly Venerable's impending arrival. But her cultivation is limited and cannot compare to the Heavenly Venerable's."
"When Heavenly Venerable Hao Tian was alive, the Heavenly Court Universe and the Sword Realm were strategic allies, advancing and retreating together to face the threats of the Immortals and Primordial Ancestors. I hope the Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable can carry on his will, trust the Sword Realm, and hold nothing back."
Zhang Ruochen had no intention of revealing the secret of "Fanxin" to Chi Yao.
In his view, Fanxin's danger level was no less than that of the Nether Ancestor, an extremely uncertain factor.
Telling Chi Yao would only put her in danger.
Zhang Ruochen sneered, "Hold nothing back? Your Majesty cannot even be completely open with me, so how can I do the same?" As he spoke, he pointed a finger at the space behind Chi Yao.
"Whoosh!"
The space rippled like water, then shattered.
The massive form of the Golden Lion Ancestor appeared in a corner of her Divine Realm World behind her.
It was fully awakened, its power at its absolute peak, releasing an aura no less than that of a peak Half-Ancestor like Erjun Tian.
Zhang Ruochen locked eyes with the Golden Lion Ancestor, both gazes icy cold.
The Zangjin Baihu was certainly left to guard the North Marsh Great Wall. That the Golden Lion Ancestor was traveling with Chi Yao was within Zhang Ruochen's expectations. Otherwise, how would Chi Yao dare place herself in such danger?
No matter how profound Chi Yao's mental state was, she could not help but be shocked. The Golden Lion Ancestor hidden within her Divine Realm World had been detected by the other party. This...
Could he be a Primordial Ancestor?
Chi Yao's respect grew, and she clasped her hands, "The Great Venerable's cultivation is profound; I admire it. This is an ancestor of my clan, with no ill intent whatsoever."
"The mount of the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable—how could I not recognize it?"
Zhang Ruochen's sharp gaze softened, "That the Sword Realm has earned the trust of Lord Hao Tian means I will naturally continue to cooperate with you. As for the questions you asked earlier, I can only tell you two things. First, Hao Tian and the Fourth Confucian Ancestor have indeed fallen. They died to stop the Minor Calamity triggered by the Nether Ancestor."
"Second, the Nether Ancestor has indeed been reduced to ashes."
"But don't celebrate too soon. Only an Immortal knows how to truly kill an Immortal."
"The Dark Sovereign was dismembered for millions of years, yet his remnants remain undying."
"The Hongmeng Black Dragon fell in the Ancient Desolate Era, countless eons ago, yet it could return."
"Is the Nether Ancestor truly dead? I remain skeptical."
Chi Yao was like a cold-blooded emperor, showing no emotional fluctuation—neither regret for the fall of Hao Tian and the Fourth Confucian Ancestor nor joy at the Nether Ancestor's demise.
After a long pause, she said, "The problems with the Divine Realm and the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom are indeed grave. Building the Heaven and Earth Altar is likely an open scheme. The Heavenly Venerable's willingness to oppose them shows unparalleled courage, and I deeply admire it. But I am very curious—what is the Heavenly Venerable's ultimate goal?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "Is this the real reason you waited here for me? Do you think I will overreach and bring catastrophic disaster to the Heavenly Court Universe, hastening the Minor Calamity?" Chi Yao let out a silent sigh of relief, finally showing a smile, "So the Heavenly Venerable has a plan. I was overthinking!"
All present were exceptionally intelligent.
Zhen Yuan said, "Once we deal with the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom's visible strong ones, the Divine Realm's true power will inevitably be revealed. At that time..."
Zhang Ruochen said, "At that time, we won't need to be so aggressive! What we need most now is not to clash head-on with the Divine Realm, but to delay time as much as possible, pushing the Minor Calamity further into the future. In this post-Hou Yi era, with everyone's cultivation speed, waiting another hundred thousand years will bring a new atmosphere to the universe. When we fight then, our chances of victory will be far greater!"
"But will the masterminds behind the scenes truly allow us to delay time?"
"Delaying time will be the hardest task ahead. I will do my utmost to contend with them, buying enough time for you younger ones to grow. Even if the sky falls, I will hold it up for you."
Zhen Yuan and Chi Yao exchanged glances, both knowing that this "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable" possessed not only courage but also great wisdom, with measured and flexible methods. Their worries vanished.
Both bowed deeply to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "Has the Heavenly Demon returned?"
Such a great secret might be inaccessible to other cultivators, but Chi Yao would surely know.
Just as Chi Yao was pondering how to answer, the voice of the Divine Ancestor God Lord came from outside the Merit Divine Temple: "I have arrived. Will you not show yourself?"
Chi Yao and Zhen Yuan exchanged puzzled looks.
Why had the Divine Ancestor God Lord come to the Merit Divine Temple at this time?
"I invited this honored guest," Zhang Ruochen said, then snorted coldly toward the temple entrance, "Bold of you to come alone. Enter!"
Chi Yao frowned.
Clearly, the Divine Ancestor God Lord did not know that the "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable" was inside the Merit Divine Temple.
He had come here because he sensed the aura of Zhuo Yanfei. And this was likely a deliberate move by the "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable" to lure him to the Merit Divine Temple.
The "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable" would never reveal that he was the mastermind behind Xuan Yuan the Second and the Black-and-White Daoist.
In other words...
The "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable" had lured the Divine Ancestor God Lord to the Merit Divine Temple to kill him here.
Chi Yao and Zhen Yuan both realized this almost simultaneously, drawing sharp breaths. They understood that the "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable" was doing this to bind them and the forces behind them irrevocably to his chariot.
If the Divine Ancestor God Lord died in the Merit Divine Temple, how could they escape blame?
Were they to become the "Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable's" visible blades?
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