Chapter 4167: The Chief of Heavenly Officials and the Chief of Earthly Officials
Zhang Ruochen led the Dragon Lord to the vicinity of the Ancestral Dragon's corpse, walking step by step through the void. The Ancestral Dragon's corpse was so immense that the two of them were like specks of light, minuscule in comparison.
The Ancestral Dragon scale in the Dragon Lord's palm, beyond his control, released scorching heat and shimmered with iridescent light.
This Ancestral Dragon scale was the hardest scale left behind by the Ancestral Dragon, capable of transforming into the Ancestral Dragon Armor, and was the Dragon Lord's most important trump card.
As a descendant of the Ancestral Dragon, the Dragon Lord's perception of the Ancestral Dragon's corpse was very keen. His gaze quickly fell upon the pair of dragon horns, and he was filled with immense shock.
"You see it?" Zhang Ruochen said.
The Dragon Lord nodded: "These dragon horns contain Ancestral Dragon Qi that is pure and dense. Each strand can pierce through a great world, seemingly untouched by the erosion of the River of Time. The reason the dragon scales possess such formidable power is likely derived from these two horns."
"It's not just the dragon horns. You can go ahead and thoroughly examine this Ancestral Dragon corpse," Zhang Ruochen said.
The Dragon Lord naturally desired this. He cupped his hands and bowed to Zhang Ruochen, then transformed into a stream of golden light, flying far away along the winding form of the corpse.
Zhang Ruochen stroked his beard, revealing a meaningful smile. So it turns out that when Uncle Dragon meets an elder of the Progenitor level, he is also so humble.
Thinking back to when he first met the Dragon Lord Ji Wang, that was truly a feeling of looking up to a towering mountain, like the peaks of the Heavenly Dao standing before him.
He wondered what Uncle Dragon's expression would be when he later learned that the revered Progenitor predecessor he was in awe of was actually him.
The Dragon Lord flew a full circuit around the Ancestral Dragon's corpse and returned, his expression now extremely grave and burdened with worry.
Upon seeing the "Life and Death Heavenly Venerable," he discovered that this old Daoist was playing with a dragon pearl and a divine source. And beneath his feet, he was stepping on a vast starry sea.
The diameter of that starry sea was a full three trillion li, floating with colorful nebulas and thousands of stars as scorching as suns.
Zhang Ruochen said: "This starry sea is the divine sea cultivated by Dragon Scale. Each star is condensed from his half-ancestor divine qi and half-ancestor rule divine patterns, but this only accounts for a very small part."
"The vast majority of the half-ancestor divine qi and half-ancestor rule divine patterns are gathered in this half-ancestor divine source. This dragon pearl contains another part of Dragon Scale's half-ancestor divine qi, and it seems his divine soul and spiritual consciousness are also gathered within it."
The Dragon Lord said: "Divine dragons are born with dragon pearls; the dragon pearl is our source of cultivation, no different from a divine source. However, generally, dragon cultivators with great ambition will also cultivate a separate divine source."
"Why is that?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Dragon Lord said: "Cultivating the dragon pearl means being forever bound to the dragon clan. No matter how extraordinary one's talent, at most, one can only retrace the path of the Ancestral Dragon. Cultivating a divine source offers more possibilities, allowing one to break through walls, break through realms, and break through forms."
Zhang Ruochen said: "This poor Daoist had thought there would be a Progenitor dragon pearl within the Ancestral Dragon's corpse, but unfortunately, I found nothing."
The Dragon Lord changed the subject, saying: "This junior can roughly speculate why this Ancestral Dragon corpse possesses a pair of dragon horns, along with some dragon scales and flesh, that have not been eroded by the River of Time. It is very likely related to that epic Progenitor-level great war in which the Great Venerable went missing."
"That is also this poor Daoist's guess!"
Zhang Ruochen suddenly asked: "Ji Wang, do you wish to obtain this Ancestral Dragon corpse?"
In the Dragon Lord's view, this old Daoist was setting a trap for him. How could he not want it?
If he didn't want it, why would he have risked exposing his whereabouts half a year ago to seize the Ancestral Dragon flesh and blood from the starry sky?
There is no free lunch in the world; the Life and Death Heavenly Venerable must have an ulterior motive.
The Dragon Lord deliberated for a moment, then said: "Senior, if you have something to say, please speak frankly."
"Good, this poor Daoist appreciates this kind of straightforward and refreshing character in a young man."
Zhang Ruochen laughed: "You have seen the power contained in this Ancestral Dragon corpse. But for me, its use is negligible."
The Dragon Lord thought to himself, a Progenitor is indeed a Progenitor; there are very few things in the universe that can catch his eye.
Zhang Ruochen continued: "You are a descendant of the Ancestral Dragon, and you have awakened the ancestral blood. With the support of the Ancestral Dragon corpse, breaking through to the half-ancestor realm is within reach. Once you reach the half-ancestor realm and can control the power of the Ancestral Dragon, your combat power can rival those quasi-ancestors, becoming the first or second echelon below the Progenitor."
The Dragon Lord remained clear-headed and did not lose himself. Suppressing the desire in his heart, he said: "Senior, do you intend to return the Ancestral Dragon corpse to the dragon clan? Such benevolence and righteousness are unmatched in this world. Ji Wang is filled with admiration. On behalf of the entire dragon clan, I..."
Zhang Ruochen had never seen the Dragon Lord so shameless. He immediately interrupted him, saying: "No, no, no. This poor Daoist made it clear from the start: this is a transaction."
He continued: "This poor Daoist speculates that since the Ancestral Dragon's dragon pearl is not in the corpse, it is likely in the Dragon Nest. If you can lend it to me for a period of enlightenment, this Ancestral Dragon corpse will be yours!"
Zhang Ruochen had entered the Dragon Nest before.
Back then, he and the Dragon Lord had speculated together that the reason the Ancestral Dragon Qi in the Dragon Nest was so dense was very likely because the Ancestral Dragon had sent his Progenitor dragon pearl through the Dragon Nest to this era.
Nuwa, through Nuwa Palace, had sent the "Five-Colored Pool" and the "Heaven-Mending War Soul" to this era. How could the power in the Dragon Nest be any less?
Now that the Dragon Lord's cultivation had reached the peak of the Heavenly Venerable rank, he had certainly obtained the most fundamental power within the Dragon Nest.
Zhang Ruochen genuinely only wanted to borrow the dragon pearl to comprehend the Ancestral Dragon's Dao. He felt that the dragon pearl likely contained the most complete power of the Ancestral Dragon, which could help him cultivate several clusters of Dao light and directly strike at the Great Evolution, stepping into the true Progenitor realm.
But to the Dragon Lord's ears, it sounded entirely different.
Paying such a great price as the Ancestral Dragon corpse, was it really just a loan? It was probably a loan that would never be returned.
The Dragon Lord would not naively believe that such a good thing would fall into his lap for no reason, but he felt very helpless inside.
Even if he knew the other party was scheming for the Dragon Nest and the Progenitor dragon pearl, what could he do?
The gap in cultivation between the two was too great. If the other party made a move, he would have no power to resist.
Seeing the Dragon Lord's expression, Zhang Ruochen realized he had been too hasty!
The Ancestral Dragon corpse was an unparalleled supreme treasure for any cultivator below the Progenitor level. But for Zhang Ruochen himself, its use was truly negligible.
Naturally, he hoped to give it to someone who needed it most and could bring out its greatest value. Looking across the entire dragon clan, whether for personal or public reasons, the Dragon Lord was the only choice.
But he completely forgot that he was now the Old Man Life and Death, and the Dragon Lord had a deep sense of wariness towards him.
Zhang Ruochen quickly tried to remedy the situation, saying: "Don't agree so quickly. Besides borrowing the dragon pearl, this poor Daoist also needs you to work for me for thirty thousand years. After thirty thousand years, the dragon pearl will be returned, and you will regain your freedom."
The Dragon Lord finally felt this matter was somewhat more reliable, and said: "With Senior's cultivation, Ji Wang is afraid he won't be of much help."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, saying: "This poor Daoist is about to go to the Heavenly Palace to take up the position of Heavenly Venerable. However, there is still an unknown transcendent existence who can control the Seventy-Two Layer Tower that has not yet appeared. I absolutely cannot stay in the open and become a living target."
"Thus, I need a Heavenly Official to sit in the Heavenly Palace on my behalf and handle the major affairs in the open."
The Dragon Lord said: "The Chief of Heavenly Officials, Senior Xianxia Chi, has formidable spiritual power and is more than capable."
Zhang Ruochen said: "In this era, her strength is no longer sufficient. The Chief of Heavenly Officials must at least have half-ancestor-level combat power to hold their ground in the games below the Progenitor level. Looking across the entire Heavenly Court universe, there is no suitable candidate."
"Xuan Yuan Taizhen was indeed a figure in the past, daring to fight and dare to risk, but after Xuan Yuan Taihao died, he lost all his courage and the drive of his younger days. The Divine Realm and the Eternal Heaven crushed his backbone."
The Dragon Lord's gaze dimmed, saying: "He cares too much about the interests of the Xuan Yuan clan. He fears that after his death, the Xuan Yuan clan will be devoured by the cultivators of the world. That is why he became afraid to die, dared not die, and lost his spirit!"
Zhang Ruochen added: "Pan Yuan Ancient God went into hiding after being beheaded, which is truly a pity. True Martial Great Emperor and Hunyuan Tian are both outstanding heroes of the first order, but in the great era of opportunity over the last two hundred thousand years, they failed to find their own fortune and fell behind, their strength lacking a step. As for the younger generation, they are all still lacking in experience."
"So, Ji Wang, you must return. Return to sit in the Heavenly Court universe for thirty thousand years. In thirty thousand years, this poor Daoist is confident that he can lead the Heavenly Court universe to restore its glory, reaching a height no less than that of the Hell Realm or the Sword Realm."
"If you do not believe this poor Daoist, you can go and see the Compassionate Navigation Venerable Lord first. She returned from the Gray Sea together with this poor Daoist. Take your time to consider; this poor Daoist will not force you."
Void Heaven and Well Daoist had transformed into two trees, growing in a dense forest about twenty thousand li away from the Heavenly Man Academy.
"What are we waiting for? Let's make a move! If it's really not possible, I, the Temple Master, will take the lead?" Well Daoist's mouth appeared on the tree trunk.
Void Heaven said: "What's the rush? The atmosphere is a bit off. The Eternal Heaven cultivators inside the Heavenly Man Academy seem to know that someone will come to attack them. All the defensive formations have been activated!"
Well Daoist said smugly: "Of course they know, because I, the Temple Master, have already spread the news. They all think that Xuan Yuan the Second and the Black and White Daoist will come to attack the main altar."
Void Heaven was furious and wanted to turn around and run away.
Attacking the main altar was something that required a quick decision, capturing it before all parties could react. How could they leak the information in advance?
Void Heaven dared not imagine how many pairs of eyes were currently fixed on the Heavenly Man Academy, and how many experts had gathered in secret.
"Are you a pig?" Void Heaven couldn't help but curse.
Well Daoist said: "What are you afraid of? Even Xuan Yuan the Second and the Black and White Daoist dared to destroy the main altar of the Hell Realm. Why don't you dare to have a fight with the Eternal Heaven?"
Void Heaven was speechless.
After a long while, he said: "This matter is absolutely impossible. Return to the Five Elements Temple."
Well Daoist was stunned, saying: "I, the Temple Master, have been planning this for so long, all for today. Now that the waters are stirred up, with your Sword Dao and Void Dao, breaking the defensive formation of the Heavenly Man Academy is no difficult task. With the strength of the two of us, capturing the main altar would only take a few breaths. And now you say we're leaving?"
"Whether you can return to the Five Elements Temple or not is up to me, the Temple Master."
Void Heaven felt that he must have owed him something in his youth. His usual arrogant temper was almost worn down by him. He said patiently: "Second, this is not a game!"
"Matters of life and death, even with a seventy percent chance of success, are no different from seeking death. Ask yourself, if doing something means death upon failure, even if the probability of success is ninety percent, would you dare to gamble?"
"In a battle to decide victory or defeat, even if there is only a ten-thousandth chance, I, this Heavenly Venerable, would dare to take the risk."
"In a matter of life and death, even with a ninety percent chance of success, it still feels too little. The plan should be even more thorough."
"Do you think Xuan Yuan the Second and the Black and White Daoist are fools? If they didn't have a powerful backer, would they dare to be so arrogant?"
"That mysterious existence who controls the Seventy-Two Layer Tower can even suppress the Nether Ancestor. Why hasn't he dared to act rashly until now? Do you really think he doesn't have the power to suppress the entire universe? When he does make a move, it will be when his chance of success has already reached ninety-nine percent."
"Over the years, how many people have died? Haven't you learned your lesson? When it comes to risking your life, unless it's absolutely necessary like Hao Tian and Yan Huanyu, it's best to think twice before acting."
"The return on this venture does not match the risk. It's not worth the gamble."
Well Daoist was somewhat swayed. He was very unwilling and reluctant, but without dragging Void Old Ghost into it, it would be extremely difficult for him alone to break the defensive formation of the Heavenly Man Academy.
Just as he and Void Heaven were about to return to the Five Elements Temple, a change occurred.
"Why are these two so slow? I'll light this first fire!"
Zhang Ruochen, sitting on the city wall, had been watching Void Heaven and Well Daoist for a long time. He shook his head and turned his gaze to Heqing Divine Venerable.
Heqing Divine Venerable formed hand seals, and a space gate opened behind him.
Gai Mie's burly and robust figure stepped out from the space gate. His muscles were sharply defined, his long hair hung over his shoulders, and his eyes were sinister. He had completely devoured Wu Xing, and his cultivation had improved again.
Seeing Gai Mie appear, the Dragon Lord's pupils contracted slightly. Had this Life and Death Heavenly Venerable even subdued Gai Mie?
Zhang Ruochen said: "When I, this Heavenly Venerable, take over the Heavenly Palace, the Supreme Pillar will be the Chief of Earthly Officials. He will move in the shadows and coordinate with your actions."
Gai Mie cast a meaningful smile at the Dragon Lord before slightly bowing to Zhang Ruochen, saying: "Is the Heavenly Venerable going to personally attack the Heavenly Man Academy?"
Zhang Ruochen directly gave the order, saying: "This poor Daoist wants to see how much of Wu Xing's power you have mastered. Use the power of nothingness to attack the Heavenly Man Academy."
Gai Mie did not hesitate at all. He raised his right arm, and a vortex appeared in his palm.
This vortex manifested in the world, sweeping up clouds and mists, devouring mountains and rivers, stirring up wind and rain, and rapidly moving towards the Heavenly Man Academy.
"Rumble!"
In an instant, the powerful fluctuations of half-ancestor power spread across this heavenly domain and then extended throughout the entire West Ox Continent.
"Within the vortex is the power of nothingness. Besides you, there is actually someone else who has cultivated the Way of Nothingness to such a level."
Well Daoist manifested his human form. After his shock, he immediately rejoiced, saying: "Excellent! Someone is attacking the front, so we can fish in troubled waters even better. I wonder who is so bold?"
Void Heaven frowned, discovering that although the energy of the vortex was strong, he could not deduce the identity of the caster.
This was too strange!
"Boom!"
The nothingness storm vortex collided with the defensive formation of the Heavenly Man Academy, shaking the space and causing countless formation inscriptions to appear, floating between heaven and earth like classical texts.
"Murong Dui Ji's attainments in formation are still acceptable. Besides Gandharva and Grandmaster, he's the one!"
Zhang Ruochen sat on the chair, calmly pinched two fingers together, and waved them in a slash.
Instantly, dense sword qi materialized, surging like a tide across the vast wilderness towards the Heavenly Man Academy.
Well Daoist was even more delighted, exclaiming: "Sword Twenty-Four! I didn't expect that besides you, there is someone else who has cultivated the Sword Dao to such a level."
Void Heaven slapped him across the face, saying: "Can't you see? Someone is trying to frame me! This is too much; they don't follow any rules of conduct at all."