# Chapter 4194: A Single Thought, Half-Ancestor Born
"Not entirely! The Emperor Ancestor Divine Lord's memory fragments still retained some things."
Murong Dui Ji took a small, exquisitely crafted jade pot from his sleeve.
The Dragon Lord said, "Who killed him?"
"He naturally ended his own life," Murong Dui Ji said. A Heavenly Venerable-rank figure, both repentant and self-destructive, yet he had waited until now, thirty thousand years later.
Many gods of the Heavenly Court Universe sneered inwardly, but no one dared to voice doubts.
Just Murong Dui Ji's imposing presence alone was already terrifying enough.
Moreover, behind this likely involved a taboo figure with ninety-sixth-level Spiritual Power.
An aged and unrestrained voice came from the Central Divine Hall: "Why so much nonsense? The gods of the Divine Realm, big and small, old and young, have all lost face. They never intended to reason. Continuing to question is meaningless."
Void Heaven, his white hair disheveled, strode out of the hall with large steps, and added, "In this old man's life, there are few people I hold in high regard. Emperor Ancestor Divine Lord is one of them."
"Thirty thousand years, he imprisoned himself in the Imperial Dao Great World, ignoring the chaos of the outside world. Now, as soon as Eternal True Butcher comes out of seclusion, he ends his own life, repents and admits fault—do you believe that?"
"A person like him, with such an extraordinary temperament, would be so feeble?"
"To put it bluntly, in this world, only Eternal True Butcher dares to kill him. Only a Spiritual Power Ancestor could search his soul."
"Little girl Hong Chen, if Eternal True Butcher hadn't ordered it, would you dare to refine his disciple into a sword slave?"
Zhang Hong Chen smiled in response, saying nothing. Void Heaven looked around: "What are you all looking at me for? Isn't this obvious? Everyone sees it clearly in their hearts, but dares not say it. This time, the Divine Realm never intended to let us go. What's the point of continuing to pretend? Can we die more comfortably?"
The entire venue was silent.
A deathly stillness. Xu Feng Jin's courage was too great!
Did he not know that Eternal True Butcher had likely broken through to the ninety-sixth level?
"You're crazy. Eternal True Butcher is probably somewhere in the Heavenly Court and must have heard your words just now. You're dead!" Well Daoist transmitted a reminder.
Void Heaven turned to look at Well Daoist, saying, "When the birds are gone, the bow is put away. Now that the Heaven-Earth Altar is about to be completed, what value do the gods of the Heavenly Court Universe still have? Do you think that by not speaking, you can be spared? Unless you immediately join the Divine Realm and prostrate yourself at Eternal True Butcher's feet, you might live a few more tens of thousands of years."
Well Daoist shrank his body, squeezing behind Blade Venerable.
He regretted it in his heart. Since Void Old Ghost had refined the Sword Heart and cultivated Sword Twenty-Six, his personality had quietly changed. His heart had truly become like a sword—straightforward, with no twists or turns, seeing everyone as a common brute.
He kindly reminded him to be cautious in his words and actions.
Instead, he directly exposed himself. Seeking death, he wanted to drag someone down with him.
Void Heaven withdrew his gaze, his eyes falling back on Murong Dui Ji: "Whether you have evidence or not, you'll have to go to Heavenly Punishment Divine Mountain yourselves to find Life-Death Heavenly Venerable. Of course, don't blame this old man for not warning you—Life-Death Heavenly Venerable cultivates the Way of Life and Death, killing people entirely by his own will."
These words were indeed very intimidating, causing both Murong Dui Ji and Creation Ancestor to show expressions of caution.
For a moment, the two dared not forcefully break into the Heavenly Palace. To be precise, Life-Death Heavenly Venerable was very intimidating.
"Xu Feng Jin, who are you trying to scare?" Creation Lord said.
Void Heaven said, "Whether this old man is scaring you, just try breaking into Heavenly Punishment Divine Mountain yourself, won't you know?"
After a brief silence, Creation Lord's gaze fell on Zhen Yuan and Zhuo Wen Zhen among the gods, saying, "According to Emperor Ancestor..."
"The two of you are present, right?"
As his words fell.
Two Half-Ancestor Order Rivers flew out from Creation Lord's body, twisting into two divine ropes, heading straight into the crowd.
"Whoosh!" Extremely fast.
Zhen Yuan struck out with a palm, erupting a brilliant five-colored cloud from his palm, with billions of rules surging, colliding with the Half-Ancestor Order Divine Ropes.
How could Zhen Yuan be a match for Creation Lord?
The Five Qi Facing Origin Palm was shattered by the divine ropes in an instant. The divine ropes, like dragons, rushed toward his face.
Zhen Yuan frowned, his blood energy surging like a divine river within him. Just as he was about to go all out, he saw ten divine suns and a battle blade flying together, colliding with the divine ropes.
"Boom!"
The powerful force clashed, destructive energy pouring out. Void Heaven stomped his foot, and a sword formation containing a Void Ocean manifested, sealing all the residual waves, preventing the energy from impacting the people and buildings in the Heavenly Palace.
The ten divine suns were the ten fruits on the bronze divine tree above Well Daoist's head.
The battle blade was slashed out by Blade Venerable.
After repelling the Half-Ancestor Rule Divine Ropes, Blade Venerable sheathed his blade and sneered, "The Heavenly Court Universe's All Heavens—taking them away just like that is a bit too domineering."
The ten divine suns, like Golden Crows returning to their nest, fell back onto the bronze divine tree above his head. Well Daoist's eyes showed anger: "Bullying people too much! Do you really think the Five Elements Temple is easy to bully?"
He was usually timid because there was no need to risk his life, but that didn't mean he had no bottom line.
He, the dignified head of the Five Elements Temple, if he watched Zhen Yuan being taken away by the Divine Realm, what face would he have left to live in this world? As a domain lord, sometimes one must endure, but sometimes one must step up.
He felt that Void Old Ghost was right. Today, it was clear that the Divine Realm and the Heavenly Court Universe had torn apart all pretense. This wasn't something that could be passed over by enduring.
On the other side, the Half-Ancestor Order Divine Rope flying toward Zhuo Wen Zhen was grabbed barehanded by the Dragon Lord, secretly wrestling and contending with Creation Lord.
"I am the head of the Heavenly Palace's heavenly officials. Taking my people—have you obtained my permission?" The Dragon Lord's long hair fluttered without wind.
Creation Ancestor sneered disdainfully: "Courting destruction! The True Butcher said that everyone related to Dragon Scale's death must be taken to Eternal Heavenly Kingdom to face judgment. Opposing the True Butcher, Ji Wang, do you really think Life-Death Heavenly Venerable can protect you?"
"Then let Eternal True Butcher come and take them himself!" "Boom!"
The Dragon Lord crushed the Half-Ancestor Order Divine Rope in his hand, saying, "I do not believe that with their cultivation levels, they have any connection to Dragon Scale's death. Even if they have truly offended the Divine Realm, if judgment is needed, it should be done by the Heavenly Palace. You have overstepped your bounds!"
Zhuo Wen Zhen looked at the tall figure standing before her, listening to the Dragon Lord's resounding words. For the first time in her heart, she regretted joining the Divine Realm in the past.
Whether as an End Sacrificer or as Eternal True Butcher's grand-disciple, such an identity seemed noble, revered by tens of thousands... but it was nothing more than a chess piece.
When you are needed, you are a Sacrificer. When your death is needed to embody value, you are offered as a sacrifice.
If one were to speak of standing tall and upright, at this moment, the Dragon Lord was standing tall and upright. Even facing Creation Ancestor and Murong Dui Ji, even if it meant offending Eternal True Butcher, he would not retreat.
The Dragon Lord was not protecting her; rather, as the head of the heavenly officials, he must protect every living being of the Heavenly Court Universe.
Murong Dui Ji said, "The Ancestral Dragon Corpse is in your hands, correct?"
The Dragon Lord remained unflustered, meeting Murong Dui Ji's gaze: "Disaster comes from the mouth. Half-Ancestor Murong had better be responsible for his words. Your Spiritual Power is indeed strong, but this is the Heavenly Palace. Beneath the divine formation, are you sure you can leave?"
Murong Dui Ji said, "In these thirty thousand years, your cultivation has advanced rapidly. Isn't it thanks to the Ancestral Dragon Corpse? If Life-Death Heavenly Venerable hadn't used the Ancestral Dragon Corpse as a generous gift, how could he have invited you, Ji Wang, to be the head of the heavenly officials?"
Leaving aside whether Eternal True Butcher would lower himself to personally deal with these juniors below the Ancestor level, if Eternal True Butcher truly needed to come to force out Life-Death Heavenly Venerable, then Murong Dui Ji and Creation Lord would have to consider whether they still had value in living.
Since Ji Wang wanted to stick his neck out, they could only make an example of Ji Wang.
If even the head of the heavenly officials died, would Life-Death Heavenly Venerable still not show himself?
The Dragon Lord said, "So you intend to take me to Eternal Heavenly Kingdom as well?"
"Using the word 'invite' might be better."
Murong Dui Ji slightly raised his hand. In the vast starry sky manifested by his Spiritual Power behind him, a blazing star rose, growing larger and larger, moving toward the space where the Heavenly Palace was located.
The radiance and heat emitted by the star illuminated the world in blazing white, as if it would melt space itself.
No.
It wasn't a star.
It was an Ancestor-level Grand Talisman!
Murong Dui Ji said loudly, "The Heavenly Punishment Divine Light and Heavenly Order are indeed formidable, but compared to the Heaven's Will World-Burning Divine Talisman bestowed by the True Butcher, how do they measure up?"
That Ancestor-level Grand Talisman, as bright and blazing as a star, erupted with an aura like the Ancestor himself arriving in person, pressing down on many gods, causing them to tremble and bend their spines.
The Heavenly Punishment Divine Light and Heavenly Order were indeed strong, but they were the legacy left by Truth Great Emperor. Even though generations of later experts had continuously supplemented and refined them, leaving behind a portion of their own power, Truth Great Emperor was too ancient, and the legacy power had been continuously draining.
But the Ancestor-level Grand Talisman before them was likely the work of a ninety-sixth-level Spiritual Power Ancestor.
A legend in the present age.
After Zhang Ruochen absorbed the Strange Domain and turned it into the fiftieth mass of Dao Light, the Wuji Esoterica naturally came into being.
One hundred percent Esoterica.
Although no Wuji Ancestor Rules were born within his body, after being imbued with the Strange Domain's power, all rules within his body underwent subtle changes, becoming several times stronger.
Moreover, they changed according to his will.
Time Rules could become Space Rules, Space Rules could become Light Rules...
The rules of the universe could no longer bind him at all. He could even create rules with a single thought.
Zhang Ruochen walked all the way from Sea Stone Star Dock back to the Heavenly Court, constantly perceiving the Strange Domain, perceiving the mystery of the Great Derivation, as if he had completely jumped out of the Three Realms and was no longer within the Five Elements.
Before the gods of the Divine Realm arrived at the Heavenly Palace, he had actually already returned to Heavenly Punishment Divine Mountain.
In the mountain.
Black-White Daoist, Xuan Yuan Second, and Lian Xi, wearing a purple gauze hat, stood beneath the magnificent Refining God Tower, gazing into the distance at the Central Divine Hall. Through the layer upon layer formations, they could see the tense situation there.
"It seems Eternal True Butcher has truly broken through to the ninety-sixth level!"
Black-White Daoist's face alternated between white and black, his mood extremely heavy.
This invisible pressure made even him, a Heavenly Venerable-rank combatant, feel despair, seeing no way to break the situation.
Xuan Yuan Second said, "Heavenly Venerable, give the order. How do we fight?"
Zhang Ruochen had arrived at the Refining God Tower half a quarter of an hour ago to meet with them. He said, "If you want to fight, there are plenty of opportunities, but not now."
"Eternal True Butcher sent Murong Dui Ji, Creation Lord, and Zhang Hong Chen to the Heavenly Palace to probe, waiting for the Heavenly Venerable to make a mistake. Once the Heavenly Venerable errs, the Divine Realm can strike like a thunderbolt, just as they did with Hongmeng Black Dragon."
Desolate Heaven walked out step by step from the tower gate, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, his figure tall and imposing, his gaze firm and resolute.
Black-White Daoist and Xuan Yuan Second looked at each other as if they had seen a ghost.
Hadn't Desolate Heaven died at Biluo Pass?
The top floor of the Refining God Tower had always been a restricted area, with no one allowed to go up. Who would have thought that Desolate Heaven, who was supposed to be dead, had been in seclusion there?
Zhang Ruochen said, "Not continuing to cultivate?"
"The Divine Realm is coming with such force, how can I still cultivate with a calm mind? In this game of chess, you have too many opponents, and they are very powerful, extremely dangerous. Do you lack chess pieces? I am ready at any moment; I can be the first pawn to cross the river!" Desolate Heaven's tone was calm, but no one doubted his determination.
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand, saying, "For now, it hasn't deteriorated to that point! In these thirty thousand years, Zhang Ruochen has appeared several times, but the Divine Realm hasn't even been able to catch a trace of him. This undoubtedly proves that there is another terrifying undercurrent in the universe. With this undercurrent, the Divine Realm cannot mobilize all its forces to deal with me. Without using all its forces, how can the Divine Realm be my match?"
Desolate Heaven said, "This is somewhat interesting! Since it's Zhang Ruochen, you should have some idea in mind, right?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded, then suddenly asked, "How far are you from Half-Ancestor?"
"I have used the Great Derivation Qiankun Divine Dao as a foundation, and I can vaguely see the Half-Ancestor realm, but I am still missing the final step, the most difficult one. If I comprehend quickly, perhaps only a few thousand years. If slowly, one or two Eons are possible," Desolate Heaven said.
"Since you want to be the first pawn to cross the river, Heavenly Venerable-rank cultivation is not enough. The Great Derivation Qiankun Divine Dao is also a coincidence. I will help you achieve the Dao ahead of time."
Zhang Ruochen's entire aura suddenly underwent a drastic change, as if he were a peerless being walking out of ancient times, a primordial divine sacredness. He struck Desolate Heaven with a single palm.
Desolate Heaven flew out instantly, one body becoming tens of thousands of bodies.
Each body fell into a pitch-black, boundless space.
In the space, fifty masses of Dao Light rose like fifty stars, operating according to mysterious and unfathomable laws.
It was the number of the Great Derivation.
"Whoosh!"
Fifty masses of Dao Light flew from fifty different directions, imprinting themselves into Desolate Heaven's body.
A few dozen steps away, Xuan Yuan Second and Black-White Daoist were somewhat unable to react. They always felt that Life-Death Heavenly Venerable and Desolate Heaven's conversation lacked logic.
Why would Life-Death Heavenly Venerable necessarily have some idea just because "Zhang Ruochen" appeared in the universe?
How could Life-Death Heavenly Venerable deduce that behind "Zhang Ruochen" there was an undercurrent capable of contending with the Divine Realm?
The next moment.
"Whoosh!"
Countless Desolate Heavens returned from various different times and spaces, overlapping into one.
In an instant, he erupted with Half-Ancestor-level aura fluctuations, Half-Ancestor-level Rule Divine Patterns surging in all directions, shaking Xuan Yuan Second and Black-White Daoist, forcing them back repeatedly.
"Just like that, he broke through to Half-Ancestor?"
The two could not describe the shock in their hearts with words, which then turned into ecstasy, their bodies trembling slightly.
"A single thought, Half-Ancestor born. The Heavenly Venerable's cultivation is unparalleled in the age. We are willing to go through fire and water, no matter the cost."
Life-Death Heavenly Venerable was far more powerful than they had imagined. No wonder, upon learning that Eternal True Butcher might have broken through to the ninety-sixth level, he remained so calm.
Desolate Heaven withdrew the divine energy and Rule Divine Patterns that had scattered outside, looking at Black-White Daoist, Xuan Yuan Second, and Lian Xi not far away. He had comprehended the Dao for ten thousand years in the dark space, yet in the real world, less than a quarter of an hour had passed.
Such means shocked even him.
He examined the Great Derivation Imprint suspended in his Divine Sea, realizing something. The joy in his heart far surpassed that of Black-White Daoist and Xuan Yuan Second. He asked, "Have you stepped into the Ancestor Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded: "The light boat has already passed through ten thousand mountains."