Chapter 4207: I Command the World to Live, and the World Shall Live
"The world is not yet settled, the Eon Calamity approaches, fortune and disaster hang in the balance—how can we speak of crowning empresses?" Feng Tian had long since pulled away from Zhang Ruochen's embrace. How could she not feel the strange gazes of the distant Sword Realm gods and their emotional fluctuations? Feng Tian understood clearly that Zhang Ruochen placing the Victory Crown upon her head was, to some extent, driven by guilt and a desire to make amends.
But that was not what she cared about.
Hearing Zhang Ruochen voluntarily say, "Ruochen, Ruochen the Imperial Dust, let this crown be the empress's crown," was far more precious than wearing the Victory Crown itself.
An angry woman is hard to appease; a thousand gold coins cannot buy a single smile.
Yet an angry woman is also easy to soothe—sometimes, she is merely waiting for the words she longs to hear.
If her heart holds you, one word can clear the storm.
If her heart holds you not, a thousand words are like dark clouds obscuring the moon.
All grievances vanished like smoke. Feng Tian removed the Victory Crown and handed it back, saying, "Don't place such a hot potato in my hands. I fear I might clash with Chi Yao before even encountering the Ancestor. I am the Lord of the Destiny Temple; the temple has suffered heavy damage and is in ruins, awaiting restoration. I have no time to waste on this."
Zhang Ruochen took the Victory Crown, smiling awkwardly. "Have I miscalculated?"
"With such clumsy tactics, you think you can manipulate me? Only someone like Chi Yao, with her temperament, might take the bait."
A hint of a smile curled at the corner of Feng Tian's lips. "Over thirty thousand years have passed. You've broken through your cultivation realm and returned, standing alive before everyone. Who wouldn't be overjoyed and inspired? Of course, they resent you—resent that you faced danger alone back then, causing many to suffer in pain."
"They resent that you disguised yourself as the Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable, deceiving everyone for thirty thousand years, causing many to grieve in vain for thirty thousand years."
"But they are all shrewd, none of them are bitter wives. They can understand you—understand your difficulties, knowing the terror of the Ancestor and the Immortal. You could not afford a single mistake."
Zhang Ruochen stared into her eyes, so close, and said, "They are like that. What about you? In these thirty thousand years, have you shed tears of pain over my fall? Or have you silently grieved in some lonely, quiet night?"
"Me?"
Feng Tian's expression was calm, slightly cold. "The Death God Venerable does not know what tears are. The Destiny Temple Lord has no time to wallow in pain and sorrow. But regret and pity, I have some."
"What about Blood Butcher just now..." Zhang Ruochen said.
Feng Tian replied, "Hasn't Blood Butcher already paid the price for his reckless words?"
Zhang Ruochen actually preferred Feng Tian's unruly and proud demeanor; it seemed somewhat tsundere and adorable.
The reason he found her adorable at this moment was that she refused to admit her own stubbornness and excessive self-confidence.
She thought she had seen through his tactics.
But she did not realize that her current state was exactly what Zhang Ruochen wanted.
Chi Yao was cold, Feng Tian was fierce. If they took the lead in settling accounts with Zhang Ruochen for his thirty-thousand-year deception, Bai Qinger, Luo Sha, Wu Yue, and Mu Lingxi would surely follow suit.
Even his children and close friends would emotionally condemn him. So, he had to first pacify Feng Tian and Chi Yao. Once they were settled, the rest would be manageable.
The greatest traits of Chi Yao and Feng Tian were their strong sense of duty and cultivation will, far surpassing other women. They were highly independent and unwilling to be anyone's appendage.
Emotion held a relatively small weight in their hearts.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen took the opposite approach, using the position of "Empress" to provoke their rebellious spirit.
You, Zhang Ruochen, are indeed powerful, now honored as an Ancestor with transcendent cultivation. But do you think you can just crown an empress? I, Feng Caiyi, am not your appendage. Nor do I want to be used by you to compete with Chi Yao.
Wouldn't that make me, Feng Caiyi, seem too narrow-minded?
The Destiny Temple needs me, and the Hell Realm needs me even more. I have no time to meddle in the mess you've stirred up yourself.
When she wanted to display a grand vision and not contend with Chi Yao, wasn't that already the beginning of contention?
That was Zhang Ruochen's goal.
"Greetings, Lord! We are guilty!"
"Lord, is that the Imperial Dust?"
Hai Shang You Ruo, Que, Zhuque Huowu, Yang Yun Gui Di, and other god kings and god venerables from the Destiny Temple and Fengdu Ghost City, having escaped the World Tree, arrived before Feng Tian and bowed in unison.
Each face bore a look of shame.
They were responsible for guarding the Fate Divine Domain and Fengdu Ghost City, yet they had lost the World Tree. No matter the reason, they were inexcusable.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen had already walked toward the void where the Twenty-Seven Heavenly Realm Worlds were located.
"Senior Brother, save me!"
Blood Butcher, pursued by Xiao Hei, flew toward Zhang Ruochen. His face was swollen, red and high, with several claw marks on his armor that cut deep into flesh and blood.
His head seemed to have been struck by lightning, hair standing on end, emitting black smoke.
Blood Butcher hid behind Zhang Ruochen, his figure still relatively upright, and said, "He's crazy, Senior Brother, he's crazy! Every strike is a killing blow, while I held back in every move, unwilling to harm an ally."
Seeing the imposing Zhang Ruochen ahead, Xiao Hei put away the Nine Dragons Divine Thunder Formation Plate hovering above his head and said, "Blood Butcher, if you have the guts, don't hide. Come out and fight!"
"Do you think I'm afraid of you? If I hadn't lost my Divine Martial Mark and my divine qi rules were disrupted, how could you have injured me?" Blood Butcher retorted.
Xiao Hei put one hand behind his back and said arrogantly, "I won't take advantage of you. I'll fight you with one hand."
"Your strongest is spiritual power. What difference does one hand or two make?" Blood Butcher snorted.
Seeing the two circling Zhang Ruochen, bickering endlessly, Chi Yao shouted, "Haven't you had enough of this?"
This half-ancestor divine sound shook their souls.
Xiao Hei and Blood Butcher immediately deflated like punctured balls, retreating to the side, not daring to say another word.
Compared to Zhang Ruochen's tolerance and friendliness toward his own people, Empress Chi Yao inspired fear even in the heavens, god kings, and god venerables. Beneath the Dripping Blood Sword, she slew enemies and kin alike.
All unstable factors, all cultivators who advocated closeness to the Divine Realm, were almost entirely purged.
The constant internal strife and mutual restraint seen in the Heavenly Court Universe did not occur in the Sword Realm.
Zhang Ruochen had no interest in the dispute between Xiao Hei and Blood Butcher; they had fought many times before. He merely smiled and walked toward Chi Yao, who approached first.
Chi Yao asked softly, "Chen Ge, have you resolved the conflict with Lord Feng?"
"Conflict?"
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious, with a hint of curiosity. "There is no conflict between Feng Tian and me. Yao Yao, what misunderstanding do you have?"
No conflict?
In the Paradise Realm, who had beaten Feng Tian until she spat blood? Seized the cauldron and suppressed her? Earlier, when Feng Tian arrived, she had been murderous. Suddenly, there was no conflict?
Zhang Ruochen was now an Ancestor, so she did not want to expose him. She said, "It's good that there's no conflict. The current situation is delicate, and we need the Heavenly Court Universe, Hell Realm, and Sword Realm to cooperate sincerely against the great enemy."
Zhang Ruochen nodded lightly. "Feng Tian shares that view. She believes that with the world unsettled, the Eon Calamity approaching, and fortune and disaster hanging in the balance, all romantic feelings and grudges should be set aside, prioritizing the universe as a whole."
Chi Yao pondered. "So she returned the Victory Crown to you?"
"Feng Tian is, after all, the founder of a temple. Her vision and scope are beyond ordinary cultivators. The Victory Crown represents the Radiant Cauldron, a heavy artifact for opposing the Divine Realm. Only an Ancestor can unleash its true power." Zhang Ruochen said with some emotion.
A smile appeared in Chi Yao's eyes. "Chen Ge, are you hinting at me?"
Zhang Ruochen laughed in surprise. "I didn't think you would associate it with yourself. Yao Yao, you've worked hard all these years!"
A thousand words could not match this one sentence.
All the words Chi Yao had prepared in her heart suddenly could not be spoken. That heart, tempered for over thirty thousand years, seemed to melt, and her eyes grew slightly moist.
Zhang Ruochen stepped forward, firmly grasping her wrist, and said, "I know very well how difficult it was for you to support the Sword Realm in my absence all these years. I also know the efforts you made to protect this big family. Those enemies who hated me, who refused to believe I had fallen—you drove them all back."
"The world thinks Chi Yao is jealous, ruthless, strong-willed, and autocratic. But only I know your breadth of mind and your spirit."
"All these years, aside from Feiyu, has anyone else met with disaster? That is your responsibility, a responsibility no one else can match."
A warm current flowed through Chi Yao's heart. She felt that all the grievances she had endured over the years were nothing. "Chen Ge, I promised you, so naturally, I had to ensure the safety of every one of them."
"I trust you, which is why I entrusted the Sword Realm to you back then."
Pausing, Zhang Ruochen said, "I have returned, but the great enemy is still before us. Ancestors are locked in battle, and the danger is immense. Many matters in the Sword Realm will still require your help to share the burden."
Then, Zhang Ruochen glanced at Bai Qinger, Wu Yue, and the others in the distance, and lowered his voice. "You are a half-ancestor, and in the future, you will strive for the transcendent existence of the Ancestor Path. You are different from them. You should have the mind of an Ancestor, tolerate their unreasonable behavior and self-righteous cleverness."
Wu Yue secretly transmitted to Bai Qinger, "Do you believe that he is now speaking ill of us, inciting the Empress to deal with us?"
Bai Qinger's expression remained unchanged, her lips still, as she responded, "Feng Tian and the Empress have both been subdued. What can we do? He is now an existence capable of contending with the Second Confucian Ancestor. Handling us little women is as easy as turning his hand."
Wu Yue said, "Even if we're unconvinced, we have to endure."
"It's too easy for him!" Bai Qinger said.
Wu Yue said, "Forget it. With his Ancestor-level cultivation, he might be able to hear our transmissions and only provoke his displeasure. He needs to contend with the Ancestor and the Immortal. We shouldn't add to the chaos, lest we be disciplined."
"Feng Tian and the Empress have been appeased. Next, he'll probably kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. Act happy, so we don't become examples!" Bai Qinger said.
Wu Yue's spiritual power had reached the ninety-first level, and Bai Qinger was at the middle stage of the Indestructible Infinite realm. With such powerful cultivation, they dared to transmit messages in front of an Ancestor.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen could hear their transmissions, and a vein bulged on his forehead. When had he ever needed to discipline his own women to establish authority?
He had only beaten Feng Tian once, and now it had become an indelible black mark?
Seeing Zhang Ruochen's expression change, Bai Qinger and Wu Yue sensed trouble.
They realized they had underestimated the Ancestor's perception; their conversation had definitely been intercepted.
"Welcome back, Imperial Dust!"
The two women simultaneously raised their sleeves and arms, bowing in salute.
Then, the gods behind them bowed in unison, shouting, "Welcome back, Imperial Dust!"
Even Jie Tian and Blood Absolute Clan Leader, as direct elders, did not exception. The identity of an Ancestor transcended blood relations, like an earthly emperor.
"Don't bow! I never left, so what is there to welcome back?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Immediately, Blood Absolute Clan Leader's laughter rang out. "The Imperial Dust speaks rightly, but breaking through to Ancestor is a glorious event unparalleled in history. We must feast for three days to be truly satisfying. At the very least, the Blood Absolute Clan's genealogy will have a new page."
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Grandfather, your hair has turned quite white. All these years, you've been at the forefront, bearing the most dangerous places. From now on, you can rest and recuperate. Leave all dangers, responsibilities, and challenges to me!"
Blood Absolute Clan Leader was deeply moved. "Damn it, it's not because I'm old. These few white hairs are from quitting bloodsucking. I should have hidden them!"
"Xia Yu already told me. What are you hiding?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Blood Absolute Clan Leader muttered under his breath, "Xia Yu, that girl, must have known your identity long ago but didn't report it to me. She's rebelling!"
"Can you save the family chat for another time and place?" From the void.
Xu Tian strode forward, radiating dazzling sword light, his aura surging like a divine river tide. "The great enemy has not yet retreated, and new insults and old grievances remain unavenged. Are you preparing to hold a victory celebration early? Whether it's the Sword Realm or the Hell Realm, the situation is precarious. Aren't you rejoicing too soon?"
Walking alongside Xu Tian were Tian Mu, Nutian Shenzun, Chan Bing, Jue Miao Chan Nu, Gong Xuan Zang, Shi Tian, and others.
Except for Tian Mu, the rest bowed to Zhang Ruochen.
Nutian Shenzun said, "The Imperial Dust has just returned. It is fitting to reunite with family and friends, share longing, and exchange feelings. But the situation is stronger than people. I'm afraid we must set aside personal emotions for now."
Only Tian Mu and Nutian Shenzun dared to speak thus, as Nutian Shenzun had the status of an elder to the Imperial Dust.
Nutian Shenzun continued, "Just now, Tian Mu informed us of the consensus reached between the Imperial Dust and the Eternal True Ruler. We discussed it and feel that the Eternal True Ruler cannot be trusted."
Zhang Ruochen raised his hand, interrupting Nutian Shenzun. "The God Venerable is absolutely right, but the Eternal True Ruler's spiritual power thoughts are everywhere. Some matters and decisions can only be discussed between me and Tian Mu. Even half-ancestors cannot have the right to know."
In truth, Zhang Ruochen wanted to say that not every cultivator present was trustworthy. The Immortal from the Divine Realm had not yet appeared and might be one of those present.
But he could not say this; it would cause panic and destroy trust among the Sword Realm gods. All the efforts Chi Yao had made over the years would be wasted.
Nutian Shenzun did not feel that Zhang Ruochen interrupting him was inappropriate. Instead, he reflected, saying, "I was reckless! Facing a spiritual power Ancestor and an Immortal, all matters should be decided by the Ancestor. Only the Ancestor can consider everything most comprehensively. We only need to execute, and any dissent only exposes our shallowness."
"Are you talking about yourself or me?" Xu Tian looked over.
Jue Miao Chan Nu laughed. "Senior Xu Tian, please calm down. Let's hear what the Imperial Dust has to say!"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze swept across the gods and asked, "Where is Grandmaster?"
Chi Yao said, "Grandmaster believes that the Eternal True Ruler has already severely damaged the Heavenly Court Universe and the Hell Realm and may not spare the Sword Realm. So, he has already returned with Qiangu Nüdi."
"Grandmaster's foresight is indeed thorough."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I have decided to temporarily establish a five-member group to discuss major matters. Besides me and Tian Mu, we will add Empress Chi Yao, Xu Tian, and Feng Tian. Their cultivation and combat power have reached the peak half-ancestor level. They have some ability to survive against Ancestors and can hold out until I arrive to rescue them, without fear of capture or soul search."
"From now on, any cultivator whose cultivation or combat power reaches the peak half-ancestor level can join this group, accessing the highest secrets and becoming a member of the Supreme Group."
Chan Bing said, "In that case, Nutian Shenzun can also be a member. He is now at the middle stage half-ancestor level, and with my help and the Snow Domain Star Sea Divine Army, he definitely has peak half-ancestor combat power. Plus, the Wu Deng Lamp gifted by the Imperial Dust can conceal heavenly secrets and aura. It would be extremely difficult for an Ancestor to find him."
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Agreed!"
"What about me? I can self-detonate the Ancestor Divine Source to threaten an Ancestor." Jie Tian pointed at himself.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "No!"
Nutian Shenzun's eyes were sharp, his expression solemn. "Whether I can become a member of the Supreme Group is secondary. The top priority is to properly settle the cultivators of the Destiny Temple and Fengdu Ghost City."
"Feng Tian has sent all the beings migrated from the World Tree into the Ancestor Realm. In future battles against top-tier experts, this will be like binding our hands and feet."
Being named a member of the Supreme Group, Xu Tian was in an excellent mood. "Settling these beings from the World Tree is indeed a headache. Even more troubling is that the Eternal True Ruler seized the World Tree, surely with a grand scheme. What exactly does he intend to do?"
Tian Mu, who had been mostly silent, suddenly spoke. "In truth, this is a rout, a disgrace for me and the Imperial Dust."
The worlds on the two World Trees were many, with countless beings. But with numerous gods and Great Saints collecting them, the migration was very fast, nearly complete.
It was then that Zhang Ruochen finally revealed the true reason for his compromise with the Eternal True Ruler. "Worlds have world spiritual roots. Universes have universe spiritual roots. Those two World Trees were condensed by the Yellow Spring Great Emperor and the Life Ancestor, like the roots of the net."
"Whether the Eternal True Ruler seized them to enhance the combat power of his two divine armies or to refine them himself, it is not a major issue."
"After all, they are just two World Trees. Giving them away is nothing compared to the countless beings on them."
"The Yellow Spring Great Emperor and the Life Ancestor may have spent much time forging the World Trees, but to me, this is not a difficult task."
As the gods marveled at his bold claim of "just two World Trees,"
"Hua!"
Zhang Ruochen waved his sleeve, and star clouds surged, the energy of heaven and earth churned. "I command the world to live, and the world shall live. Create myriad forms from nothing, illuminate the universe."
"World Tree, rise!"
"Boom!"
Far away in the starry sky, deep within the Santu River basin.
The earth shook, layers of soil piled up, and the energy and rules of heaven and earth surged wildly, rising continuously.
Even more shocking was that from the void, endless matter and rules were born out of nothing, merging into the rising World Tree.
Creating matter, creating rules.