Chapter 4218: Why Not Transform Back
Azure Deer Divine King was the reincarnation of the remnant soul of the Primordial Ancestor Asura. During the battle at Gray Sea thirty thousand years ago, he was already at the mid-stage Half-Ancestor realm.
After obtaining the Asura Ancestor Mark, he spent thirty thousand years in contemplation, advancing his cultivation further.
He reached the peak of the Half-Ancestor realm.
It was precisely with this level of cultivation that he gained the confidence to provoke an Ancestor.
After all, even an Ancestor would have to consider whether they could retreat unscathed from a peak Half-Ancestor's deathbed counterattack.
In this apocalyptic era, time was more important than anything else.
Once one suffered an injury that could not heal quickly, it would prove fatal.
Take Wen Tianjun and Nutian Shenzun, for example. They were originally no less than any cultivator of their era, but the former suffered two near-fatal blows, losing countless millennia in recovery.
The latter was plagued by curses.
Thus, they naturally fell behind in cultivation realm.
Instead, Azure Deer Divine King, who had always pretended to be a mere "Divine King" and was adept at hiding his strength, gradually advanced ahead.
Therefore, if Murong Overlord truly regarded a peak Half-Ancestor as nothing and was severely wounded by their deathbed counterattack, even if he survived this time, he would surely plant the seeds of disaster and die in the next higher-level confrontation.
The consequences of victory, defeat, life, and death often depend on the cause, not the present moment.
Murong Overlord remained calm and composed, naturally looking down on Erjun Tian and Azure Deer Divine King. He said, "With just the two of you, you think you can rescue her? Are you here to die?"
Only at this moment did Murong Overlord finally confirm Erjun Tian's faction. He had speculated before.
All of Erjun Tian's heavenly secrets and karmic threads were concealed.
Even by consuming Ancestor blood and relying on his reputation as the master of heavenly secrets, he could only deduce a few clues, guessing that Erjun Tian might be related to the Gray Sea.
Azure Deer Divine King raised a nine-colored, ten-hued slaughter divine cloud to resist the ninety-fifth-level spiritual power pressure, showing no fear: "Who are you trying to scare? The Empress has already stepped into the Ancestor realm, and you are not much more accomplished than her."
"The old man and Erjun Tian only need to hold back that divine army roaming through time and space. Even if this battle lasts decades, I will see it through."
"I wonder if those two divine armies attacking the Yama Clan World Tree can withstand decades against opponents like Yan Wushen, Chi Yao, Kong Fannu, and Feng Caiyi?"
Murong Overlord naturally had the pride befitting an Ancestor, laughing: "A false Ancestor who hasn't even fully comprehended the Ancestor Mark, and you expect her to contend with me?"
Azure Deer Divine King showed a surprised expression.
He knew that the Lady had bestowed upon Lady Shiji the "Finite Ancestor Mark."
Thirty thousand years had passed, and Lady Shiji could even bear finite matter, yet she still hadn't fully understood the Ancestor Mark?
Azure Deer Divine King believed Lady Shiji was definitely hiding her true strength, saying, "We've been fighting for days now. If not for this divine army from the Divine Realm intercepting, you wouldn't have even caught up with the Empress. Now you're boasting. If you have the skill, make a move and let us witness the true Ancestor's supreme Dao techniques."
Azure Deer Divine King was not afraid of the Divine Realm at all, full of confidence.
With the "Lady" as their backing, even the Immortal of the Divine Realm might not be invincible under heaven.
More importantly, there was also Di Chen. Di Chen and the "Lady" were of one mind.
With a single thought, Di Chen could settle the star sea, raise his hand to build a World Tree, forcing even the Eternal True Ruler to make concessions. If he joined forces with the "Lady," they could definitely contend with the Divine Realm.
Di Chen was once the master of the Sword Realm, served as the Heavenly Venerable of the Heavenly Court for thirty thousand years, and was a strategic ally of the top cultivators in the Hell Realm. His influence was so great that he could be called the master of all beings.
He commanded the three realms, and none dared disobey.
And Di Chen was leading Jiutian and the Demon Butterfly Princess on their way here. Why should Azure Deer Divine King fear a Murong Overlord?
Today, he too would follow in the footsteps of Heavenly Mother and Zhang Ruochen from back then, weighing the Ancestor's worth from a realm below the Ancestor.
"Zhang Ruochen," the Demon Butterfly Princess, and Old Drunkard arrived at the Santu River and finally saw Zhang Ruochen fishing.
Sitting alone in the star sea, fishing alone on the corpse river. What was he fishing for?
Old Drunkard repeatedly observed Zhang Ruochen and the fake Ruochen—their appearance, demeanor, heavenly secrets, and aura were almost identical. Instead, the fake Ruochen beside him seemed more real, while the Zhang Ruochen fishing appeared more like a fake.
Because the one fishing was too calm, too unfathomable.
The Zhang Ruochen that Old Drunkard knew was not like this.
The more he compared, the angrier he became, and he couldn't help saying, "What exactly is going on with you two? Relying on your high cultivation to toy with people, are you? Who are you? Which one is the real Zhang Ruochen?"
Because of the "Lady," Old Drunkard had unwavering faith in the fake Di Chen's identity. After all, if there were a real Di Chen, how could he allow a fake Di Chen to exist?
Zhang Ruochen held the fishing rod, staring at the water surface, shaking his head with a light sigh: "You old fool, you've been deceived for tens of thousands of years, haven't you? That makes sense—she helped you cultivate your spiritual power to the ninety-third level. Who would suspect such a great benefactor who helps so much?"
Then, Zhang Ruochen's tone turned cold: "Why not transform back?"
"Zhang Ruochen" revealed a bitter smile, as Ancestor rules and orders flickered on his body, and the Ancestor divine qi dissipated.
Moments later, he transformed into a seductive woman with a graceful figure, completely losing Di Chen's transcendent and free-spirited aura.
Once the disguise was shed, where was her Ancestor cultivation realm?
Clearly, the Lady had used some method to elevate her aura and Dao techniques to a level comparable to the Eternal True Ruler, making it impossible for even Azure Deer Divine King and Old Drunkard to distinguish truth from falsehood.
Before this, Old Drunkard had always believed that this fake Ruochen had transformed into the Life-and-Death Heavenly Venerable, sitting in the Heavenly Palace for thirty thousand years, ostensibly compromising with the Divine Realm while secretly clashing endlessly.
Mo Yin's robe appeared extremely loose and baggy as she quickly bowed: "Master! Mo Yin never intended to offend, but the cosmic situation at the time was perilous. All cultivators under heaven believed you had fallen. Various Heavenly Venerable-level and Half-Ancestor cultivators chose to hide and avoid the world. The Heavenly Court, Hell Realm, and Sword Realm were all scattered like sand, allowing the Divine Realm to do as it pleased."
"The universe urgently needed a banner to stand up to reunite people's hearts. Ask the world today, whose return as a banner would be more inspiring than the Master's?"
Zhang Ruochen slowly turned his head, his gaze icy cold.
An Ancestor's might that could crush the nine heavens and ten lands descended, pressing down on Mo Yin's legs until they could not support her, and she knelt to the ground.
Rings of energy scattered outward!
At this moment, Mo Yin finally realized Zhang Ruochen was serious. While resisting the Ancestor's might and supporting her upper body, which was about to fall to the ground, she said with difficulty, "Mo Yin has never done anything to betray the Master or the Sword Realm…"
"Do you know where you went wrong?" Zhang Ruochen's tone was very flat.
Mo Yin knew well that the more she played tricks in front of Zhang Ruochen, the more dangerous it was. Being sincere instead offered a glimmer of hope.
She said, "The mistake was not telling the Master the truth! In fact, the Lady found me very early on."
In just thirty thousand years, even if Ji Fanxin had supreme Dao techniques, she could not have helped Mo Yin cultivate the Primordial Ancestor Body and transform into the Devouring Cloud Demon Vine.
This was the Half-Ancestor realm!
It must have started much earlier!
"The Lady? Ji Fanxin is Ji Fanxin. Are you still hiding her identity, thinking I know nothing?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Mo Yin lowered her head deeply, pondering a countermeasure, and quickly said, "The Master truly is the number one of past and present, with the Great Dao already complete. No falsehood in the world can deceive you anymore. However…"
"What, you want to argue? Fine, I, the Emperor, will give you a chance to speak. If you can explain yourself, I will spare your life. If you continue to deceive, you know the fate of a traitor?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Mo Yin thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "Master, do you remember that because of the pollen of the Divine Illumination Lotus, my absorption of nutrients increased tenfold? It was the Master himself who said I should get closer to the Lady… that is, the Hundred Flowers Fairy."
"Did I say that?" Zhang Ruochen laughed in anger.
Zhang Ruochen was not one to hide a knife in a smile. Once he showed a smile, it meant his anger had mostly subsided.
Mo Yin quickly said, "If not for the Master's order, how would I dare to take the Hundred Flowers Fairy as my master? So, many times, it was a matter of obeying my master's command. Moreover, everything I have done so far has been to help the Master fight against the great enemy of the Divine Realm. My greatest fault is only the sin of concealment, which should not be a capital offense, right?"
Xiu Chen Heavenly God saw that Zhang Ruochen had no intention of killing Mo Yin and said, "Death penalty can be avoided, but living punishment cannot be escaped. Speak, what is Ji Fanxin's true background, and what is she plotting?"
Mo Yin said, "How could the Lady's secrets be known to us? Xiu Chen, you are a servant. I advise you not to meddle in the affairs between the Master and the Lady. They will resolve their issues in their own way."
Xiu Chen Heavenly God could not stand the disdain and mockery on Mo Yin's face, nor her far superior cultivation realm, so she whispered slander to Zhang Ruochen: "This Ji Fanxin is most likely connected to the Nether Ancestor faction and must have a grand scheme. Mo Yin has already defected to her, gaining immense benefits, and will surely be loyal to her. Keeping her by your side will bring endless trouble."
Mo Yin's eyes turned cold: "Xiu Chen, you are too narrow-minded. Are you trying to put me to death? Master, you know me best. I would never dare to betray you. Even if I am loyal, it is to you."
"But I think Miao Li's words make some sense. If you truly dared not betray me, you would have told me Ji Fanxin's secret long ago. Why wait until today? In other words, as long as I haven't discovered your secret, you will keep hiding it." Zhang Ruochen said.
Concealing from a superior has been a capital offense since ancient times. Mo Yin's face turned deathly pale.
Xiu Chen Heavenly God showed a smug expression and said lightly, "The Master has never cared whether someone was once an enemy or whether they spoke rudely to him. What he cares about is whether you are truly of one mind with him and whether you can follow him without hesitation to fight all enemies. If you can't even do these two things, how can the Master forgive you?"
Zhang Ruochen gave Xiu Chen Heavenly God a deep look.
Since Mo Yin arrived, she, who was once full of rebelliousness, had been speaking more and more pleasantly, vying to show off.
An artifact spirit and a parasitic plant—were they competing for status?
"Do you admit what Xiu Chen said?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Mo Yin said, "I admit it! However, as long as it is not to fight against the Lady, the Master can fight any great enemy, and I will follow to the death, never retreating half a step."
"I believe you! But if you do something wrong, you must accept punishment. How about this: after this battle ends, go into the Sundial and reflect properly." Zhang Ruochen said.
Raised high and set down gently, Mo Yin knew that the Master was still the same Master, truly broad-minded and worthy of her loyalty unto death.
Even former great enemies like Azure Deer Divine King and Shang Tian could be tolerated, so how could he not tolerate her?
The Ancestor's might dissipated, but Mo Yin still knelt, bowing: "Thank you for your trust, Master. Mo Yin truly knows her mistake!"
"You once borrowed Ji Fanxin's power. What level do you think her cultivation is at?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Mo Yin thought carefully and said, "In terms of cultivation realm alone, the Lady should be above the Master. Because she can outline the Master's current Ancestor rules and Ancestor order, making my aura seem not inferior to the Eternal True Ruler."
At this point, the Demon Butterfly Princess finally spoke: "We are only half-disciples. Asking us, Lord Di Chen, will not yield answers. You should go see the Lady yourself."
"Why doesn't she come to see me?"
After asking this, Zhang Ruochen revealed a gentle smile, looking at the Demon Butterfly Princess, who wore only a chest armor: "It's been many years since we last met, hasn't it? The first time was in the Truth Heaven Domain, on the cloud boat to the Heavenly Capital Sacred Market."
"I remember that back then, you and a group of Heavenly Fire Demon Butterflies were chattering nonstop on the boat. To clear my name, you even fought fiercely with cultivators from the Dragon Clan."
"At that time, you were only the size of a palm, with a personality like a little girl. Seeing you now, you are completely different from back then. It truly feels like things have changed."
The Demon Butterfly Princess's personality was still straightforward, and she said, "Indeed, I was still young back then, and Di Chen was in his youth. Actually, we met later, when Di Chen massively activated the Sundial. Unfortunately, by then, Di Chen was already famous across the world, standing at the pinnacle of the universe, so naturally he wouldn't notice an old acquaintance from the Thousand Stamen Realm."
The Demon Butterfly Princess's cultivation was already enough to make her the empress of the Heavenly Fire Demon Butterfly Clan. The reason she still called herself a princess was to hide her cultivation strength. She had been hiding for hundreds of thousands of years.
Zhang Ruochen said, "With Ji Fanxin's level of cultivation, even if I noticed you back then, I couldn't have seen through your true realm. It was also a lack of insight on my part. For you to receive Ji Fanxin's key training, your own talent must be top-notch. Your trip here is to rescue Lady Shiji? Was it Ji Fanxin's order?"
The Demon Butterfly Princess dared not hide it: "Yes!"
"It seems Lady Shiji's weight in Ji Fanxin's eyes is much greater than Shi Yan's." Zhang Ruochen said.
The Demon Butterfly Princess said, "Shi Yan is deep and cunning, with ruthless methods and no bottom line. After becoming an Ancestor, he has somewhat slipped out of control. For example, when Lord Di Chen fell in the Glazed Glass Divine Temple, it was his stubbornness that violated the Lady's will."
"After seizing Lord Di Chen's few remaining treasures, he did not present them to the Lady but kept them for himself. Such a person—who knows when he might turn on his master!"
"So the Lady will save Lady Shiji but not him."
Shi Yan was able to kill Yu Linsheng's entire clan, seize his identity, and take him as his senior disciple, showing his ruthlessness.
It was clearly he and the cultivators of the Quantity Organization and Nether Ancestor faction who caused the tragedies of the Holy Clan, White Empress, and Bai Qinger, yet he took Bai Qinger as his disciple, pretending to be a good old man, showing his hypocrisy.
Cultivating Yan Wushen was to scheme for the Six Paths Reincarnation Mirror. It could be said that his three disciples were all his pawns.
In contrast, the decisive and resolute Qingcang, cold on the outside but soft on the inside, was more sincere toward his disciples.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the reflection on the water and said, "Unfortunately, this battle will be far more dangerous than she estimated. The Immortal of the Divine Realm already has some suspicion of her existence, so he will do everything to cut off her arms and legs, forcing her to reveal herself."
"Lady Shiji and Shi Yan are doomed to die. The more people you send to rescue them, the more will die."