Chapter 26: The Young Man's Deer First
Zhang Ruochen stood on the deck of the divine ship, gazing into the distance. The starry sky before him was vast and boundless, with streaks of starlight flickering like the passage of time itself.
Behind him, Huang Yanchen walked over, her voice carrying a hint of concern. "We're about to enter the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain. That place is filled with danger at every turn. Are you really ready?"
Zhang Ruochen turned his head, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "If I weren't ready, I wouldn't have come this far."
Huang Yanchen fell silent for a moment, then said, "I've heard that the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable left behind a legacy within the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain. Many cultivators have ventured there to seek it, but few have returned alive."
"That's precisely why I must go," Zhang Ruochen replied, his gaze firm. "The path of cultivation is one of defying the heavens. If I fear danger at every step, how can I ever reach the pinnacle?"
Suddenly, a powerful aura surged from the distant starry sky. Zhang Ruochen's expression shifted, and he immediately activated the Taiji Four Symbols Diagram Seal, forming a defensive barrier around himself and Huang Yanchen.
A streak of black light shot toward them like lightning, stopping a hundred zhang away from the divine ship. It was a middle-aged man clad in black armor, his entire body radiating a chilling killing intent.
"Zhang Ruochen, I've been waiting for you for a long time," the black-armored man said coldly.
Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"Someone sent to take your life," the black-armored man replied, his hand forming a seal. Countless dark runes converged in the air, transforming into a massive black palm that came crashing down.
Zhang Ruochen did not dare to be careless. He channeled the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm, and a golden dragon and silver elephant phantom appeared behind him, colliding fiercely with the black palm.
Boom!
The energy waves rippled outward, causing the divine ship to shake violently.
Huang Yanchen drew her longsword, her sword aura spreading like a rainbow as she slashed at the black-armored man.
The black-armored man let out a cold snort, his figure flickering as he dodged the sword aura, then struck out with a palm toward Huang Yanchen.
Zhang Ruochen's expression changed. He executed the Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow, his speed reaching its peak as he blocked in front of Huang Yanchen, meeting the black-armored man's palm strike head-on.
Boom!
Zhang Ruochen's body trembled, and he retreated several steps, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
"Not bad, you actually managed to take one of my palms," the black-armored man said, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "But that's all you've got."
As his voice fell, the black-armored man's aura surged once more, and a terrifying pressure spread out.
Zhang Ruochen's face grew solemn. He knew he had encountered a formidable opponent. But instead of retreating, he felt a surge of fighting spirit.
"Yanchen, stand back," Zhang Ruochen said in a low voice. He formed hand seals, and the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram appeared beneath his feet, spinning continuously.
"Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram, suppress!"
Zhang Ruochen shouted, and the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram expanded instantly, enveloping the black-armored man within.
The black-armored man's expression finally turned serious. He felt the terrifying suppressive power of the diagram, as if the entire space was compressing toward him.
"Break!"
The black-armored man roared, unleashing all his power, trying to shatter the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram.
But Zhang Ruochen would not give him that chance. He bit the tip of his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood essence, which merged into the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram, increasing its power severalfold.
"Ah—"
The black-armored man let out a miserable scream as his body was crushed into a bloody mist by the Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram.
Zhang Ruochen withdrew his technique, his face pale as paper, his body swaying unsteadily.
Huang Yanchen quickly supported him, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just overdrew a bit of my strength," Zhang Ruochen said with a weak smile.
Huang Yanchen looked at the dissipated blood mist, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "Who exactly sent that person? And why did he want to kill you?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "I don't know either, but one thing is certain—someone doesn't want me to enter the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain."
"Then we..." Huang Yanchen hesitated.
"Keep going," Zhang Ruochen said firmly. "Since they don't want me to go, it proves there's something valuable there. I must see it for myself."
Huang Yanchen sighed softly, knowing she couldn't change his mind.
The divine ship continued forward, gradually approaching the edge of the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain.
Before them, a vast expanse of darkness stretched out, as if it were a giant beast with its mouth wide open, waiting to devour everything that entered.
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath, a resolute light flashing in his eyes.
No matter what dangers lay ahead, he would press on without hesitation.
Because this was the path he had chosen.