Chapter 31: Sharp Wutong Tree
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was calm as he looked at the woman before him. She was dressed in a fiery red robe, her figure graceful and elegant, her face hidden beneath a veil, revealing only a pair of eyes as clear as autumn water.
"Who are you?" Zhang Ruochen asked calmly.
The woman in red smiled faintly and said, "My name is Wutong. I am a disciple of the Goddess Twelve Pavilions. I came here specifically to find Young Master Zhang."
"Goddess Twelve Pavilions?" Zhang Ruochen's brows furrowed slightly.
He had heard of this force. The Goddess Twelve Pavilions was one of the Ten Dark Powers, a mysterious and powerful organization. Their disciples were all women, skilled in assassination and intelligence gathering.
"I have no dealings with the Goddess Twelve Pavilions. Why are you looking for me?" Zhang Ruochen asked cautiously.
Wutong lightly parted her red lips and said, "Young Master Zhang need not be wary. I came this time to deliver a message. Our Pavilion Master invites you to visit the Goddess Twelve Pavilions."
"Pavilion Master?" Zhang Ruochen's heart stirred.
The Pavilion Master of the Goddess Twelve Pavilions was a legendary figure, rumored to be a peerless powerhouse at the Infinite Realm level. Such a figure actually wanted to see him?
"Why does your Pavilion Master want to see me?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Wutong shook her head and said, "I only deliver the message; I do not know the reason. However, the Pavilion Master said that if Young Master Zhang is willing to visit, she will tell you the secret of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree."
"The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree!" Zhang Ruochen's expression changed slightly.
The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree was the divine wood of the Kunlun Realm, once the sacred tree of the Kunlun Realm. It was said that this tree could connect the heavens and the earth, possessing unimaginable power. However, the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree had long since withered, and its whereabouts were unknown.
"Your Pavilion Master knows the whereabouts of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Wutong smiled and said, "Not only does she know its whereabouts, but she also knows how to revive it. If Young Master Zhang wants to save the Kunlun Realm, you must not miss this opportunity."
Zhang Ruochen fell silent.
He knew that the Goddess Twelve Pavilions was a dangerous place, but the secret of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree was too important to him. If he could revive the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, the Kunlun Realm would have a chance to rise again.
"Alright, I will go with you," Zhang Ruochen finally said.
Wutong nodded slightly and said, "Young Master Zhang is indeed decisive. Please follow me."
As she spoke, she took out a space teleportation array and activated it. A dazzling light flashed, and the two figures disappeared from the spot.
When they reappeared, Zhang Ruochen found himself in a magnificent palace. The palace was filled with a faint fragrance, and the walls were adorned with various exquisite murals depicting scenes of ancient gods and demons.
"Please wait a moment, Young Master Zhang. The Pavilion Master will be here soon," Wutong said, then turned and left.
Zhang Ruochen stood in the palace, quietly waiting. He could sense that there were several powerful auras hidden in the darkness around him, secretly watching his every move.
After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, a gentle voice came from outside the hall: "I have kept Young Master Zhang waiting for a long time."
Zhang Ruochen looked up and saw a woman in a white dress walking in. She looked to be about thirty years old, her features exquisite, her temperament elegant, like a fairy descending to the mortal world.
"You must be the Pavilion Master of the Goddess Twelve Pavilions," Zhang Ruochen said with a slight bow.
The woman in white smiled faintly and said, "Young Master Zhang is too polite. I am the Pavilion Master of the Goddess Twelve Pavilions, and my name is Wuyue."
"Pavilion Master Wuyue, I heard you know the secret of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree?" Zhang Ruochen went straight to the point.
Wuyue nodded and said, "That's right. I not only know the secret of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, but I also know that Young Master Zhang is the heir of Xumi Saint Monk."
Zhang Ruochen's pupils contracted slightly. This secret was known to very few people. How did this Pavilion Master Wuyue know?
"Don't be surprised, Young Master Zhang. The Goddess Twelve Pavilions has always been adept at intelligence gathering. We know many secrets," Wuyue said with a light laugh.
"Since Pavilion Master Wuyue knows my identity, you should also know my purpose," Zhang Ruochen said.
Wuyue's expression turned serious as she said, "I naturally know that Young Master Zhang wants to revive the Kunlun Realm. The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree is the key to reviving the Kunlun Realm. However, the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree is not in the Kunlun Realm; it is in the Abyss of Darkness."
"Abyss of Darkness?" Zhang Ruochen's brows furrowed.
The Abyss of Darkness was one of the most dangerous places in the Hell Realm, where countless powerful beings and ancient restrictions resided. Even an Infinite Realm powerhouse would find it difficult to come out unscathed.
"That's right, the Abyss of Darkness," Wuyue said. "The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree was taken to the Abyss of Darkness by a great figure from the Dark Abyss Yan Clan. If you want to retrieve it, you must go to the Abyss of Darkness."
"The Dark Abyss Yan Clan?" Zhang Ruochen's expression turned grave.
The Dark Abyss Yan Clan was one of the top forces in the Hell Realm, with a long history and unfathomable strength. To snatch the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree from their hands was no easy task.
"Pavilion Master Wuyue, why are you telling me this?" Zhang Ruochen asked suspiciously.
Wuyue smiled faintly and said, "Because I also want to revive the Kunlun Realm. I was once a member of the Kunlun Realm, but later I was forced to leave due to certain circumstances. Now that I see Young Master Zhang, the heir of the Kunlun Realm, I naturally want to lend a hand."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Wuyue, trying to discern the truth from her eyes. However, Wuyue's gaze was clear, without a trace of evasion.
"Thank you, Pavilion Master Wuyue, for letting me know this secret," Zhang Ruochen said with a bow.
Wuyue waved her hand and said, "Young Master Zhang, there's no need to be so polite. However, I must remind you that the Abyss of Darkness is extremely dangerous. If you go there rashly, you will likely die. You must be fully prepared before you go."
"I understand," Zhang Ruochen nodded.
"Also, the Dark Abyss Yan Clan has a peerless genius named Yan Wushen. He is a top expert among the younger generation of the Hell Realm, and his strength is unfathomable. If you encounter him in the Abyss of Darkness, you must be careful," Wuyue added.
"Yan Wushen?" Zhang Ruochen's eyes flickered.
He had heard of this name. Yan Wushen was the number one genius of the Dark Abyss Yan Clan, rumored to have cultivated the legendary "Taiji Four Symbols Diagram," possessing extraordinary combat power.
"Thank you for the reminder, Pavilion Master Wuyue. I will be careful," Zhang Ruochen said.
Wuyue nodded and said, "Since Young Master Zhang understands, I won't keep you any longer. Wutong, see the guest out."
"Yes, Pavilion Master," Wutong responded, then walked in and said to Zhang Ruochen, "Young Master Zhang, please."
Zhang Ruochen bid farewell to Wuyue and followed Wutong out of the palace.
After leaving the Goddess Twelve Pavilions, Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious. The secret of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree was too important. He had to go to the Abyss of Darkness, but he needed to be fully prepared.
"Abyss of Darkness, Yan Wushen..." Zhang Ruochen murmured to himself, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.