Chapter 512: Number One on the Heavenly Ranking, Zhang Ruochen
"My martial arts don't need your instruction."
The battle intent radiating from Bishui City was surging as he let out a cold snort.
His arms spread wide, and true qi emanated from his armor, transforming into rings of water ripples that produced the sound of waves crashing against shore rocks.
"Splash!"
He spread his five fingers, carrying rings of watery ripples as he struck toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen stepped back with his right foot, evading Bishui City's palm imprint.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen's right hand pressed down on his sword hilt, bringing the scabbard along as if wielding a battle staff, striking toward Bishui City's abdomen.
The inscriptions on the Bishui Sacred Armor emerged, interweaving into a formation pattern. When Zhang Ruochen's attack landed, it was blocked by the formation pattern.
The scabbard didn't strike Bishui City's body, but the force carried by the scabbard sent Bishui City retreating four zhang, nearly falling off the battle platform again.
Just as Bishui City secretly rejoiced, Zhang Ruochen had already charged before him, leaped up, and slammed a palm strike onto his head.
Even with the Bishui Sacred Armor blocking Zhang Ruochen's palm force, Bishui City still couldn't withstand that power. His legs went weak, and with a thud, he heavily knelt on the battle platform.
Zhang Ruochen swung the scabbard again, striking Bishui City's neck like a gale sweeping fallen leaves, sending him flying off the platform once more.
"Boom!"
This time, Bishui City couldn't get up again.
Because the earlier palm strike to his head had already knocked him unconscious.
In truth, even without the Bishui Sacred Armor, Bishui City's strength wasn't weak—at least a notch above Pei Ji, who ranked forty-first on the Heavenly Ranking. He could be considered a top expert of the Heavenly Extreme Realm.
But the person he faced was Zhang Ruochen, who surpassed him in speed, power, and even martial arts comprehension. Defeating him wasn't difficult.
After Bishui City was knocked off the platform, an elder from the Bishui Clan immediately rushed over and lifted him from the ground.
That elder glanced at the battle platform and showed a grateful expression: "Thank you."
He understood clearly that Zhang Ruochen had held back.
Then, the elder carried Bishui City and quickly left the Heavenly Battle Platform.
Di Yi watched the direction in which the Bishui Clan elder departed and revealed a faint smile: "The Bishui Sacred Armor is quite a fine treasure. Bishui City didn't even unleash a thousandth of its power—wasting a good artifact. I'll have to find time to visit the Bishui Clan and borrow the Bishui Sacred Armor for a while."
"Hiss!"
Zhang Ruochen's palm released a stream of freezing true qi, freezing the moisture in the air into ice, sealing Huang Shenyi's remains.
Carrying the body, Zhang Ruochen walked down from the Heavenly Battle Platform and said, "Di Yi, I'm taking Huang Shenyi's remains. Don't worry, I'll give him a proper burial."
"Hold on."
Di Yi approached and blocked Zhang Ruochen, who was about to step off the platform.
Zhang Ruochen held the frozen corpse with one hand while pressing the other on his sword hilt, asking, "Do you want to fight me?"
Di Yi shook his head and smiled, "We'll still have a battle eventually, but not now. How about we make a deal?"
"What kind of deal?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"You can take Huang Shenyi's six sacred swords and his remains, and I won't stop you. But since you've already taken one Star Envoy, you can't take a second, can you?"
Di Yi's gaze shifted toward Orange Moon Star Envoy, a smile appearing on his face.
Zhang Ruochen's eyes also fixed on Orange Moon Star Envoy, and he said, "You want me to release her? But she's my prisoner now."
Di Yi chuckled, "Zhang Ruochen, don't be too greedy. You can only take one of the two Star Envoys. A living Star Envoy or a dead one—you choose first. Am I being generous enough?"
Zhang Ruochen's expression remained unchanged, "What if I want to take both Star Envoys?"
Di Yi's smile faded, and his eyes turned colder. He swept his gaze across the Martial Market Arena and said, "This is the Martial Market Arena, under the Martial Market Bank, with countless experts. Of course, I can't contend with you here. But I recall that your three-year marriage agreement with Princess Yanchen is almost up, isn't it? You wouldn't want a joyous occasion to turn into a funeral, would you?"
Zhang Ruochen's eyes flashed with cold intent, "Are you threatening me?"
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
Sensing Zhang Ruochen's killing intent, Azure Robe Star Envoy and Green Robe Star Envoy immediately flew out from behind Di Yi, standing on his left and right, guarding him in the center.
Both Azure Robe and Green Robe were top experts of the Fish-Dragon Realm, one male and one female. They radiated extraordinary power, as if ready to suppress Zhang Ruochen.
"Azure Robe, Green Robe, no rudeness. This is the Chaos Myriad Realms Mountain—we must follow the rules. How can we solve everything with force?"
Di Yi extended a hand, signaling Azure Robe and Green Robe to withdraw.
His gaze remained fixed on Zhang Ruochen as he continued, "Zhang Ruochen, let me give you some friendly advice. No matter how strong an individual's power is, it's ultimately limited. Before the entire Black Market, your strength is like a speck of dust—utterly insignificant. I hope you'll think carefully before making a decision."
"No need to think. I've already decided—I'm taking both Star Envoys. And I warn you: if you dare harm anyone close to me, I will personally kill you."
Zhang Ruochen's tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp, exuding an unshakable resolve.
Di Yi clenched his fists tightly, furious, but in the end, he suppressed his anger and waved his hand, "Fine, very well. Let's go."
Di Yi was the first to walk out of the Martial Market Arena, followed by all the evil path martial artists of the Black Market.
Watching Di Yi's retreating figure, Zhang Ruochen's expression grew serious.
Di Yi was a man of considerable means. As long as he lived, he would always be a threat.
But eliminating Di Yi was no easy task—he was always surrounded by a large number of Black Market experts. Even the high-ranking members of the Martial Market Bank had failed to kill him, let alone Zhang Ruochen.
"Whoosh!"
The Heavenly Ranking Stone emitted a powerful glow, and the three characters "Zhang Ruochen" vanished from the stone.
A moment later, "Zhang Ruochen" appeared at the top of the Heavenly Ranking Stone, becoming number one.
Behind his name appeared a string of numbers: Military Merit Points, 12,417,000.
Being number one on the Heavenly Ranking represented fame and achievement, marking one as an undefeated battle king of the same realm.
It was foreseeable that Zhang Ruochen's name would soon spread across the Kunlun Realm, making him a blazing young prodigy and the object of admiration and affection for countless young women.
Ao Xinyan was the first to rush over, walking to the base of the Heavenly Battle Platform to welcome Zhang Ruochen. Joyfully, she said, "Captain, you're now number one on the Heavenly Ranking, and you've killed Huang Shen Star Envoy of the Black Market First Class Hall. When you return to the Holy Academy, you'll surely receive generous rewards."
Huang Yanchen, Duanmu Xingling, Luo Shuihan, and the young talents of the Eastern Domain Sacred King Manor all gathered around to congratulate Zhang Ruochen.
Achieving number one on the Heavenly Ranking was an extraordinary feat.
In the Eastern Domain Sacred King Manor, if a young disciple entered the top ten of the Heavenly Ranking, they would immediately become a key cultivation target and even a candidate for clan leader.
Becoming number one on the Heavenly Ranking was even more difficult than ascending to heaven. The last time someone from the Eastern Domain Sacred King Manor reached number one was six hundred years ago.
Since Huang Yanchen belonged to a branch of the Eastern Domain Sacred King Manor and Zhang Ruochen was her fiancé, he was naturally considered a member of the Eastern Domain Sacred King Manor as well.
"Brother Zhang, don't worry about Di Yi's threats. Your wedding with Cousin Yanchen will definitely be held at the Eastern Domain Sacred King Manor. Even if he had the guts, he wouldn't dare cause trouble." Chen Tianran patted his chest confidently.
Chen Tianshu also added, "That's right. Although the Black Market is powerful, our Chen Clan is no weakling. Even if all the saints of the Black Market came to attack the Eastern Domain Sacred City, we'd ensure they never return."
Zhang Ruochen's expression remained somewhat grave, "Let's go back first and discuss this slowly."
The members of the Eastern Domain Sacred King Manor, along with Huang Yanchen, Duanmu Xingling, Ao Xinyan, and Luo Shuihan from the Holy Academy, were all temporarily staying at the Myriad Realms Tavern.
The Myriad Realms Tavern was a massive complex occupying a vast area. The void realm warriors who came to the Chaos Myriad Realms Mountain either lived in military camps or at the Myriad Realms Tavern.
Of course, staying at the Myriad Realms Tavern was infinitely more comfortable than the military camps.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen sat in Duanmu Xingling's room, his fingers supporting his chin, his gaze deep as he pondered something.
Duanmu Xingling stood beneath a bronze ancient lamp. In the lamplight, her skin appeared snow-white and crystalline, her facial contours clear and distinct, making her exceptionally beautiful.
Her two jade-like fingers also touched her chin, mimicking Zhang Ruochen's posture. A hint of playful charm flickered in her beautiful eyes as she said, "Zhang Ruochen, staying alone with me in this room for so long—aren't you afraid Sister Chen will get jealous? What's the matter? Hurry up and say it. If you're not in a hurry, I'm starting to get anxious."
Zhang Ruochen seemed to have finally thought things through as he looked up and said, "Senior Sister Duanmu, I'd like to ask you to do me a favor."
Duanmu Xingling was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, "Did I hear that right? You're asking me for help? You, Zhang Ruochen, number one on the Heavenly Ranking, asking a weak woman like me for help—aren't you afraid people will laugh?"
"Will you help or not?" Zhang Ruochen asked solemnly.
"I will."
Duanmu Xingling answered without hesitation.
She knew that if it weren't truly important, Zhang Ruochen wouldn't have asked for her help.
(One more chapter.)