# Chapter 622: The Final Battle Approaches
"One thing is one thing, favors are favors, and what must be repaid must be repaid. But keeping my secret is a matter of principle. I believe Yin Yue Linkong is not someone who would betray a friend." Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
For a prodigy like Yin Yue Linkong, her future was bound to be extraordinary. How could he let her repay the favor so easily?
"Shua!"
Zhang Ruochen activated the Thunder Movement Technique, transforming into a bolt of lightning as he broke through the air alone.
Yin Yue Linkong sighed softly and let out a gentle laugh.
Although she had only met Zhang Ruochen twice, for some reason, she could trust him without reservation. Perhaps this was what they called "geniuses meeting, feeling like old friends at first sight."
By the time Zhang Ruochen returned to the Flowing Sand Gorge, Hongyu Star Envoy immediately approached him, her eyes icy cold. "How do you know that traitor Yin Yue Linkong?"
Zhang Ruochen said calmly, "Star Envoy, shouldn't I be allowed to have one or two friends? Besides, now that Yin Yue Linkong shares a common enemy with us, why can't she become our ally?"
In truth, Hongyu Star Envoy was not an inflexible person. She clearly understood one principle: "There are no absolute enemies in the world, only absolute interests."
Obviously, Yin Yue Linkong's hatred aligned with her interests—both were directed at Di Yi.
Hongyu Star Envoy furrowed her brows, showing a contemplative expression as she analyzed the pros and cons. After a long while, she said, "Yin Yue Linkong's strength is indeed formidable. If she helps us, we might actually be able to fight Di Yi."
"However, Yin Yue Linkong's identity is too special. If the Black Market high-level learns that I've allied with her against Di Yi, they will definitely punish me."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Yin Yue Linkong just happened to come seeking revenge against Di Yi. What does that have to do with you?"
Hongyu Star Envoy knew Zhang Ruochen was being sophistical, but she couldn't refute him. Because she herself understood clearly that only by cooperating with Yin Yue Linkong would she have a greater chance of winning when facing Di Yi.
Zhang Ruochen stared into Hongyu Star Envoy's eyes and continued, "As long as Di Yi dies, you'll be in a winning position. By then, the situation will be settled. You are the highest-talented person of the younger generation in the Black Market. Even if the Black Market high-level knows you used some inappropriate people in your struggle with Di Yi, they can only make you the new Young Master of the Black Market."
Hongyu Star Envoy snorted coldly, staring intently into Zhang Ruochen's eyes. "Who exactly are you? I feel like you want to kill Di Yi even more than I do?"
Zhang Ruochen knew he had said too much, arousing Hongyu Star Envoy's suspicion.
"In the future, you will naturally know who I am. But for now, what we should focus on is dealing with Di Yi. If we miss this opportunity, there won't be another."
Zhang Ruochen took out the blood-soaked bundle and handed it to Hongyu Star Envoy. "This is a gift from Yin Yue Linkong to show her determination."
Hongyu Star Envoy was somewhat puzzled as she took the bundle and opened it.
Seeing the head of Qingyi Star Envoy inside, Hongyu Star Envoy's pupils dilated, and she felt suffocated.
After a long moment, she closed the bundle again and said, "Indeed, it's a generous gift... However, the news that Yin Yue Linkong has come to the Eastern Domain Evil Land will soon reach the Black Market high-level. We must act quickly."
"Di Yi's power is vast. Even if we want to confront him head-on, we need a strategy."
Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands behind his back. "If Di Yi is really at Red Willow Manor, we can make good use of the formations inside the manor."
Hongyu Star Envoy shook her head. "Once Di Yi enters Red Willow Manor, he will first take control of the formation hub underground. How can we retake control of the formations from outside the manor?"
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment. "We can split into two groups. You go ahead and draw the attention of the evil cultivators in Red Willow Manor. I'll go to the underground altar and retake control of the manor's formations."
"How will you enter Red Willow Manor without being detected?" Hongyu Star Envoy asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I have my ways."
Seeing Zhang Ruochen so confident, Hongyu Star Envoy stopped questioning.
Next, Zhang Ruochen and Hongyu Star Envoy continued discussing the specific plan to attack Red Willow Manor, calculating every detail and considering every step carefully to avoid any mistakes.
Dealing with Di Yi required caution and prudence.
It wasn't until noon that they finally finalized the plan.
Hongyu Star Envoy and Zhang Ruochen led a group of evil cultivators and arrived at a small town fifty miles from Red Willow Manor just before dark.
In the town, Hongyu Star Envoy had already deployed people to monitor every move in Red Willow Manor.
Entering a tavern, Hongyu Star Envoy and Zhang Ruochen sat facing each other.
An old man wearing a leather cap walked out from inside the tavern, trembling with fear. He bowed to Hongyu Star Envoy and said, "Star Envoy, something terrible has happened. Zhangsun Lan has secretly contacted Di Yi, and they have worked together from within and without to take over Red Willow Manor. More than half of the people in the manor have defected to Di Yi. Those who refused to submit have all been eliminated."
Zhangsun Lan was the Sect Leader of the Hundred Battle Gate, once one of the most powerful experts under Hongyu Star Envoy, on par with Xu Ping, the Sect Leader of the Blood Cloud Sect.
When Hongyu Star Envoy led her experts to the Falling God Mountain Range, she left Zhangsun Lan behind to guard the manor.
If Zhangsun Lan had betrayed her, Di Yi could indeed take Red Willow Manor with ease.
Hongyu Star Envoy seemed to have anticipated this, showing no surprise. Instead, she revealed a faint smile. "So, Di Yi has become the master of Red Willow Manor?"
The old man in the leather cap said tremblingly, "That is correct."
"You may leave now."
Hongyu Star Envoy waved her hand, dismissing the old man. Then she glanced at Zhang Ruochen and laughed. "Just as you predicted, Great Protector. You're amazing—you know Di Yi so well. If I'm not mistaken, Di Yi is now sitting in the main seat of the Holy Willow Hall, waiting for Qingyi Star Envoy to escort me back, so he can execute me as a victor."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Right now, Di Yi's vigilance is at its lowest. This is our best chance."
Hongyu Star Envoy nodded in agreement. She stood up, walked out of the tavern, and began assigning tasks to Xu Ping, Shi Buchou, and the other evil cultivators, telling each person what they needed to do.
Zhang Ruochen walked over to Mu Lingxi. "Senior Sister, this final battle with Di Yi will be extremely dangerous. I hope you..."
Mu Lingxi crossed her arms and spoke first. "Do you think you can talk me out of it?"
"I can't. So I won't try to persuade you not to go. I only ask that you stay outside Red Willow Manor during the battle. If the operation fails, you can still support me from outside. Agreed?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Mu Lingxi nodded and raised two fingers. "Two hours. I'll give you two hours. If you haven't come out of Red Willow Manor by then, I'll charge in."
"Two hours should be enough," Zhang Ruochen said.
Following the plan they had devised, Zhang Ruochen and Hongyu Star Envoy began their respective actions.
Half an hour later, Hongyu Star Envoy led a group of evil cultivators, pretending to be severely injured as they fled back to Red Willow Manor in disarray.
As expected, when Hongyu Star Envoy reached the outside of Red Willow Manor, it caused a huge commotion. The entire manor erupted like a boiling pot, because no one believed Hongyu Star Envoy could return alive.
Some of them rushed to report to Di Yi.
Others stayed behind to stabilize Hongyu Star Envoy, waiting for Di Yi's instructions.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ruochen, alone and wearing the Meteor Invisibility Cloak, timed his movements and arrived at the outer wall of Red Willow Manor.
Zhang Ruochen tentatively pressed his palm forward. When it was still three feet from the wall, a layer of white light appeared, repelling him.
"The defensive formation inside Red Willow Manor has indeed been activated."
Zhang Ruochen took two steps back, pressed two fingers together, and mobilized the power of space. He slashed forward, executing a "Space Rift," tearing a two-meter-long gap in the defensive formation.
"Shua!"
Using his movement technique, Zhang Ruochen passed through the gap in the formation.
With a light tap of his feet, he leaped up, crossed the wall, and landed in the bamboo garden of Red Willow Manor.
Zhang Ruochen was already very familiar with Red Willow Manor, and with the Meteor Invisibility Cloak, no one could see him.
Walking through Red Willow Manor, Zhang Ruochen moved as if through an empty space, quickly reaching the entrance to the underground altar.
At the entrance, two Glazed Knight Generals stood guard on either side, both at the Fourth Change of the Fish-Dragon Realm.
By dispatching two such powerful experts to guard this place, it was clear that Di Yi was still quite cautious. With the cultivation of two Glazed Knight Generals, even a Ninth Change Fish-Dragon cultivator would find it difficult to kill them silently.
But unfortunately for them, they had encountered Zhang Ruochen.
"Shua!"
Zhang Ruochen drew the Abyssal Ancient Sword, captured two space imprints, and executed the Instant Sword Technique. With incredible speed, he thrust out two strikes in succession, hitting the brows of the two Glazed Knight Generals.
Their bodies trembled slightly, and a tiny blood spot appeared on their brows. Although they remained standing, they had lost all signs of life.
Pushing open the stone door, Zhang Ruochen descended the steps and finally reached the underground space, where he saw the towering altar at the center.
On four sides of the altar sat four formation masters, one on each side, firmly controlling the one hundred and forty-seven formations in Red Willow Manor.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and walked toward the four formation masters.
Just as Zhang Ruochen reached the underground space, Di Yi, sitting in the Holy Willow Hall, also received the report that Hongyu Star Envoy had escaped and was now outside the main gate.
Di Yi sat at the highest seat of the Holy Willow Hall, putting away the "Sword One" he had been studying. He showed a somewhat surprised expression. "Qingyi, Ice Demon, Hunter, and Zhao Hanhu all went to deal with her, and she still managed to escape? Hongyu Star Envoy's strength truly impresses me. Zhangsun Lan, how many people did Hongyu Star Envoy bring back?"