Chapter 648: Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden
Zhang Ruochen did not dare to force his way in. Turning around, he prepared to head back, but suddenly, he saw a patch of white sacred light flying toward him from ahead, descending outside the mountain gate.
The white sacred light emitted an immensely vast sacred aura. The moment it descended, it immediately intimidated the two old Daoists at the Ninth Change of the Fish-Dragon Realm guarding the mountain gate, forcing them to kneel.
The two old Daoists at the Ninth Change of the Fish-Dragon Realm kowtowed and said in unison, "Greetings, Ancestral Master."
The sacred light gradually dissipated, revealing five figures.
Only Half-Saints were permitted to fly within the Upper Clarity Palace. Thus, the five individuals before him were undoubtedly figures at the level of Ancestral Masters of the Liangyi Sect.
Fearing exposure, Zhang Ruochen was extremely cautious. He immediately lowered his head and stepped aside to the edge of the path.
He slightly raised his eyelids and looked forward.
He saw that four of the five wore purple Daoist robes, each exuding formidable sacred qi. Ordinary cultivators dared not look directly at them.
Apart from the four Daoists, there was also a young woman in white robes standing at the very front.
The woman in white seemed quite young, with long black hair and a slender, delicate figure. She gave off an ethereal, otherworldly aura, like a goddess stepping on waves.
Her body radiated dazzling sacred light, brimming with spiritual elegance. Although Zhang Ruochen could not clearly see her features, he was certain she must be a peerless beauty.
The four Half-Saints of the Liangyi Sect subtly deferred to her, all standing behind her.
Among them, a purple-robed old Daoist on the far right extended a hand, gesturing forward, and said, "Talented Woman, please."
The woman in white at the front nodded lightly and took a step forward.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, she stopped, glanced at Zhang Ruochen standing by the path, and smiled faintly. "The Liangyi Sect truly produces many talents."
The woman in white had only casually glanced at Zhang Ruochen, but the look in her eyes was exceptionally bright. Zhang Ruochen felt as if his body had become transparent before her.
It was as though all the secrets he carried had been completely seen through by her.
The four purple-robed old Daoists also looked at Zhang Ruochen, expressions of surprise appearing on their faces.
Because when they had been flying earlier, they had released powerful sacred might, intimidating even the two Ninth Change Fish-Dragon Realm cultivators guarding the mountain gate into kneeling.
Yet this young disciple before them remained standing.
One must know that even Saint Heir disciples would find it difficult to withstand the sacred might of four Half-Saints.
This young disciple seemed truly extraordinary.
However, for them, it was merely an extra glance at Zhang Ruochen before they entered the mountain gate together and disappeared into the misty sea of Ancient God Mountain.
"Who is she? How is she so formidable?"
After they left, Zhang Ruochen let out a long breath. His heart pounded rapidly, and his entire body was drenched in cold sweat.
The two old Daoists guarding the mountain gate also stood up, exhaling deeply.
Clearly, they too had endured considerable pressure and could only fully relax now.
The two old Daoists looked at Zhang Ruochen in the distance, curiosity in their eyes. How could an ordinary inner disciple withstand the sacred might of four Half-Saint Ancestral Masters? It was truly unbelievable.
Zhang Ruochen walked over and asked, "Two seniors, you said earlier that no one could enter Ancient God Mountain today. Who was that woman in white? Why was she allowed in?"
The two old Daoists, aware that Zhang Ruochen was no ordinary person, treated him with more courtesy.
The old Daoist on the left said, "You don't even know her? She is one of the most favored Nine Heavens Mysterious Maidens by the Empress's side—the Saintly Talented Woman."
The other old Daoist added, "She is a Saint, and she achieved sainthood through spiritual power."
Legend had it that Empress Chi Yao had nine female officials by her side, collectively known as the "Nine Heavens Mysterious Maidens."
Among them, the Saintly Talented Woman was primarily responsible for "overseeing the realm." Thus, the "Five Domains Wind and Cloud Report" was compiled by her, allowing her to grasp the major events of the entire Kunlun Realm at the earliest moment.
It could be said that the secrets of all major sects, clans, academies, and other forces in the Kunlun Realm were held in her hands.
Zhang Ruochen stared in the direction of Ancient God Mountain and murmured to himself, "So she is the Saintly Talented Woman."
Once, Zhang Ruochen had thought of using the Saintly Talented Woman to uncover the truth of eight hundred years ago.
He never expected that she was one of Chi Yao's people.
Zhang Ruochen immediately classified the Saintly Talented Woman as a dangerous figure. Before reaching the Saint Realm, he must never provoke her.
Then, Zhang Ruochen asked the two old Daoists how to enter Ancient God Mountain.
They told him that only Saint Heir disciples could enter Ancient God Mountain once a month, on the first day of each month.
Although Zhang Ruochen had already reached the Fish-Dragon Realm, he had not undergone the coronation ceremony, so he was not yet considered a Saint Heir disciple.
Returning to Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain, Zhang Ruochen resumed his original appearance, entered the Scroll World, took out two spirit crystals, held them in his hands, and began circulating his technique.
With his current cultivation, the sacred qi in his body could only sustain the transformation for one day.
After a full day of turmoil, the sacred qi in Zhang Ruochen's body was nearly depleted.
It took him an hour to replenish his sacred qi fully.
"If I can break through to the Fifth Change of the Fish-Dragon Realm, I can open a second sacred meridian. Then, I could maintain the transformation for five consecutive days."
For now, he had only one thought: to strive to improve his cultivation.
Zhang Ruochen took out the Spiritual Fire Source, one of the Five Elements Spiritual Treasures, held it in both hands, and began to absorb and refine it.
Refining the Spiritual Fire Source not only allowed him to cultivate the Four Spirit Treasure Body but also rapidly enhanced his cultivation.
Cultivating continuously for a month in the Scroll World, Zhang Ruochen's body reached saturation again, unable to absorb more Spiritual Fire Source.
His physique had only improved slightly, and achieving the "Four Spirit Treasure Body" still seemed far off.
Of course, after a full month of cultivation, Zhang Ruochen's cultivation had made tremendous progress, equivalent to the results of another cultivator's hard work for a year.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen's sword dao had also improved significantly.
It should not be long before he reached the fifth level of Sword One.
"Today is the day of the coronation ceremony. After the ceremony, I will strive for the fifth level."
Zhang Ruochen left the Scroll World and returned to the small courtyard on Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain.
His nose twitched, and he caught a whiff of blood.
"What happened?"
Zhang Ruochen released his spiritual power and cautiously stepped out of the room. Before long, he spotted a bloody corpse in the grass of the courtyard.
It was... Zhao Yibing's corpse.
Xiao Hei, with a lazy catlike gait, jumped down from the beam and said, "This old Daoist sneaked into the courtyard, claiming he wanted to kill you. This emperor found him utterly displeasing, so I killed him first. Shouldn't cause any trouble, right?"
Zhang Ruochen glanced at the corpse and sighed. "Why bother?"
Zhao Yibing had been demoted by Purple Cloud Half-Saint to mine in the Abyssal Ancient Mine. He must have been deeply resentful and wanted to kill Zhang Ruochen before leaving to vent his hatred.
He never expected to run into Xiao Hei.
A dignified Azure Robe Elder, killed by a single claw of a fat cat. Zhao Yibing must have died with great reluctance.
"Shouldn't cause any trouble, right?" Xiao Hei asked.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "Since he's already dead, what can be done? Quickly take his corpse into the Scroll World and dispose of it."
The Liangyi Sect held a coronation ceremony once a month.
The venue was the Dao Field of the Upper Clarity Palace.
On this day each month, the Dao Field of the Upper Clarity Palace would gather many people. Inner disciples from the three palaces and seventy-two peaks would come to watch. If lucky, they might even catch a glimpse of a Half-Saint Ancestral Master.
Purple Cloud Spirit Mountain had finally produced a Saint Heir disciple, so Purple Cloud Half-Saint naturally took it seriously. He temporarily ended his seclusion and personally brought Zhang Ruochen to the Upper Clarity Palace.
Given Purple Cloud Half-Saint's special status, he naturally would not show himself in public. After placing Zhang Ruochen in the Dao Field, he transformed into a beam of sacred light and flew into the Upper Clarity Palace to gather with other Half-Saints.
In the morning, Zhang Ruochen bathed with incense, purified himself, and changed into a cyan Daoist robe that only Saint Heir disciples could wear.
"The monthly coronation ceremony draws so many spectators."
Zhang Ruochen looked outside the Dao Field and saw figures everywhere. Besides outer disciples, there were also many inner disciples.
"Little Yue, don't you know? This month's coronation ceremony not only features a great beauty but also a fierce battle between dragons and tigers? Such events don't happen every month, so of course, they come to watch the excitement."
A sneering voice sounded behind Zhang Ruochen.
As the person spoke, he casually reached out and placed a hand on Zhang Ruochen's shoulder. His other hand stroked the mustache above his lips, looking like a carefree rogue.
Little Yue?
Only then did Zhang Ruochen realize the person was addressing him.
Zhang Ruochen turned his head and glanced at him.
This man appeared to be around thirty years old, with an especially high and hooked nose, shaped like an eagle's beak.
Zhang Ruochen remained composed and asked, "Who are you?"
(Extra chapter.)