Chapter 875: The Kill Order
Even a seventh-step Half-Saint could barely unleash a single Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force.
Thus, even though Zhang Ruochen’s Qi Sea and Xuan Reservoir stored vast amounts of Saint Qi, far surpassing cultivators of the same realm, unleashing that attack had consumed over eighty percent of his Saint Qi.
Jian Kongzi had judged correctly. In his current state, Zhang Ruochen could not only not unleash a second Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force, but even maintaining normal combat power was extremely difficult.
However, aside from a slight pallor, Zhang Ruochen’s expression remained largely unchanged, still extremely calm. He said, “I told you, anyone who blocks me will only meet death.”
Zhang Ruochen’s hands slowly rose, moving to the position of his heart.
“Crack!”
A sound of shattering came from within his heart.
The Dragon Pearl, which had been suspended in his heart, split into dozens of cracks and shattered. Dazzling golden light burst forth from Zhang Ruochen’s body, piercing through the night.
Most of the Sacred Dragon Qi within the Dragon Pearl had long been refined into the Sarira by the Golden Dragon. Coupled with Zhang Ruochen’s continuous absorption, only an extremely small amount of Sacred Dragon Qi remained inside the pearl.
Even if Zhang Ruochen hadn’t shattered it, it would have soon crumbled on its own due to the depletion of dragon qi.
Of course, even that extremely small amount of Sacred Dragon Qi contained immense energy, enough to support Zhang Ruochen in using the Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force three times.
The Dragon Pearl not only contained Sacred Dragon Qi but also a vast amount of the Golden Dragon’s knowledge and Sacred Dao insights.
For this reason, the fragments of the Dragon Pearl entered Zhang Ruochen’s meridians and were quickly refined by the Purifying Divine Flame, transforming into a strange energy that flowed through his soul meridians into his Saint Soul.
The Sacred Dao rules within the Saint Soul began to increase at a nearly frenzied pace: Flying Heaven rules, Flowing Light rules, Death rules, Sun and Moon rules…
With each breath, a new rule condensed within the Saint Soul. This even included rules of the Supreme Sacred Dao.
“Roar!”
Golden dragon qi surged from Zhang Ruochen’s body, transforming into thousands of dragon shadows that enveloped the entire sky and earth, continuously emitting ear-splitting dragon roars.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen showed no sign of depleted Saint Qi. He was like a dragon brimming with vitality, causing even the Half-Saints present to feel their souls tremble.
Almost simultaneously, everyone retreated into the distance.
Are you kidding? If Zhang Ruochen activated the Sky-Soaring Sword again and unleashed the Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force, who present could withstand it?
“I’ve long heard that Zhang Ruochen found the Golden Dragon’s tomb and obtained the Buddha Emperor’s inheritance. Now it seems the legend might be true.”
A cry of surprise rang out, spreading through the night sky: “Look quickly, at Zhang Ruochen’s Martial Soul…”
Countless gazes turned toward Zhang Ruochen’s Martial Soul. There, suspended in the air, it shone with golden brilliance, growing taller and taller.
Inside the Saint Soul, over one hundred and fifty Sacred Dao rules had condensed, and they were still increasing at an astonishing rate.
A Fish-Dragon realm cultivator who condensed twelve Sacred Dao rules could attempt to break through to the Half-Saint realm.
If one could condense thirty Sacred Dao rules in the Fish-Dragon realm, they would already be considered extremely formidable.
That Zhang Ruochen’s Saint Soul now contained over one hundred and fifty Sacred Dao rules naturally stunned many.
An old man in a black robe said, “Could Zhang Ruochen be attempting to break through to the Half-Saint realm?”
“No wonder the Purifying Divine Flame hasn’t extinguished. Zhang Ruochen might indeed be trying to break through to Half-Saint. Once he succeeds, who knows how powerful his combat strength will become?”
All the strong warriors of the Ministry of War had appeared.
Besides Jian Kongzi, Zhuang Xuan Kong, Feng Qin, there were two other experts: a man carrying a golden saber and a woman around forty years old.
Both wore twelve layers of golden armor.
The man with the golden saber was named Zuo Linghuan, titled “Golden Saber King.”
The woman around forty was named Qiu Shuang, titled “Yin Diao King.”
Five of the ten great experts had arrived.
The power of the Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force was indeed terrifying, but they were no ordinary people. They had weathered great storms, walked through blades, and crossed seas of fire, so they did not retreat.
Feng Qin said solemnly, “Although the Sky-Soaring Sword’s power is formidable, Zhang Ruochen hasn’t reached the Half-Saint realm yet. If we are careful, it may not be unstoppable.”
Yin Diao King’s gaze was icy. “The reason Wanxiang King died was that he didn’t expect Zhang Ruochen to unleash the Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force. Now that we know Zhang Ruochen possesses such a lethal move, we naturally no longer fear him.”
“Let’s fight! Even if we die here, we must capture Zhang Ruochen.”
Golden Saber King gripped the hilt of his saber with one hand and pulled it outward.
With a clatter, a vast expanse of golden saber light surged forth, forming a river of saber qi that hung in the air and slashed toward Zhang Ruochen.
At the same time, the others each unleashed their Sacred Artifacts or ultimate techniques, all attacking Zhang Ruochen simultaneously.
A Fish-Dragon realm cultivator being besieged by five Ministry of War kings—only Zhang Ruochen could receive such treatment.
Zhang Ruochen mobilized his sword intent, controlling the Sky-Soaring Sword, causing it to fly up again and hover in the void.
“Boom!”
He continuously channeled Saint Qi into the sword body, awakening the sword spirit. A profound aura spread out in all directions.
The power of a Thousand-Mark Sacred Artifact was naturally extraordinary. Even just its aura made the Ministry of War kings feel a heavy pressure.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes filled with dense bloodshot streaks as he roared, “Kill!”
The Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force erupted. The Sky-Soaring Sword descended, and with a “bang,” the Yin-Yang chessboard that Zhuang Xuan Kong had unleashed was instantly cut in two by the sword.
The sword light fell mercilessly, striking with irresistible force atop Golden Saber King’s head, cleaving his body in two.
Another long sword path was left on the ground.
Another king had fallen. Facing the Thousand Ripple Annihilation Force from the Sky-Soaring Sword, it seemed no one could withstand it.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen paid a heavy price. Just as the Sky-Soaring Sword killed Golden Saber King, the flying sword Jian Kongzi had launched struck Zhang Ruochen’s chest.
Thanks to the Meteor Invisibility Cloak’s defense, the flying sword didn’t pierce Zhang Ruochen’s body, but it sent him flying backward, spitting out a large mouthful of blood.
Two ribs in his chest were broken, and his internal organs burned with fiery pain. He had clearly suffered severe injuries.
Fortunately, Zhang Ruochen had cultivated the Five Elements Chaos Body, giving him astonishing physical defense. If it had been another cultivator, even wearing the Meteor Invisibility Cloak, taking a blow from Jian Kongzi would likely have shattered their body.
Jian Kongzi looked at Golden Saber King’s corpse, his expression turning grim.
To capture Zhang Ruochen, the imperial court had lost three kings in a row. Such a loss was already enormous and would certainly alarm the big shots of the Ministry of War.
If he couldn’t capture Zhang Ruochen, Jian Kongzi would have no way to explain himself to the Ministry of War upon his return. Even Wan Zhaoyi might not be able to protect him.
“My chessboard!”
Zhuang Xuan Kong held the shattered chessboard, his hands trembling, his heart aching. He felt a boundless hatred for Zhang Ruochen.
The Yin-Yang chessboard was a formidable Sacred Artifact. Zhuang Xuan Kong had paid a great price to obtain it.
Who would have thought it would be destroyed by a junior in the Fish-Dragon realm?
Zhang Ruochen stood up again, wiping the bloodstains from the corner of his mouth, his gaze still sharp. Around him, the world’s spiritual energy condensed into countless sword qi, producing a rustling sound.
At this moment, he was like a Sword Saint, possessing an indestructible will.
Jian Kongzi took a deep breath and said, “Use the Kill Order.”
Jian Kongzi, Zhuang Xuan Kong, Feng Qin, and Yin Diao King simultaneously took out a black token, channeling Saint Qi into it.
The tokens flew above their heads, spinning rapidly, growing larger and larger, blocking most of the sky.
Among the generals of the Ministry of War, only those with the title of Domain King could obtain a Kill Order.
The Kill Order was personally bestowed by Empress Chi Yao.
The token contained a trace of the Empress’s aura. By activating three or more Kill Orders simultaneously, one could unleash a portion of the Empress’s power to eliminate enemies they couldn’t handle alone.
The more Kill Orders there were, the greater the unleashed power.
As the four Kill Orders rose into the sky, white mist surged from within them, converging like rivers meeting at a central point, condensing into a three-hundred-zhang-tall phantom of the Empress. (To be continued.)