Chapter 931: The Talented Woman Falls
Zhang Ruochen had obtained many treasures in the underworld, each one priceless, especially the divine blood, divine stubborn fruit, divine blood red soil, and so on. Selling even a small portion would be more than enough to purchase Saint Yuan Pills.
With the wealth he now possessed, he had already surpassed some Saint clans and noble houses.
A look of dejection appeared in Mu Rongyue's eyes as she said, "Currently, the Black Market in Yuan Mansion probably doesn't have any third-grade Saint Yuan Pills. If Your Highness truly needs them, you'll have to wait for a while. As long as I send word back to the Black Market headquarters in Taizhou Prefecture, they'll escort the Saint Yuan Pills over."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "How long will that take?"
"At the very least, three months, I'd estimate. After all, Saint Yuan Pills are treasures that all Half-Saints are scrambling for. It's already quite rare for them to be put up for sale. Moreover, even if Saint Yuan Pills appear on the market, they'll first go to auction houses, and only then be sent to the Black Markets of various prefectures and commanderies," Mu Rongyue said.
Zhang Ruochen could understand that. Only in top-tier auction houses could the price of Saint Yuan Pills be driven to the highest level.
Being a wandering cultivator was inherently unfair. To obtain cultivation resources, one had to risk their life. Because some resources were monopolized, no matter how much money one had, it was extremely difficult to buy them.
If Zhang Ruochen were still in the Saint Academy or the Liangyi Sect, given his talent, he would have had a good chance of obtaining Saint Yuan Pills. He wouldn't have to worry like this about breaking through to higher realms.
"Three months... I can't wait that long."
Zhang Ruochen's brows furrowed tightly. He then said, "It seems I'll have to go to the Black Market headquarters in Taizhou Prefecture myself."
Taizhou Prefecture was one of the nine prefectures of the Central Domain. It had vast territory and abundant resources, with countless families and sects standing side by side. It had once been part of the territory of the Holy Bright Central Empire.
Therefore, Zhang Ruochen was somewhat familiar with the center of Taizhou Prefecture, "Zhouwan Holy Land."
It could be said that Zhouwan Holy Land was the number one gathering place for cultivators in the former Holy Bright Central Empire, second only to the Holy Bright Imperial City. Although it wasn't a walled city, it was more bustling and lively than any city, with a flourishing martial path and hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
At the same time, Zhouwan Holy Land was also the convergence point of resources, wealth, experts, and beauties from all of Taizhou Prefecture. As long as one had enough sacred stones, a cultivator could buy everything they desired there.
The Black Market headquarters of Taizhou Prefecture was located in Zhouwan Holy Land.
Mu Rongyue also agreed with Zhang Ruochen going to the Black Market headquarters in Taizhou Prefecture to personally bid for Saint Yuan Pills.
This way, not only could it save a lot of time, but there was also a chance to buy Saint Yuan Pills of other grades.
A thought struck Mu Rongyue, and she said, "A major incident has occurred recently that might interest Your Highness."
"What incident?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Mu Rongyue said, "Not long ago, a conflict broke out in Zhouwan Holy Land, causing a bloodbath. The number of human cultivators who died was no less than the casualties caused by the recent turmoil in Yuan Mansion."
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious. "What was the reason?"
"It's said to be related to the 'Blood Clan Secret Scroll.' The imperial court, the Confucian path, the Shangguan Aristocratic Family, the Undying Blood Clan, the Blood God Sect, and besides them, several other sects and Saint clans. Almost half of the top powers in all of Taizhou Prefecture made a move," Mu Rongyue said.
Zhang Ruochen showed a concerned look. "What exactly was revealed in the Blood Clan Secret Scroll?"
"I'm not entirely sure."
Mu Rongyue shook her head. "The battle at that time was extremely fierce and widespread, yet very few people knew the inside story. In that battle, all parties suffered varying degrees of losses. Of course, the most eye-catching event was undoubtedly the fall of Shengshu Cainü."
"How is that possible?"
Zhang Ruochen's expression changed drastically, as if struck by a thunderbolt from a clear sky. "How could Shengshu Cainü have fallen?"
Shengshu Cainü was exceptionally talented, with extraordinary aptitude, enough to rival the few on the "Heroes' Ode." She also possessed countless protective treasures.
Zhang Ruochen simply couldn't believe she had perished.
Mu Rongyue said, "Right now, the information from all sides isn't very clear. I've only heard that at the time, Shengshu Cainü went alone to the Shangguan family to seek an audience with their ancestor, Shangguan Que, hoping to obtain the Blood Clan Secret Scroll."
"However, after she left the Shangguan family, she was intercepted by the Undying Blood Clan. All the disputes arose from this. Many powers wanted to get their hands on the Blood Clan Secret Scroll, so they all got involved one after another."
"The final battlefield of that battle was in the territory of the Blood God Sect. Someone saw a Blood King of the Undying Blood Clan pierce through Shengshu Cainü's protective treasure, bludgeoning her into a bloody figure who then fell into the Endless Abyss."
"Shengshu Cainü was indeed very strong, her cultivation reaching the Saint realm. However, in the end, she was only a spiritual power cultivator, with a relatively fragile physical body. Once attacked, she was doomed. Moreover, falling into a desperate place like the Endless Abyss made it even more impossible for her to survive."
Zhang Ruochen clenched his fists tightly, squeezing four words out from between his lips: "End...less...A...byss..."
He was no stranger to the Endless Abyss.
After all, back then, the unparalleled Xue Hou was struck down into the Endless Abyss by Zhang Ruochen's father, the Ming Emperor, and never returned to the Kunlun Realm.
It was said that the Endless Abyss had no bottom. Once one fell into it, even gods would never return.
"She went to the Shangguan family because of the news I gave her. If not for that, she wouldn't have met this calamity."
Zhang Ruochen was filled with self-blame, a dull ache in his heart.
In his mind, Shengshu Cainü's peerlessly beautiful figure appeared, full of scholarly aura, elegant and gentle. In all the world, she was probably the only one worthy of the title "Talented Woman."
"No, Shengshu Cainü is a woman of great fortune. How could she have perished like this?" Zhang Ruochen gritted his teeth, feeling deep regret and some unwillingness.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I need to go to the Endless Abyss. No matter what, I have to go."
Mu Rongyue had long suspected that Zhang Ruochen and Shengshu Cainü had an unusual relationship, so she wasn't surprised to hear him make this decision.
However, she absolutely couldn't allow Zhang Ruochen to take such a risk. She immediately advised, "The Endless Abyss is a dead end for living beings. Even Saints dare not approach it. Your Highness, please think twice."
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen was unmoved, Mu Rongyue continued, "The Blood God Sect has already sealed off the entire area around the Endless Abyss. Even experts from the Confucian path and the imperial court have been intercepted. If Your Highness tries to force your way in, you will surely bring great trouble upon yourself, and... you might even lose your life."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze sharpened. "Why is the Blood God Sect sealing off the Endless Abyss?"
Mu Rongyue shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure what's going on. I've only heard that during this battle for the Blood Clan Secret Scroll, the Blood God Sect's behavior was somewhat strange, as if they were getting very close to the Undying Blood Clan."
Although Mu Rongyue spoke rather vaguely, Zhang Ruochen could still read between the lines.
There might be some unspeakable secret between the Blood God Sect and the Undying Blood Clan.
Mu Rongyue added, "Of course, it's also possible that the Endless Abyss hides some secret, which is why the Blood God Sect has sealed it off, forbidding outsiders from entering."
Zhang Ruochen had known of the Blood God Sect's fearsome reputation eight hundred years ago. He was no stranger to it.
The Blood God Sect was a massive power passed down from the Middle Ages, with influence in Taizhou Prefecture second only to the Taiji Dao. Even the imperial court wouldn't easily go to war with the Blood God Sect.
Once war broke out, it would surely lead to rivers of blood and fields of corpses.
Zhang Ruochen's emotions had gradually calmed down, and he began to think seriously. "The more this is the case, the more I need to go to the Endless Abyss."
"But..." Mu Rongyue started.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was firm as he interrupted her, then continued, "If I remember correctly, the Blood God Sect has a very close relationship with the Black Market. Do you have any way for me to infiltrate it without anyone knowing?"
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen had made up his mind, Mu Rongyue stopped trying to dissuade him. "An ordinary person would certainly have no chance of sneaking into the heavily guarded Blood God Sect. However, Your Highness is skilled in the art of transformation, so you could give it a try."
"But if Your Highness transforms into an ordinary cultivator, you won't be able to enter the upper echelons of the Blood God Temple, and thus won't have a chance to learn the secrets of the Endless Abyss."
"On the other hand, if Your Highness transforms into a high-ranking member of the Blood God Temple, you might reveal a flaw, which would be very dangerous. It's a bit of a dilemma..."
"Boom!"
A loud crash came from outside the mansion.
Even the ground shook.
Then, a thunderous roar followed: "You think that by hiding inside, you can escape the Blood Dragon Hall's retaliation after injuring Young Master Blood Dragon?"
Zhang Ruochen and Mu Rongyue exchanged a glance, stopping their conversation. They both flew up and landed on the top of a tower, standing on the glazed tiles, looking in the direction of the sound.
The mansion's protective formation had been attacked by a sacred artifact, fully manifesting as a white light barrier that enveloped the entire estate.
Outside the mansion were all cultivators from the Blood Dragon Hall.
Whether on the streets or on the rooftops, figures in blood-red robes stood everywhere, each exuding a cold, murderous aura.
There were even several extremely powerful figures riding savage beasts, flying in mid-air, sealing off the sky to prevent Zhang Ruochen and the others from escaping.
"They came pretty fast," Zhang Ruochen muttered to himself.
From within the mansion, several powerful old men emerged, gathering below Mu Rongyue and Zhang Ruochen.
These were the experts Mu Rongyue had brought from the Eastern Domain. Most of them were elders of the Mu Rong clan, loyal to her.
These people were all top-tier experts and didn't take the Blood Dragon Hall cultivators seriously at all.
They were just waiting for Mu Rongyue's word to walk out and slaughter all the Blood Dragon Hall cultivators.
However, at this moment, Mu Rongyue's eyes lit up. "Your Highness, I've thought of a way that might allow you to infiltrate the Blood God Sect without anyone knowing, and even give you a chance to become a high-ranking member."
"What way?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Mu Rongyue pointed at the Blood Dragon Hall cultivators surrounding the outer gate. "The Blood Dragon Hall is a branch of the Blood God Sect, essentially the Blood God Sect's representative in Yuan Mansion. The hall master of Blood Dragon Hall, Gu Yan, is a disciple of Hai Ming, one of the Blood God Sect's Four Dharma Kings. And that Young Master Blood Dragon is Hai Ming Dharma King's grand-disciple."
...
(Today, Xiaoyu was running around outside all day. I've only written a few hundred words for the second chapter, so it will definitely be very late. So, everyone, go wash up and sleep. Read it tomorrow morning!) (To be continued.)