Chapter 996: Staying Calm in the Face of Danger
The blood-colored light that rushed out from Pearl Light Pavilion swept through the entire Black Market like a tidal wave, impacting all the major evil path forces.
In particular, several evil path forces near Pearl Light Pavilion had their defensive formation light shields trembling incessantly. All cultivators were horrified, fearing the formations would shatter and bring disaster.
In the distance, Kong Hongbi stood atop a tower, staring fixedly in the direction of Pearl Light Pavilion.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen charging out with Shi Shenghua, Kong Hongbi let out a cold laugh: "Did you think using a Sacred Edict would let you escape?"
Kong Hongbi took out an inch-long jade talisman, pinched it between two fingers, and hurled it toward the sky.
Relying on the power of the Sacred Edict, Zhang Ruochen flew extremely fast, like a meteor.
"Boom!"
The jade talisman exploded, transforming into a crimson mirror-like barrier hundreds of feet in diameter, appearing ahead of Zhang Ruochen and Shi Shenghua to block them.
Near the mirror barrier, the scorching heat it released could melt even metal that came close.
Kong Hongbi sneered coldly, "Yan Xu, Guigu, you two go and eliminate Zhang Ruochen, but Shi Shenghua must be kept alive."
Zhang Ruochen and Shi Shenghua had just landed when they immediately sensed two surges of killing intent rushing toward them.
"Whoosh."
"Whoosh."
Yan Xu Saint General and Guigu Saint General appeared simultaneously, one in front of Zhang Ruochen and one behind, less than a hundred meters away.
They released their Saint Soul domains, causing heaven and earth spiritual energy to surge toward them endlessly, making their auras grow increasingly powerful.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was icy cold. "If you retreat now, out of respect for your ancestors, I might spare your lives."
Yan Xu Saint General found Zhang Ruochen ridiculous. "Spare our lives? Facing a Ninth-Step Half-Saint, you should show some reverence. Practice for another ten years, and perhaps you'd have the right to say such things. As for now, you're far too lacking."
"He won't have the chance to wait ten years," Guigu Saint General said with a hoarse laugh.
Zhang Ruochen noticed dozens of figures rushing out from Pearl Light Pavilion, speeding toward him.
So, he stopped trying to persuade the two Saint Generals of the Bright Hall, lifted the Abyssal Ancient Sword, and charged straight ahead.
"Good, let this Saint General see if the so-called Heir of Time and Space truly has heaven-defying skills."
Yan Xu Saint General wore two purple shields, elliptical in shape, like armguard armor, perfectly fitting with his arms.
"Crackle." The shields and his arms simultaneously emitted dozens of bowl-thick purple lightning bolts, weaving around Yan Xu Saint General's body.
The buildings on both sides of the street couldn't withstand the lightning's power and collapsed with a roar.
A Ninth-Step Half-Saint's cultivation stood at the pinnacle below Saint General, naturally extremely powerful, not comparable to ordinary high-ranking Half-Saints.
Yan Xu Saint General punched out, mobilizing dozens of lightning bolts to strike at Zhang Ruochen's chest.
"Space Freeze." Zhang Ruochen murmured.
Instantly, Yan Xu Saint General and the dozens of lightning bolts he had unleashed froze for a moment, as if sealed within transparent ice.
A flash of sword light, and Zhang Ruochen charged past Yan Xu Saint General.
Yan Xu Saint General's head flew up, like a blood-red watermelon, and with a thud, fell onto the street.
At the same time, the dozens of lightning bolts he had unleashed flew forward, surging toward Guigu Saint General.
Guigu Saint General formed two hand seals to neutralize the lightning and was about to curse Yan Xu Saint General when he found Yan Xu Saint General had become a headless corpse lying in the middle of the street.
"Just one sword to kill a Ninth-Step Half-Saint?"
Guigu Saint General's eyes widened in disbelief, sweat beading on his forehead.
How high was Zhang Ruochen's cultivation that he already possessed the strength to kill a Ninth-Step Half-Saint?
Even if Yan Xu Saint General had underestimated his opponent, Zhang Ruochen's ability to kill him with a single sword was an extraordinary achievement.
Zhang Ruochen's strength was even more terrifying than Bu Qianfan's.
Kong Hongbi flew over, standing in midair, staring at Yan Xu Saint General's corpse, feeling both pained and furious. "As expected of the Heir of Time and Space, I underestimated him."
"Zhang Ruochen's strength may not be that great, but his Time and Space powers are indeed bizarre. As long as I'm cautious, with my cultivation, I can suppress him," Guigu Saint General said, putting aside his earlier fear and regaining his fighting spirit, unwilling to believe that a Ninth-Step Half-Saint like him couldn't handle Zhang Ruochen.
Kong Hongbi and Guigu Saint General didn't act immediately but stood aside to observe, trying to find a way to counter Time and Space powers.
Because of Yan Xu Saint General and Guigu Saint General's obstruction, the Moon-Worshipping Cult's cultivators caught up and surrounded Zhang Ruochen.
Ouyang Huan stood opposite Zhang Ruochen. "Zhang Ruochen, you're a smart man; don't do foolish things. Hand over Shi Shenghua to me. If you sincerely join the Cult, for Junior Sister Huang's sake, I might spare your life."
"For that one sentence, tonight, I'll spare yours." Zhang Ruochen scanned the surroundings, remaining calm without any intention of backing down.
Ouyang Huan frowned and shook his head. "Your Time and Space powers are indeed mysterious, but the gap in our cultivation is vast. I have many ways to kill you. Why throw your life away for her?"
"A true man knows what to do and what not to do. If Shi Shenghua were Qi Feiyu, would you fight the entire Moon-Worshipping Cult for her?" Zhang Ruochen countered.
Ouyang Huan fell silent for a moment before saying, "If Junior Sister Huang heard that, she'd probably be very displeased."
"Junior Sister Huang" naturally referred to Huang Yanchen. The Nine Realm Sons were all disciples of the Empress, hence fellow disciples.
"Zhang Ruochen, I've said all I need to say. Since you insist on your choice, then tonight, even if I kill you, I can give Junior Sister Huang an explanation."
Ouyang Huan's tone had been calm throughout, but now it turned cold as he ordered, "Kill Zhang Ruochen and Shi Shenghua. Remember, leave their bodies intact."
The next moment, the seven elders of Pearl Light Pavilion charged out simultaneously, standing in seven positions to form a combined attack formation.
All seven elders were high-ranking Half-Saints, second only to the Pavilion Master in Pearl Light Pavilion. Each was renowned.
Through the combined attack formation, the seven elders' cultivations merged.
Their power covered a hundred feet in radius, each condensing a divine beast phantom dozens of feet tall behind them.
"Roar!"
The seven elders each held a Sacred Artifact and struck at Zhang Ruochen simultaneously.
The seven massive divine beast phantoms also charged forward from seven directions, pouncing on Zhang Ruochen.
A earth-shattering dragon roar rang out, followed by Zhang Ruochen's body emitting dazzling golden light, growing scales, and transforming into a golden dragon soaring into the air.
The golden dragon circled in midair, shattering all seven divine beast phantoms.
Seeing the golden dragon flying in the sky, cultivators from various evil path forces in the Black Market were all astonished.
"Is this the Dragon Transformation?"
"It's said that Zhang Ruochen swallowed a golden dragon's dragon pearl and blood, allowing him to transform into a dragon. With his strength, he's not inferior to a young divine dragon."
"Unfortunately, Zhang Ruochen's cultivation is still somewhat weak; it'll be hard for him to break through the Seven Elders' Seven Palace Heavenly Battle Formation."
Everyone felt that Zhang Ruochen was like a cornered beast struggling in vain, ultimately destined to die within the seven elders' combined formation.
The seven elders charged forward in a very regular pattern, simultaneously grasping Sacred Artifact-level weapons, activating their inscriptions, and attacking the golden dragon.
Suddenly, the golden dragon's body rapidly shrank, reforming into Zhang Ruochen's figure.
He swung his arm, slashing out a Space Rift aimed at one elder wielding a black Sacred Blade.
The moment before, Ouyang Huan had seen through Zhang Ruochen's intent and warned, "Elder Ji, Zhang Ruochen is about to use Space power. Dodge to the right."
That elder wielding the black Sacred Blade rushed to the right, indeed dodging the Space Rift Zhang Ruochen had unleashed.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Ouyang Huan, a sense of vigilance rising in his heart.
Ouyang Huan could anticipate his intentions one step ahead—this was no simple matter, giving Zhang Ruochen a feeling of crisis.
In the subsequent exchanges, guided by Ouyang Huan, the seven elders repeatedly evaded Zhang Ruochen's Space attacks.
Zhang Ruochen was trapped at the center of the formation, unable to break out. Moreover, the battle circle was shrinking, and the seven elders soon cornered him.
Ouyang Huan issued an order: "No need to prolong this. End it."
"One final strike to completely kill Zhang Ruochen."
Among the seven elders, the one with the highest cultivation had reached the Eighth-Step Half-Saint realm. Under his lead, the other six elders also charged forward, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to Zhang Ruochen.
A strange light flashed in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
His earlier feigned weakness had been waiting for this moment.
"One Moment, Four Directions Change."
Five Time Imprints merged into his sword technique.
Zhang Ruochen thrust his sword, but it produced twenty-five figures and twenty-five sword shadows, simultaneously attacking the seven elders.
Within dozens of feet, the flow of time slowed slightly.
Thus, when the seven elders tried to block Zhang Ruochen's sword, they were a fraction too late.
By the time the twenty-five figures merged into one, a wine-cup-sized blood hole appeared on each of the seven elders' brows. Their Qi Seas shattered, and their Saint Souls were annihilated.
"Thud, thud."
The seven high-ranking Half-Saints lost all signs of life and fell simultaneously.
Zhang Ruochen's sword strike was so stunning that it shocked many, and a loud gasp echoed from the darkness.
Ouyang Huan knew Zhang Ruochen's Sword Dao realm was high but hadn't expected it to reach such a level, exceeding his predictions.
"I had already greatly overestimated your strength, yet I still underestimated you."
Ouyang Huan looked at the seven corpses on the ground and sighed.
If he hadn't underestimated Zhang Ruochen, the seven elders wouldn't have died. For the Cult, losing seven high-ranking Half-Saints was a massive loss that would alarm the Sect Leader.
Zhang Ruochen stood beside Shi Shenghua, holding his blood-drenched sword. "So, are you going to make a move yourself now?"
"I've already seen your Space and Time powers. They're indeed formidable, but they have two flaws," Ouyang Huan said.
"First, you need some time to prepare before unleashing Space and Time powers. Second, whether Space or Time power, their attack range is actually very limited. One move—just one move—and I can kill you. Now, leave a final message, and I'll pass it on for you."
Zhang Ruochen said, "You see my weaknesses, but have you seen your own?"
"My weaknesses?" Ouyang Huan said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "You're too confident, thinking you have everything under control. But you don't know that in this world, there are always powers beyond your expectations. Today, I'll teach you a lesson. I won't kill you—I'll only cripple your legs, as a warning, so that in the future, your overconfidence doesn't cost you your life." (To be continued.)