Qiu Yichi’s sudden appearance in the secluded awakening sacred land of Phoenix Lake shocked Zhang Ruochen, stirring unease in his heart.
He had always been wary of Qiu Yichi, the former Blood God Sect matriarch, whose terrifying methods nearly destroyed the sect.
More crucially, Qiu Yichi was vaguely connected to the Blood Empress, a point that deeply concerned him.
Zhang Ruochen wanted to apprehend her, but he hesitated, fearing harm to Concubine Lin and Kong Xuan.
Of course, if Qiu Yichi dared touch them, he’d make her pay a heavy price.
Secretly, he extended his spatial domain, enveloping the entire courtyard.
“Zhang Ruochen, why so hostile? I merely stumbled upon this awakening sacred land and came to look around. I haven’t harmed anyone. You should know we’re not enemies,” Qiu Yichi said with a charming smile.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze was icy, “But we’re no friends either. Will you surrender, or must I act?”
“Attacking me serves no purpose. Instead, I think you should head to Saint Ming City,” Qiu Yichi said calmly.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrowed, “What do you mean?”
“Many of your enemies are converging on Saint Ming City. If you’re late, it might already be ruins,” she said lightly.
His heart jolted. If true, the situation was dire.
At that moment, Qiu Yichi drifted away.
“Stay!”
Zhang Ruochen reacted swiftly, striking out.
He couldn’t let her escape. Capturing her would bolster his confidence for the Endless Abyss.
“Dust!”
Concubine Lin let out a soft cry and fainted under the wutong tree.
Zhang Ruochen’s face changed. Abandoning the chase, he rushed to the courtyard.
Seizing the chance, Qiu Yichi fled, vanishing from Phoenix Lake.
Zhang Ruochen reached the wutong tree, lifting Concubine Lin.
To his relief, she was only startled, unharmed.
His gaze shifted to the pavilion, where Kong Xuan lay unconscious.
As a One-Step Saint King, Kong Xuan was no match for Qiu Yichi.
Zhang Ruochen sent a strand of spiritual power into Kong Xuan.
She stirred, rushing over, “Master, what’s wrong with the Lady? I’ve failed to protect her.”
Kneeling in panic, she thought she’d committed a grave error.
“Stand. This isn’t your fault. Take good care of Mother,” Zhang Ruochen said gently.
Kong Xuan rose, supporting Concubine Lin.
Zhang Ruochen teleported back to the island where he’d secluded.
“What happened?” Gusong Zi asked, noting Zhang Ruochen’s urgency.
He’d spent the decade refining pills, not in deep cultivation like others.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression was grave, “I must go to Saint Ming City. I don’t know when I’ll return. The Heart Demon Qiu Yichi infiltrated Phoenix Lake, meaning it’s no longer secret. Be vigilant.”
Gusong Zi was shocked. He’d personally set up the arrays around Phoenix Lake, yet Qiu Yichi slipped through undetected—her skills were formidable.
“Leave it to me. I’ll alter the arrays,” Gusong Zi nodded.
Mu Lingxi stood, resolute, “I’ll go with you to Saint Ming City.”
Though unaware of the specifics, she sensed trouble and needed to stand by Zhang Ruochen.
Seeing her determination, Zhang Ruochen knew he couldn’t dissuade her.
He nodded, “Alright, we’ll go together.”
As they prepared to leave, Gusong Zi offered two jade-green pills, “These are Tongtian Saint Pills I refined. Take them—they might help.”
Zhang Ruochen and Mu Lingxi accepted one each without hesitation.
They soared into the sky, leaving Phoenix Lake at top speed.
To reach Saint Ming City, the Merit Substation’s spatial teleportation array was the fastest route.
Wearing the Radiant Merit Armour, Zhang Ruochen carried Mu Lingxi, reaching a thousand times the speed of sound, arriving at the 62nd Merit Substation in moments.
Using the array, they soon appeared at the 54th Merit Substation, just 10,000 miles from Saint Ming City.
“Zhang Ruochen’s here. This’ll be a show!”
“He was the crown prince of the former Saint Ming Central Empire, and Saint Ming City was its capital. Most Saint Ming loyalists are there. With the city in peril, it’s no surprise he’s come.”
“He shouldn’t have. At times like this, he should lie low.”
“Not necessarily. If he dares come, he must have a plan. Let’s follow and see.”
…
At the 54th Merit Substation, monks buzzed with speculation, eager for the spectacle.
Hearing them, Zhang Ruochen’s heart sank.
Qiu Yichi hadn’t lied—Saint Ming City was in trouble.
Since Lingxiao Heavenly King Mansion’s fall, Saint Ming City had been the loyalists’ stronghold, untroubled by Empress Chi Yao.
For the Central First Empire, consolidating the loyalists there simplified management.
As long as Empress Chi Yao reigned, the loyalists couldn’t stir trouble in Kunlun Realm.
Zhang Ruochen and Mu Lingxi didn’t linger, racing to Saint Ming City.
The loyalists, steadfast to the Saint Ming Central Empire, were people Zhang Ruochen couldn’t abandon.
Outside Saint Ming City, powerhouses from various factions gathered, spotting Zhang Ruochen and Mu Lingxi’s arrival.
“Didn’t expect Zhang Ruochen to get here so fast.”
“It’s pointless. Saint Ming City’s doom is sealed—no one can change that.”
“True. The Heavenly Court faction’s mobilized many powerhouses, determined to raze the city. Soul Realm, Ruiya Realm, Cloud Realm, Cha Realm, Yin-Yang Realm, Hongyang Realm, Tianji Realm, and others have united. Zhang Ruochen alone can’t stop them.”
“He likely knew this but came anyway. His loyalty is admirable—no wonder the loyalists follow him.”
“He’s a fool, rushing to his death for a lost cause.”
…
Seeing Zhang Ruochen and Mu Lingxi charge toward the city, onlookers shook their heads, likening them to moths to a flame.
As the Heavenly Court faction made its move, even those fond of Zhang Ruochen dared not intervene, unwilling to offend the Heavenly Court.
“Zhang Ruochen, don’t go. It’s a trap set by Shang Ziyan. Destroying Saint Ming City is a pretext—the real target is you.”
A voice reached Zhang Ruochen, urging him to stop.
He recognized it as Lingyan Demon Consort, the top prodigy of Great Demon Ten Directions Realm, unsure why she was outside Saint Ming City.
He transmitted back, “Thank you, but even if it’s a trap, I must jump in.”
He’d considered this, but could he abandon the loyalists in Saint Ming City? No.
Lingyan Demon Consort stood on a towering ancient tree, watching Zhang Ruochen’s receding figure, sighing.
They’d bonded during the Ancestral Spirit Realm Merit War. She didn’t want him to die, but he ignored her warning.
She couldn’t help, representing Great Demon Ten Directions Realm, and couldn’t risk trouble for her world.
“Zhang Ruochen, I hope you survive. It’d be a pity if you died here,” she murmured.
Saint Ming City was a scene of devastation, half in ruins, countless lives lost.
Heavenly Court faction powerhouses turned executioners, slaughtering all in the city—monks and mortals alike—without mercy.
In the air, Cang Long’s face was ferocious, radiating killing intent.
He’d played a key role in the rapid assault on Saint Ming City, persuading Shang Ziyan to act swiftly to cut Zhang Ruochen’s roots in Kunlun Realm.
“Zhang Ruochen, you forced this. Dare touch my woman? I’ll make you regret it,” Cang Long growled.
Killing those tied to Zhang Ruochen in Saint Ming City was cathartic. Zhang Ruochen and Ruan Ling’s deception fueled his desire for revenge.
This was also You God’s mission: kill all connected to Zhang Ruochen, making him suffer.
Cang Long had rallied all You God Hall powerhouses in Kunlun Realm to attack the city.
Regrettably, You God Hall’s Six Absolutes were dead, and few Dao Domain Realm powerhouses remained. Ruan Ling was no longer aligned with him, making You God Hall weaker compared to other Heavenly Court factions.
But that didn’t matter. As long as the goal was achieved, letting others take the spotlight was fine.
