After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Ruochen looked at Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden again and asked, “Why are you telling me about this?”
The key to the World Gate is of great importance, with many powerful figures from various factions mobilised for it. Anyone who knows a clue should quietly seize it, with no reason to inform others.
“Consider it me repaying a favour, so you won’t keep bringing up that you saved my life. Besides, obtaining the key to the World Gate isn’t easy. That old fellow is quite slippery, so let’s see who’s more capable,” Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden said casually.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen gave her a deep look. Was the reason really as simple as she claimed? The so-called favour probably didn’t compare to the key to the World Gate.
Moreover, Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden cultivated the Path of Origin and should be extremely eager for Kunlun Realm’s origin energy. She had even less reason to share the clue about the key with others.
Thinking of this, a faint realisation dawned in Zhang Ruochen’s heart, causing his emotions to stir.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Ruochen said softly, “Thank you.”
“Hearing those two words from you, Zhang Ruochen, is quite rare. I’m off to meet with the powerhouses of Thousand Star Civilisation. If there’s any news about the Son of Darkness, I’ll let you know.”
Leaving those words, Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden didn’t linger. Her figure flashed, turning into streaks of afterimages, swiftly disappearing into the dilapidated ruins.
Standing atop the head of the monster king, Zhang Ruochen watched her leave, his eyes revealing a complex expression.
In the depths of the pit, he and Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden had faced life and death together, sharing hardships. Even though they both possessed the Truth of Mysteries, they should no longer be enemies.
But what should they be?
Shaking his head vigorously, Zhang Ruochen temporarily cast aside his stray thoughts and began considering how to deal with the Son of Darkness and find the short, thin old man, the two most pressing matters at hand.
“First, settle the score with the Son of Darkness. Perhaps that will draw the old man out,” Zhang Ruochen’s eyes gleamed with determination.
He speculated that the short, thin old man seemed to enjoy joining in the excitement. Previously, the old man had been drawn out by the commotion of a battle. If there were bigger events to witness, he might not resist showing up again.
In any case, seeking revenge on the Son of Darkness was something he had to do, unable to swallow his anger.
Zhang Ruochen had no intention of waiting passively. He would take the initiative, forcing the Son of Darkness into a battle with overwhelming momentum.
…
Five thousand miles away, in a hidden cave, the Golden Sun Twin Kings, who were in seclusion to recover, opened their eyes simultaneously.
“What’s gotten into Zhang Ruochen? Challenging the Son of Darkness to a duel, does he think his life’s too long?” Little Sun King’s eyes were full of confusion.
In his view, Zhang Ruochen’s strength was indeed impressive, but compared to the Son of Darkness, he was clearly far inferior, not even on the same level.
Great Sun King’s eyes flashed with a cold light as he said gravely, “He may want to die, but we can’t let him die at the hands of the Son of Darkness. This matter must be handled by us.”
Their Blazing Sun Civilisation had suffered a great loss at Zhang Ruochen’s hands. If they couldn’t reclaim their honour, they’d be mocked endlessly, and this was their only chance to atone.
“But,大哥, your vital energy still needs some time to recover,” Little Sun King said with slight hesitation.
Great Sun King stood, exuding an extremely sharp and domineering aura, his gaze commanding. “No matter. To deal with Zhang Ruochen, I don’t need to be at full strength.”
Last time, he had been too cautious and ended up outwitted by Zhang Ruochen. This time, he would crush him with absolute power.
Little Sun King also stood, a terrifying killing intent in his eyes. Since their debut, the two brothers had been invincible, earning great fame in both the Celestial and Infernal Realms. Together, they could face top-tier powerhouses just below Great Saint level, yet they had suffered such a humiliating defeat at Zhang Ruochen’s hands, an utter disgrace.
This shame could only be washed away with Zhang Ruochen’s blood.
Without further delay, the Golden Sun Twin Kings flew out of their secluded cave, heading straight towards the source of the resounding roar.
Meanwhile, various powerhouses also heard Zhang Ruochen’s bold words, which swept through the Dragon God Temple ruins like a storm, drawing widespread attention.
“Who does Zhang Ruochen think he is, daring to challenge His Highness the Son of Darkness? He’s overestimating himself. If His Highness acts, one hand could easily suppress him.”
“No one has dared to threaten our Infernal Realm. Zhang Ruochen, you’re courting death.”
“Just an unseasoned heir of time and space, thinking he’s some big shot, comparing himself to Saint Monk Xumi? Opposing the Infernal Realm, anyone would die.”
…
The response from the Infernal Realm was extremely intense, with nearly all showing disdain for Zhang Ruochen.
In the battles at Sword Tomb and Immortal Machine Mountain, many Infernal Realm powerhouses had died at Zhang Ruochen’s hands, thoroughly enraging the realm. Countless Infernal Realm powerhouses wished to grind him to dust.
As the main figure, the Son of Darkness remained remarkably calm, offering no response, as if he had already left True Dragon Island.
After all, within the monster’s body, the Son of Darkness had obtained treasures worth billions of years, an unimaginable haul, enough to return triumphantly.
But in reality, the Son of Darkness remained in the ruins, not retreating to the Infernal Realm with his treasures.
Firstly, with his strength, he feared no one and still sought more treasures.
Secondly, as the leader of the Dark Temple, he was responsible for leading the Infernal Realm’s forces into True Dragon Island to seize the key to the World Gate. With the task unfinished, how could he retreat?
…
“Splat.”
Zhang Ruochen swung his sword, beheading a Nether Clan powerhouse, his fearsome sword intent shredding the saint’s soul.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen stood as if in a Shura blood hell, with mountains of corpses and rivers of blood, the entire landscape dyed crimson.
Not long ago, Zhang Ruochen had found a hundred-strong Nether Clan team here, the flag guards of the Nether Clan army, tasked with protecting their war banner.
The war banner marked the direction of the Nether Clan army’s advance, with all their powerhouses scattered around it.
If anything happened, the Nether Clan army could assemble at the fastest speed.
With overwhelming force, Zhang Ruochen slew all the flag guards and cut down the Nether Clan’s war banner, planting it nearby.
Many Nether Clan powerhouses tried to reclaim the banner, rushing from all directions, only to become souls under Zhang Ruochen’s sword.
The mountain of corpses before him was piled from over a thousand Nether Clan powerhouses, their resentment soaring to the heavens.
With a flash, Zhang Ruochen appeared atop the towering corpse mountain, overlooking the blood lake formed from the blood of the Nether Clan powerhouses.
These were all Saint King realm powerhouses, their blood energy immense, their spilled blood comparable to that of millions of mortal beings.
After a brief pause, Zhang Ruochen extended his hands, lifting them sharply. Instantly, rolling blood energy surged upward, filling the sky, manifesting a terrifying phenomenon, as if the end of the world had come.
Then, pointing to the sky, Zhang Ruochen used the heavens as his canvas and blood as his ink, beginning to write.
“Son of Darkness, I await you atop the corpse mountain of the Nether Clan for a battle to the death, Zhang Ruochen.”
Three rows of murderous words appeared in the sky, visible even from tens of thousands of miles away.
Compared to his earlier distant taunts, these three rows of blood-written words were the true declaration of war.
Writing a challenge with the blood of over a thousand Nether Clan powerhouses, perhaps only Zhang Ruochen would dare such a mad act.
In an instant, cultivators in the ruins looked up, their gazes fixed on the three rows of blood-written words.
“Zhang Ruochen actually dared to act, such immense blood energy, how many Nether Clan powerhouses did he kill?”
The hearts of many cultivators trembled.
Everyone could foresee that a storm was brewing, and the Infernal Realm would not swallow this insult. Even if the Son of Darkness didn’t act, other powerhouses would come to kill Zhang Ruochen.
After writing the challenge, Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged on the stone mountain, waiting for more Infernal Realm powerhouses to arrive. Since he had struck, he would kill to his heart’s content.
Half a day later, Zhang Ruochen sensed someone approaching and opened his eyes.
Hundreds of miles away, two figures walked side by side, a man and a woman.
The man was a striking young figure with golden hair, golden eyes, and a pair of golden dragon horns on his forehead, as if forged from divine metal. A vibrant golden blood energy swirled around him, vast as a divine sea.
The woman possessed an otherworldly beauty, unlike the delicate charm of many women. Tall and clad in golden soft armour, she resembled a goddess of war, unforgettable at first sight.
Even from afar, one could sense an incomparably noble aura emanating from them, not cultivated but innate.
“Ao Xukong, Fairy Linglong.”
A glint of surprise flashed in Zhang Ruochen’s eyes.
He was no stranger to this man and woman, their fame too great for anyone not to recognise.
Ao Xukong was the top powerhouse below Great Saint level in the Heavenly Dragon Realm, possessing unmatched physical strength and power.
Fairy Linglong, listed in the *Nine Immortals Beauty Chart*, was renowned across myriad realms, with countless admirers.
However, Zhang Ruochen had no prior interactions with them and didn’t know their purpose for coming.
Ao Xinyan had once mentioned that the taboo figure from the Yin-Yang Sea seemed to have gone to the Heavenly Dragon Realm, and their involvement in this matter sparked some associations in his mind.
The Heavenly Dragon Realm ranked second in the Southern Universe, just behind the demon-ruled main world, with a profound foundation. Ten thousand years ago, it rivalled Kunlun Realm and Western Heaven Buddha Realm. Now, it was unfathomably powerful, a true top-tier realm.
With such a formidable realm, even if friendship wasn’t possible, enmity must be avoided.
His thoughts racing, Zhang Ruochen stood and approached them, clasping his hands. “Brother Ao, Fairy Linglong, a pleasure to meet you.”
“You know me?” A trace of surprise flickered in Ao Xukong’s eyes.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “Brother Ao is a peerless talent of the Heavenly Dragon Realm, renowned across the heavens. How could I not know?”
“When it comes to fame, few among the younger generation can match you now. I’ve long wanted to meet the heir of time and space favoured by the Moon Goddess,” Ao Xukong said.
At the mention of “Moon Goddess,” Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred. Could there be some connection between the Moon Goddess and the Heavenly Dragon Realm?
Looking at the corpse mountain, Fairy Linglong shook her head slightly, concern in her eyes. “Brother Zhang, you’ve been impulsive. This will likely provoke a fierce retaliation from the Infernal Realm. Besides the Son of Darkness, there are the Seven Absolute Killers of the Nether Hall and the Three Emperors and Twelve Venerables of the Bone Clan, each a top-tier powerhouse, difficult to handle.”
“I rarely admire anyone, but the things you’ve done for Kunlun Realm have truly earned my respect. The battle between Kunlun Realm and the Infernal Realm has only just begun. There’s no need to rush into a direct confrontation now.”
“With your potential, Brother Zhang, it won’t take long for you to become a top-tier powerhouse below Great Saint level, perhaps even rivalling Yan Wushen. By then, few in the Infernal Realm will be able to stand against you.”
Zhang Ruochen’s expression shifted slightly, surprised that Fairy Linglong would say such things.
Ao Xukong nodded. “My sister is right. Brother Zhang, as the heir of time and space, inheriting Saint Monk Xumi’s legacy, given time, you may reach the heights he once did. There’s no need to clash with the Son of Darkness now.”
“If the Son of Darkness has truly provoked you, making a fight unavoidable, I can take your place and make him pay a price.”
As he spoke, Ao Xukong radiated a powerful battle intent, as if he had long anticipated such a fight.
As rumoured, Ao Xukong was indeed a battle-mad dragon, eager to face strong opponents to hone his strength.
Zhang Ruochen looked deeply at Ao Xukong and Fairy Linglong, sensing their genuine sincerity in trying to dissuade him from fighting the Son of Darkness.
For them to personally come to persuade him, it was likely the Heavenly Dragon Realm valued his potential, much like the Daoist sect, perhaps also due to the Moon Goddess and Saint Monk Xumi.
Of course, a key reason was likely their belief that his strength was still too weak, unaware of the gap between him and the Son of Darkness, thinking he was acting on impulse.
Exhaling lightly, Zhang Ruochen said solemnly, “Thank you, Brother Ao and Fairy, for your kindness. But the grudge between me and the Son of Darkness must be settled by me personally. Besides, having issued the challenge, how could I back down? That would create a great flaw in my heart.”
“Though the Son of Darkness is strong, he’s not invincible. Who is stronger will only be known after we fight.”
Ao Xukong’s eyes gleamed with surprise. He hadn’t expected such confidence from Zhang Ruochen. Even he wasn’t fully certain he could defeat the Son of Darkness.
A life-and-death duel was no game.
“It seems we can’t change your mind. In that case, take care,” Ao Xukong said, feeling helpless, adding, “With your current status, your life and death don’t just affect you. Be rational and think carefully.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Ao Xukong and Fairy Linglong chatted with Zhang Ruochen a bit longer, but seeing they couldn’t sway him, they left reluctantly.
However, they didn’t truly leave, lingering nearby to observe from a distance.
“I don’t know what happened to make Zhang Ruochen lose his reason,” Fairy Linglong sighed.
A peculiar glint flashed in Ao Xukong’s eyes. “I hope he’s not truly acting on impulse.”
Watching Ao Xukong and Fairy Linglong depart, Zhang Ruochen returned to the corpse mountain, his mind utterly calm. Their persuasion hadn’t shaken his resolve or confidence to fight the Son of Darkness.
After them, more people gradually appeared nearby, but none approached, only watching from afar.
Zhang Ruochen noticed them but paid no mind. As long as they didn’t provoke him, he couldn’t be bothered to care.
“Swish.”
A red light flashed, and Little Black appeared from nowhere.
“This emperor finally found you! Weren’t you chasing that old slippery one? Why are you now at odds with the Son of Darkness?” Little Black was full of questions.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t hide anything from Little Black, recounting the series of events that had transpired.
After hearing him out, Little Black was furious. “That scoundrel Son of Darkness, so insidious! You’re right, we must take him down. Kunlun Realm’s treasures must not be taken to the Infernal Realm.”
Clearly, Little Black’s focus was on the billions of treasures, everything else secondary.
“By the way, that old slippery one likely knows where the key to the World Gate is. If he shows up again, we must catch him,” Zhang Ruochen suddenly said.
This was a matter of great importance. His focus would now be on dealing with the Son of Darkness, leaving him no time to pursue the short, thin old man. Little Black’s arrival was timely.
Little Black’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“He carries the origin aura of Kunlun Realm. He must have come into contact with the key to the World Gate,” Zhang Ruochen affirmed.
Little Black’s eyes gleamed. “Finally, a clue to the key to the World Gate. Don’t worry, leave it to this emperor. If that old scoundrel dares show up, he won’t escape.”
When it came to the key to the World Gate, Little Black grew deadly serious, already scheming how to deal with the old man.
As for Zhang Ruochen’s challenge to the Son of Darkness, Little Black wasn’t worried at all.
Because it knew Zhang Ruochen never acted without certainty.
