Yuan Benji, a cultivator of the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm, has survived countless battles. Though momentarily stunned by Zhang Ruochen’s bold attack, he quickly rejoices.
He had been seeking a chance to teach Zhang Ruochen a lesson, and now Zhang Ruochen has delivered himself.
Before finding the Seven-Handed Elder and the supreme source divine crystal, killing Zhang Ruochen is not an option, but teaching him a lesson, perhaps even crippling his cultivation, is fair game.
Crippling a Yuan-level genius would make Yuan Benji infamous in the Hell Realm, even etching his name in history.
It would also avenge his brother and restore the Yuan family’s lost honour.
“Since you, Zhang Ruochen, struck first, even if I cripple you, the Blood Absolute Family has no grounds to object. Heh heh!”
In an instant, countless thoughts flash through Yuan Benji’s mind. He lets out a long howl, “Since you wish to slay me, Zhang Ruochen, today I’ll fight you to the death.”
Hearing this, Luo Shengtian trembles with rage, finding Yuan Benji utterly shameless.
A Great Saint of the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm, facing a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saint, yet proclaiming a “fight to the death.”
What is he planning?
Is he trying to kill Zhang Ruochen under this pretext?
“Rest assured, Your Highness. If Yuan Benji dares to strike a killing blow, I will save the Prince Consort,” Yan Hanyi transmits to Luo Shengtian.
Luo Shengtian is furious, not only at Yuan Benji but also at Zhang Ruochen.
Even I, a Divine Prince of the Thousand Questions Realm, must swallow my anger. You, a mere Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saint, dare to act so recklessly and attack Yuan Benji? Are you not asking for trouble?
“What can be done? He’s already made his move, so…”
Before Luo Shengtian finishes, blood sprays across the stargazing platform, accompanied by a piercing scream. Yuan Benji is flung backwards.
With a thud, he crashes to the ground, clutching his bloodied lower body, convulsing in agony so intense that even a Great Saint cannot stand.
Except for the few who know Xiao Hei’s strength, the other monks retreat again.
Huoxing, who earlier boasted of roasting Xiao Hei, draws a sharp breath through his bony mouth. This owl is not only powerful but also insidious.
Yuan Benji had been cautious, knowing Zhang Ruochen, though only in the Hundred Shackles Realm, possesses formidable combat strength, especially with a supreme sacred artifact. Thus, he focused all his mental energy on Zhang Ruochen, unleashing a Thousand Questions-level sacred technique.
But who could have foreseen…
Who could have foreseen that the parrot-like, overlooked owl, dismissed as Zhang Ruochen’s pet, could shatter his protective domain and sacred armour with a single claw?
Who are you, really?
With such high cultivation, why act like a fool?
Yuan Benji realises this is a conspiracy aimed at him. The owl’s earlier foolishness was to lull him into complacency.
Zhang Ruochen’s attack with the supreme sacred artifact was to distract him.
“I was careless! I didn’t expect Zhang Ruochen to be even more cunning than me.”
Yuan Benji grits his teeth, his eyes venomous.
The injury is minor; the loss of face is grave. He must reclaim his honour.
With a surge, the deathly aura of the world gathers toward his lower body, swiftly healing his wounds.
Yuan Benji rises, summoning a silver-patterned trident, declaring, “Today’s humiliation is irreconcilable. If I don’t kill you both, how can I stand in the Hell Realm?”
From his body, billions of sacred path rules erupt, forming a bizarre domain world.
In this world, the sky is dark, a thousand miles of desert stretch out, with towering stone peaks shaped like divine Buddhas, roaring lions, or giant swords rooted in the ground.
Zhang Ruochen, pulled into this domain world, grips the Black Gold War Heaven Pillar, saying, “To kill you, I alone am enough.”
A chance to make a name for himself is at hand; he cannot let it slip.
Xiao Hei cannot steal the spotlight!
Xiao Hei’s body swells tenfold, transforming into a giant owl-eagle, saying, “Let this Emperor handle it! This man insulted you beyond forgiveness. Go warm a pot of wine for me, and watch me slay him with one claw.”
With a swoosh, Xiao Hei charges, wings slicing through the domain’s barriers.
Above Yuan Benji, it spews a blast of Immortal Divine Fire, engulfing him.
The fire’s heat pierces the domain world, spilling onto the stargazing platform.
“Immortal Divine Fire.”
Ye Manman’s expression shifts. She flicks a talisman from her sleeve.
From the talisman, countless runes weave into a separate space, preventing the Immortal Divine Fire from destroying the stargazing platform or the entire Goddess Tower.
Several Great Saints join in, releasing their domains to aid Ye Manman.
“It’s not an owl but an immortal bird. And it seems to have reached the Supreme Realm. Zhang Ruochen has such a powerhouse by his side. Could it be a protector left by the Blood Absolute War God?” Miao says.
Luo Shengtian’s mood lifts. He activates his divine eyes to see what state Yuan Benji has been reduced to by the Immortal Divine Fire.
A ghost cultivator in ancient armour descends in a black light pillar onto the stargazing platform.
Wielding a two-metre broadsword, it cleaves through the runes, charging into the Immortal Divine Fire to retrieve Yuan Benji, now a half-charred black figure.
“It doesn’t fear the Immortal Divine Fire. Is it a Nine Tribulations Ghost Emperor?”
“It’s the ghost servant by Yuan Qianmo’s side.”
“That owl’s Immortal Divine Fire is terrifying. In just a breath, Yuan Benji lost half his life. A moment later, he’d have been ash, his vitality extinguished.”
“With the ghost servant here, Yuan Qianmo must be near!”
…
Xiao Hei slices through the talisman’s space with its wings, charging at the ghost servant and Yuan Benji, roaring, “Who dares save the one this Emperor means to kill?”
The ghost servant, three metres tall, swings its broadsword like a door panel.
Five layers of king-grade inscriptions surge on the blade, emitting blinding sword light.
Xiao Hei’s claw clashes with the broadsword.
With a boom, the ghost servant’s arm shatters, and the broadsword flies away.
As Xiao Hei’s claw moves to crush the ghost’s form, two slender fingers block it.
Yuan Qianmo, appearing beside the ghost servant, one hand behind his back, the other forming a sword gesture, strikes Xiao Hei’s claw, softly saying, “Back.”
A ripple of energy surges from his fingers and Xiao Hei’s claw.
Xiao Hei is flung back, landing in its original size, staggering several steps before steadying. Its wild aura dims, eyes gravely fixed on Yuan Qianmo.
“It’s him.”
Zhang Ruochen stares at Yuan Qianmo.
After the Hunt for Heaven Battle, Xue Tu warned Zhang Ruochen to beware of Yuan Qianmo. Thus, Zhang Ruochen researched this legendary top figure on the *Divine Reserve List*, gaining considerable insight.
Yuan Qianmo, with snow-white hair, exudes no trace of age but a cold, elegant charm, captivating women worldwide.
His appearance draws the gazes of female monks present.
“A Nine Deaths Nirvana immortal bird in this era? Interesting, but not as strong as the legends.”
Yuan Qianmo speaks lightly, then extends a flawless hand, pressing toward Yuan Benji from afar.
Instantly, the Immortal Divine Fire invading Yuan Benji’s body is drawn out, forming a flame in Yuan Qianmo’s palm.
With a clench, the fire extinguishes with a hiss.
Yuan Benji, half-charred, surges with thick deathly aura, his body rapidly recovering to human form.
A Great Saint’s vitality is formidable, especially one in the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm. As long as they’re not fully dead, they can swiftly reform.
Yuan Benji’s aura is weak, unable to meet Yuan Qianmo’s gaze.
“Take this Life-Death Rebirth Pill.”
Yuan Qianmo hands him a jade box.
“Thank you, Fourth Brother.”
Yuan Benji hurriedly accepts the pill. Misjudging his foe, he not only suffered severe injuries but lost significant cultivation. Without a century, he couldn’t recover to his peak.
With this pill, recovery will be swift.
The Great Saints marvel and envy.
Even Zhang Ruochen sighs, “I helped the Immortal Blood Clan claim the top spot among the ten clans, earning one Life-Death Rebirth Pill, which I’ve been reluctant to use. Yet Yuan Qianmo gives one away casually. Truly a top powerhouse below divinity, with deep resources.”
The Life-Death Rebirth Pill, a near-emperor-grade healing pill, is priceless.
Xiao Hei transmits to Zhang Ruochen, “Be cautious. This man is extraordinary.”
As Zhang Ruochen assesses Yuan Qianmo, Yuan Qianmo’s gaze shifts from Xiao Hei to him, saying, “My fifth brother erred first and deserved this calamity.”
Zhang Ruochen smiles, “Finally, someone reasonable.”
Yuan Benji’s “cowardly turtle” remark would be ignored by more composed monks, not worth such a reaction.
Zhang Ruochen, used to worse insults, took it in stride.
He acted not out of anger but to avoid appearing timid, lest others think him guilty.
The bolder he is, the more others might doubt whether the supreme source divine crystal is with him.
The more confident he appears, the more his words carry weight.
“I’ve been wronged. I’m the victim. The supreme source divine crystal isn’t with me. Whoever slanders me, I’ll fight to the end.” Zhang Ruochen must send this message.
Yuan Qianmo scans the surroundings, saying, “Since you and the Twelve Goddess Towers each tell a different story, one of you is lying. The liar knows where the supreme source divine crystal is. So, bring out Miss Bai. I’m eager to know who’s cunning enough to play everyone. That person must die!”
