Across the Kirin Star Domain, countless eyes from every direction fixed on Zhang Ruochen, who stood atop the flame pillar.
Zhang Ruochen swayed weakly, propping himself up with a divine sword. His consciousness began to blur.
Heavenly Sound Goddess looked into the distance. There, dozens of streams of light streaked through the stars.
The gods of Destiny Temple had arrived.
She withdrew the destiny divine light pinning Luo Yi.
Luo Yi transformed into a stream of light, flying to the top of the flame pillar. She placed a healing pill in Zhang Ruochen’s mouth, her palm pressing against his chest. A gentle force flowed into his sacred heart, helping him refine the backlash consciousness the old corpse ghost had forced into his spiritual force.
Zhang Ruochen felt indescribably exhausted. He forced a smile, glancing at Luo Yi. Then, summoning his final strength, he resealed the old corpse ghost back into the divine hall.
He had long noticed Heavenly Sound Goddess, Luo Yi, and Gu Shejing. He understood why they had not intervened.
This battle was fought for Hundred Clans King City, for Xing Huantian, for Blood Absolute War God, but certainly not for the Rakshasa clan. Their mere presence here already moved Zhang Ruochen deeply.
In the depths of the cosmos, a figure with a divine bow on his back drew the bowstring.
Arrow dao rule divine patterns flowed from his fingers, condensing into a divine arrow locked on Zhang Ruochen.
But seeing Yin-Yang Divine Master, Ting Yunsong, Kong Daohai, and Jin Jue Heavenly God of Destiny Temple arrive one after another, hesitation flashed in his eyes. He dispersed the divine arrow.
Then the bow-bearing figure vanished into the darkness.
“Senior Brother!”
The Blood-Coloured Divine Centipede Ship flew over.
Blood Slaughter stood at the prow, calling to Zhang Ruochen.
By the time Destiny Temple gods arrived, Zhang Ruochen and Luo Yi had already boarded the Blood-Coloured Divine Centipede Ship. They gathered around Banyo, examining her injuries.
Pu Chuanqi mainly cultivated the Yanluo clan’s Great Witch Heavenly Dao.
Banyo had been struck by witch dao power. Her blood qi withered. She lost tens of thousands of years of lifespan. Like Kong Lanyou, her youthful beauty turned to white hair. Vitality severely depleted.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze turned icy as frost. Killing intent blazed.
Blood Slaughter, hair dishevelled and covered in blood, looked utterly wretched. He flew towards the Destiny Temple gods, standing in the void and wailing. “Destiny Temple has finally sent someone. If you came any later, this emperor would have been killed! Fengdu Ghost City and Dark Temple have joined forces to destroy Destiny Temple and seize dominion over Hell Realm. Cough cough!”
Blood Slaughter coughed up a large mouthful of blood.
Though gravely wounded, this blood was not truly his. He had drunk too much from Pu Chuanqi. Speaking too urgently just now, it surged back up.
Yin-Yang Divine Master: “…”
Ting Yunsong: “…”
Jin Jue Heavenly God: “…”
…
Fengdu Ghost City and Dark Temple allied to destroy Destiny Temple?
Could the lie be any more believable?
Blood Slaughter looked at Kong Daohai among the gods. “Senior Daohai, Banyo was first ambushed by Lord Huo Ze in Hundred Clans King City. This time, ambushed again by Ghost Lord, Mu Tuo War God, and the others. She is near death! These lunatics show no regard for Fury Heaven God Venerable. In their eyes, Fury Heaven Divine Palace is nothing! Wah…”
Another mouthful of divine blood sprayed out.
Kong Daohai appeared as a human elder but was born of the Ming clan.
He was Fury Heaven God Venerable’s second disciple, cultivating nearly seven hundred thousand years, usually stationed at Fury Heaven Divine Palace.
Kong Daohai ignored the truth in Blood Slaughter’s words. Glancing at the incoming Ghost Lord and others, he snorted coldly. Then he boarded the Blood-Coloured Divine Centipede Ship to examine Banyo’s injuries.
If anything truly happened to Banyo, he guaranteed every god who struck today would pay.
Yin-Yang Divine Master was androgynous, one side male, one female. Second only in Tianyun Division.
Present were Fury Heaven Divine Palace’s Kong Daohai, Calamity Choice Divine Palace’s Ting Yunsong, Ferocious Terror Divine Palace’s Jin Jue Heavenly God, all Great Void realm, each renowned. Yet subtly, they deferred to Yin-Yang Divine Master.
Because in the Origin Divine Hall battle, Yin-Yang Divine Master alone withstood attacks from eight Heaven Court Great Void great gods in a short time. Among them were figures like Jia Tianxia, Lord of Soul Realm, Lord God of Cosmic Sea.
That battle made Yin-Yang Divine Master, who had survived only two yuanhui tribulations, famed across the world.
Yin-Yang Divine Master’s male side faced Ghost Lord, Mu Tuo War God, and others. He flew forward, standing in a yin-yang seal vortex. “If you wish to act against Zhang Ruochen, this divine master has no objection. But Blood Slaughter and Banyo are gods of Destiny Temple, disciples of Phoenix Heaven and Fury Heaven God Venerable.”
The Ghost Lord knew Yin-Yang Divine Master was formidable. Suppressing inner rage and urgency, he said. “All this was Pu Chuanqi acting alone. He lost his artefact, his head, his profound meanings. He has gone mad!”
Li Yuantian God echoed. “Indeed. We are all Great Void great gods. Even if Blood Slaughter and Banyo were not disciples of Phoenix Heaven and Fury Heaven God Venerable, we would not stoop to their level.”
Mu Tuo War God regrew his bony arms, but restoring them to former strength would take centuries or millennia of tempering.
His fury towards Zhang Ruochen grew. He said gravely. “Let us take Zhang Ruochen. As for Blood Slaughter and Banyo’s injuries, even if Qinglu Divine Hall takes no responsibility, Dark Temple will.”
Jin Jue Heavenly God appeared beside Yin-Yang Divine Master, sneering. “Zhang Ruochen killed a great god of my Ferocious Terror Divine Palace. How can you simply take him? This god will bring him to Ferocious Terror Divine Palace for God Venerable to dispose.”
The Ghost Lord saw it clearly. Destiny Temple sought to reap the rewards.
No choice. Zhang Ruochen possessed countless treasures. The six divine swords, Reverse God Stele, divine corpse revealed earlier, any one even Immeasurable realm gods coveted.
They had paid immense price, suffering heavy losses, finally rendering Zhang Ruochen powerless. How could they yield the hard-won fruits?
The Ghost Lord transmitted to Xue Li and Mu Tuo War God. Only Fengdu Ghost City and Dark Temple could contend with Destiny Temple.
“Zhang Ruochen must die.” Xue Li said.
Jin Jue Heavenly God smiled. “Rest assured. Zhang Ruochen’s life belongs to Ferocious Terror Divine Palace. When he mounts the God-Slaying Platform, we will surely invite Fengdu Ghost City gods to witness.”
Xue Li’s purpose was not Zhang Ruochen’s treasures but to represent Fengdu Ghost City, declaring “none may insult Heavenly Venerable”.
Thus Zhang Ruochen’s death location mattered little.
Unwilling to be used by the Ghost Lord, he said no more.
Mu Tuo War God said. “Destiny Temple lost merely one Lord Huo Ze. How many great gods and gods has my Dark Temple fallen? Even God Venerable indirectly died on the starry battlefield. Zhang Ruochen must be handed to Dark Temple for disposal.”
Before he finished, Mu Tuo War God shifted, crossing space towards the Blood-Coloured Divine Centipede Ship.
Yin-Yang Divine Master formed seals. Surrounding heavenly rules shifted, reversing yin-yang, swapping heaven and earth. He shifted the advancing Mu Tuo War God back to his original spot.
Mu Tuo War God’s expression grew grave, staring at Yin-Yang Divine Master. “Impressive technique, Divine Master. But must we truly tear faces today?”
Yin-Yang Divine Master smiled faintly. “Minor skill. War God could break it with one hammer. We are all gods of Hell Realm. No need to tear faces over one Zhang Ruochen.”
“Dark Temple indeed suffered heavy losses, worthy of sympathy. But behind all this turmoil, the one most involved is Elder Xu Tian.”
“This divine master says one thing. Zhang Ruochen should be disposed by Xu Tian. All present have no objection, correct?”
Whether Ghost Lord, Xue Li, Mu Tuo War God, or Destiny Temple gods, all fell silent.
Involving a Heavenly Venerable, who dared speak more?
Ultimately, Xu Tian was the greatest victim.
One hundred thousand years in seclusion. Upon emergence, he took a heavenly consort. Before touching her, a junior defiled her.
Was this mere loss of face?
This would enter historical records, mocked by countless future generations.
As for Emperor Fengdu’s side, the relation between Wuyue and Ancient Moon Goddess remained unclear, still legend.
Xue Li acted purely because rumours could kill.
As for Xu Tian offending Emperor Fengdu, it was not their place to intervene. If the Emperor truly cared, he would act personally.
Jin Jue Heavenly God glanced at Yin-Yang Divine Master. His gaze suddenly deepened. Truly handing Zhang Ruochen to Xu Tian would bypass Ferocious Terror Divine Palace.
What was Yin-Yang Divine Master’s true aim?
Xu Tian’s directive, or Tianyun Division currying favour with Xu Tian?
Seeing Mu Tuo War God still somewhat defiant, seeming ready to act, Yin-Yang Divine Master asked gravely. “Senior Daohai, how severe is Banyo’s injury?”
“Lifespan greatly reduced. Vitality depleted. Even if recovered, cultivation will surely be delayed. She may never survive a yuanhui tribulation.” Kong Daohai’s tone brimmed with coldness.
Yin-Yang Divine Master said. “Banyo is Fury Heaven God Venerable’s beloved disciple, with high hopes placed on her. This strikes at her foundation. How can gods of our Destiny Temple be so bullied in Hell Realm? Pu Chuanqi is merely a cripple without transcendent great power backing. How dare he offend Destiny Temple? Dare challenge Fury Heaven God Venerable’s authority?”
The Ghost Lord’s brows jumped. He said at once. “This seat believes Zhang Ruochen should indeed be disposed by Xu Tian. However, Fengdu Ghost City’s town-suppressing ancestral artefact was seized by Zhang Ruochen…”
Yin-Yang Divine Master’s expression softened. “Ghost Lord, rest assured. This matter could never involve Fengdu Ghost City. The Earth Fiend Bell is your ancestral artefact. This divine master will surely report to Xu Tian, returning it to its rightful owner.”
Then Master Qianqian, Xu Liao, and Li Yuantian God spoke in turn, claiming to hand Zhang Ruochen to Xu Tian.
No choice. Current circumstances meant they could not seize Zhang Ruochen’s treasures.
Thus, they sought the next best. After Xu Tian killed Zhang Ruochen, reclaim their artefacts, profound meanings, Lord Xuemu and Emperor Yi’s divine sources.
Before the greater trend, even Mu Tuo War God was helpless.
Yet handing him to Xu Tian meant Zhang Ruochen truly died this time. Who could save him from Xu Tian’s sword?
Even Heavenly Grandmother’s true body might not succeed.
