That group of angel clan cultivators fled in all directions under the pursuit of the three-legged corpse-eating insects, but the insects clung to them like maggots on rotting flesh, burrowing into their bodies and devouring them ferociously.
The lake surface echoed with chilling screams.
When the cries in the air finally ceased, all the angel clan cultivators had been entirely consumed by the three-legged corpse-eating insects.
“Swish.”
Dozens of mental power clones flew out from Zhang Ruochen’s body, collecting all the saint weapons and storage vessels left behind by the angel clan cultivators.
They were all valuable items, worth a considerable amount of saint stones.
The divine-demonic rat burst into laughter and said, “Lord Hei and Master Chen are indeed formidable. They effortlessly crushed sixteen powerhouses from the Paradise Realm. Such methods, such strength, I’m utterly in awe… Master Chen, what are you…”
One of the mental power clones retrieved the six severed pieces of a corpse from the lake, bringing them before Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen placed his fingers on the intact head, probing it carefully, “The qi sea remains intact, the saint soul is preserved, and the spark of life hasn’t been extinguished. There might still be a chance to save him.”
These six severed pieces belonged to the Kunlun Realm cultivator who had been slain earlier by the Six-Step Saint King angel.
Remarkably, this fellow had managed to protect his qi sea during the attack of a Six-Step Saint King’s sword technique, preserving the saint soul within it.
Only by doing so did he have a chance at survival.
Zhang Ruochen released his mental power, piecing the six segments of the corpse back together, then took out a cyan lotus seed.
The lotus seed, greener than jade, radiated a dazzling cyan glow.
Within that glow pulsed a vast aura of life, enveloping the six severed pieces.
Moments later, the segments fused into a whole, the life force within growing stronger, blood beginning to flow again. The eyes opened, and the figure stepped out from the cyan glow.
This was a Court Domain King who had reached the Half-Step Saint King realm. Though his body had been severed, his saint soul had remained conscious, expecting his life force to soon fade and lead to death. He never imagined Zhang Ruochen would revive him.
Back at the Tianluo Dojo, this Court Domain King had once ostracised Zhang Ruochen, calling him a traitor to the Kunlun Realm, unworthy of entering its dojo. Now, his heart was filled with indescribable shame.
How could a traitor to the Kunlun Realm save him?
Zhang Ruochen’s magnanimity made him feel utterly insignificant.
“Thank you.”
He bowed deeply to Zhang Ruochen, his former disdain and hostility replaced by profound admiration.
From now on, if anyone dared call Zhang Ruochen a traitor to the Kunlun Realm, he’d be the first to charge forward and give them a thorough beating.
Zhang Ruochen gazed intently at the cyan lotus seed, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Just moments ago, when he activated the lotus seed’s power, he faintly sensed a subtle tremor from the lake’s depths.
That tremor vanished in an instant.
“Was it an illusion?”
Zhang Ruochen extended his mental power to probe the lake bottom, but he found nothing.
“Swish.”
The sound of breaking wind rang out.
The Thousand-Star Maiden, disguised as a man, caught up and appeared above Zhang Ruochen, speaking gravely, “I’ve already observed with my Divine Eyes of Origin. A quarter of the Paradise Realm’s Saint King realm powerhouses in the Truth Heavenly Domain are gathered within the illusion array. Even if you go, you can’t save them, you’ll only get yourself killed.”
“This matter seems unrelated to you,” Zhang Ruochen replied.
The Thousand-Star Maiden wasn’t sure why she’d come to stop this man she somewhat disliked. She just felt that if Zhang Ruochen died here, she wouldn’t be pleased, instead, she’d feel something was missing.
Perhaps it was because Zhang Ruochen was the first cultivator of her realm to ever frustrate her.
Even if he were to fall or die, it had to be by her hand, under her sword.
The Thousand-Star Maiden tilted her chin and said, “Even if it were a dog, I wouldn’t stand by and watch it throw its life away, let alone a person like you. Of course, if you insist on going, hand over that thing you’re carrying first. If you die and it falls into the Paradise Realm’s hands, it’d be quite a hassle for me.”
Zhang Ruochen wasn’t sure whether she meant the “marriage contract” or the “Truth Mysteries.”
If it was the “marriage contract,” he’d genuinely considered giving it to her now, as he had little confidence in this battle. If it was the “Truth Mysteries,” he’d rather die than hand it over willingly.
Xiao Hei, Zhenmiao Little Taoist, and Ye Honglei all fixed their gazes on Zhang Ruochen, awaiting his decision.
Both of Chi Wansui’s arms were crippled, and he stood dazed on the lake’s surface, staring at the illusory Xumi Dojo. It was as if he could see through the illusion, witnessing the Kunlun Realm cultivators inside being mercilessly crushed by the Paradise Realm forces, crying out to the heavens and earth with no response.
The corners of Chi Wansui’s mouth twitched incessantly, his heart locked in fierce turmoil.
To everyone’s astonishment, his knees bent, and he knelt before Zhang Ruochen, his voice low and heavy, “Zhang Ruochen, save the Kunlun Realm. Only you can save them now. If they all perish in the Xumi Dojo, the Kunlun Realm is truly… finished!”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes locked onto Chi Wansui’s pale, despairing face.
For a proud royal descendant like him to kneel before an enemy was beyond Zhang Ruochen’s expectations. Perhaps, in his heart, the survival and honour of the Kunlun Realm had long surpassed his own pride and hatred.
The Thousand-Star Maiden rolled her eyes, finding Chi Wansui childish, and said, “That’s not the real Xumi Dojo, it’s a trap formed by illusions. Can Zhang Ruochen alone stand against the Paradise Realm?”
Zhenmiao Little Taoist added, “Zhang Ruochen, let it go! The Paradise Realm is clearly set on wiping out the Kunlun Realm, there’s no need for us to leap into their trap.”
The blood vessels in Chi Wansui’s eyes seemed about to burst, tears of blood nearly spilling as he roared, “I’m sorry, Zhang Ruochen… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have… shouldn’t have used those two children against you. If you hold a grudge, kill me. But you can’t just stand by and watch those two children… die in there too…”
How could Zhang Ruochen not hate Chi Wansui?
It was he who had incited Chi Kunlun and Chi Kongle to attack Zhang Ruochen, a scheme so vicious. Back then, no one could fathom the anguish in Zhang Ruochen’s heart.
But from another perspective, Chi Wansui’s entire family had been killed by Zhang Ruochen, how could his pain be any less?
Without the grudges of eight hundred years ago, there would be no Chi Wansui and Zhang Ruochen as enemies today.
Zhang Ruochen wrestled with his emotions for a long time before finally growling, “Get up.”
He extended a hand, grasping Chi Wansui’s shoulder and lifting him to his feet.
In the instant he pulled him up, the power of the cyan lotus seed erupted again, surging into Chi Wansui’s body.
“Crackle.”
Chi Wansui’s severed arms regrew, and even his wounds healed rapidly. In just a few breaths, he was restored to his peak condition.
Including Chi Wansui himself, every cultivator present was utterly stunned.
What kind of treasure was that, to possess such heaven-defying power?
“Your arms, I’ve returned to you. I’ll wait for you to come for your revenge. If you have the ability, my life is yours.”
With that, Zhang Ruochen ignored the dazed Chi Wansui, holding the Eight Dragon Umbrella in one hand and the Chenyuan Ancient Sword in the other, and charged into the illusion array.
“Youngsters are so impulsive. Fine, this emperor will join you for one more wild ride,” Xiao Hei said, spreading his wings and flying into the illusion array, clearly intent on standing with Zhang Ruochen.
Zhenmiao Little Taoist sighed helplessly, “Consider it a trial in the mortal world. Today, this poor Taoist will fight to turn the heavens upside down.”
Xie Chengzi, Chi Wansui, and the divine-demonic rat followed suit, rushing into the illusion array.
Ye Honglei wanted to join them, but the Thousand-Star Maiden grabbed her wrist, holding her back.
“Since you’re an illusion saint master, why bother with fighting and killing? Come with me, let’s go meet that big shot from the Paradise Realm who set up this illusion array. It’ll broaden your horizons.”
The Thousand-Star Maiden, whether out of a desire for experience or finding the situation intriguing, ultimately decided to get involved.
…
…
Within the illusion array.
Most of the Kunlun Realm cultivators lay fallen in pools of blood, some trampled under the feet of axe-wielding dwarf clan cultivators, others barely clinging to life with sorrowful gazes, still others reduced to broken corpses.
The island had turned to scorched earth, drenched in the blood and tears of the Kunlun Realm cultivators.
They had arrived brimming with fighting spirit, determined to reclaim the dojo that belonged to the Kunlun Realm, but upon entering, they discovered a massive ambush of Paradise Realm powerhouses, all Saint King realm cultivators, outnumbering them tenfold.
A trap!
This was a trap meticulously laid by the Paradise Realm!
The Kunlun Realm cultivators weren’t unprepared for such a possibility, so at the first moment, Chi Kunlun had tried to commune with the remnant soul of Saint Monk Xumi to activate the Equality of All Beings.
As long as it was activated, they’d at least have a fighting chance, and most of them could likely escape.
But the divine power of Saint Monk Xumi didn’t manifest, nor did the Equality of All Beings.
Without its enhancement, their strength paled against the Paradise Realm’s like fireflies before the full moon, crushed under an overwhelming assault. Defeat had become inevitable.
Bu Qianfan was pinned beneath a net of lightning by three elf clan Saint Kings, his body charred black, kneeling on one knee, roaring unwillingly, “If the Equality of All Beings had been activated, at the same realm, my Square Heaven Halberd would have cleaved you all to pieces.”
A strikingly beautiful blue-robed female elf laughed, “There are no ‘ifs.’ Cultivation realm is everything, only the weak pin their hopes on the Equality of All Beings to defeat their foes. Write down your cultivation techniques and saint arts willingly, and this king will grant you a swift death.”
Not far away, Gai Tianjiao was impaled through the chest and abdomen by a ten-thousand-pattern saint weapon spear, pinned to the ground, blood pooling beneath her wound. An angel clan Saint King was demanding her cultivation techniques and saint arts, interrogating her about the Kunlun Realm’s secrets.
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