Petals drifted down from the sky, like a rain of flowers scattering across the ground.
Each petal that landed sprouted a vibrant exotic bloom, in moments, the area transformed into a sea of flowers.
Ji Fanxin descended, landing beside Zhang Ruochen, her true appearance restored—a beauty to topple kingdoms, her aura rivalling Tianchu Fairy opposite her.
If word spread that two fairies from the *Nine Immortals Beauty Chart* appeared in Luoshui simultaneously, it would cause a sensation, countless prodigies would flock here.
In Ji Fanxin’s palm rested the Blood Sacrifice Saint Cauldron.
Clearly, Qi Xiaotian had been slain by her.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t want to linger, fearing a slip might reveal his identity to Tianchu Fairy.
He said, “I sealed Qi Sheng and Ying Huo’s cultivation and mental power, yet they escaped, they must hold secrets we don’t know, we need to recapture them.”
“No need to worry, they’re coated in my pollen, even if they flee ten thousand li, I can track them,” Ji Fanxin replied confidently, as if everything was under her control.
Facing Tianchu Fairy, her equal in fame, Ji Fanxin subtly grew more assertive.
“Take the dragon carriage to pursue, we can’t let them escape.”
Zhang Ruochen summoned the carriage, placing it on the ground.
Qi Sheng and Ying Huo knew him too well—letting them go would spell endless trouble.
Ji Fanxin boarded the Golden-Stepped Dragon Carriage, settling inside, Zhang Ruochen followed, nine golden dragons burst forth, soaring skyward.
Daizi watched the departing carriage with envy, “Truly a golden boy and jade girl, who’d have thought the spacetime heir Zhang Ruochen would pair with the Hundred Flowers Fairy?”
Tufu’s rugged face bore a grin, “Both are peerless talents—one Mandala Flower God’s disciple, the other Moon Goddess’s emissary, if they cultivate and adventure together, their future achievements are limitless, ascending to godhood side by side isn’t impossible.”
Tianchu Fairy remained silent, only when the carriage reached the horizon did she send a soundwave, “If you two have time, feel free to visit Nine-Bend Heavenly Star in Luoshui’s depths.”
Inside the carriage, Zhang Ruochen and Ji Fanxin heard her warm, melodious voice.
“You’re avoiding her,” Ji Fanxin said.
The abrupt remark startled Zhang Ruochen, he gave a wry smile, “You can tell?”
Ji Fanxin replied, “If I can, she surely can too—never underestimate a woman’s intuition.”
“True, she’s incredibly sharp, hiding from her is near impossible,” Zhang Ruochen admitted.
“Why?”
He sighed softly, “It’s complicated, I haven’t figured out how to face it, perhaps she hasn’t exposed me for the same reason.”
Ji Fanxin sensed a significant past between him and Tianchu Fairy, she didn’t pry, only saying, “I just hope she doesn’t misunderstand our relationship, causing unnecessary trouble, I’d rather not make an enemy for no reason.”
“With her countless suitors—many far better options—why would she clash with you over me?”
Zhang Ruochen laughed, shaking his head, then fell silent.
Indeed, divine sons and emperors pursued Tianchu Fairy, many exceptional in talent, looks, and character.
Would she choose one?
If so, he’d feel a pang of loss—men have possessiveness, after all.
Did Tianchu Fairy feel a twinge watching him leave with Ji Fanxin? Don’t women have possessiveness too?
…
The Three-Golden Bat’s earlier soundwave had wounded Qi Sheng and Ying Huo’s saint souls, causing them agony.
Yet, both were extraordinary, recovering quickly, they spread their blood wings and fled.
They knew whether Zhang Ruochen or Qi Xiaotian won, neither would spare them.
Flee.
Only escape offered survival.
But they couldn’t outrun fate, reaching Luoshui’s bank, they found the Golden-Stepped Dragon Carriage blocking their path.
Qi Sheng gave a bitter smile, knowing death was certain, “Impressive, Zhang Ruochen, you’ve won, I concede defeat.”
Zhang Ruochen stepped out, standing tall, his gaze on them, “Tell me, how did you break my seals?”
Qi Sheng said, “Simple, our qi seas hold divine blood, its power broke the seals.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded, “Alright, no more questions, I’ll give you a quick end.”
Qi Sheng and Ying Huo exchanged a glance, resolve in their eyes.
They surged their saint qi, preparing to detonate their saint sources, aiming to take Zhang Ruochen with them.
“Hold on.”
A sultry voice rose from Luoshui’s surface.
A redwood ship emerged from the mist, appearing before the shore’s onlookers, slowly docking, faint blood mist wafted from it, like gauze in the air.
Seeing a chance at life, Qi Sheng and Ying Huo beamed, the ship’s aura matched theirs—clearly a Blood Clan powerhouse had arrived.
“Senior, save us, we’re from the Qi Tian Tribe,” they saluted the ship together.
“Creak.”
The cabin door opened, two figures stepped out, flanking it.
One wore monk robes, holding skull prayer beads.
The other had a crocodile head, clad in black demonic armour.
Their saintly auras marked them as Ninth-Step Saint Kings.
Sensing their significance, Ji Fanxin stepped off the carriage, unleashing potent mental power, radiating unprecedented might.
The robed Ninth-Step Saint King gestured to Zhang Ruochen, “Crown Prince of Saint Brightness, my master invites you inside.”
“Don’t go, there are several powerful auras aboard, likely Ninth-Step Saint Kings, the master might be a Blood Clan bigwig,” Ji Fanxin warned via transmission.
“No worries, I’ll meet her.”
Zhang Ruochen leapt onto the ship, heading for the cabin.
Ji Fanxin’s brows furrowed, puzzled by his risk-taking.
But knowing his cautious nature, always planning before acting, she didn’t follow to stop him.
Entering the cabin, Zhang Ruochen saw a woman with snow-jade skin lounging on a chaise, her face masked in ice, the same palace-gowned woman from the battle at Xumi Dojo.
She’d led eight Ninth-Step Saint Kings to pin down Shang Ziyan, giving Zhang Ruochen’s side the chance to seize the dojo.
Friend or foe, it was hard to tell.
Zhang Ruochen cut to the chase, “Who are you?”
“Since Your Highness wishes to know, I’ll comply.”
She slowly removed the ice mask, revealing a bewitching face.
Seeing her, Zhang Ruochen inhaled sharply, surprised, “You, the Cult Leader’s wife?”
“Rare that Your Highness remembers me, back at the Blood God Sect, I didn’t know your identity, I offended you greatly, please forgive me.”
She sat up, placing the mask on the table, her eyes like autumn pools, utterly enchanting.
This was Qiu Yi Chi, the Blood God Sect’s Cult Leader’s wife, once its shadowy master.
To Zhang Ruochen then, she’d been a fearsome she-devil, her battle with Painting Saint Chu Siyuan left a deep impression.
Chu Siyuan was a titan of his era, yet paled beside her.
Now, with his current cultivation, Zhang Ruochen no longer feared her, facing her calmly.
“Drink this, let bygones be bygones, how about it?”
Qiu Yi Chi offered a cup of wine, as if atoning.
The wine, crimson as fire, carried a bloody scent.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t take it, “Impressive, Madam, controlling a slew of Ninth-Step Saint Kings at Sixth-Step Saint King realm, only the legendary Heart Demon could rival you today.”
“Indeed, I am the Heart Demon.”
Qiu Yi Chi sipped the wine.
Though he’d suspected, confirmation still shocked Zhang Ruochen.
But reflecting, when she was a mere saint, she’d puppeteered the Saint King-level Blood God Cult Leader—controlling Ninth-Step Saint Kings now seemed plausible.
She smiled faintly, “Have you heard of the Dao of the Heart?”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrowed, he stood abruptly, stepping back.
He’d heard of it—practitioners could see and control hearts.
Qiu Yi Chi added, “And the Blood Bewitchment Art?”
“I underestimated you before,” Zhang Ruochen said warily.
“No need to be so tense, even with the Dao of the Heart and Blood Bewitchment Art, I wouldn’t dare use them on you,” she replied.
“What’s your purpose in meeting me?”
“Someone wants to see you, hopes you’ll visit the Endless Abyss,” Qiu Yi Chi said gravely, her smile fading.
“Endless Abyss…”
Zhang Ruochen’s mind jolted, a guess forming, he pressed, “Who? Who is it?”
“You’ll know when you go.”
His thoughts churned, teeth clenched, he snapped, “Then why should I go?”
Qiu Yi Chi produced a golden silk ribbon, offering it with both hands, “She said you’d understand everything upon seeing this.”
The ribbon bore an embroidered “Chen” (Dust).
In his past life, Emperor Ming told him his mother embroidered it, he’d worn it always, it should be with his previous body—how was it in Qiu Yi Chi’s hands?
