At the Truth Temple, Zhang Ruochen had overheard Saint Book Talent and Mu Lingxi discussing Huang Yanchen, learning of her supposed death.
He never imagined encountering her again in such a place, with such an identity, under such circumstances.
“Big Brother, what’s wrong? You okay?”
Noticing Zhang Ruochen’s odd state, Feng Yan asked with concern.
With enemies like the Death Clan and God-Devouring Bugs looming, losing focus was dangerous.
Feng Yan’s voice snapped Zhang Ruochen back, pulling him from his tangled thoughts. His clenched fingers slowly relaxed as he exhaled, “I’m fine. Just recalled something suddenly.”
Relieved, Feng Yan had been startled by Zhang Ruochen’s earlier trance-like state, fearing a problem at such a critical moment.
“She’s Prajna, the one who sent those two Death Fate Holy Guards after you,” Ji Fanchen said.
After subduing the man and woman with Great Saint dragon and elephant souls, Ji Fanchen had extracted intelligence from their souls.
The most valuable piece was that Prajna, one of the Fate Temple’s three Goddess candidates, was at Xianji Mountain, indicating the Fate Temple’s control over the region’s arrangements.
“Prajna.”
Zhang Ruochen softly uttered the name, his gaze returning to the figure atop the nine-headed Xuanwu—both familiar and alien.
After a brief exchange of glances, Prajna looked away, her expression calm, as if nothing had transpired.
Upon her arrival, the three white-robed priests stood respectfully behind her. Despite their Near-Path Realm cultivation, they showed no hint of disrespect.
Even if Prajna didn’t become the Fate Temple’s Goddess, her status would remain far above theirs.
*Rumble.*
The Death Altar shuddered, struck by forces from below.
The assailants were none other than God-Devouring Bugs.
Countless bugs, glowing with blue firelight, illuminated the subterranean space, creating a dreamlike scene.
Hidden Death God Knights emerged, fleeing to the altar, terrified of the bugs’ attacks after witnessing a comrade incinerated to ash.
They didn’t fear death but refused to die meaninglessly.
“Milady, the God-Devouring Bugs are striking the altar, destabilising it. What should we do?” a white-robed priest asked anxiously.
Even Immortal Great Saint-level attacks struggled to damage the altar, yet these unassuming bugs threatened it, seemingly intent on devouring it.
Prajna remained composed, “The Heaven-Connecting Divine Wood cultivates the Path of Life, a natural counter to the Death Clan. The God-Devouring Bugs, born from the same source, share similar traits. No need to worry—I’ll subdue them.”
*Roar.*
The nine-headed Xuanwu growled, manipulating the underworld river to engulf the bugs.
In moments, all bugs emerging from the dark void were enveloped by the river.
Under the river’s surge, those attempting to fly were suppressed, forced back underground.
Without the bugs, the subterranean space darkened, thick deathly evil qi pervading.
However, the bugs’ assault had disrupted the altar’s operations, likely preventing it from drawing revival energy for now.
With a swift movement, Prajna left the Xuanwu’s back and the altar, diving into the dark void below.
“The Heaven-Connecting Divine Wood, the Kunlun Realm’s legendary spiritual root. If I claim it, godhood is assured,” Bi Yunhai’s eyes gleamed.
Such a divine object would tempt even Great Saints and gods.
Without hesitation, Bi Yunhai employed his movement technique, streaking toward the void.
With a divine treasure at stake, he set aside all else, even Ji Fanchen, for the moment.
“Those who approach will be slain without mercy,” the white-robed priest with a vertical eye barked.
The Shadow of the Death God extended a hand, vast deathly mental power forming a hellish black dragon, lunging at Bi Yunhai.
Bi Yunhai’s eyes flashed with ferocity. He unleashed the Bihai Qingkong Palm, conjuring a towering wave to strike the dragon.
*Boom.*
The dragon shattered the wave, its claw slamming into Bi Yunhai’s chest.
Bi Yunhai was flung back, spitting blood, wounded once more.
“Overestimating yourself,” the priest sneered.
Clutching his chest, Bi Yunhai nearly coughed up more blood, seething.
He’d thought the altar’s issues diminished its threat, not expecting it to injure him so easily.
Zhang Ruochen, Ji Fanchen, and the others watched, leaving Bi Yunhai humiliated.
Thoughts racing, Bi Yunhai soared upward, shouting, “The Kunlun Realm’s Heaven-Connecting Divine Wood lives, hidden beneath Xianji Mountain!”
Unable to breach alone, he’d muddy the waters, drawing others in.
Who claimed the wood would depend on their means.
His voice echoed across ten thousand li, clear to all at Xianji Mountain.
“The Kunlun Realm’s ancient spiritual root still lives!”
“The Heaven-Connecting Divine Wood, the realm’s oldest being, holds countless secrets. Claiming it ensures godhood.”
“It cultivates the Path of Life, our Death Clan’s bane. We can’t let the Heavenly Court take it—we must seize it.”
“Cut down ten thousand years ago, its fate unknown, it’s been here all along. This trip was worth it.”
The words “Heaven-Connecting Divine Wood” ignited both Heavenly Court and Hell Realm forces, quelling their will to fight.
Tacitly, they ceased combat, racing toward Xianji Mountain’s core, none willing to miss this opportunity.
In the subterranean space, Zhang Ruochen frowned. Bi Yunhai’s broadcast complicated their mission to secure the wood’s trunk.
More powerhouses meant greater difficulty.
Turning to Feng Yan, Xiang Chunan, and Pei Yutian, he said, “The space housing the wood’s trunk is fraught with danger. You’d best not enter. If possible, try to destroy the altar. If things go wrong, retreat immediately—don’t worry about me.”
After a moment, he produced a spatial teleportation scroll, “Take this for emergencies.”
He couldn’t let his brothers risk their lives for a mission that wasn’t theirs.
“Big Brother, what’re you saying? The greater the danger, the more we stand together. Otherwise, what kind of brothers are we?” Xiang Chunan protested.
Feng Yan took the scroll, pressing Xiang Chunan’s shoulder, “Third Brother, listen to Big Brother. We’re too weak to help inside and might become burdens. Staying out here, we could support him at a critical moment.”
“But…” Xiang Chunan was reluctant.
“No buts. Time’s short—we can’t delay. Big Brother, be careful,” Feng Yan urged.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Fairy, let’s go.”
Ji Fanchen, silent but resolute, joined Zhang Ruochen, her desire for the wood’s trunk surpassing his.
As they approached, the three priests moved to intercept, the Shadow of the Death God swinging its black scythe, slicing space at incredible speed toward them.
In an instant, the scythe passed through their position, missing them.
Using spatial shift, Zhang Ruochen brought Ji Fanchen to the void’s edge, plunging in without hesitation.
“Damn it.”
Failing to stop them, the priests fumed.
Zhang Ruochen’s spatial techniques were too elusive, and with the altar temporarily disconnected from Xianji Mountain, they couldn’t suppress the space, forced to watch him and Ji Fanchen enter.
They took solace in Prajna’s formidable strength, certain Zhang Ruochen and Ji Fanchen would gain no advantage.
Bi Yunhai’s expression soured. Zhang Ruochen and Ji Fanchen had entered, while he was blocked. When Xuanyuan Liekong and others arrived, they’d surely mock him.
Atop Evil Spirit, Feng Yan, Xiang Chunan, and Pei Yutian gazed upward.
“They’re here fast. Let’s pull back,” Feng Yan said.
Evil Spirit slithered to a dark corner, concealing itself to avoid attention.
They weren’t afraid—with Evil Spirit and Xiang Chunan’s Metal Demon Crown, they could hold their own against top-tier foes.
Plus, with the teleportation scroll, they could escape any trouble, untouchable.
Thus, they remained calm, observing as spectators.
*Swoosh.*
*Swoosh.*
Figures descended, holy qi, demonic qi, deathly evil qi, and other potent forces flooding the area.
All eyes fixed on the dark void beneath the altar.
No God-Devouring Bugs appeared, but faint wood spirit holy qi and traces of divine wood qi seeped out, countering the deathly evil qi.
A vibrant life aura surged from the void, clashing with the environment.
