The might of a single kick scorched the earth for a thousand miles, cracking the ground and evaporating all moisture.
Zhang Ruochen saw Cang Long flee but didn’t pursue.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to finish him off, but he was utterly drained.
Unleashing the first seal of Yan God’s Leg with full force had nearly exhausted his saint energy.
Moreover, Cang Long, clad in Radiant Merit Armor, had burst away at a thousand times the speed of sound. Even if Zhang Ruochen donned his own armor to chase, it was already too late.
He’d shed his armor earlier because Yan God’s Leg’s power was too wild, risking damage to the armor.
“I need to use Yan God’s Leg sparingly. If I must, I can’t go all out,” Zhang Ruochen thought.
Such a full-force strike was for desperate moments. Failing to eliminate the enemy could leave him vulnerable.
Cang Long, gravely injured and unaware of Zhang Ruochen’s depleted state, with Ling Feiyu and the Evil Spirit looming, had fled at top speed without a second thought.
“Swoosh.”
Ling Feiyu flashed to his side, supporting him.
“Are you alright?” she asked, deeply concerned.
Suppressing his weakness, Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “I’m fine, just overexerted. I’ll recover soon.”
As he spoke, he circulated the *Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture*. The radiant sun in his divine light qi sea spun rapidly, releasing pure essence that transformed into streams of saint energy, coursing through his body.
The sun, formed from the Sun Leaf of the Seven-Star Divine Lingzhi, held vast divine medicinal essence. Even a trace could convert into immense saint energy.
Regaining some energy, Zhang Ruochen reached out, using spatial techniques to collect the ravaged remains of the fallen powerhouses.
He didn’t check their treasures, stowing them all to inspect later.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Zhang Ruochen and Ling Feiyu returned to the Evil Spirit’s head.
Ruan Ling lay slumped on its back, her gaze vacant, stunned by the earlier carnage.
Several You God Temple elites, plus Zi Feng Saint King, had perished, and even Cang Long had fled, gravely wounded.
She was doomed to remain Zhang Ruochen’s captive, with little hope of escape.
Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged on the Evil Spirit, running the *Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture* to recover quickly. He loathed this weakness.
The Evil Spirit’s massive divine form soared into the sky, heading for the true Wuding Mountain.
With Ruan Ling captured, the illusory Wuding Mountain collapsed, vanishing.
If word of this battle spread, Zhang Ruochen’s fame would soar again.
He wouldn’t boast about it, nor would Cang Long, for whom the defeat was a humiliating disgrace.
Zhang Ruochen wasn’t worried about the Inspection Angels learning of it. Since Cang Long and Ruan Ling dared target the Moon-Worshipping Demon Sect, they’d likely cleared it with the angels, who wouldn’t care about the Copper Furnace Plain’s events.
Ling Feiyu stood nearby, watching Zhang Ruochen quietly. He’d given her countless surprises, like a dream.
When she needed help most, Zhang Ruochen appeared, resolving troubles for her and the sect. He cared for her deeply.
Yet, he was infuriating, knowingly toying with Ruan Ling while aware of her disguise.
Unbidden, images of Zhang Ruochen’s intimacy with Ruan Ling resurfaced, stirring shy annoyance. Ruan Ling had mimicked her, making it feel as if it were her with Zhang Ruochen.
The Evil Spirit was swift, reaching the true Wuding Mountain in under an hour.
Zhang Ruochen ended his meditation, standing as his saint energy recovered significantly. The rest would restore in time.
Stowing the Evil Spirit and Ruan Ling into the Qiankun Realm, he and Ling Feiyu landed at Wuding Mountain’s base.
Ruan Ling’s high status made her a valuable asset for future leverage.
“Palace Master Ling.”
A Saint Realm cultivator at the gate paled upon seeing Ling Feiyu.
“Swoosh.”
He turned to flee back into the sect.
Ling Feiyu flashed forward, blocking him.
“Why run when you see me?” she demanded coldly.
The cultivator trembled. “N-no reason.”
“Speak. What’s going on?” Ling Feiyu’s aura turned sharp.
With a thud, the cultivator knelt, trembling. “Spare me, Palace Master Ling. It wasn’t me—it was Uncle Hong and the others.”
Zhang Ruochen approached. “You God Temple’s people are already in Wuding Mountain, but they’re minor players, not a threat.”
Ling Feiyu understood instantly.
“I can tolerate dissent, but treason? I won’t forgive them,” she said, her eyes blazing with killing intent.
Lured away by Ruan Ling, You God Temple’s presence in the sect meant only one thing: traitors had invited them in.
Perhaps they thought she’d never return, emboldening their betrayal.
Fortunately, Zhang Ruochen’s timely arrival stopped You God Temple from preparing further. Otherwise, with Cang Long’s intervention, the sect might have fallen.
“Seal the gates. No one enters or leaves without my permission,” Ling Feiyu ordered coldly.
The gate-guarding disciples hurriedly complied. “Yes.”
No one dared defy Ling Feiyu in her fury.
Ignoring the kneeling cultivator, Ling Feiyu soared toward the Demon Emperor Palace.
Zhang Ruochen smiled, stepping into a spatial shift, vanishing.
The cultivator remained kneeling, too terrified to rise or flee.
The Demon Emperor Palace, atop Saint Gold Peak, was the sect’s heart. Whoever controlled it ruled the sect.
Years ago, Zhang Ruochen had stormed Wuding Mountain, nearly overturning the sect, overwhelming even Shi Qianjue.
That was when Ling Feiyu’s father, Ling Xiu, emerged.
Many sect disciples, dissatisfied with Shi Qianjue, followed Ling Xiu, splitting the sect.
When the Infernal Court attacked the Kunlun Realm, Ling Feiyu returned, uniting the factions with her formidable strength, restoring the sect’s unity.
But Shi Qianjue’s loyalists, resentful of Ling Feiyu, schemed to replace her.
When You God Temple attacked, these dissenters opened the gates, welcoming them in.
In the Demon Emperor Palace, Hong Yuantong and other Shi Qianjue loyalists chatted jovially with You God Temple powerhouses.
Learning from them that Ling Feiyu was trapped and wouldn’t return, they were elated, believing they’d soon control the sect.
“Ling Feiyu was foolish to oppose You God Temple. She deserved her fate,” one said.
“Exactly. You God Temple wanting something from our sect is an honor. We should fully cooperate.”
“Rest assured, seniors. When Lord Cang Long arrives, we’ll guide him to Moon God’s treasure.”
Led by Hong Yuantong, four sect Saint Kings fawned over You God Temple’s three powerhouses.
A You God Temple Dao Domain realm powerhouse nodded, smiling. “Good. Those who adapt thrive. Serve You God Temple, and you’ll be rewarded. Once—”
“Pfft.”
Before he finished, a sword light flashed, cleaving him in two, blood splattering the palace.
“Swoosh.”
Everyone turned to the palace entrance.
“Ling… Ling Feiyu.”
Hong Yuantong and the others paled, eyes wide with dread.
Ling Feiyu stood at the entrance, Heaven-Burying Sword in hand, her gaze radiating lethal intent.
“You’ve done well, groveling to You God Temple, ready to hand over the sect. Is this what Shi Qianjue taught you?” Her voice was icy, her face frosted.
“We…”
Hong Yuantong and his group trembled, unable to meet her eyes.
“Ling Feiyu, you dare kill You God Temple’s people? Aren’t you afraid of dooming the sect?” a You God Temple powerhouse barked.
Her casual sword had slain one of them, making the remaining two realize they were no match. They could barely withstand a single strike.
They resorted to threats, hoping to intimidate her.
But unease gnawed at them. Ruan Ling had personally targeted Ling Feiyu, so why was she here? Had something gone wrong?
“Feiyu, need help?” Zhang Ruochen appeared beside her, smiling.
Ling Feiyu glanced at him. “Think I can’t handle them?”
“Zhang Ruochen.”
The two You God Temple powerhouses’ faces fell.
Cang Long and Ruan Ling’s plan targeted Zhang Ruochen. Yet here he stood with Ling Feiyu, while Cang Long and Ruan Ling were absent, filling them with dread.
“Flee.”
Without hesitation, they tried to escape.
“Flee? You think Wuding Mountain is a playground?” Ling Feiyu scoffed.
The two unleashed powerful saint techniques, black saint light surging toward Zhang Ruochen and Ling Feiyu, desperate to carve an escape.
Zhang Ruochen waved casually, warping the space before him. The black saint light targeting him reversed, striking its caster.
“Bang.”
Caught off guard, the You God Temple powerhouse was hit by his own attack, crashing into the palace wall.
Ling Feiyu slashed, shattering the other black saint light, then closed in, beheading the second powerhouse with one strike.
Using sword control, she remotely decapitated the one against the wall, her strikes clean and decisive.
