“This time, Master dispatched 10,100 Guanghan Realm cultivators to Kunlun Realm, including 10,000 saints and 100 Saint Kings, all elites of Guanghan Realm,” Mu Lingxi said.
The number of cultivators sent to Kunlun Realm by each realm was generally small, but they were all elites.
Only elite powerhouses could better survive and seize opportunities in Kunlun Realm.
As an eternal great world, Kunlun Realm, now fully revived, held countless opportunities, tempting every great world. Resisting the Hell Realm’s invasion was a pretext; plundering Kunlun Realm’s resources was the true goal.
Guanghan Realm, closely tied to Kunlun Realm, also sought to strengthen itself through this opportunity, aiding Kunlun Realm in overcoming its crisis.
Years ago, the Moon God borrowed a million saint sources from Zhang Ruochen, enabling Guanghan Realm to produce hundreds of thousands of saints in a short time, surpassing the strongest of the Shatuo Seven Realms, the Great Demon Ten Directions Realm, in saint numbers.
But saints alone weren’t enough. Cultivating more Saint Kings and Great Saints was crucial, as they were a great world’s backbone.
“Are all Guanghan Realm saints here now?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Mu Lingxi shook her head, “Only a third remain at Phoenix Lake. The other two-thirds are at another awakening sacred land.”
“Another awakening sacred land?” Zhang Ruochen showed surprise.
Mu Lingxi explained, “It was discovered recently by chance. It not only produced many sacred herbs but is also adjacent to an ancient mine, so two-thirds of our forces were redeployed there.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly. Controlling another awakening sacred land was highly beneficial.
And it was better for Kunlun Realm’s sacred lands to be held by Guanghan Realm cultivators than by those from the Heavenly Court faction.
“Who’s overseeing the other sacred land?” Zhang Ruochen asked again.
The Drunken Madman stepped forward, grinning, “Rest assured, Ji Kongyuan is personally overseeing that sacred land. There won’t be any issues.”
“Then who’s overseeing Phoenix Lake?” Zhang Ruochen was slightly surprised.
He’d assumed Ji Kongyuan was stationed at Phoenix Lake to ensure its safety, as he didn’t believe no one would covet it.
Gusong Zi said, “It seems you don’t know much about Guanghan Realm’s powerhouses. While Ji Kongyuan is the only one on the Heavenly Court’s Saint King Merit List, that doesn’t mean Guanghan Realm lacks other strong figures. In fact, two others are nearly as formidable.”
“Oh? Who are they?” Zhang Ruochen’s interest was piqued.
He’d considered these matters before but hadn’t paid much attention.
As for why Ji Kongyuan was on the Merit List, it was simple: the influence of Emperor Jiemie in Guanghan Realm, with countless descendants reaching saint level, outshining others.
“They’re coming now, aren’t they? Your arrival as Guanghan Realm’s envoy carries quite the weight,” Gusong Zi teased.
Zhang Ruochen turned to see a group of dozens approaching.
The group included strangers and familiar faces like Bu Ji, Su Qingling, and Wen Shusheng, now all prominent figures in Guanghan Realm.
Leading them was a woman, graceful and stunningly beautiful, with skin like polished jade. But her aura was icy, her gaze cold, like an iceberg, deterring approach.
Her presence was immense, vast as the sea, unfathomable.
“Greetings, Envoy.”
The group approached, bowing to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen smiled, “No need for formalities.”
“We failed to welcome you properly, Envoy. Please forgive us,” the icy woman said coolly.
Mu Lingxi smiled, introducing her, “This is Saint King Tianyue, daughter of the Nine Spirits Great Saint. Centuries ago, she reached the Near-Path Realm. If not for Guanghan Realm, she’d have broken through to Great Saint. She’s admired by countless female cultivators in our realm.”
“You flatter me, Goddess,” Saint King Tianyue said coldly.
Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred. As the daughter of the Nine Spirits Great Saint, Tianyue belonged to the Nine Spirits Divine Bird Clan, her background no less than Ji Kongyuan’s.
While the Nine Spirits Great Saint’s descendants were far fewer than Emperor Jiemie’s, their achievements were remarkable. Zhang Ruochen had already met two at Saint King level.
From Tianyue’s aura, he estimated she had cultivated around 50 million saint path rules, placing her in the upper-middle tier of Near-Path Realm powerhouses.
Her true strength depended on how widely she could manipulate heaven and earth rules, the saint techniques she’d mastered, and the sacred artifacts she wielded.
For Guanghan Realm to nurture such a Saint King was no small feat.
“Greetings, Saint King Tianyue,” Zhang Ruochen bowed.
As a leader among Guanghan Realm’s Saint Kings, she deserved respect.
“You’re too kind, Envoy. Please,” Tianyue stepped aside, gesturing.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, stepping forward.
As the Moon God’s envoy, he needed to maintain the dignity of the role, lest he disgrace both himself and the Moon God.
Soon, they reached a grand hall.
Only Saint King-level powerhouses were typically allowed inside.
“Hm?” As they approached, Mu Lingxi’s eyes flashed with surprise.
Someone was in the hall, seated in the main position, showing no intention of rising despite their arrival.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze settled on the figure, quietly assessing.
The man was of average build, clad in red battle armour, handsome, with faint flames flickering in his eyes, intimidating to meet.
A scorching aura emanated from him, making the hall swelter like a furnace.
Several Guanghan Realm Saint Kings in the group showed unease, glancing between the man and Zhang Ruochen, sensing trouble.
Even Saint King Tianyue frowned slightly, clearly unprepared.
“He’s Saint King Xingyun, Wu Zu’s eldest son, hot-tempered and unpredictable,” Mu Lingxi transmitted to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen understood. A Wu Family member, acting so arrogantly, was clearly trying to put him in his place.
The reason was obvious: Wu Hao’s death at his hands had shamed the Wu Family.
Wu Hao, a prodigy the Wu Family had heavily invested in, was cherished even by Wu Zu. His death left the family resentful, even hateful, toward Zhang Ruochen.
But Wu Hao was at fault, and with Zhang Ruochen as envoy, the Wu Family could do little.
Saint King Xingyun sat in the main seat, like an unrivalled emperor, looking down on all.
Zhang Ruochen met his gaze calmly, showing no fear.
Though Xingyun was imposing, Zhang Ruochen judged his strength below Tianyue’s, with fewer than 50 million saint path rules.
Among Guanghan Realm’s three top Saint Kings, Xingyun likely ranked last.
“Envoy, Saint King Xingyun was in seclusion earlier and didn’t join us to welcome you. We didn’t know it would come to this,” Wen Shusheng transmitted to Zhang Ruochen.
He felt it necessary to clarify, lest Zhang Ruochen misunderstand.
“I understand,” Zhang Ruochen replied.
The situation was clear: Xingyun was deliberately targeting him to undermine his dignity, unrelated to the others.
His ties with the Nine Spirits Great Saint’s lineage, Bu Ji, and Wen Shusheng were good; they wouldn’t scheme against him.
“Zhang Ruochen, you’ve finally arrived. You’ve kept us waiting. Perhaps you’ve forgotten you’re Guanghan Realm’s envoy?” Xingyun said, his tone sharp.
Zhang Ruochen remained composed, “My affairs are no one’s to question. Moreover, everything I do upholds Guanghan Realm’s prestige.”
“Upholds our prestige? I think you’re making enemies for Guanghan Realm. In the Eastern Region, you provoked You God Hall, Blood War God Hall, and Soul Realm, and clashed with Master Shenya. In the Northern Region, you fell out with Xuanyuan Liekong and Lei Juexing. Bi Yunhai’s death is tied to you. With so many enemies, are you trying to make Guanghan Realm’s position even harder?” Xingyun demanded loudly.
Few knew Master Shenya was killed in Luo Water, and the news hadn’t spread. Many believed he was alive, recovering in hiding.
Zhang Ruochen stayed calm, “No matter how many enemies I make, it’s my personal matter, unrelated to Guanghan Realm. I’ve never expected Guanghan Realm to back me.”
Pausing, he continued, “But you, Saint King Xingyun, show little regard for me, the Moon God’s appointed envoy. I arrive, and you neither greet me nor show respect, instead boldly questioning me. Who gave you such audacity?”
“With my status, why should I greet you? Questioning you is nothing. Even if I suppressed you, what could you do?” Xingyun sneered.
Others might fear Zhang Ruochen’s envoy status, but he didn’t care.
If the Moon God had openly chosen an envoy among Guanghan Realm’s Great Saints, would Zhang Ruochen have been picked?
From the start, Xingyun resented Zhang Ruochen’s role, a junior daring to stand above him.
