Zhang Ruochen swiftly struck with his palm, conjuring a fiery cloud that engulfed the two halves of Shang Ziqi’s Cold Corpse.
“Boom.”
The halves shattered instantly, incinerated into nothingness by the fiery cloud, leaving no trace.
Then, Zhang Ruochen produced the Secret Tome of Time and Space, capturing the fleeing Ten Thousand Refinements Tower and suppressing it fully.
Losing one of the seven Ten Thousand Refinements Towers meant the Paradise Realm faction was deprived of a complete Supreme Sacred Artifact.
After all, the seven towers together formed a single, powerful Supreme Sacred Artifact.
“Two down, one to go.”
Zhang Ruochen murmured coldly.
With the Five-Colored Merit Stele’s power weakened, it could no longer fully restrict his use of time and space techniques.
Of course, this was also due to his profound mastery of the Dao of Time and Space. Others would struggle to break through the stele’s suppression.
It was precisely his spatial mastery that allowed Zhang Ruochen to evade the rune cage formed by Shang Ziqi’s bone talisman, seizing the chance to slay another of Shang Ziqi’s corpses.
In the blink of an eye, two of the three Shang Ziqis were killed, leaving only the gravely injured Flame Corpse.
Compared to the others, the Flame Corpse, clad in the three-colored treasure armor, had superior defense, making it harder to kill, which is why Zhang Ruochen left it for last.
“Trouble! Ziqi is in danger. Holy King Yanlin, act quickly!”
Seeing Shang Ziqi in peril, Si Han urgently called out to an angelic powerhouse.
This angelic powerhouse was strikingly handsome, with four snow-white wings on his back, radiating holy light.
Though not yet at the Near-Dao Realm, his aura surpassed that of many in that realm.
Holy King Yanlin leaned on a broad-bladed holy sword, his face expressionless.
“Hum.”
Just as Holy King Yanlin prepared to intervene, his sword trembled slightly, as if drawn by some force.
Sensing the tremor, Holy King Yanlin froze, scanning his surroundings to locate the source of this power.
For some reason, he felt an immense, inexplicable threat.
“Rumble.”
Suddenly, the dark sky churned with divine clouds, accompanied by a sword’s cry that shook the heavens, as if billions of divine swords were descending from beyond the sky.
The commotion startled everyone present, their gazes turning toward the source of the sword’s cry.
The sky tore open, and a massive black entity emerged, exuding suffocating, terrifying pressure.
“Hm? A black cat’s head? What kind of bird is this? A new breed of owl?”
Upon seeing the entity’s form, many onlookers wore peculiar expressions.
Their attention then locked onto the source of the sword’s cry—a silver longsword held by a delicate young girl.
The girl appeared fifteen or sixteen, youthful and slightly immature, yet her demeanor carried a compelling sharpness, mirroring the silver longsword she wielded, its edge fully revealed.
She wore form-fitting battle armor that accentuated her graceful figure, her face exquisitely flawless, her skin fair and smooth like the finest jade, making her seem like a living jade statue.
“That owl looks familiar. I remember now—it’s the one that follows Zhang Ruochen.”
A cultivator recalled, revealing the owl’s origin.
With this, everyone understood—the newcomer was allied with Zhang Ruochen, or she wouldn’t be accompanied by his owl.
Yet, among the many powerhouses present, none knew the girl’s identity, as if she had appeared out of nowhere.
“Heh, quite the lively scene. Looks like we’re not too late,” Xiao Hei scanned the battlefield, chuckling.
Hearing someone mention “owl,” Xiao Hei immediately shouted, “This emperor is an Immortal Bird, the unrivaled Slaughterer of Heavens and Earth from 100,000 years ago! You’re the owl—your whole family are owls!”
The cultivator who spoke quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say more.
No matter Xiao Hei’s true strength, its aura was intimidating, discouraging provocation.
“No matter who you are, coming here means death.”
Holy King Yanlin declared coldly.
Xiao Hei turned to Holy King Yanlin, squinting disdainfully. “Think this emperor was born yesterday? A winged freak like you wants my life?”
The term “winged freak” darkened Holy King Yanlin’s expression. He growled, “Since you’re so eager to die, this king will oblige.”
As he spoke, Holy King Yanlin attacked, raising his broad-bladed holy sword and slashing at Xiao Hei from afar.
Seeing the massive sword beam approaching, Xiao Hei let out a strange cry. “Han Xue, quick, slice him with your sword! Chop this winged freak!”
At that, the delicate girl on its back swung her silver longsword.
The strike seemed casual, yet it unleashed a deafening sword cry.
A foot-long silver sword beam shot out, resembling a crescent moon.
“Crack.”
Holy King Yanlin’s massive sword beam was sliced in two, shattering explosively.
The crescent-shaped silver beam didn’t dissipate, continuing toward Holy King Yanlin.
Shocked, Holy King Yanlin hastily raised his sword to block.
“Pfft.”
The sword deflected the silver beam, but invisible sword qi struck Holy King Yanlin, leaving gruesome wounds.
One wound, on his neck, nearly severed his head.
“How is she so strong?”
Holy King Yanlin was stunned.
He could tell Han Xue was young, with limited cultivation time, yet her strength was terrifying.
“Hahaha, how’s that, winged freak? You’re no match!” Xiao Hei cackled, seeing Holy King Yanlin’s defeat.
The girl didn’t pursue Holy King Yanlin, instead turning her gaze to Zhang Ruochen, locked in a standoff with Shang Ziqi.
At that moment, Zhang Ruochen met her gaze.
Though the girl had changed significantly, Zhang Ruochen recognized her instantly.
“Han Xue.”
The delicate girl was none other than Zhang Ruochen’s only disciple, Han Xue, bearer of the Thousand-Bones Physique.
Years ago, Zhang Ruochen had ventured into the Netherworld from the God-Death Tomb Forest in the Eastern Domain, reviving Sword Saint Xuanji. Afterward, Xuanji, seeking to explore the Netherworld’s depths, took the young Han Xue with him.
After years apart, Han Xue had grown into a graceful young woman, her strength reaching top-tier levels.
Her appearance here was both surprising and joyous for Zhang Ruochen. Her safe return from the Netherworld lifted a weight from his heart.
He was also astonished by her formidable strength, which filled him with pride.
Undoubtedly, Han Xue’s achievements came through immense hardship.
“The Thousand-Bones Physique is truly remarkable. Han Xue might indeed become the next Thousand-Bones Empress. Since she’s back, where is her master, Sword Saint Xuanji?”
Zhang Ruochen’s mind swirled with thoughts.
Han Xue moved, appearing at Zhang Ruochen’s side before the Paradise Realm faction powerhouses could intercept.
“Disciple pays respects to Master.”
Han Xue bowed respectfully.
Zhang Ruochen quickly helped her up, smiling. “Well done. In just a few years, your cultivation has reached such heights. You’re putting pressure on your master.”
“Master, you’d better keep up. I had incredible encounters in the Netherworld. I might just surpass you,” Han Xue said with a radiant smile.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, laughing. “Good. I look forward to that day.”
Han Xue’s smile faded as she turned sharply, pointing her sword at Shang Ziqi, her face cold. “Shang Ziqi, is it? Xiao Hei mentioned you. You’re my master’s opponent, so I shouldn’t interfere. But with Master injured, as his disciple, I must fight in his stead. Do you dare accept?”
Shang Ziqi took a deep breath, seething. “Little girl, you’re too arrogant! With your current cultivation, you’re far from my match.”
“We’ll see after we fight,” Han Xue retorted defiantly.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “Xue’er, I appreciate your resolve, but he’s my enemy. I must kill him myself. Go help the others.”
Han Xue hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Understood, Master.”
She flashed back to Xiao Hei’s back, locking onto Holy King Yanlin, whom she had wounded.
“Shang Ziqi, let’s settle our grudges once and for all.”
Zhang Ruochen slowly raised his sword, his killing intent intensifying.
Old and new grievances would be resolved tonight.
With such a rare opportunity, he couldn’t let Shang Ziqi escape.
The remaining Shang Ziqi, his face dark as water, burned with rage, abandoning all restraint.
He had recalled the Five-Colored Merit Stele and bone talisman, intent on using every treasure to protect himself.
“How did this happen? Why am I losing to Zhang Ruochen? I refuse to accept this!” Shang Ziqi clenched his fists, struggling to face reality.
He had always been supremely confident, believing himself flawless, unrivaled even against Yan Wushen or the Heavenly Palace’s Four Heavenly Kings in same-realm combat.
Yet now, defeated by Zhang Ruochen, with two of his bodies slain, he couldn’t fathom why Zhang Ruochen was so powerful.
In terms of background and resources, he surpassed Zhang Ruochen in every way. Why couldn’t he overcome him?
This battle had nearly shattered Shang Ziqi’s confidence.
“Zhang Ruochen, I will never lose to you!”
Shang Ziqi roared.
A torrent of holy qi surged from his body, pouring into the Five-Colored Merit Stele and Crimson Child Sword, while conjuring a massive flame giant.
The Five-Colored Merit Stele expanded rapidly, becoming a thousand-zhang-tall, five-colored divine mountain, countless secret inscriptions shimmering on its surface.
“Pfft.”
Shang Ziqi spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the Crimson Child Sword.
The sword absorbed the blood, glowing with eerie crimson light, its golden specks turning blood-red.
Triggered by the essence blood, the sword’s vast divine power erupted, merging with crimson flames to form tens of thousands of blood-red infants, as solid as real babies.
These infants radiated terrifying resentment, malice, and evil qi, converging into a fearsome phenomenon that soared into the sky.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen’s eyes grew solemn, sensing a genuine threat.
He hurriedly mobilized his vast holy qi, pouring it into the Fire God Armor and unleashing more to fully activate the Abyss Ancient Sword and Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror.
Having devoured the Soulfire sea, with the divine sun neutralizing its harmful elements, Zhang Ruochen’s holy qi was nearly restored, allowing him to fight without restraint.
The Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror flew out, meeting the Five-Colored Merit Stele.
The Fire God Armor unleashed towering divine fire, forming a flame divine dragon and elephant to confront Shang Ziqi’s flame giant.
Zhang Ruochen himself, wielding the Abyss Ancient Sword, charged straight at Shang Ziqi.
“Die!”
Shang Ziqi bellowed.
Swinging the Crimson Child Sword, tens of thousands of blood-red infants flew out, shrieking as if hellish imps intent on dragging Zhang Ruochen into the abyss.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze was resolute, unaffected, entering a state of unity with his sword as he unleashed his strongest strike.
“Sword Ten.”
Through relentless combat, Zhang Ruochen’s mastery of Sword Ten had deepened, its power growing with each use.
“Boom.”
No matter how powerful the Crimson Child Sword’s force, it crumbled rapidly before the Abyss Ancient Sword. The blood-red infants shattered, their resentment, malice, and evil qi dissipating.
Even the portions that reached Zhang Ruochen were blocked by the Fire God Armor, causing minimal harm.
Finally, Zhang Ruochen closed in, his sword tip aimed at Shang Ziqi’s brow.
Terror flashed in Shang Ziqi’s eyes as he desperately retreated.
But no matter how he fled, Zhang Ruochen pursued relentlessly, like a parasite he couldn’t shake.
“Clink.”
The Abyss Ancient Sword reached Shang Ziqi’s brow but didn’t pierce through.
Shang Ziqi had timely placed the bone talisman at his brow, precisely blocking the sword.
Intricate runes surfaced on the talisman, attempting to entangle the Abyss Ancient Sword.
“Hmph.”
Zhang Ruochen let out a heavy snort. The purple divine stone in the sword’s hilt unleashed a terrifying secret force.
“Crack.”
Before the talisman’s power could fully manifest, it was shattered by the purple divine stone’s force.
The impact nearly shattered Shang Ziqi’s skull, sending him flying like a cannonball.
…
*The new book **Heavenly Emperor Saga** has been released. I hope all readers will support Xiao Yu at Qidian Chinese Network or QQ Reading.*
**Heavenly Emperor Saga Synopsis**: Humans are divided into nine ranks.
Below the seventh rank are mortals.
Ranks four to six are Superiors.
Superiors breathe and refine heaven and earth’s primal qi, tempering their flesh to transform their bodies, extending their lifespan to live a hundred years without dying.
Above the third rank are True Ones.
True Ones speak words of absolute truth and achieve longevity.
Once a fourth-rank Superior, Lin Ke was one step from becoming a True One, gaining longevity. But his master, True One Yi Yi, branded a “Nine” on his face, demoting him to the lowest ninth-rank commoner, equal to prostitutes, beggars, slaves, and prisoners.
“Murdering the sect leader.”
“Defiling the sect leader’s wife, Lady Qinglian.”
“Abolishing his cultivation and expelling him from Cloud Mirror Sect.”
“Demoting him to a ninth-rank commoner.”
In just three days, Lin Ke’s world collapsed, plummeting from Cloud Mirror Sect’s top genius and one of its ten strongest to a reviled traitor, all due to false charges imposed by his master, True One Yi Yi.
