At this moment, Kong Lanyou and the others fell silent. The secrets Xiao Hei revealed were staggering—if they spread, they’d ignite an unimaginable uproar.
These events, dating back 100,000 years, were shrouded in the mists of time. Many truths were buried, likely known only to beings who were powerful then and still alive today.
After a while, Xiao Hei’s emotions settled, and it continued, “I was deeply indebted to the Empress and vowed to follow her as her guardian.”
“In that era, everyone was awed by the Empress’s talent and grace. But when the Heaven-Connecting Divine Tree was felled, Kunlun Realm’s fortune waned, losing the conditions for godhood. Though the Empress had the strength to slay gods, she couldn’t ascend in Kunlun Realm. That’s likely why she left for the Netherworld.”
“Though she’s been gone for 100,000 years, I believe she’s still alive. One day, she’ll return.”
Xiao Hei had slipped away earlier to the Netherworld, partly to find Han Xue but mainly to seek news of the Thousand-Bones Empress.
Regrettably, it found no valuable leads, not even confirmation of her survival.
“Don’t be sad, Xiao Hei. Senior Empress will surely return,” Han Xue comforted softly.
Having inherited the Thousand-Bones Empress’s legacy, including the *Godfall Scripture* and Void Sword, Han Xue, though Zhang Ruochen’s disciple, was effectively the Empress’s successor.
With the same physique as the Empress, Han Xue longed to meet the peerless legend and aspired to reach her heights one day.
Zhang Ruochen sighed, “I wonder what caused Kunlun Realm’s devastating defeat against Hell Realm 100,000 years ago.”
“I’d love to know too, but I was already sealed by then,” Xiao Hei said. “I’m sure there’s more to it. Kunlun Realm was so mighty, with figures like the Ten Tribulations Heaven-Questioning Lord, the Yin-Yang Sea’s taboo figure, and Old Monk Xumi. How could it lose so badly?”
Little was known about Kunlun Realm’s peerless powerhouses from 100,000 years ago, as if a hidden hand had deliberately obscured its history.
Zhang Ruochen knew one person likely held the truth: Moon Goddess. But she deemed him too weak to share such secrets.
He understood this was her way of protecting him. Knowing too much with insufficient strength could bring not just worry but mortal danger.
His mind racing, Zhang Ruochen looked at Kong Lanyou and the others, deadly serious. “What Xiao Hei shared stays here. Not a word to anyone.”
Kong Lanyou and the others nodded firmly, understanding the gravity of these 100,000-year-old secrets.
The hall fell quiet.
After a long pause, Zhang Ruochen turned to Kong Lanyou, asking earnestly, “Lanyou, do you know anything about my father?”
The events of 100,000 years ago were nearly impossible to unravel, but the mysteries of 800 years ago still held hope of resolution.
Those events, tied to his own life and those he cared about, weighed heavier on Zhang Ruochen’s heart.
Above all, he needed to know Emperor Ming’s fate and whereabouts.
Why did Emperor Ming vanish suddenly, right after Zhang Ruochen was killed by Chi Yao? When did he finish that chess game with Emperor Qing? Why did both seek to lose? Was there a connection?
Only Emperor Ming or Emperor Qing could provide answers.
But centuries later, Emperor Ming remained missing, and Emperor Qing hadn’t appeared in years, nearly forgotten.
Kong Lanyou shook her head. “Uncle vanished 800 years ago. No one knows where he went. I spent years investigating his disappearance but found nothing.”
“Master’s disappearance was too abrupt, without any instructions to us,” Jin Yu sighed.
Zhang Ruochen frowned, disappointed though not surprised. He sighed inwardly, “It seems I’ll need to become a Great Saint and visit Western Heaven Buddha Realm myself for answers.”
“Don’t worry too much, Cousin. I believe Uncle is fine,” Kong Lanyou reassured.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes lit up. “There’s one person who might resolve my doubts.”
“Who?” Bao Lie asked eagerly.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression grew complex. “My former teacher, now the court’s Saint King Que.”
“Crown Prince Tutor Shangguan Que? He knows everything?” Jin Yu asked, skeptical.
Though Shangguan Que held high status, if even Emperor Ming’s disciples were ignorant of those events, how would he know?
Zhang Ruochen explained, “Because he’s a member of Dragon Guardian Pavilion’s Heavenly Gang Hall. Father ordered the pavilion to move Saint Ming’s treasury to build a special altar. I believe my teacher knows many secrets. I must visit the Shangguan Clan.”
He’d learned this from Lu Huaiyu, a descendant of his sixth senior brother, who revealed Shangguan Que’s pavilion membership.
Moreover, Shangguan Que had compiled the *Blood Clan Secret Scroll*, giving him access to far more secrets than most.
Meeting Shangguan Que would surely clarify many of Zhang Ruochen’s questions.
“In that case, we’ll go with you, Junior Brother. Hopefully, Shangguan Que knows something,” Jin Yu said promptly.
Like Zhang Ruochen, they were eager to uncover the truths of 800 years ago. With Shangguan Que as a lead, they had every reason to meet him.
After brief preparations, Zhang Ruochen and his group set out quietly for the Shangguan Clan.
Xiao Hei, still somber, didn’t join them.
Han Xue stayed to keep Xiao Hei company and guard Peacock Manor.
To avoid attention, Zhang Ruochen used a pre-set cross-domain teleportation array to depart directly from Peacock Manor.
His prominence made discretion necessary to avoid trouble.
With his mastery of the Path of Space, even non-fixed teleportation had minimal error.
The Shangguan Clan was located in the southern part of Zhouwan Holy Land, echoing the Blood God Sect in the north.
Unlike other Saint Ming remnants, the Shangguan Clan not only avoided losses after Saint Ming’s fall but thrived.
The former Crown Prince Tutor Shangguan Que had transformed into Saint King Que, a revered figure. It was unclear what deal he’d struck with the Chiqing Central Empire.
Initially, Zhang Ruochen thought Shangguan Que betrayed Saint Ming for self-preservation, siding with the Chiqing Central Empire.
But learning he was part of the Dragon Guardian Pavilion suggested otherwise—perhaps it was all part of Emperor Ming’s hidden plan.
