Seeing Nalan Danqing sobbing uncontrollably, Zhang Ruochen felt a pang in his heart. He knew her emotions were suppressed to the breaking point.
As a figure in the Court, she could never show such vulnerability publicly. Only now, with no one else around, could she release her pent-up grief.
And she did so only before him.
This showed Zhang Ruochen held a special place in her heart.
“With my current strength, I’m far from able to protect those I care about. I must become stronger. Without becoming a god, I’ll remain an ant,” Zhang Ruochen thought, gazing skyward with a distant look.
As time passed, the Kunlun Realm’s situation would only grow graver. Facing the Inferno Realm’s relentless assaults, how long could they hold out? No one could say.
A hundred thousand years ago, the Kunlun Realm, brimming with powerhouses, still fell to the Inferno Realm. Could they defy fate now?
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Zhang Ruochen crouched down and said softly, “Senior Chu died for the Path, his righteousness enduring, worthy of song and tears. We should carry on his will, turning grief into strength to fight the Inferno Realm to the end, ensuring his blood wasn’t shed in vain.”
As he spoke, he stepped closer to Nalan Danqing, catching the faint fragrance of her presence. Feeling pity, he instinctively reached out, using his sleeve to gently wipe the tears from her eyes.
He recalled their first meeting, when Nalan Danqing seemed an untouchable goddess from the heavens, and he dared not harbor the slightest irreverence.
Times had changed. Now, Zhang Ruochen’s name struck fear across the Celestial and Inferno Realms, while Nalan Danqing appeared delicate in his eyes.
She slowly raised her head, a blush spreading across her breathtaking face. She turned aside, avoiding his touch.
Her emotions gradually settled, the crying easing her heart.
“Knowing he couldn’t escape, Senior Paint Saint used secret means to let a Paint Sect disciple escape with the Seven Lives Seven Deaths Chart, keeping the treasure from the Rakshasa Clan,” she murmured, producing an ancient painting.
Zhang Ruochen was no stranger to the chart. He and Ling Feiyu had lived seven lifetimes in its illusory world. Though not real, the experiences felt vivid, etched deeply in his memory.
Seeing the Seven Lives Seven Deaths Chart again stirred complex emotions, but the stubborn, boastful “Old Man Chu” was gone forever.
Zhang Ruochen sighed softly. “Senior Chu entrusted the chart to you, and with it, the hope of the Paint Sect. Its disciples are scattered across the world. The Rakshasa Clan may have destroyed the sect’s base, but it cannot truly extinguish the Paint Sect.”
“Danqing, as Chu’s successor, if you call, Paint Sect disciples worldwide will rally to rebuild the sect. That’s the best way to honor his spirit.”
The four Confucian sects had stood in the Kunlun Realm for millions of years, weathering countless storms, their foundations unfathomably deep. Their teachings had spread to other worlds, ensuring Confucianism’s survival even if the Kunlun Realm fell.
In the medieval catastrophe, the Piano, Chess, and Book Sects suffered, their Sacred Path Ancient Tea Trees destroyed, yet they rebuilt, remaining powerful and leading Confucianism.
“I won’t let Senior Paint Saint’s efforts be in vain. After this calamity, the Paint Sect will rise stronger,” Nalan Danqing said, standing with resolute eyes.
Zhang Ruochen rose, saying solemnly, “Senior Chu was kind to me. I’ll avenge him. Where is Great Prince Moro now? I’ll take his head to honor Chu.”
Today, he was well-versed in the Inferno Realm’s top powerhouses, including Great Prince Moro.
A top-tier figure below the Great Saint realm, Moro’s fame was less than Yan Wushen’s but not to be underestimated.
Over centuries, Moro had led merit battlefields in multiple worlds, his cruel hobby being to slice and eat the flesh of captured foes in their presence.
“Great Prince Moro isn’t in the Kunlun Realm. He’s escorting the Sacred Path Ancient Tea Tree back to the Inferno Realm,” Nalan Danqing said, shaking her head.
Zhang Ruochen frowned. “Keep an eye on Moro. The moment he appears, inform me. I’ll slay him.”
His resolve wasn’t for Confucianism or the Court but out of respect for Chu Siyuan’s integrity and to repay past kindness.
Nalan Danqing nodded gently. “The Confucian situation is chaotic. I must return to handle it. Take care.”
Since the Paint Sect’s destruction spread, Confucian scholars were enraged, seeking vengeance for Chu Siyuan. More great and saintly Confucians were heading to the Southern Domain. Any misstep could further damage Confucianism.
If not for the Key to the World Gate’s importance, Nalan Danqing wouldn’t have left Confucian matters to come to the Yin-Yang Sea.
“Take care too. If you face trouble, send word. You know, if you call, I’ll come, even through mountains of blades or seas of fire,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Though she was tied to the Court and Chi Yao, he couldn’t ignore her troubles.
Today, he dared to express his true feelings.
Perhaps this was a breakthrough in his state of mind. Without it, even at the Path’s Threshold realm, he might never reach Great Saint.
Nalan Danqing trembled, warmth flooding her heart. His words were enough.
What more could she ask for?
Yet, a thousand-year rift, a chasm carved by Chi Yao and Zhang Ruochen, split the Kunlun Realm, dooming their bond to a tragic end.
“Farewell. Perhaps this parting in the imperial city will be forever,” she thought bitterly, unable to voice it. With a wry smile, she didn’t turn back, fearing he’d see her tears, and steered the boat into the mist.
Zhang Ruochen stood on the sea, gazing after her, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Chu Siyuan’s death struck him deeply, fueling his desire to grow stronger—not just himself but those around him, to survive this chaotic era.
With a deep breath, he set aside his thoughts and headed for Silver Dragon Island.
Ao Xinyan was waiting to guide him.
Zhang Ruochen briefly recounted True Dragon Island’s events, delighting her.
Though the Key to the World Gate was no longer there, it was the Dragon Clan’s holy land, and she didn’t want outsiders trespassing.
The divine array’s resealing was the best outcome.
Upon landing, Zhang Ruochen met Devouring Sky Dragon and several Ancestral Dragon Mountain dragon kings, clearly waiting for him, their purpose obvious.
With a flick of his hand, he produced a spatial orb, releasing the rescued Ancestral Dragon Mountain dragons.
Though the mountain had faced catastrophe, the Inferno Realm sought their divine dragon blood to open True Dragon Island, sparing most. They could rebuild.
Seeing so many dragons saved, Devouring Sky Dragon and the kings were overjoyed, yet their emotions grew complex. Ancestral Dragon Mountain had once opposed Zhang Ruochen, yet he saved them.
After a moment’s silence, Devouring Sky Dragon stepped forward, bowing its proud head. “Words cannot express our gratitude. Whatever you command, Ancestral Dragon Mountain will obey.”
Zhang Ruochen said calmly, “The Kunlun Realm is in turmoil. Past grudges should be set aside to fight the Inferno Realm together.”
“From now on, Ancestral Dragon Mountain will oppose the Inferno Realm to the death,” Devouring Sky Dragon vowed firmly.
Having nearly been wiped out, how could they let such a grudge rest?
Given Ancestral Dragon Mountain’s destruction and the Kun föräldrar
System: lun Realm’s dire situation, Ao Xinyan decided to let the Ancestral Dragon Mountain dragons stay temporarily on Silver Dragon Island.
After all, their veins carried traces of divine dragon blood, deserving care in such times.
At Ao Xinyan’s summons, all the powerhouses who returned from True Dragon Island gathered in the main hall of Silver Dragon Palace.
Her gaze swept over them, her tone grave. “The Key to the World Gate concerns the Kunlun Realm’s survival. I urge you all to keep it secret and not reveal it to anyone. Otherwise, all our efforts may be for naught.”
Everyone nodded solemnly. Despite their diverse origins, their desire to protect the Kunlun Realm was unified.
Zhang Ruochen’s battle with the Child of Darkness showcased his unmatched strength, earning their trust. No one was better suited to safeguard the Key to the World Gate.
The matter of the key was, for now, settled. Death Zen Ancestor and Heavenly Fate Corpse Emperor didn’t linger on Silver Dragon Island, as they had other pressing matters.
Before leaving, they pledged to assist Zhang Ruochen if anything related to the key arose.
Zhang Ruochen also planned to leave Silver Dragon Island with Xiao Hei, taking the Key to the World Gate.
The Dark Temple’s gods were formidable. Leaving the key in the Yin-Yang Sea risked detection. Transferring it was wiser, and Zhang Ruochen had a destination in mind.
Since being taken from True Dragon Island, the short, thin elder had revealed his true form: an ancient stone key covered in natural dao patterns, perfectly harmonizing with the world’s rules.
Cultivating near the key enhanced comprehension of sacred path rules, even supreme or ancient paths, with double the results for half the effort.
Wherever the key resided, heaven and earth’s sacred qi would gather endlessly, transforming even mundane places into cultivation sanctuaries over time.
If used well, it could nurture a legion of powerhouses.
Ao Xinyan waved her hand, producing an intricate spatial teleportation array. “Leader, this is what you entrusted to me when you left the Dragon-Human Clan. Now it returns to you.”
This was no ordinary array but one left by Saint Monk Xumi.
In the Azure Dragon Ruins Realm, Zhang Ruochen and others found a spatial teleportation array underground. Activating it sent them to the distant Golden Radiance Ruins Realm, then through multiple teleports to the desolate White Chang Star.
Above White Chang Star lay the vast Yellow Spring Star River and a grand Ghost Gate, shrouded in mysteries.
They later teleported back to the Kunlun Realm, landing in the Endless Abyss.
To return to White Chang Star, they preserved the array from the abyss.
During his last visit to the Yin-Yang Sea, under Ancestral Dragon Mountain’s pressure, Zhang Ruochen used the array to escape, leaving it with the Dragon-Human Clan.
Years later, seeing it again stirred thoughts of the Ghost Gate. Back then, he was too weak to challenge it.
The gatekeeper had said only those at the Saint King realm could attempt it, and even then, it was perilous.
Zhang Ruochen wondered who built the Ghost Gate and why. Was it truly linked to the Inferno Realm?
With his current strength, he might unravel those mysteries.
Seeing the array, Xiao Hei’s eyes lit up, and it swiftly claimed it.
“Heh, you two take your time saying goodbye. This emperor won’t intrude,” Xiao Hei said, vanishing instantly.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “Thank you.”
“Leader, do we need such formalities?” Ao Xinyan said, rolling her eyes.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “Xinyan, congratulations on becoming the disciple of that forbidden figure. I hope one day the Dragon Clan rises again through you, reclaiming its former glory.”
“Without your help, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I’m bound by my master’s orders to guard the Yin-Yang Sea. Otherwise, I’d love to roam with you like before,” Ao Xinyan sighed.
As the Dragon Princess, she bore heavy responsibilities, no longer free as she once was.
Zhang Ruochen said, “There’ll be chances later. For now, you must grow stronger to fulfill your master’s orders. Our paths are long, and we’re only at the start.”
His eyes gleamed with ambition. His goal wasn’t just godhood but to become a titan among gods, the only way to master his fate.
