Zhang Ruochen resealed Luo Ji, entrusting her to Moyin and the Cyan Sky Saint Dragon for strict surveillance, awaiting the Rakshasa Clan’s response.
To prevent further mishaps, he had Moyin search her thoroughly, confiscating all hidden treasures.
As a Rakshasa princess, Luo Ji’s wealth of artifacts surpassed many Great Saints. Even top-tier Saint Kings might struggle against her arsenal, but she’d met her match in Zhang Ruochen, rendering her trump cards useless.
Sensing someone approaching, Zhang Ruochen stepped out of the ruined hall, greeted by a tall, graceful figure.
Each encounter with Fairy Tianchu dazzled him, her ethereal beauty and divine aura captivating.
“Sorry for wrecking Nine-Tune Celestial Star,” he said apologetically.
“No matter. Luoshen’s divine power protects it, restoring any damage swiftly,” she replied. “Congratulations on achieving Swordsmanship Great Completion. Your injuries seem healed.”
She’d guarded his seclusion, never expecting such a dramatic emergence.
“A minor epiphany during recovery, nothing much,” Zhang Ruochen said.
He’d aimed to advance Sword Ten, with the million sword rules an unexpected boon.
Many geniuses neared Great Completion, but few crossed the final threshold. Zhang Ruochen’s swift mastery defied logic.
Fairy Tianchu gazed at the vast sky, her eyes deep and serene. “Walk with me on Nine-Tune Celestial Star?” she asked softly.
“Of course,” he agreed instantly.
Putting aside his tasks, Zhang Ruochen strolled beside her along an ancient stone path, the faintly fragrant air calming his mind.
Unlike past meetings, they were closer now, their conversations flowing freely.
Gradually, Zhang Ruochen let down his guard, bridging the gap between them.
Their leisurely walk drew eyes from Tianchu Civilization cultivators. The striking pair—him heroic, her divine—seemed a celestial couple, sparking envy.
“I’ve never seen Her Highness so close to a man. Zhang Ruochen might become our prince consort,” Butcher analyzed.
Fool chuckled, “Only someone like him matches Her Highness. Imagine the faces of her suitors hearing this.”
“None compare to Zhang Ruochen. Her Highness will inherit the Tianzhu throne; ordinary men can’t stand beside her,” Butcher huffed.
Both were thrilled at the prospect of their union.
With Zhang Ruochen’s prowess, despite his enemies, Tianchu Civilization would embrace him, fearless of any threat.
Before a divine river, Zhang Ruochen presented a brocade box. “This contains a Great Saint Dao Fruit. Refine it, and you’ll reach Saint King peak swiftly, easing your path to Great Saint.”
“Where did you get it?” Fairy Tianchu asked, surprised.
“Don’t worry about its origin. Just refine it,” he said.
She met his gaze briefly before accepting the box.
As Tianchu’s celestial maiden, she knew a Great Saint Dao Fruit’s rarity—formed over millennia from a buried Great Saint, surpassing even a saint source in value.
She sensed its extraordinary essence, likely from a formidable Great Saint.
With Luoshen’s inheritance, she’d reached Jietian Realm. Her talent ensured Lin Dao Realm was a matter of time, now hastened by the fruit.
Her rule cultivation still depended on her potential.
“Thank you,” she said.
“We don’t need such formalities,” Zhang Ruochen smiled.
Her own words echoed back, drawing a faint smile. It signaled their growing closeness.
She studied his eyes, lips parting slightly.
“Something to say?” he asked.
She shook her head.
She’d wanted to warn him of his rising killing intent, teetering on obsession, but held back.
Urging him to stop killing was futile. If Tianchu faced Kunlun’s plight, she’d embrace the same darkness.
After a pause, she said, “I know external pressures drive you to grow stronger at all costs. But cultivation requires gradual progress. Rushing risks an unstable mind, with unpredictable consequences.”
“I’ll remember,” he replied.
For ten days, they were inseparable—strolling, discussing martial arts, or exploring mental cultivation—stunning Tianchu’s cultivators.
Then, Fairy Tianchu entered a golden divine gate to cultivate in seclusion.
Zhang Ruochen, with Moyin and the Cyan Sky Saint Dragon, left Luoshui.
The Rakshasa Clan had agreed early to trade the Saint Path Ancient Tea Tree for Luo Ji, but he’d been preoccupied with Fairy Tianchu.
With Luo Ji in hand, the exchange could wait. The tree, held by a Rakshasa god, required precautions against tampering.
He messaged Saint Book Talent, who confirmed a Confucian treasure could verify the tree.
She also shared joyful news: Luo Xu had returned, bringing *Ten Thousand Lights*, and would meet him in Eastern Domain Holy City.
Thus, Zhang Ruochen headed there, a secure site for the trade.
After healing, Jiang Yunchong was released from the jungle world, joining the journey.
Despite Luoshui’s distance, Zhang Ruochen’s enhanced spatial mastery, refined during his sword epiphany, made the trip swift.
Eastern Domain Holy City, a treasure star over ten thousand li wide, had fallen from the heavens in ancient times, boasting a rich cultivation environment.
Post-Kunlun revival, it birthed a hundred-thousand-year saint herb daily, luring Celestial and Infernal powerhouses.
Lacking top Kunlun experts, most herbs were claimed by outsiders, stunting Kunlun’s growth.
Post-Yan Wushen’s attack, the city was on high alert, with stricter entry checks at the eight crossings.
Enhanced inscriptions deterred forced entries, fueling discontent among Saint Realm cultivators.
At Tiankun Crossing, Zhang Ruochen returned to bustling crowds and strained ferries.
“I’m from Yunlei Realm, a Lei Clan heir. Arrange a ferry now!” one demanded.
“You dare make me wait? I’ll raze this crossing!” another threatened.
“Entry’s always a hassle. How do Kunlun’s cultivators manage?” a third complained.
Before reaching the crossing, Zhang Ruochen heard impatient voices.
Kunlun’s registrars, under the saints’ pressure, trembled.
“Swish.”
A silver-haired Saint King seized a Kunlun Half-Saint like a chick. “Ignoring me? Delay my business, and ten deaths won’t atone,” he snarled.
His audacity was brazen.
Suddenly, he froze, sensing danger.
His gaze locked onto Zhang Ruochen.
“Zhang… Zhang Ruochen,” he stammered, wary.
All eyes turned to Zhang Ruochen.
His reputation preceded him. His Luoshui feats—battling Ming Yao, Ming Buddha, and defeating Yan Wushen—awed all.
As he approached, the crowd parted, none daring to obstruct.
Nearing the silver-haired Saint King, Zhang Ruochen remained calm, ignoring him.
“From today, non-Kunlun cultivators are limited to 800 daily entries to Eastern Domain Holy City, 100 per crossing. This is my decree, not to be repeated,” he announced softly, yet clearly.
“Why restrict us?” a cultivator challenged.
“As Eastern Domain King, I rule the East,” Zhang Ruochen declared.
His strength and momentum allowed him to assert authority, setting rules while his reputation peaked.
“Too domineering. The city isn’t yours,” one protested.
“Don’t overstep. You can’t handle the backlash,” another warned.
“We’ll enter regardless,” a third insisted.
The city’s opportunities—abundant saint herbs—were irresistible.
Many, from powerful backgrounds, didn’t fear Zhang Ruochen, citing Heavenly Palace laws against infighting.
“Too few slots? Pay 10,000 saint stones for entry,” Zhang Ruochen offered.
The crowd’s anger flared.
Saints could afford 10,000 stones, but submitting to such rules wounded their pride.
Kunlun’s cultivators, however, cheered, fed up with outsiders’ arrogance but previously powerless.
Ignoring protests, Zhang Ruochen ordered the Cyan Sky Saint Dragon, “Enforce this. Suppress any troublemakers, banning them permanently.”
“Yes, Master,” the dragon-man bowed.
His sweeping gaze and draconic aura cowed the crowd.
Recognized for defeating Moro, his top-tier strength silenced dissent.
Cultivators realized Zhang Ruochen was serious, asserting dominion to curb reckless plundering of the city’s resources.
