Publicly severing his own arm, Zhou Yu burned with shame and indignation.
The humiliation surpassed his defeat at the Blood God Sect.
But he had no choice. Zhang Ruochen was notoriously ruthless, and many Paradise Realm experts had fallen to him.
As the Paradise Realm’s leader, a divine son, and a key figure nurtured by the Temple of Light, Zhou Yu’s status was immense. Yet now, his dignity lay in tatters.
No Paradise Realm leader in ages had endured such disgrace.
“This time, I’ll spare you. But there better not be a next time. Remember my words,” Zhang Ruochen’s voice echoed in his ear.
Despite his resentment, Zhou Yu felt a wave of relief.
Exhaling, he didn’t hesitate, taking Bolan and transforming into a streak of light, fleeing Lianzhu Mansion.
The Paradise Realm had lost all face, and staying would invite ridicule. With Zhang Ruochen lurking, they’d gain little at the council, constrained at every turn.
“What happened? Was Zhou Yu coerced?” a leader wondered.
“With his strength and status, who could force him?” another asked.
“No ordinary person, but one could threaten us all—Zhang Ruochen,” someone gasped.
At the mention of Zhang Ruochen, many leaders paled.
No one was foolish. Only Zhang Ruochen could silently amplify Chi Kongle’s Five-Element Chaos Body and time sword technique.
His forcing Zhou Yu to self-mutilate was a deliberate warning to all: consider the consequences before acting.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. “So, the invincible-below-Great-Saint Zhang Ruochen is already in the Central Imperial City.”
“We must warn our realm’s cultivators to act discreetly in the city, lest they end up like Zhou Yu,” a leader thought.
The ninth mansion’s atmosphere grew heavy, many feeling suffocated by Zhang Ruochen’s shadow. His reckless style daunted even those with prestigious backgrounds, as Zhou Yu’s example showed.
*Whoosh.*
Mist rose over the lake, enveloping Chi Kongle, Zhen Yuan, Cihang, and Wang Shiqi, making them vanish among the red walls and green tiles.
The mist blocked all perception, as if they’d evaporated.
Zhen Yuan, Cihang, and Wang Shiqi, all top-tier experts, sensed something, exchanged glances, and sat at a stone table, waiting.
A tall figure emerged from the mist, stepping on the lake, creating faint ripples. It was Zhang Ruochen, having shed his disguise.
Chi Kongle stared, breath held, teeth biting her lip, eyes reddening.
Zhang Ruochen approached, gazing at her graceful form, his eyes brimming with deep emotion.
He produced a transparent jade box and offered it to her, his fearsome face softening with a tender smile, “Kongle, I wasn’t sure what gift to give you… *chuckle*… Thirsty? I don’t know if this fruit is sweet. Try it.”
Unsure how to be a father, he felt awkward meeting her.
The box held a fist-sized fruit, glowing faintly, immersed in clear liquid.
“Is that… the legendary Great Saint Dao Fruit?” Wang Shiqi’s eyes widened.
As a Confucian sage, he recognized the priceless fruit, said to nearly guarantee Great Saint status with its miraculous effects.
That Zhang Ruochen offered it to quench Chi Kongle’s thirst was madness.
Wang Shiqi, despite his talent, lacked a Great Saint’s Heart, hindering his breakthrough. The fruit could remedy that, paving the way to Great Sainthood.
He gazed at it with longing.
Zhen Yuan and Cihang were also astonished that Zhang Ruochen possessed such a rare treasure.
Chi Kongle didn’t take the box but threw herself into his arms, tears streaming, releasing her grievances.
“Father, I missed you so much. Why didn’t you visit? You promised to take me to Kongle Mountain, to see the lights of ten thousand homes, the rivers and mountains…”
Sobbing, tears fell, her slender frame trembling.
Her cries filled Zhang Ruochen with guilt. He’d been a negligent father, failing his duties.
His heart ached. Despite standing firm, his eyes reddened, tears welling. He hugged her tightly.
“Don’t cry, Kongle. It’s my fault. I’ll keep my promises,” he said, stroking her hair.
Her emotions surged, “Father, I’m so scared I’ll never see you again. Don’t leave me, please?”
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll stay by your side. No one will bully you,” his voice trembled with unspoken emotion.
Seeing her cry, his heart nearly shattered.
She was still a child, undeserving of such burdens.
Henceforth, he’d ensure she faced no more grievances, not even from a god.
Wang Shiqi watched, his gaze complex. Once, he’d branded Zhang Ruochen a traitor, urging Empress Chi Yao to kill him.
Yet now, Kunlun relied on him to hold the line. Confucianism owed him greatly.
Without him, Kunlun’s situation would be dire, with realms plundering unchecked.
At Sword Tomb, he guarded the Nether Dungeon, preventing the Immortal Vampires from freeing the Nether King.
At Xianji Mountain, he thwarted the Deathkin’s plot, sealing their world passage.
At True Dragon Island, he protected the World Gate Key, crushing Hell Realm’s morale.
Every act since his return profoundly shaped Kunlun’s fate.
“Was my vision too narrow?” Wang Shiqi wondered.
Eventually, Chi Kongle calmed, stepping back.
Zhang Ruochen gently patted her head, pressing the jade box into her hands.
Adjusting his emotions, he approached Zhen Yuan and Cihang, smiling, “Brother Zhen Yuan, Sister Cihang, it’s been a while.”
Despite surpassing them, he remained humble.
“Your growth astounds me, Zhang. Since Xianji Mountain, you’ve reached invincible-below-Great-Saint status, defeating Yan Wushen. Only your presence could force Zhou Yu to cut his arm,” Zhen Yuan said.
He’d watched Zhang Ruochen’s rise since the Truth Heavenly Domain, earning Taoism’s recognition.
Chi Kongle, eyes still red, bowed, “Thank you, Uncle Zhen Yuan, for helping me.”
“A small matter. Even without me, Zhang would’ve handled it,” Zhen Yuan said.
“Cihang and I noticed Zhang’s presence, so we came to the lake, encountering this.”
Without spotting Zhang Ruochen, they wouldn’t have lingered among juniors.
Zhang Ruochen turned to Cihang, asking seriously, “Sister Cihang, who is the emperor who attained Buddhahood in the Western Heaven?”
Initially, he assumed the Eight-Dragon Umbrella meant it was Emperor Ming.
But later, he reconsidered. Eight hundred years ago, Kunlun’s nine emperors included seven still unaccounted for, bar Emperor Wen. The one in Western Heaven might not be Emperor Ming but was linked to him.
He needed to know.
Cihang shook her head, “Few in Western Heaven know his identity. I can’t say.”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred. Such secrecy suggested deeper concerns.
Since Kunlun’s unification, Emperors Ming, Wu, Dao, Sword, Evil, Wen, and Qing vanished, with only Wen reappearing recently.
The three empresses—Blood, Soul, and Phantom—were mysteries too. Blood Empress, supposedly dead, lived in the Abyss’s second gradient, while Soul and Phantom were missing.
It was all too strange. Where were the six emperors and two empresses? Were they plotting something?
Zhang Ruochen found no answers. Perhaps meeting the Western Heaven emperor would unravel some mysteries.
After discussing the Hell Realm’s forces with Zhen Yuan and Cihang, he left with Chi Kongle, staying out of the spotlight.
Chi Kongle clung to his arm, her face radiant, free of burdens.
“Father, is the Empress really my mother?”
Though she knew the answer, she wanted his confirmation.
The question halted Zhang Ruochen, stirring his calm heart.
Empress Chi Yao’s past deception was a hurdle he struggled to overcome.
But he wouldn’t hide the truth. Chi Kongle deserved to know.
After a pause, he nodded, “Yes.”
Chi Kongle fell silent. Since learning Zhang Ruochen was her father, she’d investigated, uncovering his and the Empress’s tangled history, which only deepened her confusion.
Why did she and Chi Kunlun exist? If the Empress was so ruthless to Zhang Ruochen, why bear them?
She believed in Zhang Ruochen’s love, and the Empress’s wasn’t false either.
Her greatest wish was family unity, basking in both parents’ love.
But she knew it was a pipe dream. Their conflict was an intractable knot. Could she unravel it?
“Father, do you know where Brother is?” she asked, more concerned for Chi Kunlun’s safety.
“Don’t worry. He’s fine. I’ll reunite you soon,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Rescuing Chi Kunlun from Yan Wushen was a key reason for coming to the Central Imperial City.
If he couldn’t protect those he cared for, how could he guard Kunlun?
For three days, Chi Kongle was overjoyed, with Zhang Ruochen by her side, chatting and sparring, easing her worries.
Though brief, she was content.
Zhang Ruochen stood under a willow, watching her play in the stream, his eyes warm with happiness.
These three days were his most joyful in years.
“If time could freeze here,” he thought.
He’d rather be an ordinary man, cherishing time with loved ones, than the invincible warrior below Great Saint.
A faint sound snapped him back.
A fat rabbit and a towering demonic ape emerged from the woods—Swallowing Heaven Rabbit Guoguo and the Demon Ape.
“Boss, we’re here. What’s the order?” Guoguo said eagerly.
Zhang Ruochen grabbed Guoguo’s scruff, shrinking it, and lifted it with a smile.
“Kongle, come here. I have a gift.”
Chi Kongle ran to the shore, eyes bright with anticipation.
He handed her the fluffy Guoguo, “I’m giving you these two to keep you company.”
Guoguo’s eyes widened, struggling, “What? You called us just to make us pets for a girl?”
“Got a problem? Serve Kongle well. If she’s unhappy, I’llRedo you’re accountable,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Guoguo shrank back, “No way! Just asking, I’ll be a good pet for Princess Kongle. My honor.”
Expecting something grand, Guoguo was dismayed at the outcome.
Chi Kongle took Guoguo, stroking it, “Such a cute bunny, so chubby. I love it. Thank you, Father.”
“Glad you like it,” Zhang Ruochen smiled fondly.
He’d summoned them from Wang Mountain to protect and accompany Chi Kongle, as he couldn’t always be by her side.
He’d considered taking her to the Universe Realm for safety, but she refused to stay out of the Central Imperial City’s crisis.
So, he made this arrangement. Guoguo and Demon Ape, both Dao Domain experts, would keep her safe.
