After a moment’s contemplation, Zhang Ruochen said, “No one can take Kunlun Realm’s legacy.”
“Thank you, Brother Zhang,” Xue Wuye hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
With Zhang Ruochen’s assurance, Xue Wuye breathed a secret sigh of relief. If the Flying Immortal Sword Art were to spread outside, he would become a sinner of Wansiang City, unable to face his ancestors.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen seemed to recall something. With a wave of his hand, he produced a corpse and said, “Since we’ve met, I’ll trouble you to take him back to Wansiang City for burial.”
“This is… the second disciple of the Sword Emperor, Xue Lanshan,” Xue Wuye said, shocked.
Though young and never having met Xue Lanshan in person, Xue Wuye recognized him instantly from the portraits in Wansiang City.
Xue Wuye sighed, “Master Lanshan has been missing for over three hundred years. I never imagined he had already passed. Where did Brother Zhang find his body?”
Xue Lanshan was a legendary figure, his swordsmanship talent rivaling the Sword Emperor’s. After the Sword Emperor’s disappearance, he quickly became Wansiang City’s top powerhouse.
Just when everyone thought Xue Lanshan would master Sword Nine and become a second Sword Emperor, he vanished, his fate unknown, causing a significant impact on Wansiang City.
“I found Xue Lanshan’s body years ago on a ghost ship in the Yin-Yang Sea,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Xue Wuye’s eyes showed traces of sorrow. “Master Lanshan was among the top powerhouses below Great Saint level when he disappeared. He must have gone to the Yin-Yang Sea seeking a chance to break through to Great Saint, but sadly, he failed.”
With Xue Lanshan’s talent, breaking through to Great Saint would not have been too difficult if not for Kunlun Realm’s restrictive environment.
Xue Wuye respectfully bowed to Xue Lanshan’s body before storing it away.
Once the crisis in the Central Imperial City was resolved, he would return it to Wansiang City.
By entrusting Xue Lanshan’s body to Xue Wuye, Zhang Ruochen fulfilled a promise, easing a burden on his heart. Only by keeping his word could his state of mind remain truly complete and flawless.
The doors of the cultivation chamber opened, and Jiutian Xuannu, Yin Yuanchen, and others entered.
Seeing Xue Wuye fully recovered, their eyes showed astonishment, wondering what method Zhang Ruochen had used.
Regardless, Xue Wuye’s survival was cause for joy.
Zhang Ruochen looked at Jiutian Xuannu and Yin Yuanchen, asking, “Where is Guxin Ao now?”
“Are you planning to deal with Guxin Ao?” Yin Yuanchen asked.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “Not exactly ‘deal with.’ I just want to reclaim what doesn’t belong to him.”
“Guxin Ao should still be in the Tianle Palace,” Yin Yuanchen said.
The Tianle Palace, a renowned floating restaurant in the Third District, was a lavish place for saint realm powerhouses to indulge. Since the influx of Heavenly Court cultivators, it had become a hub for major figures, even more bustling than before.
Yin Yuanchen had previously rescued Xue Wuye there, and given Guxin Ao’s temperament, he likely wouldn’t leave soon.
Jiutian Xuannu’s expression shifted, and she asked softly, “What do you plan to do?”
With Zhang Ruochen already making many enemies, she hoped he wouldn’t stir more trouble.
“Kunlun Realm’s people cannot be bullied, nor its treasures plundered. Continued tolerance will only embolden others to act more recklessly,” Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
Yet his tone carried an undeniable resolve.
Jiutian Xuannu fell silent, reflecting on the court’s recent struggles, Chi Kongle’s ordeal in Lianzhu Mansion, and Xue Wuye’s severe injuries. Things could not continue this way.
Otherwise, Kunlun Realm would be drained by the Heavenly Court’s realms before the Infernal Realm could destroy it.
Of course, those wishing to defect to stronger realms couldn’t be forced to fight for Kunlun.
With a wave, Zhang Ruochen produced a golden scroll made from the hide of a top saint beast king, interwoven with intricate, natural patterns.
Upon its appearance, it radiated powerful pressure, forcing Xue Wuye’s sword attendants to retreat.
Using his finger as a pen, Zhang Ruochen wrote characters on the scroll with his saintly blood.
As he finished the final character, the scroll glowed brilliantly, transforming into a decree.
Anyone could sense the terrifying saintly power within, likely too much for even an ordinary Immortal Great Saint to withstand.
Since reaching the saint realm, this was Zhang Ruochen’s first time crafting a decree—a blood-sealed one at that.
With such a decree, he could dominate below Great Saint level.
With a thought, Zhang Ruochen summoned a massive entity from the Qiankun Realm—a fearsome divine python, Xie Ling.
Recently, Xie Ling had devoured many powerful saint souls and been nourished by numerous treasures, growing stronger and more attuned to the divine python’s remains, unleashing even greater divine power.
“Master, your orders?” Xie Ling asked respectfully, head bowed.
Having implanted a Blood God Curse Seal in Xie Ling’s saint soul, Zhang Ruochen ensured his absolute loyalty.
With a flick, Zhang Ruochen tossed the blood-sealed decree to Xie Ling, transmitting a message via mental strength.
Without hesitation, Xie Ling carried the decree atop his head, slithering out of Zichen Hall and the Ziwei Imperial Palace.
Jiutian Xuannu and the others were puzzled, unaware of the decree’s contents but sensing that something major was about to unfold, likely shaking the entire Central Imperial City.
After defeating Yan Wushen, was Zhang Ruochen finally establishing his authority?
Meanwhile, in the Tianle Palace, Sword God Realm cultivators reveled, carefree.
In the most luxurious pavilion, the atmosphere was quiet, with only two figures seated across from each other, no music or dance.
The man on the left was a cold, handsome youth with phoenix eyes and a distinct sword mark on his brow, exuding a sharp aura like an unsheathed divine sword, invincible. He was Guxin Ao, the Little Sword Sovereign of the Sword God Realm.
Opposite him sat a gaunt, sinister man in a dark cyan robe, faintly displaying intricate array patterns, giving the impression he existed in a different space. He was Zhou Zhen, a formidable array master from the Array Extinguishing Palace.
The Array Extinguishing Palace, founded in the Middle Ages by multiple array heavenly masters, was a holy land for array cultivators, closely tied to the Heavenly Palace, producing many array saints.
Zhou Zhen, the palace’s most outstanding disciple of his generation, had array talent rivaling Lu Baiming of the Five Elements Temple.
“Brother Zhou’s arrival in Kunlun Realm ensures our success. A toast to you,” Guxin Ao said, raising his cup with a smile.
Zhou Zhen, stoic, downed his wine.
“Kunlun Realm, a world unextinguished for eons, still has a chance to rise despite the Middle Ages calamity,” Zhou Zhen said grimly.
Guxin Ao nodded, “No one expected Kunlun to have dual world spirits. When the Blackheart Demon Lord led Huang Tian to sever the Heavenly Connection Divine Tree, we thought Kunlun would decline. Yet a new world spirit root, the Pan-Peach Tree, revived it.”
“But if the Pan-Peach Tree is cut down, Kunlun will truly be doomed.”
A world spirit root is vital for any great realm, the foundation for producing deities. After the Heavenly Connection Divine Tree’s fall, Kunlun entered a godless era for ten thousand years until the Pan-Peach Tree birthed new deities.
“Kunlun’s deities must have planned extensively, waiting ten thousand years for a resurgence. Who’s to say those supreme powerhouses all perished in the Middle Ages calamity?” Zhou Zhen said meaningfully.
“During the Middle Ages, Kunlun activated the Sundial, covering the Central Region, nurturing countless powerhouses. They may not all be dead. Kunlun’s depths are far more complex than we imagine.”
Guxin Ao’s heart stirred. Though privy to secrets, he knew less than Zhou Zhen.
After another cup, Zhou Zhen continued, “But none of that matters. Cut down the Pan-Peach Tree, and all Kunlun’s deities’ plans will collapse, ensuring its downfall.”
“The Pan-Peach Tree is in the Central Imperial City. This battle is critical. Once the city falls, no matter how well-hidden the tree is, it will be found, marking Kunlun’s end.”
Zhou Zhen’s eyes were cold, as if relishing the outcome.
“Then, Kunlun’s hidden secrets may surface,” Guxin Ao said, his eyes glinting.
The Paradise Realm faction, not the Infernal Realm, most feared Kunlun’s resurgence.
Who wouldn’t fear retribution?
Disgraceful deeds, once done, must remain buried in history. Anyone trying to unearth them must be destroyed.
At that moment, a slightly plump middle-aged man entered the pavilion.
Guxin Ao snapped, “Chu Xiangyun, why are you here? Get out.”
Chu Xiangyun, the Tianle Palace’s master, was a notable saint in Kunlun Realm, able to establish himself in the Central Imperial City.
“Young Master Gu, I mean no disturbance, but the King of the Eastern Region’s envoy is here, asking you to…” Chu Xiangyun hesitated, sweating profusely.
Hearing “King of the Eastern Region,” Guxin Ao frowned, “What does Zhang Ruochen want?”
Since Zhang Ruochen’s ban in the Eastern Region Saint City, both Heavenly Court and Infernal Realm cultivators knew he held the title of King of the Eastern Region, one of Kunlun’s most powerful figures.
“The envoy asks you to receive the King’s decree immediately,” Chu Xiangyun said tremulously.
*Slap.*
Guxin Ao slammed the table, standing, his aura terrifying.
Who was he? The Sword God Realm’s leader, the renowned Little Sword Sovereign. Even ordinary Great Saints weren’t worthy to make him receive a decree.
As a fellow Saint King, Zhang Ruochen’s demand was an insult.
“Well played, Zhang Ruochen, pushing too far. Does he think no one can handle him?” Guxin Ao’s eyes burned with anger.
Chu Xiangyun trembled under Guxin Ao’s aura, nearly collapsing.
He didn’t want to deliver this message, being insignificant in Guxin Ao’s eyes.
But he had no choice. Compared to Guxin Ao, Zhang Ruochen, the King of the Eastern Region, was far more unprovokable.
“Guxin Ao, come quickly to receive the King’s decree.”
A resonant voice echoed, laced with divine might, shaking the heavens and rattling everyone in the Tianle Palace.
Guxin Ao stepped out, spotting Xie Ling’s massive divine python form, his eyes narrowing. He could feel the immense power, posing a slight threat.
“I’m not a Kunlun cultivator. Tell Zhang Ruochen to stop flaunting his title. If he has business, let him come himself,” Guxin Ao said forcefully.
Zhang Ruochen was formidable, but Guxin Ao wasn’t easily cowed. Receiving a decree would cost him face if word spread.
Xie Ling, coiled in midair, looked down at Guxin Ao, the blood-sealed decree rising, “Guxin Ao, receive the decree.”
The decree blazed with golden light, radiating vast pressure like an ancient divine mountain, pressing down on Guxin Ao.
“Hmph.”
Guxin Ao snorted, releasing a hundred-zhang sword beam.
The beam, unstoppable, sliced through space, forcing even ordinary Immortal Great Saints to retreat.
Yet, before reaching the decree, it dissipated, causing no damage.
Guxin Ao’s expression tightened, feeling immense pressure.
With a flip, he drew a purple-gold saint sword, activating it with saintly energy, slashing at the decree.
The sword, inscribed with two hundred thousand king-grade runes and entwined with hundreds of thousands of sword rules, unleashed a radiant sword aura.
The decree unfolded, releasing an unmatched force, locking space and crushing everything.
Despite Guxin Ao’s resistance, the decree pressed down, shattering his prized swordsmanship.
“How is this possible?”
Guxin Ao’s heart shook, unable to accept this reality.
If Zhang Ruochen were here, fine, but a mere decree rendering him immobile? Unacceptable.
“The King of the Eastern Region decrees: the Heavenly Palace has heavenly laws, Kunlun Realm has realm rules. Heavenly Court cultivators violating heavenly laws will be dealt with by the Heavenly Palace. Those violating Kunlun’s realm rules will face severe punishment.”
“First rule: No bullying of Kunlun’s native cultivators or plundering its techniques and legacies.”
“Second rule…”
Xie Ling raised his head, proclaiming loudly, his voice echoing through the Central Imperial City.
As the decree fully unfurled, radiant characters shone in the sky, visible to all in the city.
Clearly, Zhang Ruochen’s decree wasn’t just for Guxin Ao but for all Heavenly Court cultivators in the city.
The realm rules were his creation.
Seeing the decree light up the sky, many cultivators thought, “Does Zhang Ruochen intend to suppress all realms single-handedly?”
