Qing Sixue stepped forward, slightly bowing in a courteous gesture, her face beaming with a smile. “Thank you, Brother Ruochen, for looking after my senior brother.”
Surprisingly, despite her imposing and masculine appearance, her voice was soft and melodious.
“I haven’t really looked after Chunan. On the contrary, he’s helped me a great deal. I should be the one thanking him,” Zhang Ruochen said.
He wasn’t being polite. In the Kunlun Realm, Xiang Chunan had indeed aided him numerous times, risking life and limb without seeking any reward.
Xiang Chunan’s face grew stern. “We’re brothers, Big Brother. If you keep talking like that, I’ll get upset.”
Hearing this, a wave of warmth surged in Zhang Ruochen’s heart. To have such a brother was a blessing from the heavens.
“Outside the imperial city, you faced a crowd alone, slaying seven top Hell Realm powerhouses. Big Brother, I can’t even imagine how strong you’ve become,” Feng Yan said.
Compared to their time in the Northern Region, Zhang Ruochen was now unfathomably powerful. Despite Feng Yan’s own significant progress, he couldn’t see through him at all.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “It’s all driven by necessity. Too many want me dead. To survive, I have to keep getting stronger.”
Anyone could hear the helplessness in his words.
People saw only his shining achievements, unaware of the hardships, sweat, and near-death experiences he endured to reach his current strength.
“Big Brother, let’s cross the sea first, then find a place to catch up and have a few drinks,” Feng Yan suggested.
Xiang Chunan immediately chimed in, “We must! It’s been ages since I drank heartily. This time, we’ll drink till we drop!”
“Alright, Big Brother’s with you,” Zhang Ruochen said.
No matter what, he didn’t want to dampen his sworn brothers’ spirits.
Without delay, the four headed toward the shore.
Wherever they passed, cultivators parted, none daring to provoke them.
Many Truth Boats were docked at the shore, sufficient for their crossing.
As Zhang Ruochen expected, Qing Sixue was also crossing the sea.
Xiang Chunan’s mentorship was mysterious, allowing him to study the Path of Truth outside the Truth Heavenly Domain. Given his high mastery, his junior sister was likely no less skilled, perhaps even stronger.
With a flash, the four boarded separate Truth Boats, riding the waves to begin their crossing.
After they set off, streams of light converged from all directions, landing on the shore as figures.
Had Zhang Ruochen remained, he would have recognized many familiar faces.
Thousand-Star Heavenly Maiden stood on a reef, her gaze fixed on Zhang Ruochen. “He’s come to cross the Sea of Truth again. Perhaps he’s confident in reaching the tenth sea domain.”
After her trip to True Dragon Island, where she mended her mindset’s flaws, she came straight to the Truth Heavenly Domain, crossing the eighth sea domain and earning substantial cultivation time in the Truth God Hall.
Beside her was a stunning beauty, her friend from the Truth God Hall, divine disciple Ji Huairou.
Ji Huairou chuckled. “Everyone wants to cross the tenth sea domain, but since the Heavenly Realm’s founding, no Saint King has succeeded. Even among our Truth God Hall’s ten divine disciples, only three have barely crossed the ninth.”
“Zhang Ruochen is strong, but without condensing a Truth Form, crossing even the ninth sea domain is questionable, let alone the tenth.”
As a divine disciple, she knew well that a Truth Form was crucial for crossing more sea domains.
Without the Truth God Hall’s secret teachings, she doubted Zhang Ruochen could condense one.
Not to mention the top-tier “Boundless Universe” Truth Form, even the weakest “Imperial Heaven Above” was no easy feat.
Most Truth God Hall divine disciples only condensed “Imperial Heaven Above,” with few achieving “Earth Below.”
The “Shoreless Star Sea” Truth Form was rare outside the ten divine disciples.
As for “Boundless Universe,” it was legendary, possessed by few even among the Truth God Hall’s gods.
“You underestimate Zhang Ruochen. With him, anything is possible. Coming to cross the Sea of Truth now, his goal isn’t just the ninth sea domain,” Thousand-Star Heavenly Maiden said with a smile, full of confidence in him.
To her, Zhang Ruochen was extraordinary, beyond ordinary comparison.
Ji Huairou shook her head. “It’s not that I underestimate him, Chenjing—it’s that you’re too optimistic. Why are you so sure he can cross the tenth sea domain? Do you think his Truth Path mastery surpasses our ten divine disciples?”
No matter what Thousand-Star Heavenly Maiden said, Ji Huairou didn’t believe Zhang Ruochen could succeed—it was simply impossible.
“You don’t know him well enough. Just watch; it won’t be long before we see the outcome,” Thousand-Star Heavenly Maiden insisted.
Ji Huairou looked at her with surprise. “Chenjing, you don’t have a crush on Zhang Ruochen, do you? Defending him so much.”
Thousand-Star Heavenly Maiden rolled her eyes but said nothing, her gaze fixed on Zhang Ruochen, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
“Brother Nie, how far do you think Zhang Ruochen will go?” Dongfang Qingyu asked with a smile.
Nie Xiangzi pondered briefly. “Perhaps further than all of us.”
“Not necessarily. Crossing the Sea of Truth isn’t just about strength but Truth Path mastery. Even with a ninefold attack boost, using a Truth Form makes a huge difference. His chances of crossing the ninth sea domain are slim,” Dongfang Qingyu said.
Nie Xiangzi replied, “Let’s wait and see.”
Though he hadn’t interacted much with Zhang Ruochen, he trusted his judgment and instincts.
Dongfang Qingyu said no more, gently fanning his jade fan, a glint of sharpness in his eyes.
If Zhang Ruochen faced defeat in the Sea of Truth, it would be quite satisfying.
In another direction, flower petals rained down as Fairy of a Hundred Flowers descended.
Normally, her appearance would draw countless eyes, but now, attention was on Zhang Ruochen.
Recently, she had been cultivating in Mandala Flower God’s dojo, refining the Heart of Divine Wood, reaping great rewards.
“Invincible below the Great Saint. Since parting in the Northern Region, what opportunities has Zhang Ruochen gained in such a short time? Could it be the Divine Wood Trunk?” she mused.
Even cultivators guided by gods couldn’t match a tenth of Zhang Ruochen’s progress, sparking curiosity in anyone.
Hearing the surrounding discussions, she whispered, “The tenth sea domain? Perhaps Zhang Ruochen can do it.”
As time passed, more cultivators gathered at the Sea of Truth, soon exceeding ten thousand, including Saints, Saint Kings, and Great Saints.
Though four were crossing, all eyes were on Zhang Ruochen.
Qing Sixue, crossing for the first time, had to progress layer by layer.
Zhang Ruochen, Feng Yan, and Xiang Chunan had already crossed the first six sea domains, starting at the seventh.
Their speeds were comparable, reaching the seventh sea domain’s checkpoint swiftly.
“Big Brother, let’s race to see who enters the eighth sea domain first,” Feng Yan said with a laugh.
Before heading to the Kunlun Realm, he had crossed the sixth sea domain, becoming a Truth God Hall divine disciple, finally escaping his sister’s taunts.
If he could cross the seventh or eighth sea domains, he’d have more confidence facing her.
Zhang Ruochen said, “The loser treats.”
“Haha, Big Brother, Second Brother, keep talking—I’m heading for the checkpoint!” Xiang Chunan laughed.
Feng Yan said, “Third Brother, that’s cheating!”
As he spoke, he steered his Truth Boat, chasing after him.
The next moment, guardians materialized before all three.
The guardians attacked simultaneously, unleashing powerful fist techniques, stirring cosmic rules and saint qi, raising towering waves.
But these waves barely affected the trio, their Truth Boats steady without a hint of shaking.
Breezes swirled as millions of Saint Path rules emerged, weaving behind Feng Yan into a towering divine shadow, radiating potent divine might.
“Roar.”
The shadow leaned forward, emitting a terrifying roar.
Endless gales surged, enveloping the incoming fist imprints and the guardian.
“Take a punch from your Grandpa Xiang!”
Xiang Chunan bellowed, demonic qi surging from him.
The qi merged with fist path rules, forming a hundred majestic demonic mountains, linked as one, radiating world-suppressing might.
Compared to their flashy moves, Zhang Ruochen’s attack was simple—a casual wave, unleashing a faint sword beam.
“Swish.”
The fist imprint was sliced apart instantly, the guardian’s body split in two.
The guardian dissipated into a silver mist, merging into the light curtain ahead.
Yet Zhang Ruochen showed no joy, frowning slightly. “Why no Truth Mysteries?”
Previously, each sea domain he crossed granted Truth Mysteries, increasing in quantity.
Crossing the sixth had rewarded three ten-thousandths of Truth Mysteries.
This time, not even one ten-thousandth was granted—strange, as if something was amiss.
