“Zhang Ruochen, take another strike from me.”
Yin Yuanchen’s eyes were sharp as he used a secret technique to manipulate the divine corpse to attack.
To make the divine corpse unleash even greater power, Yin Yuanchen spared no expense, consuming his own vital blood. Through their bloodline connection, he fully revived the divine corpse.
Yin Yuanchen was no weakling. Based on Zhang Ruochen’s assessments from their previous clashes, he possessed at least seventy percent of Yan Wushen’s evil body’s combat strength. Across the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm, few below the Great Saint level could match him.
His bloodline and talent were exceptionally rare.
A divine light shot out from Yin Yuanchen’s body, landing in the divine corpse’s hand, transforming into a dull-coloured long sword. Countless divine rules flowed across it, exuding aćľç death aura.
This sword, left by Yin Yuanchen’s father, was forged using eerie secret methods from the ancient underworld era, a powerful divine relic.
The divine corpse, wielding the divine sword, poured boundless divine power into it, unleashing the sword’s full might.
As the divine sword swung, it erupted with a sky-piercing sword beam, endless death energy surging forth, as if forming a terrifying death kingdom, devouring all life.
The mere phenomenon was enough to make hearts tremble.
Meanwhile, the Titan Six Divine Generals, previously severed at the waist, stirred. Blood mist surged from their twelve halved bodies, miraculously reforming into twelve Titan Divine Generals, still towering, though their auras were somewhat weakened.
As top-tier Saint King realm powerhouses, their vitality was extraordinarily tenacious, not easily extinguished.
The Titan tribe’s vitality was particularly resilient.
The twelve Titan Divine Generals jointly summoned a massive axe, its edge gleaming, divine power surging, capable of splitting heaven and earth.
Even a ruin world in its path would likely be cleaved in two.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression remained indifferent. With a thought, the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror flew out from his body, reviving at astonishing speed. Over a million supreme inscriptions emerged clearly, intertwining, faintly revealing the shadow of a vast world.
“Bang.”
The Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror unleashed peerless demonic might, shattering the death kingdom formed by the divine sword.
The giant axe was firmly suppressed by the world shadow, unable to move.
The next moment, the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror released endless demonic energy, forming ten thousand demonic mountains, an intangible “momentum” spreading out.
“Bang.”
The divine corpse was struck by the demonic mountains, sent crashing into a holy lake a hundred li away. Yin Yuanchen, affected by the impact, flew backward as if hit by a star, spitting blood.
The giant axe reversed, cleaving through several Titan Divine Generals’ bodies, blood splattering.
Then, the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror flew above the twelve Titan Divine Generals, its surface rippling like water, releasing powerful devouring force.
“No.”
The twelve Titan Divine Generals resisted desperately, fear flashing in their eyes.
As Zhang Ruochen’s cultivation and strength grew, the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror was further restored, its power increasing.
Especially after Zhang Ruochen ascended the Mountain of Truth, the mirror gained immense benefits, absorbing the power of the Way of Truth, undergoing an indescribable transformation.
Now, Zhang Ruochen could wield the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror more effortlessly, its attacks stronger and more versatile.
In an instant, ten Titan Divine Generals were sucked into the mirror.
Only two, relying on the giant axe, resisted the mirror’s power, narrowly escaping.
The next moment, these two merged into one but retreated further, their eyes filled with wariness.
Having gravely injured Yin Yuanchen and suppressed the dual-formed Titan Five Divine Generals with one strike, Zhang Ruochen achieved remarkable results but did not linger, intent on breaking through the encirclement.
He needed to reach the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady and Chi Kongle quickly.
“Stay where you are!”
With a thunderous roar, a colossal creature suddenly appeared in midair.
It was a ferocious beast, not of flesh and blood but constructed from countless intricate runes, lifelike, radiating overwhelming ferocity.
“A rune beast from the Rune Spirit Realm.”
Zhang Ruochen fixed his gaze on it.
The Rune Spirit Realm, ranked among the top twenty great worlds in the Western Universe, was renowned for crafting powerful rune beasts.
These “rune beasts” were formed from talismans and imbued with spirituality through secret methods, varying in size and abilities.
A natal rune beast could grow stronger with its master’s cultivation.
From this rune beast, Zhang Ruochen sensed a potent Great Saint aura, confirming it was crafted by a top-tier Great Saint.
Shaped like a fierce tiger, its blood-red eyes drew all the rules and holy energy of heaven and earth toward it upon appearing.
Simultaneously, the Light Temple’s Twelve Judgment Envoys acted, unleashing the Twelve Judgment Swords, their combined power slashing out an unparalleled sword beam.
With a thought, Zhang Ruochen sent the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror to meet the Twelve Judgment Swords.
His hands swiftly formed seals, mobilizing billions of holy path rules within him, combining with vast holy energy to form a towering figure, both divine and demonic.
“Divine Demon Suppression.”
The towering figure descended, stomping the tiger-shaped rune beast into the ground.
“Roar.”
The rune beast let out a heaven-shaking roar, billions of talismans extending from its body, struggling desperately.
But the divine-demonic shadow possessed boundless power, like a vast world, firmly suppressing the rune beast.
The next moment, the divine-demonic shadow reached out, grabbing the Rune Spirit Realm powerhouse controlling the rune beast.
This person was exceptionally strong, a top-tier powerhouse below the Great Saint level, exuding a mountain-like aura, with vibrant energy and spirit.
Yet now, fear flashed in his eyes.
The most elite Rune Spirit Realm powerhouses typically cultivated both martial arts and mental power to high realms, necessary to nurture the strongest rune beasts.
“What holy technique is this? Why has Zhang Ruochen never used it before?”
The Rune Spirit Realm powerhouse was shocked.
Immediately, he summoned another rune beast, shaped like a dragon-turtle, its shell interwoven with countless talismans.
To resist the divine-demonic shadow, he forced out a mouthful of vital blood, merging it into the rune beast.
“Pfft.”
Yet, the rune beast still couldn’t withstand the divine-demonic shadow, pierced through like paper.
“How… is it so strong?”
The Rune Spirit Realm powerhouse’s final thought flashed before his body exploded.
After his death, the tiger-shaped rune beast quieted, transforming into a beast-shaped talisman, which Zhang Ruochen collected.
A rune beast crafted by a top-tier Great Saint was immensely valuable and could be highly useful if refined for his own use.
Meanwhile, the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror displayed terrifying might, not only breaking the Twelve Judgment Swords’ attack but also gravely injuring the Twelve Judgment Envoys.
Had they not reacted quickly, the swords themselves might have been taken by the mirror.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Ruochen didn’t hesitate, breaking through the encirclement at top speed.
“Stop!”
Some powerhouses tried to intercept him.
“Pfft.”
Before one could act, an iron sword pierced his skull.
“Thirteen.”
A Le, expressionless, withdrew his iron sword from the powerhouse’s head, scarlet holy blood staining the ground with vibrant blood flowers.
With a flash, A Le appeared beside another powerhouse, beheading them with a single slash.
With A Le’s interference, Zhang Ruochen escaped smoothly, speeding toward the depths of Ziwei Palace.
“Stop him!”
Yin Yuanchen, eyes bloodshot, roared.
As he spoke, he drove the divine corpse skyward, closely pursuing Zhang Ruochen.
Other Heaven Realm faction powerhouses followed.
Zhang Ruochen paused briefly, glancing at them, then tore open a spatial gate, releasing a colossal creature, casting a massive shadow.
“Hiss.”
The creature opened its ferocious, bloodthirsty maw, swallowing three Heaven Realm faction powerhouses in one gulp.
It was none other than the evil spirit that had possessed the divine python’s corpse.
After devouring countless cultivators’ holy souls and blood, the evil spirit grew stronger, able to wield the immense divine power within the python’s corpse.
More importantly, baptized by the Fountain of Life, the corpse’s death energy was diminishing, gaining a trace of vitality.
“Bang.”
The evil spirit swung its massive body, sending over a dozen ninth-step Saint Kings of the Heaven Realm faction flying.
A Le killed another powerhouse, flashing to stand atop the evil spirit.
The evil spirit shrank its body, carrying A Le, and retreated swiftly.
“Damn it.”
The Heaven Realm faction cultivators seethed with frustration.
With so many top Saint Kings acting together, not only did they fail to subdue Zhang Ruochen, but they suffered heavy losses. If word spread, they’d be a laughingstock.
Young Master Yaotian’s brows furrowed deeply, worry creeping in. If they couldn’t kill Zhang Ruochen this time, he’d face serious trouble.
Not just himâeveryone present shared this concern.
Given Zhang Ruochen’s nature, he wouldn’t let this go afterward.
Thus, no matter the cost, they had to kill him this time.
By now, Ziwei Palace had become a hellscape, strewn with corpses, rivers of blood flowing.
Killing intent soared, resentment permeating the air.
Under Empress Chi Yao’s nurturing, the court had produced many saints and Saint Kings in recent years. But compared to the Heaven Realm faction, they were far inferior.
Facing the faction’s sudden assault, the court suffered devastating losses in moments.
It was nearly a one-sided massacre.
Fortunately, the Bloodstained Sword stalled the enemy powerhouses briefly, allowing some court members to retreat into the Primordial Divine Temple, where Empress Chi Yao resided.
The Primordial Divine Temple, at Ziwei Palace’s highest point in the oasis at Tianchi’s center, bore countless divine inscriptions carved by Empress Chi Yao. Its defenses were formidable; fully activated, even Hundred-Shackle or Thousand-Question realm Great Saints couldn’t breach it.
But now, Empress Chi Yao was absent, and no Great Saint guarded the temple. Despite the inscriptions’ sophistication, their power was greatly diminished.
The temple’s inscriptions were controlled by Empress Chi Yao’s personal guards, the Seventy-Two Palace Saintesses, also divine attendants.
Divided into six teams, they guarded six directions.
Before Kunlun Realm’s revival, the Seventy-Two Palace Saintesses were at the Saint realm.
Under Empress Chi Yao’s guidance, they had all reached the Saint King realm, coordinating seamlessly.
But activating the inscriptions consumed vast holy energy and mental power. Though not weak, the Seventy-Two Palace Saintesses couldn’t sustain it long.
Now, their faces were pale as paper, their auras weak, sustained only by sheer willpower.
Outside the Primordial Divine Temple lay countless corpses, mostly court powerhouses.
When the Heaven Realm faction attacked, many hadn’t had time to retreat into the temple.
Originally, Ziwei Palace housed many court powerhouses, but only a few hundred made it into the temple.
These were the court’s elite, its last foundation.
If they all perished, the court would likely collapse.
This would plunge Kunlun Realm into greater chaos, hastening its destruction.
The Book Sect Leader, the last of the Confucian Four Sects, was among the crowd. When the Heaven Realm attacked, he wasn’t at the Nine-Star Linked Mansion, escaping disaster.
Of the seven World Sons, one was missingâSui Han, representing Confucianism.
Unlike the Book Sect Leader, Sui Han was at the Linked Mansion when the Heaven Realm faction struck.
Inside the temple, everyone wore grim expressions, the atmosphere oppressively heavy.
Since the Merit War began, cultivators across myriad realms said Kunlun Realm’s end was near. They hadn’t seen Kunlun’s end but faced their own.
The Heaven Realm faction came prepared, wielding treasures to break the divine inscriptions, slowly eroding them even when activated.
Outside the Primordial Divine Temple, a host of Heaven Realm faction powerhouses gathered, including Archangel King Michael.
“Cease resistance and surrender, and Iâll spare your lives. Otherwise, none will leave the Primordial Divine Temple alive,” Archangel King Michaelâs voice echoed through the temple.
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, bloodstained, stood straight at the templeâs gate. “Your Heaven Realm faction acts so brazenlyâarenât you afraid of Tian Gongâs punishment? Donât forget, Kunlun Realmâs merit battlefield is no longer under your sole control.”
“Tian Gongâs rules are set by the strong. Kunlun Realm has fallen so low, it has no voice. Once the flat peach tree is felled and Kunlun exhausts itself, no one will care what happens here,” Archangel King Michael said.
Survival of the fittest was an eternal law.
In the Heavenly Courtâs myriad realms, weak realms survived in the cracks.
“Why waste words? Once the inscriptions are broken, I have ways to make them obey,” a sinister laugh rang out.
Beside Archangel King Michael appeared a gaunt man, his head large with sparse hair, scalp covered in strange runes, eyes bulging as if ready to pop, looking terrifying.
He exuded an eerie aura, holding a skull staff, his teeth stained with unswallowed flesh scraps.
He was Wu Xin Evil Lord, leader of the Cha Realm, from its ancient Nether Evil Sect, wielding fearsome evil techniques.
Those who fell into his hands often wished for death.
“I sense Shen Yuanâs aura. Zhang Ruochen has entered Ziwei Palace and… is heading toward the Primordial Divine Temple,” the Bloodstained Swordâs spirit suddenly said.
This caused many faces to change.
Some were overjoyed, as if seeing dawn in darkness.
Others remained calm, unmoved, knowing Zhang Ruochen, though strong, was just one man, unable to change the tide.
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady frowned slightly, sighing, “The Heaven Realm factionâs top Saint King realm powerhouses are nearly all here, laying a trap in Ziwei Palace. This place is a dragonâs lair, a tigerâs denâhe shouldnât have come!”
Yet, she knew with Chi Kongle in Ziwei Palace, no matter the danger, Zhang Ruochen would come.
That was who he was.
The Heaven Realm faction, having taken her blood, still insisted on attacking the Primordial Divine Temple for an obvious reason.
They wanted to capture Chi Kongle to use against Zhang Ruochen.
Perhaps, even her capture was part of their plan.
The factionâs operation primarily targeted the flat peach tree but also harbored a resolute intent to kill Zhang Ruochen.
Chi Kongle, delicate, stood beside the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, her bloodstained hands holding a cyan small tower, eyes full of worry.
The tower, resembling the Cyan Sky Pagoda, was a replica crafted by Chi Yao, a king-grade weapon.
Within it was an imprint of the Cyan Sky Pagodaâs spirit, used to rapidly nurture another powerful spirit.
The true Cyan Sky Pagoda was no longer in Kunlun Realm, now with Empress Chi Yao.
“Auntie Bloodstained, can you send a message to Father, telling him to leave and not come save us?” Chi Kongle looked at the Bloodstained Swordâs spirit, her eyes firm and resolute.
The spirit shook its head. “The Heaven Realm faction has sealed the Primordial Divine Temple. I can only sense Shen Yuanâs aura, unable to send messages outward.”
“What do we do? Theyâve deployed so many powerhousesâFatherâs in danger. Our deaths donât matter, but he canât die. Heâs Kunlun Realmâs future and hope!” Chi Kongle said.
Sheâd rather Zhang Ruochen abandon her than risk himself for her.
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady comforted, “Donât worry. With your fatherâs strength, the Heaven Realm faction wonât find it easy to deal with him. Even if heâs outmatched, he can surely escape.”
Though she said this, she knew Zhang Ruochenâs characterâknowing they were in danger, he wouldnât retreat easily.
She sighed deeply in her heart.
The six World Sons exchanged glances, their eyes bitter and filled with indignation.
As Kunlun Realmâs World Sons, nurtured with the best resources, they were powerless at this critical moment.
Compared to Zhang Ruochenâs achievements, they felt deep shame.
Many tasks should have been theirs, yet they all fell on Zhang Ruochenâs shoulders.
The divine inscriptions in the templeâs southeast were controlled by the White Feather Twelve Saints, their faces also showing worry.
When they followed Martial Saint Canglan to Immortal Machine Mountain, they were attacked by the Undying Blood Clan. Six of the female saints survived thanks to Zhang Qinâs rescue.
As close as sisters, the others were grateful to him for saving six.
Now, hearing heâd stormed into Ziwei Palace, they feared heâd fallen into the Heaven Realm factionâs trap.
âPity our cultivation is too weak, or weâd fight alongside Young Master Qin, like at Immortal Machine Mountain,â Saintess Yuan Shu sighed.
Saintessess Liu Liâs brows knitted, her emotions turbulent. She hoped Zhang Ru Qin could, as before, turn the tide, sweeping through the Heaven Realm faction with unmatched might.
Her ideal hero could do what others couldnât.
Even with mountains in the way, heâd carve a path.
But reality showed the factionâs countless powerhouses, with Zhongwei Palace under their control. Zhang Ruohan was strong, but how could one man reach them?
Liu Li wished most that Zhang Qin would leave Zhongwei immediately, ignoring them.
At that moment, Archangel Michael sensed the commotion below, ordering, âAt all costs, breach the Primordial Divine Temple!â
Multiple faction gods had ordered Zhang Ruohanâs death, and any means were justified.
Both He Kongle and the Nine Heaven Mysterious Empress were people Zhang Ruohan cared for. Capturing them would secure total control.
