At the edge of the Yellow Spring Galaxy, adjacent to the Tianchu Civilization, lies an immensely vast world known as the Shura Star Pillar Realm, the stronghold of the Shura Clan.
The Shura Star Pillar Realm has existed for eons. Monks who embark on the path of Shura, regardless of their world or race, can ascend to it and become a member of the Shura Clan.
The so-called Shura Clan never refers to a specific species, even other races from the Hell Realm can transform into Shura.
Within the Shura Star Pillar Realm lies a unique ocean called the “Sea of Time,” a terrifying forbidden zone where even gods dare not tread lightly.
In the “Sea of Time,” countless time imprints exist, manifesting as specks of light dancing endlessly in the sky, beautiful yet perilous, capable of reducing a saintly being to dry bones in an instant.
At the centre of the “Sea of Time” stands a towering white bone mountain, constructed from the skeletal remains of billions of creatures, including divine bones.
Atop the white bone mountain sit five colossal divine skulls, each comparable to a star, guarding a majestic dark red temple adorned with mottled bloodstains, as if once soaked in vast amounts of divine blood, chilling to behold.
This is the abode of the Heavenly God Xiuchen, existing for countless aeons, unviolated by any intruder.
After the divine war, Heavenly God Xiuchen returned to the “Sea of Time.”
At this moment, Heavenly God Xiuchen sits upon a bone throne inscribed with divine patterns, a throne of great origin, crafted from the bones of a god.
Suddenly, a cluster of jade-like divine light detaches from Xiuchen’s divine soul, enveloped by divine power, unable to dissipate.
Xiuchen opens its eyes, glinting with sharp brilliance, fixating on the jade-like divine light.
In a prior battle with the Moon God, Xiuchen suffered greatly, as strands of jade-like divine light invaded its soul during clashes with the Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron, seemingly faint yet indestructible.
The jade-like divine light is immensely terrifying, particularly effective against divine souls.
Even a being as mighty as Xiuchen shows signs of its soul being refined.
“Capable of refining a divine soul, it resembles the legendary divine cauldron, but that cauldron vanished eons ago, how could it suddenly appear in the Moon God’s hands?” Xiuchen muses silently.
It increasingly desires a divine body and divine source, as relying solely on a divine soul imposes too many limitations.
Immediately, Xiuchen employs divine thought, calculating in its mind.
“Failed to retrieve Zhang Ruochen’s body? No matter, Chi Kongle’s body will suffice,” Xiuchen murmurs.
It urgently needs a divine body and source to survive the impending aeon calamity, settling for the next best option if the ideal is unattainable.
Soon after, Wanxin returns to the “Sea of Time.”
“Master, there’s been a change, I failed to bring back Zhang Ruochen, please punish me,” Wanxin kneels, heart filled with unease.
After all, Xiuchen was determined to acquire Zhang Ruochen’s body, even giving the Yin-Yang Twin Flower to Yan Wushen for it.
Xiuchen says calmly, “I already know what happened in the Kunlun Realm, you did well to bring back Chi Kongle, rise.”
Relieved, Wanxin secretly exhales, fearing Xiuchen’s wrath.
He also feels fortunate for making a wise decision at the critical moment.
Standing, Wanxin waves his hand, releasing the restrained Chi Kongle.
Xiuchen rises, approaching to inspect Chi Kongle closely.
In terms of cultivation, Chi Kongle cannot compare to Zhang Ruochen, but her innate Five Elements Chaos Body, rich divine bloodline, and status as a time controller make her more compatible with Xiuchen, easier to transform.
Xiuchen estimates that, with Chi Kongle’s divine bloodline, it could take two to three centuries to successfully transform a divine body, restoring its peak state.
As a god of time, it can arrange time arrays to drastically shorten the recovery period.
Seeing Xiuchen, Chi Kongle’s spirit trembles involuntarily.
As a mere Four-Step Saint King, the gap between her and Xiuchen is vast, her awe stemming from the depths of her soul.
After examining Chi Kongle, Xiuchen says, “You may leave.”
“Yes, Master.”
Wanxin bows and departs.
He knows Xiuchen will soon possess Chi Kongle’s body.
When Xiuchen emerges, it will return to its peak, elevating their lineage’s status within the Shura Clan.
Thinking of this, Wanxin feels thrilled, as Xiuchen’s sole disciple, he stands to gain unimaginable benefits.
“Though your body isn’t as perfect as Zhang Ruochen’s, it’s adequate, merge with me obediently,” Xiuchen says.
Hearing this, Chi Kongle’s fear dissipates, replaced by acceptance.
Her sacrifice, ensuring Zhang Ruochen’s safety, is worthwhile.
Xiuchen’s body radiates divine light, enveloping Chi Kongle, initiating preliminary integration.
Suddenly, the swallow pendant among the five Buddhist beads around Chi Kongle’s neck stirs, its surface shimmering with intricate blood-red secret patterns, wings flapping as it flies, as if gaining life.
An ancient, vast aura erupts, like an ancient god reviving, shattering all divine light.
A terrifying divine power surges from the pendant, faintly revealing a towering figure.
Xiuchen’s expression shifts, quickly forming a seal, condensing time divine power to shield itself.
With a bang, the pendant’s divine power proves too overwhelming, forcing Xiuchen back over a dozen steps despite its resistance.
Stabilising, Xiuchen’s eyes gleam, staring intently at the pendant hovering before Chi Kongle.
For a being of Xiuchen’s calibre to be repelled by a jade pendant’s power?
How could this happen?
Chi Kongle is equally astonished, having worn the pendant since childhood but knowing little about it, Zhang Ruochen only teaching her its use, not its origin.
When Zhang Ruochen and Chi Yao pledged their love, Chi Yao gave him the Creation Life Sword, Chenyuan.
Zhang Ruochen gave her the Zhang family’s ancestral treasure, the swallow pendant.
Xiuchen, deep in thought, says, “This power’s aura, I seem to have sensed it long ago.”
Xiuchen is unique, its original form a time divine jade, existing for ages before gaining full consciousness and embarking on cultivation.
Like Ji Fanchen, whose form is the Nether Ancient Illuminating Lotus, surviving from the Nether Ancient era to the present.
In that ancient era, Xiuchen had rudimentary consciousness, perceiving the world, laying the foundation for later cultivation.
At least ten aeons ago, Xiuchen sensed a similar power in a desolate starry sky.
Its soul still holds a blurred image.
A towering figure stands in the starry sky, crowned by twenty-seven vast heavens, a colossal divine cauldron orbiting, refining the stars and gods.
Even as a divine giant, recalling that image makes Xiuchen’s spirit tremble.
“Could this be an artifact left by that being?” Xiuchen wonders.
After eons, it believes that unparalleled powerhouse is likely gone.
Time is merciless, even the most radiant fall, no legend is immortal.
As Xiuchen prepares to probe again, the pendant abruptly retracts its light, melting into a drop of jade liquid, merging into Chi Kongle’s brow.
It happens too swiftly for Xiuchen to intervene.
A mark of a soaring swallow appears on Chi Kongle’s brow.
Xiuchen’s eyes flash with surprise, intending to study the pendant, not expecting this change.
It releases divine thought, probing Chi Kongle’s brow, investigating thoroughly.
After prolonged scrutiny, it finds nothing, the swallow mark seeming ordinary, devoid of special traits.
“Has its power been exhausted?” Xiuchen speculates.
Finding no anomalies, Xiuchen resumes integration with Chi Kongle.
Confident, it believes even if the pendant is linked to that being, it cannot stop this.
A mere artifact from a supreme being, not the being itself, and even if alive, Xiuchen, with its current cultivation, fears few in the Heavenly Court or Hell Clans.
Soon, Xiuchen completes preliminary integration without further anomalies.
Finally, its soul enters Chi Kongle’s body, beginning the possession.
For an ancient god, possessing a weak Four-Step Saint King is effortless.
…
Led by Xuehou and Mingwang, Zhang Ruochen swiftly reaches the Yellow Spring Galaxy, home to the Hell Realm.
Up close, the Yellow Spring Galaxy feels entirely different.
The Hell Realm has no defenses, seemingly open to all.
But any Heavenly Court being daring to intrude would likely meet a grim fate.
Zhang Ruochen senses the galaxy’s relentless expansion, brimming with aggression.
He recalls the Ghost Gate, where the Yellow Spring Galaxy is visible.
Does this mean, without the Ghost Gate’s barrier, the galaxy would extend to the Kunlun Realm’s starry sky?
Proximity to the galaxy would make invasion by the Hell Realm easier.
Without lingering, Zhang Ruochen, Xuehou, and Mingwang enter the galaxy, arriving at the Shura Star Pillar Realm.
Without Xiuchen’s direct control, the “Sea of Time,” though dangerous, cannot stop Xuehou and Mingwang.
Crossing the sea, they appear atop the white bone mountain.
“Who dares trespass the Heavenly God Temple?”
A vigilant powerhouse immediately reacts.
Figures flash from the temple, appearing on the plaza.
Though Xiuchen prefers solitude, the temple houses some Shura Clan monks, few but all saintly.
Dozens emerge, including five Great Saints, all on guard.
Xuehou and Mingwang exude potent divine might, inspiring awe.
Without the temple’s divine light countering most of their aura, all but the Great Saints would kneel.
“What brings two true gods here?” a Great Saint bows, inquiring.
Facing true gods, even Great Saints must show humility.
Mingwang says coldly, “A mere Great Saint, step aside, summon Xiuchen.”
The Great Saint’s expression shifts.
This stance signals ill intent.
Another figure emerges from the temple, Wanxin, who abducted Chi Kongle.
Unlike other Shura monks, Wanxin’s attention locks onto Zhang Ruochen, eyes filled with disbelief.
“Impossible, how is he here?”
He witnessed Zhang Ruochen perish before a spatial rift, his body nearly skeletal, how could he live?
Even if he survived, how could he reach the Hell Realm? The Shura Star Pillar Realm?
Wanxin’s heart fills with unease.
Zhang Ruochen spots Wanxin, his gaze turning icy.
Though he’s regained composure, he cannot suppress his murderous intent toward Wanxin.
Sensing Chi Kongle’s presence, he confirms she’s in the temple.
“Wanxin, as you wished, I’ve come to the Hell Realm, ready to die?” Zhang Ruochen advances, voice cold.
Wanxin instinctively retreats.
He senses Zhang Ruochen not only survived but became a Great Saint of the Immortal Blood Clan.
Seeing two Immortal Blood Clan gods behind him, it’s clear this is tied to them.
But why would they do this?
From Zhang Ruochen’s aura, Wanxin judges he’s no ordinary Immortal Great Saint, his power vastly enhanced.
Unsure what transpired, Wanxin knows it’s bad for him.
As Zhang Ruochen nears, Wanxin struggles to stay calm, retreating into the temple.
“This is Heavenly God Xiuchen’s temple, no one may trespass,” a silver-haired Great Saint blocks Zhang Ruochen.
Despite two Immortal Blood Clan gods accompanying him, this is Xiuchen’s domain, unchallenged for aeons, even by gods.
With a stomp, Zhang Ruochen unleashes potent divine power, causing the white bone mountain to tremble.
The mountain, inscribed with divine patterns, is nearly indestructible.
“Block me, and die,” Zhang Ruochen declares.
His killing intent and pressure make the Shura monks’ hearts quake, weaker Saint Kings nearly collapsing.
Only the five Great Saints remain composed.
Frightened by mere words, letting him storm the temple would be laughable.
Having seen Zhang Ruochen’s prowess outside the imperial city, Wanxin, knowing his nature, rushes to the temple’s depths to summon Xiuchen.
Not just Zhang Ruochen, but two Immortal Blood Clan gods have arrived, only Xiuchen can handle this.
Though Xiuchen is possessing a body and cannot be disturbed, Wanxin has no choice.
Seeing Wanxin flee, Zhang Ruochen moves, charging after him.
“Stay your insolence,” the silver-haired Great Saint roars, conjuring a twelve-foot silver blood-patterned spear.
As he wields it, rules and forces within thousands of miles align with his will.
A terrifying spear saint intent erupts, razor-sharp, as if piercing all.
The spear vibrates, striking like a dragon, its path unpredictable, thousands of spear shadows appearing, each infused with millions of varied rules.
Zhang Ruochen doesn’t dodge, eyes cold, grabbing with reckless abandon, unleashing the immense power of his demigod body.
The white bone mountain’s durability allows him to fight without restraint.
All spear shadows shatter.
Before the Great Saint reacts, Zhang Ruochen seizes the spear’s tip in his palm.
Caught bare-handed?
“Break,” the Great Saint bellows, seventeen radiant saint lights bursting, each broken shackle holding fearsome power.
The spear quakes, emitting a sharp spear gleam, its saint intent fully condensed.
Zhang Ruochen’s demigod body, tough enough to clash with supreme saint artifacts, resists injury.
But the gleam’s force numbs his hand.
Seizing the chance, the Great Saint withdraws the spear, unleashing fiercer spear techniques.
No matter how strange Zhang Ruochen is, he’s only an Immortal Great Saint, while the Great Saint, in the Hundred Shackles realm with potent saint intent, believes he can prevail.
“Demonic Dragon Emerges.”
The Great Saint thrusts the spear.
Billions of rules pour in.
Countless world rules converge at the spear’s tip.
Vast world forces interweave, forming a demonic dragon as long as the spear, lifelike and ferocious, lunging at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen advances, fearless.
His palm glows with eerie bloodlight, arm acupoints opening, unleashing torrents of blood-red divine force.
This power distorts surrounding space.
World rules become chaotic.
His demigod body’s harmony with the world allows him to control rules and forces within miles, limiting opponents.
A giant blood block condenses, smashing the dragon.
The dragon’s form shatters instantly.
Zhang Ruochen closes in, grabbing the spear’s shaft, nearing the Great Saint.
A fiery cloud of divine force erupts from his fist, blasting toward the deity.
With the spear held and at such proximity, the Great Saint can’t dodge, mustering all his immortal saint body’s power to counter with a palm.
Vast power condenses into a massive grindstone, meeting Zhang Ruochen’s fist.
The fire cloud incinerates all, shattering the grindstone to dust.
Zhang Ruochen’s fist lands squarely on the Great Saint’s chest.
The armor cracks, fragments scattering.
The Great Saint flies back, crashing into the temple.
He coughs blood, chest burning, organs injured.
Seeing this, another horned Great Saint attacks, shouting, “Take my strike.”
A silver-white bone tower, engraved with Shura inscriptions, emerges from his body, a Shura war artifact rivaling kingly weapons.
Urged by the Great Saint, the tower revives, unleashing its essence.
The tower slams into Zhang Ruochen’s back.
He staggers, feeling sharp pain, but sustains no real harm.
For others, even Immortal or early Hundred Shackles Great Saints, such a blow would snap their spine.
“Only an Immortal Great Saint, how is his saint body so robust?” the horned Great Saint marvels.
He knows the strike’s power, enough to injure even himself.
Zhang Ruochen whirls, kicking sideways.
Frenzied flame divine force surges, spiking the area’s temperature.
The Great Saint, alarmed, deploys the tower again.
Billions of rules pour from him into the tower, activating its inscriptions.
The tower grows to a thousand feet, its power merging with the white bone mountain.
The mountain trembles, divine light channeling into the tower.
The tower quakes, dispelling Zhang Ruochen’s flame force.
It spins, pressing down on him.
World rules and saint qi surge into the tower, enlarging it, exuding destructive aura.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze sharpens, all 144 acupoints blazing, unleashing full power.
He punches upward.
A blood-red dragon coalesces, soaring, unstoppable.
The dragon halts the tower’s descent.
It devours incoming world rules and forces.
Unable to suppress the dragon, the tower is flung away.
Cracks appear on its surface.
The horned Great Saint grunts, blood trickling from his mouth, staggering back.
Though Zhang Ruochen struggles to control his demigod body, he can crush Immortal or early Hundred Shackles Great Saints.
The remaining Shura monks, terrified, retreat, none daring to advance.
Ignoring them, Zhang Ruochen storms the temple, pursuing Wanxin.
His true target is Wanxin alone.
Wanxin hoped the five Great Saints could delay Zhang Ruochen, but two are injured in moments, unable to stop him.
Feeling Zhang Ruochen close, Wanxin panics.
As he nears Xiuchen’s secluded hall, Zhang Ruochen blocks his path.
Terrified but feigning calm, Wanxin says, “Zhang Ruochen, don’t act rashly, Chi Kongle’s body is already possessed by my master, nothing you do can change that.”
“Leave now, or disturb my master, and you’ll die, even Immortal Blood Clan gods can’t save you.”
Desperate, Wanxin invokes Xiuchen, hoping to intimidate Zhang Ruochen, his only chance to survive.
Fighting Zhang Ruochen now would be suicide.
His words fuel Zhang Ruochen’s rage, who grabs Wanxin’s neck, lifting him.
“You… deserve… to… die…”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes blaze red, words dripping with venom.
Wanxin feels death’s approach, crying, “Master, save…”
His neck snaps before he finishes, a terrifying force annihilating his vitality and saint soul.
Once, before the spatial rift, Wanxin taunted Zhang Ruochen to come to the Hell Realm, unwittingly sealing his fate.
