Gu Chenz’s eyes darkened slightly, his hands swiftly forming a series of strange seals. Instantly, radiant holy light burst from his body, spreading through his limbs and bones, intertwining like sacred rivers flowing, unleashing an extremely terrifying wave of power.
At this point, Gu Chenz held nothing back, releasing all the shackle power within his body, infusing it into his holy form.
He had broken eighty shackles in total, and the power within his physical body was equivalent to eight times that of an ordinary immortal holy body, and not just any immortal holy body at that.
In the blink of an eye, the Immortal Saint condensed a blood-red demonic blade, hundreds of miles long, brimming with malevolent energy and overwhelming killing intent.
This was the Spirit-Slaying Blood Blade, a secret technique of the Immortal Temple, requiring the blood and resentment of countless spirits to cultivate. It could destroy cultivation foundations and extinguish holy souls, making it utterly sinister.
At the same time, Yu Huang appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s other side, using a flute as a brush to paint in the air, instantly sketching hundreds of mysterious talismans glowing with bloodlight. Their powers combined, forming a terrifying talisman array exuding an aura of destruction.
Yu Huang’s spiritual power was immensely strong, mastering both talisman and array paths, both reaching the Earth Master level. She could ingeniously combine talisman and array techniques, multiplying their potency.
With a flick of her hand, Yu Huang placed an ancient jade talisman into the array.
The jade talisman emitted a faint divine jade light, seeping into every talisman composing the array, instantly making them bind more tightly, becoming one, as if imbued with life.
Immediately after, ninety-nine beams of holy light burst from Yu Huang’s body, coursing through her, releasing an incomparably vast power into the array.
“Yu Huang is just one step away from reaching the perfect Hundred Shackles Realm. After a century of secluded cultivation, she has surpassed both me and Gu Chenz,” Yi Xuan Great Saint remarked, a trace of surprise in his eyes.
Perhaps soon, Yu Huang would take that final crucial step, achieving perfection. In the Hundred Shackles Realm, she would have few rivals, perhaps even capable of contending with Thousand Questions Realm experts.
Having broken ninety-nine shackles, Yu Huang possessed power close to ten times that of an immortal holy body. Now, fully unleashed, combined with her unpredictable talisman array, it was unimaginable how formidable her methods were.
Gu Chenz and Yu Huang had finally chosen to join forces, just as Zhang Ruochen had hoped.
Ultimately, they did not want Zhang Ruochen to become the leader.
Undoubtedly, this strike would determine the victor. If Zhang Ruochen could not withstand it, not only would he fail to become the leader, but he might also suffer greatly.
Zhang Ruochen retracted his Immovable Bright King Holy Form, exhaling lightly. His blood energy surged violently, roaring like rushing rivers.
“Swoosh.”
Surging blood energy erupted from Zhang Ruochen’s back, revealing ten massive golden wings, fully unfurled, absorbing the power of heaven and earth to the fullest.
Seeing Gu Chenz and Yu Huang attacking from both sides, Zhang Ruochen extended his hands, unleashing the full power of his demi-god body.
“Boom.”
Zhang Ruochen’s palms erupted with immense power, divine radiance rising, chaotic energy swirling, as if he were creating a new world.
“Crack.”
The Spirit-Slaying Blood Blade condensed by Gu Chenz and the talisman array created by Yu Huang shattered simultaneously.
This time, Gu Chenz’s Immortal Saint form finally exploded, unable to withstand the force of Zhang Ruochen’s single palm strike.
The jade talisman Yu Huang had placed in the array, already cracked, now bore several more fractures, with a vast amount of divine power spilling out.
“Pfft.”
Gu Chenz and Yu Huang both spat out a mouthful of holy blood, their bodies involuntarily staggering back.
Had they not been strong enough, that strike might have shattered their immortal holy bodies. Indeed, the power Zhang Ruochen unleashed was capable of destroying an immortal holy body.
Gu Chenz and Yu Huang stared at Zhang Ruochen with cold eyes. Though unwilling to admit it, they could not change the fact that they had been defeated by him.
Although neither had used the Path of Fate, Zhang Ruochen had similarly refrained from using the Path of Truth.
Seeing this, Hanhai Manor fell eerily silent. Many cultivators widened their eyes, their gazes fixed on Zhang Ruochen.
They were not only shocked by the outcome but also astonished by the ten golden wings on Zhang Ruochen’s back, finding it almost unbelievable.
Among the Immortal Blood Clan, golden wings were a rare sight, seen perhaps once in a millennium.
No one had expected Zhang Ruochen to possess them. Moreover, at only the Immortal Realm, he had grown ten wings, indicating an extraordinarily potent blood energy.
Inevitably, many cultivators’ eyes revealed awe.
The cultivators of the Xue Jue Family were exhilarated. The dust had settled, and the leader of the Blood Sky Tribe would, after all, be a powerhouse from their Xue Jue Family.
Zhang Ruochen stood proudly in the air, casting his gaze over Hanhai Manor and saying calmly, “The leader for the Hunting Heaven Banquet will be me! Does anyone object?”
With even the “Blood Sky Three Elites” defeated, who would dare challenge him and invite trouble?
Angering Zhang Ruochen might cost them a spot at the Hunting Heaven Banquet.
After a long silence, no cultivator spoke up.
Zhang Ruochen moved, appearing directly on the floating island.
At that moment, the cultivators on the island looked at Zhang Ruochen differently, some with awe, some with fervor, some with excitement…
“Zhang Ruochen has just arrived in the Hell Realm, unfamiliar with other cultivators, even facing exclusion and isolation. If I seize this chance to befriend him, show goodwill, or even offer treasures, I might secure a spot at the Hunting Heaven Banquet. With my strength, my chances of earning a spot are slim.”
Some weaker cultivators began to ponder this inwardly.
The benefits of the Hunting Heaven Banquet were too great to resist, worth any cost.
Xue Ningxiao gazed at Zhang Ruochen’s striking figure, her heart unable to calm. These were the Blood Sky Three Elites, the most prodigious talents of the Blood Sky Tribe, yet all had fallen to him.
Though she had long known Zhang Ruochen was extraordinary, she hadn’t expected him to be this powerful.
“Participating in the Hunting Heaven Banquet means eating Mysterious Extreme Holy Fruit and drinking Divine Jade Nectar, potentially perfecting several holy paths to their fullest. Such immense benefits are worth selling all my treasures to secure a spot.”
“Since Cousin Ruochen is the leader, perhaps I can take a shortcut.”
“Right, Cousin Ruochen needs divine stones. I’ll sell all my treasures and exchange them for divine stones.”
The more Xue Ningxiao thought, the more feasible it seemed. Staring at Zhang Ruochen, her eyes gleamed, eager to act immediately.
Seeing the looks in everyone’s eyes, how could Zhang Ruochen not guess their thoughts?
Each spot at the Hunting Heaven Banquet was immensely valuable, representing enormous benefits. And it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Who wouldn’t be tempted?
New to the Blood Sky Tribe, Zhang Ruochen wasn’t familiar with its cultivators, making it a headache to select candidates.
Though strength took precedence, the Great Saints gathered here had similar cultivation levels, with even less disparity among Saint Kings.
Judging solely by cultivation made it hard to determine who was stronger.
But conducting battles to screen them one by one would take an unknown amount of time to finalize the selection.
Zhang Ruochen walked to Xue Ningxiao’s side and sat down.
Xue Ningxiao seemed nervous and restrained, much like when she first met Zhang Ruochen. Her lips moved, hesitant to speak.
“If you were to choose the candidates, how would you do it?” Zhang Ruochen suddenly asked.
Xue Ningxiao froze, taking a moment to respond, “You… you’re asking me?”
“Yes,” Zhang Ruochen nodded.
After much thought, she said softly, “If it were me… it’s actually simple. The Xue Jue Family has collected information on these cultivators.”
“For example, there are seventy-eight Great Saints, fifteen in the Hundred Shackles Realm, and twenty-three at the peak of the Immortal Realm. Their strength is undeniable and can be directly selected. The remaining twelve spots can be contested by other Immortal Realm Great Saints.”
“What about the fifty spots for Saint Kings?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xue Ningxiao replied, “The same selection method, of course.”
“Alright, I’ll leave this to you!” Zhang Ruochen said.
“What?”
Xue Ningxiao was stunned, thinking she’d misheard.
Choosing candidates for the Hunting Heaven Banquet was a monumental task, and he was entrusting it to her?
In truth, Zhang Ruochen was confident leaving this to Xue Ningxiao. Her father, Qing Sheng Great Saint, was the acting head of the Xue Jue Family.
For such an important matter, Qing Sheng would surely intervene, ensuring Xue Ningxiao wouldn’t act recklessly.
Thus, while it seemed Zhang Ruochen was entrusting this to Xue Ningxiao, he was actually entrusting it to Qing Sheng, a message other cultivators would likely understand.
Moments later, Xue Ningxiao recovered and whispered, “Cousin Ruochen, are you really giving me this task?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Zhang Ruochen replied.
Xue Ningxiao nodded eagerly, beaming with joy, “Cousin Ruochen, rest assured, I won’t let you down.”
She immediately got to work, meticulously organizing the cultivators’ information and personally visiting Qing Sheng Great Saint, showing utmost dedication.
Soon after, Xue Ningxiao stood, slightly nervous, and announced, “Next, we’ll determine the candidates for the Hunting Heaven Banquet, starting with the Great Saints. Those whose names I call are selected. Ahem, Yi Xuan Great Saint, Yu Huang, Gu Chenz… Mo Xun Great Saint.”
She listed thirty-eight names, all at the peak of the Immortal Realm or Sex or higher.
“Twelve spots remain. Whoever believes they qualify can step forward. The first to do so claims a spot.”
“However, if anyone disagrees, they can challenge for it.”
No sooner had she spoken than voices rang out.
“I want to participate.”
“I want to participate too.”
…
With the rules set, the challenges among Great Saints soon began.
By leaving this to Xue Ningxiao, Zhang Ruochen was free of burden, sitting back and sipping his drink.
Watching the challenges unfold, Zhang Ruochen sighed inwardly. Be it creatures of the Hell Realm or the Heaven Realm, they were all the same. For the sake of profit, none would yield, even fighting fiercely among their own kin.
To join the Hunting Heaven Banquet, no one would hold back, using every means possible.
“Seven days from now, we head to the Wugui Forest. Are you sure a young girl like her can handle this?” Yi Xuan Great Saint suddenly approached.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at him, saying, “Strength doesn’t guarantee competence. Don’t judge by appearances; she might do better than us.”
“Makes sense. Who knows, one day she might surpass us.”
Pausing, Yi Xuan added, “Oh, almost forgot the main matter. A few unbelievably lucky fellows want to meet you.”
“Lucky?” Zhang Ruochen showed curiosity.
Yi Xuan said, “Yes, a few guys who got by on luck, yet are called the most prodigious talents of the Blood Sky Tribe in the last millennium.”
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen’s interest was piqued. Weren’t the Blood Sky Three Elites the tribe’s most prodigious talents? Were there others even stronger?
What realms were they in? Could they already be in the Thousand Questions Realm?
Undoubtedly, these prodigies Yi Xuan mentioned sparked Zhang Ruochen’s curiosity.
“Where are they?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Yi Xuan replied, “Right here in Hanhai Manor. I’ll take you to them.”
They left the floating island and entered a courtyard within Hanhai Manor.
Compared to other areas, this courtyard was exceptionally serene, with an elegant environment, filled with blooming Blood Millet Nether Flowers, their fragrance wafting through the air.
Passing through the exquisite garden, Zhang Ruochen spotted an ancient pavilion from afar. Inside were five figures, four men and one woman, seated together. The men were drinking, while the woman played a zither, its soothing, melodious notes calming the mind.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze swept over them, a glint of surprise in his eyes. With his current cultivation, he couldn’t see through them; they seemed shrouded in a mysterious mist, unfathomably deep.
“Since you’re here, come have a drink,” said a refined man with a smile.
He exuded no trace of power, like an ordinary scholar.
What stood out most was his double pupils, each eye bearing two irises, deep and seemingly imbued with a strange, magical allure.
Without hesitation, Zhang Ruochen joined Yi Xuan, heading toward the pavilion.
Yi Xuan extended a hand, bluntly saying, “I brought him here. Where’s my fine wine?”
“It’s yours.”
The refined man flipped his hand, producing a delicate wine gourd and tossing it to Yi Xuan.
He smiled, “Yi Xuan, Zhang Ruochen’s new to the Hell Realm and surely doesn’t know us old-timers who’ve lived nearly a millennium. Why are you just drinking and not introducing us?”
“Old-timers? You lot may be old, but don’t lump me in,” said the stunning woman playing the zither.
She was strikingly beautiful, exuding an intangible charm that could sway even Great Saints.
Yi Xuan glared, “Introduce what? How great you all are, reaching Thousand Questions Realm before a thousand years? And you, Mu Yang Heavenly Lord, in the Myriad Deaths Life Realm? Pfft, just lucky.”
Seeing Yi Xuan’s reaction, the refined man shook his head helplessly, “Fine, I’ll do the introductions. These four are Zhi Yuan Blood Emperor, Tu Yun Great Saint, Spear Emperor, and Xi Yuan Empress. As for me, I’m Mu Yang.”
Zhi Yuan Blood Emperor was imposing, clad in blood-red armor, his aura chillingly cold.
Tu Yun Great Saint was strikingly handsome, with long silver hair and a red dot at his brow, like vermilion, adding a unique charm.
The Spear Emperor exuded a sharp, domineering presence, quietly polishing a silver holy spear etched with blood-red patterns.
Xi Yuan Empress was, of course, the zither-playing beauty.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze swept over the five, his heart stirring. In a millennium, the Blood Sky Tribe had produced four Thousand Questions Realm experts and one Myriad Deaths Life Realm expert, a testament to their profound foundation.
This hinted at the immense depth of the entire Immortal Blood Clan.
“We sought you out to discuss the Hunting Heaven Banquet. It’s not just a feast; the hunt is key. Our cultivations exceed the Hundred Shackles Realm, so we can’t participate in the hunt.”
“At the banquet, we can handle any trouble or provocations, but the fight for the Blood Sky Tribe’s glory rests on you,” Mu Yang Heavenly Lord said.
Unable to join the hunt, Mu Yang felt a tinge of regret.
A once-in-a-millennium event, a chance to fight for the tribe’s honor—no one wanted to miss it.
“Zhang Ruochen, as the son of Qing Yin True God, whether you were once from Kunlun Realm or Guanghan Realm, you’re now part of our Blood Sky Tribe. At the Hunting Heaven Banquet, perform well and don’t tarnish our tribe’s prestige,” Tu Yun Great Saint said gently.
Before his words settled, Zhi Yuan Blood Emperor snorted, “Zhang Ruochen, as leader, give it your all. Crush the Ghost Clan, Bone Clan, and those other bastards. Be as ruthless as you were on the Merit Battlefield. If anyone defies you, beat them down. What matters most? The Blood Sky Tribe’s glory.”
“I agree. At the Hunting Heaven Banquet, show no mercy to other clans, let them know our might. First, take down those tough Immortal Blood Clan guys, like Qi Tian Tribe’s Blade Prison Emperor, Qing Tian Tribe’s Jin Kun Great Saint, and Huang Tian Tribe’s Wind Empress. All three are at the perfect Hundred Shackles Realm. Defeat them, and our Blood Sky Tribe might outshine the other nine tribes,” Yi Xuan echoed.
Zhang Ruochen’s mind stirred. If the Blood Sky Tribe had Thousand Questions and Myriad Deaths Life Realm experts, it was no surprise other tribes had perfect Hundred Shackles Realm experts.
The other nine clans of the Hell Realm likely had even more such powerhouses.
Breaking ninety-nine shackles versus perfection seemed a small gap, but the difference was vast, an almost insurmountable chasm.
Thus, even with Yu Huang’s unpredictable methods, facing Blade Prison Emperor, Jin Kun Great Saint, or Wind Empress would likely yield no advantage.
But what did they mean by “hunt”?
They made a grand feast sound so perilous.
“Zhang Ruochen, during the hunt, don’t go soft because the prey are Heaven Realm captives. Remember, you’re our Blood Sky Tribe’s leader. Fight for our glory.”
“What?”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart jolted. So, the Hunting Heaven meant hunting Heaven Realm cultivators.
He hadn’t imagined this outcome, yet he’d fought to become leader.
No wonder Blood Empress said only by fully seizing the Hunting Heaven Banquet could he truly establish himself in the Hell Realm.
This test was cruel, forcing Zhang Ruochen to stand irrevocably against the Heaven Realm, with no way back.
Though held in the Hell Realm, such an extraordinary event would spread across all realms, impossible to conceal.
“I’d love to hear your plan. How will you ensure our Blood Sky Tribe dominates the hunt?” Xi Yuan Empress asked with a faint smile.
