Yi Xuan Great Saint, nearly ten feet tall with silver hair, exuded a commanding and domineering aura.
Standing beside Zhang Ruochen, gazing at the blood-red sky, he continued, “Over the many years of conflict between the Heavenly Court and Hell, Hell has always held the upper hand. Because of this, the mindset of beings on both sides is vastly different.”
“The Heavenly Court’s realms have always been biding their time, hoping to gradually surpass Hell. It’s these four words, ‘biding their time,’ that make them, from gods to mortals, deliberately keep a low profile and conceal their strength.”
“But Hell has always been the strongest. Why stay low-key? Why hide our methods? We must display absolute dominance, crushing the morale of the Heavenly Court’s cultivators from a psychological standpoint.”
At this, Yi Xuan Great Saint revealed a meaningful smile and said, “On the Battlefield of Merits, you rarely see the Heavenly Court’s cultivators proactively organising large-scale campaigns to attack Hell, do you?”
“They’ve always been passively defending or achieving minor victories in small-scale battles. Over the past hundred thousand years, one mortal realm after another has either been destroyed or turned into Hell’s territory, providing the Ten Clans with blood food, mounts, women, slaves, and mineral resources. How tragic.”
Zhang Ruochen had to admit that what Yi Xuan Great Saint said held some truth.
The so-called War of Merits had, in reality, already been lost by the Heavenly Court in terms of morale.
Just like back then, on the Ancestral Spirit Realm’s Battlefield of Merits, when choosing the next battlefield.
Guanghan Realm, Tianmu Realm, Great Demon Ten Directions Realm… all believed that if selected as the Battlefield of Merits, their home realm would surely be destroyed.
This was a mindset of inevitable defeat.
Having lost for a hundred thousand years, how many cultivators in the Heavenly Court still held the belief in certain victory?
Every cultivator in Hell did.
Yi Xuan Great Saint laughed heartily, “Of course, you’re an exception, causing Hell to suffer several major losses on the Kunlun Realm’s Battlefield of Merits. Do you know how severely those slaughter-like battles of yours shattered the Hell cultivators’ belief in inevitable victory?”
Zhang Ruochen smiled without responding.
“If you stayed on the Kunlun Realm’s Battlefield of Merits, I suspect many Hell cultivators would start thinking of fleeing the battlefield,” Yi Xuan Great Saint said.
Zhang Ruochen knew full well that Yi Xuan Great Saint’s earlier words were meant to convince him that coming to Hell was a wise decision, that the Heavenly Court had no future.
However, Zhang Ruochen’s will was resolute, unshaken by mere words.
No matter how strong or prosperous Hell was, it ultimately represented destruction and death. If the Heavenly Court’s realms were all destroyed, how long could Hell itself persist?
The next step would likely be an extermination war among Hell’s Ten Clans.
In the end, both the Heavenly Court and Hell would fall into desolation, devoid of any living or dead beings.
Without life, where would death come from?
Zhang Ruochen didn’t dwell on these overly grand questions. Standing at the edge of the Ten-Winged Holy Ship’s deck, staring at the surrounding holy ships, he said, “I noticed that Emperor Yu and Gu Chenzi are quite ostentatious, one riding a Qingluan Beast Emperor, the other using a Silver Dragon Beast Emperor to pull his chariot. Why is it that you, one of the Blood Heaven’s Three Elites, have neither a mount nor a chariot, travelling with a group of Holy Kings?”
Yi Xuan Great Saint scratched his silver hair, clearly frustrated, and said, “It’s all because of that wretched Seventh Son of the Ghost Lord, Xi.”
The Ghost Lord and Blood Absolute War God had significant enmity, and at this Hunting Heaven Feast, the Blood Heaven Tribe would surely be targeted.
Since he had promised Blood Empress and Xuanji Sword Saint to win the Hunting Heaven Feast, Zhang Ruochen wanted to learn more about Xi.
So, he asked, “What exactly happened? I recall Emperor Zhiyuan mentioning that Xi once seized a cosmic secret realm discovered by the Blood Heaven Tribe?”
Yi Xuan Great Saint’s composure shattered, and he roared, “The Chaos Spring birthed in that cosmic secret realm was supposed to be my opportunity. But at the critical moment, he ambushed me, gravely injuring me. Not only did he take the Chaos Spring, but he also looted all the treasures on me.”
“If not for the protective treasure I carried, I’d likely have died in his sneak attack. This grudge, this shame, I’ll remember it forever.”
“But that bastard, having obtained the Chaos Spring, has far surpassed me in cultivation. At this Hunting Heaven Feast, he’ll be a major threat to our Blood Heaven Tribe.”
After Yi Xuan Great Saint left, Zhang Ruochen heard a transmission from Qing Sheng Great Saint and quickly entered the interior of the holy ship, arriving at a brightly lit hall.
Not only was Qing Sheng Great Saint there, but Blood Chen and Blood Ningxiao were present too.
Qing Sheng Great Saint’s expression was grave as he said solemnly, “We just received news that the God of Xiu Chen has joined the Qinglu God Hall, the second-ranked force of the Asura Clan. This Hunting Heaven Feast has gained another formidable enemy.”
“Is that why the Great Saint called me here?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Having an irreconcilable feud with the God of Xiu Chen, Zhang Ruochen had already considered all possibilities and feared no challenge.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen’s calm demeanour, Qing Sheng Great Saint nodded in satisfaction and said, “There’s another matter. You’re the leader of this Hunting Heaven Feast, so you no longer represent just yourself but the entire Blood Heaven Tribe. Your presence must be grand, your aura commanding.”
“Before we left, the War God entrusted me with a treasure to pass on to you.”
Blood Ningxiao’s eyes lit up with envy. A treasure personally bestowed by the War God was no ordinary item.
A palm-sized, exquisite palace appeared in Qing Sheng Great Saint’s hand, offered to Zhang Ruochen.
“What is this?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
As he took the palace, a force heavier than a mountain pressed into his palm, causing his arm to tremble slightly.
“The Seven-Star Imperial Palace,” Qing Sheng Great Saint said.
Blood Ningxiao gasped, exclaiming, “What? It’s actually the Seven-Star Imperial Palace?”
Zhang Ruochen didn’t know what made the Seven-Star Imperial Palace special, but he could clearly sense the intense aura of Blood Absolute War God emanating from it.
Qing Sheng Great Saint cast a glance at Blood Ningxiao.
Understanding the cue, Blood Ningxiao explained to Zhang Ruochen, “The Seven-Star Imperial Palace was a holy palace forged by the War God during his Great Saint period, infused with countless treasures and immense effort. After all these years of nurturing, it’s likely not far from becoming a divine palace.”
Blood Chen’s eyes revealed deep envy as he thought to himself, “The War God has given the Seven-Star Imperial Palace to Zhang Ruochen. Is he already being groomed as the future clan leader?”
The significance of the Seven-Star Imperial Palace was extraordinary.
Qing Sheng Great Saint added, “The Seven-Star Imperial Palace was where the War God once lived and cultivated. Every item within has been nurtured into either a Great Saint Ancient Artifact or a Divine Relic Ancient Artifact.”
“It offers an excellent cultivation environment and contains some of the War God’s cultivation insights.”
“Of course, for you right now, the greatest practical benefit is its defensive power. With your current cultivation, combined with the power of the Palace’s Guardian Spirit, fully activating the palace would make it nearly impossible for even a Great Saint in the Ten Thousand Deaths Realm to breach its defences in a short time.”
Zhang Ruochen gazed at the Seven-Star Imperial Palace in his hand, his eyes filled with awe.
Such a treasure was even more practical than a divine artifact.
Qing Sheng Great Saint continued, “At the Hunting Heaven Feast, you’ll enter with the Seven-Star Imperial Palace, carried by eighteen Six-Tribulation Ghost Kings. The Blood Heaven Tribe’s presence must not appear weak.”
Blood Chen’s heart trembled, finally understanding the War God’s intent in giving the Seven-Star Imperial Palace to Zhang Ruochen.
This was a declaration to all of Hell that Zhang Ruochen was his successor. Anyone who dared to move against Zhang Ruochen would have to consider whether they could withstand the War God’s wrath.
Of course, the key lay in Zhang Ruochen’s performance at the Hunting Heaven Feast.
If Zhang Ruochen failed this test, unable to act ruthlessly against the Heavenly Court’s captives or to bring glory to the Blood Heaven Tribe, then the higher the War God had raised him, the harder he would fall.
Blood Absolute War God was making a bold gamble, forcing Zhang Ruochen to make a choice.
Carrying the Seven-Star Imperial Palace, Zhang Ruochen felt a heavy burden as he walked out.
What Blood Chen could see clearly, how could Zhang Ruochen, with ten times his intellect, not see?
In that moment, countless thoughts flooded Zhang Ruochen’s mind, images of Blood Empress, Xuanji Sword Saint, Blood Absolute War God, and Chi Kunlun flashing through. Even Chi Yao’s shadow appeared.
It was as if Chi Yao was staring at him with a mocking face, saying, “Didn’t you hate Hell the most? How did you become one of them? Zhang Ruochen, in the face of the greater tide, your strength is insignificant.”
After a long while, Zhang Ruochen let out a heavy sigh, “If I don’t enter Hell, who will?”
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen spotted a figure darting past ahead. He immediately cleared his thoughts, used spatial teleportation, and intercepted the figure.
“Why do you dodge when you see me?”
Blood Butcher, blocked by Zhang Ruochen, looked slightly embarrassed and said, “Greetings, Senior Brother.”
“The Purgatory Tower of No Return I lent you, it’s time to give it back, isn’t it?” Zhang Ruochen said.
“Well…”
Blood Butcher gave an awkward smile, “Father God took back the Purgatory Tower of No Return. It’s no longer in my hands.”
Zhang Ruochen unleashed an immense holy might that enveloped the entire Ten-Winged Holy Ship, causing countless Holy Realm cultivators to tremble and kneel in fear.
Though Blood Butcher was already a Great Saint, under the pressure of Zhang Ruochen’s holy might, he struggled to breathe, his blood-fiend energy seemingly frozen.
“My Supreme Holy Artifact, lent to you out of kindness, and you offered it to your Father God. You dare to attend the Hunting Heaven Feast? You dare to show your face before me? And you dare to smile?”
Zhang Ruochen’s right hand pressed onto Blood Butcher’s left shoulder.
Instantly, a series of bone-cracking sounds erupted within Blood Butcher’s body, his indestructible Great Saint bones feeling as if they were about to snap.
“It was clearly my Supreme Holy Artifact, and you just stole it.”
Blood Butcher didn’t dare voice this thought.
Zhang Ruochen’s power was overwhelming. Just by placing a hand on his shoulder, he was completely immobilised, his indestructible Great Saint body on the verge of collapse.
Blood Butcher said, “Father God wanted to take it… I… I had no choice.”
In truth, the Purgatory Tower of No Return wasn’t actively reclaimed by Blood Radiance God Lord; Blood Butcher had voluntarily returned it.
A Supreme Holy Artifact, once obtained, why would he give it back?
No matter how powerful Zhang Ruochen was, would he dare to demand the Purgatory Tower of No Return from Blood Radiance God Lord? Would he dare to kill him?
*Crack.*
Blood Butcher’s shoulder bone shattered, and a surge of holy blood poured from his body.
*Crack, crack.*
Five more indestructible Great Saint bones broke, and half his body collapsed.
Blood Butcher was finally afraid.
Did Zhang Ruochen really not dare to kill him?
Even if he didn’t kill him, he might shatter his indestructible Great Saint body, turning him into a Fallen One, forever unable to reach the Divine Realm.
“Senior Brother, I was wrong! Please spare me this time. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely compensate you. Killing me won’t benefit you at all,” Blood Butcher pleaded with a pained expression.
Zhang Ruochen said, “A Supreme Holy Artifact. Can you afford to compensate for that?”
“I have fiefs that generate vast wealth every year,” Blood Butcher said miserably.
“How many fiefs?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
“Five planets: three first-class life planets, one second-class mineral planet, and one fourth-class life planet,” Blood Butcher replied.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, “Not enough to match a Supreme Holy Artifact.”
“Besides my fiefs, I have no other treasures. Even if I did, Senior Brother, you wouldn’t care for them.”
Seeing a shift in Zhang Ruochen’s expression, as if he were about to unleash even greater holy power, Blood Butcher hurriedly added, “But… but I’ll do everything in my power to make up for your loss until it’s fully repaid.”
*Thud.*
Zhang Ruochen tossed Blood Butcher to the ground, his gaze still cold and sharp.
*Crack, crack.*
Blood Butcher’s broken indestructible Great Saint bones quickly reconnected, his body restoring itself in an instant.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen’s eyes flickered with contemplation, and he said, “If I dug out your heart, would you die?”
“Of course not. I’m a Great Saint now, my vitality far stronger than when I was a Holy King. Even if my heart were removed, it would quickly regrow. Senior Brother, why ask this?” Blood Butcher asked curiously.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Why not sell your heart, kidneys, or lungs? A Great Saint’s organs must be quite valuable and in demand. At the very least, you could sell your blood. The holy blood of a Great Saint, the Immortal Blood Clan’s saints and holy kings would surely crave it.”
Blood Butcher’s face grew paler with each word, and he staggered back.
Suddenly, he realised that offending Zhang Ruochen wasn’t something he could easily brush off.
The consequences…
Were severe.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t seem to be joking. With a serious expression, he patted Blood Butcher’s shoulder firmly and said, “After we reach the Forest of No Return, we’ll discuss this money-making plan in detail. Don’t worry about running out of holy blood; I’ll find ways to keep you alive, at least ensuring you don’t die.”
“Senior Brother, isn’t this a bit much? I’m a disciple of True God Qingyin. Doing this would tarnish her reputation,” Blood Butcher said, clinging to a last shred of hope.
“Mother’s reputation will be upheld by me alone.”
With that, Zhang Ruochen strode off, adding a warning as he left, “I warn you, don’t even think about escaping. If I catch you, I’ll make you wish you could neither live nor die.”
Blood Butcher was utterly despairing, feeling like the most pathetic Great Saint in the history of the Immortal Blood Clan.
Of all people to offend, why did it have to be Zhang Ruochen?
