Zhang Ruochen had thoroughly intimidated Blood Butcher, leaving him anxious and filled with dread about the journey to the Forest of No Return.
To frighten a Great Saint to such an extent was something even a god would struggle to achieve.
Towards Blood Butcher, Zhang Ruochen harboured only hatred, with no trace of goodwill.
In the battle at the Sword Tomb, his senior brother Bao Lie had nearly perished at Blood Butcher’s hands, and Zhang Ruochen himself had narrowly escaped death, creating a deep-seated enmity. If Blood Empress hadn’t taken Blood Butcher as her disciple, Zhang Ruochen would never have let him off so easily.
However, his earlier words had been meant to scare Blood Butcher.
A Great Saint could be killed, but not humiliated.
If Blood Butcher were pushed to that extreme, he would rather die than submit.
After becoming a Great Saint, Zhang Ruochen’s mindset had shifted significantly, and he was eager to try the “Imperial Art of Controlling Men” once taught to him by Shangguan Que.
“He’s actually trying to escape.”
Sensing Blood Butcher quietly leaping off the Ten-Winged Holy Ship, Zhang Ruochen’s lips curled slightly. His figure vanished from where he stood, reappearing a hundred miles away, seizing the invisibly fleeing Blood Butcher with one hand.
The moment Blood Butcher saw Zhang Ruochen, his indestructible Great Saint body trembled, and he said despairingly, “Senior Brother, forcing a genius Great Saint to sell his holy blood and organs in the Forest of No Return would disgrace the entire Blood Heaven Tribe. You must think this through.”
Zhang Ruochen ignored him, his expression cold and commanding, exuding an aura of authority without anger. “What did I tell you? You still dared to escape, clearly not taking my words to heart. Moyin, drain half the holy blood from his body.”
Tendrils of the Saint-Devouring Flower extended from Zhang Ruochen’s back, wrapping around Blood Butcher’s arms.
“I hope his Great Saint holy blood can help you break through,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Blood Butcher tried to resist, but Zhang Ruochen pinned him with a single finger, immobilising him completely in space.
When Zhang Ruochen had nearly died, the Saint-Devouring Flower had also suffered severe damage, only recently awakening. Nurtured by Zhang Ruochen’s demigod blood for decades, it had finally returned to its peak state.
Now, with Blood Butcher as a new source of blood, Zhang Ruochen no longer needed to expend his own demigod blood.
…
In a mysterious space glowing with blood-red light, Blood Absolute War God and Blood Radiance God Lord sat facing each other.
The two gods were playing chess.
The pieces in their hands were not round black-and-white stones but tiny humanoid puppets, some radiating the aura of Saints, others exuding the formidable presence of Great Saints.
Blood Absolute War God said, “This move of yours doesn’t seem wise. Be careful, it might ruin him.”
Blood Radiance God Lord pondered, “Since Blood Butcher has obtained the Blood Flame War God Seal, he has the potential to become a god. However, his mindset is still far from reaching the heart of a god. Letting him stay by Zhang Ruochen’s side to temper his heart may not be a bad thing.”
Back then, Blood Radiance God Lord had sent Blood Butcher to the Kunlun Realm’s Battlefield of Merits with high hopes, aiming to hone his mindset.
*Clack.*
He placed a piece.
Blood Radiance God Lord said, “Your turn.”
“The heart of a true god must be unyielding through countless trials. But what if it breaks? Won’t you feel the pain?” Blood Absolute War God placed a piece, speaking thus.
“If it breaks, it means he lacks the potential to become a god. Knowing the result early, what’s wrong with that?”
Blood Radiance God Lord continued, “The cultivators of Hell nowadays are growing increasingly arrogant and self-important, which is not a good sign.”
“In the past ten thousand years, the number of new gods born in Hell, compared to the Heavenly Court’s realms, no longer holds much advantage. Perhaps it’s because the younger generation’s mindset lacks setbacks and tempering. No matter how many prodigiously talented Great Saints there are, they can’t break through to godhood.”
“Their growth environment has been too smooth.”
“I believe, at this Hunting Heaven Feast, we should propose suppressing Hell’s younger generation, curbing their unhealthy tendencies. The belief in inevitable victory is necessary, but arrogance, complacency, and indulgence must be eradicated.”
“It’s time to temper them.”
…
Having absorbed half of Blood Butcher’s Great Saint holy blood, the Saint-Devouring Flower successfully passed the Fusion Dao Tribulation, forging an indestructible holy body and breaking through to become a Great Saint.
It transformed into Moyin’s form, her appearance enchantingly alluring, surrounded by rings of holy energy. Her powerful holy might filled the vast space within a ten-thousand-mile radius.
“Thank you, Master, for granting the blood that helped your servant break through to Great Saint,” Moyin said, her voice soft and melodious, her phoenix eyes shimmering with blood-red light.
Zhang Ruochen said, “If you want to thank someone, thank your junior brother Blood Butcher.”
Hearing the words “junior brother,” Blood Butcher felt like crying.
Was there ever such a way to bully a junior brother?
“Senior Brother, we did have enmity before, but now we’re on the same side. Can’t we let bygones be bygones?” Blood Butcher said.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “Having grown up in Hell, you should understand the law of survival of the fittest better than I do. Only the weak hope for the strong to reconcile. If my cultivation were inferior to yours today and I fell into your hands, how much of my holy blood would you leave me?”
At these words, a glint flashed in Blood Butcher’s eyes.
“Right, I have the Blood Flame War God Seal. As long as I cultivate diligently, I might surpass Zhang Ruochen. Once I’m stronger than him, won’t he be at my mercy?”
Blood Butcher regained strong confidence, looking at Zhang Ruochen’s departing figure with a cruel and cold smile.
For now, he could only endure the humiliation, waiting for the Hunting Heaven Feast, where his cultivation would surely make a significant breakthrough.
“Moyin, keep an eye on Junior Brother Blood Butcher. If he dares to escape again, drain the other half of his holy blood.”
Returning to the Ten-Winged Holy Ship, Zhang Ruochen took out the Sundial and entered a state of cultivation.
The starry expanse of Hell was vast, and reaching the Forest of No Return required multiple wormhole crossings, taking considerable time.
Currently, Zhang Ruochen’s most urgent goal was to enhance his Saint Dao Rules.
Yan Wushen had already reached the peak of the Immortal Realm, and he couldn’t afford to lag too far behind.
Activating the Sundial, he cultivated for four years.
The Saint Dao Rules in Zhang Ruochen’s body increased by a hundred million, totaling over five hundred million.
“It seems raising my Saint Dao Rules to eight hundred million won’t be difficult. But comprehending Saint Intent doesn’t seem so easy.”
So far, Zhang Ruochen hadn’t even touched the threshold of Saint Intent.
To break through to the late stage of the Immortal Realm, he needed to meet two conditions: eight hundred million Saint Dao Rules and Saint Intent. Once he cultivated Saint Intent, his combat power would surge significantly.
“Since Yan Wushen has reached the peak of the Immortal Realm, he must have cultivated at least a billion Saint Dao Rules. More critically, how strong is the Saint Intent he’s comprehended?”
In the same realm, Zhang Ruochen could disregard any cultivator, but Yan Wushen was an exception.
Of the one hundred forty god stones he had purchased, only five remained after heavy expenditure. Zhang Ruochen was about to take out the Seven-Star Imperial Palace to study when a commotion arose outside.
“We’re here! Look, that’s the Six-Colored Divine Mist Nebula of the Forest of No Return. It’s spectacular!”
“I see three World Trees. The one in the middle must be the Destiny World Tree, right?”
…
Curious about the Forest of No Return, Hell’s most central region, Zhang Ruochen put away the Seven-Star Imperial Palace and walked out.
A large number of Blood Heaven Tribe’s Saint Realm cultivators had gathered on the holy ship’s deck.
Zhang Ruochen gazed into the distance, seeing a six-colored forest in the boundless starry sky.
The forest wasn’t real but formed from stellar dust, spanning roughly a tenth of a light-year, with a vertical length exceeding a trillion miles, too vast for even a Great Saint to cross by flight.
Numerous life planets floated within the six-colored forest, appearing as small as marbles from afar.
Most striking were the three World Trees in the six-colored forest.
They weren’t actual trees but rock structures resembling broad-leaved ancient trees, similar to the “Asura Star Pillar Realm.”
Each leaf of the three World Trees was a world, each world a kingdom, home to countless cultivators.
Some of these kingdoms had evolved into divine kingdoms.
At the top of each World Tree was a massive leaf, hosting three divine cities: the Destiny Divine Domain, Fengdu, and Yama Heaven Beyond Heaven.
The Ten-Winged Holy Ship was heading toward the top of the central Destiny World Tree—the Destiny Divine Domain.
The holy ship traveled on a special stellar path, influenced by divine power, constantly making spatial jumps, each covering billions of miles.
As they neared the Destiny World Tree, Zhang Ruochen felt increasing pressure, the rules of heaven and earth growing more active. The ten golden wings hidden in his body seemed to stir uncontrollably, as if ready to burst from his back.
After the fleet arrived at the Destiny Divine Domain, under Qing Sheng Great Saint’s lead, they settled into an independent city district.
“The area we’re in is called Hanye City Domain, built a hundred thousand years ago by the Destiny Divine Hall and the Yama Clan for the Hunting Heaven Feast. It’s divided into hundreds of districts, and our Blood Heaven Tribe is stationed in the Bing-Si District.”
“All cultivators from Hell’s Ten Clans participating in the Hunting Heaven Feast will enter Hanye City Domain.”
“Everyone must remember: private fighting is forbidden in the city domain. Gods oversee this place, and Great Saint enforcers patrol. Violators will face severe punishment.”
“If you have personal grudges to settle, go to the Martial Combat District.”
“If you wish to purchase cultivation items, head to the River Market District. Along the banks of the Saint River, major forces operate Saint Shops, and large auctions are held daily. With enough saint stones, you can buy anything you desire.”
“There are also the Discussion District, Sword Domain District…”
“The Hunting Heaven Feast is still some time away, so you have time to explore and broaden your horizons.”
Qing Sheng Great Saint spoke at length, but Zhang Ruochen’s thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
“The legendary Destiny Divine Hall must be in the Destiny Divine Domain. Is the power of destiny truly so fearsome, controlling everything in the world?” Closing his eyes, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t help but picture Huang Yanchen.
She turned, and her face became Prajna’s.
Being here, it was hard not to think of her.
Zhang Ruochen’s residence was arranged in the central area of Bing-Si District, called Hanhai Manor. Upon entering the manor, a large group knelt before him, saying, “We pay respects to Great Saint Ruochen.”
Besides the eighteen Six-Tribulation Ghost Kings mentioned by Qing Sheng Great Saint, there were eight Holy King-level Blood Clan guards, along with maids, stewards, and hundreds of servants.
For a stay of just one or two months, such an extravagant setup was astonishing.
“Rise.”
Pausing, Zhang Ruochen pointed to Moyin beside him and said, “For the time being, report any matters directly to Great Saint Moyin. She will handle everything for me. Oh, and send someone to fetch Blood Butcher.”
By a lakeside in Hanhai Manor, Zhang Ruochen activated the Sundial and resumed cultivation.
Blood Butcher approached, entering the Sundial’s range, and felt a pang of anguish, thinking, “With a time treasure like the Sundial, do I really have a chance to surpass Zhang Ruochen in this lifetime?”
Zhang Ruochen stopped cultivating, stood, and walked to a pavilion, pouring two cups of holy spring. He handed one to Blood Butcher.
Blood Butcher froze, his eyes filled with confusion. In a daze, he took the holy spring and drank it slowly. After drinking, he found that the Saint Dao Rules in his body had automatically increased by hundreds.
“This… this holy spring…”
Blood Butcher felt he couldn’t fathom Zhang Ruochen’s intentions.
Before coming to Hanhai Manor, he had been ready to flee again, fearing Zhang Ruochen would force him to sell his blood or organs. For a Great Saint, that was worse than death.
Yet, upon arriving, he was offered a precious holy spring.
The psychological contrast left him feeling almost flattered.
Zhang Ruochen sipped the other cup of holy spring and said, “Your five planetary fiefs, if put up for auction, how many god stones could they fetch?”
Blood Butcher had long accepted he’d lose his fiefs and wasn’t too heartbroken, saying, “A hundred god stones should be possible.”
“That little?” Zhang Ruochen frowned.
Blood Butcher was speechless.
Little?
A hundred god stones equaled a trillion saint stones.
If he hadn’t obtained the Blood Flame War God Seal, broken through to Great Saint, and received a fourth-class life planet from his clan, he wouldn’t have such wealth.
“Fine. List your fiefs at the auction and sell them within the next two days, converting them all to god stones.”
Seeing Blood Butcher stand still, Zhang Ruochen waved his hand, “Why aren’t you going?”
Blood Butcher still couldn’t believe Zhang Ruochen would let him off so easily and asked softly, “Does Senior Brother have no other instructions?”
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze fixed on him, “Work diligently for me. If you do well enough, I might consider giving you more time to repay the massive debt you owe me.”
“Great, I’ll handle it immediately and make sure it’s done perfectly.”
Blood Butcher was overjoyed, as if the sword hanging over his head had been lifted for now, and he left excitedly.
Holding the jade cup, Zhang Ruochen watched Blood Butcher’s departing figure, thinking, “My first attempt at controlling a Great Saint seems somewhat effective. But getting him to submit wholeheartedly and obey my every command is still a long way off.”
Suddenly, a cold voice came from the pavilion behind him, “I’ve never seen a Great Saint forced to auction his fiefs yet still so thrilled. Zhang Ruochen, your methods are impressive.”
The tone dripped with sarcasm.
Turning, Zhang Ruochen saw Emperor Yu’s figure, beautiful as a celestial maiden, seated inside.
Unceremoniously, she lifted the jade pot, tilted her snow-white chin, and poured the holy spring into her rosy lips. Such a bold act, performed by her, was filled with boundless charm.
Zhang Ruochen’s mind stirred, and he suddenly thought he might challenge a greater difficulty.
If he could tame even Emperor Yu, who could he not control in the future?
“I thought our relationship was irreconcilable, with no chance of mending. I didn’t expect you, Emperor Yu, to visit me主动. It’s perfect, as I have important matters to discuss with you.”
Zhang Ruochen’s demeanor was calm, making no mention of Emperor Yu drinking the holy spring without permission.
Emperor Yu flicked her wrist, placing the jade pot back on the table. Her sharp phoenix eyes glared at Zhang Ruochen, and she huffed, “I’m not here to mend relations. Someone sent an invitation meant for you to me.”
With that, an invitation flew from her sleeve.
