“The selection of divine sons and divine maidens in the Destiny God Temple alternates.”
“For instance, this generation selects a divine maiden, so the next must select a divine son.”
“When this generation’s divine maiden becomes a god, falls, or fails to become a god within a thousand years, preparations begin for selecting the next divine son,” Luo Yan said.
Zhang Ruochen was moved, asking, “So, the Destiny God Temple selects a divine son or maiden every thousand years at most?”
“Exactly.”
“In one Yuan Epoch, wouldn’t that mean a total of 129 divine sons and maidens? How many of them become gods?” Zhang Ruochen sought to estimate the approximate number of gods in the Destiny God Temple through the success rate of divine sons and maidens.
Luo Yan said, “When chosen, the divine sons and maidens of the Destiny God Temple already possess the most exceptional talent of their generation. With access to the best cultivation resources in the Hell Realm, their chances of becoming gods are very high.”
“About one to two out of ten achieve godhood within a thousand years of being selected.”
“Those who don’t become gods within that time, even if they step down from their position, are mostly top-tier Great Saints. With their long lifespans, many undoubtedly still achieve godhood later.”
“As for who becomes a god, who falls, or their other statuses, that’s confidential to the Destiny God Temple, known only to the highest echelons.”
“The divine maiden position is fiercely contested because her authority is immense.”
“Unless an extraordinarily significant event occurs, the gods of the Destiny God Temple do not interfere in the Hell Realm’s affairs. All matters are handled by the divine maiden and the twelve palace black-robed high priests, with the divine maiden’s authority surpassing even the high priests, representing the will of the gods.”
Zhang Ruochen sighed inwardly. These divine sons and maidens were essentially god-seeds selected by the Destiny God Temple, the most outstanding talents honed over a thousand years, each capable of becoming the temple’s master.
The Destiny God Temple’s foundation was unfathomably deep.
The more one pondered it, the more awe-inspiring it felt.
Curious, Zhang Ruochen asked, “Your talent is among the best of your peers, and you follow the Path of Destiny. Why didn’t you become a divine maiden candidate?”
“You’ve finally praised me once. Not bad, not bad.”
Luo Yan gave a charming smile, her red lips pursing slightly, “My talent, insight, and beauty are no less than the three divine maiden candidates. I could have been a candidate. But I heard that for the thousand years as a divine maiden, one must sever emotions and desires, so I gave up competing with them.”
Zhang Ruochen stared into her eyes, trying to discern if she was telling the truth.
Luo Yan, fox-like, winked at him, adding, “Actually, the main reason is I wanted to see who this fated person in the prophecy is and how he’ll enter my life. If I became the divine maiden and he appeared, what then?”
Knowing Luo Yan was teasing him again, Zhang Ruochen looked away, saying sternly, “Boring.”
A Thousand Questions Realm Great Saint from the Star Sea World arrived, restraining the groups led by Prajna and Empress Feng, guiding them to separate pavilions by the lakeside to rest.
The two pavilions were separated only by the one where Zhang Ruochen and Luo Yan were resting.
Prajna, along with Death Tribe and Nether Tribe cultivators, was on the left.
Empress Feng’s group was on the right.
Even separated, the two groups continued their standoff, as if clashing with their minds, the air around them constantly trembling.
Occasionally, killing intent targeted Zhang Ruochen.
Luo Yan remained calm, introducing the Hundred Shackles Realm powerhouses in Empress Feng’s camp to Zhang Ruochen, “That guy with golden hair is the Undying Blood Tribe’s top powerhouse below the Thousand Questions Realm, Emperor Blade Hell. You must be wary of him.”
“Why?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Luo Yan said, “Though exceptionally gifted, he’s narrow-minded and arrogant, unable to tolerate anyone more outstanding. Your emergence steals his spotlight in the Undying Blood Tribe. Given the chance, he’ll likely try to humiliate you or suppress you, the so-called once-in-a-Yuan-Epoch genius.”
Zhang Ruochen gave her a deep look, admitting she had read Emperor Blade Hell accurately.
Not long ago, Emperor Blade Hell deliberately sent an invitation to Yu Huang, revealing his character to Zhang Ruochen.
Luo Yan continued, “See that burly man radiating white holy light, with disheveled hair like a lion? He’s an outlier, not from the Lower Three Tribes but the Stone Tribe, yet staunchly in Empress Feng’s camp.”
“White Jade Mad Lion?” Zhang Ruochen said.
“That’s the mad lion.”
Luo Yan smiled, adding, “Other cultivators support divine maiden candidates for their tribe’s interests. He, however, is entirely devoted to Empress Feng, even publicly declaring he’d be her mount for life.”
Zhang Ruochen paused, shaking his head, “No wonder he’s called the mad lion.”
“If you think he’s truly mad, you’re gravely mistaken. Can a Great Saint’s mind be lacking?” Luo Yan said.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “So, Empress Feng’s methods are exceptional?”
“For a Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection powerhouse to willingly be her mount, her methods are extraordinary. But if Empress Feng becomes the true divine maiden, she’ll wield immense authority. The divine maiden’s mount is her closest confidant, holding significant influence in the Destiny God Temple.”
Then, Luo Yan posed a question, “Who do you think has a better chance of becoming the divine maiden: Prajna, who hasn’t reached the Great Saint realm, or Empress Feng, already at Hundred Shackles Realm Great Perfection?”
Zhang Ruochen remained silent.
Luo Yan smiled, “The Stone Tribe wouldn’t bet solely on Prajna. I suspect White Jade Mad Lion is their chess piece by Empress Feng’s side. If she believes she’s fully tamed him and lets her guard down, who rides whom remains to be seen.”
The interests surrounding the Hunting Feast and divine maiden selection were intricate, with every faction and cultivator involved proceeding with utmost caution.
Empress Feng’s junior brother, Yan Beijun, approached the pavilion, clasping his hands, “Lord Ruochen, Princess Luo Yan, my senior sister sincerely invites you both for a chat.”
Luo Yan looked to Zhang Ruochen for his stance.
Zhang Ruochen said, “I came to the Star Sea World to purchase cultivation items and see the auction’s rarities. If Empress Feng wants to make friends, we can arrange another time and place, not today.”
Yan Beijun, hearing a transmission, listened intently, then said, “My senior sister says all items Great Saint Ruochen purchases here can be charged to her.”
“Really? Even if I bid for the divine corpse?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Yan Beijun’s face stiffened, then relaxed, “Great Saint Ruochen jests. Please trust my senior sister’s sincerity. She genuinely wishes to befriend you.”
“I’m not joking. I’m truly interested in the divine corpse,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Laughter erupted from the pavilions on both sides.
Great Senluo Emperor said, “What a coincidence. I’m under my father’s orders to secure the divine corpse at all costs. Zhang Ruochen, how many divine stones have you prepared?”
Wujiang added, “I hear the Blood Absolute Family recently acquired a pseudo-god’s corpse, so they shouldn’t need another.”
Zhang Ruochen said calmly, “My interest in the divine corpse has nothing to do with the Blood Absolute Family.”
The laughter from the Death and Nether Tribes’ pavilion grew louder.
No one believed Zhang Ruochen could afford a divine corpse with his own wealth, without relying on his family or gods.
At that moment, Three Gold Great Saint approached with three attendants, entering the pavilion.
“Great Saint Ruochen, here are the ten Earth-grade Artifact Pills, ten Heaven-grade Artifact Pills, and fifty Heaven-grade Heavenly Sha Pills you requested, totaling seven divine stones.”
Then, Three Gold Great Saint opened his right hand.
A light speck appeared in his palm, growing larger until it formed a lotus about one zhang in diameter, with twelve crystalline petals emitting a fragrant aroma.
Seeing the Illuminating Divine Lotus, all cultivators’ gazes turned toward it.
Great Senluo Emperor’s eyes gleamed with excitement, blurting, “A hundred-thousand-year Illuminating Divine Lotus.”
“Indeed, a hundred-thousand-year Illuminating Divine Lotus, valued at 140 divine stones.”
Three Gold Great Saint handed the lotus to Zhang Ruochen, then produced a translucent spherical spatial treasure containing twelve star cores.
One sixth-level star core, five fifth-level star cores, and six fourth-level star cores.
“Great Saint Ruochen, all the treasures you requested total 353 divine stones,” Three Gold Great Saint said.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, “Leave them here, I’ll take them all.”
Next, Three Gold Great Saint presented the cultivation resources Luo Yan requested, placing them on the table, totaling 24 divine stones.
Luo Yan, without inspecting them, said, “I’ll take them all. Charge them to him.”
Three Gold Great Saint gave an awkward smile, looking at Zhang Ruochen.
Twenty-four divine stones was no small sum; even a Great Saint like Xue Tu would need to sell fiefs to afford it.
“Your Nether Yang Divine Wheel is so valuable, and you can’t spare a mere 24 divine stones? If I stir things up, believe me, the auction price of the Nether Yang Divine Wheel will plummet,” Luo Yan secretly messaged Zhang Ruochen.
Still resentful that he didn’t sell her the Nether Yang Divine Wheel, Luo Yan held a grudge.
If she caused a scene, merely spreading that “Zhang Ruochen is auctioning the Nether Yang Divine Wheel” would significantly impact its price.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, “Charge her portion to me.”
Gasps echoed from the pavilions on both sides.
Purchasing hundreds of divine stones’ worth of treasures was a massive expenditure for Immortal and Hundred Shackles Realm Great Saints, and astronomical for Saint Kings.
More intriguingly, they noted Zhang Ruochen and Luo Yan’s relationship.
Casually covering 24 divine stones for Luo Yan’s resources—did it mean Zhang Ruochen was pursuing her, aiming to ally with the Tianluo Divine Kingdom?
With Divine Prince Luo Shengtian’s strength, this was alarming news for Zhang Ruochen’s enemies.
Prajna’s gaze turned again, calm but lingering on Luo Yan’s face, scrutinizing her closely.
Empress Feng fell silent.
Meanwhile, Yan Beijun retreated.
After a pause, Divine Son Yuan Mo said dryly, “On the Kunlun Realm’s merit battlefield, Zhang Ruochen plundered many treasures. A few hundred divine stones are nothing. If you kill him and take his treasures, you’ll find his wealth may rival a Supreme Realm Great Saint’s.”
“Buzz!”
“Buzz!”
…
Seven bell chimes rang.
The auction was about to begin.
The lakeside cultivators took flight, heading to the auction venue.
The Star Sea World’s auction venue was grand, floating in midair, a spiraling ring-shaped world. The ring, about forty li in diameter, was divided into three tiers—upper, middle, and lower.
Each tier featured green mountains, jade pools, steps, ornate buildings, gardens, and VIP seats.
Zhang Ruochen and Luo Yan landed on the topmost tier.
As they touched down, an angry roar came from afar, “Zhang Ruochen, stay away from my sister! Are you seeking death?”
Divine Prince Luo Shengtian, tall and imposing, strode forward furiously. Despite the realm’s suppression, his aura was overwhelming, his right fist glowing with searing, dazzling evil light.
Behind him followed a dozen Luo Yan Tribe powerhouses, brimming with killing intent.
Zhang Ruochen’s brows furrowed deeply, looking at Luo Yan, “You explain to your imperial brother. I haven’t done anything to you.”
Seizing the chance to escape, Zhang Ruochen vanished into the bustling crowd to avoid further extortion by Luo Yan.
Luo Yan, somewhat helpless, approached Luo Shengtian, sighing softly.
“Where’s that bastard Zhang Ruochen? Little sister, did he trouble you? Is he holding a grudge from the Life-and-Death Platform, seeking revenge?”
Luo Shengtian wanted to chase Zhang Ruochen, but Luo Yan stopped him.
“Even with ten times the courage, Zhang Ruochen wouldn’t dare harm me. Imperial brother, retract your power. This is the auction venue; don’t attract the Star Sea World’s enforcers and delay important matters,” Luo Yan said.
Luo Shengtian snorted, “In the Destiny God Domain, Zhang Ruochen wouldn’t dare touch you, but he’s reckless and disregards rules. You two have a deep feud, so be cautious. After the auction, I’ll find a chance to warn him.”
“In the merit battlefield, fine. But in the Hell Realm, if he dares bully you again, I’ll ensure he has no grave.”
