Sacrificing a Jungle Small World for five Yandao Sacred Fruits was a steep price, but Zhang Ruochen felt it was worth it.
He collected the five Yandao Sacred Fruits from Xi’s table, lining them up alongside the previous five on his jade table, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
Gazing at the ten gleaming sacred fruits, every cultivator at the banquet had eyes burning with greed, envy, and jealousy.
“If only they were mine,” many thought to themselves.
Ten Yandao Sacred Fruits represented a billion Path Rules and 30,000 years of lifespan.
Some believed Zhang Ruochen had won too easily, securing the highest number of Yandao Sacred Fruits in just two contests, a record for any Hunting Heaven Feast.
Yet, more cultivators, through these two contests, came to see Zhang Ruochen anew, viewing him as a formidable rival in the upcoming Hunting Heaven Battlefield.
Defeating the Great Senluo Emperor could be dismissed as trickery and luck.
But with even the peerless Xi falling to Zhang Ruochen, who would dare underestimate him now?
Empress Feng’s luminous, translucent eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen, a captivating smile forming as she began to understand why the Xuetian War God had chosen him to lead the Xuetian Tribe and fully supported him in wielding the Supreme Sacred Artifact.
Through these two contests, an inexplicable, wondrous feeling stirred in Empress Feng’s heart. Zhang Ruochen, merely at the Immortal Realm, had become somewhat unfathomable.
“Even if I fail to claim the Divine Maiden, marrying him, with his talent and my support, this era will surely belong to us. The Divine Maiden’s radiance might even be overshadowed by us. I hope to see more miracles from him on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield.” Her approval of Zhang Ruochen soared.
When the gods of the Huangtian Tribe intended to marry her to Zhang Ruochen, Empress Feng had been quite resistant.
But now, she felt it might be a viable fallback.
Xuetu, seeing Zhang Ruochen triumph again, couldn’t muster any joy, his mood heavy and conflicted. Finally, gritting his teeth, he headed upstream.
“I can give up anything else, but I must consume that Yandao Sacred Fruit. If Zhang Ruochen doesn’t return it, I’ll fight him to the death.” Xuetu clenched his fists, his gaze fierce, ready for a desperate battle.
Prajna didn’t linger or spare Zhang Ruochen or Xi a glance, turning to leave, her demeanor as cold as an iceberg throughout.
Zhang Ruochen didn’t look at her, his eyes fixed on Xi across the Fate Stream, or rather, on the massive sword. He said, “Is he still alive?”
Xi knew who Zhang Ruochen meant. Standing, he lifted the sword and said, “Alive! And you’ll see him soon, on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield.”
Zhang Ruochen’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart was engulfed by negative emotions—murderous intent, anger, sorrow, and uncertainty.
Once sent to the Hunting Heaven Battlefield, the Barbarian Sword Great Saint would become prey for the Hell Realm cultivators, turning them into mortal enemies. It would be a fight to the death.
Xi’s mindset far surpassed the Great Senluo Emperor’s, a smile forming as he said, “I’m curious. On the Hunting Heaven Battlefield, will you be able to strike him down?”
Zhang Ruochen only stared, silent.
Xi continued, “The feast has just begun, and I’ve already lost two contests to you. But suddenly, I’m neither angry nor regretful. Instead, I’m grateful for these losses. At least I’ve only lost face and five Yandao Sacred Fruits, not my life.”
“These two defeats have shown me my weaknesses—too much arrogance. Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit. Against you and Emperor Yu, I focused on humiliating you, forgetting the fundamental goal of defeating you.”
“I used to relish the process of crushing opponents. Your lesson has taught me I must change. The outcome matters more than the process.”
“So, as thanks, let me warn you: when you face him, kill him with one strike. If you can’t firmly sever ties with the Heavenly Court cultivators, you’ll never integrate into the Hell Realm. A hesitant, wavering person is doomed to achieve nothing.”
“Zhang Ruochen, you’re a formidable opponent. I look forward to a true battle with you on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield.”
Zhang Ruochen’s fingers lightly tapped the jade table, restraining himself, exhaling, “Fine, we’ll meet at the Hunting Heaven Feast.”
“It’s yours!”
Xi tossed the massive sword, blade forward, hilt back, transforming it into a streak of sword light speeding toward Zhang Ruochen.
It was lightning-fast, thrown with Xi’s full strength.
Zhang Ruochen spun, the sword grazing past his face.
The blade reflected his sharp features.
*Whoosh!*
Countless time marks appeared, slowing the flow of time in the area. Zhang Ruochen reached out, grabbing the sword’s hilt, pressing his wrist downward.
The blade tilted, slicing into the ground with a *hiss*.
The sword’s impact force dragged it several zhang backward, carving a deep sword path.
Fortunately, the Destiny Sacred Mountain’s structure was sturdy, reinforced with divine patterns.
Otherwise, the sword’s force could have rippled thousands of li outward.
Zhang Ruochen pulled the sword from the ground, holding it up, examining it closely, memories of his time training in the Heavenly Court surfacing. He said, “A King’s Sacred Artifact-level war sword, given so freely. Quite a generous gift.”
Xi, already walking away, waved dismissively, “I gave away five Yandao Sacred Fruits. One more sword is no big deal.”
Gu Chenzi sent a mental message to Zhang Ruochen, “He gave you the sword to unsettle your mind.”
Zhang Ruochen knew Xi’s intentions. The sword’s appearance had indeed shaken his once-resolute heart.
He had resolved to fight without hesitation, turning the heavens upside down.
But now…
*Sigh!*
“Senior Brother!”
Xuetu’s voice sounded from behind.
Zhang Ruochen was in a foul mood. Were it not for the Hunting Heaven Feast’s rules, he would have already attacked Xi. Turning sharply, he said, “What? What do you want?”
His eyes gleamed with cold, murderous intent.
Xuetu, unaware that Zhang Ruochen’s anger was aimed at Xi, felt a chill, his throat freezing as he stammered, “Senior Brother… I… I congratulate you on defeating Xi and winning the second contest.”
Zhang Ruochen fully reined in his emotions, nodding lightly, “Mm, go on then.”
Xuetu turned, took two steps, then paused, thinking, “I came for the Yandao Sacred Fruit. Why am I leaving?”
Summoning his courage, he approached again, whispering, “Senior Brother, the Yandao Sacred Fruit you borrowed… could you… return it now?”
“Borrowed things must be returned, right?” Zhang Ruochen said.
Xuetu nodded, “Exactly.”
“But the Inferno Purgatory Tower you borrowed from me—why haven’t you returned it? This Yandao Sacred Fruit will settle that debt,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Xuetu was speechless, unwilling, and said, “I can repay the debt slowly later. Please give me this Yandao Sacred Fruit first. Once I consume it, my cultivation will surely soar, benefiting the Xuetian Tribe’s performance on the Hunting Heaven Battlefield.”
Zhang Ruochen extended a finger, spatial rules gathering at its tip.
Recalling being flicked away earlier, Xuetu’s face paled, and he retreated downstream, muttering, “Damn Xiuchen, why did she kidnap Zhang Ruochen’s daughter? If she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have come to the Hell Realm. If he hadn’t come, with my talent, I’d have dominated this era. How could he suppress me so thoroughly?”
“Living like a coward! No, I can’t keep enduring this. I must fight back.”
Zhang Ruochen stared at Xuetu’s retreating figure, pondering briefly, then called, “Xuetu, I can lend you one Yandao Sacred Fruit, but…”
Xuetu’s heart leapt with joy. He rushed back, grabbing Zhang Ruochen’s arm excitedly, saying resolutely, “Whatever Senior Brother needs, I’ll give my all, no questions asked.”
“Uh… never mind. Just remember, you owe me another huge debt.” Zhang Ruochen handed him a sacred flower containing a blooming Yandao Sacred Fruit.
Xuetu clutched the flower tightly, tears of gratitude welling up, nodding heavily.
Zhang Ruochen, unable to bear his gaze, waved him away.
After Xi’s defeat, more cultivators challenged Zhang Ruochen, but he declined them all, unwilling to continue.
Winning two contests had already boosted the Xuetian Tribe’s morale to its peak.
Continuing posed risks: first, Zhang Ruochen wasn’t confident of winning; second, a loss would collapse the hard-earned morale.
As five thousand Xuanji Sacred Fruits flowed from the Fate Stream’s source, reaching the hands of five thousand top Saint Kings, contests grew more frequent, with battles erupting everywhere.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Lanxi, still kneeling nearby, and said, “Get up.”
Lanxi’s eyes were hollow, rising like a puppet.
Her state pained many cultivators, stirring a desire to embrace and protect her from further harm.
Others wanted to teach Zhang Ruochen, this heartless brute, a lesson.
Especially the Heavenly Court cultivators watching via projection, who shouted slogans across merit battlefields: “Storm the Hell Realm, slay Zhang Ruochen with a sword, rescue Great Saint Lanxi!”
“Pool sacred stones to hire assassins from the Earth Kill Organization to cut off Zhang Ruochen’s head in the Hell Realm.”
“Zhang Ruochen is now an Immortal Blood Clan Great Saint with immense vitality. Even beheading won’t kill him. He must be dismembered!”
Unbeknownst to Zhang Ruochen, Heavenly Court cultivators across merit battlefields had formed the “Anti-Ruochen Alliance,” branding him the era’s greatest traitor.
*Clink.*
Pouring a cup of Divine Jade Nectar from a pot, Zhang Ruochen handed it to Lanxi, saying, “You helped me win one Yandao Sacred Fruit. This cup of Divine Jade Nectar is your reward.”
Each divine temple provided banquet fare.
The Rakshasa Temple offered “Divine Flesh.”
The Asura Temple provided “Dragon Liver and Phoenix Gall.”
The Immortal Temple supplied “Eternal Blood Marrow.”
…
Zhang Ruochen’s jade table was laden with dishes, each tempting even gods. Some boosted cultivation, others strengthened sacred souls, and some enhanced mental power.
Divine Jade Nectar, from the Wine God Temple, was brewed over nine hundred years with divine jade essence, divine blood, and rare treasures from various clans. One cup could induce a state of enlightenment.
Each Great Saint received only one pot.
Lanxi didn’t take the three-legged cup, remaining silent and still, as if silently rebelling.
“Ungrateful,” Zhang Ruochen snorted, downing the Divine Jade Nectar in one gulp.
As he tilted his head back, a deep, bitter self-mockery flickered in his eyes.
In the Hell Realm, even he, the son of a god, was often powerless. What chance did a captive like Lanxi have?
Initially, Zhang Ruochen felt nothing for Lanxi, only hostility and a desire to use her.
Even now, he felt no affection, yet something different stirred in his heart.
Regardless of his initial intentions, she had become his woman. Zhang Ruochen knew that, having sown this cause, he must bear its consequences, whatever they might be.
Lanxi said she wanted to return, and Zhang Ruochen had promised to let her go.
But returning like that would lead to no good outcome.
Many speculated that Zhang Ruochen humiliated Lanxi, forcing her to kneel, to indirectly shame the Heavenly Court and prove his loyalty. But Zhang Ruochen only wanted to fully embody the villain, letting the Heavenly Court know Lanxi hadn’t truly submitted to him—she was a victim, a pitiable figure.
This way, Lanxi could return.
This way, if she escaped, the Hell Realm wouldn’t suspect he had let her go.
She was just a servant; her path was hers to walk.
“Drinking Divine Jade Nectar can aid enlightenment, and consuming Yandao Sacred Fruits can help cultivate high-tier sacred techniques. I wonder if their powers are truly as miraculous as claimed.”
Zhang Ruochen swallowed a Yandao Sacred Fruit, preparing to cultivate a Thousand-Question high-tier sacred technique.
Many Hundred-Shackle Realm Great Perfection cultivators had mastered such techniques, which, when unleashed, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t withstand without a Supreme Sacred Artifact.
However, each clan’s Supreme Sacred Artifact was primarily for deterrence.
In the early stages of the Hunting Heaven, no clan would reveal their Supreme Sacred Artifact, keeping its wielder a mystery to avoid provoking conflict.
Thus, cultivating a Thousand-Question high-tier sacred technique was crucial.
Without Thousand-Question Realm dragon and elephant souls, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t elevate his *Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm* to that level. So, he chose to cultivate the fifth layer of *God-Demon Prison Suppression*.
His plan was not only to master this layer but to combine it with the Immovable Wisdom King Sacred Image and the Yin-Yang Five-Element Sacred Will, creating a true killing move tailored to counter Hundred-Shackle Realm Great Perfection cultivators.
