“Zhang Ruochen, you… you’re fucking courting death! You’re done for, you deserve to be torn to pieces, you know that…”
Yan Huangtu trembled with rage, unable to hold back his curses, his words nearly incoherent.
From the moment he learned Yan Zhexian might have been captured, Yan Huangtu had considered all possibilities. But he believed Zhang Ruochen should understand Yan Zhexian’s importance to the Yanluo Clan and wouldn’t dare kill her. At most, he’d injure and confine her.
So, Yan Huangtu wasn’t overly worried about her safety.
But who could’ve imagined Zhang Ruochen would be so reckless as to… get Yan Zhexian pregnant, with such a noticeable bump? How long had she been carrying?
Was she coerced? Had she been wronged?
Yan Huangtu knew Yan Zhexian despised Zhang Ruochen. The idea of her bearing his child or even feeling the slightest affection was impossible.
It must have been forced.
Xian’er must have suffered countless grievances.
At this thought, Yan Huangtu’s anger boiled over.
You, Zhang Ruochen, were once the Moon God’s emissary. The Moon God, so pure and noble—how could she have an emissary like you? You’ve disgraced her! You’ve disgraced Blood Absolute War God!
How could you be such a beast?
Yan Huangtu’s teeth nearly shattered from grinding. Suddenly, he sensed faint spatial fluctuations beside him.
“Swish—”
Zhang Ruochen crossed a spatial wormhole mirror, appearing before him. Ten spatial chains had already wrapped around the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus.
Though Yan Huangtu had seized the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus, he hadn’t refined its spirit, so he couldn’t control it freely. The chains tugged, and it slipped from his grasp, flying away.
“Well done, Zhang Ruochen, striking first!”
Yan Huangtu reacted swiftly, chasing after the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus. His right arm gathered power, radiating blinding golden light and divine force, and he struck out with a palm.
He didn’t target Zhang Ruochen but the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus.
For a battle-hardened warrior like Yan Huangtu, even in his angriest moment, he could make the most rational, precise judgment.
Zhang Ruochen frowned, moving faster than Yan Huangtu to protect the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus. He threw a punch to meet Yan Huangtu’s palm.
“Care too much, and you falter, Zhang Ruochen. You’ve fallen for my trap!”
Yan Huangtu’s voice came from above Zhang Ruochen’s head. Wielding Tongtian Ruyi, he unleashed supreme force, slashing downward.
“Two Yan Huangtus.”
Zhang Ruochen was momentarily surprised but not panicked. His fist continued unabated, clashing with the Yan Huangtu in front of him, sending him flying dozens of miles like a cannonball.
As Tongtian Ruyi descended, Zhang Ruochen unleashed his True Spatial Domain, solidifying space layer by layer.
“Bang, bang.”
The supreme force was unstoppable.
The frozen space shattered, the blow landing above Zhang Ruochen’s head.
If struck by a Supreme Sacred Artifact, even a demi-god body would be gravely injured.
Zhang Ruochen swung the Purple Gold Gourd, clashing with Tongtian Ruyi.
The two Supreme Sacred Artifacts produced a deafening crash, forcing nearby Bone Clan cultivators to retreat.
The Purple Gold Gourd’s supreme inscriptions hadn’t awakened, unable to withstand Tongtian Ruyi. Zhang Ruochen’s body plummeted over seventy miles before stabilising.
Cracks and bloodstains marred his body.
His arm, holding the Purple Gold Gourd, was bloodied by the supreme force.
Zhang Ruochen sighed lightly, “I underestimated you. I didn’t expect you had a hidden trump card.”
He had calculated that Yan Huangtu’s rage would cloud his judgment.
So he seized the moment to act, aiming to catch him off guard and reclaim the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus. But he underestimated Yan Huangtu’s combat awareness. Even in his most furious state, he maintained peak battle condition.
The Eight Sons of Life and Death paled in comparison, which was why Zhang Ruochen defeated them so swiftly.
Yan Huangtu was even more shocked.
Since their last clash, he had studied strategies to counter Zhang Ruochen. Revealing his greatest trump card, “Great Demon Shadow,” was meant to cripple Zhang Ruochen in one blow.
Yet, struck by a Supreme Sacred Artifact, Zhang Ruochen sustained only minor injuries… no, not even that.
His wounds healed instantly, his spilled blood flowing back into his body.
In this exchange, both caught the other off guard. Zhang Ruochen seemed to take a slight loss but successfully reclaimed the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus.
In truth, Yan Huangtu was the one at a disadvantage.
“Compared to our clash at the Dragon Ancestor Bronze Temple, Zhang Ruochen’s strength has surged. Suppressing him just got harder!” Yan Huangtu thought.
In the Dragon Ancestor Bronze Temple battle, Yan Huangtu’s strength far surpassed Zhang Ruochen’s.
Back then, Zhang Ruochen relied on speed and spatial advantages to force Yan Huangtu into a defensive position.
But in this clash, Yan Huangtu’s true body was sent flying by Zhang Ruochen’s punch. His proud strength advantage had been overtaken, shaking his confidence.
Fortunately, numerous Yanluo and Bone Clan powerhouses were present. Yan Huangtu still had full confidence in suppressing… no, killing Zhang Ruochen.
Not killing him wouldn’t quell his hatred.
Not killing him would leave the Yanluo Clan’s honour in tatters.
…
The entire Hell Realm’s cultivators were in a state of shock.
Not because of Zhang Ruochen and Yan Huangtu’s brief clash—though both were impressive, they paled compared to Yan Zhexian.
Many cultivators were even angrier than Yan Huangtu.
“Zhang Ruochen, a Celestial Court cultivator, dares act so brazenly in the Hell Realm? Great Saint Zhexian is the Yanluo Clan’s pride, far nobler than any kingdom’s princess, and he dares defile her?”
“Outrageous! I’ll report this to Lord Qianmo. He’s always seen Great Saint Zhexian as a confidante. He’ll surely act personally to tear Zhang Ruochen apart.”
“They say, because of Fairy Wuying, Celestial Court cultivators call him this Yuanhui’s greatest villain, forming a Dust-Crusade Alliance. I suggest Hell Realm cultivators form an alliance to punish Zhang Ruochen.”
“An outsider daring to run rampant in the Hell Realm needs a proper lesson.”
“Just a lesson? I say draw his blood, strip his bones, and devour his soul.”
…
Because of Lanxi, Zhang Ruochen became the public enemy of all Celestial Court cultivators.
Because of Yan Zhexian, he became the public enemy of the Hell Realm, especially the Yanluo Clan, who reacted most fiercely, rallying to petition gods in the temple to execute him in the cruelest way.
Blood Absolute War God, Nether King, and Blood Empress were stunned by Yan Zhexian’s protruding abdomen.
After a long pause, Blood Absolute War God sat upright, feigning calm, saying, “I underestimated this kid. No need to arrange marriages for him—he’s already found a suitable match. Yan Zhexian’s not bad, worthy of my grandson.”
“Worthy, so he can act recklessly?”
A stern voice echoed in the divine realm.
The Blood Heaven Tribe’s gods stood, gazing westward.
A majestic figure forcibly entered Blood Absolute War God’s divine realm, his face slightly aged but brimming with vitality, black hair trailing to the ground.
It was the Yanluo Clan’s Ancient God of Learning, come to demand justice!
An ancient god, at least hundreds of thousands of years old.
Ancient God of Learning held immense prestige in the Yanluo Clan, overseeing its teachings. Countless gods had heard his lectures, including Blood Absolute War God, twice.
Among gods, Blood Absolute War God was young and brash, but before a sage like Ancient God of Learning, he couldn’t afford to be reckless.
Ancient God of Learning said, “Blood Absolute, Zhang Ruochen’s talent is vast, his future limitless. I understand your indulgence. In the Hunting Heaven Battle, gods cannot interfere, and life or death is their own. The Yanluo Clan accepts this. But there’s a line, isn’t there? Killing is one thing, but defiling a Yanluo Clan woman—should he die for it?”
The gods dared not speak.
Ancient God of Learning was known for his gentle nature, never taking lives, a rare beacon in the Hell Realm. This was the first time the gods saw him so enraged.
His vast divine might shook the divine realm relentlessly.
Blood Absolute War God laughed, “Ancient God, your words are too harsh. Zhang Ruochen takes after me—seemingly arrogant, but every action is calculated. He wouldn’t defile the Yanluo Clan. I believe they’re mutually in love.”
Ancient God of Learning glared at him.
Blood Absolute War God pretended not to notice, continuing, “One’s a genius talisman master, breathtakingly beautiful. The other’s this Yuanhui’s greatest prodigy, dashing and refined. Aren’t they a match made in heaven?”
Ancient God of Learning hoped this was true.
If Yan Zhexian and Zhang Ruochen were in love and expecting, it would be a joyful matter. With Zhang Ruochen’s displayed talent, the Yanluo Clan couldn’t ignore him, eager to recruit him.
His anger subsided slightly, and he said, “If Zhang Ruochen forcibly defiled Xian’er, no one can help him, Blood Absolute. You’d better be prepared.”
Suddenly, an aged, resonant voice entered the divine realm, “The child in Yan Zhexian’s womb is the reincarnation of Blood Shadow Divine Mother. The opportunity of the Undead Blood Clan’s home star has been claimed by her!”
Hearing this, except for Blood Absolute War God, the Blood Heaven Tribe’s gods bowed.
It was the Clan Leader’s voice.
“Even the Clan Leader was stirred by this,” the gods exchanged glances.
Blood Absolute War God laughed heartily, “Haha! It’s clear now—my grandson is innocent. Ancient God, your Yanluo Clan hit the jackpot, seizing the Undead Blood Clan’s home star opportunity.”
Ancient God of Learning’s anger fully dissipated, but he maintained a furious facade, saying gravely, “Blood Shadow Divine Mother’s reincarnation requires vast amounts of Undead Blood Clan blood. Can you say the child is entirely unrelated to Zhang Ruochen?”
“Besides, countless eyes in the Celestial Court and Hell Realm saw it. Can this be explained? Is it explainable?”
It couldn’t be explained.
Revealing that Yan Zhexian carried Blood Shadow Divine Mother’s reincarnation would be dangerous for her, tempting even gods to take risks.
In short, Zhang Ruochen had to take the blame.
Ancient God of Learning said, “There’s only one way to resolve this: Zhang Ruochen must marry into the Yanluo Clan.”
“Marry in?”
Blood Absolute War God laughed. This old fox, seemingly honest and kind, was cunning, trying to snatch Zhang Ruochen, a peerless genius, for the Yanluo Clan.
“No, no, my grandson marrying into another clan? I can’t lose that face.”
As he spoke, Blood Absolute War God transmitted a message to Luo Yan.
Even a revered figure like Ancient God of Learning shamelessly wanted to claim Zhang Ruochen. Blood Absolute War God realised he’d underestimated the impact of Zhang Ruochen’s successful fusion of the sixth Sacred Intent.
He was a prized commodity now!
Ancient God of Learning said sternly, “Can the Yanluo Clan afford to lose face? Even if we explain it as mutual affection, the world will think our Yanluo Clan woman threw herself at Zhang Ruochen. Only his marriage into our clan can mitigate this negative impact.”
“Ancient God, there’s another reason I can’t agree.”
With the fault not on his side, Blood Absolute War God shed his apprehension, calling himself “this god.”
Ancient God of Learning asked, “What reason?”
Before Blood Absolute could reply, Luo Yan’s booming divine voice erupted, “There’s an order to things, isn’t there? Zhang Ruochen is already engaged to my daughter Luo Ji. Your Yanluo Clan’s woman, even if pregnant, must take a backseat.”
Ancient God of Learning looked skeptical, saying, “Already engaged?”
How could Zhang Ruochen have been engaged before fusing a Second-Grade Sacred Intent? Luo Yan agreeing to such a marriage was unthinkable, so Ancient God of Learning didn’t believe it.
Tianyin, standing gracefully by Luo Yan, unlike the brash Blood Absolute War God, respectfully bowed to Ancient God of Learning, saying, “It’s absolutely true, ordained by my master.”
Tianyin’s master was Fulushen Zun.
This marriage was Fulushen Zun’s bestowed blessing on Zhang Ruochen.
If Fulushen Zun personally officiated, it would proclaim to the world that Zhang Ruochen was backed by Fulushen Palace, Tianluo Divine Kingdom, and the Blood Absolute Family.
Then, any god targeting Zhang Ruochen would need to weigh the consequences carefully.
Tianyin’s words surprised even Blood Absolute War God, who thought, “No wonder the marriage talks went so smoothly—it was the God Zun’s will. Zhang Ruochen’s got a real talisman now!”
Ancient God of Learning said, “They’re not formally engaged, and the world doesn’t know. I think you can step aside. After all, our Yanluo Clan’s pride is pregnant.”
“Sorry, no stepping aside! If your Yanluo Clan woman wants to marry Zhang Ruochen, I won’t object, but she’ll be a concubine. I have my pride, and my daughter must be the most honoured wife,” Luo Yan said firmly.
Blood Absolute War God sat back, as if it no longer concerned him, smiling as he looked at the Hunting Heaven Battlefield. His eyes suddenly narrowed, as if seeing something unbelievable.
A major upheaval had occurred in the Hunting Heaven Battlefield.
