“In this Battle of Heavenly Hunt, the Immortal Blood Clan has taken first place. All participating cultivators are granted the opportunity to enter the Ancient Relic Realm to select one Treasure of Fate. Additionally, each cultivator may cultivate in the Temple of Fate for one hundred days.”
The Immortal Blood Clan cultivators were overjoyed.
The chance to enter the Ancient Relic Realm and obtain a Treasure of Fate sent even Great Saints into a frenzy of excitement.
A single Treasure of Fate, even if not used personally, could fetch an astronomical price when sold, exchangeable for vast amounts of divine stones. With divine stones, what couldn’t be bought?
The opportunity to cultivate in the Temple of Fate was a dream for all cultivators in the Hell Realm.
Empress Feng’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. She thought to herself, “My Feather of Destiny came from the Ancient Relic Realm. With my current higher cultivation, entering again might allow me to find an even rarer treasure.”
“It is said that even core disciples of the Temple of Fate must perform great deeds to earn a single day of cultivation there. Yet we can cultivate for a hundred days, greatly advancing our mastery of the Path of Destiny.”
“With this opportunity, I might be able to form my Gate of Destiny in one go.”
“My Gate of Destiny could become even stronger!”
“Everyone, don’t get too excited. This is only the reward from the Temple of Fate. When we return, the rewards from the Immortal Temple and our clans will surely be even greater. Haha!”
The Immortal Blood Clan cultivators erupted in celebration, feeling that all their efforts in the Battle of Heavenly Hunt were worthwhile, finally reaping their due rewards.
Cultivators from other clans looked on with envy and jealousy.
The God of Fortune’s voice rang out again, “The Yanluo Clan takes second place. All cultivators will each receive one King-Grade Destiny Pill and the opportunity to cultivate in the Temple of Fate for one hundred days.”
The so-called Destiny Pill was said to enhance a cultivator’s fortune upon consumption.
Such a concept was mysterious, but since the Temple of Fate publicly bestowed it, it likely had some effect. Even if it didn’t boost fortune, it could be seen as a blessed gift. Perhaps it would increase the chances of success when breaking through realms.
After the Battle of Heavenly Hunt, those cultivators stuck at the peak of the Hundred-Shackle Realm would surely attempt to break through to the Thousand-Question Realm en masse.
Breaking through a realm was no simple feat.
“Third place, Rakshasa Clan. All cultivators may cultivate in the Temple of Fate for one hundred days.”
Only the top three clans received rewards.
The Underworld Clan, Death Clan, Asura Clan, and others were both resentful and envious, cursing their defeat in the Battle of Heavenly Hunt. Otherwise, these benefits would have been theirs.
Wujiang’s tone was heavy as he said, “Yan Huangtu and Luosheng Tian will likely receive countless rewards, and with those resources, their cultivation will advance rapidly. I must redouble my efforts to ensure I don’t fall behind them.”
In Wujiang’s eyes, Yan Huangtu and Luosheng Tian were his true rivals.
Though Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen had shone brightly, they were destined to remain in the Hundred-Shackle Realm for some time, needing to break their shackles and refine their saintly intent.
Yan Huangtu, Luosheng Tian, and Wujiang had accumulated enough foundation to break through to the Thousand-Question Realm instantly and continue their rapid progress.
Whether Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen could catch up in realm was uncertain.
If they lagged by a major realm, no matter how dazzling they were, Wujiang was confident he could crush them.
“Feng Li.”
The God of Fortune called out this name, and Empress Feng, who had been waiting eagerly, perked up. She stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said, “Greetings, God of Fortune.”
Feng Li was merely Empress Feng’s given name.
Her surname, Yinze, was a prominent one in the Yellow Sky Tribe, ruling over a vast secret realm, an enigmatic place within the tribe’s world.
The God of Fortune said, “I hereby declare you the Divine Maiden of the Temple of Fate, tasked with overseeing all affairs of the temple for the next millennium. Are you willing?”
Empress Feng suppressed her overwhelming excitement and said, “This disciple is willing.”
She had succeeded, finally succeeded!
From now on, she would stand at the pinnacle of power in the Hell Realm, second only to the deities. Even Supreme Realm Great Saints and demigods would pale in comparison, and she could stand as an equal to some false gods.
Deities rarely meddled in mundane affairs, making her the de facto ruler of the Hell Realm’s secular world.
What did it matter if Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen were prodigies?
Until they became gods, they would remain beneath her.
What did it mean that Prajna had cultivated the Gate of True Self?
As the Divine Maiden, she could access vast cultivation resources, potentially cultivating her own Gate of True Self. Her cultivation realm could advance by leaps and bounds, leaving Prajna far behind.
If she wished, she could even eliminate Prajna discreetly through others, removing the threat entirely.
“Becoming the Divine Maiden, catching up to Wujiang, Luosheng Tian, Yan Huangtu, and Lan Ying is only a matter of time. I could stand at the peak of this era, perhaps even becoming a god before them.”
Empress Feng knew well the immense resources a Divine Maiden or Son of the Temple of Fate could command and was filled with anticipation for her future cultivation.
“Zhang Ruochen!” the God of Fortune said.
Zhang Ruochen remained calm, stepped beside Empress Feng, and bowed. “Greetings, God of Fortune.”
Empress Feng felt a twinge of displeasure. Both were greeting the God of Fortune, yet Zhang Ruochen merely bowed while she knelt on one knee. Didn’t this put her, the Divine Maiden, in an awkward position?
What would other cultivators think seeing this?
Did Zhang Ruochen believe himself more esteemed than the Divine Maiden?
Empress Feng tried to stand, but as she moved, a force as heavy as a star pressed down, pinning her in place.
It was divine might.
Kneeling was easy, but standing was difficult.
Especially before the God of Fortune had spoken, those who knelt could not rise.
Of course, the God of Fortune wasn’t intentionally restraining her. Until he finished speaking, his divine will unconsciously held her in place.
The God of Fortune said, “Zhang Ruochen, your performance in the Heavenly Hunt battlefield was outstanding, leading the Immortal Blood Clan to seize first place and even slaying a Heavenly Slave in the Ten Thousand Deaths Realm. You are awarded the ultimate reward: thirty percent of the Mysteries of Fate and one Destiny Heavenly Token.”
“Whoosh!”
“Whoosh!”
Two Destiny Heavenly Tokens transformed into white streams of light, flying toward Zhang Ruochen and Empress Feng.
Zhang Ruochen reached out to grab one, but as his hand touched the token, it vanished.
No.
The token merged into his palm.
Crackling white electric light enveloped his right hand, gradually subsiding.
In his palm appeared the character for “token.”
The Destiny Heavenly Token, formed from the divine power of the twelve gods of the Temple of Fate, contained their principles and could not be replicated by any cultivator.
With the Destiny Heavenly Token, Zhang Ruochen held a status as lofty as the Divine Maiden, granting him free access to the temple’s secret realms for cultivation.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen’s token differed from the one Empress Feng received.
Zhang Ruochen’s token was merely a symbol of status.
But Empress Feng’s token represented supreme authority, akin to divine-right monarchy.
The God of Fortune did not mention the Mysteries of Fate further and said, “You may step back.”
Empress Feng felt the pressure lift and slowly rose, resuming her noble and elegant demeanor. She glanced at Zhang Ruochen, subtly expressing her displeasure. “The God of Fortune is the most powerful being in the universe. We should hold him in awe.”
“Hm.”
Zhang Ruochen responded briefly and returned to the Immortal Blood Clan’s ranks.
What did it matter if he was a god? If he didn’t kneel, he didn’t kneel.
There should be unyielding pride in the world.
The God of Fortune said, “This generation of the Hell Realm is brimming with talents: a cosmic divine foetus, a half-Buddha half-god, a divine bone of the imperial path, a being with ten thousand hands and eyes, a master of nothingness… It is truly an era of great contention. Moved by this, I wish to bestow two marriages.”
His resounding divine voice triggered an uproar louder than when Empress Feng was named Divine Maiden.
A god personally bestowing marriages, and in such a setting, was an extraordinary honour and favour.
Undoubtedly, those granted marriage would see their status in the Hell Realm soar.
Luosheng Tian grinned and transmitted a message to Luo Ji beside him, “The God of Fortune bestowing blessings happens once or twice every millennium, but personally granting marriages is unprecedented, isn’t it?”
Luo Ji’s jade-like face showed a slight frown. “Indeed, it’s strange. Deities shouldn’t meddle in mundane affairs, but granting marriages to Saint Realm cultivators is tantamount to indirectly engaging in the power struggles of various factions. The God of Fortune, always neutral and detached, must have some deeper intent.”
Luosheng Tian said, “Who could the betrothed be?”
Luo Ji pondered, her eyes sharpening. “It’s not hard to guess. Those who catch the God of Fortune’s eye for such a marriage are few: Que Lan Ying, Yan Huangtu, Wujiang, you, my brother, and then Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen. Could it be…”
Luo Ji’s slightly enchanting eyes glanced at Zhang Ruochen in the distance, wondering if the Blood Absolute War God had personally requested the God of Fortune to arrange a marriage for him.
It was highly likely!
Zhang Ruochen had too many enemies in the Hell Realm. Without a god’s protection, it would be hard for him to grow.
Luosheng Tian followed her gaze, surprised. “Him?”
“Most likely that guy, and the one betrothed to him is probably Yan Zhexian.”
Luo Ji felt an inexplicable surge of irritation, frustration, and jealousy. Zhang Ruochen was her destined one, so why was Yan Zhexian getting ahead?
It was too unfair!
With the God of Fortune personally granting the marriage, Yan Zhexian would undoubtedly become Zhang Ruochen’s principal wife, holding an irreplaceable position.
If Luo Ji sought out Zhang Ruochen in the future, she would face suppression and targeting from Yan Zhexian, and her actions would lack legitimacy.
Luo Ji hadn’t considered that she might be the one betrothed.
Her status was unique, as the daughter of Emperor Luo Yan. Her father would never allow her to marry Zhang Ruochen. Even the mighty God of Fortune couldn’t override her father’s will.
The ruler of a divine kingdom would never yield to anyone.
Luosheng Tian said, “Indeed, Zhang Ruochen is quite the scoundrel. On the Heavenly Hunt battlefield, he even got Yan Zhexian pregnant. Only a marriage bestowed by the God of Fortune could quell the Yanluo Clan’s anger. A man like Zhang Ruochen—any woman who marries him is doomed to misfortune. Poor Yan Zhexian, the Yanluo Clan’s pride.”
The God of Fortune’s voice rang out, “Zhang Ruochen, Luo Ji.”
Hearing her name, Zhang Ruochen wasn’t surprised, having already suspected as much, though he hadn’t expected Luo Ji to be the one betrothed. After all, in the eyes of many cultivators, he and Luo Ji shared more enmity than affinity.
He had once captured Luo Ji, defeated her to the point of vomiting blood on the Merit Battlefield, and killed countless Rakshasa Clan Saint Realm cultivators.
If not for their cooperation on the Merit Battlefield, many would assume their enmity was irreconcilable.
How could Emperor Luo Yan agree to this marriage?
Zhang Ruochen dared not defy a god’s will and stepped forward.
Luo Ji, hearing her name, was stunned, completely caught off guard. Then her fair, crystalline face broke into a captivating smile, and she walked out with light, joyful steps.
She soon caught up with Zhang Ruochen, and they walked side by side.
Luosheng Tian stood petrified, as if turned to stone. Had the God of Fortune lost his mind, betrothing his sister to that scoundrel Zhang Ruochen? How much would his sister suffer after marriage?
Zhang Ruochen had bullied Luo Ji multiple times… No, absolutely not, they couldn’t be together.
Luosheng Tian took a step forward, but his body froze, as if bound by countless divine chains. His mother’s voice echoed in his mind, “Who dares defy a god’s bestowed marriage?”
“But Mother, we can’t watch my sister jump into a fire pit. Can’t Father stop the God of Fortune?” Luosheng Tian said.
Tian Yin’s voice responded, “This marriage was agreed upon by your father and me long ago.”
Luosheng Tian’s anger dissolved, leaving him utterly bewildered.
The God of Fortune said, “I intend to bestow a marriage between you two. Zhang Ruochen, are you willing to take Princess Luo Ji of the Tianluo Divine Kingdom as your wife?”
“I am willing,” Zhang Ruochen said.
As Tian Yin said, who dared defy a god’s bestowed marriage?
The God of Fortune was granting this marriage before the entire Hell Realm. Defying his will or rejecting his kindness would bring severe consequences, far worse than refusing an emperor’s marriage in the mortal world.
“Luo Ji, are you willing to marry Zhang Ruochen, descendant of the Blood Absolute Clan?”
Luo Ji’s red lips pursed slightly, a touch of shyness in her voice. “I am willing.”
Luo Ji was the goddess countless Rakshasa Clan prodigies dreamed of marrying. Seeing her betrothed to Zhang Ruochen by the God of Fortune, their eyes turned red with jealousy, driven to madness.
Yet none dared step forward to object.
Prajna stood among the crowd, gazing from afar at Zhang Ruochen and Luo Ji standing side by side, he dashing and she ethereally beautiful, like a golden boy and jade girl.
A trace of sorrow flickered in her eyes, her fingers digging into her palms, her heart twisting in pain. She quickly lowered her head, unwilling to let anyone see her emotions.
At that moment, the God of Fortune’s voice rang out again, calling, “Yan Wushen, Prajna.”
