Although the Fate Domain is built on a leaf of the World Tree, its territory is vast. The area where Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen were dueling was relatively desolate, inhabited by only a few cultivators.
They had already been alarmed by the battle’s shockwaves and were fleeing to safety.
“Terrible, such powerful force. The rules of heaven and earth in this entire city are being stirred.”
“Who are these people, daring to fight in the Fate Domain? Are they not afraid of being taken by the Fate Temple’s enforcers?”
“They must be Great Sage-level powerhouses. We should retreat further to avoid being killed by the battle’s aftermath.”
…
The Fate Temple forbids private duels among cultivators. Even personal grudges must be settled in the Martial Combat City.
Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen’s battle quickly alerted a team of enforcers passing through the area. Clad in battle armor, riding white bone beasts, and wielding sacred swords, they radiated the glow of death.
The enforcer leader, named Yan Xiao, had a human body encased in stone-like skin and had reached the peak of the Hundred-Shackle Realm.
The enforcers behind him were all at the Saint King level.
An enforcer shrouded in ghostly aura exclaimed in shock, “Such formidable battle might. I can sense fluctuations of supreme power.”
They were far from the battle’s epicenter, unable to see who was fighting, only catching glimpses of blood-red and golden light, sometimes flashing for miles, sometimes plunging into darkness.
The battle’s shockwaves formed gusts like wild winds and giant waves, sweeping through heaven and earth.
Yan Xiao stood straight as a spear, snorting coldly, “The two fighting are called Yuan Assembly-level geniuses, capable of slaying Ten Thousand Deaths Realm slaves with Hundred-Shackle Realm cultivation. How could they not be strong?”
“What? It’s them?”
All the enforcers gasped in shock.
In this era, who else could be called Yuan Assembly-level geniuses but Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen?
Swoosh! Swoosh!
The sound of breaking wind echoed as team after team of enforcers arrived, each led by a Hundred-Shackle Realm Great Sage.
In moments, seven Hundred-Shackle Realm Great Sage enforcers had gathered, with a total of seven to eight hundred enforcers combined.
Each arriving enforcer leader questioned Yan Xiao on why the dueling cultivators had not been apprehended. But upon learning it was Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen, they fell silent, stunned.
An Immortal Blood Clan enforcer said in surprise, “If I recall correctly, today is the day Zhang Ruochen is to be engaged to Princess Luo Ji. Many important figures have gone to the Fuluo Divine Palace. Why is he fighting Yan Wushen?”
“Yan Wushen and Her Highness Prajna are also getting engaged today.”
“These two are battle maniacs, daring to defy the temple’s laws. The Fate Domain is not a place for casual combat.”
A female enforcer leader, standing atop a black giant python, said gravely, clad in a black robe with a gaunt face, “Arrest them. Those who break the rules, regardless of status, must be punished.”
Yan Xiao sneered, “Arrest Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen? With us? Either one of them could kill us all.”
The Immortal Blood Clan enforcer leader glanced at the horizon. “Lord Zhen and Lord Qi Xin have arrived.”
Two swirling black qi tornadoes descended from the clouds, condensing into two imposing, intimidating figures.
Lord Zhen wore bone armor, his body a mass of dark ghostly mist with firefly-like lights flickering within.
Lord Qi Xin stood seven zhang tall, with a bull-like head, wielding a long spear.
Both were Earth Judgment Commanders of the Judgment Division, under the Fate Domain’s enforcement authority, with cultivation at the peak of the Thousand Questions Realm, ranking among the top ten Earth Judgment Commanders.
The black-robed female enforcer leader leaped from the python’s head, bowing to the two commanders. “The duelists are Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen. Should we apprehend them?”
Lord Zhen waved his hand. “Qi Xin and I have received orders from the Judgment Lord. This area is at the edge of the Fuluo Divine Palace’s exclusive territory. The Judgment Division cannot interfere. Just ensure their battle does not affect a wider area.”
“What?”
The black-robed female enforcer leader looked shocked. “The Judgment Division oversees the entire Fate Domain’s order, including the Fuluo Divine Palace.”
The Three Divisions and Twelve Palaces are independent powers within the Fate Temple.
The Judgment Division holds a transcendent status, and even disciples of the Twelve Divine Palaces must face unconditional punishment for breaking temple laws.
“Are you questioning the Judgment Lord?” Lord Qi Xin’s lantern-sized eyes glared at her, his saintly might shaking her to the core.
“I wouldn’t dare,” the black-robed female enforcer leader said repeatedly.
Under Lord Qi Xin and Lord Zhen’s leadership, nearly a thousand enforcers formed a barrier array, enclosing an area of thousands of miles, preventing Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen’s battle shockwaves from spreading further.
News of their duel spread rapidly through the Fate Domain, causing an uproar.
“What? Aren’t they getting engaged at the Fuluo Divine Palace today? Why are they dueling?”
“They say this battle will not only decide victory but also life and death, determining the strongest of this era.”
“This fight is too intriguing. I’m going to watch. We might witness the fall of a Yuan Assembly-level genius. Just thinking about it is thrilling!”
Due to the Huntian Battle, many young cultivators from the ten clans were gathered in the Fate Domain. They spread the news, then rushed in groups to the battle site.
In the Xuejue Family’s betrothal procession, Xueqi and Xuechen paled upon hearing the news.
So, after leaving, Zhang Ruochen had gone to duel Yan Wushen to the death.
Why?
Even if they had to duel, why choose today?
Xuechen said, “I’ve sent word to Fourteenth Aunt and Father. They must be on their way. What is Zhang Ruochen thinking? Is a life-and-death battle more important than marrying Princess Luo Ji?”
“I hope it’s not a true life-and-death duel. On a day like today, the fall of either would cause a massive uproar,” Xueqi sighed.
The news reached the Fuluo Divine Palace.
Already frustrated, Luo Shengtian smashed a wine jar to the ground, his body surging with torrential evil qi, forming battle armor. He roared, “Well done, Zhang Ruochen. On the day of your engagement, you run off to fight Yan Wushen to the death. What’s the meaning of this? Leaving my sister here? Is the princess of Tianluo Divine Kingdom so insignificant?”
“Where is the Holy Army of Tianluo Divine Kingdom? Follow this prince to apprehend Zhang Ruochen.”
A force of Saint Kings and Great Sages gathered around Luo Shengtian, each with dragon-like or phoenix-like aura, their battle intent shaking the heavens. They were the most elite guards of Tianluo Divine Kingdom, usually stationed at the royal palace.
Luo Ji, dressed in a crimson gown, chased after them, her face full of worry. “I’m going with you.”
Luo Shengtian shook his head. “Don’t worry, royal sister. Leave this to your brother. Today is your engagement day. Stay here and wait for me to bring Zhang Ruochen to you.”
Luo Ji’s eyes were filled with anxiety. “No, you can’t stop Zhang Ruochen. I must go.”
A divine shadow of Tianyin appeared, blocking Luo Ji’s path. “Ji’er, where is your usual wit and composure? On your engagement day, it’s best you go nowhere.”
Luo Ji said, “Mother, this battle between Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen will decide life and death. How can I not go?”
Tianyin replied, “This battle was bound to happen sooner or later. Zhang Ruochen choosing today may well be for your sake.”
“For my sister?” Luo Shengtian was puzzled.
Tianyin explained, “Zhang Ruochen clearly lacks absolute confidence in this battle. If he married your sister and then died at Yan Wushen’s hands, wouldn’t that ruin her life?”
“Can’t we stop them?” Luo Shengtian asked.
Tianyin said, “The battle has begun, and no one can stop it now. Even if stopped, they would fight again. Back then, Xuejue and Huang Tian lacked their resolve to settle life and death in one battle, leaving regrets they could never mend.”
War God Xuejue, tasked with reviving the Xuejue Family, could not risk death.
Huang Tian, too, had ties that kept him from disregarding life and death.
Tianyin continued, “Both War God Xuejue and the Five Elements Sect likely support this. Only those at their level understand the significance of this battle.”
Nearby, in another courtyard of the Fuluo Divine Palace, Prajna heard of Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen’s duel. She froze, overwhelmed with mixed emotions, her heart unable to settle. Standing by a wall, she gazed at the faint fluctuations in the sky, her eyes glistening.
Empress Feng, riding a golden holy carriage pulled by three sacred beasts, flanked by two teams of Death Fate Holy Guards, was hurrying to the Fuluo Divine Palace for the engagement banquet.
A messaging talisman flew into the carriage.
Empress Feng grabbed it, read it, and showed a surprised expression. “This… this is too interesting. Haha.”
A shadowy voice from the carriage’s corner rasped, “Your Highness, what happened? Why so delighted?”
Empress Feng laughed. “Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen’s life-and-death duel has begun early. Tonight, one will fall. No matter who dies, it’s cause for celebration.”
The shadow said, “Indeed, joyous news! If Yan Wushen dies, Prajna loses the Yanluo Clan’s support, making it easier for Your Highness to eliminate her. If Zhang Ruochen dies, Your Highness’s standing among the Immortal Blood Clan will soar.”
“Such a spectacular battle, how can we miss it?” Empress Feng’s red lips curved into a radiant smile.
Suddenly, the golden carriage shook violently.
The three sacred beasts pulling it let out terrified roars.
Empress Feng, displeased, snapped, “What are you three beasts panicking about?”
The outside fell silent.
Empress Feng, attuned to the Path of Fate, sensed danger. Her face paled, and she whispered, “Uncle Yan.”
The dark shadow in the corner, like a sheet of black paper, unfolded into a tall, white-bearded old man with piercing eyes, showing no signs of age.
Yin Ze Yan, a Supreme Realm Great Sage of the Huang Tian Tribe.
Though Empress Feng had not yet been officially crowned, her status as a divine maiden warranted protection by a top-tier non-divine powerhouse.
With a boom, Yin Ze Yan’s bloodthirsty qi surged like sword blades, shattering the golden carriage.
Outside was a strange world, with slender rivers flowing endlessly to the distant horizon. The three sacred beasts had rotted, their flesh turned to pus.
“A divine realm,” Yin Ze Yan’s face changed, shouting, “Your Highness, flee!”
He activated a forbidden technique, his Great Sage blood burning, unleashing light brighter than a star. Wielding a kingly sacred artifact saber, he struck at a corner of the divine realm.
The strike’s power rivaled a half-god’s.
Yet it failed to break the divine realm, and a golden hand struck him, shattering his indestructible saintly body into a cloud of blood mist.
Before a deity, even a Supreme Realm Great Sage was like an ant, powerless to resist.
Empress Feng, pale as paper, knew escape was impossible. Gazing at the golden hand, she shouted, “Who dares to kill me? A deity breaking the Hell Realm’s unspoken rules will bring catastrophic consequences upon themselves.”
“Wujian Pavilion has never cared for the Hell Realm’s rules,” a deep voice replied.
The golden hand descended, like the entire heavens pressing down on Empress Feng, its unmatched divine might capable of crushing a Great Sage’s soul to pieces.
At that moment, the “Fate” character in Empress Feng’s palm erupted in radiant divine light, releasing twelve beams of divine brilliance, forming twelve towering divine shadows.
The golden hand’s attack was blocked by the twelve divine lords’ shadows.
In that instant, the true bodies of the twelve divine lords sensed it.
The Fuluo Divine Lord, stationed in the Fate Temple countless miles away, let out a divine roar. The sound crossed space and time, rushing toward the divine realm trapping Empress Feng.
The entire Fate Domain echoed with earth-shaking thunder, causing countless cultivators below Great Sage to kneel in fear.
Empress Qiankun stood in a pitch-black void, a river of time marks flowing beneath her feet. She pressed her palm forward, forming barriers of space-time that clashed with the divine roar.
The space-time barriers shattered, the divine roar weakened, and it was ultimately dispelled.
Empress Qiankun looked toward the divine realm. “The Fuluo Divine Lord’s true body is moving. Within one breath, kill Feng Li and seize the Heavenly Order of Fate.”
In the divine realm trapping Empress Feng, a faint figure materialized, hovering above, looking down. “Mere shadows of twelve divine lords cannot save your life.”
Empress Feng glanced at the figure, a striking middle-aged man resembling Zhang Ruochen. His aura was like an unfathomable ocean or towering mountains, inspiring awe.
That was her final glimpse.
In the next instant, the twelve divine lords’ shadows were absorbed into a divine bottle by the man.
Her body disintegrated into particles, her bones, soul, and saintly source annihilated, with no possibility of revival.
Despite her stunning beauty and unmatched talent, in the palm of a deity, she vanished in an instant, as if she had never existed in this world.
