The Blood Empress said, “Without a physical body, even summoning the soul would be futile. Moreover, the battle ended in the void space, where the particles of the body and fragments of the holy soul would instantly vanish. Even with the Five Pure Sect’s high cultivation, they would likely be powerless and have to accept this reality.”
The Blood War God shook his head and said, “No, the battle ended on the Dark Star. The Dark Star’s domain is sufficient to absorb all of Yan Wushen’s body particles and holy soul fragments. You must understand, Yan Wushen merged with the Dark Origin Spirit, and the Dark Star itself is part of his body.”
The Blood Empress’s eyes were filled with disbelief. After pondering for a long time, she said, “Even so, he could not possibly survive. Even if he did, he would only be a broken man. Would the Five Pure Sect pay an immense price to revive him?”
Back then, when Zhang Ruochen first entered the Great Saint realm, his body was not destroyed, yet merely summoning his soul nearly caused the Blood Empress to perish.
Given Yan Wushen’s current cultivation, to bring him back to life would likely require sacrificing a deity, exchanging one god for one saint, to have any chance of success. Even then, retrieving the holy soul would still require reincarnation and recultivation.
Reaching his current level again would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
The Blood War God said, “Therefore, it depends on Yan Wushen’s spiritual will. If his spirit is strong enough, it can transcend the body and soul, connecting to the Heavenly Soul.”
“The legendary Heavenly Soul?” the Blood Empress asked.
The Blood War God sighed and said, “In this era, all beings in the Heavenly Court and Hell cultivate the Human Soul, refining it into a Holy Soul. But in the distant past, there was a group of Qi practitioners who cultivated the Heavenly Soul, which they called the Primordial Spirit.”
“The Heavenly Soul does not reside within the body of a being but is merged with the Heavenly Way, becoming part of it.”
“Those Qi practitioners sought to cultivate the Heavenly Way, defying the heavens, only to suffer divine punishment and perish completely.”
“The Six Paths of Reincarnation are not without record. It is said that the ancient Qi practitioners always sought to establish it to oppose the Heavenly Way and act against the heavens.”
“By killing Yan Wushen and scattering his soul, Zhang Ruochen has driven him to a desperate path, forcing him to steal the heavens. Only by stealing the Heavenly Soul, seizing the Heavenly Way, and achieving the Six Paths of Reincarnation can he have a sliver of hope. This is also a necessary step for cultivating the First-Rank Holy Will of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.”
The Blood War God gazed at the sky and said, “Having reached the peak of the mountain, to ascend to the heavens, there is no path. Unless one abandons the body and everything once possessed, breaking the Heavenly Way’s constraints on beings through spiritual means, there is a chance of success.”
“The path to cultivating the First-Rank Holy Will is a path of confrontation with the Heavenly Way, requiring the breaking of existing rules.”
“Yan Wushen has chosen to steal the heavens and seize the way, placing himself in a deadly situation to find life. I wonder what choice Zhang Ruochen will make?”
“Cultivating the First-Rank Holy Will is so perilous. What are the odds of Yan Wushen coming back to life?” The Blood Empress frowned deeply, filled with worry.
Her concern, of course, was not for Yan Wushen but for Zhang Ruochen, who was still walking this path.
The Blood War God was silent for a long time before saying, “The odds of a dead person crawling out of a coffin are slim. The odds of Yan Wushen coming back to life are ten times slimmer.”
The Blood Empress was deeply troubled, wanting to immediately stop Zhang Ruochen from continuing to cultivate the Yin-Yang Five Elements Holy Will, but she knew it was too late. At this point, Zhang Ruochen could not turn back.
The Blood War God took out the Six Directions Heavenly Cauldron and handed it to the Blood Empress, saying, “This cauldron has developed unique patterns between heaven and earth, with the potential to become a divine artifact. Keep it safe for now.”
The Blood Empress took the Six Directions Heavenly Cauldron and prepared to leave.
The Blood War God asked, “Are you still going to the Yanluo Clan?”
“Since you believe Zhang Ruochen intends to personally retrieve Kunlun, I trust your judgment. Let him handle worldly matters himself,” the Blood Empress sighed.
She had faith in Zhang Ruochen’s abilities.
The Blood War God said, “Worldly matters are indeed none of our concern. But now, a major event is about to sweep through the Heavenly Court and Hell. Every deity will be stirred into action.”
“What event?” the Blood Empress asked.
The Blood War God replied, “The Jade Emperor Realm is about to open. As the great clan leader, I must lead the gods of the Blood Sky Tribe to go there. This time, you will come with me, and the Sixth Son will stay to guard the Wing World.”
…
Cultivating in the Temple of Destiny primarily helps monks comprehend the Rules of Destiny and gain a deeper understanding of the Way of Destiny.
For some exceptional monks, a single day of cultivation in the temple yields greater gains than a year outside, enabling significant breakthroughs.
Zhang Ruochen, despite his remarkable talent, had only recently begun to explore the Way of Destiny and was clearly not one of those exceptional monks.
Even with his full effort, mobilizing his holy soul and mental power, after a hundred days of cultivation, he had only comprehended two million Rules of Destiny, less than one percent of any single Rule of the Five Elements.
The hundred days of cultivation ended.
At the foot of Destiny God Mountain, monks from the Blood Sky Tribe and the Undying Blood Clan bid farewell to Zhang Ruochen. Some were returning to their respective tribe’s Wing Worlds, others were heading to the Merit Battlefield, and some aimed to reach the Thousand Questions Realm at the Undying Temple.
All good things must come to an end, and every monk has their own path to follow.
“The Undying Temple has announced that all monks who participated in the Hunt for Heaven Battle are granted the opportunity to cultivate in the temple. They can also freely choose whether to join the temple and enter the Blood Emperor Demon Camp.”
“The legendary Blood Emperor Demon Camp! Only the elite among the Great Saints of the Undying Blood Clan can join it. Below the divine realm, they can sweep through all.”
“With such an opportunity, I will definitely join the Blood Emperor Demon Camp. It is said that on the Merit Battlefield, when the Blood Emperor Demon Camp charges, the starry sky is filled with the corpses of the Heavenly Court’s Great Saints.”
…
Zhang Ruochen heard much news: the might of the Blood Emperor Demon Camp, the rewards from the Undying Temple for participating monks, and the latest rankings of the ten great tribes.
Overall, due to the victory in the Hunt for Heaven Battle, the Undying Blood Clan’s monks were still in a state of jubilation.
There was also bad news.
“After the Hunt for Heaven Battle, Hell Realm sent more Saint Realm armies to the Kunlun Realm’s Merit Battlefield, preparing to launch a larger-scale war to completely destroy this great world, which should have perished ten thousand years ago.”
In the Kunlun Realm, Zhang Ruochen had friends, subordinates, fellow disciples, confidantes, and even family.
How could he feel at ease hearing this news?
Unfortunately, he could not stop it.
In the face of such a war, his current achievements seemed insignificant.
“Perhaps only by rescuing the Island Master of the Fallen God can we force Hell Realm to retreat.”
Zhang Ruochen stood beneath the Gate of Destiny, watching the Undying Blood Clan monks depart, then walked toward the peak of the God Mountain under the glow of the setting sun.
“With the Rules of Destiny I currently possess, I should be able to bear thirty ten-thousandths of the Destiny Mysteries. Obtaining the Mysteries is key to rescuing the Island Master. For now, this is all I can do. The life and death of the monks in the Kunlun Realm ultimately depend on themselves.”
Following the Stream of Destiny upward, he crossed layers of stone steps.
At the mountainside, two Death Saint Guards of the Saint King Realm, tasked with guarding the God Mountain, each raised a spear to block his path.
As guardians of Destiny God Mountain, the two Death Saint Guards were naturally prideful and did not take Zhang Ruochen, a mere Great Saint, seriously.
“Master Ruochen, your hundred days of cultivation are over. You are not a disciple of the Temple of Destiny. Please leave the God Mountain immediately,” said one Death Saint Guard, a skeletal figure from the Bone Clan, in a dry, grating voice.
Zhang Ruochen said, “I wish to see the High Priest.”
“There are twelve Black-Robed High Priests in the Temple of Destiny. Which one do you wish to see?” asked the other Death Saint Guard, a cold-toned figure from the Ghost Clan.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “The Fortune Black-Robed High Priest.”
“The Fortune Black-Robed High Priest is not on the God Mountain. Please leave,” both Death Saint Guards said simultaneously.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression darkened. “You haven’t even reported my request. How do you know the Fortune Black-Robed High Priest is not in the temple?”
“I have already used mental transmission to inquire. The High Priest is indeed not here,” said the Bone Clan Death Saint Guard.
The Ghost Clan Death Saint Guard added, “Master Ruochen, you might try the Fortune Palace. You may find the High Priest there.”
The two Death Saint Guards showed no fear of Zhang Ruochen, their faces expressionless, though they sneered inwardly.
No matter how powerful Zhang Ruochen was, would he dare cause trouble on Destiny God Mountain?
Zhang Ruochen was indeed highly regarded by the Fortune Deity, but these two guards were under the Heavenly Fate Division, not subject to the Fortune Palace’s authority.
“A monk from the Heavenly Court Realm, coming to Hell Realm, not only fails to show restraint but remains arrogant and reckless. He should have been dealt with long ago.”
“The Great Saint Yanhong died at his hands, causing the Temple of Destiny to lose significant face.”
“Be careful. Zhang Ruochen’s mental power is strong. Don’t let him overhear!”
“Overhear? So what? Would he dare act? I hope he does. Some big figures in the Judgment Division and Heavenly Fate Division have long wanted to deal with him but haven’t found a reason.”
The two Death Saint Guards communicated through mental transmission, showing no respect for the Great Saint from the Heavenly Court Realm, even carrying a hint of provocation.
Zhang Ruochen’s mental power far surpassed theirs, hearing every word clearly.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Why bother with mental transmission? If you have something to say, speak openly. After all, on Destiny God Mountain, I wouldn’t dare do anything to you.”
The Bone Clan Death Saint Guard, seeing that Zhang Ruochen lacked the decisive aura rumored about him, lost what little fear he had and said, “Fine, I’ll speak. The Temple of Destiny does not welcome humans. No, you don’t even count as human, just a… mongrel.”
“Boom!”
A powerful holy aura erupted, and an invisible wave of energy sent the two Death Saint Guards flying.
Along with the holy aura, divine flames surged from the Flame God Leg.
The flames entered their bodies.
The two Death Saint Guards immediately let out piercing screams, and moments later, they were reduced to ash scattered on the ground. Their spears melted into molten iron, dripping onto the ground with a sizzling sound.
The power of the divine flames triggered the divine patterns and array inscriptions within Destiny God Mountain.
“Bold! Who dares trespass on Destiny God Mountain?”
A thunderous roar echoed as a Heavenly Fate Saint Guard of the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm, from the Heavenly Fate Division, descended as a streak of lightning to a spot ten zhang above Zhang Ruochen.
This Heavenly Fate Saint Guard, with three canine heads and a body shrouded in ghostly aura, immediately enveloped Zhang Ruochen in his domain.
The domain of a Nine-Step Saint King could only release cultivated holy rules, forming a simple field.
A Great Saint of the Thousand Questions Realm, however, could materialize their domain into tangible forms, such as a world of yellow sand, three hundred war swords, a Shura killing field, or a prototype universe.
For a powerhouse in the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm, their domain had reached perfection. Without even making a move, the domain alone could suppress other Great Saints.
In the domain of the Three Canine Spirit Venerable, nine ghost cities pressed down on Zhang Ruochen one after another.
The only Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm Great Saint Zhang Ruochen had faced before was Emperor Chi, whose mental power was sealed, bound by divine chains, and nearly depleted of holy energy when they fought. Compared to the Three Canine Spirit Venerable now, Emperor Chi’s strength was likely ten times weaker.
This was the true power of a Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm Great Saint.
As the first ghost city pressed down, Zhang Ruochen was already immobilized, his skin feeling as if it would tear apart.
As the second ghost city descended, Zhang Ruochen immediately unleashed his True Space Domain, Virtual Time Domain, and Truth Form to counter the Three Canine Spirit Venerable’s domain.
…
By the fifth ghost city, Zhang Ruochen had to mobilize the power of the Qiankun Realm to resist.
All nine ghost cities pressed above Zhang Ruochen’s head, causing his veins to bulge, the divine fire beneath his feet burning fiercely like a cloud of flames, and his eyes gleaming with sharp resolve.
“Is this the true strength of a Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm Great Saint? Truly formidable. No, this is merely the power of their domain, not even a direct attack!” Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
The Three Canine Spirit Venerable was astonished.
He had heard that during Zhang Ruochen’s battle with Yan Wushen, he had unleashed power comparable to a Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm Great Saint. He had dismissed it as mere rumor, not taking it seriously.
But Zhang Ruochen’s ability to withstand his nine ghost cities without bending his spine was indeed remarkable.
“Whoosh, whoosh.”
The sound of breaking wind echoed as Death Saint Guards and Heavenly Fate Saint Guards, clad in armor and wielding spears, arrived from all directions.
Among them, five figures exuded auras no weaker than the Three Canine Spirit Venerable, some even stronger and more profound.
Zhang Ruochen showed no fear. When he killed the two Death Saint Guards earlier, he had sensed the Three Canine Spirit Venerable’s presence nearby. Yet, the Three Canine Spirit Venerable had not appeared, seemingly waiting for Zhang Ruochen to make a mistake.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen suspected that the audacity of the two Death Saint Guards was likely due to the Three Canine Spirit Venerable’s covert orders.
“Zhang Ruochen, you trespassed on Destiny God Mountain and killed two Death Saint Guards. Do you know the crime you have committed?” the Three Canine Spirit Venerable said coldly, with a haughty tone, as if Zhang Ruochen had finally fallen into his grasp.
Before Zhang Ruochen could respond, a voice from a Heavenly Fate Saint Guard on the left rang out.
“Trespassing on Destiny God Mountain is a capital offense. Killing a Death Saint Guard is also a capital offense. With both crimes combined, the punishment is escalated, warranting the extraction of tendons and burning of the soul.”
The middle head of the Three Canine Spirit Venerable bared its sharp teeth, letting out a light chuckle. “Did you hear that? Take him down and lock him in the Soul Refining Prison of the Heavenly Fate Division. If he resists, execute him on the spot, no mercy.”
“Stop.”
A clear, cold female voice carried on the wind.
Then, a graceful figure in white, enveloped in the flowing waters of the Nether River, descended step by step from the top of the God Mountain, treading the stone steps.
