“You not knowing about the opening of Jade Huang Realm is actually quite normal. It’s a matter of the divine realm, unrelated to us Saint Realm cultivators,” Gu She Jing said.
Zhang Ruochen said: “I would like to know a bit about such secrets.”
“It’s not really a secret. You only need to ask Blood Empress and Blood Absolute War God; they would naturally tell you.”
After a moment’s thought, Gu She Jing spoke: “Jade Huang Realm is one of the five prehistoric civilization relics in the universe. There, one can find things to help gods pass the Yuan Hui Tribulation. Thus, it is a monumental event for the divine realms of both Heavenly Court and Hell.”
“Any god worried about failing to pass the next Yuan Hui Tribulation will definitely go.”
“The older the gods, the more they must go. Although their cultivation is powerful, passing the Yuan Hui Tribulation is even harder for them.”
“Even gods confident in passing the next Yuan Hui Tribulation will go. Jade Huang Realm opens only once per Yuan Hui. Any chance to enter it, gods must seize.”
Zhang Ruochen took a sharp breath, finally understanding the significance of Jade Huang Realm’s opening. He said: “Doesn’t that mean all gods from Heavenly Court and Hell will go to Jade Huang Realm?”
Gu She Jing shook her head and said: “In theory, indeed every god would fight tooth and nail to go. But neither Hell nor Heavenly Court trusts the other. How could they not leave some gods behind to handle unpredictable variables?”
“How many gods to leave, and which gods to leave, requires careful consideration.”
“Because this matter is so significant, during this critical period, Heavenly Court and Hell monitor each other’s gods closely, absolutely allowing no mistakes.”
“If Hell Realm’s gods move en masse because of the Source Temple, wouldn’t Heavenly Court notice?”
“Thus, investigating and searching for the Source Temple can only be handled by Saint Realm cultivators.”
Zhang Ruochen pondered silently. For the three gods of the Blood Absolute Family to pass the next Yuan Hui Tribulation seemed not difficult; they did not need to rush to Jade Huang Realm.
However, Blood Absolute War God, having just become the Great Clan Leader of the Blood Heaven Tribe, would surely lead a team to Jade Huang Realm.
Between Mother Empress and Nether King, one would likely stay to guard the family.
Zhang Ruochen said: “You should seek other source controllers, not me. Telling me this, are you trying to force me to cooperate with you?”
“No. Even if I didn’t tell you, you would soon know. The Blood Absolute Family is one of the forces aware of the top-grade source divine crystals,” Gu She Jing said.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrowed.
The news of top-grade source divine crystals came from Ice King Star.
With the Blood Absolute Family’s vast influence on Ice King Star, it would be strange if they didn’t know.
However, the forces on Ice King Star are controlled by Blood Absolute War God’s legitimate wife, Ni Xuan Shi. It’s likely Ni Xuan Shi did not inform Blood Absolute War God of this matter.
Gu She Jing continued: “After Yan Wu Shen’s death, there are six source controllers in Heavenly Court and Hell combined. Hell Realm has three…”
“Wait a moment. I remember you said earlier that in the recent ten thousand years, nine source controllers emerged in Heavenly Court and Hell. Even with Yan Wu Shen dead, there should be eight, right?” Zhang Ruochen said.
Gu She Jing said: “If Yan Wu Shen can die, are other source controllers immortal? Geniuses have always been prime targets for mutual assassinations between Heavenly Court and Hell.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said: “You make a lot of sense.”
Gu She Jing said: “Of the source controllers in Hell Realm, only three remain alive.”
“The Death Clan’s Huan Zhen is too young, just reaching Half-Saint Realm. With his cultivation, finding the Source Temple is too difficult.”
“Shura Temple’s Bai Li Qian Ye has reached Supreme Realm, a top powerhouse in the Saint Realm. With Shura Temple’s strength, if this news were told to him, where would there be room for Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm?”
“The last one belongs to the Yan Luo Clan. Yan Huang Tu has the advantage of proximity. How could I compete with him?”
“Actually, these three are not the best candidates. Although they are source controllers, how can their closeness to the source compare to Nether Ancient Illumination Divine Lotus?”
Zhang Ruochen knew that Gu She Jing had her sights on Fairy Hundred Flowers, Ji Fanxin.
The Illumination Divine Lotus was born in the cosmic void, rootless and leafless. It was formed from a single point of the universe’s source power, turning into a lotus seed and blooming into a lotus flower, a natural source controller.
It could be said that Ji Fanxin was the spirit of the source, an embodiment of source power.
If she obtained a top-grade source divine crystal, she might not even need a god to act. She could sense the Source Temple’s location just by the crystal’s aura.
Zhang Ruochen said: “Since I am qualified to compete for the top-grade source divine crystals, why should I cooperate with you?”
“Because, with your current cultivation, you cannot protect Ji Fanxin. If she comes to Hell Realm to help you, it will only be a path to death. But with me, below the divine realm, I’m afraid no cultivator can handle her.”
“Snap!”
Gu She Jing flicked her finger, and space Huxley space trembled.
Around Zhang Ruochen, space shattered like glass, with cracks appearing everywhere.
With a boom, he, along with the table and chair in front of him, fell into a dark, boundless void space, like a small isolated island.
Zhang Ruochen appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was utterly shocked.
This was Destiny Divine Domain.
Even with Qing Sheng Great Saint’s cultivation, he could not cause such extensive spatial damage, entering the void space.
Yet Gu She Jing could do it.
What did this mean?
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath, spread his arms, and released spatial power.
The space contracted, the shattered space restored to normal, and he returned to the room, as if nothing had happened.
Although Zhang Ruochen was very intrigued by the Source Temple and knew that if he contacted Ji Fanxin, she would likely come, he absolutely could not let her take such a risk for this matter.
Zhang Ruochen sighed: “What a pity. Ji Fanxin and I are only ordinary friends. She is pure and ethereal, a fairy untouched by mortal dust. I am a great traitor who betrayed Heavenly Court and joined Hell Realm. We are no longer of the same world. She probably sees me as an enemy, eager to kill me. You’ve come to the wrong person.”
Gu She Jing said: “I’ve collected a lot of information about you and her. I think you misunderstand the term ‘ordinary friends.’”
“Why don’t you believe me?” Zhang Ruochen said.
Gu She Jing said: “I believe more in the charm of a Yuan Hui level genius. Few women can resist such a perfect man as you.”
“Flattering me won’t help,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Gu She Jing said: “I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, my goal and that of Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm is the Source Temple. Although the Nether Ancient Illumination Divine Lotus is precious, compared to the Source Temple, it pales in comparison.”
“I can swear in the name of Luo Zu that I will not do anything to harm her.”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head with a smile.
“The cultivators of Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm will not do anything to harm her either.”
Zhang Ruochen still shook his head.
“Neither I nor Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm will instigate other cultivators to harm her.”
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen still did not relent, Gu She Jing’s tone grew colder: “Zhang Ruochen, you still haven’t realized something. The moment the top-grade source divine crystals appeared, she was already drawn into this vortex, unable to stay out of it.”
“Do you think that without you, Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm cannot capture her?”
“Using force, Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm would indeed pay a price, and it might even expose the news of the Source Temple’s appearance. But you cannot deny the high probability of success.”
“Once she is captured, whether she lives or dies, prospers or suffers, will no longer be up to you, Zhang Ruochen.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes darkened, knowing that Gu She Jing’s words were true.
Back then, Luo Ji, at the Saint King Realm, could freely enter and exit the core area of Heavenly Court’s Truth Heavenly Domain. For Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm to go to Heavenly Court to capture someone for the Source Temple, the success rate was indeed high.
Gu She Jing said: “Not only Luo Zu Yun Mountain Realm, but more than ten forces in Hell Realm know about the Source Temple’s appearance. How could they let Ji Fanxin go? Some forces may have already started moving.”
“You think you’re protecting her, but in fact, your inaction may harm her.”
“Moreover, the appearance of the Source Temple is a huge opportunity for her. If she knew about this, even with the risk of death, she would definitely go. Why not give her the choice?”
Zhang Ruochen clapped his hands in admiration and sighed: “I must say, not only is your cultivation formidable, but your eloquence is even more so. I was almost persuaded by you!”
“You think these reasons are not enough?” Gu She Jing said.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head: “No, they’re enough! But your cultivation is too powerful. Cooperating with you, I have no sense of control. Ji Fanxin is the Nether Ancient Illumination Divine Lotus, and you are convinced I have the ‘Heavenly Demon Stone Carvings.’ Both of us traveling with you, how is it different from lambs entering a tiger’s den?”
“So you don’t trust me,” Gu She Jing said.
Zhang Ruochen said: “I can’t trust you.”
The room fell silent; neither spoke another word.
Footsteps sounded outside the room.
Han Yun Ge’s voice came from outside: “Miss Gu She, it has started over there!”
Gu She Jing’s gaze fixed on Zhang Ruochen. She said: “The competition for the five top-grade source divine crystals has begun. Do you want to come along?”
“I’m not interested in the Source Temple, so I won’t go.”
Zhang Ruochen was well aware that for the next period, Gu She Jing would likely stick to him closely. This moment was his only chance to make some arrangements.
After Gu She Jing left with Han Yun Ge, Zhang Ruochen shifted out of the room, changed his appearance, and quickly left Goddess Tower.
Cang Jie was waiting by the lakeshore outside Goddess Tower.
After the gambling match between Yan Zhe Xian, Seven-Handed Elder, and Miss Bai ended, Zhang Ruochen had told Cang Jie to leave Goddess Tower immediately to avoid retaliation due to him.
“Who exactly is Boss? He said someone might harm me, and that’s definitely true.”
Cang Jie, with his large Taotie head, concealed his aura while pacing back and forth.
He was not worried about Zhang Ruochen’s safety but feared that Zhang Ruochen had forgotten him, his little brother. A cultivator who ascended from the lower realms to Hell Realm, with no background, no sect, no backing, and having finally met a senior, what would he do if abandoned?
In the dense forest.
Zhang Ruochen’s body silently appeared from space. He called: “Cang Jie!”
Cang Jie was overjoyed and rushed over, laughing: “Boss, I thought you didn’t want me anymore!”
“Boss?”
Zhang Ruochen was a bit puzzled. This guy was really familiar.
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen seemed unwilling to take him as a little brother, Cang Jie’s eyes showed disappointment. He said dejectedly: “Yeah, I’m just a Saint King who ascended from the lower realms to Hell Realm, with nothing to my name. How could I be worthy of being Senior’s little brother?”
Zhang Ruochen had already noticed that he was an ascender. His aura was completely different from the native Shura Clan cultivators of Shura Star Pillar Realm.
Zhang Ruochen patted his shoulder and said: “Don’t belittle yourself. Any cultivator who ascends from the lower realms to Shura Star Pillar Realm is an exceptional genius. Like the Sword God Feng Chen from a thousand years ago, he was an ascender.”
“Does Senior know Sword God Feng Chen?” Cang Jie’s eyes couldn’t help but show admiration.
Zhang Ruochen said: “I don’t know him.”
“Sword God Feng Chen, in less than a thousand years after ascending to Shura Star Pillar Realm, already had the strength to slay gods. How can I compare to him?” Cang Jie said.
Zhang Ruochen said: “If you help me with one task, I will not only take you as my little brother but also give you enough cultivation resources to give you a chance to glimpse the Supreme Great Path.”
“Really?”
Cang Jie was so excited he almost roared, grabbing Zhang Ruochen’s body with both claws and shaking him vigorously.
Zhang Ruochen stood like a rock, unmoved, and said: “If you keep shaking, it won’t be real!”
Cang Jie quickly let go, smiling awkwardly.
Zhang Ruochen said: “I need you to go immediately to Kunlun Realm’s Merit Battlefield. Your cultivation hasn’t reached Great Saint Realm, so you can enter it.”
“To do what?” Cang Jie asked.
Zhang Ruochen said: “Help me deliver a message… no, find someone and deliver an oral message.”
Sending a letter was too risky; what if it was intercepted?
“Is that person a cultivator from Heavenly Court?” Cang Jie asked.
Zhang Ruochen was surprised: “How did you guess?”
“If it were a cultivator from Hell Realm, with Boss’s cultivation, why would you need me, someone you’ve only met once, to do it? Moreover, Boss is willing to pay such a high price to nurture me, a Saint King. This matter must be very important and dangerous,” Cang Jie said.
Zhang Ruochen looked at him deeply and smiled: “You’re smarter than I thought.”
“An ascender with no backing or background not only has to keep a low profile as a Taotie but also needs to be a bit clever, or I’d have died long ago!” Cang Jie said with a mournful face.
Zhang Ruochen said: “This task is indeed dangerous. You can choose not to go.”
“Go! Why wouldn’t I go? I, Cang Jie, am a gambler at heart. Thanks to Boss for valuing me and entrusting me with such an important task. If I’m timid this time, I’ll never have the chance to glimpse the Great Path again. Boss, rest assured, if things go wrong, I’ll self-destruct my saint source before letting the information leak.”
Then, Cang Jie whispered: “Boss, can I ask a personal question?”
“Ask,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Cang Jie’s eyes showed both expectation and nervousness. He licked his lips and said: “Boss, are you the Space-Time Successor Zhang Ruochen?”
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze turned to him.
Cang Jie immediately shrank back: “I… I… I just overheard someone talking about Zhang Ruochen appearing at Goddess Tower and killing people. And considering you’re a space controller and asked me to deliver a message to a cultivator in Heavenly Court, I made the guess. If I guessed wrong, you can’t blame me, right?”
“No, you didn’t guess wrong,” Zhang Ruochen said.
