The Blood Sky Tribe Wing World.
On a blood lake spanning eight hundred li, not far from the Blood Absolute Family, chaotic energy fluctuations rippled. Lightning slithered like serpentine dragons between sky and water, flames transformed into divine dragons, scorching the heavens like a furnace. Fierce gales, sharp as blades, sliced the lake’s surface, producing deep, rumbling explosions.
Zhang Ruochen stood calmly by the lake, gazing at the Shen Yuan Ancient Sword suspended above, undergoing its tribulation.
It was facing its third Monarch Heavenly Tribulation.
Wind, fire, water, and lightning; the four tribulations lasted a full day. When the dark tribulation clouds dispersed at dusk, the eight-hundred-li blood lake had dried up, leaving only charred black earth at its base.
Clang!
On the Shen Yuan Ancient Sword’s blade, lightning, fire dragons, water streams, and gales still flowed, emitting a piercing sword hum.
The sword’s cry echoed for a thousand li.
Zhang Ruochen reached out, and the Shen Yuan Ancient Sword turned into a streak of light, landing in his hand.
The four tribulation marks on the blade had deepened.
Few Monarch Sacred Artifacts could absorb the power of heavenly tribulations and condense tribulation marks. These four marks signified the Shen Yuan Ancient Sword’s extraordinary nature. The divine stone embedded in its hilt radiated pure divine energy, constantly absorbing the world’s sacred qi and rules.
Though a three-element Monarch Sacred Artifact, Zhang Ruochen believed it could unleash power surpassing that of a four-element Monarch Sacred Artifact.
Swish!
With a casual swing, Zhang Ruochen unleashed a sword strike.
A purple-black sword qi surged from him, tearing the eight-hundred-li dried lake apart, leaving a ten-zhang-wide, thousand-li-long sword qi canyon.
Blood Absolute Family guards patrolling nearby witnessed Zhang Ruochen effortlessly cleave a thousand li with one strike. They straightened their spines, their eyes filled with awe and admiration. Truly, he was the aeon-level prodigy who led the Immortal Blood Clan to first place in the Hunting Heaven Battle.
“If only I could become Godson Ruochen’s personal guard. My future would be boundless.”
“In terms of kinship, I’m Godson Ruochen’s cousin.”
“Oh, please. Your relation is far removed! Are you even from the War God’s line?”
…
Almost all the younger generation of the Blood Absolute Family had acknowledged Zhang Ruochen’s status, viewing him as the pride of the family’s new generation, with countless admirers.
Hiss.
Not far from Zhang Ruochen, strands of blood qi gathered, forming the figure of Great Saint Qing Sheng.
Sensing this, Zhang Ruochen sheathed the Shen Yuan Ancient Sword, turned, and smiled. “Uncle, visiting me now? It seems you bring good news.”
“There’s good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” Great Saint Qing Sheng asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Let’s hear the good news first.”
“The Immortal God Temple has issued your rewards: three Quasi-Emperor Grade Sacred Pills and a suit of Divine Blood Armour. Additionally, three deities wish to take you as a disciple, and the Blood Emperor Demon Camp has extended an invitation,” Great Saint Qing Sheng said with evident envy.
Zhang Ruochen pondered briefly and shook his head. “I’m not interested in taking a master for now. The Blood Emperor Demon Camp sounds intriguing, but I likely can’t go at the moment.”
The Blood Emperor Demon Camp was the most formidable army under the Immortal God Temple, composed of elite Great Saints from the Immortal Blood Clan.
Joining them would allow him to encounter many powerful Great Saints, greatly aiding in honing his combat techniques.
“I’m quite interested in the pills and armour from the Immortal God Temple.”
“I’ll wait for you in the Council Hall,” Great Saint Qing Sheng said.
His clone dissipated.
Using a great spatial shift, Zhang Ruochen left the dried lake.
The Blood Absolute Family’s array masters promptly arrived to restore the ecological environment around the lake.
Moments later, Zhang Ruochen returned to the Blood Absolute Family and met Great Saint Qing Sheng’s true body in the Council Hall, receiving the three Quasi-Emperor Grade Sacred Pills and the Divine Blood Armour.
The three pills were Thousand Paths Pill, Mind Desire Pill, and Life-Death Great Restoration Pill.
The Thousand Paths Pill aided Hundred-Shackle Realm cultivators at the peak in cultivating their Path Domain and breaking through to the Thousand Questions Realm.
The Mind Desire Pill helped Hundred-Shackle Realm cultivators break the hundredth shackle, the “Mind Desire Shackle.”
The Life-Death Great Restoration Pill was a healing pill for Great Saints above the Thousand Questions Realm. As long as one still drew breath, this pill could heal even the most severe injuries in a short time.
The spirit of each of these Quasi-Emperor Grade Sacred Pills matched the cultivation of an early Thousand Questions Realm Great Saint, showcasing the Immortal God Temple’s generosity.
However, even these three Quasi-Emperor Grade Sacred Pills combined were far less valuable than a Quasi-Emperor Grade Sacred Intent Pill.
Sacred Intent Pills were notoriously difficult to refine, even at the King Grade. Only a Supreme Being could hope to produce one at the Quasi-Emperor Grade.
“The Immortal God Temple is thoughtful, clearly hoping to help me break through to the Thousand Questions Realm quickly,” Zhang Ruochen said.
He stored the three Quasi-Emperor Grade Sacred Pills, examined the Divine Blood Armour briefly, and placed it in his spatial ring.
He was familiar with the Divine Blood Armour, forged from divine blood and various divine crafting materials. When worn, its defensive capabilities were unquestionable, and it could unleash divine power, significantly boosting a cultivator’s combat strength.
However, Zhang Ruochen already possessed several exceptional armours, such as the Fire God Armour and the Radiant Merit Armour, none inferior to the Divine Blood Armour.
Thus, the Divine Blood Armour held little appeal for him.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Both the Destiny Temple and the Immortal God Temple have given rewards. Hasn’t the Immortal Blood Clan’s patriarch planned any rewards? Shouldn’t the Blood Sky Tribe also offer something?”
“I’ve heard that after the Hunting Heaven Battle, the Blood Sky Tribe’s ranking rose from tenth to eighth. The Blood Sky Tribe Wing World seems to have ascended to a higher plane. I can feel the concentration of blood煞 qi in the entire world has noticeably increased.”
“Oh, and shouldn’t the Blood Absolute Family reward me too? I heard Blood Chen and Blood Ning Xiao received rewards.”
Great Saint Qing Sheng’s emotions were mixed, his face darkening slightly. “You have more treasures than a deity. Do you even need rewards? Would you even care for ordinary ones?”
“Uncle, why the tone? I led the Immortal Blood Clan to first place among the ten clans. Don’t I deserve a reward? I raised the Blood Sky Tribe’s ranking and brought fame to the Blood Absolute Family. I fought with my life for these achievements. Is there nowhere for me to seek justice?” Zhang Ruochen said.
Great Saint Qing Sheng felt even worse. “Don’t talk to me about this. I’m just an acting patriarch. All my wealth combined doesn’t amount to a tenth of yours. If you want justice, go talk to the War God or the Patriarch. Let them reward you.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded seriously. “Fair point. I should indeed discuss this with the War God.”
“The War God, the Patriarch, and most of the Immortal Blood Clan’s deities have gone to the Jade煌 Realm. You’ll likely have to wait a long time for any rewards,” Great Saint Qing Sheng said with a smirk, his eyelids drooping.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Since you’re the acting patriarch, you can decide on the family’s rewards for me, right? I don’t want other treasures, just divine stones. How about ten thousand?”
Great Saint Qing Sheng’s expression grew solemn. “Speaking of rewards, I have bad news. Yesterday, as acting patriarch, I announced that the Blood Absolute Family’s assets on Ice King Star would be rewarded to you. Today, Ni Xuan Clan left the family. I suspect they’ve gone to Ice King Star.”
“The Ice King Star assets were already agreed upon. How did they become a family reward now?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Great Saint Qing Sheng pretended not to hear, lowering his voice. “The profits from Ice King Star are immense. The Ni Xuan Clan won’t relinquish them easily. With them personally overseeing it, taking control of those assets is nearly impossible. I suggest you stay with the family for now, cultivate to the peak of the Hundred-Shackle Realm, and then plan your next move.”
Zhang Ruochen saw through his uncle’s stinginess. Continuing to ask for rewards would likely be ignored.
In truth, Zhang Ruochen didn’t lack divine stones. He only wanted to leverage this opportunity to make Great Saint Qing Sheng owe him a favour.
A favour from a Supreme Realm Great Saint was, to him, worth more than ten thousand divine stones.
Feigning disappointment, Zhang Ruochen said self-deprecatingly, “Blood Chen and Blood Ning Xiao got rewards, but I, the greatest contributor, get nothing. As patriarch, shouldn’t you be impartial?”
Great Saint Qing Sheng’s old face flushed with guilt, feeling he had indeed wronged Zhang Ruochen. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Ruochen added, “Forget it. I understand your difficulties. As the new patriarch, you’re striving to strengthen the family. Every divine stone must be used wisely. Giving me ten thousand divine stones would mean ten thousand fewer Saints or Saint Kings trained.”
“Ruochen, I’m truly touched that you understand my position,” Great Saint Qing Sheng said.
Though he said this, he wondered what Zhang Ruochen was scheming.
Ten thousand divine stones were a dream even for a Supreme Realm Great Saint. Would Zhang Ruochen truly let them go? He must have ulterior motives.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Actually, I have a request for your help.”
Great Saint Qing Sheng guessed Zhang Ruochen might want him to deal with the Ni Xuan Clan but didn’t agree immediately. “Tell me what it is. If I can help, I will.”
The unspoken implication was: if it’s beyond me, I’m powerless.
Dealing with the Ni Xuan Clan on Ice King Star could be dangerous, even for a Supreme Realm Great Saint. If pushed too far, they were capable of anything.
Zhang Ruochen saw through his uncle’s concern and smiled. “Rest assured, Uncle, I’m not asking you to go to Ice King Star with me. I can handle it myself without your intervention.”
Great Saint Qing Sheng caught the implication and said seriously, “You’re still going to Ice King Star?”
“You’ve granted me the Ice King Star assets. If I shy away, won’t the entire Blood Sky Tribe mock me?” Zhang Ruochen said.
Great Saint Qing Sheng knew Zhang Ruochen wasn’t reckless. If he dared go to Ice King Star, he must have some confidence.
Why was this boy so self-assured?
What trump card did he hold?
Great Saint Qing Sheng said, “Fine. Since you’re determined, I fully support you. I’ll have someone provide you with detailed information on Ice King Star later. How many cultivators are you taking?”
“I don’t trust the family’s cultivators. I’ll take none,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Great Saint Qing Sheng looked at Zhang Ruochen with a complex expression—curiosity, doubt, admiration, and concern. “What was the matter you wanted my help with?”
Zhang Ruochen gave an enigmatic smile. “A major matter. If it succeeds, the family’s rise is imminent. But we must wait. In three months, I’ll send word. By then, I should have secured Ice King Star.”
He was referring, of course, to finding the Source God Temple.
After Zhang Ruochen left the Council Hall, Great Saint Qing Sheng’s aged face still bore a look of shock. He muttered, “Take Ice King Star in three months? A fool’s dream. Impossible, utterly impossible. Zhang Ruochen is too young and doesn’t understand the Ni Xuan Clan’s strength. Moreover, Ice King Star is their territory.”
…
The Ancestor Pool, located above the underground divine veins of the Blood Absolute Family, was one of the family’s forbidden areas. Even Great Saints might not qualify to enter.
The pool’s depths were unfathomable, blood-red by day.
At night, it glowed pearly white, like a moon embedded in the earth.
When Zhang Ruochen arrived at the Ancestor Pool, night had fallen, the blood-red sky turning dark crimson. The pool shimmered with radiant mist, a layer of white fluorescence on its surface.
At the pool’s centre stood a square altar, inscribed with mysterious, writhing divine runes.
Chi Kongle lay at the altar’s centre, dressed in white, a swallow-shaped jade pendant around her neck.
The Ancestor Pool’s power flowed through the altar’s divine runes, continuously entering her body, balancing the fierce Shura war qi within her, as well as the divine soul and thoughts left by the Xiu Chen Heavenly God.
Each time Zhang Ruochen came to the Ancestor Pool, he could only stand at the edge, gazing from afar.
The Underworld King appeared by the pool. “Before your mother and the Blood Absolute War God left for the Jade煌 Realm, they entrusted me with watching over her.”
“How long until she wakes?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Underworld King said, “She won’t wake until she refines the divine soul and thoughts of the Xiu Chen Heavenly God. Though she lies there, she’s constantly battling the divine soul, thoughts, and her own war qi. Her cultivation is always progressing.”
Zhang Ruochen’s hands clenched. “She’s so young. What if her will can’t endure?”
“You’re right. Her greatest test is her will. The Blood Absolute Family is using the Ancestor Pool to aid her. If she still can’t prevail, that’s simply her fate,” the Underworld King said.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, thinking to himself, “Kongle, I await the day you awaken.”
After a long pause, Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands and bowed to the Underworld King. “Thank you, Uncle, for looking after Kongle.”
The Underworld King waved dismissively, unconcerned. “I’m studying the mysteries of the Ancestor Pool anyway. It only takes a strand of divine thought to watch her.”
“I’m heading to Ice King Star in a few days. I’d like to request a strand of sword qi from you,” Zhang Ruochen said.
The Underworld King asked, “To use against whom?”
“You should know,” Zhang Ruochen replied.
As a deity, how could he not be aware of the internal affairs of the Blood Absolute Family?
Zhang Ruochen was certain the Underworld King would aid him against the Ni Xuan Clan.
The Underworld King paced by the pool, taking nine steps before stopping. “Deities cannot interfere in mortal conflicts. The Blood Absolute War God specifically instructed me before leaving. I cannot violate the law upheld by both the Heavenly and Hell Realms.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “The sword qi is for self-defence. If the Ni Xuan Clan tries to kill me, it’ll give me the power to fight back.”
“Are you certain they’ll try to kill you?” the Underworld King asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, “I’ll force their hand.”
“Very well. They nearly killed me in the Kunlun Realm. I owe them a sword strike. Give me Shen Yuan.”
Overjoyed, Zhang Ruochen immediately handed over the Shen Yuan Ancient Sword.
The Underworld King formed a sword gesture with his fingers. Instantly, fierce gales whipped through the Ancestor Pool, and sword cries deafened the air. Countless divine light sword shadows appeared.
Swish!
His two fingers traced along the Shen Yuan Ancient Sword’s blade.
In an instant, countless divine light sword shadows surged into the sword.
A foot-long red sword mark appeared on the blade.
