The Divine Dragon Bone Whip, a quasi-supreme sacred artifact, was forged from the spine of a divine dragon, imbued with a vast number of supreme inscriptions.
Zhang Ruochen channelled the power of the Qiankun Realm into the whip, activating nearly a million inscriptions. The whip resonated with incessant dragon roars, its body manifesting a phantom of a divine dragon, exuding a terrifying aura unique to divine beings.
“Rumble.”
A single lash unleashed a force like a divine dragon soaring through the heavens, summoning wind, rain, thunder, and lightning.
Sensing the fearsome divine might, Yun Huan, the Iron Blood King, had to take it seriously. His face grew solemn as countless Saint Path Rules swirled around his body, forming a vortex storm that collided with the incoming Divine Dragon Bone Whip.
With a “bang,” his protective rules were shattered, and Yun Huan’s burly frame was hurled far away.
The armour he wore was extraordinarily mystical, dissipating most of the Divine Dragon Bone Whip’s power, leaving him with only minor injuries. Upon landing, he quickly halted his retreat.
As a powerhouse at the peak of the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm, Yun Huan was just one step away from transforming his immortal sacred body into a supreme law body, making his physical defence exceptional.
The so-called “supreme law body” refers to a cultivator whose Saint Path Rules permeate their entire body, integrating into every tissue, so that even a single hair or drop of blood contains countless rules.
The cultivator becomes the embodiment of rules, with their flesh and blood as part of those rules.
Achieving this is the Supreme Realm of the Great Saint.
This is why Supreme Realm Great Saints are often vastly more powerful than those in the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm. Even when Zhang Ruochen risked his life and borrowed boundless world power, he was only said to have combat strength approaching the Supreme Realm.
Compared to a true Supreme Realm Great Saint, there was still a gap.
“Come again.”
Yun Huan, the Iron Blood King, was furious. As a former member of the Nether Palace’s “Iron Blood Nether Cavalry,” being repelled by a junior in the Hundred Shackles Realm was a humiliating disgrace.
The bone spear in his hand turned from white to black, emitting a ghostly glow that plunged the entire battlefield into darkness.
“Night falls, a thousand armies slain.”
Yun Huan’s figure suddenly vanished. In the darkness, broken palaces, city walls, altars, withered trees, and stone mountains fell from the sky like meteors.
Zhang Ruochen’s pupils narrowed sharply as he pulled out the Hidden Mountain Demon Mirror from his chest.
From the mirror, towering ancient demon mountains soared, each tens of thousands of metres high, majestic and indestructible, pulverising the falling remnants of the broken world into dust.
Yun Huan emerged from behind the shattered world, caught in the supreme power of the Hidden Mountain Demon Mirror, swept into the midst of the demon mountains.
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
…
He repeatedly struck with his bone spear, causing the demon mountains to tremble, attempting to break free from the mirror.
But how could a supreme sacred artifact be so easily countered?
No matter how great his combat strength, the demon mountains stood eternal, like an immortal world created by a demon lord. Even if large sections were shattered, they quickly reformed.
Yun Huan landed atop a demon mountain, gazing at the sky, and said coldly, “So, the so-called Yuan Hui-level genius relies only on a supreme sacred artifact? If I had one, you’d already be reduced to ashes.”
Zhang Ruochen’s voice was indifferent as he replied, “If you don’t have a supreme sacred artifact, don’t make such bold claims.”
Yun Huan was so enraged his teeth itched. Having a supreme sacred artifact was a big deal. He roared “Good” three times before saying, “A supreme sacred artifact can’t suppress everything. In the face of absolute cultivation, all weapons can be broken.”
“Iron Blood War Soul.”
Yun Huan unleashed a Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life-level sacred technique exclusive to the Nether Palace’s Iron Blood Nether Cavalry. A surge of battle intent poured from him, forming a giant clad in black armour.
The giant grew ever larger, as if it would pierce the heavens.
Zhang Ruochen, controlling the Hidden Mountain Demon Mirror, showed a slight change in expression and muttered, “A Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life-level sacred technique.”
“Rumble.”
The Hidden Mountain Demon Mirror trembled, and the demon mountains collapsed, unable to withstand the impact of the Iron Blood War Soul.
The battlefield, created by Bai Qing’er with half a cup of tea, showed signs of cracking. The fifty lakes were struck by the power of the supreme sacred artifact and the Iron Blood War Soul, as if they were about to dry up.
She extended a finger and pointed into the air.
Instantly, the battlefield stabilised, and the cracked areas automatically repaired.
Zhang Ruochen knew that Yun Huan, using a Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life-level sacred technique, would eventually break through the demon mountains. Once he escaped, trapping him again with the Hidden Mountain Demon Mirror would be nearly impossible.
“Fine, as you wish. Let me show you my power.”
Zhang Ruochen channelled all his strength into his left leg, activating the flame divine patterns within the Flame God Leg.
The 80 million divine patterns, already refined, fully manifested, emitting a dazzling light.
At that moment, the entire battlefield, including the garden outside, was illuminated by the divine patterns’ radiance, blinding all who looked. It was like a small sun, containing the power to destroy heaven and earth.
Zhang Ruochen stomped forward, charging into the demon mountains.
A majestic divine might surged from his foot, as if a god had descended, stomping towards the Iron Blood War Soul, which was even taller than the demon mountains.
“What is Zhang Ruochen doing? Does he… does he intend to confront a Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life-level sacred technique head-on?” Shang Yue’s beautiful face was filled with astonishment.
“He’s seeking death. Even a supreme sacred artifact can’t suppress a Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life-level sacred technique, yet he dares to face it with his own power.”
Bai Qing’er shook her head and said, “You’re wrong. Haven’t you sensed the soul-stirring divine might in the battlefield? That leg of Zhang Ruochen’s is a divine leg, containing boundless divine power. He has now begun to master the power of the divine leg.”
“Boom!”
A deafening sound rang out.
Scorching and violent energy surged from the battlefield, flooding into the garden.
With this step, Zhang Ruochen shattered the Iron Blood War Soul, destroyed the lakes in the battlefield, and stood like a true god reborn. Yun Huan coughed up blood, retreating rapidly.
Even with his Iron Blood Armour, he couldn’t fully withstand the divine power of the Flame God Leg.
The battlefield, formed by half a cup of tea, saw all fifty lakes vanish, evaporated by the divine flames.
Flames burned everywhere in the battlefield, turning the ground red-hot.
“Swish.”
Holding the Divine Dragon Bone Whip in one hand and the Hidden Mountain Demon Mirror in the other, Zhang Ruochen seized the initiative, launching a barrage of attacks on Yun Huan, forcing him to retreat continuously.
While attacking, Zhang Ruochen communicated mentally with Xiao Hei in the Qiankun Realm.
“My battle with Yun Huan has caused such a commotion, surely alerting the entire Ji Feng Holy Mansion. Yet Gu Shejing still hasn’t appeared. It’s clear that witch can’t be trusted. To escape, we can only rely on ourselves. How strong are you exactly? Are you confident you can break out?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xiao Hei, brimming with confidence, said, “Don’t you know my strength? To take down this Yun Huan, I only need a single glance. As for that white demoness, I could handle ten of her without breaking a sweat.”
“Really?” Zhang Ruochen was skeptical.
Xiao Hei coughed dryly and changed his tone, saying, “But earlier, I used my unparalleled mental power to scout and found that multiple Great Saint powerhouses have appeared in the garden. As they say, two fists can’t match four hands. I’m still under a lot of pressure.”
Zhang Ruochen felt as if he’d been choked, his heart sinking.
As expected, no one could be relied upon. In the end, he had to depend on himself.
“Yun Huan, Iron Blood King, go to hell.”
Zhang Ruochen pulled a talisman from his chest and threw it out.
Yun Huan, already at a disadvantage, paled, thinking it was a lethal divine talisman bestowed by the Blood Absolute War God or the Blood Empress. He unleashed the Iron Blood War Soul again, planting his bone spear in the ground, fully focusing on defence.
The talisman fell, enveloping Yun Huan in darkness, like night descending.
Of course, this wasn’t a lethal divine talisman but a “Dark Prison Realm Talisman” Zhang Ruochen had bought from the Star Sea World for a hundred divine stones, a talisman designed for trapping.
It could hold a Great Saint of the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm for a brief moment.
The garden was filled with many arrays, making it impossible for Zhang Ruochen to escape using spatial techniques.
The only way was to use the Space Chaos Insect.
If the Space Chaos Insect wanted to leave, no array or confinement could stop it.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to release the Space Chaos Insect to escape through a wormhole, Gu Shejing’s voice sounded in his mind, “Create an opportunity for me. I want to test Bai Qing’er.”
Hearing her voice, Zhang Ruochen let out a slight sigh of relief. The witch had finally arrived, and he no longer had to fight alone.
Though the Space Chaos Insect could chew through to create a wormhole, it was slow. Escaping before Bai Qing’er could act was highly unlikely.
Since Gu Shejing had arrived, everything could proceed as planned, and there was no need to resort to such a desperate measure.
“Boundless Star Sea.”
Zhang Ruochen feigned nonchalance, releasing the Truth Realm form while continuously casting the Thousand Questions-level advanced sacred technique, God-Demon Suppression Prison. A phantom of a god-demon rose behind him.
The god-demon phantom merged rapidly with the Truth Realm form.
From the dark region covered by the Dark Prison Realm Talisman, Yun Huan’s long roar echoed. Then, a beam of deathly light pierced through the darkness, breaking free.
“Break for me.”
Yun Huan’s roar shattered the remaining dark power of the talisman, dispersing it like smoke.
At that moment.
The God-Demon Suppression Prison merged with the Truth Rules, unleashing tenfold attack power, which Zhang Ruochen sent crashing towards Yun Huan.
Yun Huan hadn’t anticipated that Zhang Ruochen’s tenfold attack power would be so terrifying, surpassing even the power of a supreme sacred artifact. Unable to unseal his cultivation in time, he could only thrust his spear with all his might.
Using attack as defence.
Yun Huan, a top-tier Great Saint, had keen judgement, striking precisely at the weakest point of the God-Demon Suppression Prison.
But under the impact of tenfold attack power, though he broke the God-Demon Suppression Prison, he still suffered heavy injuries, flying far away and crashing into a dried-up lake, creating a meteor-like crater.
Zhang Ruochen was about to press his attack, but the battlefield dissipated like a cloud of gas.
The vast land and sky vanished, and he and Yun Huan returned to the garden. The battle felt like a fleeting dream.
“No need to continue. Zhang Ruochen, you’ve won,” Bai Qing’er said.
Yun Huan was badly injured. He tapped his body, unsealing his cultivation, and his weakened aura instantly recovered, becoming even stronger.
His eyes filled with unwillingness and ferocity, he gritted his teeth and said, “Young lady, I haven’t lost. I want to keep fighting him.”
“You’ve lost,” Bai Qing’er said coldly.
Yun Huan protested, “I sealed nine-tenths of my cultivation…”
“Even with nine-tenths sealed, you’re still in the Ten Thousand Deaths and One Life Realm, while your opponent is only in the Hundred Shackles Realm.” A cold glint flashed in Bai Qing’er’s eyes.
Yun Huan dared not meet her gaze at that moment and lowered his head, saying, “Yes, I’ve lost!”
Zhang Ruochen saw figures standing in the distant mist of the garden.
These cultivators were all powerful, their gazes filled with disbelief as they looked at him.
Especially Bai Qing’er’s chief disciple, Shang Yue, whose eyes burned with fervor, as if she wanted to devour him.
Though Yun Huan had sealed nine-tenths of his cultivation, Zhang Ruochen’s ability to defeat him clearly exceeded these cultivators’ expectations, forcing them to reassess him.
“Clap! Clap! Clap…”
Bai Qing’er lightly clapped her jade hands, standing by the stone table like a figure from a beautiful painting, smiling, “I’m starting to believe those rumours now. Yun Huan couldn’t even probe your depths. You’re indeed far stronger than I expected.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “So, can I leave now?”
Bai Qing’er shook her head.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression remained unchanged, as if he’d anticipated this, saying, “A woman’s word truly can’t be trusted.”
“No. You can leave, and I won’t stop you. But you must leave behind the Destiny Mysteries, Truth Mysteries, and Space Mysteries,” Bai Qing’er said, her gaze clear as water, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable tone of command.
The powerhouses in the garden stepped forward, forming an encirclement.
Waves of powerful saintly might pressed invisibly towards Zhang Ruochen, forcing him to submit.
Zhang Ruochen remained calm, saying, “I only have the Destiny Mysteries. Where did the Truth Mysteries and Space Mysteries come from? Even if I had mysteries, why should I give them to you? Miss Bai, you don’t really think you’re already part of the Zhang family, do you?”
“You dare take advantage of Master even when facing death? If you don’t have the Space Mysteries, how could your body sustain a great world?” Shang Yue said.
A thoughtful look flashed in Zhang Ruochen’s eyes. At that moment, a divine flame sword light shot towards his heart with lightning speed.
It was Shang Yue attacking.
Her cultivation was stronger than Yun Huan with one-tenth of his power. The saintly sword in her hand was an ancient divine relic, and her sword technique was exquisitely profound, blending seamlessly with the Pure Extinguishing Divine Fire, combining the strengths of both swordsmanship and the path of fire.
One sword strike was like a divine sun crashing to the earth.
“Even a disciple is this powerful. How strong must Bai Qing’er’s cultivation be?” The thought flashed through Zhang Ruochen’s mind.
He released his mental power to probe but could only sense the flames and the saintly sword, not Shang Yue’s position. Instantly, he realised this woman was neither human nor a flesh-and-blood being; she was likely a sword spirit or an innate fire spirit.
