On the highest stargazing platform of the Goddess Tower, the leaders of over a dozen top factions from the Hell Realm are gathered.
Miao, Luo Shengtian, Gu Shejing, Huoxing, Zhuo Yunong, Yan Huangtu… all are present, each a renowned figure with formidable backing.
At this moment, they gaze at the sky, observing the blood-sea divine light flooding the heavens.
Sikong of the Division of Fate has arrived at Ice King Star with a divine artifact, and the Ice Emperor has emerged from seclusion. This is no coincidence. Could activating the divine artifact have angered the Ice Emperor?
As the foremost powerhouse of the Temple of Fate, Zhuo Yunong remains utterly composed.
Gods cannot interfere in mortal affairs. Even with the Ice Emperor’s emergence, Zhang Ruochen’s fate remains unchanged.
Moreover, with the Ice Emperor’s cultivation realm, he likely views them as children squabbling. Why would he intervene?
The mistress of the Goddess Tower, Ye Manman, appears as a beautiful woman in her twenties, with a bare jade back and wide, glowing wings floating behind her. Her appearance is alluring, yet her eyes are deep and restrained, her true age exceeding ten thousand years.
She arranges for a line of maids to place rare soul foods, sacred fruits, sacred meats, and blood wine on the table.
“Since the Ice Emperor has emerged, this matter should not escalate too far today, nor should it be stained with bloodshed. Manman believes that if Zhang Ruochen hands over the Seven-Handed Elder and the supreme source divine crystal, he should be allowed to leave,” Ye Manman says softly.
“Let him leave? He and the Seven-Handed Elder disrupted the order of the Fate Domain and killed Xing Qian and Cang Baizi. Such grave crimes, how can he be spared? Lord Arbiter, do you think he can be spared?” Yuan Benji says, slightly bowing, glancing at Zhuo Yunong, who has remained silent with closed eyes.
“If he truly did all this, the Arbitration Division will not be lenient. Upon returning to the Temple of Fate, I will seek punishment from the God of Fortune,” Zhuo Yunong says.
A “rightly so” smile appears on Yuan Benji’s face.
He knows well that the Arbitration Division has long viewed Zhang Ruochen as a heretic, eager to eliminate him. However, Zhang Ruochen’s protection by the Blood Absolute War God, the God of Fortune, and Emperor Luo Yan prevents direct action without just cause.
Luo Shengtian snorts, “Relying solely on the word of a woman from the Twelve Goddess Towers to convict the top figure of the Hunt for Heaven Battle? You disregard the Blood Absolute Family and the Tianluo Divine Kingdom.”
Unfazed by Luo Shengtian’s status, Yuan Benji sneers, “Is the Divine Prince tying the Tianluo Divine Kingdom to Zhang Ruochen? Are Zhang Ruochen’s actions secretly directed and supported by the Tianluo Divine Kingdom? Has the Divine Prince already obtained a supreme source divine crystal?”
Furious, Luo Shengtian’s eyes surge with divine light, saying, “Watch your words, or even your brother won’t save your life.”
“Everyone heard that. The Divine Prince wants to kill me. If anything happens to me, it must be the Tianluo Divine Kingdom’s doing,” Yuan Benji says, laughing.
Luo Shengtian trembles with rage, ready to strike.
Yan Hanyi stops him, whispering, “Though Yuan Benji relies on his brother to disregard your status as Divine Prince, his own cultivation is formidable. Your Highness has only recently broken through to the Thousand Questions Realm. Do not act rashly.”
Miao says, “What’s the point of arguing now? When Sikong arrives and activates the Tianzhu Needle to capture Zhang Ruochen, all will be clear.”
“Exactly. Whether the Seven-Handed Elder and the supreme source divine crystal are with Zhang Ruochen will be evident once he’s taken. Haha!” Yuan Benji raises an ancient bronze cup, toasting Luo Shengtian, and drinks a sip of soul spring.
…
Bai Qing’er sits in a palace not far from the stargazing platform, playing chess with Shangguan Que, saying, “Teacher’s chess skills are exquisite, earning Qing’er’s admiration. Has this skill been passed to Zhang Ruochen?”
The chessboard sits under a large willow tree.
Snowflakes falling from the sky melt near the tree, turning into wisps of white mist.
Shangguan Que says, “Ruochen, like you, learns quickly, but he dislikes chess. He says the game is too tedious, its arrangements exhausting, suited only for those with deep scheming minds.”
“That’s troublesome. This deadly game, can he break it?” Bai Qing’er says.
Shangguan Que, holding a black piece, pauses at her words, returning it to the box. He says, “For those who dislike chess, there’s a way to break a deadly game.”
Bai Qing’er smiles faintly, “Please enlighten me, Teacher.”
With a thud, Shangguan Que slashes down, splitting the chessboard in two.
Black and white pieces scatter on the ground.
“If you dislike chess, overturn the board,” Shangguan Que says.
Bai Qing’er remains calm, rising under the willow tree, her elegance captivating, gazing at the suddenly noisy stargazing platform where something unbelievable seems to have occurred.
Has Sikong of the Division of Fate arrived?
“That’s… Zhang Ruochen. He’s shown himself willingly.”
Ye Manman gazes at the snow-covered white street where Zhang Ruochen and a tall bird walk toward the Goddess Tower. Where they pass, a whirlwind rises, howling.
Monks from various factions look on, incredulous.
“This kid doesn’t know the meaning of death,” Luo Shengtian thinks, worried, knowing the coveting of the supreme source divine crystal and the Arbitration Division’s resolve to kill Zhang Ruochen.
Gu Shejing shakes her head, frowning.
She thought Zhang Ruochen would use the Way of Space to break through Goddess City’s array and escape, giving him a slim chance. Yet, he boldly approaches the Goddess Tower.
Does he think his status protects him from death?
What now?
She wants to help secretly but dares not act rashly, as no monk would dare oppose over a dozen top factions.
Yuan Benji, astonished, stands excitedly.
Huoxing, voice sinister, says, “What’s that strange bird beside him, an eagle?”
“It’s an owl, called the Emperor of Slaughtering Heaven and Earth, with remarkable cultivation,” Ye Manman says.
Huoxing sneers, “High cultivation makes it interesting. Perfect for roasting.”
Not only the monks in the Goddess Tower see Zhang Ruochen.
Other factions in Goddess City, unaware of the supreme source divine crystal but there to gather information, are also stirred.
Bai Qing’er, silent for a moment, says, “Zhang Ruochen’s move surprises me. His courage surpasses ordinary monks. Unfortunately, his cultivation is too weak to overturn the board. A strong one can break the game with power. A weak one doing so is like a mantis against a cart.”
Shangguan Que sighs, closing his eyes.
…
Xiao Hei walks beside Zhang Ruochen, swaggering, wind energy spilling out, exuding a bold and unrestrained aura.
“Can you restrain that wind?” Zhang Ruochen says.
“No, this is my first true battle since recovering my cultivation. I must make a grand entrance. If the Ice Emperor hadn’t emerged, causing blood mist to cover the sky, I’d have created some cosmic phenomena,” Xiao Hei says stubbornly.
Zhang Ruochen finds it hard to believe this is a creature over a hundred thousand years old, utterly immature.
Where’s the steadiness?
Xiao Hei adds, “I’m curious. Why not just break out of Goddess City? Why go to the Goddess Tower to meet them?”
“For Bai Qing’er,” Zhang Ruochen says.
Xiao Hei shakes his head, “To confront her? Useless. Most of those factions are your enemies, but few are hers. Much of what Bai says is factual, reasoned. Your words, however, have gaps. If I were them, I’d believe her.”
“I don’t seek their belief. I want to remind them to beware of Bai Qing’er and create confusion, making the truth hard to discern,” Zhang Ruochen says. “Breaking out directly, even if we escape, would lead to endless pursuit, confirming I have the supreme source divine crystal. Meeting them, however, sows doubt. They won’t ignore Bai Qing’er henceforth. With them restraining her, my path ahead will be easier. This trip is necessary.”
Unimpeded, Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei enter the Goddess Tower, ascending to the stargazing platform.
All monks’ gazes lock onto Zhang Ruochen, some readying sacred artifacts, prepared to act.
Nearly every Great Saint present vastly outmatches Zhang Ruochen in cultivation.
Yet, under their saintly pressure, Zhang Ruochen remains composed, picking up a sacred fruit from the table, taking a bite, and smiling freely, “I hear monks of the Twelve Goddess Towers accuse me of stealing the supreme source divine crystal. Which monk dares face me in confrontation?”
Seeing Zhang Ruochen’s aura lacking, Xiao Hei roars beside him, “Face him in confrontation.”
Zhang Ruochen continues, “You seem surprised I’m here? No need. I, Zhang Ruochen, have walked through blood and storms. What scene haven’t I faced? A few clowns won’t scare me.”
Xiao Hei roars, “Won’t scare me.”
Zhang Ruochen says, “Bai Qing’er, I’m here. Why haven’t you shown yourself?”
Xiao Hei roars, “Why haven’t you shown yourself?”
Yuan Benji snorts, stepping from the crowd, deathly aura weaving like threads, saying, “Zhang Ruochen, hiding like a turtle for so long, finally daring to show? Seems you know the Division of Fate’s director has arrived at Ice King Star.”
Zhang Ruochen stares, saying, “Who are you? State your name.”
Xiao Hei roars, “State your name.”
“Yuan Benji.”
Yuan Benji, hands behind his back, gazes skyward, deliberately showing disdain, expecting Zhang Ruochen to show fear upon hearing his name.
“I am the grandson of the Blood Absolute War God, bearing the honor of the Blood Absolute Family, and the wielder of the Fate Heaven Decree, representing the Temple of Fate’s honor. You dare insult me. Today, I will slay you.”
Zhang Ruochen’s finger brushes his spatial ring, drawing the supreme sacred artifact, the Black Gold War Heaven Pillar, swinging it at Yuan Benji’s head.
“I will slay you,” Xiao Hei roars, claws aiming for Yuan Benji’s lower body.
This coordinated attack, one high, one low, is seamless.
The sudden move startles Yuan Benji and shocks the other monks, who retreat in surprise.
What’s happening?
With so many powerhouses present, where does Zhang Ruochen find the courage to strike first?
