Zhang Ruochen shook his head, saying, “The outcome is already decided. Why continue fighting?”
“…” Tianshuzi replied.
Zhang Ruochen continued, “You agreed to settle the matter with a single fight. Why now turn it into a battle to the death? Does this mean the Death God Hall is full of people who go back on their word?”
Seeing the murderous glares from the Death God Hall’s great saints, Zhang Ruochen tried to calm them, saying, “Everyone, I don’t mean to insult the entire Death God Hall. I just think your actions are unwise and damage the hall’s reputation. Where does that leave the dignity of the Death God Hall’s gods?”
His words caused the onlookers, who already viewed Zhang Ruochen unfavourably, to look at the Death God Hall’s cultivators with strange expressions.
The Death God Hall’s cultivators had indeed made themselves a laughingstock today.
The cultivators from the various clans in the Hundred Clans’ Royal City, though silent, inwardly scorned them. The so-called upper three clans, the so-called Death God Hall, produced great saints who amounted to little more than this.
The Death God Hall still cared about its reputation.
Suppressing his rage, Tianshuzi snorted coldly, “I haven’t lost yet. How can you say the outcome is decided?”
Yuanji and other Death God Hall powerhouses intended to persuade Tianshuzi not to fight Zhang Ruochen alone and to attack together.
Sensing their thoughts, Tianshuzi secretly transmitted, “You must not act. The ten clans have cultivators in the Hundred Clans’ Royal City, and the Goddess of Destiny is nearby. The Death God Hall cannot afford further humiliation. Even if I must die, I will take down Zhang Ruochen in this fight.”
The Death God Hall cultivators felt Tianshuzi’s resolve, their expressions hardening as they realized the gravity of the situation.
In a critical moment, Tianshuzi might detonate his holy source, perishing alongside Zhang Ruochen.
Tianshuzi transmitted again, “All of you, retreat far away. If I cannot suppress Zhang Ruochen and lose to him, do not act either. In the Hundred Clans’ Royal City, Zhang Ruochen holds a great advantage. Wait until he leaves the city to strike.”
From the Kun Tower, Yan Huangtu watched the Death God Hall’s great saints retreat, his expression shifting slightly. He said, “Tianshuzi might truly be ready to fight to the death. Xian’er, go to the Demon Clan Emperor.”
“Why is Fifth Uncle so nervous? With the Kun Tower’s defences, unless Tianshuzi detonates his holy source… no way, it’s just a fight. Would he really go that far?” Yan Zhexian exclaimed in shock.
Yan Huangtu sneered, “Tianshuzi is indeed a peerless talent, but he’s too proud, unable to accept failure or humiliation.”
If Yan Huangtu could see the situation clearly, how could Zhang Ruochen not?
Thus, as Tianshuzi advanced with his blade, Zhang Ruochen brought out Fei Zhong’s puppet body.
This puppet, crafted by Fei Zhong using the bones of a Supreme Realm dwarf and infused with various precious materials, looked identical to Fei Zhong in appearance and form.
The puppet’s holy soul had long been erased by Fei Zhong.
However, during the time Zhang Ruochen and Gong Nanfeng travelled to the Oyin Asteroid Belt, Zhang Ruochen had refined it again, making it usable.
“What trick is Zhang Ruochen playing now?”
“It looks like a puppet.”
“He’s skilled in puppet holy techniques?”
“Perhaps it’s a corpse-driving secret technique. In Kunlun Realm, ancient gods developed corpse-driving techniques to counter the Corpse Clan, which once flourished. Zhang Ruochen, born in Kunlun Realm, mastering this technique isn’t surprising.”
…
Yan Zhexian and Yan Huangtu had their memories erased, so seeing Fei Zhong’s puppet body elicited no reaction.
The Demon Clan Emperor, however, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes before nodding with a smile.
On Ice King Star, after the four Demon Clan great saints protecting Yan Zhexian and Yan Huangtu died, the Demon Clan Emperor personally investigated and found traces of an enemy’s aura at the site of their fall.
That aura matched the puppet body’s exactly.
Zhang Ruochen sent out a hundred thousand mental power thoughts, entering the puppet body.
The puppet’s eyes snapped open, radiating dazzling holy light. Over ten trillion holy path rules surged from its body as it wielded a battle axe, summoning dense lightning and slashing at Tianshuzi.
“Rumble.”
The battle erupted, shattering the long street inch by inch, with blade light and axe shadows clashing back and forth.
Though Tianshuzi had cultivated fifty trillion holy path rules, surpassing some Supreme Realm great saints, he remained in the Life-Death Realm, not having condensed a Supreme Law Body.
Fei Zhong’s puppet body, however, had once developed independent thought and condensed a Supreme Law Body. Though its combat power fell short of a true Supreme Realm great saint, it could hold its own against Tianshuzi.
In an instant, the two figures on the long street clashed hundreds of times.
Tianshuzi fought with frustration. If he were facing Zhang Ruochen’s true body, he could go all out, even burning his lifespan and holy blood without hesitation.
But now, he was stalled by Zhang Ruochen’s puppet, unable to advance a step.
Would he burn thousands of years of lifespan to destroy a mere puppet?
Yuanji and the other Death God Hall great saints saw Tianshuzi’s awkward predicament but were helpless.
After a moment’s thought, Yuanji transmitted, “Our strategy was flawed from the start. We shouldn’t have challenged Zhang Ruochen one-on-one. We underestimated him, and now it’s too late to correct. Since Tianshuzi told us not to act, for the Death God Hall’s reputation, we should follow his orders.”
Another great saint nodded in agreement, “If Tianshuzi fights to the death, a mere puppet can’t stop him.”
A great saint, more pessimistic, sighed, “Let’s find another chance to deal with Zhang Ruochen. In the Hundred Clans’ Royal City, we’re too restricted, while Zhang Ruochen has many trump cards.”
“Should we persuade Tianshuzi to stop… never mind, forget I said anything.”
The Death God Hall’s great saints quickly reached a consensus: regardless of Tianshuzi’s victory or defeat, they would not act. Any move would wait until Zhang Ruochen left the Hundred Clans’ Royal City.
However, having come so boldly, retreating in disgrace would further damage the Death God Hall’s prestige.
Thus, they all hoped Tianshuzi would overpower Zhang Ruochen. If he detonated his holy source to perish with Zhang Ruochen, that would also be a satisfactory outcome.
The Demon Clan Emperor stroked his beard and smiled, “The Death God Hall and Tianshuzi are in a dilemma. It’s time for me to step in and give them a way out.”
“Swish.”
The Demon Clan Emperor appeared above the battle circle of the puppet and Tianshuzi, releasing powerful mental energy. With a wave of his sleeves, an invisible, overwhelming force separated them like leaves swept by the wind.
The puppet retreated to Zhang Ruochen’s side, while Tianshuzi flew back ten zhang.
The Demon Clan Emperor landed, smiling, “This is the Hundred Clans’ Royal City, where great saint battles are forbidden. Both of you are top prodigies of the Hell Realm. Can you give this old man some face and restore peace to the city?”
Zhang Ruochen had already sensed the Demon Clan Emperor’s presence and quickly bowed, “I don’t wish to disturb the city’s order. It’s just that the Death God Hall’s cultivators are unreasonable. They agreed to settle grudges in one fight, yet they can’t accept defeat, fighting battle after battle.”
“Who can’t accept defeat? We haven’t settled the outcome yet!” Tianshuzi retorted.
Zhang Ruochen pursed his lips, “Shall we… continue?”
“Fight then. Think I’m afraid?”
Tianshuzi’s gaze was cold, raising his blade to advance, but he ultimately didn’t move. After all, he wasn’t foolish. The Demon Clan Emperor’s appearance was his chance to step back.
The Demon Clan Emperor, a shrewd figure, understood Tianshuzi’s mindset.
He quickly approached, grasping Tianshuzi’s hands, acting like a kindly mediator. He first praised Tianshuzi’s potential to become a Yuan epoch figure, then lauded his magnanimity, and even extolled the Death God Hall.
In short, he gave Tianshuzi ample face to step down.
Tianshuzi stared at Zhang Ruochen, seemingly persuaded, his expression softening slightly, “If not for the clan emperor pleading on your behalf, I’d have settled this with you today, life or death.”
The Demon Clan Emperor’s heart skipped, wishing he could silence Tianshuzi. He’d given him a way out, yet he kept provoking Zhang Ruochen.
Fortunately, Zhang Ruochen seemed truly magnanimous, intent on resolving hatred, and didn’t react excessively. This relieved the Demon Clan Emperor, who now held Zhang Ruochen in higher regard.
It seemed Zhang Ruochen hadn’t been deliberately toying with the Death God Hall’s cultivators but genuinely harboured goodwill, seeking to resolve their conflict.
This was a heart that repaid evil with virtue.
The successor of Saint Monk Xumi was indeed extraordinary, untainted even in the Hell Realm. The unsavoury rumours about Zhang Ruochen he’d heard now seemed untrue.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen’s mild attitude, Tianshuzi pressed further, “Release Queshenzi and the three White-Clothed Death Gods. From now on, the Death God Hall’s grievances with you will be wiped clean.”
The Death God Hall’s experts closed in, exuding holy pressure to intimidate Zhang Ruochen.
The Demon Clan Emperor sensed trouble. The Death God Hall’s cultivators didn’t know when to stop, acting so aggressively, as if Zhang Ruochen were made of clay.
“Zhang Ruochen, don’t you want to resolve your conflict with the Death God Hall? We’re giving you a chance. You’d better seize it,” Yuanji said with a smile.
Zhang Ruochen indeed wanted to resolve the conflict, but he wasn’t naive. He knew that even if he released the four Life-Death Realm great saints, their resentment wouldn’t dissipate.
Shaking his head, Zhang Ruochen sighed, “The Saint Monk said that hell isn’t in the Hell Realm but in people’s hearts. Your hearts are filled with hell. How can this hatred be resolved?”
The two sides grew confrontational again.
As the Demon Clan Emperor prepared to mediate once more, a resounding Buddhist chant echoed from the crowd, “Amitabha. Uncle Master, we can lend a hand to help them resolve the hell in their hearts.”
“Uncle Master, I’m here too.”
Two monks, one white, one black, pushed through the onlookers.
The white monk was plump, his face large as a basin, his skin jade-like.
The black monk was tall and thin, dark as a pot’s bottom, with only his eyes and teeth white.
They were Da Sikong and Er Sikong.
Earlier, Zhang Ruochen’s mental focus had been on the top powerhouses who could threaten him, so he hadn’t noticed them. Their sudden appearance surprised him.
Why were they in the Hundred Clans’ Royal City?
Soon, Zhang Ruochen understood.
Behind Da Sikong and Er Sikong, he saw Cang Jie, the Asura Clan Saint King he’d met at the Goddess Tower. He’d sent Cang Jie to Kunlun Realm to deliver a letter to Ji Fanchen.
Zhang Ruochen had told him that if Ji Fanchen wasn’t in Kunlun Realm, to seek Kong Lanyou in the Endless Abyss.
Had Kong Lanyou passed this task to Da Sikong and Er Sikong?
Regardless of what happened in Kunlun Realm, since Cang Jie, Da Sikong, and Er Sikong were here, it likely meant Ji Fanchen had also arrived.
Da Sikong had broken through to the Great Saint realm, earning the title of “Bodhisattva” in Buddhist cultivation, yet he showed no trace of compassion, grinning broadly, “Uncle Master, let them study Buddhism. Reciting and copying the Maha Sutra a hundred times daily should have some effect.”
Er Sikong, like an angry vajra, said coldly, “Their hearts are steeped in sin, filled with deep resentment and killing intent. The Maha Sutra won’t do. They should recite and copy the Great Benevolence and Emptiness Mantra, build ten thousand temples each, and craft a hundred thousand Buddha statues. After copying the Great Benevolence and Emptiness Sutra a hundred thousand times, teach them the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra, the Wonderful Dharma Sutra, the Amitabha Sutra…”
Er Sikong listed dozens of sutras, continuing, “This is just the first step, cultivating oneself. The second step is doing good deeds and accumulating merit. The third step…”
As Er Sikong spoke endlessly, Zhang Ruochen nodded, clearly agreeing with him.
Queshenzi’s expression changed repeatedly. If he ended up like that, could he still be considered part of the Death Clan?
If a Death Clan great saint became a monk, Queshenzi was certain his divine mother would kill him first, unable to bear the shame.
Yuanji shouted, “Two Buddhist cultivators dare to strut around in the Hell Realm. Seize them, nail their golden bodies to the Hundred Clans’ Royal City’s gates, and let their Buddha blood drain until death.”
Da Sikong spoke confidently, “Why can’t Buddhist cultivators come to the Hell Realm? The Yama Clan has Buddhist cultivators too. All Buddhists are one family. For those who practice Buddhism, there are no boundaries between nations, worlds, or Heaven and Hell. Uncle Master, am I right?”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Very well said. Rest assured, my two nephews, since you’re in the Hell Realm, your uncle will protect you.”
“Zhang Ruochen, you can’t even protect yourself,” Tianshuzi said.
“Nether Light Curse.”
Tianshuzi was cursed, unable to move, and was thrown by Zhang Ruochen into the Seven-Star Emperor Palace.
It happened too fast.
In an instant, Tianshuzi, who had been brimming with momentum, lay at Lianxi’s feet.
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Zhang Ruochen sighed, “Brother Tianshu’s heart is too full of resentment, his hatred for me bone-deep. The clan emperor personally mediated, and we could have set this aside, letting time ease his resentment and hatred.”
“But with my two nephews here, their approach seems better. I believe this is the true way to turn conflict into peace.”
Why did the Nether Light Curse instantly affect Tianshuzi this time?
It wasn’t Zhang Ruochen’s power alone. In the Qiankun Realm, the Seven-Handed Elder used mental strength to activate the Ten Thousand Curses Heavenly Pearl.
The spectators, unaware of this, were shocked again, including the Demon Clan Emperor, who was startled.
That burst of mental energy was stronger than his own.
As for the Death God Hall’s great saints, seeing Zhang Ruochen’s gaze turn to them, they felt chills, wishing to flee immediately. Was this Zhang Ruochen really himself, or some other cultivator in disguise? He was too monstrous.
