Both female deities are stunningly beautiful, yet incredibly domineering, sharing many similarities in their personalities.
The more domineering they are, the stronger their possessiveness becomes.
Zhang Ruochen is deeply troubled. The divine giants from the Heavenly Realm faction and the Hell Realm could descend at any moment. Both women are exceptionally wise, so how could they not know? Fighting at this time is far from a wise move.
Chi Yao cannot be exposed, and Bai Qing’er must also conceal her identity.
What a headache, truly a headache.
Zhang Ruochen shouted “Stop,” but his voice was drowned in the ocean of divine energy from the two deities, failing to stir even a ripple.
Initially, Zhang Ruochen was filled with hatred and questions toward Chi Yao.
As he learned more about the truth from eight hundred years ago, his doubts grew stronger than his hatred. He was filled with confusion and bewilderment about this woman he once deeply loved, the woman etched most vividly in his memory.
If she is truly heartless, why did she choose him to overcome her emotional tribulation before becoming a deity?
If she truly did not want to come to the Source Temple, with her personality, she likely would not have listened even to the Dragon Lord.
If Chi Yao is truly guilty of heinous crimes, why do the cultivators of the Kunlun Realm regard her as the ruler of the world, the emperor of revival? His most trusted cousin, Kong Lanyou, went from opposing her to standing by her side. Huang Yanchen, the woman he once loved, fully acknowledged her, even standing against him.
Zhang Ruochen is deeply troubled, sometimes wondering if he is the one who is wrong.
Was he wrong from the moment the blood of the Immortal Vampire Clan flowed through his veins? Should he not even exist in this world?
If he is truly wrong, why has no one told him? Why has no one taught him what is right or shown him the correct path? Does Zhang Ruochen not even have a single true friend who dares to speak the truth to him?
Are the only ones who dare to speak the truth his enemies?
Are his enemies the ones speaking the truth?
Is he truly a traitor of the Yuan Epoch, a betrayer of the Kunlun Realm, a hybrid of human and Immortal Vampire, doing everything wrong?
On the path of life, everyone needs a guide, a mentor, to recognize their true self in confusion, to awaken from self-indulgence, to stop on the wrong path, and to have someone lend a hand at the edge of a mental precipice.
Each time, Zhang Ruochen has had to reflect and comprehend on his own.
However, humans are human because their hearts fluctuate, influenced by external factors, leading to deviations. Every person is a bundle of contradictions.
Before making mistakes, people desperately find reasons to justify their actions, convincing themselves they must or can only act in a certain way.
Where is the line between right and wrong?
Empress Chi Yao and Bai Qing’er confront each other, their divine powers clashing, their auras colliding. Neither notices that Zhang Ruochen’s state below is deeply amiss.
“Today, this Empress wishes to test the strength of a so-called Yuan Epoch genius in the divine realm. Unfortunately, you have not yet condensed your Star Soul Throne, making you somewhat too inexperienced,” Empress Chi Yao said.
Empress Chi Yao summoned the Blood-Dripping Sword, its bloodlight soaring, causing rolling blood mist to form above, transforming into an endless sea of blood.
In terms of cultivation time and age, Bai Qing’er surpasses Chi Yao.
In terms of time since achieving divinity, Chi Yao has only been a deity for a few years. Thus, Bai Qing’er fears her not in the slightest.
Bai Qing’er said, “In the Hell Realm, can you still use the power of the Star Soul Throne? In truth, a pitiful woman like you, with a heart already in disarray, even without condensing my Star Soul Throne, defeating you would be effortless.”
“Who are you calling pitiful?” Empress Chi Yao’s voice was cold.
Bai Qing’er replied calmly, “Not just pitiful, but truly pathetic. You have children but no husband. As a deity of the Heavenly Court, your children are in the Hell Realm. The so-called Empress of the Kunlun Realm is merely a lone figure. As a deity, you are not even as fulfilled as the most ordinary mortal woman. If you are not pitiful, who is? If you are not pathetic, who is?”
…
At the top of the giant stone altar.
The trap formed by the blood lake and sword island, after countless ages, has nearly lost the power of the being who set it.
Now, the blood in the lake has turned into blood mist and dissipated.
Blood Spirit Immortal, who has broken into the divine realm, stands by the dried blood lake, listening to the voices of argument from below, standing still, with no intention of descending.
The Underworld King, arriving at the altar at some point, stands opposite Blood Spirit Immortal, facing each other across the lake.
Sensing the two surges of divine power from the lake’s depths, he too has no intention of going down.
Both deities stand quietly by the lake, their figures imposing, calm, and composed, forgetting their affiliations with the Heavenly Court and Hell Realm. They should be fighting, yet they stand listening intently.
Ji Fanxin is the first to notice Zhang Ruochen’s abnormal state, urgently calling, “Zhang Ruochen, what’s wrong?”
Swish!
A sword aura flew from Zhang Ruochen’s body, cutting away the myriad distracting thoughts in his mind.
Zhang Ruochen opened his eyes, gently shaking his head at her, and called, “White Tiger!”
In the next moment, the Burial Gold White Tiger appeared beside Zhang Ruochen, radiating a divine aura stronger than that of Empress Chi Yao and Bai Qing’er, letting out a deafening roar.
The tiger’s roar not only echoed through the giant stone altar but resounded across the ruins of the Source Temple, faintly audible even a hundred thousand miles away.
Crack!
Above, where the blood moon once hung, a thin stone wall shattered under the sound waves, connecting to the top of the altar.
Blood Spirit Immortal and the Underworld King, standing by the blood lake, each took a few steps back, seemingly reluctant for those below to know they had been there all along.
Empress Chi Yao and Bai Qing’er finally stopped, their gazes turning to Zhang Ruochen below.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes were deep and cold as he said, “Chi Yao, leave now, immediately. I will personally go to the Kunlun Realm to retrieve the six divine swords. At that time, all grievances will be settled.”
Chi Yao stared deeply at Zhang Ruochen, her gaze sharp, but her heart questioned whether her actions today had gone too far.
Boom!
A violent tremor came from above.
Ripples appeared in the space, spreading from top to bottom.
Even the divine clouds enveloping Chi Yao and Bai Qing’er trembled, showing signs of dispersal.
Such a terrifying attack could not have come from an ordinary deity.
Zhang Ruochen looked up, his heart tightening, realizing a true divine giant was about to arrive. Was it from the Hell Realm or the Heavenly Realm?
Swish! Swish!
Chi Yao and Bai Qing’er transformed into two streaks of divine light, like meteors, flying to the top of the giant stone altar.
Then, Zhang Ruochen and Ji Fanxin, riding the Burial Gold White Tiger, also reached the altar’s top.
Looking up, Zhang Ruochen saw a breathtaking sight.
In the starry sky above, a headless divine demon, towering countless miles high, appeared. Its eyes and mouth were on its body, holding a shield in one hand and an axe in the other.
Its divine form occupied a third of the starry sky above.
Boom.
Another axe strike shook the stars.
Between the stars, dense array inscriptions appeared, resisting its assault.
Yet, some stars still shattered, turning into fireballs.
Swish!
A terrifying wave of power penetrated the array, landing on the giant stone altar. Were it not for the resistance of the four deities, Zhang Ruochen and Ji Fanxin’s cultivation would not have withstood the shock.
These stars, floating in the sea, were the foundation of the Source Temple’s protective array.
The headless divine general aimed to break through the sea’s array and descend upon the Source Temple.
Bai Qing’er said, “This is the Guardian Demon God of Luo Zu Yun Shan Realm, also once from your Kunlun…”
“No need for you to say. I know who he is. Qing Li King of the Nine Li Temple, Chi Xing Tian. What a pity, a peerless war god who once shook the starry sky, beheaded and refined into a mindless demon general.”
Blood Spirit Immortal sighed, then turned to Chi Yao and Zhang Ruochen, saying, “The gods of the Hell Realm will soon descend upon the Source Temple. We must leave immediately.”
The Underworld King said, “Zhang Ruochen cannot leave with you.”
Blood Spirit Immortal replied, “Whether he leaves is not for you to decide.”
“I’m his uncle. My word does count. Do you outsiders think you can meddle in the affairs of the Xue Jue Family?” The Underworld King sheathed his Star God Sword, ready to fight Blood Spirit Immortal barehanded.
All eyes turned to Zhang Ruochen, waiting for his decision.
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze fell on Chi Yao, saying, “When I step into the divine realm, I will come to the Kunlun Realm to find you.”
Chi Yao, holding the Chaos Space-Time Lotus, used its power to tear open a space gate several meters long, stepping through with Blood Spirit Immortal and Granny Haitang, who had returned.
“I’ll wait for you in the divine realm.”
As the space gate closed, Chi Yao’s voice drifted out softly.
The Source Temple’s array and divine inscriptions had been mostly destroyed by the headless demon god, unable to prevent their departure through space.
For some reason, Zhang Ruochen felt a deep sense of relief. He turned to Bai Qing’er, saying, “Aren’t you leaving?”
“It’s not easy to leave without a treasure like the Chaos Space-Time Lotus. But indeed, it’s time to go. Zhang Ruochen, I’ll wait for you in the divine realm. You must come to the Twelve Goddess Pavilions to marry me.” Bai Qing’er remained calm, strolling down the giant stone altar.
Halfway down, she stopped, turned, and said seriously, “If you fail to reach the divine realm or don’t come to marry me, I will take revenge. If I can’t take revenge on you, I’ll sink into the mortal world, finding countless men like you.”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart jolted, and he gave a wry smile, “You’re joking, right?”
“Do I look like I’m joking? Our meeting was indeed a coincidence, but I’m a serious woman. Having chosen you, you must take responsibility for me. Don’t die before reaching the divine realm, or you’ll regret it deeply.”
Bai Qing’er smiled brightly, transforming into a streak of white light, vanishing into the misty ruins.
At that moment, Zhang Ruochen finally understood regret. Some women, once involved, are indeed troublesome and can easily backfire.
“No need to overthink. Never try to reason with women; you can’t understand their thoughts. Let’s go!” said the Underworld King.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “Uncle, how much Source Mystery did you gain in the Source Temple?”
“Source Mystery? None.”
“Treasures?”
“What treasures?”
Zhang Ruochen stared intently at the Underworld King, his gaze stunned, wondering if the Underworld King truly didn’t seize any Source Mystery or treasures, or if he simply didn’t want to share.
