In an empty ancient city of the Jiannan Realm, Zhang Ruochen reunites with Zhou Zou, Shentu Yunkong, Da Senluo Huang, and a clone of Master Yeyou.
Each hands Zhang Ruochen a Space Exquisite Sphere.
Using his mental power to inspect, Zhang Ruochen finds that the planets within the four Space Exquisite Spheres are now teeming with billions of living beings.
In such a short time, their efforts to achieve this are commendable.
Zhang Ruochen praises the three, then takes out three Yuan Epoch-level holy medicines as rewards. Overjoyed, they find Zhang Ruochen remarkably generous.
Unbeknownst to them, these medicines are but a fraction of Zhang Ruochen’s vast resources.
Meanwhile, Master Yeyou and Elder Seven Hands crowd around the Underworld King, eagerly introducing themselves, claiming allegiance to the Xue Jue Family and seeking to become his disciples.
The Underworld King has no interest in managing the family or recruiting talent.
To him, these two old men are mere nuisances, easily dealt with by a single sword strike.
Even if he were to take disciples, he would not choose such aged ones with limited potential and fixed achievements.
Despite their lengthy pleas, the Underworld King remains silent, as if their voices are inaudible. Why bother listening to the chatter of ants?
In the sky, powerful divine auras appear intermittently, then swiftly depart.
Squads of Saint Realm cultivators, driving war chariots and holy ships, head toward the Devil Sea.
Zhang Ruochen gazes at the sky, his emotions complex. This journey to the Source Temple brought many unexpected events. Though he successfully condensed a third-grade Sword Path Holy Intent, his heart is not at ease.
Perhaps it is because of Chi Yao, or perhaps Bai Qing’er.
Even a third-grade Sword Path Holy Intent cannot sever the complexities in his heart.
Due to Ji Fanxin’s sensitive identity, she cannot be seen by Hell Realm cultivators, so Zhang Ruochen temporarily brings her into the Qiankun Realm.
According to Master Yeyou and Elder Seven Hands, A Le and Master Kailuo have been taken into the Sword Pavilion by Granny Haitang and have already left. If played well, Master Kailuo could make the Heavenly Realm suffer greatly.
However, this depends on whether Dragon Lord and the others can rescue the Island Master. Only with Dragon Lord and the Island Master holding this card can the Heavenly Realm be made to pay a price. New deities like Chi Yao and Blood Spirit Immortal, no matter how strong their cards, cannot shake the colossal Heavenly Realm.
“Has the Island Master been rescued?” Zhang Ruochen wonders, recalling his father’s parting words. The Destiny God Domain is the Destiny Temple’s territory, filled with countless arrangements and hidden powerhouses. Even a slight mishap could have catastrophic consequences.
It is akin to Hell Realm deities attempting a rescue in the Heavenly Court’s Heavenly Palace; even God Kings or God Sovereigns would need to be prepared to die.
“The Empress has operated in the Hell Realm for years, and Father, a deity long infiltrated into the Destiny Temple, can act as an insider. It should be easier,” Zhang Ruochen thinks, his mood growing tense.
Swish!
A light talisman flies from the clouds, landing in the Underworld King’s hand.
After reading the talisman’s message, the Underworld King’s calm expression turns sharp, his eyes shifting rapidly.
Crack!
The talisman shatters into powder under the divine force surging from his fingers.
Elder Seven Hands and Master Yeyou, startled, fall silent. Their hearts race with unease; this Xue Jue Family deity is indeed difficult to deal with.
If he does not want disciples, he could just say so. Why such a terrifying look?
Master Yeyou feels his knees weaken, and if he could not fathom his mistake, he might have already knelt.
The Underworld King approaches Zhang Ruochen.
Uncertain of the talisman’s contents, Zhang Ruochen guesses from the Underworld King’s expression that the Destiny Temple’s rescue plan has a result.
The Underworld King has always been lenient with Zhang Ruochen, not as ferocious or ruthless as Kunlun Realm legends suggest.
But now, as he draws closer, Zhang Ruochen feels an icy chill, as if plunged into an arctic hell.
Standing before Zhang Ruochen, the Underworld King asks, “How much did you participate in the Kunlun Realm’s rescue plan?”
He does not ask if Zhang Ruochen participated, but how much, assuming his involvement.
Denying it now would be pointless.
Zhang Ruochen looks up, meeting the Underworld King’s radiant red eyes calmly. “With my cultivation, how much could I contribute?”
“Was the Source Temple part of the Kunlun Realm’s plan? From the moment five top-grade Source Divine Crystals appeared in the Destiny God Domain, were you scheming?” the Underworld King asks.
Zhang Ruochen, unwilling to deceive him, shakes his head. “The Source Temple’s appearance was a coincidence. Uncle, you must believe me. I have never done anything to harm the Xue Jue Family and sincerely hope the family gains the most from this great opportunity.”
The Underworld King nods, trusting Zhang Ruochen’s words.
If not for the Xue Jue Family, Zhang Ruochen would not have informed him of the Source Temple’s exact location in advance. If not for the family, why would he bother recruiting Master Yeyou and Elder Seven Hands?
If not for the family, Zhang Ruochen would have returned to the Kunlun Realm with Chi Yao and Blood Spirit Immortal. His choice to stay, even abandoning the six divine swords, is proof enough.
The oppressive force on Zhang Ruochen gradually dissipates as the Underworld King falls into thought.
Zhang Ruochen’s honesty satisfies him. If he had continued to hide the truth, the Underworld King would have walked away, ignoring the matter entirely.
“Since you call me Uncle and helped me gain a great opportunity in the Source Temple, I cannot justify not saving you this time.”
“While the Hell Realm deities are busy confronting the Heavenly Realm factions, pursuing the escaped Island Master, and dividing the remaining benefits of the Source Temple, leave the Jiannan Realm with me immediately.”
“Otherwise, once things settle, they will focus on you. You’re too deeply involved in the Source Temple matter, and some actions were too overt. The forces wanting to kill you will not miss this chance.”
Zhang Ruochen senses the Underworld King’s concern and asks, “What about the Jiannan Realm?”
Having obtained the Sword Ancestor’s Sword Gall, the Underworld King is bound by karma and cannot easily abandon the Jiannan Realm.
After a moment’s thought, he says, “Traveling with me would make you a bigger target. It’s indeed not ideal. I’ll stay to claim the Jiannan Realm. You return to the Hell Realm immediately and seek refuge in the Immortal Temple for a while. When the old man returns, he should be able to protect you.”
“Only the Immortal Temple can shield you now. With the War God Belt, the temple will not turn you away.”
“If the Destiny Temple comes to the Immortal Temple, deny everything completely. Never admit involvement. Better yet, pin it all on Bai Qing’er. She’s the most suspicious anyway.”
“Remember, your sole purpose from start to finish was to benefit the Xue Jue Family. Answer this to anyone who asks.”
Zhang Ruochen, worried, says, “But Uncle staying alone in the Jiannan Realm is dangerous.”
“Dangerous? I’m a deity, a deity of the Xue Tian Tribe’s Great Clan Leader’s lineage, with pure blood, exceptional talent, and boundless potential. Who dares touch me? The entire Immortal Vampire Clan would object. Besides, do you really see your uncle as a new deity? Killing me is no easy task,” the Underworld King says dismissively.
“Alright, it seems I should worry more about myself. Farewell!”
Zhang Ruochen transforms into a burly, ugly Rakshasa Clan man and glances at Elder Seven Hands and Master Yeyou. “They both have the potential to become deities. If Uncle has time, you could guide them.”
“Just two pieces of trash. I’ll see you off.”
The Underworld King presses a palm to Zhang Ruochen’s back, pushing forward. Zhang Ruochen’s vision darkens, his body spinning as if caught in a vortex.
When his vision clears and he stabilizes, he finds himself billions of miles away, beyond the Dark Triangle Star Domain.
Looking back at the pitch-black void, Zhang Ruochen marvels inwardly.
A true deity’s methods are indeed formidable, surpassing even his skills as a master of time and space. The gap between the Saint and Divine Realms is truly an insurmountable chasm.
Without lingering, Zhang Ruochen flies toward the Yaksha Clan’s ancestral realm.
Only by using the Yaksha Clan’s spatial wormholes and arrays can he reach the Immortal Temple swiftly.
However, he soon collides with a faint light barrier, passing through it effortlessly.
“Trouble.”
Realizing something is wrong, Zhang Ruochen immediately retrieves the Divine Dragon Sun-Moon Chaos Tower, concealing it in his sleeve.
As he passed through the nearly invisible light barrier, he distinctly felt a faint divine power, indicating he has entered a domain set by a deity.
After stabilizing, Zhang Ruochen surveys his surroundings, finding the stars gone, the space dim and oppressive.
“I am Ruoji, a general under the Rakshasa Clan’s Divine Prince. Who has set this domain?” Zhang Ruochen calls out.
A cold laugh reverberates, shaking the space. “Petty tricks, boy. Show your true form. I’ve been waiting for you.”
A river of time-marked light particles flows from afar, forming a hazy divine silhouette, pressing toward Zhang Ruochen with overwhelming divine might.
“Xiuchen.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrow sharply.
“Zhang Ruochen, you can’t escape today!”
