The Heavenly Dragon Realm faction and the Temple of Truth faction are both very powerful, but compared to the Dominating World faction, there is still a considerable gap. Michael naturally remains calm and composed.
But Pangu Realm is a dominating world of the Eastern Universe.
With one dominating world joining in, the significance is entirely different. It is no wonder that Zhou Yu would call it a major mishap.
Michael’s expression finally became much more tense. He snatched the letter of challenge, opened it, and examined it carefully to ensure it was not forged by the Heavenly Dragon Realm.
The name and spiritual imprint of the East Flower Emperor Monarch were both engraved on it.
The powerhouses from hundreds of great worlds in the Heavenly Court faction, although not all gathered in the Lamp Tower, still filled the vast space with over a hundred figures exuding powerful auras.
At this moment, noisy voices arose as they all discussed animatedly.
Shang Zian’s gaze, though somewhat grave, was already steady. He said to Michael, “No need to be so tense. What kind of figure is the East Flower Emperor Monarch? The strongest on the Peerless Volume of the Red Dust Peerless List, second only to the Missing One, the number one in the Heavenly Court, yet he chooses to challenge you. Clearly, Pangu Realm does not wish to get involved too deeply. It is merely making a gesture. Or rather, Pangu Realm is controlling the negative consequences caused by the confrontation between two dominating worlds.”
“What is the purpose of Pangu Realm and the East Flower Emperor Monarch doing this? I do not believe that the Rock Emperor of the Feng family can invite him.” Michael said with a cold and stern expression.
Shang Zian’s eyes were deep as he pondered carefully. He had already realised in his heart that tonight’s events were no small matter and that an unfathomable mystery had arisen.
Pangu Realm’s attitude was inscrutable to him.
With the Infernal Court invading and a great war imminent, there should not be conflicts between dominating worlds.
Soon after, another great saint from the Heavenly Court faction hurried in holding a letter of challenge and reported, “Zhen Yuan of the Five Elements Temple challenges the White Angel Emperor.”
The next sound of footsteps rang out as another great saint rushed in and handed over a letter, “Cihang Bodhisattva of the Western Heaven Buddhist Realm challenges the Red Angel Emperor.”
“Yu Feiwu of the Thousand Star Civilisation challenges the Black Angel Emperor.”
The White, Red, and Black Angel Emperors were the three giants among the Heavenly Court’s veteran great saints. Each had heaven-piercing cultivation, stood at the pinnacle of the secular world, and controlled the discourse power of the entire Heavenly Court faction.
The intervention of the Five Elements Temple, Western Heaven Buddhist Realm, and Thousand Star Civilisation finally made the powerhouses in the Lamp Tower realise that it was truly a major mishap.
These top forces, or great realms, each formed their own factions behind the scenes. Suddenly joining forces to strike, it did not seem like it was simply targeting the minor matter of Qingli Garden.
The few cultivators in Qingli Garden could not cause such a great commotion.
Was this an attempt to shake the ruling position of the dominating worlds?
No.
Pangu Realm was also a dominating world. Striking at the Heavenly Court’s prestige would not benefit them.
Shang Zian racked his brains but could not figure it out. He muttered to himself, “It seems that tonight’s matter is no longer just a secular dispute. Zhou Yu, go help me contact the cultivators from the Demon God Realm and the Myriad Ruins Realm. I want to talk to them.”
…
Qingli Garden was unusually desolate, and even the surrounding areas had turned eerily silent. All cultivators detoured around it.
In the garden, Zhang Ruochen, Feng Yan, Xiang Chunan, and the great saints from the Heavenly Dragon Realm were either setting up formations or inscribing great saint inscriptions to fully utilise the terrain advantage.
The divine talisman in Linglong Immortal’s hand was crucial, so Zhang Ruochen personally fixed it at the intersection of the great saint inscriptions.
This was their most important trump card!
Only with it could they balance Taohua and pose a certain degree of threat to him.
At dusk.
Under the escort of a large group of powerhouses from the Thousand Star Civilisation, the Starlight Saint Carriage slowly approached from the main road and stopped at the entrance of Qingli Garden.
Zhang Ruochen had long been waiting outside and said, “For what reason has the Heavenly Maiden come to Qingli Garden?”
Feng Yan, Xiang Chunan, and the cultivators from the Heavenly Dragon Realm all showed curious expressions. At such a sensitive time, with all cultivators keeping their distance, what was the purpose of the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden coming to Qingli Garden?
It could not be that she also wanted to wade into this muddy water, could it?
Even if they had some friendship, it was not enough to make the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden offend the Heavenly Court faction because of it. The Thousand Star Civilisation came to the Heavenly Court to find allies, not to make enemies.
Yu Chenjing stepped down from the saint carriage, wearing a light blue long skirt, with delicate features and cloud-like hair adorned with a jade hairpin. She smiled charmingly and said, “It is not yet midnight. Qingli Garden is not some dragon’s lair or tiger’s den. Can this heavenly maiden not come?”
She landed on the ground and looked at the “Enter and Die” line, saying, “Can this heavenly maiden cross this line?”
“Of course.” Zhang Ruochen made an inviting gesture.
“Wait a moment.”
Yu Chenjing stared at the Starlight Saint Carriage.
Hua Chunchun stepped out from the carriage, took a deep breath, and showed a resolute expression as if facing death. He said, “How can tonight’s battle be without me? Brother Shu, if you make me hide in the Caixia Courtyard, how can I draw my Red Dust Peerless Map?”
Xiang Chunan laughed heartily, “I knew that Brother Hua is also a man with guts.”
Everyone invited Yu Chenjing and Hua Chunchun into Qingli Garden.
After entering the garden, Yu Chenjing looked at Zhang Ruochen and said, “Mister Shu, tonight the Thousand Star Civilisation will fully assist you. My uncle has already challenged the Black Angel Emperor. The other Supreme Realm great saints will soon issue challenge letters as well.”
Hearing this, all the cultivators present were moved.
Xiang Chunan was stunned for a moment, then looked over with admiring eyes and said, “That’s righteous. Just based on the Heavenly Maiden’s help in this time of need today, if the Thousand Star Civilisation faces danger in the future, I cannot guarantee for the Temple of Truth, but I, Xiang Chunan, will definitely rush to assist.”
The other cultivators, however, did not believe that the Thousand Star Civilisation’s actions were due to Yu Chenjing’s righteousness. After all, though she was the heavenly maiden, such a major matter was not for her to decide alone.
The implications behind it were extraordinary.
Of course, no one could deny that this heavenly maiden was certainly willing to help them. They indeed owed a great favour.
Everyone expressed their gratitude one after another.
Before leaving, Yu Chenjing spoke alone with Zhang Ruochen, telling him that the Tianchu Heavenly Maiden had gone to the Caixia Courtyard to seek her assistance.
After seeing off Yu Chenjing, Zhang Ruochen fell into contemplation.
He was also shocked by the Thousand Star Civilisation’s decision and found it unbelievable.
Based on their past friendship, Yu Chenjing might assist him covertly in her personal capacity, but it was absolutely impossible for her to lead the entire Thousand Star Civilisation to challenge the Heavenly Court faction.
Subsequently, news of the Five Elements Temple, Western Heaven Buddhist Realm, and Pangu Realm issuing challenges to the Heavenly Court faction’s powerhouses continuously reached Qingli Garden, boosting the confidence of the crowd who had been uneasy and filling them with high morale.
Xiang Chunan walked to Zhang Ruochen’s side and said, “Those who uphold the Way are aided by many. Those who violate it are aided by few. Tonight, the Heavenly Court faction should profoundly realise that even a dominating world cannot cover the sky with one hand. When the various great worlds rise up to attack, no matter how strong they are, they cannot withstand it. I just wonder, after this lesson, whether they will restrain themselves in the future?”
Zhang Ruochen’s expression was grave, and he said nothing.
Xiang Chunan asked curiously, “What’s wrong? With such a great situation, be happy. What is there to worry about? Taohua? No matter how strong Taohua is, we are prepared now and will not be caught off guard again. We are sufficient to deal with him.”
Zhang Ruochen said something inexplicable, “It seems I underestimated this Red Dust Conference. By a twist of fate, I have entered the chess game of the great figures’ gambit.”
“What gambit? What chess game?” Xiang Chunan asked uncomprehendingly.
Zhang Ruochen merely shook his head without answering him and said, “There is nothing to fear from Taohua. Did the Strange Case Divine General not say it? If he dares to show up again, he will surely strike him down personally. I do not believe Taohua has the strength to confront a false god head-on. The words of a god cannot possibly not count, right? Eh!”
“What’s wrong?” Xiang Chunan asked.
Zhang Ruochen quickly walked towards the gate, only to see Grand Chancellor and Second Chancellor standing outside the circle. Their expressions were quite unusual, somewhat like they were constipated.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “It is not safe here. Why have you come? Come in quickly.”
After entering Qingli Garden, Zhang Ruochen released his spiritual power heaven and earth and began a secret conversation with the two monks.
Shu Qianchi was originally a cultivator from Kunlun Realm, so his secret talk with Kunlun Realm’s demigods naturally aroused no suspicion among the other cultivators.
Xiang Chunan nudged Feng Yan with his elbow and said, “Brother Shu’s expression alternates between worry and smiles. Do you think he heard good news or bad news?”
“Your curiosity is too heavy!” Feng Yan said.
Xiang Chunan glared and said, “Brother Shu’s cultivation is so high. Are you not curious at all?”
“He is coming over. Ask him yourself!” Feng Yan said.
Zhang Ruochen came to Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan’s side and transmitted with sound, “I have an important matter and must leave for a short time. I will definitely return before midnight. But the Heavenly Court faction is surely closely monitoring every move in Qingli Garden. If they learn I have left, they might act ahead of time. You must help me cover the truth!”
Xiang Chunan and Feng Yan did not think he was leaving out of fear to escape.
After all, if he really wanted to escape, there was no need for these feints.
After the secret talk, Xiang Chunan patted Zhang Ruochen’s shoulder and said, “Brother Shu, you consumed a lot of spiritual power earlier inscribing the great saint inscriptions. Rest for a while first!”
“Very well.”
Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged under a saint tree.
However, only Xiang Chunan and Feng Yan knew that the one sitting there was merely a false body condensed from soil. Shu Qianchi’s true body had quietly left Qingli Garden under the cover of supreme spiritual power.
Grand Chancellor and Second Chancellor did not leave but guarded beside Zhang Ruochen’s false body.
Grand Chancellor and Second Chancellor came to Qingli Garden naturally to pass a message to Yan Wushen. Since Yan Wushen was personally invited by Zhang Ruochen, he naturally wanted to meet him in person.
However, the message Zhang Ruochen heard from them was that the one who came to the Red Dust Archipelago was Chi Kunlun.
This gave rise to all sorts of speculations in Zhang Ruochen, including whether Yan Wushen being able to come back to life was because he had possessed Chi Kunlun. Although he knew the possibility was very small.
The more he thought, the more urgent his desire to meet Yan Wushen became.
