Little Black showed little interest in the matter. He plopped down on a root of the Flat Peach Tree. “The fall of those ancient civilisations. What does it have to do with this emperor? Though when the time comes, I can certainly reap some benefits. Better they fall to this emperor than to those Hell Realm fellows who devour people without spitting bones. Heh heh!”
Wind fluttered robes. Chi Yao’s expression was sternly cold. “Why must we only await destruction passively? Why not fight? Hell Realm fundamentally dares not erupt into full divine war with Heavenly Court. In that case, if Heavenly Court gods lead armies forth with momentum to swallow mountains and rivers, would Hell Realm not obediently retreat?”
The Lord of the Fallen God Island said, “You should both know of the Quantity Tribulation, correct? If Heavenly Court truly fights Hell Realm to mutual devastation, when Quantity Tribulation arrives, who resists? All die.”
“Would Hell Realm dare decisive war with Heavenly Court?” Chi Yao asked.
The Lord replied, “Hell Realm naturally dares not! But both Heavenly Court and Hell conceal dark forces scheming thousand ways to push both sides to decisive war. Truly doing so would play into their hands.”
Little Black bewildered. “Dark forces? What dark forces?”
“These things you have not yet touched. No need ask more. In short, this war sweeping the entire universe is far more complex than surface appearance. Intrigue and deception, treacherous waves, surging undercurrents, intertwined interests. Even I now have not fully seen through.”
The Lord continued, “Leaving aside those dark forces, merely the Asura Star Pillar Realm already dooms Heavenly Court gods from decisive war with Hell Realm.”
“Hell Realm mobilised the entire Asura Star Pillar Realm advancing on ancient civilisation faction, eroding step by step. Behind Asura Star Pillar Realm is the moving Yellow Springs Galaxy.”
“To stop Hell Realm advance, must first assault Asura Star Pillar Realm. This equals Heavenly Court gods going to Hell Realm territory for decisive divine war with Hell gods. How gain any advantage?”
The Lord’s gaze turned to Zhang Ruochen, noting his unusual expression. “What are you thinking?”
Zhang Ruochen revealed a bitter smile. “Grand Master, the fall of Vast Sea Civilisation and breach of starry sky defence line. Truly caused by me alone? The tragic death of billions in ancient civilisations. Am I the chief culprit?”
“Why such thought?” the Lord asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, “I know Heavenly Court army attacked Star Huan Heaven plotting to destroy Asura Star Pillar Realm, ending war in one stroke. But because of me, Heavenly Court army fell short. Subsequently Vast Sea Civilisation collided and destroyed by Asura Star Pillar Realm, starry sky defence line breached.”
The Lord said, “If you say so, Grand Master too is sinner, inextricably linked.”
Zhang Ruochen guessed Grand Master referred to Chi Xingtian.
“In truth, this game, you and Heavenly Court gods are pieces. Truly deciding situation are hidden chess players behind.”
“A game lost. Why blame pieces? All responsibility lies with chess players.”
“In this game, Grand Master also placed a piece. Heavenly Court army defeat somewhat related to this piece. Bearing sin is Grand Master me.”
Zhang Ruochen quickly said, “Grand Master placed this piece to save me, correct?”
The Lord smiled, shaking head. “What occurred, why dwell? World affairs thus, all dual-sided. You think victory, actually defeat!”
“But given another choice in Star Huan Heaven, would you not act? You still would not stand idle. I likewise.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Yes! Even again, I would still choose thus.”
“Since so, why tangle?” the Lord asked.
Zhang Ruochen’s heart knot untied. He bowed deeply to the Lord. “Actually, one doubt in my heart. Since Heavenly Court could build first starry sky defence line quickly, why not second?”
“Ruochen these years little attended starry sky battlefield, correct? In truth, second starry sky defence line long begun construction.” the Lord said.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “Since so, why not withdraw first defence line’s ten great civilisations to second. Thus second defence line more solid?”
The Lord replied, “First starry sky defence line hastily built, thus breached in under century.”
“Precisely so, Heavenly Court values second defence line heavily. Various great worlds continually transport resources. Ancient civilisations bet all on second defence line.”
“But building defence against Asura Star Pillar Realm requires vast arrays, countless divine patterns, thousands of starry fortresses and war cities.”
“Thus first defence line buys time for second construction. Henceforth, second defence line likely the starry great wall separating Heavenly Court and Hell universes. This the permanent solution.”
Little Black laughed. “For second defence line, equals sacrificing first defence line’s ten civilisations. If this emperor were those civilisations’ heavenly lords, I would take civilisation into body and flee directly.”
Chi Yao said, “All war demands sacrifice. Sacrificed more than ten civilisations? Kunlun cultivators fallen on starry sky battlefield innumerable. Other great worlds left countless bones.”
“Face danger and flee, entire Heavenly Court myriad realms armies surely collapse faster.”
“Ten thousand years ago, Kunlun faced Hell attack. If Saint Monk and Taishang fled directly, Yellow Springs Galaxy likely long swallowed Heavenly Court, extinguished all great worlds.”
“Only war stops war.”
“Concession only emboldens enemy, fuels their arrogance.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “In truth, if Heavenly Court fully abandoned first defence line’s ten civilisations, were I heavenly lord, I would flee with civilisation. But now myriad realms cultivators and gods still hold first defence line, fighting shoulder with ten civilisations. Fleeing now, how differs from betraying enemy?”
“Fine, fine. You all idealistic, responsible great figures. This emperor narrow-visioned. Satisfied?” Little Black said.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “Merely discussing matter. If you fought beside me, even knowing death, I would not abandon you to flee. If you used me to kill enemies while hiding behind, why should I fight so hard?”
Little Black speechless, shrugged, silent.
The Lord asked, “You know supervision teams?”
Chi Yao replied, “War erupts, fleeing soldiers executed by supervision teams.”
“Heavenly Court has supervision teams?” Little Black surprised.
The Lord said, “Twenty-Four Heavens are supervision team. All decisions they discuss. Defy orders, any cultivator, even heavenly lords fleeing, die.”
“Fine, cannot provoke.” Little Black closed mouth again.
The Lord asked, “Ruochen, you have not answered my question?”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes firm. “I will not stand idle. At least I will certainly go to Tianchu Civilisation. I once promised a cultivator full assistance, whether she still appreciates it or not.”
Zhang Ruochen knew well current ancient civilisation faction cultivators likely wished to devour his flesh, drink his blood. Luo Ji perhaps already saw him as enemy. Yet he still decided to go.
Little Black glanced at Zhang Ruochen, secretly observing Chi Yao’s expression, tsk tsk sounds from mouth.
The Lord said, “First defence line’s ten civilisations, Vast Sea weakest, thus first breached.”
“But Yan Yang, Giant Spirit, Hidden Ruins, Tianchu all top ten ancient civilisations. Hell Realm to destroy them must pay huge price. Short term, first defence line should hold.”
“Ruochen, if you wish Tianchu Civilisation, Grand Master not stop. But first resolve cultivation issues, advance strength. Thus less danger.”
Next time, Zhang Ruochen consulted Lord on Wuji, Taiji, yin-yang Liangyi great dao questions, resolving some doubts.
Bidding farewell Lord, en route to Liangyi Sect, Chi Yao said, “You cannot go Tianchu Civilisation. This journey more dangerous than Dark Triangle Star Domain.”
Little Black argued with Chi Yao. “Grand Master said he has way even Immeasurable gods cannot detect Zhang Ruochen.”
“Undetectable means no mishap? World powerhouses innumerable. Once close, best concealment fools not their perception.” Chi Yao said.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “This journey, I must go.”
This one sentence ended all Chi Yao’s further words.
Silent journey to Liangyi Sect. Zhang Ruochen looked at Chi Yao. “I prepare open Sun Dial millennium on Ancient God Mountain. You can message trusted Kunlun cultivators, have them hurry for joint cultivation.”
“Heh heh, closed cultivation again! This time, this emperor charges mid-upper god.” Little Black excited.
Zhang Ruochen said, “You cannot close cultivate!”
Little Black doused cold water. “Why? You can, why not this emperor? Am I weaker?”
“Yes.”
Leaving these words, Zhang Ruochen first transmitted divine thoughts, contacting trusted Kunlun cultivators.
Like Blood God Sect’s “Blood Spirit Immortal” and “Yan Liren”, Prison Suppression Ancient Clan’s young clan leader “Shi Ren”, also “Chi Xingtian”, “Mu Lingxi”, “Luo Xu”, “Indra Master”, “Great Sikong”, “Second Sikong”, some Ming Sect cultivators… etc.
Millennium time, for below-divinity cultivators, precious extreme. Sufficient for great cultivation leaps.
Ascend mortal peak, break to divinity, all possible.
