The wounds on Feng Yan’s arms healed slowly. He said, “Miss Qing, hurry and assist my elder brother. Xiu Chen Heaven God was once a supreme existence between heaven and earth. Even gravely wounded, it remains exceedingly dangerous.”
Xuan Yuan Qing glanced upward and saw Wind Clan gods already rushing this way. Thus, without further delay, she pursued Zhang Ruochen into the void world.
Zhang Ruochen was the key figure she needed to win over Xing Huan Tian and Xing Tian Cliff. He must not come to harm.
“Junior, who exactly are you?”
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s divine body recondensed, but its aura was unstable, far from its peak.
The divine artifact and sword dao profound mysteries had annihilated vast quantities of its divine soul and spirit.
“I am the chief disciple under Xu Tian.” Zhang Ruochen affixed a divine talisman to his body. Radiance enveloped him fully, his speed matching the fleeing Xiu Chen ahead.
Xiu Chen Heaven God would believe him only if something strange occurred.
Would a disciple of Xu Tian travel alongside Hao Tian’s daughter and the wielder of the Pure Yang Divine Sword?
It clenched its pearly teeth. Were it not wary of the Qing Ping Sword in Zhang Ruochen’s hand, it would long since have turned back and torn this treacherous, shameless junior to pieces.
Zhang Ruochen transmitted again. “Heaven God, everything I say is true, not a single falsehood. This face is not my true appearance. I adopted it to deceive that daughter of a Heavenly Venerable and the master of the Pure Yang Divine Sword. That earlier sword strike was not my intent. Stop quickly. I have important matters to discuss with you.”
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s speed increased steadily, widening the distance from Zhang Ruochen.
“No matter who you are, the grudge between us is now forged… Blood Absolute…”
Xiu Chen Heaven God halted abruptly, its gaze falling on the fivefold sea suspended ahead.
A scarlet blood sea, a crimson divine flame fire sea, a purple thunder sea, a grey sea of death mist, a black dark sea. The five divine seas floated in the void world, energies surging, rules dense.
The Blood Absolute War God, clad in armour, his divine frame towering, wielded the Blood Dragon War Halberd. His eyes locked firmly on Xiu Chen Heaven God. He barked coldly, “Xiu Chen, where else do you think you can flee?”
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s jet-black hair hung dishevelled. Utter frustration filled its heart. It said, “Blood Absolute, our grievances were settled long ago, were they not? Do not push too far. I have no clan, but your Blood Absolute family is vast and prosperous. Take care, or you may end your line.”
The Blood Absolute War God roared in fury, “That family member of my Blood Absolute clan whom you once possessed suffered severe after-effects. I had intended to ask you to help resolve them, considering our debts cleared. Instead, you dare threaten me. It seems you cannot be allowed to live.”
“Grandfather, spare its life. It has great use.”
Zhang Ruochen caught up, removed the mask from his face, and revealed his true appearance.
Xiu Chen Heaven God turned back, staring at that youthful, handsome, yet somewhat familiar countenance. Shock and hatred mingled within it.
It was shocked that in a mere millennium, the Saint-realm junior from back then had already reached the Great God realm.
It hated that it had actually believed his nonsense earlier.
The Blood Absolute War God’s eyes lit up brightly. He laughed heartily, “Xue Tu told me you had stepped into the Great God realm. I had some doubts, never expecting my grandson to be so outstanding. Such rapid cultivation speed has surpassed even your grandfather. Surpass well. That is how it should be. Each generation stronger than the last. Haha!”
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s slender, jade-like right arm cleaved open the light barrier between the void world and the real world, seeking to escape.
“Where do you think you are going?”
The Undying Blood God struck a palm from the real world, forming a thousand-mile-long hand imprint that smashed Xiu Chen Heaven God back into the void.
The Undying Blood God’s appearance was identical to the Blood Absolute War God’s, with pairs of blood wings on his back, blood qi condensing into clouds.
All three directions were sealed, utterly cutting off Xiu Chen Heaven God’s path to survival.
The Blood Absolute War God smiled. “Ruochen, you wish to spare it. Are you planning to refine another furnace of divine pills?”
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s expression shifted. To truly end up refined into pills would destroy its illustrious name utterly, inviting mockery from future cultivators for countless tens of thousands of years.
If it still possessed its divine source, it would wish to perish together with the Blood Absolute War God and Zhang Ruochen right now.
Xiu Chen Heaven God said, “Blood Absolute, do you truly believe that as Great Clan Chief of the Blood Heaven Tribe you can do as you please? I am a Great God of the Shura race, joined to the Blue Deer Divine Hall. If you dare kill me, you will enrage the Shura race. Do you think the Blue Deer God King is truly merely a God King? Can you afford to provoke him?”
The Blood Absolute War God ignored it, glancing towards the deep void behind Zhang Ruochen. Killing intent flashed in his eyes. He transmitted, “That woman. Will you protect her life or not?”
Zhang Ruochen knew the Blood Absolute War God referred to Xuan Yuan Qing. After a moment’s thought, he said, “She is Hao Tian’s daughter. Killing her would surely bring endless calamity upon the Blood Absolute family, even the entire Undying Vampire race. The losses would outweigh the gains.”
“Consider it as you protecting her life then.”
The Blood Absolute War God revealed a complex smile, allowing Xuan Yuan Qing to withdraw.
Daughter of Hao Tian or not?
If she could not be killed, could she not be captured?
Yet since Zhang Ruochen had spoken, and the Blood Absolute War God was in exceedingly high spirits today, he would grant the request regardless.
Thereupon, Zhang Ruochen recounted the words of the Lord of Xing Tian Cliff to the Blood Absolute War God. “If the sundial can be fully restored, Grandfather stepping into the Immeasurable Realm is only a matter of time.”
An unprecedented gravity appeared on the Blood Absolute War God’s face, his excitement impossible to suppress.
This was truly a matter of immense significance.
Previously, when Zhang Ruochen was still a Great Saint, no gods in the Infernal Court had coveted the sundial because all knew it was severely damaged, unable to support divine cultivation. It was utterly worthless.
Forcibly seizing it would only offend the Blood Absolute War God.
Later, after partial restoration, it caused a sensation, yet it could support only one Great God in cultivation. Xing Huan Tian was highly sensitive, guarded by a spiritually flawless powerhouse. No one dared seize it.
Though the Blood Absolute War God had been somewhat tempted, as an elder he could not bring himself to contend with juniors for such a cultivation resource.
Fully restored, the sundial’s significance would be entirely different.
Though it could still not allow an entire realm to cultivate together as in the old Kunlun Realm days, which had drawn the wary eyes of Infernal Court gods and even covetous gazes from many Heavenly Court great-world gods, ultimately inviting calamity.
Yet quietly activating it within a limited scope, nurturing a small number of trusted cultivators, would grant enormous advantage in this turbulent era.
For himself, cultivating within the sundial would certainly not allow him to break into the Immeasurable Realm.
But it could save him vast time, raising his cultivation to the peak of Taixu in the short term. Time for cultivating spiritual force and various divine abilities would likewise be spared.
Between early Taixu and peak Taixu, both nominally Taixu, the gap was immense. Without an aeon’s accumulation, it was simply impossible.
Once truly at peak Taixu…
At this thought, the Blood Absolute War God’s gaze grew ever more ardent.
Xiu Chen Heaven God watched the grandfather and grandson, chills running down its spine. Considering the Blood Absolute War God’s terrifying combat power, plus that fearsome sword in Zhang Ruochen’s hand, even if it brought out the Eternal Heart, escape today seemed impossible.
The Blood Absolute War God’s tone softened somewhat. He smiled. “Xiu Chen, relax. We will not refine you into divine pills. Moreover, I promise to find you a body far superior to Time Divine Jade, aiding you to recultivate a divine source. Crossing your aeon tribulation will then be effortless.”
Xiu Chen Heaven God regarded the Blood Absolute War God coldly, utterly disbelieving such good fortune existed in the world.
Zhang Ruochen said, “It has no choice anyway. Speak plainly. The sundial requires an artifact spirit. You, Xiu Chen, are the most suitable.”
The Blood Absolute War God said, “Agree and live. Refuse… I shall personally capture you and forcibly refine you into the sundial’s artifact spirit.”
“Pushing too far!”
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s eyes blazed with shame and fury. It declared, “What manner of existence am I? How could I willingly become another’s servant? Today, though I die, I shall fight!”
An artifact spirit must acknowledge a master.
If not servitude, what was it?
It drew forth a white pillar. Instantly, vast quantities of time-mark light points and time rules erupted, illuminating the void world.
Zhang Ruochen brought out the sundial, cold intent filling his eyes. “Do you truly believe you remain the overlord of the Shura race? That you still have strength to contend? Even wielding the Eternal Heart, before the sundial and the Nil God Stele, what waves can you raise?”
“Xiu Chen, let me tell you. For what you did to Kongle back then, casting a shadow over her entire life, killing you ten times would not suffice. That I still negotiate with you, rather than directly forcing you into the sundial, already shows you sufficient respect.”
“You wish to fight. Can you overcome my grandfather? You wish to die. Can you even manage to die?”
Xiu Chen Heaven God froze briefly, never expecting this junior to be so arrogant.
Yet…
Every word struck its sore spots.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression softened slightly. He said, “What is wrong with becoming the sundial’s artifact spirit? In future you may yet return to your peak, reclaim the dignity lost these years, and prove your strength to the world once more.”
“By then, who would still regard you as a servant? As a mere artifact spirit?”
“The sundial should be stronger than Time Divine Jade, no?”
“If you refuse, at most my grandfather expends a little more effort to forcibly refine you into the sundial’s artifact spirit. Then your spiritual will would surely be eradicated, even your consciousness and memories wiped away. That would truly be tragic.”
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s complexion grew even paler.
“Roar!”
The Blood Dragon War Halberd in the Blood Absolute War God’s hand emitted a dragon cry, erupting with overwhelming battle might.
Zhang Ruochen naturally did not wish to forcibly refine Xiu Chen Heaven God. An artifact spirit obtained that way would lack growth potential.
It would harm rather than benefit the sundial.
Yet if pushed to extremity, forcible refinement would be the only option.
Xiu Chen Heaven God’s body trembled, its eyes filled with tragic humiliation and hatred. It said, “Is the sundial’s master you or Blood Absolute? If Blood Absolute, I could submit. After all, he will be clan chief of the Undying Vampires in future, with potential to speak for the lower three races. If it is you, this junior…”
The Blood Absolute War God’s gaze turned icy. “It seems you court death.”
Xiu Chen Heaven God knew full well the sundial belonged to Zhang Ruochen. Speaking thus was undoubtedly an attempt to sow discord between the Blood Absolute War God and Zhang Ruochen, hoping to incite the grandfather and grandson to fight each other.
“Grandfather, hold.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes met Xiu Chen Heaven God’s. He said, “I know that for one who once stood at the universe’s pinnacle to submit to a weaker god is exceedingly difficult. Very well. I shall wager with you.”
“A wager?” Xiu Chen Heaven God asked.
Zhang Ruochen extended one finger, not the middle but the index. “One aeon. Within one aeon, before your aeon tribulation descends, I shall surely enter the Immeasurable Realm. If I fail, I shall release you to freedom and even gift you the sundial itself. These words I can swear upon the honour of Blood Absolute Ancestor and the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable.”
The Blood Absolute War God’s brow furrowed. He felt Zhang Ruochen somewhat impulsive, yet said nothing.
A faint gleam appeared in Xiu Chen Heaven God’s eyes, previously filled with tragic hatred and humiliation. It said, “You truly dare swear upon the honour of Blood Absolute Ancestor and the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable? Swear upon your divine soul?”
“What is there to fear?” Zhang Ruochen replied.
…
Xiu Chen is so pitiful. Will you not cast a few monthly votes for her?
Yes, it is “her”.
Gender is something that requires patient persuasion and guidance.
