The Blood Absolute War God wore an air of indifference and said, “Fengyun Ba has fallen. The Darkness Temple has lost two great gods in succession, Zhao Wuyan and Li Xiao. The true gods and pseudo-gods who have perished from the major forces are beyond counting.”
“With the outside world in such an uproar, everything boiling over, how could I possibly sit still?”
“But it was not entirely for you. Your uncle and Xue Yao are also in the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain. Moreover, the Undying Temple takes this matter very seriously and personally sent a War God decree.”
Zhang Ruochen’s expression darkened. “The Undying Blood Race has thirteen War Gods. Why send the decree only to Grandfather? Do they not know how dangerous the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain is? Do they not know that even a figure like Fengyun Ba has fallen?”
The Blood Absolute War God replied, “Almost all thirteen War Gods of the Undying Blood Race are at the Immeasurable level. They either hold key territories or are in closed-door cultivation to break through. How could they be mobilised lightly?”
“The Undying Temple clearly believes this seat is young and should gain more experience, so they gave this opportunity to your grandfather. Besides, if your grandfather is to become clan leader of the Undying Blood Race in future, he cannot rely solely on cultivation and battle strength. He must also act for the benefit of the race to win the people’s support.”
After saying this, a cold glint flashed deep in the Blood Absolute War God’s eyes.
How could he not know the Undying Temple’s intentions?
The entire universe was abuzz with rumours that Zhang Ruochen had obtained Sword Ancestor’s sword soul and six divine swords, making him the one most likely to find Sword Realm. For the Undying Temple to dispatch the Blood Absolute War God to the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain, it would be strange if they had no such ulterior motive.
The Blood Absolute War God had no wish to use Zhang Ruochen to locate Sword Realm and trade it for the position of clan leader of the Undying Blood Race. Yet he was worried for the safety of Zhang Ruochen, the Nether King, and Xue Yao. How could he not come?
The Blood Absolute War God asked, “Has your martial cultivation been exposed? Who knows about it?”
Zhang Ruochen’s face grew grave. For various reasons, more and more gods now knew that his martial cultivation had recovered. This secret, he feared, could not be kept much longer.
“Those who know are mostly friends worthy of trust,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“How many friends in this world are truly worthy of trust? Give me a list. Only the dead keep silent. Do not think your grandfather is merely early-stage Grand Void just because of his cultivation. To become the youngest War God of the Undying Blood Race, battle strength is what matters. Killing a few Grand Void cultivators would not be too difficult. Even if there is a famous Sword God among them, I will find a way to ensure he does not leave the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain alive.”
The Blood Absolute War God’s face was filled with killing intent, his eyes brimming with resolute will.
Zhang Ruochen naturally did not doubt his grandfather’s capability. After all, he was being groomed as the future clan leader of the Undying Blood Race and even had the potential to become the spokesperson for the lower three races.
The power standing behind the Blood Absolute War God might be even greater than Zhang Ruochen’s own.
As for the Blood Absolute War God himself, he surely possessed many extraordinary trump cards that he never revealed. He appeared arrogant, yet he concealed his strength profoundly.
The Blood Absolute’s arrogance, like Zhang Ruochen’s romantic flair, was a deliberate flaw shown to enemies.
Moved, Zhang Ruochen said, “There is truly no need. I am now a great god myself, not a child. If I cannot handle even these matters, would I not disgrace Grandfather? Of course, if it truly becomes too difficult, I will certainly ask for your help.”
The Blood Absolute War God said no more.
With Zhang Ruochen’s current status as Lord of Star Ring Heaven and his great god cultivation, conversing with the Blood Absolute War God no longer carried the pressure it once did, no longer standing low and looking up. Only the respect in his heart remained undiminished.
At the same time, he no longer addressed him formally as “War God” but directly as “Grandfather”.
Though the Blood Absolute War God continued to guide Zhang Ruochen at every turn, things were different from before.
In the Battle of Hunting Heaven, the Blood Absolute War God had directly ordered Zhang Ruochen to participate.
When Zhang Ruochen obtained the Six Directions Heavenly Venerable Cauldron on the Hunting Heaven battlefield, the Blood Absolute War God had already made arrangements and merely asked Zhang Ruochen casually.
Now, however, the Blood Absolute War God deliberately tempered his overbearing manner. He only offered reminders, never again making decisions for Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen naturally sensed this change, and he himself was changing too.
Soon afterwards, Zhang Ruochen and the Blood Absolute War God arrived aboard the divine warship of the Undying Blood Race.
This divine warship belonged to the Undying Temple and had an extraordinary origin. Whether in attack or defence, it was no weaker than the Xufeng divine warship. Once its arrays were activated, it could completely conceal itself in the dark void.
The gods of the Undying Blood Race immediately came forward to greet them, bowing to the Blood Absolute War God.
Mo Basha, the spiritual power ancient god of the Undying Temple, spoke gravely, “Great Clan Executor, one of the Nine Cauldrons, the Universe Cauldron, has emerged. Shall we dispatch gods to return to the temple with the news?”
The Blood Absolute War God replied, “Elder Mo may decide this matter himself.”
In fact, before the Blood Absolute War God’s return, Mo Basha had already sent a true god hidden among the holy army out of the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain to deliver the message.
Yet with the Blood Absolute War God present as the strongest and highest in status, protocol required consultation.
The Undying Blood Race had two centres of power: the Undying Temple and the Clan Mansion.
The Undying Temple commanded war and external affairs, held the greatest resources of the Undying Blood Race, represented the interests of the gods, and wielded enormous authority. Even the appointment of the clan leader and the ten great clan executors of the major tribes required the temple’s approval.
The Clan Mansion managed internal affairs, governance, education, and resolved all internal disputes. Its influence over the mortal world was immense. Though its authority was far smaller, it could to some extent check the Undying Temple.
As the leading candidate to succeed as clan leader, the Blood Absolute War God naturally aligned more closely with the Clan Mansion.
This was only natural. Given the Blood Absolute family’s dire circumstances in the past, without the Clan Mansion’s support, the Blood Absolute War God might not have survived to maturity. The internal cultivation environment of the Undying Blood Race was tens of times crueler than that of Kunlun Realm.
How many deadly tribulations had Zhang Ruochen endured in Kunlun Realm back then?
In the Blood Absolute War God’s presence, Mo Basha dispatched another true god to leave the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain.
Xue Yao Divine Lord said, “That one from the Azure Deer Temple has also joined the contest for the Universe Cauldron.”
“Let them fight over it. A treasure like the Universe Cauldron may not be a blessing in one’s hands. None of them have reached Immeasurable, yet their ambitions are vast,” the Blood Absolute War God remarked with a cold laugh.
How could the Blood Absolute War God not covet the Universe Cauldron?
But he knew that even if he risked his life to seize it, he would ultimately have to deliver it to the Undying Temple. If that was the case, why risk his life at all?
Moreover…
Figures of Xu Tian’s level had come to the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain. Whoever held the Universe Cauldron would invite disaster.
Among the gods, Zhang Ruochen spotted the Nether King, Xue Tu, and Little Black, and walked towards them.
The Nether King was hardly serious. Smiling, he looked at Zhang Ruochen and said, “To escape from Wu Yue’s hands, did you perhaps use the beauty trap?”
“Wu Yue has truly lost her mind. Does she really think Lady Tian Lao dares not kill her?” Xue Tu fumed, then added, “Senior Brother, why are you looking at me like that?”
He quickly sent a voice transmission, “Your secret, I only mentioned it once to the Great Clan Executor. I have told no one else. I swear it to the heavens.”
Zhang Ruochen had not expected Xue Tu to be so jumpy. He transmitted back, “Where have Yu Ling God and Uncle Wolf gone?”
Xue Tu hurriedly replied, “They feared gods of the Darkness Temple might escape the Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain and leak information, so they gave up searching for Sword Realm and went outside to intercept them.”
“They are that cautious?” Zhang Ruochen found it hard to believe.
Xue Tu said, “Even Xu Tian has come. Even if they found Sword Realm, what share would they get?”
Zhang Ruochen did not fully believe him, for earlier Feng Xuan had mentioned that a powerhouse had arrived at the Hundred Clans King City.
Afterwards, Zhang Ruochen asked a few more things, such as Shang Hong’s whereabouts, how they had reached the Paradise of the Lost, and whether they knew the identity of the powerhouse who had clashed with Xu Tian.
“Where is Lady Tian Lao?” Zhang Ruochen finally asked.
Little Black immediately stepped forward. “This emperor will take you to her. Do not follow. Xue Tu, yes, I mean you. How could you casually meet Lady Tian Lao?”
Xue Tu was indignant and glanced at Zhang Ruochen.
“Cultivate diligently. When you reach Grand Truth, I will recommend you. As you are now… you are indeed too weak.”
Zhang Ruochen left these words and walked away with Little Black.
“I… I… That dog-cat is only an upper god too. Is an upper god weak?” Xue Tu seethed with shame and anger, looking towards the Nether King.
The Nether King hugged his sword and walked away.
Ignoring Xiu Chen’s objections, Zhang Ruochen had insisted on coming aboard the Undying Blood Race’s divine warship precisely for Luo Ji.
He felt deep remorse for leaving her alone for so long.
Little Black winked and transmitted, “Who is in the carriage? Bai Qing’er? Chi Yao? It cannot possibly be Ling Xi, can it? If you are so heartless as to place her in the eye of the storm and abandon her in such a den of wolves, that would be too much. Fortunately, this emperor is supremely clever and can borrow Father Emperor’s prestige. I have guarded it all this time. No one has come within a step of that carriage.”
Such a small trick could fool others for a moment, but how could it last years?
From the Blood Absolute War God’s demeanour, Zhang Ruochen knew he had at least seen through it.
“No need to guess. You will not guess right. But thank you.”
Zhang Ruochen entered the White Feather Peacock Holy Carriage.
Inside, Zhang Ruochen embraced Luo Ji, soothing her emotions.
Though a god’s mind is resolute, Luo Ji had clearly heard in the carriage that Zhang Ruochen was being pursued by Wu Yue, and then there had been no news for years. How could she not worry, how could she not grieve, how could she not blame herself?
Zhang Ruochen held her soft, delicate body close and said, “It was my fault. From the beginning, I should never have used you to set this diversion. It was too dangerous. I promise you, there will never be anything like this again.”
Luo Ji shook her head. “At least this way I could help you a little. At least I felt I still had some use.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “You have been a heavenly maiden too long, so you think in terms of useful and useless. But to a man who truly loves a woman, he will not abandon her because she cannot help him. There is only love or no love, not useful or useless.”
All along, Luo Ji had felt that compared to Luo Yi, Chi Yao, and Bai Qing’er, she must count for very little in Zhang Ruochen’s heart. Hearing these words, sweetness reached her very bones. The anxiety, worry, and fear of recent years vanished completely.
“Besides, how are you useless? Without you, how could I have derived the Dual Forms and achieved my current cultivation? Binding the Yasha Race to my chariot was also a great help from you. Not to mention before I became a god, when Guanghan Realm and Kunlun Realm were both weak and in peril, the help you gave me then. Encounters and mutual support in times of poverty are the most precious,” Zhang Ruochen said.
After calming Luo Ji’s emotions, Zhang Ruochen had serious matters to attend to. He therefore brought her into the Six Patriarchs’ Zen Release Diagram to keep Kong Lanyou company.
With great gods appearing one after another in the current Dark Triangular Cosmic Domain, even Zhang Ruochen himself felt immense pressure.
He took out the sundial and summoned Xiu Chen.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Wu Yue is with you, is she not? Release her.”
