Bloodslaughter had always feared Lord Bloodshine, yet he now saw himself as the glory of the clan, an upper god no less. He believed he could no longer suffer the misery of his youth, when he was beaten so often he dared not return home.
Lord Bloodshine’s kick shattered all Bloodslaughter’s illusions.
In his heart, he only wished to reach the great god realm soon, so he could preserve his dignity and avoid such loss of face before the gods.
Yet Bloodslaughter did not think he had spoken wrongly.
Wu Yue was, after all, a mental strength powerhouse renowned across the universe. Was brutally overpowering a young great god something glorious? Something worth flaunting?
Did she truly care nothing for her reputation?
If her conduct were like this, her name would long since have been ruined beyond repair.
The only explanation was clearly that she did not wish to marry Xu Tian, yet lacked the means to resist his will. She could only escape in this way, proclaiming to the world that she was no longer pure.
Lord Bloodshine looked towards the grave-faced Blood Absolute War God and asked, “Have you located Ruochen’s position?”
The Blood Absolute War God shook his head lightly. “It has been concealed by a secret technique. The distance is too great. I cannot calculate it.”
Lord Bloodshine said, “Wu Yue has no reason to do this. If I were her, even if I truly schemed and gave my body to Ruochen, I would never use a projection to inform every cultivator on the Continent of Gods.”
Little Black said coldly, “Even employing a projection of the heavens technique, she should not reveal only Zhang Ruochen. Revealing herself as well would be far better.”
All the Undying Blood Race gods turned to look at him.
“This emperor has no interest in women!” Little Black snorted.
Lord Bloodshine gazed at the projection in the sky. “No matter how one looks at it, using such a method is too crude, too base. Apart from humiliation, it serves no purpose.”
“Not necessarily. It depends on whose method this projection truly is.” The Blood Absolute War God’s heart was heavy. He was unprecedentedly solemn.
Any god familiar with the Blood Absolute War God had never seen him in such a state, as if a heaven-destroying, earth-annihilating catastrophe loomed.
“Did the War God not say earlier that the projection contains a trace of Wu Yue’s aura?” Mo Basha asked.
Lord Bloodshine suddenly thought of something and exclaimed in shock, “If this were Wu Yue’s method, either every cultivator would sense her aura within the projection, or no one would sense it at all. This half-concealed attempt… Someone is framing Wu Yue? Who?”
None of the Undying Blood Race gods present were mediocre, yet they all found the matter extraordinarily strange, with no clue whatsoever.
Suddenly, the Blood Absolute War God fixed his gaze on Bloodslaughter. His twin pupils were like two blood-coloured divine swords. An imposing divine might, heavy as towering sacred mountains, unconsciously pressed towards Bloodslaughter.
The aura contained terrifying killing intent.
Bloodslaughter’s expression changed dramatically. Terrified by the overwhelming killing intent, he retreated repeatedly. He had no idea how he had offended the Blood Absolute War God. Could it be his secret with Empress White?
It should not be. Why suddenly pursue that matter now?
Just as Lord Bloodshine’s expression also changed and he prepared to step between the Blood Absolute War God and Bloodslaughter.
The Blood Absolute War God spoke. “Bloodslaughter, you are right!”
“Right… in what way…” Bloodslaughter stammered.
The Blood Absolute War God said, “Wu Yue did this to play a game with Xu Tian. She does not wish to be bound by Xu Tian, does not wish to be confined in the Great Tribulation Palace. This is her escape strategy.”
Lord Bloodshine realised the killing intent was not aimed at Bloodslaughter and immediately fell into thought.
Bloodslaughter felt the divine might and killing intent lift from his body. He relaxed completely. Receiving the War God’s affirmation filled him with great joy. His gaze unconsciously flicked towards Lord Bloodshine.
It was as if his eyes said, “Father, you are not always right. See, even the War God agrees! If you dare, call the War God brainless too.”
Lord Bloodshine paid Bloodslaughter no direct glance. His expression grew even graver than the Blood Absolute War God’s. He was about to speak, but the Blood Absolute War God raised a hand to stop him.
The Blood Absolute War God continued to stare at Bloodslaughter. “Copy the image in the sky. Together with your father, leave the Dark Triangle Star Domain at once. Spread the words you spoke earlier to the world. The wider the better. This is my Grand Clan Patriarch decree. With it, you may mobilise all the power of the Blood Heaven Tribe.”
Even the slow-witted Bloodslaughter, holding the Grand Clan Patriarch decree, now realised the matter was no small thing. A sense of impending storm filled him with fear.
“Let me handle this. Bloodslaughter is only an upper god. He cannot withstand such a tempest.” Lord Bloodshine seized the decree from Bloodslaughter’s hand.
The Blood Absolute War God said, “He is a god of the Destiny Temple. He is most suited to this task.”
“He is also my son. I cannot watch him go to his death.”
Lord Bloodshine bowed deeply to the Blood Absolute War God, filled with bitterness and helplessness. “I can die in his place.”
Though Bloodslaughter vaguely guessed some of it, he still did not think the matter so grave that whoever touched it would die.
The Blood Absolute War God sighed. “Very well. I shall do it myself.”
“War God…” Lord Bloodshine began.
The Blood Absolute War God said, “No need for more words. The Undying Blood Race ceases the search for the Sword Realm. All together, withdraw from the Dark Triangle Star Domain.”
Mo Basha hurriedly said, “War God, please reconsider. With the Sixth Prince here, our Undying Blood Race has the greatest chance of finding the Sword Realm. We cannot abandon such vast benefit because of one Zhang Ruochen. If the Divine Hall blames us, no one can bear it.”
“Moreover, this matter involves Xu Tian, the Dark Temple, even a Heavenly Venerable. The storm will be immense. Not even you, War God, can withstand it. Wu Yue has sacrificed even her chastity. Her resolve is enormous. Clearly she has planned everything that follows, waiting only for you to enter the game… We cannot…”
The Blood Absolute War God glared. Blood-coloured divine light blazed. It struck Mo Basha, sending him flying dozens of li. He collapsed on the ground, unable to rise. Blood flowed steadily beneath him.
“I have tolerated you long enough!”
“Move out. Depart. Withdraw from the Dark Triangle Star Domain at utmost speed.”
The divine warship rose, stirring thick blood clouds. It broke through the atmosphere into the pitch-black void.
The projections scattered across the Continent of Gods burst like bubbles.
Aboard the warship, Lord Bloodshine said, “Princess Fei Ma lurks in this star domain. She may step into the Immeasurable Realm at any moment. If we do not withdraw, we will surely become blood food to nourish her. May we report thus to the Undying Divine Hall?”
“Add Xu Tian.” The Blood Absolute War God’s gaze was sharp.
Bloodslaughter approached. “War God, I understand now! For my senior brother, I will surely contribute my strength.”
“Count it that your senior brother did not misjudge you.”
The Blood Absolute War God said, “Everyone need not worry so. Ruochen has made an enormous sacrifice and seized half a step’s initiative, leaving room for manoeuvre. Since Wu Yue has set the stage, this seat shall perform with her personally.”
…
“The Undying Blood Race divine warship has left the Dark Triangle Star Domain.”
A false god entered a black stone divine hall and reported to the gods within.
All the Azure Deer Divine Hall gods were present.
In addition, there was the Dark Temple’s human skin lantern.
Pu Chuanqi’s face was grim. “The Blood Absolute seeks his own death.”
The human skin lantern stood at the hall’s centre. “Lord Wu Yue could have become Xu Tian’s Heavenly Consort, mistress of the Great Tribulation Palace. This would embody the Destiny Temple and Dark Temple resolving their estrangement, uniting to destroy the Heavenly Court realms. It was Xu Tian’s painstaking effort, an unprecedented boon for the Infernal Realm.”
“Who would have thought Zhang Ruochen, that boy, would be so bold? Taking advantage of Lord Wu Yue’s memory loss, deceiving her into believing she was the Moon God. Then, while Lord Wu Yue fought the Chaotic Ancient Demon God and suffered grave injury, he defiled her. This is more than disrespect to Xu Tian. He is clearly a Heavenly Court spy, sabotaging relations between the Dark Temple and Destiny Temple. Otherwise, where would he find such audacity?”
Childlike laughter rang out. Lan Ying said, “How could the Amorous Sword God resist a beauty pass? Especially one as exquisite as the Moon God… no, as Wu Yue.”
Pu Chuanqi said, “This seat believes that with only a Zhang Ruochen, he would lack such boldness. The one plotting behind him must be the Blood Absolute War God. Who would have thought the Blood Absolute would betray the Infernal Realm? This is disrespect to Xu Tian, disrespect to the Heavenly Venerable, an attempt to wreck relations between the Dark Temple and Destiny Temple.”
“Xu Tian’s painstaking effort, ruined by one Blood Absolute and one Zhang Ruochen.”
“Rest assured. This matter is shocking to hear. The Azure Deer Divine Hall will absolutely not stand idly by.”
The human skin lantern had not expected Pu Chuanqi to hate the Blood Absolute War God so deeply, seeking to eliminate him too. He faintly felt something amiss.
The Dark Temple’s target was Zhang Ruochen and the forces behind him. If the Blood Absolute War God and his backing were drawn in as well, could they swallow it all?
Pu Chuanqi asked with concern, “How is Lord Wu Yue faring now?”
The human skin lantern sighed. “The Hall Master has found her. Her injuries are severe. Add Zhang Ruochen’s violation, injury upon injury. But that is secondary. The key is severe memory damage. It is unknown whether she can recover.”
“The Hall Master has come in person?”
“With the Dark Temple suffering such heavy losses this time, how could the Hall Master not come?”
Pu Chuanqi had originally planned to extort some benefit from the Dark Temple. To use the Azure Deer Divine Hall, they ought to offer something, no?
But now he had to restrain his greed.
Even if benefits were to be discussed, it should be the Azure Deer God King negotiating with the Dark Temple.
The human skin lantern said, “This god must still inform the other major forces in the Lost Paradise of the truth. Otherwise, they may be deceived by the clumsy black-and-white reversal of Zhang Ruochen and the Blood Absolute War God.”
“Rest assured. Many great figures in the Infernal Realm possess transcendent wisdom. They can discern the truth. The Ghost Lord, Tian Nan Life-Death Ruins, Destiny Temple, Dark Temple, Fengdu Ghost City… How could everyone be deceived by a mere youth?” Pu Chuanqi laughed.
The human skin lantern took his leave.
A great god of the Azure Deer Divine Hall sighed. “Wu Yue truly has great resolve. Such enormous sacrifice. This time, the Dark Temple seems truly in earnest! Only the method…”
“One arrow, two carvings. Does Xu Tian value only Wu Yue’s beauty? Xu Tian merely treats her as a pawn, preparing to challenge Emperor Fengdu in future and contend for Heavenly Venerable position. How could Wu Yue willingly be a pawn?”
“Zhang Ruochen is Qing Pingzi, meaning his martial cultivation has recovered, reaching great god level in extremely short time. For the Blood Absolute War God to妄 think he can meddle, he is truly too accustomed to arrogance. He will not even know how he dies.”
Pu Chuanqi stood. “Let us go. The Sword Realm is no longer within our reach, but outside awaits a vast benefit for us to divide. I rather look forward to it!”
