Famous Sword God’s eyes, filled with boundless sharpness, gradually dimmed.
Dragon Lord withdrew his palm. From within Famous Sword God, he drew out strands of bright light threads, forming a mass of sword path profound meaning divine light.
Bang!
Another fist struck Famous Sword God’s abdomen.
This punch pierced heaven and earth, forming a spatial wormhole. It sent the blood-spitting Famous Sword God hurtling into the void, flying towards the Lost Paradise star domain billions of li away.
The Famous Lord Sword spun several times in the void before falling into Dragon Lord’s hand.
Zhang Ruochen had suppressed his injuries. Watching the sword path profound meaning divine light in Dragon Lord’s hand, he sighed inwardly. Worthy of a supreme titan of heaven and earth. Even without cultivating the sword path, he could seize sword path profound meanings.
What other god possessed such ability?
“Greetings, Lord Dragon.” Zhang Ruochen cupped his hands in salute.
With Zhang Ruochen’s current status and cultivation, before an Immeasurable Realm god, he still needed to show reverence.
Dragon Lord regarded him with appraising eyes and smiled. “Xiao Tian calls me Uncle Dragon. You and he are like brothers. From now on, call me Uncle Dragon as well.”
Zhang Ruochen showed no false modesty. He knew it was because his current cultivation had earned Dragon Lord’s recognition. He had truly entered his eyes.
“Why did Uncle Dragon spare Famous Sword God’s life?”
Dragon Lord said, “What benefit is there in killing him? Gaining one more divine source? Famous Sword God is a figure. In our Yuan Hui, he would rank in the top ten. His future holds Immeasurable potential. I already checked earlier. He is not a member of the Quantity Organisation, so I spared his life.”
Hearing “Quantity Organisation” again, Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred.
Before he could ask, Dragon Lord continued, “Even if he were to be killed, it should be left to you. I hold no grudge against him, at most some resentment. But that resentment was all over sword path profound meanings. Now, retrieving sword path profound meanings for Kunlun Realm and seizing his Famous Lord Sword counts as recovering both principal and interest.”
Zhang Ruochen absolutely did not believe that someone who had grown to Dragon Lord’s heights would use such soft methods. “Famous Sword God killed Shang Hong. Even if he returns, his life may not be easy. Knife Venerable stands behind him. Shang Hong was the future of the Shang Clan. Next, there will likely be quite a show within the Paradise Realm faction.”
The Paradise Realm faction was too powerful. If they could be divided from within, it would benefit Kunlun Realm most.
Dragon Lord did not think his methods could fool this exceptionally shrewd young genius before him. He smiled. “What heroic figure is Knife Venerable? To class him under the Paradise Realm faction is to underestimate him too much! However, he indeed walks very close with the Paradise Realm faction. This time, it depends on whether he protects Famous Sword God or not.”
Famous Sword God’s memories regarding the Sword Realm had clearly been scattered by Dragon Lord.
Dragon Lord dared spare his life because he was confident no one could help him recover those memories.
Zhang Ruochen still worried somewhat. “Doing this, will it not leave traces?”
“What is Ruochen worrying about?”
Dragon Lord smiled at Zhang Ruochen. “Given Famous Sword God’s actions in Kunlun Realm back then, even if this seat killed him, the Heavenly Palace would at most criticise a few words. Merely seizing his sword path profound meanings and divine sword, without even crippling his cultivation, the Heavenly Court gods would likely praise this seat for mercy and considering the greater picture.”
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “To Ruochen, Famous Sword God is an immovable mighty mountain. But in Uncle Dragon’s eyes, he is indeed an insignificant minor figure. However, Uncle Dragon erasing his memories, would that not leave traces? Letting the Heavenly Court know the Sword Realm has fallen into your hands?”
Dragon Lord said, “That you can think of this layer shows true growth. Your thoughts grow ever more meticulous. But you must understand. If we truly find the Sword Realm this time, there will surely be frequent comings and goings in future. How could the secret be concealed? The only concealable thing is the Sword Realm’s location. Your grandmaster will personally handle this matter!”
“Grandmaster has also come to the Dark Triangle Star Domain?” Joy appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s face.
Dragon Lord sighed. “This matter is perilous. Do you think your grandmaster would truly feel at ease letting you come alone? To him, you are more important than the Sword Realm.”
Zhang Ruochen thought of something and hurriedly asked, “Could the one who fought Xu Tian be Grandmaster?”
Dragon Lord nodded. Worry flickered in his eyes. “If not for your grandmaster holding back that old ghost Xu Fengjin, how could you have escaped? How could you meet Lan Wu Teng and find this place?”
A strange expression appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s face. “Uncle Dragon has been following me all along?”
Dragon Lord said, “There were several times I wished to act, but your grandmaster instructed repeatedly. Unless absolutely necessary, I must never interfere in your affairs, whether good or bad. Good is naturally your fortune. Bad is also tempering for you.”
“So after Wu Yue and I were struck by the mental strength storm that day, Uncle Dragon has been following?” Zhang Ruochen asked again, somewhat unwilling to accept it.
Dragon Lord said, “Correct.”
Zhang Ruochen gave bitter laughs repeatedly. “Uncle Dragon, drifting in the Nihility Space, you could choose not to save me. Being pursued by Princess Fei Ma, you could also choose not to save me. But how could you watch with open eyes as that demoness Wu Yue bullied me? Have you already killed her to avenge me?”
Dragon Lord’s expression remained calm. “The Sword Realm is of utmost importance. Killing her would surely cause complications. Moreover, Wu Bian had arrived in the Lost Paradise star domain by then. If he learned I was here, it would be troublesome. Ruochen, do not be ungrateful. Such a beautiful affair, countless people across the world would envy it!”
“Beautiful affair? Uncle Dragon, you would not have done it deliberately, would you? This way, I face cries for my death throughout the Infernal Realm and can only return to Kunlun Realm with you!” Zhang Ruochen said half in jest, half probing.
Dragon Lord grew solemn. “Having already acknowledged you as kin, how could I scheme against you like that? Back when your grandmaster escaped the Destiny Temple, I did indeed intend for you to return to Kunlun Realm. For that was your only chance to return openly to the Heavenly Court universe without harassment from all sides. Remaining in the Infernal Realm, with Qing Cang, Feng Caiyi, and that one from your Undying Blood Race all eyeing you like tigers, you had virtually no path to survival.”
“But once that timing passed, returning to Kunlun Realm became unsuitable! Moreover, the battle for Xing Huan Tian occurred.”
“Now forcing you back to Kunlun Realm would not help you. It would harm you.”
Returning to Kunlun Realm meant entering the full environment of the Heavenly Court. With Zhang Ruochen’s previous actions, even Dragon Lord and Master of Death God Island could protect him only within Kunlun Realm.
Just as if Dragon Lord wished to kill Famous Sword God, Knife Venerable could shelter him, but only under his watchful eye.
Zhang Ruochen bowed deeply to Dragon Lord. In his heart, he truly acknowledged this supreme titan figure. Not only righteous and lofty, but open and aboveboard. Not the hypocritical sort who only minded personal gain.
Dragon Lord laughed and scolded, “No need for such shame. That you can boldly speak your thoughts is the true way for people like us to interact. In truth, you need not worry excessively. If handled well, this matter may make the Dark Temple lose the lady and the soldier too.”
“Teach me, Uncle Dragon.” Zhang Ruochen said.
Dragon Lord said, “The key lies with old ghost Xu.”
Zhang Ruochen understood instantly, yet gently shook his head. “Though Xu Tian bestowed a sword upon me, his killing intent towards me is profound. He wishes to treat me as Saint Monk and kill me to perfect his state of mind. How would he help me? In his eyes, what am I?”
Dragon Lord said, “It is already enough. As long as he does not wish you dead now, you have a chance to gain his aid. Consider. He came to the Dark Triangle Star Domain this time. Failing to find the Sword Realm is one thing, but stirring up trouble and losing great face. Yet if he speaks one or two words, he can avoid mockery from cultivators across the world.”
“Getting him to speak may not be so easy.” Zhang Ruochen said.
Dragon Lord said, “It depends on how many benefits you can promise him! Old ghost Xu may not care who mocks him, but he certainly will not willingly be used. That old fellow’s cultivation is unfathomably deep, yet he is not bloodthirsty. His interest in war is not great. We must steady him, let him remain immersed in cultivation, unable to extricate himself. Do not let him meddle in worldly disputes. Back then, Saint Monk used this strategy too.”
Cutting a Heavenly’s beard and having him speak a word of justice, Zhang Ruochen felt this was utterly fantastical.
It would be strange if Xu Tian did not slash him with one sword.
Zhang Ruochen said, “If the situation worsens to uncontrollability, I will try. Not for myself, but for the kin and friends around me, so they are not implicated. Was the Universe Cauldron truly taken by Wu Yue?”
“Once the Universe Cauldron was exposed, keeping it would be calamity, not fortune. Whoever holds it will be thrust to the forefront. Let alone Wu Yue and Wu Bian unable to keep it, even Ninth Death Extraordinary Heavenly Emperor wishing to wield it would face immense pressure.”
Dragon Lord smiled. “You could gift the Universe Cauldron to old ghost Xu. Such a great gift, that old fellow would surely be moved.”
“Uncle Dragon means…”
Zhang Ruochen glanced sideways at Dragon Lord. This move was vicious.
Yet he felt no qualms. Fair and aboveboard was for one’s own people. Against enemies, naturally all means were fair. Otherwise, it would be pedantic.
Did Xu Tian want the Universe Cauldron?
He definitely did, madly so.
What Zhang Ruochen could do was give him a justifiable pretext to demand it from the Dark Temple.
“The sword path profound meanings are useless to me. Would you wield them?” Dragon Lord asked.
Zhang Ruochen smiled and shook his head. “Could Uncle Dragon not see that profound meanings of all paths across the world hold no meaning for me?”
Not entirely meaningless.
Becoming Lord God of the Sword Path, at least before deriving the Four Images, the sword path rules mobilised through profound meanings far surpassed the Boundless Divine Path. It could greatly enhance Zhang Ruochen’s combat strength.
But since Dragon Lord did not wish to conceal seizing the sword path profound meanings and Famous Lord Sword, how could Zhang Ruochen dare accept Famous Sword God’s sword path profound meanings?
On the surface, Zhang Ruochen could not yet grow so close to Kunlun Realm.
Otherwise, Blood Absolute War God would face immense pressure in the Undying Blood Race and Destiny Temple. He might even lose his position as clan patriarch.
Dragon Lord understood Zhang Ruochen’s concerns and did not press. “That sword of yours earlier had some merit. What exactly happened?”
Dragon Lord absolutely could not believe that with Zhang Ruochen’s current cultivation realm, he could wound Famous Sword God. Even using Sword Ancestor soul swords, it should be impossible. If realms were so easily crossed, why had ancient sages divided them?
Moreover, Famous Sword God was a rare opponent in the same realm.
A trace of puzzlement appeared between Zhang Ruochen’s brows. His gaze turned towards the depths of the Dark Night Realm Gate. He touched the sword seal and asked, “Uncle Dragon, was Supreme Purity Ancestor truly slain by Bi Luo Zi’s sword?”
