“A beauty encountered once in forty thousand years. Master, you are truly blessed!”
Master Yeyou’s old face was nearly splitting from his grin. He was waiting only for Zhang Ruochen to praise him.
A row of black lines appeared on Zhang Ruochen’s forehead. What did he mean by “you are truly blessed”? Had he not seen the Xuan? clan leader awkwardly averting his gaze? Had he not seen the contempt in Yu Shi’s eyes?
If this spread, how would cultivators across the world view him, Zhang Ruochen?
The Dark Goddess wore a butterfly-patterned veil. Master Yeyou had sealed her cultivation, leaving her no different from a mortal woman. Yet her eyes remained calm, showing no trace of fear or panic.
“Greetings to the City Lord.”
Apart from the Dark Goddess, all the other female saint-realm cultivators knelt on one knee to pay respects to Zhang Ruochen.
Master Yeyou said, “The Goddess Tower in the Royal City of the Hundred Clans was breached long ago. The women inside either died or fled, and many were captured. Their cultivations are all above the Saint King Realm. It was this disciple who rescued them. This disciple has already ordered all clans to spare no effort in rescuing the cultivators of the Goddess Tower.”
“Ordered all clans? You wield quite the authority,” Zhang Ruochen reprimanded.
Master Yeyou chuckled. “It is all Master’s authority. This disciple merely helps Master with what little he can.”
Though Zhang Ruochen felt Master Yeyou’s actions were somewhat improper and likely to breed resentment among the clans, at present the three great clans ruling the Royal City of the Hundred Clans was the most suitable arrangement.
He had achieved reverence only through slaughter. In the end, he remained an outsider.
To progress from being feared to being wholeheartedly accepted, with his current cultivation, he could not yet accomplish it.
Yet as City Lord of the First Goddess City, rescuing the cultivators of the Goddess Tower was indeed urgent. Otherwise, Bai Qing’er would not let him off easily.
“You have done well in this matter. Take them away. Rebuild the Goddess Tower as quickly as possible,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Master Yeyou led the cultivators of the Goddess Tower away, leaving only the Dark Goddess behind.
Zhang Ruochen could see that the Dark Goddess’s cultivation was far from low and her potential immense. Given time, she might reach the pinnacle of Hell Realm’s mortal world. He could not help but admire a transcendent great force like the Dark Temple. It truly produced outstanding talents in abundance. Every millennium brought forth numerous exceptional prodigies. He dared not imagine how deep its foundations ran or how many divine realm powerhouses it concealed.
From behind came a crisp, pleasant, yet icy voice. “Hmph! Aren’t you afraid of shaming Lady Tianmu, Zhang Ruochen? Even resorting to such base tactics as forcibly seizing women.”
Zhang Ruochen turned to face Yan Zhexian, beautiful as an immortal amidst clouds. “If you say that, you wrong me.”
“Wrong you?”
Yan Zhexian’s eyes brimmed with contempt. “Did you not keep staring at her just now?”
Zhang Ruochen smiled but said nothing.
Yan Zhexian continued, “Lost for words, are you? If your master lacked such tastes, why would Yeyou capture her and bring her before you? Those fine deeds of yours in the Dark Triangular Star Domain, were they also wrongs?”
“Apart from having a daughter together, there is no connection between us. Why should I explain these things to you?” Zhang Ruochen said.
A trace of sarcasm appeared in the eyes of both the Dark Goddess and Yu Shi. Though Zhang Ruochen bore the name of romantic sword god, his deep loyalty was known to all. They had not expected him to utter such shameless and heartless words.
They had a daughter, yet he claimed no connection with Yan Zhexian?
Unexpectedly, even the proud heavenly daughter of the Yama Clan had ended up thus.
Truly, the strong are heartless.
Yan Zhexian ground her teeth in fury, but seeing the Dark Goddess and Yu Shi watching the drama, she finally restrained herself. Coldly she said, “Great-Grandfather wishes to see you. Come with me!”
Zhang Ruochen pondered briefly, then followed Yan Zhexian.
The attitude of the Yan Clan from Beyond Heaven toward him had always been measured. Though the younger generation’s Yan Yu was close to Zhang Ruochen and even tried hard to pair him with Yan Zhexian, the elders had never clearly stated their position.
Now that he had offended the Dark Temple, Fengdu Ghost City, and half the Temple of Destiny, the Yama Clan’s stance became especially crucial.
The Ancient God of Learning already held high status. His desire to meet Zhang Ruochen might signal the Yama Clan’s decision. How could Zhang Ruochen refuse?
He could hardly offend the entire Hell Realm.
The Earth Demon Clan ranked twenty-ninth among the clans of the Royal City of the Hundred Clans and depended on the Yama Clan.
A demonic temple eight hundred zhang tall blazed with light. Divine spirits sat on either side.
The Ancient God of Learning occupied the high seat, divine radiance shining from his body, yet his face was kindly, without the slightest intimidating presence.
Yan Zhexian and Zhang Ruochen entered the demonic temple in turn.
Yan Zhexian said, “Great-Grandfather, we may have interrupted Realm Venerable Ruochen’s pleasures. Our invitation comes at a poor time. Others…”
“Xian’er, no rudeness. You are already a divine spirit. How can you still have such a temper?”
The Ancient God of Learning rebuked her, then smiled at Zhang Ruochen. “Ruochen, do not blame her. This girl has been spoiled by the family elders since childhood. Fortunately, she speaks her mind directly and does not scheme. If she is angry with you, it is because she truly cares.”
“Great-Grandfather!”
Yan Zhexian showed embarrassment and resentment. Naturally she would not admit it. She wished to defend herself, but Yan Yu stopped her and pulled her to her seat.
Laughter filled the hall.
Yan Yu smiled. “Ruochen may not know, but earlier, because Grandfather did not aid you, Xian’er made quite a fuss! Grandfather’s earlier words were no jest.”
Zhang Ruochen perceived the Ancient God of Learning’s goodwill, so he bowed toward the high seat. “Zhexian’s true nature shows that nothing can alter her original heart. This is rare among divine spirits.”
“Take your seat quickly. No need to stand!” the Ancient God of Learning said.
Zhang Ruochen went to Yan Yu’s side, clasped his fists, called “Second Uncle”, then sat beside him.
The Ancient God of Learning studied Zhang Ruochen for a moment. “Besides the Earth Demon Clan, five other clans in the Royal City of the Hundred Clans fully depend on the Yama Clan. The divine spirits of all six are here! With one word from Ruochen, from now on the cultivators of these six clans will no longer appear in the Royal City of the Hundred Clans.”
This time Zhang Ruochen truly felt the Ancient God of Learning’s sincerity.
One must know that, according to Zhang Ruochen’s intelligence, only three minor clans depended on the Yama Clan.
Everyone knew that after today’s battle Zhang Ruochen and the three great clans would surely further rectify the Royal City of the Hundred Clans, clearing all uncertain elements. As long as the interior was united, Hell Realm would struggle to breach it.
The Ancient God of Learning proactively exposing all six minor clans, leaving them to Zhang Ruochen’s discretion, meant forfeiting vast interests. Ordinary divine spirits lacked such resolve.
If the Ancient God of Learning did not surrender the six clans to Zhang Ruochen’s judgement, who among Zhang Ruochen and the three great clans would dare act?
Zhang Ruochen rose at once and smiled. “With any other force, Ruochen would only say that the Royal City of the Hundred Clans is ruled by the three great clans. I am merely an outsider.”
“But given my friendship with Second Uncle and Zhexian, before the Ancient God, Ruochen will not be hypocritical!”
“The Yama Clan, Ruochen trusts completely. The six clans need not leave this star domain.”
The divine spirits of the six clans rose in turn and paid respects to Zhang Ruochen.
Yan Yu nodded inwardly. Zhang Ruochen speaking thus, without cunning, would surely leave a fine impression with Grandfather.
The Ancient God of Learning was in high spirits and smiled. “In that case, this god shall give you two gifts! Bring them forth.”
Two divine generals in silver robes escorted a pseudo-god into the temple.
The pseudo-god’s face was covered in blue star spots, a single horn grew from his head, and his aura was extremely powerful. He was a mid-tier pseudo-god.
Zhang Ruochen showed puzzlement. “Who is this person?”
Yan Yu said, “This person is named Xu Cang, a pseudo-god of the minor Lingxiao Clan in the Royal City of the Hundred Clans. He is also the murderer of Xue Qingsheng and Qishou. We have already soul-searched him. Behind him stands Qingyun Tai. Taking him back to the Undying Blood Clan will be ironclad proof, sufficient to ease part of the crisis from the Blood Jue War God’s side.”
Yan Zhexian said, “By the time we reached the Royal City of the Hundred Clans, they were already dead. Do not blame us for failing to save them. Capturing this fellow took considerable effort from Second Uncle and me.”
Zhang Ruochen stared at Xu Cang, his gaze suddenly darkening.
The Ancient God of Learning said, “Fang Lingzi, Qingba God Lord, Feiyi Old Ghost, Taiding Bone God, and that spiritual power divine spirit from Tian Nan were all slain for forcibly seizing your territories. Thus, it is no great matter!”
“As for Old Ghost Xuanqi, he destroyed four Goddess Towers. Countless cultivators from the Twelve Goddess Booths perished at his hands. Killing him is hardly significant!”
“But, Ruochen, slaying Lord Huoze was still too impulsive. He was, after all, a great god of the Temple of Destiny. God Venerable Xiong Hai is notorious for bearing grudges and employs extremely ruthless methods.”
Zhang Ruochen’s tone was resolute. “Anyone who dares touch those close to me must die, no matter who they are.”
“Yet the consequences may instead endanger your loved ones. Moreover, such words are best not heard by the Temple of Destiny.” After a pause, the Ancient God of Learning said gravely, “Relying solely on Prajna’s one-sided account cannot stop the gods of the Temple of Destiny, unless Prajna permits God Venerable Xiong Hai to soul-search her.”
Killing a great god of the Temple of Destiny without cause. Even if the culprit were the Blood Jue War God rather than Zhang Ruochen, survival would be difficult. Moreover, the entire Blood Jue family would be exterminated.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the Ancient God of Learning. “Does the Ancient God perhaps hold ironclad evidence?”
The Ancient God of Learning smiled and shook his head. “Who saved Prajna?”
“Senior Jiutian.”
Naturally Zhang Ruochen would not say the Lord of the Island of Fallen Gods.
The Ancient God of Learning sighed. “No. Though Senior Jiutian’s status is exalted, he is of the Nishen Clan, and his ties to you are too close. How about this: if the Temple of Destiny pursues the matter, tell them this god saved Prajna.”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart jolted. He looked at the Ancient God of Learning in disbelief.
This was an enormous favour!
Who was the Ancient God of Learning?
The youngest son of the Yama Clan’s Supreme. Though not yet Immeasurable, his spiritual power was so profound that even Zhang Ruochen’s current cultivation could not fathom its depths. It was likely no weaker than Wuyue’s.
If he stepped forward to shield Zhang Ruochen from the heaviest blow, even the Temple of Destiny would find pursuit difficult!
This would bring immense benefit to Zhang Ruochen, the Royal City of the Hundred Clans, and Xing Huan Tian, sufficient to ease the war in this star domain. It manifested the Yama Clan’s will!
Yan Yu transmitted, “Ruochen, quickly thank Grandfather!”
“Great-Grandfather, Ruochen is deeply moved.”
Zhang Ruochen walked to the centre of the hall and bowed deeply.
Hearing the address, the Ancient God of Learning laughed heartily.
Yan Zhexian’s pretty face flushed. “Climbing relations blindly. How did he become your great-grandfather?”
“Miss Zhexian, do not misunderstand. Calling the Ancient God great-grandfather has nothing to do with you. I address him thus through Second Uncle’s generation,” Zhang Ruochen said earnestly.
The hall’s atmosphere was joyful, and laughter resounded once more.
