Zhang Ruochen had no particular attachment to the ancient corpse ghost.
Though its combat power was formidable, it carried enormous hidden dangers. After all, the power the Great Venerable had left in the fire source divine iron essence to suppress the ancient corpse ghost had already endured ten kalpas.
This power would gradually diminish.
Moreover, the ancient corpse ghost was not only connected to the Great Emperor Feng Du, but possibly even to the Nine Deaths Emperor. This involved the game among several of Hell Realm’s most powerful figures. For a mere junior like him to get involved was pure suicide.
Jiu Tian having Bai Qing’er hand the ancient corpse ghost to Zhang Ruochen and bring it to Hell Realm perhaps carried the intent of sending away this source of calamity.
Zhang Ruochen said softly, “The Dishan Bell is still inside it.”
“The Dishan Bell is not yours. Why covet it? Do you think Dishan Ghost City is easy to provoke?” Xu Tian said irritably.
Zhang Ruochen was speechless. This old fellow had just promised the Ghost Master he could retrieve the Dishan Bell for him, yet now pulled this.
Clearly, he still had not swallowed his anger and was deliberately digging a pit for him.
At the same time, pitting the Ghost Master as well.
“If there is nothing else, get out. Why are you still standing there?” Xu Tian said.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “I wish to request a heavenly decree to visit my father.”
“You have Fortune Divine Venerable’s Destiny Heavenly Order. Though it does not let you do as you please, who could stop you from visiting a prisoner? Get out, get out. Go prepare for the wedding. Damn it, you scoundrel get all the advantages. As hateful as that bald donkey from Sumeru. Is this Heaven fated to clash with your Zhang family?” Xu Tian gnashed his teeth, fuming.
Zhang Ruochen walked out of Destiny Divine Hall and met Xiao Hei, Xue Tu, Luo Yi waiting outside, along with Gu Shejing and Heavenly Sound Divine Mother.
Xiao Hei, unusually serious, breathed a sigh of relief. “It seems Senior Xu Tian truly has the broad mind of a Heaven. Admirable.”
Zhang Ruochen knew their worries. Here, every word and action was perceived by Xu Tian. It was not suitable to say much. He merely smiled and nodded.
Then he walked to Heavenly Sound Divine Mother and bowed deeply. “With Xu Tian bestowing the marriage, Ruochen cannot refuse.”
Heavenly Sound Divine Mother was dignified and beautiful to the extreme. In appearance, she lost nothing to Bai Queen or Moon God. Standing with Luo Yi, they seemed less like mother and daughter, more like charming twin sisters.
She smiled enchantingly, lips red and teeth white. “This is a great opportunity for you, immense favour from Senior Xu Tian. You should be happy. As one of the rare extraordinary men of the world, you naturally deserve more than ordinary people. Let alone three wives and four concubines, even three thousand imperial consorts would be normal. How could this Queen and Yi’er blame you here?”
Zhang Ruochen had not expected his future mother-in-law to be so reasonable, yet he still felt some worry. “What about the Great Emperor’s side…”
“There will be no issue. Since he began cultivation, the consorts he has had number more than three thousand?” Heavenly Sound Divine Mother said.
Zhang Ruochen immediately understood.
Yet he could not help sighing at Heavenly Sound Divine Mother’s skilful means. Emperor Luo Yan had so many divine consorts, surely countless offspring. Yet in terms of favour, none compared to Luo Shengtian and Luo Yi.
Zhang Ruochen did not know that a hundred thousand years ago, Great Luo Divine Palace had suffered a great calamity. Luo Yan’s offspring and consorts had all perished in that disaster.
Heavenly Sound Divine Mother continued, “A man can be romantic, but must never let it delay cultivation. You must understand, only men of unparalleled talent can be called romantically dashing. Only peerless powerhouses deserve to be called heroically passionate, praised and sung by cultivators worldwide. Mediocre and weak men have no such good reputation… or fate.”
Seeing Zhang Ruochen so obedient before Heavenly Sound Divine Mother, Luo Yi giggled charmingly and playfully.
In cultivation, Zhang Ruochen had already surpassed Heavenly Sound Divine Mother.
In arrogance, he could disregard great figures like the Ghost Master and Mu Tuo War God who shook the universe.
Why so humble before Heavenly Sound Divine Mother?
Naturally because he held Luo Yi in his heart, thus treating Heavenly Sound Divine Mother as an elder.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Luo Yi and smiled. “The marriage between Ruochen and Luo Yi has been delayed too long. Shall we hold it at this opportunity together?”
Luo Yi’s lively eyes spun. She was indeed tempted.
Though she did not mind Zhang Ruochen having Chi Yao, Mu Lingxi, Bai Qing’er, Luo Ji, Ji Fanxin, and others in his heart, how could she truly treat them as sisters?
Chi Yao and Bai Qing’er were no pushovers. Who knew what trouble they might cause in future.
Now with an even more formidable Wu Yue added.
If she did not secure a leading position in the Zhang household early, how could she contend with them later?
Heavenly Sound Divine Mother considered deeper matters. She counter-asked Zhang Ruochen, “Do you think now is a good time for you and Yi’er to marry?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head lightly.
Xu Tian’s bestowed marriage carried not only his anger, but also the Dark Temple’s fury.
One could say everyone involved was unwilling.
This was no joyous event, but a marriage of resentment.
Too many variables.
“Since we are at Destiny Divine Mountain, Yi’er, come with Mother to Fortune Divine Palace to pay respects to your ancestral master.” Heavenly Sound Divine Mother said.
Fortune Divine Venerable was Heavenly Sound Divine Mother’s master, thus naturally Luo Yi’s ancestral master.
Zhang Ruochen accompanied Heavenly Sound Divine Mother, Luo Yi, and Gu Shejing to Fortune Divine Palace. After all, when crossing the divine tribulation, Fortune Divine Venerable, with supreme Divine Venerable status, had guarded him. It was an enormous favour.
Without Fortune Divine Venerable’s protection, how could a mere new god draw Qing Tian and the Dark Temple Master to act personally?
After thanking Fortune Divine Venerable in person, Zhang Ruochen went to Fury Heaven Divine Palace.
Ban Ruo had awakened. Her hair white as snow, face pale and haggard, yet quite calm. “That Senior Xu Tian could spare you shows he truly has a Heaven’s magnanimity. Now the crises from the Blood Jue family, City of Hundred Clans, and Xing Huan Heaven must be resolved. Ruochen should be happy. Why so sorrowful?”
Zhang Ruochen quietly watched her feigned strength, heart aching. He took out a crescent-shaped spatial treasure filled with springs of life and placed it in her palm.
Massive loss of blood qi and lifespan surely damaged her foundation. Springs of life alone could not fully heal it.
“Xiao Hei, go to Xing Huan Heaven for me. Ask Senior Jiu Tian to help retrieve the divine herb Nine-Eyed Blood Iris from Mi Shan Heavenly Venerable Lake.” Zhang Ruochen said.
Xiao Hei did not complain and left Destiny Divine Domain directly for Xing Huan Heaven.
Ban Ruo said, “Why do this? I am a true god, not some frail mortal woman. Even losing more lifespan and blood qi, I remain a powerhouse of the world. As long as I break into Tai Zhen, lifespan will greatly increase.”
How easy is Tai Zhen realm?
Even the world’s top prodigies, before crossing the first kalpa tribulation, few reach Tai Zhen.
Massive lifespan loss meant Ban Ruo lacked sufficient time to assail Tai Zhen. Moreover, healing would consume much time.
Zhang Ruochen held her slender jade hand. “With your unyielding confidence, I will fully assist you. You will surely reach Tai Zhen in the shortest time.”
Swish swish!
Seven Sword Ancestor soul swords flew from his body, hovering in the void.
Countless sword qi spontaneously arose. Sword dao rules of heaven and earth surged like subjects paying homage to the Sword Ancestor.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Besides destiny dao and Buddhist dao, you major in sword dao. Now I pass the Sword Ancestor’s seven soul swords to you.”
Hearing this, Xue Tu standing aside envied flames nearly shooting from his eyes. He sighed inwardly, worthy of the woman who reincarnated for Master Brother, receiving such treatment.
He completely forgot the rumour was one he himself had spread.
Fury Heaven Divine Venerable’s second disciple, Kong Dao Hai, whose eyes were always calm, revealed shock. He truly had not expected someone in the world capable of such great sacrifice.
Taking Sword Ancestor soul swords is difficult.
Giving them away is harder.
Kong Dao Hai asked himself, in Zhang Ruochen’s position, he absolutely could not do it.
“No wonder this child has a romantic reputation yet still wins Ban Ruo’s true heart. This is far more precious than gifting a world.” Kong Dao Hai sighed.
Ban Ruo’s always icy eyes grew slightly red as she gazed at Zhang Ruochen.
Often, she felt Zhang Ruochen did not care much for her. From the start, he had seen her as Chi Yao’s shadow, a substitute.
Like that night, the woman beneath him was her, yet he called Chi Yao’s name.
Even the break at Purple Micro Palace stemmed largely from his hatred for Chi Yao. Could his hatred for her reach even a tenth of that for Chi Yao? If not even bone-deep hatred, how much love?
Zhang Ruochen could see Chi Yao as an eternal enemy in his heart, yet upon meeting again, treat her as a dispensable stranger.
The person Zhang Ruochen saw in the Pool of Fate was not her.
People hope to be valued by those they care for, even if that value is enmity. They do not wish to live forever humbly, as another’s shadow.
Only now did Ban Ruo truly feel Zhang Ruochen’s regard, as if seeing again that Ninth Prince of Yunwu Commandery, as if returning to before Chi Yao intruded their world. At least then, her world had no Chi Yao.
The him now was not the crown prince of Shengming Central Empire, nor the Blood Jue War God’s grandson.
Clear tears fell from Ban Ruo’s eyes. “Put them away. Springs of life and divine herb are enough. Greed for more invites jealousy.”
“Who dares jealousy?”
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze was forceful, pressing Ban Ruo to accept. “With my current cultivation, the Sword Ancestor soul swords are of little use, instead hindering practice. Next, I must fully cultivate my own sword soul.”
Ban Ruo said, “Among your many beauties, Boundless Realm Venerable, quite a few cultivate sword dao. Since ancient times, backyard fires arise not from scarcity but unevenness.”
Xue Tu’s expression turned odd. He laughed, “Your Highness Ban Ruo saying this, is it not admitting to being one of Master Brother’s backyard?”
“Xue Tu, who let you into Fury Heaven Divine Palace? Out!” Ban Ruo shot a cold glance.
Xue Tu knew staying longer was inappropriate. He chuckled and left at once. Kong Dao Hai had already vanished earlier.
