Zhang Ruochen was generous with his praise. “You Ruo’s attainment in the dao of time is profound, her swordsmanship outstanding. Among Taibai realm great gods, few if any are her match. In future, she is certain to become master of one of the palaces in the Destiny Divine Hall.”
The Blood Absolute War God said, “If you do not break into Taibai realm, could you defeat her?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “I fear not. Over these years I have fought her many times, yet still cannot fathom her true depth.”
The Blood Absolute War God secretly breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. “There is an entire great realm between you. Once you reach Taibai realm, you will surely make that little girl suffer greatly.”
Little girl?
Zhang Ruochen thought to himself that this “little girl’s” age was probably far greater than his grandfather’s.
From the moment he began cultivating, the Blood Absolute War God had been full of confidence in himself, holding an invincible conviction.
His cultivation was second to none.
Precisely because of this, he worried that if Zhang Ruochen defeated Hai Shang You Ruo while still in Taiyi realm, he would naturally be pleased, yet how could there not also be a trace of disappointment?
How could an invincible conviction not be shaken?
In truth, the pressure Zhang Ruochen brought to the Blood Absolute War God already surpassed that from Huang Tian.
The Blood Absolute War God did not fear being surpassed by his grandson, but as a powerhouse, who truly accepted defeat?
“You came to Nu Tian Divine Palace to see Prajna? There are still two days left. Why not prepare and marry her as well?” the Blood Absolute War God said.
Zhang Ruochen did feel guilt toward Prajna and had considered starting anew, but now was absolutely not the time to marry her. He shook his head and smiled. “All those rumours outside are merely rumours. My relationship with Prajna is still only friendship, not romance. Talk of marriage is still far off.”
“Fine, decide for yourself.”
After thinking, the Blood Absolute War God added, “I will wait for you outside. After you finish, come with me to the Fortune and Prosperity Divine Palace.”
Xiao Hei had indeed retrieved the divine medicine “Nine-Eyed Blood Iris” from Xing Huan Tian.
After taking it, not only did Prajna’s injuries heal completely, her blood qi became even thicker than before, and her cultivation was on the verge of breaking through to mid-stage upper god.
One should know that peerless talents like Shang Hong, Hai Shang Ming Gong, and Qing Fei Wei required tens of thousands of years to advance from early to mid-stage upper god.
It could be said that Prajna had saved ten thousand years of bitter cultivation, laying a foundation for swiftly breaking into Taizhen.
Zhang Ruochen left Nu Tian Divine Palace and, sure enough, found the Blood Absolute War God still waiting outside.
As they walked, Zhang Ruochen asked, “Grandfather, what business brought you to Nu Tian Divine Palace?”
“To see Pu Chuanqi. Back then, the targeting of the Xue Jue family had much to do with that old fellow. Tragic. A great god at the peak of Taixu realm reduced to such a state. Even if he leaves Nu Tian Divine Palace alive, he will surely live in depression henceforth, with no further chance to assail the Immeasurable.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Such a person is all the more dangerous.”
A cold gleam flashed in the Blood Absolute War God’s eyes.
Indeed. Once Pu Chuanqi escaped, he would be consumed by towering hatred and capable of anything. With his profound cultivation and overwhelming battle power, if he became desperate, even the Blood Absolute War God would have to avoid him.
“He will not live to see the day he leaves Nu Tian Divine Palace alive,” the Blood Absolute War God said.
Zhang Ruochen understood at once.
Was the Blood Absolute War God truly there to see Pu Chuanqi?
Pu Chuanqi was no peerless beauty. What was there to see?
This trip was surely to eliminate a hidden threat. As for what method he would use to kill Pu Chuanqi without arousing suspicion, Zhang Ruochen could not guess.
Destiny God Mountain was draped in red throughout, giving a festive atmosphere.
The true body of the Fortune and Prosperity God Venerable manifested, his presence majestic, blood qi vast as an ocean. Behind him, the Gate of Destiny towered three million li high, causing the air to swell. A pair of planet-sized eyes gazed down at Zhang Ruochen and the Blood Absolute War God below. “Zhang Ruochen, a heaven-granted divine marriage, and the wedding ceremony held in the Destiny Divine Hall itself. Such an honour may not appear once in a primordial tribulation cycle. Do you know why Xutian does this?”
Holding the wedding ceremony in the Destiny Divine Hall carried vastly different significance from holding it in the Fortune and Prosperity Divine Palace, the Great Tribulation Palace, or the Vast Sea Manor.
Neither Zhang Ruochen nor Wu Yue were gods of the Destiny Divine Hall. How could they qualify for such treatment?
Zhang Ruochen cupped his hands in salute. “This junior is overwhelmed. Such favour is truly more than I can bear.”
The Fortune and Prosperity God Venerable said, “Xutian intends for you to take over one of the twelve divine palaces, the True Divine Palace, and become its future master. Your attainment in the dao of truth is profound. You are capable of bearing this great responsibility.”
Zhang Ruochen’s heart shook as though struck by thunder.
“Consider it carefully. This is a heaven-sent opportunity for you. Do not miss it. Withdraw now and prepare well for the wedding,” the Fortune and Prosperity God Venerable said. His colossal figure vanished into the palace, and the immeasurable divine might dispersed with it.
The journey back was silent. Zhang Ruochen and the Blood Absolute War God returned to the Vast Sea Manor.
The Blood Absolute War God unfolded his divine realm world, isolating them from the outside, before speaking. “This is not merely the wish of Xutian and the Fortune and Prosperity God Venerable. In recent years, news that you will become Young Venerable of the True Divine Palace has spread throughout the universe. Other forces must also be pushing this matter.”
Zhang Ruochen gave a wry smile. “They wish to sow discord between me and Xing Huan Tian, between Xing Huan Tian and Heavenly Court. Truly, the tree desires stillness, yet the wind will not cease. I have kept a low profile for nineteen years, yet still cannot escape this storm.”
The Blood Absolute War God said, “Your identity and the talent and potential you have shown destine you to remain forever at the storm’s centre. But if you become Young Venerable of the True Divine Palace, the Destiny Divine Hall will be a sufficiently high wall to shield you from the storm around you. Have you considered accepting?”
“Does Grandfather hope I accept?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Blood Absolute War God replied, “Yes.”
Zhang Ruochen was not surprised. After all, the Blood Absolute War God was a god of the Hell Realm and naturally hoped Zhang Ruochen would join the Hell Realm rather than meet as enemies on the battlefield in future.
Just as Chi Yao and the others hoped he would return to Heavenly Court.
Different standpoints naturally led to different considerations.
The Blood Absolute War God continued, “Once Heavenly Court’s first starry sky defence line is breached, Xing Huan Tian, Xing Tian Ya, and the City of the Hundred Races will become obstacles in the Hell Realm’s path, thorns in the throat that must be removed.”
“Whether you genuinely join the Destiny Divine Hall or only feign it, this buys you time to grow. The current you needs a sufficiently powerful force to shelter you from wind and rain.”
“Does Grandfather have so little faith in Xing Huan Tian and Xing Tian Ya?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Blood Absolute War God said, “Before the armies of the Hell Realm, even the entire Heavenly Court retreats steadily. How much more so Xing Huan Tian and Xing Tian Ya?”
Zhang Ruochen pondered deeply for a moment, then shook his head. “I cannot accept.”
“Why?” the Blood Absolute War God asked calmly.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “If this were before the war between Hell Realm and Heavenly Court erupted, or if I were not master of Xing Huan Tian, I might accept such a choice. After all, becoming Young Venerable of the True Divine Palace does not necessarily require doing much. I could simply cultivate in seclusion like Xutian.”
“But now, knowing that Xing Huan Tian and Xing Tian Ya face danger, to choose to join the Destiny Divine Hall and become Young Venerable of a palace would be utter betrayal and cowardice. No matter how many reasons I found to convince myself, I could never pass this barrier in my heart.”
“I have indeed helped Xing Huan Tian and the Ni Shen Clan, but Senior Jiutian, Divine Master Yu Rou, Qing’er, and the Cliff Master have also helped me.”
The Blood Absolute War God burst into loud laughter. “Good. Worthy of being my grandson of Xue Jue. With such character and righteousness, the cultivators of Xing Huan Tian and Xing Tian Ya truly have great fortune.”
Zhang Ruochen realised that the Blood Absolute War God had been testing him, seeing whether he could withstand the temptation of the position of Young Venerable of the True Divine Palace.
If he had accepted, the Blood Absolute War God might truly have been disappointed.
The Blood Absolute War God said, “Rest assured. Heavenly Court’s first starry sky defence line will not fall so easily. You still have much time. Understand that Xing Tian Ya and Xing Huan Tian also do not wish that defence line to be breached.”
“Is Grandfather hoping the current situation can continue indefinitely?” Zhang Ruochen asked.
The Blood Absolute War God smiled. “After all, your grandfather also needs time to cultivate. Only by reaching the Immeasurable can one truly spread one’s wings. And in this turbulent era, one must fight for greater voice and right to survive.”
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment, then took out the sundial and handed it to the Blood Absolute War God. “In recent years I have been in secluded cultivation too long. For now, I should not need the sundial.”
The Blood Absolute War God did not refuse politely and accepted it. “On behalf of the Undying Blood Race, I borrow the sundial for a hundred years. Whatever you want, name it now.”
Borrowing on behalf of the Undying Blood Race was clearly different from borrowing personally.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen believed that even if the Blood Absolute War God invited other gods of the Undying Blood Race to cultivate together, they would certainly be only those he trusted absolutely.
Zhang Ruochen did not stand on ceremony with the Blood Absolute War God, or rather, with the Undying Blood Race. “I lack neither divine stones nor divine artefacts, and divine pills are of little use to me for now. How about this: give me more God King Talismans and God Venerable Talismans?”
At present, below the Immeasurable, in single combat, even if Zhang Ruochen could not win, he had considerable confidence in escaping.
But what he feared was being besieged by a group of Taixu realm great gods, as last time, or hunted by an Immeasurable realm god spirit.
“Very well. I will discuss this with the old fellow,” the Blood Absolute War God agreed, calmly putting away the sundial.
With the sundial, breaking into mid and peak Taixu realm would be only a matter of time.
“In these two days, prepare well. Wu Yue is no ordinary woman. Marrying her will involve many rites and ceremonies. It will be quite elaborate,” the Blood Absolute War God said with considerable experience.
Zhang Ruochen’s heart stirred. “Grandfather has spoken with Wu Yue, I presume?”
The Blood Absolute War God said, “You wish to ask whether I support you marrying Wu Yue? In fact, Wu Yue spoke openly with me. She said she agreed to Xutian’s granted marriage largely to secure a path for herself.”
