Zhang Ruochen’s ability took even the Blood Absolute War God by surprise.
The Blood Absolute War God said calmly, “To cultivate that many gods, how many resources would it consume?”
“What? Do you think the Undying Blood Clan lacks the foundation? As long as you produce gods for this old man, no matter how many resources it takes, we can provide them.”
The old clan leader thought for a moment and said, “Xue Jue, this is no small matter. It concerns something major. Why not discuss it properly with Zhang Ruochen? If you reach an agreement, the Undying Blood Clan will become his strongest backing.”
“Do you speak for the clan? The Undying God Palace holds no small prejudice against Zhang Ruochen,” the Blood Absolute War God replied.
The old clan leader was so furious he nearly lost control. If he did not know that the Blood Absolute War God had always been unyielding to both kindness and force, he would have already lashed out and given him a thorough beating.
Damn it, his wings had truly hardened. He actually dared to mock the clan leader like this.
“The coming era will see the entire universe plunged into turmoil. This old man does not have much longer to live anyway. When I die, I die. But what about you? You are the future clan leader of the Undying Blood Clan. The rise and fall of the Undying Blood Clan is your responsibility.” As he spoke, the old clan leader’s eyes reddened, tears welling up in their corners.
“Don’t be like that. You have lived over a million years. Is it really necessary? I will discuss it with him,” the Blood Absolute War God relented.
The old clan leader instantly recovered and said, “We cannot let other gods notice anything unusual. This old man will now take Xia Yu to cross her divine tribulation in the stars and return tomorrow. Haha, this is a yuanhui-level representative. In any other era, the entire Undying Blood Clan would struggle to produce even one in ten thousand years. Yet your Xue Jue family has produced several in succession. In a few more yuanhui, the Undying Blood Clan will be ruled by the Xue Jue family!”
The Blood Absolute War God knew the old fellow intended to question Xia Yu personally, but he did not stop him.
First, he trusted that Xia Yu would never betray Zhang Ruochen.
Second, he trusted that even if the old fellow learned Zhang Ruochen’s secret, he would not truly harm him.
Third, this was a good thing for Xia Yu. With the old clan leader personally escorting her to cross the tribulation, he would surely bestow divine pills to ensure her success.
“The old fellow is right. Since she has become a yuanhui-level representative, she can only belong to the Xue Jue family!” the Blood Absolute War God murmured to himself.
The moment Zhang Ruochen stepped out of the divine realm world, he sensed something and glanced toward a certain direction in the void.
“What is it?” Xia Yu asked.
Zhang Ruochen bowed deeply and said, “Greetings, Clan Leader!”
In the Vast Sea Manor, even Zhang Ruochen could only detect a faint trace, unable to sense the other’s presence at all. Not even the Blood Absolute War God could achieve that.
It could only be the old clan leader.
Xia Yu was startled and hurriedly followed with a bow.
The old clan leader was one of the most ancient gods of the Undying Blood Clan, a true overlord standing at the pinnacle of the universe. To Xia Yu, he was an unimaginable transcendent existence.
Naturally, the old clan leader would not be as casual with juniors like Zhang Ruochen and Xia Yu as he was with the Blood Absolute War God. He had to display his power to awe them.
The entire sky was shrouded in blood mist.
A suffocating divine might froze space, revealing only a pair of eyes like two blood-coloured stars hanging in the void near the ground.
Both Zhang Ruochen and Xia Yu struggled to breathe, as if countless divine mountains pressed down upon them.
“Xia Yu, since you have achieved the foundation of a yuanhui-level representative, follow this seat to cross your divine tribulation in the starry sky!” The voice boomed, each word deafening, revealing unfathomable cultivation.
By the time Zhang Ruochen’s mind recovered, Xia Yu had vanished, and the blood mist in the sky had dispersed.
The Blood Absolute War God emerged.
Zhang Ruochen, filled with unease, said, “Grandfather, the old clan leader…”
“You need not worry about the old clan leader.”
The Blood Absolute War God understood Zhang Ruochen’s concern. After all, anyone suddenly overwhelmed by a clan leader from the hell realm would feel fear and suspicion.
Of course, it was also because Zhang Ruochen did not know how close his relationship with the old clan leader truly was.
“I did not expect the old clan leader to be in the Vast Sea Manor,” Zhang Ruochen said, his worry lingering.
The Blood Absolute War God asked, “You used the Boundless Divine Way to further elevate Xia Yu’s foundation?”
“Yes.”
Zhang Ruochen knew what the Blood Absolute War God wished to say and continued, “Does the old clan leader want me to produce a batch of geniuses with the potential to become gods for the Undying Blood Clan?”
“Are you willing?” the Blood Absolute War God asked.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “For the Undying Blood Clan, naturally I am not. But if it is for you, Grandfather, I can try.”
A smile appeared on the Blood Absolute War God’s face. “You mean you will wait until I become clan leader?”
Zhang Ruochen said, “I do not wish to prepare wedding clothes for others.”
“Indeed, now is not the right time. We should wait. Wait until Bing Huang returns to the Undying God Palace before proceeding,” the Blood Absolute War God said.
Zhang Ruochen could sense the Blood Absolute War God’s admiration for Bing Huang, believing that once Bing Huang returned, he could fully resolve the internal conflicts within the Undying Blood Clan and unite the entire clan.
The Blood Absolute War God continued, “If Xia Yu successfully crosses her divine tribulation this time, I intend to marry her to Xue Chen. What do you think?”
“Marry her to Xue Chen?” Zhang Ruochen asked in surprise.
The Blood Absolute War God nodded solemnly. “Xia Yu is, after all, a yuanhui-level representative. As long as she does not stray in the future, she is bound to become a great god. With such talent, gods from every major tribe will surely vie for her. It is even possible that the patriarch of a great clan would marry her himself! As you said, a genius cultivated by our Xue Jue family cannot be allowed to prepare wedding clothes for others.”
“But why Xue Chen?” Zhang Ruochen frowned.
The Blood Absolute War God sighed deeply. “I bear the primary responsibility for your uncle’s death and have always felt deep guilt. Xue Chen is the most talented among your uncle’s descendants. Marrying Xia Yu to him will secure his position as family head in the future. This can also be considered compensation to your uncle.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “I believe that once Xia Yu successfully crosses the tribulation, she will be a true god. Marrying a true god to a great saint is simply not done. She may not feel grateful and might even resent you, Grandfather.”
“She will not.”
The Blood Absolute War God revealed his domineering side and snorted. “Xue Chen is my own grandson of the Xue Jue line. How noble is his bloodline? As long as Xia Yu remains a god of the Undying Blood Clan, she can never defy the will of the future clan leader of the Undying Blood Clan. Unless she courts death!”
Before Zhang Ruochen could speak again, the Blood Absolute War God strode away, waving his hand. “No need to say more. My decision is final.”
Zhang Ruochen watched the Blood Absolute War God depart. At this moment, the Blood Absolute War God finally displayed the tyranny of a great clan patriarch, able to decide the fate of gods with a single word.
The sound of chime bells rang out from a palace, melodious and pleasing.
Zhang Ruochen set aside his thoughts and followed the sound to a garden filled with five-coloured flowers. There he saw Bai Qing’er striking an ancient bronze chime bell. She wore white robes, ethereal and refined, surrounded by mist of starlight, like an immortal among clouds.
The chime bells fell silent.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “How long have you been here?”
“Aunt Yu and I came to the Destiny Divine Domain on behalf of Xing Huan Heaven to present a gift for your and Wu Yue’s wedding,” Bai Qing’er said, her back to him, slender fingers trailing over the chime bells. Her voice was cool and distant.
Though her tone was calm, Zhang Ruochen could feel the chill in it.
Zhang Ruochen said, “This marriage was decreed by Xu Tian. I cannot defy it.”
“No need to explain! Aunt Yu has already told me clearly. You had no choice but to do this for the Hundred Clans King City and Xing Huan Heaven. Besides, I do not care whom you marry!” Bai Qing’er said lightly.
Zhang Ruochen walked closer and said, “I will find a way to retrieve the Heavenly Venerable Treasure Gauze.”
“There is no need! Since she has already married you, how could you take action against her? In the future, I will retrieve it myself!” Bai Qing’er carried no mortal aura. With a flick of her sleeve, divine light flashed, and the bronze chime bells vanished.
She stepped into the garden, never once looking directly at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen immediately followed. Suddenly, Bai Qing’er stopped and said, “By the way, you must give an account for those Goddess Towers she seized.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “I will find a way to get them back.”
“Forget it. Pretend I said nothing! After all, you are the Lord of the First Goddess City. Whether they are in your wife’s hands or yours makes no difference,” Bai Qing’er said.
“Qing’er!”
Zhang Ruochen embraced Bai Qing’er from behind as she turned to leave. “Do not be angry. I know what Wu Yue has done. But her cultivation is now too high. If you truly fought, I would fear for your safety. I promise you that whatever belongs to you, even if she takes it now, I will make her return it all with interest in the future.”
“I am not foolish. Why would I fight her now? With what standing would I fight her?” Bai Qing’er said.
Zhang Ruochen replied, “When I can protect you from harm with my own strength, I will certainly give you a proper status.”
“Do you say the same to Luo Yi and Yan Zhexian? I saw them in the Destiny Divine Domain. Oh, and the daughter you have with Yan Zhexian.” Though Bai Qing’er spoke thus, she no longer tried to break free from Zhang Ruochen’s embrace.
One must admit that Xu Tian’s sudden decree of marriage had indeed placed Zhang Ruochen in a very passive position.
Previously, Zhang Ruochen had considered holding a grand ceremony in Xing Huan Heaven and marrying all the women at once, which would reduce many conflicts. At worst, he could apply the methods of the Feng Chen Sword God to them and handle it with ease.
But Wu Yue’s appearance had shattered the balance among the women. Her cultivation was too high, her background too complex, her methods too ruthless, catching even Zhang Ruochen off guard.
In such a situation, even the Feng Chen Sword God, who had navigated countless flowers, would probably flee the marriage and wander the universe forever.
After finally soothing Bai Qing’er’s emotions, Zhang Ruochen went to see the Blood Empress, intending to ask her to intervene and discuss the matter again with the Blood Absolute War God. Marrying Xia Yu to Xue Chen was ultimately inappropriate. He could not allow his grandfather to act so arbitrarily.
After all, Xia Yu was the Blood Empress’s disciple, and the Blood Empress had a say in the matter.
