After the fall of the Life God Venerable, Feng Tian infused the life profundities left by the Life God Venerable, along with some remnant inheritance power, into her body. However, Feng Tian did not cultivate the path of life and could not precisely control those forces, which caused Hai Shang You Ruo’s body to grow in reverse. Once she fully masters the life profundities and the inheritance power of the Life God Venerable, she should be able to recover completely.
Xue Jue War God said.
Without bidding farewell to old friends, Zhang Ruochen and Xue Jue War God went straight down Destiny God Mountain.
Wu Yue was already waiting below the Gate of Destiny. Additionally, Yu Shi and the eleven spiritual gods were all present.
Wu Yue still wore her phoenix crown and red bridal robes, beautiful to the extreme, surrounded by swirling spiritual mist, like the moon in clouds or a flower in fog, filled with a hazy, elusive beauty.
“Go. She is now your wife after all. No matter what choice she makes, words of farewell should still be said. I will wait for you on the Blood-Coloured Divine Centipede Vessel!”
After saying this, Xue Jue War God walked forward and vanished into space.
Zhang Ruochen gathered his thoughts and walked towards Wu Yue.
“Ruochen, I have suddenly understood many things! You were right. A person must have a bottom line. One cannot hesitate or abandon that bottom line just because of danger or difficulty. You and I are different. You have a greater vision. I can lack that bottom line, but you must have it!” Wu Yue’s voice was gentle, almost like a wife admitting fault to her husband.
Zhang Ruochen found Wu Yue increasingly incomprehensible. She was too clever, clever to the point that even knowing her true nature, knowing her motives were impure and that she was pretending, his resolve grew weaker. He gradually began wanting to believe her.
She understood human nature too well!
She seemed able to transform into whatever appearance you needed her to be!
Zhang Ruochen said, “You waited here just to tell me this?”
Wu Yue gently shook her head. “I am your wife. Naturally, I must face the coming difficulties together with you. How could I only share blessings but not hardships? I want to return to Xing Huan Heaven with you!”
With such an attitude, Zhang Ruochen did not know how to refuse her!
But he still refused!
“No!”
Zhang Ruochen tore through space and vanished below Destiny God Mountain.
Taking Wu Yue to Xing Huan Heaven was indeed no great matter. No matter how capable she was, what tricks could she play under the eyes of the Nine Heavens seniors?
But Emperor Fengdu’s stance remained unclear.
Taking Wu Yue to Xing Huan Heaven could be planting disaster.
At the mountainside of Destiny God Mountain, Ting Yunsheng looked down and said, “Letting Zhang Ruochen leave is releasing a tiger back to the mountain. Why stop me?”
Divine King Jinyu said, “Do you think this seat does not want to keep Zhang Ruochen?”
“Are you wary of Fortune God Venerable?” Ting Yunsheng said.
Divine King Jinyu shook his head. “Fortune God Venerable does have a master-disciple bond with Xue Jue, but he is also a god venerable of the Destiny Temple and a titan of the Hell Realm. He can turn a blind eye, but he would never help Zhang Ruochen escape.”
Ting Yunsheng showed disdain. “Could it be that on Destiny God Mountain, on your own territory, you still fear Xue Jue?”
“Even if Xue Jue is stronger, he is only early Taixu Realm.”
Divine King Jinyu’s gaze fixed on Wu Yue standing below the Gate of Destiny, growing increasingly solemn. “It is her! If we acted, the first to deal with us might be her!”
“No one knows how that bitch Wu Yue suddenly changed her nature, clinging to Zhang Ruochen. The prestige she built over hundreds of thousands of years is completely ruined on this junior.” Ting Yunsheng’s eyes were full of jealousy.
Which god in the entire Hell Realm did not desire a peerless woman like Wu Yue?
Even Xu Tian did.
Whoosh!
Divine might erupted on the mountain.
Five-coloured auspicious clouds appeared in the sky. White divine clouds radiated bright light. Stars beyond twinkled one by one, moving in mysterious patterns.
On Destiny God Mountain, and even across the Destiny God Domain, plants grew rapidly, as if coming alive.
Grass sprouted leaves, flowers bloomed, fruits ripened.
Thick life qi enveloped the entire mountain.
“She has finally emerged from the Five Realms Heaven!”
Both Divine King Jinyu and Ting Yunsheng showed shock, looking towards the Life Divine Palace before hurrying over.
Though a hundred thousand years had passed, the influence of the former Life God Venerable had not fully faded. In the Destiny Temple, many ancient gods owed her life-saving grace.
…
On the divine vessel, Xue Jue War God, Blood Empress, Blood Shine God Lord, Ming Wang, Little Black, Bai Qing’er, Fisher Rumour Divine Master, Xia Yu… all stood at the prow.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen board the Blood-Coloured Divine Centipede Vessel alone, Xue Jue War God said, “In the end, when disaster strikes, each flies their own way?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “She acted very well. I played the heartless one this time! Let us go. No need to worry over a play.”
In Zhang Ruochen’s view, this had always been a performance.
From Xu Tian above to the saint realm cultivators who came to the banquet below, everyone was acting, each with different purposes and interests.
The starry defence line breached merely brought the curtain down early.
The Blood-Coloured Divine Centipede Vessel rose and flew out of the Destiny God Domain towards the Blood Heaven Tribe’s Wing World. With Xue Jue War God personally escorting, naturally no one dared block them along the way.
If it were another god, even one with higher cultivation than Xue Jue War God, they would not have such deterrent power.
In the spacious cabin, candlelight shone brightly.
The figures of Zhang Ruochen, Xia Yu, and Xue Jue War God, illuminated by the candlelight, appeared especially tall. Shadows danced from time to time, highlighting the tense atmosphere in the cabin.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the three God King Talismans and three God Venerable Talismans Xue Jue War God handed over, sensing their immense value. Two were even offensive talismans.
This meant Zhang Ruochen not only gained four extra lives but also a full strike from a god king and a god venerable.
Even if an Immeasurable Realm god acted personally, killing him would not be easy.
Zhang Ruochen stacked the six talismans and returned them to Xue Jue War God. “Grandfather, I want to exchange these six talismans for something.”
Xue Jue War God said, “The Xue Jue family has nothing more precious than these six talismans! You must know that even for your grandfather, obtaining one of these requires owing favours across the world.”
“I want to exchange for destiny!” Zhang Ruochen said.
Xue Jue War God’s eyes narrowed slightly. He glanced at Xia Yu. “You mean hers?”
Zhang Ruochen said, “I want to ask Grandfather to give her a chance to choose her own future destiny.”
Xia Yu was already stunned, looking at Zhang Ruochen in disbelief.
Xue Jue War God stared at Zhang Ruochen for a long time, then suddenly laughed. He placed the six talismans on the table. His voice grew heavy. “You want to use six talismans condensed over vast time by Immeasurable Realm gods to help a lower god refuse marriage and defy your grandfather? On what grounds? Do you not know which is more important?”
Xia Yu was shaken by Xue Jue War God’s divine might and knelt on one knee, about to speak, but Zhang Ruochen spoke first.
Zhang Ruochen said, “This is not a matter of importance or value. Rather, this matter arose because of me, so naturally I cannot stand by. Xia Yu is my comrade who fought alongside me, with a thousand years of bond with Kong Le. She is already family to me. I do not wish Grandfather to force her into something she does not want. I do not want her to wither just after becoming a god.”
Xia Yu looked up at Zhang Ruochen, tears streaming from her eyes.
This was the first time Zhang Ruochen had defied Xue Jue War God, their first argument, all because of her.
Xia Yu tried to speak again…
“This is no place for you to interrupt!”
Xue Jue War God rebuked. His tiger-like eyes glared at Zhang Ruochen. “You want her to be your woman?”
“No, because my feelings for her are not romantic. Doing so would only harm her! I only want her to have one chance to choose for herself! Grandfather, I know it is hard for you to take back words once spoken, so I can forgo these six talismans. I believe with my own cultivation, I can survive this chaotic era.”
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze met Xue Jue War God’s without yielding, his will firm.
The atmosphere was too heavy. Xia Yu felt nearly suffocated, wishing to end herself rather than cause an irreparable rift between Zhang Ruochen and the Grand Clan Chancellor.
“Haha!”
Xue Jue War God suddenly laughed loudly and sat down.
After a moment of silence, he laughed again.
His divine might had completely vanished.
Xue Jue War God looked at Zhang Ruochen with approval. “I did not expect it to come so soon, so quickly, the day I have always awaited.”
Zhang Ruochen frowned, inwardly worried.
How could he want such conflict with Xue Jue War God?
He always remembered in his heart the grace and care his grandfather had shown him.
Xue Jue War God looked at Zhang Ruochen, full of praise. “Ruochen, you have finally grown up! Grandfather has always awaited the day you bravely stand up and defy the decisions we old fellows make. No, in the eyes of those old fellows, your grandfather is merely a youngster too.”
“It does not matter! When you stood in the Destiny Temple and dared defy the sacrifice we arranged, you had already taken the first successful step.”
“Remember, those great figures behind you pave the way, make decisions for you, help you advance step by step. Naturally, they are right. Following their decisions, you will not err. But what they truly hope to see is when you dare stand and say no to them.”
“That is when you truly transform from genius to powerhouse, becoming strong from within.”
“Those who always obey will forever be children.”
“Of course, you are extremely clever. You know when to resist and when to heed advice. So Grandfather will not say more on this!”
“Xia Yu, are you willing to marry Zhang Ruochen? This seat can decide this time. Even if he defies, it is useless. Marrying such a beautiful wife, is he wronged? If he dares mistreat you, this grandfather can still wield a halberd.” Xue Jue War God glared at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen said nothing, for he had already spoken clearly earlier.
How could Xia Yu not understand?
Better short pain than long.
For gods, seeking the Dao was foremost. Romantic love might not weigh so heavily.
Xia Yu clasped her hands and bowed deeply. “Realm Venerable Ruochen has shown grace in guiding Xia Yu. Blood Empress Master has shown grace in teaching the Dao. Grand Clan Chancellor has shown grace in protecting Xia Yu.”
“Xia Yu is willing to enter the Undying Temple to cultivate, not entering Tai Zhen, not leaving the temple. If one day Realm Venerable Ruochen and Grand Clan Chancellor need Xia Yu, even if soul scatters and spirit perishes, she will repay the grace.”
“Xia Yu dares not curse Grand Clan Chancellor and Realm Venerable Ruochen, but if one day something unspeakable happens between them, Xia Yu, even if reduced to dust, will slay the enemy and guard the descendants of the Xue Jue family for all generations.”
“Please, Grand Clan Chancellor, grant this!”
Clearly, even Xia Yu could see that Xue Jue War God and Zhang Ruochen walked on thin ice. Their situation was not so glorious. They could fall into eternal damnation at any time.
All because the outstanding tree is destroyed by the wind.
Moreover, now two outstanding trees stood together.
“No need to go to the Undying Temple. Bing Huang’s emergence is imminent. That place will surely become the storm’s centre.”
Xue Jue War God took out a token and tossed it to Xia Yu. “Go to Bai Cang Star. Seek the Corpse Burier and cultivate under him!”
“Thank you, Grand Clan Chancellor!”
Xia Yu caught the token and saw “Undying” engraved on one side.
The “War” character on the other contained surging, intimidating battle intent.
She knew Bai Cang Star was the true birthplace of the Undying Blood Race’s progenitor “Yin”, the supreme holy land of the Undying Blood Race. But during transmission, Bai Cang Star had long vanished with the depletion of Bai Cang Blood Soil.
Xue Jue War God knew what she wanted to ask. “Many secrets cannot be touched before becoming a god. Even many gods cannot touch them. With this token, slowly sense Bai Cang Star’s location! You are a god now. You should have such ability.”
