Inside the Sword Tomb Palace, Zhang Ruochen, Ji Fanxin, Bao Lie, and the rest gathered around as they helped Shi Mingyuan to get rid of Lord Ming’s venomous blood.
It was mainly because Shi Mingyuan’s state back then made it unsuitable for him to enter the area covered by the sundial. Hence, the detoxification process had been delayed until now.
Fortunately, Zhang Ruochen had asked the Divine Sky-connecting Tree for help and had purified the evil consciousness in his body. Coupled with Bao Lie’s will detoxifying him every day, his condition was improving.
After some point, no more venomous blood could be forced out of Shi Mingyuan’s body, so Zhang Ruochen and the others had to stop.
It was not that Shi Mingyuan’s body no longer had Lord Ming’s venom inside him, but rather, with their current strength, they were unable to do anything to the remnants of the venom blood.
When Shi Qiankun had Lord Ming’s venomous blood in his body, they had to seek the Martial Exemplar’s help to completely exorcise it.
“After this, it will depend on the old patriarch’s will,” Zhang Ruochen said to Shi Qiankun and Shi Ren.
“Brother Zhang, words aren’t enough to express our gratitude. From now on, if there is anything you require, I, Shi Ren, will answer the call no matter the cost.” Shi Ren was very serious as he spoke with reddened eyes.
Zhang Ruochen extended his hand and patted Shi Ren on the shoulder as he smiled. “If you take me for a brother, you don’t have to say something like this. Take care of the old patriarch and remember to contact me if there’s anything.”
Shi Ren nodded and said, “All right, I will stand guard here.”
Shi Qiankun’s eyes were also filled with gratitude. Zhang Ruochen was a savior to his family, and it was also Zhang Ruochen who had protected the entire Zhenyu Clan. Such kindness could never be fully repaid.
In the future, as long as Zhang Ruochen had any needs, the Zhenyu Clan would never say no to it.
After walking out of the place where Shi Mingyuan was recuperating, Zhang Ruochen looked for Lu Huaiyu.
“Master Uncle, what would you have me do?” Lu Huaiyu asked respectfully.
Zhang Ruochen was his grandfather’s junior brother, and Zhang Ruochen was a benefactor of the Sword Sanctum, so calling him “Master Uncle” was something he was all too willing to do.
Besides, calling him “Master Uncle” denoted a closer relationship to Zhang Ruochen, rather than calling him His Highness.
“I’ve recently obtained some high-quality materials, and would like to ask the Sword Sanctum’s help to refine the Eight-Dragon Umbrella and the Nine-Dragon Carriage.”
Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
As he said that, he took out all of the material he had collected.
Some of these materials had been obtained from Luoshui, while some had been from the bodies of the Immortal Vampire Shenzis, princes, and princesses. Each of them was precious and would be difficult to buy with Saint Stones.
Like the Divine Blood Crystal, it was a treasure so rare that it was more than enough to refine a sacred artifact of the Tenth Radiance.
Lu Huaiyu’s eyes brightened as he carefully examined the various precious materials and said excitedly, “Leave this to me. I will ensure that the quality level of the Eight-Dragon Umbrella and the Nine-Dragon Carriage is improved.”
He had read the Record of Heavenly Works, and his ability in refining artifacts was top-notch in the Kunlun Realm.
As long as there were good materials, creating top-level weapons was not a problem at all.
In the past, Zhang Ruochen’s strength was weaker so the Eight-Dragon Umbrella and the Nine-Dragon Carriage were still usable, but as his strength increased, they were clearly much weaker now.
If their quality level could not be increased, they would have to be discarded.
However, the Eight-Dragon Umbrella and the Nine-Dragon Carriage were objects used by the past Emperor Mings. As such, Zhang Ruochen had deep nostalgia for them and was unwilling to get rid of them.
After two days later, Shi Ren came back with the good news that Shi Mingyuan had woken up.
Zhang Ruochen immediately rushed over.
“This old one thanks the Swordbearer for the rescue.”
Seeing Zhang Ruochen’s arrival, Shi Mingyuan could not help but get up as he bowed and saluted Zhang Ruochen in gratitude.
Zhang Ruochen hurriedly stepped forward to hold Shi Mingyuan up. “Old Patriarch, there is no need for that. Shi Ren and I are brothers, and all of this is the right thing to do.”
Shi Ren also stepped forward, and together with Zhang Ruochen helped Shi Mingyuan to sit down again.
Shi Mingyuan sighed. “I never thought that when I went into the Nether Dungeon for seclusion that so many things would have happened to the Zhenyu Clan. This old one is really unworthy of my clansmen and the Kunlun Realm.”
“Old Patriarch, you don’t have to blame yourself. This was out of your control, and it’s all due to Lord Ming’s extremely cunning nature.” Zhang Ruochen spoke to comfort him.
Shi Mingyuan nodded lightly and said, “Lord Ming is indeed cunning. Just as this old one’s cultivation reached its critical moment, he infected me with his evil consciousness, causing me to lose myself and become a monster. If you had not rescued me, this old one would have probably continued to devolve into a monster.”
Recalling the years he had experienced inside the Nether Dungeon, Shi Mingyuan felt his scalp turn numb and his heart beat fast.
If he had accidentally released Lord Ming, then he would become a great sinner amongst the Zhenyu Clansmen.
“Old Patriarch, I have something that requires your help,” Zhang Ruochen said solemnly.
A smile appeared on Shi Mingyuan’s face. “Shi Ren has already told this old one. While I dare not say that I will be able to successfully refine a Supreme Saint Blood Suppressant Talisman, this old one will give it a try.”
“Then I shall leave it to you.” Zhang Ruochen nodded.
As he said that, he took out the divine bone of the White Bone Mountain and handed it over to Shi Mingyuan.
A Supreme Saint-level Blood Suppressant Talisman would require a divine bone as its main material.
Of course, most importantly, was a Supreme Saint-level Talisman Master’s help.
While Shi Mingyuan’s spiritual power had not yet reached the Sixtieth-Order, it was definitely very close to it and was stronger than Immortal Ming’s.
If he wanted to, he could easily break through to the next level.
However, if that happened, he needed to leave the Kunlun Realm.
They were at a very critical juncture, and the Zhenyu Clan needed him to hold the fort, so he could not break through for the time being.
With his close proximity to the Sixtieth-Order spiritual power, in addition to his depth in the Path of Talisman, there was still a chance to refine the Supreme Saint-level Blood Suppressant Talisman.
If even he could not succeed then Zhang Ruochen really had no idea who else to look for.
As soon as he came out, Zhang Ruochen ran into Ji Fanxin.
“Zhang Ruochen, when do we head to the Northern Region?” Ji Fanxin asked.
She had wanted to go to the Northern Region long ago, and after multiple delays, she no longer wanted to postpone it.
One needed to know that the Kunlun Realm was akin to a gathering of clouds now. Too many people came and went all the time, and the situation was complex as well as ever-changing.
If someone were to take the Divine Sky-connecting Tree’s trunk away first, she would really cry tears of blood.
Zhang Ruochen of course understood what Ji Fanxin was thinking and could not help but smile. “Fairy, don’t worry. Wait for me to go to the Main Terminal of Merits first, and exchange my merits, then we will immediately set off to the Northern Region.
This time, they had killed hundreds of thousands of Immortal Vampires and could exchange a large number of merits, so there was no reason to waste them.
Without any delay, Zhang Ruochen left the Zhenyu Clan grounds alone and headed to the nearest Terminal of Merit.
Inside the entirety of Kunlun, there was a total of 72 sub-terminals, and all had a teleportation array that could teleport people directly to the main terminal, the Canis Star.
Of course, the cultivators of the Celestial Court could go through the Main Terminal of Merit to arrive in the Kunlun Realm in a constant stream.
On the other side, the cultivators of the Infernal Court were also desperately pouring into the Kunlun Realm, and they were unstoppable.
As a result, the situation in the Kunlun Realm became increasingly complicated, and there were no longer any peaceful grounds.
The nearest merit sub-terminal from the Sword Vault was the 25th Merit Sub-Terminal.
Going through the teleportation array, Zhang Ruochen quickly rushed from the 25th Merit Sub-Terminal to the Main Terminal of Merits.
Just like when he first traveled to the Kunlun Realm from there, the place was still as lively as ever. It could be said that it was even livelier now.
Some people wanted to head to the Kunlun Realm from the Main Terminal of Merit, while some were like Zhang Ruochen, just there to exchange their merit points or return to the Celestial Court.
This time, the Fane of Merit had made a change, whereby cultivators who obtained merit points in the Kunlun Realm could directly exchange them for merit treasures. It was one of the main reasons why so many people had flocked to the Kunlun Realm.
In the past, even when the Fane of Merit deliberately withheld merit treasures on many occasions, there was nothing anyone could do.
For example, in the Merit War of the Zuling Realm, the Guanghan Realm had gotten the most merit points, but since Zhang Ruochen had crossed Yanshen, it resulted in the Guanghan Realm not getting a single merit treasure.
Otherwise, the merit points that the Guanghan Realm had gotten that time would definitely be enough to redeem many merit treasures, and the leading figures would all have a share.
After stepping out of the teleportation array, Zhang Ruochen went straight toward the Merit Exchange Hall.
There, one could exchange merit points and also redeem merit points for merit treasures.
“That seems to be Zhang Ruochen.”
“Hmm, it is him. Weird, why did he suddenly come to the Main Terminal of Merit? Is he planning to leave the Kunlun Realm?”
“As far as I know, after entering the Kunlun Realm, he has never been to the Battlefield of Merits, and he was fighting tooth and nail with Mr. Godcliff.”
“If he did not kill any Infernal Court cultivators, what is he doing in the Merit Exchange Hall then?”
“Come, let’s go and have a look.”
…
Instantly, many people recognized Zhang Ruochen and could not help to talk about him.
The comments all clearly entered Zhang Ruochen’s ears, but he did not care.
The Merit Exchange Hall was extremely magnificent and majestic, inspiring awe in anyone.
Since its establishment, many cultivators would come here every day, be it Saints of Saint Kings, and a number of famous talents.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to enter the Merit Exchange Hall, a commotion suddenly broke out in a corner.
A group surrounding several people walked over in a swagger.
Looking at the faces of the surrounded folks, Zhang Ruochen’s face froze as a cold light faintly flashed across his eyes.
He did not expect to run into several old acquaintances during this trip to the Main Terminal of Merit.
“Shang Ziyan, Si Han, King Daxi, Phantom Princess, long time no see.” Zhang Ruochen’s cold gaze landed on the surrounded few.
“Hmm?”
Shang Ziyan noticed something and could not help but cast his gaze over.
The moment he saw Zhang Ruochen, Shang Ziyan’s gaze became icy cold.
For a long time, he had been a proud scion of heaven, and whatever he wanted, he would get. That lasted until he met Zhang Ruochen, and he had lost twice in a row. His hatred for Zhang Ruochen was something even the waters of the Celestial River could not cleanse.
Thinking of his experience during the Trial of Purgation in the Purgatory Furnace of Life and Death, and the fact that he had nearly died before he came to the Kunlun Realm, no matter how gentle and elegant Shang Ziyan was, he still wished that Zhang Ruochen was ripped into pieces deep down.
“Zhang Ruochen.”
King Daxi’s gaze was complicated as her eyes dodged around, dared not look at Zhang Ruochen in the eyes.
To her, Zhang Ruochen was a literal nightmare. Her weakness and treasures were all in Zhang Ruochen’s hands, and there was not a moment she did not want them back.
Meeting Zhang Ruochen here made her really uncomfortable, and she wanted to leave immediately.
