Zhou Yu felt extremely humiliated and indignant when he chopped off his own arm in public.
It was even more humiliating than when he lost to Sect of the Blood God previously.
But Zhou Yu couldn’t do anything about it. Zhang Ruochen was famous for being ruthless to his enemies. How many top cultivators of the Heavenly Realm had died at his hands?
It was a pity that Zhou Yu was the leader of the Heavenly Realm, the son of a deity, and the object of the Fane of Light’s nurturing. His status was extremely noble. But now, he had lost all his face.
Over the years, no leader of the Heavenly Realm had been more sullen than Zhou Yu.
“I’ll let you off this time, but you shouldn’t do it again. Mark my words.” Zhang Ruochen’s voice rang in Zhou Yu’s ears again.
Although Zhou Yu was indignant, it felt as if he had been granted amnesty.
He exhaled lightly. Without any hesitation, he immediately took Bolan with him and turned into a streak of light, leaving Syzygy Mansion.
This time, the Heavenly Realm had lost all its face. Naturally, Zhou Yu couldn’t stay any longer to avoid being a laughing stock.
Moreover, with Zhang Ruochen in the shadows, the Heavenly Realm wouldn’t be able to gain any advantage in this meeting. Instead, it would be restricted everywhere.
“What’s going on? Did someone secretly threaten Zhou Yu to do this?”
“With the strength and status of Zhou Yu, who can threaten him like this?”
“Indeed, ordinary people can’t threaten Zhou Yu, but there is one person who can. That person can even threaten everyone at present.”
“Are you talking about… Zhang Ruochen?” Someone exclaimed.
At the mention of “Zhang Ruochen”, many leaders of the great world in the Syzygy Mansion could not help but change their expressions.
No one was a fool.
Only Zhang Ruochen could quietly make Chi Kongyue’s Five-element Chaotic Body shine and multiply the power of the Sword of Time.
On second thought, Zhang Ruochen had a special intention to threaten Zhou Yu and cut off his own arm in public.
He was clearly warning everyone to think about the consequences before doing anything.
Thinking of this, countless cultivators couldn’t help but gasp. “It seems that Zhang Ruochen, who is invincible below the Supreme Saint, has quietly arrived at the Central Imperial City.”
“We must immediately inform the cultivators of our realm to keep a low profile in the imperial city. Don’t be like Zhou Yu and run into danger.” Some leaders of the great world thought so.
The atmosphere in the Ninth Mansion became much more depressing. Many cultivators felt suffocated by Zhang Ruochen.
With Zhang Ruochen’s unscrupulous style, not many people could be unafraid. No matter how prominent one’s background was. Zhou Yu was the best example.
Whoosh
A layer of fog appeared on the Spiritual Lake.
The fog was like smoke and clouds. It quickly swallowed Chi Kongyue, Zheng Yuan, Fairy Cihang, and Wang Shiqi, making them disappear between the red walls and green tiles.
The fog could isolate all senses. The four seemed to have disappeared into thin air.
Zheng Yuan, Fairy Cihang, and Wang Shiqi were all first-class cultivators. They had already sensed something, and they looked at each other. Then, they sat down at a stone table, as if waiting for something.
Chi Kongyue and the others saw a tall figure slowly walked out of the fog. He stepped on the lake, creating small ripples.
It was none other than Zhang Ruochen, who had put away the Thirty-six Transmogrification and returned to his original form.
Chi Kongyue stared at the figure. He held his breath, bit his lower lip and his eyes turned slightly red.
Slowly, Zhang Ruochen walked in front of Chi Kongyue and stared at her tall figure. His eyes were full of deep emotions.
With a flip of his hand, Zhang Ruochen took out a transparent jade box and handed it to Chi Kongyue. His face was so terrifying that even the cultivators of the Infernal Court and the Celestial Court would be scared to see it, a gentle smile appeared on his face. “Kongyue, I don’t know what gift to give you… hehe… are you thirsty? I don’t know if this fruit is sweet or not. Why Don’t you try it?”
Zhang Ruochen really didn’t know how to be a father, so he didn’t know what to do when he saw Chi Kongyue.
In the jade box, there was a fist-sized fruit. It gave off a faint sparkling light and was soaked in a clear liquid.
“Is that the legendary… Supreme Saint fruit?”
Wang Shiqi’s eyes suddenly widened.
As a Saint Master of the Path of Confucianism, Wang Shiqi was very knowledgeable. He recognized at a glance that the fruit Zhang Ruochen took out was the extremely precious Supreme Saint fruit. It had an amazingly miraculous effect.
Zhang Ruochen had taken such a precious treasure to quench Chi Kongyue’s thirst.’ Wang Shiqi had never seen anything crazier than this.
This was the Supreme Saint fruit. According to legend, as long as one refined one, it was not entirely possible to cultivate to the Supreme Saint realm, but it was not too far off.
Wang Shiqi’s talent wasn’t inferior to anyone, but he lacked the heart of a Supreme Saint, which prevented him from breaking through to the Supreme Saint realm.
The Supreme Saint fruit had a strange function. It could make up for the lack of the heart of a Supreme Saint and pave the way to become a Supreme Saint.
Therefore, Wang Shiqi’s eyes were filled with desire.
Zheng Yuan and Fairy Cihang were also surprised. They didn’t expect Zhang Ruochen to have such a rare treasure.
Chi Kongyue didn’t take the Jade Box. Instead, she threw herself into Zhang Ruochen’s arms. Tears flowed uncontrollably as if she wanted to vent all the grievances she had suffered.
“Father, I miss you so much. Why haven’t you come to see me? Didn’t you promise to take me to Mount Kongyue when we return to Kunlun Realm, and take me to see the myriad of light, mountains and vast rivers…”
Chi Kongyue kept sobbing. Bean-sized tears kept falling to the ground and her delicate body was twitching slightly.
Hearing Chi Kongyue’s sobbing, Zhang Ruochen’s heart was filled with guilt. He was really a bad father. He hadn’t done anything for her as a father.
Zhang Ruochen’s heart was trembling. Even though he tried hard to keep a straight back and be as determined as a mountain, his eyes were still red. There were tears in his eyes. He couldn’t help but raise his hands and hug Chi Kongyue tightly.
“It’s all my fault, Kongyue. I will definitely keep my promises to you.”
Zhang Ruochen reached out to stroke Chi Kongyue’s head and comforted her softly.
Chi Kongyue was still very emotional. “Father, I’m so afraid. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to see you again. Please don’t leave me in the future, Okay?”
“Don’t be afraid. I will always be by your side. No one can bully you.” Zhang Ruochen’s voice trembled slightly. It was an indescribable feeling.
Seeing Chi Kongyue crying, his heart was about to break!
In the end, Chi Kongyue was still a child. She shouldn’t have to bear so many worries.
No matter what, he would never let Chi Kongyue suffer any more grievances, even if he was a god.
Wang Shiqi stood aside and looked at Zhang Ruochen with a complicated expression.
He had once regarded Zhang Ruochen as a traitor. He had advised Empress Chi Yao more than once and urged her to kill Zhang Ruochen to avoid future trouble.
But he didn’t expect that Zhang Ruochen would be needed to support Kunlun Realm today. The Path of Confucianism owed Zhang Ruochen a huge favor.
Without Zhang Ruochen, the situation in Kunlun Realm would be even more difficult. At least, the other realms would plunder without any scruples. No one could stop them.
In the battle of the Sword Vault, Zhang Ruochen had guarded the Nether Dungeon and didn’t let the Immortal Vampires release Lord Ming.
In the battle of the Xianji Mountain in the North region, Zhang Ruochen had destroyed the Deathkin’s conspiracy. He had prevented them from absorbing the North region’s power of resuscitation. He had also sealed the world passage, making it even harder for the Deathkin to enter Kunlun Realm.
In the battle of True Dragon Island, Zhang Ruochen had not only protected the key to the World Gate. However, he had also greatly reduced the morale of the Infernal Court.
Almost everything Zhang Ruochen did after he returned to Kunlun Realm had a huge impact on it and changed the direction of the overall situation again and again.
Was I too narrow-minded?’ Wang Shiqi asked himself.
After a long time, Chi Kongyue gradually calmed down and left Zhang Ruochen’s embrace.
Zhang Ruochen reached out and gently touched Chi Kongyue’s head. He stuffed the jade box containing the Supreme Saint Fruit into Chi Kongyue’s hands.
After adjusting his emotions, Zhang Ruochen walked over to Zheng Yuan and Fairy Cihang. He smiled and said, “Senior brother Zheng Yuan, senior sister Cihang, long time no see.”
Although his current strength had surpassed Zheng Yuan and Fairy Cihang, he was not arrogant at all. He seemed very easy-going.
“Junior Zhang, your growth speed really surprises me. It has only been a short time since we parted at the Xianji Mountain, but your strength has already reached the invincible level below the Supreme Saint. Even Yan Wushen was no match for you. Only your deterrent power can force Zhou Yu to cut off one of its arms.” Zheng Yuan sighed.
Zheng Yuan had been paying attention to Zhang Ruochen ever since he set foot in the Celestial Domain of Truth. It could be said that he had watched Zhang Ruochen grow up step by step.
With Zhang Ruochen’s current strength, he was undoubtedly able to gain the approval of the Taoists.
Chi Kongyue walked forward. Although her eyes were still red, she still bowed very obediently and said, “Thank you, Uncle Zheng Yuan, for coming to my rescue.”
Zheng Yuan waved his hand and said, “It’s just a small matter. There’s no need to be so polite. Even if I didn’t come, Junior Zhang would definitely have a solution.”
“Speaking of which, Junior Cihang and I came to the Spiritual Lake because we accidentally found Junior Zhang. We just happened to encounter these things.”
If they hadn’t found Zhang Ruochen, with Zheng Yuan and Fairy Cihang’s status, why would they stay in the place where the juniors talked?
At this time, Zhang Ruochen looked at Fairy Cihang and said seriously, “Senior Cihang, can you tell me which emperor became an awakened buddha in the west?”
In the beginning, Zhang Ruochen had decided that since he had the Eight-Dragon Umbrella, the emperor must be Emperor Ming.
But after thinking carefully, he had other thoughts.
800 years ago, there were nine emperors in the human race of Kunlun Realm. Although the Bodhi Emperor and the Demon Emperor were dead, there were still seven more. Except for Emperor Wen, the other six emperors had all disappeared without a trace. Therefore, the one who had become an awakened buddha in the west might not be Emperor Ming.
But since the enemy had the Eight-Dragon Umbrella, he must have had a deep relationship with Emperor Ming. Through him, Zhang Ruochen might be able to find clues about Emperor Ming.
Therefore, no matter what, Zhang Ruochen wanted to find out the identity of that emperor.
Unexpectedly, Fairy Cihang shook her head and said, “Even in the Western Buddha Realm, not many people know about the identity of that emperor. Forgive me for not being able to tell you.”
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen’s heart skipped a beat. He did not expect the identity of that emperor to be so mysterious. ‘Was he worried about something?’ Zhang Ruochen thought.
Emperor Ming, Emperor Wu, Emperor Dao, Sword Emperor, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Qing had all disappeared since the unification of the Kunlun Realm. No one knew where they had gone. Emperor Wen had only reappeared in recent years.
There were also the three empresses of the past, Blood Empress, Soul Empress, and Phantom Empress. Blood Empress was said to had been killed, but she was still alive in the second gradient of the Endless Abyss. On the other hand, Soul Empress and Phantom Empress were missing.
Thinking about it carefully, all of this was too strange. Where did the six emperors and the two empresses go? Were they secretly plotting something?
Zhang Ruochen thought about it and couldn’t find an answer. Perhaps only when he met the emperor who had become an awakened buddha in the west could he solve part of the mystery.
After chatting with Zheng Yuan and Fairy Cihang about the army of the Infernal Court, Zhang Ruochen left Syzygy Mansion with Chi Kongyue. He didn’t want to go to the open for the time being.
Chi Kongyue held Zhang Ruochen’s arm tightly. With a pure and bright smile on her face, she let go of all her depression and worries.
“Father, is the empress really my mother?”
Although she already had the answer in her heart, Chi Kongyue still wanted Zhang Ruochen to tell her personally.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t help but stop. His calm mind fluctuated greatly.
Empress Chi Yao’s deception was a difficult hurdle for Zhang Ruochen to overcome.
But now, Zhang Ruochen wouldn’t hide it anymore. Chi Kongyue had the right to know.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Ruochen nodded and said, “Yes.”
Hearing this, Chi Kongyue couldn’t help but fall into silence. Ever since she knew that Zhang Ruochen was her biological father, she had secretly investigated many things. She knew about the grudges between Zhang Ruochen and Empress Chi Yao, but this didn’t solve her doubts, instead, it made her more confused.
What puzzled Chi Kongyue the most was the meaning of her and Chi Kunlun’s existence? If Empress Chi Yao was so heartless to Zhang Ruochen, why did she give birth to them?
Chi Kongyue believed that Zhang Ruochen was genuinely good to her. However, Empress Chi Yao’s love was also true.
Now, Chi Kongyue’s greatest wish was to have a family reunion and enjoy the love of a father and a mother at the same time.
However, Chi Kongyue also understood that this was just her extravagant wish. The conflict between Zhang Ruochen and Empress Chi Yao was a knot that no one could untie. Could she untie this knot?
“Father, do you know where my brother is?” Chi Kongyue asked.
Chi Kongyue was more concerned about Chi Kunlun’s safety than anything else.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Well, don’t worry. Your brother will be fine. I will reunite you both soon.”
One of the reasons why he came to the Central Imperial City was to save Chi Kunlun from Yan Wushen.
If I couldn’t even protect the people I cared about, how could I protect Kunlun Realm?’ Zhang Ruochen thought.
Chi Kongyue was very happy for the next three days. With Zhang Ruochen by her side, he chats with her, he cultivates sword techniques with her, she had almost forgotten all her troubles.
Although it was not a long time, Chi Kongyue was very satisfied.
Zhang Ruochen stood under a green willow tree and looked at Chi Kongyue who was playing in the stream with a smile. His eyes were full of happiness.
The three days he spent with Chi Kongyue was the most relaxed and happy days he had had in many years.
If only time could stop at this moment,’ Zhang Ruochen thought.
If Zhang Ruochen had a choice, he did not want to be the strongest cultivator below the Supreme Saint, let alone the fighting and killings. He just wanted to be an ordinary person, so that he could give more company to his family and friends.
Whoosh
A slight sound pulled Zhang Ruochen back to reality.
A fat rabbit and a tall and mighty Demon Ape rushed out of the forest.
They were Guoguo the Mastadon-Devouring Rabbit and Demon Ape.
“Master Chen, we’re here. Your wish is my command,” Guoguo ran to Zhang Ruochen’s side and said politely.
Zhang Ruochen reached out and grabbed the soft fur on Guoguo’s neck. Guoguo’s body immediately shrank and was lifted up gently. A smile appeared on its lips.
“Kongyue, Come here. I have a gift for you,” said Zhang Ruochen.
Chi Kongyue did not hesitate. He immediately ran back to the shore and looked at Zhang Ruochen with anticipation.
Zhang Ruochen handed over the furry Guoguo and said, “I’ll bestow them to you. Let them talk and play with you.”
Hearing this, Guoguo opened its eyes wide and struggled to say, “What? Master Chen, you specifically summoned me and Demon Ape just to give us to a little girl as pets?”
“So? Do you have a problem with that? You two keep Kongyue company from now on. If she’s unhappy, I’ll hold you two responsible,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Guoguo shrunk its neck and quickly said, “Of course not. I’m just asking. I’ll be a good pet for Princess Kongyue in the future. It’s my honor.”
When it received Zhang Ruochen’s message, it thought that something good was going to happen. Guoguo had rushed over, but it did not expect such a result. It felt like crying.
Chi Kongyue took over Guoguo and gently stroked it. She said with a smile, “What a cute rabbit. It’s chubby. I like it very much. Thank you, Father.”
“I’m glad that you like it.” Zhang Ruochen showed a doting smile.
Guoguo and the Demon Ape were summoned especially from Royal Mountain because Zhang Ruochen hoped they could accompany and protect Chi Kongyue.
After all, he still had many things to do. He could not stay by Chi Kongyue’s side all the time.
In fact, Zhang Ruochen wanted to keep Chi Kongyue in the Qiankun Realm. It was the safest way, but Chi Kongyue was unwilling to. She did not want to stay out of the crisis in Central Imperial City.
Zhang Ruochen had no choice but to make this arrangement.
Guoguo and the Demon Ape were both in the Precept Domain realm. They were very powerful. With them by Chi Kongyue’s side, Zhang Ruochen could feel at ease.
…
