After pondering for a moment, Zhang Ruochen said, “No one can take away the heritage that belongs to Kunlun.”
“Thank you, brother Zhang,” Xue Wuye quickly thanked him.
When Xue Wuye heard Zhang Ruochen’s words, he secretly heaved a sigh of relief. If Flying Fairy Sword Technique were to fall in the hands of outsiders, he would undoubtedly become a sinner of Wanxiang City and be ashamed to face his ancestors.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen thought of something. He waved his hand and took out a corpse. “Since I’ve seen you, I’ll have to trouble you to bring him back to Wanxiang City to be buried.”
“He’s… Sword Emperor’s second disciple, Xue Lanshan.” Xue Wuye was shocked.
Although he was still very young and had never seen Xue Lanshan in person, he recognized him at a glance since there was a portrait of Xue Lanshan in Wanxiang City.
Xue Wuye sighed and said, “Xue Lanshan had been missing for more than 300 years. Never did I expect he has long died. Where did Brother Zhang find his body?”
Xue Lanshan was a legendary figure. His talent in swordsmanship was close to that of Sword Emperor. He had become the top elite in Wanxiang City not long after the disappearance of Sword Emperor.
Just when everyone had thought that Xue Lanshan would comprehend Ninth Sword and become the second Sword Emperor, he suddenly went missing. No one knew if he was dead or alive. It had caused a great impact on Wanxiang City.
“I found Xue Lanshan’s body many years ago on an ancient ship of the dead souls when I went to Ying Yang Sea,” said Zhang Ruochen.
Xue Wuye’s eyes were filled with sadness. “When Xue Lanshan went missing, he was already the strongest elite below Supreme Sainthood. He must have gone to Ying Yang Sea to find ways to become a Supreme Saint. Unfortunately, he failed.”
With Xue Lanshan’s talent, it would not have been difficult for him to advance to Supreme Sainthood if the environment of Kunlun didn’t restrict him.
Xue Wuye bowed respectfully to Xue Lanshan’s body. Then, with a wave of his hand, he put the body away.
When the crisis in Central Imperial City was over, he would bring the body back to Wanxiang City.
Handing Xue Lanshan’s corpse over to Xue Wuye took some load off Zhang Ruochen’s mind. His state of mind could only achieve a perfect state by fulfilling the promise he had made.
The door to the practice room opened. The Nine-heavens Maiden, Yin Yuanchen, and the others walked in immediately.
Seeing that Xue Wuye’s injuries had healed, everyone could not help but look surprised. They wondered what Zhang Ruochen had done.
Regardless of what he had done, the fact that Xue Wuye survived was certainly good news.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the Nine-heavens Maiden and Yin Yuanchen. “Where is Gu Xin’ao now?”
“Brother Zhang, are you planning to fight Gu Xin’ao?” asked Yin Yuanchen.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Not really. I just want to take back something that doesn’t belong to him.”
“Gu Xin’ao should still be in Welkin Lounge,” said Yin Yuanchen.
Welkin Lounge was a very famous restaurant floating above the third district in the city. It was a place for Saint-level elites to eat, drink, and have fun. It was a very luxurious place.
Ever since cultivators from diverse Macroworlds stormed into Central Imperial City, Welkin Lounge had become a gathering spot for prominent figures from different Macroworlds. It was even more bustling than before.
Welkin Lounge was where Yin Yuanchen had saved Xue Wuye. Judging from Gu Xin’ao’s personality, he felt that Gu Xin’ao’ probably had no plan to leave the place for now.
The Nine-heavens Maiden’s eyes changed. She asked softly, “You have a plan?”
Zhang Ruochen had already made many enemies. She really did not want him to get himself into more trouble.
“People of Kunlun should not endure the bullies. We must not allow outsiders to loot Kunlun. The more we tolerate, the more of them will be more unscrupulous.”
“It’s time to make rules. No matter who comes to Kunlun, they must comply with the rules.” Zhang Ruochen’s tone was calm but there with a strong will and authority in it.
Hearing this, the Nine-heavens Maiden was in silence. She thought of the recent situation of Imperial Court, Chi Kongyue’s encounter in Syzygy Mansion, and Xue Wuye’s serious injury this time. They could not continue to put up with this.
Otherwise, even if Kunlun survived from Infernal Court’s attack, those Macroworlds under Celestial Court would plunder it. In the end, everything including living beings and treasures would be taken away.
Of course, each cultivator held different ambitions. There was no way to force those wanting to join the powerful Macroworlds to fight for Kunlun.
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand and took out a golden leather scroll. It was made of the skin of a top Saint-King level sacred beast. Many complicated patterns seamlessly integrated with it.
As soon as he took it out, it emitted an intimidating aura, making Xue Wuye’s sword attendants step back.
Zhang Ruochen wrote lines of text on the golden scroll using his finger with his blood.
As soon as Zhang Ruochen wrote the last word, the golden scroll immediately emitted a dazzling light and transformed into a Decree.
Anyone could feel that the Saint power within the Decree was so powerful that even ordinary Neverwither Supreme Saints might not be able to withstand it.
This was the first time Zhang Ruochen had written a Decree since he had reached Sainthood. Furthermore, it was a Blood Decree.
With such a powerful Decree in his hand, anyone below Supreme Sainthood could do almost anything.
With a thought, Zhang Ruochen summoned a huge creature from Qiankun. It was a ferocious and terrifying Divine Python—Emperor Yi’s Evil Spirit.
Recently, the Evil Spirit had devoured the Saint souls of many elites. It had also been nourished by many heavenly treasures. It became stronger and stronger. Its compatibility with the corpse of the Divine Python had also increased greatly that it could unleash greater divine power.
“Master, what can I do for you?”
The Evil Spirit lowered its head and asked respectfully.
Now, Zhang Ruochen had planted a Blood God’s Curse Seal in the evil spirit’s Saint Soul so it did not dare to be presumptuous anymore.
Zhang Ruochen shook his hand and tossed the Blood Decree to the Evil Spirit. At the same time, he sent a message using his spiritual power.
The Evil Spirit did not hesitate. It moved and left Fane of Zichen swiftly. Then it left the Ziwei Emperor Palace.
The Nine-heavens Maiden and the others were confused. They had no idea what Zhang Ruochen was up to. They had not seen what was written on the Blood Decree.
However, they could predict that something big would happen. It might shake the entire central imperial city.
‘Is Zhang Ruochen—who has defeated—Yan Wushen finally going to establish his authority?’
At the same time, a large number of cultivators of Saber Empyrean were indulging in leisure and pleasures at Welkin Lounge.
However, the most luxurious pavilion in the lounge was very quiet. There was no singing and dancing performances but only two people sitting opposite each other.
On the left was a handsome young man with a pair of slanting eyes. There was a clear sword-shaped mark between his eyebrows. He was emitting light as dazzling as an unparalleled, unsheathed divine sword.
He was none other than Gu Xin’ao, Young Sword Reverend from Saber Empyrean.
Sitting opposite Gu Xin’ao was a skinny, wicked-looking man. He wore a green-black robe with many complicated array runes on it. Although he was sitting there, in the same place, it gave off the feeling that he was in a separate dimension.
This cultivator was also someone extraordinary. He was Zhou Zhen, a very powerful High-Saint Array Master from Formation Sect.
Formation Sect was a sect jointly set up by many Archsaint Array Master during the Middle Ages. It was a place of pilgrimage for array masters and had produced many Array Saint Masters. It shared a close relationship with Celestial Palace.
Zhou Zhen was the most outstanding successor in Formation Sect’s current generation. Not only that he was excellently skilful in array formation, but his fame was also no less than that of Lu Baiming from the Five-Element Temple.
“Zhou Zhen, I have great confidence that things will go according to our plan with you here in Kunlun. Come, let’s have a toast,” said Gu Xin’ao, who raised his glass.
Zhou Zhen did not smile. He picked up the fine wine in front of him and drank it in one gulp.
“Kunlun is indeed an eternal Macroworld. Never did I expect it still has the chance to turn things around after it went through the great catastrophe during the Middle Ages,” Zhou Zhen said with a sullen face.
Gu Xin’ao nodded. “Who would expect Kunlun to have two World Spirits?
“I thought when Blackheart Demonlord made Huang Tian chop down Divine Sky-connecting Tree, Kunlun would meet its end.
“Never did I expect the root of a new World Spirit would be born, reviving Kunlun from its verge of fall.
“However, if that World Spirit—Saturn Peach Tree—is chopped down, Kunlun will definitely meet its doom.”
A World Spirit was of utmost importance for a Macroworld. Losing the Root of World Spirit meant the cultivators of that Macroworld would lose the foundation to ascend to Godhood.
Kunlun used to be glorious and prosperous, but after Divine Sky-connecting Tree was cut off, it had entered a godless era that had lasted for 100,000 years.
It was not until Saturn Peach Tree had become Kunlun’s new World Spirit that a new deity had been born.
“It must be the doing of those Kunlun deities. They had everything planned and set and quietly waited for 100,000 years, for the chance to rise again.
“After all, we can’t tell for sure whether those legendary powerful died in that catastrophe during the Middle Ages?
“Moreover, the power of Sundial covered the entire Central Region in Kunlun during the Middle Ages. In other words, Kunlun must have produced many elites at that time. It is possible that not all of them died in that catastrophe. The situation in Kunlun is far more complicated than you, and I can imagine,” Zhou Zhen said meaningfully.
Gu Xin’ao was struck by Zhou Zhen’s words. Although he had come into contact with many secrets, he was still far from Zhou Zhen.
After drinking another glass of wine, Zhou Zhen continued, “However, it doesn’t matter. As long as the Saturn Peach Tree is chopped down, all the plans of Kunlun deities will go in vain. When the time comes, no one will be able to stop the destruction of Kunlun.”
“Saturn Peach Tree is in Central Imperial City, so this battle is of utmost importance to Kunlun. No matter how deep Kunlun cultivators keep that tree hidden, it will be found once the city is broken through, and that will be game over for Kunlun.”
Zhou Zhen’s eyes were filled with coldness as he spoke. He seemed to be looking forward to such an outcome.
“When that time comes, many secrets hidden in Kunlun will probably surface.” Gu Xin’ao’s eyes shone with a bright light.
The force afraid of Kunlun’s rising the most was not Infernal Court but Heavenly Realm and their allies.
After all, who would not be worried about Kunlun’s retaliation against them for what they had done?
No matter what disgraceful and despicable act they had committed, what was done was done. They could only bury the truth forever and get rid of those who dared to uncover the past.
At this moment, a slightly fat middle-aged man entered the pavilion.
Gu Xin’ao said, “Chu Xiangyun, what are you doing here? Get out.” His tone was arrogant.
Chu Xiangyun was the owner of Welkin Lounge. He was a Saint with a high cultivation base and had some fame in Kunlun. Otherwise, he would not have been able to gain a foothold in Central Imperial City.
“Gu Xin’ao, I did not mean to disturb you. However, the emissary of Prince of the Eastern Region is here. He wants you to—” Chu Xiangyun wanted to say something, but he hesitated; sweat kept beading on his forehead.
Gu Xin’ao frowned the moment he heard ‘Prince of the Eastern Region’. “What does Zhang Ruochen want?”
Ever since Zhang Ruochen had issued the travel ban restricting the entry of foreign cultivators into Eastern Region Holy City, cultivators from both Celestial Court and Infernal Court knew that he was the Prince of the Eastern Region.
As a regional Prince, Zhang Ruochen was undoubtedly one of the most high ranking figures in Kunlun.
“The emissary wants you to accept the Decree from the Prince of the Eastern Region immediately,” Chu Xiangyun said in a trembling voice.
Smack!
Gu Xin’ao slammed his palm on the table and stood up abruptly. His body emitted a terrifying aura.
‘Does he know who I am? I’m the famous Young Sword Reverend, a leader from Saber Empyrean. I would not even accept a Decree from an ordinary Supreme Saint, let alone him.
‘I am a Saint King just like Zhang Ruochen, yet he had the audacity to want me to accept his Decree. This is blatantly an insult!’
‘Zhang Ruochen, you’ve gone too far. Do you really think that no one can beat you?’ Gu Xin’ao’s eyes were full of anger.
Chu Xiangyun kept trembling. He could not withstand the intimidating aura from Gu Xin’ao and almost fell to the ground.
He was reluctant to be a messenger. In front of Gu Xin’ao, he was just a small fry.
Yet, he had no choice because compared to Gu Xin’ao, Zhang Ruochen—the Prince of the Eastern Region—was undoubtedly more terrifying.
“Gu Xin’ao, come out quickly and accept the Decree from the Prince of the Eastern Region.”
A deep sonorous voice came.
The voice contained traces of divine power that could shake the heavens, sending everyone in Welkin Lounge shivers.
Gu Xin’ao walked out of the pavilion and saw a Divine Python possessed by Emperor Yi’s Evil Spirit. He could not help but narrow his eyes. He could clearly feel that the powerful, intimidating aura of the Evil Spirit.
“I am not a Kunlun cultivator. Ask Zhang Ruochen to stop flaunting his authority as the Prince of the Eastern Region in front of me. If he wants anything, he should meet me in person,” said Gu Xin’ao in an aggressive tone.
‘It is true that one cannot afford to offend Zhang Ruochen, but I am not someone he can mess with. How can I face others if the news of me accepting his Decree spread?’
The Evil Spirit hovered in the air and looked down at Gu Xin’ao from above. The Blood Decree flew out of his head. “Gu Xin’ao, take this Decree.”
The Blood Decree released a bright golden light and gave off a vast, intimidating pressure. The pressure that came down to Gu Xin’ao was as heavy as an ancient divine mountain.
“Hmph.”
Gu Xin’ao snorted coldly. He raised his hand and shot out a thousand-foot-long dazzling Swordlight.
The Swordlight was invincible that it could slash through a dimension. Even an ordinary Neverwither Supreme Saint had to dodge it.
However, before it could even get close to the Blood Decree, the sword radiance was quickly dissipated. It did not cause any damage to the Blood Decree at all.
Gu Xin’ao was inadvertently struck by the sight of it. He felt immense pressure.
With a flip of his hand, Gu Xin’ao took out a violet gold Saint Sword, activated it with Saint Qi to launch an attack at the Blood Decree.
200,000 Regal-level inscriptions appeared on the violet gold Saint Sword, and hundreds of thousands of Precepts of Swordsmanship wrapped around it. The sword was emitting a vigorous Sword Qi.
The Blood Decree was slowly unfolded, and powerful energy was released. It locked down the dimension, crushing everything.
Despite Gu Xin’ao’s best efforts to resist, it did not take long for the Blood Decree to suppress him. It destroyed the sword strike that he was proud of.
“How is this possible?”
Gu Xin’ao was shocked and could not accept this reality.
If Zhang Ruochen had come in person and fought him, Gu Xin’ao might have accepted such an outcome. But now, it only took a Decree for Zhang Ruochen to suppress him to the point that he could not move. No one could accept this result.
“I, Prince of the Eastern Region, hereby pronounce a Decree. You are subject to Celestial Laws set by Celestial Court. In Kunlun, there are Kunlun Laws to follow too. Cultivators of Celestial Court could face punishment over violation of Celestial Laws, so are Kunlun Laws. Failing to comply with Kunlun Laws will face severe punishment.
“The first Order: You are forbidden to bully Kunlun cultivators and plunder Kunlun of its heritage—the cultivation technique manuals.”
“The second Order…”
..
The Evil Spirit raised its head and read aloud. Its voice was clearly heard throughout the entire Central Imperial City.
At the same time, the Blood Decree was fully unfolded. Lines of large characters that emitted boundless Saint light shone on the sky. Anyone who was in Imperial City could see them.
Obviously, the Decree written by Zhang Ruochen was not meant for Gu Xin’ao only, but all the cultivators of Celestial Court in the Imperial City.
The so-called Orders were the rules Zhang Ruochen had set.
Many cultivators saw Decree reflected in the sky and had a thought. “Does Zhang Ruochen want to suppress cultivators from all Macroworlds himself?”
