The day before God-ascension Ceremony, Xue Tu and Lord of Stone rushed back to Xue Jue family. Zhang Ruochen also came out of seclusion and ended his cultivation.
“Have you found anything about my master?” Zhang Ruochen asked directly.
He may look calm on the outside, but his heart was full of expectation. He was hoping for good news.
Xue Tu said, “I’ve used all the connections in Fane of Bloodlucius to secretly investigate this matter. I’ve found 13 Corpusian cultivators who might be your master. Please take a look, senior.”
As he spoke, Xue Tu took out a special crystal and handed it to Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen took it and released his spiritual power. He probed into the crystal and immediately gained a lot of information from it.
The crystal recorded the general information of the 13 Corpusian cultivators, including their identity, background, cultivation level, and strength. Each of them looked very similar to Sword Saint Xuanji.
The weakest among the 13 Corpusian cultivators was only a Demi-Saint, while the strongest was a Supreme Saint. They were from different Corpusian power.
It took less than a month for Xue Tu to get this information. He was rather quite capable.
The territory of Corpusian was vast. They occupied countless stars, and there were trillions of them. It wasn’t easy to find 13 cultivators who looked like Sword Saint Xuanji.
Zhang Ruochen memorized the information of the 13 Corpusian cultivators. Therefore, he could check them one by one.
If he was lucky, one of them might really be Sword Saint Xuanji.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen also understood that the possibility was low. Sword Saint Xuanji must have been extremely cautious in Infernal Court. He would not want to be easily found.
In fact, Sword Saint Xuanji might have changed his appearance in Infernal Court and turned into a completely different person.
Sword Saint Xuanji had taught Zhang Ruochen “Thirty-six Formless Transmogrification”. Hence, Sword Saint Xuanji had higher attainments in this aspect.
‘Even if there is only a slight possibility, I will try my best to find him. Master, oh Master, why did you stay in Infernal Court?’ Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
“Senior, is your master among them?” Xue Tu asked.
Zhang Ruochen turned to look at Xue Tu. He shook his head slightly and said, ” How would I know if you ask me? In Infernal Court, I can find a lot of Immortal Vampires who look like you,”
“Sanzu River basin is vast. It will take a long time to investigate all Corpusian. I’ll continue after Master’s God-ascension Ceremony,” Xue Tu said quickly.
“Do you think my master will stay in Sanzu River region? Every clan in Infernal Court must be investigated,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“Yes, Senior. You’re right.”
After a pause, Xue tu asked tentatively, “Senior, could you give me Seamless Purgatory Tower first? I need it for my recent cultivation.”
When Zheng Ruo Chen heard this, his heart skipped a beat. Xue Tu’s eagerness to return to Seamless Purgatory Tower was definitely not for cultivation. It was most likely because Bloodlucius was coming to attend God-ascension Ceremony. Hence, he wanted to prepare in advance.
Bloodlucius was an ancient god of Bloodysky Clan. He was quite powerful as he had survived a Yuanhui Tribulation. He also had a good relationship with Wargod Bloodximius because they had grown up in the same era.
The majority of deities wouldn’t rush to Xue Jue family until God-ascension Ceremony was held. However, Bloodlucius might already be in Xue Jue family.
Just now, Zhang Ruochen vaguely sensed an obscure divine thought sweeping over his body. Although it disappeared in an instant after.
It wasn’t a good thing to be noticed by a powerful ancient god.
Those who had broken the limits of a God’s life as one survived Yuanhui Tribulation — even only once— would be one of the top gods.
This kind of God was very terrifying in the entire universe.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Since you’re so serious, I can lend you Seamless Purgatory Tower for a day. But you have to return it by this time tomorrow.”
“Thank you, senior,”
Xue Tu smiled in surprise.
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand and took out a semi-sealed Seamless Purgatory Tower.
He had thought about refining Seamless Purgatory Tower, but he found that a mark left by a deity in the tower not erasable. Therefore, he just sealed it.
It wasn’t just Seamless Purgatory Tower. Almost all the other Supreme Artifact and divine relics Zhang Ruochen had obtained were the same.
Only the Golden Sun of Destruction belonged to Sunshine Civilization’s Scions. It had been refined by elder Tianzhu.
Therefore, after killing Sunshine tianzi, Zhang Ruochen could successfully refine the Golden Sun of Destruction.
There was also Zangshan Demonic Mirror, which was accidentally obtained by Nine-Eye Heavenly Lord in Kunlun’s field. When he got it, it lacked a core item and had no vessel spirit in it. Thus, it was easy to refine it.
Xue Tu stared at Seamless Purgatory Tower with excitement in his eyes. This treasure was finally returned to him.
“Remember, I’m only lending you Seamless Purgatory Tower, not giving it to you. If you don’t return it to me tomorrow, you’ll have to bear the consequences,” Zhang Ruochen said seriously.
Xue Tu smiled sheepishly, “I understand, I understand. Don’t worry, senior.”
After taking Seamless Purgatory Tower from Zhang Ruochen, Xue Tu’s heart finally settled.
“Tomorrow is God-ascension Ceremony. senior, you should have a lot of things to do, so I won’t disturb you anymore!” Xue Tu said quickly and left Zhang Ruochen’s residence.
Seeing Xue Tu leave, Zhang Ruochen said in a low voice, “God-ascension Ceremony is a good chance to see how many heaven-blessed figures there are in Bloodysky Clan.”
Celestial-Hunting Festival held by Fane of Destiny was of a very high standard. The ten clans of Infernal Court all attached great importance to it. Naturally, Bloodsky clan was no exception. Therefore, they would definitely send all their elites to attend.
Although Zhang Ruochen didn’t know much about the specifics of Celestial-Hunting Festival. But he knew that only Saint Kings and Supreme Saints who weren’t more than 1,000 years old were qualified to participate.
To be more precise, the participants were of Nine-Step Saint King, Supreme Saints from Neverwilt Realm, and Hundred-Shackle Realm.
It wasn’t that no one could reach Thousand-Koan Realm within 1,000 years.
But once their cultivation reached Thousand-Koan Realm, they would truly come into contact with Universe’s Principles and pry into the mysteries of becoming gods. They stood at different heights, and the focus of their cultivation was no longer to pursue power. Therefore, Celestial-Hunting Festival was meaningless to them.
Under normal circumstances, those who were able to take the top spots in Celestial-Hunting Festival were all top-notch experts in Hundred-Shackle Realm. Besides that, they were all nurtured by the ten clans of Infernal Court.
Even if Bloodsky Clan was at the bottom of the top ten clans of Immortal Vampires, their foundations were not weak.
Moreover, it was hard to say if they were still at the bottom.
Even though Zhang Ruochen had completely grasped the power of his physical body and made his cultivation improve greatly, he didn’t dare to underestimate others.
God-ascension Ceremony held as scheduled.
It was a lively scene everywhere around Xue Jue family. It was rare to see a Saint king or a Supreme Saint in the family, but today they all showed up. Even those Saint-level cultivators who were outside had rushed back recently.
Some had returned after battling in more than a dozen Battlefield of Merits in Celestial Court, and some had rushed back from the borders of Infernal Court. Even the elites who were in charge of major planets, primitive worlds, and Cosmic Secret Realms had deployed others to send gifts.
God-ascension Ceremony prepared for the two new gods was extremely grand. They must not neglect it or make a fool out of Xue Jue family.
From the morning onwards, the gods brought their disciples, children, and subordinates to Xue Jue Family one after another.
Every once in a while, divine light would appear in the sky above Xue Jue Family. Some rode to the Fane, some stepped on clouds made of Blood Qi, and some rode on thousands of miles-long divine beasts. All of them were awe-inspiring.
The sight of it was like a scene of returning myriad demons.
The arriving gods were all led directly to Fane of Xue Jue in the divine land instead of mortal land.
As for Saint-level cultivators who came with gods, they were led into Vastsea Garden. This was a place that was specially held for grand occasions. It would only be open for the most important events.
Vastsea Garden was very spacious. There were mountains, lakes, and many Blood Sorghums planted there. The fragrance of flowers filled the air.
For this God-ascension Ceremony, Xue Jue family had renovated Vastsea Garden and made it even more magnificent. They had even specially opened a floating island to receive the elites who were going to attend Celestial-Hunting Festival.
There were too many cultivators attending God-ascension Ceremony. Other than the ones brought by the gods, there were also many Supreme Saints who had rushed over. Among them, there were quite many top elites. Therefore, even the acting head, Supreme Saint Qingsheng had to go greet the guests.
Even though all the Saint-level disciples of Xue Jue family were deployed, they were still very busy.
Zhang Ruochen also arrived at Vastsea Garden early in the morning, but he stayed on the floating island and did not receive any guests.
He didn’t know any of Saints in Bloodsky clan, and he didn’t like to socialize either. He only attended this feast because of Blood Empress.
Although some people were unhappy with Zhang Ruochen, they couldn’t do anything about it.
As Zhang Ruochen’s mother was a god.
Even if he only had half of Immortal Vampires’ bloodline, no one would dare to discriminate against him. They couldn’t treat him like other clan members from non-ruling branch.
As time passed, more and more Saint Kings and Supreme Saints were led to the floating island. They sat down, either alone or in groups.
Rumble
A huge Fane building tore through the sky and appeared above Xue Jue family’s territory. Following this, a streak of bright divine light descended.
After the divine light dissipated, more than ten figures appeared. All of them had extraordinary auras as they exuded a powerful Saint aura.
The person in the lead was tall and sturdy. He was close to ten feet tall and had long silver hair. His muscles were like dragons ,and he was filled with power.
“Supreme Saint Xueqi, taste my palm strike,”
The speaker charged towards Supreme Saint Xueqi like a human-shaped Tyrannosaurus the moment he appeared and struck out his palm strike.
As he raised his hand, terrifying Ice energy gathered, and the temperature of the surroundings dropped.
Supreme Saint Xueqi frowned but he did not retreat. He drew his bow and countered with his palm strike, releasing a vast amount of Blood force.
The two of them did not use Precepts of heaven and earth or Saint Qi. They only used their own powers and had restrained themselves to minimize their destructive power.
Boom
Their palm strikes collided violently.
Supreme Saint Xueqi’s body trembled and he retreated involuntarily. However, he managed to bear the palm strike.
“Hahaha, Supreme Saint Xueqi, you have improved a lot in the past ten years. I have cultivated Frozen Universe Palm for fifty years and reached Great perfection. Unexpectedly, even after using 30 percent of my power, you were still able to take it.
“In a thousand years of Xue Jue family, you are indeed the top elite.” The silver-haired man laughed out loud.
Supreme Saint Xueqi was shocked as he dissipated the ice energy. He cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations, brother Yi Xuan for attainment of Great Perfection in Frozen Universe Palm. No one in Hundred-Shackle Realm can be your opponent now,”
Supreme Saint Xueqi was a prideful person. However, he had no choice but to be humble in front of Supreme Saint Yi Xuan.
Although both of them were in Hundred-Shackle Realm, there was a huge gap between Xueqi and Yi Xuan.
Just like Saint Kinghood, once they reached Supreme Sainthood, cultivators of the same realm would have vastly different powers.
Honk
Just as Supreme Saint Yi Xuan was about to speak, an ancient war chariot that covered with damages drove over from afar. It reflected a battlefield filled with corpses where the sun and moon had fallen and gods were drenched in blood. It made one’s heart tremble.
The one pulling the war chariot was a Silver Dragon Beast Emperor. It was 100 kilometers long and gave off an extremely ferocious aura. Just a sneeze of it, the world would shake, bolts of lightning would flash and thunders would rumble.
Roar
The Silver Dragon Beast Emperor let out low roars and walked in the air.
In an instant, everyone around Vastsea Garden was startled. They turned their gazes to see the ancient war chariot. Even Zhang Ruochen was no exception.
When the war chariot stopped, a tall and handsome man walked down. His body shone with seven-colored divine light and he had eight silver wings on his back.
Just from the number of silver wings, it could be seen that this person’s Blood Qi was extremely vigorous.
The moment Supreme Saint Yi Xuan saw him, his expression changed. He said, “Isn’t this guy comprehending Blood Nethertouch in Fane of Immortality? There hasn’t been any news of him for 30 years. I thought that he wouldn’t participate in this Celestial-Hunting Festival.
“Since he has come out of seclusion, doesn’t that mean that he has successfully cultivated Blood Nethertouch?”
“That’s good too. If he doesn’t come, the current Celestial-Hunting Festival will be too boring. We haven’t fought for many years, but we can exchange a few moves today. Let’s see if he has really cultivated Blood Nethertouch. Better don’t disappoint me.”
Hearing this, Supreme Saint Xueqi’s eyes revealed a look of surprise.
Blood Nethertouch was a top-class Hundred-Shackle Realm Saint Technique. It was a secret technique from Fane of Immortality and was extremely difficult to cultivate. Even many supreme saints from Thousand-Koan Realm couldn’t cultivate it successfully.
Xue Ningxiao appeared beside Zhang Ruochen and sat down. Her eyes displayed a look of surprise, “Did you see that? The cultivator who fought with Supreme Saint Xuanqi was Supreme Saint Yi Xuan. He’s the famous young Supreme Saint from Yi family. Plus, he’s only 500 years old and has already broken 80 shackles.”
“Cousin Ruochen, you’re over 800 years old. You have to work hard!”
“The cultivator who got off the chariot is Gu Chenzi. He’s about the same age as Supreme Saint Yi Xuan. He has six wings and is extremely talented. He also cultivated the two Deva Paths of Immortal Vampires. He’s highly regarded by Fane of Immortality. Many people say that he might become a god before he’s 3,000 years old.”
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen glanced at Supreme Saint Yi Xuan and Gu Chenzi. It was not easy for them to reach such a level of cultivation in only 500 years.
However, just because they practiced fast did not mean that they could become a god.
Many cultivators spent their time during Demi-Sainthood, Sainthood, and Saint Kinghood. They accumulated experience and laid a solid foundation. This way, they could go further and were more powerful than those in the same realm.
Xue Ningxiao’s eyes were filled with longing, she continued, “In the past thousand years, we had three extremely talented people in Bloodsky clan. They are Supreme Saint Yi Xuan, Gu Chenzi, and Lord Yu. They are all geniuses of the same generation and their cultivations have always been at the same level. They are known as the Three Masters of Bloodsky. Of course, they have now become the overlords of a region with some conferred the title of Supreme Saint and Lord.”
In the world of Bloodsky clan, there was no living being who did not know the names of the Three Masters of Bloodsky. They were known as the future hope of Bloodsky Clan and had a great chance of becoming gods. Supreme saint Xueqi was inferior when compared to them.
